Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

This post may contain affiliated links, which means if you purchase an item I will earn commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life”

-William Morris

Happy Friday and happy “August” by Taylor Swift day to those that celebrate! It’s my birthday month so I particularly have a great fondness for August. The lazy days of summer, the back to school feelings, the sense of endless possibilities, and little celebratory treats. Yes, I love August and am excited to see what the month entails to me.

Last weekend I took a lovely stroll around Union Square and Greenwich. Starting with a trip to Barnes and Noble to get a new book- One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune. Afterwards I walked about the Greenmarket admiring the produce and snapping pictures of flowers. Then I sat for a long time at Washington Square Park listening to a jazz quartet play. It was the loveliest day; one of the reasons why I love New York so much. After the park I stopped by the new Bon Bon store in West Village. I am not really a candy person. I will eat it if it is at a party or offered by a friend. However, it’s not something that I personally seek out for myself. I much rather have chocolate. But for some reason that day I wanted candy. I got an assortment of Swedish fish, sour watermelon, orange chocolates, and whatever the little red gummies were. I have been nibbling on them all week. Sometimes you just need candy.

It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions this past week. I had a little emotional breakdown on Sunday, sobbing on the phone to my parents. The realization of turning 40 soon, not being married and not having kids, really hit me. I know 40 is still young and I can still have children. I just thought it would have happen to me already. I am filled with mixed emotions about heading into another decade. While I do love my life, my job, New York, and my family and friends, I do wish for more. Don’t get me wrong, I am secure in being alone; going places and doing things alone has never been an issue for me. I am at peace if marriage and children are not in the cards, at least trying to be. But I still hold some hope that someday I am blessed with a husband whom I love and loves me, and children of my own.

After my much needed release of sadness, I feel much better now. Monday I decided I needed to get out of my apartment and go see some artwork. I went to the Met Museum to view the Sargent and Paris, as well as the Superfine:Tailoring Black Style (Met Gala) exhibits. The Met Gala exhibit was good. While I loved learning about the history of the evolution of style amongst the black community, it mainly focused on men. I was hoping the exhibit would include more women’s fashion throughout the years. They did have Josephine Baker and Ellen Craft, but I wanted to learn more about how women played into dandyism. Other than that I enjoyed the exhibition and learned a lot!

The Sargent and Paris exhibit was also great! They had the infamous “Madame X” painting which I always enjoy seeing. Along with it they had the sketches of the painting, including the well known illustration in which Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau’s one strap is off her shoulder. The portrait itself was very scandalous, but the one fallen strap off her shoulder would have set society in pandemonium. Besides the infamous portrait, John Singer Sargent’s paintings were beautiful. I love the intricate detailing of outfits he captured in some of his portraits of societal women. There was one particular painting I was in love with- a portrait of a duchess. You are not allowed to take a picture of it because it belongs to a private collection.

Afterward the exhibitions I wanted to go up to the Met Museum’s rooftop but unfortunately they closed it due to the heat. I wanted to enjoy the rooftop one last time before they temporary close it for renovations that is supposed to last until, I believe, 2028. Instead I decided to take a walk down Madison Ave towards Ralph’s Coffee. I passed Pamela Anderson and one of her sons walking into Carolina Herrera. She looked chic in her simple yellow t-shirt dress that was belted. I didn’t say anything, just quietly walked by and smiled. Once I arrived at Ralph’s I ordered myself a delicious glass of lemonade and sat outside, enjoying the hustle and flow of the Upper East Side.

I finally had my photos taken this week. I haven’t worked with my photographer since May. I am trying to do more in-the-moment posts and less editorial. While I still love a polished photo, I am trying to switch things up a little and make my blog more of a diary. As they say on TikTok: document, don’t create.

What I am watching: Happy Gilmore 2 has finally been released on Netflix. I loved it! I was cracking up the entire time. Of course there were some parts I could do without; I didn’t really care for his sons. However, I loved all of the cameos, the call backs, and the nostalgia.

I started watching The Hunting Wives on Netflix. I was on the fence in watching it. I read the book and didn’t particularly care for it. I decided to watch it anyway because I read the book. I like to see if the visuals match my own. Also, in some rare cases, the show/movie is better than the book. In this case, I think it’s more entertaining to watch a trainwreck instead of reading about it. And I really like Brittany Snow. It’s still just as chaotic as the book……. I will continue to watch it.

What I bought: I didn’t buy anything new but was given a few PR mailed items. The first being this collagen bank vitamin c serum. I will use anything with collagen in it. I also received two PR boxes for books; The Poppy Fields and Totally And Completely Fine. Along with little goodies such as Olive and June top coat polish, an eye mask from Lingua Franca, and Moon Juice Magnesi-Om. Last but not least I received this dark blue crochet top that is perfect for pre-fall.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

What To Wear To The US Open

LTK Spotlight: This chic summer outfit (these pants are to die for!)

ShopMy Spotlight: New items added in the pre-fall shop

Top Seller: These gingham pants

This weekend I have nothing planned. This may be the first weekend in a long time where it hasn’t rained here in New York. I will finally be able to go for a run/walk along the West Side Highway. Besides a little exercise, I want to go shopping for pre-fall items.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Enjoyed this profile piece on Liza Minnelli

2. Eyeing this stripe shirtdress

3. How chic is this pintuck top

4. Love the colors of this bubble necklace

5. AJLT ep. 10 fashion recap

6. Pre-fall trends to shop

7. How to style the scarf belt trend

8. Quaint maximalism is the top home trend this year

9. Inside the rise of Mahjong

10. Anticipated books of August

Weekend Sales