New York, New York

I just got back from a trip with the fam to NYC.  I luuhhhve that city.  The buzzing energy and countless things to see and eat are amazing.  Coming home seems painfully dull, and I always dream of a move East.  Today I came across two articles about the lust-worthy city.  This article from Time Magazine states that NYC is one of the unhappiest cities.  Interesting.  This article from The Daily Mail says 1 in 25 residents is a millionaire.  Double interesting. 

Current Read



 

Book o' the week: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  At over 700 pages, it follows the story of Theo Decker, a young boy who loses his mother and his life.  Anchoring the story is Theo's obsession with the painting The Goldfinch and the outrageous choices he makes to protect it.  The Goldfinch is a beautiful story and incredibly well written.  If you're looking for good literature, definitely read it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. Vanity Fair's article about how critics aren't as enamored with The Goldfinch as readers are.  

Lusting

After yesterday's post, I was craving ice cream.  Then I found this Moschino iPhone case and was craving it more.  Plus no sugar!

 

 

We All Scream

Ice cream!  Well on our way into July, I am well versed in ice cream.  One of my favorite treats is a red slushy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream from Dairy Queen.  Or Red Mango's tart original frozen yogurt with all the treats!  Gummy bears, peanut butter cups, m&ms, butter fingers, you name it, I like it.  I've been looking for a few ice cream treats to make at home, and here are two that have my mouth watering and body headed to the store. 

Cupcake and Cashmere's homemade drumsticks look ahhhhh-mazing.  Drumsticks are a usual fave of mine and the fresh, homemade version look perfect. 

Photo and link originally posted on Cupcakes and Cashmere

 

 

Ice cream cookie sandwiches aren't normally my favorite, while my sisters are all what would you do for an ice cream sandwich.  However, these from The Artful Desperado sure do seem hard to look in the eye and say no to.

 

 

Photo and link originally posted on The Artful Desperado



Viva America

Happy 4th of July!!

 

 

 

P.S.  Check out this list of 100 civics questions that is used for the US citizenship exam.



Golden

One of my favorite favorite favorite pieces of jewelry is my Catbird Threadbare Ring.  I should say rings, because so far I have two.  I would love one on each finger.  They're delicate, shimmering, and beautiful.  My newest lust is their new necklace that can either hang down the front, or how I'd wear it, down your back. 

 Catbird Threadbare Ring

Catbird The Changeling

 

Catbird The Tiniest Ring

Cheeky Pouches

Pamela Barsky makes some killer pouches.  There are tons to choose from, and most of them are seriously funny!  I received one for my birthday that was slightly cheekier than the ones below...Buy them here.

Stumped

I am desperate for a tree stump table.  I saw this beauty at Z Gallerie last year and fell in love.  With my affinity for white interiors, this table would add the perfect amount of wild and whimsy.  Effortless yet statement making.  For a side table, I would love to find a tree stump and DIY my way to my dreams.  A Beautiful Mess has an article that covers the process of making your own.  If you need more help just google 'DIY tree stump table.'  If you're less into elbow grease and more into flexing your shopping muscles, Crate & Barrel has a nice option. 

 

diy tree stump inspiration

sequoia console table


 

root accent table
 



sequoia dining table

 

Crate & Barrel

Greetings

A beautiful greeting card is hard to find.  Usually they're too sappy or tacky for my taste.  They should be simple but striking.  Or even a touch of silly.  Either pop one of these cards in the mail with a lottery ticket tucked in, or add a bottle of champagne, a beautiful flower, or the perfect sweet and hand deliver.  Ta da!  You have the perfect gift. 

Happy B-Day Indigo Card

Hello Darling Card

 

Striped Thank You Card

 

 

XO Card, Boxed Set

 

You're A Fox Card

 

 

Anatomy Of Love Card

Shimmering Birthday Card

 

Hello Gorgeous Card

Parenting Manifesto

I was chatting with my older sister in her car the other day, and in the middle of our conversation her four year old threw an empty McDonald's cup at my head.  He has pretty good aim.  My sister later sent me this article from the Huffington Post with crazy tips to prepare for parenthood.  Great, there is so much to look forward to.

This article, also from The Huffington Post, has a more serious take on parenthood.  Brene Brown, the queen of daring greatly, wrote The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto.  It was inspired by Toni Morrison's account of how she always made sure her face would light up when her children entered the room, instead of criticizing or getting right to the parenting business.  This manifesto is absolutely an inspiration.  Parents and non-parents alike can take this to heart and use it as a mission statement for life and any relationship one has.

You can go here to download an illustrated copy of the manifesto.

Fountain of Youth

For my birthday last week I was smug about welcoming old wrinkles with "mirth and laughter."  It was a lie!  I don't want any.  Nope, no thank you.  I use retinol from my dermatologist, which works for both blemishes and wrinkles,  because I am really lucky that my skin both wants to and cannot grow up.  But the beauty industry would have one believe that at least 10 other anti-aging  products are needed.  Here are a few other products I hope will help with the proverbial fountain of youth. 

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment

 

 

Clarisonic Aria Cleansing System

 

 

Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic

 

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

 

Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concetrate

 

Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30

 

 

Current Read

Last week I read The Fault in Our Stars.  It was one of the best books I have read in a long time, and I absolutely adored it.  It was funny, sweet, sad and incredibly well written.  It is definitely a must read.  I am currently reading Dan Brown's Inferno.  I purchased it months ago when it came out but have held onto it for summer.   He always follows the same formula for his books, but it makes for a an exciting beach read. 

Happy Birthday to Meeeeee

Today is my birthday!  My older sister and I actually share this special day, and we will be celebrating in our usual style, with pizza, cake, champagne and our loved ones.  What other way is there?  We live life according to Shakespeare, "With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."  Although I hope those old wrinkles hold off for a few years.  Cheers to us and another grand year!

 



 

P.S. I am 9,862 days old.  See how old you are here.

Beautify

I am kind of a beauty junky.  Oddly enough I am also kind of a minimalist.  Or lazy, whichever you prefer.  But it doesn't stop me from buying makeup, even if it spends more time in my makeup bag than on my face.  But I think these staples would get a lot of playing time.  Here are my current makeup lusts and some I actually use.

 

 

Make Up Forever Full Cover Concealer

 

 

 

Mac Prep and Prime Finishing Powder

 

 

 

RMS Living Luminzer

 

 

 

 

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Eye Shadow #15

 

 

 

Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

 

 

 

 

Nars Lipstick Schiap

 

 

 

 

VS Shine Drama Lip Gloss in Innocent

 

Lusting

My birthday is this week (!) and I have been searching for a gift for my mom to give me.  Exciting, I know.  I found this completely rad, flashy Clare Vivier Oversize Clutch, and although I won't be receiving it, I am certainly lusting after it. 

Current Read

The Fault in Our Stars came out today.  I usually like to read the book before watching the movie and then be obnoxious and tell you the book is aaaaaalways better than the movie.  But I'll be doing it backward this time.  The sadness of the book has left me terrified to read it!  However, since the movie is out now, and I hate to be left out, I figured I would give the movie a try.  If I can handle it then I'll read the book.  Wish me luck.

 

 

Art

I've always had a massive appreciation for art.  But these hands of mine are unfortunately only good for bringing doughnuts and champagne to my mouth.  Some might say that is an art too.  Maybe in my next life...

 

James Nares

 

 

Inslee



 

Yves Klein

 

 

Christopher Wool

 

 

Donald Robertson

 

 

Matthew Heller

 

 

Heather Day

 

 

Jenna Snyder Phillips