In Support of My Dear Ukraine

I never thought that I'd use this blog to write about politics, but I find that I have to in light of the current situation in my homeland, Ukraine. I want to voice my support for all my dear Ukrainian brothers and sisters, who are fed up with the corruption of the current government and its breach of the public trust in walking away from the Association Agreement for trade and cooperation with the European Union. Ukraine is Europe - no one can deny that fact or take it away from us! The Ukrainian people deserve to live with European standards, and the youth of our nation deserve to grow up in a free society!

This past Saturday, we held a protest in front of the Ukrainian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City to show that we stand with the "Euromaidan" demonstrators taking to the streets in the capital of Kyiv and all over Ukraine. We decided to snap some pictures of this Ukraine-EU poster at different landmarks in New York, and in this small way send our support and love to Kyiv.

We love you, Ukraine, and we're with you!

P.S. For more information on this: BBC, New York Times, in pictures

Pictures by Joe Villarin

Holiday Style: Party Pants

I have exciting news to share with you: I found a perfect pair of super flattering party/business/fancy pants! Don't dismiss my excitement, hear me out. I've been looking for a pair of nice non-skinny pair of trousers for quite some time, and I'm happy I got them in time for the holidays. I feel like such a sophisticated adult when I'm wearing them. The name of the pants is (drum beat) J.Crew Collection reverse tuxedo cafe capri!

I can't tell you how many cafe capri's I've tried on, and either the size was not right or, maybe, it's just the specific design of this Collection pair but they look like they were made for my body (I like to think so, and that's what my girlfriends tell me!) Let's go back to the beginning phase of my search. At some point I realized that I only wear skinny pants and it'd be nice to add a pair of nice trousers for special occasions or business events. My challenge was to find a pair that fits my small waist and my athletic thighs. Finding a perfect pair of pants is very individual, and you really have to understand what looks good on your body. My advice: don't settle down for anything, look until you find the perfect match!

Below I included a selection of pants at different price points, colored or neutral, with a pattern or solid. Which ones do you like? Is this type of pants essential for your closet?

 

From top to bottom, left to right: 

J.Crew (on sale!), J.Crew (my pair), Loft Ann Taylor, J.Crew (on sale!), Kate Spade (on sale!), Asos

Be on the look-out: J.Crew and Loft often have extra discounts for sale items ;)