The Daily Stud

While my bauble belief usually falls into the bigger is better camp, on the daily I have a painfully basic jewelry routine- it looks like this paired with pearl or diamond studs and a dainty "cheers" necklace. The statement necklace is a regular in the rotation but ridiculously dangly earrings are reserved for a night out. (I think I have a secret fear of this. ha!)  I think it would be fun to mix up the usual studs with these small but hugely stylish statements. Do you have a favorite in the round-up? I'd love to hear!

p.s. A cute line of dainty jewelry (I have a solid crush on these stacks) and more studs we probably all need.

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Favorite New Shop: Note to Self

My sweet friend Sarah just launched her new print shop on Society 6 and it is not to miss! I'm obsessed with everything she does, but one of my favorite series of hers "Words for the Week" as well as her darling illustrations will now be available as prints, note cards, and iphone cases. I think I know just what I need to help round out that gallery wall I spoke of! Check it out here. Congrats Sarah!

NYC Apartment Update!

Last October Alan and I made a big push to decorate our semi-put together apartment. Here's a recap of  Day 1 and Day 2 in case you missed it! I know it's been almost a year since we've moved in, but I travel a lot so shamefully it's always the last thing on the list. Excuses aside, here's a little snapshot of our little "speed decorate" sesh, the half of it anyways. Our place looked like this for days!

Among the items we did get to check off- finally having our nude colored rug custom over-dyed to navy bah-luuuue (a $200 antique Turkish Kilim Ebay score which was appraised at around 6k! #victory), the obligatory Rast hack (both per Naomi's brills suggestion!), and a few smaller touches like a spunky pillow and custom foot stool which after decades of neglect, I stole from mom's house :) and had recovered in a beautiful pink silk get up by Kravet. You say foot stool + silk = impractical, I say, Why Not?!

We also now have a collection of over 10 antique ginger jars thanks to my thrifting adventures and Etsy!

We didn't quite finish so my next big focus is rounding out our gallery wall. I'm head over heals smitten with the look of these eclectic round-ups.

I'm frequently searching around on 20x200, Art.com, and Etsy and have a few more items in mind to go with these, but would love to hear your suggestions. Have you designed your own gallery wall? What did you do to make it unique? Do you have a favorite artist or shop I need to check out? Share! Share!

Back to Black

Monday feels right for an all black outfit. Somehow it always helps me (aside from gallons of coffee) get back to business after a weekend of painting the town r.e.d. ;) It also serves as the perfect backdrop for some of my favorite red & pink lipsticks. Do you have any get back in gear tips or tricks? Happy week y'all!

{pinterest | wendys lookbook | atlantic-pacific}

Swinging at the Park Avenue Armory

Last weekend Alan and I went to Ann Hamilton's installation at the Park Avenue Armory. We love trying new things together; New York really has it all!

 I didn't expect to spend as much time there as we did, I figured a few rounds on the giant swings and we would have our fill of childlike excitement, but 3 hours later...

...we found ourselves just enjoying the entire experience around us- swinging, chatting, quietly sitting and observing the countless interactions, laying down under the billowing silk, swinging again, listening to the laughter. There was something so peaceful and calming about it all. Today's the last day, if you live in NYC I highly suggest it.

p.s. It was kind of hilarious seeing oblivious patrons try to walk the length of the cavernous hall forgetting there are over 40 moving swings to dodge. Man down...ha! If you attempt it, just remember to stay out of the light ;) Have you tried anything new lately? I would love to hear!

"When the swings are in action, the curtain, made of a lightweight silk twill, rises and dips, and the air is stirred, causing further billowing and fluttering. The swings, which are clearly not built for small children, are wide enough to accommodate two, or sometimes even three, adults or adolescents...people swung singly and in pairs, slow and low or higher and faster, often with helpful pushes from friends. The air filled with sounds of glee punctuated by cellphone rings, which actually sounded great in the general hubbub." - The New York Times

The Party Ain't Over!

Cheers Coasters made Apartment Therapy's Readers Choice Gift Guide!

Entertaining tools from the Social Diary

Tonight Alan and I have been invited to a festive social, the last of the holiday season. The invite reads, "Traditionally, Christmas is a 12-day celebration starting on December 25th that culminates with a massive feast called Epiphany." I love that January 1st didn't mark the end of our revelries! As always, as a guest you should never show up empty ended so I've included a few "for the hostess" round-ups for dinner parties and socials to come in 2013 or if you're still partying like us, for tonight :)

The Best French 75 I've Ever Made

Last month Jessie invited me to come in as the entertaining expert at her fun-filled workshop. Of course first on my agenda was to get everyone toasted :) with my favorite cocktail. I've been serving the French 75 as the tipple of the house for years but this little twist is something that has changed my contrivance of cocktail concocting- forever. Blue Print Juice Yellow 2, fresh juiced, 100% natural, raw: lime, ginger, lemon, and agave. Substitute for pounds of hand-squeezed lemons and homemade simple syrup... comes with a complimentary serving of lime, ginger, and good cheer for the busy, vivacious hostess!

p.s. Blue Print (our awesome sponsor) has made its way into my libations but their line of juices is great for cleansing too!
p.s.s. Make it a double! I won't tell ;)

{Recipe design by Adrienne, Photo by William Klein Vogue Paris 1958}