Dream Home: Exposed

Happy Wednesday! I'm making a little change from Home of the Week Wednesday's to posting a Dream Home each Wednesday. Still the same idea-beautiful homes, whether they are houses in the country or studios in the city, filled with decor and design that inspire me and/or make me want to live there.

This week's home comes out of Belarus and is filled with modern accents (how about that crazy fireplace?) next to exposed copper pipes, matte brick and smooth, weathered wood.

Funky copper light fixtures and floor to ceiling windows flood the otherwise darker color palette with tons of light, and the jade-turquoise oversized couch brings just the right amount of color (and coziness!).

This loft feels like the perfect place to throw a great party-plenty of space and cozy niches for any type of gathering!

images via

xx

SAG 2013 Red Carpet

Awards season is one of the things that gets me through the otherwise bleak, cold start to the year (really, who even likes January and February?). A friend of mine & I make it a point to watch all the best picture nominees for the Oscars and whatever else we're able to catch by the time awards season wraps up with the Academy Awards, and I'm down to one left that I need to see!

The SAG Awards were last night, and while I haven't watched the show yet (it's on my TiVo for tonight), I did browse the red carpet arrivals and picked out some of my favorites. My pick for best dressed goes to Ellie Kemper-she is ethereal and stunning in a sea foam colored Reem Acra gown.

Here's some of my other favorites from the night:

Nina Dobrev in Elie Saab (my absolute favorite designer! This color is incredible on her).

Katrina Bowden in Badgley Mischka

Michelle Dockery in Chado Ralph Rucci (I'm not a fan of black hardly ever, and sideboob is never tastefully done-unless you're Lady Mary, of course).

Jenna Fischer in Jenny Packham (as Pam, she broke my heart on The Office last week!)

Kiernan Shipka (aka Sally Draper) all grown up in Oscar de la Renta!

Last but certainly not least, Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen. I saw her on Broadway in The Heiress (opposite my British love, Dan Stevens) last week and she was great.

Who were some of your favorites? Any huge misses? Share them in the comments!

xx

Another Week, Another Weekend

I can't believe how fast this week has gone by! I suppose it was helped along by taking off work Monday for the inauguration, but that'll all be made up for by having to spend Saturday in the office. Oh, well. These next few weeks will be a whirlwind of ups & downs with a lot of long days, but the last bits of my busy days ahead include fashion week, which means hanging out with some fellow bloggers and wearing all the fabulous things I own & never wear in everyday, office life! I think that's something to look forward to. 

I wanted to include the picture above while I could still get away with it, because once this cold week is gone from NYC I'll have warm weather forever on my mind until spring's arrival. I'll never cop to liking snow or the cold, but it can make for some incredibly serene images. Here's a few of the other things that were on my radar this week:

This Echo Design scarf after I photographed it on my friend Jessica recently. 

In a city like New York, everything you wear defines you, even your headphones. How cool would these be to rock everyday? 

After my high school years, I shied away from printed T's for a while, but I've fallen in love with several lately like this one, this one and this one (from blogger Meg Biram's own shop!).

This great article about learning when to say "no" in your career.

Holographic makeup bags from Sephora. 

Social site to watch in 2013? Forbes says Tumblr! (speaking of, I just claimed Blonde in this City's tumblr. Lots of updates coming soon).

Speaking of social media, this is the blog to be following if you're looking for honest career advice.

Mackenzie Horan (owner of adorable, chic online boutique Design Darling) recently moved to NYC reached out to her readers for things to do & places to see. They have some great suggestions that even I need to check out. 

These Jonathan Adler vases.

What caught your eye this week? Share in the comments!

xx

image via

Cozy Knits

I picked up this chunky knit Zara sweater right before the holidays during the start of their Autumn/Winter sale...and then I basically lived in it for the next 10 days. I'm only half joking-it was so cold when I was home in Iowa that once I put it on, I didn't want to take it off! Since then, I've worn in it different combinations probably once a week & it was a key layering piece to staying warm during the inauguration yesterday. 

Sweater, Zara | Jeans, Joe's Jeans | Shoes, Zara

My favorite way to wear this sweater has been with my long, pave horn necklace from Sequin. The crystals sparkle incredibly bright against the off-white knit. This jet alternative adds a Victorian-era appeal.

Lipstick, NARS Matte in Carthage | Necklace, borrowed from Tracy

Thanks for taking my pictures Jessica!

xx

Home of the Week: A Cozy Apartment in Stockholm

Stockholm may be in Sweden but the details in this apartment feel very French country-chic. A mix of worn wood and faded prints cover the walls next to smoothly painted white surfaces, all situated behind sleek lamps, carved tables and cozy throws.

Everything about this apartment feels balanced, from the high-low pieces to the sleek-rustic contrast. Happy Wednesday!

xx

What a Weekend!

"We do not believe … freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few."

I technically wasn't supposed to have a three-day weekend, but as I told you on Friday I took Monday off so I could be in D.C. for the inauguration. It was such a cool (and incredibly exhausting!) experience.

I cast one of the very first votes for Barack Obama to become President back in January 2008, when I caucused for him in Iowa. Since then, I donated time and money, volunteered at rallies, made phone calls, and articulated my support for him, passionately-and got to see it all come to fruition in person. Our president is one who does not judge by what we have, but by what we can be. I have a deep respect for him, his family and everything I witnessed today.

It's not something I'll likely ever go to again unless I have a special invite (mostly because it was so cold I was convinced I was getting frostbite on my feet), but I'm so glad I can check it off my bucket list. My apologies if getting a little political offended anyone, but I'm feeling sentimental and don't really hide that I'm opinionated. Politics is not a subject I wish to cover on this blog, but this experience was a big part of my recent life-and that, I do cover!

I hope everyone has a fantastic week-

xx

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday! It's a strange-feeling one, since yesterday felt like Friday to me & I was all excited about it, now the real Friday doesn't feel nearly as exciting. I do have something to look forward to, though-I'm off to DC tomorrow to watch President Obama get inaugurated for his second term! Regardless of your political affiliation, it's pretty cool to be able to check "attending an inauguration" off my bucket list.

On another note, I'm going to start sharing links with you to things I find around the web that pique my interest!

Here's a few things that popped up on my radar this week:

This bedroom makeover by stylist Emily Henderson has become my current bedroom re-do inspiration.

Meg Biram's Manifesto T's line launched with this Evolve t-shirt for January (I'm dying to get my hands on one).

Speaking of t-shirts, Pickwick & Weller has become my latest obsession. Their T's come in great neutrals (& they're hinting at brighter colors for spring on their social media feeds) not to mention the incredibly soft fabric & amazing customer service. The best part? They're made here in the USA!

Terrain's copper napkin rings make me wish I had a dinner party to throw soon.

The Everygirl's article on paying off your debts-ditching credit card debt is high on my list of priorities this year.

I hope everyone has something fantastic to look forward to this weekend!

xx


*image via

Military Green on the Waterfront

Right before I went home for Christmas, my friend (& little sis in my sorority from college!) came out to visit me for a weekend. I took her around to all the tourist-y spots , like Battery Park (& a few of my favorites in Queens), where these pics were taken. It was strange to see it still so beaten up two whole months post-Sandy.

Coat, Guess | Scarf, street vendor

Shirt, Zara | Jeans, 7 For all Mankind | Boots, Kelsi Dagger

Earrings, bracelets, Sequin | Skeleton Key Ring, Ashley Nizolek Designs

 Whenever I do my hair in a braid, my little dress-it-up secret is to wrap some hair from the end around the ponytail holder & pin it! Très chic, & I always get compliments.

xx

P.S. I apologize for the less-than-stellar photo quality, it was getting pretty dark by the time we took these!

Home of the Week: A Color Crush in Purple

I keep coming back to homes filled with vibrant color layered over a neutral base. If you'd asked me ten years ago, or even five, I would have told you I prefer bright colors-saturated paint and colorful trim. As I've matured, (I like to think) my style sense has, too.

The sleek, modern neutrals used as the foundation for this home in Spain allow the wash of purple accessories & accents to stand out. Using different shades of the same color makes the home feel cohesive, down to the artwork in black & white throughout (like the little coasters with pictures of Paris-my favorite!).

Hello, pop of citrus!

Bonjour, Paris!

How gorgeous is that back wall? I love the idea of a chalkboard wall filled with big, bold words that inspire me. Simple & to the point!

*all images via

P.S...it'll slowly come to light over the next few months, but I'm planning on a complete re-do of my room this spring, possibly moving into a bigger room in my apartment! Thinking purple will be one of my accent colors...it's just too gorgeous not to include!

Apathy is my Worst Enemy

To me, there is nothing worse than doing absolutely nothing.

I don't mean a lazy Sunday where you hang out in your pajamas all day on the couch and order Thai food and catch up on TV shows kind of nothing (guilty as charged). I'm talking about a lack of desire to participate in life. There are so many amazing things going on no matter where you are in the world, whether it's a serene sunrise from a secluded mountain or a huge party in an abandoned warehouse in a major city (yeah, I wish my life was like Girls).

I've started a lot of lists of things I'd like to do, variations on bucket lists and upcoming events and things I want to remember, but never fully finished one. Recently, I've let myself become inspired by Mackenzie Horan, blogger & founder of online boutique Design Darling, to start a list of 101 in 1001 (the longer explanation: 101 things I'd like to complete in 1001 days). The two hardest things about this will be to: 1) Not to procrastinate til I'm 500+ days in & 2) Not to make myself feel pressured to complete every single thing. It's meant to be enjoyable, not a chore!

I'm not ready to share my 101 things with you yet, but I'm adding to it and editing it every day. I definitely do not want to put things on my list just to get it to the magic number. I want to continue to get involved with my wonderful, amazing city & experience all the things it has to offer while I evolve with it (hello, adulthood!).

Want to know one thing that is certainly making it on? Watching a sunset from Brooklyn with this water tower by Tom Fruin (pictured above) taking center stage.

What would be on your list?

xx

The Elephant in the Room

Since before I can even remember, elephants have long been my favorite animal. I've collected variations of them since childhood, had a Babar blanket and watched Dumbo, according to my mother, every day (I wasn't big on Disney princesses, in case you hadn't guessed).

Between my birthday and Christmas, I usually end up with several different gifts related to my love of these incredible animals, & this year was no exception! Jessica gave me an adorable elephant key ring during a secret Santa gift exchange & my friend Steve gifted me with screen printed pillowcases that will be making a center-stage appearance when I re-do my room decor this spring...I can't wait to share my ideas with all you as that idea progresses!

When I'm looking for an elephant to add to my collection now, I look for something unique-like an unusual color, shape, size, material or pose. I've picked up several from the Brooklyn Flea over the last few months, including a new brass figurine & another metal one I'll be painting in the near future while at the flea yesterday (seen center and right below).

I rounded up some of my favorites from around the web, including a ring from Michelle Chang, an already familiar keychain and a lamp I've been lusting over for months. Don't forget-an upturned trunk always brings good luck :)

(clockwise) Dish, C. Wonder |  Silver Elephant, Dwell Studio | Gold Elephant, Furbish

Baby Elephant Ring (more colors) Michelle Chang | Rug, Urban Outfitters 

Lamp, Shirley Fintz for West Elm | Ring Holder, Urban Outfitters

Key Ring, C. Wonder | Gift Tags, Rifle Paper Co

You can never have too many of these beautiful creatures in your life (I'm still waiting for a real one as a present, Steve). Anybody want to buy me a lamp?

xx

Insta-Update

Sometimes, I fancy myself a photographer...in case you don't already follow me on Instagram, here's some pics to update you on what I've been up to this past month (while being very lax on posts, I know! More to come on that, soon).

SantaCon, 2012. What am I, you ask? A candy cane, duh!

My nails got dressed up for Christmas.

One of the fireplaces in my childhood home. Such a cozy sight!

My family has 4 dogs, plus we puppy-sat for my best friend! My baby is in the front right.

It's not Christmas if my family isn't drinking Moscow Mules.

Oh cold & snow, we're just not friends.

Dinner with one of my very close friends. Yes, it was instagram-worthy!

No matter how long I'm in NYC, this'll always be my home. DSM love!

Bubbles on the NYC street

Lace & beads for NYE

Happy New Year!

My childhood home, all dressed up for the holidays.

Shoe-shopping damage from my trip home...

And, finally, a little post-brunch UWS sunshine this past weekend!

Sometimes, I take pictures with intention, sometimes I just like to show off things in my life. Everything in this post makes me incredibly happy, though! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to catch me in real-time.

xx