am I crazy?

My newest purchase -- am I crazy? I have never been an experimental dresser or especially fond of mesh. Then I tried on these Isabel Toledo for Payless "Vespadrille" wedges... and felt like a cooler, more avant-garde version of myself. Like a chick who wears miniskirts while riding motorcycles and knows how to use firearms. An amalgamation of Garance Dore and Lara Croft. HOW could I resist?! Sign me up for Tomb Raider Part III.

what a weekend!

Ahh! So much has happened in NYC in the past 24 hours! With NY legislatures legalizing gay marriage, yesterday was a great day. I'm extremely excited for my friends, and honored to be working the Kiehls float at tomorrow's Pride March for the 2nd year in a row (as part of my work at L'Oreal, which owns Kiehls). I hear that there will be 500,000 to 1 million more attendants at the parade than the usual crowd of 1.5 million people, thanks to the vote. What can you say, we're all thrilled to be celebrating equality!

Update: See parade photos on my Flickr page!

(photo via musingsonfeminity)

dr. perricone's superfoods skincare giveaway: yogurt, melon, oh my!

The past week has been difficult for me -- I'm home sick but am healing fast thanks to antibiotics. But there has been a bright part to this week! I'm so, so pleased to be partnering up again with our friends at Perricone for another skincare giveaway. Perricone is offering one lucky Helen Hearts reader a Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone product valued at up to $150.

What's cool about this new line is that each product's active ingredient is derived from a superfood -- or what Dr. Perricone calls the top foods that are dramatically superior for maintaining beautiful skin. I'd love to try the products with superfoods yogurt and melon (which hydrates and brightens skin respectively.) This watercress elixir sounds wonderful too, like a super natural skin detox at home.

Here's how to enter for a chance to win:

1. Leave a comment below sharing which Super by Perricone product is your favorite, and why. And don't forget your email address so I can reach you!
   
2. Follow Helen Hearts on Google Friend Connect (just click on the left)
3. For additional entries, tweet or Facebook link this giveaway. Just let me know by leaving additional comments for each.
   

This giveaway is eligible for US/Canada friends only. A winner will be chosen via random generator on Monday, July 4th (yay, Independence day!) Good luck to all of you xoxo

Update: Congrats to Melissa from Oh My Darling, our lucky winner. Thanks for playing!

mad x2!

I'm absolutely mad about these Mad Men collectible dolls that Kiernan Shipka (aka Sally Draper) owns. That sassy Joan doll is just perfect. (via the Coveteur.)

blogger meetup in mccarren park!

I just got back from this blogger meetup in Williamsburg's McCarren Park (coordinated by the Delightful Dozen), and it was TOO CUTE. The weather was amazing and my fellow bloggers were so sweet & stylish. (So nice to meet you girls!) I'm especially glad to have finally hung out with the talented Jen (from Craftiness Now), who made the yummiest cookies for the picnic. Afterwards, we raided Beacon's Closet with Monroe & Yanil. I had so much fun -- and it wasn't just because of the spiked punch! Here are some photos:

Thanks so much to the Delightful Dozen for hosting! :)

chalkboard skulls

I'm not particularly fond of macabre furniture, but these colorful chalkboard skulls are pretty clever! They're made of plastic and chalkboard paint, and must be so fun to write notes and reminders on. I can see them being quite a conversation starter! What do you think, do or don't?

($38 each via etsy)

sweet encouragement

I took myself on a little date yesterday -- lots of walking, some window shopping, frozen yogurt, and some self reflection...

I'm loving my "me" time so much more than I used to. I'll go for jogs or read magazines in a park, and think about the new things I want to try, and what I'd like to learn... All of which has been super encouraging, like this Dr. Seuss quote. Do you cherish your quiet time too?

(photo via sun-shower)

viennese art nouveau

My family and I are taking a European vacation in July, and I'm literally thinking about it every other minute! We've never been nevebeebbbthis cool -- our family vacations usually consist of either Disneyworld (my sister's 13) or camping in the Poconos. So 2 weeks in Berlin, Vienna, and Prague is a major upgrade and an enormous privilegeprivilege. We're so excited! :)

I've been dreaming of all the places I'd love to revisit (since I've previously been to Berlin and lived in Prague), though I'm especially looking forward to Vienna. It is one of the most historically significant cities for art and music, after all!

I'd love to see these beautiful Art Nouveau necklaces and brooches in person -- they're currently on exhibition at the Leopold Museum. You don't have to be a jewelry designer to be inspired by these beauties :) Oh, and a good supply of Gustav Klimt is an added bonus. Love his work. This painting's called "Life and Death". Isn't it breathtaking?

(photos from the Leopold Museum)

closet cleaning

Thank goodness it's Sunday. I'm going to hang low, do laundry, and try to organize my closet, which is a mess/in need of severe editing. (Good thing Kendie's got some great tips on organizing.) I'm also making a careful list of all the things I'd like to add, like colorful tights, a nude slip (to keep my work dresses smooth & demure), and an incredible nude strapless bra. (I'd seriously splurge on that one!) What's on your shopping list? I love Matchbook magazine's list of 50 classics...

kate middleton for the win

Okay, so we all know Kate Middleton is gorgeous and has great style... but did you know that she also happens to be the star of Kate Middleton For the Win? (Aka, the funniest royal tumblr EVER.) Loveezzzz it! You must go check it out ASAP :)

So brilliant!

yay for our $50 kathlin argiro giveaway winner!

Many congrats to April, from April Maybe on winning the $50 Kathlin Argiro giveaway! April's blog background is covered in flowers, which is quite appropriate, since Kathlin Argiro has such gorgeous silk flowers on their etsy shop. I hope whatever you purchase leaves you feeling as special and stunning as this girl above looks! I'll be in touch via email... congrats again love!

(photo via Pinterest)

decor wonderful

Whooaaaa! Have you read this NYTimes article on the the thriving business of online design magazines yet? It made my day, I LOVE learning more about my favorite online mags Lonny, Matchbook, and Rue. Such an interesting read, despite the angle being a bit negative. (Lonny's editor Michelle Adams even addressed it via video blog here.)

I feel so privileged to be reading these amazing magazines for free. They're extremely inspiring, and my passion for interior design and decor has shot through the roof because of them. I'm constantly hitting up flea markets and Craigslist for antiques, and am always scouring 20x200 and the Mammoth Collection for cool prints to get started on my "art wall". Have you stumbled upon any treasures lately? I'll keep you posted too, of course! (In the meantime, you can check out my Pinterest account for all of the treasures I collect online, if you like.)

PS: The $50 Kathlin Argiro giveaway ends tomorrow! Don't forget to enter to win :)

happy friday + blogger meetup!

Happy Friday friends! I had a pretty lazy day, which mostly comprised of sleep, reading, cocktails (at Delicatessen) and a seafood spaghetti dinner at Cafe Fiat for a friend's farewell dinner. (Good luck on your move to India, Abeer!) Current status: snuggling in bed listening to this gorgeous playlist and reading Matchbook's 5th edition.

Also, I'm super pumped for this NYC & Philly blogger meetup (created by the Delightful Dozen). Since I'm originally from the Philly suburbs and have been in NYC for the past 4 years, this really hits close to home! And I can't wait to meet fellow bloggers, who are the most inspiring, full-of life people ever. (I remember running into Joanna from Cup of Jo last summer in the W. Village and seriously feeling like I was her best friend. She's exactly like her blog!) Who wants to come with me? I've never been to a blogger meetup before, have any of you?

style star: kendi!

Ummm, cannot get enough of Kendi, one of my favorite style bloggers at the moment. Her sense of humor never fails to crack me up, and I love how her outfits are pulled together by high and low pieces, from Target to trendier sites like ModCloth.

I think our generation pays much more attention to brand names instead of actual product and design quality, which is really discouraging! I love that Kendi's style transcends those label boundaries we place on ourselves. As a testament to that, I just ordered those amazing black sandals she's wearing from Target. Kendi, you're such a style star!

(photos from Kendi Everyday)

genius, crafty ideas!

The internet is blowing my mind! (But what else is new?) Some wonderful, innovative, awesome things related to food, interiors, and design I found while browsing:

Cupcakes in a cone! So smart and easy to eat.

Vintage furniture for rent.

What to do with leftover pasta... Spaghetti Pizza!

DIY chandelier, I'm dying. (via Joanna)

What a great (and simple!) invention

I'd love to eat at this roaming, outdoor restaurant

Oh, and happy June 1st, my loves :)