Travel Tuesday: Part 1 - The Americas

I've recently really gotten the itch to travel so I thought that I would deem the next few Tuesdays "Travel Tuesdays" and share some of the places I'd like to visit. I also thought it might be fun to share my "dream hotel" in those places. Because I did buy a Powerball and, you never know, right?? There are wayyy more places I want to go to in the Americas but I thought I'd share 5 of my top choices.

My co-worker, Sara, recently did a trip with her husband, Michael, up the coast of California and she said their favorite stop was Big Sur. The Post Ranch Inn is the hotel to stay in and she said you feel like you're sleeping in a tree house in the clouds. 

 I'm dying to go to Banff National Park (specifically Lake Louise) after seeing it on the Bachelor (yes, really) and after obsessing over stunningggg photos on Pinterest. Located in the Alberta Provence in western Canada, the natural beauty is breathtaking in any season.

I've been to the Adirondacks before but The Point is in a league of its own. My parents went for my mom's birthday one year in the Fall and they stayed in the coziest most wonderful cabin, had amazing food, kayaked amongst the gorgeous leaves and played backgammon in their room with drinks and a roaring fire. SIGN ME UP. Summer would also be ideal with lots of boating/water activities available and a real "camp" feel.

More after the jump!

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

Monogrammed Bedding

How does that old adage go? You can take the girl out of Greenwich....? Okay, I admit it, I am preppy at heart and always will be. No matter how much leather I add to my closet, I will still get weak at the knees over a good monogram. Obviously there are the old trusted traditional looking monograms used on bedding but I'm loving the fresher versions that have been popping up. My credit card can not handle a new set of sheets right now but here's to dreaming for later...

Love love love the red monogram below

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I think I especially love the below monogram because those are my initials!

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How cute for a boys' room??

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This bedroom is perfect and unique from the wallpaper to the fun sconces to that BEDDING

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My little sister, Lulu, wants to copy this entire room for her new bedroom.

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I'm obsessed with the matouk linens and whole bedroom presentation of the next two photos courtesy of Bradley from Luella and June. Blue is my favorite color if you couldn't tell...

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Love the bedside table styling here

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More after the jump