Governor's Island

A few weeks ago I unexpectedly had a friend in town for the weekend, so my plans for laundry & cleaning quickly switched to beaches, brunch, a little shopping in Nolita (my favorite neighborhood for it!) and a ride across the ferry to Governor's Island in search of the mythical hammock grove. 

The trip over happened on a whim. We didn't feel like spending forever and a day on the subway to get somewhere quiet/relaxing (and where I'm not tempted to spend money...sorry, NoLIta/SoHo!), so I suggest hopping a train downtown to catch the ferry to the island for a few hours. Also, a catch to note—it's not free anymore! I was a little disappointed to have to pay, but at least it's only $2/roundtrip. 

Parts of the island were busy with kids, parents and lots o' tourists-on-bikes (I suggest walking on the grass to steer clear, as I don't entirely trust their pedaling skills), but there's still plenty of space to wander around, and various old buildings and houses are open on the weekends because of exhibits. They're mostly emptied of furniture now, but I like imagining how the rooms might have been filled and what it would have been like to live there. 

Some serious, long wandering (the island is WAY bigger than it looks) finally led us back to the mythical hammocks, but it was a little disappointing...the weather was near-90 degree, not a cloud in the sky. The trees were only planted in the last year, so I suggest slathering on some major SPF (which you should be doing anyways!) before you head out there. We finally found an open one to hop in for a little while right after taking these pics, but by that point the sun was getting to me and I was ready to head for the air-conditioned subway ride home...so of course we had to wait 15 minutes on the platform. Life in NYC, am I right?

P.S. I spent last night #GlamFamChat'ing with Hallie on the best tips & tricks for instagram. Check out the feed on Twitter here, or for a more condensed version head over to her blog!

Zara Silk Tank || Anthropologie Shorts || Zara Tote 

Illesteva Sunglasses || Joie Sandals via Zappos || Sequin Bracelets || Michael Kors Watch

Link Love

Hello, weekend! Is it just me or did this one creep up faster than usual? I was sitting at the table early Thursday morning, thinking it was Tuesday or Wednesday, until one of my roommates mentioned it being nearly the weekend. Last week flew by, and it wasn't even as jam-packed as the rest of this summer has been! In less than a month I'll be spending some Q.T. back home before my sister's wedding, and because I didn't look at a calendar when I booked my ticket, I'll be getting back about 36 hours before the *official* start of fashion week. Between work and the blog, it's going to be a busy one!

I'll stop getting ahead of myself, though...let's live in the moment as long as we can, especially with the (mostly) beautiful days we've been having. This weekend's fun-time agenda is shortened as I'm spending most of today in studio for work, but I'm looking forward to sunset rooftop drinks and a chill Sunday before I dive back into the week. 

Now, for the fun part…what's been catching my eye! (and sometimes distracting me from work, shh)

The beautiful image at the start of this post is from photographer Kara Rosenlund, whose work I discovered after coming across her home tour on Design Sponge. A few of her amazing prints are available for purchase here.

I'm so not ready for fall, but I am eyeing these Joie boots for when I just can't cut it in sandals any longer.

Hallie nailed it with her summer guide to the city—some of her picks are favorites of mine and some are new to me (hopefully not for long!).

I nearly pre-ordered this Heidi Merrick top, but forgot to do it in time…now it's 50% off!

Victoria's post about the site Medium took me down the rabbit hole—she highlights several of the must-reads here.

Managing my stress levels while learning the benefits of aromatherapy with these roll-ons.

I loved Jessica's look with the Stace Face Alice & Olivia top (cardigan version on sale here!)

Getting into the backpack trend with this leather one from The Sak in ochre.

Making plans to get to the Jazz Age Lawn Party before summer's over! FYI, the second weekend is in August. 

Thinking about stepping up my watch game with this all-black option from Michael Kors (+ it's on sale at Nordstrom for another week!).

ICYMI...

My favorite silk dress & ankle boots

What to wear to a day of museums

My remainder-of-summer to do list

Image via Kara Rosenlund

When Getting Dressed is Easy

Getting dressed in the morning for me goes one of four ways...1. I have no idea what I'm going to wear (those mornings rarely end up here, ha!) and change at least twelve times before leaving my apartment, leaving my room to look like it was hit by a tornado 2. I plan an outfit in my head the night before/as I'm laying in bed in the morning, but it doesn't turn out at all how I want it to and I revert back to plan one 3. I get dressed in something basic (white tee, jeans/shorts, a simple dress) that I've worn time and time again and 4. I plan something in my head and it actually WORKS. Sometimes, this is because I've worn a variation of it before, but the rest of the time it's because I properly remembered the portions and cuts when imagining how it will look on my head. 

As I'm sure you've already guessed from the title of this post, this look fell under category #4. I've been seeing Otte New York's Ellen Dress around for years and was impressed with the versatility and its ability to look flattering no matter the body shape wearing it (sisterhood of the traveling dress, anyone?). I'm a little surprised it's taken me so long to get it on the blog, given how much I wear it, although when I first tried to wear it I'd just gotten out of the shower and had a fresh layer of coconut oil (which I use instead of body creams) on...note to self, don't put on delicate silks until everything is rubbed in and dried. Thankfully my new best friend the dry cleaner was able to get the spot out. I can easily see myself transitioning the dress to cooler temps with a jacket, and layering leggings underneath come winter!

Otte New York Ellen Dress || Steve Madden Fringe Bag || Loeffler Randall Booties

Illesteva Sunglasses || Sequin Jewelry Necklace

Check out all the colors Otte has to offer here, and for more styling inspiration check out Hallie's posts here, here and here, Alicia's belted look and Kim's easy style.

Photos by Lauren Pruner

Summer in the City: Museum Day

A few weeks ago, I posted a few things on my warm weather to-do list in (and around) the city, but it was laughably short compared to all the things I still want to get around to before cooler temps drive me in to hibernation (kidding, sort of. Do bears drink wine when they hibernate?). Something that's always on my to-do list is to visit more museums—NYC is chock full of 'em, and I've barely made a dent in that list during the last three years. It's not exactly a secret I'm making the beach a priority this summer, but I've got a few friends visiting over the weekends leading up to Labor Day, and there's no better time to visit a museum than when someone is in town and you don't know how else to entertain them...and appease that voice in your head that begs them not to ask you to go to Times Square—especially before you've had a drink (or two). 

I prefer to be as casual & comfortable as possible when I visit museums (see here). I usually end up at a nearby bar for a drink afterwards so comfy sandals are a must, and a carry-all tote is perfect for the random bits of paper I seem to accumulate whenever I visit anything cultural, not to mention stashing my camera when I don't want to look too much like a tourist. My simple summer make-up trick? A swap of Nars Satin Lip pencil in Yu & oversize, reflective sunnies.

Iro Distressed Tee || Baublebar Antique Links Necklace || Michael Kors Bailey Crystal Bezel Watch

Spektre Sunglasses || Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Yu ||J Brand Carly High Rise Short

Baggu Basic Leather Tote || Gentle Souls Sandals

Guggenheim image via

Get the Look

That Face

Somehow, this week has gotten away from me and my first post of the week is going up on a Thursday. Also, can we talk about how it's already Thursday? I know discussing the quick passage of time isn't exactly a "new" thing, but I'm still amazed at where it goes when I sit down to think about it. Summer is going to be over before we even realize it…I'll be ending mine in Iowa, so I really only have a few short weeks left of summer in NYC! Better get moving on my mini-to-do list.

If you live in NYC and we mingle in some of the same areas, there's a really good chance you've passed me on the street in this dress lately. It's a Zara sale find that almost didn't happen…I'd been eyeing it (yes, there's a pun in there) online before the sale started, but didn't rush to make a purchase that night and it sold out in my size within a few hours. Fast forward a week and I found myself in the Fifth Avenue store before dinner with a friend,  and there's a handful left! But all in a size M (I think the entire store was left in a size M, which in hindsight probably saved me a lot of money). I bought it anyways, and the rest, as they say, is history. I actually favor the looser fit over something skintight, so "the face" and I have become fast friends.

Zara Dress || Illesteva Sunglasses || Sequin Bangles || Capwell + Co Necklace

Photos by Ashley Manfred

Link Love

After taking it easy all last weekend, I actually felt refreshed & recharged, ready for work on Monday (a welcome development in always-busy-NYC-adult-life). Alas, like clockwork, I'm ready for another weekend full of sunshine and beaches and friends and cold cocktails. Every year I'm all like "This is going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER" but something always happens to deter my plans for total awesomeness…this year, though, is going swimmingly *knock on wood* (ignoring the fact I'll be missing the Iowa State Fair for the first time ever this August). In the last month, I've watched the sun rise before bed two consecutive weekends, hit up a beach—many more to come, had drinks on rooftops, sidewalks, early in the evening til late in the night, slept in the sunshine in the park, read three books and counting, eaten more food than my waistline would like to thank me for, spent time with friends both old and new (and visiting), gotten up early to work out and slept past noon on weekends. If summer were a recipe, this one would be delicious. 

And, on that note, here's some other things I'm loving, reading and bookmarking right now. Enjoy the weekend!

An update on slab wood furniture—I especially love the blue glass running through the tables.

I was moved by Jordan's post about leaving veganism and her call to listen to your body. She also handled the questions she received beautifully. 

The perfect pair of ripped boyfriend jeans.

I recently discovered Linie NYC and am completely in love with their entire FW'14 collection (insert lovesick emoji here).

Grace recapped her summer skincare routine. She always makes great product recommendations—I've bookmarked several already!

Digging the electric blue color of these Gentle Souls sandals.

The ONA Blog has some amazing advice and features on photography. If you're not familiar with them yet, check out their bags, too!

On the hunt for the right juices in NYC so I can copy Alicia's summer popsicle recipes.

I love this recipe for Vodka Lavender Lemonade cocktails, but I'm thinking of swapping the vodka out for gin.

How cute are these "clawsome" studs from Baublebar?

*image via