Natalie's World

I adore Natalie Portman. She's one of those girl crushes I acquired because she was someone I always wanted to be. She went to Harvard- a fellow bostonian, has exceptional taste in music- rockin' to everything from Beirut to The Ying Yang Twins (her favorite is The Whisper Song), and has flawless style, reminiscent of your typical girl next door with that undeniable sex appeal. In the February issue of Elle UK, Natalie stirred up a cover story of gorgeous poise revealing her humor and beauty.

This one goes out to the one I love

I've been spending a lot of time on the new tumblr, flumetoeden.tumblr.com, and I have come across the most inspiring sites. This morning I discovered a little project called "I Made This For You" by a lovely couple on Something's Hiding in Here. Their 15 week DIY thoughtful exchanges were also featured on Poppytalk.

It started with Shauna & Stephen.

The couple showed us how to make simple, inexpensive, and thoughtful gifts.

One week, Stephen makes something for Shauna and the next week, Shauna makes something for Stephen.

Stephen created this inspirational paper cup design in a fence that Shauna walks by every day.

Shauna knows the way to her man's heart is through his stomach, so she made him a heart shaped sandwich to pack for lunch.

Sharing brunch on a Sunday, the couple enjoyed homemade pancakes topped with heart-shaped bananas.

What a creative way to show you care! Check out the rest of the project here.

Currently Crushing

Fornash! Fornash is located in Washington D.C. and carries an array of beautiful clothing and accessories. My favorite little boutique, Mint Julep, is carrying some of their headbands and I'm dying to purchase some as soon as financially possible.

My favs:

Fornash headbands at Mint Julep

Elephant Bangle (obviously)

Tiger bangle, for a more fierce look

Giraffe necklace

Starfish ring

A Beautiful Space

I feel like my existential crisis, which you can refresh on here, has a lot to do with this idea of space. I am so easily affected by my environment that my mood can go from bubbly to grumbling with a passing rain cloud. It's not just the weather that effects me, although it certainly adds great weight, it can be anything from where I work to where I sleep. I have a hard time tolerating walls with nothing on them, black and white furniture, a lack of light, obsessive levels of organization, and no sign of nature.

So, one of my post-grad goals is to create beautiful space. I probably will not become an interior designer, but I will design my interior. I realize I can't be so picky that I turn down jobs based on the color of my desk, so I'll settle for a desk to come home to and a bedroom where dreams come true. I think it'll make blogging much more fun also! 

What a beautiful space needs:

1. Mirrors and lots of them-- I'm obsessed with light, and even better is natural light. Mirrors take what little light Boston has to offer and reflect it for a warmer, brighter space. 

2. Windows-- No light to reflect if no light can come in! Windows are so important in my space. My dorm room has the worst windows. Drafty, heavy, modern, depressing. I am on a search for a home with gigantic windows. 

3. Color-- Yes, all white decor was once oh-so-vogue. And the black and white office, supposedly "professional." But if you're a professional than do something original! Color is a sign of creativity and color is inspirational, even if only in artwork on the wall. My dear friend Karen, over at Selvage Quilters, made me a beautiful quilt a few years back. After another move back in CT, mom brought it out and I quickly exchanged my all-navy comforter for the handmade quilt. What a difference the color makes!

{This is my favorite space! Can you imagine just kicking it in your office hammock?}

4. Flowers -- A touch of nature can add an honest breath of fresh air to any space. Mom and I were discussing the "pros" of living in a city and in her dreamlike way she rambled, "I would just love to walk home everyday and pick up some fresh flowers to decorate my apartment!" She's so cute. But really, she's right! Cities and towns everywhere have fresh flower shops and local farmer's markets to pick up a bouquet and spread some natural color around your space.

5. Clutter-- This is where mom and I disagree. She loves things to be neat and tidy. I'd rather a bit of clutter here or there. I'm not talking mounds of clothes, which somehow find their way on my floor every week, but a few knick knacks to make your home feel well-lived. It makes people feel comfortable to explore these items of your space.

6. Books-- An absolutely necessity in my space. I have a dream of collecting enough books to fill the walls of an entire room, or two. I will have my own library one day. Cicero once said, "a room without books is like a body without a soul."

Here are some more lovely spaces...

Photos found at Mary Ruffle, Miss Wallflower, and Apartment #34.
Also check out super creative Plush Palate for more workspace inspirations!

A Beantown Weekend

Although last weekend was my birthday, and it was spectacular, these past couple days I have spent taking advantage of my beautiful city and it has been beyond remarkable. On Friday, my brother and I hit one of our favorite spots here, where I tried a salmon burger paired with a Greenflash Imperial IPA. Delicious. Then we headed downtown to enjoy Boston's classy cover bands (haha) and a few more beers at one of the city's most infamous dives, The Bell & Hand.

Saturdays are usually spent in bed watching movies, doing work, or just avoiding Boston's stormy weather. But this weekend, the sun was shining and spirits were high, so the roommate and I ventured down to Newbury Street to find her a Birthday dress. About 18 outfits were tested, 3 were purchased, and 0 decisions have been made. But the day was an incredible success. We ended at Paparazzi for a martini and spaghetti. 

{Carley with her Chai Latte in the Public Gardens}

Today, Carley accompanied me to The Boston Globe Travel Show, an event my internship was putting on at Boston's beautiful Seaport World Trade Center. The exhibit was huge and packed with information. I am officially dedicating myself to taking an adventure somewhere after graduation and before "real life" begins. It was all too exciting. I also met Dennis Hopper...

And some penguins...

After the event, we were starving, so we walked over to a restaurant we've been dying to try, The Barking Crab, right next to Boston Harbor. We indulged in some local Harpoon brews, clam chowdah and lobster bisque, followed by a crabcake sandwich and fish tacos. This might be a bold statement for a New Englander, but I think I may have found the best Clam Chowder ever. Ahh-mazing. Boston does fish right. 

{A bustling Sunday lunch at The Barking Crab}

{The Lobster Bisque, filled with fresh lobster!}

{Crabcake Sandwich}

{Fish Tacos}

After a long weekend of great food and beer, we decided walking home wasn't a bad idea. I wish I had a pedometer, but I'm guessing we walked about 4-5 miles home today and it was worth every wind tunnel. The Boston Common was swimming with kids on the Frog Pond, dogs in the park, runners on the path, and people just reading the paper. I realized today, I never take advantage of the simple things Boston has to offer like a bench in the botanical gardens or a street musician in Copley Square. It was a refreshing and rejuvenating weekend; I feel reminded again of all the reasons I came to Boston 3 years ago. 

{Botanical Gardens frozen over}

{Bostonian in the Gardens}

{Washington}

{The Boston Common}

{The Prudential}

Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

Come winter, I literally lose all interest in footwear. My mentality? Warm and dry, which explains the dirty UGG boots to work everyday. But after browsing numerous photos form New York fashion week, surfing through Spring catalogues, and taking my first trip down Newbury Street since October, I'm dying to slip into some heels, straps, or studs.

My top 5:

{JCrew}

{Aldo}

{Michael Kors}

{BCBG MaxAzria}

{Seychelles}

Plus! For your creative desires:

{DIY ballerina slippers with punch studs}