Cheers to 2013!!

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can
instill in us. -Hal Borland

2012, what a year! A great year! Reconnecting and forming closer bonds with family, meeting new friend's/reconnected with old ones, career firsts: planned 1st NY fashion week presentation, quoted in a west coast trade newspaper. It's had a few difficult moments: friendships/relationships deteriorating, and overcoming self doubt, something that was a constant battle this year. I am grateful for my family and friend's and the experiences I had with each of you.

As with any year, I'm leaving 2012 feeling a changed, evolved. I did a lot of growing this year and feel more a sense of self than I did NYE 2011.  I am going into 2013: wiser, stronger, and honest (with myself and those around me) than I was a year ago, it is a great feeling to have. If you are not growing from your experiences then what's the point? Right?

I am spending NYE at..... HOME yes the first time in a long time actually. I decided to take it easy as I have been battling a cold for the past few days. I'm feeling better but not 100% yet (which is why there were no outfit posts this week). I'm watching True Blood, then pouring myself a glass of moscato. It is nice to take it easy, there are busy weeks ahead: outfit posts for the blog, photoshoot for a new launch at work, promoting the new launch, planning a NYFW event, attending my first movie premiere, and attending to my first Knicks game at the Garden. All in January and February! 

Happy New Year to my lovely readers!

xo

Kosi

Catch of the Day

Tip the foodie scales with this amazing Chelsea find that I have been frequently lately! 

Place: Mrkt (yes that is how it is spelled)

Location: 676 Sixth Ave., New York, NY 10010 at 21st St

What they are known for: Brunch on the weekends and their famous mussels!

Why I personally find it amazing: The restaurant is a great weekday dinner spot to catch up with girlfriend's. Had amazing nights the last two times I went. I went the day after Christmas to catch up with my friend Candy Washington (check out her blog!). Catching up on life, guys lol, travels and career stuff.

Our drink of the night was their strawberry mojito

We started off with the tuna tartar so delicious with a slice of bread!

Main Course was the crab fettuccine the best pasta dish I had in a while!

Entrance outside Mrkt

Candy and I after dinner! Love this girl!

More pics of the interior inside Mrkt:

Before I left to meet Candy my outfit: Rag & Bone Jean, Searle Jacket

xo
Kosi

Helping Holidays

I am sure most of us have been watching classic holiday movies, decorating the tree and listening to holiday songs on the radio, this year I decided to switch it up.

Yep, that is me wearing a hairnet this past Sunday, the first Sunday in a while where I had absolutely nothing to do. My friend next to me is Dahlia, she invited me to join her in volunteering at St. Francis Xavier Church on 14th street between 5th and 6th avenues. They were doing a Christmas meal service for the homeless, disabled, and low income families. The church as a soup kitchen every Sunday, one of the few places in NYC that offers weekly meals.

Volunteering at St.Francis Xavier was actually my first time volunteering at a soup kitchen, I didn't realize how much detail is involved: prepping the food,decorating, setting up they trays, and keeping track of how many people come in for a meal. Dahlia and I were actually on tray duty, so when trays were finished we were responsible for emptying them and handing them off to the washers to clean. 

 

The church also partnered with Chiropractic for Humanity, the organization offered free massages after meals. 

As you can see I managed to take a few pics as the church getting decorated.  I met a few volunteers from all walks of life: one an emt and one who works at Morgan Stanley. It was nice to see people put their differences aside to help people who are less fortunate.

I plan on volunteering at least once of month at St.Francis in 2013, it felt great to give back during the holiday season!

Happy Holiday's to all!
Kosi

The treat that charms this geeky gal's heart: Scifi Swimsuits!

The holiday's are here, I have been ordering my gingerbread latte, blast the Christmas music around the office, and going on youtube to see my favorite scenes from "A Christmas Story" lol 

A coworker of mine knows I am a scifi-comic buff and she sent me the most awesome link! It is the first time in a while where I just brought something on the spot, the early Christmas gift to myself. Can't wait to well for a vacay!

Presenting the R2D2 Bathing suit from Black Milk Clothing:

R2 2.0 Swimsuit

This is so dope on so many levels, the print, the silluouette, and the price. Designer swimsuits can be so expensive but it really doesn't show off the woman behind the swimsuit.

The website also has bathing suits devoted to my scifi/comic obsession here are a few of my favorites :) 

Black Milk Clothing is such a great find! I am looking forward to what they do for Spring 13! Are you guys treating yourself to an Christmas gift? Do tell!

xo
Kosi

Giving Back: Sandy Hook Elementary Memorial Bracelet

My condolences go out to the families affected by the tragedy that took place December 14th, 2012.

Companies as we have seen in the past few days are giving back, such as the brand Pura Vida. The brand has designed a waterproof bracelet to remember the victims. What caught my attention was that 100% of proceeds go to the “My Sandy Hook Family Fund” (yes 100% of proceeds). This fund was established by local Sandy Hook, CT parents and friends dedicated to providing immediate and continuing support for the 26 families of those who lost children and loved ones in the Sandy Hook School Tragedy. 

Message from the community members: “We are the parents of the children who survived. We are the classmates, friends, and the little league coaches. Sandy Hook is where we live -- it is our proud community. We ask the world to join us not only in our grief but also in our burning need take some of the burdens off these families in their time of incredible pain. To bear their cross in some small way. We intend to use donations to pay for immediate needs, including funeral services, as well as ongoing living expenses such as food, mortgages payments, daycare, insurances and fuel until they are back on solid ground. Please help us help our own neighbors beyond sharing their tears. All net funds received will go directly to the families who lost children and immediate family members.” 

To purchase the bracelet which retails for $5.00 please click here.

xo
Kosi

Ornamental Style

How is everyone's week so far? Busy for me but I took the time, well I MADE the time to go and check out the tree at Bryant Park/City Pond this past Tuesday. Yes, it is the holiday season but Tuesday was so unusually warm in NYC that I walked around holding my coveted leather jacket. 

I have been drooling for the past few weeks over this body suit by Stylestalker. Over a pair of American Apparel high waisted shorts  & a cozy hat by Plush, it is darn cute, if I say so myself!

Photography by Kareem Montes

I was so happy made the time to check out the holiday sights! The holiday season is so busy that at times you forget about what it is really about :) It was great seeing so many different faces laugh, smile, and forget their troubles as they skate and shop! So refreshing!

xo

Kosi

Bobbleheads.. my new toy obsession

I am more into toys at age 28 than I was at age 10, I usually have a chance to view old and new toys at Midtown Comics or Forbidden Planet. Both are great comic/scifi stores that cater to fanatics like myself. I usually visit them to check out the latest bobblehbeads. I started collecting bobbleheads last year after my niece Akua showed me her vast collection of Star Wars bobbleheads in her room.  

Currently, I have a Darth Vader bobblehead at my desk at work and a Joker bobblehead at home.

There is something about bobbleheads that makes me screams out: I WANT MORE. I am happy to find a toy that lets me be an adult, well a cool adult lol. I see bobbleheads as the sophisticated version of an action figure.

Presenting my bobblehead wishlist for the holiday season:

What is your new obsession? Any items that make you bring out your inner child? Do tell!

xo

Kosi

PARKA'S FOR ALL!

Cold weather has finally hit NYC this week and it made me start to think about my winter coats. What I like about Parka's is that it is an outerwear piece that can go dressy or casual. There are times when I don't want to put on my leather jacket or my wool coat. Parka's solve my problem :) 

I have been OBSESSED with this parka by UK brand Third Floor. I will get early December for sure. Usually, the fur trim is inside or on collar of a parka, I love how the fur trim on Third Floor's version is placed on the outside like a vest. So lush and comfy:

Third Floor $318

Another reason why I love this coat is that it converts into a cropped jacket:

Here are a few parkas that are in various price ranges I thought you all might enjoy!

Victoria's Secret $95

Asos $141

Topshop $180

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend, back to work Monday!

xo

Kosi