The weekend is here!

Happy Friday—and happy Halloween! Are you dressing up? I wasn't planning on it—we're doing an old school horror movie night instead with friends—but, at the last minute, there's a chance we'll dress up, too. We'll see! Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Conversation starter.

The perfect mug.

A genius tip for cutting up squash.

SJP on Oscar.

The definition of a class act.

Jack O'Lantern macarons. Too cute!

Wow. Love this coat.

Uncle Leo for Halloween.

Girl power via Reese.

The coolest music video to start your weekend.

(Image via Pinterest)

Halloween movie night

Instead of dressing up this year for Halloween, Matt and I are joining our friends for a Halloween horror night—movie night to be exact. Our email chain debating which film to watch is loooong! It's really hard to choose the perfect Halloween flick, especially when you have a scaredy cat like me weighing in. ;)

It looks like the winner is a classic: Halloween starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Mike Myers. Matt assures me it's old school horror, but I'm not so sure!

Other films in the running: The Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street. If you ask me, I'm partial to something a bit more tame like Rosemary's Baby or The Birds.

Any recommendations? Would love to hear your favorite Halloween films!

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Kate Middleton x 3

I'm so happy that Kate Middleton is feeling better—and even happier to see her out and about in three new (and stunning) looks. That Alexander McQueen coat! That Jenny Packham gown! That Temperley London LBD! She looks amazing and healthy, too.

Out of everything she wore this past week, I think my favorite is actually those L.K. Bennett shoes. So pretty, right?

Can't wait to see more of her second pregnancy style.

For a look back to when she was due with Baby George, go here, here, and here.

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Lemonade-inspired lunch

When I was in sunny CA two weeks ago, my sister Alyssa made the most delicious dinner! It was a variation on a recipe from Lemonade, a great lunch chain on the west coast that defines it's cuisine as Southern California comfort food. One word: Yum. :)

In their cookbook, they have a recipe for Avocado, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nut and Lime Vinaigrette. It's delicious—but to make it a bit more hearty, my sister serves the vinaigrette over quinoa veggie burgers from Trader Joe's. She also added a slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese and sautéed mushrooms. I'm planning on making this my new go-to dinner for the nights I have no energy/time to cook. The best part: the vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to a week. 

Of course, during my week out there, Alyssa didn't want to deprive me of the real deal so we stopped into Lemonade on my second to last day. Totally wish this place would open in New York!

The prettiest plaid scarf

How cute is this pink and purple and black and white Madewell scarf for fall? I'm in love! It looks so cozy, too. This past weekend, we had warm late season temps, but I know that chilly days are coming. They would be so much more manageable if I knew I could wrap myself in something pretty like this! 

What is your go-to cold weather gear? 

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Hollywood Costume Exhibit in LA

When I was in California last week to see my sister, I had the chance to see the Hollywood Costume exhibit currently on display at the LACMA. Seriously, if you're in the LA area, go now. There are 150 movie costumes on display from so many favorite films: Pretty Woman, Indiana Jones, Mary Poppins and more. But as I wandered through the pitch black exhibit (very similar to a movie theater experience), my heart stopped when I discovered the banana yellow jacket from the film Dick Tracy.

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday, my darling readers! I'm off on vacation for the next week to visit my little sister. Yay! We're planning a mini-detour from Laguna Beach to check out Palm Springs. I've never been and we've been eyeing the Saguaro as a place to stay. So colorful and fun, right? Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend (and week) ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Sad news about Squibb Bridge!

The right way to cuff sleeves.

OMG, this cover! 

My favorite Halloween classic, re-issued. 

Hilarious tee.

A cool exhibit I can't wait to check out.

Treat yo'self.

Swooning at this calligraphy workshop.

Love the modern take on French girl stripes (scroll down). 

Note to self: Learn how to knit.

(Image via My Modern Met)

Honeycomb mirror decor

In my Brooklyn apartment, there's a narrow indented corner in our living room. I moved into this place almost two years ago, but I still haven't figured out how to use the space—until now. I discovered this honeycomb mirror idea on Pinterest and love it. How cool would it be to create my own hexagon arrangement? Plus, mirrors are always a great way to make a room feel larger, a trick that's ideal in a New York-sized apartment. :) Here, a couple more examples of this fun idea...

This pattern is lots of fun—and I love how the honeycombs are placed right next to a full size mirror. Double the reflection!

The play on metallics is great in this pic. The copper and silver look beautiful together and add an elegant and modern touch to this all-white room.

OK, so what do you think? Have you ever experimented with a honeycomb mirror design?

PS: Where to buy cheap honeycomb mirrors. Hint: It's the store that has it all.

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How to be Parisian (wherever you are)

I know that I mentioned the books that I'm reading this fall, but my discovery of How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are, by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas, somehow trumped that list (I'll get back on track soon!). I couldn't help but wonder what these four accomplished ladies had to say about what it really means to be a Parisienne, including how to dress, entertain, go on dates, and have fun. Plus, the book had a promise: it's funny! So far, I love it, and find many parts that are worth repeating to friends, family, coworkers, boyfriends. :) For example, the book's guide to the city's signature colors, all defined by it's culture. I'll explain...

This bright orangey red is reminiscent of seats in a movie theater in Paris (and if you ask me some of the pretty café tables that brighten up a rainy day).

Going to Ladurée? You'll definitely spot this subtle, yet eye-catching hue. According to les femmes parisiennes (aka, the authors of this book), it's the color of a rose-flavored macaron. :)

But of course, this rich and decadent shade defines French color at it's best. It's the shade of a tall glass of Bordeaux, n'est-ce pas?

There are tons more cheeky color definitions where these came from, but what a brilliant idea to create a palette to describe such a unique place. In fact, the reds and greens and blues and yellows and pinks are one of the first things I think of when reminiscing about my travels there.

What are you reading right now?

PS: Another French book I read and loved.

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The best medicine when you're sick

Last week, I was sick with a flu/head cold/virus—the worst! But I found the perfect get well cure: Harney & Sons tea. The bodega near my apartment sells it by the tin, so I stocked up on a few different types...

Their Peppermint Herbal blend was the perfect antidote. I drank it piping hot from my treasured Friends mug and felt my sinuses clear with every sip. To up the impact, I added 1-2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon. It was delicious and such a warm and comforting treat while I was curled up on the couch.

Even better: How to use the pretty tin now that I've gone through all the tea! Such a sweet idea, right? 

Do you have any get-well-quick tricks for when you're sick?

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Change the weather

Talk about a weather change this weekend! On Saturday morning, it was pouring rain, 70 degrees and humid, but by Sunday, it was blustery and cool. October really has arrived. Instead of busting out a wool sweater, my new uniform for fall is plaid. Last year, I wore this gingham top from J.Crew into the ground (see it again here); this year, I've replaced it with a cozy blue flannel number, also from J.Crew. Paired with black or blue jeans (or even a leather skirt), it's my new go-to!

How about you? What do you throw on to warm up when the weather starts to turn?

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The weekend is here!

Happy weekend, my darling readers! What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? I'm excited for a bit of R&R after fighting a head cold this week. Need to rest up for my upcoming trip! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead filled with relaxation and fun. Here, to get the weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

After seeing this, I can't stop thinking about this.

Hilarious.

Transforming the Meatpacking District. Wow.

Can't believe I got to see this ship up close. (We passed right by it when we went fishing here!)

A fourth 'before' film? Ethan, don't tease!

I think you're fancy. 

OMG, this dress.

My next movie pick.

Ben Affleck can't compete with Frozen.

Daydreaming about travel.

The moment I met Derek Jeter (watch for me at about the 1:10 mark!).

(Image via Katie Armour)

Everything By My Side

Over the weekend, Matt "surprised" me and his sister and brother-in-law with an only-in-New York experience: Performance art. The installation is called "Everything By My Side"—or as the New York Times' referred to it, pillow-talk theater, courtesy of acclaimed Buenes Aires artist Fernando Rubio. 

Here's how it works: You arrive over at Pier 45 on the Hudson River at your ticketed time slot, walk past all the New Yorkers sunbathing on the pier and then climb into bed with an actress spouting dream-like sequences for 15 minutes or less. To be honest, it was rather calming. You check your bag and phone with the "host," take your shoes off and kick back. After I got over the initial awkwardness, it was easy to let my mind wander.

The part that threw me was remembering the instructions for when you're supposed to exit the bed (the dream whisperer will let you know with a few soft-spoken words). I began to feel nervous I missed it when I suddenly heard my cue: "I'll see you soon."

As I mentioned before, only in New York!

October Page: A Toast!

Happy October! September came and went so fast, don't you think? For me it was a total blur, filled with birthdays and family and travel. So fun! But there's something comforting and cozy about October. 

Here, my favorites about this month:

- Purple New York City sunsets
- Apple picking excursions (and maybe a corn maze!)
- Fresh flowers, like pretty yellow mums, at the farmers market
- All the little kids (and adults) trick or treating on Halloween

What do you love most about October? Would love to hear your favorite things!

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