Two absolute favorites.

I could go on and on with a list of my favorite things/people/places/blahblahblah. Three definite words that would be located at the top of this list are 1. Balmain, and 2. Cameron Diaz. With her crazy personality and bubbly-ness, I would totally be friends with her. Put her in Balmain, and I'd be her best friend.

Ladder ball.

For the past four summers, Ladder or Blongo balls have been flying threw the air like it's no ones business. If you don't know what Ladder Ball is, click here for a quick catch up. If you are familiar with the game, perhaps you can understand where I'm coming from. When I see someone setting up the necessary components of the game, I am less than thrilled. Simply due to the fact that I am not skilled when it comes to throwing two balls conjoined by a thin rope, and in some bazaar way, getting the rope to wrap around any of the three horizontal poles. More often times than not, I am focusing on trying to avoid wrapping the thrown objects around a tree limb  or a passerby's neck or leg. But much like any other game, there are times when I have my MVP moments. I can really rack up the points one minute and then put people's lives in danger the next. I don't know what it is, but when the game first starts off I'm rolling my eyes, but without fail, half way through I am rolling up my sleeves, and out comes the competitiveness. 

{ladder ball mascot, bentley}

{game face - check}

{i'm pretty sure some threatening comments were being made by the opposing team}

I'm sure you're dying to know, we lost.

Jillbert.

she gives horse riding lessons to handicapped children
she can tile an entire bathroom
she appreciates high heels as much as I do
she makes odd noises when imitating her cats
she loves to/and actually can, cook amazing meals
she doesn't care what people think
she did flips in a kids Gap commercial when she was younger
she's the best friend to her husband, my brother


i love my new sister.

May flowers and honey showers.

{berry tart with vanilla granola and honey drizzle}

{mother's day}

{abby's birthday}

This past weekend was full of family, friends, dreaded storms, baking, and high heels. Unfortunately for you, my camera was around to capture only a few of these events. Friday, was my best friend's birthday, so in true celebratory style, we met our closest friends (and some new ones) out at a local bar, all the while, running around in my most comfortable Valentino heels. Saturday I attended a wedding. While rummaging through my closet and drawers, I felt overwhelmingly frustrated at my assortment of wedding season attire. Feeling defeated, I bravely opted for a flowy, navy party dress, and my python studded Proenza sandals. 1. Brave- adjective. ready to face and endure danger or pain. Keri bravely wore a flowy short dress and high heel sandals after checking her weather bug app, noticing the extreme storm heading straight in her direction, and choosing to ignore the warning anyway. After a night of quite intense dancing, and numerous people coming up to us at the wedding, telling my friend Abby and I that we had won the 'Best shoes of the Night' award, I was euphoric in returning to my house, back to the comfort of my warm and undemanding Uggs. Sunday was spent alongside some of the best company in the world - my family. I spent the morning victoriously whipping up a berry tart from scratch, after, we went to my aunts house for a perfect hot dog lunch, to me, there's honestly nothing better. The night ended with my mom's side of the family and some home made chili. This was my first Mother's Day that I've been able to be home for in five years. I almost forgot that although sending a bouquet and a card to my mom was the most I could have done for her over the past couple of years, nothing is a better gift than just being able to spend the day, just with her. 

Bittersweet symphony.

I received my new Vogue and Harpers Bazaar magazines last week, I routinely found a sunny spot in my house, and sat down to read the articles and gawk over the utterly beautiful spreads. With each turn of the pages, I am reminded of designers, designers and companies that I emailed, shopped, called, and interviewed with, throughout my college career and then some. Each time I come across Hermes ads, I am constantly taken back to the amazing and truly original people that I've met during my internship in the fashion house. And as always, I relive some moments in my mind, smile, and make headway on to the next page.

Wet Willie's.

Part of the fun of traveling to the South, is visiting places that are nonexistent in New York, such as Sonic, palm tree lined beaches, and my new favorite place, Wet Willies (although the name still freaks me out). Don't get me wrong, I am all for tiny independently owned smoothie shops, but this franchise was something completely new to me and honestly, I loved it. With over 20 different flavors of spiked smoothies, you can see how someone could get into trouble, but me, being the responsible driver, opted for a baby sized Bahama Mama beverage. While I took tiny sips from my tot sized cup, I looked on in envy at my friends with their extra large king kong chalice, knowing that the ride home would be nothing but comical. About 40 minutes after we had left the smoothie bar, half of my friends opted for a nap in the back seat only waking up for the occasional bump or two in the road.

Florida vacation.

I returned early Sunday morning from my week long vacation in Florida, visiting one of my best friends and my younger brother. Needless to say, it was so hard to leave! Waking up around ten, joining in a few pool parties all day, going out to delicious restaurants with friends, and spontaneous (to say the least) night activities. We rented a convertible, which in my opinion is the only way to roll in Florida, went to an aquarium, spent dinner at the ocean, and even managed to get kicked out of a bar, I promise, it wasn't my fault. Vacations always go by too quickly, but the memories via photos are something that will last far longer than sun kissed tans and sand in your clothes.

{this bay is my friends back yard}

{never in my life have I seen so many cute dogs/super nice people in one area}

{I underestimated how great a night sipping on water felt in lieu of throwing back numerous fruity cocktails}

{I'm having a hard time understanding why pools such as this aren't mandatory for each household?}

{aquariums and zoos leave me felling melancholy, although this picture seems a bit cheerful to me, don't they look happy?}

{speaking of happy}

{kellie, me, and abby dancing away in our own little world}

{florida sky}

It's good to be back. xx

Leaving town.

I am counting down the days (2) until I leave for vacation. Braving the rain and thunder storm last night, Abby and I took off to pick up a few last minute things for our trip, check. The last thing on my to do list, is everyone's favorite activity, packing. All trips prior, I find myself putting the packing off until last minute, and all of a sudden it's nine hours before I board the plane and my suitcase is empty. This time will be different. Two days before take off and I'm already half way done? Amazing.

{I have all intentions of spending most of my days a la plage. packed are an even ratio of bikinis to outfits}

{vital accessories. gold bangles will look stunning with a tan}

{proenza, brian, cynthia, valentino... the gang's all here!}

{things I cannot forget. straight works to keep my hair smooth in constant humidity, bobby pins for no fuss styling, sun screen, light florally perfume, lilacism nail polish, aveeno face moisturizer, dylan's candy bar lotion yum, and my notebook that holds my entire life}

Last chance before I zip up my suit case, who wants to come with me?

Ocean avenue.

There's little in life better than the combination of a beach, gorgeous dresses, and the early morning sun. In six days, my dear friend Abigail and I are boarding a three hour flight to the southern part of the country to visit our other dear friend, Kellie. I am most looking forward to lazy/crazy days on the beach, meeting tons of people, breaking out my new summer apparel, and irreplaceable girl talk over even girly-er drinks... yes I did just make up a word. No matter the venue or how crowded the beaches are, soaking up the rays, and more importantly each other's company, sounds like a vacation well spent. I am expecting to step off the plane in two weeks, with a tan as deep as the friendship that we've formed over the past twelve years.

photos via marcus ohlsson, and daria ebowy via {this is glamorous}

Long Island.

Long Island can at times have a bad rep, right up there with New Jersey. If you take away the fist pumping juice heads, techno music, and exaggerated accents, this area can be the most diverting getaway spot, and it was just what I needed. This past week was spent in Long Island, LI natives say "on Long Island" and I'm having the hardest time justifying this, but whatever. Boyfriend and I visited an extremely chilly bay, jumped in and out of the city for unexpected shopping trips and low key dinners, and devoured "heros" from TJ's,  a small, less than lavish, but amazing none the less, "hero" shop. Another thing questionable about Long Island, "heros" vs. subs, but being a girlfriend to a native Long Islander, I choose to go with the flow and sacrifice some New York terms for a while. I didn't take nearly enough pictures as I had intended, but the events that I did capture constantly remind me of why I love this little area so much.

{private jet on the way to LI... um, I'll take it}

{did I ever mention how questionable, flying over an ocean makes me feel? as an attempt to distract myself I tried capturing the above the cloud sunrise}

{we took the tripod out with us}

{and spent the greater part of the day among the docks}

{=spring}

The best medicine.

Let me start off by saying that I am currently writing this up from my porch. I'm having trouble finding a single cloud in the sky and I'm joined by the company of my cat. Although the peaceful sound of birds is occasionally interrupted by a  stentorian sneeze from yours truly, it's hard for me to complain about today.

Yesterday, as I mentioned, I chose to simply ignore my inhospitable cold, and went out with my friend Abby, I couldn't have chosen anyone better to celebrate this holiday with. Chiefly because of the fact that she was donning a bright green wig with an array of sparkling shamrock necklaces. It's hard to deny the smile that is permanently on your face when in the presence of someone with that much spirit and love of life. We visited a handful of bars, but the inebriated crowd and sky scraping leprechaun hats, proved to be a tad overwhelming and ultimately, I found myself back at home topping the night off with an episode of SVU, tissues, and very much appreciated cold medicine.