Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“The universe gives you the feeling first so you learn to trust without proof”

-Matt Cooke

Happy Friday and happy Memorial Day Weekend! What a wonderful week it was! I was so productive and motivated, very proud of myself for how much I got done this week. I was also in the best mood, most likely from the warm weather we had. I love the first few warm days of spring. It always makes me feel alive, optimistic, and driven.

Last weekend I went out to dinner and drinks with my friends Patti and Merritt. We went to LenLen, which is a Thai restaurant in Flatiron. Thai food isn’t something I usually eat, I do not like curry (nor the smell of it). However, this restaurant was very good! I would 100% go back.. They had a few gluten free options and were able to accommodate my order. I had the pad see ew, which has chicken, noodles (noodles were GF), and broccoli. What made it non-gluten was the soy sauce, but they changed it out for a GF sauce. It was very good!

It was so wonderful to catch up with Patti and Merritt. I haven’t seen them in a few months. Patti I have known for years, as we were in the Junior League together. Merritt recently moved to New York, so we are just now becoming friends. After dinner we went to Cafe Zaffri for drinks. I would love to go back for dinner sometime. A beautiful restaurant in Flatiron, and the food looks delicious. We sat at the bar and chatted. The bar tender, we learned, is a singer so we had a fun conversation with him about the Opera. The entire night a lot of fun!

Before I met up with friends I had one of those NYC afternoons where you start off going to do one thing then end up completely somewhere else. I went to the West Village for the Bleecker Street fair. It’s one of my favorite street fairs in the city. However, I thought this particular one was not good. Little to no vendors. So I kept walking. I decided to go to Rosecrans on Greenwhich Ave. for flowers but instead stumbled upon a parade. I forgo the flower shop and walked up to the parade that was going down 6th Ave. It wasn’t clear at first what the parade as for. I saw two completely different styled floats and people dancing. I turned to the couple next to me as asked them if they knew what was going on. It turns out I stumbled upon the Dance Parade. How perfect is that for me?! Right up my alley. I stood there for over 40 minutes and enjoyed seeing different styles of dance, different groups performing from around the city. I was having a blast!

The beginning of my week, as I mentioned, was filled with me tackling everything on my work and home to-do list. My super finally fixed the broken rod in my closet. Thank God, because I was getting annoyed with my clothes all over my couch. Since he fixed it, it gave me the opportunity to go through and only hang up items that I want or need. I now have 3 bags going to Goodwill, a box going to The Real Reel, and to ThredUp. I also have another box that I am currently curating to send off to Vestiaire as they take designer items that The Real Real does not accept. I still need to work on purging more of my clothes. I didn’t realize how much of a hoarder I was until my clothes rod started to fall from being overly stuffed.

Wednesday evening I went downtown to the Mansur Gavriel currently having a Memorial Day sale!) offices for their event with CAKE. I love when I get to go to brand offices; see what it looks like. The difference in decor, structure of desks and offices, and their showrooms are always intriguing to me. For the occasion I dusted off my beloved pink circle bag that I got from Mansur Gavriel probably 7 or 8 years ago. They were all loving it; an archival piece! I couldn’t part with it. I figure someday circle bags will come back in style, sooner or later. Might as well keep this bag, that was pricey, and carry it around like a vintage piece.

At the event they had their new seasonal items as well as their exclusive collection with Stamperia Pascucci. I adore these blue stripe ballet flats from the collection; perfect spring and summer shoes. I am also eyeing, from Mansur Gavriel’s summer collection, this raffia handbag. Very chic and timeless. Anyway, the event was a lot of fun! I met some wonderful people- whom I have plans to grab coffee/tea with soon.

When walking home I got caught in the rain. I felt like Drew Barrymore. I was loving it, even though I was wearing a white dress. I literally stretched my arms out, tilted my head to the sky, and did a little twirl (no one was around don’t worry, haha!). I don’t know why but being rained on made me feel free. A nice woman offered to lend part of her umbrella to stand under, but I kindly declined. I wanted to be rained on.

Last night I volunteered again at The Joyce Theater as an usher. This week’s performance is Tap City. A festival curated of different tap dancers and groups around New York City. Created by Tony Waag in 2001, Tap City’s annual festival premieres a variety of talented dancers and different styles of tap. For instance, last night’s performance there were different styles such as soft shoe, theatrical, classical, flamenco, stomp, hoofer style, and more. There were a few pieces that honored tap pioneers such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Gregory Hines.

The entire show was pure joy! I couldn’t stop smiling, taping my feet, and drumming my fingers to the rhythms. The theater was cheering and clapping loudly! I was completely blown away by such vastly different talent. Each piece was just as good as the last. A few that stood out to me were Endless, Steam Heat, Xana Dume, Blue Skies, and In The Kitchen. Endless was performed by dancers Anthony Morigerato, Jessie Robinson, and John Manzari. They were on a turn table that continuously spun around while they were taping. The table would light up in different patterns, while they wore suits and sunglasses. I was mesmerized. A incredibly innovated piece. I know I would have gotten motion sickness by just standing on the turn table alone. Steam Heat was a one man show; Max Pollack, who sang a cappella the classical song (Steam Heat) while tapping. Very impressive. Xana Dume performed by Felipe Galganni, danced in drag to Maneater. She had the cleanest taps I have ever heard. Blue Skies did a lovely soft shoe while singing the song. In The Kitchen was a cultural celebration, performed by Soles of Duende. A trio of women from different cultural backgrounds and different styles of dance; traditional tap, flamenco, and Indian classical dance with ghungroos (ankle bells). It was a fun piece that showed how, although we might be different, we can mesh together to create a wonderful melody. Go see Tap City at The Joyce Theater before their final performance this Sunday.

What I am watching: Threads convinced me to watch Off Campus on Prime. Out of no where my entire FYP was filled with people talking about this new series. It’s based off of the YA book series by Elle Kennedy, same name title. I really enjoyed the show! A group of hockey players that find love in each book. The first one is about Garrett and Hannah; complete opposites, fake dating trope, and deals with some heavy stuff. Very entertaining, humorous, and romantic. Once again this 40 year old woman enjoyed a show about teenagers/college kids.

I finally started season two of Jury Duty: Campus Retreat. I heard great things about, which is wonderful. After how successful the first season was, I wasn’t sure if they could replicate it. Yet, somehow they did! Anthony is the only non-actor in the show. He thinks he is a temp assistant to a honey brand to help them with their company retreat. I have only watched 2 episodes and I am already loving it. Protect Anthony at all cost! Another sweetheart of a leading man.

The Knicks vs. Cavs NBA finals have been electric!! I am 100% a bandwagon fan. I do not watch the NBA, however, I got fomo from all the celebrations on the streets of New York. I can hear it from my apartment window, all the rambunctious merriment. I am also from Ohio, so was intrigued but this self-imposed rivalry. This is my own West Side Story. However, it seems that I am rooting for the Knicks to win it all- sorry Ohio! Game 1 was unbelievable! The overtime, the big comeback from the Knicks, and the crowd going wild; the most fun I have had watching a basketball game. I have now put going to a Knicks game on my NYC bucket list.

What I bought: I was in need of retail therapy earlier this week. While I was very productive and had an overall great week, it started off with me having anxiety. Hence why I was so productive. Anyway, I went a little wild and bought a few items for spring and summer.

White skirt: I didn’t need a new white skirt, but Ive been wanting this lace trim poplin maxi one for a while. It’s different compared to my other white maxi skirt, so it does change up looks a little. The tiered lace hem makes it much more feminine, while my other skirt is more classic.

Sandals: I jumped on this 90s comeback trend; sandals with a little kitten heel. It’s very Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Since it is a trend I didn’t want to buy a pair that were expensive. I bought these white ones for $50, and they look just as luxurious as the designer ones. I wore them to the Mansur Gavriel event, I even had to walk 13 minutes in them, and they were comfortable. No blisters!!

New blouse: I wanted to get more summer tops and decided to buy this floral shoulder-tie top. It’s gives a mixer of casual and elegance. It gives the vibes of being on vacation in the South of France or in Greece. I haven’t tried it on yet, but hoping it’s one to keep for the summer.

Matching set: I’ve been really into matching sets recently. I bought this brown gingham vest with matching gingham pleated shorts to hopefully wear to an event this spring or summer. I thought it looked chic. The top and the bottoms will give me a variety of styling possibilities. Another item I am hoping fits me well and will keep.

Another skirt: I must be really into gingham because I also bought this gingham wrap skirt-– currently on sale and under $100. I was on the fence when buying it. It gives a classic 90s vibe which I liked, however, the length may be too long for me. I haven’t received it yet, but once I do I will have to decide if I want to keep or return.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

A Nautical Outfit for the Spring and Summer

LTK Spotlight: A classic summer outfit to replicate– the white dress is on sale!

ShopMy Spotlight: Gorgeous investment pieces to wear on vacation and/or during the summer

Top Seller: You were all really loving the pink sun hat! It’s both cute and unique.

This weekend I am staying here in New York as I will be traveling next week.Unfortunately it is suppose to rain all weekend long, really putting a damper on my plans. I may be going out to brunch with my friend Sarah, but I think we are both on the fence about it because of the weather. Which is fine, we are going out to dinner in 2 weeks anyway!

I may just go to one of my favorite bars in the West Village alone. I have been in such a rut lately; same routine, staying home because of the weather, etc. I want to start pushing myself to get out and about more; even if that means going out for a drink or to dinner by myself. There are so many different restaurants and bars I have been wanting to try. I might as well experience them without having to wait for friends or dates. Also I am very much over dating apps. While I have gone on some great dates (and some not so great dates), dating apps can feel a little stale after a while. Seeing the same guys cross your FYP page week after week, it’s tiring and a little discouraging at times. While I am completely happy with my life and comfortable being alone, being in a relationship would a nice complement to it. While I would rather be alone than settle for someone, it would be nice to finally meet the love of my life (if that’s what’s meant to be). So I am going to try a different approach, go back to the old-school ways of going out and meeting people organically. Even if nothing comes out of it. Even if I just make friends out of it ( meeting some other women to have as new friends would be great!). Even if I do not talk to anyone. I am at least putting myself out there, enjoying my own company as I always do, and experiencing the city I love.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Inside the American Girl Dolls design studio

2. A great yellow dress to throw

3. Such a cute wrap skirt

4. A chic brown straw tote

5. The best summer dress trends

6. How Bella Hadid’s Cannes dress channels Jane Birkin

7. Interesting article: Isabella Boylston on being pregnant and a principal dancer

8. A garden lover’s library

9. The best nail strengtheners for brittle nails

10. Who will perform at this year’s Tony Awards

Weekend Sales