review – Lolita And The City

The Little Museum That Could – South Street Seaport Museum

Signs in the window in case you forgot where you were.

If you’re not familiar with the Seaport Museum, you should be familiar with the drama about it’s tragic story and eventual rescue by the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY). To sum it up, the Seaport Museum is one of the many museums in NYC, but the only one that explores its nautical trade history.
Friday I decided to check it out and I was blown away. First of all, I had heard about the museum being shut down due to money issues and lack of funds. Not to mention the rumors about it being sold for prime realty. And I was ecstatic as the rest of New York when the Museum of the City of New York took over.

Metal baits hanging like artwork.

For model boat lovers they have plenty of ships in bottles and larger replicas on display.

It wouldn’t be a Seaport Museum without ships in bottles.

Close-up of one of them

What impressed me the most was how MCNY treated the museum. As far as my knowledge and pre-MCNY, the museum could not afford renovations much less upkeep. Post-MCNY they decided to take its Miss Havisham’s appearance and make it part of the museum itself. You go and notice the walls, the doors, the windows, and the glass paneling (to preserve the old construction), in addition to the exhibits on display.

Graffiti protected behind glass.

One of many doors that no longer serve function.

Local designers work

This is selection is out of 2500 in the Seaport’s collection.

Photography by local artists.

They even include designers’ work on display.

Reminds me alot like h. Naoto Gramm

Original building work intact with a ghostly mannequin.

The museum itself is made of 3 floors where each one feels like a maze, zigzagging in rooms like a kid exploring the attic with a flashlight. The exhibits were a mix of the Seaport’s relics and collections, there artifacts from the Fulton Fish Market, a room with a “small” selection of tools used by workers when the port was bustling with ships.

Some of the many tools used in shipbuilding.

Old-fashioned dryer.

Antiques of the tea trade.

Relics from the Fulton Fish Market.

There is also a photo gallery on the 5th floor of a selection of photos taken during Occupy Wall Street when it was at Zucotti Park.

I could just be fangirl over the organic curation of the museum or it was really just that cool to know it was originally a hotel built in 1850. The best part? Admission is only $5 and can be used at the Museum of the City of New York (within 7 days of course).

The Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street
New York, NY 10038

A Taste of Home – A-Pou’s Taste

Lunch tends to be a tricky meal if you work full-time, and really want to avoid the lines and burgers Mickey D’s.

You could bring lunch, but its more rewarding to know you can afford lunch. I recently discovered A-Pou’s Dumpling cart.

With 4 dumpling options to chose from you really can’t go wrong. There’s Taiwanese Style Pork, Hong Kong Style Chicken, Kimchi Beef, and Vegetarian. What’s got me hooked is that they advertise using no MSG in their food, and it’s pretty authentic when it comes to potstickers – right down to crispy skin). The next closet thing is making them yourself from scratch.

Took me at least 3x before I was able to take the pictures.

Which I’ve actually done, and it’s simply not the same making them with family and then eating a giant pot of dumplings.

You can have it with noodles or just order a whole bunch of dumplings. And between $5-$9 you get your money’s worth.

A-Pou’s Taste

(Upper West Side)
Broadway and W 72nd St
Manhattan, NY 10023

(East Village)
Astor Pl and Lafayette St
New York, NY 10003

(Financial District)
140 Broadway
(between Cedar St & Liberty St)
New York, NY 10005

Fast Fashion – eBay Fashion Vault X CDFA Bag Review

Remember the post I made about the CDFA raising awareness of counterfeit goods? I decided to purchase the bag (my bag collection is rivaling my shoe collection).

It arrived yesterday afternoon which was quite a shock as the receipt told me it would arrive in two weeks. I knew it was going to be a big (it was a tote bag after all), but it was much bigger than I expected. Not that I can complain.

Simple yet functional – all while making a statement for a cause. Good for school, work, or shopping. There’s two pockets inside. The only thing is there’s no zipper, but it’s deep enough for pickpockets who don’t feel like digging for wallets.

Attached to the bag was giant tag thanking me for my purchase and supporting their campaign. On the other side was a list of CDFA members who were involved.

If I’d known Anna Sui was involved I would’ve bought hers (It was super mori-girl)

Back of authentication card.

Lastly, there was an authentication card in the inside pocket (Always check the pockets!). Overall it’s a great bag to invest and support a cause. For $35 with free shipping I say it’s a good deal don’t you?

Ever Changing – Japan Fashion Now

This coordinate is on display at
Japan Fashion Now.

Last Monday I had the opportunity to take a guided tour, lead by the curator Valerie Steele, of Japan Fashion Now, an exhibit displaying selections of prominent Japanese fashion designers and subculture styles that are distinctly found on the streets of Tokyo.

While it was my third time at the exhibit, it was a great experience learning the vision Steele had in mind for viewers. I was especially interested in what she could comment regarding Lolita fashion.

Japan Fashion Now is divided into two sections: the first covering the Japanese fashion industry origins from 1970s to 21st century, and the rest of the exhibit is covering what fashion in Japan is like today. Steele presents Japan’s fashion origins coming from the Dark Ages, with classic black clothes from Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo from Commes des Garcons, to a revolution of color and experimentation.

My experience, thought, was not what I expected since visiting the exhibit I was more intrigued by the other designers, particularly Jun Takahashi and his UNDERCOVER with his use of crepe and shapes. While the other visitors were more interested by the small display of Lolita fashion and its doll-like aesthetics, but Steele had already mentioned characteristics I’ve heard before.

Inspired by Victorian and Rococo clothing. To create a doll-like appearance. An outlet for Japanese women to reject the uniformity and traditions of society by dressing for themselves.

Say what you will, but it’s difficult to define Lolita fashion. True, Lolita fashion is inspired by Victorian and Rococo periods, but it is also inspired by archetypal feminine qualities. It is also an expressive, individualized fashion since Lolitas look similar, but never exactly same.

Which essentially what Japan Fashion Now is attempting to express – to take inspiration and make it your own. In terms of expressing Lolita fashion to others, Steele presents samples of the style that is neither Nabakov nor just a babydoll dress with a petticoat, but just exposing visitors to a style of fashion they’ve never seen before.

Overall I had a good experience, and was impressed by the interior design Steele chose. If you notice the wall-sized photo collages they actually depict various, notable fashion districts like Otomoesando, Ginza, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Odaiba, and Akihabara – which corresponds to each section display. Cosplay to Akihabara, Harajuku, Shinjuku, and Odaiba to school uniforms, Lolita, hime-kei, morigirl, etc.

I still find it strange how enamored people are by Lolita fashion, but perhaps it’s because I’ve been so immersed in the subculture that I’ve forgotten what it’s like on the outside looking in.

If you are a Lolita and in the city, I recommend stopping by “Japan Fashion Now” before April 2nd when it closes.

Not to see your Lolita wardrobe on display, but to be exposed to other designers like Commes des Garcon, Issey Miyake and Jun Takahashi (and see a Louis Vuitton/Murakami collaboration bag in person!).

If you are curious why you see girls and boys dressing like they are going to a Halloween costume party, go to FIT and learn that they just felt like dressing up for the day.

Japan Fashion Now
Closes April 2nd
Museum at FIT
227 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 217-4558

A Stone Throw’s Away

If you’ve ever had the chance to stop by Bryant Park shops during the holidays this past winter, you may have noticed a cute accessories vendor known as Stone Flower.

Necklaces with cute bows, earrings in the shape of cupcakes, and headbows that would work for your next Lolita coordinate.

Luckily if you are in the city, Stone Flower has a physical location right here in New York City at the South Street Seaport. It has two stores within the South Street Seaport mall: one solely for accessories and one for clothes.

The clothes are often flowing summer floral dresses, fur-line hooded cardigans for winter, as well cute hats and skirts. Perfect for girls who want to feel feminine and girly all the time, or even just throwing on something after your fun-filled day meeting your fellow Lolitas.

There are a lot of items like cardigans and cute blouses that can work with Lolita fashion. Even polka-dotted umbrellas for that random chance you get stuck in the rain.

…And if you have already have that eye for finding offbrand Lolita looks, you even find an adorable JSK for a more casual style.

Compared to brand clothing like Angelic Pretty or Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Stone Flower is a great place to go if you need something for a last-minute meet or haven’t bought anything Lolita-related lately.

If you’re not into clothes and just need something to add on to that already great coordinated, you should by pass the first floor shop and head to the second floor. With its signature pink and white color scheme, it’s a store that catches your eye and draws you in.

Stone Flower is a place for accessories for that Lolita who wants to move on up from Claire’s, or needs accents that will make her great coordinate even better.

From flower earrings to cameo necklaces to hair clips to a cute wallet, there at least something for every type of girly girl. Everything is easily displayed for windowshoppers and buyers alike. With plenty of mirrors around the store, you can see for yourself if the blue bird earrings or if a rhinestone cupcake necklace is more your style.

That inner girl of yours will be squeeing at the cuteness even if you are not.

Stone Flower
89 South Street, Pier 17
1st & 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038-3520
(212) 240-9001

Sunday Brunch: Sip Sak

New York City is a very convenient place for anyone who is hungry anytime, anywhere because there is always a slew of restaurants to choose from.

What people may not know is that if you step off the main streets like Broadway, you arrive in the New Yorker’s area of the city: a quieter, residential but still have that urban feel.

With so many restaurants in the area is best to choose based on a roulette method: walk along the street until one strikes your fancy.

It’s a method that’s especially useful when you are unsure of what do about brunch on a late Sunday morning after one last skate around The Pond at Bryant Park.

If you’re wanting brunch, but want something different, Sip Sak should be on your list. Their sage green doors and mirror-framed menus outside will entice you to try their food on impulse.

And it won’t disappoint.

It’s a Turkish restaurant located on the upper part of Midtown along 2nd Avenue.

The menu was pretty simple and explanatory for those unfamiliar with Turkish cuisine. With items like Sahanda Sucuklu Yumurta (eggs with spiced lamb) or Kasarli, Sucuklu Tost (panini with cheese and spiced lamb sausage) you really can’t go wrong. Or if you’re a burger person and want to be a just a little adventurous, try a Lamb Burger.

The Turkish tea was certainly a refresher after being quite comfortable with the taste of English Breakfast or Earl Grey. It was perfectly hot to the touch (just the way I like) and in a cute tulip-shaped cup. The light smoky flavor lifted my tastebuds to imagine drinking in a teahouse at the side of a bazaar.

If you are more of a coffee person, Turkish coffee is very much like a shot of espresso, except much stronger.

The waiters were attentive, and the food arrived as soon as our side of hummus and bread were nothing but crumbs. Although I had an omelette with mushrooms, peppers and onions, it came with home fries and a salad. The price is average for a Manhattan restaurant, but considering it was my first time at Sip Sak, I’ll be sure to be coming back with friends.

(Note: While Turkish cuisine highly favors meat-lovers, Sip Sak does have vegetarian options.)

Sip Sak
928 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 583-1900

The Mystery (Bag) of Anna Sui Revealed! Plus In-Store Event 2/17

I cannot tell you how much I adore Anna Sui. With her hippie florals, sophisticated but poppy prints, and gothic twist on everything she has become one of my favorite designers. And her entire makeup line is bold and subtle with just a hint of roses (including the nail polish!).

So what better way to spend some leftover Christmas/New Year’s gift cards than invest it in a Anna Sui New Year’s “Mystery Bag.” Like any lucky pack it had a selection of makeup products but you’re unsure what will be inside.

In my case I received:

2 eyeliner kohl pencils (red orange and green)
liquid eyeliner (chick yellow)
liquid eyecolor/eyeshadow (shimmery slate gray)
2 nail colors (red and sea green)
makeup pouch and brush set

For a total of $200 worth of products at a just $95, it was a quite steal! And I intend to use most of it.

The pencils not so much as I’m very plain Jane with eyeliner, using mostly neutral shades or classic black. However the yellow eyeliner I’ve discovered is more of a tint so it would be good for highlighting a dark eyeshadow. The light grey eye shadow could be used anytime, casual or for a night out (good for a smoky eyes).

As for nail polish do you really need a reason for having more nail polish? Mix, match or just paint your toes.

Finally, it was very nice bonus to find a makeup pouch that came with three brushes: one for blush, one for shadow, and one for lips. (Note: the pouch has a secret bottom pocket for brushes only. What could get better than this?

But wait, there’s more.

Anna Sui will be having an in-store party to unveal a new lip gloss color on Thursday, February 17th from 6-8PM. Whether it is because of New York Fashion Week or just simply perfect timing, it’s a good excuse to get some more makeup and have a chance to meet Anna Sui herself!

Not to mention dress up. And grab another mystery bag. I hope to see you there.

Anna Sui

26 Greene Street

New York, NY 10012

(212) 941-8406