mara hoffman swimsuits at madewell

Let's just say it will be several more weeks before I feel "swimsuit ready" this season. To quote everyone's favorite preggo, Juno, I'm currently feeling like "a planet."

Still, the weather is gorgeous and it is Memorial Day weekend so why not take a peek at some gorgeous swimwear?

NYC based designer Mara Hoffman is known for her bright, bold prints. This season, she's done a swimsuit collaboration with Madewell that has my tongue wagging. If these don't make you want to book a beach vacation yesterday, perhaps you are just more of a mountain/hiking kind of person?

everything is wonderful

What a positive little tote bag you are! Everything is wonderful... Isn't it though?

Sure I may be double-fisting caffeine to see me through the completion of a last big work project of the year, but it's nearly time to fly away to New York for a festive family holiday. I can hardly wait!

a swell getup...for that holiday get together

The holiday party season is officially in full swing. From work events to meet ups with friends and family, this time of year provides plenty of excuses to get dolled up.

Each year, I rely on one solid getup that can make the transition from work party to Christmas Eve dinner. This silky dress comes in a flattering shape while sporting a bold green shade that manages to feel festive without being cheesy.

Pair with a solid pair of suede heels, a clever clutch and minimal jewelry and you're ready to head to a function with coworkers OR cocktails with college friends. The only thing missing from above? Why, the eggnog, Clark!

Dress: Mossbluff Dress, Madewell, $125
Clutch: Black Leather Envelope, chicwish.com. $43
Tights: Matte Gray Stockings, Top Shop, $12
Heels: Stacked Suede Heels, Michael Kors, $295
Earrings: Black Garnett Astrid Studs, Catbird NYC, $150
Ring: Classic Hammered Knuckle Ring, Catbird NYC, $64

P.S. Don't you love the model's red hair? I've contemplated dying my own hair red, but decided against it when I realized it would not in fact make me look like Jessica Chastain.

pom pom wrapping paper

Need. Want. Love.

This pom pom wrapping paper by Tudi Billo rocks! When I saw it, I might have even clapped my hands.

Who cares about the gift inside when it comes packaged like this? Delightful!

I spotted these on the always adorable Oh Joy!, but you can purchase these "gift papers (not wrapping paper?)" here for a cool $18.

(image via oh joy!)

our "first" thanksgiving

S and I have been married for five whole years, but never in that time were we not with one of our sets of parents for Thanksgiving.

This year, thanks to strange work schedules and family health concerns, we found ourselves for the first time in Nashville for Thanksgiving and charged with the task of preparing our own feast. No pressure!

Well, despite a few stressful moments and missing our families tremendously, our first Thanksgiving turned out beautifully. Sam's sis E and her fella C even joined us after the afternoon meal for wine and dessert.

We used our china for the first time EVER and settled in to making a few family traditions of our very own. For example, Billie Holiday makes one heck of a Turkey Day soundtrack, brining the bird really does make a difference and pecans and sausage will forever appear in our chosen dressing recipe.

Here are a few snaps of our spread and the holiday weekend. Hope your holiday was both love-filled and delicious.

1-pan roasting brussel sprouts with Benton's bacon/2-sausage, pecan and sweet cornbread dressing/3-KJB's au gratin potatoes and Papa's deviled eggs/4-a peek at the spread (and the bird!)/5-glazed apple tart/6-THE TURKEY PLATE

inkkit stationery and supplies

Swooning over inkkit's Etsy shop. Filled with interesting stationary supplies and cool wrapping and packaging options. How gorgeous are those rustic wooden pencils?

Reverting to elementary school-aged joy (picture getting a new Lisa Frank folder and matching pencil set, but better) over these glittery triangle stickers and that striped tape.

  
I'm not a crafty gal, but these pics have me daydreaming about festive ways to wrap presents.

I know, I know. Let's get through the turkey first.

(images via inkkit's etsy shop)

two boots mardi gras ball

Last night, S and I celebrated Fat Tuesday in style at Two Boots Pizza's annual Mardi Gras Ball.

The event (which benefits the Lower East Side Girls Club) went down at Le Poisson Rouge in the Village and featured some pretty rad acts.

Ladies on stilts dressed in glittering ensembles danced with umbrellas over a lively masked crowd that celebrated to the sounds of Lady Rizo, the Raya Brass Band, the Middle Church Gospel Choir and many more.

Here are a few snaps from the evening. It was a truly awesome way to get a taste of N'awlins in NYC all while raising money for a great cause.

Check out Time Out New York's slideshow of the event here.

P.S. Le Poisson Rouge hosted Yoko Ono's birthday party last weekend and an installation of her wish trees was still in place in the club's main room. You can see a bit of them in the bottom pic.

love is in the air

Happy Valentine's Day, darlings!

In honor of today, my very dashing (yet silly) sweetheart surprised me with the above treat. After all, nothing says "I love you" like a strawberry jelly-filled doughnut...especially when it's heart-shaped.

Here's a lovey dovey song from 2003's imitation rom com Down With Love to keep you in the mood.

birthday boy

Happy birthday, hot stuff. So very happy you were born : )

Also...Cake! Cake! Cake!

P.S. In addition to a sampling of Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, S scored a new pair of specs from Moscot.

His pair of choice? The Lemtosh in blonde.

(images courtesy me and aliexpress)

new year

Happy, happy (almost) New Year!

It's hard to believe already time to kiss 2011 goodbye. Sometimes I can't believe all of the happenings of the past year could possibly squeeze into only 12 months...

Do you guys have any big plans for ringing in 2012? Any big resolutions?

S and I are getting dressed up for a fancy New Year's Eve dinner at this piano bar in Brooklyn.

Cheers to a rocking good eve, loves!

P.S. Just 'cause it's sweet...

(original images courtesy bippity boppity boo and a gentlewoman)

(image courtesy hip hip gin gin, anthropologie via miss moss and a well traveled woman)

buffalo gals

Happy Christmas Eve!

After a boisterous day of celebrating with aunts, uncles and cousins (oh my!), we are more than ready to cozy down with full bellies and enjoy the annual viewing of It's a Wonderful Life.

The above clip is from my favorite scene in the movie. Best part? The 2:48 mark to be exact. It never fails to make me smile when Jimmy Stewart sings "what did you wish for when you threwthatrooock?"

Hope Santa brings you something awesome.

xo

weekend snaps

For the first time this holiday season, this weekend actually felt festive. Our friends A and L were in from Chicago and with much to celebrate. They just got engaged! Congrats, dears!

Here are a few snaps from a very happy weekend filled with good friends and good times. At last, I'm in a holiday frame of mind.

trimming the tree

a row of pretty vintage hand mirrors spotted at Stanton Social

S and my Christmas gift to each other arrived early-a beautiful painting by Baxter Knowlton (remember this post?)

fancy clementines on a dainty silver tray and a happy Christmas tree at our pals L & D's joint

a rad light up Ford sign at our fave dive bar Motor City

and last, but not least, ice cold milk and warm chocolate chip cookies enjoyed while watching Love Actually (you know it's good).

she & him

Our office holiday party is set to commence any moment. Trying to get in the right frame of mind by listening to some Christmas songs.

"A Very She & Him Christmas" is doing the trick nicely. Particularly enjoying "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."

Happy (almost) weekend!

shimmer scarf

Well, hello there shimmery gold scarf. Aren't you merry and bright?

(images courtesy scarf shop)

holiday hullabaloo

Anyone else feeling a little overwhelmed by all the holiday hullabalo?

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, but the hectic few weeks that precede it can be a lot to take. For this reason, I'm loving the silly card above.

Not to sound like a Scrooge, but it's hard not to share the brawny boxer's sentiment when popping out to get lunch (I work in Rock Center....right beside THE giant tree) can feel like a fight for your life.

Fanny pack wearing Granny with camera, 1, KAB 0.

P.S. Even though the card above rules, S and I actually sent out much more cheerful holiday cards and post cards from Rifle Paper Co. Ana Bonds's sweet painted style is a fave.




(images courtesy that kind of woman and rifle paper co.)

egg nog pancakes

S and I are heading to my parents' house for Christmas this year. We can't wait to visit with my sweet Mom and Dad. We also can't wait to pig out! Each time we venture South for the holidays, S begins to dramatically quote the movie 300. As in: "Tonight we feast like kings!"

One thing we can count on each and every time we are home is waking up to smell of pancakes. My Dad has an obsession with making them. Seriously. He could care less if anyone eats them. He just takes great joy in creating his perfect petite pancake stacks.

Well, this year, Poppy Seed is in luck. I plan to present to him this recipe for egg nog pancakes! He will be such a happy boy!

P.S. Something tells me that Cousin Eddie would be a huge fan.


(images courtesy glamour and x entertainment)

starry string lights

Happy Cyber Monday! I suppose it's nearly Christmas time, but the bizarro 60 degree weather here in NYC has me wondering what month it is really...

Maybe these dainty, delicate twinkle lights will get me in the holiday spirit. Pretty, no?

(images courtesy restoration hardware)

lbd

Wow. That's one heck of a little black dress.

It's bound to get a lot of wear during this month's holiday festivities.

Need. Want. Love.

(images courtesy anthropologie)