This week has gone by insanely fast! I cannot believe it’s March 9th (seriously where did February go???) It doesn’t even feel like Friday, but I’ll take it! Some highlights from the last few days…

Marty lives just blocks away from the Met and after 8 months into his UES residency, we finally made it there (although, we attempted to go to Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty exhibit…in August…on the second to last day of its run. Amateurs). There’s really nothing better than getting lost in the Met and people watching; we spent 3 hours doing precisley that.

Another highlight from this week included spotting this personal ad on the R train. Am I missing something? Is this some sort of interactive performance art? Is it promoting a movie about a single guy in NYC? Is it real? If it is, it’s hilarious. This might be the last gentleman left in New York City (I mean how often do you come across a guy who’s willing to take you out for cake and ice cream on one date!) Act now my single ladies!

I have fallen in love. These shoes from Zara are. to. die. for. I gave up shopping for Lent and these pastel beauts prove that it was a very serious sacrifice to make (yes, I feel terribly sacrilegious for saying that). But just look at them! Maybe they’ll be on sale once Lent is over ($90 is a little out of reach for me anyway…sigh). For now, I’ll dream up ways of wearing them so that I can justify dropping those 90 bucks if they’re not on sale come 4/8/12.

Work by awkwardlengths featuring triangle jewelry

My coworkers would defnitely make fun of me for looking like an Easter egg. It would be worth it.

Dinner w BF Rents by awkwardlengths featuring a tshirt dress

At the start of every Spring my boyfriend’s mom and dad make their way out to New York. This is the perfect parent pleasing get up.

Saturday Brunch by awkwardlengths featuring a triangle necklace

My bffl and I went to our first boozy brunch at Bondi Road about a month ago. Once the weather warms up, it just might have to turn into a weekly tradition.

Our main approach to decorating our living room was “more is more.” The more patterns, the more colors, the more pictures, the better. The hope was that if everything was a little mismatched, it would seem intentional. We each had bits and pieces to contribute to the room and I think all together they create an inviting and cozy space!

Sam brought this big couch from home and Ryan the smaller, navy Ikea one (far left). To tie them together, Ryan bought a slip cover from a local discount store in shades of blue. Our coffee table is from Ikea as well and that turquoise side table can also be seen here.

This beach chair from Bed Bath and Beyond is deceitfully comfortable. Paired with a deeply discounted ottoman from Urban Outfitters, it’s the perfect additional seating for our space. (Its mobility makes getting into our one communal closet super easy!)

Throw pillows in every color help keep with the mismatched theme!

Our “accent wall” has a collection of old paintings from our grandmas, some new DIY portraits, and a $5 canvas from TJ Maxx. “Guy,” our Yucca Tree, adds some life (and masculinity) to the space!

We used a dresser from my mom’s old furniture set (also seen here) as our television stand. It’s perfect for storing dvds, extra blankets, and sheets.

Little accessories brighten our little space. Those pieces of Depression Glass were my grandma’s. That frame is by Cynthia Rowley and was purchased at Marshall’s.

Have you ever had Pho? It is pho real amazing. This past Phriday (ok, I’ll stop with the annoying play on “ph”) Marty and I went to a restaurant we’re no strangers to called Pho 32. It was a sort of belated Valentine’s Day date. Since it was unseasonably warm, I got away with wearing my cropped military jacket. For some added warmth, I threw on my faux fur vest and wore a black and white striped sweater underneath. I paired them with a camel colored mini and my military boots (that have a very manageable heel, which was very necessary after a long work week).

In case you’re wondering, Pho is a Vietnamese soup made of rare beef that cooks in the hot broth as it’s brought out to you (there are other meat variations, but the raw beef is my favorite). It’s the perfect hangover cure (not that I would know) and can clear your sinuses better than any neti pot (not that I’ve used one of those before). What’s especially great about it is that you can make it completely your own by adding basil, chili sauce, plum sauce, bean sprouts, cilantro, lime, onions, orrr if you’re like me, all of them into the mix. Any way you garnish it is truly…pho-nomenal.

NOM!

…and an entire year younger than your goofy, immature, college sophomore of a little brother.

Off to the gym!

My bffl and I spent the other night being ridiculously girly, drinking wine, and perusing the Pronovias website. Neither of us expect to be married anytime soon (chillax, boy toys), but if we happen to get a surprise proposal, we’ll know exactly what to wear on the big day…

I’ve been obsessed with this dress ever since my mom (you wonder where I get it from?) showed it to me in a Town and Country advertisement about four years ago. Everything about it is absolutely perfect: the romantic off the shoulder cut, the lace, the natural waist. Who wouldn’t feel like a princess in this? With some film noir side swept curls and a rhinestone comb to finish it off? Sigh. Swoon. I’m seriously lusting for it.

But just when I thought that Caelum was the dress for me, this other Elie Saab creation caught my eye. It’s very similar to Caelum, but a little less traditional and more whimsical. As a former ballerina, I’d live out my childhood dream of feeling like Swan Lake’s Odette in this dress. Decisions, decisions. I guess I’ll have to see how I’m feeling closer to the actual wedding day (whenever that may be) before making a final call…

Ryan found her dress, too! She’s a little (ok, a lot) more well-endowed than I am. This dress is conservative, unique (those appliques!), and perfect for her future June wedding. What a relief to get this all sorted out! Now we can finally focus on finding the perfect (subdued, but beautiful) bridesmaids’ dresses. Phew!

And speaking of institutionalized love, who’s excited for Valentine’s Day tomorrow!?

(Source: weddinginspirasi.com)

Does anyone not adore Adele (except for Karl Lagerfeld, who used to be “a little fat,” FYI)? She totally nailed “Rolling in the Deep” and looked ab fab while doing it (loveee the blonde hair) at the Grammys last night.

Full disclosure: we still don’t have television in our apartment, so I watched her performance this morning in bed on my phone. I cried a little because it was so good.

You go, gurl!

This Sunday is so bittersweet. It has been one of those whirlwind weekends when I have to take a step back and tell myself, “Sheesh, you’re really, really lucky.” I’m happy to report that my boyfriend and his bffl have done so much together in just a few days. They’ve gone to the MOMA, The Brooklyn Museum and the Guggenheim (such cultured boys) in addition to “bro-ing” out, bowling, watching sports, and eating lots of water dogs! Yesterday I was invited on their man date and got in on all the fun…

The NHL Store was the first pit stop of the day. Each got a baseball hat and proceeded to wear said hats making their outfits look even more similar than they already were. I just had to snap a pic (nice ears, boys!).

After securing NHL merchandise, the three of us headed to The Brooklyn Brewery. We didn’t make it on a tour, but it was cool to see the facility where one of our favorite beers is made. I got an IPA and, as usual, it was delicious.

The day wasn’t complete without a bromantic dinner featuring my boyfriend’s favorite food. Fette Sau is about a mile from the brewery and their BBQ is absolutely amazing. It melts in your mouth (we got pulled pork and brisket) and it was the perfect meal to start off what turned into a very late (but incredibly fun!) night. Thank you to all our friends who helped make it so much fun! Once Matt leaves tonight, Marty and I are headed to a mellow dinner in my hood at The Queens Kickshaw. I’ll miss Matt, but I’m happy to have Marty back for myself ;-)!

Happy bday, beb!

NYC Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet. The perfect Valentine’s Day excursion/present.

hint. hint. wink. wink.

Tonight is the big bday celebration (a few of our close friends also have birthdays this week -sheesh!) starting at Peculier Pub. I plan on wearing a neon green and gray striped top I just got from Forever21 and pair it with a pleated, pleather skirt (that looks a lot like this one but is MUCH more affordable) from H&M. I also got these wedges on sale from UrbanOutfitters.com. They’re super comfortable, which is perfect since I plan on dancing my face off!

The boyfriend’s birthday weekend is going off without a hitch! He’s originally from LA and misses home a lot (who misses 75 degree weather and the beach? weird) so I surprised him by flying out his bffl…

Oh, hey guys! Over here. Hey. Can I get in on the conversation?

Pool is a spectator sport.

It was like I was the third wheel on their man date! But their bromance is pretty precious.

Bday party tomorrow night!

Old habits die hard. I stepped out to get a salad for lunch and got back to work salad-less, but with these two pairs of shoes…

There’s a Strawberry right across from where I work. It can be very hit or miss, but their shoe department is pretty great. I love neon and these babies fill my human highlighter’s heart with happiness. The gray and green pumps are by Kensie Girl. I can’t wait to pair them with some cropped trousers and my white blazer. The woven platforms are by Madden Girl and remind of a pair by Marc by Marc that was in the fashion closet at SELF Magazine when I was an intern there a few years ago. Each cost just $39.99!

I’m a little obsessed.

To simpler times filled with screen-printed tees…

leahmakin:

I think I will watch The Secret Garden today… Let my imagination flow.

This movie. My childhood.

It is a week of birthdays. My boyfriend turns 23 today (NOM!). He and my grandpa are both Aquarii to a T (talk about an Electra Complex). Like most rational girls, I’ve been planning what I’m going to wear for his various celebrations for about a week now…

For dinner at The Redhead on Friday, I plan on wearing a midi length dress with a plunging neckline that I got on sale from H&M for just $15. To va-va-voom it up a little, I’ll throw on my beloved “hooker heels” and a fur vest (faux fur is sexy, right, guys…right?).

I have something in mind that’s more fun and playful to wear on Saturday night. We’re heading to Peculier Pub for a joint celebration since a few of our close friends have birthdays this week as well!

I’m so excited for the weekend to start (can you tell?). I’m a good gift giver, if I do say so myself, but this year’s present (to be revealed later!) is probably my best one yet. Can’t wait to surprise him!