WEEKEND RECAP

There are few things I love more than feeling like I really took advantage of a weekend. Will and I usually try to pencil in a dinner date, a double date or a group activity, and progress on one of our 101 in 1001 goals (he finally wrote his own list!). I thought it'd be fun to share a little glimpse into what I do each weekend... Think of it as a combination of a day in the life feature and my New York City guide posts (especially if you want a two-day itinerary for an upcoming trip!). Whether you're reading from afar or right around the corner, I hope it's a fun little read!

Friday, 5 p.m.

A call with Hanna to walk through final details for my blog redesign. Everything looks awesome and I give her my final stamp of approval. It should go live within the week — stay tuned! Obviously I celebrate the good news by popping into Sockerbit, the cutest little candy shop in the West Village, and stocking up on all things sour and cherry-flavored. (West Coast readers, they also have an LA location!)

Friday, 6 p.m.

I get a text from Katie Kime telling me my birdcage chair is ready for shipment. I freak out, text my mom, Instagram the photo, and get ready for dinner with Will and our friends Zach and Parker. We head out to Tertulia, a yummy tapas spot that makes an insanely good gin cocktail.

Saturday, 11:30 a.m. 

I head up to Columbia University to speak at the Her Campus conference with my girls Carly, Hallie, and Jess. It's my second panel of the week (Carly and I spoke at Smart Girls Group on Thursday!) and my blisters have blisters from running around in heels. I wore my Annie Griffin striped Olivia skirt (last seen here) with Ivanka Trump heels. Our panel goes off without a hitch and I get to meet lots of lovely readers afterwards! Meeting kindred spirits will forever be the best part of blogging.

Saturday, 2 p.m.

Will and I take advantage of being uptown and stroll down to lunch at Maison Kayser (one of my favorite spots when I lived on the Upper East Side!) and an afternoon at the Met (visiting three museums is on my 101 in 1001 list and Will had the Met on his as well!). No visit is complete without seeing the Temple of Dendur in the Sackler wing (that light!) and this trip I fall in love with the Charles Engelhard court (which I've been dying to see since seeing it on Jane's Instagram). 

Will wants to see the Impressionists and I have a favorite Chuck Close painting in the contemporary section so we battled the crowds and did a lot of walking. After the museum, we ran a couple errands, went to Nobu in TriBeCa for sushi (holy people watching...), and caught up on a couple hours of emails. P.S. Any recommendations for my next two museums?

Sunday, 10 a.m.

It's raining when we wake up to take Rory to the dog park so we head to the East Village for brunch instead. I found Prune through Instagram (where else?) over a year ago and am so glad to finally make it! The hot pink branding is to die for and I can't stop snapping photos. The iced coffee is so good I can drink it without a drop of milk (I usually like mine to taste closer to ice cream than black coffee...) and between the merveilles and the blueberry pancakes I'm on a major sugar high. I love love love trying new restaurants and this is definitely one I'll revisit. 

Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

All good things must come to end, but not before spotting the perfect pink building on our walk home! (Will spots it on East 5th Street and I take roughly 3,204 photos and ask myself why I don't live there.) Then we post up at Will's apartment, where I prepare this week's new arrivals, schedule a couple blog posts, and make a list of projects for my awesome interns to tackle this week! Any weekend that's a mix of good friends, good food, and good work is A-okay with me. 

What did you do this weekend? Any exciting plans for this coming one?!

There are few things I love more than feeling like I really took advantage of a weekend. Will and I usually try to pencil in a dinner date, a double date or a group activity, and progress on one of our 101 in 1001 goals (he finally wrote his own list!). I thought it'd be fun to share a little glimpse into what I do each weekend... Think of it as a combination of a day in the life feature and my New York City guide posts (especially if you want a two-day itinerary for an upcoming trip!). Whether you're reading from afar or right around the corner, I hope it's a fun little read!

Friday, 5 p.m.

A call with Hanna to walk through final details for my blog redesign. Everything looks awesome and I give her my final stamp of approval. It should go live within the week — stay tuned! Obviously I celebrate the good news by popping into Sockerbit, the cutest little candy shop in the West Village, and stocking up on all things sour and cherry-flavored. (West Coast readers, they also have an LA location!)

Friday, 6 p.m.

I get a text from Katie Kime telling me my birdcage chair is ready for shipment. I freak out, text my mom, Instagram the photo, and get ready for dinner with Will and our friends Zach and Parker. We head out to Tertulia, a yummy tapas spot that makes an insanely good gin cocktail.

Saturday, 11:30 a.m. 

I head up to Columbia University to speak at the Her Campus conference with my girls Carly, Hallie, and Jess. It's my second panel of the week (Carly and I spoke at Smart Girls Group on Thursday!) and my blisters have blisters from running around in heels. I wore my Annie Griffin striped Olivia skirt (last seen here) with Ivanka Trump heels. Our panel goes off without a hitch and I get to meet lots of lovely readers afterwards! Meeting kindred spirits will forever be the best part of blogging.

Saturday, 2 p.m.

Will and I take advantage of being uptown and stroll down to lunch at Maison Kayser (one of my favorite spots when I lived on the Upper East Side!) and an afternoon at the Met (visiting three museums is on my 101 in 1001 list and Will had the Met on his as well!). No visit is complete without seeing the Temple of Dendur in the Sackler wing (that light!) and this trip I fall in love with the Charles Engelhard court (which I've been dying to see since seeing it on Jane's Instagram). 

Will wants to see the Impressionists and I have a favorite Chuck Close painting in the contemporary section so we battled the crowds and did a lot of walking. After the museum, we ran a couple errands, went to Nobu in TriBeCa for sushi (holy people watching...), and caught up on a couple hours of emails. P.S. Any recommendations for my next two museums?

Sunday, 10 a.m.

It's raining when we wake up to take Rory to the dog park so we head to the East Village for brunch instead. I found Prune through Instagram (where else?) over a year ago and am so glad to finally make it! The hot pink branding is to die for and I can't stop snapping photos. The iced coffee is so good I can drink it without a drop of milk (I usually like mine to taste closer to ice cream than black coffee...) and between the merveilles and the blueberry pancakes I'm on a major sugar high. I love love love trying new restaurants and this is definitely one I'll revisit. 

Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

All good things must come to end, but not before spotting the perfect pink building on our walk home! (Will spots it on East 5th Street and I take roughly 3,204 photos and ask myself why I don't live there.) Then we post up at Will's apartment, where I prepare this week's new arrivals, schedule a couple blog posts, and make a list of projects for my awesome interns to tackle this week! Any weekend that's a mix of good friends, good food, and good work is A-okay with me. 

What did you do this weekend? Any exciting plans for this coming one?!

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN

I crossed another goal off my 101 in 1001 list last weekend: spending the afternoon at a botanical garden! Will and I took the subway out to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. It was definitely a little hot so I'd recommend actually looking at the forecast before you put on jeans putting it on your to do list for next spring or early summer. That said, there were still plenty of blooms (the climbing roses were my favorite!) and it was so nice to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

This would be such a pretty color palette to recreate with a bunch of bodega blooms: white daisies, hot pink roses, and a touch of lavender.

Smiling and sweating profusely. #chic

Saving this to my dream home file... Here's hoping I'll inherit my parents' love of gardening as I get older. 

After a couple hours of strolling the different parts of the garden, we camped out under one of the cherry blossom trees in the middle of the park. It was such a peaceful little moment with birds chirping and kids playing tag that you almost wouldn't know we were just minutes outside Manhattan. (So that's why people move to Brooklyn...) This must have been even prettier during cherry blossom season in April. I'm making a mental note to head back next spring!

P.S. Happy Fourth, everyone! 

I crossed another goal off my 101 in 1001 list last weekend: spending the afternoon at a botanical garden! Will and I took the subway out to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. It was definitely a little hot so I'd recommend actually looking at the forecast before you put on jeans putting it on your to do list for next spring or early summer. That said, there were still plenty of blooms (the climbing roses were my favorite!) and it was so nice to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

This would be such a pretty color palette to recreate with a bunch of bodega blooms: white daisies, hot pink roses, and a touch of lavender.

Smiling and sweating profusely. #chic

Saving this to my dream home file... Here's hoping I'll inherit my parents' love of gardening as I get older. 

After a couple hours of strolling the different parts of the garden, we camped out under one of the cherry blossom trees in the middle of the park. It was such a peaceful little moment with birds chirping and kids playing tag that you almost wouldn't know we were just minutes outside Manhattan. (So that's why people move to Brooklyn...) This must have been even prettier during cherry blossom season in April. I'm making a mental note to head back next spring!

P.S. Happy Fourth, everyone! 

101 IN 1001 UPDATE!

I was happy to see on last week's feedback post that one of your favorite features is an occasional update on my 101 in 1001 list. (If you're new here, I'm keeping a list of 101 things I'd like to do in 1001 days!) I am more than happy to oblige — I love having a list of goals (some personal, some professional, some just for fun!) and constantly refer to it when I feel like I'm in a rut. 

If I hang out with a friend who's feeling a little down personally or professionally, writing a 101 in 1001 list is always the first thing I suggest. Whenever I'm not feeling like my usual self, I look at my list and decide which goals I should try to cross off next. The mix of silly tasks and big dreams really helps me take advantage of my free time and focus on the right goals for work. As of my last update in May, I had crossed off 13 goals; since then, I've crossed off seven more for a grand total of 20. Here's what I've been up to:

32. Hire interns.

Taryn started in May and has been a huge help managing inventory on the website, placing new wholesale orders, and tackling other projects as they come up. Mary Claire just joined us this week and will be working on zhushing up the product descriptions on the site among other things! Both of them are a dream to work with and have totally reinvigorated my excitement about taking Design Darling to the next level!

42. See a TED Talk live.

I went to the TEDx Times Square event in May! I got to hear Deepak Chopra speak and met a ton of cool people between talks. You can register for their next event here!

59. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

Finally did this with Grayson, Will, and our friends Jane and Scottie after my housewarming brunch in May! Highly recommend whether you're visiting or you've lived here for years.

73. Rent Vespas on Nantucket.

Easily the most fun thing I've crossed off so far! I was terrified at first but eventually got the hang of it and it was SUCH a fun way to see the island. So grateful for my adventurous friends!

91. Play mini golf.

Did this in Austin! I beat Will (mwahaha) and got a hole-in-one. Making my dad proud!

92. Go to an amusement park.

We were stuck in traffic on our way home from a wedding in Pennsylvania and spontaneously veered off toward Six Flags. Hilarious photo evidence here.

93. Learn to open a bottle of champagne.

I'm slowly trying to come around to wine (it's just never been my favorite!) so I'm easing into it with champagne, prosecco, and rosé. Jane taught me how to open a bottle at my brunch!

P.S. If you decide to write your own 101 in 1001 list, tweet me and I'll add the link at the bottom of my list!

I was happy to see on last week's feedback post that one of your favorite features is an occasional update on my 101 in 1001 list. (If you're new here, I'm keeping a list of 101 things I'd like to do in 1001 days!) I am more than happy to oblige — I love having a list of goals (some personal, some professional, some just for fun!) and constantly refer to it when I feel like I'm in a rut. 

If I hang out with a friend who's feeling a little down personally or professionally, writing a 101 in 1001 list is always the first thing I suggest. Whenever I'm not feeling like my usual self, I look at my list and decide which goals I should try to cross off next. The mix of silly tasks and big dreams really helps me take advantage of my free time and focus on the right goals for work. As of my last update in May, I had crossed off 13 goals; since then, I've crossed off seven more for a grand total of 20. Here's what I've been up to:

32. Hire interns.

Taryn started in May and has been a huge help managing inventory on the website, placing new wholesale orders, and tackling other projects as they come up. Mary Claire just joined us this week and will be working on zhushing up the product descriptions on the site among other things! Both of them are a dream to work with and have totally reinvigorated my excitement about taking Design Darling to the next level!

42. See a TED Talk live.

I went to the TEDx Times Square event in May! I got to hear Deepak Chopra speak and met a ton of cool people between talks. You can register for their next event here!

59. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

Finally did this with Grayson, Will, and our friends Jane and Scottie after my housewarming brunch in May! Highly recommend whether you're visiting or you've lived here for years.

73. Rent Vespas on Nantucket.

Easily the most fun thing I've crossed off so far! I was terrified at first but eventually got the hang of it and it was SUCH a fun way to see the island. So grateful for my adventurous friends!

91. Play mini golf.

Did this in Austin! I beat Will (mwahaha) and got a hole-in-one. Making my dad proud!

92. Go to an amusement park.

We were stuck in traffic on our way home from a wedding in Pennsylvania and spontaneously veered off toward Six Flags. Hilarious photo evidence here.

93. Learn to open a bottle of champagne.

I'm slowly trying to come around to wine (it's just never been my favorite!) so I'm easing into it with champagne, prosecco, and rosé. Jane taught me how to open a bottle at my brunch!

P.S. If you decide to write your own 101 in 1001 list, tweet me and I'll add the link at the bottom of my list!

101 IN 1001 UPDATE!

Today I am beyond excited to be attending the TED Conference in Times Square. Seeing a TED Talk live is one of the goals on my 101 in 1001 list so I thought a little update would be timely! Here's what I've crossed off since my list started on January 1:

{all items available here}

1. Reconnect with my French host mom.

I lived with a host family in Tours, France, my junior year of college and became super close with my host mom, Marine. I may or may not have had to pull out my French-English dictionary to double check my first email to her but it was so great to hear about what's new with her (two of my host sisters are now married with kids!) and get to tell her what the tiny little study abroad blog I started four years ago has become. 

2. Reconnect with my favorite high school teacher.

Is anyone else terrible at keeping in touch? I really recommend this one to anyone and everyone who's thinking of writing a 101 in 1001 list. Such a happy goal!

5. Go one month without shopping.

You can read all about that right here!

26. Switch to Gmail and unsubscribe from unwanted email lists.

Gmail is a game-changer (don't ask what took me so long) and unroll.me is great for getting rid of pesky newsletters.

27. Upgrade to the iPhone 5S and update all my apps.

I promptly shattered the screen, but that's beside the point...

30. Host a blogger brunch in the city.

This was such a special day. See all the pictures here!

31. Start a new blog series.

The career spotlights have become such a highlight of my week and a point of pride for Design Darling. The feedback from you all has been phenomenal (keep the emails and tweets coming!) and I'm excited to keep bringing you new features every other Wednesday. Read the first five interviews here!

32. Buy Photoshop and take Blogshop.

I loved this class! I walked in having never opened the program on my desktop and left two days later with a newly acquired wealth of knowledge I didn't know was possible in such a short period of time. By the way, you can download a free 30-day trial of Photoshop and then pay $19.99 a month! It's a great alternative to one big expense and it ensures you'll always have the most up-to-date version.

53. Move downtown.

Oh how I love my new apartment!

75. Visit my friend Sara in Atlanta.

Such a fun trip. I can't wait to go back!

79. Visit Austin with Will. 

Ditto!

83. Leave a 100% tip for great service.

Will and I eat at Café Cluny at least a couple times a month and one time he ordered a drink that neither of us cared for. The waiter asked if everything was okay and we just said it wasn't our favorite, no big deal. The waiter then erased the drink from our bill — a thoughtful gesture that promptly warranted him getting the cost of the drink and then some as an extra tip. This is now one of my favorite random acts of kindness — waiters and waitresses work so hard and it makes me happy to reward them for a job exceptionally well done. (P.S. More random acts of kindness here!) 

87. See three Broadway plays.

Check out which ones I saw here!

- - - 

I continue to really enjoy keeping my 101 in 1001 list and encourage all of you to write one too! As always, if you tweet me the link to your list, I'll add a link to your blog at the end of my list. I LOVE this little community of goal-setters and it's so much fun for me to watch you all tackle your lists as I chip away at mine! Oh and I'll be tweeting from the TED conference today so be sure to follow along here! xx

Today I am beyond excited to be attending the TED Conference in Times Square. Seeing a TED Talk live is one of the goals on my 101 in 1001 list so I thought a little update would be timely! Here's what I've crossed off since my list started on January 1:

{all items available here}

1. Reconnect with my French host mom.

I lived with a host family in Tours, France, my junior year of college and became super close with my host mom, Marine. I may or may not have had to pull out my French-English dictionary to double check my first email to her but it was so great to hear about what's new with her (two of my host sisters are now married with kids!) and get to tell her what the tiny little study abroad blog I started four years ago has become. 

2. Reconnect with my favorite high school teacher.

Is anyone else terrible at keeping in touch? I really recommend this one to anyone and everyone who's thinking of writing a 101 in 1001 list. Such a happy goal!

5. Go one month without shopping.

You can read all about that right here!

26. Switch to Gmail and unsubscribe from unwanted email lists.

Gmail is a game-changer (don't ask what took me so long) and unroll.me is great for getting rid of pesky newsletters.

27. Upgrade to the iPhone 5S and update all my apps.

I promptly shattered the screen, but that's beside the point...

30. Host a blogger brunch in the city.

This was such a special day. See all the pictures here!

31. Start a new blog series.

The career spotlights have become such a highlight of my week and a point of pride for Design Darling. The feedback from you all has been phenomenal (keep the emails and tweets coming!) and I'm excited to keep bringing you new features every other Wednesday. Read the first five interviews here!

32. Buy Photoshop and take Blogshop.

I loved this class! I walked in having never opened the program on my desktop and left two days later with a newly acquired wealth of knowledge I didn't know was possible in such a short period of time. By the way, you can download a free 30-day trial of Photoshop and then pay $19.99 a month! It's a great alternative to one big expense and it ensures you'll always have the most up-to-date version.

53. Move downtown.

Oh how I love my new apartment!

75. Visit my friend Sara in Atlanta.

Such a fun trip. I can't wait to go back!

79. Visit Austin with Will. 

Ditto!

83. Leave a 100% tip for great service.

Will and I eat at Café Cluny at least a couple times a month and one time he ordered a drink that neither of us cared for. The waiter asked if everything was okay and we just said it wasn't our favorite, no big deal. The waiter then erased the drink from our bill — a thoughtful gesture that promptly warranted him getting the cost of the drink and then some as an extra tip. This is now one of my favorite random acts of kindness — waiters and waitresses work so hard and it makes me happy to reward them for a job exceptionally well done. (P.S. More random acts of kindness here!) 

87. See three Broadway plays.

Check out which ones I saw here!

- - - 

I continue to really enjoy keeping my 101 in 1001 list and encourage all of you to write one too! As always, if you tweet me the link to your list, I'll add a link to your blog at the end of my list. I LOVE this little community of goal-setters and it's so much fun for me to watch you all tackle your lists as I chip away at mine! Oh and I'll be tweeting from the TED conference today so be sure to follow along here! xx

BLOGSHOP NEW YORK

Last week I got to cross off my tenth task on my 101 in 1001 list. Wooohoooo! I finally downloaded Photoshop and took Blogshop as a crash course in learning the program. All I can say is whoa. I didn't know my 24-year-old brain was capable of absorbing that much information in just two days (you know how they say the optimal age to learn a new language is around 10?) and I can't wait to incorporate some of what I learned into Design Darling over the coming weeks and months. Understanding layers, adding type, writing on images, applying actions, learning healing and stamping... I feel like I have a totally new vocabulary. Oh and we even made gifs:

{Wearing this top and this necklace}

If you're on the fence about taking Blogshop, here's my advice: do it. I've definitely paid for disappointing classes and workshops before but this was not one of them. The workshop was the perfect mix of fun and structure: mimosas, numbered lessons, photo opps, practice time, etc. There were interns walking around to make sure everyone was up to speed and we were given flash drives with every lesson as a takeaway for more practice at home. And the lessons are pertinent well beyond blogging — I know I'll be able to improve product photos for my boutique and even touch up our family Christmas cards thanks to everything I learned. If you've been wanting to learn Photoshop, this is the way to do it.

*This is not a sponsored post. I just loved the experience and had to share!

Last week I got to cross off my tenth task on my 101 in 1001 list. Wooohoooo! I finally downloaded Photoshop and took Blogshop as a crash course in learning the program. All I can say is whoa. I didn't know my 24-year-old brain was capable of absorbing that much information in just two days (you know how they say the optimal age to learn a new language is around 10?) and I can't wait to incorporate some of what I learned into Design Darling over the coming weeks and months. Understanding layers, adding type, writing on images, applying actions, learning healing and stamping... I feel like I have a totally new vocabulary. Oh and we even made gifs:

{Wearing this top and this necklace}

If you're on the fence about taking Blogshop, here's my advice: do it. I've definitely paid for disappointing classes and workshops before but this was not one of them. The workshop was the perfect mix of fun and structure: mimosas, numbered lessons, photo opps, practice time, etc. There were interns walking around to make sure everyone was up to speed and we were given flash drives with every lesson as a takeaway for more practice at home. And the lessons are pertinent well beyond blogging — I know I'll be able to improve product photos for my boutique and even touch up our family Christmas cards thanks to everything I learned. If you've been wanting to learn Photoshop, this is the way to do it.

*This is not a sponsored post. I just loved the experience and had to share!

NEW YORK CITY GUIDE: THREE BROADWAY PLAYS I SAW AND LOVED

So far my New York City Guide has consisted entirely of brunch spots (most of which are just as good for lunch, dinner, etc.). Now I love brunch as much as the next girl (read: a lot)  but I'm pretty excited to have more daylight hours in which to photograph my favorite spots for cocktails, dinner, and dessert throughout the spring and summer. Totally worth the lost hour of sleep, right? Right.

But today I'm switching gears entirely and sharing a must for any proper NYC guide: Broadway! My sister Reilly studied theater in college so our family has always loved musicals and plays — and I'm no exception. I wrote "see three Broadway plays" on my new 101 in 1001 list and I was able to cross it off this past weekend! (Though I'll definitely see more within the next ~2 years!) I thought I'd share what we saw and what I loved about each in case any of you are planning a trip or just a local looking for a recommendation!

Beautiful

My boyfriend's parents gave us tickets to Beautiful for Christmas and neither one of us was sure what to expect. And we loved it! We didn't know much about Carole King going into it (and were definitely the youngest couple there!) but we recognized way more songs than we thought we would and ended the night dancing to "I Feel The Earth Move" with the rest of the audience. If you want to hear killer singing and walk away feeling totally inspired to immediately download every one of Carole King's songs, this one's for you.

Recommended for: bringing your parents (you'll love it as much as they do)

The Book of Mormon

One boyfriend, two Broadway shows in one month. He's a trooper! I gave him tickets to The Book of Mormon for Valentine's Day after my sister declared it the funniest show she's ever seen. It's written by the creators of the show South Park so it's hilariously inappropriate. The dance numbers are seriously catchy and the entire audience was in stitches for the whole play. 

Recommended for: girlfriends, siblings, and significant others (probably not your adorably conservative grandparents!)

The Lion King

My Christmas present to my mom and sister and definitely my favorite of the three. All I can say is whoa. The costumes were out of this world and the child actors literally took my breath away. The opening scene gave all three of us goosebumps — there really are no words. The singing wasn't as powerful as, say, Beautiful but the choreography, lighting, and special effects were extraordinary. If you only see one show this year, this gets my vote.

Recommended for: kids and kids-at-heart (everyone!)

- - - 

Next on my list? I've heard great things about Matilda (I loved the movie growing up!). Have you seen any Broadway shows lately? What's your all-time favorite?

So far my New York City Guide has consisted entirely of brunch spots (most of which are just as good for lunch, dinner, etc.). Now I love brunch as much as the next girl (read: a lot)  but I'm pretty excited to have more daylight hours in which to photograph my favorite spots for cocktails, dinner, and dessert throughout the spring and summer. Totally worth the lost hour of sleep, right? Right.

But today I'm switching gears entirely and sharing a must for any proper NYC guide: Broadway! My sister Reilly studied theater in college so our family has always loved musicals and plays — and I'm no exception. I wrote "see three Broadway plays" on my new 101 in 1001 list and I was able to cross it off this past weekend! (Though I'll definitely see more within the next ~2 years!) I thought I'd share what we saw and what I loved about each in case any of you are planning a trip or just a local looking for a recommendation!

Beautiful

My boyfriend's parents gave us tickets to Beautiful for Christmas and neither one of us was sure what to expect. And we loved it! We didn't know much about Carole King going into it (and were definitely the youngest couple there!) but we recognized way more songs than we thought we would and ended the night dancing to "I Feel The Earth Move" with the rest of the audience. If you want to hear killer singing and walk away feeling totally inspired to immediately download every one of Carole King's songs, this one's for you.

Recommended for: bringing your parents (you'll love it as much as they do)

The Book of Mormon

One boyfriend, two Broadway shows in one month. He's a trooper! I gave him tickets to The Book of Mormon for Valentine's Day after my sister declared it the funniest show she's ever seen. It's written by the creators of the show South Park so it's hilariously inappropriate. The dance numbers are seriously catchy and the entire audience was in stitches for the whole play. 

Recommended for: girlfriends, siblings, and significant others (probably not your adorably conservative grandparents!)

The Lion King

My Christmas present to my mom and sister and definitely my favorite of the three. All I can say is whoa. The costumes were out of this world and the child actors literally took my breath away. The opening scene gave all three of us goosebumps — there really are no words. The singing wasn't as powerful as, say, Beautiful but the choreography, lighting, and special effects were extraordinary. If you only see one show this year, this gets my vote.

Recommended for: kids and kids-at-heart (everyone!)

- - - 

Next on my list? I've heard great things about Matilda (I loved the movie growing up!). Have you seen any Broadway shows lately? What's your all-time favorite?

DESIGN DARLING BLOGGER BRUNCH

Yesterday I hosted twenty of my very favorite bloggers for a fashion week escape on the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel. This was really the first event I've ever planned and hosted and I'm so excited that it went off without a hitch! The blogger brunch was a wonderful excuse to don a pretty dress, gather friends from all over the country, and toast to the upcoming second anniversary of my boutique. Peach bellinis, pink peonies, and the most awesome, inspiring, and stylish bunch of young women... Really, what more could a girl want? Gratitude doesn't begin to cover it. Note to self: must do this again soon.

Outfit details:

Opening Ceremony dress (I used Rent The Runway!)  //  Loren Hope earrings  //  Alice & Olivia heels

Table details:

Tortoiseshell glasses  //  Striped straws

Bloggers you need to know about!

Amy Stone  //  A Piece of Toast  //  Bows & Sequins

College Prepster  //  Corals & Cognacs  //  Dallas Wardrobe

Gal Meets Glam  //  House of Harper  //  Look Linger Love

M.A.S. Fashion  //  Matchbook Magazine  //  Stripes & Sequins

Style & Pepper  //  vmac+cheese  //  Wit & Whimsy

*All photos by Amy Stone

Yesterday I hosted twenty of my very favorite bloggers for a fashion week escape on the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel. This was really the first event I've ever planned and hosted and I'm so excited that it went off without a hitch! The blogger brunch was a wonderful excuse to don a pretty dress, gather friends from all over the country, and toast to the upcoming second anniversary of my boutique. Peach bellinis, pink peonies, and the most awesome, inspiring, and stylish bunch of young women... Really, what more could a girl want? Gratitude doesn't begin to cover it. Note to self: must do this again soon.

Outfit details:

Opening Ceremony dress (I used Rent The Runway!)  //  Loren Hope earrings  //  Alice & Olivia heels

Table details:

Tortoiseshell glasses  //  Striped straws

Bloggers you need to know about!

Amy Stone  //  A Piece of Toast  //  Bows & Sequins

College Prepster  //  Corals & Cognacs  //  Dallas Wardrobe

Gal Meets Glam  //  House of Harper  //  Look Linger Love

M.A.S. Fashion  //  Matchbook Magazine  //  Stripes & Sequins

Style & Pepper  //  vmac+cheese  //  Wit & Whimsy

*All photos by Amy Stone

WHAT I LEARNED FROM ONE MONTH OF NO SHOPPING

*images 1 / 2 / 3

It's been my experience that girls love to shop. My guy friends have asked when I'll be adding more men's gifts to the boutique but (while we've added a few great guy gifts here) I know that my target audience has been and likely always will be women. We women love clothes, decorating, shoes... Boys just don't shop the way girls do, myself included.

But I do live in a teeny tiny apartment and sometimes I get bogged down by all the stuff. (How is there no more hanging space in my closet?) I should preface this by saying I don't have a shopping addiction, have zero credit card debt, etc., but was simply up for a challenge (#5 on my 101 in 1001 list) to see if I could go thirty days without buying a single thing — no new arrivals on J.Crew or Shopbop, no sale finds, no spontaneous purchases while out with friends. The month after Christmas shopping overdrive seemed like as good a time as any.

Two things: 1) I made it and 2) I kind of loved it! Yes, I missed the feeling of waiting excitedly for the UPS guy to show up. Yes, I felt like I had "nothing to wear" for outfit posts on the blog. And yes, shopping with my girlfriends was a little less fun knowing I couldn't act on anything I fell in love with. But it forced me to rediscover a few old favorites (like a pair of suede jodhpur leggings from Rugby, RIP) and it made me think about which pieces I tend to wear over and over (blue oxford shirts, this navy blazer, this silk shirt). By the time the month was up, I was much more excited to add quality items to my repertoire of tried-and-true wardrobe favorites than any impulse purchases I'd truthfully only wear a handful of times.

So the verdict? Totally in favor. I felt like I proved something to myself, my checking account felt a little cushier at the end of the month, and I think I could totally do it again (maybe even once a season!). It's made me think more about each purchase since then, contemplate new items in terms of cost-per-wear (I'm dying to invest in some of these perfect everyday shirts), and hold off on one-off purchases for special occasions (this site is a huge help for that).

Could you go a month without shopping for clothes, decor, or makeup? Have you done it before? Tell me everything!

*images 1 / 2 / 3

It's been my experience that girls love to shop. My guy friends have asked when I'll be adding more men's gifts to the boutique but (while we've added a few great guy gifts here) I know that my target audience has been and likely always will be women. We women love clothes, decorating, shoes... Boys just don't shop the way girls do, myself included.

But I do live in a teeny tiny apartment and sometimes I get bogged down by all the stuff. (How is there no more hanging space in my closet?) I should preface this by saying I don't have a shopping addiction, have zero credit card debt, etc., but was simply up for a challenge (#5 on my 101 in 1001 list) to see if I could go thirty days without buying a single thing — no new arrivals on J.Crew or Shopbop, no sale finds, no spontaneous purchases while out with friends. The month after Christmas shopping overdrive seemed like as good a time as any.

Two things: 1) I made it and 2) I kind of loved it! Yes, I missed the feeling of waiting excitedly for the UPS guy to show up. Yes, I felt like I had "nothing to wear" for outfit posts on the blog. And yes, shopping with my girlfriends was a little less fun knowing I couldn't act on anything I fell in love with. But it forced me to rediscover a few old favorites (like a pair of suede jodhpur leggings from Rugby, RIP) and it made me think about which pieces I tend to wear over and over (blue oxford shirts, this navy blazer, this silk shirt). By the time the month was up, I was much more excited to add quality items to my repertoire of tried-and-true wardrobe favorites than any impulse purchases I'd truthfully only wear a handful of times.

So the verdict? Totally in favor. I felt like I proved something to myself, my checking account felt a little cushier at the end of the month, and I think I could totally do it again (maybe even once a season!). It's made me think more about each purchase since then, contemplate new items in terms of cost-per-wear (I'm dying to invest in some of these perfect everyday shirts), and hold off on one-off purchases for special occasions (this site is a huge help for that).

Could you go a month without shopping for clothes, decor, or makeup? Have you done it before? Tell me everything!

MY SECOND 101 IN 1001 LIST!

I'm so excited to share that I've posted my second 101 in 1001 list! After crossing off 79 tasks on my first list, I couldn't be more excited to achieve more goals this time around. Please check out my new list in its entirety right here and tweet me if you decide to write your own so I can link up! Let's make things happen, people. I'M SO EXCITED!!!

I'm so excited to share that I've posted my second 101 in 1001 list! After crossing off 79 tasks on my first list, I couldn't be more excited to achieve more goals this time around. Please check out my new list in its entirety right here and tweet me if you decide to write your own so I can link up! Let's make things happen, people. I'M SO EXCITED!!!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT 1001 DAYS?

I promise I'm going to share my next 101 in 1001 list with you! My first list wrapped up this fall (I can't believe I started it in college!) and I'm only now coming up with the final tasks for my second list. I'm so close! I can't wait to get started and of course to share it here on the blog.

In the mean time, I would love your help! I'm so inspired by all the people who have shared their lists with me (they're all listed here under #2) — it's crazy how many of us share similar dreams and goals. With only a few more tasks to write on my next list, I'd love to know what you'd like to accomplish in your next 1001 days (2.75 years). It could be anything: achieving a personal fitness goal, finding volunteer work you're passionate about, saving up for your dream bag, traveling to a new place, trying a new food... Whatever it is, I'm dying for a little inspiration! 

P.S. If you decide to write a list of your own, tweet me so I can link up! 

*image

I promise I'm going to share my next 101 in 1001 list with you! My first list wrapped up this fall (I can't believe I started it in college!) and I'm only now coming up with the final tasks for my second list. I'm so close! I can't wait to get started and of course to share it here on the blog.

In the mean time, I would love your help! I'm so inspired by all the people who have shared their lists with me (they're all listed here under #2) — it's crazy how many of us share similar dreams and goals. With only a few more tasks to write on my next list, I'd love to know what you'd like to accomplish in your next 1001 days (2.75 years). It could be anything: achieving a personal fitness goal, finding volunteer work you're passionate about, saving up for your dream bag, traveling to a new place, trying a new food... Whatever it is, I'm dying for a little inspiration! 

P.S. If you decide to write a list of your own, tweet me so I can link up! 

*image

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL NEXT?

In the spirit of this post, I've been planning a few exciting getaways and get-togethers for the next couple months. I was feeling pretty low at one point last week and started brainstorming things I could look forward to. Before I knew it, I'd penciled in fall trips to New Orleans, Denver, and Boston... And I couldn't be more excited! I love spending time in my apartment and New York in general but I'm really overdue for a little travel. A few of the goals on my next 101 in 1001 list (to be shared at the end of the month!) pertain to travel which got me thinking: Where are all of you dying to travel next? Here are a few destinations I'd be most excited about:

Morocco photographed by François Halard

St. Tropez photographed by Gray Malin

Tulum, Mexico, photographed by Sarah Yates

Wisteria flower tunnel in Kawachi Fuji Gardens, Japan

Rio de Janeiro

I'm dying to hear about any trips you're planning or simply daydreaming about. I'm definitely hoping to see at least one new continent and one new country as part of my next list so I'd love a little inspiration from you guys. A little Tuesday wanderlust never hurt anybody!

In the spirit of this post, I've been planning a few exciting getaways and get-togethers for the next couple months. I was feeling pretty low at one point last week and started brainstorming things I could look forward to. Before I knew it, I'd penciled in fall trips to New Orleans, Denver, and Boston... And I couldn't be more excited! I love spending time in my apartment and New York in general but I'm really overdue for a little travel. A few of the goals on my next 101 in 1001 list (to be shared at the end of the month!) pertain to travel which got me thinking: Where are all of you dying to travel next? Here are a few destinations I'd be most excited about:

Morocco photographed by François Halard

St. Tropez photographed by Gray Malin

Tulum, Mexico, photographed by Sarah Yates

Wisteria flower tunnel in Kawachi Fuji Gardens, Japan

Rio de Janeiro

I'm dying to hear about any trips you're planning or simply daydreaming about. I'm definitely hoping to see at least one new continent and one new country as part of my next list so I'd love a little inspiration from you guys. A little Tuesday wanderlust never hurt anybody!

HOW TO DRINK MORE WATER

I can finally cross #19 off my 101 in 1001 list. It's embarrassing to admit but this is definitely the goal that I started and stopped the most number of times... Drinking that much water is tough! Here's what worked for me this time around to finally get me on the right track.

1. Have a concrete, measurable goal in mind.
"Drink more water" sounds a New Year's resolution that starts with the best intentions but never gets accomplished because it's so vague. I went shopping for one huge bottle of water and found a 50 ounce bottle. I decided that to go from roughly 0-8 ounces of water a day (sad but true) to consuming this huge bottle would be major progress so that became my goal: drink 50 ounces of water each day for seven days. 

2. Decide how to measure your goal.
Like I said, I bought one huge bottle that I refilled each day. I liked being able to see exactly where I stood for the day and tried to hit the halfway point in the early afternoon. I felt ridiculous carrying the bottle outside of my apartment so I used my BKR bottle (I have the pink pictured above) to pour water from the big bottle into a smaller, more transportable option.

3. Have a buddy.
Eddy works with me in my apartment three days a week and is great about drinking water every day so it was super helpful to have him encouraging and reminding me to keep drinking. There were definitely times when I was sick of going to the bathroom every ten minutes or felt so full and so sick of the taste of water... It was nice to have someone who could make me keep going when I needed a kick. Coworkers, family, or friends would all make great partners!

4. Keep your goal top of mind.
It's easy to start drinking water in the morning and forget about your goal before lunchtime. Having one big bottle at my desk was a constant reminder of how much I'd consumed and how far I had to go. I also posted a little note on my fridge to remember to take it out each morning!

I know this might all sound a little silly (how hard could it be?) but it's definitely a healthy habit that I've struggled to adopt. How many of you are good at getting enough water? What has worked well for you? Let's hear it!

I can finally cross #19 off my 101 in 1001 list. It's embarrassing to admit but this is definitely the goal that I started and stopped the most number of times... Drinking that much water is tough! Here's what worked for me this time around to finally get me on the right track.

1. Have a concrete, measurable goal in mind.
"Drink more water" sounds a New Year's resolution that starts with the best intentions but never gets accomplished because it's so vague. I went shopping for one huge bottle of water and found a 50 ounce bottle. I decided that to go from roughly 0-8 ounces of water a day (sad but true) to consuming this huge bottle would be major progress so that became my goal: drink 50 ounces of water each day for seven days. 

2. Decide how to measure your goal.
Like I said, I bought one huge bottle that I refilled each day. I liked being able to see exactly where I stood for the day and tried to hit the halfway point in the early afternoon. I felt ridiculous carrying the bottle outside of my apartment so I used my BKR bottle (I have the pink pictured above) to pour water from the big bottle into a smaller, more transportable option.

3. Have a buddy.
Eddy works with me in my apartment three days a week and is great about drinking water every day so it was super helpful to have him encouraging and reminding me to keep drinking. There were definitely times when I was sick of going to the bathroom every ten minutes or felt so full and so sick of the taste of water... It was nice to have someone who could make me keep going when I needed a kick. Coworkers, family, or friends would all make great partners!

4. Keep your goal top of mind.
It's easy to start drinking water in the morning and forget about your goal before lunchtime. Having one big bottle at my desk was a constant reminder of how much I'd consumed and how far I had to go. I also posted a little note on my fridge to remember to take it out each morning!

I know this might all sound a little silly (how hard could it be?) but it's definitely a healthy habit that I've struggled to adopt. How many of you are good at getting enough water? What has worked well for you? Let's hear it!

WEEKEND EYE CANDY

What. A. Week. I definitely took my own advice and ran myself ragged with work, doctor's appointments, and evenings with friends. Suffice it to say I was blown away by all the love for my little studio tour that went live on Tuesday. You guys even crashed their servers for a little bit... Amazing. 

After skydiving last weekend, I made more progress on my 101 in 1001 list by finally getting my eyes checked and buying glasses I don't actually hate. Oh and I'm three days into my goal to drink the recommended amount of water every day for a week — is it lame that I'm pretty sure this is the hardest goal on my list?

Today I'm meeting up with Eddy to run a mile in Central Park and hopefully live to tell the tale. I was a gymnast through high school, a cheerleader my freshman year in college, and I make it to the gym three times a week but I am not, not, not a runner. That said, I am very much a list-maker and hopefully the motivation of crossing another goal off my list will keep me putting one foot in front of the other. If you see a redhead collapsing in Central Park this afternoon, do stop and say hello.

 One more thing: this 101 in 1001 list wraps up at the end of September and I'm hard at work drafting my next list. I have about 80 tasks written down but I'd really love your input! If you or someone you know has written a similar list (bucket list, 25 before 25, 30 before 30, etc.), please email me or leave a link below. I'll take all the inspiration I can get!

Oh and join me on Pinterest for tons more eye candy every day of the week. Have a good one! xx

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

What. A. Week. I definitely took my own advice and ran myself ragged with work, doctor's appointments, and evenings with friends. Suffice it to say I was blown away by all the love for my little studio tour that went live on Tuesday. You guys even crashed their servers for a little bit... Amazing. 

After skydiving last weekend, I made more progress on my 101 in 1001 list by finally getting my eyes checked and buying glasses I don't actually hate. Oh and I'm three days into my goal to drink the recommended amount of water every day for a week — is it lame that I'm pretty sure this is the hardest goal on my list?

Today I'm meeting up with Eddy to run a mile in Central Park and hopefully live to tell the tale. I was a gymnast through high school, a cheerleader my freshman year in college, and I make it to the gym three times a week but I am not, not, not a runner. That said, I am very much a list-maker and hopefully the motivation of crossing another goal off my list will keep me putting one foot in front of the other. If you see a redhead collapsing in Central Park this afternoon, do stop and say hello.

 One more thing: this 101 in 1001 list wraps up at the end of September and I'm hard at work drafting my next list. I have about 80 tasks written down but I'd really love your input! If you or someone you know has written a similar list (bucket list, 25 before 25, 30 before 30, etc.), please email me or leave a link below. I'll take all the inspiration I can get!

Oh and join me on Pinterest for tons more eye candy every day of the week. Have a good one! xx

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5