new crushes -- rainboots you've been replaced!

Did I ever mention that my Hunter rain boots ordering was a total fail? Gilt Groupe sent the wrong style and size, and then told me my original order was sold out. This made me cry and wander solemnly around NYC, sans rainboots, Adele-style. (You think I'm kidding...) But that was totally 3 weeks ago. Over it. Onto the next one!

Raincoat, I'm lookin' at you...

And your twin, the cloak hoodie, is pretty cute too.

Nice to meet you, lady bow!

Swiffer duster meets dollar store lei necklace. Let's be friends, then fall in love and stuff, k?

4 snuggly-feeling things

Our heat finally turned on today -- thank GOODNESS. Autumn can be really annoying if you're getting up early and freezing. (I take morning showers -- it wakes me up!-- and coming out from the steam into frigid temperature is the worst.) But I like this season with my heaters working... makes me want to burrow in my apartment and stay there forever. In the name of snuggling, here's 4 things that bring out the snuggly in me...

Fireplaces. Real or fake.

Autumn-y decor. Always makes me feel warm (and appreciative of being inside)!

Cashmere scarf. (Anything cashmere will do)

A comfy armchair + thick blanket. Heaven.

What makes you feel snuggly? Wool socks? Hot cocoa? A snuggle buddy? All of the above? :)

Classic brunch with classy ladies

I popped by my parents' home this weekend in the Philly suburbs and happily got to catch up with some of my best friends from home! You might recognize these girls, they are kinda all over this blog. We went to the Classic Diner, our regular brunch place, and I had the most amazing peanut butter and banana french toast. Home isn't home without loved ones-- the people who know you inside out --and yummy food! ;)

Me and Mary Kate

Audrey and Anna

I wish I could say I totally demolished it, but I ended up bringing half back to my sister -- it was so gigantic!

amazing quote

I've been seeing this sentiment everywhere and thinking lots about it...

Doesn't it make you feel so motivated? I'm also focusing on the "sleeping" part, because you can't live your best life and "move mountains" without some quality rest. So make sure to take gentle care of yourself :)

(via 1, 2)

the perfect black dress

This is my idea of the perfect black dress for autumn. I love everything about it: the long sleeves, the dreamy A-line skirt, the sexy deep-v back, and sweet dotted mesh inlay. I can see myself wearing it to a poetry reading or on a date. So, so sad that it's all sold out! It's an unrequited love kind of situation :(

Long sleeve chevron dress, $94 via Need Supply

the wine lover's tote

Wish I had a super cute wine tote to lug wine over to my friend's dinner party tonight. These Maptotes are really, really tempting me right now!

I'm originally from Philly, and now am going on to 5 years in NYC... but I love the beautiful blue of that Napa Valley design! Which maptote would you get?

visual poetry

This new-to-me tumblr Visual Poetry is pretty darn neat. As a former poetry minor and a design fanatic, I'm really digging this marriage! What I love about conceptual art is that it's so rooted in our emotions. We often don't know if we love or hate something, but we certainly do feel something for them. And sometimes, that's all we really need.

My old-school poet-crush e.e. cummings would agree. He did love to feel.

(all photos via visual poetry)

guest blogger: 3 things mary kate's MAD for!

Hi pretties! Oh my goodness has my life been crazy! I've been a little bit preoccupied with work, etc, so I asked my dear friend Mary Kate to guest blog and share her current obsessions. MK is super stylish, and an artist to boot! I know you'll love her thoughts on Makeup, Art, and Dessert. Here are a few things she's MAD for...

Mary Kate, Rockstar Friend & Guest Blogger Extraordinaire

Makeup: Paper eyelashes

"I’m usually not a fan of false eyelashes, but I came across these insane, ornate paper eyelashes from PaperSelf (also available at Sephora) and thought to myself, how creative! You probably won’t catch me dead or alive in these things, but for the right girl (and perhaps for Halloween), I am all for them."

Art: Italian painter Roberto Ferri

"There is just too much to love about Roberto Ferri and his work. For one, he carries on the tradition set before him by his Italian master predecessors. He may be a contemporary painter, though his refined treatment of the paint screams, “Michelangelo! Botticelli! Tintoretto!” All of Ferri’s figures are exquisitely lit, voluminous, and sensual."

Dessert: Palmiers

"Next on my neverending list of things to learn to make: palmiers. These flaky, buttery cookies are an absolute staple in all French pastry shops and I had peut-être one too many when I studied abroad there. I’d also love to learn how to whip up a mean pain au chocolat. One thing at a time, though!"

Thanks MK for your gorgeous list! :)

seafan scarves

Oooh. Definitely a fan of this silky, handprinted Seafan Heart scarf. It's fun and subtly stylish -- perfect for the chilly weather we're seeing this week! (Hope you're staying warm friends, wherever you are.)

PS: I didn't know what a seafan was until now. Apparently, it also goes by the name, "gorgonian". I think gorgeous is a better descriptor.

Seafan Heart scarf, $42 via Snoozer Loser

gossipy notebooks (I met and liked!)

- Isabel, my Europe '09 backpacking partner-in-crime
- British guy from Vienna who told me his life story
- My NYU Danone team!

- My old freshman year floor at Rubin
- The NYU Local launch party attendees
- The NYU creative writing program

- Giving people I just met giant, surprise hugs
- Asking people how their vacations went after I stalked on facebook
- "I like your new haircut!" "I didn't get a haircut" "Oh, well, it looks good!"


- Sitting by the Seine river, bottle of wine all to myself in Paris
- Seconds & thirds of mom's homemade cooking
- That extra cookie/brownie/cupcake and glass of red wine


Err... that's private! Just kidding!
- Rhett Butler
- Leopold
- Don Draper

How fun are these notebooks? Which one would you want to have sitting on your nightstand? I like the excesses one the best -- it must be so fun to read back on our indulgences. Mine would be filled with yummy brunches and dinners. :)

Archie Grand notebooks, $10 each on Amazon.