food for thought

You know what's a delicious way to spend Saturdays, at least for book nerds like myself? Cozying up in Barnes and Noble after a yummy meal with the newest fiction in your hands. Mmm...

After a delicious brunch at Dos Caminos (prickly pear margarita! guacamole!) my friend Georgina and I trekked up to the B&N on 82nd and Broadway (Manhattan's largest bookstore, actually) for some coffee and literature. It was sooooo relaxing and nice -- both catching up with a friend and reading some new-to-me recently published works.

I have a bunch of books on my to-read list right now, including a few poetry anthologies, but most are fiction, my favorite form to read. Do you have any fun suggestions? I'd love to hear! I'm actually expecting The Dud Avocado and its sequel The Old Man and Me in the mail any day now, thanks to a friend's recommendation. (I ordered from Amazon, and am psyched about the great reviews!)

yay for little awesome things

I seriously love thumb tacks. They made my week, I kid you not! They've helped me accessorize (I never wore my necklaces because they were always tangled up together in some box. No more!)...

They also hold up this awesome banner we have in our kitchen, reminding us to stay still and watch out for our pots & pans! And tea kettle! 

And of course, they keep memories in place. (See this photobooth photo of my friends & I? It used to be bunched up in my purse. So much better.)

Thanks thumb tacks for keeping things together for me in this snowy, crazy week. (If only I could buy you dinner or drinks or something! ;) 

back in nyc

Here's a poem, which pretty much summarizes how I feel about being back... My fourth year in this city, 2011 will be the year I get my poetry mojo back!

(photo via fwriction)

golden globe favorites

Let's talk about last night's Golden Globes, which I had a ton of fun watching (and tweeting about with my twitter friends of course!). There were so many great moments -- pretty dresses, funny speeches, and a wonderful camaraderie and appreciation for film and television. Here are a few of my favorites Golden Globe memories...

1. My favorite gowns - so colorful!

Kyra Sedgwick in Emilio Pucci, January Jones in Versace, and Anne Hathaway in Giorgio Armani Privé

2. Favorite Speeches...

Chris Colfer's anti-bullying speech (Best Supporting Actor in TV in Series)
Claire Dane's emotional speech (Best Actress in Mini-Series/TV Movie)

Robert Downey Jr's hilarious speech (Presenter)
Annette Benning's classy speech (Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy)
Natalie Portman's endearing & kind of awkward speech (Best Actress - Drama)

3. Glee and The Social Network for the win!!!

4. Robert Downey Jr. being downright sexy

.... with his lucky wife Susan

5. Oh, and this stylish Chrysler commercial which aired during break

Any other favorite memories, my sweet friends?

(photos via instyle, people, the examiner)

reach for the world

How motivational is this? I just booked tickets for a spring break trip to California, so I'm feeling especially empowered by this sentiment!

(photo by Amy Rice)

some wednesday humor

This Vanity Fair mockup of the New Yorker featuring coverboy Justin Bieber makes me laugh. Hope you are having a humorous, wonderful Wednesday! :)

Speaking of the New Yorker, I am currently reading 20 Under 40: Stories from the New Yorker, which I got my very literary little sister for Christmas - and I'm enjoying it quite a bit! (As did she!)

a few street styles

Love this outfit! And this lady looks a bit like Sienna Miller, don't you think?

Beautiful hair and very cool gold nails

Eva Fontanelli, editor of Elle Italy. She. Is. Adorable. 

Accessories can really change the mood of an outfit, wow :)

Some inspiring street fashion looks from Vanessa Jackman and her covetable Nikon. I love finding new street fashion blogs with high quality photos! (Could honestly ooh and ahh for hours!) The coolest part is learning more about the photographer's style. It's so nice to be able to discern the different tastes between the many fashion photographer-bloggers out there... Scott Schuman, Garance Dore, Hanneli, Tommy Ton, etc. They are all so talented.

 #1 on my wishlist now: a Nikon or Canon SLR!

(photos by Vanessa Jackman)

let them eat cake

It's snowing out and I am freezing cold (i.e. wearing my leopard print snuggie all day) but I'm totally craving this decadent banana split icecream cake (yes cake!) right now. Must. Look. Away...

(photo via the pioneer woman)

a sartorial little film

I really adore this video that captures Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist in his element. Though I've met Scott a few years back when he spoke at NYU, I still really enjoy learning more about him! This film showcases Scott's perception of his "visual life", his thoughts on his body of work, and my favorite, Scott in action, photographing his lucky real-people models. We also get to see how entirely humble and polite he is, which to me, makes him a gem in the fashion world.

(photo by The Sartorialist)

blue valentine

Can't wait to see this film... I've been waiting since April! (One of the producers went to NYU, and he's a friend of a friend.)

happy new year! a recap of 2010 :)

Happy New Year friends! I welcomed 2011 with both my high school and college friends in New York, which was a ton of fun. As exciting as 1/1/11 is, New Year's is also a time to celebrate the passing year. 2010 was full of tremendous experiences and life lessons learned. Here's a little recap of my year, if you'd like to see...

In January, I spent my first full month back in the U.S. after a semester in Europe, reunited with frozen yogurt & New York Restaurant Week, and started letting "my beat" build.

February was filled with little bursts of inspiration. I played shoe paparazzi and was inspired by all sorts of NYC related things, like the Soho House and a new HBO show.

In March, I went to brunch, showed you my bag, and had an amazing Spring Break trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina!!!

In April, I fell in love with Sylvia Plath, thrift shopping, and Crif Dogs... I also attended the Tribeca Film Festival (with my all-access "A" pass!) and celebrated my 21st!

May marked the end of junior year; I relaxed in Philadelphia and enjoyed a few cozy frozen yogurt & coffee shop trips.

In June, I moved to my West Village summer apartment, started my marketing internship at L'Oreal, visited the Brooklyn Flea, and read tons of Alice Munro.

July was crazy! I watched Prince Harry play polo, partied on the Kiehls float in the NYC Pride parade, and ate tons of yummy food, like crab.

In August, I moved into my Little Italy apartment (yes, lots of moving!), celebrated the end of summer with Vietnamese/Mexican food, Almodovar films, and had my first ever blog giveaway.

September was full of senior year celebration. I accepted L'Oreal's full-time offer, hung out in my new apartment, explored entrepreneurship, and had cupcakes.

October brought a Harvard trip, eccentric apartment pictures, another blog giveaway, and Halloween! (I was a cat)

November was relaxing & full of thanksgiving. I felt especially thankful for my girlfriends, my sister, and life's little lovely moments.

In December, I had apple sandwiches, met the Rent the Runway co-founders, and toasted my dear friends.

While 2009 was filled with travel and adventure, I grew even more in 2010 both personally and professionally. I'm so grateful for all of 2010's blessings! Excited to see what 2011 brings! :)

PS: Here's my full recap of 2009!

(1st photo via sally m, the rest by me)