GILTY When Charged

I'm in love. Head-over-heels, can't-get-enough-of-you, in love. After months of searching, blind dates and lonely days, I have finally found The One.

Which explains why I've neglected the blog. You know when you start dating someone new and you get so into it that everything in your life takes back stage to your love? It happened to me.

People always say that when you find The One, you just know. This being my first true love, I understand that now. I knew right away that I had finally found what I had been looking for. My love has all the qualities that I look for and makes me feel utterly and completely happy.

Just to clear things up, my love doesn't come in the shape of a man, it comes in the form of my new amazingly perfect job, the Special Events Coordinator at Gilt Groupe. I started a month ago and I have a feeling that the honeymoon stage will continue through our Golden Anniversary.

I'm sorry dear readers for leaving without any notice, and for being gone for so long. You are still special to me and I have room in my heart for both my job and you. Thank you to all my friends who inquired about my hiatus and encouraged me to keep the blog going - which I am going to do. I can still call myself the Red Carpet Recessionista, because technically Gilt Groupe is recession-friendly. The blog will still go on, and continue to evolve as my life changes with the new adventures of my job. Stay tuned as I bring you stories from backstage, the red carpet, the VIP line, the model castings, the DJ booth, the closet and my always-full Gilt shopping cart.

I've compared the job searching to dating before, and I seriously stand by my word. It was a long, hard process of finding Mr. Right Job, but now I see it was worth the struggle and wait. For those of you still searching for The One, don't worry, you will find it. Never settle, because the perfect job is out there waiting for you.

And until you find the perfect man and/or the perfect job, how about the perfect pumps at the YSL Friends and Family Sale this week?

Code Orange

Photo courtesy of Racked.com

Hold your Hermès horses no more! For those of you in the market for beautiful printed scarves, handbags or even leather saddles, now is your chance to score on some luxe French goods.

The signature scarves are $225 each (originally $375) and bags are discounted 60 -70%. Don’t plan on pulling a huge ebay operation, because the sale limits 10 scarves per person.

Metropolitan Pavilian
125 West 18th Street
Sept 24- 10AM – 8PM
Sept 25 – 10AM – 6PM
Sept 26 – 10AM – 6PM
Sept 27 – 1PM – 6PM

There won’t be any Birkins at the sale, so don’t take your name off the waiting list. But we all know that’s bogus.

Minty Fresh

I’ve never really been a numbers person, which probably directly correlates to the fact that I am terrible at budgeting. I have no set plan for myself, and my go-with-the-flow-of-my-credit-card theory is just not going to fly anymore.

Excel sheets make me dizzy and I’m lazy when it comes to keeping track of my purchases and balance. I had come to the resolution that I’m out of luck, until my friend Kristine told me about Mint.com.

When I think of mint my mind runs to mint-chocolate chip ice cream, mojitos and my favorite flavor of Orbit gum. Alas, more good things come in the form of le mint. This genius Web site is your new personal accountant – and Mr. Mint is free!

Mint does all the work for you. After you create an account, register your bank, credit card, home loan and investment accounts. Mint tracks all of your purchases and lets you know how much you’ve spend and how much green you still have in your account. You can even see how much you spend on specific items, such as food, rent, transportation and YSL pumps.

For those of us who like pictures, Mint creates easy-to-read graphs so you can see all of your expenses laid out in pretty colors. You can also set a savings goal, and Mint will help you achieve it.

Dirty budget? Clean it up with Mint.

French ELLE Feature

Bonjour Madames, Mademoiselles and Monsieurs,

Red Carpet Recessionista has been featured in August edition of French ELLE! I am trés trés excited about this and I want to share with everyone. Since the only other language I speak is Spanish, I had my brilliant team of French translators decode the article. Merci bocoup to SGS, Sarah B, James, Mich, Brittany and Eduardo.

"No Job, But Full of Ideas" by Emmanuelle Dasque

Like a number of others, they have lost their employment. But these plugged-in/connected 30 somethings are taking advantage, changing their lives and starting up again. From San Fran to New York, portraits of those who refuse the unemployment blues.

'Funemployment? the expression, born on the west coast last winter, has spread in a few months on the internet. Since, it is everywhere: on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and, above all, on the blogs of young unemployed who have established their new status in the art of hedonist living...."

In New York, Annalise Ghiz, fashionista who worked in fashion doesn't hesitate to tell us that “funemployment is the new cool thing. After having thought that my life crumbling around me, I realized: at what other moment in my life could I take advantage of New York like this – single and with free time?” As a result, she has become an expert in low cost activities (restaurants, reduced priced spas, free museums) and in outdoor walks.

For this young tribe, previously employed in the industry of the Net, fashion, marketing, banking, the economic reality is of course milder than the unemployment numerous American families are going through who have lost their house, in debt, and without resources. These funemployed of 20-30 years old live (for the moment) on their savings, temporarily on aide from the state [welfare] (equivalent to about 280 euros/week) and benefit sometimes from financial support from their parents, when they've not moved back in to the family cocoon/nest. Generation Y (born after 1980) is experiencing the most violent economic crisis since the 30s and feel completely disorientated, from whence the invention of the term and the state of spirit of steel to acclimate oneself to this period and to confront it, analyzes David Logan, USC professor. Above all, Generation Y uses the internet for escape. This movement has given rise to a tribe of cyber-unemployed: they communicate amongst themselves, organize collective vacations and soirées, exchange career plans and advice, with the only common denominator the fact that their unemployed.

In American society, run by the values of work and success, where vacations are almost an extravagance (hardly 2 weeks/year), to be without a job is usually perceived as a stigma. "And yet, this time, a lot of people are in this situation," remarks Linda Stone, professor at NYU. "There is no longer a stigma, but the feeling of belonging to a stuck in the mud community in the same fix." For this career change expert, and for whom the number of students has almost doubled lately, the emergence of "funemployment" is very symptomatic: "they finally have the chance to reflect on the way they wish to lead their lives. We have always told them that they should succeed at any price and at times in fields they didn't have a passion for. In work, they gave their all, ultimately, for losing. They tell themselves that it is time to take their lives in their own hands.

How will this generation reintegrate itself into the working world after such an interlude? Ultra-resourceful, this generation also has put in place a system D [survival guide?/something to do with operating systems?] to live with little means.

In the cities like San Francisco and NY, numerous places convey this philosophy: courses in "funemployment", yoga, beauty sessions, and free spas for the unemployed. For David Logan, the real challenge lies with the big businesses: "once the crises passes, it will be on them to create a better work environment to seduce these youths who are more confident and currently enjoy independence and a liberty of unedited spirit."

(I'm working on getting the images to work with text)

Deals from Head to Toe

What do boots and shampoo have in common?

Well, nothing. But on Thursday night only, both Bloomingdales and Saks are offering great deals for those in the market for either one.

These Boots Were Made For Walking…Out the Door of Bloomindales
Bring in a gently-used pair of boots and donate to HELP USA to received 20% off your boot purchase on Thursday.

The Shampoo Bottle is Half-Full at Saks
It’s time to trade-up that old bottle of shampoo for a glorious Fekkai. Bring in a full-size shampoo bottle (any brand, full or empty) and swap for your choice of any new Fekkai Advanced shampoo.

Celebrate fall with shiny boots and shiny hair!

Fashion's Night Out

Last night was Fashion’s Night Out, which is like the Super Bowl for fashionistas. All of the major stores in NYC participated with cocktails, food, music, freebies, celebs, designers and more. It was a night not to miss so my fashionable girlfriends and I hopped around uptown for the festivities.

Although the event was to promote shopping, being a recessionista I had to keep my wallet closed, especially since the stores we visited were completely out of my budget. I knew as long as I didn’t drink too much champagne I wouldn’t be going home with a custom designed Chanel bag (bummer!).

So I rocked my long black one-shoulder jumpsuit (thanks to the Intermix warehouse sale) and my sequin Michael Jackson-inspired jacket and headed uptown for the fashion block party.

We had planned on starting at Gucci on Fifth for the free official FNO t-shirt, however the line wrapped around 56th Street, so Michele and I headed down to find a less crowded store. We stumbled in Versace because of the hot waiters holding dirty martinis - why not? I’ve never been in the store, but was completely taken back by the beautiful tile mosaics. This must be what Mr. Versace’s mansion looks like. After sipping down the strong martinis and oogling over a pair of sapphire blue suede platform pumps, we strolled to Saks.

Bad idea. It was a mad-house! The cosmetics floor looked like Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and although I would have loved a blow-out from Mr. Fekkai himself, we went upstairs to see if we could wait around for Justin Timberlake. The drink line was out of control, so we settled for guac-tinis (guacamole in martini glass) and decided we didn’t care to wait for JT. Bye! Bye! Bye!

Next we passed Dior where the mob was growing impatient for the arrival of Charlize Theron and stepped in Chanel. We were greeted with the cards to design your own bag and headed upstairs to browse the beautiful things and drink Proseco. Lauren and Molly met up with us after Molly spotted Anna Wintour on 57th. After a toast to Coco and all things Chanel, we made out way up Madison.

A detour in Furla then led us to Bally, which was bumpin! The music was so good and it was the best party of the night. Models were dancing near the DJ booth, and more hot waiters passed out Proseco, mini hotdogs, sliders, fries and s’mores. The highlight of Bally was when Rachel Zoe (and her husband Roger) and Nikki Hilton walked in. Rachel had on an amazing black (probably vintage) dress and huge wedges. We got a pic with her and Rodger – they were both so nice! I DIE! That party was BANANAS!

At Barney’s Mr. Manolo Blahnik was giving out shoes so we watched that for a while until I had a wardrobe malfunction - but Molly fixed it! We went to Bergdorf where the famous NY Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham snapped some shots of Michele’s knee-high gladiator sandals when we walked in. Why didn’t he take a pic of my sequin jacket!? We missed the Olson twins bartending to we headed to Henri Bendel soon after.

So weird that Bendel’s doesn’t have clothes anymore. Just accessories, bags and makeup – but their collection is to-die-for. We tied on outrageous hats and headbands (think going to a party at Buckingham Palace) until the sparkle of Lavande vintage jewelry caught my eye.

I headed directly to the emerald and diamond choker fit for a Princess. I saw the girls who worked at House of Lavande that I had met last year during Fashion Week when I worked at HOLLYWOULD. They were so nice and let me drip myself in diamonds. The choker probably weird 2lbs and it was stuuuuuning. I wanted to walk out of the store with it so badly.

The energy of the night kept Lauren and I out a little longer, despite my throbbing feet, and we shuffled to Tao.

What a party! We didn’t even make it downtown where the likes of Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Josh Hartnett and more celebs partied. It was impossible to cover the entire FNO territory – although I seriously regret not making it to Oscar de la Renta where he sang with Bette Midler, SJP and Barbar Walters! I hope this becomes a bi-annual event!

Intermix Warehouse Sale!

It's that time of year again! The Intermix Warehouse Sale is upon us, and I've been waiting all summer. I'm thinking with a slow retail season the merchandise is going to be even better than past sales.

Here are the deets:

110 W. 18th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenues (enter at 125 W. 18th)

Thursday, Aug. 27: 8AM - 8PM

Friday, Aug. 28: 9AM - 8PM

Saturday, Aug. 29: 9AM - 6PM

I went last summer and it was packed, but not overbearing. If you're on a mission for a great deal, then you will fight the crowds. I found a $700 Missoni dress for just under $100 - well worth digging through racks and piles of designer duds.

My top ten rules for surviving such an event:

1. Wear modest underwear since you'll be changing in a public dressing room

2. Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to take on and off

3. Allow yourself at least an hour and a half - you don't want to be rushed

4. Don't come hungry

5. Go to the bathroom before you get there

6. Don't talk on the phone while you're there - you need to stay focused

7. Grab everything you like

8. Inspect everything for tears, holes, etc.

9. Be vicious only when you have to be

10. Yes, you need that Elizabeth and James corset dress

Thou Shalt Covet

Let's face it. We all have coveted something in our lives.

But one sale-shopping Web site is helping us to not break this commandment by making fashion more affordable.

Covet.com is different from other sale sites because it has a (digital) personal shopper that learns your fashion personality. You take a fun quiz where you decide which outfits (and cocktails) are more your style, fill out your sizes (don't lie) and wait for the sale emails to invade your inbox.

The best thing about this digital personal shopper? You don't have to feel bad if you don't like what it brings you or if you delete it all together.

Thou shalt Covet.

Louboutin Sale

The red-souled shoes are going on sale Tuesday. There's no place like Louboutin.

Jetset on JetBlue

Jetsetters, start your engines.

I wish that I had more funds and free time because I would totally take advantage of JetBlue's "All You Can Jet Pass."

Book by August 21st, and for $599 enjoy unlimited travel from September 8th through October 8th. Fly places where your friends live and stay for free.

I just took my first JetBlue flight last month and it was smooth sailing (or should I say flying?) all the way to Los Angeles. Unlimited, free and tasty drinks & snacks, complimentary TV, and no charge to check a bag - makes a five and a half hour flight way more enjoyable.

A Nightclub or a Gym?

I often skip the gym on weekends, because Sarah and I justify dancing until 4AM a great cardio session. When I’m out dancing I can bust moves for hours. I don’t get bored or countdown the minutes like I do on the treadmill.

Why can’t I have this great energy at the gym all the time like I do at SouthSide in the wee hours of the night?

Problem has been solved!

The next best fusion after peanut butter and chocolate is the brilliant blend of nightclub and gym from The David Barton Gym on Astor Place. Work out at the club while you go clubbing at the gym!

I’m dying to work out here (do I wear my cocktail dress and heels?). I’m dying to go clubbing here (do I wear my Nike Shox and spandex?). I’m dying like those skeletal chairs to get in to this place.

The David Barton Gym is giving away free one-time guest passes, and this is one club that I am sweating to be on the list. It's crunch time.

What a Stash

Yesterday was The Stash Consignment sale. I got there early to make sure that I could have a chance to see all the fabulous things before someone else bought them. Immediately, I was greeted by the lovely Élan Kaplan Barish, founder of The Stash, and darling Julia of Sunshine Sachs. Julia had on killer gold & black leopard pumps that immediately caught my eye... until I saw the mimosa bar.

Oops 11:30AM on a Wednesday and a mimosa was the only thing I had consumed. Ok, ready to shop, mimosa in hand, Élan and Julia took me through the racks of designer deals. The silver Marc Jacobs coat almost made me spill my drink- it was stunning! And when Julia tried on the rose pink YSL jacket we all just about lost it. We went through racks of Dior (I die), Missoni (oh my) and had the best time searching for more treasures.

Julia pulled an amazing Miu Miu navy and royal blue tunic that she insisted I try. You don't have to twist my arm to try an a $100 silk Miu Miu tunic! (Which, by the way, we decided could be a dress with the proper undergarments.)

As I scanned the shoes I cursed my genes for giving me a size 9 because I saw the most adorable Gucci flats - size 6. I felt like the Ugly Step Sister trying to squeeze into Cinderella's glass slipper. Oh well. I had my prince, and his name was Miu Miu.

I could have stayed all day, watching everyone try on these great pieces. An editor from Ebony tried on a sassy Alexander Wang romper and Barney shoes and the whole room went wild. There was no way she was leaving without her new outfit.

And there was no way I was leaving without a mini banana cupcake. They were bite size so I can still fit into my new tunic/dress and I really needed substance. Plus, it was banana, and that's healthy, right? I left the sale a very satisfied recessionista.

More Gilty Pleasures

Today at noon, you may find yourself deciding between the sales at Gilt Groupe and its new lower-priced sister site, Gilt Fuse.

Gilt has dominated online sale shopping, hosting daily designer sales, in which shoppers race to fill their digital shopping bags. Dramatically reduced-priced items go within minutes of the 12pm start time. The company has mastered the frenzy that gets their 1.2 million members logging on at noon (EST), without the mess of a warehouse sample sale.

Fuse will feature women's contemporary designers, making more of our favorite brands affordable. The first sale includes Kova & T, Generra and Modern Amusement. Tags will be reduced 70% off - we're talking about prices around $75 - $150. Thank you Gilt Groupe!

Gilt members will have automatic and first access to sign up for Fuse. For those of you who are not members, I suggest you make it a priority.

This makes the race to snag the hottest items even tighter! My strategy is to have two browser windows open at the same time so I can optimize my gilty shopping opportunities.

The Stash Sale Tomorrow!

Remember that tomorrow is The Stash's Stretch Your Summer Sale.

You don't want to miss this insane sale with all of your favorite designers reduced 20% off their already 75% markdown. If that's not enough to get you running in your Louboutins, let me add that there will be cupcakes and champagne cocktails.

Click here for details.

Get the Blues

If you're like me then you've got about 25 pairs of jeans cramming up your closet. Ever since Seven made designer denmin hot in 2002, I've been collecting jeans from brands across the board.

Now I only wear about four of the pairs and the rest just hang there with a case of the blues. I can't seem to give up my True Religions after spending so much money on them, even though I will probably never wear those obnoxious-pocket jeans again.

I feel guilty about buying a new pair of $180 J Brands, because I basically already own a designer denim shop. Well now I can pull from my inventory and bring them to Barneys for a discount off my denim purchase.

Barneys will recycle your unwanted jeans through 1 Percent for the Planet, an alliance of business committed to maintaining a healthy planet, and give you 20% off your next pair. Not only are you saving the planet, but you're getting perfectly new and current season jeans at a discount!

You have until August 31 to be a Barneys blue jean baby.

The Gucci Gods are Bearing Gifts

I remember when I bought my first (and only) pair of Gucci stilettos.... it is a day I'll never forget. Like having your first child. Only better.

It was March 2006 in Mendrisio, Switzerland at the FoxTown outlets. I bought them for around $15o and it was the happiest moment of my life. They are killer. Black suede dominatrix style with gold grommets. I die every time I look at them. (See below.)

Now you too can have a similar die-and-go-to-Gucci-heaven experience.

Starting Thursday at 9AM select DSW locations will be featuring the coveted Italian shoes for 60% off! NYC girls: head to the Union Square store.

Who cares if they are last season or last year or last month. They are Gucci for God's sake! Buy something timeless and it will always be in style. Buy something outrageous because they are 60% off and you just need to have them. Buy both.

The Gucci Gods are smiling upon us!

Bliss Giveaway!!

We are still in the height of bathing suit season; it's so gross outside that the only thing I want to wear is my bikini. Seriously, it's too hot for clothes.

The last thing any girl wants to do right now is go for a bikini wax - the thought of hot wax in this heat makes my stomach turn. So what to do in this hairy situation?

Thankfully Sephora and Bliss are keeping things hot by cooling it down with product giveaways. Today and tomorrow, look for bikini-clad gorillas handing out free Bliss samples of hair removal and body-toning products. Check out the different creams and tools on blissworld.com, and receive 20% off through August 9th.

Rumor has it the gorillas will be walking all over the city, but to make sure you get your hands on some freebies stop by a Sephora location, especially the new store at 42nd and 7th.

Go bananas girls!

The Stash "Stretch Your Summer Sale"

Élan Kaplan Barish is the Robin Hood of the fashion world - except she's probably doing good in Chloé boots and a Balenciaga cape.

This entrepreneur, wife, mother and fashionista is the brains behind The Stash Consignment. After her friend, a closet organizer, visited a client who still had many new clothes with tags, Barish saw an business opportunity. She visits high profile closets around NYC and works with the women to pull top designer items that they no longer wear - always making them hold on to classic pieces that may one day come back or be perfect for their daughters. The items are then resold on her Web site and sales The Stash hosts. Sort of buying from the rich and selling to the budget babes at a very affordable price, all in "the spirit of sisterhood, fashion and honesty."

"Because of the economy, people aren't spending $2,000 on a bag anymore," Barish said. "We support the conscience of the fashion conscious."

Barish started the company last summer and has since grown a successful business, she nearly sold out each of the sale events and continues to do online business. And she makes sure her customers don't just feel like another sale as they would shopping at Bergdorf.

"I care about all of my clients. Being able to sell your friend a Birkin bag that she can afford feels great."

No bow and arrow in hand, just an honest eye for what can sell, Barish is making items accessible to women who wouldn't necessarily be able to afford it.

This native New York City gal knows that our summer weather isn't over after Labor Day. She also recognizes that women don't necessarily want to be buying full price summer items in August. To solve the dilemma, The Stash is hosting a "Stretch Your Summer Sale." Do just that - stretch your summer wardrobe and not your wallet.

Your favorite and most coveted designer duds will be discounted 20% off the already 75% markdown. Yes, you read that correct. The Stash is practically giving away Alice + Olivia, Fendi, Dolce & Gabana, Hermes Missoni, Prada and more.

Expect sample sale prices without the wild frenzy of a warehouse sample sale. No fighting for the last Chanel jacket or knocking down shoppers for a pair of Louboutin pumps. Instead, sip on a Fashionista cocktail specially created by Perrier-Jouët and Absolut, have a cupcake, and find your next treasure to take home.

Shop new with tags and pre-loved items on August 12, from 12 - 7PM at the home of Dana Haddad, 1182 Broadway. Cash and checks only. RSVP weiskopf@sunshinesachs.com.

Champagne cocktails, cupcakes and designer discounts; it's every woman's fantasy world. Maid Marian never had it so good.

Harry Potter and the Hectic Job Search

The Hogwarts Express has arrived! Harry is here! I've been waiting anxiously since, well, I left the theater of the previous installment of the brilliant Harry Potter series. And last week I finally got to have another dose of the beloved story.

I've read every book cover to cover, and sometimes back again. I've seen every movie numerous times, written about dear Harry in previous articles in school, and even dressed as the chosen wizard for Halloween once.

Besides getting lost in a magical world of spells, broomsticks, goblets of fire, sorcerers stones and invisibility cloaks, the thing I love most about J.K. Rowling's fantasy world is that I have always found a way to relate to the adventures of Harry and his mates. Although I am a mere muggle (blast!) and not going to battle with a Death Eater, I can see a little bit of myself in Potter.

Potter is trying to defeat Voldemort, while I am attempting to overcome unemployment. We both have mortal enemies where one cannot survive while the other still lives. Ok, well maybe I can survive while unemployment exists, but it's not the best quality of life.

My blog is my wand - my weapon - to take on that which must not be named - the recession. The more I practice, the better I get.

New York City is basically Hogwarts, a mystical place with creatures you've never seen before and never thought could exist. You don't need to go to the Lower East Side to see some interesting characters; they are walking among us all throughout the city. Who is to say that we aren't characters ourselves?

At Hogwarts the students are placed in either Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. In New York people are placed in either Finance, Media, Fashion or Entertainment. Where do you belong? There are so many secrets to the city and certain places you can get in only if you know the password, have a special card or a shiny key. Bloomberg is our muggle Dumbledore, trying to protect us all from Death Eaters and trying to keep NYC the magic city it is.

Ahh the job search, isn't it just a wild Quidditch match? We run (or fly) around all over the place, avoiding being knocked down by the competition just so that we can catch the Golden Snitch (aka: the perfect job). And the interview process is really the same as the Sorting Hat Ceremony - we go up to be judged by a talking head who really doesn't know us and they decide where we belong. The online job board is my Marauder's Map, helping me discover where the open positions are and who is hiring at any given moment.

In this economy, finding a job is just as easy as capturing all of Tom Riddle's horcruxes. But I will remember Harry's persistent spirit and bravery as I set my sights on my desired position.

Who would have thought that a 24-year-old gal in NYC could see her self in a teenage wizard?

I don't know any spells for finding the perfect job, but when I go on my interviews I hope the employers can see that I am the chosen one. Accio job!

Barn-Yard Beauty

Now you no longer have to be that girl standing outside of the Soho House, waiting for some Brit to invite you up.

Vital Juice is giving you a key to get inside, and not only does it give you spa access, but you can also relax at the coveted rooftoop pool - no need to pretend to be Annabelle Bronstein.

Sign up for the Vital Juice emails and receive 20% off your first service at the Cowshed Spa from now until Labor Day.

The Cowshed Spa may be barn-inspired, but I have a feeling that after a Micro Polish Facial you will feel nothing like an animal. More like going for a roll in the hay! Yee-haw!

Milk it, Bessie.

Holding Out

I've been spending a lot of time on lower Fifth Avenue - which I have discovered has amaaaazing shopping. You have every type of store - from Intermix to H&M and everything fabulous in between. I get lost walking Fifth between 21st and 16th streets; BCBG, Anthropology and LF, OH MY!

And what's even more tempting are all the sales going on in EVERY STORE right now. Retailers are practically begging for me to come in and do damage. The only thing holding me back from swiping my Visa is the fact that I am going to be on vacation (yes, I need a vacation from my vacation) for the next two weeks in southern California with my family. Hopefully I can make my parents feel bad for me so they will take me on as a charity case and buy me some pretty things.

I'm looking forward to spending my days at Manhattan Beach and my nights in Hollywood. And hopefully my time is the only thing I'll be spending, if you know what I mean.

I'm saving myself for southern California.

Thought This Day Would NEVER Come

WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO???

Chanel in Soho is having a SALE. Say it out loud, S.A.L.E. This is coming from the French couture label who once claimed to never have sales. Apparenlty the women of NYC have decided that they don't need any more 2.55 bags and are "cutting back" this summer. From Chanel to H&M, all retailers are suffering from the lack of spenders. It's all relative, right!

It's a Chanelpocalypse!

You're Giving Up Already?

For those of you who have had enough, want to quit and leave your current position - of unemployment - then this is for you.

I'm not sure exactly how effective job fairs are, but I'm sure it can't hurt to go and see who you can meet. Or just go for the free cookies and lemonade.

New York Post Diversity Job Fair

The Hilton New York - Wednesday, July 29, 2009
1335 Sixth Avenue at 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 11AM-4PM

CONTACT INFORMATION: info@catalystcareergroup.com 815.308.5426

Listen, honey, I understand if you want to throw in the towel and join the working world. I wont' hold it against you - as long as you enjoyed your funemploymet to the fullest. Happy job hunting!

Ma Cherie Amour

Monsieurs and mademoiselles, today is le Bastille Day! Are you drinking champagne at a sidewalk cafe or munching on a baguette as you walk the streets? I admit I've done neither today, but le French holiday is making me want to learn the language of love.

Unfortunately, taking French lessons in the city is trés expensive and I am trés broke.

If you're in the same trés sad situation as myself, you are not a hopeless American case. All you need to do is land a French beau or belle, and - violà - you will be ordering at Pastis in your waiter's native tongue. Oui Oui!

Maybe you should head out tonight to one of the million French bistros in NYC to land your next, umm, le tutor.

C 'est la vie.

From the Red Carpet to the Spa

I've always thought to myself that when I finally get a job it's going to be super hard for me to ditch my unemployment routine for the structured schedule and desk. No more sleeping in until 10AM, leisurely coffee and TV in my pajamas and basically doing whatever I fancy.

I've gotten so used to this nonchalant lifestyle in the past 8 months, that I have forgotten what it's like to be on the clock.

Well, I was reminded today.

Yes, I have have started working on something other than the Red Carpet! Time to throw a party!!

Every recessionista appreciates beauty, health, fitness, spa and fashion - which is exactly what I will be reporting on at the SpaWeek blog. You may recall that I blogged about SpaWeek a few months ago, which is the famous week in which the best spas in the country offer discounted treatments. SpaWeek.com is the year-round headquarters for all things spa related.

We're blogging about the latest spa trends, off-the-wall beauty and health treatments, fitness and nutrition ideas, giveaways, and fashion and travel tips. For those of you on Twitter, make sure to start following us: http://twitter.com/SpaWeek to stay up to date!

The Red Carpet will remain the home for recessionistas and the funemployed - but even babes on a budget need to know about face workouts.

Brand New Billy

The recession is lasting longer that my budget had hoped for, my severance check is long gone, and so are my shopping trips to Saks.

I was just about to kiss the thought of a new fall bag goodbye (or more appropriately, arrivederci, Miu Miu), when I realized that I already owned my brand new shoulder bag.

Recessionistas have to be resourceful.

I’ll start from the beginning. Earlier this summer I was carrying a three-year-old white Balenciaga bag. Poor Billy (yes, I name my purses), he was just looking wretched. He had traveled abroad, been back and forth from east and west coasts and was just plain tired. The white leather was cracking and Billy was starting to look like a Canal Street imposter. My Mom told me that I needed to (gasp!) get rid of Billy. Clearly, no second-hand store would accept him in such rotten condition, and he was past the point of a good cleaning. I couldn’t bear the thought of giving him away, and I wasn’t ready to part with my dear friend and traveling buddy.

Then it dawned on me. Billy just needed a makeover. The worn-down white just wasn’t doing anything for his figure. So I decided that a beautiful sapphire blue would do the trick to perk up old Billy, and make him like new again. Think of it as plastic surgery for a purse.

I did what any patient (or mother of patient in this case) would do, and researched the top surgeons (aka: leather dye companies) in NYC. After surfing the web and calling different places, I finally found Billy a reputable doctor.

I bought Billy into Angelo’s Shoe & Leather Repair on 53rd and 5th to drop him off for surgery. After carefully discussing with Vivienne, the very helpful woman at the desk, we came up with the perfect shade of blue for Billy. So I had one last look at old, wrinkled Billy and left him at Angelo’s.

10 days later, and it was time for Billy’s big debut! I was nervous going to pick him up. Would he still be the same Billy? Would people tell that he’s had work done? Will he look like a fake?

But, alas, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to see the new Billy looked fabulous! He was rejuvenated and the color really bought out his features.

Girls, instead of shelling out a cool grand for your new fall it-bag, look inside your purse cemetery and see what old bag you can revitalize. I now have a brand new Balenciaga bag that cost me less than $100.

Now that Billy is brand new blue, he doesn’t have the blues anymore.

Say Au Revoir to Buyer's Remose

"Guilty feelings about clothes are totally unnecessary. A lot of people earn their living by making clothes, so you should never feel bad." Karl Lagerfeld.


Now I will never feel too guilty for shopping, because in reality I am helping someone keep their job. I may be at the bottom of the shopping food chain right now, but it's all a cycle, right?

Broadway on a Budget

I love going to Broadway shows - unfortunately, I end up spending my money on what could have been a ticket to Rock of Ages on a new cocktail dress instead.

Just seems more effective- the dress I'll have for a long time, and Billy Elliot will leave me after two hours.

Fortunately, my lack of commitment to Broadway has found a solution: Broadway in Bryant Park!

Now I can spend my afternoons getting samples of the best current shows without having to spend a thing - well, maybe for a cookie and lemonade at Le Pain Quotidien.

Every Thursday from today through August 13, enjoy a sample selection of four shows in the open air Bryant Park lawn. Instead of being stuck with one show in a cold theatre for two hours, you get to watch the biggest hits from different shows. In one hour, you can start at the Opera go down the Yellow Brick Road then under the sea to Washington Heights. It's like tapas for musicals - just a little taste of everything. Great for those with ADD.

Maybe I'll decide that I like one of the shows enough to go see the entire production and sacrifice a new pair of heels.

Restaurant Week

What's the point of living in NYC if you don't get out once in a while to dine at the amazingly scrumptious restaurants?

We are fortunate enough to live in a city that is the mecca of international and domestic cuisine. I can travel to India, China, Italy, Russia, Brazil, France, Spain or Lebanon in just a quick cab ride. In fact, last night I was on a Mediterranean cruise dining on fresh Halibut and Salmon.

And while it's easier and cheaper to get steak frites at Balthazar rather than hopping a flight to Paris, eating out in NYC adds up quickly.

Luckily, Restaurant Week is almost here to save our wallets and satisfy our appetites. Dine at some of the best restaurants in the city for a reduced price pre-fixe menu from July 12 - 31.

Make your reservations ASAP because these coveted spots fill up quicker than you can order from you fav Chinese take-out.

Dining Deals

Great list of recession specials.

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/11/recession_dining.html

This will really give you an appetite!

Vegas of the East Coast

I'm more of a Vegas girl myself, but being here in NYC I've always wanted to check out Atlantic City. Carrie and the girls of Sex and the City went; even the housewives of New Jersey spent a weekend in the casino resort town.

Prices are so cheap to get there, I'd say Atlantic City is a gamble worth betting on.

From now until July 31, you can take ACES Train directly to Atlantic City for only $29! Of course this isn't going to get you the first class seats or a spot in the lounge, but it will save you more money for Black Jack.

It's BYOB, so you can get your Jersey on before you arrive. I'm gonna put my money on this train!

The Unemployment Scene

Leave it to NYC to have unemployment scene.

While more and more New Yorkers are losing their jobs, a growing number of unemployed people are gathering during the day for networking, socializing, enjoyment and using WiFi at Starbucks.

But shouldn't these jobless folks be at home, slaving away on their laptops scanning the job boards and making phone calls, only to be told the company doesn't accept calls in regards to jobs? "Emails only, please."

Apparently not. New Yorkers are taking a more fresh and proactive approach to landing their next position. They are hunting in the concrete jungle.

Is it easier to find a job while you're out on the scene meeting potential connections and employers, rather than sitting solo in your apartment on CareerBuilder.com? According to this New York Magazine article, that's what most unemployed people are doing to find their next paycheck.

The unemployed are a quiet army taking over the city. We're everywhere. Making copies of resumes in Kinkos, at the movies at 3PM, running in central park on a week day, hanging out in book stores for hours. Many of my employed friends tell me their jealous of my life right now. They sit all day in an office while I make my own schedule and have unlimited vacation time. (I always reassure them that they are better off.)

When I'm out in the city during the day and see people not dressed for work, I wonder what their stories are. Laid off? Company closed? Quit? Fired? Student? Tourist?

If you listen closely, so many people around the city are talking about how they have lost their jobs. They are exchanging information, swapping contacts, giving each other tips. Everyone is their own PR person, their own head hunter, their own agent - pushing themselves on prospective networks back into the working world.

Are we the new hipsters? Traveling in packs and lounging in coffee houses instead of working. Or maybe the new socialites, partying every night and trying not to pay for anything.

Either way, I know I'm on the guest list.

Belle of the Ball

One of the things I envy most about the celebrity/socialite life is the fact that the women (and men) get to borrow phenomenal dresses and outfits for parties, TV appearances and other public events.

Oh sure, Mr. de la Renta, please send that dress over to my apartment by Thursday. Why yes, Mr. Lagerfeld, I would love to wear the frock tonight. And I can keep it? Oh, you're a darling!

HA! In my dreams.

So what is a recessionista to do when she has so many parties to attend, and she doesn't want to be a repeat offender?

She goes to Ilus. This Nolita store is your new Fairy Godmother. At Ilus, you can go into the boutique or shop online to "rent" a dress for whatever upcoming occasion you have - whether it be a ball or a bachelorette party. And you don't have to turn it back in by midnight - standard rental is for three days.

Rental fees vary depending on the frock, but it will cost less than actually purchasing that Herver Leger zip-up bondage number.

Ilus will even ship to Cinderellas who cannot make it into their store. And if you decide that you just cannot live without the dress, Ilus gives you the option to make it yours!

Bippidy, boppity, Badgley Mischka!

Moonwalking

There are TONS of Michael Jackson tribute parties going on in NYC. Put on a white sequin glove and attempt your best moonwalk. MJ would want us all to dance - don't matter if you're black or white.

NYC Sky Yesterday

Michael Jackson, Then and Now

Read this great story on Michael Jackson from a 1984 issue of TIME. At the time this was written, MJ was in the height of his career and it's amazing to read just how internationally huge he was and still is.

LoCo for CoCo

Have you noticed that the war of the frozen yogurt world is really benefiting consumers?

With the competition getting intense (Pinkberry, Red Mango, Mr. Berry, Berry Wild, Flurt, 16 Handles, MoJo, Yogurt Land.... need I keep going?), each yogurt house continues to create new flavors and creations to stay on top of the game.

Which translates to freebies for everyone!

Today, Pinkberry - quite possibly the original non-fat froyo chain - is giving away free small cups of their newest flavors: coconut and passion fruit!

Stop by any location from 5 - 9 PM to try out these tropical delights!

Secret Deals

If you wear MAC makeup and/or drink Starbucks coffee please continue reading.

I thought that most people knew about these "secrets," but the more I talk to people, the more I find out that not many know about these great deals.

I'll start with MAC. The cosmetics line has a program called Back 2 MAC, in which you bring in 6 MAC containers to either one of their stores or counters. If you bring your containers (empty or full) to a counter, you can receive any lipstick (except the Viva Glam line) or eye shadow for free. However, I prefer bringing my containers to a MAC store, because they will allow you choose from the above, plus any type of lipgloss, lipglass or slimshine lipstick, which is my new obsession. Think lipgloss meets lipstick = perfection.

I bet you can go in your cosmetics drawer and find 6 containers of MAC products that you don't wear. Get rid of that purple eyeshadow that you wore in 8th grade, and you're probably not going to wear brown lipstick ever again. (Please don't.)


Ok, now onto come coffee talk.

Starbucks continues to get more and more expensive - I swear it's starting to cost as much as my lunch. Which is why I save my cups and bring them back the next day for a coffee/tea refill. It costs only 55 cents!

You can't get any specialty drinks for this refill deal. So buy a latte one day, and the next switch it up for a plain coffee, which you can doctor up to your liking.

There you have it, darlings! More diva deals to come tomorrow!

Lost Without LOST

I just completed my first marathon. It was rigorous and took hours of dedication. I had to push myself to keep going when at times I thought I couldn't continue. This marathon tested my strength and showed me that when I put my mind to something I can accomplish anything, no matter how great the task.

Someone get me a gold medal, because I finally finished Seasons 1 through 5 of LOST.

It all started back in April, when my friend Nate told me he wouldn't speak to me anymore if I didn't at least watch the first few episodes of the series. Feeling left out of all the convos about the show between my friends, I decided to see what this crazy island was all about.

So on a cold rainy day, after job searching of course, I went to abc.com to enter the world of Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sayid, Sun, Jin, Hurley and the Others. I was skeptical going into it. What could be so riveting about strangers stranded on a bizarre island, with a bunch of loony characters and some underground stations? Isn't that what we're doing in New York City?

However, I was quickly proven wrong about five minutes into the pilot. Suddenly, I was hooked. And the most dangerous part, I had nothing but time and all 103 episodes at the click of my fingertips. I didn't have to wait a week for the next episode, or a summer for the upcoming season; it was all right there for my viewing pleasure. Talk about temptation.

I think that first day I finished eight episodes, which is roughly 336 minutes on the island. Winter was still lingering in NYC (as it always does), and I needed a tropical escape - without having to buy a ticket to Maui. LOST became my vacation, my drug and my life.

I completed the first three seasons in exactly three weeks. I'll let you do the math on that one. I felt like the crazy French woman, Danielle, who was cooped up in her tree house for 16 years by herself. I was cooped up in my apartment, alone, waiting for a prisoner (aka: friend) that I could capture and make watch the show with me. I wondered what kind of boobie traps I could set at my door...

I started having dreams that I was on the island, running from smokezilla and trying to get in the hatch. One night I woke up in a panic about the numbers...4 8 15 16 23 42... too afraid to look at my clock because I feared I would see the cursed numbers. I'm dead serious.

I found myself yelling at my laptop during my LOST binges. If I could just finish, then I could get back to life on this crazy island. Back to real life of job searching. The truth is, I felt more productive finishing each season than I did looking for a job. Because finding a job is about as easy as finding the island itself.

When I got to Season 5 (the last leg!), something horrible happened. It was a huge leg cramp in my marathon. Abc.com only had the last 7 episodes of the season. I didn't want to buy them on iTunes, so I thought that I had to wait until they were up on ABC. But, when a person is pushed hard enough, they find a way around challenges and leg cramps. Thanks to Bianca, I learned about Surfthechannel.com and found those lost 11 episodes of Season 5. I had to endure Japaneses subtitles and the frequent freezing and skipping, but I made it through so that I could finish triumphantly.

Now that I'm caught up with the rest of the world, I have to wait until next year to see what happens post hydrogen bomb explosion. What am I going to do without Saywer's nicknames and the creepiness of John Locke? I've left the island for a bit, and until I return in 2010, it's time to put that dedication of finishing the series into landing a job.

If only I could time travel back to when the market was as booming as that hydrogen bomb.

Small Budget Billionaires

I just can't get into self-help books. It's not that I'm embarrassed or ashamed of walking down that forbidden aisle in Border's, with the crying man and the girl who was just dumped by her boyfriend. There's nothing wrong with reading these kind of books, I just didn't buy into the movement. And shoot me, because I never read "The Secret."

But there is one book on the market - part self-help, part finance, part genius - that I'm thinking I need to invest in.

"10,000 Ways To Live Large On A Small Budget," is the new Secret. Instead of the power of positive thinking, this book flat how tells you how to score free drinks, find cheap airfare, and other insider tips on how to save cash.

My friend Amanda should have written this book, she has so many tricks on how to get things for free or get back money. One of my personal favorites is her vodka-soda scam. She orders a soda water with lime. Then "accidentally" bumps into a guy, who then feels bad for spilling her "drink" and buys her an actual vodka-soda. Works like a charm, according to Amanda.

The actual authors write a personal finance blog called Wise Bread. I just checked it out, and I'm finding it to be pretty entertaining with some good cost-saving tips.

It takes a little more time and effort to score deals on things, but it's worth it when you think of the money you're saving. As consumers we spend too much on just about everything - I learned this when I worked in fashion and saw the mark-up prices on the clothes. It's rewarding when you find a way to pay less for something that everyone else is paying ticket cost. And it feels damn good to beat the system.

Order your new Bible now. You're wasting money for every day that you don't read and practice it's teachings.

Time Out New York

During this recession, we've had to cut costs on luxuries and expenses on things that we really just don't need. Which is no fun.

Instead of subscribing to my favorite magazines, or even buying them from the stands, I usually take my friends' old issues when they are done. Because how many times can one read the same issue of Cosmopolitan?

Time out! Here's an offer for a free 2-year subscription to Time Out New York!

There's no catch, no gimmicks, no scam. Sounds too good to be true, but alas, fill out your information and sit patiently for your first issue!

A Whole New Swap Meet

You know what they say: one woman's 3-year-old Tory Burch tunic this another woman's this year's summer staple.

Oh, you haven't heard that? Well get used to it, honey. It's time you learn about "Swap Parties."

As I was watching Hoda and Kathie Lee this morning, they finally had a segment that interested me enough to look up from my usual morning (Internet) surf. Women in NYC are hosting parties to boost their wardrobe and ditch their unwanted items.

Think botox party or purse party, but instead of buying anything, you're trading in that DVF you never wear for an Alice + Olivia cocktail dress.

I've gone through the agony of selling my old clothes; the process is painful to watch and I hardly make enough profit to by myself a new outfit at H & M. But the Swap Party is idea is genius. Eye for an eye... or rather Choo for a Choo.

Here's how it works:

1. Gather around 10 items in your closet that you never wear/don't fit/etc.

2. Invite your most fashionable friends to come over and bring 10 unwanted items

3. Let the swapping begin!

It won't cost you a dime and you'll be filling up your closet with your "new" clothes! Recessionistas: ditch shopping for swapping.

Re-VITAL-ize

The stress of unemployment is growing among everyone. For us in the non-working world, we feel nervous and discouraged about how long it is taking to find a job. Even those still fortunate enough to have their jobs feel the pressure to work twice as hard just to earn half of what they should be making. Unemployment is the thousand-pound gorilla in the room that nobody wants to talk about. In Harry Potter speak, unemployment is "he who must not be named."

We just need to get away from it all. Go somewhere peaceful and restorative for our minds, bodies and souls. Unfortunately, taking a week-long paid vacation to Promises right now is not the best way to show your boss that you're serious about keeping your job. And taking a spa day at the Mandarin Oriental will cost you your life savings. So those options are out.

Thankfully for us whacked-out, high-strung, face-paced New Yorkers, VitalJuice has set up a three-day "Recessionista Wellness Retreat." Today through Saturday at the former Virgin store in Union Square, VitalJuice is offering fitness classes, spa treatments, health foods and more goodies. And did I mention everything is gratis? That's free if you didn't get it.

Click here for the work-out class schedule, all powered by Crunch fitness.

If you're still confused because this doesn't involve an excel sheet or a presentation, I've organized it for you in four easy steps:

Step 1- Burn some calories and release endorphins at Street Fighter or Hula Hoop pilates class

Step 2 - Get a relaxing massage

Step 3 - Sip on some herbal tea while you learn about nutrition

(Steps 1 - 3 can be repeated if necessary)

Step 4 - Walk out of the pop-up spa a rejuvenated person and try to forget the stresses of life for a day. Or at least a few hours.

Pizza Partay!

In New York, the land of pizza and bagels, almost every pizza joint claims to be "the best in the city."

I have many go-to places to grab a slice at 3AM or sit down for a thin-crust pie dinner. My favorite spot for a quick & cheap slice is Two Boots - any location.

Normally I find myself (with friends of course) at this pizza joint in the wee hours of the morning, after a night in the LES, to soak up the vodka sodas and beers we've consumed. But I promise these slices taste even better when you're sober.

And even more delicious when they're FREE.

To celebrate the opening of their midtown location (45th and 9th), Two Boots is giving away free pizza from 6 -8PM tonight.

Go on and see what eating pizza is like in the broad daylight without any booze in your system. You might actually enjoy it.

Tutti Frutti

I have always been sceptical of the fruit stands all over the city. I don't know, just something about buying fruit off a cart that's sitting next to piles of trash bags, bus stops, wandering crazy people, mailboxes - you get it. Just doesn't seem sanitary. But nonetheless, people are always lined up to pick out ripe strawberries and cherries.

Sarah always talks about her "fruit man" on 33rd and 2nd and how delish his fruit is. She's still alive and well, so I figured his peaches must check out OK.

I decided to stop by Sarah's fruit guy today since I was passing his cart on my way home. At first glance, everything looked good. No flies buzzing around, no rats gnawing on the oranges.

"2 for $1 apples!," fruit guy tell me.

That's a deal! I've been having a weird apple obsession lately, and spending all my money at the market on the forbidden fruit. Well no more. I am now a fruit cart customer!

Cheap and good. Can't beat that. Now if only I could find a decent coffee cart...

Free Kayaking in the Hudson

If Captain Sully can land an Airbus A320 (aka: huge plane) in the Hudson, the surely you can handle a kayak in the mellow river.

All summer long, free kayaking is offered at Pier 40, Pier 96 and 72nd Street at Henry Hudson Parkway. In case you never were a boyscout or went to summer camp, free lessons are offered at the Pier 96 location (@ W. 56th St.) from 5 - 7 PM. If you're doubting your kayaking skills, I suggest you take a free lesson - you seriously don't want to end up in that river.

Find all the deets here.

This could potentially be a great (inexpensive & original) date idea, as long as you can impress your lady with your rowing skills and keep the boat afloat. Just don't expect a badge, scout.

Saddle Up for Free Food

Rodeo Bar is raising the bar for bar food.

Say that five times fast. Ok, you're done.

Instead of the measly nuts and pretzel mixes found on some bars, this Murray Hill country-western drinking establishment is offering free nachos and wings during happy hour every night from 4 - 8PM (6-9PM on Sundays). All you have to do is order a drink, then load up on cheesy chips and messy wings. I hope napkins are free and unlimited.

Strap on your boots and spurs, put on that cowboy hat and boogie on down to Rodeo Bar, partner.

Pink Slip Party

A party for the unemployed tonight!!

http://www.freenyc.net/archives/2009/06/pink_slip_party.php

Isn't every night a party for the unemployed?

Ladies from the 80s

1985: The last thing I remember was Doc Brown putting us in DeLorean, and we were racing at a gnarly speed of 88 MPH, while Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was blasting on the radio.

"COWABUNGAAAAAA!!," my bodacious friend Sarah yelled as we sped into the future.

When we got out it was a rad new world. Where were we? We thought the future would have flying cars, but they were still planted on the ground.

We asked some studmuffins what year it was and they told us it was 2009 and that we were in line for a concert at the Canal Room.

"Wicked! A concert!! I wonder if it's Tiffany!!??" I asked.

"Take a chill pill, Annalise. This is 2009, we won't know the band."

Sarah had a point. We were dressed in head-to-toe neon, and completely stood out in the crowd of white button-down shirts.

We were scurrying for money, and worried that we wouldn't have enough. But luckily this concert cost only $8! Like, majorly cheap!

Once we got inside, it was like we were back in '85. The band on stage was dressed like us, and they were rocking to White Snake. We felt at home, and the entire night we danced front row just like we did when we were Journey's groupies.

Some other fresh homeboys must have time-traveled too, because Ice-Man and Maverick where there! Hotties!

Then the most bad (and by bad, I mean rad) thing happened. The totally hot bass player invited us to dance on stage with him! It was like, bitchin!

This awesome 80s band is called Rubix Kube and they play every Saturday night at Canal Room. Dudes and dudettes, if you ever wish to travel back in time to the 80s, this is for you. All you need is some neon, your dancing shoes and eight bucks. DeLorean optional. Psyche!

2009 is totally tubular!

FUNemployment

When I look back on the last six months of my "retirement," I sometimes feel guilty for all of the fun that I've been having. Trips to Miami and Los Angeles, theme parties, BBQs, visitors, and just basically whatever I feel like doing; life is good. Or is it?

It's not that I haven't been trying to find a job. I have. I do. I checked online this morning.

I constantly send my resume to several companies and apply for jobs that I may not even qualify for, in hopes that they will see how insanely talented I am, and hire me anyways. I scan all the job Web sites, contact friends, look through all of my collected business cards to see if someone can help me find work. I really am trying, opposed to what some outsiders may think.

The only thing that keeps me sane is this blog. I seriously feel like it's my job. I even made business cards for God's sake! Someday it will be my money-maker, but for now it's my full-time, non-paying position that I love. I'm my own boss. I make my own hours. I take lunch when I feel like it and my office even has a bed and a kitchen. Sometimes it's hard living in your office - forget the finance guys who stay at work until midnight; they have it easy. I never leave my office. Ever.

So in the meantime of unsuccessful job-searching and constant blogging, excuse me if I want to enjoy my free time and have a little fun. Being a single, twenty-something-year-old girl in NYC during the summer may just be the best thing in the world.

I'm not the only one excessively enjoying funemployment. People all over the country (and world for that matter) are using this time as a way to reflect on what they really want, and of course as a time to play. Just read this article from the LA Times.

However, unemployment is not a matter to be taken lightly - the U.S. is currently at a 9.4% - some families are facing harsh situations and losing their homes and everything they have worked hard for. I am lucky to be young and only taking care of myself. While I'm laying out in Central Park on a Monday afternoon, I cannot help but think of the families in dire need of an income. It's heart-wrenching.

Believe me, I would really like to have a job right now. Telling people I'm a self-employed blog author is just not going to cut it. I've only made about 30 cents from Google AdSense, which maybe could have bought me a Hershey's bar in 1955. Since I don't have a time machine, I'll be dropping those 3 dimes in my piggy bank for now.

I'm not going to get discouraged, because I know that I will find a new position. Things are going to get better for me and for everyone else in the non-working world.

Until then, excuse me for enjoying funemployment a little too much.

The Roots are on Fire

Craving a concert but strapped for cash? No worries my music-loving friends, there are solutions that don't involve waiting at Rockefeller Center at 6AM for the Today Show series or standing in enormous lines in hot Central Park for a summer concert.

It will cost you $10, but well worth it for not having to wake up at the crack of dawn or stand in line with hundreds of pushy tourists in the heat all day.

Highline Ballroom offers plenty of concerts that are incredibly cheap and, get this, indoors!

This week my friends and I went to The Roots show at Highline and had a blast! Good news for Roots fans: they play all the time at Highline. Their next show is June 16, which means you need to purchase your tickets ASAP - they will most likely be sold out by Saturday.

The band usually comes on around midnight, but the crowds gather early. We arrived around 11PM and the line was already down the block. Luckily for our fedora-wearing crew, Nate had a press pass so he and Colin got in early and held a nice space front and center. The lesson: if you don't have a friend in the media, get there early to secure a good spot - it's standing room only.

They put on a great show that the very mixed crowd could all jam to. Mos Def made an appearance along with a sultry women who sang a very slow and blues-y rendition of Flo Rida's "Right Round."

I just found this video of the concert - you can see our group on the bottom-left corner, rocking out, fedoras bouncing and bracelet-covered wrists waving in the air!

The Roots are on fire, but your wallet won't be burning up!