the simple things

Lately, I have been struck by how the simple things can bring so much warmth and optimism. From seeing fellow New Yorkers helping their neighbors who are struggling post-Sandy to asking "How's your day going?" to the grocery store cashier and taking in their surprised smile... life can be sweetly rewarding in its small moments, don't you think?

A few simple things that are warming my heart and making me feel grateful....

- a cozy home (with heat!)

- pumpkin scented candles

- woolen socks & tall boots

- spaghetti and eggs... the simple foods are the best!

- a church community

What are the simple things you love? 

(photo via martha stewart)

helen loves: edition #5

Sweet camera tote bag; wanted: neon bib necklace via Bauble Bar; gorgeous tufted leather loveseat via Babble (but so pricy!); best pimple zapper ever: Yes to Tomatoes Roller Ball Spot Stick; OMG Mudslide Icecream Cake!; 4-set of colorful glass tumblrs;  xo

Some more things Helen Loves...

helen loves: edition #3

Would love to cook with this heart spatula; make-your-heart-melt kind of sandals by Loeffler Randall; salted caramel chocolate fudge cake, I love the sweet-savory combination; a beautiful ring by Twist; is there anything more precious than a well-worn journal?; washing my face just doesn't feel the same without my Clarisonic Mia.

Some more things that Helen Loves...

helen loves: edition #2

... New favorite style blogger, Anh of 9to5Chic, a sleek water filter jug (need one of these for my work desk), an inspiring quote, a pretty bralet (black, polka-dotted, lacy - just my style!), edgy & simple gold bracelet, moleskins filled with ideas & doodles, and a cherry tomato puff pastry tart. Yum.

Some more things that Helen Loves...

helen loves...

Hi friends! I'm excited to introduce a new weekly series of my favorite things. Hope you're having a colorful weekend, and enjoy!

... A great book on creativity, a sweet dog pillow, bright citron pumps from Shoe Mint, Ted Talks on Netflix (helpfully organized by subject!), pleated skirts, heart-shaped macarons, Baby Lips tinted lip balms (Cherry Me and Pink Punch are favorites). xo

a pop of pink

Happy weekend, lovelies. I'm back in the 'burbs of Philadelphia, visiting friends and family. Today, I took a delicious nap and indulged in a piece of cheesecake and half of a chocolate mousse from Minella's. So happy. I'm also especially drawn to bright pinks today... can't wait to paint my nails in essie's miami nice and watch Pretty in Pink asap! Now here's some pink-spiration coming your way ;)

Live in...

Accessorize with...

Dress up in...

Decorate your walls with...

Pucker up in....

Write your love on...

Cook with...

I think we're ready for Valentine's Day! xoxo

(Photos via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

tangerine tango!

A couple weeks ago, Pantone, the color authority, announced Tangerine Tango as its color of the year, which I LOVE. I'm excited because this gorgeous orangey red is one of my happy colors! (In addition to bright yellow and sky blue.) I was thinking so much about this shade, I just made an inspiration collage to celebrate....

Wear: Kate Spade's Grand Street Kaley bag ($318)

Read: Design Crush at Home by Grace Bonney ($16.99, Amazon)

Accessorize with: essie's clambake nail polish ($8)

Dine with: this soup and sandwich ceramic tray duo ($30)

PS: Some other fun, colorful collages.

weekly recap, instagrammed

I thought my first week back from Christmas break (I returned to New York on the 2nd) would be rough, but it was surprisingly low-key and relaxing. I played gym catchup and grocery shopped, with some fun bits in between. Here are a few moments from my week!

While catching up with Eunsan at The Bean, I couldn't help watching the chess game going on next to us between two older hipster dudes. (It was such an East Village moment :)

A "croquette" hot dog dinner at (newly opened) Japadog in St. Mark's. Tasty, but it's got competition.

And by competition, I mean Crif Dog (!) my favorite hotdog place. They're so eccentric, they even branded the potted tree above.

Working on my brand (essie) with my nails painted in 'mango jango,' a pretty orangey red

Someone left yogi tea bags on my desk, and I'm so grateful to them for both the tea and the nice message it came with

On the weekend, a tasty long island iced tea with friends at B Bar

Another bar stop: this place 2A screens movies against the wall. More for aesthetics than anything else (since you can't hear the dialogue), but still cool.

After a night of dancing at the Soho Grand (with my fashionable friend Andrea who works in Philip Lim press), brunch on Sunday at Cafe Mogadore with Dan and Marc.

Here's to another week of appreciating the details in life - big and small. Have a good one xo.

6 resolutions to make (and not break!)

My resolutions for 2012 are going to be as doable, simple, and fun as possible. I just want to do things that make me happy! (Now that's all the reason we need, right? :) So without further ado, I'm committed in the next year to these 6 resolutions:

1. Plan more trips (to visit friends, to see new places)

2. Host more soirees (from dinner parties to just hangin' out)

3. Buy more flowers ('cause they'll brighten up the dullest day)

4. Go to bed earlier (and feel 100x better, always)

5. Take more photos (and take in new perspectives)

6. Take more risks (because 99% of the time, they're worth it)

(photos via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

HAPPY 2012!! A look back at 2011...

Happy New Year!! I rang in 2012 in my hometown (Philly suburbs) with my best high school friends and a sparkly dress. Apart from lots of dancing, it was nicely low key. How was your new year's eve? I'm already feeling chummy with 2012, but I have to acknowledge that 2011 was very, very good to me. This was the year that I graduated from NYU and started work full-time in brand marketing at L'Oreal. 2011 was a transition year, but also super liberating and fun. Here's a recap, if you'd like to see....

January marked my 4th year as a New Yorker, and I began to feel really confident about my place in the city.

In February, I threw a Chinese New Year party and celebrated my friend Liz's trader's trophy win. It was a chilly month, so I also spent a lot of time in the Pop Up Park, my favorite winter retreat :)

In March, I hung out in neighborhood coffee shops and went to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. I also visited California for the first time (Newport Beach to be exact) for spring break!

April was the best month EVER. My friends & I won a national business competition for Dannon (which included making this goofy video) and went to Paris for a week, for free. I also turned twenty-two the day before the Royal Wedding.

May meant going to the Hester Street Fair, Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" exhibit and a little thing called COLLEGE GRADUATION!! (Officially a real person now, whoo!)

In June, I went to my first blogger meetup in Brooklyn and became an avid fan of the online decor magazine phenomenon.

July was a crazy month. We went on family vacation in Prague/Berlin/Vienna for 2 wks (an amazing trip that I still need to post pics up of!), and I started asking people for their summer to-do lists.

In August, I showed off my new East Village apartment, ate fancy donuts at the Brooklyn Flea, and shared my favorite entrepreneurship books.

September was so work-busy, I turned to my comforts: Chinese food and nature. I also asked my high school girlfriends for their autumn to-do list.

October included a girl's brunch back in Philly, a guest post by Mary Kate, and TWO costumes for Halloween.

In November, I went to the Quidditch World Cup, which blew my mind. Then I went home to a yummy Thanksgiving.

And finally, in December, I was more of a foodie than usual and put together 3 Holiday Gift Guides for Christmas!

Phew! It's so amazing looking back at these little details which made this 2011 a year full of rich memories. I don't blog about my personal life very much, so I'm especially glad I have these posts to remember the year by. Life is full of ups and downs, but I'm always reminded that for every sick week or heart break, there's a great big surprise (like a free trip to Paris!) just around the corner! That's how life works! No matter how many lemons get thrown at me, I'll always be swimming in lemonade, and I'm thankful. I'm also honored to have sponsored 5 giveaways this year and honored to have such sweet readers like you.

Now tell me all about YOUR 2011! And if you like, feel free to check out my recaps of 2010 and 2009. Have a great 2012 my dears! Take it by the balls! :)

Last Minute Gift Guide ( No Budget!) for your Special Someones

It's crunch time, guys! I have been so bad at buying gifts for everyone... Need to FOCUS, pronto! Here are a few last minute ideas, with no particular budget. I hope you enjoyed my gift guides for 2011. Happy holidays!

A great book for your printmaking friend who aspires to own a studio one day, $10.48

Hidden animal mugs for your honorary older sister who just moved into her own apartment, $21 each

For your beauty guru roommate: a 12 month subscription to Birchbox, $110

A home decor book (450 pages of pictures!) for your constantly decorating mother, $10.96


Cute floral undies for your growing-up-too-fast 14 year old sister, $3-5 with 70% off at Gap

Recycled wine bottle platters for your friend who always brings the best stinky cheese to parties, $18 each


Kiehls Creme de Corps (the best body moisturizer in the world) for your fellowship group, $29 for 8.4 fl. oz. bottle

And lastly, a classic and timeless Swatch watch for your Father who's always got your back, $175 with 2-year warrenty; $126 without warrenty.

PS: Previous gift guides for guys and girls. xoxo

10 days of food, 10 instagrams

I'm a little sheepish to admit this, but I pretty much spend all of my money on food. Going out to eat is my favorite thing to do in the city, and I've instagramed a few photos from the past ten days (2 weeks and 6 weekdays) to show for it ;)

Yesterday's scrumptious brunch at Cafe Orlin with Dan and Makobe.

Saturday's Butterlane cupcake class with Eunsun. I made these! (I even learned how to make frosting from scratch & how to properly frost cupcakes!)

Venezuelan dinner tonight at Caracas Arepa Bar with Eunsun, Tina, and Andrea

Coffee & macaron break with Danny at The Bean.

Shopping break with Justin: we had our first taste of Mash... I mean, ambrosia in a bottle.

At the L'Oreal year-end event... there was a ton of dessert, which made me happy. :)

It was held at the Marriot Marquis hotel, which had a great view of Times Square

After the event, coworkers and I enjoyed some pear bellinis (open bar at work = dangerous! :)

Mousse dessert with Jen at The Mermaid Inn

Fresh brew served inside one of my favorite winter destinations, The Open House Gallery Pop-up Park

a little laughter

Ok. (via the BEST tumblr ever)

I'm with ya there, Ross! ;)

Haaaave I told you about Bitch?

Awesome.

100% me.

(photos via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)