inspiring work spaces

I usually find that when I surround myself in a creative environment, I produce better work. That's why I'll bring my iPad into a coffee shop to blog or sit on my couch, intermittently reading and staring at the colorful prints on my gallery wall. But I don't have a work desk or any kind of real work space in my apartment (since my bedroom is so teeny). Hoping to reorganize my bedroom set-up sometime soon, since there are so many things I'd like to learn while sitting on a real-person desk, like graphic design, sketching, etc...

(Photos: Jenna Lyon's desk via 1; 2, 3, 4, 5)

favorite new iPad app: Oyster

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time with what feels like a new friend: the Oyster app for iPhone and iPad. Oyster's value proposition is amazing: read unlimited books (more than 100K titles available) for only a monthly $9.95 subscription fee. CNN calls it the "Netflix of Books," which sounds about right. I particularly enjoy the beautiful UX, as Oyster makes it super easy to discover new books.

I first heard about the app when it launched in September (my friend Vivek is one of their developers and we were catching up), but only joined a few weeks ago via their free-month promo offer. Absolutely no regrets- I'm reading every day, before bedtime, on the treadmill after work, in coffee shops, and loving every second. Here are a few books I'm currently reading on Oyster....

I have to admit -- there is something so interesting about Julia. I think it's her grit and joy of life that makes her fascinating because in many other ways, she was very conventional.

I love reading Gladwell and Godin -- so why not add this to the list? So far so good.

I haven't been reading nearly enough fiction, and short stories are usually my favorite. Tao Lin is a new-to-me author. So far his shorts are really imaginative, so I'm sticking through them.

trip to Beacon, New York

On MLK Monday, Tina, Kim and I hopped on the Metro North to visit a teeny little town upstate called Beacon. We checked out the contemporary art museum Dia, ate delicious sandwiches at Homespun, and walked up and down Main Street taking in the crisp air. I've only been upstate twice before (Catskills hiking and Hunter Mountain skiing) and hope to visit more often. Even though I was pretty exhausted from not sleeping well the night before, I'm so glad we had our little adventure.

(Photos by me. See a few more photos of the trip here.)

fantasizing about a new place...

As I host more and more dinners and parties, I've been fantasizing a lot about redecorating -- sometimes I wish I could keep moving into new places just to start decorating from scratch again! Don't get me wrong, I love my current apartment with its Anthropologie-esque  bright colors and designs (yellow couch, striped carpet, etc.). But my next apartment will probably be a little more tame. I'm really in love with white, gold, and wood as the foundational look and warm colors as details. And as always, lots of other cozy touches. Here's some current inspiration.

(Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Revival Style 365 trunk show

Remember my friend Neetu who founded her own socially conscious fashion brand, Revival Style? I posted about her first trunk show back in 2012, which was a lot of fun. She's been in India for the past few months working on her new collection and I had the pleasure of hosting her trunk show last night! It was an evening of beautiful Indian-inspired apparel and accessories, wine, and good company. Take a look at some photos here...

Also, check out Revival Style here and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram (@revivalstyle). xoxo

happy holiday my loves

Merry Christmas Eve!! So this year was the first year that I've ever had a REAL tree in my apartment and in my life actually (growing up, my parents would bust out the fake tree, sigh). I loved smelling its fresh pine scent every day this December. Below are a few photos of Abby's and my East Village apartment -- we put up some white lights and it's been feeling quite festive. I just left today to spend the holidays in PA with my family, and am now furtively last-minute wrapping presents and listening to Beyonce's new album. Enjoy this time with your loved ones!

Bird and Butterfly ornaments from West Elm

we've got a long ways to go

This picture of a young Leo and Kate makes me grin from ear to ear. We have so much learning and growing to do. Just look at how far they've both come since this photo!

(photo via here)

holiday gift guide #3: 9 gifts for your creative kindred spirit

What would we do without our creative friends? Life would certainly not be nearly as fun. Here are some gift ideas for your creative kindred spirit who taught herself how to use Illustrator, always knows about the latest museum exhibits and art installations, and travels to countries by herself just for her own inspiration's sake.

Because she almost bought a set at Anthropologie and always regretted not getting them: Quartz coasters, $68

Because she's a global citizen: Lem Lem Ishi scarf, $84 (handmade in Ethiopia)

Because she would so use this next time she bakes: Wilton Hello Kitty Cake Pan, $12.49

Because she loves to surround herself with inspiring photography: Umbra Clothesline Flip Photo Display, $30

Because she has a quirky sense of fashion: Lips Striped Cream Jumper, $20.96

Because she'll always be nostalgic of her time in London: Streets of London iPhone 5/5S Case from ModCloth, $31.99

Because she's all about international snacking: Green tea Kit Kat 12 pack, $12

Because she appreciates the little details: Jonathan Adler Mr. & Mrs. Muse Mug, White, $24

Because secretly she'd love to lounge around and read all night (and so would you): Ralph Lauren Super-Soft Terry Kimono Robe, $62

holiday gift guide #2: 7 gifts for your favorite dude

Next up on the holiday gift guides are gifts for your favorite dude who taught you everything you know about wine, immediately adds you as a plus-one to his fun work events, and runs outside with you even when it's freezing and the only clean clothes he has are shorts.

Because he drinks way too much Starbucks: Bodum Eileen French Press Coffee Maker, 12oz, $30

Because he's clueless about skin protection: Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20, $17

Because he's really getting into golf these days: The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever, $12.02

Because he's passionate about his Movember mustache: Great Mustaches Mug, $11.50

Because he loves his bourbon whiskey: Maker's Mark Bourbon Flavored Gourmet Cherries, $7.95

Because he's been searching for the perfect lightweight wallet: Jack Spade Leather Credit Card Holder, $65

Because he's been upping his fashion game lately: Richer Poorer Socks Holiday Gift 3-Pack, $32

holiday gift guide #1: 8 gifts for your stylish best friend

I'm so excited to kick off a series of holiday gift guides, starting with some ideas for the amazing women in our lives. Without further ado, here are some gifts for your stylish best friend who always shares her plate at brunch, remembers all of your crushes, and buys you tequila shots on your birthday but "forgets" to tell you the embarrassing things that happened as a result.

Because she walks everywhere in the city: Clarisonic's Pedi Foot Transformation set, $199

Because she's so petite she could buy from the boy's section: Boy's Fisherman Cotton Cable Sweater, $86

Because she appreciates the simple but personal things: Set of 6 Rustic Leather Boxed Coasters from West Elm, Personalized $65

Because she would find this hilarious (and she has a lot of scarves): Umbra Dress Scarf Holder, $15

Because she's always wanted one sitting on her desk, but never got around to pulling the trigger: Diptyque 'Noisetier - Hazelnut' Candle, $60

Because she appreciates the joy in beautiful stationary: Vintage Telephone Notepad 2 pack from Rifle Paper Co., $15

Because she could rock this so hard with her bubbly personality: Bubble Umbrella in Venetian Paisley from Vera Bradley, $40

Because she values her mind (and yours) more than anything: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, $9.99