Monday, November 1, 2010
Happy Happy Halloween!!!!
I hope you guys had as much fun as I did this past weekend!!! Halloween has always been my favourite holiday. I love the costumes, the scary movies...anything pumpkin flavoured (as long as its made with splenda!) 2010 might have been THE best halloween yet!
Friday night a friend of Anne's invited us to Last Rites Gallery for the opening of 13th hour
http://lastritesgallery.com/
I was super psyched about the event and scrambled through my sewing accessories to create the perfect glamour ghouls makeup:
Then last night (the main event) Anne and I maintained our tradition of dressing up as a Madonna Horror charachter hybrid:
Madonna vampires.
We had thought about Madonna aliens but the metallic green makeup didnt work well with Anne's American Life Camo costume
After attending the parade and going to a few bars in the village with our friends we dashed home for costume change #3 and headed to the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show
Anne was the most amazing Riff Raff in the entire world! This is why I am marrying this woman ;)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Have a Bunny-licious Halloween!!!
Best Weekend EVER
So as most of you know I proposed to Anne this summer with an elaborate nervewracking day of suprises. I should have known that Anne would want no less for me as well!!
I was in LA for work 2 weeks ago and came back at the end of the week to find that Anne had woken up early Saturday morning to go to the farmers market- a usual Sat AM occurence. She left me a a bottle wrapped in pink sparkly paper. ( I thought this was possibly a well timed gift of extra stength midol as i was experiencing the Freddy Krueger stabbing cramps that day) But when I opened the sparkly bottle there was a sterling silver "pill" with a message inside that read "Get ready for the best weekend of your life" next to a jewelry box- was it my engagement ring??!! Even though I proposed to Anne everyone knows that I wanted a sparkly accessory to mark this commitment also ;)
I opened the box and it was diamond hoop earrings- FAKEOUT - but such amazing earrings that there was no way I could possibly be dissappointed!
I continued to get dressed and Anne came home to tell me she was taking me to brunch-please pack:
-eyemakeup
-banagrams
-Mary Kate perfume (my signature scent)
"Why do I need eyeliner? Why do I need Mary Kate- is SHE going to be there???!"
"you NEVER know" Anne said
I packed all the above- incredibly confused and headed downstairs for brunch
When we arrived at the mystery location -Asiate, The Mandarin Oriental 35th floor restaraunt
I spotted my 2 besties: Jason and Oz!!
Bob Saget ironically sat down at the table next to ours...(Jason tried to not so slyly get a picture but did not succeed)
Though I remained hopeful: Mary Kate did NOT arrive.
But not even MK could top a fancy brunch with Anne and my fav boys!!! After that we did a little Upper West Side shopping!!
After harrassing anne with a million questions she told me she was taking me for manicures next (ooo manicures! i'm going to get my ring today that's gotta be why!)
After we walked into the salon, my other bestie Jackie (aka Yetta G) showed up to join us!!! OMG best day ever- its impossible to get all your New Yorker friends together in one weekend let alone in the same spot.
After our manicures and pedicures with Ms Yetta G anne said she had reservations for us to "Grab a drink downtown."
We arrived at the Ritz battery park and had a glass of champagne. When Anne grabbed the check she said "Just put this on the room"
SO EXCITED!!!
We went upstairs to a GORGEOUS suite with a wall ceiling to floor view of the Statue of Liberty and a closet had been filled with new shoes and a dress for me to wear to dinner.
I started crying I was so touched and overwhelmed!! After I calmed down I realized what the eyeliner, and perfume were for (still didnt understand bananagrams) but realized that I still needed a few other things at the drugstore- I didn't pack my coldsore medicine-and feared the excitement of the day could cause an evil intruder!
( yup thats right...ever since I was little thanks to my mom and my big sis I've been cursed with coldsores)
We headed to the closest pharmacy before dinner. As we walked back to the hotel along the water I looked at the statue of liberty and told Anne
"usually I don't like waterviews, but I love the statue of liberty... I mean that's what my polish immigrant great grandparents first saw when they came over- maybe thats where the herpes came from? that sucks... anyway... usually I dont want to look at Brooklyn or New Jersey I want to look at MANHATTAN (gesturing vehemently to the edge of the island) THIS is where COOL begins and ends- right here. But I do love this view of the statue of liberty- where it all began!!"
And before I knew what was happening Anne pulled out the sparkliest ring ever and said "and thats why I want to spend the rest of my life with you- here on this island"
I was so shocked- (and a little embarrased for my inappropriate Manahattan-elite rant timing and the herpes/immigrant schpeel) but ecstatic!!!
We headed back to the hotel where Anne told me we should stop on the club level lounge for a glass of champagne to celebrate. When we arrived we saw our favourite couple Mel and Amy!! They, along with Jason had been the secret elves who brought the clothes and champagne to our suite in advance.- I love our friends!!
Mel & Amy took us out to a delicious dinner and then returned to the club lounge for more champagne and our favourite game Banagrams (yes we are super edgy ladies)
The next day after we checked out Anne told me we had early dinner plans at 4pm- i could not take any more suprises so I harrassed her for the details of who would be there? what should I wear? Will they come back to the apartment? should we tidy up???
I still had no idea who was going to be there but I suspected perhaps Jason, Oz and our posse of fab chelsea boys..but instead it Annes family all the way from New Jersey and my ENTIRE family from Pennsylvania...including my favourite niece, wearing pink leopard just for the occasion!
After dinner we headed around the corner to where all of our friends met up with us for a final congratulatory drink. It was the best weekend of my life. Not just because of the most sparkly ring in the whole world, but because of how much thought and love Anne put into planning it and because everyone I loved was able to share the celebration with us.
I am so grateful for all the incredible people in my life and especially to Anne for always making me feel surrounded in love :)
Oh yeah- and for immigrants and herpes;)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Like a Reverend
As many or you know I got ordained this spring in order to officiate my bff's wedding in Toronto last weekend. I was incredibly nervous, though i'm relatively comfortable with performing. It's always been a part of my routine whether at work in design presentations, in my old days as Toronto's premiere female-female impersonator....but this was different. It was someone else's big day! two of my best friends none the less.
The ceremony turned out beautifully- the bride and groom wrote their own vows which left everyone attending in tears and their friend/nyc musician Joanna Levine played a gorgeous version of the Beach Boy's God Only Knows while the bride walked down the isle.
Some tips I have for any other first time reverends out there:
1) PRE-GAME as always- practice practice practice.
2) Props are fun AND useful. I pasted my notes into a black leather bound Playboy notebook-official looking AND helpful and my white lace gloves made me feel totes legit!
3) When in doubt focus on the couple- I love those mofos so much, and they looked SO happy to be getting married that I knew I had to do a good job for them
4) If possible- bring your best friend and biggest supporter with you!
happy fall!!
Sorry for the lapse in posts kids!!
After my/Anne's engagement we went to gay pareeeee and I've been slacking a bit on my blog ever since.. Anne wrote an awesome blog about our trip: http://anneneczypor.blogspot.com/2010/08/parisian-games.html
which I will never be able to describe as eloquently so you should check it out :)
As for my absentee September- it's been a crazy month! Last Wednesday I competed in Regis and Kelly's High-heel-athon in Central Park. All decked out in my sparkliest I was prepared to win big.
But let me tell you there are some FAST b*tches in that race. I didn't win... THIS time, but I did recieve a jazzy "Finisher" medal and we all know how I LOVE flair! This is actually my very first piece of athletic flair so that in itself seems like quite an accomplishment.
I was also proud of the fact that though Kristin Chenoweth started 3 rows ahead of me, I managed to fly past the tiny diva, which I realized as I excitedly made rabbitears with my fingers as I passed the finished lines and a man from ABC grabbed me. I screamed and he said into his walkie talkie "Nevermind- NOT her, just another tiny sparkely blonde." Obviously flattered as a huge fan of Kristin's but startled none the less.
Though I am proud of 1) not falling and 2) my fancy finisher medal...I do plan to train harder for next years race!!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Material Girl Clothing Launch at Macy's NYC
Madonna and her daughter Lourdes launched their clothing line ever-so-appropriately titled "Material Girl" at Macy's this tuesday.
Naturally I was one of the first in line to get my hands on the goods!!
Waiting in line was made much more pleasant than ever with the presence of:
1) a pink carpet and pink velvet ropes (a necessity for any premiere event)
2) Madonna look-alikes walking back and forth with boomboxes blaring her 80s hits
3) free giveaways from personalized "Material Girl" sunglasses to cupcakes
Once inside, I naturally attempted to buy everything!!
And made out like a bandit with 3 gorgeous dresses, a studded embellished miniskirt, sequin tap pants and some awesome jewelry all for under 200.00!!!
Go to Macy's or check it out online here
Lourdes' blog is a superfab added bonus to the site
As for the Cupcake Scandal (Yes, I recieved a few emails from individuals who had seen these associated press photos asking ARE YOU OFF CARBOLA??! DID YOU EAT SUGAR IN THE NAME OF HER HOLINESS?)
Truth be told I graciously accepted the cupcake, which was decorated beautifully with the pink "Material Girl" logo, from a Madonna doppleganger. I gave it to my fiance along with a buttondown from the collection. But I did have a tiny taste- and yes- it was just as heavenly as I imagine Madge's lips to be!
Friday, July 30, 2010
You can't always plan EVERYTHING...
But I'm starting to learn that's what makes life even better ;)
I did it!!!
Proposed that is! Sorry for my lack posts in the month of July but I had a lot of planning and pre-gaming to do...Not only was I about to ask the most important question of my life to my lady, but this Type-A chica wanted to plan AND execute it perfectly!
My original idea had been to take Ms. Anne to Paris, the city of Amor. She has never been, but has wanted to visit more than anywhere in the world since she was a teenager.
But then, in true Becca style, I had a little TOO much fun at our Christmas party:
And after too many glasses of x-mas champagne the subject of an engagement came up, and I proceeded to tell her in DETAIL, down to the hotel name, just how I planned to propose in gay Pareee.....
So- I had to revise my plan:
As many of you know, Anne has written 3 novels but has not published them yet. As a surprise, I designed a cover for her first book and self-published and printed it. On one copy, where the description would normally go, I instead placed a message from me ending in "Will you marry me?" I planned to plant it in our neighbourhood bookstore. I hired a band to play our song outside the bookstore and planned, along with my bestie, an elaborate congratulations suprise dinner party. And intended to top it off with an early birthday/congratulations present of 2 first class tickets to paris for 5 days over her birthday.
But even the best pre-gamers cannot plan for EVERYTHING :)
Saturday morning (D day=diamond day)
9:00am: we woke up and made breakfast at home. My original plan of brunching and shopping in the city as an instrument to get my lady to Barnes and Noble were foiled by
A) the 200 degree heat
B) Anne's lack of enthusiasm due to a rough work week
C) Anne's slight hangover from a friday night out with friends the night before
This was going to be tougher than I thought....
As the day progressed from an air conditioned day in the apartment to Anne's idea of "what if we paint the living room today?!"
I started to panic....
So by 3pm I decided I would have to remix this yet again, Junior Vasquez style:
I said "Babe, would it cheer you up if I gave you your bday present early?"
"You don't have to do that" She responded
"Oh I think I do" I said as I handed her a box wrapped in Madonnas sexy black and white photos from the latest Interview magazine.
Anne carefully opened the box with the ticket, hotel and trip details. She looked at me dumbfounded and asked "Is this for
REAL?"
"Of course, I wouldn't FAUX give you a trip to paris!"
"We have to go to the Barnes and Nobel! To get city guides!! Oh my god Oh my god We're going to Paris!" she squealed
As I went to bathroom, Anne reached into my bag to grab my phone to call her mother to tell her about her early birthday gift as her phone had died. This lead to an accidental glance at her book's cover. I walked out at the same moment and clenched my chest.
"I might have seen something I wasn't supposed to..." Anne said looking stunned and sheepish.
"Uhh, ok.. lets just still go to the barnes and noble"
(Luckily anne had only seen the cover, not the back with the proposal message)
After a very awkward walk there we finally arrived Anne spotted the band holding orange roses (her favourite) and sarcastically asked "Are those for me?"
"NO!" I shouted awkwardedly. "Jeez isn't PARIS enough!" I giggled.
We walked up to the travel section to look at Paris books, and I continued with my plan of slipping Anne's book onto a shelf when she wasn't looking. She picked it up- still stunned that her book had been printed. When she turned it over she was floored. I got down on my knee right there in the barnes and noble and pulled out a diamond ring in a nut shell box (Anne loves a good pun) and said "I'm nuts about you. Will you marry me?"
She said yes and got down on the floor with me hugging me and picking me up to my feet. *
*She doesn't remember this part as she said she was so stunned and ecstatic that she blacked out for a good portion of the book store.
She does however clearly remember walking out to a band playing "Such Great Heights" and handing her a bouquet of orange roses.
"OH MY GOD! They WERE for me!" she laughed
Now all I had to do was to get her to the restaraunt below our apartment to meet "friends" for a small dinner. I thought I was finally in the clear until one of my besties, Oz, who hadn't read the invitation clearly, showed up at our buildings entrance INSTEAD of the restaraunt with presents in hand.
"OZ!" I exclaimed agressively, "What are you doing here?"
"Ummm I'm headed to a...babyshower?"
"A babyshower at 8 o clock at night?" Anne asked "Who had a baby?"
"Ya know....straight people" he answered awkwardedly
"well we better get into the RESTAURANT where we're meeting our friends for dinner" I practically shouted at the poor boy
I pulled Anne in and said I was pretty sure they must already be there, probably seated in the back.
Luckily she bought it and all her friends and family jumped out on cue, yelling "Surprise!"
It was the best day ever. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the love of my life happy. She was glowing. I would do it all over EXACTLY as it happened because sometimes the little monkey wrenches in a perfect plan are what makes the actual event that much more fun :)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sassy New Neighbour: valsecrets.com
I'm so excited to be invited to Valsecrets.com special guest panel including chef Rossella Rago and actress Fran Drescher. This is a super fun site with a lot of great fashion and lifestyle tips from some sassy and chic chicas :)
Check out some of my fave fashion tips here
Sexy Summer Shopping- NYC Limelight Marketplace
Former NYC Church- turned nightclub-turned even shadier nightclub has reinvented itself again Madge-style to become the cutest center of boutique shops in Chelsea! Offering everything from a full spa to Mariebelle Chocolates to my favourite: Old Hollywood gifts and accessories shop.
That's where Anne got me this GORGEOUS hat! It was intended for our July vacation but I've discovered that if you wear it in Manhattan, while it does tend to annoy people, it creates an invisible bubble of extra space! People literally move out of the way as they stare you down with a glare that says one of the below:
"That hat is RUDE!"
"Is she crazy?"
"Is she famous?"
"Is she crazy AND famous?"
If you're not easily phased by what others think, $60.00 is a low low price to pay for more personal space in NYC ;)
Get yours at limelight marketplace
Limelight Marketplace
Northeast corner of 6th Ave and 20th Street
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11am- 8pm
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Long Weekend in the City
So for the first time in a very long time my partner and I were going to be in our favourite spot for a long weekend:Manhattan. I decided to surprise her with a gorgeous new 1950s style bathing suit and a gift card that read "for where I'm taking you this weekend" with a picture of the Hotel Gansevoort's pool. She was ecstatic and we trekked the 5 blocks to our "staycation" Saturday afternoon....
Now for those of you outside NYC this probably sounds excessively ridiculous, but let me explain: Unless you want to take your chances at public pool or happen to have a gym membership that includes outdoor pool access, there are very few pools you can lounge by on the island of Manhattan. The Gansevoort is supposedly the best....
Let me tell you friends- I don't recommend this venue. First of all, we arrived an hour past check in and our room was not ready. We were told to wait at the rooftop bar/pool (without comped drinks or snacks) after an hour+ we returned to the concierge and requested a refund as we'd decided just to head home. They gave us a large discount on the rate so we stayed. We returned to the pool area to find it overrun with too many bachelorette parties to count and drunk singing irish-men with guitars...we felt a little ridiculous with our magazines and travel scrabble but made the best of it.
For any of you readers looking for some Manhattan pool action I would recommend the much less "sceney" Empire Hotel on the upper west side, or if your looking for a more serious commitment, a membership at the Soho House- where there is an unwritten precedent against Bachelorette parties.
We still had an awesome weekend- saved by the Radio City Glee concert on Sunday where Anne and I arrived as Rachel Berry and a very pregnant Quinn Fabrae
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
SEX & THE CITY 2- are you ready ???
As a super fan since age 16 I naturally pre-booked 4 tickets for the midnight showing tomorrow night. That was the easy part...now what to wear???
It seems the most in demand outfit from the preview is the "J'Adore Dior" tee/purple silk skirt combo.
You can get a very similar look for less than $100.00 to wear to the movie or just to get Carried away with this weekend ;)
Beige Bolero: 8.99
Buffalo Exchange consignment shop
Purple silk bubble shirt: 22.80
Forever 21
J'Adore Playboy tee- in development
However you can get a slew of Dior "replicas" ;) from 30.00-80.00
EBAY
Or if that seems like too much work you can always go with a signature one shoulder basic dress
Assymetric Dress: 27.80
Forever 21
**And don't forget to bring an oversized purse for sugar free cosmos!!**
(1 serving- repeat for as many cosmos needed)
1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
3/4 oz diet cranberry juice
1 ozfresh lime juice
1) Shake and pour into a thermos
2)Pack with plastic martini glasses
3)Wait for opening credits and pour away ;)
It seems the most in demand outfit from the preview is the "J'Adore Dior" tee/purple silk skirt combo.
You can get a very similar look for less than $100.00 to wear to the movie or just to get Carried away with this weekend ;)
Beige Bolero: 8.99
Buffalo Exchange consignment shop
Purple silk bubble shirt: 22.80
Forever 21
J'Adore Playboy tee- in development
However you can get a slew of Dior "replicas" ;) from 30.00-80.00
EBAY
Or if that seems like too much work you can always go with a signature one shoulder basic dress
Assymetric Dress: 27.80
Forever 21
**And don't forget to bring an oversized purse for sugar free cosmos!!**
(1 serving- repeat for as many cosmos needed)
1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
3/4 oz diet cranberry juice
1 ozfresh lime juice
1) Shake and pour into a thermos
2)Pack with plastic martini glasses
3)Wait for opening credits and pour away ;)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Life is a Mystery...Me a Minister?
When two of my best friends got engaged and asked me to officiate their wedding ceremony I was ecstatic...and a little nervous. But I did what I always do in nerve-wracking situations: ask myself the inevitable: WWMD?
The verdict: she would need it to be totes legit! So I went to the best rated minister ordination site I could find:
Open-Ministry.org, where not only can you get ordained for free, but can order complete ceremony documents and wedding kits.
I'm super excited for my bestie's wedding this Fall and highly recommend Open Ministry if you or someone you know wants to perform a ceremony!!
Now for what to wear....if any of you come across a sexy, yet tasteful and serious priest inspired ensemble send it my way ;)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
my love (of shoes) is a REVOLVER
For those of you who know me personally you probs know about my love hate relationship with my gun heeled pumps.
On the upside, they are super sexy and definitely an attention grabber. They also comfort me when I have fleeting thoughts of zombie attacks (as pictured). On the otherhand they are not for a frequent flying femme! I learned this when I was rudely pulled out of a security line at O' Hare, taken to an american airlines security room, photographed (and told that it was 'ok because my eyes would be blacked out' Helllooo i at least want the free publicity...sheesh), and then had my fav shoes confiscated and checked!
I still love them for homefield events of course.
Today, when I was googling the brand to refer to a friend of mine I learned that Shiekh Shoes now sells them online in gold and silver!!!!!!! I'm ordering one of each naturally!!!
Grab your weapons today at:Shiekh shoes
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sweet Date Spot! Vegan Chocolate- who knew?
I was recently looking for a cute wine and appetizer spot to take my mom and godmother before our dinner reservation. Anne and I love Cocoa V for their yummy dark chocolates and strange (but amazing) flavour combinations (ie chocolate covered edimame) They also offer all organic, free trade and vegan chocolates.
But we had never sat in their lounge area before. We decided to try it out and absolutely loved the adorable interior, great wine list and delicious chocolate plates. The chocolate plates are def the star of the menu! Served cheeseplate style on a cutting board with knives for sharing, the plates are thoughtfully prepared in categories:
-5 piece of chocolates of either Pure, Nut, Crunchy, Fruity or Exotic Fruit selections, $13.00/plate
( You can also create your own combination of 5 chocolates.)
We had a great time and I totes recommend Cocoa V as an adorable before or after dinner drink spot.
Cocoa V
179 9th Avenue
New York, NY
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