Summer Styles

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Well, hey, everyone! It's been a while (again), but this time it was due to computer trouble (farewell old macbook), taking a quick jewelry class, and starting a new internship back in New York for another summer. As quick as that month went, it's about to become a new one with the welcoming of July in a few days. With that, comes one of my favorite holidays: July 4th, of course!

Now, the fourth of July is the epitome of summer celebrations. While the past two summers I've spent it watching fireworks off of The Hudson river in the city, this summer I'll be spending it in a different city, Hilton Head, South Carolina. When it comes to trips, I always get excited to pack and dress for that specific location. The four pieces above are ones I have been particularly drawn to as of late.

1. Pineapples, and fruit patterns alike, have been popping up everywhere this summer, and what better of a print to lounge on while at the beach. Not to mention, the bright green is festive, too!

2. I usually am terrible at packing, often somehow turning weekend getaways into weeklong ones with the amount I include in my suitcase. However, I recently purchased the duffle above at the incredible C. Wonder sale this past weekend. With it's black and white hawaiian print and my monogram in neon yellow that I added, it screams South Carolina and will hold up for all of those perfect little summer excursions and ones afterwards, as well.

3. I've been following the Marysia swimwear company for a while after seeing their sweetly scalloped suits on bloggers and Instagram feeds. There is something about their shape and style that seems so classic and stylish at the same time.

4. Finally, Kate Spade's month in Rio brought these toucan sandals. While I've never been to Rio, I have ventured into the Kate Spade store, I can vouch that these would look just as cute on the beaches of South Carolina as they would in Rio.

Hope everyone had a great weekend, and here's looking forward to a short work week ahead!

- Good to be back -

Gift Guide: For the Family

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I'll admit, I was embarrassingly a little late on my gift-giving this holiday. With Hanukkah happening over Thanksgiving break this year (so odd!), it certainly caught my whole family off guard. So, while home for Winter break, I was finally able to catch up. After all, it's the season of giving, right? I picked up simple gifts that while small, were meaningful and pieces that I truly thought that the people in my family would appreciate.

Mom- I had noticed that she has been really into small and decorative bags recently. For a woman who usually carries her life in her purse, a smaller bag was something that not only felt more practical and easier to carry, but was a fresh update to her accessory wardrobe, as well. I went with a small hexagonal style from Urban. With an attachable chain, you could wear it as a clutch for evening, or a fun geometric style for afternoon to add a simple but quick update to an otherwise possibly basic look. The featured piece in the collage above is from Asos. While slightly clunkier and larger than the one that I actually ended up purchasing for my mom, the boxy nature of the one above was inspiring as a shape in general.

Dad- Still looking for the perfect style, but my dad enjoys decorative office pieces such as letter openers and paper weights. Gold and bronze always amp up an office setting, and this fall themed pinecone letter opener seems like a simple yet professional style to not only keep on his desk as decoration, but serves a useful purpose for all of his office and personal mail, as well.

My Sister, Lauren- My sister has a thing for candles at the moment. I have yet to see her without at least four burning in her room at one time. After a long search with scents at many stores, I stuck with one where most of her candles come from--Urban Outfitters-- and picked up a classic and soothing smell in Lavender and Thyme to keep her relaxed when she is lounging or studying in her room. And, since she's not always in her room, I bought her these zodiac earrings with her sign (Sagittarius). She always has the coolest jewelry pieces that I could never pull off, but look amazing on her. These little earrings seemed to be right up her alley and the combination with the candle couldn't have seemed more like her in my book. 

What did you get (or are planning on getting) your family for the holidays? I'd love to hear!

Home Improvement

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It's amazing how you can find yourself drawn to design aspects that you never thought that you would be interested in, don't you think? Today's 'Home Improvement' post is not necessarily one that I would really decorate my home with (see: cow tile work), but I certainly think that the image above is inspiring. Green is one of those colors that I think is so often overlooked when it comes to home interiors, and yet, it is one of those colors that pretty much have whichever impact you want it to. Pale greens can be calming and quite pretty, while emeralds and kelly greens are much bolder and make a stronger statement. I find the idea of a green kitchen interesting, in that green is often associated with a state of calmness. In the kitchen, cooking and being with family and friends, should not be a stressful activity. Who knows? By incorporating more greens in the kitchen, and not just on our plates, our general stress levels may even lower. All of the flowers don't hurt, either.

What do you think of green interiors? What about green kitchens?

Check out this green formal room that I would love to daydream in, as well.

Home Improvement

Years ago, when my family lived in our old house, my sister and I had a pink playhouse. While the house itself was every little girls dream, it was an element in the house, a chalkboard wall that my dad painted on, that really made it unique and special. The always-drawing art lover that I was, appreciated the wall as an endless source of creativity and inspiration, and when I came across this dreamy chalkboard wall behind a bathtub I was reminded of the space where so many ideas flowed without too much scrutiny. How dreamy would it be to have a relaxing bath and doodle on the walls? After all, so many of us come up with our best ideas in the shower...why should this be any different?

What do you think of this creative alternative to wallpaper or traditional paint?

-If anyone knows the original source of this image, please let me know-

For Dad

To the man who I can always count on for daily Starbucks photos, information for when Secretariat is on TV, and for always supporting me in all of my dreams and aspirations. You're an incredible person, father, and friend. Happy father's day, daddy. I love you.

For Mom

//A very happy mother's day to the best mother, friend, photographer, shopping companion, and partner in crime. I appreciate your endless love and compassion, desire to help others unconditionally, and for always supporting me in anything and everything. I love you.//

Charleston

//Top Left: A southern staple, iced tea// Top Right: My dad and I on Kiawah Island// Bottom Left: Sunset at the Battery//  Bottom Right: King Street, Charleston's main strip for great shopping, snacks, and it's minutes away from The College//

If you know me at all, you know that I have a slight southern obsession. Don't get me wrong, the East Coast has a special place in my heart, as well, but there is something about the south that will always be home. I spent my spring break with my family in the epitome of the south, Charleston, South Carolina. The last time I visited Charleston was when I was looking at schools and checked out CofC (College of Charleston), and it was interesting to see what has changed and what has remained the same. We payed a repeat visit to Angel Oak, the 1,500 year old Oak Tree, and a new visit to the vast beauty that is Middleton Plantation. While we received an unexpected snow storm today, it was certainly a treat to have spent my trip where breezy dresses and sandals replaced tights and riding boots and where southern hospitality is served up family style.

-I hope you all had a great break-

Person of Interest: Gaia Repossi

Although born into the jewelry business, Repossi, founded by her great grandfather, Gaia Repossi did not always aspire to one day be a part of the company. With her interests leading more towards the fine arts of painting and studies in anthropology, she wasn't particularly interested in fashion. However, in 2007 she became the artistic director for the Repossi jewelry brand. Infusing her love of anthropology and various cultures into her jewelry work, she is inspired by "ethnic silhouettes and tribal adornment with contemporary art." Though she doesn't consider a fashion line as of now, she has done many collaborations in designing jewelry for some of fashion's top designers such as Alexander Wang and Joseph Altuzarra, both for their fall 2011 collections.

Although her interests lie in metals instead of cloth, she understands how to dress incredibly well. Gaia Repossi's sense of style is rather simple and incorporates many masculine references. She has said that her mother told her to "never overdress because it's never going to work." In thinking about the concept of making an outfit "work", one of the main qualifications is making it come across as that you have thrown it on and it just happened to be perfect. With her outfits mostly consisting of solid colors and easy shapes, even in a long sienna colored dress in the far left image above, she never looks overdone.  If never overdressing will result in my outfits appearing like Gaia Repossi styled them, consider it done.

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Give Thanks

As every year passes, I grow more and more aware of how thankful I really am. I am incredibly blessed to have a family that loves me and supports me in all of my attempts and failures, the opportunity to attend an incredible university to study and make what I love, wonderful friends who make me laugh until my stomach aches and embarrass me in the best ways, and so much more. 

I hope that all of you enjoy your Thanksgiving with your favorite people and loved ones and make sure to thank all of those who have made such incredible daily impacts without even realizing. 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Home Improvement

Back home, we have a two-way fireplace that goes through the dining room and into the family room. When I was younger, I remember sitting on the bench in front of the fireplace and roasting marshmallows to make s'mores and watching as my dad would add wooden logs to the fire as I watched the flames grow and the embers burn from the other side. Though it isn't cold enough yet for snuggling in front of the heat, that is one of the memories from home that I love. These cozy and sweater-like cushions and mugs filled with coffee in tea in light cream and tans makes me excited for those cold weathered nights where even just watching the fire in the fireplace will keep you warm.

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Home Improvement

When I was in elementary school, my parents built my sister and myself a bubblegum pink playhouse in our backyard. For me, this playhouse was a space of my own that I loved to be in and was special because of all of the work put into it from the two-way stable style door, the little porch, and the little steps that I would hop over in the grass to get to. However, my favorite part was the chalkboard wall. Of course, being younger, I thought it was amazing that I could draw all over these walls whatever I wanted, and that it could easily be changed, as well. Years later, we no longer have the playhouse, but my love for these chalkboard walls still remain. I love the way that they can add a sense of character and playfulness to an otherwise ordinary space, and the fact that they can be so personal to each owner. Whether you write your grocery lists on them in the kitchen, display inspirational quotes in intricate lettering, or put up in a family room for free drawing, they create a homey quality that definitely reminds me of a great and special place.

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A to Z: Family

One of my new favorite parts about October is family weekend. While most of the time that I am at school, the fact that I'm not with family is not really an issue. I am surrounded by a large amount of assignments, projects, daily deadlines and groups of friends. However, being from Texas and going to school in upstate New York, it is much harder for me to go home and visit than it is for friends from Pennsylvania, NYC, or Massachusetts. When my dad, sister, and mom came up this pack weekend, I made sure to get all work done the previous week, and we enjoyed a very fall themed time going apple picking, sharing Pumpkin Spice Lattes and buying a few too many sweaters.

Dad

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! Thank you for always bringing a smile to my face, joy to my day, and an infinite amount of love to my life. I love you.