erase and rewind

dress and cardigan: ForeverXXI; boots: Nine West

licorice in the morning

- sequins - hair-doing - oodles of bracelets - red lipstick - an impromptu manicure -

these are all things that made the start of my day extra delicious this morning and made me realize as i so often do, that I love being a girl! paying extra attention to detail and adding a little something is one resolution i will try to keep this year - workouts included.

with the few extra minutes that i would usually spend browsing on the internet, i gave myself a creamy licorice manicure, and was able to walk out the door with morning with ten extra accessories.

tee and bracelets: H&M; pants and cardigan: Forever XXI; rings: Forever XXI and H&M; booties: Style&Co.

between two

Sometimes it takes something new to make you think of something old. These little pumps were among my first purchases when I first came to Paris roughly three years ago - I left them at home for a long time and haven't worn them since I brought them back the last time. It had been so long since I wore them actually, that I forgot how awkward I found the heel height - not quite flat but not high enough too feel like a high heel - but one thing is for sure, they are the perfect balance for Monday morning!

sweater: Tommy Hilfiger; pants: Gap; shoes: Stephen; rings: Forever XXI; cuff: H&M; necklace: mom's

and here's how I wore them the day I bought them - January 2008

sunday sun

In usual Sunday splendor, today was great. Sunshine everywhere, delicious brunch complete with lavender honey and vanilla espresso, long walk along a deeper-than-usual Seine and a cloud of pink cotton candy at snack time. Why can't every day be Sunday?

top: Forever XXI, skirt: target; boots: Nine West; scarf: street vendor

mustard and rain

This morning, the sun was shining brighter than it has since 2010 and the colors in the sky were breathtaking as I sipped my morning coffee. The sunshine didn't last however, and a light rain from this evening turned into a rain storm tonight when I took these pictures in which the lighting although not optimal, goes great with the weather, my mood and my skirt.

This mustard skirt is one of the many (bargain) purchases from my November trip home that have yet to be worn for the first time, and already I see it becoming one of my quick favorites easily transitioning from serious for work, as seen here, to laid back for the weekend. The color also makes me think I can transition it through the colder spring months and then again when the autumn comes.

sweater: The Limited (old); skirt; Old Navy; boots: Nine West; nails: Essie Big Spender

Lovely and Fresh

I found this little guide on 'how to have a lovely day' a few months ago on one of my favorite blogs, Everything Fab, and have since had it glued to the inside flap of my agenda.

On this first week of the new year, I can agree, it really is these little things that can make a difference in your mood throughout the day.

Take it easy, work with a smile and enjoy all the optimism and magic offered by the start of a new year!

cardigan and necklace: Forever XXI; dress: Old Navy; tights: Target; shoes: Nine West

Perfect Endings and New Beginnings

The last days of 2010 were unlike any holiday season I’ve ever experienced.

First of all, this was the first year of my twenty-three years of life, that I can truly say I had a white Christmas. The snow started falling on the day before Christmas Eve all over France and by the time we woke up Christmas morning, everything was covered in white. (Pictures of ski attempts will not be posted!)

Secondly, this was the first year I was away from my family – although it was weird not being with them on Christmas Eve and opening gifts around the tree in the morning followed by traditional festivities, this year, I realized, you don’t have to be physically near the people you love to feel their love around the holidays.

2010 was such an important year for me, full of exciting new adventures, trials, tribulations, great success and a lot of love and support – I cannot wait to see what the New Year will bring.

watch: Michael Kors gifted by my super fantastic boyfried; sweater: The Limited (old); skirt: Zara; headband: Forever XXI; capelet: H&M