A sunshine state celebration

Celebrating Nana's 85th (and my 27th) in Florida was such a treat. I got to spend time with family I don't see nearly enough. The gorgeous weather was an added bonus.




Leopard ladies! I lent Perri my top and cardigan... Doesn't she look good in my clothes? My sweater is from J. Crew and was a birthday gift.




The girls and Nana right before our birthday dinner. I love this shot.




Publix birthday cake. My very favorite in the whole wide world. I wish I had a piece right now.




Making a wish!




Two treats in one night! Went out for drinks with my sister and cousins after dinner and the maitre d' surprised us with this beautiful dessert!




No trip is complete without a bit of shopping... I picked up this Josie Natori for Target pajama set. I've loved Natori for years and you can't beat these prices. I wish they had more like it! So cute and comfortable.



The trips down South always go by much too fast and as always, I'm already thinking about next time. Happy birthday Nana - 85 never looked so good!

85 and sunny

I'm off to Florida to celebrate Nana's 85th! I sure hope you follow me on twitter so you can get your daily dose of #nanatweets!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

They say it's your birthday...

Today I begin what's sure to be the best year of my life.

Let's do this.

In my 27th year, I resolve to...

...be in the best shape of my life. Hamptons, here I come!
...take chances.
...not be afraid to sit at the bar by myself while I'm waiting for a girlfriend.
...blog as much as I can.
...read more.
...spend less.
...finish, finish, finish.
...fall in love.
...try something new.
...work on being more approachable.
...indulge.
...unplug more.
...whine less.
...not waste a moment.
...give 28 a run for its money.

A night of Generosity

Last Thursday, I attended Generosity, a fundraiser put on by UJA-Federation of New York. Admittedly, my post-Israel high played a part in my purchasing the ticket (funds raised go towards strengthening various Jewish communities). Generosity is, in UJA's words, "one of New York City's premier fundraising events for community-involved, socially conscious Jews in their 20s and 30s". I make it a point to try to attend several charity cocktail parties every year, and I have to say this was one of the best I've been to yet.




I wish I'd taken more pictures of the event space. The party was held at Capitale, an elegant venue downtown. I attended a Junior League party there a few years ago and was really excited to go back. The top shelf bar was lined glass bowls of jelly beans and truffled waffle potato chips.




With gal pals JE and HS at the step and repeat. I borrowed a few of HS's photos for this post... thanks!




Bites included beautiful passed hors d'oeuvres and a full sushi bar. Fresh and delicious.




I wore a black sequin Michael Kors wrap dress and black patent leather Michael Kors heels. It's always such a treat to get dressed up on a Thursday!




Few things I love more than a photo booth complete with props!




With new friend RZ!




Primo candy bar on the way out. The worst part about events like this, in my opinion, is coat check. I only own one dressy coat... it's a beautiful Burberry London gilded coat with a skirted bottom that fits like a dream. It was my 26th birthday gift to myself. The coat check was an absolute mob scene and somehow I had lost my ticket. After a lot of arguing, I finally got my beloved Burberry back. These sweets definitely softened the blow. And I was beyond delighted to find a bag of Twizzlers cherry nibs in my clutch the next morning.

Giving money to a good cause and getting to party while doing it is always a win-win. A fabulous evening with great friends and great fun!

Twenty Teddi

We already talked about 2011 (though I'm sure I could say more...) so now I want to talk about 2012.

This year is, in a large part, about other people's happiness. And I mean that in the best way possible. Both my best friend from childhood and my best friend from college are getting married, I have the honor of being in the bridal party of each, and my family will be at both weddings as well. To have just one happen in a year would be a big deal; to have two is more than I can say.

It took a long time, but I'm at a point where I'm really content just being with me. I don't know when or how it happened, but I do know that every single day is a challenge that I'm ready and happy to take on. So I'll be 27 in a week and I'm not married. Or engaged. Or nowhere near close to either. It's okay. I really, truly, finally believe that. This is not the life I anticipated. It's better. I'm going to SoulCycle and laughing with girlfriends and traveling with family and drinking a lot of Patron and enjoying quiet nights at home. I'm doing my thing. All the while knowing that more lies ahead. God has a bigger plan for me than I ever had for myself. I never knew it was possible to feel this good without having all of the things that I formerly equated with happiness. It is the best realization yet.

I have renamed Twenty Twelve "Twenty Teddi" as a reminder that the best is yet to come. As good as last year was, I firmly believe that this one can top it. I'm just getting started.

Last but not least, I need to give a big shout out to my sister, who is responsible for JGIWC's new look! Isn't it fab? And about time! She's available for hire... inquire within.

What's in JGIWC's makeup bag?

I recently cleaned this out, reevaluated and refilled it so I thought this would be a fun post.

Left to right, top to bottom:

Tory Burch makeup bag: from Bergdorf Goodman and the perfect size and shape. Love it.

Bath & Body Works lotion: hate cherries but love things that are cherry-scented. I still wear Love Spell from time to time.

Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer: grabbed a bunch of these during their post-holidays sale. I don't like to go anywhere without hanny sanny.

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Glossy Balm: the ultimate lip product. Makes my lips look pink and shiny and wet and sexy...

Yankee Candle lip balm: ...but it's an expensive little tube and sometimes I just need something simpler on my lips. Enter this.

Kate Spade Twirl perfume: I often forget to put on perfume before leaving the house (or the locker room at Soul, or wherever I'm coming from). I need to stock up on these.

Pony-o's, hair clip, brush: I am forever in search of a pony-o. I have so many but they never seem to stay put.

Shu Uemera eyelash curler: I'm so insecure about my lashes that I actually carry this around with me so I can curl whenever I please. Recently found the most amazing mascara that helps, too... I should do another makeup post.

Trish McEvoy emergency beauty card with mini brushes: bronzer, eyeshadow, and liner. Came with the too-cute-for-words brushes. Great investment.

Yankee Candle air freshener: because you just never know.