life lately | 1.31.15.

by 14 Comments

Happy Saturday!

Before I go on - I’ve been meaning to say thank you so much for your responses to my acupuncture post. It’s not easy for me to be so open like that, so it meant a lot to read all of your support + learn that I helped shed some light on acupuncture for you.

Anyway, it’s been quite a good week over in this life I’ve met. Here are some highlights of life lately.

**********

1) I joined ClassPass! ClassPass is basically an “open relationship” with exercise (ha), which is really great for my schedule/lifestyle. For $99/month you get unlimited classes at a ton of top NYC fitness studios and gyms without having to get a full membership.

I’ve taken three classes so far - Pilates, Cyc, and a yoga class at Y7 this morning.

My favorite so far has been New York Pilates. I absolutely LOVED it. It was my first Pilates class using a reformer, and I enjoyed it so much. I must admit that I don’t love strength training (no matter how much I try to lift weights, I just…hate it), but I genuinely loved using the reformer. It worked muscles I didn’t even know I had! And it was just so chill - I didn’t even break a sweat. We’ll save that for the spin classes ;)

2) You probably heard that the supposed record-breaking blizzard Juno fell flat. What was supposed to be 20-30 inches was a measly 8 in NYC. It was awkward.

Still made for a pretty city, though.

NYC winter

3) I FINALLY got around to trying the new Quest S’mores bar. I hadn’t been eating Quest bars for a few months because I just got really sick of them, but…you guys. The S’mores one is ridiculously good.

Quest bar S'mores

4) You may have seen me share this piece of artwork on Instagram. My friend Andrea made it - how beautiful is this?! You can’t really tell from the photo, but the texture/paint actually comes off the canvas 3D-style (ha, I clearly don’t know art terms). If you’re interested in seeing more of her work, you can check it out here.

tumblr_niumzfrMn61s6md8go1_1280

5) Last night Sydney and I had a nice little dinner date at Hudson Clearwater (one of my favorite spots - definitely recommend it!) followed by some bar hopping in the West Village. It was ridiculously freezing out, but we ended up having such a fun night!

6) After yoga class this morning Monica and I had brunch at Two Hands. I had seen it all over Instagram, and it definitely lived up to the hype. It’s a cute little cafe tucked away on Mott Street.

Two Hands NYC

We got almond milk lattes and split the acai bowl and avocado toast.

Yes, us girls love splitting meals. It’s a scientific fact.

Avocado Toast, Acai Bowl, Almond Milk Latte from Two Hands NYC

And now I’m here relaxing for a bit + catching up on some work! Gotta love that balance of a fun/productive weekend, right? ;)

**********

What’s been a highlight of your week?

 

snapshots | 1.23.15.

by 13 Comments

Let’s catch up, shall we?

1) I’ve become obsessed with having flowers in the apartment as much as possible! They add so much…I dunno, happiness? Although I’ve learned that hydrangeas last all of about 2 days, boo.

2) Saturdays with my girl friends are pretty much the best ever. They’re a good reminder of how much I love living in NYC…you never know what to expect. Always an adventure.

3) That’s my goddaughter!!!!!! Her name is Nugget and she’s a Shiba Inu. Jessi and her husband Parker got her last week. I only met her once, but I’ve never loved a little creature more.

4) Oh ya know, just complaining about how cold it is. Give me 6 months and I’ll be complaining about how hot it is.

5) Just a little photo shoot prep. Whether I have a special someone or not, I always love Valentine’s Day.

6) So that sweater? I’ve had it for over a year, but apparently it got lost wayyyy in the back of one of my under-bed bins. Always fun digging up clothes you thought you lost, isn’t it? Oh, and I got a lot of questions about that lipstick - it’s Liv by Illamasqua.

7) Yep, I drank the SoulCycle Kool Aid. So fun, much sweat.

8) Early bird ticket sales end this month for She Is Free! If you’re a girl looking for an excuse to visit NYC, this is 100% it. Learn more about the conference at the She Is Free website.

9) Snapshot of my recent photo shoot with Samy Ruby. I love working with her. I also love being able to work from anywhere. In this case, Juice Press.

**********

I haven’t done a “what I’ve been eating” recap in a while, so here’s a little update.

As I mentioned last week, I’ve eating mostly Paleo-esque. By mostly I mean when I’m eating at home. When I’m out with friends I’m more flexible. Anyway, here are some of the meals I’ve had that I loved, in case you’re looking for some Paleo/Whole30 inspiration.

1) My version of Loaded Paleo Nachos, inspired by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen.

2) For something sweet - a combo of sliced banana, dates, almonds, coconut cream, and ground flax.

3) A veggie mix of roasted tomatoes, asparagus, and purple sweet potatoes (SO good) topped with fried eggs.

4) Bacon Wrapped Avocado Fries - a serious Pinterest WIN, you guys. Must try!

**********

Last but not least, some this’ and thats…

1) Check out my latest SheKnows Experts post! 4 Failproof Ways To Dress For Success.

2) If you’re a podcast listener like myself, here’s a great sermon - This May Take A While.

3) It’s that time of year where I start freaking out because I’ve seen barely any of the films nominated for the Oscars…and swear I’m going to see them…then never do. Thumbs down to me.

4) I’m on a gallery wall kick lately. First it was the living room, and now I’m finally making my shoebox sized bedroom a little more presentable.

(…and yes, I am a jewelry hoarder.)

5) Let’s hear it for the WEEKEND! I’ve got a fun one planned, and I’m going to remember to document it for a long overdue scenes from the weekend post.

**********

What are your plans for the weekend? Have you seen any of Oscar nominees for best film (if so, which should I definitely see?!)?

insta-lately | 1.3.15.

by 20 Comments

Every once in a while I realize that I’m posting more about this life I’ve met over on Instagram than here on the tried-and-true blog.

So here are some things I’ve been up to lately, with a bit more of an explanation than you’ll find over on Insta.

instalately

1) These Chocolate Covered Coconut bars are the bomb.com, you guys. Never let me say that again. But seriously - these healthy-ish/Paleo treats have totally won over my entire family, which is sort of a big deal. They’ve even started calling them “Gracie bars.” I certainly can’t take the credit though - here’s the original recipe.

2) Yep, I’m going old school. I got a (new version of a) Polaroid camera for Christmas, which I chat about a bit more over on my recent vlog. It might not be the most practical gadget in the world, but it’s so much fun!

3) I got these patches from Best Made a few weeks ago because a) they were cool and b) I heard patches are going to be like, totally in for 2015. I’ve got to say, though, that sewing patches on is a pain in the ass. You’ve been warned.

4) These were surprisingly some of the best nachos I’ve ever had. I say surprisingly because they were vegetarian (real cheese, sans chili). There’s this vegetarian restaurant called Blue Sage near my home in Pennsylvania, and it rivals some of the best veggie joints here in New York.

5) Straight from this photo’s caption pretty much sums this up: I was thinking about how everyone (myself included) loves the new year because it symbolizes a clean slate. a fresh start. a new beginning. for me going into 2015, though, I’m not so sure I want a new beginning just yet. 2014 has led me into some amazing things that haven’t yet been seen through, so my view of this upcoming new year is more so to keep on keepin’ on…to push through the things that scare me or seem impossible.

6) I had thee best few days with my sister Katie over Christmas. We’ve always been pretty close, but as we get older we’re getting closer and closer, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.

7) I got tagged in a #StopDropAndSelfie, so that’s my selfie. I was in a cab from the train station to my apartment, and full disclosure that was the favorite of about 10 selfie attempts.

8) The oh so curated flat lay of my NYE look. I went to a wedding where the color theme was black, white & gold. I added a pop of red with my lipstick because I’m tacky like that.

9) One of the only photos I got at the wedding, with Leah and Jessi. About 30 minutes later I headed to a masquerade party at The McKittrick hotel. It was a fun night.

**********

What’s your Instagram? Let me know and I’ll follow you! :)