NYE in NYC

Tomorrow the husband and I are NYC bound! Living in Philly makes the trip incredibly easy - it's a mere 2 hour bus ride (we are city people without a car). We had a tremendously laid-back NYE last year, but this year we are making an adventure of the holiday.

We will arrive tomorrow morning, meet up with my dear college friend at her place in the financial district and then lunch somewhere tasty. Champagne will be bought and drunk in copious amounts and we will avoid Times Square and instead watch fireworks from her rooftop with the roommates and neighbors.

What to wear has presented me with quite a dilemma as I am feeling the Christmas indulgences all too well around my waistline, my thighs, everywhere! It has made the thrill of choosing an outfit altogether less thrilling. The accessories are fun to select, but fitted skirts are another story...I'm sure after a glass or two of champagne I will not give it much thought tomorrow.

We will be traipsing around NYC the next day and exploring neighborhoods we haven't yet visited, such as Brooklyn. Korean barbecue is definitely on the list in the Murray Hill area as Philly lacks the plethora of Korean restaurants that Portland had and New York boasts. Also on the agenda are Murray's bagels and the Shake Shack.

Hope everyone has a festive and safe New Year's Eve!

Holi-Daze

Philly had a huge snowstorm last weekend. We made a snowman with the help of our landlord's little daughter who is so cute and smart. 'Herb the snowman' looks a little demonic because we had to use radishes for eyes. Unfortunately our snowman is more of a puddle today, but we almost had a white Christmas.

I had to work until 2 o'clock yesterday at my internship, but now I am free for 10 days! We started our Christmas break with cioppino last and garlic bread last night. This morning we lounged in pajamas with coffee and Bailey's while opening gifts. I got some lovely clothes for work from my parents and older sister and lovely baubles and BlueMercury gift certificate from my husband.

I received one of my gifts early because of the snowstorm last week: Uggs. Okay, but not the normal Uggs - they are a leather almost motorcycle-boot version. They have been a lifesaver this past week trudging through snow.

I am in a food coma because of a large breakfast, leftover cioppino for lunch and plenty of chocolates and wine. However, one I come out of this daze, I will take and post photos of my new favorite things.

Hope everyone is having a lovely holiday, or if you do not celebrate Christmas, then I hope you are having a lovely day anyway!

Balance

As I spend more and more time at my internship, I find myself wearing the same combinations over and over again. It's deflating that my work wardrobe is so lacking. When I see combinations like the Australian stock-broker below, I long to re-stock my closet with more fashion-forward choices. It is a tricky balance to strike between being appropriately conservative (as required to be taken seriously when interning at a law office where I am the youngest attorney-type), while maintaining my own sense of style. I see so many law school students with the black suits, white button-up shirts and traditional pearls, and I do not want to be one more clone in the crowd.

Anyone else have to balance workplace demands and personal preferences? How does that work out for you?

Photo Credit: Sartorialist

Christmas Giggles

I love Lady Gaga, but this made me laugh...

Oh Sister!

Natalie Portman arrived at the premiere of her latest film, Brothers, in this lively ensemble. I happen to think that she can really pull off bright color combinations, but I have seen some people commenting that on the whole it was a little too much. What do you think - too many colors or does she get it just right?

One Down...

...Two more finals to go. My brain feels like mush, but I am relieved to have one out of the way. I don't get nerves before exams the way I did my first year of law school, but studying is still stressful and life-consuming. All my creativity goes out the door while I try to focus on whether using a company's trademark as a Google search term is trademark infringement. Try not to envy my life, I know it's hard :) I'll be back after next Thursday when my brain is no longer occupied with legal madness.

Photo Credit: IPMall.com

Wiiii!

This will not do wonders for my studying for final exams. At all. Not only did we get Wii, but we got Wii Fit and MarioKart, which is my favorite SuperNintendo game of all time. Greg called it a belated birthday gift, but he is now glued to MarioKart while I try to ignore the enticing, bubbly music and sound effects that are calling me to the couch to play. On the bright side, according to Wii Fit I have great posture and balance - this is something you would never guess if you were to see me studying, hunched over like a gargoyle statue, nose inches from my laptop screen...Some classmates will be distracted by the Phillies playing in the World Series, I will be distracted by Wii. I guess it keeps things fair.

Any new distractions in your life?

Grumble, Grumble

Vogue, I have been a subscriber for years and yet every month the magazine is out on the newstand for 2 weeks before you see fit to get it to my door. That's what I get for my loyalty? Annoying. 'Tis the weekend and still no new magazines to read...

A Lady Who Lawyers

I love the way this woman puts herself together. According to the story accompanying her photo, she is an attorney by day, photographer by night. Donning a 3-piece suit isn't something I had imagined doing, but she pulls it off well, which makes me believe that maybe I could find a cut and fabric that works for me. I love the additional flourish of the huge, cozy scarf. It's a bright, yet slightly muted, yellow that really brings attention to her beautiful face. It's a tough balance bringing style into a workplace that requires your clients to perceive you as capable and trustworthy and she walks the line with ease.

Vices

Whenever I get stressed, I find myself justifying any and all indulgences to soothe my nerves. Given that I am at my internship 20-25 hours a week, attending 3 classes and have my first final exam of the term in a week and a half, I am turning to every single one of my vices, almost unconsciously. Some of my top indulgences include:

Haagen Dazs:

Have you ever tried Rum Raisin? I hadn't until last week and it reminds me of the holidays - surprisingly tasty. Still, my standby is always coffee. I frequently try other brands, but none quite compare to the texture and the intensity of the flavor that Haagen Dazs creates using minimal ingredients. I can pronounce all the ingredients on the list and find them all at the grocery store, which makes me feel better about devouring half a pint.

Sleeping late on the weekend:

Normally I don't change my schedule drastically on the weekends. I still get up at 7 so I can stay in my routine and feel productive. Lately, however, 10am rolls around and I am barely rolling out of bed. I'm sure it's to compensate for the late nights of studying, but it makes adjusting to the week a lot more difficult.

Coffee, coffee and more coffee:

Even the smell of it perks me up. It can be from a street cart, I don't care, coffee makes me happy. Though, if given the choice, I prefer espresso made by Greg, a mocha from Stumptown complete with foam art, or any of Chapterhouse's creations - all are heaven.

Couch time with my dogs and a book or stack of magazines:

Pajama pants, a blanket, two small pups (one in my lap and one on the back of the couch practically wrapped around my shoulders), and a new, or well-loved, book or magazine in my hands is my happy place. I'm cozy, comfortable and my mind is getting a break from the barrage of legal language I face every day. And can you really blame me for wanting to cuddle with those pups! I'm a huge animal lover and my dogs are some of my favorite 'people' in the world.

Re-watching my favorite movies/tv shows:

This drives Greg nuts. He doesn't understand how I can watch something I have seen before again and again. I tell him, if I loved it the first time, why wouldn't I love it the second (or tenth) time? He must have every TrueBlood episode memorized by now because of me. Sometimes it is the story-line, other times it is the outfits that have me returning to my favorites. Currently on my rotation are TrueBlood, The Rachel Zoe Project, Amelie, The Princess Bride, Weeds. Netflix has been injecting my routine with a little variety, I highly recommend Sunshine Cleaning if you like dark humor or The Brothers Bloom. Otherwise, I keep going back to what I know.

What indulgences do you turn to when life gets rough?

27 and Counting...

On Monday I turned 27, which means I am now in my late twenties...I think I am okay with that. I feel very grown-up, actually, so it's probably a good year to graduate from law school. To celebrate, my husband and I went out to dinner at Supper, conveniently located a block away from our place. Prior to heading out, we took advantage of a new outfit, bag and the good lighting and took some photos.

I assure you, my chihuahua does not normally spend him time outdoors being carried in a bag. He is much more of a 'paws on the ground wreaking havoc' kind of guy. He just happened to fit in the bag, the first of my purses he could actually ride in, so it's more of a joke than a daily occurrence.

The bag is a 'vegan leather' carry-all by Shiraleah. I found it randomly at a small shop that we went to just to pick up chocolates and cut-flowers. It works perfectly as an alternative to my regular school bag, fitting my lap top and large legal tomes. Because it is a polyurethane blend, rain simply beads off of it, unlike leather, which would be devastated by Philly's inclement weather. There were several more neutral colors available, however, as I tend to gravitate towards a neutral palette in my outfits, I opted for the bright raspberry shade and it has been a fantastic offset the blacks, grays and browns that I don almost daily.

As for dinner, it was a tasty mix of small plates enjoyed in the company of our hilarious neighbor, who reminds me of my mom in best of ways. Had I not been 3 sheets to the wind, I might have remembered to take photos of the food or bugged my husband to do so for me, but as it was two cocktails later I was too giddy to be bothered with the details. All in all a fine birthday.

Spring 2010: United Bamboo

I wish I had cocktail events galore to attend. If I did, I would wear each and every one of these outfits. Love love love...that is all.

Spring 2010: Yigal Azrouel

I am more familiar with the gossip surrounding Yigal Azrouel and his "friendship" with Katie Lee Joel, Billy Joel's soon to be ex wife. However, after this collection I will more interested in the clothes than the gossip. I am in love with the first white dress and I adore the texture he creates with with cutouts and crimping.

Photo Credit: Style.com

Spring 2010: Luca Luca

There have been many times I wished I was taller. Seeing this collection makes me renew that wish. Swishy, dramatic pants just do not work on my frame, but how I wish they did! This was a very feminine collection, even the pants, but it did not go so far as to be saccharine, which is a great balance.

Photo Credit: Style.com

Spring 2010: Nicole Miller

I think what I like most about Nicole Miller's collection are the backs of the dresses and tops, and then the fitted jackets. It's a glam and sleek look that she has put out this season and I love it.

Photo Credit: Style.com

Spring 2010: Jason Wu

Honestly, the first couple looks that came down the runway, particularly the suits, underwhelmed me. But, as he returned to his forte - beautiful and glamourous gowns - I became captivated. I am now lusting after the white jacket towards the end and in love with the feathery looks that punctuated the show.

Photo Credit: Style.com