I love summer

I can't believe summer is coming to an end. I've been out of school since May 2nd, which feels like forever ago if I think about it, yet summer still seemed to fly by. I'm excited to head back for my senior year, but I wish the warm weather would last.

Summer is just too pretty....

Plan Ahead

Planners are pretty much crucial to my survival at school. I consider my self mildly OCD because I write down everything that I need to do. Always. For every. single. day. I like to keep my lists privately tucked away in my little planner because most of what I write is just plain weird. Plus, I have the handwriting of a 4-year-old boy (good thing blogs are typed.)

My roommate started noticing my lists pretty soon after living with me. I have them all over my planner, as well as on sticky notes on my desks. She began making jokes about how I viciously cross out everything once I'm done. #Embarrassing. 

I also write lists in my phone. Sometimes I catch my boyfriend looking through my phone, and unlike most boys, he does not even peek at my texts. Nope, he goes straight to my lists, so he can make fun of them. Though I use my phone as a planner sometimes, I still insist on getting a real planner each year so I can write down every assignment, test date, etc. I have a fear that if I put it on my computer or my phone, it would accidentally get deleted. I know I could also lose my planner, but (knock on wood,) that has never happened.

Here is a page from my last planner. Insane, I know.

Since planners are clearly an important part of my life, I prefer if they're a little fashionable, as well as functional. It's back to school time in just one week, (where did the summer go?) and here are some of the best planners I've found.

This Kate Spade planner is obviously adorable...but $82.00 for a planner? and that's the sale price?? maybe in another lifetime....


Here are some more affordable options...

$17.00

$10.00

$24.00

Target also had some cute ones in store similar to the Kate Spade planner, but I couldn't find them online.

back in action

So, I haven't blogged in a while. This is probably the longest I've gone without doing a post since I started this blog a year ago. I've been really busy, exhausted and sort of lacking inspiration for posts. 

BUT

last week was my 21st birthday (woo) and my boyfriend got me an awesome Nikon camera.

I am waiting for the memory card I ordered to come in, so I haven't been able to take too many pictures yet, but I wanted to share the ones I did take. 

My attempts to be artsy....

My Beautiful Porch 

Taking a picture reflecting off of my computer screen



If you can't tell, I really like the black and white function on this camera...

Summer Playlist

Every summer, there are a few songs that become the theme songs of the season. This is obviously because they're played 502342487234 times a day on the radio, but it's ok because it usually takes a while to get sick of them. Whenever I hear those songs after the summer has passed, they always bring back fond memories. Last year, for me, it was Katy Perry's "California Girls," (which I liked to change to Connecticut girls) and "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz.

This year, the songs I can't seem to get enough of are:

Good Life

Give me Everything

Last Friday Night ---click here to check out the music video, it's pretty funny...

Edge of Glory

congrats to K-Perry for making my very exclusive list two years in a row...

What songs are you guys loving now?

Closet Appreciation

There is nothing like packing for a trip to make you realize how many clothes you have. You know, that moment when you want to bring everything you own but have to talk yourself out of it so you don't look like a fool with three suitcases for a weekend getaway? When I was packing for my fourth of July trip, it really hit me that I have way too many clothes. There are items that I hardly ever wear in my closet, and it's not because I don't like them (I donate the clothes I don't like)...it's because I genuinely don't have time to wear them. When you have a bajillion summer shirts and there's only about 80 or so warm days in a year, how can you possibly wear them all? It made me feel a little bit ridiculous. 

Being in New York has made me have serious clothes-envy. There are so many true fashionistas in New York, with extremely expensive and unique clothing. Constantly seeing those people on the streets makes you feel like your hometown is not nearly as fashionable as you thought and you need to take a serious shopping trip and upgrade your wardrobe to fit the New York scene. 

BUT, All of the clothes I have are good enough, and there is no need for me to go shopping to change my wardrobe. I have more than enough clothes to last me through the season, and I want to tell anyone who hears me say "I have nothing to wear" to slap me in the face and push me in my closet until I put something together. 

Lesson of this entry: We should all appreciate the clothes that we have. Even though going shopping during ever sale and after every pay check is tempting, sometimes it's just not worth it.

ready to read

Summer is the perfect time to read because you can actually enjoyyyy it. During school, it is nearly impossible to find a free moment to read something for pleasure, and if you do find that time, it is hard to be inspired to do anything but sit around and be lazy. During the summer, you can read while laying out, before going to bed and to pass time while making long trips. It is relaxing and enjoyable. During the summer, I always read at least 7 or 8 books...whereas I am lucky to read a single book that doesn't involve memorizing definitions and browsing through chapter summaries during the school year.

So, if you love reading like I do and are always looking for some good summer reads to get you out of the winter reading hibernation, here are my recommendations...

Remember the Scott Peterson case? I read this one a few years ago. If you're at all interested in law, then you'll definitely love this book. It's really haunting.

Before I read this book, I heard it was laugh out loud funny, but I didn't really believe it. Trust me, it is...I couldn't stop laughing throughout the whole thing. I made my boyfriend read an excerpt, and even though he tried to pretend he didn't like it, I know he did.

This is a touching story that is good for readers with all different interests...children, law, family, etc...
Jodie Picoult is a great author. You probably know her from My Sister's Keeper

My mom made me read this classic book a few years ago. It is the perfect girly beach read.

Great, feel good book. The title is deceiving, so don't let it scare you away!

I read the book before I saw the movie, and let me tell you, the book is way better (as they usually are.) It's one of those books you read in a day because you can't put it down.

I have deemed this my all time favorite book. It is absolutely perfect, in that it is  everything wrapped into one heartbreaking story.

Gellin'

After weeks of deliberating, I finally decided to try out a gel manicure. I didn't want to part with the 30 dollars the gels cost, but I heard so many great things about how long they last and my nails looked so rough, I pulled the trigger. I am not at all a fan of manicures because mine normally chip the same day I get them. I usually think they are a huge waste of money and prefer painting them myself so I can at least touch up the color when it chips. I just got gels today, so I can't say for sure if they are going to last the three weeks they are supposed to, but they came out great, and I highly recommend them to everyone.  

Pros of gels:

-They last longer than normal manicures

-You don't have to be as careful not to chip them as you do with normal nail polish

-They look just as good as fake nails, but they are the real thanggg.

Cons of gels:

-They are slightly more expensive.

-You don't have as many color options.

I went with a light pink because it's summer-y and natural looking...

That was Clutch

Phones are getting so super sized these days that I think it's necessary to replace the classic Coach wristlet many girls have with something a little more roomy...without spending a fortune. 

Ever since I got a new phone, (replaced my BlackBerry with a BIG ol' Droid) I have been browsing stores for a medium sized clutch/wristlet. Sidenote: My new phone is so large that my friend Ali calls it a computer. It also doesn't help that I have hands the size of a small child, so it makes it look even bigger.

Anyways...For a while, I have had a small black wristlet that I always bring out with me instead of a purse. I think it's easier to just hang something on my wrist than to have to worry about an annoying purse when I'm trying to dance and throw back shots. (Just kidding, Mom.) 

My big old computer phone won't fit in my trusty 4 year old wristlet, and it is getting quite inconvenient. I can't be bothered with always holding both my phone and my wristlet. #whitegirlproblems.

 I tried to haggle with a guy who was selling "Genuine Tory Burch" clutches right near my work, but apparently I'm not very good at it because he rejected my offer of 15 dollars. 

I'm still on the prowl but was in Express the other day and saw that they had quite a large selection for affordable prices. I didn't pull the trigger on any clutches yet because I'm hoping that my lovely sister purchases me one I had my eye on for my birthday (hopefully she still reads this thing.)

If you're looking for a medium sized clutch to take out on the town with you, Express is the place to go. All options below are from Express. Click Here to see them. Prices range from $15.90 to $118 for the animal print option.

Food Dreaming

The other day, I made a list of all of the clothing stores that New York has to offer. Now, I want to move onto something that might be even more important to me....the food options. There are so many restaurants to choose from that I don't think I could come close to eating at them all, even if I lived in New York for the rest of my life. I have really only grazed upon all of the endless restaurants, cafes and dessert shops, but so far, they have all been much better than the chains I so often eat at when I'm home. They all have pretty enticing happy hour specials and offer options restaurants in smaller towns don't, like homemade tortilla shells and baked octopus (ew). I'll skip the last choice. 

I try really hard to find restaurants that are affordable, which is no easy feat in NY. Sorry, but I think people who charge more than 12 dollars for a salad should be committed, and I get pretty depressed when my half-off happy hour burger is still 8 dollars. WTF NY? Your burgers and salads are not that much better than the ones we get in other states. 

Anyway,

Here are some places to check out if you're in the area... 

1. Cascabel Taqueria-- This Manhattan restaurant has some pretty bangin' homemade tacos and guac...and amazing watermelon margaritas with real watermelon chunks in it. Plus, they serve it in a mason jar, which makes it seem much cooler.

2. Ron Blacks--This one is in White Plains. It has the best happy hour deals around--4 bucks for a drink--not too shabby. Oh ya, the food isn't so bad either. They pretty much have anything you could want on the menu.

3. Pinkberry-- So, even though this isn't an option that's exclusive to New York, I had never been to one until I got here, so it makes the cut. Their new salted caramel frozen yogurt is tasty tasty, and the fresh fruit toppings they give you make you feel like it's ok that you're eating dessert.

4. Grom-This is the place to go for gelato. My aunt and uncle took me there the other day, and I love it because they use all natural ingredients and they change their flavors every month. Plus, they're straight from Italy. 

5. Dean and Delucca--This is a great place to go if you want to grab a quick salad or wrap for lunch or a  scrumptious baked good.

6. Landmarc-- I went there the other night, and even though it wasn't my favorite place so far, there calamari was delish, and it is in a beautiful building with a great view. 

7. McFadden's-- You Cannot beat the Wednesday night special... as long as you're a girl, that is. FREE drinks from 6-8 for the ladies. Yup, completely free. 

Places I want to try/promise I will try...

1. Shake Shack-- It's in the park right near where I work, and I still haven't made it there. Plus, it was featured in the movie "Something Borrowed." I must go.

2. Blockheads--I hear it's great Mexican food, a fun time and it's pretty affordable.

3. Sixteen Handles-- Perhaps even better fro-yo than Pinkberry's?

4. Beard Papa's Cafe-- I did a write-up about this cafe for my internship, and it really made me want to try it. They apparently have the best cream puffs you can get your hands on. 

Have you all been to any of these places? Do you have any recommendations? 

Dreaming

Since I started working in New York, I have seen and/or heard about so many stores I never even knew existed. They are the kind of shops that are so much cooler than any store lameo Connecticut has to offer. It seriously puts that small state to shame. It also makes me want to toss away all of my clothes and start a whole new wardrobe. If only I had any money....maybe one day! 

Until then, I've settled for browsing these new-to-me stores and looking at their options for inspiration.

Here are some of my new favorites...each of which I own absolutely nothing from...

1. Steps on 7th Avenue---awesome women's clothing

2. Fresh--- check out their website...all natural beauty products

3. Bon Point ---ok, so this is a kid's clothing store...but how cute is this? (below)

4. French Sole--- biggest variety of ballet flats possible

5. Big Drop --- This boutique has amazing dresses and rompers...

Home of the Free

I have never met someone who doesn't love the Fourth of July. This is probably because most people I talk to are Americans, but nevertheless, it has been established that it's a great holiday. What better way to celebrate our independence than by getting a long weekend in the heart of summer? It is almost always a beautiful in regards to weather, and it never fails to bring about plenty of hamburgers, picnics and memories. 

Even though I am supportive of being patriotic, I am not one to dress in American flags or overdose on red, white and blue for the holiday. However, I do like to be a little celebratory. So, here are some affordable and minimalistic pieces for the holiday...

Zara belt: $19.90

Zara top: $49.50

LuLu's Shoes: $30.00

Forever 21 dress: $9.00

OPI nail polish: $10.00

Banana Republic Scarf:

Victoria's Secret Wedges: $59.00

A Wrap Up

I've been so busy in the last couple of weeks that I have barely had time to breathe, let alone blog. Between my internship, my summer class and meeting up with friends, I've been constantly on the go. Recently, I've  gone to a Red Sox/Yankees game (even though I live in New York now, I'm still a Sox fan and was more than happy to watch them sweep the Yankees,) visited friends from school on the Jersey Shore, went out in White Plains, met up with friends for dinner... and much more. Here are some pictures that I managed to take despite my busy livin'.

Yummy drink and chips and guac!

I miss her too.

My lovely friends and me.

Me and a bunch of Yankee fans. 

P.S...I'm SO depressed to discover that there was a Tory Burch sample sale today, and I just found out about it. Do any New Yorkers know how to find out about these in advanced??!!?