Sunny summer day in NYC. Long maxi dresses in the windows on Madison.
BCBG
Lilly Pulitzer
Carolina Herrera
Summer 2012 Essentials
Summer musts as we head into Memorial Day!
1. Sandals
Cheap Monday, $75.
2. Swim
Shoshanna anchor bikini, $228.
3. Cover
By the pool. Roberta Roller Rabbit, $99.
Jean shorts W/ a light blazer. Zara, $129.
4. Beauty
Love the mint green for seascape toes.
These work, go on evenly, and are better for you than a tanning bed!
A nice daily cream for your face with a minor SPF…
…But, use a proper face sunscreen, because alpha hydroxy makes skin extra sensitive, and no one wants wrinkles.
TENS In My Twenties: April 2012
1. 101 list, #72! Attend a meditation class.
On a random Wednesday when I was feeling a bit down, for no particular reason, and my thoughts seemed to be racing more than usual, I did something revolutionary. I googled. I found meditation classes for beginners from the Kadampa Meditation Center in New York. Ever since my 60 days of Bikram Yoga (and yes, after reading Eat, Pray, Love), I’ve wanted to try meditating. Because we should have more control over our ever changing thoughts, and it helps to look at the bright side and always stay composed. In The Tao of Pooh, Hoff writes about steadying your mind to be like the ocean. No matter what is going on on the surface, waves crashing, turns of tides, etc., deep down, you are solid and still. Guided meditation helps reach this and gives you a moment to step back, away from whatever is going on. I really, really liked it. Partly because I liked the instructor (I think this is a big deal- one of the classes I did, I didn’t care for the instructor as much), and I absolutely felt decompressed. I only laughed in one class (when I brought a friend- correction “drug a friend”). And it was easy, what with this, “google.” Find a class in your neighborhood and give it a try. Mine was easy- I just sat there and listened to a lecture, bookended with guided meditation. Namaste.
2. Red Ball Project
I am now privy that this has been happening, and I love it! It’s whimsical!
3. Cooking IN with Girlfriends
In New York, we eat out all the time. It’s my favorite thing to do, and 90% of my social activity. This is not only because of the restaurant selection, but because apartments are so small, making it difficult to cook or entertain. But not for my good friend, who has a huge, manicured, outfitted with outdoor dining furniture rooftop that overlooks the Brooklyn bridge. My “big ‘sis” had a group over for homemade pesto and fresh proscuitto over egg pasta from the nearby Italian market, over a fried egg. Delish! And went nicely with the wine. 🙂 Cook with your girlfriends! It’s fun, comfortable (you can have more pasta if you want more pasta!), and a change of pace that brings everyone together.
4. 101 List, #100! Give a Speech At A Friend’s Rehearsal Dinner
One of my best friends got married, and I had the priveledge of being a bridesmaid. Which meant…SPEECH! Having been an actress, I don’t mind public speaking, but finding the right words was something to think about. I tag teamed with another bridesmaid, and together we represented the friends. Most of which, all live in different cities than the bride. We spoke to how when we all come together, it’s like old times, and how great the bride is about keeping in touch, and always does her part in the friendship. And she will in her marriage as well! It was fun, a special memory, and everyone was far enough away to not smell my beer and barbecue breath.
5. My Little Brothers Are Grown Ups.
And that makes me old. Two of my three brothers celebrated their bdays this month. I still think of them as kids, and my jaw drops a little when I think that they are out there navigating their twenties as well. Here are their birthday cakes.
6. 101 List, #20: Learn My Blood Type and Donate Blood
I did it at work. And I’m A-positive. I received a donor card, the below note, and an orange juice.
We would like to thank you for your support at the Hearst blood drive. One donation can save up to three lives; this means our donations have the potential to reach up to 141 people! New York Blood Center alone requires over 2,000 volunteer blood donations each day to meet the transfusion needs of patients in close to 200 New York and New Jersey hospitals.
7. Easter
Pastel dresses! Baskets! Brunch! And our dog in bunny ears.
8. Girls on HBO
Hilarious, genius. Dark, I warn you. But NAILS IT.
9. The Brain on Love
Great NYT Article by Diane Ackerman.
10. I WON AN iPAD
This is real, and not some email scheme about giving to Nigerians or receiving a gift in exchange for my social security number. I WON SOMETHING in a raffle at work! And it’s a brand new, iPad. Oh, snap. iPad has since been outfitted in a high-end case, app’d out, and renamed, iJack.
Filed under TENS in my twenties
TENS in my Twenties: March 2012
1. TX By Way of NYC
Every year, Pat Green plays a show in New York. Always a good excuse to round up the TX crowd and drink Lonestar. And then end up dancing ALL NIGHT.
2. Friends with Kids
Yes! See it. Good NYC rom com. Boys like it, too.
3. Hunger Games
The movie left me hungry. When I finished the book, I secretly wanted Rue to win the Hunger Games. When I saw the movie, I just didn’t care. But good work, Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks.
4. Da Silvano
Another amazing dinner. This is hands down, still my favorite Italian in NYC, and there’s outdoor seating. I had…wait for it…chocolate pasta with Boar ragut. Yes, this exists. Not sweet at all, but hearty. AND YUM!
5. Mad Men
Zoo be zoo be zoo…watch out, Draper. Make sure you read the weekly recaps at NY Mag. They’re poignant, and help pinpoint what gets you sucked into this show.
6. March Madness
Have to confess, I wasn’t as invested this year as I have been in the past, but still love a good basketball game.
7. Austin, TX: Bachelorette!
I got back to Austin once again, although probably for the last time in quite awhile. This time the event was one of my best friend’s bachelorette party. I was honored to be asked to be a bridesmaid, and this weekend away was not only a nice vacation, but a great get away with the girls that has me even more excited for the wedding itself. There were dinners, dancing, karaoke, and a pontoon boat. The rest is for the books.
8. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court heard three days of argument regarding Obamacare, with D.C. folk lining up to sit in like it was the opening of Breaking Dawn, Part II. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it will not only be a deciding factor in this year’s Presidential election, but arguably one of the more significant Supreme Court rulings of our time. The primary debate is over the individual mandate, that requires individuals to buy insurance and the constitutionality of this. And if this goes, what happens to the rest of the laws? Read up on this…
9. New Job
I made an internal move at my company into a new job! Woohoo!
10. Falling…
I like a new boy. I also like a lot of iPhone cases (more on this in a future post), so let’s not get too excited. But he does make me feel like I’m living a teenage dream. Stay tuned.
Filed under TENS in my twenties, Uncategorized
My Walk to Work: April 6, 2012
Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in Easter Parade. Love this tune. Click to watch!
IN YOUR EASTER BONNET
Spring is here! It’s still a bit chilly out, but nothing a trench coat can’t protect me from. And since I’ve learned from my last physical I’m vitamin D deficient (apparently rampant among New Yorker’s…does this make me an official New Yorker???) Here’s what Madison Ave. is looking like…COLORFUL and ready for Easter. Which I LUUUUUV. Since dying my hair red, I’ve been very drawn to brights. So these trends make for a stylish bunny basket. Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Oscar de la Renta. The prettiest egg of them all.
Tulips on Park to match.
Mint tweed at Chanel
Chanel. This shell clutch is all over editorial with my three most hated words: "Price Upon Request." (Read: you don't want to know what this shell shaped clutch costs. It might as well have belonged to a mermaid.)
Dior, leather fedora. I've never been so jealous of a mannequin (Kim Cattrell not withstanding).
Lanvin tribute collection at Barney's.
Gucci
My foot walkin' along...
Filed under Uncategorized, Walk to Work
Chocolate vs. Sex 