Am I Dreaming?

I'm a Sucker for a Bargain

2012-01-16T18:15:00.002-08:00

Here's the deal (pun intended) there are so many flash sales and daily discount websites out there it can be overwhelming. Trust me, I know. Here's an abbreviated list of some of the shopping emails I get daily:

daily candy deals
groupon
gilt
ideeli
zozi
lifebooker
fab

...just to name a few. *Wink! I rarely purchase anything, mainly because I always feel a little awkward handing in my coupon. But sometimes the savings can be irresistibly substantial.

$4 for a manicure?! Why, thank you! I shall!
$25 for a month of unlimited yoga?! Don't mind if I do!

A trick? I don't consider it a true bargain if it's any %-age less than 50% off. I think that's something my mom told me and I still believe it. Also, I file confirmation emails into folders; bills, library notices, dr. apts, travel, shopping (obvi), etc... That way, I don't have to wade through a bazillion emails to find what I'm looking for when it's time to redeem/track/check when my library books are due. I know. Earth-shattering. Brilliant. I should be on TV.

Bisous!

PS - the pic of the "overwhelmed shopper" above is from this charming Etsy Site where all the dolls are needle felted by hand. AH! The shopping possibilities are endless!

Junk Food for the Sentimental Soul

2012-01-15T15:19:00.000-08:00

My friend, Jennifer, sent me a link to a great blog entitled, Moment Junkie. It features one, utterly touching-hilarious-charming-sassy-gasp/tear-inducing wedding photo each day. It's amazing. Really. I maaaay have already clicked through all 60+ pages. Ooops!

Beware though, in the words of Jessie, clicking is akin to falling down the "rabbit hole".

Bisous!

PS - Moment Junkie doesn't actually let you copy their photos (for obvious reasons). The above pics are from my favorite blog, Cup of Jo.

If You're Gonna Play in Texas...

2011-12-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

...stay longer! I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Austin, TX for some dear friends' lovely wedding. Ummm, so have you ever been to Austin?! Because it's awesome! All bohemian and disheveled (in a Rachel Ashwell meets John Derian way) with air stream trailers, hip road side motels and burger stands. And, oh...the vintage shops like this place: Uncommon Objects (obviously I had to go in). I can't wait to go back for a week with nothing to do but go trolling for vintage finds, taking long drives through "hill country" and listening to some Jim Lauderdale. You know it!

Bisous!

pic from this super cool blog: places 2 explore

Gummies

2011-11-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

Gummies are my favorite food. I like them better than Toaster Strudel. As a connoisseur of all things gummy, I thought it only fair to share my, well, depth of knowledge. So, if you're looking for a really tasty gummy bear, the best brand is, hands down, Haribo. The best flavor of Haribo? It's a toss-up between the Gummy Frogs and the Gummy Cherries.
Oh, and you're welcome.

Bisous!

Madewell Rocks!!

2011-11-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Always has the perfect blend of hip, relaxed, preppy stuff, right?! And those splashes of neon?? Swoon. So imagine how distracting it was when THIS model kept popping up in banner ads on every website I visited today. (all work related, of course! :) This shall be my theme this season: Festive Free Spirit.

Bisous!!

Kindness

2011-11-21T19:07:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year. Tensions and stress levels rise, temperatures and account balance fall. I will always argue that it is the most wonderful time of the year, but as a retail industry professional I know it can bring out the worst in people. Which is why it was so refreshingly lovely to finally see the documentary Bill Cunningham New York last night. A columnist for the New York Times, Bill Cunningham has the (well-earned) reputation for being one of the nicest, kindest people in the fashion world. I've admired his photos for years and now I have a new, profound admiration for the man who took them.

Bisous!

Therapy Indeed

2011-11-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

I discovered a long lost (and incredibly talented) friend on Facebook yesterday when her brother posted a link to a feature of her (AMAZING) San Francisco loft on Apartment Therapy.

Projector Screen and Bike? Check:

Faux Eames Chair (found on craigslist)? Check:

Sprial Staircase? Check:

Bisous!

Tim Walker

2011-11-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

Le Sigh. This is one of my favorite photographs. I found it on this super-dreamy blog, Greige. But it's remained a mystery to me. Who took it?

Eureka!! I was on Pinterest today and found this photo:

...along with the answer to my unanswered question: TIM WALKER!!!

Check him out:

Dreamy and genius, no?

Bisous!

I left my heart in San Francisco...

2011-11-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

I just got back from San Francisco/California Wine country. I have a few friends in that part of the world and jumped on the opportunity to explore. It was, in a word, lovely.

My dear friend L lives in Cloverdale (the furthest town in Sonoma County) with her husband B and enchanting baby girl, V. It was great to catch up, share a bit of her life - homemade baby food, playing in the park with baby V and an energetic pup, hot tea in the town square. B's job is to make delicious wine the view's not too bad either!

Then it was off to Cavallo Point in Sausalito for my friend, C's wedding. Gorgeous. It sort of reminds you of the lodge they stay at in Dirty Dancing right?
I love weddings. And not because they usually involve my 3 favorite foods; champagne, butter in fancy shapes and cake. It's pretty awesome to see your friends at one of the most joyful times in their lives. The giddiness, the tears, the heartfelt toasts, the looks between bride and groom...I could keep going. I am THAT cheesy. I love weddings and this one was no exception. The bride was effervescent - she was bubbly and sparkling. And the excitement and admiration you could see between both the newlyweds and their families was quite tender and sweet. I can't wait to go back. Well, I need to pick up my heart, anyway...

Bisous!

Not-So-Average Joe--sephine

2011-11-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

I read this post from Mindy Kaling (who has a book coming out soon) about Trader Joe's prenatal vitamins. So when I found myself inexplicably in front of a Trader Joe's during the snowstorm on Saturday I bought them. Get ready for glowing skin and shiny hair - it's on the horizon.

Bisous!

PS - there were some funny jokes about how to explain these to a date. HA!

Beautiful

2011-10-27T11:47:00.001-07:00

I've always been more of a clotheshorse than a makeup-&-hair kinda girl. You know the type, the one who has more colors of ballet flats than eye shadows? The girl who skips the beauty articles and heads straight for the fashion spreads. The one who openly admitted Hello Kitty chapstick was part of her makeup routine (now it's Skittles lip gloss, if you were wondering). C'est moi.

Perhaps it's the darkening circles under my eyes or an increased sense of vanity, but I know I can do better. Who am I kidding, I must do better. I'm looking more and more like "before" pictures. It's fortuitous then, that a friend gave me her friend's and family discount for Sephora. Check out my wish list below - it even looks beautiful!

PS - I also want to do a facial peel and my research has revealed that this could be a good one... I don't know, though. There's something about the word "peel" and "face" in the same sentence that makes me nervous. Yikes!

Bisous!

PS

2011-10-25T16:01:00.001-07:00

The hair experiment is a failure so far. My fishtail braid was less fishtail-y and more, umm, mess-y. I'll keep you posted.

The Baaaaallllet...

2011-10-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a question for you: Why live minutes from Lincoln Center if you don't attend the ballet? Right? Ok. Get excited. I read about a new ballet, Ocean's Kingdom composed by Sir Paul McCartney with costumes designed by, you guessed it, Stella. Say it with me, eek!

Bisous!

Bottom Pic by Andrea Mohin/The New York Times

Frustration

2011-10-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

Confession: I get frustrated easily. I know it's hard to believe, but I do. Lines take too long, computer screens won't load, my hair doesn't do what I want it to do...

I don't know that I believe in the power of stress balls, but aren't these fun!?

They're a little pricey at $45 a pop but maybe the smile you'd get just by looking at it could actually ease some tension?

Bisous!

Hair...

2011-10-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

I am hopeless. Usually, I just blast my hair with the blow dryer for a few minutes, pull my ill-thought-out-bangs back and call it a day.

But then I ran across THIS hair tutorial from THIS awesome blog. What if I actually tried it? A new hairstyle every day!? Genius, I know. I'll let you know how it goes...

Bisous!

PS - am obsessed with the Free People October Catalog because I am really a bohemian at heart.

Farmer's Market

2011-10-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

There is a teeeeny tiny farmer's market 4 blocks from work. They have one veggie stand. Despite the diminished size, the produce still looked amazing - gourds and pumpkins, apples and pears, cherry tomatoes, carrots and watercress! Of course, we just bought a bag of warm apple-cinnamon donuts. Yum!

Bisous!

Creative Friends...

2011-10-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

...are the best, aren't they? I just grabbed drinks with my amazingly talented, tres hip friend, Jen last night. She's launching her line of awesome, super luxurious, ridiculously hi-quality handbags. Check out the entire line here! Or wait and buy them at TenOverSix in LA or in NY at Sucre (red wine is prohibiting me from remembering the other NY stores...) You heard it here first!

Bisous!

So for my next birthday...

2011-10-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

I can expect this cake, right?

From my new favorite blog: ZsaZsa Bellagio.

Ahhh, memories...

2011-10-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

I went to see the movie 50 50 with my friend Mandi last night. It was great; funny, heartfelt, well-acted & mostly tasteful (excluding the Patrick Swayze joke).

The main character is played by Joseph Gordon Levitt (who is adorable even bald, p.s. must be those dimples) and it reminded me of a GQ spread I saw a few years ago with JGL and Claudia Schiffer (seriously, who get's to look that good that consistently?!?!). Anyway, you're welcome. :) Bisous!

I have a cold....

2011-10-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

...and all I want to do is curl up, eat chocolate and watch Steel Magnolias. Doesn't that sound like a perfect way to spend a sick day? These cozy bed pics are making me feel a bit better...

Picture: Cozy by Tori Barratt Crane

This is lovely...

2011-10-12T06:20:00.001-07:00

Source: etsy.com via Heather on Pinterest

It's called the "Autumn Sapphire Necklace" and couldn't be a more appropriate accessory for this rainy, autumn day.

Heather Morgan

2011-10-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

I am a super fan! I am. I would make a poster board with glitter and stand outside the Today Show in the freezing cold for my friend, Heather Morgan. She’s a crazy-talented singer-songwriter from Nashville by way of Texas (which is where I met her at TCU!). She writes songs about cowboys and whiskey, she has this amazingly rich voice, she toured with Willie Nelson - oh, and what I love most about her: she is Living. The. Dream. She packed up her bags and guitar, moved to Nashville after college and started hustling from day one. And now she’s playing in NYC this Friday!

For those of you not able to make her show you can check her out below.

Bisous!

The Where...

2011-10-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

After an embarrassingly long search for the "perfect" bar to usher me into the world of confident alone-bar-sitting I ended up at Agozar! A venue with an exclamation point in the name and a logo that looks like it should be for Zack Morris' local hangout.

It was pretty anti-climactic. But, I learned that I probably won't die from spontaneous combustion or embarrassment if I sit alone at a bar. Next time (and there will be a next time, mom) I'll pick a place that's more my speed and style like Freeman's or The Room or Sycamore Bar & Flower Shop...maybe I'll hit up somewhere fancy like the Ritz Carlton. What to wear?

Also the next time I try this adventure, I might read this guide to drinking alone.

Bisous!

P.S. The above pic is of Balthazar - so chic, right? We stopped there for after hours drinks on Saturday!

Incognito

2011-10-07T11:49:00.001-07:00

I've never gone to a bar by myself. Really. I've never sat down at a bar, ordered a drink and finished it alone. I’ve waited patiently for friends in bars (though, if we’re being honest those are rare occasions – wink), I've sat in delis and cafés by myself, I've even gone to the movies by myself - but I've never ever gone to a bar tout seul. Tonight's my night. I am checking this off the list. Who knows?! Maybe I'll like it!

In preparation, I planned my outfit carefully. Cuffed skinny jeans, ankle boots, tweed blazer, loose scarf, fake glasses… I feel like it says, hip, casual and most importantly; confident.

Incognito by hmthompson featuring mid rise skinny jeans

The where is still TBD - I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck!
*Artwork by the lovely artist, Connie Chadwell.

Elkin

2011-10-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

I came across this lovely collection today on Daily Candy. It's a little bit Gothic, a little bit Victorian and a lot Dreamy. We all know I'm a sucker for fuzzy pictures with streaming sunlight, unexpected hemlines and (always!) a little romance. Sold!

Food for Thought

2011-10-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

In an effort to create a healthier version of Heather, I’ve started “practicing” Yoga. Oh and PS, that’s how you do it, you practice yoga. Clearly I need more practice because in a recent class, my teacher had us do forearm stands. Right. He was under the impression that I would be able to do this–ahem–add this to my yoga practice. It was unsuccessful.

I should probably reevaluate my motivation. The goal of Yoga is the "attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility" (according to Wikipedia). My goal was Madonna Arms.PS: Madonna is opening a chain of fitness centers. Sign me up!

So. Insightful and tranquil. Pretty soon, these words will describe me! Erm, do tranquil people use exclamation points?

Cambridge Satchel

2011-10-04T10:29:00.001-07:00

I wish I carried this bag every day - on the subway, to and from work, shopping with friends. Imagine how easy it would be to scurry out the door on time if you looked forward to throwing your keys and cell phone into this puppy! Oh, well...neon satchels probably fall into the Things-I-Like-But-Probably-Shouldn't-Because-I'm-Too-Old category along with Hello Kitty and Teen Vogue.

Cambridge Satchel by hmthompson featuring satchel bags

Macaroooons!

2011-10-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

I am 100% on the Macaroon bandwagon. How could I not be?! They are pretty, they are French, they contain refined sugar…
With the oodles of Macaroons floating around the internets recently; on blogs, in the NY Times, on pinterest boards I have curated quite the macaroon obsession. Confession: I’ve never tasted one. I realize that people traditionally use their blogs to discuss all the awesome stuff they do and make or the stuff other people do and make. So let this be my place to discuss all the awesome stuff I might do and I might make (or taste). Like, maybe I’ll make my own macaroons! Or maybe I’ll make a day of it and hit up all the macaroon hot spots all over NYC: Maribelle, Laduree, Bouchon Bakery. Or maaaaaaybe I'll do both!

I’ll keep you posted…

Bisous!!

McLeod's Daughters

2011-10-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last month watching the first two seasons of an Australian (what can only be described as) soap opera entitled McLeod's Daughters. And, before you start the teasing, let me remind you that I was gushing about Twilight long before many of you had ever heard about teen vampires let alone worn your "I heart Edward Cullen" tee shirts. It's about 2 sisters (the McLeod's) running a "station" with only women. They fix tractors, train horses, shear sheep, round up cattle and of course, get 'rescued' practically every episode by the really hot neighboring Ryan brothers. It's super cheesy and bears all the traits of daytime television including and not limited to; long-lost sisters, pseudo-incestuous relationships (I can explain, the younger McLeod sister had a brief fling with the older Ryan brother (of the neighboring "spread") but she's really destined to be with the younger Ryan brother, anyway, her older sister is actually destined to be with the older brother in the first place...see?!) fires, torrid affairs, car AND helicopter crashes, stampedes, thieves, long-lost fathers, betrayals. Right. Sooo...I love it!

Oh, and the fashion - it's amazing. No, really. These shows are from a decade ago and are meant to portray rural life in southern Australia - but there's something timeless (not to mention, sexy) about apparel worn for function over fashion, sleeping under the stars and pursuing your dreams no matter how hard you have to work for them.

McLeod's Daughters by hmthompson featuring butterfly jewelry

PS: I reckon an oilskin duster coat is just what I need to make it through another NY winter!
PPS: I sort of want to speak like I'm from the Australian bush. Favorite phrases include:
"I reckon" = I think
"I'm stuffed" = I'm screwed! or I messed up
"Rack off" = Ummm, you can figure that one out, right?
"Righto" = alright or sure thing - not sure it would sound right without the Aussie accent, though...

Flower Delivery

2011-09-30T11:26:00.001-07:00

It's my friend's 90th birthday this weekend and I ordered some flowers to be delivered. I hope they look this these...

Chances are they'll look more like these...

Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?

*All the pretty buds plucked from OnceWed's amazing flower archive!

Where's the fun?!

2011-09-29T16:00:00.001-07:00

Pic from my favorite blog: Making Magique !

I can't speak for all girls, but this girl just wants to have fun! Life is too short to stress about petty things - or even big things for that matter. Plus, where's the fun in that? I want to go to parties, drink champagne, dress up, giggle, dance...scratch that. I AM going to parties, drinking champagne, dressing up, giggling and dancing!

Wish me luck!

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." -- Goethe

Yes way!

2010-08-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

Affordable Art at 20X200 - amazing. Limited edition, original work at REAAALLY affordable prices. I am smitten with the internet today!

Jury Duty?

2010-07-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

More like Jury Treat. After getting released from jd early I spent the afternoon exploring the sweltering streets of New York. Nabbed some free free (gourmet) ice cream courtesy of Coach's new Poppy Collection.
Tried on dresses for an upcoming wedding. Thoughts?
*Dark and Zexy?
*Sequins & a little Glamor?
*Sweet and Neutral?

PS: Am fully aware that ice cream and trying on clothes are not the best, umm, fit :)

Happy 4th!

2010-07-02T07:02:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to wearing these:

With These:

While watching these:

Looks like I'm not the only one...

2010-06-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Counting down the days 'til the holiday weekend! In my procrastination I discovered this lovely blog and, AND she pictured the most delicious sandwich ever found at Provisions on Nantucket. Once upon a time, during a summer long, long ago I worked down the wharf from provisions and ate many a turkey sandwich.

YUM!

Combatting frustration with...TOO much!

2010-06-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Today is just one of those "too" days: It's too hot. I (stupidly) paid way too much for 2 apricots. I am overwhelmed with too much work. I am letting myself get too annoyed. You get my point. So, to counter this I found things that make me smile because they are, quite simply, too much. In a good way :)

Leather shorts for men: really!? I mean, I'm totally ok with it.
Hats for women: straw, bowler, summer beanies...LOVE!!!

Pictures of beach umbrellas because why not?

A little Monday morning encouragement!

2010-06-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Who knew!?

2010-06-16T06:17:00.001-07:00

The internet is a vast and fascinating place. It's hard not to get sucked in. Here's what I've found recently:

Wedges. Y.U.M.

Eddie Rabbit - dreamy no?

One more thing...

2010-06-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's a sense of nostalgia (who didn't have a "Don't Worry Be Happy" tee in NEON yellow when they were 8?!) or an affinity to shine but I heart Neon.

HELLOOOOOO KITTY!

2010-06-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

I love Hello Kitty. Always have, probably always will. My firefox customized search bar has the Hello Kitty red bow in the upper right hand corner. What?

Imagine my glee when I saw these beauts - thank you Nylon!!

The Case For Blonde...

2010-06-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

How cute are these pink chairs!?

2010-06-05T08:40:00.001-07:00

If I had an alter ego...

2010-06-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

I oh-so briefly entertained the idea of becoming a fashion designer. When it became apparent my talents were not sketching (and that's not something you can fake) I decided to become a fashion admirer instead. If I could (draw, that is), I hope I'd be clever and crafty enough to create something like these super fun illustrations of Cassandra Carmen by Sandra B. Bently.
PS, what are our thoughts on Herve Leger...at weddings? Hmmm, maybe if I had an alter ego. With killer thighs.

WAKE Up!

2010-06-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this make you long to be on the lake at 6AM...well, like 9AM?

La Tour Eiffel

2010-05-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

Sweet Dreams

2010-05-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ross Bleckner

Let's be rich...

2010-05-27T12:49:00.001-07:00

...is a game my coworkers play at about that time in the afternoon when the attention wanders, the chicken wire windows glow and you'd prefer just about anything BUT work. Let's be rich...

Today I chose to live in a bleached, sumptuous, fluffy beach house like these beauties:

Trouble focusing

2010-05-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

Oh, etsy!

If...

2010-05-24T19:52:00.001-07:00

I were looking to add a little *magic* I might head here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BenignObjects

Perfect for making that baby shower/birthday party/opening night memorably special. Alright!! I confess. I really just like the wine bottle labels [insert sly wink here].

Eeeek!

2010-05-24T18:47:00.001-07:00

I die for...

2010-05-23T17:57:00.001-07:00

Wingtips
and Bow Ties

Wouldn't it be great...

2010-05-21T15:18:00.001-07:00

To look like this? You know, just running errands in shorts and a tee shirt...

I do!

2010-05-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

If wishes were horses...

2010-05-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

...beggars would ride

I'M BACK!

2010-05-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay. Life took a crazy turn and I kept thinking, once I get it together, I'll start posting again. I've come to the conclusion that I will never get "it" completely together.

I always thought my blog title was boring..turns out it couldn't be more apropos.
I consistently find myself looking around (in good times and in bad) wondering, is this a dream? Actually, I wonder, Am I on candid camera?

You know what time it is...

2008-08-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, fashion week is a little over a week away (eek!) but no. It's election time, baby!! And as a confessed political nut, I can't help but revel in the thrill of this season.

*Bonus* My dear friend is running for Indiana State Senate this year! How amazing is that!? One of us - well, a super smart, ambitious, dapper one of us - is putting apathy aside and hitting the ground running. Ok, walking. Sans private interests and fancy fundraisers, Matt Colglazier is running a campaign the right way...on the ground with creativity, charisma and a LOT of legwork (all puns intended).

My buddy is walking 37.4 miles in honor of working men and women this Labor Day Weekend. Even if you don't live in IN - check him out, cheer him on, send him $$ :)

colglazierforsenate.com

Instead of sitting in posh, faux french cafe's talking about what should be done a la moi, Matt is doing something about it. And that's a lot more exciting than what's hot for Spring 2009.

HAPPY BELATED B-DAY JENNIFER PERRY!

2008-08-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

A designer cupcake - the perfect gift for a special friend! :)

Have you ever...

2008-08-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

...had a song running through your head? How about forever? And this isn't the same as being able to recall the lyrics and melody of a song instantaneously. As is my talent for the entire first verse of "I wish I was a little bit taller" by Skee Lo or "Shoop" by Salt-N-Pepa. No. This is different.

I've always been able to hum the melody to "The Morning Papers" by Prince. I swear. If I had a gun to my head, I know I could do it. It's always there...subconsciously. Weird. I know. I've even remembered the line, "Every schoolboy's fantasy she was..." but I've never (until today) known the exact Prince song it belonged to, or even if the song actually existed. For a while, I wondered if it was a figment of my imagination. Turns out, it's not. With the help of some creative googling and my new iTunes account, I discovered a long lost treasure just waiting to be shared with the world. Unfortunately, (or should I say fortunately?) I can't figure out how to post songs on my blog (a la Perez) and so I found the original music video from MTV. It's still pretty rad. Dontcha just love Prince!?

Punctuation...

2008-08-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Can mean the difference between comedy & tragedy - compliment and insult. Right? So, as I was walking through my neighborhood today, I saw this poster of Alec Baldwin. It read, "I am a New Yorker who cares." In that first instant, though, I thought I read, "I am a New Yorker, who cares?" Ha!

Humor...

2008-08-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

...is our way of defending ourselves from life's absurdities by thinking absurdly about them.
~Lewis Mumford

The current international crisis - I refer of course, to the situation in Georgia - is all over the news (great editorial by William Kristol, ps) and while I can't say I've been reading every article and catching every late-breaking news report I have paid some attention. Imagine my surprise when I discovered amongst pictures of mourning Georgians, devastated buildings, fainting women, this pic:of the Finnish Foreign Minister, Alex Stubb. Who just happens to be Super. DUPER. Hot. Right?! Oooooh, but it gets better. I googled him: www.alexstubb.com

This. Is. So. Good.
ApproachablePlayfulCasual

Real Estate Porn

2008-08-06T15:50:00.001-07:00

NY Magazine has become more valuable than my lip gloss. Well...almost. It's informative, useful (check out the dining guides) and best of all - entertaining. Focused on stuff I actually care about - Gossip Girl, fashion, politics, shopping, dining out (please don't judge me) AND of course, actual news stories - the highlights on well known (but obscure to me) artists and insights into cultural phenomena make me a better person. So. Look what I discovered today!! A section entitled Real Estate Porn. For someone who spends more time than they should perusing the "$3 million dollar homes" slide show on NYTimes, this feature, umm, lives up to it's title. A. May. ZING!!

The Stats:

2008-07-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

I WENT TO MY FIRST YANKEES GAME LAST NIGHT!!
Score: 7 to 6 Orioles (boo!)
Stolen Bases: 2
Fans falling into the net behind home plate trying to catch a fly ball: 1
Fans in Yankee Stadium: (Over) 54,000
Subway trains: 3 (5 if you count the two we let swoosh by b/c we couldn't squeeze in)
Taxis: 1
Hot dogs: 1
Hot dog vendors catching fly balls one handed: 1
Diet cokes: 1
Bag of cracker jacks:1
Johnny Damon: 1 Mmmm :)
Coincidences: 2
-Went with my friend Ashley and the group directly behind us also had an "Ashley & Heather"! Crazy!
-My buddy went to the same series the night before!

Hot fun in the summertime...

2008-07-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

This summer, my first summer in NY, has been a loopy, careening ride of superfun. The tally marks alone are staggering. 2 internships. 10 interviews (since May). 3 part time jobs. 4 trips to the beach. 2 cell phones, 2 metro cards & 2 makeup purchases. 1 air conditioner, 1.5 free hair cuts (I trimmed my bangs myself) and 4 pairs of gladiator sandals - 5 if you count the pair with the 4" wedges. Though, would Maximus actually wear those? And if not, do they really qualify as "gladiator sandals"?

One of my favorite summertime activities = movies in the park. Check it out - the park opens at 5 so you can nab a patch of grass (or gravel if you're perpetually late, a la moi) and the movies play at sundown. How romantic, right? And it looks just like this:

LIST

2008-07-05T18:44:00.001-07:00

Cell Phone Heaven...

2008-07-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

Must look something like this:

Well, once all the numbers are typed in and I actually know how to work/utilize all the features. But other than that - cue choir of angels! :)

PS - Call me!

Whatdya get when you add...

2008-06-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

A bag of moss +

A taxidermy squirrel and...

A pair of Chanel shoes??

A job at Barney's, apparently. A friend of mine just got a job on Barney's visual display team. Amazing, I know! How'd she do it, right!? This is the best part - they put her in a room with tons of random stuff (ie: taxidermy squirrel) for 45 minutes and said - Go! She put together a wicked display. Think: alice in wonderland meets the queen of the fairies who happens to be an environmentalist in an enchanted forest. They loved it and her. Needless to say, she starts on Monday.

That for which there is no explanation...

2008-06-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

Found this on a business card today and it made me smile.

[Person's Name]
hand knit crash helmets, subversive wallpaper, doll making, spontaneous dancing, military jewelry, that for which there is no explanation.

:)

My walk home

2008-06-23T18:54:00.001-07:00

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to any of you that I am always running late and therefore I never have time to walk the Williamsburg bridge into Manhattan. Thus, the panorama is more downtown than uptown. Read: No Empire State building or Chrysler spire. Still - Voila! Brooklyn! the 3rd pic is the Manhattan bridge (i'm almost positive :)
*One final note. As I was taking these pics I made eye contact with a cute boy - who then gave me a HUGE grin. Sigh. That was before my wretched haircut.

Shout Outs! (part deux!)

2008-06-22T17:20:00.001-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS JESSIE AND BRETT!
I mocked up an engagement photo for you. If only Jessie played the ukulele... Enjoy!

PS - my photo editing skills...amazing. I know ;)

Shout Outs!

2008-06-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SWEET JOSIAH!
Destined for greatness, I can feel it!

I can only hope...

2008-06-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

To look this good at age...wait. Oh, 57.

So, funny story. I've been buying French "Glamour" to read while I eat breakfast. (I MUST have a magazine or catalog to read at breakfast. Don't ask me why, chalk it up to one of my many weird peccadillos.) This magazine is perfect because I can't gobble it up in a sitting. I usually average about two pages a breakfast. Ok, back to the lesson at hand. This morning, as I paged through Glamour, they did a retrospective on Richard Avedon (iconic photographer, 1923-2004) and then showed this self portrait from 1980: In my bleary-eyed, half awake state I was shocked and thought, "Wow. WOW! He looks GREAT!! For 77??" Then, I thought more about it and was like, "duh, heather - he's 67." And now, as I write this...I realize 57. He's 57. And now my, "WOW!! I hope I look that good at 77" is more like, "eh...he looks ok." Kidding. Google him. His photos are amazing. Powerful. Elegant.

LIST

2008-06-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!

2008-06-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Possible gift ideas...

Did I mention ice cream??

2008-06-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

The T9 (predictive text) function on my cell phone chooses "heavier" before "heather" when I type in my name. The control top on my tights leaves a line on my upper thighs. I start to salivate when I hear the melody to a childhood favorite, "doooooo yooooouuuur ears hang low? can you swing 'em to and fro? Can you tie 'em in a knot? Can you tie 'em in a bow? Can you throw 'em over your shoulder like a continental solider? Do your ears. hang. low?!" Remember that one? It plays non stop in my neighborhood - seriously. It's the ice cream truck anthem, apparently and I swear there are more of trucks than there are children racing towards them. And now, whenever I hear that song - I honestly start to salivate with the few salivary glands I have left. Like a pavlovian dog. These are signs people. I've taken action. Feeding my cravings (literally) with these utterly delicious and surprisingly filling low calorie treats.

This bear is all about slimming!!

I think I see a theme - Lists!

2008-06-12T06:43:00.001-07:00

I've decided to introduce a "theme" (once a week? month? whatever.) to my blog. I'm profoundly calling it: List. Enjoy :)

NCPC = 19

2008-06-11T08:51:00.001-07:00

An apple a day...

2008-06-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

An apple iphone (2.0) that is!!! Check it it out: Apple Aims for the Masses With a Cheaper iPhone

With the NCPC officially at 20 Days (thank you June 10th!) Just thinking about which new cell phone to buy is thrilling. iphones are great and all...but this one doesn't even come out till July 11th (adding another 11 days onto the NCPC) AND even though it's much cheaper than the first one, it is still more expensive than what I was planning on paying. Thoughts??? Anyone wish to weigh in?

NCPC = 22

2008-06-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

What I should have been thinking...

2008-06-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

Instead of "Hey, the best things in life are free..." is "Remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch." Why, do you ask? Well, when the rep. from Frederic Fekkai (yep, that one) came around offering "FREE HAIRCUTS" I erroneously thought an angel from heaven descended to transform me into the beautiful woman we all know is hiding under a mop of mediocre hair. Frankly, I saw it as a gift. It was not. I despise my new haircut. Seriously. I hate it. Ugh. And I'm not being dramatic or over the top it's reeeeally bad. Like, ilook30yearsolder bad. Not at all funky, cute or fun (I believe were the exact adjectives requested).

The best part?? The entire time he was snipping away, Monsieur Big Wig with Fekkai (I googled him. He's kind of a big deal hence the pseudonym) was showing some veteran hairdresser how you can bring "hair to life" like a GE f*ing light bulb in only 15 minutes at $200 a pop. "Just imagine if you did 20 cuts a day!" Seriously. He said this in an adorable french accent while hacking away at my "isthatgorgeouscurlnatural?" hair. ($4,000 a day, by the way) Ugh. C'est la vie! It'll grow. Right?

NCPC = 23

2008-06-07T20:44:00.001-07:00

T minus 23 days until I can get a new cell phone!
New Cell Phone Count

My first step into actual maturity...

2008-06-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

I'm getting a cat tomorrow! Ok. Not really. I mean, there is a cat moving into my apartment - temporarily. I don't have to pay for anything so basically I'm operating a glorified kennel. A cat hospice if you will... Still, this is the first time in (ahem) ever that it's my responsibility to keep something other than myself and a goldfish alive. The latter of which I've been relatively unsuccessful at. And before anyone starts making cracks about the single girl with a cat...please...let's be more original, shall we?

Oh, and if you're looking to kill some time - check out this gem of a website:
http://catsinsinks.com/
Yup! Cats.In.Sinks. :)

My cell phone is dying!

2008-06-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

The one with the rubber band holding the battery in place - that one! Now it only works when it's plugged into the wall and even then...intermittently. However, I refuse to surrender! My new contract thingy with the $150 phone stipend or whatever they call it is due on July 1st. Less than a month away. And the humiliation of hauling an ugly pink phone around NY with a rubberband securing the battery in place for the last 6 (yes, SIX) months will all have been in vain if I give up now.

Plus, I can put that additional $75 toward these:

Ah!

2008-06-05T04:43:00.001-07:00

Ok. So. I have a crush on a bartender. And before you say anything - I know. Seriously - he isn't even cute. Like, at all. Read: small teeth and receding hairline - stuff I usually don't notice so they must be bad, right?? Right. I'm chalking my attraction up to the $3 margarita's he serves during happy hour at a bar conveniently close to Anthroplogie, his accent AND his flair. You know - flipping shakers, swinging bottles...that whole thing...it's hot.

Fast forward to this morning. I can't sleep. I've been awake since 4AM when a corkboard fell off my wall *that's another story*. As 6:30 rolled around I decided enough is enough. I threw on a cardigan, my chucks, grabbed my bag and headed to the bakery under the train stop. Paying a whopping $1.75 for the most delicious coffee in the world (I think they use heated condensed milk or fairy dust - who knows) and a donut I bought the latest issue of New York Magazine and headed home to enjoy. Please imagine my giddy, incredulous surprise when on pg. 40 - my bartender crush was pictured along with 20 other New Yorkers in the Breakfast Poll. I was all like - "I recognize that guy. How do I recognize that guy!?" Finally, it dawned on me that it was MY CRUSH!! The one I drunkenly gush about to my roommate when I come home from happy hour. How totally bizarre and random! Too bad it's still obscenely early and Sara is still asleep. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning waiting for their parents to wake up so they can pounce!

Oh, and in case you were wondering - he ate Moroccan Couscous with grilled chicken and hummus, an americano and fresh orange juice. Sorta pretentious if you ask me. I'll take fairy dusted coffee over "an americano and fresh orange juice" any day!

Firtations?

2008-06-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

So. I had not 1 but 2 interactions yesterday with total strangers that A) make me smile and B) make me wonder, "Was he just flirting with me?"

Scenario #1: Make my order at the deli (tuna on wheat with lettuce and tomato and an iced coffee) when the guy in front of me says, "Hey! That's exactly what I ordered! Copycat!" and then we proceeded to chat about working in soho. Even though I don't, really. Whatever.

Scenario #2: On the way home from dinner with a massive case of the hiccups, I was walking parallel to some guy across the street for several blocks... Eventually he had to cross the street (to my side) and right as he was behind me he said, "Boo." Not even all that loud and it took me a second to get it, even. I turned around and we both gave these gargantuan grins. Sigh. He could have been the love of my life.

10 Excuses I give myself...

2008-06-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

i love shop

2008-06-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

Check it out: iloveshop.com My new internship. Pretty cool, no? Let me know what you think. Seriously. Any suggestions? Any ideas?

Sex and the City = WHY?

2008-06-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

So GOOD! Loved it! It was funny, it was nostalgic, it was fierce! I. Loved. It. Then why - WHY do I hesitate to have my mom see it!? Because, well...she's my MOM!
As for all the haters out there (NYTimes) get over yourselves. As for the scandal with the Nina Ricci dress...Olivier Theyskans should be ashamed of himself. I think it's a very big deal. This is WHY...

Parker told the NYTimes (Cathy Horyn) “In the big picture, this is not important, but there is a relationship between the entertainment industry and fashion. We’ve watched sales dwindle and we’ve watched people be less inclined to spend money on clothes.” For the silly bloggers out there who interpret SJP's comments about "sales" to literally mean the $10,000 dress, you're crazy and naive. 1st - If I'm paying ten thousand dollars for a dress you better believe it will be a one of a kind. Dur. 2nd - Nina Ricci's brand was given measurable credibility (literally - I'm sure their PR interns have a spreadsheet somewhere) by having a fashion/cultural icon photographed in their dress. Wearing said dress to the US premier of SATC gave the house the sort of lasting brand equity that is really immeasurable. The sort of brand equity lots of designers would kill for and Olivier Theyskens lied about to get. Lame. My question: WHY didn't she know in the first place!? Doesn't she read Style.com or Harper's Bazaar?? I'd totally loan her my copy!

Guess who I met?!

2008-06-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

The actor who plays "Sloan" on Alias - Ron Rifkin! Wearing glasses like that - ok, they were green. Whatever. Not as exciting as, say, an Olsen twin, but he told me I was a "dear"! So there's a story here (isn't there always?). Partly out of habit and partly out of store policy, I had to ask to see his id. As I had been debating the whole time whether I should say something about, well, him being famous and all...I'm sure I blushed a little when I asked. Throwing caution to the wind, I told him I felt silly asking for id because I was just watching Alias but well...store policy...you know. He was utterly charming and nice and made my first "celebrity" encounter all the more wonderful when he thanked me and said, "you're a dear."

I'm a dear!!

Love 'em or leave 'em?

2008-06-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

Dr. Martens?! I know, "how 8th grade?" But I think they're coming back. I do. Think about it: paired with skirts and vests, dresses, over skinny jeans...totally hip, right? Plus they'd be comfortable stomping through NY and Teen Vogue did an editorial spread with them. I think I have to have them. Don't I?? Too bad I threw out my purple ones. Which makes me think that I should keep every piece of clothing I've ever worn in storage like Sarah Jessica Parker does because you just never know...

REAL Coney Island corn dogs! Jealous?

2008-05-31T19:07:00.000-07:00

My only reference to Coney Island before moving to New York was from that Sandra Bullock/Hugh Grant movie (2 Weeks Notice) and corn dogs. Right. So not a lot. Then I realized on my way home from school one day that the F Train ends at - wait for it - Coney Island! Oh, and my favorite piece of subway art?? See above. To top it all off, my roommate went to CI on Memorial Day. So I figured the stars were aligned. It was time.

With sunscreen and beach towel in hand, I headed out to Coney Island. Unsure of what to expect, I was completely won over. It was charming. Sure, it was a little frightening as far as crowds of people can go with scary carneys sans teeth, oily-faced teens and braless women but there was also a boardwalk, the lacy outlines of ferris wheels against the sky and my personal favorite - the ocean. Waves, sand, boats, piers...I'm a sucker for all of it. Plus it has this rich, crazy history. Seriously. Google it. (2 Weeks Notice is also a good reference :) That (along with indoor bathrooms) and my eternal love for the beach make Coney Island one of my favorite New York adventures thus far!

Hmmm...what to share?

2008-05-31T18:14:00.000-07:00

Unlike many (ok, almost all) of my past expressions of creativity - frightening images of a pinstriped vest with flatware hot glued onto it and an unfinished, harlequin-esque romance novel come to mind, my posts thus far haven't made me cringe (too much :) So, for those of you despairing that I would never post again...fear not. I just took a hiatus for finals.

HAPPY BELATED B-DAY AMY WOOD!

2008-04-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

La Vie Bohème - Someday?

2008-04-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

I know that I suffer from an insanely neurotic sense of self. I know this. I know that I'm hyper aware of all my flaws, idiosyncrasies and oddities in almost all social situations. I know I often try to be something I'm soooo not. I think we all remember my short-lived desires to be a hipster, a pirate and for those of you with excellent memories, a "bohème". And underneath all my self deprecation thrives a pretty healthy ego. So I find myself wondering...could I/will I ever be cool??

Are the people who we (collectively) think are genuinely cool actually just people who've made peace with their dorkiness OR are they blissfully unaware OR do they try as hard as I do only they're just more successful? Hard to tell. Time spent worrying about coolness = decidedly uncool. I know.

To La Vie Bohème - Salut!

What was I thinking?!

2008-04-15T16:39:00.001-07:00

Loooong story short - I found myself at Saks Fifth Avenue yesterday. Browsing. And stumbled upon this little gem: It's a Marc Jacobs Leather Zip-Around Wallet. And I really feel like it's the perfect accessory for someone, namely me, who schleps everything but her kitchen sink onto and off of the island of Manhattan each day. What better accessory to throw your cash, credit/metro cards and (hello!?) lip gloss into without worrying about tearing a rotator cuff. Basically,

Marc Jacobs Zip-Around Wallet = Better Health

Alas, I couldn't find a price tag. I honestly thought (silly me) that it would be affordable. Like if I promised to eat ramen for the next month, I could do it. Again, silly me, Check out the price tag: $550 (more than 1/2 my rent). Actually, more than all the apparel I've purchased in the last year. More than a plane ticket to Bali (I'm just guessing...) And more than 1000 packages of Ramen. Sigh. A girl can dream...and maybe spend frivolously?

Duh!?

2008-04-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

It seems my parents acquired a fussball (and yes, I googled for the correct spelling) table for the lakehouse. I called to check in yesterday and my precious nephew, Tim (age 5), answered. Launching directly into an excited description of the aforementioned table, our conversation went something like this:

[Brrrring!]
Tim: Hello?
Me: Hi! Is this Tim?
Tim: We got a table!
Me: A table?
Tim: Yeah it's got a game on it!
Me: What sort of game?
Tim: A game for grownups - you could play!!
[not sure if he knows he's talking to his FABULOUS aunt Heather at this point, I ask]
Me: Do you know who I am?
Tim: A grown up. (duh?!)

Some eye candy for you - so sweet they hurt!

Beware of the Phog??

2008-04-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

I vow to blog more. Or try to blog more.

So I'm sitting here in this hipster cafe (where, ps, I am the only one sans a mac (ibook?) and this group of dudes walks by yelling with a banner that says "Beware of the PHOG!" I know, right!? What?!?!

Fear not! I googled it. I'm thinking - using my powers of deduction, it has something to do with Kansas and basketball. Are they in the Final Four!? :)

How do you rewind?

2008-03-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

AH! Had a majorly aaaaawkwaaaaaard conversation at internship today. Went a little something like this:

My Boss (essentially): I hate in when people post pictures of themselves on their blog every day.

Me: Aren't blogs pretty self-promoting in general?

[giggle, giggle]

Me: What?!

My Boss: I have a blog.

Me: Oh, umm - I can't back out of this gracefully, can I? [after a minute of sorta silence] So, what's your blog about?

My Boss: Rude interns.

As smooth as ever, Izzaire.

Only in NY, right!?

2008-03-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

So, I heard Anthro had a "store cat" that lived in our stockroom (the basement) to keep out rats. It turns out that super chic old buildings in Soho are still super old, oh and it's NY. I saw a bag of kitty litter as evidence but I never saw the cat. Until last Thursday. There was this adorable calico cat meowing at the bottom of the stairs. So I did what any cat caring person would do I bent down and put out my hand...and she BIT it!!! I still have a scab. So then I asked why the store cat is mean and the reply - oh, it died. WHAT?! I had a brief moment of panic thinking I just got bit by some rabies infected stray cat roaming the basements of soho - but apparently it's the neighbors' "store cat". And apparently, she's a heinous bi***.

Have you heard of this desinger?

2008-03-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

Martin Grant.
He's fantastic!! Maybe not as original or inventive as, say - Galliano, but I was duly impressed with every piece in his collection. Chic, wearable, elegant and if not timeless, than timely.
GRANT
GALLIANO

Doesn't this make you long for spring?

2008-02-28T17:13:00.000-08:00

Or even just a new spring accessory?? Preferably from Hermes? Me too!
Translation (I think): Little girl, don't let go of the ravishing square of silk.