allen stone & andrew mcmahon.

Yesterday evening, I went to see Allen Stone perform on a yacht on the Hudson River. A company in New York puts on these concerts and believe it or not... the shows aren't any more expensive than a show at a normal concert venue! Crazy! Any who. I have been looking forward to this show for awhile now and it seemed to be a fun way to spend one of my last nights in New York and it was. It was a beautiful night, we watched the sunset on the bow of the boat and enjoyed the fresh air. 

Before Allen Stone went on stage, I checked instagram (as per usual) to see that one of my favorite artists, Andrew McMahon (first known as the front man of Something Corporate, then Jack's Mannequin) had just posted a photo of the sunset with the caption: "View from the deck of the horn blower NYC. Looking forward to Allen Stone's set." I have looked up to Andrew McMahon for almost a decade, he has been a huge inspiration to myself and many others in countless ways. I have been to many of his shows throughout the years but have never had the chance to meet him. Clearly, I was excited that he was on the same boat as we were and decided I wanted to meet him... and I did.

I introduced myself and explained that I have been a huge fan for years and thanked him for being an outlet of hope and an inspiration to all of us. He smiled, reached his arms out and said: "give me a hug. I can't tell you how much it means to hear you say that." He was so kind and so gracious. 

For those of you who don't know his story, when you have an hour and a half or so, watch the documentary, Dear Jack. Andrew documents his journey as he is diagnosed with leukemia. It is an inspiring, hopeful amazing story about life, love and music. The music this man writes is beyond beautiful, take a listen if you haven't!

On the topic of beautiful music... soon after this, Allen Stone came on stage. Let me tell you something... This man knows how to put on one hell of a show. He is so full of soul and energy and seriously rocks the house (or in this case, the boat) The crowd loved him as always and it was a set full of singing, dancing and great energy. Also, see below for some of the horn players great dance moves. They were very entertaining to say the least.

xxAli

sleep no more.

Last night, I visited the Mckittrick Hotel to see the show; Sleep No More. An interactive play

 based off of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Sleep No More blew me away. As audience members, you are let loose in the hotel unhallowed to speak and required to wear (and not allowed to take off) a mask so that you are unrecognizable. The New York Times says: "An unimpaired sense of balance and depth perception is crucial to attending “Sleep No More,” which leads its audience on a merry, macabre chase up and down stairs, and through minimally illuminated, furniture-cluttered rooms and corridors." You follow whichever characters you choose from one floor to another, in and out of rooms in order to catch the action. "These jaded figures can be found in bedrooms, bathrooms, ballrooms, hospital rooms and nurseries getting dressed and undressed, doing the foxtrot, making every kind of love, killing one another and washing off blood." Just when you think you've seen everything... you come across something completely new. Sleep No More guarantees a a night unlike any other.

xxAli

crepe heaven.

This morning, I had brunch in Williamsburg. We wandered in and out of a handful of places and didn't seem to be in the mood for any or the wait was too long. Then we stumbled upon this at this adorable french place. They had a great looking menu but my friend and I both went for the crepes. Unbelievable. That's really all I can say. I ate the fig honey crepe with goat cheese and caramelized onions... my taste buds were as happy as my stomach. Pates Et Traditions is definitely a place to try next time you find yourself in Williamsburg.

xxAli

Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Art has always been a driving force in my life. Whether it is photography, a painting,  a sculpture or a drawing... done by someone very famous or someone completely unknown. Hanging in the Guggenheim or plastered on the street... It inspires me. This inspiration Wednesday is dedicated to one of the greats, an artist who I have been inspired by since that lecture given years ago by my high school art teacher. Jean-Michel Basquiat shows us that we as artists have no limits. He teaches us to do what you do and even if the world doesn't appreciate it right away, the time will come.

Last month, I was fortunate to see the amazing Basquiat exhibit at Sotheby's. A room filled with breath taking pieces that I would kill to own. If you ever get the chance to see an exhibit of his, don't miss out. He was a monstrously influential and inspiring artist and man who left this world much too early.

xxAli

moon taxi.

 There was no better place to be last night in Manhattan than on the water... and on the water with great live music? Even better. Well, thanks to Moon Taxi, we cruised up and down the hudson for the night. The cool breeze, great tunes and fun people made for the perfect Friday night. If you haven't already, take a listen to their music, you don't want to miss it. Have a great weekend!

xx Ali

Midwest SUP Fest.

This past weekend, I flew back home to Madison for the third annual, Midwest Standup Paddle Festival that my family puts on. It's a day of stand up clinics ranging from stroke technique to beginner classes to SUP yoga. There is also a 6 mile elite race and a 2 mile rec race. We had pros from all over fly in to race and teach at the event. It was a great day full of hard work and a lot of fun. You can see more photos from the event here. Some of my best friends came in from all over to help out which made the day even more special. It was so great to be home with my family and friends for a few days! 

For those of you who haven't had the chance to SUP you should! Everyone (and I really mean everyone) can do it. It's a great way to spend time outside while getting great exercise and the best part is, it's a blast. For more information visit: Paddleboard Specialists and learn to SUP!

xx Ali

sundays in brooklyn.

(hat: UO, top: free people, shorts: levis, shoes: rag and bone, bag: alexander wang)

The Brooklyn flea is my favorite thing to visit on Sundays. Tons of great art, jewelry, food and people watching and a beautiful view of Manhattan to top it all off. Attempt to cool down with a large sun hat and cut offs like I did... But, let me assure you, it won't work. I guess that's a New York summer for you. Expect to melt.

xx Ali

(photos by: Jason Frank)

inspiration wednesday.

Today hereby marks the first (drum roll please) inspiration Wednesday! 

This evening, I ate dinner at the Prince Street Kitchen, cute little place for a 

quick bite in Soho with friends. Afterwards we walked to our all time favorite, 

(visited much too often) 16 handles. We chatted and enjoyed our desert on the bench

 outside, a few minutes later in walks Leandra Medine aka The Man Repeller. 

Seeing as this was my second Wednesday in a row seeing her, I felt I had to 

introduce myself, which I did. She smiled, shook my hand as acted if she was just 

as happy to meet me as I was her. What a humble gal. So, I am telling you this story 

as a backing to inspiration Wednesday... As mentioned before, Leandra is my 

biggest blogspiration and I must react accordingly. Hopefully I can show you 

somethings that inspire you the way her blog inspires me to keep blogging! 

So this first inspiration Wednesday is a shout out to the Man Repeller herself.

She is quirky yet high fashion and very chic all at the same time. She has 

an ability to put together outfits that nobody else would think of and damn 

does she know how to layer. Her individuality and goofy nature is what made me 

like her in the beginning... But, once I started reading her blog and actually 

laughing out loud, she became my favorite blogger. She dresses for herself, 

not to impress anyone else and I think that is something we can all learn 

from. To wear what YOU want and look and feel great no matter what other 

people think is something empowering... Something I am still working on. But, 

when I am unsure of how others will think of me I can say; if she can do it, so can I!

 Happy Wednesday all!

xx Ali

(last) wednesdays city streets and good eats.

(skirt: LF top: chaser shoes: elizabeth and james bag: proenza schouler sunglasses: oliver peoples)

As Wednesday marks the middle of the work week, it's always nice to celebrate! Not only do I have great friends from school here to do that with... But, seeing as I go to art school, I have great, talented friends who can snap a few photos on the way to chow down some Italian. My girl, Jolie is known for her amazing food photography but that's not the only thing that girls can do! We stopped here for a few quick shots on our way to Bianca, I tiny Italian gem in NOHO. Beyond delicious pasta and seafood that won't break the bank. This was my second time there...(this week) and I would go back over and over, definitely worth a try! Then, to top the night off, I saw my biggest blogspiration, Leandra Medine (better known as The Man Repeller) on the street and let me tell you, she's got it goin on.  

xxAli

(photo by: Jolie Greenstone Photography) 

Paris Street Style Couture 2013

With thousands of beautifully dressed women on the streets during the Paris Haute Couture shows... These nine took it to another level. Effortlessly chic and not too overdressed, these are my picks for the best of Fall Haute Couture Parisian street style. 

(all images from Bazaar)

xx Ali

if polyvore were my closet...

(see details: here)

xx Ali

alaska countdown.

Friday the 21 marked the 50 day countdown until my trip to Alaska. 

It's ten days of SUPing camping and hiking along the Noatak river. 

Needless to say, I need to be in shape. I thought the best way to make 

sure of this was to create a challenge for myself... 175 miles before 

August 10. So far I have logged 33 miles and that means at 

least 3.5 miles per day for the next 39 days. 

Feel free to join me!

xx Ali

weekend recap.

This past weekend was filled with great food and even better company. Ate at a few different restaurants, Fig and Olive in the Meatpacking district where we ate seafood paella and a selection of crostinis which sure were yummy. (both pictured above) Also had a great meal at my new favorite place in the city, Fiat Cafe. My friend and I split a seafood salad and a pasta dish and finished it all before I realized I didn't take a photo... whoops. But, I didn't forget a photo of our tasty wine, the perfect way to start the weekend after a long work week. After dinner Friday night, we went to see Katie Gunn perform for the release of her new music video. That girl is oozing with talent, she's quite fun to watch and listen to. Saturday, I spend the day walking the city and drooling over things at Bergdorfs for a few hours... a girl can dream! Finally, Sunday relxin came around. I spent the day at a family friends in New Jersey laying out at their beautiful pool (until it rained) and then did something I haven't done all summer... watched some trash TV and took a nap. Felt great! Lastly, Sunday night my room mates lovely parents who were in town took us to see Fuerza Bruta which is so impossible to explain but it was beyond entertaining! My room mate and I continued our Sunday night tradition by walking home with our hands full 16 handles. 

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

xx Ali