And the Living is Hot

It's really really hot outside (and inside my apartment). That is all.

And the Living is Easy

My first NYC experience was a hot summer weekend spent running around doing touristy things. My second was an even hotter summer weekend spent doing less touristy things. Now that I live here, there's something comfortable about New York in the summer. It feels simultaneously more like an place I am visiting and more like home. My favorite part is that there is so much going on that weekends can turn into a mini summer vacation: hot, dirty and full of adventures.

Ease

This skirt is probably one of the most worn articles of clothing in my closet. Dressed up, dressed down, cold weather, warm weather. I feel like there is some sort of merit in buying pieces that you can wear time and time again, that never feel old or exhausted.

In Transit

Lately, I've been neglecting the whole "record my life in pretty pictures so I can show the internet" thing. But not because I am bored with it or have no interesting content ideas, but because I'm enjoying the moments I'm living so much and living way more of them lately. I have found time to take a few instagram photos along the way, quick photos taken in transit too or from a place. So much of time here is spent getting somewhere else, and these photos are a reminder that sometimes that's when you see the most beautiful things.

Color, Pattern, Doors

Somethings start with a dream, a wild idea that you had once and think about constantly and finally get motivated to act on. Last weekend my roommate Allison and I did just that. We painted the doors of our apartment. Not without struggle though. For those of you not in the city, temperatures on Memorial Day weekend were the hottest they have been all year: 90 degrees and sunny with high humidity. Being proper New Yorkers living in an older apartment, we don't have air conditioning, nor did we have any fans yet. We were sorely unprepared for this sudden spike in temperatures. Unwilling to let that stop us, we sweated through our project with sheer will and determination. And it was definitely worth it.

Oh, and of course my door is in repeat.

Versus

I originally started this blog with the intention of keeping a daily (or nearly daily) record of what I wear. My intentions have grown since then, but I still think there's a lot of value in how people chose to present themselves to the world on an average day. Not to say that one outfit can sum up a person, but it can give some insight. This is a weekday look for me: polished, feminine, quality clothes, cute but city appropriate shoes, etc. It fits my life of commuting to Manhattan and working in crisp, clean office. Sitting here on a Saturday afternoon looking at these photos, I've realized that this is not how I dress on the weekends. Simple, comfortable silhouettes, disheveled hair, minimal accessories, barefoot as often as possible. I rarely take pictures of this look because it feels less creative/interesting, but I think it's equally as me as this one.

With a View

This city is all about it's views. Tourist attractions and apartment rentals advertise them competitively. Rooftops and waterfronts are prime communal spaces for enjoying them.Views are socially important. There's something nice about stepping outside or above of the monotonous infinity of buildings and streets and people and just breathing in the entire picture.

The Start of Something Wonderful

New York City has a lot of little lessons in perseverance. Carrying your groceries back from Manhattan on a crowded L train just to save a little money. Sacrificing sleep for a social life because you never know when an evening will turn into one of those little stories you'll tell people for years to come. And then there is the big one. Coming here jobless and nearly broke but so very determined.

In February, I made the move to the big bad charismatic mecca that is this city. I held my breath and closed my eyes and tried my best not to fall off a metaphorical cliff. I trusted this city to show me possibilities. Because that's why people come here right, for the possibility of opportunity? For the certainty of adventure?

I came here with the dream of starting something, a dream of settling into a life of my own. And well... I did it. This week was my first week as CAD Artist for Martha Stewart. So far, I love it. Everyone here is hard-working and passionate and happy, and I get to make cool things all day and sometimes eat homemade muffins and cakes. I am incredibly lucky to have found something so great so soon and appreciative of all the stars that had to align for this to happen.

This week has been my happiest, most zen week so far because I am finally unencumbered by the uncertainty of the next month. I have something regular to count on, something I am responsible for. My future has a path, and I just have to enjoy the ride. It's all just beginning, and it's going to be the best.

Rainy Sundays

Quintessential Weekend