Peace

Sending peace and prayers to everyone touched by the Newtown tragedy.

Gossip Girl Finale

Anxiously awaiting the final outcome of Gossip Girl!

I have Junior League tonight, so I'll be trying to stay away from twitter and spoilers until I get home tonight (eek!).  I may need to get some macarons and champagne on my way home.

Thankful.

I have had so many friends posting thankful notes for the world lately, and it always makes me smile to think of the so many wonderful things in my life as well as in the lives of others.  For the first twenty days of November, I am thankful for:

via

1.  Parents who modeled true gratitude, humility, and giving hearts for my brothers and me.

2.  For the ability to get outside and run safely in preparation for my first turkey trot.

3.  A job I adore and the feeling that I really do have the ability to make an impact on people's lives.

4.  Skinny peppermint mochas in red cups.

5.  A best friend who is so much more like a sister than I could imagine.

6.  Cheap paperback books to read before bed.

7.  A brother who asks me about my recent Lulu purchases and even pretends to listen.

8.  Volunteer and service experiences throughout my life including Saturday's fun morning with Junior League.

9. One last season of Gossip Girl.

10.  Four bubbly, hilarious, adorable and healthy nephews.

11.  Coconut sparkling water and brussels sprouts in all forms.

12.  Strangers who smile and say hello.

13.  A brother who has never been afraid to speak his mind and stand up for the little guy.

14.  All of my sorority sisters and the wonderful experiences Tri Delta brought me during college and beyond.

15.  The Christina Perri Pandora station.

16.  Friends and family who recently received our save the dates!

via

17.  All of the Christmas decorations and music that is beginning to spread holiday cheer.

18.  All of the wonderful people I have "met" through blogging.

19.  Any occasion where I get to dress up, load on the jewels, and wear sparkly shoes.

20.  The love of my life, and the simple goodness which is SHS being able to spend our sixth Thanksgiving together this year.

via

What are you thankful for?

I Told My Kid I Ate All Their Halloween Candy

Last year Jimmy Kimmel had parents tell their kids that they had eaten all their Halloween candy and record it.  I think this year's kids are even better.  

The boy at 4:24 just melts your heart! 

Drybar

After we decided to go to New York for my bachelorette, I had one request: get my hair done at drybar.  I had heard (and seen!) so much about the blowdry bar already and I was dying to try it myself.  We made appointments at the flatiron location which was perfect as we had a chance to stop into Joe Fresh right across the street.

The decor is bright white and yellow with everyone being soooo nice!  We got to choose which looks we wanted to try.  I decided to go with The Cosmo: lots of loose curls.

You can't beat watching Dirty Dancing whilst sipping on mimosas!

 There were so many adorable details including the hairdryer yellow chandelier in the entry.

Such cheery yellow roses!

I was very satisfied with the finished product.

Have you been to drybar or any other blowdry bar?  I'd love to have one near home for special nights out!

Wedding Wednesday: Bachelorette Bliss

As I may have mentioned once or twice, I was lucky enough to have my bachelorette party a few weeks ago in New York!  I have finally recovered fully from one of the best weekends I could possibly imagine and it's time to recap it.

After a few cocktails in the airport bar waiting for our delayed flight, one of my bridesmaids, L. and I were finally off to New York!  We met N. in the airport and were so excited to get to the Upper East Side to meet my MOH who had already checked in.

L., moi, N.

I was so surprised to see treat bags from, S., my MOH, waiting when we arrived to our lovely hotel, Affinia Gardens.

Have you ever seen anything so perfect?!

And the most beautiful decorations you could imagine, including this stunning banner N. made!

After a few more friends arrived, we had a great dinner at Felice 64 which was right down the block.

It was amazing to catch up with the women who came.  Each of them has meant so much to me in my life and as we live all over the country, we don't see each other as often as we'd all like.  After dinner we went back to the hotel and had more champagne and laughed, told college stories, and it was perfect.  I kept saying (all weekend) just how blessed I felt to have everyone there.

I had a fabulous time wandering around Manhattan all weekend, looking at all of the windows and drooling over way too many things.

 

Friday night we went to dinner at Spice Market in our own private room! 

And SHS surprised us by having ordered champagne for us.

After dinner we had reserved a table at 230 Fifth which was perfect as the weather was so nice that we got to sit on the rooftop lounge.

The view was amazing.  Yes, that's the Empire State Building.

Of course I had to stop by the Lilly townhouse on Madison Avenue!

 Where I bought the Gosling dress.

 The girls also threw me a lingerie shower during the bachelorette weekend which was so generous, and such a surprise.  One game we played was everyone brought a bottle of nail polish that reminded them of me and I had to guess who brought which one.  I've had an absolute blast painting my nails lately and thinking of my friends every time I try a new color!

And my MOH outdid herself in every way, including having lavender sachets for everyone at the shower!

I really couldn't ask for a better friend and soul sister.

I love them all so so so much. 

 I can't wait to see everyone again in May for our wedding (or earlier!) and am already itching to plan another trip to New York soon.  Stay tuned for another post about Drybar!

Powder Fresh

Saturday night we went to a gorgeous wedding where I took way too many pictures of the gorgeous floral arrangements.  I ate, I danced, I enjoyed a couple French martinis.

And then this happened.

I really can't be blamed.  I mean, when's the last time you saw aerosol antiperspirant?

Kate Spade--Wedding Shoes & Way Too Much Sale Temptation

I was actually going to do a post on wedding shoes for a Wedding Wednesday post, but in light of the current Kate Spade Friends & Family sale (30% off with F12FFUS plus 7% back with ebates), it just can't wait.  I tried these beauties on in New York (and have been lusting after them for-ev-er), but can't decide on a color.

As my bridesmaids are wearing navy and these could be my something blue, the navy is definitely a finalist.

I am doing lots of vintage silver on the tables and these are just so very pretty while probably being the most "bridal" of the three.

And of course, multicolored glitter.  Can anything be more perfect?

I can totally justify buying all three, right?  Maybe two pairs if I wear one for engagement pictures?

And I wouldn't be too upset if any of these happened to end up in my final order.

The sparkle collar just kills me.

Tights. Polka Dots. Glitter. Sold.

This could also be an engagement picture option?

A new watch is definitely on my birthday/Christmas list.  The Cooper Grand would be pretty for work every day.

The pink face just puts this on over the edge.

Or this gold beauty.

What color is your favorite of the charm shoes?  Anything else catching your eye at Kate Spade lately?  

Needddddddddddddddd. . .

Oh J.Crew, what are you doing to me and my no shopping until I organize my life/purge a bit goal?

Bow.  (In the hot pink, of course.)

Hothouse Floral.

Toggle.

Any new arrivals or old favorites you're yearning for?