One of Those Perfect NYC Weekends...

I am still laughing and reminiscing (and recuperating cause I'm old) from the whirlwind that was this past weekend. The best part of the long weekend was getting to see a few of my friends from elementary/middle school including my friend Andrea, who was in town from Seattle for a few days. 

Andrea and another classmate from out of town planned a reunion since it's been a long while since we've all seen each other. But after seeing the "attending" list on Facebook, I was dead set on not going. Not knowing the backstory, it may seem a bit childish. But if you've ever had a tough time in school and been bullied (and to a physical extent,) there are just some people that you just never want to see again, under no circumstance. (Unless there is a million dollars involved...)

I was really sad to miss out, but I didn't want to miss out on seeing Andrea, so we made other plans for the day. We met up earlier in the afternoon (along with two of her friends who were super sweet!) had lunch and observed the beauty of Grand Central station (we even saw a couple get engaged!), shared macarons at Laduree, and enjoyed window shopping down a very quiet Madison Avenue.  I was really enjoying the afternoon and as fate would have it, there was a cancellation by said attendee.  I never told Andrea why I wasn't attending, but once she told me the news, the cat was out of the bag. I couldn't be happier that I could now attend the reunion, with no worries. It was so great catching up with everyone, bowling at Lucky Strike, having dinner at Sea, walking The Highline (my absolute favorite place!), and just enjoying the city on a beautiful summer night. From all the food, to the laughs, to the perfect twist of fate, I really could not ask for a better weekend to end the summer with. 

Inspiration in Full Bloom

Yesterday, my family and I went to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx for our annual trip to The Orchid Show. I often forget and under appreciate just how much inspiration nature can provide. From the vibrant colors to unique color combinations, I found so much inspiration for home decor, future outfits, and upcoming design projects. After going through a bit of a creativity dry spell, I left with so many new ideas and just a slightly sniffly nose. 

InstaRecap

What better way to play catch up than a look through some of my favorite Instagram pics? More or less, this is what life has been all about the last few weeks.

1. Newest Obsession: KIND bars. I have one in my bag at all times. Not just are they good for you but they taste good too.

2. A quiet Sunday pre-studying calls for tea and a good read. I highly recommend The Sweet Life in Paris, especially if you like to cook and bake. And of course love Paris. 

3. The Royal Caribbean "Royal Shuttle." It made taking the grimy subway bearable and made me wish I was away on a cruise.

4. My usual "view" when at school. All work, no play (even if you see Twitter in the background...)

1. Breakfast for Lunch: Chorizo and Almond flour pancakes. 

2. Doris Day Pandora for sleepless night.

3.4. Spring/Summer shopping! 

(watch from Target, nail polish from Urban Outfitters, hat from H&M, top from Kohl's (LC by Lauren Conrad).

1. A custom request bracelet that I need to make for myself.

2. The Brooklyn Promenade.

3. Normally these life like statues freak me out, but I love her high fashion take on it. 

4. Spring cleaning closet finds. Italy, I miss you!

Even though I usually wait until April to begin any kind of spring shopping/cleaning, I just couldn't help myself. When the temps flirt near 70 and are typically in the 60's, its kind of hard not to. I spent the better part of Saturday cleaning out my closets and tossing clothes. Garbage bags full. Now my closets are empty (ish) which means I need to go shopping (aka I will lay in bed, open up a couple of tabs and then "shop.") Please tell me I'm not the only one who has already gotten started on spring cleaning? 

Hope you all are well and that you have a great weekend!! 

Back to Business

OY! This week ended up being A LOT busier and hectic than I anticipated. Between going back to school, my mom having surgery, and not being able to sleep as a result of migraines and stress, I just couldn't bring myself to blog. I mean I could of, but I like to put 110% into things, and these posts would have been 10%, if that. 

Rambling, I know. I can't help it!! I hope you all are having wonderful weekend, and have a relaxing Sunday before the week ahead. And if you are fortunate to have a team in the playoffs, enjoy the game! 

my first time having kale, a very wanderlust inducing Ruben Toledo sketch, an ad on my train from Alitalia.

I love the look of adding just half a strip of false eyelashes, yummy cake batter, I loved my makeup and "details". 

the view one morning on the train, my finance homework: kakuro puzzles, yummy soup for the first snow of the year.

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Festive in the City

I absolutely cannot believe Christmas is less than a week away! Since I had a final bright and early at 8am this morning (which I finished in a record 5 minutes), I decided I would head into the city after, to get a move on my holiday shopping. 

While I was HIGHLY unsuccessful on the shopping front, everything and everyone in such festive moods, made the trip worth it all. As I was browsing the holiday market, this guy walking out the Union Square train station said it best : "There's no place like New York during Christmas." I couldn't agree more. 

Apple Picking

It seems that everyone in the Tri-State area took advantage of the warm weather and the long weekend to head upstate and go apple picking on Saturday.  Despite the temps and the mud (from Hurricane Irene?) it was nice to see the beginning changes of fall, and to be out of the city and in the clean, country air.

While the drive to the orchard and, being upstate is nice, my absolute favorite thing about apple picking is the abundance of apples that is now in my house! Muffins and pie are a given, but I can't wait to try some new apple infused recipes!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

My FNO (in photos)

Missoni pop up

I know this is a super blurry shot, but this was the first instance of the evening when I was frozen with awe. Because that man in blue walking away is a man I have looked up to, and admired his work for YEARS. That is none other than the one and only, Bill Cunningham.  

(He was taking pictures outside of the line to get into Missoni)

Selita Ebanks at DVF

After leaving DVF, I couldn't help but run up and check out The High Line.  It was my first time there and it was honestly breathtaking. I must go back immediately, if not sooner.

overlooking the MPD from The High Line

outside DVF

Goodbye Summer

Well summer, it's been real. While I am less than thrilled to be going back to school Wednesday (barfffffffff), I am very excited to be going into my senior year of college. 

Frozen lychee martini to toast the start of summer, marriage equality in NY, summer essentials, breakfast outside on my patio, my first Salty Pimp from the Big Gay Ice cream truck, a trip to the MET to see the amazing Alexander McQueen exhibit, my first lobster roll back in June from Luke's Lobster, a life size metal bear that cost $8,000 that I really want.