All smiles

Even during a busy week, it's good to remember not to take life too seriously. My mom shared this photo with me on Monday — it's a shot of me working hard at my chalkboard as a kid. Clearly, I had plenty of time to take a break and ham it up for the camera! :) Wishing everyone a happy Thursday. Remember, the long weekend is just one more day away!

Signs of summer

A pretty summer dress and a bowl of blue ice cream? Talk about finding the secret to a perfect summer day. Do you have a dress that's your summer staple? What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? My go-to dress this season has been this orange one by Steven Alan. For ice cream, I can't get enough of Blue Marble's vanilla bean with sprinkles. Yum! 

(Via Bleubird)

Ladies Who Laugh

It's a busy night for me, thanks to the fifth annual Ladies Who Laugh, one of New York Women in Communications' most beloved summer events. Looking forward to hearing the comedic stylings of Karith Foster, Marion Grodin, Helen Hong, Jodie Wasserman and Kristen Schaal. In case you live in New York, tickets are still available. Don't miss out on this incredible night!

(Via NYWICI)

Back to the Jazz Age

My dear readers, tell me — have any of you ever been to the Jazz Age Lawn Party out on Governor's Island? A hop, skip and a 10 minute ferry ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn, it's like going back in time to a Gatsby-like affair. Between the stylish 1920s attire and the music provided by Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra, you really do forget you're living in New York circa now. Something to note if you go next year: pack your own picnic lunch. The lines for food are long so it's best to be prepared!

(Image 1 by Image 4 by Gabi Porter, Image 2 and Image 3 by tammyloh via Flickr)

The weekend is here!

My dear readers, happy Friday! How was your week? I'm really looking forward to a couple of days off. This weekend also happens to be Matt's birthday — not only did we score a reservation for dinner at ABC Kitchen, but his sister and brother-in-law flew in from San Francisco to join in on the fun! Should be a great time. What do you have planned for your Saturday-Sunday off? Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

My music playlist! (Thanks Narry!) 

Budding fashionista, at a young age.

Wish I was here.

An iconic clocktower for rent. 

Safari dress in yellow. 

Lioness v. baby at the zoo.

A home for a famous Friend.

The perfect summer salad. 

Party in the woods. 

Summer fun!

An umbrella with goggles.

Because a photo booth is always fun. 

Beach day! 

(Image by Jon Zander via 100 Layer Cake)

Rolling in the Deep

I'm on deadline this week for a variety of assignments, which is why the video above comes as a welcome distraction in the midst of all this work. Are you familiar with the a cappella stylings of singer Mike Tompkins? His version of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" is as musically fascinating as it is fun to watch. Check out a couple of his other songs here and here, but before you do that throw some headphones in and check out the tune above. Makes you look at a cappella music in a whole new way, am I right?

(Via YouTube)

A pool with a view

As New Yorkers, we all can agree — come summertime, the city gets HOT. What if there was a floating pool in the East River, right next to the Brooklyn Bridge, where you could easily go to cool off? That's exactly what the guys at +Pool have in mind. Their proposal for a pool in the shape of a plus sign (modeled after a New York City intersection) is just starting to take shape, calling for a new city landmark that makes it possible to swim in clean, filtered river water without leaving town. To learn more about the concept, watch their video here. Tell me — would you go swimming in a city pool like this?

(Via Swiss-Miss)