I told you I’d be back…

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Again, sorry for the wait— but I think this blog is worth it, right?!?! (Well, at least I choose to believe.)

So, when we last left, I just saw Shuffle Along (side note: GO SEE IT, if you can! Totally amazing.). The following week was pretty normal, except on Tuesday! Because I won a lottery! A digital lottery! AH I was so excited! (Maybe that means my luck is changing– so I could win the Hamilton lotto now, right??? Haha, nope, still no.)

YES, I won the On Your Feet lotto! (And before Josh Segarra leaves!)

AND, now I’ve seen all the Best Choreography nominees from this year’s Tonys!

Again, regular week (mostly errands or “runs” and fashion research), until that Sunday afternoon… After camping out all morning and afternoon, I was able to secure Standing Room seats at one of my favorite shows of this Broadway season.

THAT’S RIGHT— I saw Waitress AGAIN! And boy, it is still just as amazing.

Stagedoor? But of course…

Chris Fitzgerald, again… (And no– it’s not Michael Arden— sorry, Tony joke.)

EXCLUSIVE Gilmore Girl movie photo!

Keala Settle— amazing voice.

The adorable Claire (LuLu in the show) comes out to greet her adoring public, tiara and all…

Dr. Pomatter– I mean, Drew Gehling!

He needed a minute to stop and look at the brand new program book for the first time… And explained backstage secrets about the photos…

Then, the next week went on as normal… Then, Dad came to visit for the holiday weekend, which meant I had to take him to a show and teach him how to stagedoor properly.

I felt extremely untalented and unaccomplished after seeing a bunch of 11/12 year olds already on Broadway. (But good show, though.)

UM I met a Tony nominee?!?!?

And Monday the 4th, Dad wanted to be a tourist, so yea, that happened…

Pretty view of the city… #myfave

Happy 4th from Lady Liberty….

Then, it was another week of fashion research in the gross, NYC summer crazy humidity. Blech. Anddddd… here we are, yep so, recap finished.

I promise another real post (not just a recap) is coming— you know, as soon as my building tells my they have received my mail that already says was delivered today… So, whenever they can competently do that, my planned blog post will be written and posted…

31May2016

Manhattan, I’m Back Again!

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Well, I’m finally back in NYC for what is sure to be another amazing summer! And with that, this category of my blog is back up and running! Yay!

So, here’s what’s been going on before my internship officially starts this week! (Aside from the boring and expected errands and unpacking.)

Backstory time: About a week ago I read a tweet saying that Tuck Everlasting the Musical was closing on May 29… which happened to be the day my flight landed in New York. My flight landed at noon, and there was an evening show (the last one EVER) at 7:30, so it was perfect. Thanks to TodayTix, I was able to reserve a rear mezzanine seat (view was still very good at the Broadhurst in the second-to-last row!)

After arriving in NYC, checking into my student housing and unpacking, I then headed to the theater district to get my ticket, where I saw most of the cast arriving before showtime (including 11-year-old Sarah Charles Lewis who was just sobbing to her mom and brother… Sad face.) At 7:00, I went to get my ticket and find a position in line to enter the Broadhurst. I walk past the Broadhurst entrance, past the Shubert entrance (Matilda), past Shubert Alley and all the way in front of the Minskoff (Lion King)… Such a long line. By the time I was settled in line, I swear Alexa Chung (famous fashion person if you don’t know who she is) walked passed me, deep in conversation. #celebspotting

The show was absolutely amazing!! Truly a magical, special piece of musical theatre and such a shame it had to close. To Casey Nicholaw and the entire creative team, cast and crew: you created a brilliant, magnificent musical, Bravo!

Stagedoor? But, of course…

Carolee Carmello was amazing as Mae Tuck! (Way different from Madame duMarier in Finding Neverland– and she excelled.) Side note: I was in the crowded in her last Instagram video of the stagedoor! 😉

Terrance Mann, the comedic Man in the Yellow Suit!

Mike Wartella as Hugo the detective! Um, #TeamHugo anyone?!?!?

11-year-old Sarah Charles Lewis absolutely killed it as Winnie Foster!

Michael Park was a great Angus Tuck, the Tuck family patriarch.

Robert Lenzi as Miles Tuck, Jesse’s older brother. Anyone else #TeamMiles???

And last but not least, it’s ANDREW KEENAN-BOLGER as Jesse Tuck!!! He was phenomenal and so sweet! And noted, there’s still one more Forever17 Broadway.com vlog left! 😉

Such an amazing show, it’s such a shame it’s over! 😦

Then, on Memorial Day, I decided to engage my inner fashionista and went to see this year’s HUGE Met Costume Institute’s Manus X Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology exhibit, was was so breathtaking.

Dior

Saint Laurent

That detail!

BREATHTAKING.

The classic Chanel suits! Except only the far left one is tweed– the rest are 3D printed!

Dior

Perfection.

A 3D Printed haute couture dress— WOW.

And finally, the showstopper. Located in the center of the exhibit, an exclusive wedding dress designed by the icon himself, Karl Lagerfeld. THAT TRAIN, THOUGH. WOW.

The entire exhibit was pure perfection. Stunning. Flawless. Amazing. If you’re in New York, you don’t want to miss this exhibit! #fashion

Well, be sure to keep checking back here for all of my latest updates from Manhattan once again!

3May2016

Nothing is more fashionable then the Met Gala…

Posted in Fashion, Pop Culture by msiwak

Sorry, it’s been a while! My schedule has been way hectic between homework and classes, assignments, writing jobs, spring break and my internship search, and unfortunately, this blog sort of got cast aside for the time being. But, fear not! Because, I’m back! And hopefully with regularly scheduled posts! Yay!

And since tonight is the pinnacle of fashion events for the year, I thought I’d post my red carpet review.

This year the theme is Manus X Machina (aka the intersection of fashion and technology) and I know visiting the exhibit will be on the top of my NYC plans this summer for sure. Here’s Vogue’s exclusive peek at the exhibit. Can you say gorge??

And on top of that, the documentary about the gala prep (First Monday in May) will be released on iTunes tomorrow– so excited for that. #fashionobsessed

Now onto my review:

Oh wow, first arrivals and killing it: Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture and her daughter Bee Shaffer in Alexander McQueen. Both stunning. But when can Miss Wintour do wrong with fashion??? (The answer is never.)

There’s something about Alicia Vikander’s Louis Vuitton dress that I kind of like…. I’m normally not a fan of the mismatched look, but there’s something here that is so edgy and it does fit with the gala theme that just works…

Poppy Delevingne’s Marchesa dress is gorge! The whole look is ahmazing, but then again Marchesa is one of my all-time favorite formalwear designers. I’m not a huge fan of the chunky necklaces though…

Co-chair Taylor Swift in Louis Vuitton: love it! I haven’t been the biggest fan of her new platinum ‘do, but here, it’s growing on me as it perfectly matches the vibe of her edgy dress… and THOSE SHOES.

Love Karlie Kloss’ cape over the dress. Super sophisticated, but as soon as she removed the cape, it becomes a super sleek, tailored dress with cutouts galore. Stunning. And for the after party, Brandon Maxwell literally just cut off the bottom half– and it still looked just as amazing.

Heartthrob status on Nick Jonas. That is all.

Rose Byrne gives Old Hollywood glam here and I’m digging its vibe from the classic silhouette, and simple hairstyle.

Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton just doesn’t work for me. One, it looks a little too informal for this famous gala. Two, it more closely resembles the punk theme a few years ago. And three, the other Louis girls have way better gowns tonight.

Chloe Grace Moretz stuns in this gown. I’m obsessed. More than that, I want it. That is all. Hair, markup, wardrobe is pure perfection on the teen.

From Selena Gomez’s bridal gown from last year, Vera Wang has taken a page from past Gala hits for Rita Ora this year. I just feel like it’s too much of a repeat from prior years, but it is impeccably tailored.

Saoirse Ronan has gone— I don’t even know how to explain this. Yes, it’s high fashion, but does it have too much going on, I wonder? Between the feathers, the brooch, the collar– I wonder if it’s all too much together.

Like a high fashion version of the Hamilton ensemble outfit. Is SJP trying to predict Tony noms for the show??? (which are announced tomorrow morning) But seriously, all I see HAMILTON. Someone please back me up– right???

Kendall Jenner: the one Kardashian-Jenner sister with a bonafide career and she has the worst dress of her sisters… How did her sisters who are only really known for their E! show and social media get gorgeous custom Balmain gowns?? I just don’t understand.

Hailey Baldwin looks like a glittery referee with Angelina Jolie’s leg slit, and I’m not feeling the look. Last year, I loved her Topshop mini, but she’s gone downhill this year.

Kylie Jenner: congrats on being the best dressed Kardashian-Jenner sister at the gala! Her Balmain gown is impeccable and the bob shows a simplistic elegance that we’ve never seen on Kylie– but it looks ahmazing: welcome to the #BalmainArmy, Kylie.

Love Demi Lovato’s black, gold and silver sequined gown with the slicked-back bob. Looks so chic.

Zoe Saldana’s TRAIN, oh my gosh! Truly stunning. The showstopper of the night for sure!

Kerry Washington debuts her baby bump tonight and some awesome purple hair! Love the dress, mesh gloves and the purple hair! A fashionista per usual…

Jourdan Dunn: love her Balmain gown and her highlighted bob!

Luptia N’yongo looks like a Disney princess in the emerald Calvin Klein gown! Gorge.

Wow, love Karolina Kurkova’s Marchesa gown! Truly stunning.

High fashion it couple alert? Congrats to Zayn on his first Met Gala and I’m kind of digging the cool, edgy vibe of the “robot” arm thing? It looks super haute couture. He looks like a badass in Versace. But, Gigi decided to play it really safe and matronly– in other words, boring. I’m sorry, she’s 21: you should be taking fashion risks, like your boyfriend.

Matching baby bumps for Emily Blunt and Olivia Wilde! Both beautiful gowns, but meh, not very exciting.

Beyonce in Givenchy wins. Per usual, Givenchy knows how to create a showstopping gown and so does Mrs. Carter.

I don’t care it’s it’s Kanye West– you don’t wear RIPPED JEANS and denim jacket to the MET GALA. Are you crazy, Kanye? And Kim’s look is too… blah, not a fan.

I sort of like Kate Hudson’s gown? It’s very high fashion, yes, but I think it’s a little to many weird cutouts and pieces hanging off that take it to a level that I’m not a huge fan of… And the shape and color is reading bridal to me?

Blake Lively is normally one of my style icons who can do no wrong as is Burberry, but this is just…. eh…. I don’t like how the photographers captured the train tulle thing. From other angles, it looks so elegant, but here it looks like way too much. But, great, sleek hair, makeup and earrings.

How iconic for Marc Jacobs to walk the carpet with Bette Midler?? Legend. And he did a great job with her couture dress and headpiece.

Overall, some good, some bad, some meh– but all in all, there was no shortage of high fashion, which is just as I like it.

Those are some of my thoughts! Check out all the arrivals on Vogue for more fashion goodness.

10Jun2015

My Life as an Intern

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone. It’s Wednesday, June 10 and I basically just got back from work, where I’ve been all day since 8 a.m., at a photo shoot in Brooklyn (more on this later.)

I left off in my last post that I was going to see On the Town last Saturday. Before than, we decided to head to Topshop Soho (it’s my favorite store!) and then we ended up walking back from Soho to the dorms; it was not that far! Already noted, for some future Topshop endeavors… 😉

We purchased our tickets for the On the Town from the TodayTix app (I highly recommend it for discount tickets!) and then ate dinner at some large Chinese restaurant near Times Square; I had a very good Pad Thai meal. Then, it was off to the theater! Well, first when we took our pictures (check my social media from Saturday) by the back edge of the theater and that marquee.. oops, awkward. Oh well, by the time the show started: it was fabulous! The choreography and the dancers (professional ballet dancers making their Broadway debut!) were impeccable, and I most definitely enjoyed it!

On Sunday, a group of us ventured to Chelsea for the legendary Brooklyn Bagel. I had a bagel with lox cream cheese (i.e. plain cream cheese with small pieces of lox in it– but I love bagels and lox, so no complaints here!) Later that evening, a group of students in my program decided a TONY viewing party was in order, because of course.

Monday was our class day. To start, about half of us met at the Met around 10 a.m. where we were able to explore the famed museum, as long as we did an assignment for a later project as well. Can I just mention how incredibly gorgeous the gowns were in the China Through the Looking Glass display? Anna Winter and all those designers truly outdid themselves. Then, my friend and I walked to Bryant Park and ate lunch prior to our next activity. The park was adorable yet crowded. We then met as a smaller group for our 3 p.m. appointment at the New York Public Library, where we completed research for a project later on in the summer. I was back at the dorm by 5, and quickly got dressed in professional attire for our school’s alumni meet-and-greet at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley. Very swanky and nice, but very far away. Soooo, a group of us just took Uber back to the dorm. Hey, beats walking!

Tuesday was kind of a hectic day, as we had a pretty big shoot for the October issue on Wednesday. At 10:30 a.m. I left the office for the Flower District where I was there until 1, picking out flowers that are appropriate for fall. With bunches of bouquets wrapped in hand, I took a taxi back to work: beats having to fight the crowds with the subway. The rest of the day was spent packing boxes for the shoot. I got home at 6:20, by far the latest of my suite, and discovered that the laundry machines were still broken from last Friday: so great.

And on to today: it was our shoot day at this apartment in Brooklyn. The piece, for the October issue, discusses small space living. The apartment, belonging to a young married couple and their bulldog named Finley in Cobble Hill, was part of a cluster of absolutely adorable brownstones. (I mean, I’d love to live in one when I grow up…) Most of the day, I unpacked boxes, organized props up in the apartment and ran errands for more props and then picked up the editors’ lunches (haha intern life). Everything was very cool and I enjoyed seeing how the entire process works, despite some minor issues regarding storage and transportation. Once, I was sitting on the front stoop unpacking boxes and there was a preschool class on a leash walking past me. And then, I was walking back from the truck and this little boy across the street kept saying hi and waving, so I waved back and then he said goodbye and tried to follow my down the street, while his parents called him. Too precious, regardless. However, I did get a little lost coming home, so Uber it was! I got home at 7:30 p.m., completely tired and here I am writing this…

It’s been a crazy, whirlwind experience so far, but I guess that’s the life of an intern, especially in the magazine industry!

Until next time, Miranda xx

4Jun2015

My First Week as a New Yorker

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone! So, this has been my first full week as a New Yorker! How about a little recap?

In my last post I mentioned how we went on a Circle Line boat tour on Sunday. Well, during that boat ride (and after), it poured. And even with my umbrella, I still got soaked. Upon arriving back, a group of us stopped to go get dinner (we didn’t have lunch that day) and to wait out the storm and flash flood warning. Then, we decided to see the Age of Adeline around the corner, as it was still raining…. And we laughed: there’s was really no solid plot point that made sense, however, I will note that Blake Lively’s hair was consistently on point in the flick.

On Mondays, we have our “Streets of New York” class, and June 1 was our scavenger hunt to find our way around the city. We started off near the dorm– again it was very windy and rainy!– and took the train to the posh Upper East Side sites and Upper West Side sites, as well as my intern site and another girl’s nearby. Then we decided to head to another member of our group’s internship– in Brooklyn. Well, we walked for 20 minutes before we found it– sort of. And to avoid trekking back to a subway station, we uber-ed it back to Washington Square Park with our new buddy Yip the Uber driver. We went around that neighborhood and the Financial District, but still didn’t complete the list. At 5:30pm, we got off subway near the dorm and got an email from our professor not to meet him, but to “go home.” BUT, we completed four out of the five tasks and went to all four internship sites, which I think is a pretty good accomplishment.

Tuesday, June 2 began my first day as an intern for Good Housekeeping, which is located in the famous Hearst Tower.
Ah so exciting, I can hardly believe it!! So, I end up waiting in line with the other Hearst Publications interns for the day’s badge, then I take the escalator up to the glass section of the skyscraper and then ride the elevator up to the 28th floor. GH occupies the 28th floor and the GH Institute that tests all the products is on the 29th.

Tuesday, I (along with the other home department intern) organized the packed home closet (but it was all very cute!), worked on a timeline of home decor for the special issue coming up, had lunch in the Hearst Cafe with the other GH interns, and some more research. Then, as I left the train station on the way home, there was one of the Sprouse twins (they were on the Disney Channel show ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody’) just chilling outside Walgreens, a couple blocks up from my dorm. He kind of spotted me back, so I was unable to snap a photo, but hey, celeb spotting has begun this summer!

Wednesday, June 3 was a research day, but we also did a little painting (priming a piece of wood white for the editor to paint later, which will be used for the August cover.) Then, we had another research project: finding home trends for the October issue, hellooo it’s basically online shopping!

Today, Thursday, June 4, I helped transport props for the August cover shoot up to the GH test kitchen and even got a sneak peek of the images! (They are so adorable! Make sure to get a copy when it comes out!) Then, we did some research on Pinterest, to which I’d sometimes get “distracted” by all the cute home decor images, oops. The end of the day, we ran some errands across the street to CVS and Whole Foods to get some props for photo shoots next week. It’s been a great first week at GH and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the summer!

Also, a couple friends and I are planning to see “On the Town” this Saturday on Broadway and I’m super pumped, especially to see Ricky, the SYTYCD 11 winner, dance in the show! Then, Sunday night there’s a free live screening of the Tony Awards in Times Square, so obviously we must attend that as well.

Keep y’all posted! (I plan on updating this blog once a week!)

-Miranda xx

31May2015

Welcome to New York!

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone!

Today marks the first full day of summer as a Manhattan-ite. So pumped! 🙂 Here’s what went down yesterday:

-Woke up & walked to dorm and found my subway route to work

-Moved in & got all necessities for a summer apartment

-Went to Rockefeller Plaza and then took the train back all by myself (That I was anxious about…)

-Walked for about an hour and a half while my friend and I searched for a non-pizza place for dinner (Hey, that’s what we had for lunch!), then ate dinner followed by some quick grocery shopping

-Came back and hung out with people in the dorm, then sleep

On today’s agenda:

-My roommate and I already walked over a mile and half, from our dorm on 3rd Ave to Ave C, exploring the neighborhood (To which I already found a perfect NYC brownstone)

-Mandatory “brunch” with all residents in an hour

-Circle Line boat tour

And that’s all the planned events for today! I’m looking forward to spontaneously exploring the city and taking adventures, as well as seeing as many Broadway shows as my time and budget allows! 🙂

Make sure to follow along with me all summer (I’ll try to post weekly) as I explore Manhattan and feel free to send me suggestions of things to do, as well!

6May2015

My New York City Bucket List

Posted in Miranda Goes Global, Welcome to New York by msiwak

So, I’ll be living in NYC this summer and I decided I can’t live in one of the greatest cities in the world without creating a comprehensive list of everything I want to do (outside of my class and future internship, of course.)

1. Get good deals to see as many Broadway shows as time allows.

2. Wait at the stagedoor of said Broadway shows (it was so fun to do it at If/Then in March!)

3. Explore Central Park and many other cute parks

4. Wake up super early to attend one of Today/ GMA’s summer concert series (my friend and I already have plans!)

5. Exploring what “random” daily events, festivals and activities are happening around the city

6. Visit my favorite store, Topshop, of course (either location will suffice)

7. Find time to visit the different Manhattan neighborhoods

8. Go to a farmers market!

9. Shopping excursions (both for trendy pieces at retail and discount prices)

10. Go to the cupcake ATM because who doesn’t love cupcakes?

11. Try something new! ( In terms of an activity, food, fashion trend, place to visit, etc)

I’m looking forward to exploring such an amazing city like a true New Yorker. Bring on summer, I’m ready! xx

30Oct2014

I HAVE VERY IMPORTANT NEWS.

Posted in Miranda Goes Global, Uncategorized, Welcome to New York by msiwak

Guess what? So, I had applied for a program with my school for this summer… and I got in!!! Guess where I’ll be?!?!?!

That’s right, NYC. I’ll be taking a class (where we get a backstage tour of the Gershwin!), wandering the city (Hello? I must go see If/Then, finally!) and wait for it: INTERNING. And as a journalism major, I’m hoping for a magazine internship!

We get to explore the city, take class (hands-on exploring) in the fields of Comm (!!), business, and theater/broadway (My inner fangirl is shrieking right now.) We will then be researching one area in the city for a big paper, and it can be ANYthing! And on top of that, interning! Which, I may admit that my Chanukah present from my parents will be the perfect addition to my NYC magazine internship wardrobe. 😉

AHHHHH!!!! I’m SO EXCITED!!

I’ll try to post a weekly (if not daily or every other day– it all depends on my schedule with interning) blog post this summer from my experience.

I’m so excited, I’ve been pinning outfits for my internship:

And COMMENT BELOW if you have any suggestions on places to visit or networking opportunities for internships! (I’ve only made it to the city once.)

After all,

**Note: these graphics are courtesy of tumblr.

quite simply miranda

Tag Archives: new york city

I told you I’d be back…

Manhattan, I’m Back Again!

Nothing is more fashionable then the Met Gala…

My Life as an Intern

My First Week as a New Yorker

Welcome to New York!

My New York City Bucket List

I HAVE VERY IMPORTANT NEWS.