December Page: A toast!

Happy December, my darling readers! This year went by so fast, right? December is always such a busy month. I love the contrast between the frantic holiday shopping and party hopping compared with the calm, happy, and peaceful moments shared with family and friends. My favorite things about this month:

• Sending holiday notes to loved ones, near and far
• Re-watching treasured Christmas movies, like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Home Alone
• Putting up a Christmas tree in my apartment
• Going ice skating in Central Park, Bryant Park, or Rockefeller Center
• The first snowfall (which came early this year!)
• Crafts and gift giving—I'm happy to report that I'm making tons of progress on my list!
• Celebrating traditions.

What do you love most about this month?

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November Page: A toast!

Happy November, my darling readers! This weekend's cold weather in New York announced November's arrival more than anything else, right? Brrrr.... I finally got a cute new fall coat and I already need my puffer! ;) 

There is so much to love about this month. A few of my favorites: 

• Apple crisp (or apple pie!) made from scratch on Thanksgiving 
• The beginning of festive parties and catching up with friends and family
• My always-in-November ritual of watching Home for the Holidays, starring Holly Hunter and Robert Downey, Jr.
• Carefully picking out holiday cards to send
• Oh, and don't forget to vote! 

What do you enjoy about November? 

PS: For more November picks, go here and here.

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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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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 August, my darling readers! And happy weekend, too. What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? Anything fun? I love the month of August—it is always so chill as everyone in New York eeks out the remaining days of summer. A few things I'm excited about: heirloom tomatoes, movies with a view, anywhere with a rooftop. :) So, consider this your reminder to savor the remaining days of the summer. It's going by fast! Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

For anyone that mispronounces your name.

New York notecards.

A sad, funny, poignant movie I just watched. Have you seen it?

Love Anna Kendrick.

Where beauty grows.

Brian Williams is a proud dad.

The craziest selfie ever. (Plus, check out this new no-selfie app.)

Kate Middleton's funny faces.

Love this super helpful packing app.

A day at the beach.

How to become a wine expert overnight.

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July Page: A Toast!

Happy July 1st, my darling readers! I always look at this weekend as the official kick-off to summer. The 4th of July weekend happens to be my favorite holiday, too. There's nothing better than leisurely BBQs, sunshine, and enjoying it all with family and friends. Here are a few things I'm excited about this month:

• Picnics in the park, and dining al fresco
• Beach days—and sunscreen
• Sipping rosé
• Fireworks (so pumped that they're moving back to the East River this year!)
• Prince George turning 1!

How about you? What do you love about July?

PS: Another reason to celebrate summer!

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May Page: A toast!

So, May! I can't believe we're deep into spring and it's still this cold out in New York. Still, I love this month—especially for the fact that summer is trailing not too far behind it. 

What are you looking forward to in May? I'm excited because my vacation to France and Italy and Sweden kicks off this month. I can't wait to go macaron tasting in Paris! Other things I love about May: Memorial Day Weekend BBQs, the Kentucky Derby (and mint juleps!), cherry blossoms (like the ones at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden), and last—but not least—the return of Mad Men. :)

Now, your turn: What do you like most about May?

PS: For more of my This Month series, go here.

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April Page: A toast!

Happy April, my darling readers—and happy April Fool's Day! I'm always a tiny bit nervous on this day: It's one of Matt's favorite holidays. He loves a good-natured prank, something that keeps me on my toes all day. ;)

So, September is my favorite month all year, but April comes in at a very close second. The bright spring tulips are reason enough for me to adore this time of year. But I also love that it's the beginning of baseball season (go Red Sox!), rainy days with pretty umbrellas, and Easter candy (Cadbury mini-eggs are my downfall). A bonus for this month: Princess Kate and Prince William embark on another world tour, this time to Australia. I'm so excited to follow along and see what she wears!

What do you love most about April?

PS: One of my favorite April Fool's jokes.

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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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February Page: A toast!

Happy February, my darling readers! What do you enjoy most about this month? I love that it always feels so cozy and romantic—plus, it's so short and sweet, it makes me feel like winter is really starting to cruise by (despite what this guy has to say). I'm looking forward to watching the Olympics in Sochi, Valentine's Day (and sending out my homemade cards), and getting a sneak peek at the fall collections during Fashion Week. 

Now, you go: Why do you love February? :)

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January Page: A toast!

Happy New Year! I'm still in that phase where it's hard to remember to write the date as 2014. :) It's been quite a chilly start to January, but I always love how cozy this time of year feels. It's sort of fun to just hibernate indoors (although I know by March, I'll be ready to get outdoors again!). What are your favorite things about this month? I love the feeling of a fresh start, winter hats and coats, and also the thought that, in just one week, we'll get to watch Amy Poehler and Tina Fey host the Golden Globes again! 

I also always think carefully about my resolutions this time of year. My goals this year are:

1) To plan more frequent phone chats with friends and family (texting is great and all, but there's nothing as fun as catching up and laughing over the phone!).

2) To practice yoga at least once a week. There is an awesome studio in my neighborhood, and I love going, but need to make it a routine.

3) To write more—for myself. I have lots of ideas swirling around, but I need to actually block off time to put the pen to the paper. :)

4) To continue to work on my French. My vacation to France and Italy is just five months away!

What are you excited about this month—and in the year ahead?

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December Page: A toast!

Happy December, my darling readers! What do you love most about this month? For me, it's the festive mood that hangs in the air. It's so nice to spend a month focused entirely on family and friends. 

So, what are your favorite December things to do? I always have to find time to watch Home Alone with my sister (I laughed when I saw this Honest Trailer). And I can't wait to pick a Christmas tree for my apartment this year with Matt. (Check out these cool garlands I bought!) Last—but not least—I'm super excited to go Christmas caroling around New York.

Tell me: What are you looking forward to most this month?

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November Page: A toast!

Happy November, my darling readers! Over the weekend, we officially made the switch—I can't believe how chilly it got outside. I am now wearing not only tights, but my wool coat outside every day. :) What do you enjoy most about November? I love the dark nights, the cozy days, and the holiday spirit that lingers in the air. 

Plus, Thanksgiving is a holiday that's always so much fun. At our house, it tends to be a bit chaotic now—lots of little kids running around! But there's such joy and silliness in that (an example from last year). 

What do you love most about November?

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October Page: A toast!

Happy birthday, October! Fall is zipping by, don't you think? The season has arrived for jackets—I've been wearing mine almost daily now. But I do love this time of year. I'm kicking off the month with a wedding in Maine. I can't wait to see the colorful foliage up there. :)

What do you love most about October? I love breaking out warm and toasty blankets for the couch, indulging more in comfort food, and—of course—Halloween! 

Wishing you a very happy start to the month!

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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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June Page: A toast!

June, already! How did that happen? May was a blur—but I'm so excited that, this month, summer officially arrives (and so does the heat!). :) What do you love most about June? I can't wait for weekend escapes to Governor's Island (and the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party), rooftop happy hours while viewing modern art, and lots more time to kick back and relax.

Now, you go: What's your favorite thing about June?

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May Page: A toast!

Happy Birthday May! I have to admit, this might just be my favorite month (at the very least, it's a close second to September). :) The bright tulips dotting every single garden stand, a formal occasion to celebrate our moms, dining al fresco on city sidewalks, and an excuse to eat ice cream just to cool off. New York, especially, starts to come alive in May.  I'm so thrilled that warm weather has arrived!

What do you love most about May?

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March Page: A toast!

My dearest readers, what are you most looking forward to this March? For me, I love daylight savings—there's nothing better than leaving work when it's still light out. I also love the transitional feeling of March. Warmer temps start to arrive, Admission hits theaters, tulips (my favorite flower) start to bloom, and there's St. Patrick's Day, too! On a separate note, March is an extra special month for me: My sister is coming to visit from the west coast. Yay! 

How do you feel about March? Any fun plans you're looking forward to?

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December Page: A toast!

Happy December, my darling readers! What do you love most about this month? There's so much that's lovely: Christmas lights sparkling everywhere, getting together with family and friends, holiday parties, hot cocoa and more. As busy as this time of year can be, it's always filled with so much patience and joy—it hangs in the air wherever you go. :)

Wishing you a wonderful month ahead!

Looking back on recent Decembers here, here, and here.

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November Page: A toast!

 

Happy November, my darling readers! What do you love most about this particular month? I love how the chill in the air makes being inside feel all the more cozy; how the city begins to unveil it's holiday decorations and deck the streets with glittering, white lights; and how there's that many more festive opportunities to gather together with family and friends. Other things that are great about November? Warm apple pie, hot tea, and a new winter coat. :)

Now, you go: Your favorite part about November. I'd love to know!

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