PSA: Register to Vote!!

Confession: I haven't been registered to vote in 4 years.
Some will say tsk tsk, but I only vote in the Presidential election. Well, not true. I also voted during mayoral elections for NYC but since I'm no longer a resident of the lovely state of New York and don't follow my local [JC] politics, last I pulled the lever was for the last Presidential election. I actually shouldn't have voted in NY, but since it was shortly after my move, I was still registered there and figured that was easier than trying to register in a new state. (That and I still wasn't convinced I would be a NJ resident for long.)

With the next major election in a few months, I finally decided to get moving and look into voting. Naturally, NY revoked my rights and when I checked the system, I clearly wasn't registered to vote in NJ either. Well, I have to swallow my pride and accept that I am a NJ resident. (Eek. Gross. I rather tell the world I am from Staten Island then New Jersey, but I digress.) And so, while sitting here perusing the internet and reading UsWeekly online, I came across GOTTAVOTE. (Funny, it automatically directed me to the NY page.) And  so I took that as a sign to stop procrastinating my 'research' and just register. And I have. So people, this is your public service announcement: REGISTER TO VOTE if you haven't already.

(Thank you UsWeekly for featuring fun facts for Mrs. Obama, or else it would have taken me another week or more to register.)

Friday Funny 09.14

Courtesy of Sister.

Picture Potpourri.

Jager loves NY. So do I.
Let me be clear, I love NY, not Jager.

Mani pic of the week - Essie's Trophy Wife.
(Though I would think 'trophy wife' would be some type of gold or bronze color.)

Summer fashion meets fall fashion.

A perfect way to end a not so fun day at work - with the funniest little man (and cutest family) I know.
(I have no clear pictures of you child!! You move too much.)

Mission Impossible.

Yesterday's mission: To find fantastic bargains. Specifically, to find fantastic bargains in size xs or s.

Location of hunt: Within the never-ending boxes located at The Limited Sample Sale.

Reason: Because everything was 5 bucks. AND because I am crazy.

I love a good hunt, especially when a bargain is involved. The Limited Sample Sale is not for the faint or weary. I have been twice before so I consider myself experienced. I knew this time to inspect clothing more carefully as the clothes really are samples - damages, tears, you name it. (Yet somehow, I still purchased a defected dress. But one of out 29 is not bad. And yes, I said 29.) I also knew I would likely spend a lot of time hunting, so I carried a small light purse (and packed a bigger bag in it so that I had something sturdy to haul my purchases back home) and dressed in a maxi dress so I could slip things over and under me. With yesterday's (and today's) sale being touted at their biggest one yet, this was a challenge I was willing to take on.

The scene about 2 hours after it opened (and roughly an hour after my arrival when I deemed I needed to re-assess the mission.)

Just a small pile of my purchases strewn on my bed.

Some of my favorite finds: a white tie-front blouse (I had been holding out on purchasing a cheap one at Forever 21 because I never really liked the cut on any), a fun polka dot t-shirt, a chunky knit sweater, and a loose purple tunic.

There are definitely more finds to me photographed (about 20 something more) but since most are wrinkly, they are not photo worthy at the moment. Mission impossible? I think not. More like mission accomplished.

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And just because I'm supposed to be posting daily photos, here is one from today that for some reason, I really like.

(Old empty store front in the process of demolition.)

A Day of Remembrance.

Eleven years ago, our world changed. I personally didn't know anyone who lost their life that day but, I, like other knew of people - my neighbors' nephew, a friend of a friend's girlfriend. And everyone has their story. My story, though different from everyone, is also the same. September 11, 2001 was a day that affected everyone.

Eleven years ago, almost out the door to start another year of college, I was stopped by the news on the television. Though not very far from the actual scene, I watched the news unfold before me. I watched one horrible scene after another. I watched my college turned into a triad center.  I watched to see if my friends and family were okay. I watched my whole future change.

And every year since then, I have commemorated in my own way - by watching the remembrance ceremony on tv. I watched and lived the moment from afar back then, and I will do so every year. Even when shortly after 9/11, I worked with the FDNY in the Special Events (as a result of the out-pour of gratitude they received), I watched the first ceremony in the press office of headquarters. Year after year, I watch a part of it at home and then stream the rest at work. Even if I'm not fully paying attention, it's on. It's my way of remembering.

I watched 11 years ago. I watched 5 years ago. I watched last year. But today, I only watched the first 30 minutes. This year is different.The media has said so. And perusing today's blogs, less than 50% mention today's significance. Is it because we've passed the 10 year mark? Maybe. Have we moved on? I don't think so. Are we moving through? Most likely. But just because I didn't do my normal routine, doesn't mean I have forgotten. In fact this year, I made it a point to walk down to the waterfront and reflect. Though I see the skyline almost every day and work in that same exact area where tragedy took place, today was different. I wanted to remember the past, but see the future.

(It was hard trying to take the picture at the same exact spot.)

Tribute in Lights.

If I Were...

...a seamstress (even a really really beginner one!), I would love to do these seemingly simple projects. With all the pretty fabrics out there, just think of the endless possibilities of skirts I would have! Inspirational tutorials as follows...

Maxi Skirt from Elle Apparel

Elastic Contrasting Band Skirt from make it and love it
(Sure the tutorial is for a little girl's skirt but I am loving the contrasting elastic bands!)

Super Simple Elastic Band Skirt from Shrimp Salad Circus

Insta-nothing.

All was quiet this weekend. No solid plans to do anything. No beach. No family party. No pre-planned company. Friday consisted of sleeping the second I got home. Saturday was the day when I neither heard nor saw any tornado-like weather (most likely because I was in a mall hunting for goods). And Sunday was the Lord's day in which I rested. (Ok, so I didn't go to church or anything. It's just a running joke that I wear my Sunday's 'finest' consisting of running shorts and ratty t-shirts of the like and never shower on the "Lord's Day", nor do I do anything productive.) So due to all this nothingness, I had no photos to Instagram. I was uninspired and I'm okay with it.

Today, on this perfectly clear autumn-like day, I photographed the stillness (minus the reflection of my dress) of the eve of 9/11.