Month: February 2021

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Taking Back Tuesday’s -Are the times where I reflect in the past that I may have not posted. You know, like throwback Thursday’s? Now you get the point.

Today, I will be discussing New Year’s 2021.

Bringing in New Years was a new one for us. For the 1st time, we stayed home as a family. We took the initiative and said no in going out. With COVID-19 was still lingering back on December 31 and we did the right thing and stayed home.

We also didn’t keep our tradition in throwing fireworks. Instead, we opted for sparklers I had left over from the 4th of July and bubbles; just so that the girls will be entertained at night.

Now let’s begin from the start, New Year’s starts early for me and the girls.

I try to do something special with both of them. So at 12 pm in the afternoon, I do a countdown. I put up in a plastic bag in the ceiling and add some balloons that I tape up then I have a string that is attached to it and hope they hold until our little dance party is done. This is a tradition I started doing, since Averie was born. It’s something that I hope to continue until they think it’s too wack. Which, I hope it never comes to.

https://youtu.be/hiM98d1oVtE

Once I have that set up, I look in Youtube for a dance songs – mostly Kids Pop songs and we dance. Next up I search for a countdown on Youtube or sometimes Netflix and we count from 10 to 1. We pull on the string and the balloons come down. We scream “HAPPY NEW YEARS!” – If you are a new mommy, I suggest you to start doing this in the day time because sometimes kids become restless and they do not last till 12 am for New Years. At least, this method lets them participate even if they fall asleep at night.

https://youtu.be/rEWooycT7qw

One new thing I did this year was to cut out stars and have them write one wish they want for this upcoming Year. You are probably thinking, “Ady, where did you come up with this?” And the honest truth is that I just thought of it on the spot. Arya, is not able to write at this moment. So her wish was to stay with mommy home. Averie, her wish is to have a kitty by the end of the year. We shall see.

As night ascended, we began our celebration with Walt Disney World’s past fireworks video then we did a quick clothing change and started blowing and cheering with our party horns. As Rob popped a bottle for him and me; I took the girls outside to the balcony to throw some sparklers and blow on bubbles. We saw a couple of fireworks in our neighborhood but not as much as past years.

The countdown was about to start, so I did something new. I finally captured our moment as a family ringing in the New Year. Check out our reaction below.

https://youtu.be/QqSRUvwYjbw
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In all seriousness I thought it was canceled. Until I looked at my calendar today and I was like, “Hold up, it’s 2021. Maybe it’s up and running?”

That’s when I went full research mode. First place I went to was nyfw.com and saw the schedule. “They are back!”

NY Fashion Week has changed to more of a digital experience. Also, the name has changed.

“SAY WHAT?!” Take a deep breath, exhale. I GOT ALL THE DETAILS.

The show is now schedule to go as the “American Collections Calendar.”

But I noticed there were a few changes. The BIG designers were out of the early schedule lineup. No Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors (he will debut his collection on 4/20 via multilayered digital experience) and the list goes on.

Not only did I find that change, but I noticed no crowds of people. Just a few to none in the audience, masks are mandatory and temperature/health checks were done prior of entering.

No more racing around the shows. As many spectators were not allowed. Most audiences were booked by appointment and if so, are all in the fashion industry. In my opinion, this may have saved money to the fashion houses. This is a big plus during these tough times.

Further down my searching, I stumbled across an article that stated

“Chairman of the CFDA Tom Ford announced that New York Fashion Week was adopting the American Collections Calendar, catering to the wave of designers opting out of showing during the typical fashion week calendar or choosing to present outside of New York.”

–Via Nylon (https://www.nylon.com/fashion/fashion-month-fall-2021-schedule)

So what does this mean?

Let me break it down, designers are now able to show later in the season and not have to show their collections in NYC. They can show outside like Europe or Asia. It does not matter the location or the date they showcase. That’s something new. Oh, and let me mention, some or all designers have opted for a virtual show.

This of course has to do with COVID-19. Precautions are being met by following all CDC regulations and of the city.

What does that mean to the viewers?

CFDA has now implemented a digital platform to help designers bring their collections together called CFDA Runway360. Meaning, you can get to watch all the designers, wherever you are at and at any time. Not to mention, everything is there for the designer. What is inside the website? It has a brief description of the collection, the looks, BTS (if possible), a profile of the designer and past collections.

Go check it out.

In my honest opinion, I actually love this! I am more in tune of watching zoom meetings and interviews of the industry. I am more engaged of doing my research, not that I have not done it before. But I feel like we are taking a step at the right direction.

The council/industry is giving designers flexible time that is due as I feel like shows in the past may have been rushed due to a deadline, whereas now they have the rights to choose when they want to showcase their collection.

What do you think? Do you see Fashion Week all over the world changing? Do you like it or not? I would love to know your view. Comment below.

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After New Year’s I mentally knew what I needed to get done. But somehow I fell into a deep writer’s block. I was unmotivated and very, very, very, uninspired. I swear when we get into December its super filled with lots of activities with none stop to do lists. January was a very busy month for me, with Rob’s birthday and our anniversary. Plus Averie was back in school and projects galore. Anything I thought for the blog was being pushed to the side. Work was hectic and life just kept going. I didn’t know when it was just going to stop.

A little voice in the back of my mind wanted to get back.

“You need to Create.”

I knew that my passion was asking to get out but the funk was getting in the way. It needed to breathe, needed to get back to how I normally am. I hope I am making sense.

I really think I should actually consider that my year starts in February. LOL. It’s less busy- well sort of.

In reality, the funk (writer’s block) just recently came off when we decided to go to the beach, this past weekend. It’s where I recharged. The weather getting to the beach was gloomy just like how I felt inside. Though, I didn’t care at that moment. We all knew we had to go. Once we got there, it was perfect. The sun came out beaming, the temperature was just right; the water was a bit cold for us Miamians. But I wouldn’t change a thing.

My mind got exactly what it was yearning for, the beach. Mental clarity is very real and sometimes we ALL need to hit a reset button. The overwhelm feeling, the worries, and the indecisions in my head all went away when I was looking at the ocean and listening to the waves. As I carried Arya in my arm who was already tired from the long day, I stared at the ocean. The overall peace that draped over my body was an outer experience that I never felt before. The clutter left my mind into the ocean and there I knew I was ok.

If you ever feel this way please know you are not alone, whatever place makes you feel grounded (back at peace) go to it. Whether it is at the park, gym, or even if you stand in the rain. Release all the clutter that your mind has and recharge. It will all be ok.

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Now I am back to my normal schedule. With a clear mind set and full of inspiration.