HIGH SCHOOL PUNK ROCK NERD ALERT

Hello Knuckles!

Some days I can't bear putting in my contacts:



(Top, new, H&M; pants, American Apparel; shoes, Sam Edelman; belt, the Alley in Chicago; bracelets, Alex+Ani, F21; glasses, Lenscrafters; purse, Elliott Lucca.  Lips: Cover Girl LipPerfection jumbo gloss balm, Coral Twist #235)

This beautiful new coral lipstick was a recommendation from Erica at Diary of a Trendaholic.  I'd been looking for an orange-tinted shade and this one is perfect.  Thanks Erica! 

The belt is from high school, and one of the oldest items I own.  Back then I used to hang out at a biker goth store called The Alley (still around!), which was next to a Dunkin Donuts with a hearse in the parking lot.  This little corner had tons of cool stores, like an army-navy surplus outlet, a super cheap thrift store called Ragstock, and several pre-F21 fast-fashion boutiques.  I bought the belt and my first pair of Docs on this street, which surprisingly hasn't changed too much.  If you had shown me these photos of the current Brass Knuckles back then, I would've been horrified.  Lipstick, long hair and heels?  Actually trying to look pretty?  What a sell-out!  

Ahh youth...you're a knee-slapper!

Have a great week, Knuckles!

FAB FRIDAYS: I'M THE BACKPACK LOADED UP WITH THINGS AND KNICK-KNACKS TOO...

Hi Knuckles!

I recently made a life-changing purchase during my vacation: a backpack.  Okay, so I felt a little bit like a dipsh*t carrying this thing around New York City, but honestly it was liberating.  So free!  Arms fully available!  Even weight distribution!  Compared to a heavy shoulder bag, slipping on my backpack felt like taking your bra off after a long day.

Backpacks are tricky to pull off.  If you wear the wrong sandals you'll look like a Park Slope Food Co-op shopping Putamayo world music devote.  An an Asian woman, if you wear the wrong skirt you'll elicit looks from icky anime fetishists.  But actually, who cares?  So free!  Arms fully available!  Even weight distribution!

Luckily backpacks are in full trend right now, and there are millions of styles to choose from:
1) Forever 21, $29.80; 2) Vivienne Westwood, $956; 
3) Eastpack x Nicomede Talavera, $193 (on sale); 4) Free People, $528; 
5) Meredith Wendell, $595; 6) Madewell, $248;
7) Tory Burch, $255.50 (on sale); 8) Steve Madden, $98;
9) Charlotte Russe, $26.99; 10) Rockland, $84

Just for fun, here's a peek into the contents of my own, recently-cleaned, Deux Lux backpack:

(Clockwise from top left: Tory Burch Revas (I always keep these in whatever bag I carry), Revlon ColorStay Overtime lip stains, black socks (you never know when you'll need socks!), gum, fruit snacks, WAG brand bandages, crayons, Cars Hot Wheel, Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich body lotion (this stuff smells so good!), tinted Lipstick Queen in Medieval, Elliott Lucca wallet, anti-friction stick (have you tried this before?  It really helps prevent blisters), headphones.  Not pictured: keys, phone)
   
The other life-changing thing we were recently gifted is a Dustbuster.  It is amazing.  I'm a master Dustbuster now.  No more Goldfish crumb graveyards.

Have a wonderful weekend, Knuckles!



WHAT THE LITTLEST KNUCKLES THINK OF MY BLOG

Good morning Knuckles!

I've now been blogging for a little over a year, and I have to say it's been a lot of fun.  It's given me the opportunity to meet other amazing bloggers and even re-connect with old friends.  I feel grateful to every single one of my readers, thank you!



I've always known that The Covert Boutique has a limited shelf-life and will eventually be a source of embarrassment for my children, but I thought I had at least a few years.  Here's what they already think of Mommy's fashion blog, LOL:

(Sunnies, Target; shirt, H&M; skirt, F21, jelly gladiator sandals, Old Navy. On CoStar: dress, Target; shoes, Crocs.  On the little guy: Superman T-Shirt, Target; shorts, Carters; shoes, Stride Rite)

You can always count on your kids to tell it like it is!  For every sweet "Mommy, I love you," you get a zinger:

(Putting on jeans) Mommy, your booty is really big, it barely fits into your jeans.
(Trying a new hair style) Uh, there's not enough hair on that side of your head.
Me: Can I have a kiss?  Little Knuckle: Nooo, you have stinky breath!   

Hope you have a great weekend, Knuckles!


HATS OFF FOR SUMMER AND DIY FAILS

Good morning, Knuckles!

I am so enjoying being outside these days, especially because the infernal heat wave has finally broken.

I originally bought the white skirt below to DIY this amazing Alice+Olivia number which, at $400, was a little too expensive.  But let me tell you, sewing on those ribbons was extremely difficult!  I eventually abandoned the project and tore everything up with a seam ripper (the truth is I think I am crafty but actually I am about as crafty as Chewbacca).  Luckily, the skirt is cute on its own:




(Hat, J.Crew; blouse, DVF; skirt, H&M; backpack, Deux Lux; shoes, Banana Republic; earrings, F21; sunnies, Target; bracelets, Target, H&M; anchor ring, J.Crew) 

Who knows, I may re-attempt this DIY.  The skirt is so dang cute!  If anyone has advice on how to sew the ribbons on, please let me know.

Have a great week, Knuckles!  Hope you get to enjoy some al fresco dining!

WE RUN THE WORLD

Good morning Knuckles!

On Wednesday I spent the evening with three inspirational women.

Beyonce played the United Center, and she was amazing.  FLOTUS and her daughters sat a few boxes down from us.  Her handlers asked us not to take any photos but said we could "take her in," which I gladly did.  And last but not least, I got to spend some quality time with my work BFF.



(Here I am awkwardly posing against the wall, and yes I have a dozen bug bites on my legs.  CAN'T STOP SCRATCHING.  Sunnies, Target (recently I've lost/destroyed two beloved pairs of fancy sunglasses so I've decided I do not deserve expensive sunglasses this summer); watch, Casio; earrings, Anna Sheffield for Target; necklaces, MyNameBoutique, PersonalizedBoutique; jacket and skirt, H&M; bustier, F21; shoes, Asos; purse, Elliott Lucca.  The women at this show were DRESSED UP!  Slinky jumpsuits, sexy dresses, sequined shorts, all paired with sky-high heels.  I honestly felt like a mini-Shrek in my googly-eyed flats).

What did I learn from these amazing women?

1) As L. observed, Beyonce owns the "swimsuit as eveningwear" look.  I would like to embark on a butt-toning adventure this summer so I, too, can pull off swimsuits as eveningwear, or at least give the seams on my skinny jeans a break.
2)  FLOTUS was wearing a patterned green peplum blouse, with a metallic belt and matching green pants.  It was the exact outfit I would like to wear when I grow up: classy yet on-trend and all-around gorgeous.
3) I love living vicariously through L.  She is living proof that you can be foxy and successful in a corporate environment.  She never wears pants and basically taught me how to wear skirts again. 

Have a great weekend, Knuckles!  I hope you spend it surrounded by successful, talented, beautiful, and inspirational women!


I SEE HOW IT IS

Good morning, Knuckles!

True story: while we were taking these photos, I was like Come on, Mr. Brass Knuckles, the angle is all off!  Make my legs look longer!

And he quietly replied, That is a tall order.

A tall order!  Funny in multiple ways, right?!  Hilarballs, that Mr. Brass Knuckles!  (Incidentally, I am 5'2").



(Sunnies, Chanel; blouse, Pleione; shorts, Libertine for Target; shoes, River Island; purse, Elliott Lucca; rings, Icing, J. Crew; bracelets, Asos, my mom's vintage cuff, F21; earrings, H&M). 

Have a great week, Knuckles!


VACATION, ALL I EVER WANTED, VACATION, HAPPY TO GET AWAY

Hello Knuckles!

I haven't posted in almost a month due to traveling and vacations.  I'm finally home today and am pretty bummed to be back, especially because Mr. Brass Knuckles is still away through next week!  Lucky!


I had so much fun this past month, and even learned a few things:

10) "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is incredibly difficult to sing.  Don't ever pick this during karaoke -- you won't nail it.  I got an "E" for "Extra Fancy Dance Moves" to compensate for my off-pitch warbling.

9) Meat wins!  I had dinner with a couple of dear friends who've been vegetarians for as long as I can remember, and one of them ordered a pork tenderloin and my eyes nearly fell out of their sockets as my head calmly exploded.

8) It is possible to eat two buffet meals in one day, but only just barely, and you must be in Las Vegas, and the earlier one must include unlimited champagne and the later one must include ginger ale and an elastic waistband extender.

7) Watching fireworks while lying on a blanket in the middle of a baseball diamond and listening to Celine Dion versions of patriotic standards is surprisingly moving.  Murrica! (tears)

6) I am very thankful for Mr. Brass Knuckles, who put in a lot of daddy overtime these past few weeks.

5) It is possible to go to a nightclub alone, particularly if your friends are still playing blackjack and someone hands you free drink tickets.  It is not possible to look cool, however, enthusiastically dancing to Tupac's "California Love" which was your college jam but for everyone else in the room it's like Elvis or Beethoven.

4) Any evening that includes voluntarily ordering an over-priced frothy pink martini is bound to be memorable.

3) Seeing old friends is the best. 

2) A man on the street may ask to take a photo of you and your girlfriends and claim it's because he likes your outfits, but in reality it's probably for some kind of "Cougars of New York" blog.

1) Vacations are never long enough!  (Plus, you are more-than-slightly afraid of your Outlook inbox).

Have a wonderful weekend, Knuckles!