joie de vivre-- a cheerful enjoyment of life & an exultation of spirit.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Happy Weekend.

Three cheers for the weekend, friends!

Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray!



So grab your boots, grab a friend & head outdoors to enjoy what's shaping up to be a beautiful Fall weekend. I can't wait to be back on Monday to share lots of pictures from all of the adventures that I have in store!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Menswear.

I don't know what it is about menswear that I find so incredibly alluring, but I love it. Leave it to a pair of mustard yellow socks and a cuffed jean to make me swoon-- Go. Figure.


P.S. Can we talk about this adorable little nugget? Oh my goodness. I can't get enough.


All images above are from one of my favorite Tumblr accounts, Modern Hepburn.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Rain.

Well, the rain never came today. The skies have stayed dark and grey & the wind has kept the trees rustling against the window all afternoon. It even smells like rain. But alas, not today.

Photo, here.

It's one of those days, though, that I kind of wish it would rain-- I don't even think I'd complain about having to walk home without an umbrella. And the thought of nestling into the corner of my couch tonight with a mug of tea and a movie on? Listening to the soft pitter patter against the window? Yeah, I think I'd like that.


Photo, here.

I think I'm due for a quiet night in.
'Till tomorrow, dear friends.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tub.




Oh what I would do for a long, long soak in this tub right about now. Piping hot water & uninterrupted silence? Please and thank you.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Snapshots.

I really don't think my body will ever get used to the shock of the Monday morning alarm. Why oh why must you be so painful? Ooph.

On a more cheerful note, I had an absolutely amazing time in Virginia this past weekend and wanted to share a few fun photos:




1 & 2 -- There is just nothing that defines Fall for me more than the festivities surrounding a home football game in Charlottesville.  Indulging in a (large) cup of brunch punch and a Big Jim's BBQ sandwich all while sharing a belly full of laughs with good friends-- I swear it's the most divine slice of perfection pie I could ask for.

3 & 4 -- Had the time of my life sharing my weekend with these fools. I've got so many wonderful memories of time spent with this group from the past 4 years and having a chance to seamlessly fall back into old pranks & inside jokes was just so, so much fun. I think the sore abs that I woke up with on Sunday morning as a result of nothing other than hours of laughing on Saturday stands as a true testament to how much fun I have with these wonderful people. So much love to you all!!

5 -- Check out the unbelievable sunset that I caught a glimpse of outside the Richmond Airport as I waited to board my flight back to New York last night. I swear-- you just don't get that much open sky up here in the city.

And so begins the start of another week.

Happy Monday, all!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Happy Weekend.

T.G.I.F. Am I right?!

Only a few hours of work and a quick flight to Virginia are keeping me from what's shaping up to be an incredible weekend at home and boy am I excited. I feel so lucky to be able to spend the next few days catching up with some of my closest friends and returning to the old stomping grounds where it all began. Charlottesville- here we come!





Wishing you and yours a weekend of equivalent joy, laughter, and excitement. Here's to making some memories!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The brown leather belt.

Totally loving how a simple brown belt makes all the difference in these adorable ensembles. What a quick, easy, and totally doable way to pull together an outfit. Such a fan!







All images via pinterest.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Shake it Out.

Oh, Florence. You've done it again & I'm totally obsessed.





Does this not make you want to smile and do a little jig... just because? Such a great mood booster!

Nostalgia.

The era of the hardcover book is slowly coming to an end; I see it every day on the subway. Kindles and iPads and Nooks-- they're everywhere. It's just scary to think just how fast the inevitable shift to digital is going to happen. And who knows what's next after that. Who knows what that magical world of books and stories that I once loved as a child is going to look and feel like down the road when I come to have children of my own.


Photo, here

It's saddens me to think how removed from the magic of a physical book each new generation is becoming. I have such fond memories from my childhood of spending hours roaming the shelves of my hometown library, gathering stacks and stacks of books to bring home. And then waiting with anxious excitement at the prospect of being able to sprawl out on my bedroom floor with my new stories around me to explore for hours on end.

And then there were those due date cards. Were they not the most wonderful thing? Gosh I used to love seeing how many times the very book I was holding had been checked out already and then relishing in the thought that for one whole week that same book was mine. All mine. I always used to wonder who the other people who had checked out my book had been. What was their story? Did they live nearby?

But no more. I've heard so much talk about how libraries and bookstores are a thing of the past. They just don't belong in this world any more. They don't make sense.


They don't belong. Imagine that.

Imagine what's next.

Long gone will be the days of children's books with pop-out 3D pictures, secret pull tabs, and finger puppets that pop through pages. Long gone will be the days of slowly smoothing out that last corner crease as you fall back into the very place you left your story last. Long gone will be the feeling of opening a book you've loved for years, seeing the stains left from coffee spills and fallen tear drops, and feeling like you've come back home to rediscover an old friend.

Imagine never growing up having that. It breaks my heart.

Here's to vowing to keep a few bookshelves full of classic favorites, wherever your life may lead, and with which you can withstand the tests of time. 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Happy Monday!


Photo, here

Love this outlook on Mondays-- definitely makes the thought of a long week ahead a little more manageable! I know I've got lots on my schedule today, but I've got my red pen ready and am looking forward to crossing a large number of to-do's off my list. Here's to a productive day for us all!

Happy Monday!


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Bar Tabac.

If you haven't yet found your way over to the corner of Smith and Dean, run-- don't walk-- and grab the first open table you can find inside the adorable little French Bistro, Bar Tabac. I only discovered this neighborhood gem a few weeks ago, but boy has it quickly made its way to the very top of my list of go-to spots. I'm totally obsessed. Outdoor seating, live music, delicious food, friendly service & a great location? What's not to love, right?





I meandered on over here this morning for brunch with my dear friend Judy and, as always, was totally impressed. This place will not disappoint- guaranteed.

For my New Yorkers out there-- anyone else have any spots they just can't get enough of? Leave a comment below!

The Great Outdoors.

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, everyone! Life has been coming at me fast recently and it's been a constant race to keep up. With that said, I wanted to share some snapshots from the incredible adventure that I managed to squeeze in yesterday with one of my besties from UVa-- such, such fun!


With the weather looking absolutely perfect (hooray!), we set off for a day of hiking along the Appalachian Trail and in/around Bear Mountain State Park. The sun was shining, the skies were a beautiful shade of blue, and the cool temps managed to keep the completely vertical, 2 mile incline directly up the side of Bear Mountain just a tad more bearable. (You really know you're in for it when you find yourself crawling uphill on all fours in a desperate attempt to not lose your balance and tumble down the side of the mountain- love it!) In any case, the views speak for themselves and the sweaty brows we arrived at the summit with were so, so worth it.





Now one of the greatest things about this part of NY is that there are literally dozens upon dozens of local apple orchards in every which direction you turn. And, where there are apple orchards, there are also one of the all-time tastiest treats in the entire world as well: apple cider donuts.




Half a dozen later...With full bellies and a gigantic gallon of apple cider, we clambered back into the car and began the trek back to Brooklyn. What a fabulous, fabulous Fall day.

I hope you and yours are enjoying your weekend as much I've been!




Monday, September 12, 2011

Late Night Snack.

Found myself craving something sweet a bit ago and was so excited when I remembered that there was still some Blue Marble Brooklyn ice cream tucked away in my freezer from this weekend's festivities. After a long day at work and a seemingly endless night of emails, this little pick me up was exactly what I found myself needing.

Photo, here.

Nothing like a little scoop of sweet, creamy coffee ice cream (in a mug, of course) to end the night on a good note. Sweet dreams, world-- 'till tomorrow.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remembering 9/11.


Photo, here.

Turn Again to Life. 
If I should die and leave you here a while, 
be not like others sore undone, 
who keep long vigil by the silent dust. 
For my sake turn again to life and smile, 
nerving thy heart and trembling hand
to do something to comfort other hearts than thine. 
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I perchance may therein comfort you. 
-- Mary Lee Hall



Friday, September 9, 2011

Happy Weekend.

Oi. TGIF- that's all I have to say.

I don't know about you all, but this week totally kicked my butt-- definitely couldn't be more excited to set my alarm back a few hours tomorrow and have a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep. I think the 4 time zones in 7 days routine has officially taken its toll.

I've got lots of my agenda this weekend and between the out of town visitors who'll be bunking on air mattresses throughout my living room and a few volunteer service projects for work that I'll be helping out at, I'm excited for what this weekend has in store.

I'll be back to check in at some point soon, but wanted to be sure to wish you and yours a wonderful weekend!

Photo, here





Thursday, September 8, 2011

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Seven Spoons.

I stumbled across the little gem that is Seven Spoons a few weeks ago and my gosh, immediately fell in love. Not only do the incredible photos literally make you want to grab the nearest spoon and crawl through the screen to taste it all, but even better, the recipes to most of the scrumptious treats are provided too. What more could a foodie ask for-- right?

Mmm, it all just looks SO tasty.









Check out Seven Spoons for more fantastic photos, recipes & posts!


Monday, September 5, 2011

Wonderful Weekend.

Hi, friends! I hope this post finds you refreshed after a long Labor Day weekend. I don't know about you, but that extra day off was exactly what I found myself needing this morning- thank goodness for holidays.

My parents managed to squeeze in some time to come and visit this weekend and even better was the fact that we were able to snag some tickets to one of our favorite events all year- the U.S. Open. Not sure how many tennis fans I've got out there, but having been raised an avid fan and player from a young age, tennis has always been a go-to past time for our family.


It was so wonderful having the chance to head out to Flushing Meadows and waste the weekend away enjoying some great matches, soaking up the last of the summer sun, and sharing a few good, hard laughs with those I love most. (The delicious frozen lemonades weren't too shabby either- I'll tell you that much.)

Unfortunately Tuesday has come lurking around the corner which means that this lovely long weekend has come to a close and I've got to head back to the airport in the morning for a work trip in St. Louis for most of the week. Definitely hoping to find some time to share some fun posts with you all as the week goes on, but bear with me if my hands get tied. I'll be back soon, I promise!

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Happy Weekend.

Well, it has been a wonderfully busy week for me, but as all good things do, my trip is quickly coming to an end. Wanted to share a few photos from a little excursion I managed to squeeze in last night-- absolutely loved being able to get to the Bay in time to see the sun set over the Golden Gate Bridge!








With that said, so long, San Francisco-- until next time.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Weekend.