A gift that gives....

The holidays stroll around and I always feel myself wanting to give back in some way. (As I'm sure we all do!) I know we are supposed to feel like this ALL the time, but the reality is that our worlds are just so bogged down with our own personal needs all year that thinking of others seems to come secondary. I find myself being so aware of this quality right around this time, and I get this huge urge to fix my selfishness from the rest of the year. This year has been extremely good to me, in more ways than I know how to be thankful for, but I realized I should pay my thanks in anyway I can. And I found a way for you to help too, and even get some holiday treats while your at it!

So last weekend I started playing around with different colored threads, and Swarovski crystal chains for some holiday presents. What I came up with, I thought was good enough to put on my etsy site. But when I stumbled upon Altruista that I blogged about HERE, I thought "I can do that too!" And these new bracelets are perfect for it! So I've designed them to come in a series of 4 different colors, each one will donate to a different charity. With every purchase I will donate 50% of proceeds to the charity corresponding to your order, in your name. You will receive an e-mail confirmation or message in the mail from the charity itself and a special note from me in each box. I think this is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Each bracelet is $40.00 (SEE THE LISTING HERE)

For a 4 pack (one of each color) You will get 10% off but I will still donate half of the original $160.00 to the specified charities.

Pink - Breast Cancer

Olive - American Lung Association

Purple - The Humane Society

Yellow - International Rescue Committee

If any of you lovely readers have a specific charity you would like to benefit please let me know, I'm thinking of continuing this for spring in new color assortments!

P.S. They look fabulous layered together!!!

 

 

A CHARM-ing IDEA!

I love charm bracelets. They remind me of when I was a little girl. I always loved baubles of all kinds especially those dangling from my wrist. I always find myself secretly lusting after a little juicy couture number. The little charms are just SO divine! Even so, I just cannot bring myself to buy one, I just never have been much of a Juicy girl. But when I stumbled on this company Altruette I found more than one reason to indulge in my childish arm candy love. Their charms are SO adorable AND every charm donates 50% proceeds to a specific charity! The more charms you add to your bracelet the more you help! This is by far one of my favorite concepts ever! They even have neckalces and key chains! I think one of the best gifts you can give someone is a gift that gives! There were a few items from Bloomingdale's holiday "GOOD DEEDS" gift guide that donated proceeds as well, but these charms are just so unique! I'm definitely adding one of these charm bracelets to my list for Santa! Below are some of my favorites....

CAMERA - Donated to kids with Cameras

CUPCAKE - Dontates to Cancercare for kids

DOG - Donates to the Humane Society

COFFEE CUP - Donates to Technoserve

HONEY BEE - Donates to Honeybee research fund

NOTEBOOK - Donates to Girls Write Now fund

GLOBE - Donates to GlobalGiving Fund

There are a ton more and all come in sterling silver as well! Happy Holiday Shopping!!

Strawberries, Chocolate, and Journals...

When I woke up on Saturday morning I had some Birthday packages arrive. I was SO excited! I mean who doesn't love Birthday gifts? Especially the ones that are a total surprise in the mail! Since they were jsut so good i decided to share them with you! I promise this is my last b-day-ish post!

My boyfriend's mother sent me these delicious fancy chocolate covered strawberries from Shari's Berries and a chocolate bar birthday card that comes with candles!!! It was the cutest thing I've ever seen!!

hmmm one seems to be missing...

Oh no that's right! I ate it.... And the rest were gone by Sunday...

My other B-day package came from one of my dearest, closest friends, Annie of All Natural Annie (we also met in college, she is the childhood friend of my other bestie Nikki over at Style and Charm) She sent me such lovely little treats!! A gorgeous deep purple key chain that I put to use immediately, adorable hair pins that I can't wait to use, a journal that I think I'm going to use for dessert recipes, and a Vosges Matcha Bar (Chocolate with green tea). Vosges chocolates are my absolute favorite chocolates but I've never tried this one, so I'm very excited!

PHOTO CREDIT: NIKKI @ STYLE and CHARM

On The Tuesday before my Birthday Nikki made me the most amazing turkey and goat cheese lasagna dinner, to be finished off with the most amazing Carrot/Pineapple cake ever!!! Go visit her blog for the delicious recipe!

I am so lucky to have such loving and thoughtful people in my life!!

 

Dinner with Ninjas

So as you all know Friday night was my birthday, and I knew John and I were headed out to dinner but where exactly was the surprise. When the cab pulled up I was unbelievably excited because John and I had heard of this place called Ninja downtown where your served by real Ninjas, and they do all sorts of tricks, scare you and all sorts of fun stuff. I was even MORE surprised when we were brought to the table and sitting there was my Mom, Dad, Sister and one of my best friends to celebrate with me! I couldn't believe he arranged for everyone to come! John and I had never been to this place so it was going to be a first experience for all. And while the company, and conversation, and of course the fact that it was my Bday made it one of the most perfect evenings ever, John and I just would never recommend this place for dinner to others. I really really wish I could say it was worth the super high prices but it really wasn't. Our waiter was def NOT a ninja of any sort, and the sushi was terrible. Dishes came out in flames, or smoking, which was kinda fun...but all in all, this place should really lower their prices. When you pay $8.00 for one single piece of sashimi you expect it to be ridiculously fresh, and soft and mouth watering. I Can't say it was any of those things. It didn't matter much though because I wasn't paying too much attention to the actual cuisine, I was just way to excited to be celebrating my Birthday with the closest people in my life, and so happy that John took the time to arrange everything himself. It was the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me! I was touched. This was the first Birthday John and have spent together, and he went just above and beyond. I spent the rest of the weekend feeling so loved! He also surprised me with some Birthday goodies. Unfortunately I sent my gifts home with my parents because we were headed out for some drinks afterwards so I have no pictures, but he gave me tickets to see "The Heights" on Broadway for Dec 11th! Very excited about that! Here are some shots of our evening....

Chiffon Tank: soooo old from H&M, Skirt: Forever 21, Blazer: H&M

Justina Leigh Monte Bracelet, Bow Ring: Old from my jewelry box

Shoes: Marc Fisher

John wanted to be part of the photoshoot!

Us at dinner..

Some interesting presentation of the food...

After dinner we ventured to the Lower East side to a place called The Back room where they serve drinks in tea cups. Loved it!!

After such an eventful evening John and Q just wanted to lounge around all day on Saturday!

We had such a great time. And thank you again  for all my Bday love on Friday!!! It definitely added to my happiness!! Love you all!!

Little Miss Birthday!

Its my Birthday today!!! YAY. I LOOOVVVEEE Birthdays! Such an excuse to indulge in all things girlie and fun! Cupcakes, shopping, dinner, wine, sparkly skirts, oh and I even get to wear my little miss birthday tee today! (it SO may not be normal to wear this tee to work, but luckily I work in tween design world, if I had a tiara I'd prob wear that too!!) I won't reveal how old I am...most of you know anyway, but I do look like I'm prob around 19-22 range (pllleeeaaasseee agree!) and I like it that way!  I've managed to convince a few people at the office I will be 25 this year...so aging backwards isn't that bad....but I sense from some, they do not believe me (damn!).

Me with a wax cupcake....what does one do with a wax cupcake?

Still trying to figure out what to do with my prop...

I can't remember when I got this Tee by: Junk food, but I break it out every year! It makes a really great b-day gift too! Bracelets: All Jusinta Leigh

This skirt was actually a sample I purchased for work in LA about a year ago from LF on Roberston. I loved it so much that when we were done with it I was able to take it home!

How cute is this B-day card!!! It came in the mail the other day from my best friend Nikki Over at Style N Charm (we met day one at FIT, Years ago!). She illustrated it and made it herself! I'm so obsessed with it! I mean how cute is that lil chicky!!! I can't wait till she comes out with her own stationary line. It's completely necessary! I'm sure if any of you lovely readers are interested in personalized cards she'd def do em!

Just a quick shot of me on my 2nd bday. My Daddy sent this to me last night and I just had to share it with you.....Serioulsy how on earth did I have such fat cheeks!

Tonight John and I are headed out for a fancy dinner, but it's a surprise, I have NO idea what he has planned, but I'm sure it will lead to a blog post of some sort! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!

 

Date night at LOKAL

Last week John and I were invited to try out dinner at one of our favorite brunch spots LOKAL in Greenpoint Brooklyn.  When I got the email I was thrilled, not only because I'm so obsessed with the brunch at Lokal and had not yet had the privilege of trying out their dinner, but my little blog and a little previous post I did about Lokal actually grabbed their attention!!

In my last post about Lokal I raved about how great their brunch was, in particular their french toast, so when we ventured there for dinner we expected no less. And after last weeks date night at Son Cubano being a total bust, we were due for a really enjoyable meal. We were SO NOT disappointed. Its was as expected, perfect!

We started with fried calamari....YUM

For dinner I had meatball casserole which I had never heard of before, but it was absolutely divine! Sorta like a meatball stew. So perfect for the chilly weather we've been having here in NY.

John had homemade ricotta ravioli. I was lucky enough to taste one (lucky because I swear he wolfed that down so fast I barely saw the dish) and they were smooth and buttery and amazing!

For dessert we had a chocolate soufflé. Totally worth the calories. Of course the service was fantastic as well. If you live anywhere near Brooklyn or the L train you should def grab a bite at Lokal!

This post wouldn't be complete without a shot of my "look" for the evening.

A little rayon romper from H&M with black tights

Lace up booties

Patent Chanel

It's great when you can find a place that you can call "your spot" and I think after finally trying the dinner John and I can officially call LOKAL "our spot". Interestingly enough, the first time we both expressed to each other that we were, in fact, IN LOVE, we had brunch there the next day, for the first time. SO really, it is our spot!! We'll be back for sure. Actually probably this Saturday, the day after my birthday for my favorite Brunch. :)

"Boots with the fur"

I walked into Bloomingdale's on a mission...To buy a b-day present for my bestie, not for me even though my b-day is Friday. But I did have some gift certificates and I decided to wander over to the shoe department to search for some basic black booties with a reasonable heel height......I walk out with these. Dolce Vita, brown, 6 inch-ers, covered in fur....I have issues....

I am having a love affair with these but am having a bit of trouble figuring out what to wear with em! When I wore them for the first time I paired them with a basic white long sleeved tee and jeans....I guess that's it for now....any suggestions???

On another note these Guess booties I purchased at the end of the summer to fill the fur bootie void in my life, have been left un-touched in my closet (poor little babies). I will be selling them on eBay...I really hope they do find a good home. They are worthy of such incredible outfits....oh the plans I had for these babies....only to be replaced by my new fur covered Dolce Vita's. Sigh.... I know someone out there will appreciate the soft shearling like lining and wooden clog like heel! you can check out the ebay listing here if your interested Sz 8 1/2 and if you use buy It now you get a free gift!!

P.S. I know I've been slacking, but I promise tomorrow's post will be filled with yummy food from one of my favorite resturants in BK, and of course a little outfit! Stay tuned lovers!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!......Things that make me smile...

Sparkley little teddy bears...

Smallest laughing Buddah ever...

My mirrored horse bookends....

My vintage teacups...

Brooklyn in the summer....

Brooklyn in the winter...

Kitschy art at random resutrants in BK

John and his guitar...

My glitter canldes from Kitson....

My sleepy eye mask...

My Grandmas fried plantains...

My pooch Quintin...

Art in Coney Island...

Sparkely things....

Cupcakes!

Hope your weekend is filled ith EVERYTHING that makes you smile loves!