My Life Lately

I haven't done an update in the new year and it's already March - how did that happen?? Things at johnnie-O have been busy busy busy with photoshoots and new products. I'm just finishing up my second quarter at FIDM for my Apparel Industry Management degree - it has flown by! January highlights include a great trip to Boca Grande and an unbelievable trip to Turks and Caicos with Riley for All-Star Break. I also went home to support NUSEA (national urban squash education association), who was celebrating their 20th anniversary. Lots of traveling! February highlights included the johnnie-O photo shoot, Jackson Hole skiing, super bowl fun and my first trip to Vegas. My best friend, Lauren, was in town after quitting her job and she is now settling in Australia. So fun to get to spend time with her. johnnie-O sponsored the O.A.R concert and green room at the PGA Northern Trust Open at Riviera Golf Course and it was a hit! Finally, I had my whole family in town for my godson, Jack's, baptism and my uncle, Chris, got a star on the walk of fame. I ate well and had fun - here's to a successful Q2!

 

 

 

 

January Mood Board

2 Year Anniversary of MM!

My parents told me that post-grad life flies by but this is ridiculous! I cannot believe my little blog turns 2 this week! I have had SO much fun writing and curating this blog and it has been such a treat to interact with my readers both in the comments section and in person. It means the WORLD to me when people tell me that they are loyal Metropolitan Musings readers - you have no idea!

 

Two years ago this week, I was working in NYC in finance and trying to figure out my post-college life. Today, I am happily settled in Santa Monica, CA working for a company I adore and working towards a professional designation degree at FIDM. So many things have changed but a lot is exactly the same. I still have the support of my amazing family/friends/boyfriend/co-workers and I still love putting content out for you all to enjoy. I have been crazy busy recently but also incredibly happy. That said, I know the volume of my posts has decreased but I am working on the quality of the posts so hopefully that makes up for it. Please continue to read and support and comment because without you guys I wouldn't have kept up the posting for two years and counting! Here's to many more (and to hoping to Veuve fairy visits you all tonight - cheers)!

 

via Vogue

 

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April Mood Board

My Life Lately 3.18.14

Hi everyone! Sorry my posting has been sporadic. Big changes on the work front for me - after two years in finance, I left my job to pursue my dream of working in fashion. I had the most wonderful first work experience but I am ready to switch gears and begin pursuing a career in something I am truly passionate about. The blog will obviously continue to run as usual but perhaps with some more west coast flare as I'm taking off for Santa Monica in August. This is a huge change for me but I'm so excited for the next chapter. For now, I'm taking about a month off, which is amazing, and am currently posted up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Next week I head to Florida and the week after I'm off to Raleigh so there are no complaints from this girl. Have a great week everyone!

March Mood Board

Quote of the Day

Have a great weekend everyone!

February Mood Board

My Life Lately 1.7.13

I had such an amazing break (6 days off from work - wahoo!) and I wish I could say I'm happy to be settling back in (get me back to the beach!). I spent 8 days in Florida and 3 in Raleigh, both of which were so fun and relaxing. This -10 with windchill temperature is just not working for me, although, I have to say I am used to it from Ithaca. A ski weekend and a trip to see my bestie in Canada is exactly what I need to get through this January and February is short and I have a day off for President's Weekend anddd Riley gets time off so hopefully it will fly by and before we know it it will be warm!

Changes

As many of you have noticed, Metropolitan Musings has a new layout and I hope you all like it! I wanted to have a cleaner/crisper look. Does anyone feel like this holiday season has completely crept up on them?? One minute it's summer and the next everyone's buying a Christmas tree! Before we know it, it will be the New Year and so I thought I'd get ahead of the game by making a few small changes to the blog now. 

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Sorry I have been MIA this week but sometimes life gets in the way of writing every day. By this point every year I have usually finished all of my Christmas shopping - I haven't started yet...nor do I know what to ask Santa for. Sometimes life events put things in perspective and it's hard to ask for things when you're so thankful for the people in your life. I got to spend time this week with a bunch of friends that I truly adore and although it was for unfortunate circumstances, we all found a way to make each other smile. 

Anyways, I'd love to hear all of your thoughts on the new layout! Excited to share pictures of the progress on my parents new house next week. They have completely redone one of the little cottages and it is adorable. My mom truly has a gift. I'm heading up to Hudson tomorrow morning (if I can roll out of bed after a hectic and tiring week). My sister, Tory, made reservations at Fish and Game, which is one of my favorite restaurants in the Berkshires. Their seven course tasting menu is truly a culinary experience and the atmosphere is cozy and rustic. The restaurant actually used to be a 19th century blacksmith shop and it has gorgeous fireplaces and delicious cocktails. I can't wait! Have a great weekend everyone! 

Above images via

December Mood Board

Quote of the Day

Hi everyone! Hope you had a great week. I'm super excited for the weekend because I am here in NYC and my bestie, Jen, is coming in for a WEEK from San Fran. We have dinner planned Saturday and then brunch Sunday. I love New York in the fall but I have to admit I don't like anything with pumpkin in it. I mean, I am actually like repulsed by it. Do people actually like pumpkin in their food/drinks or do they just like the ideaaa of it because it festive?? I digress... Have a great weekend everyone!

Eat, Drink...

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend. I went to Boston to watch Tory in the Fall play and then rushed back to watch Riley play at Nassau Coliseum (they won so it was a success!). Tory and I had an amazing brunch at Gaslight (an adorable French Brassiere) on Saturday morning. I used this as one of my four "cheat meal," which was wise considering I had some of the most delicious, fresh baguette EVER (or maybe it just tasted like that because I haven't had bread in over a month??). Either way it was great. Speaking of cheat meals, I successfully finished my 30 day paleo challenge and have decided to keep going with it. It hasn't felt like a diet at all but more like a lifestyle change (in a good way). I've decided to give myself 4 cheat meals a week and eat paleo the rest of the time. For anyone considering, I highly recommend trying the challenge. It's tough for the first week but it is a breeze after that.

The weather was perfect (we have been so spoiled this Fall!) but it was a little chillier this morning. I have a feeling we'll be getting more crisp "real" fall weather and less of this amazing Indian Summer weather. No complaints though, I have a new fall jacket that has been waiting patiently in my closet to be debuted! Have a wonderful week everyone!

(Images via 1 2 3 4 5 )

Happy One Year Anniversary to Metropolitan Musings!

I can't believe it's been a year since I started writing this blog. At first, I didn't know what I wanted to write about and how this would all shape out but now I am getting a new blog redesign (soon!) and a clearer voice (I hope!). Thank YOU, all of my wonderful readers, for all of your support. Here's to many more years of "my life latelys" and my other musings. 

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In the last year I-

+Got settled in my apartment in Manhattan and in my new job. It's been almost a year and a half!

+Tried numerous NYC restaurants and fitness classes and diets... (thanks for sticking with me on those..)

+Traveled a lot! Granted, almost all of my trips were within the U.S., I visited San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Raleigh (a dozen or so times), Charlotte, Boston, Boca Grande, Toronto, British Columbia, etc....I love that I was able to see so many friends and tell you all about it.
+Shopped. A lot. I think this blog is an enabler because I am constantly looking for new things to show you guys!
+Took an interior design class that I loved. I met really interesting people and learned a ton. Future career? Could be!
+Colored my hair for the first time. I swearrrr I will share some photos soon. : )

All in all, it has been a great year! As an aside, I love feedback (and criticism). Please let me know what you like to read about and which posts you aren't as crazy about. It really helps me focus in on what drew you guys here in the first place.I am working on getting more original content and I think my new redesign will help me. Thanks for sticking by me! Happy one year, MM! xo Clare

October Mood Board

Can you believe it's October already? September always seems to fly by and especially with the weather as great as it's been. As much as I love Summer, I am never sad to say goodbye to humidity and hello to gorgeous, crisp fall days!

Happy Friday!

Hi everyone! I'm off to the lake and couldn't be more excited for what is supposed to be a gorgeous weekend. Fall is my favorite time of year in the Berkshires and, although the leaves haven't turned, I still love the cool nights and mornings (great sleeping!) My mom and I are heading up tonight and we're planning on doing a great hike and the 22 mile bike ride that I love. We also have apple picking on our agenda and Crisp Architects is holding an event in Milbrook that we are going to check out. My parents close on their house a week from today (my mom's birthday - strange coincidence!) and I can't wait to see all of the great stuff they do with the property. I'm sure the Crisp event, where lots of home vendors show off their work, will give us tons of good ideas (although we already have about a million on our private Pinterest board)! I also got a new camera lens for my Nikon that I'm dying to try out. Hopefully lots of greats photos will be coming your way next week! I'm on day 12 of Paleo and feel awesome - highly recommend it -- let's see if I can say no to an apple cider donut this weekend! Have a great weekend!

My dad and Pixie off to fish at the lake last fall

September Mood Board

It's been so crazy around here with Labor Day and my birthday that I forgot to do my September mood board. The weather is already starting to change. It's like the second it turned to September the weather got less humid and a little more wonderful. I'm sure I'll be changing my tune in a few weeks when it's cold when I walk to work!

A Touch of Pink

Because it's my birthday and who doesn't love pink on their birthday??

Bday Diva

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Adorable skirt by Carven (available on shopbop and Netaporter)

cute little camel print from Furbish Studio

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Dyinggg to try this via

Adorable little girls' room via

Pink PS1... Love!

Nicole Richie looks chic in hot pink

Cute x-benches via

Tea time for a queen! via

Solé Bikes on Gilt

Can you stand it?! How adorable are these Solé bikes?? That mint one with a basket on front is my dreammmm bike. Or the white and red. Orrrr the white and navy. How do you even decide?

Buy them on sale here

More cute colors on their website here (not on sale though)

Eat, Drink...

 Have a great weekend everyone! xo

 Images via veronicalovesarchie.com, couldihavethat.com, claremariephotography.blogspot.com, adventures-in-cooking.com