Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays, everyone! Mr. V and I are in the Virginia countryside with my parents, all curled up beside a roaring wood stove fire after a delicious home-cooked meal. It snowed a few inches on Christmas Eve, and we were lucky enough to enjoy to wake up to a powdery white Christmas today, which was beautiful. 

Santa was quite good to Mr. V and me this year, and we received some great goodies, including a down duvet to keep us nice and toasty this winter. I'm so grateful for all the events of 2012...We got engaged, we adopted the best kitten in the world, and we're always surrounding by our supportive, loving, and generous family and friends. This was the best year of my life, and there is so much to look forward to in 2013. I've spent this holiday remembering how lucky I am and enjoying this special time with family, and I hope you all are equally surrounded by loved ones and holiday cheer this season. 

Image via WeHeartIt.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have always loved holidays, and as I get older they are even more special to me. I am truly thankful for my wonderful family and friends, the opportunity to live in the best city in the world, and to be embarking on an exciting new chapter in my amazing life with Mr. V. Not to mention my thankfulness for our adopted kitten Raja, the best addition to our family I could have ever imagined. 

Darkness has fallen upon Manhattan this evening, and the flickering candles in our apartment are creating the most beautiful warm light as the shadows dance across the walls. The chillier it gets outside, the more I relish in having a warm, delicious home-cooked meal and big glass of wine. Our table is set and the food is on the stove, and I can't wait to pull up my chair and enjoy tonight's meal with my family and dear friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Image one via Once Wed; Image two via The Bitten Word; Image three via ZoomDecor. 

Welcome Baby Raja!

I'm happy to announce that Mr. V and I have a new addition to our family - a sweet kitten that we have named Raja!

We brought him home this past Sunday night, and he's already enjoying his new city view. My Mom rescued Raja on July 1 after he showed up on her porch at only a few weeks old, and she and my Dad lovingly cared for him ever since. We think he was born in mid-April, and at around four months old Raja is happy and thriving! His full name is Maharaja James, a little nod to Lebron James, one of Mr. V's favorite athletes. Maharaja means great Indian king, and it's a name I had always wanted to give our first kitten. Lebron's nickname is King James, hence it's the perfect moniker for our little guy. And fittingly, he is the total king of the castle already! I'm loving every single second with this baby...There is nothing better than soft tummy rubs, early morning kitten kisses, vigorous play sessions, and lots of cuddle sessions. We're so lucky to have him in our lives!

Image taken by me, with my iPhone.

Fashion Files | Relaxed Fit

Slightly tousled, natural hair coupled with cool blues and bright whites...These looks are definitely my fashion inspiration for these final weeks of summer.

Mr. V and I are spending this weekend with both of our families at my parents' house in Virginia, and I'm really looking forward to some time with everyone together. These past few weeks have been so busy and summer feels a bit as if it's tumbling by at full speed. We've been traveling almost every weekend, largely to celebrate nine (soon ten) weddings this year already - and also planning our own for next April! It's been very exciting, but also hectic. I can't wait to share some of my inspiration with you in the coming months. Have a happy weekend!

Image one via Sincerely, Jules; Images two and three via They All Hate Us. 

The Perfect Gray

This summer I've been traveling more than I ever have before, and I've hardly spent any weekends in the city all season. After our time in Vermont, Mr. V and I went to Palm Beach to visit his family the last weekend of July, and this past Friday we decided to take a spontaneous trip to visit my parents in the Virginia countryside. We're finally tucked back in our apartment, and I'm contemplating what color we should paint our living room...

I have shades by Farrow & Ball, Pratt & Lambert, Benjamin Moore, and Martha Stewart all dotting our walls in the hunt to find the perfect hue of light gray...And gray is such a daunting color to find! Each one seems either too blue or too taupe. The most beautiful shades I find are all quite dark (like Benjamin Moore's Coventry Gray), so perhaps I'll paint the room white and add touches of the dark gray to our doors and bookshelves. I love the use of gray in the three images above this - even the monochromatic outfit is a beautiful inspiration for layering a room with texture and color. For now, I'm off to scan Pinterest for more images! 

Image one via Elle Decor; Image two via Cupcakes and Cashmere; Image three via Pinterest, original source unknown. 

Independence Weekend

Happy (belated) Fourth of July! I hope everyone is enjoying a fantastic long weekend, hopefully relaxing in your red, white, and blue finest and avoiding the heatwave gripping the east coast. 

I spent July 4 in Milan, where I traveled for a three-day work trip this week. I flew back from Italy on Friday morning, and Mr. V met me in Virginia. We're spending the rest of the weekend here visiting my parents - and our new adorable kitten! We're adopting the sweetest little grey tabby that showed up on my parent's back porch last week...He's a real charmer, and I'm already in love. Happy weekend!

Image on via Note to Self; Image two via Paul Costello. 

Happy Weekend!

Mr. V and I are spending this weekend in the city at the wedding of his family friend. Last night was the sangeet, where many of the female guests (including me) got mehndi and we all danced and celebrated the wedding. Tonight is the ceremony, and I'm looking forward to another fun-filled evening of revelry! 

I hope you have a happy weekend!

Image one via pinterest; Image two via Bella Pictures.

Summer Garden Party

Fresh off the happy news of our engagement, a few lovely lessons at Haven's Kitchen, and a class with the Little Flower School, I left last Wednesday for Berlin, where I spent a quick, great three days for a work trip. The weather there was magical - sunny and cloudless with temperatures in the mid-seventies each day. On Saturday, I flew to Florida for a party hosted by Mr. V's family in Palm Beach, where it was so nice to celebrate his brother's graduation, his parents' anniversary, and our engagement all in one weekend. I'm finally back in New York, but only for a short spell, as Mr. V and I leave Friday for a friend's wedding on Martha's Vineyard...

Neither Mr. V nor I have ever been to the island, and thinking about this weekend has me dreaming about an outdoor party under the sun...A rustic and casual affair filled with salty air and bountiful flower arrangements, a bit like these fantastic blooms that completely transform the landscape. How gorgeous! I can't wait to spend the weekend exploring the Vineyard and toasting to our friends' wedding.

Image one via Heartbeatoz; Image two via The Sweet Occasion; Image three via My Favorite and My Best. 

Florals and Voyages

Tonight is an event I've been looking forward to for quite some time...I'm taking a flower arranging class with the Little Flower School! Arranging Spring's Bounty is hosted at the New York Botanical Garden's midtown space, and focuses on some of my favorite blooms, such as peonies, irises, and lilacs.

I can't wait to get my hands on the beautiful flowers and learn a few new tricks to arranging them! However, I only get one night to enjoy my floral creation, as I leave for Berlin tomorrow for a work trip, and then am heading straight to Miami to meet Mr. V for a family celebration in Palm Beach. It'll be a busy Memorial Day weekend - what a great start to summer!

Image via That Inspirational Girl. 

The Perfect Course | Lessons at Haven's Kitchen

Last week was pretty busy to say the least, especially given that it began with the surprise of our engagement and our families being in town to celebrate with us! Despite the fact that my head was a bit in the clouds, I had long-planned to take two classes last week at Haven's Kitchen, which is a combination cooking school, event space, coffee shop, and specialty foods store. It's a space I always walk past on my way home from work, and I jumped at the chance to sign up for courses in their beautiful space, a renovated carriage house near Union Square.

Last Monday morning, I took Preparing a Week's Worth of Vegetarian Meals with chef Ella Nemcova. We made nine dishes during the three hour course, including mini tofu quiches, spring green curry, veggie calzones, black rice pudding, and raw beets with garlic scape pesto. The best take-away from this class is the idea that you can really be flexible with recipes and ingredients - the chef added in unexpected elements to the dishes, like red beets in the green curry, to show that you can just use what you have available in the fridge. 

A Day with Martha

Martha Stewart has long been a favorite of mine, someone I have always admired and enjoyed watching. My Mom and I were lucky enough to attend one of the final tapings of The Martha Stewart Show yesterday (while this show is soon ending, Martha will be heading to PBS), and I wanted to share a few images from the set...

The entire environment was gorgeous, and Martha was as charismatic and quick-witted as ever. With a cooking lesson featuring April Bloomsfield, a design segment with the amazing Michael Smith, and a vertical gardening feature, it was a fantastic episode (and we each brought home a lovely bag of books and goodies!). I'm really going to miss Martha's current show, but I can't wait to see her new cooking series on PBS. It was so much fun to see Martha, domestic queen, and to be there with my Mom - what a great day!

Images taken by me, with my iPhone. 

Monday Musings

Today was an especially lovely one, as my parents are in town visiting, and my Mom and I went to one of the final tapings of The Martha Stewart Show this morning. It was so much fun - the super talented Michael Smith was one of her guests! We also had two delicious meals today, brunch at Meme and dinner at Móle, which have left us all feeling happy and full.

Martha did a great segment on flowers, focusing on vertical gardening and planting succulents...It made me want to run out and buy a bevy of terra cotta pots and beautiful spring flowers. I currently have a beautiful bunch of ranunculus on my dining table that makes me smile each morning...Fresh blooms are  the most wonderful addition to any house!

Image via Camille Styles.

Back to New York

After a very lovely holiday vacation to my hometown, Mr. V and I are headed back to the city by train tonight.

I'm not quite ready to leave my family and the cozy country, but I do miss the sights and sounds of our dear apartment. Soon I'll see the pulsing lights from the shops across the street shine into our windows and hear the hum of the commuters rumbling on the street below us...There is always something comforting about those noises and returning to New York.

Image via Vogue Paris June/July 2011 via here.

Glamour Galore

Happy New Year's Eve! Mr. V and I are headed off to the wedding of a good friend tonight - black tie, no less - so our New Year's will be filled with lots of love, sparkles, and champagne to toast the occasion.

2011 brought a lot of very welcome change for me. I started this blog, completed my Master's degree, and began a new job that I love. This year has been a breath of fresh air, and I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by the most wonderful friends and family through it all. I can't wait to begin the next with all the same love, support, and creativity around me.

Wishing you all the best health, wealth, and happiness for 2012!

Images of Daria Werbowy by Terry Richardson via Vogue Paris May 2007.

First Snow of Winter

My words last night were very appropriate, as hearty snowflakes fell from the sky this morning and coated the trees in a light dusting.

Mr. V and I are still at my parents' house in the country, spending a week sleeping in under a down comforter, visiting with friends and family, and eating delicious meals by the fire. This is the most relaxed I have felt in quite some time...For once, a week off isn't flying by at the speed of light!

When I emerge from this holiday, I'd like to channel this look for the rest of the season. I'm so drawn to the faux fur, metallics, and messy bangs! Sexy winter chic at its finest.

Image one via Pinterest; Image two from Elle Belgium via Red Glasses.

Keeping the Christmas Spirit

Christmas may be a few days passed, but I'm never one to give it up easily...I love to savor the holidays and enjoy the ornaments, evergreens, and carols into the New Year. After all, the twelve days of Christmas last until January 6!

Because I was sick on the actual holiday, we celebrated Christmas last night, and had a tasty mushroom farro pie for dinner and exchanged some wonderful presents by the tree and fire. It was a great night with my family, for whom I'm very grateful!

All designs by Miles Redd.

Merry Christmas!

I adore being home for the holidays. It's my favorite time of year, and my Mom always fills the house with the most wonderful food and festive decorations (clearly I get my love of entertaining and design from her!).

I was feeling a bit under the weather today, so I took a long winter's nap in front of this fire - the coziest place in the world to snuggle up and recover. It's so nice to be here with Mr. V and my parents for a whole week! I hope you had a very lovely Christmas with your families!

Images taken with my iPhone.

Birthday Time!

Pop the bubbly, it's time to celebrate...Today I turn 26!

Sometimes, the best thing about having your birthday over the holidays is that you get to celebrate several times, each with a set of people you love (no one is ever in one place on Christmas Eve!).

Thank you to all of my family, friends, and colleagues for the amazing wishes, and to all those who inspire me everyday. I can honestly say that I have never been happier or more blessed than I have been lately. It's a peacefulness that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world...And on that note, I'm off to go enjoy today! And tomorrow is Christmas, hooray!

Image one via Confetti System; Image two by Tim Walker.

Home for the Holidays!

Mr. V and I are now happily tucked in my cozy home with my parents for the holidays, and it finally feels like Christmas. After a slightly harrowing journey from New York (we almost missed our train!), these beautiful wreaths welcomed us at Union Station in DC...

And now a much-needed vacation begins! Merry Christmas!

Image via my (new, awesome) iPhone (courtesy of Mr. V!).

Christmas in Connecticut

Every December, my Mom and I watch Christmas in Connecticut, our most favorite holiday movie, at least twice. Released in 1945, the film tells the story of Elizabeth Lane, a beautiful, successful food writer in New York. She writes a magazine column about her family and her domestic exploits in the country, while in reality she is a single woman living in Manhattan who cannot cook. When her boss invites both a war hero and himself to her home for Christmas, Elizabeth attempts to cover her lie by jumping into the role of the perfect housewife.

This movie is a sumptuous visual feast with gorgeous snow-covered scenery, classically stylish clothing, and a perfectly designed home in which the entire movie takes place....I will always dream of living in this house! The film is such a sweet love story and a very uplifting, cozy tale.

I hope you are happily preparing for the holidays with the people you love!

All images are stills from Warner Brothers' Christmas in Connecticut, 1945.