My favorite things going into Fall...

I love pretty things. I love colorful things. I like things that smell nice... these are my current favorites. (disclaimer. i dont know how to make my pictures look all well put together and even..if someone wants to help me..cool)

1. My motha has used Jafra for like a bajillion years...that's why her skin looks better than mine and she looks like she could be my sister..but whatever mom..Anyways. People always ask me why my skin is so baby soft..well, my secret besides awesome genes are these body oils from Jafra. I don't like the smell of roses really (seems old lady right?) but my mom got it for me last time and I used the whole dang bottle. Before that she got me lavender (which is discontinued..major bummer because I'm OBSESSED with the smell) However, they just released pomegranate and I got it the other day. Lets just say i want to gnaw on my arm now. Especially for those living in Utah..this stuff saved my skin. Instead of lotion, I use the body oil. It smells amazing and leaves my skin baby soft smooth. PS..i know this picture is ghetto. ignore it. 

2. If you know me I love to smell good. (that's why i literally have a small department store of perfumes in my room) Going into fall I have two perfectly luscious scents. First of all Prada Candy is the most amazing scent every invented..and I know a lot of scents..(not too brag or anything..im just a weirdo who likes to smell stuff) I love it as a transition smell to fall (if there even is such a thing?) because of the sweet and musky undertones. or overtones. I dont know. Second is Michael Kors. With undertones of lavender and pumpkin (that i know for a fact) it is rated men's number one favorite scent on women. (am i hoping it may help me to rope a man? sure why not for the heck of it) To me it has that burst of a little gardenia but not too flowery because it has that sweetness. Its pricey but I tell you the scent LASTS! (which is muy importante people)

3. I hate fake nails. There i said it. Maybe not the gel kind but I feel like fake acrylic nails are poopy and ruin your nails. HENCE my dear friends why I love nail stickers..some of those in the example look ghetto but you have to check them all out to see..anyways I LOVE THEM. They last for about two weeks for me. I apply a clear coat on top afterwards just to seal them on a little more. My favorite is of course are the plain leopard print. They are a fun alternative to painting your nails. They just peel off when you are done and your nail is not ruined in anyway. In fact, I find it gives my nails a break from painting them too much. You can get them at Target, Walgreens, CVS..and they run like $6-$8 for two applications. (PS..i get a pair of scissors and sometimes trim them to fit..i have awkwardly teeny baby sized fingernails)

4. Bright paint colors!! I recently refurbished a vintage dresser. (Ill post pics later) I now find myself obsessing about my future home. I think using greys and taupes as your main colors is fantastic..but adding bright pops of teal, sea foam green, oranges, corals and yellows (or whatever bright color you choose) makes a house bright, warm and cozy. I recently redid this vintage piece with my dad. I had a vision in my mind of using a turquoise color on the sides and restaining the drawers a deep walnut to make it pop beside the turquoise paint.

Before:

 In process:

 Complete:

 Inside of drawers:

 All set up in my room:

5. The Nordstrom Cashmere Scarf... I mean I worked there for so long I was bound to come away being snobby about something..but they are the most comfortable scarves in the world. If you have sensitive skin like me, they dont itch, they keep you warm, but also arent so hot you want to poke your eyes out in a crowded setting. These are the two colors I own..and the best part is that even those they normally cost $100 each I paid more like 70% off for each one. yep.

6.  Not just a leather jacket, but a fitted, butter soft kind of rock and roll but classy at the same time kind of deal. This one below (which this is a really weird pose) is the exact jacket I bought from Banana Republic. Now if youre like me maybe you thought leather jackets were for old people. (I know i had that idea in my head. I remember being 12 and my dad taking me to look at leather jackets for him at wilsons leather..or that coat of my grandmas with fur at the top that i used to wear and pretend to be cruella deville) However pricey they may be (and are for a good one!) this is such a staple piece in your wardrobe. You can wear it with jeans, dresses, skirts heels, boots, flats, boat shoes...endless possibilities. (not everything though, ill approve it for you first) I didnt plan on buying one but I went into Banana Republic one day and they were having that deal were you get to open a card and get a percentage off one item. Luckily, I got a whopping 50%!!! (the only one of the day FYI) So I looked around the whole store and the ONLY thing I liked was this one butter soft leather jacket in this amazing color. There happened to be ONE left and in my size. The only option was clear. So i bought it for 50% off and havent looked back. If you want a leather jacket my tip is to keep an eye out for stores that do deals like that pick a card and get a certain percent off.. (Gap, Banana, Limited, JCP) or end of summer deals which start about the end of July and get that perfectly fitted leather jacket. Now add a long color blocked dress (i have one in white and coral) and add a cashmere scarf (either the yellow or teal works for me) and top it off with the leather jacket. Good to go.

7. Last but not least the Michael Kors rose gold and chocolate watch. It totally transitions into fall...(you can buy on Nordstrom.com)

 Happy Thirsty Thursdays. May all your diet coke dreams come true!

Moving home...

No one really wants to admit this, publicize this or put it on social media (at least I don't) but yes it is true. After 6 years on my own I am at home for a stint. If you are wondering why, its pretty much for the usual reasons. I have to save money after the New York adventure, have to finish up my last online classes so I can be an official graduate, and most importantly spend some time with my mother. (And every one else.) Living away from home for so long, with the first two summers spent in Sac, the rest of the years were consecutively spent in Utah, I only visited home once or twice a year. Working full time and school full time did not afford the luxury of visits home. In some ways moving home means having to rebuild relationships with your closest family members. Phone calls and emails don't really keep you up to date on a persons habits, likes and dislikes. Of course I still feel like I know my parents and siblings like the back of hand but my mom sure can't seem to remember what I am like. ;) It is a learning experience for all of us. I am going through those "independence" moments where I can't deal with my mom asking what I am doing all day and she gets impatient when I forget to call or stay out late when I don't tell her what I am doing (Sorry mom!!) It seems we are all going through an adjustment faze. However, despite me needing to work on more patience I am really enjoying this brief time at home. You often take for granted your family relationships and all that they have to offer. Getting to spend time with my mom everyday has been really wonderful, I sure have missed her. I am happy that for once I won't be missing out on all the family fun!

While being home I have taken two short trips. One was to Reno to visit my cousins Danelle and Eric. They took such good care of me! It was so nice to spend time together after such a long time apart. We enjoyed an animal sanctuary and one day Danelle and I floated down the Truckee River..besides a few face plants I ended up taking, it was a smooth ride! (Seriously though..it was like some kind of ridiculous movie scene where the main character trips over their own feet and causes a domino effect..I could not move on the rocks with out face planting over and over again)

The drive through the mountains.

(This was the amazingly gorgeous cougar at the sanctuary..he wanted me for lunch)

 One of Danelle and Eric's dogs Cooper..I loved this guy.

 Then the day after I got home, Ma and Pa took me to Tahoe for a romantic getaway. Just kidding. We stayed, funnily enough, at a resort we had always driven by, and I as a child had always wanted to stay at because their mascot was a St.Bernard (Beethoven anyone?) As luck would have it they upgraded us to a suite for free so I enjoyed my own room with a queen sized luxury bed with the air conditioning set at a cool 64. We went on a lovely hike to Vikingsholm, had a picnic at Sugar Pike National Park.  We spent the next day on the beach and had an amazing dinner at a local italian restaurant. Before we left the next morning my parents bought me and my sisters lovely little bracelets made by the local Navahos.

The art of be(coming) a New Yorker.

1. You always have an umbrella on you, preferably black.
2.You must be fashion forward, always wear black, look like a Kate Spade model or grunge hipster. Outside of the business district to the Upper East Side there will be exceptions (Im not counting tourists)
3.You must love bagels and be horrified by western bagel chains.
4.You wear heavy jackets until the end of May, even though everyone visiting New York thinks you're insane.
5. You will have a coffee place you frequent and a grocery store or bodega where you know the owners and people that go there too.
6.You never apologize.
7.You have a big ego.
8.You get angry and tell people off but forget about it 2 minutes later. (No passive/aggressive, just aggressive.)
9.You also have a local bar  (or dance club) where you and other co-workers frequent. (Unless you are me and you make friends with the local grocers where you get your diet coke every morning..so..I guess that is my local "bar")
10. If you are a socialite or member of the NYC yacht club, you will be up-to-date on the most frequent exhibits at popular museums, the poshest parties, and celebrity charities. If you are in my opinion a real New Yorker you don't have time for shows, museums, or sight-seeing because you are too busy working. When you have a vacation you spend it at home or go somewhere warm.
11.You don't say excuse me to people you just elbow your way out and act exasperated.
12.You tell strangers how you feel about them, when necessary.
13. You never stop in the middle of the sidewalk.
14.You chain smoke and drink lots of alcohol and yet work out at an over priced gym frequently.
15.You know the flow of traffic and are irritated by anyone who doesn't.
16.You don't wait for stop lights you cross the street wherever and whenever you want.

Of course this is mostly a joke and yet not completely. :) I don't drink, smoke or party so I guess this doesn't work for me. My sister did however tell me I am unsympathetic. There is no crying in New York!! I guess it rubbed off on me after all.

My Top Ten Most Embarrassing New York Moments

Of course because its me I have had a lot of embarrassing moments. I consolidated to the best 10.

10. The time I was with my family in New Hampshire and totally missed the hammock and fell on the ground.

9.  The time I was really clumsy and stepped on the back of a really nice looking business man's shoe and he stumbled. (it seems like something small but I was horrified and he was REALLY good looking...)

8. The time I got lost in Times Square for 7 Avenues and ended up at the East River and then walked in a circle.

7. The time I was in Harlem and a man called after me for a whole block.

6.The time I barfed on the first day of work while at lunch with my new supervisor.

5. The time I walked down the hall after work singing "Im goofy" while dancing and a corporate manager was standing at the elevators. He said "its okay, its Friday."

4. The time I walked out of my room in my towel to go to the shower and the maintenance man was standing there...awkward stare-off ensued.

3. The time I was on the bus and KO'd as I tripped over a cart I was carrying.

2. The time I called a prominent doctor a nurse...

AND.....


1. The time I was at a health event and the condoms on the table next to me flew into my face.

A lobster roll, amazing city views, a concert and a rooftop dinner and dancing. Oh and a pigeon mating dance.

So its been at least three weeks since Ive posted. I did the New Hampshire one in its own post because of all the pictures.

A couple weeks ago Gabe, Charlotte and I went down to Chelsea Market, one of our favorite places and got a lobster roll...tastes like heaven if you ask me...We went for a walk afterwards on the high line.. it is a park walkway on old railway tracks. I love it.

Another night Gabe, Charlotte and I went to see Bring it on the Musical. It was really good. I loved one of the characters that was supposed to be the kind of chubby,goofy friend. She was hysterical. They had some really cool stunts and fun songs too! We laughed really hard.

 We found this little bakery near times square. I got a little baby pie. Banana Cream with toasted coconut on top. it was real good.

Last saturday Gabe and I had an adventure. We went out to a huge market in Times Square. We also tried the Carnegie Deli. it was amazingly delicious. We also had Katz deli a couple days later and I thought Carnegie was wayyyy better. The ratings for Katz are better but those people don't know anything...i know my pastrami...Carnegie's gots it going on so if you are ever here go there instead. Trust me.

 My view every morning from 125st 

 Columbus Circle from the mini mall

 times square market

 the famous seinfeld soup man. and yes...there was a pretty long line.

 random photo...how morbid is that? and freaky.

sign in my work bathroom that cracks me up...everyone must sit.

My sister sent me this pic of my baby nephew...he is getting so big..

Friday night Carlos and I went to the Enrique/JLo concert in Neward, NJ. MIND BLOWN. I am obsessed with both of them. I of course have been an Enrique fan since middle school but JLo I was 50/50 on....Once you see her live you love her..She is an amazing performer..a great dancer...and dang she is hot. And has great hair..

 first we had nosebleed seats...

 but somehow we ended up here....

 It was so much fun. They are both great performers. I may have teared up a couple times..

 Yesterday (Saturday)  Gabe, Charlotte and I went to see Dark Knight Rises. I know a lot of people liked the 2nd one better but i loved this one WAY more. First of all i hated the 2nd one. It was too dark for me. I cried like 10 times during this one.. (I know what is New York doing to me? I cry at the weirdest things..by "cry" I really mean tear up..) The cast for this movie is amazing. (Minus Anne Hathaway, still not a fan of her) Christian Bale is a babe and a half as usual, I mean that batman voice and those lips? swoon. Not to mention he is in pretty good shape for this one. not too shabby on the eyes...Gary Oldman superstar. Love him. Just a gem of an actor. Morgan Freeman. He is the man. Michael Cane..could he be any more adorable? I want him to be my grandpa. And last...but certainly not least Joseph Gordon-Levitt. MARRY ME ALREADY! so handsome...and as i predicted leads to another movie..Can i be the love interest please? He is just too cute..Okay so maybe i just love the cast but this one was way better to me. And I am a sucker for a movie that ends happily. Sorry if i gave too much away. Okay i won't talk anymore about how cute Joseph is or how nice Christian's abs are..

 I stumbled across this little dinner. I came here 10 years ago so i had to snap a shot.

 Views from Central Park.. spent an hour or so people watching.

Tonight Carlos invited Sarah and I over for a rooftop dinner...it was so yummy, the views were gorgeous and these two had me cracking up.

 our cajun dinner precariously perched on the rooftop ledge.

 you can see the chrysler building

 gorgeous girl

 have you ever climbed up stairs like this? the movies make it look easy and glamourous. In reality it is terrifying and I hurt myself a little when i got stuck with one leg out the window and one in...those window seals are mighty sharp...anyways..it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!

 our precious chef

 those are peoples bathroom windows..i just thought it was a cool shot.

 dancing to a little JLo

Part of me was ready to leave this city but as the time draws closer I am not so sure..this has been the time of my life.

and now what you've been waiting for..the pigeon mating dance. as in real life, the man puffs out his chest and dances around the woman, trying to catch her attention. despite her interest, she pretends to be busy either looking around blatantly ignoring him, fixing her feathers, or pecking at unknown snacks..