My Life Lately 6.19.15

My life lately has included photo shoots and brunch and Coachella and work and school and friends visiting and Riley visiting and some shopping and some selfies and playoff games and cocktails and hikes and baseball games and golf (!!) and birthdays and fun. Not a long update today but you catch my drift - off to good ol' BC tomorrow but will check in from up North. Have a great weekend!

 

 

 



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!

 

 

 

 

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 11.3.14

My life lately has been hectic but great! My sister, Lulu, visited a few weekends ago and it was so great to see her and we ate at some awesome restaurants to show her the town! Other highlights from October included going to my very first country concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Luke Bryan was amazing! We moved to a new office for johnnie-O, which is so much bigger and better. My friend, Will, visited a few weeks ago and I can't wait for more visits from friends. I suppose my visit to Raleigh was in September, but that was also a Fall highlight!

 

As for recently, I flew back from the East Coast this morning and had such a great Fall weekend at home. Although it was a bit cold, it was amazing to see my brother and friends run in the NYC Marathon and crush it. I particularly enjoyed an true New York spread of bagels and lox and cream cheese - and mimosas, of course! I also loved getting to see my pups. I have to say, I had lost that loving feeling with Manhattan but after getting a bit of distance, I see it in a completely different light and am happy that I have a romantic and lovely view of the city once again.

 

Back on the West Coast and things are busy at work and school but I am absolutely loving this West Coast "Fall" weather. I cut my hair about 4-5 inches and it feels SO much better. Don't you love a good chop?? Tory and I are throwing a beer and grilled cheese party that we are so excited for, my friend Cristine will be out in LA for the month, my family is coming out for Thanksgiving and Riley comes out for a few days when they play the Kings. So many fun things to look forward to this November!! Not to mention many more beach days ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

source unknown

 

 

 

 

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

 



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 2.18.14

Hi everyone! We made it down to the Bahamas and we're (unfortunately) back already. I had such a great trip and got some much needed R+R. Riley got to fulfill his lifelong dream of swimming with dolphins and, although, disgustingly overpriced, I had an awesome time at the Atlantis. I love how quickly February flies by. Knowing March is just around the corner (with warm weather hopefully) is enough to give me a final push through winter. Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend!

My Life Lately 1.28.14

Hi everyone! Haven't done an update in a while so I thought I'd share a few recent pictures. P.S. follow me on instagram at metropolitan_musings!

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

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!!

My Life Lately 8.26.13

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a nice weekend. How gorgeous was the east coast weather?? Friday night I went to dinner at Teqa with my roommate, Morgan, and then caught up on the most recent episodes of Suits (don't tell my boyfriend - supposed to wait til he gets here...). 

Saturday I had a great private pilates session and then my sisters came over for a sleepover. The roof deck at our apartment is finally finished (naturally, one month before we move out) so we had proseco and cheese and crackers up there. We headed to Mermaid Oyster Bar for dinner and it couldn't have been more perfect. The Greenwich Village restaurant had a very Nantucket-y feel and the food was divine. We had a little table outside and Tory and I had the cocktail of the night, "the hummingbird." Sunday we went up to Greenwich and I'm proud to say I actually went in the pool (and got my hair wet!). 

5 Years Ago Today...

Five years ago today, my mom, dad and two sisters and I drove up to Ithaca in the suburban, which was packed to the brim. I was nervous and excited and had no idea what to expect. This was the first day of the rest of my life!! I was officially a college student and as we approached the gates of Cornell, my 17 year old self was ready for a new adventure. Having grown up in Rye, NY and Greenwich, CT my whole life, I was ready to meet new and different people, hear new ideas and learn new things.

 My friends and I celebrating my 18th birthday