Link Love

Another week down! August is really putting them away quick, in two short weeks I'll be back in Iowa, closing out the summer with a wedding…and probably putting away as many $3 gin-and-tonic's as I safely can before I come back to the land of hey-this-drink-is-ONLY-$10 (friends at home, now accepting applications for my DD for the week). Anyways, I digress. This weekend is going to be all about sunshine, friends and sandy beaches, including a day trip to Jones Beach on Sunday...starting with my last summer Friday of the year. Is it 2p yet?

Spent way too long enjoying these Benedict Cumberbatch memes....and in case you haven't see it, what's his name again?

I can already tell I'll want to live in this sweatshirt dress come fall—on its own while temps hold, and layered with thick tights and a blazer once they drop.

Your dose of gorgeousness for the day.

Justin Peck + Mary Katrantzou for the NYC Ballet. Say it ain't so!

A cute, classic carry-all for fall.

My friends & I are brunch fanatics—all the more reason to check out the 10 or so places I haven't tried yet on Refinery29's NYC brunch list!

J. Crew's Maren sandals have quickly become my go-to for every outfit (bonus: they're (well) made in Italy!).

Loved this interview with Jody Williams (you may know her as the chef of Buvette in NYC!).

My Steve Madden backpack is sold out—but I'm digging this faux-leather update for fall!

The skirt I'll be dreaming about all fall.

This video makes my hometown pride flair up.

Image via Cecilia Sun

Summer Rain

A few weeks ago, my friends and I hatched a plan to drive out to Jones Beach for an entire day, which you may remember is on my summer to-do list…car was booked, work was requested off, sunscreen was stocked up and beach essentials were purchased. Mother Nature, that fickle creature, had other plans for that day. 

I got a text last Tuesday asking if I'd looked at the forecast…so I wincingly checked it to see a high of 75. And rain. Lots of rain from Friday til Sunday, so we cancelled the car and rescheduled everything for this coming weekend, and then guess what? It barely rained! Sure, the sun didn't come out much, but I don't mind when I'm dozing on the beach to the sound of gently crashing waves and chatter of happy people (this weekend: high of 85 and NO CLOUDS). Bring it, weekend. 

Since I had to figure out what the heck I was going to do with my weekend, I opted for the next most logical decision to beach: brunch (part of the three B's, the third of which is booze…a little different than the ones my sorority banned during initiation week: boys, booze and bars. I'm clearly a sucker for alliteration). I visited an old favorite in my neighborhood and a new place I'd been wanting to check out for ages in Manhattan—all accompanied by my new favorite summer accessory, the backpack (the fourth B in this equation). Can someone explain why it took so long for me to jump on this trend? I sure can't. 

Inside my bag for the weekend: camera (obvi), my latest summer book, a few magazines I haven't gotten around to, my external mophie charger, makeup bag, sunglasses, actual glasses, an apple and Organic Avenue grapefruit juice. Not only does the bag hide the exorbitant amount of sh*t I find myself carrying around on any given day, the straps equally distribute the weight and I barely notice I'm carrying 15 extra lbs around with me, which is usually split between an overstuffed bag on each shoulder. I'm thinking a classic leather one is next!

Zara Linen Top and Classic Pants || J. Crew Maren Sandals || Steve Madden Backpack c/o Zappos

Italia Independent sunglasses c/o Zappos || Michael Kors Watch

C. Wonder Chain Bracelet || Essie in Play Date

Brooklyn Bound

A few weekends ago, the weather got bearably warm enough that my friends and I took a jaunt over to Brooklyn to hit up antique shops and the Flea, something we usually reserve for warmer seasons as the warehouse-style settings can be pretty frigid. After such a brutally long, snowy winter, 30-degree weather felt amazingly warm to us. First, though, we hit up brunch at a new little neighborhood favorite—The Sparrow Tavern, conveniently across the street from the one place in Astoria most people are familiar with, the beer garden. Not only were the food & drinks great, they let you snag a seat even if your whole party isn't there yet (and if you live in NYC, you know that's a big deal). 

Can we take a moment to talk about this sweatshirt, too? It's from menswear designer Todd Snyder (part of his collaboration with Champion—he's also an Iowa native), and though I've only had it a month it's quickly become a wardrobe staple. Sure, I'm partial to the blue color—no surprise there—but it's just plain comfortable. It's transitioned from nights at home to office wear to weekend wear faster than you can blink, all I have to do is pull on a blazer or throw a chic statement necklace on top!

Zara Coat || Todd Snyder Sweatshirt || Boyfriend Jeans (old) || Zara Bag

Loeffler Randall Booties || Baublebar Necklace || Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Citrus-hued Colorblocking

I met up with Jessica, Jen and Tracy this weekend to check out Jen's incredibly cute (her adorable mantle!) new apartment before getting brunch at The Bluebell Cafe, a country-chic restaurant in Gramercy.

It's December now and most people are wearing heavy, dark coats & lots of black (not that wearing lots of black is new for NYC), so naturally I wore bright green jeans & a yellow coat with pink lipstick. I kind of stick out a lot in my neighborhood full of families & Greek & Italian immigrants.

Coat, Guess (old) | Scarf, Loft | Jeans, BDG at Urban Outfitters (similar style) | Gloves, Zara

Top, Anthropologie | Bracelets, Sequin (old) | Earrings, Brooklyn Flea | Rings, vintage & family gifts

Shoes, Zara

xx

Sunday Brunch Sparkle

I spent my Sunday trying to get back to normal this weekend...by taking the train into the city and getting brunch, of course! I met up with Jessica, Jenny, and Tracy and we attempted a go at Alice's Tea Cup Chapter II, but learned they don't take same day reservations (boo, but lesson learned). We ended up at a diner around the corner on Lexington, then strolled to the park to snap some photos. Luckily, Sandy didn't take ALL the fall leaves with her.

(P.S. I know my hair looks a little crazy, but I'm going to take this opportunity to blame it on the hurricane. Next time, I'll have to find a better excuse).

Scarf, a street vendor in Italy | Sweater, Zara | Jeans, Joe's Jeans

Shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

Alexandrite ring, gift from my sister | Skeleton Key Ring, Ashley Nizolek (on sale!)

 Nail Polish (two colors) both Sephora by OPI

Bracelets, Sequin

I purchased this sweater as an I-survived-the-hurricane present to myself, and I'm already in love with it. The nails I had to try after reading a new tutorial that promised a better gradient, although I'm not convinced it was the best tactic! One nail came out great, but the rest didn't blend as well as I'd like. Still, I'm in love with the deep purple + rich turquoise combo. 

Thanks Jen for shooting my photos!

xx