Birthday!

I was born 24 years ago, today! These are some of the great things I've received or bought myself for my birthday. Pretty happy with the gift selection this year! Some highlights...

(via jcrew)

(via raindrops)

(via anthropologie)

   

(via palomarie)

Summer Festival essentials

So, I'm going to my first ever summer music festival this year!! I've always wanted to go to Coachella or Bonnaroo but this year, I'm finally making to commitment to go to the New York version of these festivals, Governor's Ball. I'm a little intimidated by the event so I'm trying to plan early for the essentials so nothing gets in the way of the music and fun in the sun!

A foldable water bottle - perfect as a space saver and the most essential accessory for a festival.

(via organize)

This (also foldable) backpack from Baggu is perfect to fit in your picnic blanket, snacks, and camera. Plus it's neon (and we know how much I love that!) 

(via baggu)

A hat is essential to beat the summer heat! I want to get some sun but the last thing anyone needs is to burn for two days straight. This hat from J.Crew (aka the mothership) is a little different than the standard straw hat and doubles as a great beach hat.

(via jcrew)

If the floppy hat isn't to your liking, these panama hats are amazing! Always classic and a great way to still look cool while keeping cool.

(via jcrew)

It may seem random, or even contradictory, but I'll definitely be taking earplugs for when the noise just gets too to be too much.

And just because, some glow-in-the-dark fun!! 

Can't wait for Governor's Ball 2012!

Wear it like a Crown

I've never been one for circuses. In fact, the typical clown freaks me out. As I'm sure fellow assistants in the workplace can attest, one of the only (if any) benefits to being your boss' slave assistant is the occasional hand-me-down. Such was the case this weekend, when my boss gave me tickets to see Wear it like a Crown by Cirkus Cirkor at BAM. I took my mom, who has always wanted to see Cirque du Soleil, and though at first I didn't really know what to expect, I ended up loving the whole spectacle. The scale is nothing along the lines of Cirque du Soleil - the atmosphere within BAM's Howard Gilman Opera House is very intimate and fairly small - but after the initial puzzlement at what I was seeing, I was drawn in to the world of these wacky characters. The work consists of six performers looking to connect with the world, with each other, through their magical acts - including juggling, knife-throwing, acrobatics, and dance. 

My favorites were a pair of jugglers/trapeze artists that found love.. They also did amazing tricks and really brought the house down! 

Unfortunately the show is over at BAM and will be touring other parts of the world but they will probably be back soon with another show, which you can bet I will be going to. Consider me a circus convert. Maybe, just maybe, I'll even shell out the money to go to Cirque du Soleil. 

(via circus nyc)

(via cirko)

Spring Neon guide

This the first of (likely many) posts about the neon trend this Spring/Summer. I LOVE IT! I'm usually one for more serious colors - black is the most common color in my closet and I usually dress up a simple tee and jeans on weekends. But I'm planning so many purchases on neon items that I might need some sunglasses to look in my closet!

(photo from aceshowbiz)

I'm actually going to watch The X-Factor now that these two are on. Britney and Demi really work the neon trend here and I don't think Demi has ever looked better! Here are some simple ways to get into the trend.

 (via shopbop)

(via nordstrom)

(via shopbop)

Recently purchased in a Kate Spade sample sale!!

Leather version is sold out but there is still patent.

Amazing brunch!

I'm going to start posting about great meals in the New York (and hopefully, some cities abroad as well). 

A great place for brunch (and probably for dinner) is Buvette. Located in the West Village, this little french spot is really a slice of Paris. The waiters are French, the decor screams of corner tabac, and the food is authentic and delicious! After exchanging a few words with a waiter in French (!!!), I half expected to step out onto the Jardins de Luxembourg. It really is like a little cafe out of the 6th Arrondissement, St. Germain-des-Près. 

Located at 42 Grove St.

Paris vs. New York

Paris vs. New York is a series of witty prints designed by Vahram Muratyan (himself a traveler between Paris and New York) that are just right up my alley! I heard about these prints quite a long time ago but recently I bought my friend the book collection of the prints and decided I really want to buy a print for my room.

So in case you don't know about these amazing prints, here are a few of my favorites:

(Being a pretty big Mad men fan, I'll probably end up getting this one)

You can see some extra designs on the blog but all prints available for purchase can be found here.

P.S. The book makes a really good gift for your Francophile friends!
P.P.S. Not to hate on NYC, but Paris probably wins this contest for me (shhhh...)

Corner of Montmartre

Can I move here now, please? Why don't these windows exist in New York!?!

Meliès

A lot of my friends disagree with me but I'm just going to come out and say it: I loved Martin Scorcese's Hugo. But how could I not love a film that essentially romanticizes the history of cinema in 30s Paris? What struck me the most about the movie were the segments about the filmmaker Georges Meliès. He was actually an early pioneer of cinema and thanks to Netflix, I've been able to see a few of his early masterpieces. If you're interested in the history of movies, I really recommend taking 10 minutes to see his iconic film Voyage to the Moon, available on Youtube. Made in 1902, it was light years ahead of its time and such an artistic approach to film!

(images via Laura Lomax)

Vacation Envy

It had always been a dream of mine to go to the French Riviera, particularly Nice. Well, the city did not disappoint. Though it's been a long time since I visited Nice, it still stays with me. Even with the sunny weather we're having in New York lately, I'd give anything to be in Nice again. If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world in an instant, where would you go?

Le Petit Puppy

While walking in the west village, I stumbled the most precious little pet store, aptly titled le petit puppy. I mean, could these baby pups be any cuter? Keep this place in mind if you're looking for a new best friend (or if, let's be honest, you just want something adorable to look at). Located at 18 Christopher Street.