Monday coffee break

I don't know about you, but my afternoon coffee break definitely doesn't look like this. Does yours? :)

Happy Monday! xx

(Image via Dust Jacket)

Reinventing my fridge

Do you decorate your refrigerator door? After seeing the ideas above on PureWow and A Cup of Jo, I started to think about my own fridge's decor. Right now, mine is covered with lots of magnets collected from over the years — some from the Guggenheim and the Met, others that I made myself using old movie stubs and Red Sox tickets. Each magnet holds up something important like a friend's wedding invite, or a baby announcement or clever postcard I want to save. 

But the ideas above are inspiring — I love the chalkboard, and the penguins, too. And Joanna's fridge with classic pics of JFK and Audrey Hepburn? How sweet!

Tell me — what's on your fridge at home? 

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday — and happy one-year anniversary to Prince William and Princess Kate! What a fun year it has been watching their royal romance unfold. I love thinking back to their wedding day, and how fun it was to wake up early to watch. :) Completely unrelated, this weekend Matt and I are traveling to Canada (governed by the Queen!) to visit Niagara Falls. Have you been? Would love to hear any recommendations you have. And on that note, I want to wish each of you a wonderful and happy weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few posts from around the web:

Royally yours.

Get in the spirit.

Hot dog.

Yes, please!

A summer dress I want.

Go retro.

The book of the month clutch.

Vintage New York. (And present day.)

Streetcar: Go see it now!

(Image 1, 2, 3, 4)

Polish your fingers: here's why!

The photos above are proof: a good manicure goes a long way! Chopping broccoli, slicing bread, doing any kitchen task, Piera looks polished and put together. The big reveal: she's wearing Essie's Geranium (thanks Pippa for letting us know!). Even bigger reveal: here's the recipe she's making.

Note to self: book that weekly manicure now!

(Images via Sous Style)

A Streetcar Named Desire

Last weekend, I went and saw Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway, and ever since, I can't get the show out of my head. It was the first time I saw the play in it's entirety and I was swept away by the story, the performances, and Nicole Ari Parker's dark Southern charm. The rest of the cast — Blair Underwood, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Wood Harris — is fantastic, too. The show reminded me of the simple appeal of a well-told story — and the allure of my favorite music: jazz.

(Images via Broadway.com)

The modern way to camp

As a kid, I spent many a vacation camping out in Maine. I loved it — the ruggedness of the outdoors, the peacefulness of nature, the s'mores. :) Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon the Hotel Huettenpalast in Berlin. During your stay, choose from a regular room or stay in one of their indoor caravans or cabins (pictured above). It's camping-meets childhood fort-meets art, don't you think? The hotel even brands itself around a Maurice Sendak quote: "There has to be more to life than having everything." That's camping in a nutshell in my book. So cool!

(Via Design Mom)

Walk this way

Now that we're at the point where it's pretty consistently warm in New York, I've been walking home through Central Park after work as often as I can. Here is a shot that I snapped along the way. It's just past the Boat House, with dusk setting in. Kind of peaceful and serene, don't you think? :)

Happy Monday afternoon! xx

How to: Organize the Chaos

This past weekend, I was in an organizing state of mind. I'm generally neat, but I always have piles of clutter that pop up around my room and my apartment. So, on Saturday, I took inspiration from Pippa at Sous Style — don't you envy her organizing system and pristine apartment above? I especially love her groceries-to-buy list (found a similar one here) and her fantastic technique to photograph the shoes she owns and stick it to the side of the box.

What's your favorite DIY organization trick? Would love your tips and suggestions as I continue my attempt to streamline my home!

(Images via Sous Style) 

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday! Another week gone by! What's on tap for your weekend? Blame Matt, but I'm kind of excited for the Giants/Mets match-up in New York. :) We'll probably watch a couple of the games this weekend. So excited that baseball season has arrived! Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Downton Sixby. 

The Queen in color.

Plan your escape.

The chair of my dreams.

My next movie pick.  

Ping-pong style. 

A DIY picnic.

Oh, Kate.  

Words to live by. (Plus, a few more.) 

Me time daydream.

(Image via Chicasaurus Rex)

Be inspired by 'She'

Have you heard of Kobi Yamada's book She? It's an incredible testament to the power of the female spirit, and a great reminder of the strength we draw from all the amazing women in our lives.

On a separate note, this coming Monday marks the 2012 Matrix Awards put on by New York Women in Communications. All that girl power in the same room? I can't wait! 

(Images via Amazon)

More champagne

When I first saw these words artfully laid out, it made me think — how great if we could pick one small thing that would enhance our life and add more of it. Just like that! What would you choose? This month, I'd add champagne. Spring occasions are in bloom in my life — in particular with the seven weddings I have plans to attend. As a result, more bubbly seems to be the perfect fit.

Each month, I'm going to choose something new to add more of, and I want you to do the same. Share your ideas here — I'd love to hear from you!

(Image via Pinterest)

Old school

When you have down time, what is your favorite way to unwind? Do you relax with a cup of tea? Call a friend? Do you cook? When I saw these photos from Fallon Elizabeth over at A Lovely Being, I felt instantly nostalgic for pure and simple ways to relax. I also love the vintage feel of her pics. It's a great reminder that as busy as our lives can get, the old favorites always apply!

(Images via A Lovely Being)

Cherry Blossom Trees in Brooklyn

There's nothing I love more than a weekend in New York with nothing to do, and nowhere to be. My plans-free Saturday led me to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to check out the gorgeous (and fragrant) cherry blossom trees. Have you been? Such beauty! We had the best day relaxing in the sun and 75 degree temps. 

Apparently, the next two weeks are peak season for cherry blossom trees, and before long all the petals will start to fall like snow. The display culminates with the Sakura Matsuri Festival at the end of April. Trust me, it's worth the trip!

The weekend is here!

Happy weekend, my darling readers! I have to admit — I'm really looking forward to a couple of days off to rest and relax. The last three weekends have been action-packed in a good way, but it will be nice to take it easy and slow down the pace. :) No big plans other than playing some long-overdue DVR catch-up. How about you? Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Shake it out, a la Smash.

Raining in Paris.

Another reason to love Steve Martin.

When can I move in?

Kobi Yamada's inspiring words.

A cute presidential pic.

View from the top.

Octopus magnets (and a gag gift James Cameron might like). 

Silent world.

Love this. And this. 

(Image via Wit + Delight)

Advice from Maya Angelou

A beautiful note to self, don't you think? Wishing you a wonderful Thursday afternoon!

Thanks Hip Hip Gin Gin for the inspiring words. :)

(Image via Hip Hip Gin Gin)

Beyoncé on Tumblr

Have you had a chance to check out Beyoncé's Tumblr yet? The ultra-private singer and mega-star revealed her new site last week, and I have to say, I'm in awe of the touching and peaceful moments she has chosen to share. Each photo reveals a super-sweet, super-fun side of Beyoncé and her hubby Jay-Z. Looking forward to lots more — and maybe a Blue Ivy appearance, too!

(Images via I Am Beyoncé)

How to: Keep a List

Are you a list-maker? How do you maintain your lists? Do you use special paper — a notepad, a journal — or are you more modern with your organization, typing thoughts into your iPhone or iPad? I love that Melanie from You Are My Fave is going to be sharing her lists each week. It's so interesting to know how other people add order to their lives! 

Evaluating my own habits, it seems I maintain lists in a variety of ways. I have a master to-do list word doc, where I type short- and long-term goals. Throughout the week, I accumulate a series of post-its with notes, and scribble additional random thoughts in a Moleskin journal that I carry in my bag. I also love using the Snow & Graham notepads pictured above. Come Sunday, I filter everything together into my master word doc in order of priority. A bit crazy? Yes, of course. But it's a method that works! :)

Tell me — how do you stay organized? What is your most efficient trick?

(Image via You Are My Fave)

Say it in French

I'm constantly on the hunt for clever 'just because' cards, so when I stumbled across the French designs above from Rifle Paper Co., I couldn't resist sharing them here. My favorite is the one with the expression, "C'est la vie!". Inspired by a recent trip to Paris and illustrated with a 1960s vibe, each card provides the perfect words. And all sentiments sound more beautiful in French, n'est-ce pas?

(Images via Rifle Paper Co.)

New York Road Runner - Take 2

I did it! This weekend, I ran my very first 10K in New York. As a Christmas gift to my dad, I suggested we run a race together in the city. He runs much more than I do, so I figured it was a good way for me to get in shape and enjoy some father-daughter bonding, too. :) It was a success — and such a pretty route running around the perimeter of Central Park. The first pic is of me right before I crossed the finish line; the second is my dad and I post-run. I look a tiny bit tired, don't you think? But so happy to have accomplished one of my 2012 goals!

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday my darling readers! I can't believe another week has already gone by. This weekend, I'm excited (and a bit nervous) to report that I will be running my first 10K in Central Park. Last year, I ran a 4-mile race and this year, I'm kicking it up a notch. I'm also running with my dad, which should be lots of fun! Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

The best Tumblr ever.

Inspiring words from CS Lewis.

What I'm reading now.

Delicious, decadent oatmeal brulée.

Take me here!

Be like Brigitte.

DIY seed packet favors.

An Easter treat.

HRH fashion advice.

(Image via Wit + Delight)

The New Yorker

This seems to be the perfect week to post this 2006 cover of the New Yorker. I have it hanging up in my bedroom as a reminder that crazy weeks happen to the best of us! I’ve totally been there — carrying one too many bags, trying to efficiently make it out the door, and hitting a stumbling block or two. Whenever I see this cartoon, it always makes me smile. :) 

(Image via Condé Nast Store)

Rear Window timelapse

Are you a fan of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window starring Grace Kelly and James Stewart? If you are, you'll love the creative editing above. Jeff Desom manages to piece together footage to provide a brand new perspective on the hit film and the range of activity going on in the apartments surrounding that Greenwich Village courtyard.

Watching this three-minute clip makes me eager to watch the film again. Have you seen this movie? What's your favorite scene?

(Image 1; Rear Window Timelapse via Vimeo)

Looking forward to April

When I saw Em's blog post listing her April favorites, I had to re-post. Why? Because I agree with every single one of her picks. :) I love the fresh tulips, the spring showers, the home opener for the Boston Red Sox, the chance to reminisce about last year's Royal Wedding. April is a great month! Check out more of Em's picks here. And tell me — what do you love most about April? I'd love to know! 

(Via Hip Hip Gin Gin; Image 1, 2, 3, and 4)