Be Back Soon

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I must take some time off,

 but I'll be back soon.

love & hugs.

until next time,

g

Friday Links

happy friday, loves!

i wanted to share a few links to kickstart your weekend ::

J.Crew has teamed up with Indego Africa! Check out their amazing wrap bracelets.

stop by the Fred Flare pop-up shop in the Chelsea Market if you're in the neighborhood.

is your dog home alone during the day? he/she needs DogTV! also, have you heard of these dog collars? pricey, but fun.

Karen Walker knock-off sunglasses for only $10.99.

my friend swears that these are are the most comfortable flats ever.

i really want to try this NYC restaurant.

a newlywed cookbook.

Alex & Ani have started an MLB bracelet collection.

i can't believe this is Brad Pitt!

wow, this is one of the coolest things in NYC - who knew?!?

i just had to buy this.

3 great repurposing ideas.

a chevron beach bag.

this & that are two great Mother's Day gifts, especially for new mamas. And here are some nice photo gifts, too! Speaking of mothers, have you seen this awesome video?

i leave you with this quote.

until next time,

g

These Pics Explain My Life Right Now

i'm a workin' girl...

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who cherishes moments of solitude...

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but i'm juggling...

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and having important conversations...

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and living by this mantra...

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and, more or less, looking like this.

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until next time,

g

NARS Pink Lipstick

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

update! the links don't work anymore.

here's a key:

1. "Venice"

2. "Roman Holiday"

3. "Schiap"

4. "Funny Face"

i've recently attempted to upgrade from my usual chapstick to something a little more sophisticated.

 like lipstick. 

maybe it's memories of watching my mother and sister 

apply it with such concentration.

or maybe it's the feel of it versus Blistex & sticky gloss.

or maybe it's the richness in color.

or maybe it makes me feel older, in a good way.

or maybe it's the little tube with a spin-around-and-up-you-go hello. 

there's something about applying lipstick that's just...sexy.

am i right?

NARS is a favorite of mine 

so i wanted to share some spring-y pink shades. 

(my current favorite is #2, but i'd love to branch out & try 3 or 4! )

what about you? do you have a favorite lipstick?

p.s. celebs in pink lipstick ::

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via

via

via

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until next time,

g

Take a Moment

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to soak it all in.

to reflect.

to do it on purpose.

...

until next time,

g

April Photos

a midday pick-me-up.

(i recommend this flavor!)

if you can't decide between red or pink, do something in between. :)

("My Chihuahua Bites" by O.P.I.)

my view on the way to the airport.

my cabbie took me the scenic route & played country music. 

we bonded. 

my first ever batch of deviled eggs! 

my southern-cookin-mama was oh' so proud.

the sign says it all.

my stilts.

my view heading back to the airport. 

it's the little things...

meanwhile, my sister's cat proved that she wasn't just chubbalicious

when baby kitties appeared! :)

neighborhood flowers.

Jane Street flower garden. 

a not-quite-white :: "Baby's Breath" by ESSIE

homemade pizza night!

i'd like to point out that my friend hangs greeting cards with clothespins in her entry way.

and i love it.

i might have spikes on my wrist and holes in my jeans, 

but i've still got glitter on my shoes. ;)

P.S. 

#photoadayapril 

number 5 - 15

5. this #tiny guy was spotted (get it?) jumping around a boutique.

6. tuna melts for #lunch!

7. i was really sneaky and captured the #shadow of the E.B. himself.

8. #insidemywallet (i like a lotta pockets.)

9. sometimes there's nothing better than an ice #cold glass of water.

10. #ayoungerme (this was Easter 15 years ago.)

...gotta love the flannel nightgown.

11. #whereiatebreakfast

12. #stairs down to the dungeons beneath NYC.

13. #somethingifound - finally!

14. #howifeeltoday

i originally drew this as a bigger image for someone this weekend, 

but printed some tiny ones to hand out. :)

15. right before the #sunset in Brooklyn.

until next time,

g

Link Roundup

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happy friday, loves!

whatcha' up to?

i'll be spending my weekend working on illustrations,

enjoying the weather leaping to 80 degrees,

starting to prep for all the May birthdays in my life,

and making homemade pizza with friends! :)

before i go, here are some end-of-the-week links ::

this would make a great gift.

a cocktail that tastes like vacation.

18 clever organizing tricks.

i am in love with all of these pillows.

little things excite me like pencil highlighters and neon gift tags.

are you sportin' a baby bump?

check out this adorable clothing collection for key pieces to wear again & again even after your bump is gone!

a subtle ikat patterned lampshade.

rules of a creator's life.

a simple white watch.

in case you missed the "Make it Count" Nike video, watch here.

p.s. you're going to pass out from cuteness...

keep scrolling...

meet my new fuzzy & four-legged nephew, Harvey ::

ah! i just want to cuddle him!

he has joined my dear friends' family in Virginia.

& his big brother is over on the right-hand sidebar... :)

welcome, Harvey!

you. are. a. cutie. patootie.

(goodness, he has no idea how much love is in store.)

until next time,

g

Things Every Woman Should Have & Know by 30

After reading Lauren Conrad's interview in this month's Glamour (a good one), I flipped to a new spread titled,"30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30."

Glamour columnist, Pamela Redmond Satran, wrote this list in 1997 and yet it still applies and resonates today. I have a few years left before I hit the big 3-0, but I can still very much appreciate and admire these goals. I'm happy to see that I can already cross some off the list...while some suggestions still need work (i.e. things I should have...hello, numero dos!). Perhaps you've read this list before? If not, enjoy...

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother, and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. How to take control of your own birthday.

9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11.What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30.

What about you, ladies? How is your own list going? Would you add anything?

until next time,

g

Vent Session

Searching for an apartment in New York City is like putting on a duvet cover blindfolded. 

I HATE PUTTING ON THE DUVET COVER! 

(typing that in caps made me feel ohsomuchbetter.)

My lease isn't up until the end of June, but I've reluctantly started the hunt primarily using Craigslist, StreetEasy, and various no-fee/landlord websites. My bf has been extremely helpful, too - I seriously wake up every morning to a new email with links to peruse. (thank you!!)

I'd really, really love to have a separate room/area for living space.

...and a bathroom that is big enough for both a shower and a toilet.

...and ample cabinet space so I don't have to use my oven as storage. 

...and a furniture facelift. 

I meaaan, I'm 26 years old and it's time I have a normal-sized couch. The two bottom drawers of my previously owned dresser no longer open/operate without falling apart. And my "side-table" is a flimsy stand constructed of cardboard that was once used as a pedestal in an off-Broadway production. Let's be real.

Who knows, maybe I won't even end up moving. I have moments where I really do love my set-up and the thought of dealing with the process and packing up my life amidst its current momentum leaves me short of breath. Maybe I won't even find anything "better" in my price-range...but the bug is in my ear and goshdarnit, I'm going to at least try. 

My DVR is always full of two TV re-runs that will never get old:

Sex and the City & Friends.

A 30-minute episode of either is as effective as a professional therapy session complete with Oreos & milk. I often find myself fantasizing about living in either of their homes, frolicking around and having more than two options of where to sit down. 

[yelled into a loud-speaker] 'Scuse me, NYC, I'd like to know where you're hiding those apartments!

Let's take a look at theirs, shall we? 

Here is Carrie's apartment:

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(ugh, that closet makes me hyperventilate with envy.)

Here's the same apartment post wedding-drama remodeling:

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I know, friend, I know.

 Don't cry.

And don't forget where the gang hangs out:

"I'll. be. there. forrr youuuuuu."

Yeah? Well be there by finding me a big purple living room.

If you witness any irrational aggressiveness / unruly behavior / overall annoyance from the little lady during this process, blame Bradshaw & Geller. As the stress increases, I will be relying on my DVR for support. And you know who lives inside the DVR...people with big, beautiful, & rent-controlled apartments.

Oh gawwwd. I'm going to end up like this chick, aren't I?

until next time,

g