Je voudrais un diamant, s'il vous plait.

Joueux Nouvel An! I hope that's the right way to say Happy New Year! in French. It's been an interesting 2010! In the beginning of the year I was beginning my last semester in college, and it was the most grueling and intense of them all. I nearly had a breakdown when it was all over, I didn't know what to do with myself. I needed time to think and relax, figure out where to go next. So the summer months were long and hot, lazy and thoughtful. Then I finally made a decision about what to do next and booked myself a ticket to Thailand. For six weeks I braved the heat and less-than-comfortable conditions of Thailand to help others and help myself. I learned a lot on the trip and saw some incredible sights. Then, with my arrival back home in Virginia, fall also arrived. I flew back on Halloween, on a flight that went from Bangkok to Tokyo, then to Minneapolis, then finally to Washington DC. I got home in time to hand out some candy to the trick-or-treaters and then crash for a week.

When I was finally over the jetlag, I started my job hunt. I was on the computer everyday researching and searching listings and applying for jobs through email. This is obviously not the best way to search for a job, as I figured out when I was getting no responses. Finally I made some phone calls, and that got me an internship interview. I trekked up to NYC for a day to go to the interview, then was relieved when I found out I got the position. Then the holidays approached, and my holly jolly Christmas spirit was bouncing off the walls. I spent my days during this happy, cozy, time baking up a storm in the kitchen, and was only unsuccessful on one thing: Parisian Macarons. Three tries didn't get me anywhere, except had me at the sink doing a lot of dishes and throwing away a lot of burnt cookies stuck to the wax paper. Anyway, Christmas was a wonderful day, and the days to follow were just as nice.

Over the past few days I've been apartment searching, and finally found a place to call home for a few months. It's temporary, but it will give me somewhere to stay while I look for a perfect place to call my own (within my price range of course.) So now the New Year is creeping up on us and I am getting more and more excited to start this year off right. Moving back to New York, turning 23, and starting my internship are just a few things I have happening in the next two weeks, and I know that it's a perfect beginning to the rest of my life. Happy New Year to all, enjoy the photos of my dream Parisian apartment, the macarons I failed to make, and the diamonds I am fantasizing about. Pop some Champagne and here's to 2011! xxxx

Holidays, Hanneli, and Hair

Wow, I know it has been months since my last post; I have been procrastinating posting, waiting until my life seems to be interesting enough to blog about. But then I realize I should probably get used to blogging often if I want people to actually read it. Hmm. So now it is fall, almost winter, and the weather is inspiring all kinds of warm, festive, things, like baking nonstop and drinking a lot of apple cider. Thanksgiving is a mere 3 days away, and I'm cooking up a storm this year! hmm, I wonder what i should wear for the cozy holiday; a fluffy, cashmere wrap around cardigan, or some kind of pretty ensemble complete with jewels for accessories? (Neither of which I have, by the way, so I might have to improvise a bit since I'm on a major budget.) Anyway, so matter what I wear, this Thursday will be an amazing day with family and friends and food.

To start off this festive holiday season, I have a fresh new haircut! I really like it, its short (it's short for me, considering I've had hair half-way down my back for years, and now its at my shoulders) and easy and perfect for the upcoming winter months. I've posted a few pictures of Hanneli Mustaparta, the wonderful model/ photographer/ blogger, whose picture I brought to the hairdresser as a model for what I wanted. She has really great taste, and I admire that she's not afraid to take risks with her clothes. Not to mention she's a great photographer. Anyway, check out some her pictures I've posted. Her blog is hanneli.com.

This season I will also be swearing by Chanel nail polish in Dragon-the dark, seductive red is the perfect color for the winter holidays (among those winter holidays is my birthday, FYI. 23, here I come!). The red is so chic and classic, I can wear it all the time with anything. It's nostalgic and timeless at the same time, and its sophistication and glamour reminds me of the 6 months I spent in Paris when I was in college. I keep thinking about Paris these days, I feel like it is calling my name. It's such an idyllic and passionate place, one of my favorite places in the world. All the pictures I've posted of Paris were taken by me. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Carrie Bradshaw and the little Garden

This week is my last week of college. I graduate a week from tomorrow!!!!! I can't believe that in a week I will have a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from Parsons. I'm so happy and excited to enter this new chapter of my life!

Living in New York is a whirlwind of culture and is always changing and exiting. I was walking back from grocery shopping the other day and there is a quaint little community garden right next to the grocery. Spring has definitely arrived and the garden is in full bloom! It had just rained and the smell of the fresh flowers and plants was divine. I stood there for a good 15 minutes sniffing the plants, and I think the people walking by were giving me weird looks but I don't care. It was just one of those moments where you feel so alive and so real, and the garden looked absolutely beautiful. If you're ever in New York you should check it out, its on the corner of Laguardia and Bleecker.

I've been thinking that I should have a plant in my apartment, and seeing the garden looking so full of life is the final push-this week I will go to the Union Square market and buy a plant!!

So here are the photos of the garden, all taken and edited by me. The picture of Carrie Bradshaw is courtesy of HBO.com. That is what I want to be wearing this spring and summer! Easy, cute, and understated sexy is perfect for the hot summer months coming up.

-L xxxx

summer style

hii everyone! sorry it's been so long since my first post, I am still getting the hang of this blogging thing haa. Things have been crazy lately, with school coming to a close and the aftermath of my thesis presentation. I have spent a lot of time sleeping and getting use to a new schedule....it's weird to have free time again! i haven't had this much time to myself since high school! I am doing my best to stay motivated to finish my off the school year but I am so close to the end that I seem to have lost the drive! I'm ready to graduate in 2 and a half weeks! ahhhhh I have been working so hard and have been in a school bubble for so long, I am really ready to break out of the bubble and define my life outside of school.

I thought i would start this new chapter of my life with a blog, to share my thoughts and experiences, whether it be places I go, my regular life in NYC, or the outfit I happen to be wearing that day. So today, the beautiful hot weather here in nyc is getting me soooo excited for summer-i love just throwing on a great dress with sandals and the perfect sunglasses. I was looking at style from the recent Coachella music festival in CA, and I loved Kate Bosworth's cool style throughout the festival. Here are a few photos of her enjoying the festival, all courtesy of katebosworthonline.com. This is how I want to dress this summer, comfortable and simple and effortless. It's funny sometimes how hard i try to look like i didn't try at all. haa Enjoy this beautiful spring weather! xxxx L

live in the now

so this is my first ever blog posting. :) im really excited to start sharing my inspirations and things that make me happy. i want my blog to be about living life to the fullest, to share amazing experiences and breathtaking moments and the fascinating world around us. Hope you enjoy. -L