sugar rush

My parents called a moratorium on my baking efforts last week, after I made biscotti, chocolate cupcakes, and a carrot cake within the span of 24 hours. {Focusing my energy on an activity that has an end result somewhat assuages the frustrations of job hunting.} So what's a girl in need of a sugar fix to do but visit as many cupcakeries and bakeries in a day as possible?

{Black forest & strawberry cupcakes from Brown's Bakery and chai tea cupcake from Babycakes; My favorite cupcake of the day {Chai Tea Cupcake}; Strawberry tart from Le Matin; Chocolate flourless squares, vanilla cupcakes, and a petit four from Tinker's Cake Shop; Guava and cream cheese pastry from Old San Juan; Baked goodies from Mondelli's Bake Shop}

Best sugar coma ever.

cinderella

Mossimo Valda Ruffle Flats in Cranberry, $25.

There's nothing I love more than a pointed toe flat. I went to Target to buy these today, and the only sizes left were 8.5+. Darn my stupid feet!

But I did get these sensible {non-flat, not really a pointed toe} shoes for a bargain {less than $20} today, so maybe I shouldn't complain:

Calvin Klein Paxter in Black Kidskin, $90.

You know, I keep saying that I hate shoe shopping, but I don't really think that's true.

a look back, part two

So, while I was tweaking the layout of my blog this weekend {html is not my friend}, I realized I never posted the second part of this entry. How annoying. That's like the blog equivalent of not closing a parenthesis.

I split the post in two parts, I think, mainly so I could post this New York Post video {it's old; the pictures were new}:

Yeah, that's me @ the 1:04 mark! And, yeah, I know I'm pretty terrible at Bhangra.

9/28/09 ETA: I always forget that I have {and go by} a million different names. In any case, none of my names are Rayfana. Thanks for butchering the spelling of my name, NYPost!

q&a, part two

My lifelong love for books began, I think, with Frances Hodgson Burnett's magical and utterly charming novel A Little Princess.

I had received the book as a birthday present-- and let me tell you, I was not happy about receiving a book! for a present! {ugh} ...until I started reading, and then I was captivated. I wanted to be Sara, not only for her riches, but also for her goodness and strength and spirit and imagination. The moral of the story -- that being a princess is not about privilege and fortune, but rather about how one chooses to respond to difficult situations and life's unexpected turns -- is inspiring, and even as adult, a point I would do well to remember.

And now a puppy with a tiara (via here).

I am grateful for having received that book for my birthday, as it instilled in me a respect and appreciation for the written word. Many children are not so lucky and do not have access to books. First Book addresses this barrier to literacy by providing new books and educational resources to children in need. This year, First Book is pledging to donate 50,000 new books to the state that receives the most votes in their "What Book Got You Hooked?" Campaign. So, head on over to First Book's website to vote, and while you're there, be sure to let them know:

"What book got you hooked?"
{I'd like to know, too, if you don't mind sharing your story.}

Vote now. Vote often. Vote Kentucky ;).

{Okay, you don't really have to vote for Kentucky. But you do have to vote before midnight ET on September 30, 2009.}

q&a, part one

Time Out New York is a useful magazine to which to subscribe. It's not so useful when you get your issues a week late. And it's even less useful when you no longer live in New York. {But for some reason, I still get the magazine at my parents' house. (I hope I didn't pay for this. I don't recall signing up for it, actually.)}

In last week's wearable fall fashion issue, TONY asked,

"What do you want for fall?"

And my answer is this:

Balmain RTW Fall 2009 Paris

(Image via here and here)

Since the likelihood of my purchasing the "it" jacket* of the season is approximately nil, I would settle for this boyfriend blazer from Express:

What's on your fall wishlist?

For inspiration, I suggest perusing Pink Monkey's Fall Series posts by guest bloggers (and Miss Blog Goggles' post in particular-- she is hilarious!).

*Note to Megan: Please read this article.

what i wore: eid mubarak!

Despite the blustery, rainy start to Eid al-Fitr yesterday, the day was, as always, an exhausting whirlwind of food, prayer, family, and friends. Instead of wearing one of the new salwar kameezes my mom brought back from her most recent trip to Bangladesh for the occasion, I paired a $10 dress I bought from Charlotte Russe with the salwar (pants) and orna (long scarf) of an older salwar kameez. 

Sure, with the orange and black earrings, gold and orange bangles, and gold sandals, I'm a little too 'matchy matchy,' but Bengalis love that nonsense. I got so many compliments from the aunties, most of whom couldn't believe that the dress was bought here and not in Bangladesh-- high praise indeed. 

I don't normally wear a lot of print, but I love the retro print of this dress. I can't wait to wear it like a normal person. ;)

pity-ville, population me

...and Alexander.

Ever have one of those days when nothing goes your way, not even a little bit, and then you end up throwing a blubbering tantrum over something really insignificant (like not having a cupcake pan)?

Well, today was one of those days. So right now I'm eating ice cream and sighing over Logan.

an apple a day

A few things I learned yesterday:

1. If you have seasonal allergies, then it's probably not a good idea to go apple picking on a farm in early September without taking your allergy medicine.
   
   1a. At the very least, take lots of Kleenex, so you don't have to steal paper napkins from the Sweet Apple Cafe.
   
   
2. You do not know more than Google Maps.
   
   
3. Buy a whole, not half, gallon of fresh pressed apple cider, because you will finish a half gallon within two days. And it is a bad decision to not buy fresh apple cider donuts; you will regret that later.

Apples, Evans Orchard and Cider Mill, Georgetown, KY. 9/11/09.

I have been super lazy this past week -- seriously, if I were a Harry Potter character, my Animagus would be a sloth (yeah, I just referenced Harry Potter. I am that cool.) -- so it was really nice to be outside, even with my allergies in attack mode and getting lost on the way to the orchard. Plus, picking my own apples gave me a(n artificial) sense of accomplishment, and I like the idea of knowing where my food came from...

Shirt: Forever 21. Scarf: Bakers. Flower bobby pin: H&M.

ETA: My dad has kindly pointed out that we have pear trees in our backyard that I could've picked for free. He's such a Debbie Downer.

make a statement

On a good day, my style can be described as classic. I have a closet full of crisp white shirts, LBDs, and pencil skirts. I'm in love with trench coats and pea coats, live in (ballet) flats, and believe that only black is the new black (unless it's white... or gray). My style, on most days when not properly managed, can be a little boring.

That's why I rely on my accessories for that pop of color, or to bring visual interest to my outfit. And that's why my favorite trend this season (and always) are

statement necklaces.

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2009 RTW
(Image via Harper's Bazaar)

Let's be honest. I could never pull that off. Nor could I afford it. And after a failed trip to F21 to buy a bib necklace, I decided I would make my own.

I used the always stylish fashion blogger the glamourai's DIY tutorial for her bands of bling bib to create my necklace. I only used two (silver) chains, so it's not really a blingin' bib:

Dress: H&M. Tee: Mossimo. Necklace: Made by me.

I added a chartreuse flower pin (New York & Co., $1.99) and a crystal starburst pin for a little glitz and glamor.

It's not Oscar de la Renta, but I like it. What do you think?