Second Annual Bitch and Swap

It's a small world in this big city.

I was doing a reading of a new musical and met two marvelous new actors who had just come from a hike upstate: first clue that we probably had tons in common... But then I found out that Anna (who has a blog, too!) is also from Missoula Montana! Next (drumroll ladies and gentlemen) I invited her to my Bitch and Swap.... and she couldn't come because she was already having one that week! What?

But we did compare notes afterwards on Facebook. Seems more people are into purging than acquiring and we both had huge piles to bring to Sally's (thank you Renee for filling up your car the next morning!) and varying sizes of donated clothes are inevitable and everyone has more fun if none of that matters.

How was your Bitch and Swap Potluck?

$99 Headshots!

How can you beat that?

Ben Strothmann offers a 20 minute "Quickie" session for an affordable alternative.

Let's face it. When you've had several headshots in your life you know how to a)do your own hair and makeup and b) choose one outfit that you know will work. This short session requires that pre-planned focus (time for only one look/background color), and it forces you to do your homework: Check out other headshots on line, see what you like and don't like in backgrounds, poses, outfits, makeup and show up with ideas. Ben is great at taking those ideas and setting up the right lighting and background.

He recently moved to a new studio with a great big bathroom down the hall, complete with full length mirror, and mine was the first shot taken in this new studio! His clear instructions on his website made it very easy and fast to view my proofs online.

Thanks Ben! Now to get my new headshots to the casting directors...

Check out more photos by Ben of The Chalks in a previous post:

Practially Free!

For the Love of Boots

Okay, who else has a little crush on their Shoe Repair Guy?

I think my husband has accepted it and is okay with it so I'll just sing his praises a bit here.

$70 dollars just revived 6 pairs of fantastic boots, some of which I've re-heeled 3 times already! I mean, these boots have miles on them. And he not only re-heeled them, he gave them each a beautiful polish. That's love, isn't it?

And it's good for the environment.

And it's good for our pocket book.

Yay, Shoe Repair Guy!

Window Shopping

Am I crazy? Okay, don't answer that too quickly.

But I do wonder why, when I feel like I can finally afford to shop for new items, I walk into department stores and retail shops, get bored, and walk out empty handed.

I mean, where's the hunt? Where's the creativity?

My friend Chad does think I'm crazy, because instead of looking at a fabulous sundress and thinking, wow, that would go great with the cute pair of slides I bought last season, I think, how can I make that out of something I already own or something that I know I can find for two dollars at a thrift store, like a tablecloth, for example? Or curtains? How do you solve a problem like Leenya?

Take Gap and Urban Outfitters. It's gotten to where I just walk in and browse (a salesperson's nightmare, I know) and each price tag is $40 and above for items that all appear as if they're vintage or lovingly worn anyway. Instead, my brain starts to calculate: Hmmm...

70's peasant blouses with sleeves cut off

Men's vests with darts sewn in the back lining to make them more fitted

80's print full skirts, shortened to a mini

Early 90's cuff boots or 70's shortened cowboy booties

Loose-fitting khaki's (even pleats can be reworked in the newest trends) to roll up to capris

And I have my list!

Then I head to Sally's, Conway's, or to my new favorite treasure chests, the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market on 39th Street between 9th and 10th Ave. and Outcasts, benefitting St. Clement's Church on 10th Ave. between 46th and 47th Street and look for fabrics that I'm drawn to, colors that I need in my wardrobe.

$33 dollars later, I leave with 2 huge bags of new summer items and I know it's going to be a fun new season.

Swapapalooza!

You may need an NYU i.d. to get in, but why not try? Come next weekend to the grandDaddy of all Bitch and Swaps!

Swap-A-Palooza
Sunday, April 25, 1pm-7pm
Kimmel Center, 8th Floor
Swap-a-Palooza is a clothing swap and celebration that lets you reduce your environmental impact by exchanging gently used clothes and accessories. Take advantage of the ultra-stylish NYU community's fashion sense and harvest a new look without putting pressure on your wallet - or the planet. Admission price is one bag of clothes. The Swap will feature do-it-yourself design stations to make your new wardrobe one-of-a-kind.

Bitch and Swap Time

Okay Ren People! It's that time of year again.

Spring, though little more than a tease right now, is truly around the corner and it's time to trade out winter clothes for warmer togs. Re-read my posts about purging in Lady Godiva for tips on what to get rid of during this transition.

Also, start organizing a Bitch and Swap now! Not only is it a good excuse to gather your stylish-but-bargain-savvy friends together for a party, but you'll get new stuff for the price of snacks and beverages! And with all those around the world who are newly suffering lately, why not make it a fundraiser for a Charity? Multitask, I say...

Live-Laughs.com

Last month, I went on a retreat with my sisters Mary Brienza and Kathryn Markey.

Okay, it wasn't really a retreat and I don't really have real sisters. The venue was the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor Long Island and Mary an Kathryn are my stage "sisters" in the Country Western Comedy trio "The Chalks". We were on a quest to finally write the script that has been the result of years of fun on stage and Tom Caruso, our new director, was going to take us there!

In one week, we finished writing, changed, changed again, and then performed memorized our new musical, The Chalks: A Family in Three Chords! It was a huge challenge, but with an audience that barely stopped laughing enough to catch their breaths, well worth the trip!

Back in December, Live-Laughs.com came and filmed our unscripted live show at the Laurie Beechman Theater and you can still watch it (for free!) along with many other New York Comedians. They do a great job of making videos of live shows.

Check us out because seeing a Chalks show isn't going to be a bargain forever!