Jul 30, 2014

Reboot

I am still alive and well - just having computer issues.

I have had a Carrie Bradshaw moment this week, and not one of her great ones.  Sunday I got a message to install the new maverick software for Mac.  SOOOO, like any other rule follower out there, I clicked install and went on about my business.  After the hour long process I put in my password and hit enter. . . instead of booting up my computer it just rebooted and gave me the same login screen over and over again.  I made an appointment at the genius bar in Grand Central yesterday to see if they could figure out what was wrong.  Good news is its not a hardware issue, but there is something wrong with the software.  I haven't backed up my computer since I bought it (May 2011), so in order to save all of my information I had to put it on a hard drive (which I own but just keep in my desk and don't really use) I was also told that there is no guarantee that all my data will be there once we get it up and running and re-install the software. I had to make another appointment since I didn't bring my hard drive with me (again, why? all my info is on my computer) and will have to go back this week.  Prayers that all is well and I haven't lost all my data.  

While I was waiting for my appointment, I couldn't help but think of the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie goes to get her laptop fixed.  I know I should back up my data more frequently,, but I just never thought to do it since everything has been fine and dandy thus far.  HUGE MISTAKE! If you take anything away from this post and my tragic story, please let it be to back up your data! :) 

I have some fun posts coming up, sadly all my pictures and information is on my laptop, so let's hope it's all still there! Be back soon! xo





image via google
SHARE:

Jul 28, 2014

Three year itch




I have said this a million times, so I am sure you all know me by now - I like change.  There are some things that take me a bit longer to decide that change is necessary, and then there are some things I have no problem changing.  

I moved to New York three years ago (cannot believe it's been that long), and have lived in the same apartment.  And while I love the location, my building, my super and my doormen, the apartment was starting to feel like it was closing in on me.  At a mere 221 square feet, it served it's purpose of being a good 'starter' apartment and place to lay my head at night and come and go without really being bothered by it's size. But since January I have toyed with the idea of moving to a bigger apartment for many reasons.  Space being the biggest reason.  Although I am not really at my apartment all that much, it is nice to come home and crash on the couch, or sit at a desk to work, or have a dining room table that more that one person can sit around.  I miss cooking and having the space in my kitchen to do so.  I want the ability to entertain and have people over without having to sit on the bed, radiator cover or the floor.  And those things are what I am starting to miss as I am getting settled in more here in New York.  

I started sort of looking here and there at the possibility of moving and where I would want to move.  One of the great things about this city is that every neighborhood is completely different and it's almost like moving to another city or town.  There are some things that are similar, but the people, culture, restaurants, and businesses are sometimes vastly different.  I have lived on the east side of midtown, and while I do adore that area, I want to explore and experience a new area of the city.  And for someone who likes change, it's pretty easy to do.  BUT - and this is a big one - trying to find and apartment and move in New York is MISERABLE.  90% of the time the websites you look on are false and not even the actual apartment. You sometimes need a broker (fee involved), have to pay a deposit and first and last months rent, go before a board to get approved to even be considered a possible tenant.  They want your bank statements, your salary, and if I had children, I am sure they would want my first born!  It's just overwhelming and exhausting sometimes, and it's probably why I have just dealt with my micro apartment for as long as I have. 

Good news came my way last Friday - I will be moving at the end of August to a bigger apartment on the west side of midtown, and the icing on the cake? It's the same building one of my good friends lives in!  It's a whopping 600 square feet, so it's sort of like a mansion to me (almost three times the size of my current apartment) I don't know what I am going to do with myself and all this space!  So needless to say I have already started scouring pinterest for ideas and have increased my obsession with HGTV as well.  I didn't really do much decorating at my current apartment because I kept telling myself I would probably move, but never really looked.  So now, I get to make this place my home and I cannot wait to see how it turns out. I'm going to document the progression in case anyone is curious, but more as a visual diary of how my apartment developed and came to be over time.  So watch out for more decor and design related posts.  I would love any ideas or places you all have found great options.  Since I like change, I am having a hard time nailing down the 'look' I want to go with.  I just like so many things!

I hope you will follow along as I transition from one apartment to another and one neighborhood to the next. 


image via pinterest
SHARE:

Jul 18, 2014

Follow Friday {7/18/14}

Alas, it's Friday! (insert a PTL here!) This month seems to be flying by.  The weekend calls for blue skies and warm temperatures here and I plan on taking full advantage of it. Some beach, park or pool reading is always a must, so why not check out these favorites!?





For all the stylish inspiration your heart desires! Their Pinterest boards are a go-to for ideas, looks and inspiration. 



I am in the middle of a total design/decorating moment and love finding inspiration on Domanie's website.  From celebrities homes to how-to's, it's a great one stop site to get loads of decorating ideas.



One of the many things I love about New York is the specialty shops and markets. Eataly is my favorite for finding new wines, pastas, sauces, etc.  You can shop, eat, drink, and take classes all in one place!  And following their instagram account is the perfect way to get FOMO and run to their Flatiron location immediately! If you don't live in New York, don't worry, you can order online



Sarah Conley is one of the funniest, sweetest, and downright honest people I have ever met. She tells it like it is and rarely holds back while still holding on to her southern charm.  Ironically, she and I went to college together and reconnected when I moved to the city and began to dip my toe into the fashion world. Following her on twitter is a MUST.  Not only does she have great tips and advice for tech, beauty and fashion (to name a few), she is hysterical and sarcastic in a way that makes you love her even more.  I admire this chick and respect the crap out of her - she is making a mark on social media that can only be admired and revered! 


image via pinterest
SHARE:

Jul 17, 2014

Bit of Fit{ness} and Fashion

It's not a secret I hate to sweat, sports are more for spectating than participation, and if you ever see me running, you better run too, because that means someone is chasing after me.  Don't get me wrong, I do workout, keep in shape and stay healthy - i'm just not one to go 'all out' or 'hardcore' when it comes to exercise.  Thanks to genetics, I have been very lucky to have had a really fast metabolism and have been able to do moderate exercise to stay in shape.  And since moving to NYC, I literally make myself walk everywhere.  I am even looking at an apartment that is a 30 minute walk from my office, just so I can have that little bit of everyday 'exercise' to help combat the happy hours and ice cream runs I tend to do quite frequently.

I got a fitbit for christmas last year and have sort of been obsessed with it ever since.  By now, I am sure most of you have heard of this little fitness device.  If you haven't, you can read all about them here.  Everyone uses them differently and tracks certain things.  I use mine for steps/miles per day, my sleep habits and my water intake.  I don't use it track calories or my 'diet' if you will, but if you want to do that, it will certainly help you keep track.  Since putting this baby on my wrist it's sort of become a daily ritual to check how many steps I have walked (you can set a daily goal) and I try to over achieve that as often as possible, I like to track how much water I drink and it's interesting to see how 'restless' I am at night and how many hours of good sleep I actually get.

Being someone who loves options and accessories, I love that fitbit has a plethora of band colors for you to choose from.  So far I have collected the black, navy, orange and mint colors.  They are great because they are rubber so they don't get saturated when working out and sweating (ugh, gross), and you can shower or swim in them without a problem.  My issue has been that they don't always go with my work attire or a night out that calls for something a little fancier than my lulu lemon yoga pants.  

Fortunately, my problem has been solved.  Enter Tory Burch.  She has answered our prayers! She has come out with a collection that fits the Fitbit Flex and it's a game changer y'all! The bangle is a little pricey, but, like me, if you work in a corporate environment where you have to be a little more dressed up or are meeting with clients regularly, the cost per wear is basically $0.  Check out her collection below.  Right now it is pre-order, so any birthday's coming up or even if you are a super planner and need a Christmas gift for that hard to buy lady, this would be a great gift!




SHARE:

Jul 16, 2014

LOFT Lovelies - SALE!!!

I am not one who enjoys having to 'search' or 'hunt' for clothes, accessories, shoes, or just about anything really.  Call me lazy or what have you, but I just do not have the patience for it.  My mom and sister are ALWAYS finding great things places, and it's usually because they don't mind weeding through racks upon racks of things.  I get anxiety just thinking about it!  There are times when I get in a 'mood' and don't mind spending a little time looking for that gold mine in the sale rack, but that is few and far between.

My idea of this exercise is online shopping, that is about as crazy as this gal gets when it comes to looking for a certain piece, or going through sale 'racks.'  It's no secret that I have a love affair with Loft.  Since moving to NYC almost three years ago, Loft has been my go-to for work pieces that also transition into everyday or weekend options.  With limited closet space, I don't buy anything unless I can see myself wearing it on three different occasions.  That, my friends, is my idea of being thrifty, and I can't say it's been ineffective.  Now, there are times when I do buy something that could only be worn once or to a certain event, but that rarely happens.  I'm trying to be wiser in my old age and work on being practical. 

One of the reasons I usually hit up Loft is their sales.  You should NEVER have have to pay full price for anything in that store.  They are ALWAYS having sales or promotions, so you can get well made clothes for a ridiculous price.  Which brings me to this post - today they have 50% off EVERYTHING! Yep, EV-ER-RY_ THANG!  Below are some of the items in my cart at the moment.  

If you are looking for some new pieces for your summer wardrobe, get them now while they are on sale!




SHARE:

Jul 14, 2014

Talking Code

I am not sure if it's because I am from the South, or I just like seeing my initials all over the place, but I LOVE to personalize things. I have gotten quite a few stares at the office with my monogrammed gym bag, planner, phone case, and necklace.  But I just keep adding to the collection.

A while back, I came across Lulu Frost's 'code' number rings and fell in love. I have been dreaming of adding these to my collection and you all know which area code I will go with (hint: spa city, baby!) I think these are another way, maybe more subtle, to add some personalization to your accessories.  Wedding date, birthday, child's or loved ones favorite number, the possibilities are endless.  

You can imagine my excitement when I came across her new "code words" collection.  This new collection allows you to create a 'code' or 'secret' message for someone using gemstones!  Each gemstone represents a letter in the alphabet and when you place them in a certain order they spell out your 'code' word.  UM, I am OBSESSED!  Right now, she has Love, Hot, Dearest and Cool on her website, but you can email them to have one personally made.  This is part of her fine jewelry collection, so they will be a bit pricey, but how perfect would this be for a personalized one of a kind gift? It is definitely on my 'want' list!  







images via google
SHARE:

Jul 11, 2014

Follow Friday

Happy Happy Friday! It seems that summer has ramped up for me and I could not be happier about it! My only problem is finding down time to enjoy some R&R and catch up on my favorite bloggers, insta-peeps, and twitter friends.  Hopefully there is a little time in your weekend to check out some of my favorites for this week! 

Enjoy! xx




Lee Oliveira

This man is Ah-mazing when it comes to capturing street style looks! He shoots style from all corners of the world and his attention to detail and capturing the perfect picture is just fabulous! When I am looking for outfit inspiration or just wanting my daily dose of fashion, this is where I start!

ballerinaproject_

I LOVE going to the ballet. It must be the fact that from age three I started taking ballet lessons and kept going until I was twenty-six years old.  This instagram account is for lovelies, who, like me, adore dance and the art as well.  Each day they have pictures of real life ballerinas from all over the US posing along the city's backdrop.  They are just just a gorgeous as the next and some I seriously want to frame and hang up in my apartment.  


Refinery29

This site has everything, and I mean everything you could possibly want to know about everything! From fashion, beauty, entertainment to even what's going on in certain cities, Refinery29 is a wealth of information.  Sign up for their daily e-mails and thank me later!


The Pioneer Woman

Maybe it has something to do with my southern roots, and missing the south from time to time - but I find myself constantly referring to Ree Drumond's website, cookbooks, and her show on the food network more often that I can count!  When I do cook, I always get cravings for things I used to never really ate that often when I lived in Arkansas.  So that's when I hit up The Pioneer Woman for recipes.  Her website is perfect for those who like to follow the recipe exactly or are just starting out.  She gives you step by step instructions AND pictures to go with each step! I mean, it's a cooking novices dream!  Besides cooking, she has several other topics to check out.  She is just a wealth of information and I really want to be her best friend, to be completely honest! 

image via pinterest
SHARE:

Jul 9, 2014

Beauty BFF: Bobbi Brown's Art Stick

I've told y'all this before, I am not a savvy makeup girl.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE makeup, and LOVE to buy and tryout new things.  But I am all about time and the least amount I can do to get the job done.  So I am always looking for products that are versatile and can do more than one job.  

Enter the Art Stick from Bobbi Brown.  It's a lipstick and liner all in one and produces this lovely matte finish that isn't drying or dull.  I was first introduced to this product by my BB guru, Mary.  Yes, I am that makeup challenged that I go to the makeup counter to get my products and tutorials on how to apply.  And finding someone who you can trust and go back to time and time again is wonderful.  She is my makeup fairy godmother.  I have been going to her for over a year now and I just adore her. She knows my skin, what I like and can recommend new products to add to my makeup arsenal.  If you have the convenience of being near a boutique or department store with makeup artists on hand, I definitely recommend becoming friends with them.  They not only turn you into a glamour girl, but they also let you in on new products, sales, or promotions that are coming up so you can get them before others.  Which is how I found out about the new Art Stick.  

I have been using it for the last 4 months or so and am SOLD! I am not a trusted lipstick wearer.  I like my chapstick and usually that's all I use.  But I have been converted thanks to Bobbi! I HATE having super dry or sticky lips. I literally get angry about it, which is why I stick to chapstick.  This formula is the total opposite.  You just line your lips, fill them in and you are ready to go.  The colors are rich, creamy and matte without all those dreaded side effects.  

I own a few of these, but the Sunset Orange and the Dusty Pink have been my go-to's lately.  The orange is perfect for summer, and it's not super bright so you don't feel like your lips are getting there before you do.  I like to use this on weekends when I don't wear much makeup.  It's a little added pop of color to make me feel put together without all the hassle of a full face.  The Dusty Pink is the PERFECT everyday lip color.  I do not go anywhere without this baby! 

The Art Stick comes in 8 gorgeous colors from a Seductive Red to a Pretty Pink.  There is a color for everyone or every mood.  If you want to cut down on your daily necessities, this is the product you MUST buy. 

**Little secret - I have also used these as a blush when I have been in a pinch and needed to liven up my face.  It really is the a product you can't live without! Go and grab them now! You can thank me later. :) 

xo




Available at Macys, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales

pic via pinterest
SHARE:

Jul 8, 2014

Hello!, Hola!, Bonjour!, Hallo!

I'm still here!! I know, I know, it has been way too long since my last post, but I have a legitimate excuse this time!  I started a new job about going on three weeks ago, and I have been traveling for training, getting adjusted and trying to get acclimated to a new career.  I was at my old job for a little over two years and realized I wanted to find a place where I could build my career and have longevity as well.  This is a total career change for me, and although a little overwhelming at times, and tough for this A type perfectionist to realize I cannot know everything right at this moment, it has been the most gratifying and positive experience I have had, career wise.  To be a part of something and feel like you are a team player and matter is something I have really wanted and hoped for for some time.  I won't bore you with all the details, but just wanted to catch you up with what's been going on over here the past few weeks.

Besides jumping into a new job, I have gone on a bicycle wine tour on Long Island, explored the outer boroughs and this place they call New Jersey (which actually isn't all that bad), and I hate to admit it, but have become a soccer fan (well, more of a World Cup fan, it's way more exciting to me!) and have been watching many of the games over brunch, dinner or drinks with friends.  So far my summer has really gotten off to a great start.  Besides stupid Hurricane Arthur messing up my 4th of July plans (was supposed to fly to Kentucky to see my family), I really can't complain about life at this point.

I'm in the process of starting to look for a new apartment, and as much as I am in dire need of more space and really want to get a 'big girl' apartment, the process is exhausting and daunting! But I am determined to find a place that is bigger and not going to cost me my whole months paycheck.  Oh, the woes of living in NYC.

Below are a few pics of what I have been up to as of late.  If you don't already, I would love for you to follow me on Instagram.  I am much better about keeping that current these days, but promise to bring back more posts here ASAP.

Have a great Tuesday! xoxo


Wandering around DC on my recent work trip

Bicycle Wine Tour out on Long Island

View of lower manhattan from one of my visits to Jersey City

FaceTime with my Mom and family in Kentucky over the weekend. Isn't she just too cute!

Watching the Macy's Fireworks with friends in Soho

Feeling very patriotic this weekend and wore lots of Red, White, and Blue.
SHARE:
Blogger templates by pipdig