[London] Fashion Week and I

Posted in Fashion, Miranda Goes Global by msiwak

After a week of classes and writing essays, I decided a fun weekend was in order. And so, that’s what this post will be primarily focusing on! So, as you may know, this month is Fashion Month all over the globe (and this past week was London Fashion Week). This weekend was London fashion Weekend, a chance for regular people like me to see catwalk shows, shop the pop-up shows, hear industry-based talks and experience the craziness of fashion week. Here’s some pictures of my time! I loved it! .

Saatchi Gallery: home of the event!

The House of Holland show was incredible! The designs were amazing! And it was so cool to attend a fashion show– and sit second row!

Extra, extra! Press box.

Now, onto that fabulous collection!

The show was absolutely amazing! Henry Holland’s collection was truly breathtaking. He will work with several different prints and colors in one outfit, and it will turn out so cute. Can he design clothes for the rest of my life? This collection is gorgeous. Then, after the show, I went straight upstairs to make it to the one industry talk I was really interested in: a panel on careers in fashion! It was so neat to hear from a bunch of executives in the fashion industry, from magazines, fashion houses and communications firms. It was so cool to hear! Then, I went back to the pop-up shops again for a last-minute browse before heading out.

21Sep2015

Emmy’s Fashion Review

Posted in Fashion by msiwak

Last night was the Emmy Awards, and I have a lot of thoughts on the fashion I saw on the carpet. So, shall we get started?

So, I like January Jones jumpsuit. The color is nice, the tailoring is good, her hair works. However, I’m not crazy about the starfish pendant that attaches to the “mermaid tail” type of this. It’s just odd.

There was a huge trend on the red carpet with women wearing pants. Not just any pants, but very unflattering pants. Case in point, Tatiana Maslany of “Orphan Black.” First, I like the concept of the white, tailored jacket with the hair. However, the hair is the only thing perfectly tailored here. The jacket is too big and too long and the pants… the pants!! Not only are they wrinkled, but look at how much it gathers around the crotch area. *shudders* And her black shoes do not match the all-white getup and the middle strap is weird too.

. Maisie Williams from “Game of Thrones:” I really like the dress and her hair, she’s young, so it works… And then you pan down to her shoes. I feel like those went out of style in the 90s… as dress-up shoes. Just rip off the marabou, and you would have been fine.

Jaimie Alexander is wearing a gorgeous Armani Prive. What’s not so gorgeous is the poor fit, and the fact she must have been completely sweating in that L.A. heat.

“Mad Men” darling Kieran Shipka looks so cute in this frock. I like how since she’s so young, she’s taking a fashion risk… that paid off. (Think Emma Watson at the Oscars in that pantsuit.) The top is cute and playful: the only instance yellow on this red carpet worked.

I love this super high fashion dress on Laura Prepon! The color, the cape-y thing, her pale skin with dark hair, it just works. Love it.

I like the concept of this dress here on Amanda Peet, but I do think that triangle cutout thing is way to big for the long gown.

I love this “wedding” gown on Gina Rodriguez! Love the rosettes and the fabric. However, no necklace and the hair pulled back is making her look way too bridal.

I like dress on Claire Danes, however, the chain link sideboob strap is a little strange and the neckline, not a fan. But, the color, sequins and shape of the dress work well.

Emma Roberts: BEST DRESSED OF THE WHOLE NIGHT. Everything is flawless for the “Scream Queens” star and my fellow camp alum. Her dress looks ahmazing, tailored to perfection, the belt is gorge and her hair looks perfect. Great job. Highest fashion honors.

Heidi Klum is a hot mess for the “Project Runway” host. First, yellow is not a color anyone can really pull off (red carpet or otherwise). Also, the sheer is a little too sheer and that one-sleeve 70s jacket sleeve is hideous… I mean, you can see the unfinished edges of the fabric! 100% the worst dressed.

Taylor Schilling: another victim of the yellow dress curse. However, this one looks like she had to get dressed as they were still making it, as the top looks like they put the needle and thread through the top of it and tied it around her neck. Looks like a wardrobe malfunction is imminent.

Ariel Winter stuns in Romona Keveza, love it. It looks a little too Oscars or Golden Globes, not the Emmys and it looks too old on the teenager.

Love Sarah Paulson’s dress, the shape, the color, the sleeves, everything! I just feel like I’ve seen it before. Meh.

First things first, I’m not a fan of Amy Poehler’s new died hair, it doesn’t work. Second, the bangles! How many horrendous WOODEN bracelets did she pile on? It looks like a preschool class’s art project is on display. And I’m not a fan on the wide cutouts on the dress here.

Zac Posen created such an amazing look for Sarah Hyland! Love it! The hair and jewelry all complement the dress fabulously. Bravo, Zac. You’ve done it once again.

I love this Peter Copping for Oscar de la Renta gown that Maggie Gyllenhaal is wearing! Gorge! Love it! She looks flawless. Side note, did you see Allison Williams’ wedding dress that was custom made by Copping: truly gorgeous.

Another Zac Posen stunner on Tracee Ellis Ross. Love the little details between each “tier.”

And no red carpet review could be complete without Kerry Washington. Love the length and interesting material: it works well and she is always styled to perfection, much like her television counterpart.

See, lots of opinions! Now, I want to hear your thoughts on the looks! And how did Andy Samberg do at hosting (loved his suit jacket from the carpet)?

8Sep2015

Cheers from London with a Fashion Update

Posted in Fashion, Miranda Goes Global by msiwak

Hi from England! I’m currently in the midst of my first week in London on study abroad (for all my abroad adventures check out my travel blog here.) and I’ve been a bit obsessed with the fashion scene while I’ve been here so far.

First, today I had much-needed visit to some British fashion meccas: Harrods and Topshop. (And they were right across the street from each other… Lucky, huh?!? It’s perfect.) Also, since I’ll be here for London Fashion Week, I’ll definitely try to post reviews of collections once they are available or even a review of street style (Love the chicness of the native London citizens! Everyone is dressed to the nines! I feel right at home with my trench coat, wellies and riding boots.)

Now, on to the real purpose of this blog post. So, this past Sunday as I wandered through Kensington Gardens (literally right across the street from my flat), I stopped in to visit Kensington Palace (and I swear Prince Harry was leaving via helicopter as I arrived!) and saw such an AHMAZING fashion exhibit! It’s called “Fashion Rules” and features loans of gowns worn by the Queen, her sister Princess Margaret and Princess Di. Definitely recommend for any other fashion fanatics and those obsessed with the royal family (which is like all of America, lol).

The gowns were unreal to see in person, so I thought I’d share them below.

Vogue images from over the years (to correspond with the decade’s trends) lined the walls!

Gowns worn by the Queen (now officially Britain’s longest reigning monarch):

Gowns worn by Princess Margaret:

And now, gowns from Princess Diana (!!!):

They are all so stunning– I can’t single out one dress over the others that I love the most! They are all impeccably tailored and the details are just incredible. Can I please be a princess? Pretty pretty please? Harry, you listening?? 😉 To be able to wear gowns like that would be like a real dream come true… But, alas, I guess I’ll have to just stick to writing about gowns like that for now.

Well, that’s all for tonight. See you all later from the U.K.!

24Aug2015

Leaving on a jet plane…

Posted in Miranda Goes Global by msiwak

Hi guys! So, after spending such an incredible summer living in Manhattan, I’ve had to leave. Sad face. But, that means my fall semester adventures can officially begin! I couldn’t be more excited to spend my time living in London, exploring all over the U.K. and Europe, interning with a local business and experiencing all the wonders of traveling, as I so love to do!

Since it’s crunch time for me to get ready for my epic travel adventures, I thought today’s blog post would focus on travel tips and perhaps things I want to do abroad/in London.

WHAT TO KNOW WHEN GOING GLOBAL:

1. Pack light. You don’t need twelve pairs of pants, several ball gowns and six pairs of boots (numbers approximate.). A few pairs of pants, shoes, etc are plenty. Remember, there’s always laundry. And if you pack too much, then you can’t go shopping… So, isn’t it worth it not to overpack?

2. When traveling for an extended period of time, always choose your outfits ahead of time. What I do is lay out all my options and take pictures of complete outfits. It also helps to show you how versatile each piece can be. If you can’t wear an item multiple ways, leave it at home!

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Example from my NYC packing!

3. Dress for comfort on the plane! Especially when you’re on a long flight, always wear clothes that are light and easy to move in. Also, grab a pair of compression socks when traveling internationally! Do you really want an increased risk of blood clots and DVT/ cankles?

4. Make sure you have some identifiable trait that makes your luggage easy to distinguish. I mean, everyone has a black rolling suitcase. Sometimes, I travel with a brightly colored pink suitcase or have a colorful ribbon or luggage tag, so I’ll always be able to i.d. my bags at baggage claim.

5. When on the plane, sleep as much as you can! You don’t want to waste a day when you arrive being jet lagged. (A sleep mask is a great investment!) Hint: the window seat is the best place to fall asleep, as you can lean on the wall. Or, if you are not able to sit at a window seat, you can rest on your tray table or just lean back, but please don’t be that person who leans way too far back, giving the person behind you no space for comfort. (For inspiration on how to avoid jet lag: remember Gilmore Girls? This is what not to do.)

6.When packing, ROLL don’t fold or place flat. Rolling allows you to take up less space, and thus, you can add more to the suitcase. Or you can put everything in Ziplocs or Space Bags, and make sure to get the air out!

7. Just in case your baggage does not make it to your destination on time, always always always make sure to add some extra undergarments, deodorant/ toiletries and a change of clothes in your carryon. (When traveling abroad, you do not want to board the plane with one tiny little purse exclusively.) Adapt to a backpack or big tote and put your essentials inside. This was my lifesaver in Israel last year. (No luggage for 3 out of 10 days is definitely not ideal, but I survived due to preparation.)

8. Pack snacks! You’ll definitely get hungry on a long flight and sometimes the little peanuts or the prepackaged meals won’t really help. So, always bring easy snacks for the length of the flight. However, please don’t be the person with the airport fast food. The entire plane will instantly dislike you, as it stinks up the whole cabin.

9. Speaking of the airlines food options, if you have a meal allergy or specific preference always make a note under the “special requests” section when booking your flight! The last thing you want is to be given some food item that you cannot eat. You can even do it after the ticket is bought, as long as they have 24 hours notice to be able to order everything.

10. With a long flight, I always like to go to the bathroom about an hour before landing to freshen up. Change any clothing items that are no longer fresh or clean/ not weather appropriate, and you can also use this time to freshen up your hair and makeup from the flight.

My London Bucket List:

What do I want to do in London?

Hello? London. Home of TOPSHOP. But, I think that one is quite obvious.
Since I’m staying in Kensington: PETER PAN statue (Finding Neverland!) and Royal Family sightings perhaps?
Well, I already know this one: see One Direction live at the O2 arena!! (Eeep, I’m legit soo excited!)
Fitness/ dance classes at Seen on Screen! (Seems like fun for a dancer like me!!)
Travel… EVERYWHERE. (Well, time and budget permitting)
West End shows! (Obviously…)
Singalong film at the Prince Charles Cinema? I think yes. (I mean, Grease singalong?!?!)
Historical sites that are obviously necessary to visit.
Well, since celeb spotting was a thing in NYC… How about royal spotting?? 😉 Also, I wouldn’t say no to 1D spotting… 😉
Shopping, obvi… (Think Harrods, Spitalfields Market, etc)

I can’t wait to go to London!

16Aug2015

Back in the fashion review business….

Posted in Fashion, Pop Culture by msiwak

Hey everyone, I’m officially back from NYC… sad face. 😦 But, with that, time to get back to business on here. And as the Teen Choice Awards happened tonight, here’s my review… (Also, follow along with my travel blog here when I head to London in a few weeks!)

Nina Dobrev looks gorge and haute couture. Love this fun, brightly colored/ sparkly dress!

The show’s hostess and “Jane the Virgin” Gina Rodriguez looks super pretty, however, I’m not super in love with her extra-long extensions.

My camp alum, which makes her extra awesome obvi! Anyway. Emma Roberts always knows how to look super high fashion on a red (well, blue) carpet.

PLL darling Lucy Hale… Love her dress! And shoes! Accessories! Everything! Except her tight bun, maybe a ponytail would have worked better? I just don’t think buns are best when you have to take a “straight-on” photo for events such as a red carpet. (Makes your hair look wayyy different than it is in real life!)

One of the best dressed males of the night goes to Pitch Perfect star Skylar Astin! Perfectly tailored outfit and fits the fun, summer vibe of the award show.

Youtuber Grace Helbig: love the high fashion dress on her, and the shoes and hair all work! However, it’s not the most “teen” outfit… definitely more mature than her teen counterparts of fellow nominees and attendees. But, it still looks good.

IT’S BRITNEY. Love the super haute couture skirt on the woman who was my very first concert (in kindergarten!– yes, it was the Oops! tour.). Not a fan of her ombre-dipped locks.

I love Lea Michele’s summer-y dress, however, this pose isn’t doing it justice! Love the dress/pattern/shape and the shoes! Gorge and perfect for the event!

That’s it for tonight! What are your thoughts on the fashions from the show?

2Aug2015

Once we get going, we’re never gonna stop…

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone, I’m back. So, we left off with my relaxing Sunday. Monday I had class stuff… very boring. Tuesday I had a cool intern event hosted by Marie Claire, where I even got some new headshot taken! Love it! #updated Then, I researched vintage-inspired board games for my boss until the end of the day. After work, I walked around Shubert Alley and even spotted Laura Michelle Kelly (She’s in Finding Neverland!!) on my way to my repeat showing of the hilarious It Shoulda Been You! Then, my friends and I celebrated with ice cream after the play ended.

Need a prop?

The next day was spent prop shopping! Then, I got back and had some editorial brainstorming to do and running quick errands for upcoming craft pieces for fall issues. Thursday, I also had some craft errands for upcoming shoots followed by research. At 4pm, the mag had some extra Magnolia Bakery cupcakes which provided a nice afternoon treat. #yummy

Friday was another research day, however there was some exciting events! 🙂 First, I was able to get free tickets to Good Morning America’s summer concert series in Central Park on Tuesday! (So, watch for me on your TV!) Then, there was a beauty sale at ELLE. It was insane, but good deals on tons of beauty products!

Saturday was particularly exciting because, after weeks of failed attempts, I ended up winning the Aladdin lottery!!!! (First name called too, I was so excited! I kept alternating between crying and smiling/screaming internally!) Ahhh so exciting because I was desperate to see the show: which was great! I then went to the stagedoor to meet the ahmazing cast of the Disney play.

Great show! Loved all the jokes and references, dancing, singing and costumes!

I met Adam Jacobs (Aladdin)! I told him how I was sobbing during Proud of Your Boy, and he responded, “Good. That means I’m doing my job…”

And Courtney Reed or Princess Jasmine!

And James Monroe Iglehart who won the TONY last year for his role as Genie!

After my stagedoor adventures, I decided to walk over to the Richard Rogers theater to check out the #Ham4Ham lottery performance… and it was an In the Heights reunion! Ah so cool! The crowd was insane as soon as they started singing 96,000 (hence this blog title).

26Jul2015

It’s all about theater… Because, shouldn’t it be?

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

I left off my last post with my exciting theater weekend, but let’s face it: that’s like every weekend I’ve been here… And isn’t that obvious? Hello, I’m in MANHATTAN aka home to the Great White Way! How could I not absorb all that I can?

Monday during our theater week class we visited Lincoln Center (stood on stage where the Philharmonic plays!), the famed nonprofit Manhattan Theater Club, AKA advertising (they’ve done Matilda, Hand to God, First Date, etc etc etc and then an alumni panel.) They were cool to see! At lunch, my entire group of friends decided to go kid-friendly: ordering grilled cheese, chicken fingers, waffles and french fries… because were are children obviously… haha, jk we’re all 20. Then, we had an MT alumni panel, which included the understudy for Alex Sharp in Curious Incident, Fiyero in Wicked (!!) AND the woman who plays Gretchen in “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” And while all their advice was primarily focused on theater, it was still cool to hear from alums living out their dreams in the crazy NYC. After that, I had some crazy, unbelievable visa application problems, which I had the whole week. 😦

At work this week, I helped organize our craft closet, research and finding plaid products and rooms. Also, the Hearst cafe makes really yummy homemade sushi for lunch. 🙂 #internperks Wednesday night, my friends and I decided to celebrate New York Restaurant Week by going to a fancy restaurant, however I was a bit unsure over the ice cream flavors I was eating (What? Watermelon? Mint? Hmm… those don’t seem right…)

Thursday I began trying for the Hamilton lottery, because it’s Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonathan Groff in an ahmazing show and tickets are $10 for front-row. AND because Lin always comes out to entertain the fans… so sweet.

Also, I am now addicted to Cutthroat Kitchen (it’s like Chopped, but crazier!)

Friday I got off work early, so #Ham4Ham? But, of course. And I had a great view.

Jon Groff spotted!! (And the only one who saw him waiting!) And look it’s Lin introducing some of the cast for “freestyle friday!” And yes, he did hold his phone up to the bullhorn to play the music… After that second day of lottery with failed results, I left and went to dinner at Shake Shack and browse the theater fan selections at Shubert Alley. (OH MY GOSH, the sheet music they have! I don’t need it– but then again, I kind of do…)

That night, I was able to get a good deal for rush to that night’s show of Hand to God. It was hilarious! Wow, so good! And then, I met the talented cast:

Love her outfit! So chic!

On Saturday, I embraced my theater nerd again for a more well-known show, The King and I (student rush.)!! Though Tony winner (finally!) Kelli O’Hara was not performing yesterday, the show was still ahmazing and incredible! Also, the guy who played Lun Tha also plays Oliver in HTGAWM!!! Ahh I love him and that show, especially the show’s OTP of Conner and Oliver!!!! Ah, so exciting!

That night and Sunday was spent writing essays… gross. Then, I decided to go see Trainwreck, the new comedy with Amy Schumer. Haha it was hilarious.

Well, I’m off to do some more class work…

Until next time, Miranda xx

20Jul2015

A whole lot of nothing and then a whole lot of theater.

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone. Sorry it’s been a while, but as the title suggests, nothing really cool has been happening: I pretty much just go to work (I have a routine now.)

So, my last post left off with how amazing Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Darren Criss was! That following Monday was yet another boring financial visit, blech. Tuesday was a prep day for a big fall cover shoot, so I was packing, organizing and running last-minute errands. July 8 was the big shoot so, in addition, to organizing and running to Whole Foods for some specific eggs for a shot, I had to burn down candles… for the shoot (Hey, they have to look like people actually used them! Believability!)

The rest of the week was unpacking, organizing and writing papers due… ew. But, enjoy these cool shots from the top floor of my office building.

That weekend was uneventful, as I spent most time either writing papers or hanging out with friends. Then, on Monday began our theater week. And I got to go to William Ivey Long’s costume shop! It was so cool to see the office of the legend who designed costumes for Cinderella, Caberet, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, It Shoulda Been You (!!) and On the 20th Century! Wow! That was cool. Then, we had a theater panel with stage managers of shows like Wicked and Kinky Boots.

Tuesday, July 14 started off with a run to this huuuge prop warehouse to pick up items for a shoot, Then, I had to find where to buy pumpkins for the next cover shoot… real ones. Did you know those are hard to find in summer? Then, at 3 pm we had this super cool editorial intern panel with all these digital editors from 17, Marie Claire and Cosmo: so so so cool! #dreamjob

That night we went to Wicked. Loved it as always, except bummed Kara Lindsey was out of town. 😦 (She was fantastic as Katherine Plumber in Newsies!)

Then, I learned the guy who plays romantic male lead Fiyero went to my school! How cool!

And then, we were able to go on a backstage tour of the theater (we passed Real Housewife of Orange County Tamra leaving her tour, as well) and got to chat with Fiyero and even….

Stand on the Gershwin stage!!!!! What, oh my gosh!

The rest of the week was same old, same old research, packing, etc.

Friday night my friend and I had gotten tickets to see the one and only SUTTON FOSTER live in The Wild Party! And she was ahmazing to see live (as well as the rest of the cast.) We went to stagedoor and got autographs from the rest of the cast, and then I spotted Ms. Foster, however, she only signed a select few, so I only got a quick, blurry shot of her and her husband leaving the theater. BUT, I did talk to her show costar Miriam about how I am obsessed with their show Younger and cannot wait for season 2! She was very sweet about that.

IMG_4098_2 Saturday morning I wrote my whole paper in two hours flat and then walked around the Central Park Zoo for a while. First, we couldn’t find it in the huge park and then we thought the children’s petting zoo was the whole thing. Glad that was a no.

Then, a bunch of friends and I went to grab a quick bite for dinner. After that, around 8 pm, my friend and I went to go get flowers and cards from the store because we decided to show up and support Darren Criss at the stagedoor at his final night. Because he literally is off to Italy on Monday to shoot a film, ‘Smitten!’ We got there soon after and waited until 11:30 before he started to sign autographs. But, here’s my experience through photos:

just looked up and saw this in lights.

Look closely: it’s Harry Shum Jr from Glee there to support his buddy!

Brad the pianist from Glee, Gilmore Girls, Bunheads, etc!!!

Darren talking to us!! So, first he came to tell us he’ll be there soon. Then, here: he’s telling us to “put our f**king phones away” because he’d rather have a human moment with us. Such a sweetie that Darren is. ❤ Also, it is evident that “f**k” is clearly his fave word…

Aww, cutie pie Darren. 🙂

Got to congratulate him on a truly amazing run, compliment his blue sparkly nail polish and ask if he’d miss all those shows in heels. 😉

He wrote my name on the Playbill! Eee! He also asked if it was spelled with an “Mir…” Yep, he got it right! Smarty pants! 🙂

SUCH AN AMAZING NIGHT. A little too hot and in cramped quarters, but so worth it to meet sweetie pie Darren.

On to Sunday. I woke up planning to do the lottery for Aladdin. Total bust. Sad face. However, across the street was On the Twentieth Century with Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher! So why not? I learn it’s their LAST show, like the very final one AND they have student rush. Yes, I’m in. So, I was able to get a half-off orchestra seat to the last performance! So much better than Aladdin, for sure!

The show was amazing, and to be able to see Ms. Chenoweth live on stage: oh my gosh, I could hardly believe it! After a lengthy, and well-deserved, bow, I headed out to stagedoor and who was first to come out?

Ah Kristin Chenoweth! So petite and so pretty!

Loving her perfect summer outfit! And I told her that! She responded, “Oh thank you, I hope I can rock it.” Oh yes, you can.

Got a Playbill signed by the incomparable Kristin Chenoweth! (And two ensemble members, who took a picture of me and a few other fans waiting!)

Wow, what a whirlwind! After that, I had about seven minutes at home before my friend and I walked to dinner in Little Italy (when in NYC, I guess?). We came back and I was so exhausted, but decided to write a blog post, so here we are.

Tomorrow is another day of class within the theater section, so we’ll see how that goes. Also this week is big time visa app prep before I go abroad (I’ll be blogging there too: haven’t decided on a site yet: will keep you posted.)

Until next time, Miranda xx

5Jul2015

How a theater nerd spends the Fourth weekend…

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone, I left you last time as I was uncertain about my holiday plans… Well, they were good ones. I’ll recap below.

IMG_3923_2 On Thursday, after I finished my assignments due, I decided to make it a Broadway night, and went to see “It Shoulda Been You.” On the way to the theater, as I was exiting the subway, I did randomly run into a girl from my hometown that I hadn’t seen since tenth grade… Small world. The show was absolutely hilarious! Tyne Daly plays the perfect Jewish mother (Note: Mom, that will be you in a few years time for sure.) It was so funny and a heartwarming musical comedy about a couple’s wedding day when their families do not approve… But, I absolutely do approve of this show! (You see what I did there?? Okay, back to my tale now…)

The show ended and you know what that means? (Or you follow me on social, which would have spoiled this post for you.) STAGEDOOR! Want to see my photos?

The bride played by talented Broadway actress Sierra Boggess! (She was in Phantom, Little Mermaid, etc)

Lisa Howard who was amazing as the bride’s older sister.

Aaron Finley who played the groom! (He understudied David Burtka in the role and previously starred in Rock of Ages.)

Josh Grisetti who played the bride’s ex Marty.

All of the cast signed my playbill! (Except Tyne… she was too exhausted to come out to the stagedoor.)

That was fun! Note, the twist in the show was very unexpected! My jaw nearly dropped to the floor! While at stagedoor, I made a new friend (us theater nerds are pretty friendly while waiting at stagedoors…) who I then walked with to two other stagedoors.

First, we went to Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and I got autographs from the whole cast (didn’t see the show… yet.) And even a photo:

I met this year’s Tony winner, Alex Sharp! (and he signed the playbill with a smiley face besides his name…)

Off to the next stagedoor: Finding Neverland (sans a playbill). But, oh look, pictures!

IT’S MR. SHUE FROM GLEE, MATTHEW MORRISON!

Love Teal Wicks’ outfit! (pants from Zara)… And she played Matt Morrison’s wife in the show…

I got home via Uber at midnight and promptly set my alarm for 5:45 a.m. (No work Friday either…) So, Friday I arrived at the theater by a little before 7 and that made me the first in line for rush tickets! Yay!!! So, the box office opened at 10 and I promptly received my front row ticket to “Finding Neverland” for that evening! The show was so incredible! And to see it from right in the front was crazy! I loved it! Can’t wait to get the cast album in a few weeks! I even was a part of the number “Stronger!” So, during that song, there are ropes suspended from the ceiling at the front of the stage and one of the ensemble members (dressed as a pirate) kind of tapped me on the shoulder (pirate-like) like I was in the show with him! Crazy!

My view. Right down in front.

Next up, stagedoor. I got my playbill signed by pretty much all of the cast, and even got to chat with two of the children in the show and Melanie Moore (who played Peter Pan and even won SYTYCD season 8… so naturally we talked about the Stage/Street season going on now… We’re both rooting for Travis Wall’s stage team, obviously!)

Oh look, it’s Matt Morrison making a repeat appearance on this blog post… (See, different days: different shirts!)

Saturday was the 4th of July! And I decided to celebrate by visiting the stagedoor of Something Rotten at its matinee performance. I got my playbill signed (first autograph/ photo with all the actors!) and even had a short conversation with CHRISTIAN BORLE about how I loved him in Legally Blonde and still listen to the soundtrack all the time, to this day!

Here’s where all my fellow theater nerds fangirl immensely:

SELFIE WITH CHRISTIAN BORLE!!!!

That evening my friend and I got dinner at a chocolate shop nearby, and even had to split dessert (when in rome?)

Our GIANT s’mores sundae.

Stuffed from dinner, we decided to go watch the Macy’s Fireworks display. So, we walked down to the East River park for a nice viewing-ish. On our walk there, we made a new friend from Wales; so naturally I told him I was headed to London in the fall… The fireworks, while a bit long, were still very pretty and patriotic! (They even had ones in the shape of smiley faces!)

‘cuz baby you’re a firework!

Sunday morning, my friend and I decided to go put our names in for the Aladdin lottery… we didn’t get it, but still wanted to see a matinee. So, where else did we end up?The Belasco Theater to see Darren Criss in Hedwig!

TKTS gave us pretty good seats, and we were seated at orchestra level: not bad at all! The show was great, as well as seeing Darren live in the flesh with his insane thigh muscles. Loved the show; Darren was incredible! And I’ll definitely be back to stagedoor it, before his run ends…

Well, I’m exhausted: better go rest up for a full day of class tomorrow.

Until next time, Miranda xx

2Jul2015

What happens when you least expect it

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Saturday, after I posted my last entry, a friend and I decided to be very touristy for a little bit and get out of the rain too. Who did we see?

The latest tributes fight it out in the Cornucopia. Hahaha I wouldn’t last a minute.

Had to promote my work on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon!

But, I couldn’t miss my presidential speech in D.C….

JOBROS round 2!

A quick selfie with my super tall NYC buddy, Miss Taylor Swift.

Hey Ed, good to see you again!

That’s right, I went to Madame Tussauds! Haha we had fun, though I wish my 1D boys were in attendance! 😦 Ah, well there’s always London…

Sunday night began with a visit to Broadway to see Something Rotten with Christian Borle! (He won the TONY, as well as starred in the Legally Blonde musical and the TV show “Smash.”) The show was hilarious (it’s a muuusical!) and the best part had to be at the end: when Christian Borle was goofy-dancing (almost like ’embarrassing dad dancing’) off stage as the curtain fell. Best part of the night. Also, Borle as the cocky Shakespeare versus the sweet, adorable Emmett in Legally Blonde: so drastically different! But, the show as a whole was fantastic! After the show, we decided to Uber back with some interesting results, to say the least.

Monday was our class day and we visited three FINANCE sites. Can you hear me yawning? I actually kind of fell asleep at one of the stops. Sorry- now I know I can never work at a financial firm. Also, I learned a salad that primarily is made with kale is not my thing: blech.

Tuesday began with my supervisor asking if any of us interns can sew. I said I could-ish. Then, I was off to what is quickly becoming my new favorite store, Lee’s Art Shop— it has so many craft supplies and other miscellaneous items in store!

Making some Martha Stewart-approved fabric flowers for an upcoming shoot in a fall issue!

Then, I pretty much sewed all day: it was very relaxing, therapeutic. I popped in my headphones, played some slow Ed Sheeran ballads and I had a relaxing time stitching; the time just flew by! Also, I was able to find some cute bangles the accessories apartment was giving away!

Wednesday, I kept unpacking and sewing for our shoot next week: it’s still relaxing– and easier to get the hang of once you actually know how to do it! Also, after lunch the fashion team brought huge tubs into the conference room for giveaways! The area was packed with GH employees sifting through all sorts of clothes and accessories. I even found a cute purse, hat and socks!

I came home to work on some essays due tomorrow, but hey I have Thursday and Friday off work for the holiday, so that’s nice! Then, my friend and I decided to try a gelato place near NYU: I had a really good mix of raspberry and hazelnut. As we were eating our gelato cones, guess what we randomly saw??

A film crew! There were director seats that read “rock and roll” in a typewriter-esque font, a craft services tent and all sorts of crew members around!

Not to mention the amount of trailers with vanity mirrors inside!

In fact, one trailer read “Zak,” which is a character in the show, who is played by actor Ray Romano.

Being a journalist, I knew I had to do some sleuthing to find out the specifics:

Turns out, “Rock and Roll” is an upcoming HBO series that was filming: and we saw the whole process, how cool was that! See what happens when you least expect it in Manhattan?

Thursday and Friday, I don’t know what is in store: stay tuned.

Until next time, Miranda xx