life lately.

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It’s been quite a while since I’ve given a life update here on GML, huh?

If you follow me on social media you’ve probably seen most of what I’ve been up to, so I’ll spare you from sharing all the recaps 😉 But here are a few things going on that I’m pretty excited about that I wanted to share with you.

life lately

1) I’ve taken on a larger role at NYC Collective.
For the past 8 months I’ve been the Social Media Director at NYC Collective, but I’m now transitioning into a Managing Director role, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I can’t wait to step into bigger responsibilities like creating campaigns, building new programs, and managing our team. And as if my schedule couldn’t get any more flexible, this actually frees me up even more to focus on some new (and existing) projects I’ve been putting to the side.

2) Speakable got a little makeover.
…in the form of a new upper case font, at least :) What do you think? I’m personally in love with this new look.

(p.s. if you’re interested in placing a holiday order, be sure to do so by November 30th!)

Speakable

3) Without fail, I re-fall in love with the city every autumn.
You guys - there is absolutely nothing like New York City in the fall. If you ever plan a visit here, try to make it in October or November! The past few weeks have been full of so many fun and exciting adventures. Even something as simple as riding bikes through Central Park over the weekend pretty much made my heart explode (I’m dramatic though, what can I say? :))

central park NYC

central park

4) Speaking of re-falling in love with the city, on Monday I paid a visit to Asanda Spa Lounge in Soho for a full afternoon of pampering. They were generous enough to gift me with a massage, facial, pedicure AND blowout! I felt like a queen all day, to say the least.

asanda spa

For those of you in NYC (or visiting for the holidays), I couldn’t recommend Asanda Spa more. I’ve been to a handful of spas and salons in New York, but few of them have such a full list of service offerings. If you’re interested in going yourself OR getting someone a gift, you can email info@asandaspa.com to book and use promo code ‘GML20’ for 20% off!

asanda spa

5) Yesterday I made my Snapchat public and asked you guys to shoot me a quick hello - and it seriously made me SOOO happy to see your faces! I think that’s such a fun way to stay in touch with my readers, so go ahead and say hello by snapping me at “alagracie.”

6) On that same note - I want to hear from you! I’d love to do some Q&A posts or something like that over the next few weeks. Also - what are your thoughts on holiday gift guides? I feel like they’ve been so overdone, but I’m open to it…

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What’s been a highlight of your week/month so far?

speakable fall sale {extended for GML readers!}

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A few days ago a Speakable Fall Sale started, but I was so busy I wasn’t able to share it with my favorite people - YOU!

The sale was supposed to end tonight, but since I took so long to post this I’ve decided to extend the sale for GML readers.

Speakable Be Still necklace

Head over to the Speakable website and receive 15% off your entire order by entering promo code FALL15GML upon checkout.

That includes all necklaces, and our brand new bracelets!

Speakable bracelet

speakable

speakable

Let me know if you have any questions. xoxo

 

the hamptons, speakable sale, and i miss cooking.

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Hello hello! Happy Tuesday :) I’m currently working from bed and on my second cup of coffee (you can thank that for the all-over-the-place title of this post, ha).

I’m currently in PA staying with my parents for a few days. I came here Sunday evening to see the pops for Father’s Day and decided to stick around for a bit.

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Rewind to Saturday, where I headed out east to the Tasting Table Hamptons House for a fun BBQ event. It was a blast! I’m heading out there this Saturday as well, so I’ll do a full recap of both events after that.

Gracie Gordon | Tasting Table Hamptons House

Sydney and I were going to make a day trip out of it, but the event went later than we anticipated, so we ended up spending the night. We stayed at Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor, which hands down had THEE most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. I recall waking up and saying it felt like sleeping in a “giant marshmallow” 😛

We headed back to the city super early Sunday morning. I can’t say I loved the 7:30AM train ride, but I did manage to get some work done before getting back to the city, packing, and heading to community group.

I feel like all of that gives me a pass for leaving the house without brushing my hair, right?

Gracie Gordon | Juice Press

One of the things I got done on Sunday morning was put together the SPEAKABLE SUMMER SALE! Head over to the Speakable website and enter promo code “SUMMER15” upon checkout for 15% off all orders :)

Speakable engraved necklaces www.Speakable.co

Yesterday (Monday) was a bit of a slower day. I worked from home, ran some errands with my mom, aaand that’s about it. I also played with a bunch of new makeup + hair products I got sent for winning a giveaway a couple of months back, which I clearly had sent to the wrong address.

I already knew I loved Too Faced Melted lip gloss/stains, but these new shades are SO fun. Melted Sugar (the 2nd/nude one) is definitely my new favorite.

Too Faced Melted Lip Stains

As per usual, I’ll wrap up with a recap of some eats lately. As I was putting this together I realized DANG, I dine out a lot. Like, all the time.

Salads at Bobby Vans // bananas + Justin’s Maple Almond Butter // Smoky Avocado Wrap from Blossom Du Jour // Sweet Tree Roll + Nutty Buddy Wrap from Beyond Sushi // Taco Verduras from Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille // Chipotle burrito bowl

I can’t be hard on myself about it because I just genuinely am out and about in the city all the time, but I definitely miss cooking. I’m going to try to get back to cooking at home more, and hopefully experiment with some new recipes…

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What’s the last (new) recipe you’ve tried that you’d recommend?

life: ch-ch-changes.

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Hi hiiii friends. Hope that you’re having a great week.

Mine has been…wonderful. Busy. But good. Change is happening, and I’m embracing it.

Last week I alluded to the fact that I had some work-related changes happening, and this week was the official transition.

To (try to) make a long story short, I’m now the full-time Social Media Director for NYC Collective.

I’ve talked about my work life here and there on GML, but it has definitely taken a back seat to my social life and other passions/hobbies of mine. But for the past 3-ish years, I’ve been working a few different jobs. In addition to blogging (a small portion of my income), I started doing social media for a few brands on the side. I also was working for my dad’s real estate appraisal company (remotely, as it’s based in PA) 3 days a week. While it was never my dream work situation (I had to wear so many different hats), it served me extremely well while it did. I was able to sustain life here in New York, which isn’t the easiest thing in the world, while also maintaining a decent social life AND being able to work from home. I am so grateful that I was able to do that while also working for the family business. Thanks Dad - you were the best boss in the world :)

Over those few years, though, I learned that my skills lie in Social Media, and (bonus) that’s something I love doing. So…back to trying to make that long story short…I’m managing a handful of different brands through NYC Collective, and I still have 2 accounts that I do entirely on my own. It’s been a lot of work transitioning into all of the new accounts, but I can already tell I’m going to love my new role + schedule.

So that’s that! In between all of that, here’s a bit of what my week as looked like.

I spent a few days in Pennsylvania to see my family + celebrate my birthday with them. How cute is my Mom? 😛

She got me this cute little bow necklace I wanted, which I think looks so cute layered with the Speakable slim necklace!

When I’m in PA I try to go into “retreat mode,” so I don’t have many other photos from my time there.

When I got back to the city on Wednesday we did a photo shoot for one of our clients Oscar Blandi hair products. I may or may not have played hair model at one point, ha.

Then on Wednesday night we had Liberty Worship Night, which was so so good. Being able to meet in this church (not our normal venue) makes it so special.

Signs of spring are finally popping up, like my newly bloomed lilies…

…and fruit stands back out on the street.

Speaking of food, here are some of my good eats lately.

Avocado + fried egg toast - my favorite go-to breakfast. Never gets old.

A quinoa tabbouleh salad from Le Pain Quotidien. I love working from LPQ - good food, free wifi!

Homemade chicken curry over roasted vegetables. I must give myself like, 5 pats on the back for this. I used the same sauce as this Chickpea Curry but drizzled it over grilled chicken + roasted vegetables, and it was bomb.

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How has your week been? Any changes going on in your life?

 

because i love ya {red carpet manicure + speakable giveaway}.

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I feel like it’s been a while since I did a great giveaway, and what better time to show some love than around Valentine’s Day?

To show my appreciation for all of your incredible support, I’m giving away prize packages full of my favorite things to two GML followers!

Each prize package includes:

  • Red Carpet Manicure Gel Polish Pro Kit (includes light and all prep/tools needed for an at-home gel manicure)
  • 1 RCM French manicure kit OR Gem & Jewels kit
  • 3 RCM nail applique packs
  • 1 RCM glittery french tips pack
  • RCM Nail Glitz
  • RCM Crystal Gems
  • 5 RCM LED gel polishes *
  • 5 RCM nail lacquers *
  • one 14K gold-plated choose joy Speakable necklace

(Each prize package valued at over $300!)
* polish colors will vary

*This is an Instagram contest!*

Here’s how to enter:

1) Follow @girlmeetslife, @RedCarpetManicure, and @SpeakableNYC on Instagram
2) Regram the above image on your own Instagram (using either the Repost App or taking a screen shot of this image)
3) Add caption “I entered to win @girlmeetslife’s #ValentinesDay giveaway! #RCMNailIt #GMLLOVE”

The two winners will be chosen at random on 2/14 at 12pm EST. Open to US residents only, must be 18+ to enter.

Good luck! :)

shop: GML’s 2014 holiday gift guide.

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Hi loves, hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Since it’s Black Friday, I thought now would be a good time to share my favorite gift ideas for this holiday season.

Last year I put together a few gift guides (for your BFF, your guy, and your parents), but this year I’m keeping the focus on the ladies. So in case you’re still looking for inspiration for what to get for the lovely women in your life, here are my top picks.

GML's Holiday Gift Guide 2014

under $50

customized journal – my best friend Jessi once got me one of these customized journals from Minted.com, and it was so special! You can personalize it with photos, words, etc.

Speakable necklace – hey, how could I not include my own necklaces? 😉 Right now there’s actually a Black Friday (through Cyber Monday) sale happening – use promo code XMAS14 for 20% off all items. (FYI – did you know there’s a custom option now too?)

L’Occitane Voyage En Provence Set – L’Occitane is one of my favorite beauty brands, and this set is full of great travel-sized products. I love this idea because it’s something that someone wouldn’t necessarily buy for themself, but would come in so much handy. Great for the frequent traveler in your life.

HommeGirl beanie – just because it’s cool.

X-mini portable speaker – this is something that’s on my own Christmas list. It’s small enough to carry around with you and plugs right into your phone!

$50 – $100

Red Carpet Manicure Pro Kit – another one I may be a bit biased toward, ha (I do their social media). Red Carpet Manicure allows you to get a GEL mani that can last 2 weeks, and you can do it from the comfort of your own couch. This is a great gift that keeps on giving.

Tocca Fragrance Collection – I love all of the Tocca fragrances – they’re refreshing and feminine and just amazing. This set comes with rollerballs of all of the scents, so they’re perfect for on-the-go.

Polaroid Instant Print Camera – another one that’s on my own Christmas list. The look/tangibility of Polaroid photos is just so fun – a great gift for that sentimental friend of yours.

K. Banasik Wool Cashmere Wraps – my good friend Kristine is a clothing designer, and she recently started making these fun and cozy wraps – a perfect way to stay warm this winter while still looking stylish. These are selling for $350 in stores, but she has a special holiday sale going on right now for $80! More photos and details here.

$100 – $200

Ben Amun Liquid Gold Thin Snake Bracelet – every girl loves some arm candy. I love how chic this bracelet is, and it’s classic enough to go with just about anything.

SK II Pitera Essence Set – okay, so I haven’t used these products myself (yet), but my friend Martina told me about SK II and I read other great reviews about it. This set is a really great deal – perfect for your beauty/skin-care obsessed friend.

Young Living Everyday Essential Oil Collection – I’m a huge fan of essential oils lately. They smell amazing and can be used for a handful of different beauty and wellness purposes. Another gift that’s great for the friend that’s into wellness/health. Click here to sign up through my friend Emily :)

$200 +

Nespresso VertuoLine – okay, this is a pricier one. BUT if you’re looking for a gift to wow an important person in your life, this will do the trick. I recently got a VertuoLine and it has changed my life (no, really). It makes espresso and coffee, and it’s seriously some of the best brew I’ve ever had.

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Have you started any holiday gift shopping yet? What are some of your gift ideas this year?