nyc weekend

 Beautiful sky on Saturday, on the way to Eataly.

 Drinks at the Clover Club.

 Teddy, snoozing.

 Fresh apple, carrot and ginger juice.

 At the Brooklyn Flea.

 Brunch at No. 7.

 Fried eggs & nachos.

 Colorado & Florida by D.S. & Durga at bird - my proudest moment of restraint. Despite this seriously gorgeous perfume's hefty price tag, I was dangerously tempted when the store clerk said it was a limited edition, only 99 bottles were made, and that bird was its sole distributer. 

 Sunset views from Sunset Park.

ps - It seems surreal that it was exactly one year ago this weekend that I was basically doing the same thing - visiting Alice in Brooklyn, having a blast eating my way through the weekend, and checking out the flea market for the first time while my sweet little niece Emily was busy being born. Happy birthday sweet pea! 

So excited to visit my family in Maine this weekend to celebrate this milestone properly, together with my Mom's birthday, for the first time in at least a decade. 

this made my night

The Bliss spa signature scent, found this evening at Marshall's - $5.99 for a travel sized rollerball, $9.99 for a full bottle. Its probably been around for ages, but tonight was the first time I'd smelled it, and now I'm obsessed. Its uplifting and fresh - perfect for the dead of winter doldrums. 

From the Bliss website (where you can also see what a great bargain this was):

Bliss Spa began with a simple mission: to deliver the best possible feeling in the world. This signature ‘scent’-iment—which literally permeates our spas—inspired our eponymous eau de toilette. A fresh, mood-boosting medley of vibrant bergamot, dewy cucumber, and bright florals like lily, ylang ylang and violet, this unique blend is light enough to be your signature spritz—but exceptional enough to wear on special occasions. In simple speak, it’s our spa in a bottle.

Maybe I can visit the actual spa when I am in New York this weekend? Let's see what I can afford .... a 15 minute "pucker perfecting facial for my lips" for $35? Hmm - I think I'll be sticking to the Marshall's bargains for now!

paperwhites continued

It worked! It was so fun to watch these grow - seemingly inches every day - and finally blossom cheerily inside, in the dead of winter. I just wish they smelled as good as they look. (Does anyone else think that they smell kind of gross?)

lights and the dusk sky

Some grainy shots of our street that I couldn't resist taking one night when the Christmas lights looked so pretty at dusk.

first snowfall

The simple swag I made for the door out of clippings from our Christmas tree - looking festive with snow for the holiday, just a few weeks late. 

making spirits bright

Lovely flowers from a lovelier friend, making my day. Foxglove, alstroemeria, yellow lilly. The lilly just bloomed this morning.

creepy photo history

 

Just google "hidden mother" and you will find a ton of blog posts published recently about the amazingly weird, creepy and fascinating piece of family portraiture history that involves mothers (or photographers' assistants) covered in blankets, rugs or curtains while holding children still on their laps for the photographer. 

Later the image would be framed in such a way that the mat would crop out most of the mother, and it would appear that the child was just nestled in a blanket. But take away the mat and and you find an awesomely creepy image of a ghostly figure holding a baby. 

I discovered this via A Cup of Joe, and the photos were found via Retronaut and Flickr.

NYE, revised

Happy 2012 friends!

 View just before midnight of The Grand Ballroom, from the balcony.

pre-balloon drop

A slight correction to my post about New Year's Eve. As I am known to do on a regular basis, I spent a stupid amount of time planning my outfit (dress, shoes, accessories - everything) only to change it all up completely the morning of New Year's Eve. 

I won't go into all of the issues we encountered at the Ice Ball at Statler Towers (though if you are really curious, see here) - I will instead say that despite my last minute, holiday weight induced last minute outfit change chaos, and the many Ice Ball snafus, I had a wonderful time ringing in 2012. 

I had a blast wearing  black lace, vintage rhinestones, fishnets (now apparently called "tulle net hosiery" - how classy), glittery nails, and peacock blue suede peep-toes all at once. So, a more subtle kind of garish than my originally planned outfit - but still garish nonetheless.

I took in the beauty of the recently renovated Statler Grand Ballroom and lusted after the chandeliers.

I was beyond grateful to welcome 2012 in the company of great friends, a handsome gent, in a fantastic city. 

Now, 2012, make me proud and show 2011 who's boss.