snow delay

On a snowy post-christmas day, there's nothing better than lounging around and nibbling on the christmas treats left in the parents kitchen!

red velvet cupcakes and the deranged gingerbread men my grandma bakes every year...

{she may have slacked on the appearance over the years, but the scrumptious flavor remains the same}

the BEST vegan choc. chip cookies by a friend in NYC...

Abbie's mouthwatering, annual 'bark'...

the spicy, homemade cheese crackers from multiple friends never go to waste!

homemade meringue, with peppermint ice cream and Caroline's hot fudge sauce tops off our annual christmas day dinner party with many family friends.

3 french hens.

Where did this month go? I can't believe it is already December 22nd...

While all the little children in the world are counting down the hours until Santa arrives... I am still gathering my thoughts together of what else I need to get as christmas gifts.

Here are some ideas to get you through last minute shopping!

1. Kiehl's non-greasy hand cream

2. Wine War's game from West Elm

3. Magnolia Candle from Michael Aram

4. Donkey Kong for the Wii, Best Buy

5. Umbrella from JoS. A. Bank

6. Steven Alan boxers for men

7. Mini cooler with a funky print by Vera Bradley

8. Small Cosmetic bag by Stephanie Johnson, B.D. Jeffries

9. Turq. and Black Diamond Earrings by Diana Warner

10. Spa Gift certificate from somewhere in your town!

cozy cloths

Today, was by far the coldest day we have had in the city for Fall 2010! I bundled up with my black wool jacket accented with few of my key winter items. The first chilly day was somewhat refreshing and did not bother me one bit. No wind and sunny skies; I can't complain! December is a great excuse to purchase some snug yet chic winter accessories.

Here are some of my favs to mix in with your wardrobe.

marc jacobs. Shaneen Huxman. rag&bone.

we are owls. topshop. kate spade.

rag&bone. Adrienne Landau. rag&bone.

Countdown...

To Christmas has officially Begun!!

25 reasons why I love living in NYC during the holidays...

1. White Winters.

2. Easy access of ice skates @ Bryant Park or Rockefeller Center or Central Park.

3. Barney's and BG's window displays.

4. Christmas LIGHTS everywhere.

5. The transportation.

6. The variety of bands that jam in the city this time of year!

7. Annual Christmas parties. good time each year.

8. Best Christmas shopping, ever!

9. Wearing my FURS.

10. 100's of Santa's drinking and spotted throughout the streets of NYC on one Saturday.

11. Christmas tunes playing everywhere.

12. The Nutcracker. the NYC ballet.

13. Eating and drinking with new and old friends at the best and coziest spots in lower manhattan.

14. The sounds of the hustle and bustle on the streets during the holidays.

15. New Yorker's are a bit friendlier during the holidays :)

16. Roasted chestnuts on the sidewalk.

17. Living next to West Elm started my obsession and not to mention great spot for dirty santa gifts, holiday entertaining and deco.

18. Seeing The Christmas Spectacular (Rockettes) on the Radio City Music Hall neon sign.

19. Fab Christmas treats from the pastry vans throughout soho and holiday parties.

20. Finally some days off of work!!

21. Festive laser light show @ Grand Central is entertaining for the second your passing through the station.

22. I find myself this time of year enjoying brunch every weekend with friends, that leads to day drinking, that usually leads to a holiday party that evening!

23. FAO Schwartz, duh!

24. Passing by the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center at least at some point over the holidays.

25. When returning to the city after Christmas Day I still get butterflies.

Give THANKS

Today I am grateful for:

+ my healthy family

+ my wonderful and hilarious friends

+ living in new york city and having a great job

+ my sweet boyfriend

+ vino, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, peppermint ice cream

+ ALABAMA football

+ magazines, movies, and Saints/Cowboys football game

I kicked off my

2010 Thanksgiving

with a bloody mary at 730am . . .

before heading with family and family friends to central park. We found a perfect spot on the rocks in the park at 73rd street and central park west to watch the Macy's Day Parade!

(ended up across from The Dakota

where Lennon lived ...

and was shot)

Currently drinkin' and cookin' in my cozy, studio apartment with my fam...

enjoying some movies and football!

Cheers!

my turkey breast from whole foods

preparing to cook the sweet potatoes

God is good!

aquarius.

i'm especially feeling my horoscope from today on elle.com

Don’t waste your time preaching to the converted or to the wackadoos. They’re too caught up in their own agendas to hear you today, and you’ll simply wind up frustrated. Remember that the universe helps those who help themselves. Following this principle, there IS someone who is ready to hear your wise words and respond proactively. Devote your time to empowering someone who wants what you have to offer–THAT will be a rewarding experience.

- Horoscopes provided by The AstroTwins

I will admit that I am a devoted astrology lover and believer . . .

the moon, asteroids, planets and the stars help us relate in some way or another, right?

lover-ly

h. surprised me with a lover-ly anniversary dinner at the river cafe ;)

it was so fun and refreshing!

after a bottle of wine, followed a woodford reserve and a white russian and we couldn't stop laughing about h's 'number tag' for his to-go steak.

fo real?

I have been in love with the quaint drawstring style bag for some time now. When browsing the Saks in Birmingham back in October I had my eye on this boho, chic purse by Olivia Harris.

mmm.my hunk of sweetness was full of surprises this weekend...

card by card | year by year

I've been a loyal customer of the paper/art stores scattered on my block,

a.k.a department stores for creative people.

I always wander to the awesome greeting cards section in these stores, so anytime I feel particularly romantic I find something goofy yet sweet for my [long distance] boyfriend.

I've got you in my sights!

(inside)

happy together.

(inside)

LIKE YOU AND ME!

(inside)

our anniversary falls someday around this time of year; therefore, I found a fun loving card tonight on my way home from work.

seltzer | redcap

My Fall Color Pick: OLIVE

Olive is just a color that works and surprisingly matches with any color.

I live in these army cargo pants by J.Brand...

and Tom's.

(not so much do I wear these together, yikes!)

Fo real.

more 2010 olive purchases mesh well with some favs in my closet...

The ease of the A.L.C black and olive striped pocket tank dress and the Vince dolman over-the-head sweater layered over black American Apparel leather leggings is all about showing off one of my comfortable looks of the season.

love the bohemian feel of the Haute Hippie silk pleated detail blouse worn with my Aqua high waisted olive shorts and David Yurman cabled aviators.

if you haven't seen me wearing my gold, silver, and rose gold Chan Luu wrap then you must not know me that well. Lightweight Cargo Jacket... impulse purchase through the window of Express, who would've guessed?

Least, but not last to finalizing a look, is the warm toned tie-dye scarf I am obsessed with that I got last Fall from Intermix!

{OLIVE is my top 5 favorite color, ever}

happy nesting&feasting

The final pieces of furniture for my (somewhat new) studio apartment arrived within days before hosting the first dinner party of the season. All this means is that the boring part is over and let the fun begin... my studio is desperate for some pop of color and art! I kicked off the studio decor with some practical items to create a cozy atmosphere for the upcoming feast.

The eye-catching prints, sales, and window displays at Anthropologie never keep me from browsing.

(living around the corner doesn't help).

First stop, sale. I spotted the last 2 pillows with every color fringe on one side and a modern print on the other side... can't bake without printed pot holders... why not grab some ceramic tiles while leaving the cluttered, sale section?!

I could get lost and wake up everyday in the home section of a.n.t.h.r.o.p.o.l.o.g.i.e! One can never have too many printed cloths laying around. I found a navy toned floral table cloth that can be used for any occasion and fits a rectangle or round table. I saw these charming seat cushions with groovy prints and remembered that my 2 white folding chairs on my balcony could stand some ass comfort when used inside.

anthropologie

My studio is furnished in browns and black with silver, modern lamps as accents. This round silver tray accents my square leather ottoman as my coffee table. I will use this tray for entertaining and decorating!

Pier 1

the creativity continues to unwind; decorating never ends!

This time, last year...

R.I.P to my dear Adrienne Landau..............................fox fur vest.

This time of year has fallen and it's time to replace the stolen [fur]vest

I am really into the silver, grey furs....

love. how Helmut Lang remains to show off his signature drape 'look' with the fur! it looks so warm and cozy. The black Marni fur is so glam, yet very adorable.

ALFABET earrings.

mary, magical, merry, mysterious,

melissa, may, madrid,

monkey, moderate, mojo

What does your M stand for?

I adore by boe. Alfabet earrings.

Sold individually so you can mix and match.

fun stocking stuffers for your pals.

What do your letters stand for?

A Summer's Sun is Worth Having.

the never ending sun that glows all day and every day, painting a canvas with awe-inspiring colors.

birmingham sunset

new york (midtown) sunset

new york (west side) sunset

lake martin sunset

I love when my boyfriend sends me some of his photos...

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful.

I grin every time I see the cover girl ads these days. I love the makeup. OH, how I love thee drew and her cool style. One day she is preppy. the next day she may feel rebellious or rock n' roll. and some days she feels glamourous. all with a hippie chic vibe to each of her looks.

What you see is what you get, fresh natural beauty.

[prep]py

[rebel]lious

[rock]n'[roll]

[glamour]ous

The "Mary Liz" Dress

Have you ever had a dress style named after you? Let me introduce you to the "Mary Liz" Dress from the Spring 2010 Collection by Leona. You won't catch me wearing many pinks or girly attire in my day to day style, but I am a sucker for prints and a charming, feminine cocktail dress. Over the year, I have collected quite a mix of Leona pieces. Check out her collection at www.leonacollection.com !

The "Mary Liz" Dress

(the printed bodice ties in the back, creating an open back)

http://www.leonacollection.com/

pink ruffles may not describe my style, but I did purchase this sexy and chic pink Leona blouse. This top can be worn for more than one look sooo why not dig some livin' in Leona?

Cheers!

Walking along Broadway Street...... of Denver!

Fancy Tiger shop in Denver. Mostly, local clothing & accessory designers.

I went accessory crazy here :)

http://www.fancytiger.com/clothingindex.html

Fancy Tiger Fabric Shop. great prices and sweet unique prints and colorful yarns.

Decade

Welcome to Colorful Colorado!

ski

funky

vistas

artistic

fresh air

music scene

southern friends

handmade collections

marijuana dispensaries

rocky mountains

eco friendly

red rocks

MENver

healthy

coors

and the list goes on...

What Snow?

I woke up to a gloomy, cold morning with an anxious feeling. I gathered all of my ski clothes into a suitcase, made some coffee and tried on some of my new casual key pieces that I wanted to pack. Threw on my American Apparel leggings (that I live in), my knee socks and snow boots; my purple tee with my plaid flannel... grabbed the love of my life! (my Helmut Lang leather jacket) and I was out the door. I just needed to survive walking down the 70 stairs in my apartment building with my suitcase…

UA #6211 Depart: NYC 252pm

Arrive: DENVER 530pm

And to no surprise, it starts snowing harder....f'n A. Finally, I find a cabbie around the corner on his coffee break. I didn’t have to walk much in the nastiness :) Feeling kinda fuzzy, I got extremely confused at the check-in counter (sounds stupid...but I did, maybe it was because I never fly United Airlines ?) BUT I got even more flustered when they told me my flight was CANCELLED. I was so friggin' annoyed. Yeah, it was snowing, but it wasn’t sticking to the ground!!! Shouldn't New York City be prepared for this??? I even checked the flight status before I left. Thank goodness, I got there early enough to get in the front of the line to reschedule and get out of that mess. Unfortunately, I can’t leave until Saturday morning!!! Welp, what can ya do? It is what it is… therefore, I extended my stay until Wednesday haha… I guess it all worked out. All I wanna do is enjoy some landscape, ski and chill in Colorado! lets prayI make it on Saturday...

Here is a picture of the snow outside my window hours after my flight was cancelled. That’s right, what snow??! I'm still bummed. I am also PO'd that I wasted money on a cabbie to and from the airport in one day… so when I got home, I played Mario Kart, ordered Blue 9 Burger and started drinking some wine, hoping to go to bed early…