Florida daydream

What? A girl can't fantasize about a beach vacation? :) With five weddings on the books this year, I have the most amazing excuse to escape to Fort Lauderdale for a weekend of R & R at the end of March. After celebrating my friend's engagement in New York over the weekend, the countdown to her actual wedding has officially begun. I thought these photos would make everyone's day a bit brighter. Did it work? 

(Image 1, 2, 3)

Good advice

Words of wisdom for your Monday — and a famous example to go with it. This is definitely a note that everyone should hang on their wall. :)

(Image via Got a Girl Crush)

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday, my darling readers! How was your week? I hope it was productive and fun. I'm so excited for the weekend ahead. One of my good friends from college is in town from Florida. She's getting married in just a few months, so my friends and I have planned a New York-style send-off to give a proper farewell to her single days. :) Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Prince Charming: ready for his close-up.

A snowy day.

Sparkly flats.

Doggy playdate. (And animal lamps!)

Happy on the High Line.

Snowball fight!

A ruby red pomegranate.

For the pasta lover.

Apartmento talks Alice Waters.

Earrings I love.

A movie I plan to see.

Mustard yellow.

Serenity now.

Perfect for Valentine's: Send a Hamm-O-Gram!

(Image via The Littlest)

NBC's Smash

I know I already mentioned Smash, but after discovering the first episode available for free on iTunes, I had to bring it up again. Has anyone else checked out the show that's supposed to save NBC? I was a Katherine McPhee fan during her American Idol days, but after watching the series premiere, I was blown away. She is actually quite captivating in her role, as a struggling — but talented — actress trying to make it on Broadway in New York. Add to that a cast that includes Debra Messing and Megan Hilty? I can't wait for the season to start. 

What do you think? Are you planning to watch Smash?

(Trailer via YouTube)

The color purple

Lately, I can't get enough of the color purple, which is exactly why I love the design accents at Hotel Le Crayon in Paris. Sometimes subtle, sometimes not, this deep, vibrant hue instantly changes the vibe of any room. I especially love the sketch/work of art on the bathroom tub. Did I mention that Hotel Le Crayon is the place to stay if you're a budding artiste? :)

(Images via Hello Lovely) 

This one's for Christopher Plummer

In my opinion, he should have won an Oscar many moons ago, but if Christopher Plummer wins for the first time with Beginners, it's exceptionally well-deserved.

Have you seen this film? What do you think of the 2012 Oscar nominations?

(Image 1 via Wit + Delight; Image 2 via The Faster Times)

Kitten heels

Yes, I'm aware — winter weather has arrived (at least in New York!). And while the kitten heels pictured above from British designer Charlotte Olympia aren't the most snow-friendly, they sure are cute. Such a clever and playful take on a timeless shoe style! What do you think? Would you dare to wear these heels?

(Via A Girl, A Style) 

The weekend is here!

Friday, already? I love a four-day week! What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? Seeing The Artist is at the top of my list. It's playing at the Paris Theatre in New York, which will make the experience all the more fun. I'm also hoping to check out Do or Dine. To my readers that live in New York, have you been? Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

More best dressed!

Comfy shoes. 

Moonrise Kingdom. (Will you see it?) 

Red light.

The perfect grilled cheese.

Hipster dog.

Working girl.

Felicity and William can sing. :)

Love — every — look. 

Be mine, Valentine. 

Get cozy. 

(Image via Oh Happy Day)

Lady Gaga + Art Smith = Joanne

To all the foodies that read my blog, what are your thoughts on Art Smith's latest restaurant, a collaboration with Lady Gaga's dad (aka Joe Germanotta)? The new place is called Joanne, and located on the Upper West Side, it's certain to be a hot reservation to get. Based on my own experience with food prepared by Art, I'm definitely eager to check this place out. And good news! It's scheduled to open soon. 

(Image 1, 2, 3) 

Culture Page

There's lots to look forward to in 2012! This month, I can't stop thinking about three things:

1) The Artist

2) Smash

3) Season 5 of Mad Men — finally announced!

Are you planning to tune in/check out any of the above?

(Image 1, 2, 3)

I'm washing my hair!

This photo made me smile. Thanks Audrey for evidence of the perfect excuse — sometimes us ladies just need a night at home! :)

(Image via A Lovely Being)

Best Dressed at the Golden Globes

Blame the long weekend — I'm a day late in posting my favorite fashion picks from the 2012 Golden Globe Awards. I was so impressed by the wide range of colorful — red, yellow, black, champagne, blue — designs, but truth be told, Sofia Vergara from Modern Family earned my vote for best dressed this year.

Tell me — which look did you love the most? Would love to hear your thoughts!

(Images via NY Daily News)

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday dear readers! Here's to a three-day weekend that's as peaceful as the image above. What do you have planned for the next few days off? A good friend of mine is hosting a party to watch the football game. To spice it up, it's a chili cook-off too. Any good recipes you can recommend and share? Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Working on the list. 

Recipe for holiday detox. 

DIY gold-dipped bowls.

A toast to friendship. 

Dream day (love this tote)!

Seeing red.

A royal dog!

JHud through the years. 

Obama's handwriting.

Carey Mulligan, up close.  

Dressed up. 

(Image via A Lovely Being)

Paris vs. New York

I've blogged about Paris vs. New York before, but this print was too good to not include. I love the creative comparison between two — equally cosmopolitan — cities. It's also a great reminder: Mad Men is coming back soon!

What do you think of this print? 

(Image via Paris vs. New York) 

Kitchen humor

This illustration made me smile — Marc Johns is not only a talented artist, he has an amazing sense of humor, too! Can't you just picture this hanging on your kitchen wall? :)

(Image via This Isn't Happiness)

Boat shoes

How cute are these Perry Top-Sider boat shoes from J.Crew? I had a pair almost identical to this in high school. The only difference? The bright pink hue! Instead, the shoes I used to sport were your basic shade of tan, which is exactly why I'm thinking about splurging on a more colorful pair like the ones pictured above.

What do you think? Would you opt for neon azalea shoes?

(Via J.Crew)

In caffeine we trust

So I know I said I wasn't going to talk about 2012 resolutions, but the poster above made me think: how much coffee do you drink every day? I've always been more of a diet coke drinker than coffee, and in 2012, one of my goals is to break this habit and officially make the switch. Diet coke can't be good for me every day, and it's time to make a change!

Are you a coffee drinker? Any advice or favorite brews to share?

(Images via Wit + Delight)

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday dear readers! Did you survive the first week back? I'm looking forward to this weekend in particular because Matt finally gets back from his holiday travels abroad. What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web: 

Words from Walt. (And Plato.)

Illustrated plates.

Holiday portrait. 

A 17-mile drive. 

Ten reasons.

Sparkle polish.

The eyes have it. 

Send a note.

Sequin photobooth!

Yellow highlights.

(Image via Apartment 34)

Herb Lester's NY

See New York through Herb Lester's eyes with this gorgeously illustrated city map and guide, designed by Manhattan's own Jim Datz. It contains info on all of the city's most classic spots — from McSorley's to the Paris Theatre, this guide will help you re-discover "old" New York.

Interested in finding the same info on other major cities around the world? London, Paris, and Glasgow are all available now, with more international locations on the way.

Such a creative representation of New York, don't you think?

(Images via Aqua Velvet)

Jason Wu for Target

The first couple of images are out: Jason Wu's first collaboration with Target is as chic as it is affordable. Amazing! Now the bigger question. How on earth are we going to be able to wait until February to shop? :)

(Images via Fashionologie and T Magazine)

Ringing in 2012!

It's official — happy 2012 my dear readers! :) What a festive holiday season it was! I thought I would post a couple of pics from New Year's Eve. You might recognize my date — this is the fifth NYE we have spent together. So hard to believe! Instead of posting my resolutions, I thought I would make a short list of a few things I'm looking forward to this year:

Visiting Paris (and Niagara Falls and Ireland).

Turning 30!

Celebrating my fourth year in New York.

Trying this restaurant. And going back to this one (and this one).

Running another race in Central Park.

The return of Don Draper.

Writing more and expanding my blog.

What are you looking forward to in 2012?