Weekend Snapshots

This weekend finally started to feel like summer. Although it was low-key, it was filled with lots of sunshine, time spent outdoors…and a cool, sweet treat.

The weekend started with cocktails infused with fresh pineapple…yum! My cousin Mia & I loved these.

Picked up this amazing silk cheetah-print scarf at H&M…for $9. The woman in the store next to me was going nuts, saying it looked like the Hermes scarf her sister just bought for $450. I just bought it because it’s got a cheetah on it. (It also has a pink and leopard print mixed in…major score.)

Planted these dahlias, sweet Williams, and geraniums in the garden…

…and this hydrangea bush, too. Hoping they bloom soon.

Tried out a new mascara, Benefit’s They’re Real!…but I didn’t like it. (Everybody raves about it, but it didn’t hold a curl for me at all, and gave me smudgy spider lashes.)

And this is how we ended the weekend, watching Mad Men (and maybe Keeping Up With the Kardashians).

Snapshots of My Week

Here are a few glimpses into my week. Hope you’re having a fabulous spring so far!

Cupcakes that were almost too pretty to eat (but tasted divine).

A lovely birthday gift…talons! I had admired this bracelet on Pinterest, and am so happy it’s now mine.

Went to the Phillies exhibition game on Monday night — the first of the season. Great to be back at the ballpark, even if it was chilly.

A peek at the Hall of Fame Club at Citizens Bank Park.

Gelato trio at Mercato: Italian coffee, salted caramel, and sweet corn. So. Good.

Bella standing guard.

A birthday card from a friend that made me smile.

Weekend Snapshots

The past few weekends have been a blast. But last night, I realized I haven’t shared any of the photos I snapped along the way. Last weekend, I was in New York to pick out a bridesmaid’s dress for my friend‘s upcoming summer wedding. This weekend, I was back in Philadelphia. It was calm and relatively quiet — perfect conditions for some much-needed relaxation. Here are a few pics from both weekends.

Quintessential New York.

While in NYC, I got to see Grand Central for the first time. It was amazing to finally visit the New York landmark, a place that holds such history in its walls.

The ceiling, painted to depict constellations in the sky, was beautiful.

A fantastic bellini during Sunday brunch at The Smith.

This weekend, back in Philadelphia, I decided to switch things up. I got a new haircut — and bangs.

I also got this lovely surprise: a bouquet of mini pink and fuschia roses, which I’ve scattered in vases all over my apartment.

How was your weekend?

Weekend Snapshots: Wedding Edition

Cream-colored mini pumpkins served as placecard holders at the rehearsal dinner

My best friend got married on Saturday! Danielle has been dating her groom, Brian, since college…11 years, to be exact. This weekend, they finally tied the knot in Long Island. It was a gorgeous autumn day filled with love, laughter, promise..and a lot of dancing. We all had a blast and wish we could relive it all over again! Congratulations to the happy couple!I wore this fabulous jaguar bracelet from ShoeDazzle to the rehearsal dinner. It’s extra large, extra sparkly, extra fierce, and oh-so-perfect. Danielle’s makeup artist had a kit that was to die for! Spotted: MAC, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy, Paula Dorf, BareMinerals, and of course, Ardell individual false lashes.Danielle’s gorgeous wedding gown, waiting to be worn.The centerpieces at the reception featured gorgeous long branches dotted with falling leaves.Close-up of the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend, a group of us celebrated my friend Danielle tying the knot. We headed down to Atlantic City to throw her a bachelorette party, and to celebrate that Danielle has less than one month left of single life.

We had lunch and got manicures in Philly before heading to Atlantic City.

Dinner was at SeaBlue in the Borgata, complete with celebratory champagne.

After dinner, we struck out with long lines at the Borgata, so we headed to Harrah’s Pool, a nightclub built around an indoor pool.

And who did we run into? Jersey Shore‘s Snooki. My camera battery died, so I grabbed my friend’s camera and shot away. Then I snapped this iPhone pic of her camera.

I managed to get this blurry iPhone pic of her dancing.

The domed roof of the pool

Welcome to Harrah’s

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend, we got our first taste of fall weather here in Philly. A cool, brisk breeze blew through as temps dipped and the first few leaves started to fall from their branches. It was a perfect time to usher in the new season.

On Friday night, I attended a cocktail party and book signing at Terrain in honor of the release of the new book, Design*Sponge At Home.

Me with Design*Sponge founder Grace Bonney

Terrain served specialty cocktails (made with apple cider, Root, and and a dash of vanilla vodka) in mason jars with little wooden flag accents.

Baubles I wore to the event. Clockwise from top left: Michael Kors watch; J.Crew necklace; Wendy Mink earrings; Rabid Fox knuckleduster; LOFT feather pin (used as a hair clip); Digby & Iona 14-point Stag Ring.

You have to see how beautiful Terrain looked…more photos after the break.

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend was unexpectedly packed with stops, shops, and lots of action. A welcome change from the quiet, lazy days of summer I’ve been experiencing in weekends past.

I dropped by the annual Manayunk Arts Festival to see local and national artists hawking their wares: everything from jewelry to photos and prints. This pretty painting is by local artist Katie Jeanne Reim. I have one of her prints hanging in my living room.

On Saturday morning, we stopped by the Three Potato Four barn sale, a once-a-month round-up of antiques, found objects, and little surprises, all for sale in a giant old converted barn. The raw space is rough and rustic, and the objects inside are equally old-timey. I love to think of what the items were used for in their past lives. It was so good, I had to go back on Sunday!Old bottles in good shape are hard to come by, but they selection here was plentiful. And I adore the wood slab table on which they were all lined up. Even the old labels were intact!I particularly loved the mix of frosted baby blue bottles.Tins with typography that spelled out “fresh oysters.” And century-old taxidermied fox heads set up next to them.These old numbers would be great for an entryway or just haphazardly strewn on a side table.

Finally, I helped my cousin move into a new apartment in Center City. This is the view from her window…lovely!

What did you do this weekend? Whatever it was, hope it was wonderful.

Weekend Snapshots

What a fun-filled, summery weekend. We got a break from the oppressive heat wave we had earlier this week, and although scorching temperatures are forecasted to return later this week, we had 2 cooler days that were perfect for being outside. All in all, a great weekend.

My business cards for Bird & Branch arrived – and I love the way they look!

On Saturday, I attended a fashion show by Drexel University’s fashion design students. I was so impressed with the talent of these young designers; they’re sure to have promising futures in the fashion industry!

{You have to look closely to see, but} One talented designer sent her models down the runway in headpieces adorned with antlers and branches — love!

The show was held at Urban Outfitters headquarters in South Philadelphia.

The reclaimed building still has most of its original features intact, making it a lovely mixture of old vs. new. The space featured cool things like this awesome area of hanging plants near the entrance.

Every first Sunday in June, the Pro Cycling Tour Philadelphia International Championship (aka “the bike race”) rolls through my hilly neighborhood in Philadelphia. Thousands of people line the streets, throwing house parties and cheering on the cyclists. It’s a huge day, the biggest outing our neighborhood has. Here are some photos of the cyclists climbing “The Wall,” a steep hill with a 17% incline. It’s a grueling trek for the cyclists, who have to brave it uphill 5 times during the race!Hundreds of cyclists coming up the hill for their last lap of the race as people line the streets to cheer them on.We celebrated the kick-off of Philly Beer Week with a tasting flight of local craft brews and a pint of a local wheat beer.

Can’t wait to see what next weekend brings!

Weekend Snapshots

The past few weekends have been full of family, friends, and celebrations. Here are some snapshots I captured to commemorate the highlights of the past 2 weekends.

Celebrated Danielle and Brian’s engagement with dinner and drinks at Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore

Went to a baby shower for Steph. Danielle made the favors: gummy bears in mini baby bottles.

Sunday brunch at Royal Tavern in South Philly

Philly’s City Hall glittering in the full moon (supermoon)

Marzipan lambs all ready for Easter at Isgro (amazing Italian bakery in South Philly)

A weekend shopping spree in the city with Jen, my oldest friend, yielded an elegant (and sparkly!) new J.Crew necklace…

…And while I was there, I snagged a new pair of pink ballet flats, too!

Wishing for more fun spring weekends!