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!

toting my life around.

I am the type of person who needs a large handbag. I am completely aware that I pack my handbags with way more than I will ever need, but I can justify the unnecessary weight with two reasons - (a.) better safe than sorry, and (b.) it is a form of weight lifting, and therefore I can spend less time at the gym (it's a stretch, I know). With my senior year of college just around the corner, I knew I needed to find a huge tote that can fit my notebooks, computer, and all of my daily necessities. I took a field trip to Bloomingdales to test out some of my top contenders.

1. Longchamp Planetes Nylon Tote

A classic carry-all. The shape and size are perfect for carrying around my books and laptop - which may explain why every girl on campus owns this bag.

2. Michael Kors Darrington Distressed Leather Tote

The distressed leather is gorgeous! It is actually too pretty (and pricey!) to be carrying around on a daily basis - I tend to beat up my totes pretty badly, and will inevitably end up crying with the first stain/rip/scratch.

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Tate Medium Lip-Print Nylon Tote

Marc doesn't fail me with this fun and flirty print, but I'm worried about how it will hold up in the rain.

4. Burberry Packable Nylon Tote

We have a winner! Super roomy, sturdy, rainproof, and lined with the iconic Burberry check ...what more could a girl ask for? I ended up purchasing this bag in red - the color will transition well with each season and add a playful pop of color to any outfit!

suburban escape

Love affairs can be tumultuous, and my relationship with NYC is no exception. After spending the majority of the summer baking in the NYC humidity, I welcomed a trip to the suburbs with open arms. (My Pier 40 adventure didn't exactly fill my suburbia quota for the month.)  I was joined by my best friend and our lovely gentlemen companions for an afternoon in Princeton, New Jersey. The town radiates a laid back energy, and I found myself wishing that I could capture it in a bottle and smuggle it back to NYC.

My roommate grew up in the Princeton area, thereby earning him the coveted title of "impromptu tour guide". I quickly learned that this meant walking at an unnaturally fast pace and occasionally pointing at old buildings.  This picture is hard evidence that he has no future in tourism. 

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.