NYC, Part I

We got back from NYC yesterday afternoon and the trip was a blast but also incredibly tiring! Guys, I'm pretty sure my days of bachelorette parties are dwindling quickly two straight nights of gallivanting is not as easy as it used to be. Why oh why does this have to happen? One night a weekend out is pretty much all I can handle these days which is incredibly depressing. I'll recap the bacheloretty party tomorrow but today I am sharing our time in Manhattan. There was lots of delicious eating and quite a bit of shopping and now I have to go on a strict diet and a strict budget. Sigh.

First stop was food at ABC Kitchen. So, so good.

Making the journey to SoHo.

The weather was wonderful so there were tons of people out in Washington Square Park.

I don't know if I ever shared my love for the Louis Vuitton Evora MM in the Damier Azur. I've started saving for it and reckon I can buy it in like 20 years because I suck at saving money.

My hubby wears John Varvatos cologne so I had to snap a pic :)

More handbag lusting happening at Mulberry in SoHo.

C. Wonder was beyond amazing! I picked up some gifts for friends and one for myself.

Drinks at Balthazar

Going on a trip with just one other person results in a lot of solo shots.

Good drinks, good atmosphere

Empire State Building

Lest you think all we did was eat, drink, and shop-- we also visited the Lunch Hour exhibit at the New York Public Library. It was so cool and FREE! We really enjoyed it!

View from the steps of the library

I have to be honest, not the best cupcake I've ever had. It was just okay. 

Being tourists in Central Park

Love all the bench dedications in Central Park

Cityscape

The lobby at the Carlton Hotel

Loved the Carlton Hotel! The service was great and the hotel was beautiful!

Thursday night we had dinner at David Burke Kitchen. The cheese plate, the tuna tartare tacos, and the ricotta donuts were divine. Avoid the Margherita pizza. We sat in the garden and the weather was perfect. 

Sisters @ David Burke Kitchen

All in all, it was a great trip and I'm glad my sister and I finally got to go to NYC together. School started today so I am back to the daily grind. Thankfully, we still have a week until the kiddies show up but I am sad to see summer go! It went by so fast and I don't know if I was as productive as I could've been. How many days until Christmas break??

An Article & NYC

I read this article and had to share because I think its pretty spot on, 6 Things You Shouldn't Give Up On.

My sister and I are headed to NYC this morning! We have a bachelorette party that begins on Friday night so we're heading up today to spend 2 days in the city. We've never been to NYC together which is kind of shocking cause we pretty much do everything together. We even married college roommates (not in a double wedding, in case you were wondering) but that's a different story for another post.

We've got some plans lined up like heading to David Burke Kitchen on Thursday night which I am pretty pumped about (mainly because donuts are on the menu).  As a side note, I had a boss by the same name and he was well, interesting to say the least. Todd English's restaurant tweeted my sister so now I feel like we have a social media obligation to go there which makes me the opposite of mad or sad.

Other than that, we're going to wander around the city maybe hit up some museums and definitely do a lot of window shopping!

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Have a great weekend!

50 Shades of Grey

Honestly, I didn't even make it through the first book because I was so distracted by all of the hype but I read enough to get an understanding of the characters and I think these two make a fantasic Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Alexis Bledel has that perfect blend of naivete and sexiness that Christian sees in Ana. Matt Bomer is hot so yeah he should be in it. I do think I envisioned Christian as being a little more dark and intimidating but I'm willing to get over that. I'm still completely perplexed as to how this could even become a movie but this fake fan trailer is pretty well done and looks like a real trailer!

What do you think? Do you like these actors as Ms. Steele and Mr. Grey?



Le Cirque des Rêves

Back in the spring, I read The Night Cirucs a wildly enchanting novel by Erin Morgenstern about Le Cirque des Rêves, 'The Circus of Dreams', which is only open at night and boasts all the wonderful imaginings of the circus. It is too hard to explain but it is a love story and it is a must-read in my opinion. It is one of the best books I've read in awhile. It is the type of book that lets your imagination run wild and ever since I read it I can't stop thinking about circus inspired home decor. Now, when I think of circus inspired home decor my mind goes directly to nurseries but I think there are other ways to incorporate it into your home as well.

 Circus Inspired Stripes

A circus-inspired tent ceiling that gives just a hint of a circus theme

The red stripes are reminiscent of the big top and add flair to the room!

All over stripes have the fun whimcical feeling of the circus plus the stars on the mirror give a hint of the circus

Circus Inspired Accessories

These pillows are reminiscent of the big, bold lettering often seen advertising the circus

This beautiful circus inspired print would be a great addition to a dreamy bedroom

Or if you are REALLY feeling the whole circus theme you could go with this crazy wallpaper

Because I can't leave them out:

What do you think? Would you ever go for a circus inspired room? I'm not sure I'd ever be brave enough but I absolutely love the idea!

Stripes:
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Accessories:

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Nurseries:

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Right Place, Right Time

Yesterday I had to walk across town to get a baby shower gift, Chewbeads and my new favorite children's book is now my favorite shower gift! After I picked up the gift, I wandered into Urban Chic which is a great boutique in our area but carries labels that are waaaaaay out of my price range. However, they are currently having a HUGE sale and I was able to score two dresses for well under the price of one of these dresses! It is was a right place, right time moment as both of these dresses are my size and were 80% off! One of them is a tad big but even getting it altered isn't going to bring the cost even close to the original price. Sorry for the crappy iPhone pics but I had to share!

Milly dress retails for $325 scored at $65!

Shoshanna dress retails for $360 scored for $72!

Insanity, people. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when the salesgirl told me that the red dot meant 80% off! 

Tonight, if the weather holds out, we're heading to The Gathering which is, as noted by the name, a gathering of food trucks in Baltimore. I really hope it stops raining!

Antiquing

Yesterday afternoon my dad and I went antiquing at a local antique shop that we have both been hankering to go to. My dad has a real thing for old stuff and though it irks my mother since he's constantly bringing random things into their house, he's a great antiquing partner! The antique store is called Then... & Again Antiques and it is located in Annapolis. I've passed it probably a million times but have never gone inside, it is huge! Seriously, it was like a vortex. We were in there for an hour and a half and didn't even realize it. I came home with a few items but there was a lot of goodness so I'm sharing below!

Loved this little side table. I think it would be perfect for a guest bathroom!

Thought the color of this shelf was so fun and I loved the shell looking bowls on the 2nd shelf!

Something you should know about me: I LOVE animal things (prints, figurines, pictures, or in this case a cookie jar). I thought it was  a schnauzer and I would've totally bought but when I turned it over it said scottie and I don't pretend that scotties are schnauzers because they're not.

Gorgeous set of silver

I thought these toast holders were adorable!

So many bookends! This was one shelf of like 50.

I thought this table was gorgeous! I love the bright color!

Beautiful, intricate china cabinet

There was a small rack of clothes and every piece was some degree of ridiculous. Like that pink robe thing.

A shelf dedicated entirely to dogs! I didn't get those brass dog bookends and I'm kicking myself. I might have to go back for them.

Duck bookends- love!

These reminded me of college. I thought it was so cool when I saw these in people's houses. Lol.

This is one of the most bizarre bloom holders I have ever seen

A whole lotta pink & red glassware

My husband has been dying for a globe which I think is so adorable, so this came home with me!

Very Annapolis-esque sailboat glasses

I read so much Nancy Drew as a kid

I absolutely love this painting

My mom had this belt in the 90s so funny to see it in an antique store!

There was fake food everywhere-weird

This does look like a schnauzer but it was out of my price range

Bunny bookends! Also kicking myself for not getting these, bunnies are among my most favorite animals ever.

This would be great for succulents!

Pink pig

I told you I have a thing for animals

Old phones!

Absolutely loved these carousel animal tumblers- I would love drinking a vodka soda out of these!

My grandma had glasses just like these - my sister and I loved them!!

You guys? My dad is the best. He drove me an hour and a half in rush hour traffic to help me get the chairs I posted about yesterday, then went antiquing with me, then took me to the paint store and waited while I painstakingly asked the salesperson for like 105 different paint chips, and then listened to me while I yammered on about the perfect gray to go with my new bedding. Seriously, he's the best!