trending today...

.RAIn. [go figure].
.an hour long convo with Meggo. [she just got back from Asia and has a ''stomach bug'' if you know what I mean].
.messy hair and no makeup.
.coldplay- mylo xyloto on the tunes.
.searching my drawers for old clothes that i haven't seen in months, or maybe years, to make new outfits.
.job searching too.
.looking at the dishes in the sink about every 30 minutes thinking, "i should do that" but, still ignoring them.
.my red shoes are on. [even though I'm not going anywhere].
.a delicious afternoon snack. [steamed broccoli with lemon and hummus].
.a morning filled with coffee and hoda & kathy lee. [myfavvv].
.the FEB. issue of Glamour, InStyle, & Tay Swift Vogue in my lap.
.& this little necklace I have pulled out to spruce up my little black sweater and jeans.



.& it's FRIDAY!.
Hoping tonight can be a date night for me and BS. We struggle a bit with that when it's mid-dreary-january. We would much rather rent a movie and order chinese takeout like bums. But, making a better effort this weekend, considering I only have 3 more weekends here until my world travels begin! HAppY FriDaY!

{L}

sleepytown.

i'm much too tired to say anything interesting today so, i'll just leave you with this... it's so true of my thoughts, every night of my life...since I was 8. :)



goodnight. go to sleep my friends...enjoy the fact that humpday is over and the end of the week is near!! aka THE WEEEEKENDDD!!

{L}

the giants and the gym

i'm not so into pro football but, by default, i guess i need to say, "GO GIANTS!" like everyone else in New York. i guess in NY, the Giants are like the Vols in Tennessee. people are absolute fanatics. crazed people who live, eat, breathe, and die for the Giants. so, i get it. it's good to be passionate about something, right? now, because i live here, i need to at least 'be in the know'...
i know this, at the final winning 3 point kick of the field goal in overtime last night against the 49-ers, car alarms were sounding. approx. 3 or 4 car alarms went off as soon as the Giants won the game. coincidence? i think NOT.

it's raining again today, and cold. whyyyy? the Lord is trying to challenge me. he wants me to fight an internal battle with myself, should i stay in and eat, sleep, and do nothing all day? (why not, it's gross outside)...or, should i go to the gym? (fiji in a month, fiji in a month)... i think i'll win this fight. going to the gym.

Happy Monday peepS!
{L}

sources of inspiration

i am often inspired by so much i see on the streets of new york and the millions of fashion resources online and pretty much everywhere i go in this world. being in the beauty business means, staying on top of those trends is not a question! it's not only a fun hobby but, also becomes part of my life, my work.

{NAILS!}

so many unique, funky nail designs out there right now that can be worn day, night, weekends, & work (if you are in a creative environment) take a peek:
the 2-tone nail. love!

2-tone with a surprise punch of a color stripe!

the BRIGHT deep V!

the double deep V! using bright colors are always fun. it gives it a tribal feel- great for vacation!
cheetah print!- we all love that animal print!

asymetrical DOTS! different colors and different sizes makes it so cool and effortless.

splattered stripe! it's a little rough on top of a clean color. very 80's turned 2012!

fun fingers for all kinds of fun gals!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIENNA MILLER. [she's oh so cool].

& RIP Ms. Etta James. One of my absolute favorites.

Happy Friday!
{L}

woodstock!

soo, brad turned 29 last saturday, as we know. & even though almost a week has passed, I couldn't keep our weekend to myself!

it started out with breakfast and the surprise!.... an envelope with 3 personalized dye-cut hearts (of 3 different sizes of course) labeled 1,2, & 3, in order of which to read first, with a detailed "SURPRISE" description of our trip ahead!

In a nut shell, "Happy Birthday! Guess What?! We are going to Woodstock! & Guess What?! We are going to see Levon Helm at his home studio/his barn for an intimate 4 hour jam fest he likes to call the "Midnight Ramble"." (he claimed that he had an inkling, but was a little unsure due to the fact, it is absolutely impossible to get tickets to the show). Needless to say, HE WAS VERY EXCITED.

so, we packed our things, headed out to get our little zipcar, and we were on our way! out to conquer the last year of the 20's celebration in northern new york state!...

after researching for dayyyzz on where to stay, and coming across a million different bed and breakfast's, i was forced to choose because of the procrastination i seem to enjoy so much. there wasn't a whole lot available for the time i needed. but, the most perfect, quaint, little house, situated on 9 acres of land, all made up of bare winter trees and creeks throughout was seemingly just waiting for us. you see, the thing about woodstock, everything is tiny and cute, and everyone has this earthy-artsty-hippie thing going on. so, the owners of the b&b were, naturally (no pun intended), a yoga instructor/pastry chef and a master gardener/writer for men's journal. a delightful couple...very welcoming and made our experience just perfect.

here it is, sweet Pike Lane B&B.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADLEY!

so the night progressed, we had a lovely dinner at a little spot called CUCINA. it was an old house turned restaurant with white beams on a wrap around front porch and hard wood floors. a giant oak tree was in a spotlight in the center of the yard out front. it was the perfect choice for a pre-show meal.
[my favorite dish was the starter- a flatbread pizza called the "caprina" it had a fig-rosemary spread with pear, arugula, goat cheese, and truffle oil....ummm, delicious!!]

it goes without saying, by the time we had even gotten to Levon Helm's house, we had pretty much experienced a top notch birthday but, the best had yet to even come!...we got to this house, a very simple wooden log cabin type place, parked, and got instructions on the evening and were handed red solo cups. yes, i said it. college style, we drank our BYOB wine out of red solo cups, which we had no reservations about.

it was the coolest thing...Levon Helm is a musical legend and here we were, walking into his barn/home studio to hear his band put on a 4 hour show. they say, "if the walls of the barn could talk..." apparently, it is a pretty historical place but, on this night, a very intimate setting, with low lamp lighting, and just so so good. everything we had imagined and more. i think the best part was hearing brad say, "best birthday ever" like, 3 times. :) we jammed out, drank our un-pretentious solo cup wine, and smiled, a lot.

29 was guuuud. let's just hope we can top that one for 30! happy thursday to the blog world! tgiAf (thank goodness it's Almost friday).

love, lyddie

a lazy bum

whether it's a sister, a friend, an aunt, a couch surfer, a movie watcher, a dishwasher, a movie star, a fashion icon, a girlfriend, a wife, a stay at home mom, a babysitter, a shoe shiner, a barista, an internet browser, or a lazy bum...whatever you are, be a good one. abe lincoln said it. :)

today, i am being a girlfriend and a lazy bum, and a couch surfer i guess. just enjoying martin luther king jr. day with my man, at home. it's 25 degrees outside so, that means, i will just take in the pretty day from the window. loved this boyfriend birthday weekend in woodstock, can't wait to share more about it! talk sooner than later!

lyddie

things i love right now

good morning blog people! (still believing that is an invisible land full of cyber looking people and not fully understanding WHO that consists of exactly)...

it's rainy today. just what i need, a rainy day. HA! not really, the rain actually hinders me from going outside which means i am confined to doing only a few things today but, good news is, i have a lunch date! a girl friend from my old work and i are getting together in SOHO for a catch up. we're going to a pretty neat little place called cafe habana, with supposedly, the most amazzing corn and cuban food everrr. it started as a busy luncheonette type place in mexico city and is now in 3 locations in the US- NYC, Brooklyn, & Malibu, which I regret I never tried out while living on the west coast. anyway, it looks delish!! looking forward to a good meal and good company. i'm sorry but, you just can't beat that!
check it out: http://www.cafehabana.com

just as my thoughts are always scattered, so is my blog... just some things i am lovin on right now in regards to, everything....hence the title.

{things i love right now}
.michelle williams and her pixie cut
.emma stone and her way of being awesome
.blogging (duh)
.spending time alone, listening to my ipod in new places
.my new short hair :)
.pandora on she & him channel
.my new red shoes!
.cooking things for my man
.journal-ing
.still loving red lipstick
.kate middleton and her classic brit style
.brooklyn and it's european feel
.random texts from brad throughout the day
.facetime with Sully

yep. that pretty much does it. happy thursday! oh yeah, hoping to bake a cake/cupcakes today for bradley p. Let birthday weekend begin!

Lyddie

Sully, the birds, & me...

Today, my precious nephew Sully is celebrating his 10 month birthday (sub-consciously) but, you best believe my sister is super conscious of it! We can't believe how time flies, which is beginning to be a frequently discussed topic. But, really! He's getting so big! & developing such an awesome personality, and growing teeth, and crawling, and laughing, and pooping all up to his belly button much less often- well my sister might not be able to vouch for that but, I have hope that that isn't happening quite as often. He's just becoming a little, big boy! Although, we are all going to be in denial about that for a while I think...it's true. It's no secret that we all don't want to remember what life was like without him. I don't know how many times this Christmas someone said, what did we do last year without him?? I guess he's a pretty lucky boy to have such an enormous amount of people that love him so much, just as we are even luckier to have his sweet young soul to fill us full of joy and all those special things you sometimes forget to laugh about when you become an 'adult' like, how cool it is to burp out loud and spit up on yourself (or someone else) but, also just simple first little smiles are pretty neat to see too. I think it's clear, I looove him. & celebrate his birth today, and everyday, but especially today.


Today, I am also celebrating a beautiful and peaceful mild Wednesday in New York City. I found a sweet spot in the middle of central park, parked my booty on a picnic table and ordered a cafe au lait. It's a nice feeling knowing I am right where I need to be at this moment. Not being certain for any other reason than, I just feel it. Sun is shining, birds landing on the chairs beside me, chirping and graciously begging for something, anything, and I'm staring at the most amazing skyline ever. Oh, and the fact that the employee at this cafe gave me a free macaroon! It's a good day. Take it all in, everyday people. Love on life.


Lyddie

roadtrip!

Bradley is turning 29 on Saturday!
Birthday's are sooo exciting and make the whole world happy!
Been planning the most amazing adventure everrr for this weekend!
But, I'm running out of time!
Better HURRY!

Ok...enough of the things beginning with B stuff. I ran out of cleverness.

I am surprising Brad with a fun little adventure to celebrate his 29th year of being alive! All birthday's are a pretty big deal & should all be treated as special but, this one is kind of huge to me. I mean, when I turn 29, all I will think about is, "Ohhhh dear!" & "This is my last year in my 20's!! What the H?" & "AHHH! I'm getting so old! Who am I?" & probably something like, "Oh well, let's make it guuuud." I mean, that's just what I will be thinking. But, assuming Brad is thinking the same thing, I want to send him out of his 20's with the a unique, fun, unexpected surprise(s) birthday road trip. That's all he will know...and obviously I can't type about ALL the details on here either but, this is all the information he (& the blog world) will be receiving:

1. Bring or wear your cowboy boots. They are essential.
2. Pack a rain coat, just incase.
3. Pack for 2 days and 1 night.
4. Bring your tennis shoes and a warm jacket.
5. Bring your birthday party attituuude because you WILL use it.
6. Just relax dude, we aren't going to Dollywood.

I think that's all he needs to know... If I forget something it's ok. We are in for a pretty low key but, beyond exciting weekend. Love that boy and I came along some things tonight that reminded me why...he loves me for ME, weirdo ME!

Lyddie

date night

just waiting on brad to get to the train station... meeting him for a date night! we're going to a new place near home called, "jacob's pickles"- Word is that the menu has a Southern bent - think biscuits and gravy or fried pickles(natch)- think "Pickles, Bisquits, and Beer". Not sure what i will have but, you better believe a pickle platter and a beer is on my miiiind.

homemade pickles....AHHH!!

cappuccino friday!

Sitting at a coffee shop on the Upper West Side, taking in this Friday afternoon the best I know how. Sipping on a cappuccino-yumm, planning my trip to New Zealand, and trying to figure out what the heck I will do this weekend...(as taylor swift plays in the background--whyyy?? I mean, I love her and all but, cliche a bit? What happened to coffee house music? You know, that unique stuff, with the never heard before weird lyrics?) oh well... Onto more planning & searching for inspiration & stumbling across pinterest and Facebook every now and again.

By the way, last night with Amanda was perfect. Joyful, filled with laughter, red wine, a new restaurant downtown, long talks about everything from guys to work to hair color & Brazilian waxes (too much? Sorry). Re-kindling at its finest, just as I had wished for. We both left with huge smiles on our faces & boy am I thankful for that!

Happy Friday!
Lyddie

Ohhhh! A good, strange song just came on! I don't know it & I like it! Feeling a little better about this...

an old friend

tonight, i am having dinner with an old friend. a friend who i met as a measly freshman in college who shared the same annoyance with the same sorority we had both joined. as we were in the midst of discovering so much about life, ourselves, and each other, we formed a beautiful friendship that i cherish so much. she was my first friend away from home and the first person in which i felt i shared the same strange but, unique quirkiness. we had a lot of the same values and desires from this crazy life. we lived together for 2 years in college. then, went our separate ways as most do post graduation. BUT, life brought us back together again. after her living in chicago for 3 years and me in los angeles, our paths crossed again in this great big city of ny. as fate would have it, we lived together again upon my arrival (in the grungy but fabulous east village). then, the unfamiliar twists and turns of situations in life set in for the two of us. as impossible as it had once seemed, we had reached different places. my desires were different than hers, in a sense. my idea of adventure had become different than it had ever been before, and i was somewhat overwhelmed-new job, new boyfriend, new city. story goes, we lost that sweet friendship we had for such a long time before. we had, in fact, changed. which is a good thing, indeed!...if handled the right way. we both shut off and lost touch for a year or so. it always seemed too difficult & nerve racking to just dig up those feelings and make things right. me and my travels, her and her busy work schedule meant neglect to the one thing that should be so important. re-kindling our lost friendship.

so, tonight, we have that chance! by accident, or maybe not, we ran into each other in knoxville over Christmas. she is from Atlanta and shouldn't have been there, but she was! so, it gave us a chance to hug, talk, and share our urge to get together when we made it back to the city. we kept our promises and are meeting tonight for dinner! i'm excited and anxious to get back to the root of our friendship. i love her dearly and am so thankful that God allows us to keep the bridge stable (i don't like burning bridges). friendship is a dear and fragile aspect of life. hold on to it. do whatever you can to maintain it.

out and about to run my errands and be ''productive'' on this Thursday. LOVE!

lyddie

good morning. hi, it's 14 degrees!

yes, when i woke up this morning, it was indeed, 14 degrees. & as the meteorologists prepped us for it last week they said, "temps and winds straight from the artic!" i believe it. it's like, if i don't NEED to leave the house, do i?

this morning i am enjoying kathy lee and hoda, like most mornings. they are tipsy and mostly obnoxious but, there is something about them in the morning that really makes me happy. so, here i am, bein happy this wednesday morning. :)

so...i started a book last night, "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by: Mindy Kaling from The Office. Although I was never an avid viewer of the show, i have found that she is quite hillarious. it's rare for me to read books and laugh aloud. but, this is one that i am actually cracking up with! just so straight forward and full of dry humor. i'm only like 30 pages in so, just getting started! looking forward to it though. :)

you see, at this exact point in my life, i am very lucky to have lots of free time on my hands. i am in the middle of a little break from the taylor swift tour schedule and waiting for feb. 25th to roll around to head to Perth, Australia, which i am realllly looking forward to. but, in the meantime, trying to figure out what it is i can do with my time each day. feeling a bit guilty at times for maybe not 'working' per-say. but, also trying to fully embrace my 'time off' because as the past year has been, the next month and a half will be pretty intense with simultaneous travel and work. but here i am, still struggling with this internal battle in my head each day. is watching hoda and kathy lee, blogging, reading, cleaning, running errands, going to the gym, cooking, baking, enjoying a morning, mid day, and afternoon coffee at the coffee shop (occasionally), really enough to be productive? i say to myself, self, you should be doing more with your life!! you should be working harder! and just when i notice i'm actually screaming at myself (on the inside), i realize...wait, what you are doing is actually very fulfilling. even if it isn't the norm, whatever that is...and especially because it's only temporary. i still struggle with it though. the self-loathing and stuff. i hope it goes away, but at the same time, i guess that mentality is the very thing that motivates us, as the human race. so let me just say, as someone else said, "let whatever you do today, be enough." just make it special. :)

loving on the january coldness! the season for suppression! until next time. bundle up!

lyddie

two thousand twelve posting begins...

....i don't mean like, that many posts. i mean, like the year 2012. FYI. :)
hi y'all!
just as the new year has really started with a bang, so my love for blogging will re-begin...OHHH the promises i make to myself and never keep. well, here is to wishful thinking! & being hopeful! (instead of regretful). i have things to share! things to fill the cyber world in on! if i don't, then how boring a life i will live.
ok, enough of the- make yourself feel guilty for never sharing your boring life with anyone because you think they actually care...onto more important things.
today is January 3rd, 2012.
in the past 3 days, i have done sooo much, kind of.
day 1, i bought a journal. for writing in, of course. so, that means, not only am i type writing the exciting events of my life in 2012 on my handy mac book pro to share with ALL of you! BUT, i am also recording it in a sweet little, handy dandy, journal (that was on sale and barnes and noble) to potentially keep forever and maybe share with my kids one day. i'm excited about that. it's one of VERY few resolutions i have made...i don't really like them but, it's good to have some kind of motivation in life.
{REZ'12 #1: reflecting on special happenings more frequently. aka, DOCUMENTING}. after-all, i am traveling to Australia and New Zealand with Taylor Swift in a couple of months... i need to make account for that! it's my first time out of the states!
day 2, i watched an enormous amount of movies, had morning mimosa's with leftover champagne, & made some soup in the crock pot with my man because he had NO WORK! & i was especially thankful for that. movies checked off were as follows, in order:
1. The Smurfs
2. SALT
3. Friends with Benefits
4. Super 8
5. Bridesmaids
6. ZooKeeper (on the agenda for this evening)
...I know what you're thinking...''those movies have been out a while, huh?" YES ok, we rent them for a $1 at the blockbuster kiosk. thanks. it was a fun day!
Oh and some other things we did...
-went to 5th ave. to battle with the tourists because we needed to exchange some pants at niketown.
-laundry
-cooked an AMAZING 5 star dinner on new year's eve and hosted our own little houseparty.
-washed dishes (a million times)
day 3, which is today, i (along with the rest of the world) will go to the gym. start a project of some kind- it could mean just reading a new book. & watch the 1st episode of my guilty pleasure, "The Bachelor," which I recorded last night because Brad thought the idea of watching it seemed dreadful.
& this is getting to be too much. so, enough is enough. hope everyone else had an enjoyable weekend and is looking forward to a new, fresh year! & getting older everyday! it's fun though, right? i mean every time i turn around, someone is getting married or having a sweet little baby. that's what getting older brings! so... bring it on 12! :)

love and blessings,
lyddie