inspiration board

And from the outside:

At night I lie in bed and watch out the west side of my window as the planes fly in over the Hudson en route to LaGuardia. One after another the file in, and they never stray from their course. They follow the same path. One…two…three…four…five…si…s…I wonder into a deep sleep. This reminds me of when I was little, the first school night after a long and playful summer. I could not find peace inside my anxious little seven, eight, nine year old body. My mom would try to comfort me, I could not sleep, she’d tell me to count all the little sheep in my dreams. I don’t really remember if it worked, but I eventually dozed off into a deep sleep. 

I look around at the walls of my apartment. I see what I (we) have done in just a weeks time, and I feel a jolt of inspiration to go out into the city, yet again, and continuously paint the charm of city’s uniqueness on the inside. 

I have been stuck inside all morning-besides a short gym training session this morning-because I have been waiting on the cable man to arrive. He is just now done. I am headed outdoors (with my camera). I have an agenda. I’ll be back soon with some photographed inspiration for you. 

xo. happy friday my lovely readers.

the fun begins at the atlanta airport…

camera in hand the entire trip just so that my lovely readers can feel like they are in the warm weather Caribbean with me!

Musketeer#1 wasn’t so sure about my endless camera shots. she’d assured me she felt as if the paparazzi was after her.

after we’d checked all of our bags, – $92 dollars later – (yes for only FOUR bags=ridiculous) we basically stripped down to nothing to make it through security AND finally we made it to our gate…and tummies were growling.

now I don’t know about you all, but airport food just doesn’t do much for me. there’s usually a lot to choose from. For me, choices are overwhelming. smoothies. friend chicken. pizza. snack food. coffee. hot dogs. sandwiches. chinese. AND I MEAN PEOPLE EAT IT ALL NOT MATTER WHAT TIME OF THE DAY. I just cannot eat pizza at 9 am, but whatever suits your cravings.

we settled on a strawberry-banana smoothie.

and for the celebrity I enjoyed photographing – chex mix BOLD FLAVOR!

finally boarded the plane. two movies later, and after my choice of pretzels,peanuts or biscoff cookies with a soda; I saw it.

ST. THOMAS – U.S. Virgin ISLANDS!!! We’ve arrived.

after a 25 minutes ride on the WRONG side of the road + a handful of what I thought of as near death experiences.

WE MADE IT TO THE RESORT! greeted by luscious, green beauty and…

tropical beverages. What more could you ask for, it’s an oasis of heaven on earth!

we enjoyed LOTS of sundresses, sunshine and sun-kissed cheeks!

Not to mention way to much pool-side + beach-side lounging. it took me a while to not feel guilty about

…s    l    o   w    i    n    g   down a little

mr. iguana even graced us with his presence pool-side.

andrea + i quickly fell “in love” with the peaceful, island life!

we ate pool-side lunches on bright + breezy + tropical-inspired outdoor fabrics.

surrounded by amazing tropical landscaping

and MORE and MORE and MORE tropical beverages!

there she is again, giving me the EYE!

:: the pool ::

:: the fam ::

:: the favorite part of my dinner – my mini coconut vanilla milkshake ::

And as for activities go. Andrea and I did a lot of kayaking. Which I still have super sore triceps from. We got in a battle with the winds, and a coral reef being in our path home. Needless to say we killed ourselves trying to make it back to shore. And next we decided to torture ourselves some more. We did give our arms a rest, and gave our legs the next working. So what did we do? Got in a paddle boat. We peddled all the way out to a little white buoy that resembled our volleyball friend from Hollywood “Wilson” – whom we all know from “Cast Away”.

I thought about taking Lil Lady out too, but we decided to rent a motorized boat instead. Afterall, this is suppose to be a relaxing vacation, RIGHT?

So that is just what we did. We rented a boat (which came with Captain Dan), and we went island hopping and snorkeling.

We saw lots of boats.

and wildlife.

and beautiful park land. this part of St. John was bought by the Rockefeller’s in the ’50s for $50/acre. What a steal! The family later sold it to the government, but with the promise it would forever be preserved as a natural park. And today two-thirds of the island boasts private beaches, pristine foliage and turquoise waters.

As the Caribbean drops off into the Atlantic – the waters become a deeper blue. It’s stunning!

What did as our boat rounded the corner?

the island home of Kenny Chesney. Our boat captain uses the same marina as our Country singing friend, Kenny. They bring him his boat from the St. Thomas marina on a regular basis when Kenny is vacationing. He shot one of his album covers on the beach below his home. The white sands of Trunk Bay are located the one side of the peninsula property his home is on, and on the other side – Cinnamon Bay. He sings about the area on St. John in his album, The Old Blue Chair.

and three doors down…

Presidio Del Mar. This might be one of the most beautiful architectural works I have EVER seen in my life. While studying architecture, we were constantly reminded how important it is for the “architecture” to move beyond the exterior wall. It cannot stop at the stone/brick/etc, but MUST celebrate and respect the context. This house is a perfect example. It completely blends in with it’s surroundings and enhances views to and from. It is situated perfectly on the peninsula point of 1.63 lush acres, and completely takes my heart away. It took ten years to build. The stone was all brought in from Italy. There is a fabulous hand-laid cobblestone driveway, six suites, outdoor showers with FABULOUS fixtures, and everything in between. (some of the decor is a little over the top or  I might say not “island” appropriate, but the home itself speaks design wonders)

Oh and I forgot to mention, it can be yours for about $38,000 per week – which includes maids and cooks!

Toward the end of our boat outing the skies turned a little gloomy. If you look hard, you’ll see a faint rainbow in the background. There is still beauty in the sky after a storm. I was taken away by the stillness I felt when the afternoon shower subsided. It was so peaceful, and I felt completely surrounded by God’s beauty!

too bad…the paradise vacation part one was over. off the the “concrete jungle” as Alicia Keys would say.

We packed up again and tackled another long day traveling through airports.

STT (St.Thomas) – ATL (Atlanta, GA) – LGA (New York City, NY) to take a second look about my soon to be new home. One month, five days, and counting…

then this door will be the entry to my new home!

we are getting measurements, locating outlets and making lots of mental notes. next time we arrive as movers! We further discuss rug sizes. I have come to the conclusion that the NYC design standard is a light wood pine color parquet floor. Every single, and I mean every single apartment I looked at in my search had the exact same floors. UGH!!!

Stan even joined us from work to take a look. After our design note taking session we ventured up to the roof deck for a few before we headed out.

and and just for kicks…the mailman. What can I say my grandma likes details, and I do as she asks and give her details! He’s got a snazzy style for his mail carrier uniform, wouldn’t ya say? I’m diggin’ those tube socks!

An after a long morning, and HOT weather we opted for something lets say, “rather nutritious”.

Please excuse the vulgar language used below, but as the sign reads in a version for “tender ears” be ready to enjoy if you are going to enter the front doors.

And afterwards, a few blocks west, me and my two partners in crime ran into Kelly Ripa. I am kinda a BIG fan of her. Maybe just because I love watching the show in the morning when I am working out at the gym. She was fabulous to talk to. She kindly referenced me to her architect she’s used in NYC. [A fabulous designer I should note] She was waiting for her kids to get off the bus near their SOHO family apartment. Her and Mom’s conversation was precious because it was a true mom to mom chat. She told mom she must be so thrilled post my college graduation, and couldn’t imagine how that felt as a mom because she was completely “mom proud” of her son’s 6th grade graduation.

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:: change of direction ::

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i feel compelled to share a picture just merely for the fact that I thought it was fun and whimsical for a chocolate plate. oh and the story behind my fabulous chocolate plate. 8am up for a long run outside, finished off my a coffee outing, and on the way home a light rain. Needless to say, you can imagine I wasn’t looking so very hot. I get back up to the hotel room, and head straight to the shower. Strip down, open the door, grab a towel, reach for the lever to turn on the water, and NOTHING!!!!! What???? It is 10:45 and I have a meeting with the executive director of the AIA New York City at noon in a completely different neighborhood. SO I unfold the towel and swing it around myself, run into the bedroom, pick up the phone, and Front Desk button…pushed. Ring, ring, ring…

Front Desk :: “Hello and how are you doing this morning.”

me :: “Um, yes, is there a problem with the water in the hotel?”

FD :: “Oh yes, in fact the City has just contacted us and let us know that they have turned off the water in this area of Lower Manhattan in order to do some work”

me :: “Really?”

FD :: “Yes, and we do not know how long it will be. Would you like for us to bring you up a couple bottled waters?”

me saying to myself :: “Yea-right I’ll shower with two 16.9 fl. oz. bottles of water” (the thought crossed my mind, but I wasn’t rude after all it wasn’t their fault)

me :: “No I appreciate the offer, but I needed to shower because I have to leave for a meeting in an hour, and I have been our running. Thank you though.

FD :: “We are inquiring about how long it will be off right now, and will ring your room when we know”

me :: “okay, thanks”

CLICK.

What the h!@#$%^&* am I going to do?? I cannot go like this. Praise the Lord I had a key to Stan’s apartment. I text him at work to let him know I am “breaking in” for water! Sure enough the minute I left the water probably came back on, but with my luck if I’d stayed I would of been one nasty girl at a meeting.

Now you think okay…problem solved, right? Well he lives in a total different area. So I load my purse with make-up, flat iron, hair brushes and other showering products. Guys bathrooms aren’t quite stocked like a girls! Catch a cab. Race to get ready. Re-load all of my junk in my bag…and race 1.7 miles to the AIA office. Whew I made it. Our meeting was fabulous. An even included an impromptu jaunt to Midtown for an NBC interview about the a controversial blog post on the New York Times Building.

So about the chocolate plate. I guess the hotel felt really bad. Most people aren’t showering at  almost 11 too, so I was probably the only one who called down. This was in my room, with the kindest note apologizing for the inconvenience (reminder :: they had no control of the issues) when I returned the hotel that night! How thoughtful.

Today was a long travel day to. I have bags to unpack, laundry to tackle and life to return to. And I can definitely say 9 days living out of a bag is just not my style. There is nothing like home sweet home!

It was  a gift to me a few months back (a really awesome gift!), and I’d yet to have a chance to take it all in. The first thing I read, “Abrasive as it is, why are we so attracted to big city living?” I got to thinking…that is so true. Why would I limit my space so that I feel packed into under 600 square feet, just me and all my belongings. Why would I want to live in the hustle and bustle, stress and chaotic order of a BIG city. The next sentence read, “irresistible (EXACTLY!!, I thought it is indeed irresistible…) siren call of culture, trade, and society, including America’s most successful designers, who make all sorts of compromise and often sacrifice space to live this way” Kelly hit the nail on the head, it is like a giant “melting pot” everything and especially of all great things design!! It is inspiring to simply walk down the street, and knowing that my only “tamed part of the city” be the retreat I seek behind my closed apartment door, I am still okay with it. With that in mind, you learn to create your own little oasis in the teeny-tiny bubble of air space around you. I concluded that this could have an effect on my blog as well. A good effect, I hope. It might give a rebirth to my blog, with the variety around me I hope that the over stimulation of my brain can be channeled into somewhat organized thoughts right HERE! Low and behold, the very next page I read in Kelly’s book read this… (got me thinking again), “What makes a good decorating blog?” I like to dwell on the somewhat rhetorical questions in books before I actually read what the authors says, so I thought some more. I thought a lot about the blogs that make my do little back flips in the chair while in front of the computer when they have new posts. I thought deeply about what I liked loved about them, and I made a list of positives! Then I read on, “daily postings covering a wide variety of finds and inspirations, written about with enthusiasm and passsion (that’s KEY!) that both entertain and educate (Yes, we want to learn something!). And the best of all, they aren’t afraid to have a point of view”. That gives readers a way to related, learn, and feel enthusiasm themselves! So for me, this book was like a mid-year resolution read!! THINK creative and be INSPIRING!!! Why? b/c the best reads for me are creative and inspiring, they make my blood rush, and my heart beat real fassssst!

The view out of my soon to be window is fabulous, and for all those roof top dwellers who thought they had privacy…looks like I am going to be invading that now:

[i'm loving the astro-turf "green" roof]

I most definitely owe a BIG thanks to my 3 little helpers in search of this apartment. They were troopers, especially while sitting in a windowless leasing office for hours on end!

But like little kiddos they were rewarded with miniature bites of heaven thanks to baked by melissa

And later Mom and I found our candy store on the Upper East Side :: Samuel & Sons

“This is long a coveted source for the finest quality tassels, trimming, braids, gimp, fringes, and more, Samuel & Sons Passementerie is literally an institution — even though something of a secret — known only to legions of interior designers and decorators. Samuel & Sons is one facet of a family-owned company that began in business three quarters of a century ago as M&J Trimming, Based in New York’s famed Garment District, M&J Trimming has long supplied fashion designers, costume makers, interior designers, and craft enthusiasts with every possible variety of decorative trimming, and is one of the most respected names in the fabric and trimming industry today.”

Now I don’t know about you, but this is what I call a real “candy store”.

And with that, Delta took me home. At least the place I’ll call home for two more months. 

It is Friday, Father’s Day Weekend, and SUMMERtime! What are your plans? I will be back with lots of new pictures and summer updates soon!

xo

I have been apartment hunting with my mom for an entire week in New York City. We saw a million different  little, itty-bitting, tiny-teeny apartments/lofts, we (oops I mean “I”) became overwhelmed. My favorite loft was one right here. Maybe it was the Italian fashion that surrounded the loft entry? It brought back memories and my love for Italy. I loved living in ROME!!! This is a Italian NYC experience all my own.

All joking aside, no decisions have been made, but our search was informative and gave us guidance for our continued search!

In the midst of all of that I had two job interviews. Neither of the places hiring at the time, but  they have prospective openings in the next few months. We shall see. The interviews went really well. The first one at Bunny Williams. It was fabulous. I walked in-up to the 5th floor and into her studio. The place was bustling-the way any good designer works…total chaos. It was an absolutely fabulous space on the Upper East Side. Stellar…

The other interview one of the 10 largest architecture firms in the world. The HR lady calls me. It’s Thursday at 11:30am. She wants me to come in for an interview on Friday at 9am?? What? Major problem. Mom’s flight leaves in 3 hours. I need her. She is leaving. I’m stressing. Calm down, Julie. AGH! I do not have the appropriate attire for that. And my portfolio? It has been catered for the interior design interview. I am NOT prepared. I start sweating bullets. Literally, and I do not sweat. Even if I am sprinting HARD. Is that to much information for you. Sorry. My thought…”Mom, you canNOT leave now”. No choice. Flights the next day are full, and she has “mom+wife duties” back home. I had already claimed her as “mine” for the whole week. We run downstairs hop in a cab to my favorite store (Theory), and I turn myself into a big girl really quick. It was the fastest shopping trip I have ever completed. Mom leaves. I remind myself to breathe. I cry out, “Lord, give me patience and calm my anxious heart”. He does. Amen.

Friday: 9am

I trek up to Union Square. Subway ride 3 stops uptown. Up way to many steps in heels. I meant to wear my flats, then change. I guess my mind was somewhere else when I left. Could of taken a cab? Didn’t cross my mind. That is kinda pricey anyway. Let’s make this a local experience. Oops is that a blister coming on? It is okay there is a CVS right below the office. Blister band-aids rock.  In the elevator again. Do not really know where I am going. Portfolio in hand. No jittery feelings. It’s cool. God calms me down.  Once again, the space was fabulous. The interview lasts two hours. The people were great. They ask lots of questions. I ask lots of questions. We chat. We laugh. They give feedback. I’m loving it…advice is openly accepted over here!! They are suppose to have openings in September. Once again, we will see?? It’s all in God’s hands, I find peace in that. Friday night cannot come soon enough…

I get to meet some of Stan’s friends that he works with. We went to Brinkley’s in SOHO-yes my new favorite area. SOHO is it’s own little neighborhood nestled in a BIG city. Back the restaurant, the mac-n-cheese rocks. 7 forks hit that bowl all at once. And a connection was made instantly between me and people I’d never met. We were sharing healthy heaven in a bowl. Even better, the 3 girls at dinner were all ChiO’s. We were just all from different schools. Small world. Yeap, we connect again. We laughed a lot that night. As it got later, it got even better my bestie from Auburn, Amory, was in town too. She came and met up with us at Mercer Kitchen. We laughed some more.

Post FiThe weekend was chill. It involved at 130 block hike up the West Side Highway where I discovered the most awesome public seating ever. Oh, the little treasures of NYC never cease to amaze me.

I am home. Not well rested. Glad it’s summer. Happy SunShine!!!

K!Pizzacone gives pizza a rebirth.

via [+]; images via K! Pizzacone

valentine’s balloons and all! 

not the mention to super white snow that had gracefully dumped itself on the city two days earlier was still lingering on the streets. 

i pulled on my rain boots, and only slipping once, braved the icy sidewalks towards west side highway + 18th street to meet at new blog friend who i posted about a few days back. remember this post, “love in pictures”, well i met up with the talent behind those pictures. we are pretty sure that we are meant to be best friends forever. 

oh but i was slightly interrupted on my way to meet her quickly slipping into chelsea market, in my attempts to defrost…I grabbed a warm bowl of soup at hale & hearty, and saw a valentine’s treat: 

but i made it, yeap to the pier 59 studios to meet ana….we sat and chatted over coffee. i took a quick run through tour of the space, and saw a sneak peek for what i was in store for that night. yeap it was the studios 15th anniversary, and federico pignatelli and fern mallis [credited as the creator of ny's fashion week] where having a celebration of creativity, inspiration, and artistry held at the pier 59 studios. i was invited to join in on the fun, and quickly accepted the invite. 

there was fire.

and cheetahs.

and fashionable art.

photoshoots.

tigers.

and one of the coolest things was large format 20 x 24 camera (i failed to snap a picture of it for you to see). but it was awesome!

there was also snakes (eww!), music, drinks, fashionable guests, party favors and it all took place in a really fab space! And oh my stars, how could I forget our dinner prior to the par-tay. we dined at mr. chow in TriBeCa. It was to Y-ummy, with an intentional capital “Y”.  we had vegetable dumplings, beijing chicken with walnuts, ma mignon, sauteed baby bok choy and steamed brown rice. go here if you get a chance. the decor is worth checking out too if you’re in the neighborhood. 

Day 2: headed on the 2 to brooklyn to explore the brooklyn flea. 

it’s held in the landmark former Williamsburgh Savings Bank, and the architecture of the bank is a site in and of itself. especially check out the bank vault door in the basement. the foods down here, so you surely will not miss it. it must be about 8 feet thick. talk about tight security!

on my my favorite vendors was a lady that designed+made jewelry. i couldn’t resist, i bought two necklaces. but the main reason why i bring this up is because of her creative display. the picture does not do it justice, but she displayed her jewelry on mother-of-pearl squares. it was a beautiful contrasting background to her jewelry pieces. 

after stopping here, more vendors, and more vendors and more vendors fill the old bank…lots of goodies to explore. everything from food and desserts to vintage boots and jewelry. 

for now, thank you God for safe travels, and brining me back home! laundry is a mile high, and i’m exhausted. travel is FUN, but super taxing on you all at the same time. night-night bloggers!

What a playful way to jazz up the nyc subway with these new MTA posters, designed by Julia Rothman!

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