Too cool for school

Sigh. Today is Perri's first day of college and I sure am missing her. Hugging her goodbye and driving away was one of the toughest things I've ever had to do, but this is the circle of life.

Her dorm is absolutely precious so I have to share a few photos. They don't do the room justice as it's a tough space to photograph. But it has tall ceilings, a big closet, and is a huge step up from where I was living as a freshman!




Her cute bed and a photo strip including a few snapshots of yours truly!




Love this PBTeen Dottie Dry Erase Calendar Wall Decal! I wish that had been available when I was in school!




I miss you already lil bunny foo foo!

PAG's College Survival Kit!

Tomorrow, I am taking my baby sister to college. I can hardly believe that it was reversed just eight years ago. I am ball of emotion - so much is rushing at me all at once. That time flies, that everything is changing, that she is still five years old in my eyes and always will be and it makes moments and times like these tough for me.

Well, we couldn't let her leave empty-handed and we take gifts pretty seriously in my family. I wanted keep it light and fun rather than super sentimental. So, I put this together...




A college survival kit!




Rather than wrap up her other gifts, I thought it'd be more fun to put them in something she can use. Every college student should have a monogrammed L.L.Bean Boat and Tote! I have this same bag and use it for my laundry.




I couldn't send her to college without a great book, so I chose the one that seemed most appropriate... U Chic!




The second I spotted these Vineyard Vines Printed Whales Knit Lazy Pants, I knew she couldn't live without them. So cute, so collegiate, and much like her big sis, she has love for the whale!




What better to remind her of home than the Kate Spade Streets of New York Small Henrietta Cosmetic Bag?



What do you think? I know I wouldn't mind receiving a gift like this! (If I do say so myself!)

Perri, I love you and am so proud of you. You truly make me the luckiest big sister in the world.

For future reference

I had kind of a crappy day so I'm going to make a list of all the things that cheered me up so that I'm reminded of how good my life really is when I'm feeling like this.

Waking up to a birthday party invitation
Sweet emails from my dad
Scoring a lovely Lilly dress on sale
Finding out I'm going to the US Open (multiple times!)
A girlfriend sending a funny blog post my way because she knew I needed a good laugh
Dinner with The Lunch Belle
Cheer up texts from friends
Hitting the gym
Working on my new position for Junior League

Vent over.

NYIGF

The New York International Gift Fair is happening this week and I've been lucky enough to walk through and discover some fun new brands, which is one of my favorite things to do. It has also been incredibly inspirational in the way of home decor - I have a lot of ideas about how to spruce up my humble abode. The only downside is that this particular fair is so huge and I'm left feeling stressed about all the good stuff I know I missed.

Alas, some of the highlights from what I DID see:




I loved Malabar Bay - apparel and accessories in bright, Lilly-esque colors and prints.




Totally fell for this top hat seahorse by iomoi. I saw it on a guest towel in the Matouk booth and was thrilled to find out it is available on many other items, including this canvas personalized pillow.




My obsession with delicate jewelry and the display of dainty turquoise necklaces lured me into the Katie Diamond booth. This one has been officially added to my wish list!




Last but certainly not least, I have to give a shout out to my friend Carrie Dunham and her genius handbag line. These clutches are designed to have interchangeable covers, but can also be worn wiithout. The covers can be monogrammed! I'm only having trouble deciding which color I want. (The monogram is a must.)



For more on the NYIGF, I suggest checking out Habitually Chic. That girl has got it covered!

A happy home

I hosted a housewarming party last month to celebrate my new home with some of my favorite people.




I live in a shoebox. Preparing for the guests in my teeny tiny kitchenette.




I served fruits, cheeses, veggies, nuts, and of course - Baked by Melissa cupcakes.




I was so thrilled that many of my girlfriends made it to my party.



I'm so glad that my friends and family crowded around (literally) to help warm my new home. We shared wine and laughs, and each of my guests came with a fabulous hostess gift in hand - including but not limited to a kate spade ring holder, monogrammed cocktail napkins, and elephant paraphernalia. Do they know me or what? Class acts. I decided that I love throwing parties but this space certainly isn't big enough to do it on a regular basis. I'm going to have to find a co-hostess with a big apartment! Any takers?

Friday Favorites

Glee 3D! We had the best time. They sang almost all of the songs I wanted to hear. I'm dying to see it again.




Victoria's Secret. I bought this bikini online and the pieces shipped separately. According to the USPS website, the top was delivered... but it's not here. A quick call to VS and they're sending me another one via 3 day air. Which means if I make it out to the beach next weekend, this little baby can come with me!




16 Handles! Think Pinkberry, but with a lot more flavors (16!) and fully self-serve. I don't know about you, but I think frozen yogurt places often put WAY too much in one cup. I love that I get to decide EXACTLY how much of everything I want. I am a control freak and this concept is incredibly appealing to me. My kinda place.




Soul Cycle - to work off the 16 Handles! The classes are pretty pricey so I don't take them very often but when I do go, I love it.



Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

It's all in the details

No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I love coming home. It's a feeling I never knew at my last apartment, which I absolutely hate to admit because I lived there for four years. I've been here two months and it feels more like mine than that place ever did.




I got these pillows at Cape Madras. (They're the travel size in Stockbridge.) I love the turquoise and Jonathan Adler pillow, but I wanted one more element to my bed. I saw these and knew were it. After all, it wouldn't truly be my home without a little bit of madras.




It also wouldn't truly be my home without a small piece of the Lone Star State. I found the perfect little spot for my Texas bluebell magnet.




I can't believe I didn't include this in my original apartment post! My parents gave me this gorgeous Kartell Louis Ghost Chair in white by Philippe Starck. It's probably the single best piece of furniture in my apartment but also the most underrated one... it's not in a great spot for sitting, so mostly my Palermo lives on it. My parents have six of these at their dining room table. I think it's safe to say this is my family's favorite means of seating. The dog pillow is precious, too - I'll have to find out where they got it...



I think it's the littlest things that make our homes truly special; don't you?

FALL-ing in love

How many seasonal puns can I fit into one blog?



This was in my inbox this morning. I can't stop looking at it. I love the outfit overall - the contrast of the chunky sweater and the slim pant is a great look. But those boots are really what I'm after. I own a pair of brown Tory boots that I bought 4 years ago. They're beautiful and classic - I get the heels redone every year and they've held up pretty well. Then again, it's been 4 years I think it may be time to bite the bullet. I adore every detail - the color, the turnstyle lock logo, the exposed gold zipper. Still, these are very expensive and last time I bought a pair of Tory boots, I got about 40% off. I have no discount hookups this time around.

I definitely need to invest in some key pieces for when the weather cools down. I decided to write down everything I buy to avoid picking up anything I really don't need. I'm not caring for any of the Fall trends so I think I'm going to stick with what I know best - black cigarette pants, dark skinny jeans, crew neck sweaters, colorful cardigans, ballet flats, riding boots, and tailored dresses. What are you looking forward to wearing when the leaves change colors?

My Vineyard Vines Tie Gal skirt arrived in the mail today. It fits like a dream! I can't wait to wear it.

What I'm FALL-ing for

These days, my wardrobe is all about quality over quantity. I'm buying less, but I'm buying better. I am in dire need of new clothes for Fall. I already have my eye on a few things...




I fell for this skirt when I first saw it at the Vineyard Vines Fall Press Preview. I absolutely love the mix of baby pink and navy blue.




Nothing new here, but I think I should invest in a good pair of fall flats. These are always a perfect fit for my narrow feet.




This etherial J. Crew dress would go well with my pair of nude Prada pumps and I always feel pretty in purple.




I'm picturing this Lilly top under an ivory sweater or tucked into a vibrant green skirt.




I usually go for skinny jeans but I like that these 7 For All Mankinds have a bit of a dressy look. Great with heels and a frilly top.




Because a girl can dream.

But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

The truth is that I live for summer. I believe in perpetual summer. I grew up in Florida, where summer is the sole season. I love the sunshine, the palm trees, the water. It's home to me.

But the other truth is that I'm a little frustrated. New York is quiet in the summer and I've been getting away when I can. I read other blogs about the fun things people are doing and I can't help but feel a bit boring. I think it's because for the first time in a long time, I really feel at home and I've allowed myself to settle into a comfortable schedule. I'm realizing that sometimes a rut is a routine with a few extra letters.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to fall. It always feels like a fresh start, a clean state, and still holds novel to me. I got rid of the majority of my cold weather wardrobe, so I am looking forward to shopping. (I'm all shopped out now. Have to hold off until September or October. It's just too hot.) I'm looking forward to Junior League starting up again. I got my first choice committee this year - planning charity shopping events. I'm thrilled. I'm looking forward to parties and meeting new people and the simultaneous calm and bustle the season lends to the city.

I feel guilty saying all of this - like I'm cheating on a lover - because summer is everything to me. And I'm really enjoying it. But I need to shake things up a bit. I've forgotten what excitement feels like.

Here's to remembering.