Fall Trend: The Jean Jacket

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One of the strongest fall trends that I am seeing on every block is the jean jacket. It's a must-have item here in New York and something I need to get my hands on stat. I love the look when it's paired with a dress or even leggings, flats, and a tee for a stroll around the park.

Where I Crave To Be Still

This is going to be one of those honest, rambling type of posts.

I love the hustle and bustle of this city. Not a day goes by that I don't find myself saying outloud "I just LOVE New York." The architecture, (most of) the people, the parks, the food, oh my word, the FOOD! It's all here. I've never felt so strongly that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

People talk about the things that happen in a New York minute and it's so true. Most days I feel like I have lived a week. It can be exciting to see what I've overcome in a day, but this past weekend was the first time that I felt like the floor was speeding up and starting to slip out from under me. Between class, homework, exercise, errands, friends, interviews, dating, and whatever else sneaks into my life on a day-to-day basis, I find myself struggling to find alone time to just "be." Suddenly it's 11:45 p.m. and it's the first time I've had to sit still all day.

I love that I had back-to-back interviews today throughout the city with such interesting people. I love those New York moments I find myself having, dashing to the subway with bagel in hand or interviewing sources at a bustling TriBeCa dance studio. I wouldn't trade this for anything. But I do crave moments of stillness, and I am learning by experience that those don't come in the city that never sleeps unless you earnestly seek them out.

 

San Gennaro

Little Italy. San Gennaro Festival. Fried Oreos.

That's all you need to know.

Weekend Time

Have a terrific weekend! Looks like mine is shaping up with a museum date, goodbye party, homework galore, and finishing up my campaign nightstand! Yes, nightstand. Singular. NewYork City living as a single girl doesn't allow for much more than that. But I'm going to make sure it's going to be the nicest campaign nightstand New York has ever seen! Wait...no...too much pressure. Check back next week to see the finished product (which would mean I HAVE to get it done this weekend).

Where else I'm writing:

Wrote a review of ConnectedGoods.com on Gallant & Jones.  I LOVE this fair trade site.

A Rainy Day In New York City

Yesterday was a rainy day here in Manhattan. In fact, I've come to learn we were under a tornado warning for much of it. Aside from a morning walk to the hardware store, I was able to stay hunkered indoors painting furniture (making this d-i-y campaign nightstand), doing school work, and let's best honest, straight up lounging.

There are times when I'm in doors that I forget I live here. It's not until I walk outside to the a row of brownstones or peer outside my window to the narrow roads that I remember I live in the greatest city in the world. And it is the greatest. Even walking home this morning from the mom & pop hardware store around the corner, I continually thought, "I am in love with this place."

Meeting Mara Kofoed

Tucked away in my nightstand is a pink booklet. Flip open the cover and you'll find a "Bucket List" of sorts, outlining the things I want to do with this life of mine.

Finish the four standard works.
Surprise my children with a trip to Disney World.
Run a half marathon. (Check!)

Also listed:

Meet Mara Kofoed.

This woman, through her blog, provided me with such great hope last year. I knew in those troubling months of divorce that I would be better than okay again...That the experiences I was having were essential to my growth...But Mara was a real, physical example to me of what I could develop because of my divorce.

Well my friends, I get to check off another goal in my pink book! On Saturday, I was able to listen to Mara and her husband, Danny, speak at an LDS Young Singles Adults Conference here in New York. I shook when I met her and quickly began tearing up as I tried to sum up in a few sentences the impact she had on my healing. She held my hand as I stuttered out something that I hope was coherent, and expressed her own gratitude for my readership.

Mara and Danny then spent an hour discussing the act of becoming whole with yourself. At the end of the hour, I left feeling enriched and reminded that standing alone, independent of anyone or anything else, I have all I need to be happy (and we're never completely alone, are we?).

PS: After writing this post, I realized how many times I reference Mara throughout this blog! Oy vey. She is a terrific woman doing terrific things. Check her out here.

Brunching & A New Blog Design To Boot

Look at this view! I mean, really?!

I spent Sunday morning at brunch with some new friends. One suggested we walk up to the roof to check out the view. I couldn't even comprehend how striking it was! I kept walking around the roof, saying "OH MY GOSH" at every turn. I love this city.

I've been waiting to debut the new blog design before I started posting on a daily basis, and I'm grateful to Jenna at Q.A. Design for creating this beautiful space!

I'm so excited to be writing here more often. It's something I've wanted to devote that time to and now the stars have aligned. Check back in tomorrow to find out which role model I met over the weekend! (Hint: She has gorgeous curly hair and blogs about love....)

--Amy