Special Visits

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my cousin (who's visiting from France) and staying with moi for a long weekend! I can't wait to catch up and hear about everything that's going on in her life. Plus, it's a great excuse for me to get out and be touristy in my own city (something I looove to do). Can you imagine being a high school student in Paris? It seems like such an amazing opportunity. I'm hoping to brush up on my French a little bit too in preparation for Montreal in a few weeks. There's so much going on in August. I love it! Here are some of the fun things I have planned for this weekend.

Morning coffee at my favorite local spot


Minor league ball game at McCoy


Sushi date night


Beach day at Little Compton


Crepes at Duck & Bunny


Seaside dinner (with lots of local seafood!) in Narragansett


Late-night games of Scrabble



I just wish her flight would stop getting delayed & she could be here already!

1,000 Words

I had a great time at Foxwoods yesterday for Marc's birthday. It really felt like I was away on a mini-vacay thanks to the gorgeous pool and fancy amenities. Here are a few shots I took with my iPhone using the Shake It Polaroid app. Doesn't it make even basic photos look somewhat professional?! I was pretty impressed!

Dinner at Shrine was absolutely amazing. The sushi was so fresh it melted in your mouth. We liked it so much that we went back for a late lunch the next day!

The casinos were filled with lavish decorations and every last little detail was definitely taken into consideration. This chandelier was one of my favorites. It looked like a waterfall!

We stopped at Alta Strada for a night cap, where they had a sleek stainless steel bar complemented by dark wooden accents. I love how they had their wines and specials written on big chalkboards overhead.

We ended the night by enjoying a piece of Junior's world-famous cheesecake while lounging in our suite. I definitely felt like a VIP on our visit! Next time I hope to take advantage of one of the many relaxing spa treatments.

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to my amazing boyfriend, Marc! I'm so happy that we're celebrating together today and I hope all of your birthday wishes come true.

Here's to many more!

images via beauty in everything

Luck Be a Lady Tonight

I know the time at work today is going to crawl, not only because it's Monday, but also because it's a mini Friday for me. You see, I have an impromptu getaway planned for this evening (and the day off tomorrow). I'm whisking my boyfriend away to the MGM Grand Resort & Casino (in Connecticut) for his birthday. I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate with a fancy dinner and some gambling (although I don't really know how). He's entering a poker tournament tomorrow morning and I plan on taking full advantage of the cabanas by the pool. I've never even been to Atlantic City or Vegas (or any casino for that matter), so this should be quite an adventure. Any and all tips are welcome, but I think I'd be better off sticking to the shops and spa.

Wish me luck!

Picture This

I love Jonathan Adler's classic, yet whimsical sense of design. He has some fantastic accent pieces and clever vases that could really help in sprucing up a room in your home. My favorite part of the collection right now is this great Greek key frame. Lucky for me it just went on sale! I think a black and white photo would really stand out against the matte porcelain, don't you?

Sheer Relaxation

There's something so refreshing about a weekend that has absolutely zero plans. Don't get me wrong, I love looking at my calendar and seeing it jam-packed with events and get-togethers with friends, but that can be exhausting after a while. This weekend, I've enjoyed doing a whole lot of nothing (other than my scheduled Saturday morning jog with Karen). It's given me time to catch up on reading blogs, leisurely flip through some of my favorite magazines, and start season three of How I Met Your Mother on DVD. This particular weekend couldn't have come at a better time because it continues to be unbearably hot & humid in the northeast. Plus, I have so much coming up in August that this seemed like a much-needed time to relax and recharge.

Hope you're all enjoying your weekends too!

image via we heart it

Burch Buys

I'm currently crushing on these great items over at Tory Burch. She is such a classy lady and I could see myself with a closet full of her staples.

I love the worn-in chambray shirttrend, and this one seems perfect. I'm still debating whether or not I'd pair it with darker jeans, though. Thoughts?


This dress is so simple and chic, but the subtle gold shimmer really takes it to the next level. I love how the asymmetrical shoulder keeps it looking modern.


I love the pretty sequin detailing on these cap sleeves. I prefer the tee in crisp white, but it was featured in Glamour (as styled by Lauren Conrad) and is now totally sold out. It would look equally as good with jeans as it would with a skirt or even tailored pants.


This casual clutch has a beachy feel, but could still transition from everyday use to cocktails out with friends on a warm summer night.

And my all-time favorite: her new line of evil-eye jewelry. So pretty! You can read all about the beliefs associated with wearing the evil-eye here.


Which looks do you love?

Cookie Monster

I've been keeping a mental list of things to do and see next time I visit New York City and at the top of my list is a stop at Levain Bakery. Their cookies have an amazing reputation and are literally the size of frisbees! They've been featured on Oprah, Food Network, and even made Yelp's top 100 foods of NYC. The bakery has their very own blog that you can check out here. There's something so inviting about the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. I love when food evokes memories of childhood and I can't wait to try the dark chocolate peanut butter chip. Yum!

Have you been to Levain before?

top image via z-mation; others via Levain

The Next Big Thing

I've had this conversation with a few people recently, and I'm curious to hear your take on it. I think it's safe to say that the whole cupcake frenzy has pretty much been beaten to death and is on its way out (case in point: the horrible DC Cupcake show that premiered last week). Sad, I know. That's not to say that a delicious red velvet cupcake will never be enjoyed again, it's just time for something new to take the spotlight. I have a few ideas, such as the somewhat healthy fro-yo craze (which I love) or even the crepe shops that have been popping up all over more recently. Personally, I hope it's something that's fun, tasty, and miniature (for built-in portion control & cuteness factor). I'd be happy with different variations on traditional coconut macaroons (not the French kind) or even bite-sized scones with unique flavorings.

What do you think? What's the next big foodie trend? And will anything ever blow up quite like the cupcake craze?

image via we heart it

Sprinkles Galore

I love sparkly sanding sugar and confetti sprinkles, so naturally I was drawn to these amazing shelves. They're so colorful and aesthetically pleasing as part of a kitchen's decor. I mostly love the sheer number of options. From rainbow jimmies to those little metallic spheres that break your teeth, every single one has a great purpose. The containers remind me of beakers in a chemistry lab and the possibilities are virtually endless. Eat your heart out, Martha.

photo source unknown

Beachy Keen

Usually by mid-July, I have at least a handful of beach days under my belt. Sadly, this summer has not been so beachy. I've only ventured out once (and that was just to stroll in the surf). I'm hoping to change that this weekend and actually spend a full day soaking up the sun, flipping through magazines, taking naps on my blanket, and cooling off in the ocean. I love getting up and out early to stake out some prime real estate and beat the crowds.

It's kind of scary that it's already late July. Where did the time go?! I always panic when the summer clothes get marked down (waaaay too soon) and fall clothes start appearing in stores. Did you know they're already advertising back to school gear at my local Staples??? It's complete madness! Good thing I have lots of vacation time coming up in the next six weeks. I can't wait to relax and recharge!

How is your summer going?

photo via we heart it

Charmed

I kind of have to have this bracelet. When I first saw it in a magazine, I figured it was made by Chanel (hence the number 5), but I did some research and found that it's actually made by Archive, a vintage-inspired line of affordable bijoux. The best part? You can customize the number to include your lucky number. I'm thinking of ordering three of them with the number 3 (one for each of my sisters and myself). So, girls, if you're reading this, you have to be surprised if I do end up gifting it to you. It would be sort of like a modern charm/friendship bracelet and a great way to stay connected even when we're apart (awww). I've gotten even more sentimental as I've gotten older. Scary.

I think it would look great layered with some other chunky bracelets, don't you?!

Dog Days of Summer

It's been unbearably hot and humid in New England over the past few days and there doesn't seem to be any relief in sight. I've been waking up early and getting as much done as possible before it's just too hot to be out and about. This morning I took a nice jog and went blueberry picking, all before 10 am! Days like this are meant to be spent either at the beach or at home in the air conditioning. One of my favorite ways to beat the heat is by making homemade popsicles. When I was a kid, I was all about the Dole raspberry fruit bars. They were so refreshing and always turned my lips a deep purple! I recently came across a recipe for Greek yogurt pops, which sounds like the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. I may just have to give these a whirl before the weekend is up.

How do you beat the heat?

images via beauty in everything

Spiny Activewear

This amazing yoga tank has been on my mind since I discovered it in my inbox this morning (thanks Daily Candy!). I love its slouchy, relaxed shape and eerie spine print. I think it would serve as a constant reminder for me to sit up straight and maintain good posture, plus I have an affinity for racerback styles (they make shoulders look so strong). I've never seen anything like it and it's taking quite a bit of willpower not to click "proceed to checkout."

What do you think? Is it worth the splurge?

Closet Envy

I've been ogling these closet shots from Kelly of The Glamourai all week. I only wish I used my closet space this efficiently. It's ridiculously amazing. I love that it's not an incredibly large closet, but it takes advantage of all of the vertical space. I never even thought about arranging my shoes on the top shelves of my closet. Brilliant. I desperately need a closet intervention. Like NOW.

Are you this organized? What are your tricks of the trade?

Bed Head

Seriously. Why can't my hair look exactly like this when I roll out of bed? Is that too much to ask? It just looks so casual, yet totally chic. Love the aviators too!

seen on because im addicted

Blueberry Fields Forever

I'm so excited to go blueberry picking this weekend with my friend Karen! Last September I went to a local farm to gather apples and pumpkins (which seems like forever ago). It was such a fun time! I can't wait to load up on lots of fresh berries and use them to make a summery dessert (like this crumb cake) or sprinkle them on my morning cereal. I've picked raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries before, but this will be my first experience with blueberries. It's supposed to be a hot, summery day and I can't think of a better way to take advantage of the season!

Do you have a favorite blueberry recipe?

image via Beauty in Everything

Aidez-Moi

I'm super excited about my upcoming trip to Montreal in August! It'll be the first time in several years that my mom and both of my sisters take a vacation together. We're staying at the W hotel, but as of right now, we don't have any very specific plans. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations of places to go and things to see/do in Montreal. I know my younger sister has some shopping destinations in mind and my mom wants to see the older parts of the city, but other than that we're open to ideas! I know the city has lots of great architecture to see and I'm hoping to do a lot of walking and exploring on foot (and brush up on my very rusty high school French). Any ideas would be great, especially places that are off the beaten path.

Merci beaucoup!

Say Cheese

Now that I've crossed "attend an outdoor concert" off of my summer to-do list, it's time to move on to the next item: photo booth session. I've always loved the nostalgia associated with photo booths. It's a great way to be silly and instantly get a cute black & white strip of memories as a souvenir. I love the simplicity behind them, and I've often thought of how much fun it would be to do a photo booth album instead of a traditional guest book at a wedding. There's a great website that lists locations of photo booths all around the world and even showcases some amazing art.



When I think of photo booths, I'm always reminded of the movie Beaches (total tear-jerker) with Bette Midler and the girl who played Blossom (Mayim Bialik). Anyway, there's a scene on the boardwalk where the two girls go into a photo booth and print out pictures to remember the summer they met. Too cute! I'm hoping to go on a photo booth adventure with Marc and take funny-faced shots to stick on my bedroom mirror. Sounds fun, right?!

top images via flickr; Beaches photo via IMDb

To The Sea

Amazing. That pretty much sums up the Jack Johnson show from last night. I had a great time and it was definitely a highlight of my summer thus far. I was worried about the crazy thunderstorms that passed through most of yesterday, but it magically cleared up in the late afternoon and was gorgeous for tailgating and the concert! I threw together this Greek-style shrimp and orzo pasta salad (a huge hit) and paired it with cheese & crackers and some tasty brews for our picnic and we even managed to score amazing pavilion tickets at the (very) last minute. I felt up close and personal to the band, G Love, and of course Jack.

I've loved his music for a while now, but my admiration has skyrocketed since last night. He is amazingly talented and really puts on a fun, memorable show. It was nice to see lots of families and tons of green organizations promoting recycling, carpooling, and sustainability on the tour. I even waited in line for waaaay too long for the obligatory concert tee shirt (thanks babe!). Best part of the night: singing along at the top of my lungs to Banana Pancakes and hearing some great new songs off of To The Sea. You know it was a good show when you listen to the albums on the way home and all the next day. Oh, and he gave an adorable shout out to his mom & mother-in-law (who were in the audience). Love it.

I'm trying to convince M that we need to see another tour date. Preferably on the west coast.

image via We Heart It

Banana Pancakes

Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside...
But baby, you hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what you're supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now

I'm really looking forward to going to my first outdoor concert of the summer this evening. I'll be seeing Jack Johnson, which should be a great time, considering I associate so many of his songs with summertime! Marc & I are going to pack up some beverages and tasty snacks and get to the venue early to take advantage of tailgating and hopefully a gorgeous sunset. I have my fingers crossed that Jack will play my absolute favorite song of his, Banana Pancakes. The song has the ability to instantly put a smile on my face, which is ironic because I loathe bananas (with a passion).


I hope you all enjoy your Saturday & have something fun planned for tonight!

images via Beauty in Everything

Sugar Rush

I am head over heels in love with Planet Blue's collaboration with Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere for their summer lookbook. This should not come as a surprise to any of you, as I will use any excuse to reference her blog (because I am obsessed). The photo shoot took place on the Santa Monica pier and has a playful & vibrant feel to it. All of the outfits were styled by Emily and I think she did an amazing job! I love how she mixed in props like cotton candy, heart shaped sunglasses, and a vintage camera. These are just a few of my favorite shots and pieces from the summer collection. It makes me want to drop everything and jet to California to soak up the sun and wear dresses all year round.

Which item from the lookbook is your favorite? I keep revisiting this maxi dress and this military-inspired jacket, which could transition nicely to my fall wardrobe.