Friday's Letters

Dear Sun, It feels so good to get some hang time with you so I don't look like I'm from the Arctic Circle.  Not that anything is wrong with being pale, but tan gives you the appearance of being thinner ;)

Dear Husband, Thank you for randomly changing the layout of our entire apartment the other night, it looks and feels better!

Dear Readers, Sorry I've been lagging a bit this week, but I've been distracted by: (a) looking for an adult job (b) the Sun (c) trying to plan my birthday (d) work (e) friends

Dear Birthday, You are lucky that I love hanging out with friends for any reason and you give me a reason for a fun pool party, otherwise I would have to ask you not to come this year. 

Dear Life, Learning how to not take you too seriously while balancing out being productive and not being a loser is a tough lesson to learn.  But I seem to be progressing....I hope?

Dear Black Cherry Lipstick, You are my favorite right now!! When I wear you, I feel like Gwyneth Paltrow circa 1997 or like I stepped into My So Called Life. Thanks for that.

Love, me

Inspiration: 4th of July

The 4th of July has always been one of my top favorite holidays (this, Thanksgiving and Christmas).  And no, it isn't only because my birthday is the very next day and I like to think of all of the fireworks and celebration as an early gift to myself ;)  I love it because first off, it is the only big holiday in the summer (I know Labor Day technically is as well, but since it's in September and school starts in September, my mind won't allow it).  Second, you get to hang out and relax and just celebrate together without worrying about gifts or making a big lavish meal, throw anything on a BBQ and that will do--super easygoing. Third, I love fireworks and sparklers....a lot, I'm like an eight year old all over again every summer.  Not sure what we are going to be doing yet this year, but as long as I'm decked in red, white and blue with friends, beer, a BBQ and sparklers, I'm sure I will love it nonetheless.

All images via my Red, White and Blue pinterest board

Tuesday Tunes: Sigur Ros

Sigur Ros is one of my all-time favorite bands (pretty much them and Radiohead tie for first).   I have only had the privilege of seeing them once at the Greek, but to this day it was the best and most intriguing show I have ever seen.  I have never in my life seen so many people in one place be so quiet and mesmerized.   I remember when I first starting listening to them it was 2002 (my senior year in high school), a good friend gave me a burnt copy of their Untitled album and the rest is history, they've been my favorite ever since.  Even at my wedding, I walked down the aisle to Hoppipola and post ceremony, everyone walked back down to Gobbledigook.  Within the last month, they released their new album, Valtari, and are also doing this really cool thing, The Valtari Mystery Film Experiment.  They asked twelve filmmakers to make a music video for a song on the album and gave them a small budget to do so.  Then, every other Monday they are posting the video on their website and YouTube.  It is pretty interesting to see what these people have come up because their music always gives me visuals and movies in my head and it is completely different then what I ever imagine.

This one is my favorite so far. Enjoy and watch them all.

Friday's Letters

Dear Husband, I am sorry you got the stomach flu, and I still can't believe that you had made it into your mid-twenties never having it before. Since I've had it five times since I've know you perhaps this was a lesson of empathy.
Dear Vacation, You were just the breath of fresh air I needed to gain perspective and break up the monotony. Thanks for not letting me down.
Dear NYC, You stole my heart.  Now that we are acquainted, there is the possibility of us becoming besties (i.e. Living within one of your super small but expensive units)
Dear Yanessa, Words cannot describe how much I have missed you and what a great time we had with you guys last week!
Dear Husband, Lately you have been a bit snippy with me.  It is not necessary nor welcome.
Dear Home, Please just clean yourself, frankly I am not in the mood.
Dear Summer, I'm soooo happy you are here. Please don't let me down but allow me to have fun adventures, picnics, road trips and beach days while you're here instead of wishing what I had done during your visit come Fall.

Jazz Age Lawn Party

On Sunday, we joined our New York friends for something I had been looking forward to since last August when I first found out about this event, the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island.  It was all I had hoped it would be and more.  The 1920's are my all-time favorite era and probably the main reason I decided to be a history major and want to be a history teacher.  This was my scene, I was able to dress like a flapper while sipping on champagne cocktails in a park and not be judged, but rather embraced.  We had such a great time listening to fun music, people watching, having drinks and relaxing.  Bill Cunningham even sneakily snapped some photos of my friend and I so perhaps we shall make The NY Times??? A girl could hope, right.  Next time (yes, there will be a next time) I want to go a little early to make it for the dance lessons!

Father's Day insured a lot of Dapper Dans and
their children.

I spy Bill Cunningham

New York

New York City is probably one of the craziest yet most exciting places I have been to.  We took a Bolt bus from Boston to New York on Tuesday.  It was only a 4 hour bus ride and dropped us off right at Penn Station.  Immediately, I embarrassed myself (so typical) by trying to go through a turnstile with my luggage...yes, as you can imagine, I got stuck.  So embarrassing! Eventually the security let us through the handicapped gate after laughing at me for what seemed like forever. It was raining in Brooklyn where we stayed on Tuesday/Wednesday, but we still walked at least 5-6 miles around and saw the Brewery and went around Dumbo (probably one of my favorite spots as you are by the water and get an incredible view of the city). 

Late Wednesday, we went to the city to meet our good friends who let us stay with them the entire time (thanks N and Yanessa!!!) and the adventure truly began.  Every day we explored and saw beautiful neighborhoods, historic and touristy sights, took long walks, subway rides, ate delicious food and drinks and ended the night cracking up to SNL skits.  We got to have a picnic in central park with live music, champagne, baguette, cheeses and watching the fireflies.  All in all, it was such a good time. 

{Wall Street}

{My favorite treat: a Orchid Cream Vanilla
and Pear snowball with ice cream from
Imperial Woodpecker in the West Village}

{Rooftop drinks with friends at The Met and the Prada exhibit}
(I wasn't allowed to take photos so I was sneaky with my phone=bad quality)

{St. Patrick's Cathedral}

{Grand Central Station}

{Walked the High Line-my favorite thing I did}

We ended our adventure with the Jazz Age Lawn Party.  More tomorrow on that!

Summer Solstice

Summer is finally officially upon us!  I am so excited for picnics in the park, running around in the surf (and not being freezing), swimming, sun, long days and warm nights, hopefully some waterslide fun and possibly even a road trip or two with friends.  

All photos via my Summer Love pinterest board

Boston

Hello there! We got back from our 9 day vacation last night and could not believe how much fun we had! As I had mentioned in a previous post, this was the longest vacation either of us had been on, let alone together as a couple (our mini-moon was only 5 days total) and we could have stayed another 9 days.  I fell in love with the east coast with it's history, natural beauty, public transportation and the fact that we got perfect weather! We left late Saturday night on a Red Eye to Boston and of course did not sleep at all, so Boston is a bit fuzzy to me--I'm glad I took pictures to reflect.  Our sister and brother-in-law showed us around the town in a food and history inspired tour which included eating and drinking our way along The Freedom Trail.  =)

Tomorrow I will share our photos from our favorite city we have been to...NEW YORK!

Farmers Market

Now that I have a little more free time in my schedule, I decided I wanted to check out the Pershing Square Farmer's Market.  My friend Chloe met me as her office is right across the street and we just strolled around tasting fresh fruit and veggies, chatting and cooled off with a pineapple-coconut fruit juice (so refreshing on a warm day)!  I plan on making this a weekly routine now.

{Top: Stones, Trousers: Zara, Sandals: U/O, Barrette: Anthropologie}

Photos by me and Chloe