Shell's Shoot & Shop

Fancy find of the day

2009-02-05T23:37:00.005-05:00

Picture this - it's dark and gloomy outside and cold rain is beating down on your sleek black umbrella. Can't a fab gal get a break? But, wait! You look up with hope in your heart and stars in your eyes and see - oh, can it really be? - a gorgeous crystal blue sky and plump white clouds. Sigh.

I so want this umbrella.

Inside Look: The Real World Brooklyn

2009-01-22T22:30:00.007-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to tour "The Real World: Brooklyn" house on Pier 41 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, as part of an open house for media day. As Generation Y/Z/Facebook/Whatever who grew up watching the "seven strangers picked to live in a house" reality show, I was super excited to check out the Ikea-filled space and kinda bored interviewing the cast with their fake "oh, we're so fortunate" attitudes. Vom!

Anyway, I took a few pics of what the "house" looked like - it's now been ripped apart and converted back to the catering hall it previously was. The loft-esque house was perched at the end of Pier 41 on a rather deserted street (creepy auto parts workers eyed me as I power walked up the block, pepper spray in hand!) and protected behind a 10-foot-tall (I estimate) chain link fence. The loft actually wasn't that big compared to what I thought a "Real World" house would look like - but it did boast floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water with a clear view of the Statue of Liberty. The producers thought that was the real Brooklyn?! Yeah right!!! Let me channel Buddha and try to ignore my anger/jealously because my kitchen and living room are in the same itty-bitty room!

Okay, I'm calm. So here's some pix I took during my stay -

The confessional is just a closet featuring a plastic bench and a couple of colorful light fixtures perched on barrels. I kinda liked it.

The bathroom is uber weird. There's no door. It literally is just a giant open space that you walk into directly from the living room. The shower stalls are totally see-through and the toilets are located in three box-sized closets boasting very thin walls. I held it for the entire time I was there.

This is a little room right off the entryway featuring a computer, a bike nobody rode, and cool graffiti art by Brooklyn-based artists.

A bedroom. Kinda boring.

This was Scott's bedroom. In between clutching his cell phone, he told me he wants to play Captain America on the big screen. And then asked the producers to go get him a Red Bull because he was too "tired" to get up. He was very cocky. And dolphin trainer J.D. was sprawled on the bed with his head down for the whole interview. I wonder if he really did date Anderson Cooper. Hmm...

An overview of the entryway. It's all one big room featuring the kitchen, two living room areas, and a Rock Band station.

This is a beanbag-like chair in a closet that served as the roommates' phone room.
That's it!

NY & Co is cool

2009-01-20T23:31:00.004-05:00

I know I'm way behind the trend on this but I've just discovered how awesome New York and Company is. There's a slew of colorful spring merchandise on the Web site, including some awful pretty purses. I've wanted a NY & Co handbag since the fall but haven't had the time to check out the wares at my local store. But considering how cute some of these bags are I might make a stop this weekend! Check out my faves -

City Style Quilt Duffle ($33)

City Style Crossover Tote ($35)

City Style Chain-Link Tote ($37)

City Style Tote with Pushlock Tab ($37)

Which one?

2009-01-12T21:56:00.002-05:00

This...

Or this...

I can't decide!

Video Blog - Xmas Presents

2009-01-09T23:41:00.005-05:00

I made a video with my brand new Pure Digital Flip Video Mino Camcorder! Check out my cool Thankoon outfit and all the lovely gifts I received for Xmas and my birthday. Hope you like!

What I really want

2008-12-28T23:45:00.003-05:00

...is this Pure Digital Flip Video Mino Camcorder! It's as thin as a credit card and records up to 60 minutes of video - and contains a hidden USB stick to easily upload videos. How cool is that! This Mino model features a rechargeable battery - much better than the AA-draining original version.

My birthday

2008-12-27T23:02:00.020-05:00

I'm getting old folks! Hee hee. Since my fam/friends found inspiration for Xmas gifts from my blog posts, I thought I'd offer some ideas for anyone still searching for the perfect b-day gift for me. :)

I've discovered jewelry making (so far I've made three necklaces using plastic beads and wire) and definitely need to learn about hooks, closures, findings, etc. So I'd really like this book - Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making & Beading.

This smells really nice! I've wanted it for a long time. It's called Dove Go Fresh Cool Essentials Body Mist in Cucumber and Green Tea. Available at all drug stores and supermarkets. Easy enough. :)

I don't know if something like this would work but it's worth a shot, right? It's called The Happy Host Stress Relief & Headache Relief. Work definitely gets stressful.

How 'bout something warm and cozy? I could definitely use this Old Navy sherpa zip jacket in marshmallow. Btw - I'm a medium. :)

Yum! Don't you just love this adorable cupcake lip gloss collection? I do!

Here's a closer look at the little cuppy cakes -

Cool t-shirts

2008-12-24T20:51:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I braved the crazed Christmas Eve-Eve crowds to visit the giant Virgin Megastore in Times Square. No, I don't know what I was thinking either. Very surprisingly to myself, I purchased an additional (and perfect!) Xmas gift for a friend - and scored two new t-shirts!

I've had my eye on this fruit punch-colored Strawberry Shortcake shirt for months and finally bit the bullet and bought it. There was only one left in my size so I scooped it up and couldn't be happier! I wore it today and must say that it looks very pretty - ahem, "naturally sweet" - with my black hair.

I was seriously eying this "Dark Knight" shirt featuring the late-great Heath Ledger's awesome wacky Joker face. About to leave the store in dismay, my buddy Skeeter grabbed the shirt out of my hands and bought it as an early b-day gift. Yeparoo!

Fancy find of the day

2008-12-20T00:53:00.012-05:00

I'm trying a new posting style here where I will showcase a purse/shoe/jewelry/apparel/whateverIwant item that I find yummy. Here's the first fancy find!

I love jewelry. So much so that the contents of my giant jewelry box have overflowed onto the top of my shiny white dresser. Hee hee. No, there's nothing from Tiffany & Co (how I would love a silver bean pendant!) but I like my affordable gemstones (real and faux alike) just fine! :)

Here's a pretty pink jade and Brazilian garnet pendant. Garnet is my birthstone. I've never been crazy about it but it looks awful sweet here.

Best game ever!

2008-12-18T01:06:00.001-05:00

Hit Bush with a shoe!

Click Here!!!

Itty bitty Xmas tree

2008-12-15T21:57:00.004-05:00

This is my teeny tiny 12" Christmas tree. You can't really tell from the photo but it shines! Has a lovely glittery sheen to it that just makes it pop. And the matching itty bitty ornaments also sparkle. Got it all on sale at Urban Outfitters. I seriously had to pry myself away from the hot pink tree. :)

Here's a closer look -

Happy Holidays!

Discounts

2008-12-14T21:08:00.010-05:00

Why spend full price if you don't have to? It's time to fight back against the corporate monsters!

I'm taking a page from some of the lovely fashion blogs I read regularly and am revealing a major Internet secret - there's countless promo codes and coupons floating around for avid online shoppers! All you have to do is visit any one of the coupon providing sites (see below) and search for the online store of your choice. I've been privy to coupons for only a few days but have already found and successfully used codes for several stores (I can't say which 'cause they're for Xmas presents!).

This is the site I like best - RetailMeNot.com

Here's some others -

Happy (discount) shopping!

Bumblebee

2008-12-12T03:18:00.005-05:00

This is a bumblebee ride in the kiddie park at Coney Island, Brooklyn. Isn't this just the cutest bee ever? This little bee makes me happy. :)

Affordable Christmas gifts...

2008-12-08T00:59:00.014-05:00

...that I would be happy to receive. (If anyone's looking for ideas.)

Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Skin Therapy Lotion with Shea Butter

Pink - Funhouse CD

New Kids on the Block - The Block CD

Beyonce - I Am...Sasha Fierce CD

David Cook - David Cook CD

Things I love...

2008-12-03T21:56:00.024-05:00

...and wish I had. *dream*

Harajuku Lovers Rainbow Scallop Valentine (Zappos). This bag has a pink rainbow lining. Just thinking about it makes me smile. :)

Harajuku Lovers Solid Coffret (Sephora)

Sushi bento

2008-11-28T23:15:00.002-05:00

Yummy lunch!

Clockwise from top left:

Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced toasted almonds, red cabbage

Icky Weight Watchers oatmeal raisin cookie

Newman's Own balsamic vinaigrette for salad

Dried dragon fruit (yuk!)

Sushi - assorted rolls (halibut, crab)

Two shrimp nigiri hidden underneath soy sauce packet

Gloomy

2008-11-16T18:28:00.006-05:00

Took my camera out today to shoot fall's pretty red and orange leaves. Instead I got harsh winds and Sleepy Hollow inspired pix. Still like it though. :)

President Barack Obama!

2008-11-05T00:36:00.002-05:00

That's all I have to say. :)

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T01:54:00.006-04:00

Pretty in pink, if I do say so myself. You can't see it in this photo but I'm wearing an awesome hot pink New Kids on the Block glitter tee and several sparkly necklaces, including a rose quartz pendant that lights up. My colorful outfit made all the faux-ghouls at Blood Manor haunted house target me repeatedly throughout the night. Meanies!

New Kids on the Block

2008-10-30T01:11:00.007-04:00

I saw NKOTB in concert! And they rocked! I was fortunate enough to attend their show at Madison Square Garden on Monday and absolutely loved it. Joey Mac almost made me cry when he sang "Say the Same." There was a gospel choir and everything. Very moving. :)

Donnie was clearly the crowd favorite (he especially won fans when he dropped his pants a la Marky Mark and pointed to his crotch when singing "I'm-a give you some grown man." Even made me blush. In honor of the New Kids (and my favorite cutie pie Jon), I'll be dressing up as a rabid 1980s NKOTB fan for Halloween. My costume will consist of the hot pink glitter tee I bought at the concert ($45! I also spent $25 on a program and $5 on a beautiful kelly green pashmina knockoff on the street), an electric blue Members Only-esque jacket, and hot pink hair extensions! And whatever else inspires me that day. I so should have bought those giant New Kids buttons!

And, yes, for all of you who think I'm crazy for professing my love for NKOTB - I acknowledge that I'm lame. But New Kids still rocks!!!

Pretty pumpkin

2008-10-23T23:10:00.004-04:00

In honor of fall, here's a little pic of a little pumpkin I bought for 67 cents at my little neighborhood bodega. Little and lovely. :)

Perfume drawer

2008-10-20T20:37:00.005-04:00

Perfume, lotion, makeup - oh my! Hee hee. Say hello to my perfume drawer. Ain't it pretty? :) You can't tell from this photo but underneath that first layer of perfume lies two more layers! Yes, I am obsessed. There's body sprays from Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret and glass-bottled fancy perfumes from Tiffany and Dior. J'adore baby! On the top right you can see my body butter section (mostly from the Body Shop). There's two more shoe boxes in the drawer (not pictured) - one for makeup and another for hand lotion. Lovely.

Movie theater bento

2008-10-10T22:15:00.006-04:00

I snuck into the movie theater with this goody-filled bento. Yowza! I saved money on snacks and got a variety of awesome treats. Yummo!

Clockwise from top left:

Boo Berry cereal (tastes like blueberries!)

Milk Duds

Raisinets

Warm Super Pretzels

Bento Day 2

2008-10-04T16:39:00.006-04:00

I love my bento. If anyone out there is in need of a cool lunch box, this is the one to get.

Contents from top left:

Fork with baby carrots

More baby carrots with all natural hummus

Veggie salad with balsamic dressing in orange container

Whole wheat bread with turkey, lettuce and hummus

1/2 Granny Smith apple

I got a bento!

2008-10-01T22:25:00.008-04:00

Ain't it pretty? *Sigh* I found a store in Park Slope that carries Laptop Lunches bento boxes so after work today, I hopped on the train and walked in the rain to get my hands on one of these babies. An added bonus - it was cheaper than online. Woo hoo! This bento will serve me well tomorrow because I'll be spending much of the day on the USS Intrepid as it makes its way from Staten Island back to Manhattan. Imagine eating my first bento on an aircraft carrier. Too good to be true!

Contents of my first ever bento (clockwise from top left):

Baby carrots

Veggie salad

Whole wheat bread with turkey cold cuts and lettuce smushed to fit in tiny container

Itty bitty Weight Watchers chocolate cake (tastes like fudge!)

Newman's Own balsamic natural salad mist (in the little orange container)

"Nutri-mix" of raisins, peanuts, soy nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts & almonds (wrapped in plastic baggie, far left)

I can't wait to eat out of my little bento. :)

Here's a pic of it closed with the matching carrying case -

I need a bento!

2008-09-30T22:41:00.003-04:00

Okay, the lunch cube ain't cutting it. Yeah, it's fun and all but those Laptop Lunches bento boxes are so much cooler!

Check 'em out here - www.laptoplunches.com

and here - www.flickr.com/groups/laptop_lunches/pool/

I really, really, really want one! Ahhh!!!

Lunch cube

2008-09-30T00:58:00.006-04:00

There's been a recent trend of fashion bloggers posting pix of their cool lunch boxes so I wanted to get in on the fun! Check out my lunch cube. I bought this bad boy at the Container Store (yes, when I bought my piggy bank!) and absolutely love it. It has three large compartments - two on one side and a large one with its own lid, which is the perfect way to pack a sandwich and not have it get squished! This lunch cube isn't very healthy or original (I need to go grocery shopping) but I'll post the contents nonetheless.

Lunch cube (little kid school lunch style) -

Left compartment - fat free pretzel nuggets purchased to chomp on during last week's Obama-McCain debate

Middle compartment - seedless green grapes

Compartment with lid - chunky peanut butter and grape jelly on whole wheat bread

Yummy......

Here's a pic of the easily transportable closed cube -

Little Miss Piggy

2008-09-29T18:02:00.000-04:00

Yes, more silliness. This is a translucent hot pink piggy bank I got at the Container Store in Union Square. Ain't it cute? It may be hard to believe but I've never had a proper piggy bank before. I had a metal container with hearts and bears on it that I used as a kid (and which my brother stole all my change from) but this is the first time I've had a real pig. Total impulse buy while waiting on a long line to pay but well worth it! Before this sweet plastic pet came into my life, I was throwing my loose change in a junk drawer, which was totally impractical when trying to collect change for the Coinstar machine. Now, all I have to do is pick up my pink pal and off I go! As an added bonus, I keep the pretty piglet on my white coffee table and across from my white couch so it adds a little pink pop!

Silliness

2008-09-29T08:13:00.000-04:00

I bought this weird Crayola Color Explosion Neon kit as an impulse purchase a couple months back and decided to finally take it for a spin tonight. Well, it was a pretty lackluster spin. The kit came with a notepad of thick black paper and "invisible" pens that are supposed to dry in fun neon colors. Sounds cool right? I thought so but after using it I see that the colors take forever to dry and there's only two - blue and green. And they're not even neon! Annoying. I was hoping for some pinks and reds and purples to counteract the aqua colors. A nice thing about this product is that it comes with a stencil page so I was able to color Saturn (upper left corner), a happy face (bottom left), a rocket ship (bottom middle) and kooky little faces that you can't make out in this poor Photo Booth photo (still waiting on my new camera). I may have wasted $10 on this. :( I still have a paint by numbers kit to try out though!

New stuff

2008-09-16T11:31:00.000-04:00

Lookie what I got! Yeah, I know the photo kinda sucks (my camera died and until I get a new one this weekend I'm stuck using Photo Booth) but check out the great goods.

I love that bag! It's by Merona for Target. I've never bought anything from that line before but I stumbled upon this lovely find and was amazed that the super soft faux leather actually feels like super soft really expensive leather! I know, I can't get over it either! Trust me, I've pawed enough bags at Century 21 and Loehmann's to know what the good stuff feels like and I'm telling you, this Merona purse is awesome. There's that cool basket weave pattern on the front but the back panel is smooth faux leather just like the side panels. So if you're not feeling the basket weave one day, just switch that sucker around. It's like two bags in one!

On to the wallet -

I bought this chic Nine West purple patent faux crocodile wallet at Filene's Basement while hanging with my friend Skeeter (hey bud!). It's so pretty. The cash compartment is a tight fit so I'm wrestling to get my bills in there but so far it hasn't bugged me enough to go back to using my black signature print Nine West wallet. Gotta have the hot fashion! I really want a purse in a patent faux crocodile print but am having trouble finding one I like. Anybody got any suggestions?

New shoes!

2008-09-10T21:39:00.002-04:00

Don't you just love 'em?! I got these bad boys today. I went to a work meeting that happened to be right near a Marshalls - and a well-stocked Marshalls at that! For all you other NYC gals, you know that large chain stores in NYC are often in disarray and lack really great finds because they've been ravaged by the millions of fashionistas living in the city. I got real lucky with these fire engine red heels by Tahari! The left pump was sitting on a shelf all by its lonesome so I scooped it up and went scouring the messy shoe racks for its mate. After a quick search, I found it hidden behind a pair of oxford pumps. Score! Now I need a hot outfit to show off my cute toes......

Like a baby's......

2008-09-06T23:30:00.000-04:00

Well, you know what. Here's the story -

A few weeks ago, my best buddy Skeeter (hi!) accompanied me to make-up superstore Sephora in Union Square. I love perfume (wait till you see a photo of my perfume drawer!), body lotions and make-up but generally shy away from Sephora's crazy expensive wares because I just plain can't afford 'em. I think it's very sad too. *Silent tear*

So, when me and my bud stumbled into the tempting shop, I had no plans to purchase anything but then I discovered a lovely perfume that sent all my memories of the Bahamas' cool breezes and calm ocean water flooding back. I was on vacay again! So, of course, my willpower wiped out and I bought the lovely scent - Island Michael Kors Capri. Doesn't it just sound like palm trees and coconuts? It even came in a special gift set complete with a chic royal blue clutch. Score!

But wait, there's more! The kind cashier offered me not one but three free samples with my purchase. I just tried the first one - Cosmedicine Medi-Morphosis Self-Adjusting Exfoliator. I have a lot of exfoliators (seriously, I promise photos and a post on my shampoo/perfume/lotion/soap obsession) so I wasn't expecting anything phenomenal about this product but I was wrong. My skin is super smooth and soft right now. Must be those dissolving crystals or something or other. All I know is me likeys!

I keep my promises

2008-09-06T11:32:00.001-04:00

This is the Bahamas! And those are my little red toes. :) Please pardon my chipped nail polish, I snorkeled with piranhas and apparently they have a thing for painted feet. Just kidding!

Moving on....this is what the beaches look like at Atlantis. The sand is perfectly white and super soft - and doesn't burn your feet. You see how the water close to the shore looks almost like a clear green? That's cause it is. When you're in it, it actually seems more translucent than aqua but forms that pretty color somehow. The water looks navy a little farther out. That's 'cause the deeper you get, the richer the color becomes. I think it's pretty. *Insert giggle*

The ocean water felt amazing! I'm used to swimming in the really gunky beach at Coney Island, Brooklyn, so I always expect the water to be near black and have soda bottles and icky trash floating next to me. But not this time! Three cheers for the Bahamas! Gosh, when can I go back????

Bahamas!

2008-09-06T01:10:00.002-04:00

I know I promised Caribbean beaches but I'm really captured by this photo right now. I swear the crystal clear water will come later.

I took this pic while on a lovely vacation last month at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. I spotted this tree while me and my companion were walking back to our hotel after an afternoon of wild water slides (you must google the leap of faith slide) and sipping pina coladas out of coconuts while lying on the baby powder-like sand. I really wish I were still there and not back at work!

Anyway...I love this photo and the contrast between the dark tree husk and the different shades of leaves. I adore the way the sunlight makes the leaves of the palm tree glow. It's magical.

I found a company that blows up photos into large posters and I'm thinking of having this one done. The walls of my cozy apartment are bare (yes I'm lame) and I've been trying to take the most amazing photo to have as a poster in my living room/kitchen. Yes, it is a truly tiny NYC apartment - just like in the movies. I have a white couch and navy rug so I was thinking about an ocean shot but what do you think about this?

Hello World!

2008-09-06T00:49:00.000-04:00

This is me...and my blog! (If you know that song, you earn cool points in my book.) Does the world need another fashion/lifestyle blog you say? Well, I say yes! Here's why - my blog will focus on finding wonderfully stylish duds right here in New York City, the fashion capital of the world! Yes, I know other blogs do that too but I'm trying to be special and unique here. :) My blog will feature my daily affordable yet lovely (if I do say so myself) outfits, tips for finding cool and cheap clothing/shoes/purses in NYC, and some of my professional photography capturing urban life and culture in NYC and the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean (just got back from vacation!). Yeah, yeah, yeah, this is a fashion not photography blog but I don't care! I am a photographer finally ready to share my photos with the world. So get ready 'cause here I come!