Insta-Update

Sometimes, I fancy myself a photographer...in case you don't already follow me on Instagram, here's some pics to update you on what I've been up to this past month (while being very lax on posts, I know! More to come on that, soon).

SantaCon, 2012. What am I, you ask? A candy cane, duh!

My nails got dressed up for Christmas.

One of the fireplaces in my childhood home. Such a cozy sight!

My family has 4 dogs, plus we puppy-sat for my best friend! My baby is in the front right.

It's not Christmas if my family isn't drinking Moscow Mules.

Oh cold & snow, we're just not friends.

Dinner with one of my very close friends. Yes, it was instagram-worthy!

No matter how long I'm in NYC, this'll always be my home. DSM love!

Bubbles on the NYC street

Lace & beads for NYE

Happy New Year!

My childhood home, all dressed up for the holidays.

Shoe-shopping damage from my trip home...

And, finally, a little post-brunch UWS sunshine this past weekend!

Sometimes, I take pictures with intention, sometimes I just like to show off things in my life. Everything in this post makes me incredibly happy, though! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to catch me in real-time.

xx

Stripes & Coins

The trees in these photos are probably a giveaway that they were taken before the holiday break (thanks Jessica!) when I spent a day with my blogging besties enjoying the gorgeous early December weather.

What can I say, I'm slow-but better late than never!

There's nothing more comfy & simple to me than a T-shirt, no matter the cut. A good T is like a blank canvas that I can cover with huge, sparkly accessories & accentuate with bright, candy colored lipstick. As I frequently do. I love Gap's long sleeve T's and always stock up on new ones every fall, usually because I've done something to ruin the ones I bought the year before (typical). 

I sent one of these photos to Gap on Twitter for their #GAPLove campaign in December & ended up on their billboard in Times Square! Incredibly cool & officially checking that off the bucket list.

Striped Long Sleeve T, Gap | Jeans, 7 For All Mankind | Studded Shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

Necklace, Sequin

 And...me on a billboard! Pretty neat, isn't it?

xx

Give Me Everything Cozy

This may not be a known fact to my readers yet, but I am not a huge fan of winter. And by that, I mean I'd much rather be in 90 degree, humid weather than deal with cold, dry, snowy days. This probably stems from my seven years as a lifeguard where all I wore during the summer was a swimsuit with gym shorts & a tank for the car ride there, but really I think I've never liked the cold!

image via

My winter trip home to Iowa was full of temperatures in the teens, lots of snow & a fire in the fireplace daily. The only thing that makes it more bearable is a good, chunky knit sweater. I was delayed in NYC an extra two days and took my frustrations out with a shopping trip to Zara's autumn/winter sale where I picked up two knits that are already in heavy rotation. I normally love a great bright color, but when it comes to winter sweaters, I prefer a good neutral. It's calming when you're snuggled up in front of the fireplace with some hot tea or cocoa! I picked out some of my favorites from around the web to get us through the rest of the cold days ahead. 

(L to R) Purple Mohair Knit, J Crew

Checked Sweater, ASOS | Cable Pullover, Cut25 by Yigal Azrouel | Silver Reed Sweater, Free People

Button Back Cable Sweater, LOFT | Open Knit Pullover, Free People

Stay warm! Spring is right around the corner. 

xx

Happy New Year

I can't believe it's already 2013! I'm back in NYC & soon will be back to work and a much more normal schedule. I celebrated last night at my apartment with close friends, games & lots of champagne-it was lots of fun, until I dozed off curled up in a chair, having been up for far too many hours.

I am incredibly thankful for all the opportunities that came to me this past year, the places I went & things I did, but most importantly, the people I met & the friends I made. I cannot wait to see what 2013 will bring!

With lots of love to you & yours, happy new year!

xx