Monthly Archives: September 2013

09.30.13

big apple weekend

As promised, a little NYC recap today!

This past weekend was absolutely wonderful in the city. The weather was perfect and so was the company. Don’t you love those friends where you don’t miss a beat? No matter how much time goes by you always just pick right back up! Well, that’s my BFF, Kasey and I, (since kindergarten).

On Saturday, Carly (or to whom most know as the College Prepster) and I enjoyed a catchup brunch at Maison Kayser followed by a stroll in the Upper East Side where we captured her adorable new elbow patch sweater in a mini photoshoot (check out her adorable photos!).

The rest of the weekend, my BFF and I wined, dined, shopped and pampered ourselves (read: mani + Shobha + yoga + run in Central Park). We also enjoyed a lovely evening event at The Whitney Museum of American Art and more than enough brunches to spare. Finally, we broke out her Barefoot Contessa cookbook for an amazing homecooked Sunday meal (a la her, not me) over the season premiere of Homeland.

I could of not asked for a better long weekend to end September!

(PS – HOW is September already OVER!?)

Below is a recap of the Big Apple as told by Instagram.

Enjoy!

[Snapdragons in Union Square Greenmarket]

[Hazelnut + Vanilla Gelato at Eataly]

[Pumpkins & more Pumpkins at Eataly]

[Red Wine & Cheese at Murray’s Cheese Bar]

[Elbow Patch Photoshoot with Carly]

[Night at The Whitney Museum of American Art with my BFF.]

[Homemade Barefoot Contessa Sunday Dinner – gluten free, too!]

09.27.13

travel: new york minute

I am off to the Big Apple for a few days of wining, dining and retail therapy all in the company of good friends and perfect weather!

My love for New York began at 8 years old with the time I spent alongside my aunt, who brought me on business trips and for-fun excursions several times a year. We shopped, dined at fabulous restaurants, saw shows, went ice skating, took in all the sights and discovered the New York Palace long before the days of Serena van der Woodsen and the cast of Gossip Girl.

By the time I was a freshman in high school, there was no place in the world I wanted to be aside from New York City (other than Los Angeles but that probably had something to do with my aspiring acting career at the time, ha!). I competed in theater and film competitions in the summertime and loved every single thing about the city lights. Somewhere in those four years of all-girls school, college football, sororities and collegetowns became more appealing and I traded monologues for politics and events. However, with NYC just a short train ride away from DC, it’s one of my favorite weekend trips (especially come fall weather).

This weekend, I am staying with my lifelong BFF in her adorable apartment and have fun dates planned with some of my favorite NYC bloggers — Carly (The College Prepster) and Evann (Evann Clingan).

Expect a full report from the weekend come Monday!

{Image + Sketch via Inslee}

Happy Weekend!

09.24.13

tablescape tuesday: fall’s first

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

Regardless of what you may of thought of the latest Gatsby film (I personally preferred earlier works), F. Scott Fitzgerald was certainly right about fall. Summer days are now behind us (sigh), yet there’s something about quilted coats, changing leaves and everything pumpkin that helps make the transition to cooler months quite welcoming.

The first step to hosting your beloved guests begins with the perfect table. By this, of course, I mean tablescapes – from Halloween to Thanksgiving, you’ll get a glimpse of a variety of fall themes on H&T. However, below is a simple fall tablescape that is quite fitting for the first week of the season.

Fall Tablescape

Pumpkins: Pottery Barn (Similar) // Pumpkin Candles //

Harvest Garland: Pottery Barn (Similar Here) // Candles

Bags for your Treats

Tags: Happy Fall Y’all (FREE printables) // Pumpkin Bags:
(found at Michaels but LOVE these!)

This was thoroughly enjoyed over a rainy Sunday morning brunch and mimosas…

(hold the OJ!)

09.23.13

Make. My. Monday.

This past weekend, I spent most of my time “toasting”. To friends’ birthdays, to the first day of fall and of course, to my lovely roommate whom forever will be credited with “Make. My. Monday”. Now, I realize this is a challenge, but hopefully this Monday’s list will brighten up the start of your week!
Below are a few of my faves from the shop and beyond.

1. Baseball Cap: I love this hat! It’s perfect for a fall day at a baseball game; paired with riding boots and a Barbour jacket.

2. “New York” Print: I am headed up to NYC later this week so I find this pick absolutely fitting! Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling just got more prints back in stock and this, among other darling (no pun intended) little finds, should be on your list to purchase from her shop.

3. Earrings: Emerald is the color of 2013 so appropriately so, these jewels can be worn day to night (think dark jeans by day and that LBD by night).

4. Hairspray: Confession: I’ve always HATED hairspray (many cheerleading competitions and plays later, I am scarred), until I found Drybar’s Money Maker. It’s light, holds hair in place and smells amaze. It’s also conveniently available in travel-size now too. Don’t worry, this isn’t the last you’ll hear about Drybar.

5. Boots: These riding boots are perfection. The almond/charcoal colors make them versatile and I’m a sucker for all things quilted. Jackets, vests, boots…you get the idea.

6. Highballs: These KS glasses are the cutest engagement + wedding presents for your besties. Plus, every engaged couple needs one more glass to toast with!

7. Lips: Red lips are back and Chanel Pirate is long lasting and just the right shade of red.

8. Flats: If you haven’t invested in a pair of tieks yet, stop what you’re doing! These shoes live by the motto “the ballet flat, reinvented”. They come in fun colors, have bright turquoise soles, are made of the finest Italian leather and mold to fit into your purse. These are a life changer for commutes and late night dancing.

There you have it, Make. My. Monday.

09.20.13

#InstaInspired: Chambray + Prints

Depending on where you call home, the leaves may be starting to change, the days are becoming shorter and you might just need that jacket again on your morning commute. OR, if you are like me when I was growing up (read: FLORIDA), it’s still 90 degrees and you’re laying out by the pool. Nonetheless, crisp air or not, fall is surely almost here (Sunday, to be precise). This also means it’s time to transition the wardrobe you’ve been flaunting the past 3 months.

As a self-proclaimed Instagram addict, one of my favorite type of posts is often hashtagged with #OOTD (outfit of the day, of course). So I thought I would appropriately kick off the first of many #InstaInspired #OOTD blog posts with a fun fall look I am fancying these days.

1. Top: J.CREW (similar here) 2. Sunnies: Karen Walker (similar here) // 3. Bracelet: J.CREW // 4. Bag: Louis Vuitton // 5. Bracelet: David Yurman // 6. Flats: Mercanti Fiorentini Agila // 7. Jeans: J. Brand // 8. Chambray: J.CREW

Why I Love This #OOTD:

CHAMBRAY + DEMIN:

This is, for lack of better words, “so in right now” and it’s fun to mix dark and light shades.

LAYERS:

You can be prepared for those cool mornings and evenings while de-layering as you see fit.

PRINTS:

I love to mix-and-match all prints including stripes and leopard patterns; this is sure to be a repeat or a #threepeat for me.

COMFORT:

The flats make this the perfect ensemble for an afternoon of errands and shopping. However, if you wanted to take this from day-to-night (#OOTD to #OOTN), you could throw on a killer pair of leopard pumps (like THESE). Oh yes, and red lips don’t hurt either.

Stay up to speed on all my #InstaInspired moments by following me!

Happy Friday!