Kanye Wes Anderson... Perfect Blend

Kanye Wes Anderson Tumblr = nice way to distract yourself from Hurricane Sandy

Paris vs New York...

I love Vahram Muratyan's Paris vs New York art, don't you?

I'm sure I could make some interesting "vs" between Washington and Philadelphia... I will keep you posted!

Philadelphia, Here We Come... We're Moving

I have big, exciting news to share... we are moving to Philadelphia! The City of Brotherly love. And I'm thrilled!

It has been way too long since I last posted, but it happens. And it has been happening a lot this year. At times I feel like I'm trying to wedge as many life events into a couple of months as possible... but that's how it goes, right?

I hope to share this new adventure with you as we begin our life in Philly. As with any move, it will be bittersweet. DC has been an amazing place to live, and the friends we've made here are some of the most incredible people you could have the good fortune to know and have in your life.

Let me know if you are in Philly or have any favorite spots to share. The one thing that I'm sure of is that I have an amazing adventure ahead.

Elephant and Artist...

“God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant, and the cat. He has no real style. He just keeps on trying other things.” ~ Pablo Picasso

Frenchy Caramel, Fried Chicken... And Wine

Barnier Salt Butter Caramel Lollipops. Yeah, they exist.

Best part is that I picked them up at a wine shop that also sold... fried chicken.

If you live in DC, Cork Market does a summer dinner right.

Stripe The House...

If you follow me on Pinterest... you probably know I have a thing for black and white when it comes to the home.

These two pics have been filed away into my "Someday Stripes" file.

Friendship Conference Call...

Do you have those friends who've known you forever... and when you get together, nothing really changes?

I'm lucky enough to have two beautiful friends in my life who've known me since kindergarten! And when I am around them, it is like we're getting ready for prom all over again. Silly doesn't begin to cover it... and we laugh more than we speak.

With the three of us living in DC, NYC, and Phoenix... we don't get to see each other as much as we all would like... but tonight we successfully had our first conference call for the three of us to catch up. And the call was a ball!

I can't wait for our next phone date. I'm curious, how do you stay in touch with your best buds?

Flying the Unruly Skies...

Did you see the story about the movie producer on a cross-county flight with an unruly passenger? It is insane and incredible to think about... and worth reading.

The most memorable line, "I used to be a william morris agent and I've dealt with difficult people before and really this guy wasn't that difficult."

Like I said, worth reading.

Genius in a Cup...

I know... it is awesome.

Vino2Go seems like perfect gear to transition from beach cocktails to tailgates.

Calgon, Take Me Away...

Blast from the past, no?

I love taking baths to relax, albeit not in a champagne glass. I think the tub below may be more my speed.

Prippy Art... Francesco Clemente

I first fell in love with Francesco Clemente's art after seeing his work showcased in the 1998 film, "Great Expectation." He did all of the gorgeous art for the Finn character, if you remember.

His portraits are unique and unconventionally beautiful. I love dreamy mix of color. Someday I hope to see one of his shows in person.

And then there is the dream of someday having a portrait done by any of the many artists who I adore. A nice dream, right?

Happy Birthday... From One Tall Lady to Another

"Being tall is an advantage, especially in business. People will always remember you. And if you're in a crowd, you'll always have some clean air to breathe." - Julia Child

Who's Calling... Garance Dore

I need an iPhone case... badly! Since I bought my phone, I've used a heavy duty case that made me look like I was in a combat zone looking to be extracted...

Even though this Garance Dore for Kate Spade isn't 100% my style, I love it anyway!

A Tip From a Lady... Mary Kay

Couldn't agree more.

Mary Kay = Brilliant

Bad Day... Shoes

I actually had a lovely day today... even if I worked through the weekend and have been pulling late nights for the past few days.

But there are some days that are bad news... and I think I need shoes for such stinkers.

Thankfully, Stubbs and Wootton is there for me.

Salty Swedish... Soap

I picked up Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap for the husband.

He loves the soap. And I love absolutely everything about the packaging.

Oxford Comma... And Strippers

I cannot stop laughing at this drawing! My job involves a ton of writing, so it's nice to find some humor in the details.

Pin Prick... Fashionable Foodie

Source: thedecorista.com via T.G.D. on Pinterest

I could definitely get my cook on in this kitchen.

Type Om Negative... Meditation

Where to begin?

It has been a hell of a few weeks since I returned to my job. I could go into detail... but it really isn't important. Let's just say I'm having a tough time shaking "it" off (and yes, I listen to the song "Shake It Off" a lot).

"It" has been overwhelming me... creating anxiety and other toxic physical feelings. I've been off balance... or better put, a pain in the ass for my friends and sweet husband.

I'm pissed at myself for letting worries take away from wonderful moments... especially because I believe in treating each day like a gift, not a guarantee. I am ready to shut up my fear.

One way I've been trying to combat the negative is to incorporate meditation into my daily life.

For those of you who can meditate - hats off! You are a special human being. I, on the other hand, am struggling.

Working out has always been my go-to relaxation and meditation activity. I feel in the zone, relaxed and focused when I get my sweat on. But with the leg still recovering, working out is a no-go.

So, meditating is my new thing. And like many a Type A'ish gal, I'm still working on finding my flow.

If you have meditation rituals that have clicked for you, please let me know. I'd love to hear about your experience.

Summer... And F. Scott Fitzgerald

Source: archiphile.tumblr.com via T.G.D. on Pinterest

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

The Greatest... Ad

This is by far my favorite advertisement... because Muhammad Ali is The Greatest.

I've loved him since I was a little girl... so did my big sis. We would watch his old fights and documentaries over and over again together during rainy days in the summer. He was, and still is, our hero.

So Annie Leibovitz's photo of Ali with his adorable grandson, Curtis, is perfection. The Louis Vuitton is just a nice added touch.

Prippy Icon... Tina Weymouth - Talking Heads

For as long as I can remember, I've listened to the Talking Heads. They're one of my favorite bands... and I have a total crush on Tina Weymouth.



Here she is with Grand Master Flash in 1981.

Exuding cool... am I right?

Father's Day... New Dad Gift

With Father's Day coming this weekend, it has me thinking about all of my awesome guy friends who are first time dads... and my amazing bro in-law who is waiting for his second lil noodle to arrive in the fall.

It has been so much fun to see these guys transition into fatherhood. And they definitely deserve some love this Sunday.

My go-to gift is the Pig Island package from With Love, From Brooklyn.

Any present that involves spicy bacon caramel popcorn and bacon marmalade is sure to be a fan favorite!



I also think this fabulous Jonathan Adler "ganja" jar would be a cheeky hit for his dresser... stick a Grateful Dead mix inside for an extra surprise.

Makes you want some bacon caramel corn even more, no?

Prippy Art... William Eadon

These prints, by William Eadon, made me laugh.



They're available at my fave online art spot, Exhibition A, and reasonably priced.

UPDATE: Since some folks asked... I wanted to briefly describe the awesomeness that is Exhibition A. It is an online gallery featuring affordable prints of amazing works of art. I'm obsessed. We bought a Rene Ricard print with money given to us for our wedding and it is one of my favorite things in our home.

Look for an upcoming post with more info!

Tablet Hotels... Pink Sands Contest

DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored by Tablet Hotels or The Pink Sands... though I LOVE both and would proudly pimp for them... I just think this contest is amazing!

If you've been reading The P.H. for a while, you'll know that Harbour Island is one of my favorite places on the planet.

This teeny tiny island in the Bahamas is heaven. Seriously. Gorgeous pink beaches with turquoise water, ridiculously awesome and friendly people, great places to eat and drink, and a vibe that can't be explained make this place a dream.

Plus, you can drive around in a golf cart (the island's main mode of transportation) super tipsy and fit right in. Love that!



Very good friends got married at the Pink Sands last year and we returned to the island for our honeymoon. We loved every minute of each trip so much, that we're already planning our trip back for early 2013!

But, my fingers are crossed that somehow I'm lucky enough to win this insane-o contest to have a luxurious vacation at the fabulous Pink Sands. If I happen not to be the winner, I hope YOU are, so enter!

Girls Paper Dolls...

This is hilarious!

Love Girls. Love NYMag.

These paper dolls made me laugh very hard.

Mixing Bowl Emotion...

Do you ever feel like you've dumped a bunch of energy, emotion, time, and thought into a mixing bowl and are left with a big old mess before time bakes up something beautiful?

That's totally how I feel right now... about life, not something fun like making cupcakes.

I feel like a crossroad is a'coming, but I don't know what it is exactly yet. And it is making me feel a little off. And a little scared. And a little excited.

Do you guys get mixing bowl emotion?

Pin Prick... Open Sesame

I feel like if you have these gorgeous doors that I Pinned, there better be something pretty spectacular behind them...



like vintage James Spader.

Our Wedding... Inviting Fights

I'd be a total fibber if I didn't fess up to some pretty ridiculous tiffs during our wedding planning... and while we were fortunate to only have a few, they typically stemmed from me trying to force Bry to care about something he could have given two sh*ts about.

Which brings me to the story of our wedding invitations and how I tried to make a man care about paper and calligraphy as much as I do.

Bry was a champ about being really into the wedding crest that our fave artist (and all around wonderful gal!), Happy Menocal, designed. But when it came time to put the crest on paper, it was a different story and a classic case of knowing when to pick your battles.



In my Delusional Bridal Mind (D.B.M. - it really should be a labeled condition), we would sit around the stationer's table in charming Georgetown and ooo and ahhh in unison over all of the beautiful options. We would agree on everything, hold hands, and then have a wonderful dinner drinking champagne and toasting how awesomely excited we were to send out the invites that we had created... toooooogether.

Yeah, so I was an idiot. Bry is a trooper... but every man has his limits, and after a long day at his office he just wanted to get out of his suit and chill. Looking at massive binders of invitations was not something that sounded fun to him, no matter how many times I played out this perfect wedding moment in my head, and he was a grumpy ass after 45 minutes of thumbing through pretty pretty paper.

In hindsight, I should have fed him a martini or two when he arrived...



I also should have taken it to heart when he said "This is YOUR thing. Pick what you think looks best and I know I'll love it."

My quest to involve him in the process was really a test to see how many envelope liners he would look at before cracking...

The sweet woman who owned the shop could have cut the tension with a knife, but she was a pro and so well-versed in this kind of couples breakdown, that she swooped in like Dr. Drew on Celebrity Rehab to calm the crazy and quickly lock and load our invitation order before things got too uncomfortable and I tried to paper-cut my future Husby.

Of course, in the end it all worked out.

The invites turned out amazingly well, and I stopped forcing Bry to weigh-in on details that I cared about way more than he did. And it was never that he didn't care, he just knew I cared a hell of a lot more. Smart man.

Now I just have to apply this lesson to home decorating.

Dreaming of Jorts...

Last night I had a wonderful dream about wearing jean cutoffs and a white button-down.

Yep... welcome to my mind.

Prippy Viewing... Lola Versus and Les Mis

Lola Versus is on my summer movie list for sure.

Have you all heard of it? I think it looks funny... and the preview definitely makes it seem relatable for anyone who has dated in their late 20's/early 30's. Plus, I'm a Greta Gerwig fan.



And... I. Can't. Wait for Les Misérables...although I'm in no hurry for December to come.

Thanks to Erica over at North Meets South for posting the trailer. The 12 year old girl in me is jumping up and down.

Here's a very funny NY Observer review of Anne's singing... I still love ya, girl!

Friendship... In Jewelry Form

Apparently, today is "Shopping Thursday!"

I'm nostalgic for summers at the Jersey Shore spent making friendship bracelets... and I think one of these sparkly numbers, by Doloris Petunia, would be perfect for the months ahead.

My sister, who sent me the Etsy link, would always be devastated when she had to cut her arm and ankle-full of bracelets off at the end of summer to go back to school.

Her bracelets were "loved" (read: gross), but full of good memories.

The Bag That Got Away...

I've been obsessed with this Marc By Marc Jacobs nylon bag. I could imagine using it 100 different ways and I the pattern is just, well, so me!

Problem is... I can't find this bag anywhere. At all.

Was this from last season and I'm just off my shopping game?

If there are any Marc Jacobs Guardian Angels out there who know where/if this bag is being sold, I would love you forever for letting me know!

UPDATE: My sis found the bag... and SURPRISE... it is a diaper bag! I had no clue and nope... not preggers. But bag has been found! Thanks, C!

Verily... Must Read New Mag

The new online and print publication Verily is the following:

- unique

- sharp

- awesome

- well-written

- refreshing

- insightful

- inspiring

- witty

- interesting

- worth reading!

Go check it out immediately.

Do You Get Childhood Homesick...

Do you ever miss the area where you grew up?

I know it is a romantic thing to do, but I've recently found myself daydreaming about Philadelphia and the beautiful surrounding area.

Philly definitely has personality... and historic homes, cheesesteaks, crazy "passionate" sports fans (go E-A-G-L-E-S), an amazing foodie scene (Federal Donuts = fried chicken, coffee, donuts), nearby beaches, fantastic dive bars, beautiful old clubs, and charming streets that I can wander around for days.

Zillow and Redfin haven't helped me...

And looking up homes in the gorgeous neighborhoods making up the Main Line and Chestnut Hill has provided a bit of a danger in dreaming, especially since the housing market is less competitive than DC.

I'd love to know if this happens to you... and where you're from and where you live now.

Rosie Pope... BFF In My Head

I have a few celeb BFFs in my head... and Rosie Pope, from Bravo's Pregnant In Heels, is one of them.

Bravo casting gods hit gold with Rosie, in my opinion. She never fails to roll her eyes or add a pithy comment after a ridic statement by one of her mama clients. Her business savvy is fantastic. And she always looks spot on.

I also get a total kick out of her show... especially when the Bravo geniuses show a West Village townhouse as the exterior shot for a couple who clearly lives in Queens/Jersey/Long Island. It never ceases to make me laugh my ass off.

And after I'm done with my chuckle fest over the insanely inaccurate editing, there's the delightful Rosie!