put a ring on it

Sara Bareilles + Beyonce's "Single Ladies" + doo-wop and blues = Talent!

Is this stunning/beautiful/mind-blowing or what?!

Carissa got to see Sara in concert - so jealous!

put a flower on it

Love these gorgeous pin-on flowers from EmersonMade, a new fashion house by Emerson (who's modeling these looks) and her husband. NYC has been so gray and gloomy lately, a dreamy, colorful flower just brightens my day! It's the small things...

(photos via Emersonmade)

"Please accept from me this unpretentious bouquet of very early-blooming parentheses: (((())))." -- J.D. Salinger

I love my sweet revenge!

Two random facts about me: when it comes to wine and cupcakes, I can't ever help but indulge. Thankfully, I've found the perfect place for my taste-buds: Sweet Revenge, the cupcake, beer, and wine bar on Carmine Street in the West Village.

I'll be making my second visit this Thursday with my entrepreneurship club as we launch our "Entrepreneurship in Action" program, where students can connect with entrepreneurs at their very own companies! We'll be chatting with Marlo Scott, Sweet Revenge's owner/founder, who is phenomenal -- so incredibly down-to-earth and full of stories. Check out her recent feature in Chase Ink's national ad campaign below and read her NY Daily News feature!

I can't wait to introduce my fellow entrepreneur-pals to the fabulous restaurant + cupcakes + Marlo! If you're in Manhattan, feel free to join us at 5:30pm this Thursday! :)

(photos via Sweet Revenge)

stay-cation

A few words: firstly, I've missed you, dear friends. I've been longing to chat with you all week!! (Euphemisms for life-has-been-crazy-and-I-suck-at-time-management!!!) I've been loaded with work (and more work) and in dire need of some pretty pictures and inspiration... so thought I'd share some of my favorites if you're on the same boat as me. Let's take a stay-cation, beginning with an exhale...

and then pack up our trunks...

for a daydream vacation to Greece...


where we'll buy lots of those funky "flowerbags" just 'cause...


and write letters to friends back home...


about our fabulous grain-sack armchair...


and the cake-making class we're taking...


and the quirky 3.1 Phillip Lim sweater we're coveting...


and the beautiful, interesting columns we're reading, like
WSJ Magazine's "Big Interview" and NYT's "Modern Love"

Don't you feel so much better? I sure do! :)

speaking of kids...

My 13-year-old sister just texted me, ecstatic about her new shoe purchase. Get this -- patent converses for $19.99! Such a bargain! Although I rarely wear sneakers, I was tempted to snap up a pair myself... They're pretty stylish, don't you think? (Too cool for me though ;) )

"remember when you were a kid..."

Just a wonderful, inspiring video on entrepreneurship I thought I'd share. It's posted on my entrepreneurship club's website too, so take a looksie...

stomp into fall

Tried on fall weather shoes at Zara. Internally squealed at the chunky, sturdiness of them all. One more week until Autumn - can't wait!

apartment fixer upper

Most successful weekend ever! The roommates and I found a beautiful leather almost-new couch on Craigslist, lugged it back (with the help of some extremely darling 50-year-old Brooklyn movers), and then had tons of Mexican at La Esquina to celebrate on our sweet find. The apartment is looking good! Next steps: paint our walls sage green. Take a looksie at what we have so far!

Sofa + Trunk coffee table



Yummy Mexican - sooo good!

versatile thinking

My dear Louise recently awarded me a "Versatile Blogger" award (thanks girl!) which means I get to share 7 random facts about me. But since I've done this before, I think I'll mix it up by sharing instead 7 (extremely) random thoughts in my head today. Starting with...

1. My newfound love: Amarula chocolate! My friend Megan brought these back for me from South Africa, and I literally inhaled 5 chocolates in 1 minute. SO GOOD.

2. My entrepreneurship club's first meeting is on Monday! I'm pumped!

3. I don't care what anybody says, the Bachelor Pad is one helluva addicting show.

4. This blouse from Alexa Chung for Madewell is adorable.

5. 9/11. Here's to maintaining peace, tolerance, and love.

6. Seeing EXIT/ENTRANCE and Lara's (of Her Name Was Lola) big debut tonight!

7. And on a really random note: Autumn weather makes me crave some mac-n-cheese!

And now I will pass off this award to Lana, Shannon, and Carissa xo

you plan, I plan...

Now that I'm a senior, keeping organized is more of a challenge than ever! I'm on the hunt for a trusty but stylish, sturdy but chic day planner (some research results above)... but so far, I'm still looking! Seriously wish there were more options for the young professional. Hey Banana Republic and J.Crew - you should start taking notes! No pun intended!

From Left: Moleskine, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Gallery Leather, At-A-Glance

argo tea, please!

On a brisk late night walk around the NYU campus (First day of my last year of school tomorrow!), I discovered Argo Tea, which recently replaced Dean & Deluca on University and 11th. As a tea fanatic, I am psyched!!! I can't wait to try their special Hibiscus Ginger Ale tea on a hot day, or snuggle up in the winter time with an herbal tea treat. Oh, the promises you bring, Argo Tea. I have a feeling we'll be great friends. :)

holy hues

I literally gasped when I saw these Miguel Ases creations on Gilt Groupe. Aren't they divine? I especially love the turquoise; well, you all know how much I love turquoise!

PS: Not a member of Gilt Groupe? Here's an invite.

oh playful night

My dears, it's a Wednesday, and I declare this mid-week night a night for celebration! Wherever you are, join in me in drinking that extra glass of wine and ordering two desserts. I'll update you more soon, but for now, I leave you with some yummy udon noodles (a favorite Thai meal of mine) and lots of love! xoxo!

PS: Just two more days for our fun giveaway!

words from wise women

As we prepare for the new school year, I thought I'd share some of my favorite, most inspiring books by career women I admire. Whether you're a student or already in the work force, reading other people's success stories (and learning lessons) can be so enriching. One of the best feelings is being able to relate to the people who inspire and empower you, don't you think?

I always recommend to my girlfriends Cathie Black's Basic Black because it's a great autobiography of the Hearst Magazines President, it's filled with wonderful personal and professional advice, and -- best of all -- it's a fun, quick read! Take a peek!

PS: Other fantastic books by fierce women!

the romantics movie

I cannot wait to see this movie! So many talented actors (Elijah Wood, Anna Paquin, newcomer Dianna Agron from Glee), and the plot sounds delicious. I also love the style of the film - very un-Hollywood, a little bit indie. September 10th, please come quickly!



PS: Here's a fun contest from J.Crew in partnership with The Romantics!

tip of the day: free jeans!

Attention New Yorkers! This Friday, get yourself a free pair of Levi's! Thank you Susan & Vanity Fair for the tip. (Thumbs up for fun promotions!)

Don't forget to check out our Mikasa giveaway below...

Mikasa GIVEAWAY!!!

Hoooray giveaway! I'm thrilled to be teaming up with the kind folks over at Mikasa - a leader in dining and home decor - to offer my lovely readers a chance at winning their pick of Mikasa's gorgeous 4-piece table place settings and mugs! The lucky winner can pick between five gifts: Floral Silhouette, Circle Chic, Daylight, or Sparkle Circles table place settings or these super chic ColorStudio polka-dot mugs. Best of all, Mikasa is offering 4 sets of each gift!!!

For a chance to win, leave a comment below with your email address and which gift you like best. A winner will be chosen at random on Friday, September 3rd at 5pm. Wishing you the best of luck!

Feeling really lucky? Receive double (or triple!) entries by "Following" Helen Hearts in the above box, "Liking" Mikasa's Facebook page, or sharing this giveaway via Facebook or Twitter. Just let me know via the comments below! Also, check out Mikasa's Youtube video and tell me what you think for another extra entry :)
*Disclaimer

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Update: The random generator gods have spoken, and our lucky winner is Catharine. Thanks for playing!

skin savers

Earlier this summer, my mother told me I "looked older." Okay. Wait. What's that supposed to mean?!? Remember when looking older was something you wished for as teenager? I take that back! Bring on the serums and creams and the fountain of youth, thanks!!! Since I may not be the only one receiving "you look older" comments from too-opinionated-for-their-own-good mothers, I thought I'd share with you some of my dear skincare friends...

Moisturizer: Newly launched Garnier Nutritioniste's Moisture Rescue line is phenomenal. I especially love the gel-cream, which is super hydrating and smells delicious. (Sorry Boscia! I found a new BFF.)

Anti-aging: Lancome's Genifique Youth Activating Night Cream may be pricey, but it's magic. It stops time. Abracadabra! The disappearing wrinkle act is complete.

Cleansing: Aveeno's Positively Radiant Cleansing Pads really exfoliate deep down (like a facial, I swear), and I love my Clarisonic brush. So powerful, it removes everything in seconds!

Sunscreen: I use Kiehls sunscreen every day by the bucket load. 'Nuff said.

Am I missing anything? I'm crazy about skincare, so do share with me your favorites!

food for friendships

Some pictures from girl's night/my friend Mackenzie's birthday last weekend = margaritas, guacamole, and giggles galore @ Agave (where I've celebrated three birthdays already, including my own two years ago!). I love getting dolled up with girlfriends only to eat and drink in the most un-ladylike manner. Contradictions are the spice of life!

Also had the pleasure of meeting some new friends from Harvard (or Hahhh-vahd if you prefer), and can't wait to reunite at Harvard's Women in Business conference in October! (In-college cuties can still register to attend "Early Bird" here, and if you're from NYU, check my name off as your campus ambassador -- I'll help you coordinate!) Here's to yummy food, new friends, and future meetings!

roberta by olivia palerma

Ahhhh! So, Olivia Palermo's jewelry collaboration designs just came out, and they are a total win! Wasn't a huge fan of her on The City, but I sure do love her bib necklaces. (Although I'd like them even better if they were edible! Ha! Like cake necklaces! (Note to self: Must stop being a fatass.))

Also a fan of her outfits on Vogue's "Today I'm Wearing..." blog. Lady's got style... but methinks she should eat more. ;)