CURRENTLY LOVING

These days, there certainly isn't a shortage of online boutiques.  Each one stocked with curated unique finds and with the use of social networking tools such as pinterest, it seems I am daily coming across a new fabulous online shop.  I have found so many wonderful treasures and secret gems over the past few years, that I  literally have so many bookmarks in my bookmarks manager now that I will eventually have to take more than one day to sort through, organize and rearrange all of this disorganized link chaos.  One of my most recent discoveries I had to share with ya'll because it is literally one of those fabulous shops that has affordable, unique and amazing items for everyone and anyone.  Since I found this site a few months ago, I've already ordered twice, thus I felt I couldn't keep this store to myself any longer. If you have not heard of Leif, you absolutely must get to know this online boutique stocked full of everything amazing.  Officially,  Leif is a shop of "colorful goods for beautiful living," but it is so much more than that too.  A personal favorite from the shop are the brightly colored tribal print bracelets that come in two sizes.  See below for a few of my favorites from Leif and make sure to pop on over to their site, you're going to love everything!!

Serving Spoon//Tart Server//Tribal Server//Spice Cellar Set//Batik Tray & Spreader Set

MONDAY MUSINGS....

Monday is more than halfway over and I am playing catch up today after a long weekend in Austin for a good friend's wedding.  Lots to do after a wonderful wedding weekend, but in the meantime, a belated bits of truth post from last week since I was not on the ball on Thursday and didn't get this posted before heading to Austin for the weekend.  Hope ya'll had a wonderful weekend and having a good start to the week! 

I can't get enough of the Call Me Maybe parodies, they are everywhere these days.  This video of Rebecca Minkoff, Hilary Rhoda, and Leandra Medine (The Man Repeller) getting ready for the CFDA Awards is fabulous, by any chance, Rebecca, are you hiring? I'd like to sign up as your new best friend and assistant, think we would be great friends instantly! Seriously though, don't they all look like so much fun?

 And finally, READ: a remarkable graduation speech given by author Anne Lamott.  Another reminder to take a moment to pause and enjoy your life in the present moment.  

NO PLACE LIKE NEW YORK CITY

Last weekend I walked the Brooklyn Bridge with friends to have brunch at Bubby's in Dumbo.  It was the second time I've actually walked the Brooklyn Bridge, and I must say if you have never done that while living or visiting New York City, it is definitely worth it, and a wonderful experience, not to mention you can get some incredible photos from the bridge of the city.  The first time I ventured across the bridge was two years ago when I was living in NYC for the summer and got the bright idea to take my parents with me in the 100 degree heat to trek over a mile one-way across the bridge.   Let me just say, I highly recommend you DO NOT take your parents across the bridge in the dog days of summer to wait  in line at Grimaldi's while the pizza bus unloads with an entire bus full of people who will be ahead of you in line.  Overall, they absolutely loved the chance to see something they never would have done had I not suggested it,  and really we all enjoyed Grimaldi's pizza, probably would have thought it was amazing had we not been standing in line outside waiting for over an hour to get a slice of it! A few photo favorites from the first time across the bridge are below.  

However, this past weekend could not have been more perfect. Everything about the day, the gorgeous sunny but not too warm weather, the stroll across the bridge where I captured the photos below, and the brunch, oh the brunch was AMAZING.  Bubby's is also located in Tribeca, but I loved the spacious layout of the one in Dumbo and we did not have to wait at all to get a table which is rare on a Sunday around brunch time.  Overall it was a wonderful day, and a second great experience walking the bridge.  Have any of ya'll walked across the Brooklyn Bridge? If so, aren't the views amazing? 

Finally, that leads me to the video, A Year In New York, shown below.  I mean it speaks for itself, and reminds me there is no place like New York City.  Don't get me wrong, I love Austin, TX and I will always hold it near and dear to my heart, but I get excited every single time I return to NYC and every single day I wake up here is exciting, a new adventure, and I have no clue what I might see or experience on any given day here in the city.  There is no place like it, and the video is another reminder of what makes this city so fabulous!

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING & WATCH THIS...

No seriously, whatever you are doing right at this moment can certainly wait the three and a half minutes it will take you to watch this video.  It's a simple video, with a truly amazing message that I personally can relate in many ways.

Told you that it was worth watching.  The company, Buddy Media, connects major brands with their customers throughout all the major social media networks.  It is a raw and emotional video by Buddy Media CEO Michael Lazerow, and incredible that he does not speak at all, not one word, during the entire video.  It certainly causes all who see the video to pause a second and wonder whether fear in our oown lives is holding us back or are we living without fear, which as Lazerow reminds us, "if you live without fear, anything is possible." Congratulations, Michael not only on the acquisition but also for living without fear and reminding all of us to do the same. Are you living without fear or is fear holding you back? 

RECIPE LOVE

It's no secret that I think I could survive off of cheese and candy.  Yes I love both that much and would probably have my last meal be some sort of combination of the two. So when I came across a simple, delicious recipe for MINI mac & cheese pies, I was thrilled to find one of my favorite meals in miniature form.  Doesn't it seem like everything can be miniaturized these days, you name, they make it miniaturized.  These mini mac & cheese pies would be the perfect side dish for anything you grill out, steak, chicken, whatever you choose.  See the easy recipe below and let me know what you think of these mini mac & cheese pies.

JUNE FAVORITES

Well I am way delayed in getting this post up, seems like the weekend slipped away from me and here we are back at Monday already! How was your weekend?  It was absolutely perfect weather here in NYC today, minus a brief rain shower, it was the perfect Sunday.  I remember it being much warmer last time I was living here in June, so I have no complaints if I have to substitute a little rain for cooler temps!
I couldn't let the first week of June pass without sharing what I am loving this month. Check out my favorite things below, and let me know what you're looking forward to this month, a fun trip maybe or something else. Would love to hear about it!

 Trina Turk Collection/ Tony Awards/ Beach/ Public Bikes/ Summer Lights

Trina Turk and Banana Republic's recent promo for the launch of their collaboration on June 7th has taken cuteness to the next level.  If the video doesn't make you want to run to your nearest Banana Republic and scoop up all of the Trina Turk collection, I don't know what will.  It is adorable!

And finally, since it's Monday & I don't know about ya'll but I have a case of the Mondays, enjoy the random video below! I love EVERYTHING about it- the song, the guy, his dance moves, all of it- AMAZING. Happy Monday!

HELLO, JUNE!

And it's officially June 1st folks! The dog days of summer are upon us, and although here in New York there have only been a few days of dreadful heat thus far (I am going to regret making this statement come August), I know ya'll in Texas have had some unbearably hot days  so it definitely feels like June to ya'll.  I am in BIG TIME need of some sun at the moment (it's raining, AGAIN this morning here in NYC, yuck!), and can't wait to head south next weekend for a good friend's wedding in Austin, and a few days at home in Waco.  Fingers crossed it's bright and sunny the entire time I'm home so I can finally catch some rays and get a little color.  Do ya'll have anything fun planned for this month? Any vacations or special plans?