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long awaited

In almost five years in New York City, I've never even been to the MoMa! My sister-in-law vowed that she was going to pick a day to come into the city and that I "must" join her for a visit (although she's been multiple times and lives in New Jersey). Annnd, today is the day: I'm meeting her and a few of her friends there this afternoon. I just checked out the website to see what is on exhibit right now and I'm even more excited.

Especially to see this:

hunkering down.


























That's right, that's what we're doing here in the city: hunkering down. The snow has started to fall and the flakes are the size of potato chips. No lie, they're huge. And beautiful and sparkly.

I have to say, every once in a while, I love a good snowstorm. I can't imagine how the white, fluffy flakes can be all that dangerous (spoken like a true southern girl), but if they say it can happen, then I'll take precautions. My plan is to do a whole lotta nothing this weekend. Stay inside, be cozy and snap pictures of snow outside my window. If the number of hot chocolates that I've already had this afternoon (um, 2) is any indication of what my weekend will be like, I think I'll be fine.

Stay safe and warm if you're anywhere in the path of this crazy Nemo nor'easter!

#livecolorfully

Kate Spade posted an invitation on their blog for followers to submit photos showing how they "Live Colorfully." My friend Maggie snapped this photo in December as we made a walk down 5th Avenue to look at the Christmas window displays.

I couldn't think of a more fitting photo to interpret how I like to "live colorfully" (um, rainbow everything). If you follow me on instagram or twitter, you've seen that I submitted the photo this morning to the Kate Spade contest. It's for the chance that my photo could be used in an upcoming campaign of theirs. It may not fit their criteria, but here's hoping with fingers crossed...

happy birthday Pameleeanne!

Two of my dearest friends in New York City were born two days apart. We celebrated them last weekend over coffee, laughs, and grits. It was delightful: a Tipsy Parson brunch, 4 girls reminiscing about the wonderful, fateful summer that brought us together in the big city (+ the almost 5 years that have followed that summer), and our shared southern roots. It's such a joy to have all of us still in the city and able to celebrate each other every year on our birthdays. LeeAnne's birthday was yesterday and Pamela's is tomorrow. So I'm splitting the difference (er, I'm not actually late, LA!).

wishing them both a big, merry, cheery and fabulous HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

#roommates #birthdays





















Birthdays are always fun to celebrate, but there's something extra special about celebrating a roommate's birthday. Last weekend my roommates and I got to celebrate together for Bethany's birthday. It was on a beautiful rooftop on the Upper East Side with a black & white theme. Everyone, except the guests of honor, wore black and white. And we got our first roommate picture! Still so excited and thankful to live with these girls. I hope someone has another birthday soon...

philharmonic in the park
































I'm up way past my bedtime for this post, but for very good reason. Every summer, the NYC Philharmonic does a free (yes, completely free) concert in Great Lawn of Central Park. And to make things even better, at the end of the concert they shoot off the most amazing fireworks. I'm here to tell you: it is one of the best things New York City has to offer. Believe me.

homemade photo booth




I am really, really into photo booths these days. They are just so darn fun, I'm not sure how anyone couldn't be into them. I made a homemade "photo booth" for the kiddos at VBS last week, and - as I suspected - I'm pretty sure I had 10x more fun than they did. Some were excited, some appeased me and at least had their photo made, and some were just short of screaming bloodymurder. But as you can see, we adults had a great time! Thanks for all the help (ahem, Maggie, Maggie and Bethany) for making this day run semi-smoothly.

peace...er, popsicle sticks

Well, no peace around here this week! Just lots and lots (and lots...) of popsicle sticks. It's VBS week at Redeemer and I eagerly agreed to organize the crafts for all 150 kids. Gasp, I didn't know it was quite 150 when I signed on the dotted line. Although, today was the first day and it proved to be tons of fun. I'm really excited about Wednesday's craft...probably more excited than the kids will be, in fact. But these popsicle sticks might have something to do with it, if I make it to Wednesday.

little girls in the big city

I can't believe it's been a month since I had these little surprise visitors visit me in New York. We had a fun (short) day, and I hope that they weren't too worn out or scarred to come visit again soon. As I was reminiscing about them being here, I wanted to share some adorable pictures that were too cute to miss. Thanks for braving the city with these two, Mom! I loved having all 3 of you visit.

McKay's I [heart] NY shirt: so perfect.

We found Minnie & Mickey in Times Square!

cute sisters.


All the M&M's they could imagine...

Of course I took them to Shake Shack.
...and, the American Girl store.


Dinner at Carmines.