A long weekend in Maine

So, today is my birthday! To celebrate, I had the perfect (early) gift. A weekend in my favorite place in the world: Maine. Matt and I headed up there for Labor Day weekend to hit the beach, go fishing, read and relax. We had great weather and great company—so many of my cousins and their kids ended up making the trek north for the weekend, too. It was so much fun to see everyone and catch up on each other's lives. 

Also, has anyone else played cornhole? This was only my second or third time. My dad built the boards above himself so that everyone in the family could play. On Saturday night, we had a family BBQ—and a high stakes tournament! The great part is the game is fun for all ages. For example, when the kids stepped up to throw, we had them take 10 giant steps forward to make things fair against the adults. :) 

Did you have a nice long weekend? What did you do?

September Page: A Toast!

Happy September, my darling readers! Did you have a nice Labor Day weekend? I can't believe how quickly summer came and went. It was filled with so many fun things. For example:

- Delicious salads
- Farmer's Market finds
- Summer blockbusters
- Weekend excursions (like this one and this one)

Now, I can't wait for fall to arrive. I've mentioned before on my blog: It's my favorite month! Maybe that's because my birthday falls within it, but it's also when everything starts to feel a little bit cozier, we get back on track with goals and projects (even if we're not going back to school), and there's a feeling of a fresh start. And let's not forget, the return of fall TV! ;)

What about you? What do you look forward to most in September?

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The weekend is here!

Happy Friday, my darling readers! What do you have planned for the next couple of days? Matt and I are taking a photo class together in Central Park (like I said, I'm really trying to learn before my trip!). Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

The perfect spring bouquet.

A NoLita pop-up shop.

Mindy Kaling visits Vogue.

Behind-the-scenes with the New York City ballet.

LOVE The Office Time Machine.

Did you see this jump?

Royal dinnerware.

New word: frostage.

The end of an era.

How to take a staycation.

Wishing my dad a happy birthday today!

(Image via Pinterest)

March Page: A toast!

A belated toast to March with this post! This winter—although long and snow-filled—has flown by, don't you think? March is my favorite transition month: the temperatures start to climb a tiny bit higher, the days get lighter longer, and we can start thinking about trading our snow boots for rain boots (in bright colors, of course). 

March is also my dad's birthday month. Red Velvet cake is his favorite—yum!

Now, you go: What do you love most about March?

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Happy birthday, Mom!

Sending happy birthday wishes to my beautiful mom today! :) Doesn't she look so cute with Leroy, our dog? Such a great pic!

Any other September babies out there? As you already know, it's my favorite month. :)

September Page: A toast!

September, already? I really can't believe it. But this is my favorite month of the year. Maybe it's because this month includes my birthday and my parents' wedding anniversary (this year, they celebrate 39 years!), but there's more to it than that: September always feels like a fresh start. The air feels crisp and clean, a routine starts to take shape again, but—thanks to summer—our energy has been renewed. 

Don't get me wrong. This summer went by way too fast. But I'm ready for fall to begin! Especially when it means the return of Homeland, French lessons, apple picking and more. :)

What do you love most about September?

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The weekend is here!

Happy weekend, my darling readers! What do you have planned for the next couple of days? It's Matt's birthday on Monday so we're celebrating early with a fancy dinner out. :) Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Birth of the cronut!

Flying.

Summer bliss.

Clever gift wrap idea.

Recipe for eggs baked in an avocado.

Take me to Santorini.

Gorgeous prints of Paris.

A boozy brunch playlist.

An interview with Helena Wurzel.

June shoes.

15 unanswered questions about Jurassic Park.

Homemade grahams and mallows.

(Image via *Wit & Delight)

Birthday wishes

As many of you know, I'm always on the hunt for creative ways to send handwritten greetings to family and friends. This clever birthday card from W+K Studio kicks things up a notch—I love that you can color in the number of candles yourself. So fun!

Do you still send birthday cards in the mail to friends? 

(Images via W+K Studio)  

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)

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) 

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 weekend, dear readers! What do you have planned? It's Matt's birthday(!) and I have lots of surprises planned. But before all that, I'm hoping to catch Safety Not Guaranteed starring Aubrey Plaza from Parks and Recreation. Have you seen it? I know it's been out a few weeks already. I'm behind on movies, as you can see. Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

In Mad Men withdrawal already. 

Be you.

A wish list for June.

Exploring the Guggenheim.

Just like Grace Kelly.

A bow in your hair.

Take your cue from this wedding.

Go nautical.

Let's move in.

Tips for a good wake up call. 

(Image via Pinterest)

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

A birthday toast to my dad — today he turns the big 6-0! Definitely a milestone birthday, and a very big deal. We celebrated this past weekend with a very successful surprise party, where plenty of pics taken over the years were shared. Here, I wanted to share a couple of photos from my first trip to NYC as a family. The first shot is of my dad and I at the Statue of Liberty; the second is with my sister, too, at Rockefeller Center. I have so many memories from this trip. :)

Happy Birthday, Dad! 

PS—More memories from this trip.

The weekend is here!

Happy weekend, my dear readers! This week flew by. What are your Saturday-Sunday plans? As the photo indicates above, I'm skipping town — off to Boston to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. Such a milestone occasion! It's a quick trip, but I can't wait. Another exciting part of the weekend? The season 5 premiere of Mad Men. Finally! :) Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

A sip, a snack.

City prints.

Colorful method.

Life as a cloud.

You are sweet.

For the next sunny day.

Notes from Mia Nolting.

Pantone produce.

A visit to NY.

A subtle pop of color.

Travel bag.

(Image via Note to Self)

Kate Spade fall bags

Consider it a birthday treat to myself! Over Labor Day weekend, I celebrated turning another year older by splurging on the Kate Spade bag pictured above. No, I didn't go for the adorable night owl bag (also pictured), but that's mostly because I didn't see it in the store! :) Instead, I fell in love with the Cobble Hill Penny. The charcoal gray color is the perfect fit for fall, don't you think? 

(Via Kate Spade)

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)

Birthday wishes

In honor of my dad's birthday today, I thought I'd post a few pics from his younger years. :) The first one is of him as a kid growing up in Massachusetts. I love the casual attitude he has while pausing to snap this pic for his mom. The second photo is taken with me as a baby on the beach in Maine. As a kid, we spent many summers there with all my cousins and aunts and uncles too. This photo is the perfect reminder — we need to plan another family trip there soon.

Happy birthday dad — hope you have a great day!

The weekend is here!

Happy weekend dear readers! What do you have planned? There is a chance I may go pumpkin picking — the quintessential fall activity, no? Saturday also marks a very special day: my good friend Shannon's birthday. And while I can't be there in person to celebrate, I am sending birthday wishes from afar! Anyways, here are a few fun posts from around the web to get your weekend started right:

A feathered dress to try. 

A real wedding with a smile booth and a POW! 

Fire and water.

An iPhone launched into space!

A colorful collection of teapots.

Who loves metallic?

High heels: Spinal Tap!

Why Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci are great. 

Cute dogs. 

A breathtaking dinner party (and sunset)! 

(Photo by Steven Coen via Flickr)

The awesome 80s

Finally! Photos from last weekend's 80s extravaganza. Above is a shot with the birthday girl and boy. If you look closely in the background, there's a box of Capri Sun — the theme beverage of choice at this particular soiree. Lots more 80s goodness to come in the photos below. Enjoy!

The weekend is here!

My dear readers, today is a special day. Not only is it the kick off to Labor Day weekend, it's also my birthday! To toast the occasion, as you know, I'm hanging with my little sister on the West coast. Not sure what we have planned to celebrate, but I do know this: the two of us haven't spent our actual birthdays together in almost 10 years. Above is a shot of us as kids, taken one September long ago. Don't you just love our stylish outfits for fall? And of course, for you, a few happy posts from around the Web to get your weekend started right.

My very favorite type of birthday cake, here, in cupcake form!

A bottle of wine I know my mom (and a few friends) would adore. 

Gorgeous shots of Santa Catalina.

An epic commercial for Chanel, directed by the one, the only Martin Scorcese.

A noteworthy rendition of Lady Gaga's Poker Face.