The weekend is here!

Happy weekend dear readers! This one's an exciting one for me: I'm celebrating a pretty big birthday. For those of you who are long-time readers of this blog, you know what number this one is. (Shhhh...) ;) What do you have planned for the long weekend? The fact that it's already Labor Day is beyond me. This summer flew by! Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

S'mores cookie bars.

Back to school look.

A beach dinner party. Yes please.

Summer slow-down.

NYC at night.

French hen sweater.

An anniversary—and a gift!

Birthday times four.

Signature scent.

A nautical save-the-date.

(Image via Pinterest)

Color Me Good: Ryan Gosling

Thanks to Say Yes to Hoboken, I stumbled upon this brilliant idea: a Ryan Gosling coloring book. I mean, could he be any dreamier? I love how most pages capture his various movie roles, but there's also pages and pages to color of Ryan just being Ryan. For example, Ryan the humanitarian; or Ryan the dog lover. 

Flip through the rest of the book here, and tell me — which pen and ink version of Ryan do you love the most? :)

More Ryan Gosling here and here.

(Images via I Love Mel) 

I heart Ratatouille

So, I'm late to the party on this one—about five years late—but I finally saw Ratatouille over the weekend. I loved it! What a sweet, adorable, funny, clever film. I always have a difficult time determining my favorite Pixar movie, but upon seeing this, I can declare: Ratatouille is it. 

What is your favorite Pixar film? Have you seen them all?

PS—This film made me even more excited for Paris!

(Image via Upcoming Pixar)

Home office redo

Recently, I decided that it's time for a mini-makeover of the office set-up I have in my apartment. Truthfully, I'm long overdue. I don't think I've updated this part of my home since I moved to New York nearly five years ago! The photos on my pinboard are dated, the majority of my contacts are filed in a rolodex, and quite simply, I'm running out of space. Yes, it's time for a mini-makeover, but where to start? I'm taking my cue from the home offices above. I love the minimalistic approach to each look, and how the fresh, colorful flowers brighten the entire room.

What personal touches do you have to make your home office feel like you? Would love to hear any tips that you have!

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Fireflies on the water

This weekend, I finally scored a reservation to see Yayoi Kusama's Fireflies on the Water installation at the Whitney Museum. It was totally worth the wait! A reservation gets you 60 seconds to take in the piece — a small, dark room that's filled with lights, mirrors and water. It's absolutely breathtaking, and a spectacular feeling to have a full minute alone to take in the entire space. If you haven't gone, go now. As luck would have it, they've extended the exhibition, now on display through October 28!

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The weekend is here!

Happy weekend! What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? Today is my little sister's birthday, and even though she lives all the way on the west coast, I have big plans to toast the occasion from afar in New York. (Happy Birthday, Alyss!) Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

A summer garden party.

Reasons to wed on the west coast.

A peaceful moment with Grace.

Flying Henry.

DIY polka dots!

Magical fruit, and summer berry tarts.

Summer on a plate. (Plus: Summer in a box.)

Chic, modern earrings.

Quick, easy tabbouleh.

My next movie pick.

(Image via Pinterest) 

More outdoor space

I'm starting to contemplate a Brooklyn move, and as I do, I can't help thinking about three words: more outdoor space. When I lived in Boston, my best friend (and neighbor across the street!) had a private deck that was attached to her tiny studio in Beacon Hill. It made all the difference in city living—to have the opportunity to step outside and get some fresh air, all without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Do you have outdoor space at your home? Is there anything you'd trade it for? What are your apartment/home must-haves?

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Before you say 'I do'

Did you shoot engagement photos before saying 'I do'? I'm always incredibly impressed by the creativity that goes into these types of pics. For example, take Sarah and Scott, the stunning couple above. Their engagement photos were taken by Patrick Moyer at Case Study House #22 — the Stahl House — in the Hollywood Hills. Don't you love the retro style? And the sweeping city views! It's very Mad Men, circa Don traveling to the west coast. Oh, LA. So ultra-glam!

Did you take engagement pics before your wedding? If so, did you do a themed shoot?

(Images via 100 Layer Cake)

Keeping track of time

Yes, 2013 is still several months away, but if you love Rifle Paper Co.'s Cities Calendar as much as I do, you'll have to snag it now. Each month features a hand-painted map of 12 different cities from around the world. It's the perfect way to daydream about international travel all year long. :)

What kind of calendar do you keep? Are you old-school, writing everything down, or do you keep track of your schedule digitally? 

(Images via Rifle Paper Co.)

Pinterest love

Pinterest is my late night addition. It doesn't matter whether it's a weekday or weekend, I always find myself finding tons of inspirational items to pin. It also makes me sleep a bit easier—instead of tear-sheeting magazines, tacking up quotes, or printing out photos, I have a virtual world where all the things I love are right where I last left them, all in the same place. Above and below, a few things from my Pinterest world. Follow me here!

A gorgeous dress (above); an Audrey Hepburn quote.

A way to cool down; a reminder to dance.

A place to escape to; a reason to return.

Happy Monday! xx

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The weekend is here!

Happy Friday, my darling readers! What do you have planned for the next couple of days? I'm looking forward to some down time — and maybe a little theater, too. There are only two weeks left to see One Man, Two Guvnors, and I don't want to miss out. Have you seen any good theater lately? Would love to know if you have any shows to recommend. In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Ode to an icon.

Wearable Instagram.

The bright spot in your closet.

New Yorker, circa 1931.

These boots were made for walking.

An iphone cover I want.

Fall perks.

Edith Wharton, a la Vogue.

Start a movie club. (If I do it, who wants to join??)

So happy for Jennifer!

(Image via Pinterest)

Fall fashion

I made the mistake of browsing in J.Crew on my walk home from work this week. It got me so excited for fall. Even though I'm not heading back to school, I always get that rush of a new beginning and a fresh start when I see crisp, new fall fashions in the windows of my favorite stores. It inspired me to go home and start making a list of the staple items I need to update and invest in this fall. A navy jacket, a peplum dress, polka dots — all are on my list.

What trend are you most excited about for fall?

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Beach holiday

Wouldn't it be nice if we could spend today lounging at the beach or by the pool? Since I can't, I'm going to channel Audrey Hepburn as she appears in the photo above. Doesn't she look relaxed? :)

Happy Wednesday!

(Image via Pinterest)

Date night at home

How do you choose to spend a date night in? For Matt and I, there's nothing we love more than renting a movie on demand (or in our case, through Vudu or the independent video store down the block). But there is a catch: we alternate movie picks. In our opinion, this allows us to see what we want to see, and in the process, expose the other person to movies they might not have otherwise watched. Well, it doesn't always go as planned.

Case in point: for my most recent pick, I chose Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway, a silly, romantic comedy I'd always wanted to see. Now, Matt's turn. He chose Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, a dialog-driven thriller he couldn't believe I'd never seen. The result? Expanded horizons for us both—and a realization that nothing (I repeat, nothing) could have prepared me for what happened after Mia and Vincent's dance. :)

Tell me—how do you choose to spend a date night at home?

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Cocktail of choice

Do you have a signature cocktail that you always order? In Glamour magazine's book, "30 Things Everyone Should Know Before Turning 30," they recommend you have a handle on your signature drink before entering your third decade. Sure—I have a signature wine (sauvignon blanc), but a signature cocktail? This has yet to be determined.

I will say, during my time in Boston, the Au Provence at Eastern Standard was my drink of choice. A mix of vodka, simple syrup and lime juice, it was a spruced up version of a gimlet.

Before I commit to the gimlet as my new signature drink, is there a cocktail you'd recommend? What's your favorite drink?

(Note: The clock is ticking—T minus 3(ish) weeks until the big 3-0!)

(Image via Pinterest)

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday! Whew—what a week. I can't wait to relax and enjoy the weekend ahead. :) What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? I have big plans to tackle one of the items on my summer to-do list: finally go and see Amy Adams in Shakespeare in the Park. Let's hope the weather cooperates! Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Garance Doré for Kate Spade. Swoon.

The best accessory advice.

Kiss, kiss!

Olympics, rewind!

More Cary Grant please.

A gorgeous botanical calendar.

Obsessed with wallpaper.

An Instagram summer.

The book I'm reading now.

Olympic style, a la Kate. 

(Image via Wit & Delight)

DIY Fashion

I recently purchased and wore this dress from J.Crew for a rehearsal dinner in Maine. I love the outfit, but after seeing this DIY idea from A Beautiful Mess, I realize that I may have been able to create the look myself! How amazing is this design idea? She looks so chic! My mom used to make all of her (very fashionable) clothes in high school and college, and after seeing this, I’m inspired to do the same.

What do you think—have you ever made your own clothes?

(Images via A Beautiful Mess) 

Snowy days

On these hot and humid city days, I can't help but think of New York in the snow. So pretty—and yet, so cold! I think I'll do my best to appreciate the heat while it lasts. :)

How about you—do you prefer the heat or the cold?

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Summer Page: City by City To Do's

No matter where you live, there are so many ways to take advantage of the last four weeks of summer. As I mentioned yesterday, I asked a few close friends to share their end-of-summer to-do lists, and explain what makes the city they live in so special during this fabulously laid back time of year. :) Read on to see their picks, and weigh in with your own in the comments section below!

NEW YORK

End of Summer To-Do: Before summer's out, I want to take advantage of the weather with a good old-fashioned road trip. I look forward to taking a long weekend, getting a rental car, turning on the radio and heading south. Unfortunately, for my roadtrippin' friends, I can't drive, but I do make a mean shotgun!
Why I Love a New York Summer: New York summer is the great equalizer. It’s hot, it’s gross, it’s sweaty and the only way to enjoy yourself is to not take things too seriously and just to go with it. The late nights, the lazy days, the rooftop parties, the sidewalk cafés–it doesn’t get any better! 

— Heather, Travel Editor; Blogger for This is Heather C

End of Summer To-Do's: Eat my heart out at Smorgasburg; hit up Lincoln Center Out Of Doors (before it ends on Aug 12!); try out hiking yoga in Central Park; rent a bike on Governor's Island; suck up the subway ride to Coney Island on Saturday (and go on all the rides); and use up the Groupon deals that I purchased for cheap froyo and salsa dancing lessons.

Why I Love a New York Summer: It's great meeting new people at rooftop bars. Well, really anything on rooftops (movies, brunches, etc.). I also love the shared look of pained disgust that two New Yorkers exchange on an unbearably hot summer night as they pass one another the street, pouring with sweat, the air reeking of hot garbage. It's like, yeah, we know this sucks, but hey, it's New York. It's a small price to pay for living here. (Relative to rent, that is.)

— Megan, Digital Editor; Creator of No Joe Schmo

BOSTON

End of Summer To-Do's: I'm in the midst of finishing our samples for mike&ton as part of Boston Fashion Week, but in between, I want to finish the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. Also left to do: enjoy steamed lobsters at Summer Shack!

Why I Love a Boston Summer: I love how there is no traffic, and there are less people around. The city feels so homey this time of year.

— Tonya, Co-Founder and Designer, mike&ton

LOS ANGELES

End of Summer To-Do's: Leave the State. Actually get "in" a swimming pool. Get to the sexy part of Fifty Shades of Grey (the first 20 pages are a bore). Enjoy a hot summer night with a ginormous ice cream cone (not frozen yogurt, but the real deal). Find a clam bake. Start thinking about my fall wardrobe!
Why I Love an LA Summer: There's no humidity, and much less traffic. Oh, and the long summer days living by the Pacific Ocean are pretty fantastic!

— Rachel Bailit, Actress

End of Summer To-Do's: Right now at the top of my summer 2012 bucket list is going to the newly opened Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles for a picnic, seeing the Los Angeles band Best Coast perform at the Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica pier, and multiple trips to the Larchmont Farmer's Market in my neighborhood to stock up on heirloom tomatoes and summer fruits until the season ends!

Why I Love an LA Summer: The vibe in Los Angeles changes when summer rolls around. True, we have sunshine and warm weather most of the year but when June hits, social calendars start filling up with outdoor concerts, festivals, and spending time at the beach. And I love all the tourists that flock to LA in the summer. They definitely contribute to the excitement and wonder of Los Angeles.

— Angela, Social Media Editor; Blogger at Angela is Here

End of Summer To-Do's: I am looking forward to going to Catalina Island, hopefully in the next two weeks. Growing up, I used to go every year during the summer (it's just a 1-2 hour boat ride away!), but I haven't been in a long time. I want to go kayaking, snorkeling, and whale watching.  Also on my to-do list: sample sale and vintage shopping. A few places I love checking out are Long Beach Antique Market, Shareen Vintage, and Melrose Trading Post.

Why I Love an LA Summer: My favorite thing about summer in LA is early morning runs on the beach. I love waking up very early, when it's still crisp and cool outside and running in Huntington Beach. The sound of the waves and the cool and salty breeze is so relaxing and energizing. And the view of all the hot surfers is an added bonus!

— Laiza, Lawyer

My to-do list here. Happy summer! xoxo 

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Summer Page: My Top 5 Picks in NY

August already?! This summer is flying by. I mentioned last week that I would share my end-of-summer to-do list. With only four weeks left, there's still so much I want to do! New York, come summer, is amazing. If you can look past the heat and humidity, you'll discover a different city—one filled with rooftop bars, pop-up pools, and more. The top five things that I still have left to do are below. But stay tuned this week for more: since the joys of summer vary from person to person, city to city, I polled a few close friends to get their own (fabulous) end-of-summer picks. 

At the top of my list: getting tickets to see Shakespeare in the Park's production of Into the Woods. Besides the fact that it stars Amy Adams, I can't stop thinking about the inspired adaptation of this musical that my sister and I dreamed up when we were little kids. We performed it only for our parents, but the music has been with me ever since! :)

Next on my list, an evening (or afternoon) at Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar. I recently discovered this literally hidden gem, and I've wanted to go back ever since. Located on Pier One in Brooklyn Bridge Park, this wine bar features a limited number of tables in a spot that's cleverly shaded by big, leafy trees. Drink a bottle of wine, then go for a walk in the park—just a few steps away is the Brooklyn Bridge, and that iconic Woody Allen/Manhattan spot.

All summer, I've been so intrigued by this year's rooftop exhibit at the Met—and I still haven't been! Cloud City by Tomás Saraceno features a series of interconnected, mirrored panels, arranged to reflect the Central Park landscape, and the sky. You can walk through, and sip champagne—although the museum advises against this, since the perspectives on their own can really alter your view!

This pick is slightly more adventurous: I really want to go kayaking in New York. After going sailing earlier this summer on the Hudson, I think that seeing the skyline from the water truly is the ultimate view. The Downtown Boathouse offers great rates, and top-notch equipment, too. Have you done something like this before? Would love to hear your advice!

The last thing that I want, need, have-to-do before summer's end is visit Governor's Island. Yes—I went earlier this season, but it was the most peaceful I've felt all year. With a good book, and good company, it's the best place to be. And those hammocks. All just a two-minute ferry ride from the city!

How are you planning to spend the last four weeks of summer? Share your picks and I might feature them on my blog!

PS-Follow my end-of-summer adventures on Instagram here! 

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