Blogger Diary: Birthdays and Photography

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?”

My birthday was last week… its funny how as you get older, you start to worry about birthdays more, and want to acknowledge them less. I’ve always felt that the day itself doesn’t really hold much significance, but whenever it comes around I think of it as a time to reflect on the past year, and also think about the year ahead and what I want to do with it.

My dad got me a new camera. As someone who once aspired to be a professional photographer, and built a darkroom in his parents basement, he appreciates photography and has always been incredibly supportive of my little “hobby.” I’ve taken photography classes in the past, but with film, not digital – and this year I want to make a conscious effort to work on it.

So over the past week I’ve been playing around with the new camera a lot, and using it to capture little bits of what I’ve been up to…

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My friend made homemade apple cider using tea-bags filled with spices (and a little bit of rum)… YUM!

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And after several months of living in my current apartment, I FINALLY got around to hanging up some artwork! The fish is by my sister’s super talented boyfriend; one of my best friends had the painting on the left below done of my shore house –the sweetest gift I’ve ever gotten.

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I spent some time yesterday working on a DIY with these fun colors of embroidery floss! Can’t wait to share :)

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And lastly, I thought I’d share a few of the Free People items i can’t stop wearing lately! The velvet extreme flares are the most comfortable, luxurious pants I’ve ever worn – they’re getting a lot of wear this season. My sister got me the marled yarn pullover in this lovely wine color and it’s my new favorite sweater! And technically my Gola sneakers are from February of last year when we sold them before, but I still love them just as much today and am contemplating getting another color… put together these items make a cute outfit too!

And, my kitten Jam, who always wants to be the center of attention :)

Oh and to answer the question I started with… I think I would think I’m in my early twenties. How about you??

Blogger Diary: Once…Pop-Up Preview Event

My day went from getting dressed & morning coffee to train rides and a Free People preview event…

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As many of you should know by now, today is the launch of our much awaited bicoastal NYC & LA pop-up shops. Last night we held a little preview event for friends, bloggers, & media at both locations. I was lucky enough to help organize the whole thing and attend the NYC event. I was working of course, but this is the kind of thing I’ve always dreamt of getting the chance to do. We had RSVP’s from editors I’ve watched creep up masthead ranks, and bloggers who inspire me on the regular. Working for a brand, that my heart is truly invested in, I just couldn’t wait to share it with them. I was nervous though. Was I going to say all of the right things, and forge a connection between Free People and these important figures?

The cupcakes & wine were set. Goodie bags were in place. I smoothed a red coat of confidence across my lips and watched the door as attendees began to trickle in. As soon as I greeted the first to arrive, Claire Geist from Delune Blog, my nerves evaporated. A warm calm of “I got this” washed over me. I was there to represent the brand, but I was also there to just be myself, and had a blast. I cracked jokes with Natalie Suarez and Christina Caradona who apparently has something of a Kanye crush (Kanye – if you’re reading this, I highly suggest dropping the woman a line). I connected with Karen of Wheredidyougetthat over the beauty of individual interpretation in fashion, and specifically the creative freedom that Free People possess to inspire it. She had a calm insightful point of view that stirred up my thoughts – which is exactly the kind of conversation I live for. Lastly, I finally got to meet Erica & Lauren of Honestly…WTF who we’ve worked with before, but I’ve never gotten the chance to meet myself. They’re both intelligent women with such cool energies about them. You can’t help but notice that you’re in the presence of a rare kind of special person when you’re with them.

The gowns looked beautiful and at the end of the night I was content. I loved talking about the brand and getting Free People’s beauty out there. It was a night of meeting new people, partaking in interesting conversations, and celebrating fashion – exactly what I’ve always wanted for my future.

Now somebody pinch me. Nobody gets their dreams this young…

Blogger Diary: California Dreamin’…

“I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wandering…”

Sometimes I feel like the thoughts in my head fly around at a frenzied pace and the only way to sort them out is to get away for a bit.  Even if it’s not far away, just to get out of the city, and surround myself with new sights, smells and sounds can do the trick.  This weekend I did actually travel though – I went to California for a quick vacation with my sister to catch up with some family and old friends.

California is one of my favorite places in the world – and while I prefer San Francisco, I do love LA.  We stayed at the Standard Hotel in Hollywood – located on Sunset Blvd, it has a really cool modern vibe and great location. We spent our days doing some vintage shopping on Melrose (where I found a pair of perfectly beat-up boots in just my size for a mere $20!), hanging out in Santa Monica – where we even went to the pier for the first time in years, and just lounging by the pool at the hotel, relaxing before a night out.

It was just what I needed before flying back to a cold, snowy (!) Northeast on Saturday.

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The Standard Hotel

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Chateau Marmont

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I loved this store Slow – especially its little off-shoot full of vintage treasures called As Is.

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Another great store – Wasteland – where I got my boots.

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Santa Monica Pier

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