{What's happening in FFP!}

It is hard to believe that the fashion show is eight days away. Overall, I feel that we are generally very well prepared for the show. Most, if not all, of the major details are figured out. It is just the finishing touches (which there seem to be a lot of) that need to be finished.

We have had "work days" every day this week, and club members have been diligently working on tissue paper flowers, painting cardboard, cutting out stars, and various other decorations for the gym.

{Bags of tissue paper flowers and donations next to my bed.}

At the same time, we are continuing to have model practices and are still working on fittings and styling looks. Members are still collecting donations and making final contact efforts with potential donors.

{Club members working on fittings and styling looks.}

I really feel as though this year's show will be the best yet, and I am really hoping to make at least $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, though I think we might even make more than that, which would be amazing!

I am so excited for the show, but I am also excited to have my room back. Currently I can not get to any of my shoes because they are covered in stacks of cardboard, and I can barely get into my closet because it is blocked by 300 Ted Gibson Salon shampoos and conditioners. I can't open my bathroom or bedroom doors all of the way because of the 300 O.P.I. nail polishes and raffle donations from companies like Clarins and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics that are in boxes everywhere.

{Gift bags, O.P.I. nail polishes, and various other donations stacked in VERY heavy boxes.}

{Some of the 300 Ted Gibson shampoos and conditioners Tina and I had to get from Manhattan to the Bronx.}

Did I mention that one other club member, Tina, and I had to get those 300 bottles of shampoo from 1120 Avenue of the Americas (between 43rd and 44th) to Fordham University Lincoln Center at West 60th and 9th? We had four giant cardboard boxes full of regular sized shampoos and conditioners! Luckily, we got an amazing taxi driver and only had one box break at Lincoln Center. What a sight we must have been...

We have even more work to do this week and into next week, then it is show time!

{What's happening in FFP!/Giveaway Alert!}

All of a sudden, the fashion show is about three weeks away! We have made a lot of progress in many areas, but still have a lot of work left to do in others. We have secured donations for both gift bags and raffle items, from companies such as Essie, OPI, Tracy Reese, Clarins, and Henri Bendel, and many more, but there have to be some secrets!

In these finals weeks before the show, it is all of the smaller aspects of the show that now need to be worked on. We will be working non-stop on making flowers and other decorations for the gym, putting looks together, having practices with the models, printing tickets and brochures, securing final donations, and doint lots and LOTS of advertising.

It is certainly a lot of work, but so fulfilling. I get so excited just thinking about the money we are going to be raising to help grant the wishes of sick children; We really want to raise at least $10,000 this year. It also makes me SO thankful for the wonderful members of Fashion for Philanthropy!

Now on an aside, Alaina of Live Creating Yourself, the blog I have mentioned my love for/jealousy of many times, is hosting yet another great giveaway, this time from the design geniuses at West Elm, and their partnership with PATCH NYC. So head on over (if you haven't already!) and check out this great blog and giveaway!

{What's happening in FFP!}

The club looking super awkward (and pale, ha!) for our yearbook photo. I didn't even know Fordham had a yearbook?

In the midst of midterm, interning, fashion, and general life craziness, I have completely forgotten my updates of Fashion for Philanthropy!

It is hard to believe, but all of a sudden the show is less than 50 days away! There is still so much to done, but details are finally starting to come together.

We have been continuing to have bake sales to ensure that we have enough spare money to cover miscellaneous costs of the show. Everyone has been working on making flowers and other decorations for the show. We are also in the midst of contacting companies to donate samples for the VIP gift bags, as well as raffle items and clothing for the show.

**Update: Just secured Ted Gibson Salon shampoos and 20% off coupons. Score!

There is still a lot of work to be done, A LOT. But everyone in the club this year is so dedicated and it is really great to see everyone coming together to work on the show. We really want this year to be the best one yet.

{Starting on Monday, March 8, we are hosting "Fitness Week" for the Fordham community. Monday night at 7:00 p.m. in the gym is cardio-kickboxing with club member Ashlee Armsby, with all donations from the class going to Make-A-Wish. Tuesday we will be selling smoothies, Wednesday we will be having a bake sale, and Thursday will be a combination of those two, all outside of the cafeteria in the McGinley Center. Thursday night at 8 p.m. in the gym Ashlee is hosting another class, this time a boot-camp to really get your body into shape for spring break!}

Stay tuned for our website, which should be up and running within the next week!

{DIY: Tissue Paper Pom-Pom Flowers}

One thing that I really love, but have so far neglected to include on Mmusings, is crafting. And because of my love of crafting, I obviously love Martha Stewart. I visit her website daily for inspiration, whether it is a new recipe to try, organizational tip, or craft to make.

I have seen many posts in the design blog world that feature hanging pom-pom, flower-type decorations in rooms and at parties. I thought they were so beautiful and delicate, yet substantial, and so looked for some online. There are some offered on Etsy, and while they are beautiful, I don't really feel like paying that much money for {pretty} bundles of tissue paper.

But don't fear, it is Martha to the rescue! She has an entire tutorial dedicated to making the pom-poms, along with other pretty things, such as luminarias.

When Fashion for Philanthropy decided that the theme for the fashion show will be fairy tales, I instantly thought of these easy to make flowers as a way to decorate the gym, and so the club members and I got to work (and are still working...) on making these pom-poms, along with any other flower idea we can think of!

Folding the sheets of tissue paper accordion style.

After being secured in the middle, shape the ends.

Gently pull the layers apart, then fluff them up.

Pretty!

They are seriously so easy to make. I would definitely check out Martha's tutorial though, for complete step-by-step directions and pictures. Happy crafting!

{Snowpocalypse? 2010}

Although we were in the middle of a blizzard, I made it to one of my favorite spots, A.C. Moore, to gather supplies for making chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate lollipops for the FFP candy grams.

Jack helped me make some of the pretzels.

Hannah helped decorate, too.

So much snow!

Delicious cake that Nanny made for Mom's birthday!

Snowy Rumson Road.

Too bad it is not Christmastime, what a winter wonderland!

{Apologies}

My apologies, readers, for the lack of posts this past week. Between getting snowed in at home Tuesday-Thursday morning, rushing to get work done for my Thursday classes, and selling, making, and delivering candy grams for FFP all day Thursday, I didn't have much time for anything.

And, we mustn't forget, Fall Fashion Week 2010 is well underway, and VPL (the clothing line I intern for) had its fashion show this morning! I worked all day Friday, until about 7 p.m., from 11 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday morning, and then I was back at Pier 59 a few hours later (7:15 a.m., to be exact) for the show. I am beyond tired, but what a thrilling first fashion week experience!

Needless to say, I have a lot of pictures to put up and posting to do, so the next flurry of posts will be dedicated to my photos, and then an account of my experience working at a fashion show, and then a fashion week round-up so far. Enjoy!

{Ah! Snow!}

As I mentioned in my post on Monday, more snow was supposedly heading towards the Tri-State area. And snow it did. And stuck at home I am.

Unfortunately, I don't have my camera connector cords so I can't upload all of the pictures I have taken, but boy did it REALLY snow. I can't wait to get out tomorrow and take pictures during the daylight. Most tree branches are touching the ground, they are so heavy with snow, and everything is white, white, white. I want to capture it all before it turns to brown, slushy grossness!

Anyway, as lovely as all of this snowfall is, it has also become a major speed-bump in my busy week. I have been stuck at home in New Jersey for an extra night with none of my homework materials, or really anything at all to get things done. I did, however, find time to make the chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate lollipops for the candy gram delivery sale Fashion for Philanthropy did. They turned out great, and I am super excited to deliver them!

I promise I will post pictures of everything, including those from my walk from Franklin Street way down at the bottom of Manhattan, all the way up to 51st and Lexington. Yay for being an intern...

{Fail.}

Sooo that wonderful, relaxing snow I mentioned in my last post? Yeah, it ruined my relaxing weekend plans. Though we got no snow here in New York, my hometown in New Jersey got so much that I couldn't go home. I am hoping to go home tomorrow night for some rest & relaxation, but as would be my luck, another snowstorm has been forecast!

Snow or no snow, I have a super busy week ahead. Fashion for Philanthropy is selling candy grams for $2 all this week in the McGinley Center (come buy some to send to your friends!), so I will be tabling and baking all week for that. I have interning tomorrow and Friday, AND Saturday, AND a 6:30 AM call time on Sunday for the VPL fashion show at Pier 59! I am super excited to be involved in fashion week, but 6:30 a.m. is a little scary. I am also now a writer for The Ram, and have an article due Sunday. Then there is always homework and readings to deal with, other odds and ends for the club, and trying to find time to work out and relax!

During my last moments of solitude for the week this morning, I spent a lot of time looking at bedrooms online, mostly on myhomeideas.com. There were so many great bedrooms that I loved, it really got me itching for my own place! Or at least a renovation project on my own room at home!

How amazing and relaxing is this room? And that view! I am admittedly lucky enough to live on the water (at both my mom and my dad's houses!), so I love water views. However, my views tomorrow will be bleak and apparently snow covered, and my bedrooms look nothing like this. I love the plush white linens and clean lines of the room, and I would love to drink my tea on that balcony every morning. What good sleep the owner must get in this bedroom, it is so serene!

{What's happening in FFP!}

Things are really starting to pick up with Fashion for Philanthropy. Alyssa, our super-talented student designer, has begun working on her line, we are accumulating tons of wonderful samples for the VIP gift bags, and decoration ideas for the theme of the show, fairy tales, are really starting to come together. Everyone has been working so hard, I really think this year's show, "Once Upon a Runway," will be the best yet!

At tonight's meeting, our main subjects were the upcoming bake sales and Valentine's Day "candygram" sale. The bake sales will be held in the McGinley Center, outside of the cafeteria, on Thursday, February 4, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, February 9, from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. We have really been encouraging everyone to bring different kinds of items, not just your standard bake sale cupcakes and cookies, as our last bake sale was SO successful because of the wide variety of items we offered.

Candygram sales will be taking place all next week, from Monday, February 8 to Thursday, February 11 from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the McGinley Center. For $2, students and faculty members will be able to choose a gift, consisting of things such as chocolate lollipops, chocolate covered pretzels, candy, and other yummy Valentine's Day themed treats. They then fill out a heart-shaped note, and members of FFP will deliver the gift to your sweet heart!

Both of these events benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so they are for a great cause!

{What's happening in FFP!}

I have decided to begin a new posting series, "What's happening in FFP," to keep readers up-to-date with what is going on in Fashion for Philanthropy ("FFP"), the club I am currently vice-president of.

Fashion for Philanthropy is a great club because it combines fashion and style, a love of many students at Fordham, with charitable work, a must at a Jesuit university. FFP gives students the chance to be involved with something they love, while doing good for others. What could be better than that?

FFP's main goal is to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last year we raised close to $6,000! The Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly a great cause, and one really close to my heart.

In November of my senior year of high school (almost four years ago, wow) my younger brother Jack, then nine-years-old, was diagnosed with leukemia. Needless to say, the road has been a little, at times very, bumpy since then. Our family life was completely turned upside-down. It was a non-stop roller coaster ride of treatments, sickness, scares, and unhappiness.

In March of 2009, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, my family and I were treated to a vacation at the beautiful Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, our first real family vacation since Jack's diagnosis. It was so nice to for once not have to worry about anything except sunburn and where to eat dinner. It was like a weight had been lifted off of all of our shoulders, if only for a little while. We laughed and spent time together like we hadn't since Jack's diagnosis. It was amazing.

{Hannah, me, Jack, and Connor on our first day.}

{Hannah, Jack, and Connor in the pool.}

{Jack, 11-years-old, in the Atlantis Marina Village.}

After seeing how much a granted wish truly changes a sick child and their family's life, I felt the urge to become even more involved with FFP and its fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish, hence, my candidacy and winning of vice president for the 2009-2010 school year.

So, now that you know what Fashion for Philanthropy is and what we do, I will be posting weekly about what is currently going on in the club. Spring is most definitely the busy season for FFP. On Friday, April 16, 2010 we will be holding our annual fashion show, and all our efforts until that day will be put into making the show as fabulous as can be, and to raise as much money ($10,000 would be lovelyyyy) as possible for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

{New year, new beginnings}

I have been trying to start a blog for a little over a year now. I am an avid reader of blogs (I follow about 30 on a day-to-day basis) and I am constantly being inspired by the creative people and ideas that I discover online.

How perfect, then, that one of my classes for the Spring 2010 semester, Writing for Online Media with Professor Strate, requires that we create, maintain, and post onto our own blogs at least three times a week.

While some students might find an assignment like this, worth 50% of our final grade, mind you, overwhelming, daunting, and annoying, I find it to be an enjoyable challenge. I am beyond excited to *hopefully* join the ranks and the friendly community of bloggers that I already love and enjoy following.

I'm a little hesitant to put into words what I hope for this blog to be about, because I know it will end up being a mix of fashion, home decor, NYC, crafting, my daily life, and happenings in Fashion for Philanthropy as we lead up to our big spring fashion show. I guess, for the sake of narrowing my interests down, this blog, in short, will be about things that inspire me. And trust me when I say that all of this is subject to change.

So here goes, and I hope you enjoy!