recently... i've been thinking a lot about city life v. country life. while i absolutely love living in the center of the city now, i think a country cottage is in my future. i grew up in a small town + nothing can really quench the craving for the sounds + smells of nature... sans traffic. these images make me want to create the perfect country backyard.

theenglishmuse.blogspot.com

oncewed.com

daydreamlily.com

cliche? o yes...

but who cares?!

i'm still going to see the premiere of sex + the city 2 tonight with girlfriends :)

"sometimes, you just have to get away with the girls."

cottage for two, plz?

i've been aimlessly browsing airbnb - a site to find home rentals for trips + vacays. if the dates match up it would really be the way to travel in style + feel like a local. some of these prices are really great, as well!

i'm stuck on these cape homes near nantucket + martha's on cape cod. aren't they gorgeous? 

{ party lust }

i love nearly everything about this event! 

perfect cupcakes + balloons...

this amazing wedding dress...

this cute mustache/ photo booth idea for guests...

personalized buttons + bands...

whimsical, unique + personal wedding invitations...

and this outstanding table set up with the little flag garland. 

omg. so in lust!

via here.

{ farmers' market }

these images from unruly things make me want to spend more time at our farmers' market this year.

and attend the beer festival going on this coming weekend!

what are you doing for the upcoming holiday break?

vintage portfolio...

check out this very adorable portfolio. self-expression with a vintage twist. i love it! from my newest blog discovery: little garden.

love it.

{ game, set, perfect match }

how beautiful + personal are these outdoor wedding photos? i love that the wedding party played tennis on the wedding day!

via here.

i heart nyc...

so my recent work trip to new york was a success! if i wasn't spoiled before... there's no doubt in my mind now. i snapped this quick pic of our private jet before climbing aboard. {i know.}

seriously. this is how to fly. insane. and the breakfast + din served {on the hour and a twenty minute flight} was actually good!

after landing at the small airport in nj, i hopped on a ready + waiting shuttle taking me directly to the offices on both, the upper east side or in soho.

soho. is. amazing.

the shops, the people, the fashion, the cafe's... ahh...

after a quick coffee stop at balthazar, it was up to the loft studio that is vs pink.

open windows for fresh air, natural light all around, exposed brick walls and original creaking wood floors... pretty much what i had pictured a soho loft office to look like.

my desk for the day looked like this. coffee, green tea + evian containers collected as the evening drew closer {and the bathroom saw more frequent action.}

a girl could really get used to this. 

soho bound...

so... the new j.o.b. comes with some perks. one being, a private jet to our soho offices :) in which i will get to experience for the first time this thursday morning! {just a little excited} 

am i a goober? absolutely. which is why i have google mapped my office and its distance from "the city's" people's revolution. duh. {no judging.}

"whitney port, is that you?"

aaaand it is less than one block from top shop. {i'm prepping the credit card.}

more trip details soon!

have a wonderful day.

xo

{ man men mixer }

http://blogs.amctv.com/mad-men/2009/12/how-to-dress-in-mad-men-style.php

this weekend, my dear friend molly +  i are hosting a "man men mixer." i can't wait! i'm anxiously planning out my outfit + incorporating an amazing bag i found while thrifting this weekend. {photos to come!}

the style is fabulous. check out this blog post from amc on "how to dress with mad men style."

addy doodle goes to the salon...

i'm not sure how she feels about the new summer 'do exactly... but i think she's a bit cooler now. she looks a smidgen annoyed but i'm sure all her doggie friends at school will love it tomorrow!

:)

start your day with a little positivity...

just like this child. 

man, i could use  a fraction of her self-confidence! :)

a little normal rockwell is good for the soul...

you probably know his work as the classic american portrait via amazingly realistic illustrations that graced the cover of 'the saturday evening post' for over forty years. he was married three times {each previous wife passing away} and once told a psychiatrist he "paints his happiness" because he "doesn't live it." how sad is that? i still choose to see  a positive image in his work. of the way small town america was + should be. i've always wanted to visit the normal rockwell museum in stockbridge, massachusetts {where he died.}

the most interesting series in my eyes... the "four freedoms."

freedom of speech

freedom of worship

freedom from want

freedom from fear

my individual favorite pieces...

"first love"

"the runaway"

and of course the normal rockwell "triple self portrait." 

amazing, no?

{this post makes me want to get out my sketch pad + charcoal that is buried somewhere in my closet}

do you"paint your happiness" or do you live it?

currently loving...

classic preppy fits with the basics

le fashion

classic b+w chic

starbucks and jane austen

ysl parisienne eau de parfum spray

natural beauty + fresh faced looks.

slimming boots. cute coats. and again... basics.

{ok... maybe rachel bilson herself, too.}

my lookbook

{ pink glam }

finally. four lipsticks + two glosses later, i found the perfect shade of hot pink that goes on with in the best + brightest hue. the mac viva glam gaga. {i know. i even feel ridiculous typing that.} it's true. if you're searching for pink, try this shade. not too shocking but enough to feel pink + girlie.

get it here.

twenty-nine days + counting...

until the bf + i are in puerto rico {for his sister's incredible wedding ceremony} at this amazing-travel-channel-worthy resort. 

this private wading pool? it's the patio on the back of our suite.

lounging in beach chairs...

doing a little reading...

strolling along the shore...

let the countdown begin!

then again... it's the little things...

so. true.

via lelove.

i run even when no one is chasing me...

tiff + i ran the cap city half marathon this morning {our second one!} and got our best time yet. 2 hours and 16 minutes! wooot! now i'm so tired i can't even stand. good thing there's a derby party to attend in three hours. {eep}

after race photo. 

it rained a little + i had gatorade sloshed all over me, but in the end ... i am so glad i did it again! crossing the finish is incredible. 

happy weekend :)

xo