Ice, ice baby.

It's very rare in the summer, that there's a day when I am not down for an iced latte. This particular picture has done me in. It's also very rare that I chose anything other than an iced chai latte. The combination of coolness and spices throws a fabulous fete for my taste buds.

Photo via flickr

I take it back.

I've mentioned before that I am looking forward to fall, but also forgot to mention that I am not looking forward to leaving summer behind. I still need to go to the ocean, hit up a few more ice cream parlors, and take more drives with the top off my car. It's hard to ignore the certain crispness in the air as August is passing by, and with the signs of fall, come an all too familiar sense of sadness. Summer has and always will be my favorite season, but remembering that I love each season for their own individual reasons make the transition a little easier to take on.

Photo via Carter Smith

Beautiful world.

The Sartorialist is always fun to explore when my life is less than hectic {which is extremely rare}. The images of every day life all over the world are humbling. Lately, the pictures are so simple and yet again, possibly the most beautiful things I've seen in quite some time. Here are a few of my favorites as of late.

{Why I love this: the long skirt, flamingo pose, and Brooklyn setting}

{Why I love this: The girl is 16. When I was 16, it was hard to look past Abercrombie and Fitch. Too cool for school in my opinion}

{Why I love this: Her shoes, and the way she is looking at him. Dean Martin-esque vibe}

{Why I love this: So many times when walking home from my internships, classes, and work, I would wish upon a star that a bike would simply roll my way and I would make it home in minutes flat. The basket for her purse. Army green skirt. Love}

Photos via The Sartorialist 

Stonecat Cafe.

I am extremely picky about restaurants. To say that I don't like commercial, franchised, neon lighted spots is an understatement. The Stonecat cafe, conveniently located on Seneca lake, is my favorite place to go when I'm vacationing in the area. This tiny cafe's menu consists of locally grown and organic food, and an amazing selection of local wine. Five out of the six times I've been there, I always ordered the special. Since I am a sucker for seafood, this past visit, we ordered a smoked salmon and cream cheese appetizer and the halibut with a peach apricot puree for an entree. It was pure perfection.

Fields of gold.

This image encompasses my vacation thus far, perfectly. Unfortunately yesterday, a family emergency came up and my dad had to leave the lake to go back home, my mom had a big meeting, and my younger brother had to work. All who were left, were my puppy and I. We swam in the lake, watched a thunder storm roll in and out, and listened to the waves all the while catching up on my new Vogue and Harper's, and it was the most therapeutic day I've had in a while. Often times, caught up in a busy world we forget how important taking a day off can be. Whatever you have going on, whatever paper, photo shoot, interview, meeting etc. etc. remember the importance of deep breaths and mini breaks. xx

Photos via Andrew Yee

The week ahead.

I am heading to the lake for a week, starting this weekend, with an insatiable craving for fish tacos, liliacism painted nails, ice cream, and messy thrown up hair. This upcoming week, I vow to not have a care in the world and take each day as it comes. Spontaneity and whim will be my best friends and you can be certain that laughter will be my middle name. Happy weekend and happy travels, to you. xx

Photo via the Sartorialist

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.

Life as of late.

I definitely do not have wifi and it's beginning to show. It has been trying to post this past week due to poor signal, but the clouds are gone and I have a small opportunity window, so here we go. Over the last week, you haven't missed much. A bunch of impulse purchases, jotting down and expanding on some big ideas, fashion inspiration searching, and one of my best friends turned 23! (happy birthday, Tara!). Oh, and please don't let me forget, a second shattered IPhone screen. Is anyone else feeling really busy lately? Although, now that I think of it, I would hate not to be busy, not to have ideas racing through my head, busy thinking of how different my life might be in a year, two years, ten years. So as I take a quick deep breathe, here's to us and our mess of beautifully busy lives.

House sitting.

My brother and sister in law are having a weekend to themselves, which means it's me, their pup, and two overly active cats, spending two entire days and nights together - I am in pure heaven. Just about a half hour ago, their dog ,Gaia, and I, sat on the porch watching the sun set, a bubble bath in an enormous jacuzzi tub is in my very near future, and a slumber spent on a "cloud" mattress, things honestly could not get better. To top it off, the Nightcap dress came yesterday evening. (I wore it getting ready for work this morning. note: I did not wear it to work, just when blow drying my hair and applying makeup at 7am) The following picture nabs my feelings all in one. Here's to another amazing weekend, darlings! xx

photo via ciao chessa

Summer kind of wonderful.

My throat is sore, temperatures are skimming 80 degrees (if not 90) daily, and I could really go for this at the moment. I'm not joking when I say that the clouds are beginning to resemble the soft served swirls.

Photo via cupcakes and cashmere

Citrus summer.

It's happening. The moment that I laughed off throughout my teenage years up until now, solely because I never thought the day would come when I would have the pleasure of experiencing and feeling my wisdom teeth's true colors. Saturday was unpleasant to say the least, and it hurt even when I attempted to eat a piece of cheese. Slowly reality sank in and I realized that I needed to make an appointment with my dear old dentist to get this sucker removed. (Note: I still have yet to call) I knew that once this tooth is taken from my mouth, what I will be left with is a swollen jaw and a diet of chocolate pudding, which I'm slightly okay with. Luckily though, with a little beauty sleep, the pain disappeared and my mouth could thankfully, tolerate normal food. I decided that for as hot as it was yesterday, these fish tacos would make the perfect entree. When making the sauce to accompany the tacos, my kitchen filled up with the freshest citrus aroma that I wish I could bottle up and tote around in my purse. Not to mention, the texture of all the ingredients together was phenomenal. Honestly, this was the ultimate way to welcome in the month of May.

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?