eli presentacion

Nordstrom Raises Awareness for Hepatitis B

2011-05-02T22:35:00.005-04:00

Take the Nordstrom Hepatitis B Awareness Quiz and help to raise money towards awareness and prevention.

Visit Nordstrom.com to learn more.
Nordstrom is teaming up with Hep B Free and OCA to raise awareness and money towards Hepatitis B testing and prevention. All you have to do is take their little test and Nordstrom will donate $35 (up to $75,000 total) to Hep B Free to help continue their work providing research and testing towards the prevention of Hepatitis B.

It's a fashion-y thing worth taking time out of your day to do! I love Nordstrom and love that they are giving back in this way.

Take some time out of looking at Jeffrey Campbell shoes or something and take this survey!

0427: Just a bunch of pictures of my armpits I guess.

2011-04-27T23:45:00.003-04:00

Filipino dress from my mom, Bolo Tie from Manifest Manifest

0426: Vintage Perfume Bottles

2011-04-26T19:27:00.003-04:00

Vintage Glass Perfume Bottle
I finally got the chance to go to my favorite place for antique-ing and found this vintage perfume bottle. I think it's made of glass and brass (haha that rhymed). It's the first of many to come as part of my newly begun collection. Sometimes I think I'm a hoarder because whenever I go shopping for antiques I want to buy the stupidest things like antlers and old luggage. I feel like my future house will look like a circus and smell like moth balls.

I also bought some vintage rings and put them up in the vintage store.

0425: Purple Lips and Tranny Eyes

2011-04-25T00:51:00.001-04:00

0423: I bought new black boots.

2011-04-23T17:55:00.002-04:00

I have seven pairs now and I don't know how to justify that...

0422: Went to get BBQ with my sister today.

2011-04-22T22:19:00.001-04:00

0403: Kristin Perry Black Velvet Turban

2011-04-03T18:10:00.004-04:00

Kristin Perry Mikayla Turban in black velvet
Finally recovering from my sickness and took a few minutes to snap some simple pictures of a new black velvet turban I got, by Kristin Perry. I've been segueing into conditioner-only washing (for my hair) so this turban is perfect for those days when my hair gets a little oily and it's too soon/I'm too lazy to rewash. I'm going to try to document how it's going with my conditioner-only washing experiment and share it with you here.

xo.

0330: Food Truck Bazaar

2011-03-30T14:42:00.003-04:00

Orlando Food Truck Bazaar
My best friend Jay texted me about this food truck bazaar going on in Orlando so we decided to get some grub. Unfortunately the lines were way too long so we only got to eat at one truck but it was still a lot of fun.

Lusting for Love

2011-03-28T15:49:00.005-04:00

Kimchi Blue Lace Dress from Urban Outfitters, $69
Heart Silhouette Ring from Anthropologie, $48
That's Amore Earrings from Anthropologie, $58
Joannie Rochette necklace, $750 CAD

*This post is made on behalf of a brand supporter of this blog.
So much love this week.

First, I celebrated four years with my sweetheart on Thursday ♥ He's currently in Ft Lauderdale so we weren't able to be together but hopefully I will see him soon. I never saw myself as the kind of girl that would have a relationship that has lasted this long but I guess when you find the right person, you can't help but want to be with them.

Second, one of my best friends got married on Saturday! Woohoo!

I'm now sick and feeling on the verge of death. I NEVER get sick, so this is the first time I've felt this way in years. Hoping to feel better soon.

xo

0322: All in a Day's Work

2011-03-22T20:04:00.004-04:00

Tucker by Gaby Basora for Target Blouse, Anlo Denim Wide Leg Jeans from Intermix, Vintage Trifari Gold Cross Necklace
I just stocked the vintage store with summer goodies, so I've been kind of busy with shooting pictures, editing, uploading, writing copy - y'know the usual. I've been having kind of traumatic experiences with USPS recently and I don't know what to do about it. Is Signature Confirmation the answer? Maybe. Hopefully. We'll see!

Finally got my hands on some Tucker for Target pieces. Two dresses and a blouse. I love her prints and her regular line though it's far out of my price range for now. Gaby Basora is all kinds of talented. I really think someday her pieces will be iconic, a la Diane von Furstenberg.

Hope everyone has been doing well and staying busy.

Recommended Product: Nourish Honestly Organic Citrus Deodorant

2011-03-19T00:29:00.003-04:00

Nourish Citrus Fresh Deodorant
$6

USDA Certified Organic
Not tested on animals

Ingredients:
Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Corn Starch, Shea Butter, Saccharomyces Ferment (type of yeast), Sweet Orange Oil, Lime Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil
Since I started on my journey of putting good things in and on my body (still working on the "in" part...) it's been quite a learning process. Everyday I read about chemicals that are toxic in everyday items. I rummage through my medicine cabinets reading labels and rush to natural food markets to buy replacements. It's a costly learning process, but one I hope (and know) will be beneficial to me in the long run. I decided that as far as beauty products (lotions, shampoos, soaps, deodorants, etc) are concerned, my ideal is to be as natural as possible - meaning no chemicals whatsoever.

Any person who is on this same journey will tell you it's really quite hard to find effective all natural products. So, volunteering myself as your guinea pig, I've decided to share good natural products as they come across.

The first is Nourish Citrus Fresh Deodorant.

Before using this product, I had tried Tom's of Maine which, pardon my honesty, really sucked. It only made me smell worse which was kind of ironic considering it's intended purpose. After that, I just stopped using deodorant all together. I probably smelled a lot worse than I thought I did but I thought I was okay without it.

I decided recently to try finding something new and step into the 21st century of good hygiene. After some research and suspiciously long trips into natural market beauty aisles, I decided to purchase this one. It was the only one on the shelf with ingredients I could actually pronounce so I decided that had to be a good thing.

Well, I tried it and I loved it.

The citrus smell is a little strong so if you hate that then I'd probably stay way from it. But you get used to it and it smells really good after a few minutes. I don't sweat much so I can't really say how well this does as an "antiperspirant" but that's not really its intent; there is a difference between antiperspirant and deodorant.

It goes on smoothly and absorbs fast. The scent lasts throughout the day and becomes subtle unless you stick your face into your armpit, which I can't lie, I did a couple times and it smelled delightful.

So if you're looking to try a natural deodorant, I recommend this one. It's on the affordable side and you can probably find it at a Wholefoods or something like that. I bought mine at Chamberlin's which is a local natural market that I think is only in Florida.

If you have any recommendations please share them with me! I'm still looking for the perfect shampoo =(

0317: Too Fucking Lazy to Make a Blog Shop

2011-03-17T21:46:00.005-04:00

Margiela Dress, Vera Wang Wedges, LF Stores Faux Fur Vest on sale from my closet.
I'm doing my yearly clothing purge and have a few things on sale. You can click to here to shop. I'll be adding more stuff every now and then as I need to get rid of things. I thought about opening a "blog shop" but I remembered how much work that was for me three years ago when I like totally invented the whole concept (not a lie, everyone copied me...no really) and I thought shit, I really don't want to do that. So I just have it conveniently connected to this blog so I don't have to maintain a million different things. Buy some stuff if you feel so inclined =)

0310: When I Think to Stop

2011-03-10T00:35:00.003-05:00

I'm not ironically detached, I'm not apathetic, I'm not resigned, and I'm not contemptuous of bleeding hearts. I am a greedy bitch with voracious expectations, and I dream long and lustfully of a better world that is both my muse and objective. I want it like the cracked earth of the desert wants rain, and I will neither apologize for nor amend my desire because of its remove from the here and now; its distance encourages my reach."

...Welcome those moments that are confusing, because once you determine your true destiny and purpose...it becomes a great and daunting responsibility. So appreciate not knowing. Appreciate figuring out what the hell you were doing in the first place. Appreciate starting and not finishing. Because one day you will wake up and it will all make sense. You will be doing what you love and it will be yours and on your own terms.

A comment I received today. Quote by Melissa McEwan, originally posted here.
I received this comment today on an old post I had written while still living in San Francisco and struggling with whether or not I should stay or go. At the time I wrote the post, I was convinced I was on the verge of my quarter-life crisis. Only now looking back can I say that I don't think I was on the verge of a crisis - I was simply struggling with the idea of doing something I didn't love and having to sacrifice who I was to do it.

For the record, you should never live your life making sacrifices you don't want to make, especially when it comes to your character and identity.

I read this comment as soon as I woke up and I almost cried. It was a little — and much needed — reminder that I don't have to know where I'm going all the time or what I'm doing; that I should stop and appreciate the moment I'm in rather than drowning in some misplaced nostalgia or idealized delusion of what the past was and what the future could be. Sometimes, right now is pretty damn good.

I wanted to re-post the comment here because what she said resonated with me so much and it's something that everyone could hear every now and then.

Rickita, thank you - you don't know how much your comment meant to me.

xo

Charlie Sheen & The Disposable Woman

2011-03-07T16:57:00.005-05:00

...While his self-abuses are endlessly discussed, his abuse of women is barely broached.

...

But there's something else at work here: the seeming imperfection of Mr. Sheen's numerous accusers. The women are of a type, which is to say, highly unsympathetic. Some are sex workers - pornographic film stars and escorts - whose compliance with churlish conduct is assumed to be part of the deal. (For the record: It is not) ...whose relationships with Mr. Sheen have been disparaged as purely sexual and transactional. The women reside on a continuum in which injuries are assumed and insults are expected.

...

It's these sorts of explicit and implicit value judgments that underscore our contempt for women who are assumed to be trading on their sexuality. ... Objectification and abuse, it follows, is not only an accepted occupational hazard for certain women, but something that men like Mr. Sheen have earned the right to indulge in.

...

Which brings us back to Mr. [Piers] Morgan, who, like many of Mr. Sheen's past and present press enablers, showed little to no urgency in addressing the question of violence against women. "You're entitled to behave however the hell you like as long as you don't scare the horses and the children," Mr. Morgan said at one point. Scaring women, it seems, was just fine.

— The Disposable Woman, Anna Holmes of Jezebel; Op-Ed Columnist for The New York Times

If you are keeping up with the whole Charlie Sheen meltdown, you should really take the time to read this article. Putting aside what little credibility The New York Times has as a news source, and the polarizing opinions to which Jezebel and its authors adhere, the piece has some value.

I've long felt this way about sex workers, strippers, prostitutes and the like — namely that in the sex industry, there does exist women that choose to work in that field (of course there are hundreds, even thousands of others that do not). The point is, women should be allowed to make a choice. Women should be thought of as intelligent enough to make those choices. The moral judgments we place on these women — who choose to work in the sex industry — and what we perceive as their self-imposed forfeiture of dignity and respect is not only detestable but dangerous to the way we see women as a whole.

I really could quote the whole article, but do take the time to read it.

0306: When Life Gets in the Way

2011-03-06T20:42:00.004-05:00

Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner from CVS, NARS Lipstick in Blonde Venus from Nordstrom
What I have been continuously learning over the past year is that nothing matters more than family and friends. I must sound like a broken record, but I suppose that's because of how much that sentiment resonates with me. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably saw that one of my best friends underwent major surgery this past Thursday. She is 22 and was diagnosed with breast cancer this past month.

It's hard to put into words my many thoughts. Things like this snap you back to reality with a whole new perspective. From 2007-2008, I had a friend commit suicide, my aunt (who was like my second mother) pass away from Cancer, two uncles die of heart related disease, and another friend die of causes I'm not sure of to this day. I remember my thoughts in 2009; that if nobody died that year, I would be happy. I didn't really know if I had it in me to cry or go to funerals anymore. That's the thing about death. You never get used to it.

And even though I'm sure my friend will be okay, it still stuns me. Because — that's the thing — how can we ever say we're sure of anything? All we're ever sure of is what we feel and who we are in this moment. Nothing else.

Anyway, I think my point is that stuff like this makes me a bad friend and a bad "blogger" and whatever else I am (I've been kind of a bad business owner this week too, ha). I just keep thinking, who really gives a shit? Y'know? I really have contempt for some of this stuff sometimes. I wish people would quit talking about such shallow things.

And I don't wish it in the way that I think I'm better than that. I wish it in the way that makes me wonder if they have anything else to do besides talk about themselves. I wish it in the way that makes me not want to say anything because anything I have to say seems selfish. And I start to wonder if I sound as selfish as all of the people I think sound selfish.

Do you ever look at someone and think, "God, I don't want to be that."

Stuff like this, like my friend, always stops me from moving. I just want to sit, and cry sometimes but mostly think. I think about what matters, and how I should do more of the things that matter. Like telling people I love them and having long conversations about random shit that isn't about stuff.

Life goes on right? Eventually stuff gets back to some semblance of normal. People move on. People forget why they stopped in the first place. I guess that's my problem. I don't like to forget. Stuff like this sticks to me and sneaks into my bones.

Now I'm just blabbering.

Okay bye.

This or That: Canvas Bags

2011-03-02T04:00:00.003-05:00

Left: Original Flea Fleabag from Need Supply, $440

Right: BF Garden Utility Bag from Bravura on etsy.com, $145
I'm having a moment with canvas bags right now. I can't picture anything else so perfect to tote around during Spring and Summer to the beaches. I'd love to have either of these but will highly likely go with the one from Bravura for several reasons.

For one, when I first heard the idea of Original Flea's Fleabags, I was still living in New York and doing product research for a project. I loved their aesthetic and sort of loved the idea behind it but kind of thought it was stupid and here's why: What the fuck kind of person that shops at a flea market would spend $440 on a bag to put their shit in? Excuse my language. But I'm just trying to be as accurate as possible with my thoughts at the time.

I shop at flea markets all the time and trust me. $440 goes a long way. Any good bargain hunter would hate to let that much money go when they could instead get a whole set of living room furniture.

Don't get me wrong. I still love these Original Flea bags but it kind of reminds me of how all these designers and like Erin Wasson or somebody else who I don't care about was inspired by homeless people. It's just really disconnected with reality. Or maybe it's just a bunch of rich people branding this thing for other rich people who want to feel the novelty of what it must be like to be middle America.

On the other hand - I found this bag by Bravura, a small-ish Portland based store on Etsy, selling bags for $145. Okay. I know. $145 is still a whole lot of change to spend on a bag but it's not $440. Plus I like the idea of supporting small business. And it isn't called the "flea market bag" so I get less of this feeling that other people are walking around thinking, "This must be what poor people do. How clever."

I thought way too much about this.

ETA: I obviously would LOVE the idea of getting a beautifully crafted canvas bag on the super cheap for like $20 but the truth is, when something is that cheap, someone down the line suffered to make it and I'm not all about supporting that. But that's another blog post.

What's in the Mail

2011-02-26T15:52:00.005-05:00

What's come in the mail lately.

Pony Paper Clips from Organized4u on etsy, $4.50
Moleskine Passions Wine Journal from Moleskine on Amazon, $12-$20
DIY Planner from my printer
How. Cute. Are. These. Paperclips? I bought them from Etsy and I almost feel bad because I didn't give the poor bloak enough time to set up his PayPal correctly before I bought them. They're from Hong Kong - don't Asians make the best school supplies? - and I plan to use them for everything!

I also received my Wine Journal, which my sister bought for herself and I. I love me some wine and I love me some journals so this seemed like a wonderful fit.

The other day I made a planner for myself because I'm cheap and crafty. I'm thinking of doing a DIY of how to make a planner but this one is a little rough since it was my first go at it. I'm going to make a nicer one and try to do a DIY with that instead.

Right now I'm watching Kate & Leopold. How are you spending your Saturday?

How to Make Thai Tea

2011-02-24T16:24:00.006-05:00

The Lazy Girl Guide to Making Thai Tea
I decided to put together a little how to guide to making Thai Tea. There are a few factors that play into this. 1) I'm lazy & 2) I don't cook, but Thai Tea is one of those things I wanted to learn how to make because I love it so much. For the life of me, every recipe I tried never created a batch that tasted like the restaurant kind. I finally came up with the right steps (for me) so I thought I'd share. It's really simple because I don't like reading recipes so I sure didn't like writing one. See it below!

*note: I use Pantai Thai Tea Mix. It's the best tasting to me. I've used a couple of brands, even gourmet from tea houses but I think this tastes the best.

*note: I've found that the secret to really good Thai Tea is in the sweetener - not the choice of milk as some would have you believe. I've tried every combination including sugar, evaporated milk, condensed milk, etc. but Wholesome Blue Agave Sweetener (though I'm sure sugar syrup from Barnie's or Corn Syrup from the grocery store would be comparable, but not as healthy) with Half & Half is way better than any of those.

*note: Counting as you pour is a little bartender's trick I learned (I've never been a bartender but I've heard it from others who have been) to get the right measurement when using liquids. I do this with a lot of things, like pouring liquor into juice or soda. The problem with liquor though is that you pour a lot more for every second the more drunk you get...

Secondhand Collective for Vintage Homes

2011-02-22T16:39:00.002-05:00

Vintage Houseware from Secondhand Collective
I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to my newest love, Secondhand Collective.

Interior design is a secret love of mine. I even contemplated a career in it but chose fashion instead - although I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.

Though I've lived in several cities and in more apartments than I would have preferred, I've never attempted to decorate (for various psychological reasons like having an irrational fear of committing to a city...I'm kind of crazy...) I really long to have a house of my own though and decorating the entire thing. I have so many ideas. I can't wait to go antique shopping for all my furniture and housewares. I don't want anything new in my house. I want it all to be preloved.

When I go antiquing, I can't help but love all of the housewares I find. It's kind of like when I go looking for vintage clothing. I don't have room for all of these things in my own home so I needed a place to share them with others who might not have time or patience to find them on their own.

A little over a month ago, I launched Manifest Manifest, and had a small home section. I decided that these pieces needed a proper home and a store of their own - something more tailored to their story, that would better showcase the experience I want shoppers to have as they look for pieces for their home. That is now my mission with Secondhand Collective.

Just like Manifest, everything in Secondhand Collective is reasonably priced because I truly believe that everyone deserves to have beautiful things in their wardrobe and homes regardless of budget. I spend most of my time traveling to different cities to shop my secret sources so that I am able to provide unique pieces at affordable prices, without sacrificing quality or beauty.

Please take a look and tell me what you think!

xo

Lust List: Etsy.com

2011-02-20T23:50:00.000-05:00

1. Vintage Dress from allencompanyinc on etsy, $280
2. Southwestern Print Bookbag from santokivintage on esty, $195
3. Vintage Encyclopedia Clip-Art from knotandbow on etsy, $5
4. Vegan Deoderant Cream from soapwallakitchen on etsy, $10
5. Travel Size Vegan Soap from prunellasoap on etsy, $4.50

Found Objects: Bread & Butter Phrase Books by Cook of Boston

2011-02-20T20:45:00.002-05:00

Antique phrase book: Bread & Butter by Cook of Boston
Published ca. 1906-1907
Livermore & Knight, CO. of Rhode Island
I spent Saturday antiquing with my mom in Mount Dora. It's one of my favorite things. While others get anxiety by digging through piles of junk, I get a thrill from it. Sometimes I think I have a tendency to hoard but that I'm too broke to actually do it. If I were a millionaire, I would go antiquing every weekend and buy everything I saw.

Here is one of my most prized finds from this weekend.

I love notebooks, journals, sketchbooks, stationary... so when I found this I picked it up without quite knowing what it was.

It's a travel phrase book by Cook of Boston and published by Livermore & Knight, Co. in the early 1900s. It's over 100 years old! It's a set of four little books with useful phrases in French, Spanish, Italian and German. The phrases are spelled out phonetically as well so that there's little doubt as to how to pronounce things. The French and Spanish pronunciation is a little off - I can imagine an American traveling in Europe with this and causing some laughter trying to pronounce these - but I think its a wonderful addition to a phrasebook, none the less.

There's a small leather case to hold them but it's in rather terrible condition - I like to assume it's because whoever used it traveled a lot and got a ton of use out of it. The small booklets are in good condition though save for a name written on each of their first pages. What a life this woman must have led!

I haven't thought of the proper way to display it/preserve it as I love it so much and really think it would be quite useful. I've tried to search Amazon for something similar - you would think someone like Moleskine would have reproduced these - but have had no luck finding anything. I'd like something I can actually use and take with me while I travel without having to worry about ruining it because its so fragile. If anyone knows of anything, tell me.

I wish thing were more elegantly crafted today, just as they were a hundred years ago.

0217: Favorite Things Right Now

2011-02-17T14:09:00.003-05:00

90s Betsey Johnson crushed velvet maxi dress

Giant hair - still figuring out how to get this one...

NARS Lipstick in Blonde Venus

Vintage Bolo Ties

Iced Caramel Mochas from McDonald's

I had a crisis the other day. I've been so in love with Lush Big Shampoo - it makes my hair gigantic and wavy and perfect. But then I started reading about the danger of sulfates in shampoo/beauty products, and I decided it was time to part with my beloved must have and switch to a 100% Vegan, Sulfate-free, Paraben-free, DEA-free, etc. product. I spent daysssssss researching. Finally I took the plunge and decided to purchase Abba Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. I'll let you know how this works out.

It's a really strange trip I'm on, y'know? I still wear leather and fur - never new though, mostly because it's expensive - and I still eat meat - I'm sorry bacon is too delicious to give up - but when it comes to beauty products, I really try to be as health conscious as possible. I know my choices won't be perfect from the beginning but hopefully I continue to improve them and find the right products for me. If you have any recommendations please let me know!

xo

0215: On the Job

2011-02-15T17:07:00.003-05:00

Jewelry from Manifest Manifest
It's officially been a month since I launched Manifest Manifest and I couldn't be happier or more thankful for all of your support! I was apprehensive at first to venture out on owning a business and making this my job but I knew there was nothing in life I could do that would make me happier than working for myself doing something I love. I just keep thinking that every successful business had a day one and all it really takes is not being afraid to start. It helps to have such supportive friends, family and readers too. Thank you for making my first month a success and I hope that I'll continue to bring you things you love.

Just a Little Sale

2011-02-13T02:08:00.002-05:00

Trying to make room for new goodies. Shop Here
PS. If you haven't already, please Like Manifest Manifest on Facebook!

0211: Country Roads, Take Me Home to the Place I Belong

2011-02-11T20:36:00.002-05:00

Osceola County Fair
I grew up in what used to be a very small town in the middle of Florida. My sixth grade homeroom portable had a cow pasture right next to it and every young kid could look forward to that day in February where they could take off from school and head to the Rodeo. Before tourism picked up, and retirees from Manhattan decided to call Florida home, it used to be quaint and country — I often find myself longing for that. There are some pockets here that still have charm. I keep them a secret like one of those good things you don't want to be ruined by people you don't like. For example, my favorite wine bar in historic downtown. It's mine and I don't want to share.

I always thought I wanted to leave this small town life. For the past three years I did — living in Chicago, New York and San Francisco for short bursts of time. But something always brought me home.

I would say that's something New Yorkers and people from the South have in common — an inextricable pride for where they're from. I love that I'm from the south, that I grew up eating barbecue and knowing what sweet tea was. I once heard a northern girl try to describe what sweet tea was and I wanted to laugh at her. It's heaven. That's all you really need to know.

I don't know if I'd stay in this particular town — it's a lot different than it used to be. It's a growing metropolis that is much calmer than Miami, so I understand why families flock here... but truthfully, and probably quite callously on my part, I wish they would stay where they were.

I think about moving and I no longer wish to move to big cities. I would love to move to a city smaller than the one I'm in now. All I can keep thinking of is an expansive green lawn and four wheelers in the back yard.

So now that I'm home, I've been indulging in all the things that are quintessentially Southern — BBQ, college football and of course county fairs.