amelie versus carrie

I feel obligated to take a break from my studies (finals week, ugh) to share Vahram Muratyan's blog, Paris vs. New York, with you.  The graphic designer presents what he describes as "a visual but friendly match between those two cities seen by a lover of Paris wandering through New York's infinite details, clichés and contradictions."  So clever!

hot wheels

This frigid weather makes me wish that I owned some form of stylish transportation that I could use to zip around the city and enjoy the holiday decorations.  I typically enjoy my thirty block walk to campus every morning, but it's losing its appeal now that I can see my breath.

images via The Sartorialist

for today....

I was awed by the simplicity of this statement (displayed at The Clerkenwell, which is easily one of my top five favorite pubs in NYC). Is it too early to be thinking about New Years resolutions?

high above the hustle and bustle

This past weekend's unusually warm weather called for an outdoor excursion to the High Line.  The elevated West Side park was originally built for freight trains to travel above the city, but is now home to movable seating, interactive art pieces, and amazing views.  I'm a believer that every New Yorker should visit the park at least once, even if it's only to witness the sun set over the Hudson.

four dimensions of excellence

I know I've applauded Ralph Lauren in the past, but I simply must share their newest digital advancement with you.  They presented their first ever 4D fashion show to celebrate ten years of digital innovation.  I was beyond impressed with the New York and London shows, but my real excitement was realized when I took a look "behind the scenes" (tech geek, I know).  Be sure to check it out!

"beer and wine...and cupcakes!"

After seeing the Chase commercial featuring Marlo Scott of Sweet Revenge, I knew how I wanted to spend my birthday afternoon.  I dragged a friend to the West Village to visit the only wine, beer and cupcake bar in New York City.  We sampled the Pure (Mexican Vanilla Cake with Mexican Vanilla Buttercream) and Fleur de Sel (Valrhona Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Center and Salted Caramel Buttercream with Pecans and Salted Caramel Drizzle) cupcakes, which were perfectly paired with liquor counterparts.  The cozy setting reminded me of an old French cafe, and my delight was only enhanced when Marlo Scott herself stopped by our table to say hello!  I plan on returning soon to try their artisan sandwiches, which look (and smell!) simply divine.

cheers to me

Birthday celebrations commence today. Photos and details to come soon!

Birthday outfit! Express dress, Christian Louboutin pumps, Elizabeth and James bracelet

a neighborhood find

Ork Posters' collection of neighborhood screen prints recently caught my eye in a Third Ave window display.  So fun! 

....and just because.

sittin' in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g...

The topic of Disney's portrayal of women in their early movies was heavily discussed in my ethics class this past week.  My professor pointed out that some of our all-time favorites are based on the idea that women need a man to be happy (or awake from an endless sleep...or save her from an evil monster...) and that there are serious implications for girls who grow up with this subconscious belief.  I left the class feeling betrayed by my own childhood and thoroughly cynical towards the world.
  

My thoughts became even more jumbled when my friend forwarded me a link to Porter Hovey's blog, kissssing.  The quotes and pictures from classic love stories left me with a smile, but I couldn't help but wonder if this delight could be traced back to my childhood obsession with The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty.  Nonetheless, Hovey's diverse compilation of quotes and snapshots will warm the hearts of even the most jaded, cynical, and "giving-up-on-love" New Yorkers.

 -

"Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together; sophistication demands that they submit to sex immediately without proper preliminary talk. Not courting talk- real straight talk about souls, for life is holy and every moment is precious.” 

-- Jack Kerouac, On the Road

quotes and images via kissssing

birthday wishes

I've been on the prowl for the perfect birthday dress (celebrations start in exactly one week!).  Helmut Lang was featured on Gilt Groupe yesterday and I was reminded of how much I truly love the brand's refined minimalism.  Perhaps it is time for a new investment....

 images via Gilt Groupe

Still don't have a membership to Gilt Groupe? Leave a comment and I will send you an invite!

gossip girls

I am so grateful to have amazing friends to get me through rough weeks.  Yesterday required an emergency vent-sesh (translation: ramble on for an exorbitant amount of time about all of life's frustrations and then affirm with one another that we are right, everyone else is wrong, and it will all work out in the end) with my dear friend Vicky.  We managed to get ourselves lost in Soho before stumbling upon Antique Garage, where we vented over mediterranean-inspired salads and chicken kebabs.  The unique decor proved to be a pleasant distraction from our disgruntlement, and we plan on returning soon to sample their intricate cocktails (translation: drink until our frustrations are no longer frustrating).

image via Design*Sponge

Final agreement: when life hands your lemons, find a good bartender to put those lemons to use!

please respond at your earliest convenience

To: NYC
CC: The Cosmos, Destiny, The Universe....
From: Meg

To my beloved New York City,

I have yet to fully understand your sense of humor.  How is it that you can allow me to go for three years without seeing an old friend, but then permit our paths to randomly cross twice in the same day?  In two very different neighborhoods, nonetheless?

Your faithful resident,
Meg

autumn celebrations

J. Crew Dress, Coach boots, Michele Watch, Tiffany&Co Bracelets, borrowed necklace

Remember when I described my adoration for personalized weddings? Well, I had the privilege of attending an intimate engagement ceremony this past weekend. With an Indian bride and Australian groom, I knew I was in for quite a unique celebration...

I was so honored to be part of this couple's special day. The celebration opened with a traditional Indian "Puja Ceremony" and moved immediately to a fabulous cocktail hour. I had the opportunity to chat with close friends and new acquaintances over champagne, Tandoori Chicken, and Samosas (in the moments when I was not in the company of others, I was busy chasing around waiters for second helpings!). Dinner was an extensive buffet, and I sampled a bit of everything before deciding that Indian cuisine may be one of my new favorites.

Did I mention that the couple met while climbing Mount Everest? How romantic! 

 

A special thank you to the wonderful host!

 

the ying to my yang

image via Yoga to the People

 Living in NYC has taught me the importance of balance.  In a city where success is highly valued, it is all too easy to get caught up in school, work, and the subsequent stress that is often unavoidable.  My secret to staying grounded (and sane!) is yoga.  There is something so special about taking a class in a traditional studio, surrounded by strangers who are also trying to find some form of balance in their hectic lives.  My favorite is Yoga to the People - it is donation based, perfect for all levels, and they end each class with an inspirational quote.

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
And if you dare to dream of meeting
Your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
For love, for your dream,
For the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
If you have been opened by life's betrayals,
Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain,
Mine or your own,
Without moving
To hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy,
Mine or your own,
If you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
Without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself,
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithless and therefore be trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty
Even when it is not pretty every day,
And if you can source your own life
From its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure,
Yours and mine,
And still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
Weary and bruised to the bone,
And do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are, how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
In the center of the fire with me
And not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
From the inside
When all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
With yourself,
And if you truly like the company you keep
In the empty moments.

-The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

to infinity and beyond

Even the simplest (or in my case, laziest) of outfits can be jazzed up with a fabulous scarf. I can't tell you how many times I have opted out of putting effort into an outfit by dressing head-to-toe in black (hello, new york stereotype) and then throwing on a colorful textured scarf.  I cannot wait to bundle up with this season's infinity scarves, which add a whole new dimension to the "cold weather accessories" category.

1. Missoni Zig Zag Infinity Scarf

This is high on my birthday list this year...hint hint

2. Anthropologie Verdure Rapids Scarf

The ruffles add a fun girly contrast when paired with black motorcycle boots

3. Coach Ocelet Infinity Scarf

In the words of Rachel Zoe: "I love leopard. To me the print is an accessory unto itself. A true excessory."

4.  MICHAEL Michael Kors Infinity Scarf

Perfect for those miserably cold days!

lemon poppy seed decadence

I spend my time dwelling on decadence, but sometimes I have to practice restraint - especially in baked goods.  I'm constantly on the lookout for baked treats and recipes that are high on decadence, but low on calories.  My mom recently handed over a recipe for lemon poppy seed breakfast bars, but I was extremely leery after finding out that one of the main ingredients was All Bran cereal.  Yesterday, sheer boredom led me to surrender to my suspicions.

 

  

The result was a moist and flavorful breakfast treat that wasn't overly sweet. 

If these don't motivate you to drag yourself out of bed in the morning, then I don't know what will!

parisian memories

As mentioned, I'm instantly attracted to jewelry that evokes personal memories. I stumbled upon Big Bisous' Etsy shop, where the whimsical vintage-inspired pieces immediately brought me back to my 21st birthday celebration in Paris. J'adore!

 

1. Tour de Eiffel Charm Necklace in Antique Silver

2. Butter Cream Bloom Filigree Hair Band

3. Victorian Cameo Cuff

4. Gothic Paris Necklace

happy october!

My excitement for all things fall started brewing back in August, but in my mind, October marks the official start of autumn.  More importantly, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This cause has always been close to my heart and I'm anxious to see how my favorite designers will be raising awareness and much needed funds for breast cancer research.  Ralph Lauren is leading the pack by celebrating the ten year anniversary of their "Pink Pony" campaign. They have enlisted 100 fashion bloggers to model pieces from the super cute Pink Pony collection to help bring awareness to the cause. Ten percent of all sales go to the Pink Pony Fund, which supports programs for cancer screening, early detection, and treatment in medically underserved communities. Charitable and stylish? Yes please.

image via The Glamourai

image via Refinery 29

digitally trendy

Burberry's Spring/Summer 2011 line was debuted at their fashion show in London last Tuesday, and yours truly had a front row seat.  Well, not really. But I was able to watch the show from the comfort of my own home via the live stream on the company website. (Major bonus: no need to wear sky high heels!)  Technology is truly transforming the fashion industry, and I'm totally impressed by the brands that are managing to stay ahead of the curve.  Check out this article from Mashable for details on Burberry's newest trend: runway shopping with iPads.  Also, be sure to visit Marc Jacob's much anticipated ecommerce site, which integrates illustration, photography, and video for a fun online shopping experience.

you're hot and you're cold

NYC is currently experiencing a weird weather limbo, and I'm over it. I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of an intense round of tug-of-war between summer and fall.  A chilly breeze greets me when I leave the apartment in the morning, but by midday I'm searching for any form of shade to avoid the scorching heat.  The weather apparently insists on playing these games with me for a few more days, but I'm ready to fight back with equally unbalanced outfits of bare legs, covered toes, and long-sleeved knits. Kudos to these girls for rocking the transitional look... and for providing major inspiration for those of us who are rapidly running out of ideas to embrace the sporadic temperature changes...

 

images via the sartorialist

rock & roll

I am not a cook. I have always been incredibly intimidated by the kitchen and long ago accepted that some people are just meant to survive by balancing raw foods with takeout.  When a friend suggested that we substitute our dinner plans with a class at the NYC Institute of Culinary Education, I was quick to muster up any excuse not to go. My efforts failed...and that is the story of how I  found myself spending my Saturday night covered in sticky rice at a Sushi 101 class.

The ingredient buffet - so many options!

After many fails, I finally mastered the art of the roll.

The instructor gave our finished product a good amount of pity praise.

I may not be ready to open a Japanese restaurant quite yet, but the class taught me that I am capable of preparing a meal without hurting myself or innocent bystanders.  Also, (much to my roommate's relief) I am much less prone to panicked temper tantrums and fits of rage when he accidentally tosses a takeout menu into the trash can instead of our coveted menu drawer. Success!

dance in to my wardrobe.

Two reasons that I am anxiously awaiting the release of this movie: 1. It looks amazingly creepy, and 2. I secretly want to be a ballerina so I could have an excuse to incorporate leggings, thin over sized sweaters, leg warmers, and wrap skirts in to my daily ensembles.

a skeletal reminder

I am a strong believer that jewelry should be more than just an accessory.  My personal collection consists of pieces that either contain sentimental value or evoke memories and emotions.  I have been eying Links Of London's line of friendship bracelets for some time now, but never considered purchasing one until I saw this skull-filled beauty. Morbid? Maybe, but I can justify my excitement. Last fall, I visited the Sedlec Ossuary in a small town near Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic.  The Ossuary is decorated with the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people who supposedly died during the plague. According to legend, the decorations were constructing by a half blind monk, which makes it even more amazing! I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to visit the Ossuary, and this bracelet will prevent me from ever forgetting that.

The chandelier contains every bone in the human body!

It was easy to forget that the art was constructed by human skeletons - it was all so beautiful and intricate!