2014, it's been a pleasure!

It's the last day of 2014, and I can't believe it! This year was the fastest year of my life, but also the best year (or so I often feel during end of year reflections!). I met Ben in January, ran my first 10K (photo above!), bought a bike, started a 9-month theology fellowship, and traveled to the Bahamas, San Francisco, Nashville, Chicago, and recently Buffalo for the holidays. While this year was filled with love, travel, and spiritual growth, I also have a few things that I'm hoping to work on in 2015, mostly learning how to better balance my time (between friends, personal time, and a relationship) and making more of an effort to cook and exercise. I'm especially looking forward to blogging and writing more, which I really missed the latter half of this year. Hope you have a wonderful new year, friends, and see you in 2015!

Master List: Top 25 Cyber Week/Black Friday deals!

Friends, it has been FAR too long since I've posted--wow has this fourth quarter flown by. I'm looking forward to catching up on the blog (for real) after Black Friday/Cyber Monday madness, but wanted to share some of the best online deals for Cyber Week, since that is my world lately working in e-commerce retail! So without further ado, here are some of the top promotions going on now until Cyber Monday.

30% off at Asos with code TGIBF (11/27 to 11/30) and ILOVEMONDAYS (11/30 to 12/2)

50% off at Ann Taylor (11/30 to 12/3)

20% off Athleta with code FIT20 (11/28 to 11/30)

50% off 1 full-priced item at Banana Republic with code BRFIFTY or 40% off sitewide BRFORTY (11/27 to 11/28) 

Take $15 off $75, $35 off $150, and $65 off $250 at Beauty Bar with code BBCYBER14

Up to 50% off select items at Bloomingdales

30% off cashmere styles at Club Monaco (11/28)

15% off sitewide at DvF with code FRIDAY 15 (11/28) and CYBER15 (12/1)

40% off sitewide at French Connection with code FC40BF (11/28 to 12/1)

50% off sitewide at Gap with code BLKFRIDAY (11/27 to 11/28) and 40% off sitewide with code GIFT (11/29)

30% off at Jack Wills with code THANKY (11/26 to 12/1)

30% off select full-price styles and additional 40% off sale + free shipping at J.Crew with code HOLIDAY (11/26 to 11/30) and code MONDAY (12/1).

50% off at J.Crew Factory with code THANKS (11/25 to 11/30)

30% off and free shipping at Kate Spade with code DEALME (11/26 to 11/30) and code OHWOW (12/1)

Get extra 20% off almost everything at Lord & Taylor with code THANKS (11/25 to 11/30). Plus, get 25% off fine jewelry and up to 50% off women's boots.

25% off your entire purchase at Madewell with code GIFTON (11/25 to 11/30)

25% off sitewide at ModCloth with code CYBERMONDAY (11/30 to 12/3)

Take up to 40% off select product at Nordstrom

Take up to 50% off at Old Navy

30% off sitewide & 40% markdowns at Piperlime with code CYBERSALE (11/30 to 12/1)

Take 15% off $250, 20% off $500, 25% off $1000 at Shopbop with code GOBIG14 (11/25 to 12/1)

Lots of Black Friday deals at Target, including an iPad Air 16GB for $399 w/ a $100 Target gift card gift with purchase

20% off at TOMS with code CHEER (11/27 to 12/1)

Take $15 off $75, $25 off $100 and $50 off $150 at Urban Outfitters (12/1)

Up to 25% off West Elm with code SUPERSALE (11/26 to 12/1)

Happy shopping and happy Thanksgiving! xoxo.

(Photo via pinterest)

5 resolution themes for 2014

I struggled the past two weeks with making resolutions but then read an article on Huff Po about creating themes for the year that we can think about every day instead of specific resolutions. Maybe measurable resolutions are too serious and broader, more general themes are just-right? They seem gentler anyway. Here are five 2014 themes I'd like to be intentional about on a daily basis...

Stop guilting. 
If I want to sleep in, eat a third portion, read at night instead of going out, so be it.

Don't be afraid to go it alone (be it a vacation, a movie, or a walk).
Enjoying your own company is underrated. 

Think of myself less.
C.S. Lewis once defined this as true humility, and it really stuck with me. 

Be real.

Remain authentic in my feelings, actions, and relationships.

Be present. 
The future will worry about itself.

(Photo source: 1, 2, 3 - originally from Breakfast at Tiffany's- 4, 5, )

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

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

26 amazing deals for cyber week

Working in e-commerce retail now, I have a whole new appreciation for all the hard work that goes into the big Black Friday/Cyber Monday push. But I also have a new appreciation as a customer for all of the options out there to save big! Here are a few Cyber Week deals from around the net (thank you, competitive research)-- hurry, most of them end on Cyber Monday!

Get up to 60% off women’s sale at Nordstrom.

Take 30% off designer handbags at Bloomingdales.

Get a Limited Edition Clarisonic Mia for $99 ($125 value) at Beauty Bar.

Up to 30% off at Asos.

Spend $250, Save 15% at Shopbop with code BIGEVENT13.

Take 20% off site-wide at Macy’s with code GOBBLE.

30% off full price tops at C. Wonder.

Take 60% off all Sale at Ann Taylor with code ANNFLASH.

30% off boots and flats at UGG Australia.

Get 30% off regular priced dresses at BCBGeneration.

Get up to 50% off on three items at NastyGal.

25% off at J.Crew with code GETGIFTING.

Take 30% off markdowns at Club Monaco with code THANKS30.

Get 20% off handbags at DKNY.

Take $50 off $250 at Beauty Bar with BBSPECIAL50

Extra 30% off at The Outnet.

15% off regular items, 20% off sale items at Lord & Taylor with code BIG.

30% off throws at West Elm, also free shipping with code SHIP4FREE.

Get 25% off side-wide and free shipping at Steve Madden with code THANKFUL25.

Get 20% off site-wide and free shipping at Hudson Jeans.

Free shipping with code HOLIDAY at Saks Fifth Avenue.

$25 off $100, $50 off $150 at Nine West.

Free secret reward card + Free Shipping on Orders $100+ at Victoria's Secret.

30% off outerwear at Express.

Get up to 60% off select items at Gap.

40% off when you use your Banana card at Banana Republic with code BRTHANKS.

Happy shopping xoxo

my birthday!

This Sunday, I celebrated my birthday -- and what a fun, thrilling, and emotional weekend! My friends took me to delicious dinners and brunches (at Gemma and The Smith), Mary Kate came in from Philly, and many of my loved ones celebrated with me on the rooftop bar 230 Fifth where the view 20+ flights up was astounding...

 

I felt so moved the entire time by my incredibly generous friends who are my family. So thankful for the abundance of people in my life  (including my blog community) who make me who I am. Much, much love to you all xoxo.

UGallery giveaway winner announced!

Happy belated Chinese New Year and Valentines day! Both holidays involved lots of eating on my part: dim sum at Ping's with the girls and then Italian dinner plus chocolate mousse from Veniero's with my dear friend Justin. I also guest pinned Valentine's Day inspiration over at UGallery's pinterest this week, so check out the pins here, and a few below!

I'm also excited to announce the UGallery giveaway winner! Congratulations Alex --  can't wait to see what you do with your two prints! I'm sending you an email now. :)

(Photos via 1, 2, 3)

Happy New Year!! So excited for 2013 :)

Happy new year!!! I can't believe we're in 2013, what an adventure we have ahead of us! I had a very restful holiday break in Philadelphia, followed by some fun celebrations in New York the weekend of New Year's Eve. What were you up to? Here are some photos from my NYE (I was at my friend Johanna's house party):


Johanna and I :)

a L'Oreal photo with Johanna and Jeff - grateful for you guys!

Me and my darling Neetu, love her like a sister!

Abby, Shelby, Johanna, and I!

Do you have any resolutions for the new year? Here are some of mine:

- Have more creative time (1 hour a week should do it!)

- Invest in my communities at church, work, and other friendships

- More work-out classes (why am I so bad at lugging myself to the gym?)

xoxo