For my own well being- a spree, of sorts.

And so it is…

If there is anything that I have needed to do and haven’t done in awhile is go to a Stache Vintage Secret Sale at my friend Jennifer’s studio in Williamsburg where she sells a wide range of vintage clothing and interior design pieces. It truly is not only one of my favorite places to shop as I am a vintage collector and it’s just like heaven to me, but it’s always always a nice chance to catch up with Jennifer while she pours me a few glasses of Champagne and this time there was a special treat: Vegan gluten-free cupcakes with Tiffany Blue frosting baked by my close friend and roommate: Jacquelyn of Vegan Bun Buns.

Stache Vintage

Growing up as the daughter of a Famous Yippie Activist definitely had an impact on my life, I always felt like an outsider growing up in Brooklyn and going to inner city schools with kids my own age. My life was not particularly like the other children I knew  and I was just starting to get used to the fact of that. I’d stroll through the very populated gritty streets of New York, looking at the other people passing by me and just question: Why?

Why do I look this way? Why are my parents and family friends so different than everyone else? Why do I have wavy hair?Why did he not call? Did I do something wrong? How can I make myself be appreciated more?

I would pick out flaw after flaw of myself and worry (sometimes still do! much to my friends disapproval) about situations I’d create within my own self. Fears of being forgotten, left behind they all would appear to be beneath the surface but if you really knew me, I’d probably show you each and every one of my self-doubt.

But then as time went on and I realized the “Why” has such an impact on my own psyche that I had to change it to: “How?” How can I be a giving person? How can I love? How can I succeed? And currently, finally safe and secure in my own shoes: I say: I am indeed a beautiful, confident and loving person with a strong personality.

Don’t get me wrong, I do have some down days but since I’ve decided to take life into my own hands & soul: follow more dreams, go for some mini vacations and enjoy time with friends and family and of course indulge in chocolate and wine and all sorts of delicious vegan foods! It really does a great deal of positivity for your confidence and makes everyday so much more beautiful than the last.

I love my friends, especially this girl: We have basically repeated ourselves over and over about how we will always be activists, grow old as activists and even with our Canes, graying hair and wrinkles: we
‘ll always stand up for what we believe. My friends; inspire me.

Ashley Byrne & I at the Sea Shepherd New York S’mores Party at VSpot.

Volunteering? All the time. It’s my life. Come out to Vegans drinks on August 30th at Fontana’s in Manhattan at 7pm for a night of raffle prizes and vegan food from Clementine Bakery to benefit Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

So, for the sake of taking care of myself and purchasing a few new vintage items I am going to try to start my daily pictures again.
Which will include my makeup, as much as I can. Did I ever mention that I am slightly makeup obsessed? I freelance as a makeup artists and usually offer that as my gift to Animal Organizations to include in raffle prizes: Makeup with Animals by Rachel.

90s grunge look. Stache Vintage dress and 50s slip. $45.00

Makeup: All cruelty free and vegan items from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics & Urban Decay.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics: Lip Tar: Hush, Cheeks: I like to use a little bit of lip tar on my cheeks and they mix nicely so it was Narcissist & hush mixed on the palm of my hand and tapped lightly.  Eyes: OCC loose pigment. (I can’t see the name!)

Urban Decay: Rock star eye liner & Stray eyeshadow. and for concealer I used Aveda & a bit of Zuzu powder! (both also cruelty free and vegan).

You can be beautiful with or without makeup but whatever you do so decide to choose: Make it vegan because there are other beautiful beings on this earth that do not deserve the torture of being tested on for our own self benefits.

Also, I must take this time to ask everyone to sign a petition to stop the cruelty of Horse Carriages and call your local Councilman. Yesterday, there was yet another Horse-Car accident and the Horse was down in the street.

Please help us stop this madness!

Go to: Http://www.NYCLASS.org and read up on the information.

Pretty in Pink, isn’t she?

Pretty in pink
Isn’t she?
Pretty in pink
Isn’t she?….

This post will be continued when I gather all my thoughts for the day & from the past weekend:

(Pictures coming in next post)

Chapter: 30– coming soon to a blog near you.

As hard as it was to pry myself from my bed this morning, I knew I had to get up and get myself to work….

My friend T brought me back some treats from my favorite vegan bakery in DC.  Somehow T  just knew I might need these.

Sticky Fingers!

Pretty in Pink came out the box from behind T’s back!

Obviously: This box BARELY made it through the journey. But, it's a survivor!

Cupcakes...

I really am trying to pull myself together to eat one of these: I did end up eating all of the chocolate chip cookie….it just wouldn’t have lasted long in my presence.

What a surprise: Rachel + cupcake, this might be true love. Strawberry Chocolate….

Again, I will continue this post soon. But I must thank my friends for the laughter yesterday as we danced and my friends, who really are there for me because you all know how sensitive and loving of a person I really am. I appreciate you, as much as you do appreciate me.

Soy & Sake for lunch….oh yes….

But, even with treats & vegan sushi…this day is anything but blissful. Absolutely stoic.

To be continued…

02.24.12: I’ll be there for you….

So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, you’re love life’s DOA.
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month,

or even your year.

The Friends theme song, yes, that’s right! I actually always have loved this song, as well as the show and of course, my friends.

Last night.

After work, I decided I would take a nice walk to the East Village and run some errands before popping into the monthly vegan event, Vegan Drinks, which occurs every last Thursday of every month at the Angels & Kings bar in Manhattan.

Errands such as stopping into the Yippie Museum Cafe just off of the Bowery where I am on the board of directors there and checking up on things and grabbing a cup of coffee while I am there.  One of the things i love most about the place is we have carry quite a bit of Vegan Treats and savory items as well as we have over 30 different teas and some delicious local coffee.

On the other hand, the greatest thing about entering this cafe is the memories that come with it: I grew up there. I have watched the cafe transform from an office to a loft (there are apartments upstairs) to an activist headquarters for demonstrations(well it always was…) while I was a young toddler hanging at the reception area in the front drawing on the metal framed desk:

3 years old....

Or having my birthdays there. And now a lovely cafe with open mic’s and events nightly.

I had grown up watching the neighborhood change from the artistic and gritty NYC abstract to the vanilla wafer (shiny) neighborhood it is now….I miss how it was when I’d sit atop the roof of the historical 3 story building watching the artists & usually junkies walk by below me.

I walked on in last night briskly looking for the managers to find out the date of our next meeting and looked around at the different types of people siting down at their laptops or having some tea & coffee with their friends and relaxing. Usually when I walk in, a scene starts of “Hey, you’re Aron’s daughter” and of course that happened. I actually go there to check up on how I can contribute to the cafe and brainstorm….

But this time, I was speaking with the barista about how I think we should add Almond Milk & some more gluten-free treats (of course so I can come in and have a few!), when an eloquent young lady approached me about a photo project entitled: Hold The Vote.

Hold the Vote is a project where random people are asked one question and they write their answer under “I hold the vote:”, basically if the President could address one issue that you feel that he doesn’t address enough, what would it be? I thought about this for a moment before answering with Animal Rights. He does not address animal’s rights as much as he should, if he even does at all.

“I hold the vote. I would like ALL living beings to have rights. Animals should have a voice! END FACTORY FARMS!” ended up being what I quickly scribbled down in my awkward handwriting and took a few snapshots for the project.

Photo taken at the Yippie Museum Cafe.

After that, a man approached me after overhearing who my father was, and asked me to sit down and have a short interview with him and speak about a project he is working on for OWS in which he wants people to occupy the park from 12-2pm  everyday. I explained that I am part of The “Food Justice Affinity Group” and that our goal is to do more outreach in the outer boroughs and bring vegan food to the communities and Occupy Wall Street. He explained that his idea was to serve food, as well and that he only serves vegan food.  I thanked him and continued on my way to Vegan Drinks.

49th Vegan Drinks.

But, I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I’ll be there for you, like I’ve been there before.
I’ll be there for you, cause you’re there for me too.

I love walking into Angels & Kings for Vegan Drinks and seeing and then hugging some of my closest friends. I walk around the room, kissing cheeks, hugging, giving high fives and we all have those kind of pleasant catch up-conversations from whatever we have been up to for the past month, that is of course if we hadn’t seen each other at an event in the past week or so. The DJ played some good tunes and sometimes some of us get into it and sway to the music a bit while still chatting with drinks in hand. It seemed like most of my friends were drinking local beers, but of course the bartender, the only one I trust gave me some whiskey and I was feeling pretty freaking good.

At about 8:30, we turn the lights up and start shout outs where activists can get up and explain an event coming up, a demonstration and or speak about the project they are working on or the sanctuary (like I do) that you volunteer for. Last night I ended up actually having 4 announcements but Deb, (who is one of the founders of Vegan Drinks along with Jason) said she would speak about the upcoming event for the Lotus Animal Sanctuary  which will be held at the next Vegan Drinks in a month.

I was there to speak on behalf of:

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and the fact that we are opening on April 1st and request to have more volunteers up there before opening day so as to get prepared!

INTERMIX Anti-Fur Protests & our petition online

& of course, the Masquerade that will take place tonight to Benefit NYCLASS  and hosted by Vérité Catering. Tickets are still on sale & masks are permitted! 🙂

After that I spoke to a few activists regarding the news, listened for more upcoming events like the Vegetarian Food Festival which is happening next weekend and I will be tabling for at the PETA Booth.

Since I had promised myself I would have Lula’s Sweet Apothecary last night, I ended up inviting quite a few of my friends to join me in this ever-so-tasty activity and we all walked excitedly there in a rush, though they stay open till 11:30 at night on Thursday, Friday’s & Saturday’s. My favorite thing to do there is taste every gluten-free flavor they have but I noticed that there was a new one: Chocolate Cherry! What did I end up having? A Chocolate Cherry Sundae with Coconut Whip cream and a cherry!  It was delicious, to say the least. And as it turns out, it just so happens to be my friend Damon’s birthday so Lula’s was the perfect choice….

Friends over vegan Ice cream...

After that some of us ended up at Viva Herbal Pizza for a late dinner (I ordered the vegan gluten free slice with spinach!), yes, for as healthy as we can all be: we ended up eating desert first and then dinner…needless to say, I did end up with a stomach ache all night but it was worth it.

Today…

You’re still in bed at ten, the work began at eight.
You’ve burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great.
Your mother warned you there’d be days like these,
But she didn’t tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees …

I woke up this morning with a slight stomach ache, still but already had exactly what i was wearing in mind as I went shopping a week ago at Hamlet’s Vintage for my dress. Listened to some music as I got ready for work and realized today might just be gloomy but I have things to look forward and friends to hug….

No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me.
Seems like you’re the only one who knows what it’s like to be me.
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with,
Someone I’ll always laugh with, even at my worst, I’m best with you.

I will not be posting what I am wearing because tonight is the Masquerade and that would give away the surprise!

Yes, I have carried my mask to work, no I am not wearing it and I am all set for some fun as we benefit a cause so important to New York City: Stop Horse Carriages!

There will be prizes and costume contests and dancing and joy as we ring in Mardi Gras. Please purchase tickets and mention my name as it is for a good cause.

Hopefully my weekend turns out as beautiful as it has been recently….

Happy Friday! and I’ll be there for you….

01.24.12: You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you…..Don’t you?

If you know me, you know that I really am not vain…..

Last night was about me as I strolled over to the Bowery near the West Village and to 9 Bleeker, the Yippie Museum Cafe to check on some things, catch up with my mom and watch the Chinese New Year event a bit.

Whenever I am strolling in the city, I need my iPod in fact sometimes I can not even imagine living without it (though I had for a few weeks this summer!), you notice that NYC has a soundtrack because every song that comes on affects you.  As certain songs came on, I realized, right now, is a date with myself and I can be as vain as I choose. I held my chin up high, walking directly towards the direction I was going and without a care in the world dodged people, and chaos.

This city is a lonely place, I have many wonderful friends but deep down; sometimes I am just..alone. New York is known for everyone having busy schedules and barely anytime for anyone else but themselves.  I don’t believe in this, I believe in going out of my way to see the people I miss most. But last night, as I briskly walk to the West Village I just realize, I should throw myself into moments such as these, where for once I can just enjoy my time. That’s right, MY time for now. The rain felt nice on my head as I let my obvious natural waves soak in the drops. I felt revived, for just that instant.

I met up with my mother and we walked to Rice, one of my favorite places to eat in the West Village, not only do they have a separate vegan menu but they are mostly gluten free..this make someone with my allergies and restrictions a very happy lady. After sipping a glass of White wine, enjoying the company of my mother and basically confiding details of my everyday life to her, it is easy to see why I love my mom, really, she supports me in every decision I make and is ultimately proud of me and she means it.  I may have ended up with my father’s confidence and strength to view my opinions and stand up for my rights (not to mention activism) but I ended up with my mothers love and empathy.  Without these two people, I would not be the beautiful…and honestly, not so vain person that I am.

Still a little bit at peace with that glass of wine I decided that we would stroll on over to Whole Foods where I had to do a bit of shopping, and that’s exactly what I did. My favorite two items were: Lavender Bath Salts & Jasmine/Lavender incense, yes…this is my way of romancing MYSELF. Decadence at it’s finest.  🙂

Delicious.

We chatted a bit more and I let her listen to some nice music on my iPod,  she enjoyed it, closing her eyes and apparently moved by the vocals.

After leaving each other on the train I decided though it was late, I would take a stroll in Park Slope, why? Because I wanted inspiration; I am craving a slight get away and needed this as a little pick me up though the evening fell a bit brisk with the rain..I got off the train at Union Street in Brooklyn and half ran some of the way until I decided to get on the train again. The conclusions I come to myself as I do this are always rejuvenating, I am filled with joy as I run: yes in heeled boots and carrying a purse, but the energy that seizes me is intense.

When I arrived home, I spent the rest of the night first watching a bit of  TV with Jacquelyn &  enjoying a peaceful bath with my new bath salts. When I returned to my room I lit the incense and soaked in the sweet aroma of having the rest of the night to myself.

And now I bring you to my outfit for today:

Local Design Retro Dress

Black & Red Bow Cardigan

This morning I stepped out to the bright of the sun’s rays;

So I run, and I run, to the bright and shining sun
Yes I run and I run to the bright and shining sun

And again, feeling positive, turned up my iPod and briskly walked to the subway with my chin held up high, I knew that this would be just another lovely day in my life and there is no need to feel lonely when I have so many wonderful people by my side but most of all, I have myself.

So I run, and I run, to the bright and shining sun
Yes I run and I run, to the bright and shining sun
I won’t let the days melt into a haze,
I want to feel my heart I want to be amazed
So I run and I run to the bright and shining sun….

(First songs lyrics: You’re so vain by Carly Simon and second song  “To the Bright and Shining Sun” lyrics are by my long time friends band: The Walls,  (Dublin, Ireland) & the word for today is: swimmingly….