moodboard | 07

"There is something in New York air that makes sleep useless." - Simone de Beauvoir

I think what Simone meant to say was, "There is so much pollen in New York air that you should give up all hope of sleep." She really should have been more straightforward with us so that I could have known what I was in for. Way to help a sister out, Simone. 

This is my first spring in New York, and it turns out I was wildly unprepared. I swear we went from winter to spring in one night. I woke up one morning and everything had bloomed - everything! - and it wasn't even like things were blooming, they just bloomed. There were no buds or sprouts or any warning signs whatsoever. 

Spring was just like, I AM HERE. And then I was like, I CAN'T BREATHE. 

Despite the minor asthma attack that I enjoy every time I go outside, springtime in New York is pretty great! For starters, everything is beautiful. Central Park looks so pretty it's stupid. People are so happy about it, too. Everyone is running around, flying kites, riding matching bikes, skipping, cartwheeling, etc. etc. This video should give you a good idea of what's up in New York City right now. 

Other good things that come with Spring: 

1. smoothies

2. sandals

3. getting to eat outside at your favorite restaurant 

4. air conditioning on the subway

5. street fairs

This weekend, we're going to try and spend as much time outside as possible (pending my ability to breathe).  I want to explore the Brooklyn Flea Market (finally!), maybe ride the Staten Island Ferry without a jacket on, and eat as many popsicles as possible. 

How are you spending the long weekend? 

all photos via these boards

moodboard // 06

"There are about a million different ways to live a very wonderful life."

photos, here and here

words from one of my favorite wordsmiths, here
and more moodboards, here

moodboard // 05

All this snow makes me want to bundle up and drink hot toddies and sleep in a tent.
Well, maybe a cabin.
Okay fine, a lodge (with a fireplace).

Today I learned that "waterproof boots" are fake and that the only thing your feet belong in during a snowstorm are snow boots. Who knew, right? (Hey, remember when I thought snow was exciting and magical? I think those days might be over.) I also learned that there is a distinct difference between pretending you live in a snowglobe from the comfort of your own living room and getting a face full of snow while attempting to hail a cab. One is definitely better than the other.

What an educational day it's been!

Needless to say, if you're having a bad day, take comfort in knowing that you're not stuck at the airport or running out of gas in the middle of a snow-packed highway. There's always a bright side, right?

one / two / three / four 

moodboard 04 // and the joys of hand-lettering

in a perfect world, i would be a chalkboard artist. or a calligrapher. or maybe someone who gets to make handwritten stationary. if there are people out there who spend their days creating beautiful letters, i'd like to spend my days with them. i love anything handmade and handwritten. my cousin kate is to thank for that. she has the most amazing handwriting i've ever seen. seriously. i noticed it for the first time when i was little. she scribbled something down on a sticky note - probably a phone number or a quick to-do list, you know, something pretty ordinary - and i remember thinking that that little tiny note belonged in a frame. mounted above someone's fireplace. like, the President's.

handwriting is so personal. that's why i love getting letters in the mail. it's amazing what you can tell about someone just by the way they scribble out an 's'. i've always liked that people's handwriting seems to match their personality. ever notice that? my mom's writing is really soft and bubbly. j's is all neat and precise. my dad's is kind of scratchy. there are few things in my daily routine that require a pen and paper anymore. nowadays, any work i need to do can all be done on a computer. i need to find more reasons to write things down. make more lists. write more letters.

anyway. back to my perfect world. here's what i imagine - i'd have a tiny charming studio with lots of windows and definitely a window seat or two. it might be near a river. there would be piles of books all over the place and it would always smell like coffee. and cookies. my uniform would consist of wool socks, big cozy sweaters, and even bigger glasses. norah jones would probably be playing in the background. my (future) golden retriever would fall asleep on my feet while i designed thank-you cards and wedding invitations. days would be spent lettering, and nights would be spent at the chalkboard.

what a life.

for more moodboards, click here.

* all images via pinterest

moodboard // 03

yesterday it rained for the first time all summer.

okay, so it might have rained here, too.
but this time it wasn't just rain. it was my dear old friend, Pouring Rain. (we share a long history of love). as i left for work, there was thunder and lightning all over the place. the sky went from blue to black in a matter of seconds. cars slowed down, umbrellas went up. street lights flickered on, and the line for hot coffee grew. there's something wonderful about that kind of weather that makes everything instantly and infinitely better (if you ask me).

unfortunately, today hasn't been as cold and cloudy as i would have liked. damn you, Pouring Rain! you temptress! so, i was really left with no choice but to make my own rainy day. i closed all the blinds, brewed a cup of coffee, and am currently in the middle of 'sleepless in seattle' (because nothing says "adios, summer!" like seattle rain).

i'm ready for fall. maybe even aching for fall (aching, i tell you!). sure, summer has its perks. i'm gonna miss the smell of sunscreen as much as the next guy. but i want dark skies. i want the thunder to shake us awake in the middle of the night. i'm ready to run through the rain to catch my bus. i'm ready to be cold. i want to wear scarves and boots and dust off my old winter coats. come on. surely i'm not the only one who's ready for pumpkin spice lattes and wool socks. aren't you ready for all that autumn-y goodness too?

all those in favor of trading in our sundresses for sweaters, please say "I".

all images found via pinterest.

moodboard // 02

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." 

- John Burroughs

(all images via pinterest)

moodboard // 01

here's life lately:
school, work.
school, work.
school, work, bed (maybe).

not surprisingly, this routine doesn't leave much room for creativity. even less surprising is how torturous it is to force oneself to read about politics & economics in the middle of a very hot july afternoon (as it turns out, summer school is my worst nightmare. who knew, right?). anyways. i'm starting to get all cranky and agitated about it. I need to spread my wings! I need to flex my creative muscles! let me flex my muscles, life!

 and so.
voila!

in an effort to get some color back into my week, i'm introducing a new series on this little blog: 
mood boards. * because sometimes photos speak louder than words. 

in other news, happy friday!
for your viewing pleasure, here are some silly things that have kept me entertained this week:


This is what 250,000 bouncy balls looks like.

Zooey Deschanel without bangs. WHO IS THIS EVEN.

How to get presents all the time. 

Women who love Pinterest (for real).

Puppies learning about stairs.

A carousel in New York City.