March 2012 Desktop Wallpaper

tomorrow is March...

...time to update those desktop wallpapers!

i was inspired this month by the fabulously fashionable Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific.

(this was the specific post.)

I hope you enjoy!

{click on image, right click, set as background, make sure it's set to center.}

*I realize she's missing a purse strap.

It's flopped to the other side since she just reached in to grab some lipstick. ;)

until next time,

g

Couple Snapshots

moi.

short & black.

well this is perfect.

around my apartment.

note the minnie mouse postcard someone sent from disney world. ;)

until next time,

g

Spring Clothes: BB Dakota

1. Dora Dress

2. Mia Dress

3. Jacinda Dress

4. Mattox Pant

5. Kaley Skirt

6. A"maire Short

until next time,

g

Seven Quick Things

:: seven quick things ::

how to do a braided bun.

this is precious.

i have always had an affinity for geodes and squealed when i saw these. giving someone a pair of earrings? put them in here first.

here are some helpful tips & tricks.

the afterhours satin pajamas from VS come in a new cute polka dot pattern. kardashian fan or not, these pjs are amazing.

i really want to try this best-chocolate-ice-cream-you'll-ever-have recipe.

20 instructions for life by the Dalai Lama.

until next time,

g

Clutch It

In the market for the perfect simple leather clutch?

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American Apparel 

100% Leather Carry-All

...so many colors to choose from!

• small 
• medium (I think this is the perfect size.)
• large 

*check their website for patent, metallic, & suede styles.

What's your favorite color?

until next time,

g

My Little Weekend

{cleaning makeup brushes}

this weekend, I...

• donated half of my wardrobe.
• celebrated my dad's & my friend's birthdays.
• cleaned everything in my vicinity. 
• grabbed coffee with my old classmate while she was in town. (you know, the amazingly talented calligrapher one!)
• filed my taxes. 
• dragged my tush to boot camp. (new trainer is slowly killing me...)
• booked flights to SFO. (yay!!!)

whew! big smiles. don't get me wrong, i never normally have the time to do all of that. it was a magical weekend, really.

oh, and fat tuesday takes precedence over the current health kick. we're expecting a delivery of twelve pints of ice cream just to make the day more fun. ;)

until next time,

g

Happy Long Weekend!

Excited for the long weekend? I am!

I went to this incredible event last night and am now an even bigger fan of Deborah Needleman and Jonathan Adler. (Jonathan's husband, Simon Doonan, was there as well.) It was such a treat because I ran into a few friends from college (I love that this city can feel so small), one of whom now works as Deborah's assistant! She posted a picture of Needleman & Adler at the event here on her blog.

Favorite line from the night?

"A chick walked into my store decked out in designer duds and carrying an alligator Birkin. She picked up one of my porcelain vases and whispered to her friend in disgust, 'It's 98 dollars!!!' I wanted to cut her." - Jonathan Adler

Check out Needleman's book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home, here. (Would make a great gift for the ladies in your life!) I basically want to be her. And/or Virginia Johnson who illustrated the book.

Oh, and read the fascinating "about me" section of Adler's website here. It'll give you a sense of his personality and humor that had me giggling all night.

A few other links for you:

A bracelet for your bridesmaid or best friend.

Heart-printed furry friends.

Best coffee shops in NYC.

It can sometimes be difficult to find the appropriate message to write in a sympathy card. If you're at a loss for words, just write this.

If you don't know about Chairloom, you should.

A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remake? Yes, this excites me...although I will always love the 1990 version best. (fun fact: my oldest brother was in it!)

This is for my fellow Wahoos.

A serif tote.

Jen Ramos blogged about these pretty camera straps.

A storage bench for an entryway.

I'm going to The Fat Radish for a friend's birthday dinner this weekend (never been!) - can't wait!

I'll leave you with this quote my guy (my biggest cheerleader) tweeted to me last night:

"If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse." - Walt Disney

Did I mention he's going to Disney World tomorrow? Sigh... someone better send me a postcard! ;)

until next time,

g

L.O.V.E.

{instagram username :: @ihartvirginia}

celebrate everyone you love today by handing out smiles.

-xx-

p.s. a theme song for your day:

until next time,

g

20 Best Restaurants in NYC

...according to the little lady!

People are always asking me, "I'm coming to New York City so, like, where should I eat?!" Or if they live here it's more of a, "Crap! People are coming to visit me so, like, where should I take them to eat?!" Although my opinion is ever-changing and the vast majority of these spots are in a small circle of lower Manhattan where I reside, I am confident that you will find something on this list that strikes your fancy. In an effort to share more of my favorite things about this wonderful city, I've compiled a list of 20 amazing restaurants for you to reference.

enjoy!

1. ABC Kitchen

website

35 East 18th Street between Broadway & Park Ave

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favorite menu items: crab toast, mushroom & farm egg pizza, french toast, salted caramel ice cream sundae

*ABC Kitchen is in the back of ABC Carpet & Home.

Make sure to take a gander!

2. Beauty & Essex

website

146 Essex Street near Stanton Street

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favorite menu items: lobster tacos, vanilla beignets

*It looks like you're walking into a pawnshop (the back door will open into the restaurant) so don't be alarmed if it seems like you're in the wrong place.

3. Buddakan

website

75 9th Avenue near 16th Street

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favorite menu items: edamame dumplings, chili rock shrimp, lobster fried rice

*The large table in the picture is where they filmed Carrie & Big's rehearsal dinner in the SATC movie - an amazing experience if you have a large party!

4. Cafe Cluny

website

284 West 12th Street on the corner of West 4th Street

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favorite menu items: breakfast club sandwich, eggs benedict

*Although I'm not the biggest fan of their dinner menu, this is my favorite brunch spot in Manhattan. 

*Get the fries or side salad (both delicious!) over the hash browns.

*celeb hub

5. Crif Dogs

website

113 St. Marks Place between 1st & Avenue A

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favorite menu items: chili dog, chihuahua dog, good morning dog

*There is a hidden speakeasy, called Please Don't Tell, that you can only access from the vintage phone booth inside Crif Dogs. Enter the phone booth, dial 1, and wait for them to open the door.
*If you want to make a reservation at PDT, you have to call at exactly 3pm the day you want to go.

6. The Donut Pub

website

203 West 14th Street near 7th Ave

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favorite menu items: coffee, Boston Kreme donut, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich

*open 24/7

*Read about the history of The Donut Pub here.

7. Extra Virgin

website

259 West 4th Street between Charles Street & Perry Street

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favorite menu items: butternut squash ravioli, chilean sea bass, truffle whipped potatoes

*They have a great spaghetti & meatballs on Sunday nights.

*Sit outside for great people-watching.

8. La Bottega

website 

88 9th Avenue at 17th Street

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favorite menu item: linguini neri (I get it every time.)

*This is one of my favorite places with outdoor seating.

9. La Esquina

website

114 Kenmare Street between Mott & Elizabeth Street

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favorite menu item: pescado tacos

*celeb hub

*You will walk into a taqueria. Approach the door with the bouncer, one that will lead you downstairs through the kitchen and into the hidden restaurant.

10. Morimoto

website

88 10th Avenue near 16th Street

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favorite menu item: crispy rock shrimp tempura, sushi

*Go to the bathroom while you're there just so you can see it. Trust me.

11. Num Pang

website

21 East 12th Street between 5th Ave & University Place

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favorite menu item: coconut tiger shrimp sandwich

*It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall, but a sandwich you won't soon forget.

12. Peanut Butter & Company

website

240 Sullivan Street between Bleeker Street & 3rd Street

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favorite menu item: The Elvis

*This is a perfect spot for the kiddos.

*It's right by Washington Square Park; make it a picnic!

13. Pipa Tapas Y Mas

website

38 East 19th Street near Broadway

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favorite menu items: cangrejo cocas, piggy back dates, red sangria

*It can get a bit loud with the communal tables so not the best for a first date.

14. Shake Shack

website

multiple locations

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favorite menu items: ShackBurger, milkshake

*Want to check on the length of the line in Madison Square Park?

Check out the "shack cam" on their website!

15. Stanton Social

website

99 Stanton Street near Ludlow Street

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favorite menu items: french onion soup dumplings, chicken 'n' waffles

*The upstairs is fun for a group.

16. The Smith

website

East Village - 55 Third Avenue between 10th & 11th Street

Midtown - 956 Second Avenue at 51st Street

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favorite menu item: steak salad

*The midtown location is relatively new and just what the neighborhood needed!

17. The Standard Grill

website

848 Washington Street at 13th Street

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favorite menu items: poached eggs, brussels sprouts

*Save room for their amazing dessert menu

18. Tanuki Tavern

website

18 Ninth Avenue at 13th Street

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favorite menu items: kimchi fried rice, sesame crusted tuna tataki roll

*It's nestled in a beautiful part of the Meatpacking District on the side of the Gansevoort Hotel.

19. Tortilla Flats

website

767 Washington Street at West 12th Street

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favorite menu items: guacamole, margarita pitchers

*You go for the atmosphere - think bachelorette party!

20. Westville

website

3 locations

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favorite menu items: I love to make a meal of the long list of fresh market vegetables.

Oh, and try the corn on the cob with cumin, too!

*casual

until next time,

g

Motivation

until next time,

g

Love Links

...

studs & stripes

What are you up to this weekend? I have a long to-do list to tackle, but I also have a few dates with my girlfriends on the calendar that I'm very much looking forward to. For one date, we're checking out this restaurant I've been meaning to try. I hope it's good!

Oh! And I need to find someone to go see this with me. Otherwise, I'll go by myself and sniffle into my Junior Mints box in the corner. Which is perfectly okay with me.

Some links for you:

I think this is such a sweet gift idea. And I'm so doing it for someone special one day! ;)

I love this mousepad.

Silly kitties.

A heart tray.

Check out this "Love Ever After" project featuring couples who have been married at least 50 years.

How pretty is this iPhone case?

This made me giggle. So true!

A place for dance lessons in NYC.

A stationery subscription where you receive a monthly delivery of new greeting cards from monthly presses & printers? How fun!

Liking that whole subscription idea? Here's one for makeup samples.

A Fleabag clutch/iPad case.

Book your favorite lady an appointment at this magical place in NYC.

A Valentine friendship bracelet tutorial.

A post titled, "Love Links", wouldn't seem right without mentioning the devastating trial going on right now for the death of Yeardley Love at UVA in 2010. I didn't know her firsthand, but know others who did, and my heart aches for all who are involved. You can learn about and contribute to her "One Love" foundation here.

I leave you with this quote:

"To say 'I love you'

one must first know

 how to say the 'I'."

- Ayn Rand in The Fountainhead

*a fan asked Rand to explain that quote
and this is her incredible response.

until next time,

g

Snuggle Up

According to the forecast, snow is on its way! Doesn't that news make you want to curl up in your favorite nook with a good read and your coziest blanket?

I've heard the blankets from Barefoot Dreams are the softest of soft. Oprah once called them "baby blankets for adults." Sounds pretty delightful, right?

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I think we all need them.

I also think that adults should have a mandatory nap-time, but no one seems to listen to me.

Oh! And here's a list of other celebs that apparently love their products, too. They'd make a great Valentine's gift for your favorite snuggler. :)

until next time,

g

Recent Snapshots

i love a big breakfast.

v is for me.

wearing pajamas to the 24-hour Duane Reade. 

it happens.

chrysler building.

yum.

my guy when he was little.

{so cute i can hardly stand it!}

borrowed my bf's 11-year-old sister's sneakers since we're cool like that 

and wear the same size.

goober.

 

had a perfect long weekend away, but it feels good to be home!

p.s. wishing miss meaghan a very happy birthday today! xo!

until next time,

g

Weekend Fun

Whew, what a week. I can't believe it's already Friday! I'm taking a 3-day weekend to go visit my favorite patient. :) Just so you know, I generally feel like this when I pack. Even when I realize I left a few things at home...(argh!)

We're betting on these questions during the Superbowl. (best part? I might have a chance of winning despite my lack of football knowledge!)

My friend retweeted this and I had to share. It's a letter from an ex-slave to his former owner in 1865 after being asked to return to work. I want to give him my biggest high-five.

You can download a Valentine teabag wrapper template here.

A customizable children's book would be a wonderful gift!

Love this rug.

I hope I get to have a dog and kitty one day again. And I hope they snuggle.

I find everything about this little paper goods store inspiring.

Painting your walls? Here are some pretty "greige" suggestions.

I leave you with something for the other ladies out there - this beautifully written article about friendships among women will leave your eyes watery and your heart full. To my girlfriends out there, I hope you know how much I love you!

until next time,

g

Brightened Things Up!

Over two years ago, I made the change from blonde to brunette with a one-time color. That was the last time I colored my hair; it was fun embracing my natural dark color and dealing with the maintenance-free styling!

But then it hit me. Maybe it was the winter blues. (Nah it was 60 degrees on Wednesday, who am I kidding? ) Maybe it was sifting through old pictures of my childhood, boarding school, & college and missing my lighter tresses. Maybe I just needed a change. Regardless, I called my boyfriend and declared, "you know? life's too short to not color your hair!"

And so, in a last-minute decision, I had some fun...

I actually only got a few highlights, mainly around my face, but the stylist managed to blend it all pretty well with my natural color. Nothing drastic, but it definitely brightened things up!

And I gotta admit, I sort of feel like myself again. ;)

Where did I go? I went to Sparkle Beauty Studio in the West Village for the first time. Their intimate space is located on one of my favorite streets in the city, Charles Street, and the two owners were just as nice as they could be. They were very professional and very efficient. (Nobody likes to sit there for too long.) It honestly looks and feels like you're in a backstage hair & makeup room on a movie set... I'd highly recommend!

Oh! And if you've picked up the new magazine called "Reality Weekly", you'll see their beauty spreads. Here are a few snapshots:

...they've won me (& my hair) over!

until next time,

g