comfort food.

There are eight million people living in New York. It is a common misconception that despite the overwhelming population, NYC can be a lonely and impersonal place to live. My experiences have taught me otherwise. After an especially difficult day, I decided to seek comfort at one of my favorite neighborhood Italian restuarants - Lamarca on 22nd and 3rd.  I knew I was in the right place when I was instantly greeted by the amazing waitstaff, who asked if I had moved since I had not stopped by in over a month (I had!).  Thank you, Lamarca, for your amazing salad, warm bread, heavenly pasta, and unbelievable waitresses who never fail to put a smile on my face.

I am a die-hard fan of the whole wheat pasta with pesto and parmesan cheese. The pasticcio (vegetable lasagna) and salsiccia (pasta with vegetables and sausage) also rank among my favorites.

cleaning out the (fashion) skeletons in my closet.

After realizing that there was no longer any room to hang clothes in my spacious walk-in closet, I decided that it was time to face the inevitable.  I spent two days gutting, editing, and restocking my closet with the help of my mother and best friend.  We channeled the Sex and the City movie as I threw on outfits that I had not seen since 2005 and accepted their honest criticism:  "you're going to be twenty two, you should not be wearing that" & "that was a seasonal item that went out of style many seasons ago" & "I used to own that too...I threw it out about a year ago".  While the situation is now in control, I can't help but have serious closet envy after finding these images on InStyle: 

Simplicity is key in Eva Longoria Parker's closet

I could easily live in Olivia Wilde's boho-chic closet

 Christina Aguilera's pink shelves & cheetah print rug are simply adorable.

falling in to the gap.

After impulsively purchasing this past Thursday's Groupon (a $50 Gap gift certificate for $25!), I've been stalking The Gap's website to determine the past way to use my gift card.  I originally planned on getting the most "bang for my buck" by shopping the great sales on their classic casual knits and t-shirts, but after seeing this season's spot-on pieces, I've had a sudden change of heart...

1. Cascade Ruffle Tank

I am loving the new ruffles trend, and this tank will look great under my lightweight sweaters and blazers

2. Legging Jeans in Classic Wash

I've been searching for a pair of affordable "jeggings" for months now. These are available in tall sizes, which is a necessity for me.

3. Skinny Metallic Belt

Belts are a must-have in my closet. They complement my obsession with oversized blouses and sweaters well.

4. Classic Blazer

Key word = classic. Blazers have the ability to refine any outfit, and I'm a strong believer that you can never have too many!

lost and found

Mellow Yellow Paris: Harpagon Pumps

My mom has always told me that if I can't remember what I own, it means that I own too much.  Her words rang true yesterday when I discovered these pumps hiding in the back of my closet.  My mother bought me these modern Mary Janes in gray patent during our shopping excursion in Paris last November, and I'm ashamed to admit that I've only worn them a handful of times.  I'm planning on making up for lost time by transitioning them into the fall with black cable knit leggings, opaque tights, and cozy legwarmers. Ooh la la!

right here, right now

I have always had a love-hate relationship with the last few weeks of August.  On the one hand, I love everything about autumn. Sleek boots, pumpkin bread, leather jackets, changing leaves, chunky knits, thanksgiving & my birthday (!!!), crisp mornings, football in Central Park...the list goes on.  As ready as I am to welcome the cool fall mornings, it always breaks my heart to say goodbye to the lazy summer days.  Consider this my official proclamation: I will focus on the present and make the most of these final weeks!

A typical summer day in Sheeps Meadow, Central Park

bro-ing it out

J Brand jeans, J. Crew tank and open vest, Coach sandals and sunglasses, Kate Spade bag, Michael Kors watch, H&M necklaces, vintage bracelet

The congestion of the city can get overwhelming at times.  I typically welcome any kind of escape from the constant hustle and bustle, so when my roommate announced that he was going to Pier 40 for some athletic action, I was quick to invite myself along.  While it is not exactly a suburban vacation, the parking-garage-turned-athletic-field offered a much needed break from the honking cars.  The guys spent the afternoon running around the fields with a football (picture how puppies behave after being released from a crate), while I enjoyed the breeze and the unbelievably Hudson views.

raise the roof

The dreadful NYC heat and humidity has finally broken!  The temperature will be hovering around a lovely eighty degrees this weekend and I plan on taking full advantage of the beautiful weather.  I'm kicking off the weekend by celebrating my roommate's last day of his prestigious summer internship. While we have yet to agree on how we will be celebrating (talk about procrastination), I am casting my vote for dinner & drinks with friends on our apartment's rooftop.  It would be a sin to sit in a crowded bar or pulsating club when the weather is this perfect!

The view from my roof. Breathtaking, isn't it?

judging a book by its cover

I am no stranger to Strand bookstore. I frequently spend my lunch breaks wandering its aisles in search of lost treasures among the famous "18 miles of books" (just another perk of working in a Union Square office!).  Yesterday I stumbled across an array of hard-covered classics and immediately snagged a copy of Wuthering Heights. As I marveled at its leather spine and gold embossed pages, I was reminded of the way in which books can add personality to apartment decor

 

 

images via Design*Sponge

I'll be making a return trip to Strand this weekend to pick up matching collector's copies of Great Expectations and The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Next project: figure out a way to display my growing collection in an organized yet eclectic style that reflects my personality. Yikes!

grow poppy, grow!

I have to take a moment to applaud Coach's recent social media initiatives. The brand caught my attention when they released four limited edition bags designed by top fashion bloggers, including my own personal favorite, Cupcakes and Cashmere.  Their newest project has flowers sprouting all over the web...

You may have noticed the new poppy pattern on the side of my blog.  Tweet #GrowPoppy along with my personal hashtag, #dwellingondecadence, and watch the pattern grow. Keep an eye out for Coach surprises in the pattern- there may be a prize for you hiding among the poppies!  

Some of my personal Coach must-haves for fall...

images via Coach

1. Natale Boots 

These will contrast my daytime go-to's (black leggings and dark denim) perfectly.

2. Madison Leather Brynne

The purple will add a pop of color to my fall neutrals.

3. Hamptons Metallic Python Zip Around Wallet

This can double as a nighttime clutch! A wallet that does double duty is worth the investment.

4. Boyfriend Bracelet Watch

I am obsessed with oversized watches.  The more masculine, the better!

key (lime) to my heart

As previously mentioned, I recently returned from a week-long family vacay to Marco Island, Florida.  I am a firm believer that calories do not exist while on vacation, so I channeled Dexter Morgan and became a girl on a mission (no, not serial killing). I was going to find the best key lime pie on that island (think back to Season 3!). This mission may or may not have involved sampling multiple pies in one day. No judging.

And the winner is....

f

Arturo's!

If you ever happen to be on Marco Island, I highly recommend visiting this Italian Restaurant. Large portions, fresh seafood, and I swear the best key lime pie on the island.

autumn dreams

I spent the last week in Florida (pics to come soon!) and found myself dreaming of cotton sweaters, utility jackets, and wool skirts as I lounged beneath the hot August sun. Needless to say, I am beyond ready for cool weather and the subsequent wardrobe changes.  I spent my three hour flight ripping pages out of fashion magazines and assembling my fall fashion shopping list.  First stop: J Crew. I love the casual-cool style of their Fall 2010 lookbook and cannot wait to transition from summer to fall with these pieces.

images from J. Crew