happy and sweet

A few weeks ago {when it was warmer and I could get away with wearing this still} I wore this. Something simple and pulled together for a lunch date with my Mom. We ate at Jackson Hole. This total dive of a diner and I mean that in the best possible way. I wasn't sure what to expect because I was thinking it was more 'bar' like but it was totally more diner not so much a restaurant either. And I've walked by so many times that I had to finally go in and check it out. Something great for a quick bite and everyone was so nice. Great service, which is important to me, makes all the difference. Having a server with an attitude can make or break a place. These guys were awesome. Funny thing though, they are known for their burgers and neither of us tried one. Perfect excuse to go back!

"I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her own way should be as happy as anybody on earth. 

the sense of independence and security is very sweet."

 {susan b. anthony}

baby it's cold

Even in this cold, I still want to be outside… so I say bundle up, suck it up and go outside. I used to say to myself {and anyone that wasn't tired of listening} that I could never bare this northern cold. I am a warm weathered girl by nature, heart and soul. But you learn. You learn to layer. You learn to bundle. You learn to add the scarf, the gloves, the hat, the occasional layer of cashmere. And you learn to just suck it up and hope the sun peaks out to say hello every hour or so. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Last week I took the time to go out, walk around, photograph stuff and simply enjoy the afternoon. However, I did find myself inside a movie theater later… I needed some excuse to warm up, right? I was freezing!

Note to the above, in reference to me… not really, but I thought this was a fun find. Life reminder :: don't forget to look down every once in awhile or you might miss the best discovery of the day.

"New York… if you can make it here, you've lowered your standards of living."

{comic, irish exit comedy show}

before the snow

Last week it officially became winter here in NYC when the real feel dipped into the single digits. Then it snowed {but not that much} and I stayed indoors. Although I do live in New York I'm so not a cold weather person but New York manages to make it worth the freeze. Just the week before I was wearing this outfit and loving every second of the cold but not really cold compared to the current weather. I can't wait for spring.

"wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."

{kurt cobain}

paper doll parts

The title of my post is because every time I look at these photos overblown with flash - I think I'm a paper doll cutout. Is that weird? Or kinda awesome? Of course this was totally unintentional. My Mom was taking photos for me over the holidays and somehow the flash switched to the wrong setting - she told me, "I don't think the photos are working" so I'm thinking oh well, another outfit that doesn't really work… I wish I was one of those girls that could just throw it all together and make it look flawless but I'm not and I try everyday. Then I saw the photos and realized it was just from the flash exposure. Yet I kind of loved the feel of the photos; something different, something cool. So I thought I'd share these with you and my double whammy of an outfit this year! I wore it to a family wedding {where I was photographing it all} AND for New Years Eve 2013. It really turned out great and all the items I already owned. Sometimes that can be the most exciting fashion find… rediscovering the things you already have in your closet. Does anyone else have a black hole of a closet? Maybe it's just time for that closet clean out!

{vest: kim+sue / dress: jovovich~hawk for target / shoes: hollywould for target}

"There is no safe route. Everything's a risk, 

so go for the life you want."

{logan hill}

winter pirate

Everytime I put this hat on, I can't help but feel like a pirate. Then I added my new skull and crossbone gloves that I bought at the LA County Fair and I'm convinced I'm a little bit like a winter pirate… but then I went to brunch. Vanilla Bourbon French Toast from Southern Hospitality with a side of cheesy grits. Yes, please. Go there if you can. It is so yummy-delish. Oh and of course there were unlimited mimosas... ordered in rounds of two, yes and thank you.

Weekends don’t count unless you spend them 

doing something completely pointless.

{calvin and hobbes}

the scream of fall

The temps are dropping here in NYC and winter has officially said hello. If you are looking for something warm to do and by warm I mean something indoors then a trip to the MoMa is in order. They are currently showing a few of Edvard Munch paintings including a pastel version of The Scream. It's a small exhibit but worth the stop in plus they always have so much other great stuff to look at {one of my favorite places in the city to spend an afternoon}. Helpful Hint :: they have Target Free Fridays from 4pm to 8pm; otherwise, it's $25 any other time except Tuesday because well, then they are closed. But make sure you get there early, the line can get crazy long. Free doesn't often come without some sort of set back… often times, like waiting in a long line. 

:: The Scream in an autobiographical text ::

"I was walking along the road with two of my friends. The sun set - the sky became a bloody red. And I felt a touch of melancholy - I stood still, dead tired - over the blue-black fjord and city hung blood and tongues of fire. My friends walked on - I stayed behind - trembling with fright I felt the great scream in nature."

{E.M.}

any day is a fun day

Last week my mom and I met for an early movie... the 10:05am showing to be exact. Sometimes it's just so nice to go to the movies earlier in the day {plus at amc, you only pay $7 before noon... score!}. We saw THE BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD and I highly recommend it. Feels real in an unreal/real world, tugs just slightly at your heart strings but not enough to turn on the waterworks yet just the right amount to think about life and the things that matter. In a sense what makes you... well, you and how you come about to be that person... I'll leave all those thoughts for you to ponder.

 Then we wandered around the city a bit... saw the exhibit at F.I.T., had lunch at Beer Authority and beers at Rudy's. 

this is what I wore

and what I like to call "dressing like a 10 year old"

I usually feel that way in sneakers, just can't help myself

{me in my sequined sperry top siders... mom in her rainbow rainboots}

:: style rookie says ::

"if you're stylish, you're creative and original

and if you're fashionable, you know how to look 

attractive and uncontroversial."

{tavi gevinson}

you are my firework

Fireworks, NYC

2012

-- dressed all in stylemint white with pearls and plastic crystals --

the fireworks were over the Hudson River again in NYC

rooftop sunset, champagne drinking, rooftop viewing and a few good friends

-- perfect night --

"I think everything happens for a reason, 

so there is no such thing as fail."

{mary-kate olsen}

details of today

gold to me, lyrics:

“some shine when the day is new / oh but

fade when the day is through / not you, no

you look like gold”

{ben harper}

we all have the ability to create

Last week was full of busy work days and not even being able to catch my breath before the weekend already came and went. It’s Monday again… already. I’m going to backtrack some this week just to feel caught up with myself even {and then hopefully to catch up on all of you}! So today I’ll start with my 30for30 challenge… I quit. Yep, I did on day 21. And it felt so great to put on something fresh and completely new that first day (the 22nd) and the next day and the next day. It was a fun challenge to try but I was getting depressed having only a few things to create an outfit from {and I swear I only do laundry about once a month, if that so I was tired of having to remember to wash stuff!}. Here are the last few shots that I came up with. However, what I did get from this challenge is wanting to incorporate more fashion into my blog – not that I could be a fashion blogger but clothing is a huge part of my life and a big part of my creative outlet.

Happy Monday everyone!!

Next up: more Key to the City!

I couldn't get into his head just what was going thru my mind

A little behind this week and now that it’s Friday, I’m ecstatic! It’s been busy but here’s round two of my 30 for 30 challenge. Trying to mix it up and have more fun with taking snapshots of just me. Also trying to make myself take out my Nikon DSLR more often; I have such a habit of just grabbing my Canon point and shoot and out the door I go. So this week all shots are taken with my Nikon. I’m {slowly} learning.

{same shot as last post but in all the FNO commotion, forgot to take another one}

I'm looking forward to a busy weekend ahead! Can't wait to share some details with you.

~Happy Friday~