a time for reflections...

2009 was a good year. it was filled with lots of laughter, a few life lessons, and much happiness. it was also a year of firsts for me...

i married my favorite person in the world.

i started a lovely evening.

i published my first article.

i went to mexico.

i followed my dreams.

i started something new with my sister.

and lastly, i decided not to make a single new year's resolution. i will not compile a list of my self-proclaimed faults, inadequacies, or shortcomings only to fret over them for the next twelve months until it is time to do it all over again. nope. because i know that the best i can do is accept them and learn from them. and perhaps it's because for the first time in my 31 years, i am happy just as i am.

i want to thank all of you for taking the time to read a lovely evening. and if you stop by daily, well, that's awesome of you. i hope that somewhere along the way i have made you laugh so hard your stomach hurt; brightened your otherwise horribly crappy day; introduced you to something you now can not possibly live without; and inspired you to make a change in the world. perhaps that is a tad ambitious... my simple hope is that you have enjoyed reading my posts as much as i have enjoyed writing them.

happy, happy. merry, merry. see you in the new year.

style envy

damn it, she looks cool. i love, love, love the glasses. i almost bought a pair just like them last year and then, well, i didn't. kinda wish i had now... she rocks that rad faux fur coat, too.


have a lovely evening!

*image from stockholm street style.

i got crafty.

i went to purl soho on saturday and picked up some yarn, felt buttons, and 17" knitting needles. although you can't tell from the pictures, 17s (knitter speak) are insanely huge. it's like knitting with two sawed off broomsticks; cumbersome and heavy. it definitely took some getting used to.

here's a peak at my crafty projects during the snowy weekend. i finished this rad multi-colored scarf. i used hand spun kettle dyed wool yarn by manos del uruguay. manos del uruguay is a non-profit organization that assembles over 800 women artisans in cooperatives scattered throughout the countryside of uruguay. their aim is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women. now that's a cause i can stand behind.


i also started this sick neck warmer. i plan to attach those cute mustard buttons to it so you can button it instead of slipping it over your head. oooo, i'm super excited to see how it turns out!

mmmm, breakfast.

last night i made the most delectable whole grain, apple cinnamon muffins with oatmeal granola on top. yum. i also bought a few kiwi fruits and a crate of clementines; my two favorite winter fruits.



this is where i eat my breakfast most weekends as my husband is usually still snoozing away. i love to sit at my computer, look out the window, and daydream for a little bit. it's one of my guilty pleasures. daydreaming, that is.

style envy

although i'm pretty sure i would look like a pirate in this outfit, i think she pulls it off magnificently. i love the burgundy lipstick, studded bracelet, and funky bag.


have a lovely weekend!

*image from stockholm street style.

ok ok ok

i bought mike slack's book, ok ok ok, a few years ago at this lovely shop in my neighborhood. simply put, i love it. mr. slack's work with polaroid film is absolute perfection. his photographs of every day objects have a serene quality even though he allows for vibrant, contrasting colors. this book has become one of my most inspirational photography books. it has reminded me that i need to slow down a bit... look carefully at my surroundings... and has confirmed my steadfast belief that there is beauty in the mundane and that i'm not the only one who sees it.

my wardrobe basics: accessories

to my utter delight, i am often asked for my fashion advice. i love, love, love giving fashion advice and, well, i think i'm pretty good at it. so i thought i would share my knowledge with my lovely readers.

i'm starting with accessories since those are my favorite things to shop for. lately i've been looking for accessories that fall into my "edgier staples" category. those are my unique, funky accessories that are timeless. i find them in a variety of places: vintage shops, chain stores, small boutiques in the east village, department stores, and thrift stores.

here is a smattering of my must-haves.

handbags
everyday bag
i am a huge fan of marc by marc jacobs leather bags. the leather is unbelievably soft and supple. each bag is sans any large, hideous logo. thank you, mr. jacobs. this is my second marc by marc jacobs bag (purchased both of them on sale). it is even better than the first because this one has more compartments for all of the crap i lug around with me on a daily basis. mine is light gray.

clutches
i love clutches. one must have a staple clutch in their repertoire of handbags. i bought one by lauren merkin over the summer (at half off) and absolutely love it.

jewelry

when my husband and i started looking at engagement rings, i knew that i didn't want a solitaire. i wanted a beautiful piece of jewelry that was unique, and well, me. we went to stuart moore and i fell in love with this exquisite henrich + denzel ring in rose gold. (ignore my lame hand modeling).

for my wedding band, i chose this ring in rose gold. they make a pretty kick ass combo, no?

aside from my wedding rings, i don't own any expensive jewelry. i prefer to buy cheap, big, fun cocktail rings, funky earrings from forever 21, and chunky gold necklaces that i find at vintage shops. over the summer i bought a necklace from ak vintage. it literally goes with everything. you definitely need to check out her stuff. one of my favorites is this super rad necklace.

scarves
if you read this post, you already know how i feel about scarves. i love them. not to beat a dead horse but... they really do make an outfit instantly cooler. buy a few. seriously. my latest scarf obsession is this lovely one by virginia johnson.

comfy walking shoes

winter

living in nyc and not owning a car means that i walk everywhere. my beloved converse are my go- to shoes during the winter months (unless i'm wearing snow boots). once my TOMS arrive (the first pair were too big), they will definitely be added to my comfy shoe list.

comfy walking shoes

summer

say what you will about birkenstocks. you can call me an old hippie if you want to. i don't care. i love them. they nurture my feet (remember, i walk everywhere) and i think they're pretty rad. especially when paired with skinny jeans and a tank top or a cute sundress. so there.

up next from my wardrobe basics: clothing!

it started with a couch...

our couch arrived on friday. it's awesome. now all i want to do is get rid of all of our old stuff, move into an enormous apartment, and fill it with entirely new furniture. although we are not moving anytime soon, and well, we can't afford a $4,000 bed, one can still dream...

i love this organic wall unit. i'd fill it with books, pictures, and the various items we've collected from our travels.


nut pendant lamp by ray power. i would love to put this in the corner of our living room above the couch.


bradshaw cocktail table. i have coveted this table since i saw it in carrie's apartment on sex and the city. i scoured their website only to find that the set designer made it himself because he couldn't find one that he liked. well, they have finally come to their senses and made one for the masses.


our new couch is a lovely shade of gray. now looking for accent pieces in charcoal, yellow, and burnt orange. these waterloo pillows from anthropologie are perfect.


i love the clean lines of this bed frame. bruno walnut bed.


ok, this herman miller nelson swag leg desk is super rad. i have already mentally set up my laptop, lamp, pictures, and inspiration items... it looks fantastic.


yes, everyone wants one of these and i do too. eames molded plastic armchair rocker.


this swedish sewing box from retro modern would eliminate a lot of clutter from our office/spare bedroom.

shorties

i have a bone to pick with you, eloise.

i purchased your sparkly "pizzazz" tights yesterday for my new year's eve ensemble. of course i couldn't wait that long so i decided to wear them today. as the label clearly states, they are one size fits all.

if you are 3'11".

when i tried pulling them up the farthest they'd go up was to my knees. my knees. i realize that i have long legs, but even if i didn't there is no way these would fit an adult.

eloise, darling, this is not good for our relationship.

style envy

oh my goodness, i have a major girl crush. this women is absolutely gorgeous! i have always wanted olive skin and dark, wavy hair like hers... i adore her dress and the black stilettos really pop with the cream. the layered necklaces and bracelets, as well as the red watch, make the look all her own. and the clutch? perfect.



have a lovely weekend!

*image from garance dore.

holiday treats

i made holiday cupcakes last night!

cake
*red velvet cupcakes
*vanilla cupcakes with chocolate filling.
i used a peeler (random, i know, but it worked like a charm) to cut out a cylinder from the middle. i filled the hole with chocolate (using a knife so it wouldn't get everywhere). then cut off the top part of the cylinder, so i just had only the baked top, and covered the hole.

icing
*cream cheese icing
*vanilla icing with green food coloring
*chocolate icing
i stirred the frosting in a mixing bowl to make it creamy and therefore much easier to spread. i scooped out a large dollop and, well, plopped it on top of the cupcake. using a spoon, i spread the icing in a circular motion until it was close to the edge of the cupcake.

toppings
*mint chocolate holiday m&m's
*chocolate sprinkles
*crushed candy canes
i used a mortar & pestle to crush up the candy canes.

and there you have it! festive, yummy holiday treats!

utterly engaged

last night it occurred to me that i never posted our engagement pictures. oops. keira lemonis, our photographer, was absolutely amazing. she captured some great moments and the various settings were perfect. here are some of my favorites. you can click on the image to enlarge.

an early gift...

a few weeks ago i wrote a blog about nervous system and their amazing jewelry designs. last night my husband and i exchanged christmas gifts (yes, we're like giddy children and couldn't wait) and to my surprise and delight he gave me one of their bracelets! isn't it rad? it goes brilliantly with my colorful lounge pants.

etsy love: moderne motive & the spotted barn

i just had to share the amazing business cards and card case that i bought on etsy. aren't they awesome? the business cards are by moderne motive and the card case is by the spotted barn. click on the image to get a closer look. yay etsy!!

i'll have seconds, please.

perhaps it's the le creuset cast iron french oven we just purchased. or the five cookbooks we received as wedding gifts. or maybe it's because i equate winter with cozy dinners in... whatever the reason, as of late i love the idea of days spent whipping up delectable delights. i haven't actually done this yet, but i plan to.

so when i stumbled upon 101 cookbooks i fell in love instantly. this amazing site is the brainchild of heidi swanson, a san francisco based photographer, cookbook author, and designer. her mouth-watering photographs coupled with the whimsical recipe names make this site irresistible.


some of the recipes i intend to try are the minty chocolate christmas cookies (i love mint and chocolate together!), orzo super salad (listed under quick recipes), the skinny omelette (perfect for post-holiday diets), garlicky greens (mmmm, garlic), and the chickpea hot pot (chickpeas are my favorite).

what recipes do you plan to try?

obsessed: take five

elliot mann has the most beautiful, unique bags i have ever seen. i desperately want one. any one, i love them all.

style envy

what is there not to love about this fashionista? the unfussy parisian hair, fabulous skirt, shrunken blazer, and the ah-mazing shoes. wow.


have a lovely weekend!

*iamge from street peeper.

ah, the lovely DivineCaroline.

i published my first story on DivineCaroline! what is DivineCaroline all about? well, they describe it best:

"DIVINE" ISN'T ABOUT BEING PERFECT.

We don't know any perfect women and if we did, we probably wouldn't want to hang around with them. At DivineCaroline, you'll be spending time with women who embrace the fact that life isn't always easy or beautiful or fair. Our dream is to give you a place to come together and express yourselves. What brings you joy. What breaks your heart. Makes you giggle. What pisses you off. Confuses you. Entertains you. What keeps you strong. And if all that sounds too heady, remember we're also discussing stuff like sketchy relatives and good kissers.

pretty rad, right? i thought so, too.

you can read my published story right here!

deck the halls!

as yesterday was the first day of december, i thought it only appropriate to do some holiday decorating. i had lovely visions of sparkling starry lights strung about the walls as charlie brown's christmas music played... then i envisioned the unsightly green electrical cords hanging down our white walls. ew.

alternative? colorful, handmade snowflake garland! my dear husband is such a sport and agreed to help. neither of us had made paper snowflakes since elementary school, so it proved to be quite an interesting evening.

i picked up several sheets of heavy-stock paper and a roll of twine from lee's art shop.


then we began cutting and crafting our snowflakes! we attached twine to the top so we could hang them intermittently from a longer strand of twine.


once the cutting was done and the twine attached, i lost interest as it required figuring out how to hang them on the wall from the main strand of twine (too annoyingly complicated and involves standing on the top of the couch). my husband, who is an architect, enjoys anything involving measuring and fractions, so he handled everything from there.

ta da! isn't it festive?


yay! i love christmas time!

little cuties

i am excited to have a little cutie some day. these booties make me wish that some day was a wee bit sooner.

no more blank walls.

wallter paintable wall decor lets you be the designer. to paint or not to paint? to hang one or twenty-one? the options are endless... what a nifty idea.