Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Eve Stroll (& Mother Nature at Her Finest)

Earlier today as I watched snow flurries falling I decided the most important thing I had to do today was get out for a reflective & peaceful New Year's Eve stroll.  After a few condensed weeks of socializing, being "on" & eating more (& less healthy) than I'm used to, I absolutely needed quiet time in nature by myself to get back to my center. I came upon my favorite area on the walking trail, stairs that lead down to a creek, & saw that the creek was flooded & frozen- what a cool sight...
My ipod was playing & as I walked down the steps to check out the scene I heard strange loud crackles...I took out my headphones to listen & all around me I heard crackly pop explosions, some quiet & some loud that sounded like trees were cracking & falling into the ice...but as I looked around I didn't see any trees falling or any ice breaking.  I'm not sure what was going on in the ice to make such sounds but honestly it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had in nature.  As I continued to walk along the trail, which is flanked by the water, the sounds continued in a little symphony.  The best & most beautiful things in life really are free (& often unexpected :).  Check out my video so you can get a little peep of my experience- be sure to turn up the volume to hear all the crazy ice crackle pop sounds & a cute little bird chirping!...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAZFPBVNyP0
  
Whether you are stepping out on the town tonight....
Or keeping it cozy at home....
I wish you a 2014 full of joy, abundance & all the things that make your heart sing!!!

photos: me/me/1

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas my beautiful friends!  As I write this snow flurries are softly falling outside (wow! thanks mother nature :), a warm fire is burning & I'm surrounded by my family, friends & two feline sons...this is the best gift I could ever hope for & I'm enormously grateful.  It's so easy to forget how fortunate we are....my little brother was taking a cab to the bus in NYC to head to my mom's & his driver, from central Africa, was telling him that people in the U.S. have no idea how lucky they are to even just live here.  In his village they constantly feared for their lives & had to walk four miles each way just to get water to drink.  He was in disbelief that in NYC they use hundreds of gallons of water to wash buildings.  This holiday season & every day of the year let's always remember to be grateful for our many blessings & never, ever forget to BELIEVE... 
this West Village townhouse fills my heart with joy :)
photo: me

Monday, December 23, 2013

Holiday Happynings

Uptown....
Tiffany's windows are magical- I'd like to live in this 'hood...
Diamond presents on the rooftops? Yes please!...
A white & silver snow princess outfit (white feather headdress & all) would be the only appropriate attire to strut those streets in...
(Bergdorf's)

A sassy holiday serpent across the street....

Downtown....
Chocolate holiday martini's at The Place, one of the homiest & coziest restaurants in NYC...
as if the ambiance isn't enough they also specialize in fresh, organic ingredients & donate 10% of all profits to local children’s and global green charities...
Beautiful rustic/NYC holiday artwork at Gottino, another cozy downtown gem...
photos: me

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Good Life

Happy Thursday friends!  Since it's the most glamorous time of the year, can't we just sit around all day wearing emerald green satin, drinking martinis, & petting poodles?  Does this fantasy world really exist somewhere?!  Let me in, LET ME IN!!

When I was completely burnt out at my corporate job I used to fantasize about having enough money to just be a lady of leisure...shopping & looking at beautiful things all day, having amazing lunches & dinners with friends & family I never had time to see when I was working, basically just a glamorous & safe life with not a care in the world.  So when I actually quit my corporate job & felt like I had been released from jail I used to have little "fantasy" days.  I'd walk around NYC, check out all the beautiful clothes, walk slowly through Central Park with the sun beaming down on me (one day I even sat on the grass in Washington Square Park, looked around, & thought to myself, Who the hell are all these people that do this?!  Don't they have to work?), have a leisurely lunch & fantasize about life being this good & stress free everyday. 

Well you know what?  After doing it a few times I realized it was not for me.  There's no depth or meaning to a life like that & it would very quickly become boring & stagnant.  I mean, I could be decked out in the most beautiful clothes & jewelry ever but where would I be going?  Who would I be seeing?  What the heck would I have to even talk about?  This was a good lesson for me because even though I definitely dream of these fantasy days on occasion, I know I was put on this earth to share my talents & gifts with others & guess what- that means working & it's one of the best feelings in the world to be able to make a living for yourself by helping others with your God given talents.   Things also have a lot more meaning when you've worked hard for them.  Yes, it can be stressful, scary & unknown but it's also exciting, joyful & 100% ME.

If you had complete financial security but had to work what would you do?  This is your dharma, or life's purpose.  Is it what you're doing now?  If not, start exploring ways to make this "work" more a part of your life & if you can get paid for it even better!  Perfect New Year's resolution, no?

photo: 1

Friday, December 13, 2013

Keep Their Heads Ringin'

The party's goin' on...thank God it's Friday...
& have you seen these new fresh to death Beats headphones??
They're a match made in hip hop/fashion heaven- the hip hop/street badassness of Dr. Dre & the luxe fashion edginess of Alexander Wang....I kind of can't take it, seriously.  I want to just wear them, like as the coolest headband ever.  I don't know that I could get away with it though.  Whenever I see people wearing Beats on the subway I think they look so cool & must be listening to way cooler music than me.  Like if I had on Beats & Josh Groban's "Believe" came on my iPod the headphones would shoot electrical shocks through my head and Dr. Dre would come on & call me a pansy ass punk or something.  Shuffle shame to the 10th degree.  If you have an extra $449 & think you're cool enough to rock these bad boys you can sign up for the presale this coming Sunday here.... Ring Ding Dong.... ;)
photos: 1/2

Sunday, December 8, 2013

It's the Most Glamorous Time of the Year...

By now I'm sure you realize what a glamour girl I am & I couldn't be any happier than when the whole world not only gets a license to be glamorous but the more sparkly, shiny & festive the better!  The decorations, bows, sparkling lights, joy & merriment- the world is having one big celebration & we all get to shine & be giddy & excited kids again.  Here are some high-low, grown-up glamour items I'm pining for this year...

This J. Mendel Bugatti bag is to die for!...
 J. Crew's Hughes satchel is pretty sweet too...  
Remember this Carolina Herrera getup from my little Madison Ave. jaunt?  Well yes, I can't get it out of my head...
Club Monaco has an adorable version & I love the leather trim on the neck & sleeves....even the model can't help but dance in it (or whatever it is she's doing...)
This Addison Weeks chalcedony encrusted brass box is an absolute stunner & a splurge....
I'm totally gaga over these uber glamorous & affordable brass & soapstone jewelry boxes from West Elm too...
 Vintage 1934 Van Cleef & Arpels platinum & diamond bracelet from Camilla Dietz Bergeron....let's just say if this was ever under the Christmas tree my scream would be heard 'round the world....
& I imagine my mornings would go something like this....
In the meantime I'm gonna rock my Banana Republic bracelet & Forever 21 earrings....
& my mornings look a little more like this....
not so much the tutu but the utter fun of playing with all my clothes, bags & jewels, fancy or not...

Now go on out & get your Christmas sparkle on, it's time to *SHINE*!!

photos:  1/2/3/me/5/6/7/8/9/me/11

Saturday, November 30, 2013

November in NY

Au revoir November, it's been real (& oh so beautiful)...
29th St.

Hudson Valley
photos: me

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving...what a special day to spend with family & friends gathered around bountiful tables of food!  I personally think we should have Thanksgiving every month, once a year is just not enough....
(a beautifully decorated townhouse I passed on the Upper East Side)
 
It hasn't been an easy year, a lot of heartache, both human & animal.  Very sadly we had to say goodbye to my mom's beautiful cat Pooka last week.  She died on my Gram's birthday & we said Gram wanted a birthday present in heaven.  She was a stunning & special cat & mom to my 13 year old George.  I'm comforted to know she's playing in heaven with my Gram & Popper & Popeye... 
(Pooka was an angel & looks like one in this picture :)
 
Whenever you open your heart there's a chance it will be broken but no matter how long or short these special people & animals were in my life I am grateful for every second we got to spend together. 
 
What are you grateful for today?  Today I'm grateful for my family, friends & pets (of course), heat & hot water, the sound of birds singing on a cold November day & watching my new kitten Frankie see his first snowfall this week (he ran up to the windows like, What the hell is going on?!)  Do you know that gratitude is the key to attracting everything you dream of in life?  You can read more about the power of gratitude here.  It really is about a change in perspective that will change your life.
 
Happy Thanksgiving & I am grateful for each & every one of you!

photos: me

Monday, November 18, 2013

High-Low Moto

Just drooling over this A.L.C. moto jacket/peacoat hybrid...badass + classic = perfection...
 
buttoned-up...
such a great detail on the sleeves...
I stumbled upon these moto inspired jeans while roaming around Target (with a wagon full of cat litter, garbage bags & other boring necessities I just could not bring myself to the register without something fun)....the distressing looks really crazy in the picture but in real life it's much more subtle & consistent...
I'm wearing them with my Zara leather jacket from last year...
& a little faux fur to soften things up & keep it cozy...
photos: 1/2/3/4/5/6

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Marathon Sunday

Wishing all of the runners in tomorrow's NYC marathon a fantastic race, strength throughout & making it across that finish line!  I was so blessed to run NYC's last marathon in 2011 & I personally did it in memory of the victims of 9/11 & it also coincided with the tenth anniversary.  My beloved city was brought to its knees on 9/11 & I'll never forget the outpouring of love, strength & support that we all offered one another.  I have loved NYC since I was a young girl but running 26.2 miles of its streets & bridges tattooed it on my heart & made me realize that the glamorous buildings can be gone in the blink of an eye but the people & their passion are what make New York City the greatest city in the world.    
When I was a few miles from the finish I felt a hand on my right shoulder...I turned to look & a fellow runner, a girl about my age, said to me, "I lost my mom on 9/11, I'm sorry for your loss."  Before I could get anything out, what could I possibly even say, thank God I hadn't lost anyone I knew, she was gone.  I had the chills from head to toe & hoped that she knew that in my own small way I was running for her & her mom...
Do you know what I love most about running?  Like music, it doesn't discriminate (& I love nothing more than popping in my headphones when I run).  It's universal, it knows no color, race, age, physical attractiveness, disability or socioeconomic class.  You're all in it together supporting each other every step of the way- I ran the marathon with people that were blind, in wheelchairs, missing limbs & those with mental wounds, illnesses & broken hearts that can't be seen.

I thought to myself...Why does it take a marathon to have an entire city cheering for you & your success?  What if we supported each other that way every day?  Can you imagine hopping on a subway car in the morning & everyone busts out, "GOOO Colleen!!!  You're looking strong & amazing!!!  You're gonna kill it in that client meeting today!!"  How fun would that be?

As we cheer on the runners tomorrow let's all remember to carry that supportive spirit with us & be sure to cheer each other on every day.  As my friend Eckhart says, it really is the small, everyday things that lead to greatness.
Made it!!!
photos: me

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Happy Halloween! (& the cutest surprise ever!)

I hope your Halloween is filled with more "treats" than "tricks"!
& do I have an adorable little surprise for you....
 
Meet Francis Lovebug Carney!  Aka "Frankie" or "Little Lovebug" 

He turned six months old this week & I still can't believe he's mine.  Want to hear a funny & strange story?  He came with the name Frankie & I thought about changing it- I didn't know if it sounded to guido-y & wasn't sure how much I liked that name for him.  But honestly I just couldn't think of anything that I would change it to & then I had a realization that decided it for me.  My Gram passed away almost a year ago & she loved St. Francis, I have one of her St. Francis statues on my dresser & my mom always jokes that I'm St. Francis because animals flock to me.  We were pleasantly surprised & laughing too when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope this year & chose the name Francis, swearing that my Gram was shaking things up in heaven.  So I thought, hmm, Frankie could be short for Francis, this is a sign indeed!  Francis Lovebug (because he IS a little lovebug) Carney it is.  I was explaining all of this to my cousin & my mom said to me "Do you realize that Francis Carney was your great grandfather's name?"  What?!  So unbeknownst to me I named my cat after my great grandfather (although I'm certain his middle name was not Lovebug).  I was happily shocked to hear that & to continue the tradition because my beloved Popper was named after my Pop Carney, who passed away in 2007.  I was certainly not expecting to lose Popper this year but Frankie came along at just the right time & is helping to heal my broken heart.  He even looks like Popper, eats as much as he did & like Popper wrestled his brother George into a chokehold in no time.  He fills me with joy every day & is an exquisite little creature, rescued from a kill shelter in Atlanta.  If you have space in your heart & home please consider adopting or fostering a shelter pet.  You may be rescuing them but as the saying goes "Who rescued who?" :) 

photos: 1/me

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Happynings II

I've been looking for a pair of leather shorts for a while & happily stumbled upon this faux leather skirt at Forever 21.  Forget shorts, I'm loving the asymmetry & fun of this skirt, it even has pockets!  & at $23 it's done & done.... 


 
In other news, have you been watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine?  I'll admit it, I spend a lot of my day being very serious, working & constantly trying to grow & improve personally & professionally.  I'm a big fan of Andy Samberg & this show gives me a much needed dose of inappropriate humor & silliness....
photos: 1&2/3

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Cheap Thrills V


I've been pining for this Margiela set but for $5.95 these H&M rings are doing the trick (nails- Chanel Paradoxal #509, an old favorite)

photo: me

Friday, October 4, 2013

Fall (Fantasy) Shopping- Madison Ave.

I recently helped a fellow interior designer friend style a photo shoot for a gorgeous apartment she worked on at 74th & Madison.  It was the perfect opportunity to stroll down Madison Ave. & check out the fall fashions.... 
 
I don't have any parties on the agenda (yet) but if I bought this Milly dress you better believe I would find as many as possible!  It's delightful, sophisticated & sassy...all it needs is a glass of champagne ;)...
 
Carolina Herrera does ladylike elegance like nobody's business...

loving this dress & heels, beautiful with a hint of edge...

ugh, these Saint Laurent heels are absolutely killing me....so ladylike, yet so dope ;)...

and finally Chanel Fine Jewelry never fails on the ethereal sparkly sparkly...this watch & bracelet would be the perfect compliment to all of the above...
Well, my fall shopping is done!  If only ;)  Santa please take note, I've been very good this year :)
 
photos: me/me/me/4 & 5/me