Recent Pics

just a wee bit of life lately via Instagram --

They were filming Anchorman 2 outside my office one day. Check out those old-timey taxis!

red + pink = my new favorite combo.

I'm loving his longer hair.

Wear some love!

...an old pic in honor of this cutie (Patrick's little sis) who turned 13 last month. 

Can't believe it!

Sunday morning coffee run.

pretty wrought iron in the neighborhood.

uber blonde & ready for summer.

A run on the water on a gorgeous day? Instant day-maker.

As much as this city drives me bonkers sometimes,
I feel fortunate that this view is walking distance from our home. Hard to beat!

Look how cute!

Meet my adorable friend (& amazing photographer). Our hello-hug was so big in my apartment doorway that an entire Grande coffee went flying everywhere. Nothing to do but laugh!

Hey, handsome.

When I was a litle girl, my oldest brother played a foot soldier (one of the bug-eyed bad guys) in the Ninja Turtle movie. Naturally, I thought he had super powers. I had Ninja Turtle posters in my room and even brought his mask to school for show & tell. I wanted to make sure his son knew his dad was magical as well so I designed this onesie for the little man. It looked SO teeny when I got it - hard to believe he's even tinier!

With the new Citi Bike right on our street, it might be a sign that I need to learn how to ride one of these things even though that's the scariest thought ever. It's a shame they don't come with training wheels...you think I'm joking, don't you?

Our new favorite fish seasoning? Truffle mustard!

Check out that grin. My mom says he's smiling because angels are whispering in his ear :) See you oh-so-soon, little one!

until next time,

g

Trends I'm Loving

[clockwise from top left: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5]

white silk blouses - A fresh white silk blouse is a springtime trend, but also a wardrobe staple.

/// similar here, here, here & here (my favorite)

pops of highlighter neon - That color just screams smile! to me.

/// such as this & this

heart sunglasses - Leave the nice sunnies at home and bring some heart ones to the beach!

 /// similar here & here

overalls - Ohmyoshkoshbgosh, I need some.

 /// similar here & here

elephants - I have always loved elephants! Here are Palermo's exact shorts from the new fabulous Banana / Milly collaboration. Check your local BR for more sizes. (I have them & I love them!)

 

What fashion trends are you loving right now?

 

until next time,

 

g

New Items for Sale!

In addition to my temporary love tattoos & multi-purpose stationery packs,

I have added four new items to my Etsy shop, From the Hart!

two kinds of stamps...

^^^ a thank you stamp!

 ^^^ comes in a little canvas bag.

^^^ & a to: / from: stamp!

and...tote bags!

^^^ Hello, sunshine beach bag! (I've had so much fun carrying this!)

^^^ & the perfect tote for brides!

As you can see, I'm trying some new things out. Everything is limited edition! If interested in any of the items, you can view the listings here.

until next time,

g

New Dog Illustration!

I'd like to introduce you to Dixie.

Beagles have such pretty coloring, but this one in particular was amazing to illustrate. She belongs to a couple I've known since boarding school/college who just recently got engaged! I can't wait for them to see how it looks framed. She's one of my favorites, and I hope it can be a fun new addition to their home.

Many people ask about my process for these. It all starts with a pencil & a pen as I study a photograph.

...then I scan it and add multiple layers of color & texture using my Wacom pad.

Interested in a dog illustration? 

I am booking custom work for September - please email me at littleladyinthebigapple{at}gmail.com for details.

until next time,

g

June 2013 Desktop Wallpaper

happy June!

it's hot in Manhattan & i wanted a desktop wallpaper that reminded me of the beach.

{click, right click, set as background or save accordingly}

things I'm looking forward to this month:

• Yankees / Indians game
• celebrating many friends' / family members' birthdays & Father's Day
• exploring the city and spending hours outside
• a total of 14 hours on a train with Patrick (oh boy...ha!) 
• trying to get through 2 seasons of Dexter before the last season premieres
• my oldest nephew's high school graduation
• meeting (& cuddling) my newborn nephew
• visiting family & home
• meeting my Godson
• seeing friends from boarding school
• Alt Summit NYC
• a girlfriend's bachelorette weekend
• taking Patrick to Shake Shack
• launching my website & a couple projects
• two four-day long weekends
• trying our best to make our apartment feel brand new 
• seeing a friend who's visiting from San Francisco
• iced tea / Pinkberry / sandals
• welcoming summer with open arms!

until next time,

g

Happy Weekend!

original

Well that week sure flew. And also goodbye May, I guess? (How?...)

Any fun plans for the weekend? I kicked things off last night by grabbing drinks with a girlfriend (so fun), a trip to the doctor this afternoon for my 10-year tetanus booster (not so fun), met a friend's month-old baby girl (I almost passed out from cuteness overload), then came home and immediately passed out and took a nap (I'm le tired). I'm looking forward to breakfast with a girlfriend, possibly seeing this movie with Patrick, and illustrating a wedding map for a bride. I don't have any links for you today so I figured I'd list some updates instead.

+ My less-than-a-week-old nephew returned to the hospital yesterday with elevated bilirubin levels (jaundice). He was placed under an ultraviolet light and stayed overnight, but was thankfully released today. Although jaundice is common in infants, it sure was scary to think of him back in the hospital, being poked & prodded and having blood drawn. My brother sent me a picture of him under the blue light wearing a little mask over his eyes and I let out a yelp. Bless his heart! I'm so glad they're home...I know my brother & his wife are physically & emotionally exhausted. I can't wait to see them all in a week. I have many, many hugs saved up!

+ I'll be adding a couple new things to the shop soon - things I've never sold before. Excited to see what you think..!

+ We aren't moving. (right now) That's right! Cue deja vu... It's been a long few weeks filled with a breakdown or two...or seven. We've attempted to navigate all the bizarre signs that have come our way with job situations, logistics, and the terrible renting market in the summer.  When we finally found a great apartment, I left work early to see it only to be turned away since management was busy...and then we returned 2 days later and literally got stuck underground for nearly an hour while someone else signed the lease moments before we got there. Signs like that have made it pretty clear -- and as deflated as I feel by the decision to stay, I know it's for the best. My friend recently told me that things always work out more exquisitely than we plan them to, and I have to agree :)

+Since we're not moving, we're putting the money we've saved towards redecorating! GUYS, I GET TO SHOP FOR FURNITURE! But only after I get rid of, like, half the things we own. You can see some pictures of our current set-up here. I'll be sure and share some before & afters.

+It's getting closer to the time to say goodbye to this little lady blog of mine and move to my next internet "home." The website designers I've been working with are the bees knees, and I can't wait to debut what we've been up to.

Have a happy weekend!

until next time,

g

Weekender Bags

It's that time of year!

...weddings, graduations, bachelor/bachelorette shindigs, mini-vacations, & weekend trips.

Instead of pullin' out the giant suitcase, it's always nice to have a bag that fits all you need for 2-4 days. I am not a fan of packing. In fact, I'm quite terrible at it. It makes me stressed & grouchy (ask Patrick), and I tend to pack more than I need as I fabricate scenarios where I just might need five pairs of shoes and a wool sweater at the beach. The good thing about weekender bags? Their size gives you a limit. I'm always forced to put that third extra outfit back in the closet so I can zip the sucker up. And lo & behold, I always have enough.

Do you have a favorite weekender bag? Here are some different styles I like --

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

I have #8. I've used it for countless trips and the thing is practically indestructible. Which I need. The last flight I was on required me sprinting up to the gate in order to board before they closed the door. As I grabbed my boarding pass, I heard "Ma'am! Ma'am!" and thought oh great, what now. "Where did you get that bag??! I NEED IT!" I couldn't help but smile. Yes, it's pretty great. (Pssst, MZ Wallace is having a sale right now.) I've also been eyeing the company that makes #2 & #5...their videos of what all fits inside the bags are both clever & mesmerizing. Have a look here.

until next time,

g