life

a bad case of stripes.

May 2, 2012

Being a teacher I get to read all sorts of stories to my class. Some are heartwarming, some are filled with interesting facts, and a lot are just plain silly. David Shannon’s, A Bad Case of Stripes, is a super fun children’s book and one I can completely relate do nowadays. While the main character Camilla is struggling with eating veggies and caring too much about what other people think, I’m struggling more in the literal sense.

Case in point:

A bad case of stripes is right.

They say stripes are like crack. I don’t doubt that for a second.

I’ll go so far as to say this: If stripes are wrong, then I don’t wanna do right.

11 Comments · Filed Under: fashion, instagram, life ·

little luke!

May 1, 2012

Babies! I love ’em!

Can’t get enough of those tiny fingers and tiny toes.

So when my friend Bailey a had little Luke a month ago, I bought my plane ticket to visit straightaway. How could I not see him in infancy?

My love for newborns has been in me since I was a wee one, but I really fell in love with the tiny people back when I was a nanny in Charlestown my first year out of college. Remember Alistair? I watched that little buddy from birth to 2 years and loved every single second of it.

So of course, I was suuuuper excited to meet Luke.

Bailey is one of my very best friends from high school. We used to do all the classic things high schoolers do. You know, like watch Dawson’s Creek, jam out to Backstreet Boys, and eat chocolate milk and cookies after school. The good stuff.

It’s kind of crazy to watch your friend become a mom. One minute she’s just like you and then the next BAM! she’s got a kid to take care of forever. A cute one, no doubt, but a little living breathing body all the same.

I myself am totally and completely excited to be a mom someday but as for right now, it’s enough just taking care of me, myself, and I. I mean, honestly, sometimes I still forget to brush my teeth in the morning.

Aaaaanyways. This little nugget is just too precious. And I’m just so proud of my friend. She’s going to be a terrific mom, I just KNOW it.

He is a peanut!!

Wanna see some pictures of him? Check ’em.

HE IS ADORABLE.

Oh, I could just squeeeeeze him. Squeeze him so tight.

– – – – – – – – – – –

So Bailey, who’s got a knack for design, entered Luke’s bedroom to be featured on Apartment Therapy… and she got selected! It really is so simple and adorable.

You can check out the Apartment Therapy feature here. I think it’s just the coolest.

– – – – – – – – – – –

While I was visiting I tried to give Luke a little photo shoot, seeing as I’m a budding photographer and all.

I think they’re halfway decent for a first-timer. But really though, when you have a tiny being like this it’s hard not to love on him big time.

“Hey, girl, that’s enough with the photographs.”

“Whatever, it’s time for my beauty sleep. Catch ya, later!”

Too precious, I tell ya. Too flippin’ precious.

22 Comments · Filed Under: children, friends, life, travel ·

new york city: day three

April 27, 2012

And here we are at the final day of the most epic NYC trip of all time.

Amiright? So right.

We actually had originally planned to leave on Sunday, but were having so much fun we decided to stay an extra night. Staying an extra day though, meant not enough clothes packed, and it was a scorcher too that weekend (88 degrees!). I’d only brought two dresses, and my sister brought one, so what did we do? Switched clothes, of course. That’s what sisters are for, after all.

Here’s a look at our last morning in the city…

Meg and I spent the morning eating croissants and drinking coffee in Central Park. It was so close to where we were staying, and the weather was downright fabulous, that we both agreed that it was the perfect place for breakfast.

From there we walked towards the MET with the idea of doing a little Museum hopping, only to discover it was closed for the day. So instead, we went and did a little shopping instead. We went to J.crew and Joe Fresh to love on all the stripes in style this season. It’s not just me, you guys. Stripes are EVERYWHERE. All the rage, all the time. And I be lovin’ it!

After a morning of reflecting on our good times, and a decent amount of sunshine and wandering, it was time for us to catch the train.

I am usually sad to leave, but the weekend was so full of fun, and I was excited for my next destination, that I was just happy inside and nothing else. Plus, there is something about leaving out of Grand Central Station that makes trips to New York even more special.

I always love this part. It’s an experience that I relish in every single time…

Grand Central Station is THE most magical train station I’ve ever stepped foot in.

Have you ever been?

One look up and it takes my breath away.

And with that, we boarded the train and said goodbye to a great weekend, great friends, and an amazing city.

Thanks for the memories, NY! See you soon!

(I’m lucky enough to be heading back to New York in one month’s time. On the next trip I’ll be spending more time in Brooklyn with my high school girlfriends at The Great GoogaMooga Festival in Prospect Park. 4 words: I CAN’T FLIPPING WAIT.)

And of course, here’s my daily dose of instagrams for you…

Next week we’ll head to Charlotte for some baby time. Little Luke can’t wait to say hi.

Happy WEEKEND and thanks for tagging along!

{did you miss it? read NYC: day one and day two}

18 Comments · Filed Under: instagram, life, travel ·

new york city: day two

April 26, 2012

Oh, Sunday. I think you were my favorite.

Day two in New York City was Ahh-mazing with a capital A. I spent the whole day in Manhattan, and when I say the whole day, I mean from sun up to sun down, walking and skipping from place to place.

I started out early with a walk to find coffee. Remember, I had my own keys and I could do as I pleased, so I left the apartment on the Upper East Side with my yoga pants on and a neon yellow t-shirt. I walked wherever I felt like walking really, and you better believe there was a bounce in my pony tail…

GOOD MORNING, NEW YORK CITY!

The weather forecast said rain, but I only saw sunshine. Happiness!

As I walked along I couldn’t help but notice all the tulips. I spotted colored tulips galore, and then when I got to Park Ave there was just a sea of yellow tulips at each intersection. Gorgeous springtime yellow! Oh, I loved it.

The architecture in Manhattan is so beautiful. I kept trying to imagine the families that live in these buildings and apartments, both today and in the past. I passed by so many different homes, juggling between taking pictures and just enjoying the walk.

Sometimes it’s exhausting to be a blogger.

At one point, I turned the corner to head across to the park and I just caught myself directly in front the the Guggenheim.

!!!!!!

This is one of my favorite parts about wandering around a city. The discovering of significant places out of the blue? This has happened to me before. I just stop in my tracks and just stare wide-eyed for a minute, amazed and speechless. I always take a deep breath and stand still for a minute, and then of course, I start snapping pictures. Naturally.

I am 25% wanna-be New Yorker, and 75% TOTAL TOURIST.

No shame.

I tried to cross into the park after this, but couldn’t get past all the women running in the half-marathon that morning. I contemplated for about 10 minutes whether to try to run across or not, but ultimately decided not too. Knowing me I’d probably trip or something. I always struggle most in the worst situations.

I do love a good marathon, though, so I was glad to stand there and watch for a bit. I always get the shivers. I myself can just barely run one mile, so the idea of 13 is incredibly impressive.

The Boston Marathon?

Please. I cry every single time.

But come on, you must cry too. The inspiration!!

I was super sad to miss Marathon Monday this year, but it was actually happening this very same weekend, so unfortunately I had to live vicariously through my Boston instagram friends. You can’t win ’em all, I guess.

After heading back to the apartment to shower and change for the day, I met up with my friend Katie again. This time, it was to do a little apartment hunting! She had an appointment with a relator, so I tagged along to take a look too!

Check out the rooftop view.

Killer.

Yeah, I wouldn’t mind hanging up there on the weekends. Wouldn’t mind one single bit.

I wonder what you’ll decide, KPrime! Can’t wait to come visit you in your new digs.

After that little treat of a view I was on my way to brunch.

BLOGGER BRUNCH! What UP.

The excitement was unreal. And it’s safe to say, I love these ladies.

Their blogs? Oh, I’m obsessed with them. They’re both two of my go-to reads. As soon as they post, I am there. It’s good stuff, people. Really good stuff.

Colleen’s over at Ordinary Tales, and Molly blogs at Mr. & Mrs. Rigoloso in Detail.

They’re good people and great writers. I know you’d like them.

We talked and laughed and drank mimosas. Quite a lot of mimosas actually. They went down so smooth. We had the company of Molly’s and Colleen’s men, and also Tina, their perfectly stylish red-headed friend. And so nice too. I love a fun lively group, and this was it.

And for brunch? We ate at Resto and I ate the most amazing eggs benedict over a waffle and with bacon. LUSCIOUS.

Colleen got the pancakes, which was my second choice. Love me some good buttermilks.

Basically, with the people and the food and the delicious drinks and crazy good fries, I was in a dream world.

Love that.

Oh hay, pretty friend. HAAAAY.

After brunch we had milkshakes. Because, really, why not?

I had chocolate malt— a forever favorite.

We spent over three hours together, my new friends and I. And I can’t wait til we do it again!

My gosh, are you still reading???? Because I’m not done yet.

There’s still the afternoon in the Park! After brunch I took the subway back uptown to meet up with my sister and her friends, who had been spending the day on a blanket in Central Park with snacks and cold beer. Just straight up livin’ the good life.

It was so nice sitting on that grass watching the world go by.

And as if the day wasn’t jam packed enough, a group of us made the last minute decision to eat at the Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem that night.

BOOM.

(If there was ever an opportunity for me to write a BOOM in a blog post that was it. The Dinosaur originated in Syracuse, NY so it’s obviously very near and dear to our hearts.)

And so it goes, it was, quite literally, the perfect ending to a perfect day.