SNOW DAY

The first big snow of 2014 enveloped the city in a clean white blanket last night and this morning, furthering the feeling of a fresh new start. The city is so peaceful, calm, and quiet after a storm like this, and even more so because I am cozy and warm inside in *loungewear due to the fact that I work from home. So, when I say snow day, I mean work-really-long-hours-day with pretty snow outside. I'll take it.


*Re: Pajamas

This/That

This weekend I...

+ Brought this beauty home with my husband to fully welcome the holiday season into our home.

+ Decorated our tree with our favorite ornaments, most of which are handmade or were given to us by loved ones. There are little pieces of my mom, Nana, my grandma D, my sister Lauren, all over this beautiful tree, and THAT is what it's all about.

+ Made this Moroccan-inspired paper star for our tree. How did I NOT have a tree topper? I think I'm going to need to invest in one of these retro atomic tree toppers for next year.

+ Strung these magical and symmetrical Christmas lights in our front bedroom windows. They look so lovely inside and out!

+ Watched this beautiful snow fall while staying warm and cozy inside. 

+ Played and romped in it with these adorable babies. LOOK AT THAT FACE. Kills me every time.

+ Watched this. And this. And I dare you to judge me, this. Sometimes you just need a trip to the Church of Oprah.

Mine: Yarn Puff

In January I shared with you my love for Brooklyn-based artists Cold Picnic, especially their lush and gorgeous YARN PUFFS. I am mildly (when I say mildly I mean wildly) OBSESSED with these fantastic pieces and was just blown away by Phoebe and Peter's generosity when they sent me my very own puff yesterday. I love it. I love it. I love it. 

Thank you Cold Picnic for your incredible work and super sweet gift. 

Records: Yard Sale Haul

Will scored a crazy-amazing amount of stellar records from a yard sale this weekend. When I say yard sale I mean a gathering of goods on the sidewalk of our block of course. A mere 25-feet from our apartment resided crates filled with a plethora of killer 80's albums, a Hawaiian box set, and an old George Carlin comedy record. Imagine our glee on the way to brunch when we quite literally stumbled across this mecca of music.

All of these records cost a total of $3. The look on my husband's face being that of a young child on Christmas morn....PRICELESS.

More record posts.

Lobster Roll

On our day trip to Brooklyn Bridge Park we stopped by Luke's for a DELICIOUS lobster roll. If you are in the borough this weekend, do your taste buds a big favor and do the same. 'Twas amazing and only enhanced by that salty breeze I was telling you about.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Yesterday Will and I had a beautiful day out in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The weather was that perfect early-summer hot with a sweet salty airy breeze that only happens down by the water. We soaked up each other and the weather and the freedom of having a few days off of work as we strolled through the cobblestone streets of DUMBO. We had pineapple, cucumber, celery juice at No. 7 Sub, lobster rolls at Luke's, and picked up Dough on the way home. We window shopped and regular shopped and had a lovely lazy day in one of our favorite pockets of the borough. I want to have a million more days like it. It was so perfect I swore I heard Lou Reed.

Dough

Please excuse my gluttonous and gluten-filled instagram feed lately but I discovered the beauty of Dough last weekend at Brooklyn Flea, and yesterday we just HAD to go to the actual storefront to pick up a box (no judgement please). They are the most luscious, mouth-watering doughnuts I have ever had and come in flavors like toasted coconut and hibiscus. If you are in New York City or plan on visiting any time soon, I highly recommend making Dough a priority. A HIGH priority on your non-gluten-free to do list. 

DIY Projects for the Precipitation Situation

We awoke to BIG GIANT fluffy white snowflakes taking over New York City this morning. The sky has gone back and forth in a fickle manner between rain and tiny flakes ever since, but New York and especially New England are to get a ton-o-snow over the next 24 hours. Whatever your precipitation situation stay cozy and entertained with some of my favorite recent DIY projects: 

// Cozy up in a Blanket Cape // Make a Faceted Gem set as a gift for your Valentine

// Keep yourself entertained with DIY Animal Masks //

// Bring green into your home with a Driftwood Wall Garden //

Looks like this weekend should involve lots of: storm protocol, snuggles with dogs, yummy recipes, TV + movies, and (at best) clothes that feel like pajamas.

Weekend Wrap: Daisy, Pi, + The Golden Girls

Two girls on a train. Photo by Will Cole

One of my closest girlfriends and favorite humans, Daisy, came into town this weekend and it was A DELIGHT to have her. On Friday night we attended the She's A Rebel screening at The Nickle Series where Daisy and her film sweetly stole the elegant show. The films were all incredible and the location, The Player's Club, was classic Old New York. 

One of the night's key moments was Daisy's Little Mermaid Fascinator that she wore. It so perfectly complimented the blue in her hair and the turquoise faceted gem earrings that I made for her.

The rest of the weekend involved resting/vegging/movies/tv. Specifically Life of Pi. OH. MY. GOD. It's an amazingly gorgeous film on every level. Watching it was a thrilling cinematic experience and I am continuing to experience and process the film in the days since in a beautiful, sad, and moving way. 

Golden Girls t-shirt

On Sunday, Daisy and I strolled the hood and ate a delicious brunch at Cafe' Collette. Their Southern Sea cocktail is to die for and their breakfast sandwich (I always go with bacon) is worth the egg running down your hand. So very worth it. I was too engrossed in satiation and conversation to snap a photo of the food but I came to my senses upon seeing this Golden Girls t-shirt on a waiter on our way out. 

New York you make it happen

Dear New York this is a love letter
To you and how you brought us together
We can't say enough about all you do
'Cause in the city were ourselves and electric too



Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen

Williamsburg Waterfront

I hope you had a lovely late-summer weekend. The down-time in mine involved wearing this mesh mome to Mole` where I had the most delicious elote` I have ever tasted and a killer margarita (or 2, who are we kidding) with my dear husband.

We followed the sweet dinner and drinks with a walk along the Williamsburg waterfront and then sat and relaxed in one of the new-ish park areas. There is nothing I love more than sitting by the water, feeling the wind on my face, and hearing the waves crash on the shore. How perfect to find that tranquil moment in the city.

Soundtrack of the City

There are so many reasons why I love New York City, and the soundtrack is way u there. I usually enter the underground with naked ears, bringing along no music for my travels. I think this is because my mom warned me so many times about being "alert" as I walk around the city alone, or that I usually bring Gracie with me and we like to talk to each other. Either way, I rarely bring headphones.


It never matters though, because no matter where I am there is someone, or a small group of people, providing an array of music. Everywhere you go there is an artist bringing their craft to you for free.


I always dig out my change to support them, as I genuinely appreciate this gesture.


Within five minutes today, on my way from Manhattan to Brooklyn, I saw these three separate musicians bringing their sound to the streets.

Amy's Hat

Sweet Amy Merrick from the Decor It Yourself episode where we made terrariums, has been up to something.


In this blog entry she shows how to take a vintage hat and make it into something fantastically chic and classy.


Now THIS is something that requires a cocktail in hand and a fabulous friend by your side.

Wintery Mix

When I checked the weather last night, my source said today we would have a "wintery mix". I pictured a handmade cassette tape with snow flakes on it. When we awoke to find a white fluffy blanket of snow throughout our neighborhood, it came clear to me.




If you have a dog, then you know that when it snows they move about on two speeds only.


1) So fast they are a fuzzy blur and 2) A dead stop, slightly shivering.

First Snow

Right now New York is having it's first official snow of the season. There was a mini-flurry a couple of weeks ago, but today marks the first official snow!




It was a bit too chilly for Gracie's taste.


It makes me nostalgic for past snow days.





If it's snowing where you live, enjoy!