scents of autumn

Brooklyn, NY
[September 2011]

Tuscaloosa, AL
 [October 2011] 

Santa Fe, NM
 [October 2011]

College Station, PA
[Sepetember 2011]

New York City, NY
[October 2011]

splash of pride

[rainbow flag dresses up my manhattan view]

[There's a rainbow highway to be found. . .]

hump day {meet my man}

I appreciate mens fashion.
 My man is far from mens fashion, but the longer we have been together his interest has peaked. Overall, he is very particular about his comfort level.
I guess I can't blame him... for being honest.

{lately...}

Patagonia Shoes

J.Crew laces

Dude Abides tee

Orvis watch

[h2o]mushrooms

Rooftop visit on the first semi-beautiful, warm spring day in the city.

The wooden water towers resemble push-pins scattered throughout the New York City's skyline that pin point a building. These h20 towers imaged from my rooftop have been a recent interest & inspiration of mine through design.

If you want water pressure, you need a water tower

bust out the confetti. it's vegas.

8 days later and I have recovered . . .

ninety. years. old

Today my one grandmother (Nannie) is 90 years old.

She is healthy, hip and ready to celebrate her birthday party in 2 weeks!

Born in the 1920's and still sporting her flapper style sense . . .

Words can't explain what an inspiration she has been throughout my life. One of the most admirable, independent, and sweetest ladies in the world.

Few memories I have:

Her Ferragamo closet/collection... 'til this day.

Visits to Nannie & Captain's in Manhasset, NY
(building 'real' igloos & snowmen in the winter | the bay & sailing in the summer)

On my 10th birthday, I flew to New York by myself (remember how cool it was to fly alone?) Nannie took me into the city to shop, have tea at The Plaza & to see Eloise, then a broadway show, CATS!

McDowell Family Reunions @ Seneca Lake, NY

( McDowell Cottage 100th Reunion she rode around town on our cousin's harley)

FUN FACTS ABOUT FRAN:
She is a World Traveler.... and she hasn't stopped traveling yet.
Thailand is one of her favorite places to visit, along with these favs: Australia, Antarctica, Guam, Bali, China, Turkey, and Africa. And after my grandfather passed she spends every February in Hawaii. The February after I graduated from college I went with her for 2 weeks...ahhmazing.

She has a photography obsession (a billion photo albums and slides).
She is a chocaholic (fudge is her fav).
 She has a shopping addiction.
I was born on her and my grandfathers anniversary.
 Lately, we cheers with vodka on the rocks... I could go on and on with memories.

Happy 90th!!!! xx

happy hump day

Wednesday simply means that I can anticipate the weekend once I get over the "hump"

Here is what got me through todays hump:

My brother sent me an awesome cactus/flower arrangement as a late birthday present

I joined the YMCA this week to get this bod in shape....

On the way home from work last night, across from my apartment is City Bakery and I craved their homemade marshmallows. I couldn't resist from getting one... or three.

-- -- -- -- --      I ended my hump day      -- -- -- -- --

with some wine and a home cooked meal

at my cousin's apartment

on the upper east side.

-- -- -- -- -- --

Thus far, my week has been pretty simple with no complaints.

FAT tuesday

my sweet friends aka new orleanians

CHEERS to you both!

majestic montana.

where's waldo?

Get ready for BRIGHTER stripes for Spring 2011,

the paparazzi will never lose track of you....

WHERE will you wear your stripes?

shocks my brain.

woahhh . . . new years 2011

time for the meatstick,

proclaiming happiness, passion and love, soul, joy and creativity

one. amazing. new. years. eve. ever.

Below are some amaze shots posted on phish.com

BOLD in orange

I have an eye for color.. my job allows me to design with stones in every color.. to new yorkers my wardrobe is very colorful.. color brings everything to life..

I love color.

If you were to ask me

the simple Q&A:

"what is your favorite color?"

I would have a perplexed look on my face and unable to answer. There are toooo many beautiful colors out there.

But if you were to ask what my LEAST favorite color is,

I would have to say... Orange.

I feel that

this color simply

looks best when

thrown in the mix

with many colors.

I will admit that a right shade of orange flatters me because of my dark hair and olive skin. I have a solid orange Calvin Klein summer dress that I do love for its comfort and sexiness. A few years back, I took a beautiful silk blouse from my Mom's closest and each Fall I find myself wanting to wear it. However, when mix n' matching the orange, detailed high neck blouse I can't help but feel like a pumpkin or a Auburn and Tennessee fan... not sure which is worse.

Enough about my feelings towards the color orange.. onto the easy, breezy, beautiful CoverGirl 50th Anniversary Party that went on last night. Drew Barrymore went BOLD in her orange. Her appearance is stunningly laid-back in the Jil Sander floor length dress. I love the whole look- from minimalist to bohemian. The shape of the clutch by Hunting Season and the dash of black coordinates perfectly. Drew has that natural warm beauty within that makes this dress glow on her. I would like to see the gathered hem a bit higher up on her, but other than that she's just having fun with the whole covergirl theme song and rockin' it.

You can't pull off this silhouette in any other color without the possibility of looking frumpy.