weds-day: marriage

Wedding planning is one thing, but every so often in this crazy process, I meditate on what we're actually doing. A marriage is no small potatoes (and I love potatoes), but it's easy to say that and not always easy to drink it in.

A little life update: if you hadn't gathered this, we put off buying a house and moving to Connecticut for now. Raven is prepping to apply to school in the Fall, and it didn't make much sense for us to move without knowing where we'd be ending up. Exciting and honestly a bit of a relief, as we're not ready to move out of the city quite yet.

The past month has been busy for both of us in the most lovely way - LRW has picked up steam, and Raven is studying like a maniac and playing 4-6 hours of piano every day. What's left, at the end of the day, are two people who love each other very much with distinctly different needs. If I've been working, I desperately want to hang out and have a drink. If Raven's been working, he desperately wants to study. So, truth be told, we've been on different pages for the past month. And what does that mean for our MARRIAGE!?!

In my bones, for me and Raven, I don't think a month of weirdness adds up to much. But, I do want to make thinking about marriage, really considering it, an everyday activity. I spend so much time thinking about the wedding - a mere 24 hour period that will pass like a flash - and it' only fair that from now till death do us part gets as much consideration as well.

Married friends, I'm relying on you! I want some pre-marriage and marriage advice. What did the weight of marriage do for your relationship? Any advice? I'm all ears and big potatoes, so please, do tell!

xoxo,

image by Raven Koehler.

tonight at 8pm

Good morning, friends!

So, we talk a lot on here about things, and money, and appearance - kind of superficial, when you think about it. I grew up with parents who always told me that family is the most important aspect of life, and that the rest (jobs, money) is just details. I absolutely agree with this mentality, and yet, here I am building a career that, at first glance, is the opposite of that philosophy.

So how do I balance the need to create with the desire to pursue a career that can, at times, feel very uncreative and sort of unnecessary? Because I love what I do, truly.

Tonight I'm going to attempt to answer this question, among others, when I participate in an online "virtual think tank" with Courtney Romano (remember her? mmm hmm!).

Join us, won't you? Let's make some sense out of our lives.

See you at 8pm!

photo by Ashley Caroline.

how to: get the perfect waves

Good morning! With the weather the way it is lately (read: humid and all over the place), I wanted to share my go-to hair style. I've been curling my hair this way since college, and I feel like I've finally got it down. Without further ado, here's how to get the perfect waves.

First things first: get yourself a great curling iron. You all know my love affair with the brand amika (I religiously use their dry shampoo and color shampoo), and I was so pleased by the quality of their switch kit curling wand. I'm partial to this attachment for the look we're going for, but they're honestly all amazing.

This style can be done on just washed or day old hair - just make sure to spritz in a little dry shampoo before starting.

Next, I always finger comb my hair to make sure there aren't any obvious tangles.

I don't like to spend an eternity curling my hair, so for time's sake, (and because I think it looks better) you only need to make two sections of hair. My part is in the middle, so I just make two low pigtails. If you part it on the side, you may want to do one section a bit bigger.

Next, start by gathering 1-2" sections of hair...

...and wrap each strand over the barrel away from your face (clockwise).

My stylist taught me this amazing trick, and here's how to get the perfect wave:

As soon as you release a strand from the curling iron, give it a little tug downward.

The curl separates a bit and becomes looser. It has changed the way I do my hair! After you finish one side, start on the other, this time curling each strand under and then towards your face (so, counter clockwise on the barrel). Don't ask me why, but doing the two sides differently like this makes all the difference in the world!

Let your hair cool completely, then finger comb gently to loosen the curls.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

This is not a sponsored post, but I was gifted the curling iron from amika. I truly use and love their products!

photos by Julia Elizabeth.

style stories: my favorite things

Hi friends! Even though it's a gloomy Monday, I feel great after a very exciting weekend. My best friend got engaged and turned 30, the weather was perfect, and did you see the finale of Mad Men last night? No spoilers here, I'll just say I can't believe it's over! I'm ready to take on the week and I wanted to continue with the style stories series I started a couple weeks ago. If you're a regular around these parts, you probably know my style pretty well, what I like and don't like in general, and so on. But I thought it would be fun to lay everything out here for you guys, kind of like a questionnaire. So here goes! Describe Your Style: I always want to look girly and like a dude at the same time.

Favorite Retailer: Net-A-Porter for their high end inventory, Shopbop for their incredible sales and customer service, ASOS for their affordable and look alike designer (read: knock off) pieces.

Favorite Article of Clothing: Currently, my "leather" jacket.

Favorite Go-to Accessory: A pendant necklace.

Favorite lip color: Heat Wave by Nars.

Style Icon: Without a doubt, my sister Liz. I don't ask many people for fashion advice (though I should, because everyone's got something to add), but I trust my sister implicitly when it comes to style and always want her opinion. When I got my wedding dress, I had my mom and 3 of my closest friends there to weigh in. It wasn't until I sent my sister a picture and got a thumbs up that I felt like I had really made the right decision. I spend my days researching fashion, I'm on every website first thing looking at new arrivals, and my sister can always one up me. She's a force and hands down she is my lifetime style icon.

Best Sale Purchase: An Alexander Wang bag at half price!

Most Coveted Item on my Wishlist: Probably a Cartier love bracelet or a vintage Rolex. Neither will be happening anytime soon (if ever). 

Most Coveted Item in my Closet: Mackage Coat.

Favorite Beauty Product: Bronzer!

First Big Fashion Purchase: A Christian Dior saddle bag (I was 15 and saved up all summer to buy it for I think $150).'

Best Piece of Fashion Advice: I never my my maternal Grandmother Grace, but she taught my Mom to put on every piece of jewelry she wanted to wear and then take off two pieces before leaving the house. Maybe her accessory minimalism rubbed off on me?

Favorite Thing About Fashion: The outside doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. However, if how you look on the outside is a reflection of your soul and makes you feel good, I see nothing wrong with caring about it! I always dress up on days when I'm in a bad mood because it helps me physically step into a positive mindset.

I'd love to hear from you guys! What's your favorite thing about fashion? Who is your style icon? What's the item at the top of your wishlist? Please leave a note in the comments because I am a CURIOUS!

xoxo,

picture of the week

And here we are! Another Friday, and it's a beauty here in NYC. This week has been packed with client work for me - I know I've mentioned that a few times but I'm pinching myself. It feels so great to be doing what I love. This weekend the work continues assisting a wedding with my good friend, but before that I'll be enjoying Becca's show tonight in Gowanus! What are you up to this weekend? I hope it's grand. Here are my favorite links of the week:

Speaking of Becca's show: go see it! Guarantee you will enjoy it. Tickets here.

A must read for every manicure loving NYC lady: the sad truth about our go-to salons. (thank you to my sister for sending this my way!)

Sex in museums. I have to admit I think I enjoyed reading this a little too much.

Astorians! I've been taking barre class here 2-3 times / week and I'm loving it. Working on my goal of taking an exercise class in nothing but a sports bra and yoga pants.

My latest obsession.

I felt chuffed after reading this expert's recommendation for what to order in the air.

And finally, in honor of Mother's day this weekend and because my mother doesn't care about bells and whistles (read: cards and flowers), here are two of my favorite songs about moms. Be warned - tears will flow. LOVE YOU MAMA!

See you Monday!

xoxo,