It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan. Primarily known for it's thriving drug trade, it's also home to Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

It's surprisingly hilly...



Really hilly, actually...



And, unlike most of Manhattan, flowers are growing in front of my building.





And there's this...

(So cute!)

I've Got Class

Classes, actually.

I'm still not sure that owning my own business is the right thing to do. So, I decided to take some classes to find out if it's even feasible.

One good thing about New York is that you can find anything you want, anywhere, anytime.

So of course I was able to find the perfect classes.

The Fashion Institute of Technology is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). And, they offer non-credit certificate programs in Creative Enterprise Ownership and Retail Experience Management.

Right now, I'm taking two "CEO" courses:

Setting a Course for your Business
Starting a business requires clear conceptions about your product or service, and about yourself. Examine your strengths, weaknesses, desires, and definition of success in order to develop a business description that will guide you through the planning process. Find the perfect name for your business; learn how to obtain licenses, permits, and tax identification numbers; and set up your business as a legal entity.

Formulating Your Financial Strategy
Forecasting sales for a new business is probably the hardest and most important element of financial planning. This course will guide you through the soundest methods for making sales projections and help you find the critical break-even point. Get the real stories behind banks, loans, grants, private investors, and credit.

Wish me luck!

(If you're interested in taking classes at FiT too, go to www.fitnyc.edu. They offer courses in design, fashion, art, communications, and business. And they have online courses, so you don't even have to live in New York!)

Sew Close!

I'm trying to learn how to sew.

But I was getting frustrated, so stopped for a while. (Quite a while, actually...)

Then I realized that the only way I would ever get better is by practicing.

So, I bought two new books: Sew What! Skirts and Sew What! Bags.



First, using this as my inspiration...



I made ...

This! (I actually don't hate this.)





Then, I decided to try this "Breezy Beach Wrap".



It did not go well...



According to the description in the book "It opens in the back, ties in the front, and has an optional buttonhole on one side for the tie to go through."

As you can see, mine...
1. Does not open in the back
2. Does not tie in the front
3. Does not have a buttonhole (optional or otherwise)

So, it's not perfect. But it's getting closer!

"Old Lady" Chic

I live in New York City. So, I walk. (A lot.) So I need comfortable shoes. But I'm also young(ish) and like cute shoes.

So, when I went shopping at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets last weekend, I decided to check out... Easy Spirit. (Yes, Easy Spirit.)

And you know what? It wasn't that bad!

First, I found the Quint slingbacks in black (use your imagination).

They're perfect! With a low, chunky heel and square toe, they're very comfortable. (And, I got two compliments when I wore them to work today!)

Then, my friend was looking for a pair of white shoes, so I pointed out these Braiden sandals...

Well, she didn't like them. So I bought them!

When I told one of my friends I was wearing Easy Spirits, her reaction was "Old lady shoes?!?"

Not anymore.

See for yourself! (www.easyspirit.com)