coffee (table) talk

When I fantasize about hitting the jackpot in Vegas or scoring a lottery windfall, it's the possibility of little luxuries that excite me most: Chipotle for lunch every day (oh, I know guacamole is extra), weekly blowouts, and best of all, the ability to buy all of the books that my little heart desires.

I mean, I'm sure I'd buy a fancy house and expensive shoes and all of that stuff, but...I really love books (#sorrynotsorry Marie Kondo).

Right now I'm dreaming about coffee table books, because there are so many good ones coming out soon! Unfortunately my coffee table is always bigger than my book budget, but here's what's on my wish list...

Isaac Mizrahi

This gorgeous book is being released in conjunction with the Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly Life exhibit opening at The Jewish Museum next week. I can't say how exactly, but my job has involved working on this exhibit in a small way and it looks AMAZING. I've always loved Isaac's style and have a soft spot for him as he really blazed the trail for the modern high/low designer collaboration (RIP, Isaac Mizrahi for Target).

Things Neatly Organized

A fun read for those type-A obsessives who love keeping things tidy and organizing by color. The cover is sort of mesmerizing, isn't it?

Beaches

The colorful, wanderlust-inspiring photographs of Gray Malin collected in one lovely place. I'd never thought about changing my coffee table books seasonally, but this would be a great one for the top of the pile once May rolls around (or for my beach house, definitely #4 on my list of things to spend my lottery winnings on).

Hamilton: The Revolution

I have known about Hamilton: The Musical for years, and I knew it would be great but never could have predicted this level of hysteria (why, why, why didn't I buy tickets months ago??). Until I finally get to see the show, this behind-the-scenes look will have to hold me over.

Botticelli Reimagined

I'm not necessarily a huge Botticelli fan, but l love the idea of looking at the way one great artist has influenced some of my favorite contemporary artists, musicians, and designers.

Painting Central Park

I spotted this sweet looking book in the gift shop last time I was at The Met. Central Park has always been a bit of a mystery to me (I always, always, always get lost), but I'd like to know it better. Maybe there's a pretty little map in here somewhere...

Love Style Life

This has been out for a few months, but I'm dying to read it and dying to display it. Blush, black, and gold - is there a more perfect color palette?

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We made it through another week (some of us -- me -- just barely). On this Friday, I am feeling some cool, fresh colors and a skirt that might raise a few eyebrows around the office but will definitely take you to happy hour, dinner, and beyond.

This won't be a frivolous spending month for me, but it is were, I'd pick this skirt up in a heartbeat. Does anyone need a silver metallic pencil skirt? Probably not, but it's pretty cool and it's the kind of thing you'd have in your closet for-ever (like, in 20 years your teenage daughter will be begging to borrow it).

lavender is the perfect cool shade to tie this look together, and I think these sweet tassel earrings are fun but not too over the top for the workday // I love a classic white button down to balance a much fancier skirt // that silver leather pencil skirt you never knew you needed in your life // a soft, slightly purplish lip gloss is flattering on a lot of skin tones // a creamy leather tote is on my wishlist for spring // crazy floral pumps are so much more versatile than they seem (pops of yellow work in almost every look)

the good stuff, vol. 5

On my list this week...

reading

Lanvin's F/W2016 show looked like the collection of Project Runway's second runner-up (i.e., Alber Elbaz might be feeling some pretty good schadenfreude right now).

I love Jezebel calling out J. Crew for shoving a metric (fuck) ton of gingham down our throats this season (I'm no fan of gingham, unless I'm dressing a picnic table).

Fun new buys in store at Sephora this spring (those Derek Lam fragrances look so chic).

A woman eats a sandwich, and somehow this is news.

Adding this tiny but super popular Airbnb rental to my travel bucket list.

Wherever your political allegiances lie, can we just agree that it is completely embarrassing that someone dressed up as a Mexican border wall for a Trump rally? Bad even for Orlando standards...

Jennifer Garner reminds us that she is a delight, even if she sometimes has questionable taste in movies and husbands (bonus points for dropping one of the greatest burns in recent history -- bless his heart, indeed).

Anthropologie's housewares section is awesome, and may one day surpass their clothing business.

Oprah cleaned her closet! And you can buy her castoffs -- I'm scoping out the shoes, cause O and I wear the same unfortunate size.

J. Crew has given it's maligned Tilly sweater the Mean Girls treatment -- are all of their problems solved? We shall see...

Fashion is boring and everyone's sales are down (but people are buying lingerie, so that's good?)

If Mad Men was ultimately the story of Peggy Olson, Downton Abbey ended up being much more about Lady Edith's story than we ever could have expected (warning: ALL THE SPOILERS)

watching

Spike Jonze had a very different vision for the opening of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

I can't keep up with all of the great late night TV -- we are living in the golden age of talk shows! -- but I find myself staying awake too late to watch @Midnight most nights. Hashtag Wars is, of course, the best game and I loved this Florida-themed edition.

field trip: key west, fl

On the work front, this year has proven to be one of the most hectic and exhausting of my career (and it's just March). A few weeks ago I had friends in town, and after their time in Orlando they headed down to Key West for some true R&R...and on a whim, I tagged along. It wasn't a vacation exactly (since I work remotely anyway it was easy enough to just take my laptop and cell phone to stay connected), but it was a nice change of scenery.

I'd never been to Key West before, but I knew I would love it -- a sleepy beach town with a vibrant history and aesthetic. The spot where Jimmy Buffett and Ernest Hemingway intersect. Cool, but not too cool. It was just what I needed.

A few highlights and tips from my trip:

to pack

Most trips I take involve lots of advance shopping/wardrobe planning and elaborate packing lists (that I save for years, because I am a weirdo), but this was really a "drag out a suitcase and throw things in like a madwoman" situation. Surprisingly, it worked. Here's what I took for a quick and casual tropical vacation:

Basics: a pair of jeans // my favorite pair of print shorts // a white button down // one or two good tee shirts // cute sneakers

Good stuff: an easy maxi dress // a not-boring bathing suit (a departure from my usual black tank suit) // a comfy t-shirt dress that doubles as a coverup at the pool // a lightweight sweater for cool mornings and evenings // a romper, the easiest warm weather outfit (I wore my trusty black one, but I wish I had picked up this chic white one or this super-cheery printed option) // cool shades // very walkable sandals // a tote that works for day and night

Travel essentials: a suitcase that holds a ton (and looks so chic as you're schlepping through the hotel lobby or airport) // a cheery bag to hold all of your beauty essentials // the cutest portable electric toothbrush // a great read for lounging poolside (loved this one -- lots of laughs and some really great advice)

to stay

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My friends had the good sense to book a room at the Gates Hotel, a modern and stylish hotel that offers a lovely spot for a peaceful retreat while still being pretty close to the action. I absolutely loved it here. In another city this hotel might be a bit of a scene, but there's really no room for pretension in Key West so I didn't have to worry about trying to compete with the cool kids. I enjoyed several leisurely afternoons lounging by the pool with a tasty cocktail or two (love a good cabana...and a good cabana boy). There's no restaurant, but the on-site food truck serves really tasty bites for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late-night snacks. PS -- this hotel is pet-friendly!


to do

My goal for the trip was to do as little as possible, but I did manage a few fun excursions:

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The Southernmost Point is the photo op in Key West. A great spot to gaze upon the clear blue waters (and daydream about a trip to Havana, high on my travel bucket list right now).

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Ernest Hemingway House and Museum is a great place to spend an hour or two exploring the legacy of one of Key West's most famous residents. I loved strolling around the gardens and hanging with the current residents, lots and lots of six-toed cats (many of whom are descendants of Hemingway's polydactyl cat Snow White).

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Sunsets are a big deal in Key West, and Mallory Square is a great place to watch them. You'll have a great view of the main event and enjoy a carnival-like atmosphere including street performers, tasty food, and lots of cocktails.

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I came away from this trip with a new favorite phrase: nuisance chicken. There are chickens everywhere in Key West! I kind of liked seeing them strut around (and I may or may not have done a bit of chicken dancing down Duvall Street after a few rum-based beverages), but not everyone is a fan.

to eat

This wasn't a particularly foodie-centric vacation (we bought some groceries on the way and did a lot of snacking in the room, by the pool, etc.), but I can recommend a few good spots:

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Cuban Coffee Queen is a fairly tiny food stand that serves up a lot of good Cuban comfort food, great coffee, and another good photo op.

Filed under "it's a small world" is Santiago's Bodega, a great little tapas spot where we grabbed lunch after our visit to Hemingway House. Several people recommended it, and the menu of lots of tasty sharing plates sounded perfect. When we arrived I noticed that this restaurant has a few outposts, including one in Orlando, and I realized it happens to be right across the street from my hair salon -- my hairdresser raves about it! Crazy that I had to drive to the end of the world to try it, but totally worth it.

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There are LOTS of great bars in Key West, and I don't think we ever encountered a bad one. The Rum Bar was small but charming, with all of the rum-based drinks you could want. The Bull and Whistle is one of the better looking dive bars I've been in (and for the adventurous, offers a clothing-optional Garden of Eden roofdeck). The Green Parrot is a Key West institution, patronized by locals and tourists alike. Key West is a good time kind of town, so don't be afraid to do a bit of exploring. You'll have a good time for sure.

saturday night superhero

Sometimes the best part of going out is getting dressed for it. You never know what a big night out is going to bring, so it doesn't hurt to work a bit of a superhero vibe to get yourself in the right mindset: ready for anything, not taking any shit.

every superhero needs a cape -- this sequin jacket cape is very sleek and fab, a great nighttime outerwear option (because wearing your daytime coat never feels right) // a black jumpsuit is the easiest when you literally need to suit up // an all-black canvas, including a simple clutch, makes your rad accessories pop // I love the idea of one of these chunky bracelets on each wrist, Wonder Woman-style // rainbow lace-up booties definitely say kickass

ETA: and now the jumpsuit is sold out. Super bummer. A few more to try: ads for this jumpsuit have made a permanent home on my Facebook feed (being retargeted like whoa), but I do like it. This cropped one would be even better for showing off those badass boots. And this one looks super comfy.

the good stuff, vol. 4

Some things I'm digging this week, presented for your entertainment...

reading

Another donut bucket list (note to self: good intel for a donut-based cross-country road trip).

I'm still settling into a new job that came with a lot more responsibility, and my daily task list is a little insane -- I thought this article about the morning routines of seven ladies with cool jobs was interesting.

The negative power of our unused stuff -- a good quick read that is as much about knowing yourself as it is about possessions.

I'd never heard of Yolanda Betbeze, a former Miss America who was a bit of a disruptor, until I read this obituary but I think I'd like her.

What's the matter with Prada? An interesting look at the cycle of demand for luxury brands, and how and why they fall out of favor.

Cate Blanchett was my pick for best dressed at the Oscars, and in almost every other situation. I devoured this profile of her stylist Elizabeth Stewart, because the world of celeb styling is weird but fascinating (I want someone to make me a PDF with all of my outfit combos when I travel!).

There are a lot of really stellar makeup tutorials, but you need to see the Instagram account of a woman who uses her hajib to transform herself into your favorite Disney princesses.

A handy chart for letting the stars help guide you to get your drink on.

The origin of Flamin' Hot Cheetos -- quite a charming story!

Goop, Glossier, and how G became the It Letter in the beauty world.

watching

I had to work for most of Sunday afternoon and I was feeling sorry for myself, so I decided to catch up on some mindless TV and watched the first episode of The Fashion Fund, a documentary/reality-style show about the process of choosing the winner of the very cool CFDA Fashion Fund (previous winners include Public School and Alexander Wang). It's like a lighter, but more important, Project Runway.

God bless John Oliver for this piece on Donald Trump, who is awful #makedonalddrumfagain

no regrets

I think a morning routine is important. Some people meditate. Many take time to write. Others go straight for a big cup of coffee and some breakfast. I open my laptop, surf over to jcrew.com and type the words "bow embellished" in the search bar. Super normal, right?

I try not to live with regrets, but every so often a sartorial conquest slips away and I can't quite move on. While I'm waiting for a sale or waffling about a purchase, my beloved sells out and I'm crushed. This happens pretty much every season, and so I've developed a habit of starting my day by checking various websites to see if new stock has popped up. Sometimes I also hit up eBay and Poshmark, because I am thorough. And obsessed. And I don't meditate.

Here's what I'm pining over right now:

I ordered this sweet little bow-embellished (hey, remember that term? From way back at the start of this post?) top after Christmas. Scored a sweeeet deal.  Sadly, I didn't open the box for about 3 weeks (was an insanely busy time) and when I did, I was so bummed to see that I'd accidentally received the wrong color and the shirt was almost completely sold out. Sadly it's the tiny sizes that seem to pop back into stock (and I know this top runs a little small), but I'm still hoping I'll catch one.

I didn't see this bag until after it had been marked way down (and of course, sold out), but I can't help but hope I get a little lucky. So great, right? It's very fancy and proper, but I think it has a bit of a wild side that wants to come out and play.

I've been looking for a pair of tortoiseshell shoes forever, and these were perfectly sweet and totally affordable. I put off placing an order until it was way too late. Dumb.

This one is long sold out, but I'm crossing my fingers for a resale option. I had passed it up last year because I told myself I had too many striped shirts, but that shoulder detail is really great. And what's sad is that sometimes when I'm trying to decide what to wear in the morning, this shirt pops into my head. Even though I don't own it!

Finally, an oldie but goodie -- I don't know where I was when this candy stripe Tippi was out, but I should have been in line at J. Crew buying the happiest sweater ever. Sigh.

Have you ever missed out on something and regretted it later? Do you keep chasing, or just...let it go?