So I hired my family to take photos for the site BUT we couldn’t afford real reflectors so TJ Maxx umbrellas had to do. How chic! I’m a Maxxinista y’all. Jay kay! My family came into town and I couldn’t be happier- I’m having a blast playing tourist and hanging out with my brother, catching up and laughing a ton. Hence the millions of photos of me literally having a laughing fest in this post. I couldn’t help it- being around them makes me smile much more than around anyone else.

We toured Central Park and got lost which was one of my favorite parts. We then headed up to the UWS to one of my favorite restaurants, Flor de Mayo. Honestly, one of the best places to get one of my favorite dishes, Lomo Saltado. I mean, it can’t get any better than french fries sopped in a vinegar-y sauce with bistec and rice with tomatoes and red onion. Oh, get in my belly.

The Profresh Guide To videos are back. Well, I really owe you so this doesn’t count but we’ll be back on track shortly. This time around, we’re talking about getting over it. It may or may not of taken me two years. Just sayin.

My parents and brother are in town for the week + work has been cray cray! But as you can see, posting regularly is normal around PS so stay tuned for all sorts of fun things! 

I spent my night in suburbia, in a mall, for the first time in a LONG TIME. I literally gasped walking into the mall because I haven’t seen one of ‘those’ in quite some time. I found it comical walking around with a fashionable group of gals (bloggers) roaming this semi-empty mall and realized how fun it used to be shopping all these PROMO sales. Holy crap, have you seen a promo sale? I was floored with the cheapness. But then again, it’s cheapness at a mall… but all that stops with a certain store that has completely revamped their company. The Limited blew me away last night. They invited myself and a few other fantastic bloggers (24 Blogazine & Stylistic Appetite) to come see their new store opening and restructure. But I know, I know. I originally remembered them as the “GROWN-UP” store since I was shopping The Limited Too. Who had the glitter cheer sofie shorts? Anyone?

I gawked the entire time at the shop- at first glance, you may say to yourself- “hey okay, cardigans. NO.” “Really? Capris?” but then you take a closer look and I found GEMS guys. GEMS. First of all, they have KILLER shoes. I’m maje impressed + they are mad comfortable. I walked around the store opening the entire time in them.  But you know, I could tell you about all about it but you’re better off just taking a look at the INSTAGRAM party below. :)

And us all being city girls, we decided to make the most out of our surburban trip so of course we had to hit up a drive-thru. “James, find the nearest McDonalds. We would like to dine. ONWARD.” And I must say, it was mother-effing delicious. Mmmm, meat-flavored fries. McDonalds fact #214.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Let me tell you guys a story-

There is this awesome light installation near my apartment (as you can see) and I knew I had to shoot in front of it. So minding my own business, just shooting for my petty little blog, a security guard comes busting out of his big, tall luxury building shooing us away. Hey guy, we’re not 12 years old. Use your words. He then tells us we need to leave, keep in mind we’re a good 100 meters away from him, and he then tells us he’ll call the cops. May I remind you, I’m on a public sidewalk, in a public area in THE PUBLIC. I didn’t go inside the building, I didn’t utilize my fine graffiti skills across the installation- I merely took photos like a tourist. He won’t stop being an arrogant asshole, so I decide to go inside the lobby to this DOORMAN and share a few words with him. The conversation goes something like this:

BLOGGER IN BLUE: I’m sorry, what’s the problem?
DOORMAN WHO TAKES HIS JOB TOO SERIOUSLY: You can’t take photos in front of our building, it’s private property.
BB: We live here.
DOORMAN: Oh yeah, what apartment number?
BB: Not here, in the building down the street.
DOORMAN: Okay, so you can’t take pictures here. And anyway, it’s inappropriate. There are babies and strollers and people walking around. It’s just inappropriate.
BB: UM, what? Inappropriate? I’m in a public space, no one else’s photo is being taken, I’m on a sidewalk, I look like a tourist.
DOORMAN: I don’t care. This is private property, you can’t do that. I’ll call the cops. They will side with me.
BB: (laughing) Call the cops? Are you serious? We aren’t doing anything but taking photos IN PUBLIC. Go ahead and call them.
DOORMAN: You are on private property, you need to leave. If you want to take pictures in the park, you can do that. But not out here.
BB: So you’re saying I can go take pictures in the park, and still have the building as my backdrop and that’s okay?
DOORMAN: Yup.
BB: Well that’s just stupid. Either situations are the same.
DOORMAN: You’re using the building as your backdrop. It’s not right.
BB: Okay, this is ridiculous. Do you have a notice of some kind? We aren’t shooting a documentary or filming the next SIXTEEN AND PREGNANT… we’re taking photos because the wall is pretty.
DOORMAN: No I don’t have a notice.
BB: Give me a contact.
DOORMAN: Go ahead- call my boss. He’ll tell you the same thing.
BB: (giving him MAD side eye) (laughing) Oh. Okay. (takes card and starts to walk out)
DOORMAN: Don’t do it again or I’m calling the cops.
BB: (silence, walks to the installation and finishes the shoot)

-END SCENE-

I swear, it was like having a conversation with a teenager who’s going through their moody-talk-back phase. Relax homie.
I may just write the building an email, simply stating that if they would like to preserve their prestigious art installation, here are the following links to provide red velvet ropes to protect such an entity. DOING IT.

Besides all that craziness, I really am putting in the efforts to be more chill. I originally woke up, put a polka dot vintage 60′s dress worn as vest, with polka dot shorts, this striped top and a blue mullet sheer top over it and walked to the mirror and literally said, WHAT. THE. FUCK. I mean, don’t get me wrong guys. You know as well as I, how much I adore fashion and individuality and personal style but I’ve reached my breaking point. I love my wardrobe. But I think what I’ve done now is curated a closet for historical purposes rather than actual pieces to wear. So, cheers to baggy jeans, pumped up kicks and sloppy top knots. I’m diggin’ it.

After multiple “I-hate-what-I-have-in-my-closet!” moments and also realizing half the clothing I own doesn’t fit or have a place in my wardrobe, I felt it was time for an intervention of sorts. But more or less, a reinvention of a similar look I’ve donned before but not quite in the best light. I was all about hip hop, based on movies and what I saw in the mall back in high school and into college. So on came the Baby Phat sweatsuits, Rocawear hoodies and Timberland high heel boots. Don’t forget about the bamboo hoops, gold chains and denim jumpsuits courtesy of J.Lo.

But after I realized that style was outdated and not cool, I went through multiple phases of style and have yet to settle on what I love. I had a conversation recently about being defined by style stereotypes or trying to categorize yourself as one persona or another. I realized that although I don’t have a defined style personality, I have a strong sense of style that changes daily. And I think that’s pretty cool.

So as of late, I decided I want to reach into my past and take some of the moments in my hip hop era and bring them back to life. Just updated. On top of that, I’m starting my self-defense classes AND I’m getting back into dance which I’m SO EXCITED about. I based my soon-to-be active lifestyle on what I’d want to be wearing: from work to dance class.

Designer sneakers, comfy harem pants, simple tops or tees and the flyest accessories possible, make up my new look or what I’d like to look like. Stay tuned next week, I’ll be continuing my reinvention journey with you guys. It’s going to be good.

And a special treat for you (I will definitely be regretting posting these) but take a special look at my style of my past I’ve been describing. I couldn’t find the really intense ones but I figure I’d spare you the horror… not that the following isn’t horrific.

Question for you: Do you know any celebrity or personality who embodies this hip hop of 2012 style? I’d love to know so please share! I’m much better with visuals than words so speak up and share!