What I'm reading now

This month, I have a few books in the mix—all equally hard to put down: 

1) The Most of Nora Ephron
2) Paris in Love by Eloisa James
3) Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York

I'm realizing that I'm reading a lot of short stories lately. Paris in Love is a novel, but it's written as a collection of quickie (and funny and beautiful) updates about the writer's year abroad, so it's easy to think of it in a similar light.

Truthfully, short stories are kind of perfect for my 30-minute subway commute. I can usually get through two to three, and when we arrive at my stop, I don't feel like I'm tearing myself away mid-plotline. Then, I can start fresh the next time I snag a seat on the train. 

What about you? What are you reading this month?

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The weekend is here!

Happy Friday, my darling readers! What do you have planned for the next three days off? I'm looking forward to roaming around Brooklyn and catching a few Oscar-nominated films I have yet to see. :) Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Spotted! A Seinfeld reunion.

Crispy, heart-shaped potatoes.

Why we love Kate.

The Antarctic's Grand Canyon.

Shoe advice from SJP.

A reminder to dream big.

DIY wooden polaroids. So cute!

Revisiting Tonya and Nancy.

A pretty simple French twist.

Chocolate. Dipped. Mandarins. YUM.  

(Image via Note to Self)

A night out at the Carlyle

This week, I revisited my old NYC neighborhood to see Sutton Foster perform at the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side. I'm a huge fan of her work—and loved her Tony Award-winning performance as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes last year—so it was a real treat to hear her sing in such a gorgeous and intimate space.

Accompanied by her long-time pianist/music director Michael Rafter, she performed a mix of Broadway classics (like "I Get a Kick Out of You" from Anything Goes) to more nostalgic songs (like "Georgia on My Mind," an ode to the state she was born in and raised). But my absolute favorite tune was her hilarious and playful rendition of "Air Conditioner" by Christine Lavin. The lyrics detail the number one quality she looks for in a New York City man: "All you need is an air conditioner." :) I laughed out loud.

You can listen to the song here.
Sutton Foster's next role.
 
PS—A beautiful Carlyle Hotel wedding.

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Apartment hunting in Paris

Now that it's 2014, I'm getting so excited for my trip to France and Italy this spring—it's only five months away! Since we're bopping around to several cities this time, there's quite a bit of hotel research to do. To make it easy on ourselves, we've decided to use Airbnb again in Paris since it worked out so well the last time. The fun part: perusing all the gorgeous apartments there. Browsing through the listings, it's hard not to fantasize about living in Paris. There are so many charming little studios and 1-bedroom apartments with sweeping views of the city rooftops and the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.

Here are three apartments that are catching my eye:

- This artful spot in Saint Michel

- This cozy studio in Place D'Italie

- This beautiful home near the Champs Élysees.

What's your favorite neighborhood in Paris?

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Have you seen The Godfather?

On a rainy night in last week, Matt and I decided to rent The Godfather. Have you seen it? I was skeptical at first (full disclosure: I have a low threshold for watching even the tiniest bit of violence in films), but it was so good! I was mesmerized just watching so many acting greats: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton. And I couldn't take my eyes off James Caan. He reminded me of a young Ben Affleck, circa Good Will Hunting—so full of charm. 

What are your thoughts? Is there a classic film like this that you're long overdue to watch?

More classic films here, here, here, and here.

Plus, a fun read: 40 things you didn't know about The Godfather.

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Kate Spade's ode to Charles Street

 

Have you seen Kate Spade's latest line of handbags? It's called the Charles Street Collection. While I know this look is most likely inspired by New York's sweetest side street in the West Village, I can't help but reminisce about the three years I spent living on Boston's sweetest side street, also called Charles. I loved it there! I rented a tiny studio apartment, could walk to and from work in 15 minutes or less, and spent weekend days strolling along the Charles River, just a stone's throw from my front door. 

So, maybe this bag isn't based on MY Charles Street, but I am going to pretend that it is. :)

(Top image from here; bottom two images from here)

The weekend is here!

Happy weekend, my darling readers! What do you have planned for the next couple of days? I'm so excited because I'm going to see Sarah Jessica Parker and Blythe Danner on Broadway in The Commons of Pensacola. I booked the tickets forever ago—I can't wait! Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

American Girl dolls, for sale!

An inspiring song for a chilly week in NYC.

How to stylishly store matches.

New Year's Eve missed connections.

Meryl Streep intimidates other actors.

Treating fairy light withdrawal.

A Royal selfie.

Love this pretty, flowy top.

DIY pizza fun.

Shake it like an Instagram picture!

New rules for Tina and Amy's Golden Globes drinking game. (Don't forget to watch Sunday night!)

(Image via Wit & Delight)