Bernadette-by-the-Sea

DIY Glitter Flats

2011-10-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

My flats that I own were looking really nasty. These were initially zebra print flats but then I had a waitressing job for a weekend and I was supposed to have black shoes. So I decided to use a sharpie to color it in. And well you can imagine how terrible they came out.

I wanted a new pair of dressy flats but the ones I found were all so ugly or not my size (6.5wide). So I decided to research how to transform an old pair of shoes. And came across this idea.

So I stopped by my local Michael's store and picked up a paint brush, Martha Stewart Glitter in Gold and some Modge Podge.

You can see how ugly my shoes are. I first set up a workplace on my front porch because I was nervous about the glitter everywhere. So I laid out some newspaper. I also stuffed the toe part of the shoe with a plastic shopping bag and taped down the little bows in the front of the shoes. I didn't bother with taping the bottom and top piping because I figured I could just use a Sharpie to black it out or scrape it off.

I mixed the glitter and Modge Podge together in an empty water bottle (eco-friendly!) till I thought it was a good consistency. And just began painting. Don't worry about how it looks white, it dries clear.

I did about 3 coats until the black canvas underneath was no longer seen. I had to go around maybe once to get some missed spots. Overall I'm really happy with the outcome. The glitter stayed on pretty well.

My Fall 2011 Fashion Lust List

2011-10-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

I've compiled a list of items I'm really lusting after for this season.

1. leather moto jacket. I think it's the perfect way to toughen up a little lace or floral dress.

From left to right: Macy's and Forever21

2. or maybe one in shearling

This one is from Piperlime

3. red jeans

I really want to buy a pair of J Brand jeans because my legs are so short and this brand's skinny jeans have an inseam of 29"

4. Cable sweater. So classic in white/cream cotton. This dress looks so cozy wozy!!!!

Left to Right: Saks, and ASOS

5. Leopard accessories. I think too much leopard is exactly that, too much. You don't wanna end up looking like Cruella De Ville or a crazy old lady. So I think something like a watch or belt is perfect.

From Left to Right: Delia's, ASOS, this one is actually no longer available but here are some other options

The Rugged Look

2011-10-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

So I've been really into the rugged look. shearling, hiking boots, and anoraks. I've compiled a bunch of items. Enjoy

Asos Parka. I love ASOS. They just started free shipping in USA :)

Madewell Cable Pullover

I'm super-excited to try the Levi's Curve ID jeans. These are the Modern Slight Curve Straight jeans

Or you can pair these items with a nice pair of cords.

this pair is from Ralph Lauren

I LOOOOVE these boots. I had a pair when I was younger (minus the heel obviously).

Soda Shoes "Rouge"

these work also

I've decided to buy these sexy little booties.

Steve Madden "Galaxey"

My First Experience with Hot Yoga

2011-09-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

Friday I had a regular doctor checkup and I found out I had gained weight. Only 3 lbs but it still spooked me a little bit. The main reason it scared me was because I was basically eating vegetables and fruit since I moved in with my dad. So I decided to try out the local hot yoga studio that I've had my eye on for a while.

I was supposed to go to the 8am class on Saturday and that didn't really work out haha. I woke up at 8:10. But I knew there were was another class at noon. That one was Vinyasa though so it was a little faster than the regular class. I had never done yoga before so this was actually my first yoga class ever.

I brought a large bath towel and a small hand towel. I wore a pair of my Moving Comfort mostly cotton spandex shorts, a tank and my sports bra. I walked in and since it was my first time there I got a special discount, $25 for the first week. I had to rent a yoga mat ($2) also because I couldn't find my little brother's.

Well they don't call it hot yoga for nothing I walked into the room and it was muggy and 110 degrees. Everyone was sitting or laying on their mats getting used to the heat and relaxing so I followed along.

It wasn't as fast as I thought it would be. The instructor was really nice and I didn't catch her name (of course.) There was music on and the instructor began by talking us through our breathing. The instructor helped me re-align on one of the first moves and I didn't get embarrassed at all.

I had problems only during one pose which was (I think) called Chatarunga which was essentially a push up. And the first one I actually fell down on my chest haha. I just laughed it off and kept going. I definitely sweated a lot. Sweat was dripping off my face, arms, legs, and my shirt was soaked through by the time the class was done. I was definitely glad I brought the large bath mat because I started to feel bad about dripping onto the rented mat. And the hand towel was perfect for wiping off the sweat that was effecting my poses and the sweat on my face.

I'm surprised but not once did I feel silly or uncomfortable. Sunday, I was extremely sore in my upper body and the muscles right behind my knees. I have a class later today and I'm really excited to get back to it.

Hmmmm Fur or Not to Fur...

2011-09-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

I've never thought fur coats would ever look good on anyone. Until I came across these pictures of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. She looks ravishing in these coats.

And I love her little heart tattoo. It's pretty and simple.

Getting Back on the Horse...

2011-09-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

So I have completely neglected my blog for quite some time and plan on starting up again. some background of what I've been doing this month.

The first Wednesday of September I woke up and went for a walk with my mom and my two baby cousins (she babysits them everyday.) When we were only a block away from the house she dropped a bomb on me, "Daddy had a heart attack this morning." She continued to tell me that it was very minor because he called the police instantly and was at the hospital within 20 minutes. He had two stents placed into his arteries. As soon as my oldest brother (I have three younger brothers) woke up we both went over to the hospital.

My brother Frankie was fairly good about trying to make us both a little less freaked out. Cracking very light jokes about absolutely nothing in particular. But when we walked into Dad's room it got really scary. I had never seen my Dad so vulnerable before. He was laying down in the bed and was definitely drugged up and looked exhausted. Our fears were erased as soon as he started complaining about the wires attached to him and the nurse came in and let him sit up.

So once he was allowed to go home, he wasn't permitted to be alone for a week. So I moved in with him to take care of him by helping him lift things and cooking all his meals. His diet was transformed completely. He just recently moved into a newly renovated house so for about a month he hasn't had a kitchen. He only had a mini fridge and a grill so you could imagine his diet was like. So far he's lost 6 lbs since I've moved in :)

I've been making him mostly vegetables and fruit, cereal for breakfast, and chicken breast/salmon for dinner. He actually hasn't complained much about the amount of vegetables I've been forcing on him. I think he was just too lazy to eat healthy or make it himself.

So that is essentially what I have been up to for the past month. Stay tuned for upcoming posts on Bikram Yoga, What to buy for Fall 2011, and a design plan for a studio apartment.

Graduation Dress Ideas

2011-04-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

I graduate from college in May and I'm out of my mind excited. My roommates and I are taking a limo to the Javits Center for commencement, that should be really fun. But anyway I've been researching some dresses to wear for the commencement ceremony and I thought I'd share what I've come across:

the following are options if you need a white dress:

This one is from Topshop. It's perfect because it's summery, and slightly casual, perfect for a morning graduation.

Another option from Topshop.

Another from Topshop. Such a pretty lace. And who doesn't love white lace.

Some brightly colored options:

A bright pop of color. And its a nice cut halter

This option is from Rent The Runway. This website is amazing!!! It allows you to rent dresses from anywhere to $50 to $300 for a 4 day rental period. But the dresses can be worth up to $3,000. I'm using it for my senior formal.

Another option from Rent the Runway.

I like this one from Nordstrom's. It's simple and elegant.

Links that I Loved this Week

2011-04-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

So I guess I'm sort of stealing this idea from collegefashion.net with their Haute Links but whatever:

1. How cute are these!!! too bad I'm trying to get back into shape. But that's okay I have kids in my life that would love these. Maybe I can make the chocolate covered ones for Easter

2. Speaking of Easter. My grandma goes to Newark on Easter morning to march from a certain bar to St. Patrick's Cathedral there celebrating the sacrifices that many Irish men made during the Easter Rising. I feel like no one knows what this is about so I thought I'd share. (Not that anyone reads this haha)

3. I really want to go to Paris this summer for 2 weeks I still haven't asked my parents about it yet though. But I found this super cool website. It's so cool. You can find a teeny apartment in the heart of Paris from about $70 dollars a night. And they usually include a kitchenette and laundry machine. Very cool idea.

That is all for now. Happy Spring!!!!!

My Favorite, Most Flattering Pair of Shorts

2011-04-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

I love Old Navy. Its always so cheap and great. Last summer, I had class at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken in order to graduate on time. By the way Hoboken is beautiful in the summer. I would go into NYC a lot before the class started because I would get there so early in the morning.

And one shopping excursion I went on a quest for a pair of flattering shorts to wear around. And boy did I find them. I'm a very difficult shape to shop for. I am a pear shape with a very tiny waist. I have big upper thighs (I'm okay with them) but I also have short legs. So many articles suggest short shorts for short-legged women such as myself. However big thigh women are told to wear bermuda shorts. And those are not suggested for short legged women. You can see my dilemma now.

So on about.com I came upon a suggestion. And my world was changed.

I tried them on at the Old Navy in NYC and I was forever changed.

Everyone!!!!! I suggest you try these on, at least once!!!

My First Half Marathon

2011-04-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

So I did it! I was so nervous. The whole day before I was so emotional. I was scared, nervous, proud, and overwhelmed.
The day was fairly nice. It was sunny with some wind. I wore a tee shirt with a running jacket my grandma bought me. It had thumb holes those were fun to use. But when I left in the morning I wore my Columbia fleece just because I wanted to stay as warm as possible while I traveled on mass transit. I was perfectly dressed though. It was a miracle.
The morning of I had to take mass transit to the race. I cried to the taxi driver who took me to the train station. Haha. That poor man. He actually did a good job of calming me down.
A train and a subway later I was a little more relaxed but I did have a few cries that I had to hold back. I was such a mess. But once I got my race packet (number and shirt) I put on my sneakers and got ready, I definitely felt better.
Then my mom called. She's a former marathon runner so she's done this countless times. She was asking how I was and I started crying again so I hung up on her. Haha I checked my gear, went to the bathroom and walked towards the finish line. My shins have been bothering me a lot lately in the beginning of running so I decided to jog for a little bit before the start.

While I was at the starting line I was looking around. And I was the only one alone. Once the gun went off the slower people including me had to wait for everyone else to start moving.

Overall the run was good. I felt comfortable and relaxed. I saw my mom for the first time at mile 4. I heard her from about 200 feet away. Haha she has a very distinct shape. I knew instantly it was her. I almost said to the woman next to me "that's my mom!!!!" haha

The rest was a blur. The race had DJs allover the place and that was nice. There was a high school band. It was nice.

There were some problems starting at mile 7. There was a loop around a lake and there was some cars that were already parked there. And 2 cars were driving on the course. And if I'm paying $88 I better have security out there.

I finished with a time of 3:01:45. Haha pretty slow but I didn't stop once and that was my main goal.

And the main problem I had was after I finished (yay) my mom and 2 roommates who came all said we should go to the "beer garden" for my one free beer. And as soon as we walked in the receptionist said sorry the beer garden is closed. UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!! But it's okay my mom drove us back to campus and we went to our local bar.

So moral of the story. Don't run the 13.1 series especially in Queens.

Best Tips for Running in the Rain

2011-03-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

So next Saturday I'm running my first half marathon and weather.com says that the forecast is possibly rain/snow. This worries me since I haven't done any running in the rain while I've been training or in general (at least not since ). So to ease my mind I looked up tips for running in the rain and I thought I'd share some with you (not that anyone is reading this haha)my favorites.

1. Make sure the layer closest to your skin is a fabric that is not cotton, one that wicks away moisture. People recommend 100% Polyester. Cotton shirts absorb water making them very heavy when you run in the rain. This concept also applies to socks. Pick ones that are acrylic or polypropylene blend. These are some examples of 100% polyester shirts:

C9 Champion Running Shirt

Nike Running Base Layer

2. Wear a hat. Simple I know, but it keeps the rain out of your face which I could imagine can be very annoying. And since I have hair it has to have an adjuster in the back to pull my pony tail through.

3. When I was younger I distinctly remember doing the next tip at 5k races. Wear a garbage bag. I love this one. Its so simple yet so effective. It works best with heavy duty contractor bags. Just cut the wholes out of it for your arms and head and voilà handy little rain protector. The best part about this is even if you want to wear it while running then decide against it, you can always throw it out at one of the water stations.

4. Prevent chafing before it starts. This is important during all conditions during a long run but becomes vital during running in the rain. There are three main products to use to prevent chafing are: Vaseline, A&D Diaper Ointment, and Body Glide.

I LOVE Body Glide. It is amazing. I used to have problems once in a while in the summer but once I bought this I could wear whatever I wanted without worrying about that obnoxious irritation.

The places to worry about chafing are: feet especially toes, inner thighs, and nipples*.
(*Use BreatheRight strips instead of BandAids. I found this tip interesting. The reason for this is because the strips are made for sweaty noses so they don't slide off. Cool)

I hope you found this condensed information helpful. Enjoy :)

Wearing this Once it Gets Warmer

2011-03-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

The simplicity of this outfit by Derek Lam is absolutely amazing. I could definitely wear this. Especially with some wooden chunky platforms. Just like these:

I wonder how trousers would look on my pear shape especially since my legs are also short. I wonder if they'd make my legs look longer