My Life Lately

Hi everyone! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc., etc. I realized I haven't done an update since the beginning of November so I thought I'd let people know what I've been up to. My family came out for Thanksgiving, which was so nice. My aunt and uncle hosted us at their house in Pacific Palisades and we had a group of about 25 people. It was so fun to not have to travel and to show my family around our new hood!

At the beginning of December, work was ramping up at johnnie-O with the holiday season and exams were on the horizon at FIDM so it was busy busy busy. I'm happy to say I passed (yay!) and went home for the holidays. 

Christmas in Connecticut was lovely. Riley played New York and New Jersey and then we got to bring him home with us. Santa was very good to me this year. My family and I headed down to Boca Grande where I am currently writing this post. Lulu had her 16th birthday last night, which was so fun! Can't believe how old she's getting! I've had such a great time with friends and family with great food and great fun. Anyways, quick update but I'll hopefully have more time to post this week! Talk soon!

My Life Lately

Lots going on since the move! I've been in LA (Santa Monica to be exact!) for about a month now and time has flown by! My classes at FIDM start in two weeks and I'm so excited for my program there. Work is as busy as ever, with business at johnnie-O booming. Tory and I are getting settled in the apartment and loving the location. We both love interior design so it has been a fun process combining our styles! I had my birthday a few weeks back and got some amazingggg shoes that I have been dying for (thanks family!). We went to the Katy Perry concert last Friday, which was AMAZING. We've really been digging the LA cuisine and weather and activities and as of now, I am never moving home... just kidding, mom!

Happy Birthday to Me!

 

Today I am 24. I know it's not a big birthday by big birthday standards but with a new city and job and school on the horizon, it feels pretty big to me! Here's to a great year ahead - I've always been a fan of even numbers! Thanks for sticking by me through my spotty posting these days - I promise once I'm settled I'll be getting lots of good West Coast content up. Of course, I'm an East Coast girl at heart so that will never go away either! Have a great weekend.

 

xo

 



California Bound

I bought a one way ticket to LAX the other day and am currently scouting out places to live. I apologize for my blog neglect but there are some big changes on the horizon that I need to wrap my head around! August 24th is officially  moving day. Watch out Cali, the Berner sisters are comin' for ya!

My Life Lately 6.16.14

June has been busy busy!

+Business at johnnie-O is booming - we had a great opening party at the NYC pop-up shop and we had a great time at Seredipity's "Horsing Around" polo event

+Renovations on 2 of the 3 John Street cottages are underway with the one cottage completely done and the gate house cottage almost there

+ I've done a bit of shopping/splurging - the perks of saving money by living at home! (re: Celine bag, new luggage and monogrammed passport cover) New bedding up next!

+I spent the weekend at our house on Queechy Lake with my family - the pups love it up there!

+Went to the City Squash Bash, which is always a great event for an amazing cause

+Went to dinner at the Beatrice Inn (fabulous company and food!)

+I, unfortunately, lost in squash to Riley, which I am not okay with. There will be a rematch in the near future...

 

Hope you all had a nice weekend!

 

 

My Life Lately 3.8.14

Spring is in the air (finally)! I officially started working at johnnie-O yesterday and I could not be happier. I am currently working in the Greenwich office until the big move to the west coast in August! I spent some time in Canada and we celebrated Tory's birthday, Easter and a bunch of great meals. That paleo thing for lent didn't go so well, unfortunately. By the way - if anyone needs a Father's Day gift, I know just the thing...

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!

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!

My Life Lately 11.7.13

+I've had some great weekends the past month and another one coming up (starting tonight - 4 day week woot woot!) in Raleigh. I had a great time in DC and went to a couple great restaurants in NYC. One of my best friends, Jen, was in town from San Francisco and we had a ball.

+My parents closed on a new house in Greenwich and the renovations have begun on cottage #1. I'll be sure to share lots of updates because it is so neat what they're doing. The property has three run-down (but old and charming and adorable) cottages and an old barn (which will become a party barn). They are starting renovations on the cottages and then plan on building a main house. The landscaping alone is a huge project. The property is stunning and I can't wait to see what my mom does with the place!

+I went to Boston for Tory's play, which was hysterical and we went to brunch at Gaslight in Beacon Hill, which was delicious and the perfect place for a cheat meal.

+ Riley was in town for the Ranger's game and it was fun to finally get parents to go to a game with me!

+One of my best friends, Juls, ran the marathon and even though I stood out there for an hour it was so worth it to surprise her on mile 22. I almost cried.... everyone's emotions were really high it was awesome!

+Is there anything cozier than a cocktail and a roaring fire on a comfy couch on a Sunday in the Fall??

+ New planner alert! Because I couldn't wait til January... May Designs have the BEST customizable planners 

Recently

I haven't given many updates recently so I wanted to post a few photos of my life lately. First and foremost, a very special birthday shoutout to my wonderful, beautiful, great mama! Love you so much!

We have three fall birthdays in my house so we've had lots of cake (luckily 2 were before I started paleo!)

My dad, Lu, Olive and I on my dad's bday in September

Speaking of paleo - I made the most amazing gluten-free/grain-free/rice-free/dairy-free bread. I have to say I was unbelievably proud of myself. Thanks to Danielle from Against All Grain for the wonderful recipe. Even Mr. white bread himself, Billy Berner, was trying to get his paws on it and he loved it! I made my own almond milk too, which was a lot easier than I thought it would be and so tasty! I've been spending a lot of time (and money) at Hu Kitchen, which if you're in NY and trying to eat healthy, I recommend going. They even serve organic wine, beer, gluten-free beer and some amazing looking cocktails.

Kale salad, turkey meatloaf, brussel sprouts and amazing curried sweet potatoes from Hu Kitchen

I had a lot of great weekends in New York in September with friends and family but the next few I'm gone. This weekend I'm heading to Raleigh for the Hurricanes season opener (and to see Riley, of course) and then DC the weekend after for a birthday and Boston the weekend after to see Tory as the lead in the BC play! I'm happy that I got a few NYC weekends in before a hectic (but amazingly fun) few weeks of travel.

Happy Friday! (and some changes)

Hi everyone! This week really flew by (not complaining!) I had a great weekend last weekend with Riley and Lauren and my friends who were in town for my bday. We had a fantastic dinner Friday and the weather for wonderfulllll (pics below).

So tomorrow I impulsively signed up for Baci di Sole, courtesy of De Beradinis Salon, and am so so nervous but excited. I've never colored my hair before and even made an appointment last summer for ombre but chickened out. Baci di sole is a specialty of de beradinis where they basically just put a "touch of sun" in your hair (watch the video here). It's supposed to make you look like you just spent a month or two in the Mediterranean in the sun and swimming in the ocean. It's super low maintenance and they don't touch your roots so if I decide I don't like it I can literally just get a haircut in a month and it will be pretty much back to normal. Friends - do not talk me out of this! I'm doing it! I also signed up for a keratin (got an awesome groupon for the same salon!) next weekend, which you're supposed to do after coloring and not before because the dye strips out the keratin. Some hair inspiration below. 

Another first - I'm trying an intro Cross Fit class tonight and signed up for 3 weeks of elements classes. I promise I won't become one of those people who starts blogging about how many squats and deadlifts I did that day but I can promise to share with you how it goes (how my body feels, any changes I see, pros/cons, etc.) I am also starting my 30 day paleo challenge, which is my own version of this. I did paleo for Lent and felt amazing. I've really been off the wagon since then so hoping to really get motivated. Many crossfitters eat paleo because they work really well together and I'm excited to get started. To learn more about paleo, read my post on it here. A typical day's food below:

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I had such a wonderful birthday yesterday celebrating with my family up in Greenwich. My first stop was an early morning drybar appointment. The hairstylist asked which style I wanted to order and I responded that I wanted a Kate Middleton blowout. Not quiteeee as good as Kate's but it'll do for the weekend! We had dinner at the Homestead, which is one of my favorite restaurants in Greenwich. Tonight the real fun begins because Riley, a couple of my college roommates and a bunch of friends are coming in for the weekend. We're having dinner at a restaurant downtown called 508 Restaurant, which I'm really psyched about. The menu is full of fun cocktails and truffle pasta and pizza and all sorts of other goodies. The deserts look fabbbb, as well. Anyways, have a great weekend everyone! Can't wait to rehash fashion week looks next week!!

Quote of the Day

Happy Friday peeps! I hope you all have fabulous weekend plans. I planned a girls weekend for my sister, Lulu, and I. We're going to shop and getting our nails done Saturday and going to a fun dinner and then brunch and a movie on Sunday (and perhaps a spin class...). I usually go home for a day on the weekends during the summer to escape the city's heat but I am so excited to stay put and enjoy the warm weather for a change.

Photo via termsofendearment.com, collage by me

My Life Lately 7.8.13

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a nice 4th of July week. I was up in Canada but made sure to celebrate with a Barefoot Contessa flag cake (a Berner family tradition for the 4th). It was the first time that I've cooked it, which made it that much better even though I was eating it on the wrong side of the border. Riley made an excellent chef's assistant and really became friends with the mixer. My week was wonderful even though we didn't do all that much. We hiked and wake surfed and went on the boat and it was just what I needed to recharge for work. Only two and a half more weeks until my next vacation! I'm going back to the west coast to visit my sister, Tory, in LA.

New York has been hot hot hot but fun, nonetheless. Our softball team (yes, you read that right) is currently in 4th place and we've had so much fun. I caught up with two friends who I meet in London when I did a summer program at LSE. We went to Lure Fishbar, which had awesome food and drinks. I've been trying all sorts of new lip colors and even learned how to use my curler (hence the selfie bottom left). Pup is getting bigger by the day and still as cute as can be. Have a great week everyone!

My Life Lately 6.24.13

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a nice weekend. My weekend was filled with BBQs, vodka southsides, running along the east river and the Lillian August semi-annual sale (just about died in there). Boo for Mondays!

My Life Lately 4.10.13

Hi everyone! These last couple of weeks have flown by and I have been quite the world traveler. I was in Toronto to see Riley play and visit with some of my favorite friends, Lauren and Becka. We went to dinner with a bunch of old Cornell friends, who live in Toronto and had a blast. I had a great Easter brunch at home with the fam and was so proud of myself (and surprised) that I didn't eat gluten all of Lent. I rewarded myself with pancakes and toast and all sorts of breaded goodness (and beer!).

The next weekend I was in Chicago with Lauren visiting some friends from school. I hadn't been to the city in a long time (my parents grew up in a suburb outside of Chicago so have spent lots of time in the burbs) so it was great to re-explore. I got to catch up with my cousin, Jimmy, and his girlfriend over tacos and margs at Big Star and we got our dinner comped at an amazing tapas place (complete with sangria). The weekend was so successful that Lauren and I now joke about moving to the Windy City. 

This next weekend I'm in Boston for the little sis's 21st and we're getting dinner at a restaurant in Cambridge called Harvest that is apparently incredible (check out the menu and you'll see what I mean-- any restaurant that has lobster mac and cheese and truffle fries is good for me!) After Boston, I'll finally be home for a while and will enjoy the spring weather that has finalllllly come. Hope everyone has had a good April! 

3.20.13

Hi everyone! I haven't done an update in a while because things have been really crazy. I was in Raleigh two weekends ago visting Riley and I even got to have lunch with my good friend, Ryan, from Cornell. You can't tell from the pictures but it was gorgeous out (something I wish I could say about the NY weather...). I even found some gluten free beer at the restaurant we went to so it was a real success! Yay for not breaking my Lent!

The weekend before that I had a bunch of friends in town and we had dinner at an awesome Japanese steakhouse. Later that night I went to the Hark society charity event, which was really fun. I ran into a ton of old friends from high school and had a ball.

I'm off to Raleigh this weekend and then Toronto, Chicago and Boston the next three! I'm going to Toronto to see my college roommate, Lauren, Chicago for a girls weekend and Boston for my sister, Tory's, 21st birthday. Hope everyone is having a great week!

My Life Lately 2.22.13

Hi everyone! Aren't four day weeks the best?? The week flew by, which never happens in the working world. I had the best weekend in San Francisco this past weekend (so much so that I'm considering a move...) and was not happy coming back to the cold. When is the Spring going to be here because I cannot wait any longer! I stayed with my best friend, Jen, and got to see a bunch of old Cornell friends including one of my favorite people in the world, miss Liza Stokes, former Cornell squash teammate!

The weather was incredible all weekend and on Saturday we did what we thought would be a one hour hike. Four hours later, we realized we actually did have a lot to catch up on (and got a good workout in)! The views were beautiful and I was being corny and loving the air and the sun and how "fresh" everything was. 

After the hike, we walked around Mill Valley, which was absolutely adorable. The foodie in me was DYING over the Tyler Florence store, all the organic food and the fact that they had almond milk in all their coffee shops (NYC has got to get their shiz together). I wanted to move into the TF store. They had the best stuff!

Saturday night, Jen, Liza and I went to an awesome Asian restaurant called Betelnut. It was so great to have two of my favorite people finally meet and we had an awesome time. I gave up dairy and gluten for lent, hence the "no cheese zone" picture. Easter couldn't come soon enough...

We, unfortunately, didn't get to see Jen's sister Courtney and her husband John (one of my all time favorite couples) because they were in Carmel for the weekend but I did get to see their amazing apartment. I was dying over the slightly masculine feel of it. Jen thought I was a little weird whipping out my iPhone to take photos but how could I resist the cowhide rug and perfect backgammon scene?!

On Sunday we shopped around and went to a boozy brunch at a great place called Circa. Afterwards, we went to the park with awesome views of the bridge and hung out with friends. The weather could not have been better. Sunday evening, Jen and I watched the Beyonce documentary, which was awesome.

I had some amazing food (and drinks!) out there and wasn't killing myself that I had decided to give up my favorite foods for lent (although the no beer was a bit of a struggle...). Jen and I went to this awesome ice cream place where I got to have soft serve with nutella mixed in. YUM! The chocolate strawberries were a nice surprise from Riley for VDay and my coworkers were pretty psyched about them too. Moscow mules were the drink of choice for the weekend. If you haven't had one, make sure to order one next time you're out. The cold copper glasses make them 100 times better so if you're at a place that has them, it's worth it to inquire about what they'll be served in...

Monday night, I had the red eye but was lucky enough not to miss Riley's first NHL game of the season against Montreal. Liza, Jen and I got weird stares when we were the only ones in the bar at 4:30pm asking to switch the the Canes game. The Red Eye was awesome courtesy of my Ambien and work didn't seem so bad. I've never been happier to be in my bed Tuesday night and I had even cleaned my sheets before I left (amazinggggg). 

I'm so excited to be home in NYC this weekend for the first time in over a month! Hope everyone had a great week and has a great weekend! xo 

Happy Weekend!

Crack open the champagne! Metropolitan Musings has hit 10,000 views. Thank you all for supporting my little blog and for all your comments and constructive criticism. The site is, as always, a work in progress and I'm so excited to keep growing with it. Have a great weekend everyone!!

Pound it! We got 10,000 views!

*Image from Pinterest.com