Tag: Brooklyn

On My Weekend Bucket List: A Magnolia Cupcake

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So yesterday I did some shooting in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and found myself starving. So, I stumbled into a cute little corner place that looked delicious Pies and Thighs. I don’t know if it’s the title or the thought of chicken thighs but it grabbed me. I had to wait outside and found a tiny spot on the bench but man, was it worth the wait. It’s been beautiful out these last summer days, so make sure to enjoy it! I rarely talk about food on the blog but I just have to rave about Pies and Thighs. So I had the Chicken and Waffles. I know, chicken and waffles. Everyone serves chicken and waffles. But they had buckwheat waffles with cinnamon butter and poached blueberries. I’ve dreamed about it ever since I had it.

Anyway, I’m all about grabbing a Magnolia Bakery cupcake (or two lol) this weekend. Have a great weekend!

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Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

Why Loehmann’s is Going Out of Business

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So, as you may know Loehmann’s has officially bit the dust declaring bankruptcy for the third time last month. They listed assets of $100 million and debt of $500 million with no real prospective buyers. Loehmann’s was the last true off-price giant standing.

As a kid, I remember going into Loehmann’s with my mother and late grandmother who would show me tags with the dramatic discount marked with “original price” markers. There was an air of excitement when we went to Loehmann’s and we always seemed to come out with something special. Over the years, we stopped going into Loehmann’s and I remember the store becoming somewhat of a mess with home goods being sold and all kinds of things unrelated to its original womenswear premise. I stopped enjoying the store and that was the end of it.

Here’s a few things to remember about Loehmann’s:

1) Frieda Loehmann and her son Charles opened their first store on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn

2) Frieda would always pay cash for purchases for the store and was reluctant to open up any more locations

3) The company filed for bankruptcy three times, each time pledging to appeal to a younger audience, revive their image and stand out against competition

4) Loehmann’s had a website but did not jump on the e-commerce bandwagon until late 2011

5) Online flash sale sites like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La upended their business model of selling off-price season old merchandise

The company indeed made many terrible mistakes but in a world of cheap, fast fashion where quality is being sacrificed for price, a store like Loehmann’s simply could not stay in business. The retailer will go down in history and hopefully, the fashion world will return to valuing quality merchandise sometime soon.

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Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

MTV VMAs 2013: Katy Perry’s Leopard Butterfly Dress and Grill

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Last night was a frenzy in Brooklyn and Katy Perry bounced from the Barclays Center to the Brooklyn Bridge in a New York minute. She had the most interesting outfit of the VMAs had to be Katy Perry’s leopard butterfly dress and Roar grill on the red carpet last night. What did you think?

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 Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Summer Casual: African Print Jumper at the MTV VMAs 2013 Song of the Summer Celebration with Jason Derulo and Timeflies

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This week I attended one of the MTV VMA Song of Summer Celebration Concerts with Jason Derulo and Timeflies at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Summer casual was the name of the game as the summer heat made its way ‘back’ to the city. I did my favorite Bebe African Print jumper and Christian Louboutin metallic heels and it was great because it was really hot out!

I met stylists and photographers Rachel and Nicole. Rachel was wearing this great Topshop Motel Skirt I’ve seen everywhere. Anyway, MTV has been doing these concerts all through the week with celebrities like Ciara and Robin Thicke. Are you excited for the VMAs?

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Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Absolut Open Canvas Art Event in Brooklyn

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Talk about street art. This past weekend I stopped by the Absolut Vodka Open Canvas Event in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where artists Olek, Katsu and others transformed a whole street into an art display. Ice sculptures, knitted bikes, and graffiti filled the street and it was kind of amazing.

It was also really hot outside! Summer finally hit New York and I stayed cool in a white bustier, a white lace skirt and jewelry from various places including I-Ella’s List and Lea Jefferson. Absolut Vodka stirred up some great cocktails and I was able to meet Olek and her friend, the first person I’ve ever spotted wearing the new Google glasses! Check out more photos from the event below.

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Open Canvas_Absolut_malindaknowlesnetDSC00293 Olek_Friend_Google Glasses_malindaknowlesnet  DSC00269 Olek_Art_malindaknowlesnet Katsu Graffiti_malindaknowlesnetDSC00274Malinda Knowles at Open Canvas DSC00257

Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

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Wear Your Favorite Painting on Your Nails by Miho Kawajiri

Lily Pond, Art by Malinda Knowles
Lily Pond, by Malinda Knowles

This week Japanese nail artist Miho “Mei” Kawajiri interpreted one of my paintings on my nails and I must say her work is amazing. I met her in at Su’juk, a vintage clothing store in Brooklyn where she does nails every Monday and Thursday. She took one quick look at my Lily Pond painting and got to work on my nails right away with an impressive arsenal of Japanese colored gels and brushes.

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Mei and I were both in a hurry so she interpreted my Lily Pond painting on two fingers on each hand. We said that one of these days soon when we have more time, she’ll do even more detail. If she can do this in a hurry, what can she do when she is not in a hurry?

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Well, check out some of her other work. On her nails, is a work that she terms “nude” and  the below is Mei’s favorite, inspired by 83-year-old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, known for painting polka dots on naked models.

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Infinity Mirror Room – Filled with the Brilliance of Life

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Mei has been doing nails for twelve years and has been in the United States for five months. She said she came to New York because she wanted a “challenge” and is currently working on a nail sticker line with goscratchit.com that will be available in Fall 2013.  She has worked with celebrities such as Eve and will be doing nails at Metropolitan Museum of Art, PS1 for their Vanity Project event March 9th from 12-6 PM.

Catch her also at Valley downtown or at Su’juk in Brooklyn during the week. I can’t wait to work with her again!

Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles