Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Shop for a Good Cause

My friend works for Abriendo Mentes, a community development initiative operating in rural Costa Rica. Their mission is to offer innovative educational, social, and technological programs to rural Costa Rican youth and adults in need, in an effort to equip community members with the knowledge and resources needed to achieve a better standard of living and promote economic stability.

Fresh Words Market is a social enterprise which carries a collection of modern art to inspire the masses, and a mission to help change the world.

For one week, Fresh Words Market has chosen Abriento Mentes to receive 50% of all proceeds from purchases made here!




images via

Who doesn't love purchasing something that benefits a good cause?

(...would make great Valentine gifts!)

until next time,

g

Monday, January 30, 2012

Reminder

a little reminder for us all:
...
#begrateful
image via
until next time,

g

Friday, January 27, 2012

Link Time!


My friend & I checked out the new winebar near Union Square last night called Corkbuzz. A must-try! I highly recommend the bucatini dish with brussels sprouts & chili oil and the Domain Marcillet Hautes Cotes de Nutis '09 wine from Burgundy, France.

...psh, don't let me fool you with sounding like I know what I'm talking about. It was the waiter's recommendation, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd love to take one of their wine classes to learn more! (Friends, who wants to join me?)

Can someone puh-lease go on a tropical vacation with me so I have a reason to buy this perfect coverup?

In case you missed it, here's Sh*t New Yorkers Say. (As someone mentioned on Twitter, we really need a "Sh*t Bloggers Say" video. Someone get on that, stat.)

I would love to have this quote in my home one day.

The cutest 911 call you'll ever hear.

Wouldn't this be a tasty treat for your Superbowl party? And these for dessert?

Send this to your favorite snorer.

Do you have little ones attending your wedding? Print out these activity books!


If you own a store, please hang this on your door. :)

Have you ever seen a font you like, but you don't know what it is? Upload it to WhatTheFont.

I leave you with these words of wisdom from Mark Twain.

I hope everyone has a rejuvenating weekend!

until next time,

g

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Mush

I don't usually include anything too personal on this little blog of mine. It seems unnatural, however, to skip over these past few days as if they didn't happen.

If you're an avid follower, you've seen pictures and mentions of the guy in my life. To explain our nearly 7-year-mostly-long-distance-based-history would require an unfinished novel, but know that he's very important to me. In Friends lingo, he's my lobster. :)

His collegiate and professional athletic career exacerbated, what is believed to be, a pre-existing condition in his shoulder. I'll spare you the many details involved in the length of his injury, but it's unfortunately been a long and trying road for him. On Thursday, he had a scheduled operation that required extracting a rib, a muscle, and extensive scar tissue surrounding his nerves in order to alleviate compression. The anticipation leading up to the surgery-day was enough to drive anyone mad (sincere apologies to my friends & family who heard me say "I know, I just want it to be over with!" countless times). His parents & I watched as they wheeled him away at 8:30 that morning...and after what felt like days of watching the clock, praying, waiting for the summaries of the intermittent stomach-in-your-throat update calls from the OR, we saw him again when he came to at 6:00 that night.

I held good-luck charms all day long. :)

fun little fact:
His old #: 19
His surgery date: January 19th
Hotel room: 419
Hospital room: 1936

I envisioned him deliriously smiling when we greeted him. Ya know, perhaps he'd be too loopy to even know anything was wrong at all, saying funny things and being his usual joke-y self. I bought him a stuffed Bernese Mountain Dog (one of our mutual favorites) from the hospital's gift shop that soon wouldn't leave his side, but he had no interest with any of that right then. Instead, he was hooked up to a million cords and monitors, hunched off the side of the bed in utter nausea. He growled a "hey", his voice raspy from the breathing tube. The feelings I felt before and during surgery had been, unprecedentedly, trumped.

My mother prefaced these last few days with an email reminding me that I had to be strong even if I felt like mush inside. Boy was she was spot-on with that description. I was (and still partially am) one big blob of mush. Observing his small victories like transitioning off ice chips and walking without dizziness was an indescribable feeling of achievement. Unfortunately, many of those achievements were sandwiched between moments that reignited the mush - the winces, the sincere frowns, the needles and tubes, the "hurry back" texts. His out-of-character vulnerability left me feeling weak, but also obligated to be selflessly strong.

After two nights, the hospital thankfully released him yesterday afternoon; he's now home with his family in recovery. Although there's quite a long road still ahead, I pray that this proves to be the help he needed and everything will soon appear in the rear-view mirror...and hopefully, any triumphant outcome will hold an even higher significance given all that he's had to tolerate.

My youngest niece was also admitted to the hospital on Friday morning after a trip to the ER Thursday night. The poor thing was extremely ill and her close-to-nothing frame couldn't handle it. I absolutely hated to think of her in that state, and my brother a worried wreck next to her. She was finally released today; thank goodness.

As my little heart's mushiness solidifies, it sends out love to not only my niece and my #19, but to all those who are dealing with far worse health situations. You & your loved ones deserve medals for what you must endure. As much as I hope to walk away somehow "strengthened" by observing all of this, I also hope that a part of me will always remember what this felt like. I can certainly benefit from its humbling reminder and, if anything, attempt to feel greater empathy for others. They say that if you ever start feeling sorry for yourself, that you should visit a hospital... you feel things, you do things, you see many things that put everything in life into perspective.

May I always remember that perspective.

And may I always remember that mush.

until next time,

g

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Wednesday Photo Love


recent pic-chas:

my Laurel Denise planner for work.

"she lives life in her own little fairytale"

the little lady & the big guy.

boys can have arm-candy, too.
{I made the blue/orange one for good luck.}

fur & fingerless bling.

xo.

the fish at the Chelsea Gallery Diner.

not only did he lug his Christmas-gift-slippers to NYC,
but he also wore them outside.
 to a restaurant!
{he likes them! success!}

I have a strong affinity for spiked accessories these days. 

I used my January letterpress postcard
 to wish my Nana a happy birthday!

Interested in purchasing a letterpress calendar/postcard set? 
Go here.

As of now, I've sold 30 and have 15 left in stock!

...

until next time,

g

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Knot & Bow

Guess what? It's time to get ready for Valentine's Day! 

Am I the only one who loves a day about love? 

It certainly seems like it... 

I hate hearing the bitter "I-don't-have-a-significant-other-screw-you-and-your-depressing-Hallmark-holiday" excuse. If you're single, I'm sure you still have family and/or friends and/or pets. And this is the perfect opportunity to show a little extra love to someone in your life. Who knows! Maybe you'll enjoy it and it will inspire you to keep with it and give more love on a regular basis.

I've been needing a good excuse to order something from Knot & Bow on Etsy...ya know, other than the fact that my last name is a homophonic heterograph of heart. (Psh, how's that for alliteration?)

Pictured below are some of their goodies:

all images via

To check out their store, click here.
To check out the many other fabulous V-day Etsy finds, click here.

p.s. I'm very much looking forward to my sticker delivery. ;)

until next time,

g

Thought of the Day

until next time,

g

Friday, January 13, 2012

Friday Links

{i have way too much fun on my iPhone.}

links for your Friday:

1. avocado is in its own food group according to my personal food chart. thus, I need this.
2. I love this Valentine card. oh and this one, too.
and for all my fellow nerdy friends, this one. :)
3. neons versus pastels. doesn't this make you excited for spring?
{after 2 years as a brunette, I'm finding inspiration for my next color. ;) }
5. I hear you. I'm craving some beach-time, too.
6. have you seen this Fotoshop by Adobe video? sadly true...
7. In honor of MLK, Jr. Day on Monday.
8. loved the article about Jessie Randall (Loeffler Randall) in this month's Matchbook Mag.
{aren't these Loeffler Randall flats adorable? I keep seeing them everywhere. other colors available!}
9. one of my favorite bloggers (and supplier of my business cards), MadebyGirl, is moving to NYC!
{live near Las Vegas? she's selling some really cute furniture.}
10. I leave you with this. My brother shared this video with me over the holidays. {they can hear the others' parts of the song in the headphones..."cool" doesn't even begin to describe it.}

May you all enjoy your weekend!

I have a special guest arriving tonight! Can't wait...

until next time,

g

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

For the Home!

My lease isn't up for another few months, but I am toying with the idea of looking for a new apartment. I realize a lot can happen to alter that statement, but after 3 years in my very own tiny little abode, I have an itch for a fresh start -- a new neighborhood, a different set-up, something with a tad more space. In the meantime, it's fun to find inspiration in different decor and day-dream!

here are some little pieces I'm dreaming about today:





until next time,

g

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A Saturday Well Spent


As mentioned in previous posts, I ventured to the Brooklyn Flea this weekend. My friend & I began our unseasonably warm Saturday at Gemma at the Bowery Hotel. Well, let's rewind. I got there first and awkwardly tipped over the barstool, sounding a loud clang throughout the entire restaurant as I nearly fell over. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever develop the proper motor skills to overcome my klutzy ways. The universe usually retorts with a big fat "nope!"... We had a delicious brunch, though. I highly recommend! (If you order tea, they will bring you a big beautiful teapot!)

We then booked it to Brooklyn (that's an overstatement considering the majority of the subway lines were under construction this weekend, making for a snail-paced commute) and checked out the BK Flea.  Isn't the space beautiful? During winter, the market resides in an old bank. Vendors even set up shop inside the downstairs vault. Other markets I recommend? The Young Designer's Market which has ever-so-conveniently moved to my neighborhood! 

After we explored, we headed back to Manhattan for a little pampering. My friend had soon-to-expire coupons towards facials at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa on 5th Ave. I'm a novice when it comes to spa treatments, but I can assure you it was pretty spectacular! I feel like the NYC air takes its toll on my skin so the process was definitely needed. I was successfully able to turn my mind "off", too, which rarely happens. I spent the rest of the weekend crossing things off my list and working on a series of portraits I'm very excited about. :) Hope to share soon!

until next time,

g

Monday, January 9, 2012

Recently on Instagram


{"My Private Jet" by O.P.I. for NYE}


{bundled up}

zzZZZZZzz
{ you'd think he was the one that got up at 4:15am to catch a flight. :)}

{NYE bling}

{celebrating}

{my city!}

{my mom made this a long time ago. it makes me smile.}

{adore this keychain gift!}

{"BBF Best Boyfriend" by Essie - new favorite neutral}

{stumbled upon a photo shoot in Soho}

{I could have sifted through these letterpress blocks all day.}

{Brooklyn Flea finds: vintage sweater, earrings, horn decoration}

{Sunday breakfast}


until next time,

g

Friday, January 6, 2012

5 Quick Things


here are 5 things I wanted to share with you today:

1. NY Restaurant Week starts later this month! Check out menus here.

2. 7 steps to dealing with sentimental clutter.

3. The Brooklyn Flea opens back up tomorrow! (I'll be there!)
       Click here for more information.

4. I love this business card holder from kikki-K --


image via


5. How adorable are the baby twin polar bears?

Alright, folks, have a productive weekend!

until next time,

g

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Goal for 2012

It's taken me a few days to really think about what I want to accomplish this year. I, of course, have many of the same goals as everyone else - like being healthier (I start a two-day cleanse today to kickstart that goal - wish me luck!), more driven, and keeping focus on what's important and what makes me happy. If I had to sum up my sentiment and hopes for 2012, though, it would look like this:



We tend to think of the bigger moments when it comes to goals - the events and milestones that we envision in our future. But what about the every day? The routine actions you make each and every morning, day, and night that fill up the majority of your lifetime? They can often feel so monotonous that they aren't even a deliberate choice! 

Instead of letting life happen to you, make life happen. Instead of living life on autopilot and just going through the motions that will get you to the nearest weekend or vacation, I propose that we all make sure that each day we do and act and eat and talk and sleep and love like we actually chose to, meant to, and want to. 

I propose that we live deliberately.

Here are 15 ideas on how to make that happen.

until next time,

g

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Battling Dry Skin

With the colder temperatures settling in
and the reminder that I do not control my desert-esque apartment heat,
my skin is entering i-hate-you mode.

Yours, too?

Here are some products that help my skin survive the winter.




I actually apply this on top of my daily moisturizer. 
It locks in the moisture and makes for a good makeup base.

2. Smith's Rosebud Salve In a Tube
Your favorite lip balm in a more sanitary container!

3. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
Just because it's winter, it doesn't mean you should skip the SPF.
Aveeno products are all amazing, by the way.

4. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
I admit, I alternate cleansers just like I do shampoo/etc., but
this is a good, stable choice especially if you have sensitive skin.

5. Soapology Walnut Polisher
I use this after #6. A great exfoliator.

6. Soapology Brown Sugar Scrub: Verbena Ginger
Use this as your full-body scrub and your skin will love you.

7. Dermalogica Barrier Repair
It's perfect to use occassionally if you have a trouble spot on your face.
(that seems to stay dry no matter what you do!)

until next time,

g
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