ten minutes.

i've been tasked with a little project.

write ten minutes a day.

ten, that's all. not eleven. not eight. ten. creative, non-work, thought provoking writing. nothing has to come of it. just words. strung together. so, here's my attempt at those ten minutes. i have no idea what's about to come out. maybe not my best work, but i've got promises to keep.

in the scorching heat today, i had a thought on my walk to work. how many iced coffees must new york go through during the course of a summer? LOTS. oh if i could do a study on that one! then it dawned on me that i am one of those crazy new yorkers downing her venti iced coffee {in t-minus two minutes. but that's another story entirely}.

today on our usual nine forty five am starbucks run, it dawned on me how grateful i am for this little routine. the gals who work there call us the sex and the city girls. i can't quite figure out why, but i'm going to attribute it to this absurdly curly 'do i've got going on this summer {no time or patience or air conditioner strong enough for hairdryers}. i digress.  

anyhow, as long as i live, i want to remember these coffee runs. the mornings i got compared to carrie bradshaw. today i am grateful for new co-workers and the words it's on us today girls and just really nice strangers, but also not-so-strangers who have a unique and unattached way of brightening your day.

i think that's at least fifteen minutes now. ahhh it feels so good.

summer edition.

on a plane ride back from california recently, i decided to spend ample time doing some much needed catch up on magazines {to be honest i looked forward to it for days}. people stylewatch, lucky, and real simple were my mags of choice. dozens of folded pages, several lists, and four post-its {front and back} later, this special summer edition fashion and beauty list was born.

eight things to try this summer.
by, me.

one. try a cc cream. i think clinique will be my go-to.

two. invest in a cute pair of pj's.
the ones below are found at nordies {my second choice over at anthro}. they are the perfect mix of sexy and sweet, and most importantly super lightweight for this scorching nyc summer. 

{might i add there is a lack of good, simple women's pajamas out there. hot business idea if you ask me! ps. sleepy jones, anyone?}

three. shop on zappos for once and for all.
it's time to pull the plug. convenience is really becoming key.

four. rock the headband hair braid.
i once dabbled in the waterfall braid, remember? julianne hough got it right, just saying.

five. play with polyvore. it's genius!

six. one word: jumpsuit.

after much research, this one was found at macy's {and on sale!} DO IT.

seven. splurge on some new sunnies. 

currently coveting these elizabeth and james pair originally spotted on the lovely gals over at a piece of toast. 

eight. find the perfect nude pump... and ankle strap heel... and sandal. 

that's actually three things, isn't it? apparently i will be sticking with number three above after all. finding the perfect shade of nude is a daunting task. up for the challenge this summer! 

and, after making this list, the number one thing to do this summer is actually learn photoshop. it's truly time to step up my collage game {oh, what i wouldn't give to attend blogshop!}.

have a great week, lovelies! here's to trying new things this summer. xoxo.

i spy...

all the men in new york wear glasses. it's just an observation. okay, maybe not all, but it seems like it. i most certainly had to get to the bottom of this notion.

...and sure enough, along came warby parker. a genius of a company if i ever did see one! i think i may have been a tad bit late to the party, but take a look at their virtual try on feature and get a load of their traveling store - a field trip of sorts traveling the country and soaking in the local culture of each city. i'm obsessed. 

even though i don't need glasses, i felt the need to buy into this concept, literally, and support their business and innovative spirit. their combination of photography, creativity, personal touch, and giving back is unmatched. a win in my book! thanks, warby. i think this is the first of many pairs, even for this current 20/20-er. xoxo.

ps. gotta love a selfie... felt slightly uncomfortable taking it! how do you feel about selfies? about as embarrassed as me?

secrets and confessions.

can i tell you a secret?

why, yes, of course. it's what i seem to do best here, share secrets.

two of the things i absolutely want to do now that i live in new york {wow, that statement seems surreal}: write and dance.

actually, the secret really is that it just might subconsciously be part of the reason i moved to new york in the first place. to pursue writing and dancing and for my life to come full circle. while these are two hobbies one can pursue anywhere, somehow they feel very real in this city of possibility.

i had a best in town this weekend, and as i sat across the table from her discussing our own happenings in our very different phases of life, it dawned on me that the most spectacular part of mine at the moment is that i have no idea how it will turn out. and something about that fact excited me, and made me want to sit back and be a spectator as the adventure unfolds. life is an adventure if we make it one, now isn't it?

i currently have several tabs open in my browser, all of which are derived from google searches and my two secrets: grad programs for writing, editing, publishing, & journalism and best jazz dance class in nyc. 

oh and one other thing, i had three - count it, three - dreams about being in love this week. just sayin'.

and also, i really want a dog.

*photos on my be free pin board here & here.

hey, it's ok.

you know that feature in glamour magazine called it's ok...? {oh, look, there's even a pinterest board dedicated to it. follow board. check.} well anyway, it's one of my all time fave monthly articles and i think of it often when i walk that fine line of an action being ok.

so, yesterday, i crossed it. and it's time to document.

hey, it's ok...

to be at a vip work dinner and see a j.crew item you just have to have from across the table and secretly whip out your phone to order it right then and there. 

always a sucker for x's and o's. thanks, j.crew! you know, your mobile experience could use a teensy bit of work. i'll a/b test for you. xoxo.

so tell me, what are your hey it's okay moments...?

have heart.

it's no secret valentine's day is my favorite holiday. any day with extra hearts involved, and i'm a goner. thank you, b, for sharing this sweet little video with me.

i'm a little behind in my love day posts, but hey, at least it's still february! happy belated valentine's day, you little sweethearts you.

happy you.

i think everyone in their lifetime needs to experience a happy you party! recently i got lucky enough to have my very own and i must admit it was one of the best nights i've ever had. ever. a happy you soirée consists of a night in with your best friends doing your absolute favorite things. now we can officially cross another thing off the 'ol bucket list: long overdue slumber party with a few besties and the littles {the littles happened at an earlier date}.

the best part about my happy you party is that it was a complete surprise. i knew these lovely ladies had something up their sleeve, but i had no idea it would be this wonderful. and i should also mention, it was one of my life dreams to be truly surprised, and boy did these sneaky gals really pull it off.

wow, do they know me oh so well. there were blue barn salads and veggies and cupcakes and balloons and endless wine and manicures and face masks and dancing and fits of laugher until our bellies had no more laughs left to give. it. was. the. best. ever.

i can't thank you enough for creating such a perfect night. you really are the bestest friends a girl could ask for. promise me we'll keep this slumber party tradition alive forever and ever and have happy you parties just because. xoxo.

romantical.

one of the things i looked most forward to crossing off the 'ol bucket list {version i & version ii} was cavallo point. truth be told, it's one of the most romantical little spots in all of the san francisco bay area, so i highly recommend taking your hunny boo to the outdoor patio and plopping yourself on the couches in front of the fire pit with a glass of vino in hand. i'd go at sunset on a clear night, and i guarantee sparks will fly {bet you didn't think you'd be getting dating advice on this friday morning, did you? well, you are welcome}. if i could add just two more cents, i want to throw it out there that it's the perfect third date in my expert dating opinion.

anyhow, i was lucky enough to have not one, but two dates upon our cavallo point visit and now we can officially go like this...

sit by the fire by the bar at cavallo point

so satisfying!

thank you for coming with me!

lists are a necessary part of my life these days. i opt for the stickies app on the mac so i can easily write random thoughts that pass through my consciousness during the day. or at night when i toss and turn, and open and close, open and close my computer oh so many times. i've always pinned myself for a fairly decent sleeper, but i guess not in periods of stress when the brain simply won't turn off.

what a fun transition phase this is becoming. i feel caught between the present and the future, all the while trying to remain calm and at peace. well, sometimes, it's not so peaceful up in this joint. after all, it's hard to stay rooted when you are in the process of an up-root. oh, the details! and oh the little bumps in the road this universe is throwing at me like stolen wallets and run-ins with the law. i'm trying to dig deep to find the lesson in it all. because, there must be a lesson! 

i remember a dear friend told me once, it's not rainbows and sunshine all the time, geans. well, you're right, it's not. oh life, let's work together, okay? you and me. go team.

so tell me, how do you handle stress?

*photo credit on first photo: all jamie {or are we calling her ansel!?}

love letter to san francisco.

not too long ago there was an email exchange with my very talented friend lisa. it started something like this...

can i hire you to do a photo shoot on it's all happening?

and then i found out i was moving for sure and it turned into a happy memory shoot caught on video about all of the places i heart {literally} in san francisco... the ones that have been important to me over the past five years. we'll call them heartmarks {aka landmarks}.

we planned in advance to shoot on a saturday afternoon, and even had a very important early morning business meeting to sketch out our ideas like actual creative bloggers. it felt like the real deal!

so, i can't wait any longer to share this video with you, my beloved readers. without further ado, here it is in all of it's glory...

you can find my written love letter to san francisco here, but, see, in this post i really just want to thank lisa. we are so different, and yet, inherently so so similar. those are the most interesting and unique kinds of friendships, don't you think? i feel obligated to share an email written to her from her own dad upon sending him her latest work: the love letter to san francisco video...

monkey,
this is absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!! probably the best work you have ever done. it captures the theme, mood, joy, and excitement with superb photographic background and soulful music. this video should serve as ample proof and demonstration of your ingenuity and creativity. keep it as a reference model - it shouts out professionalism. it's unbelievable that you did this by yourself. i would guess that another shop would charge $5,000 for this kind of work and probably use a lot of clip art. no doubt in my mind that you're destined for some aspect of film/video making. i would like to see you pursue this path. look up some schools - i'll pay the tuition.
lots of love and admiration,
dad

you can't beat the words of a proud father. is it just me, or does this note bring you to tears? it so perfectly sums up lisa's talent and selfless nature. i am beyond grateful that our careers brought us together on this so-called life path. lis, you choose your friends wisely, this i know for sure, and i am so lucky that you put your kind energy and attention into me. i can't thank you enough for this brilliant work of art you've created that i will absolutely cherish forever and ever. thank you for being brave enough for all of us and pursuing your own creative path, and for continuing to inspire me to push my creative limits {no idea is a bad idea, right?}. the world doesn't know what it's in for yet, lis. you've only scratched the surface of sharing your greatness with the world. please remember, no matter where life takes us, i will always be one of your biggest fans.

all my love and {like your daddio} admiration,
elks

ps. see more of lisa's videos here.

bucket lists volume ii

happy twenty thirteen, loves.

somehow i've been busy with what i'm referring to as bucketlisting. the act of crossing things off one's bucket list. it's rather fun, and i truly can't believe it took me this long to write one. i am so grateful that the anticipation of moving has made me embrace life a little more fully. funny how when things become impermanent, venturesome spirits are born. see, turns out i am already learning oh-so-much and i'm not even in the big apple yet.

let's get down to business. where are we?

volume i.

adventures done and done:

a proper day in the wine country
hike the tennessee valley trail again {not on the original, but should have been}

dine about town done and done.

a cozy night at tony's pizza

speakeasy style at bourbon & branch

additions to the bucket list {volume ii}

row a boat in stow lake

sit by the fire at the bar at cavallo point

okay, i think that does it. if i can cross volume i and ii off i'll be one lucky girl. and, might i add, none of this would be possible without the amazing people i have in my life. to you, i am forever indebted. and i can't thank you enough for wanting to spend time and play.

on moving to new york.

so i am learning that there are several things people say to you when you tell them you are moving to new york, aside from asking you all about your new job, of course {and god forbid one moves to new york without a job!}.

so, in case you find yourself in this very same situation, i wanted you to feel prepared. in a very particular order, this is what happens...

when are you moving?

where are you going to live?

what do your parents say?

well, you can always come back. 

hope you loves are having the best new years eve's! cheers to a wonderful twenty twelve and an even better twenty thirteen full of so many sweet surprises.

ps. thanks, santa, for the stocking stuffer!

incandescently happy.

one of my very favorite movies of all time is pride & prejudice and i am thankful that this christmas eve it was the movie of choice. i could watch it over and over and catch a new line that's so easily missed in those old english accents. the humor is subtle yet witty, and i don't want to miss a beat. i find myself paying extra close attention, completely fascinated with the beauty of proper english and can't help but think how we've debauched it.

there are several moments in this movie that i think to be the greatest of all time. one is when mr. darcy's hand trembles after he helps elizabeth into the carriage. another is when they meet in the field and finally the moment she admits to her father that she is in love with him. i am a sucker for raw, vulnerable true love accompanied with big words.

i think my favorite scene of all time is the dialogue at the end when mr. darcy and elizabeth are finally married.

mr. darcy: how are you this evening, my dear?
elizabeth bennet: very well. only i wish you would not call me "my dear".
mr. d: why?
e.b.: because it's what my father always called my mother when he's cross about something.
mr. d: what endearments am i allowed?
e.b.: well let me think…"lizzy" for everyday, "my pearl" for sundays, and…"goddess divine", but only on very special occasions.
mr. d: {chuckles} and...what should i call you when i'm cross? "mrs. darcy"?
e.b.: {smiling} no! no. you may only call me "mrs. darcy"... when you are completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy.
mr. d: {chuckles} how are you this evening... mrs. darcy? {kisses her forehead}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {kisses her left cheek}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {kisses her nose}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {kisses her right cheek}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {they kiss}

swoon! we all know i go weak in the knees for terms of endearment. if you want to watch the end scene for yourself and fall in love a little bit, you can check it out here. may we all find the love we are looking for, and may it is inspired by an old-fashioned, classic romance.

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree.

so, remember my whole thing on creating traditions? well, i must admit, i am slipping when it comes to christmas this year. especially compared to last december {oh i was so proud of my very first tree!} 

we all know i do a mean valentine's day. and i was on a roll for fall - the most glorious time of year. between my birthday, halloween, and even thanksgiving, there was a constant stream of décor and pumpkin-scented candles.

once december rolled around and the busyness of the holidays kicked in, i lost my decorating streak, but i had to create a small christmas tradition at the very least. {we don't want any scrooges running around this joint!}

meet joy. she sits on the entry-way table upon entering my pad and i got her at none other than trader joes. four london-themed ornaments hang on her surprisingly strong, healthy branches {a passport, telephone booth, taxi cab, and double-decker bus if you can spy them}. i smile every time i see her and am reminded of my amazing time in london. a big thank you for this sweet hostess gift!

i hope your humble abodes are more festive than mine this year, sweets. and i sincerely hope you are honoring those sacred christmas traditions of yours like gingerbread houses and new jammies and the annual viewing of a christmas story. my family seems to be breaking a few this year, like crab on christmas eve and lights strung on the house. but, for some reason it feels okay. i think sometimes we need to start fresh. to start over, really, and embrace the non-conventional. i am learning that the important ones stay true no matter what, like santa's visit and stockings and unconditionally loving each other a little more than usual.

wishing you a very merry christmas full of love and good cheer.

ps. for a sweet post on traditions and a reminder that there are thousands to create on your own read here. all i know is the older i get the more i put into my bag of traditions for a future family of my very own.

sparkle.

happy rainy friday, ya'll. just a fun little sparkle to share with you today. while perusing walgreens yesterday {a common lunchtime activity} i decided to test out sally hansen nail polish strips. naturally, multicolored sparkles were the only ones that caught my eye. i was feeling quite festive. after all, 'tis the season.

...and voila!

here are a few tips in case you decide to try:

• starting with the thumbs is fine even though it advises not to, i thought it was easier that way
• i would stay away from the intricate patterns as a color choice because the strips stretch out really easily while applying
• definitely paint a clear coat over when you finish {my favorite is seche vite - dries in 60 seconds!}

i hope you find some sparkle in your friday and happy weekend! xoxo

*pic: my nails in color - frock star

bucket lists volume i

in light of some big news happening in this neck of the woods, i decided to make an sf bucket list.

here are some initial items jotted in the 'ol iphone notepad {why haven't i caught on to evernote yet?}. some are repeats, some are never been done. many more to be added i'm certain of it.

adventures:

ride a party trolley with all of the bests i've ever had in san francisco {might need more than one!}

a proper day in the wine country

steal a kiss on the golden gate bridge

the alcatraz night tour

a picture perfect picnic in front of the painted ladies in alamo square

long overdue slumber parties with a few besties and the littles

dine about town.

a cozy night at tony's pizza

saturday afternoon high tea at love joy

martini's and dinner at bix

speakeasy style at bourbon & branch

help me cross them off, will you? and until then, to be continued...

*pic: one of my very favorite weekends in san francisco circa 2009 

gone girl.

anyone else hooked? i'm on the edge of my seat...

the last time i read a mystery was babysitters club, stacey and the missing ring. oh, please tell me you read it too. i miss the days of stoneybrook, connecticut and living vicariously through kristy, mary anne, claudia, and stacey {i always wanted to be stacey when we made up fake names for ourselves!}. you can revisit your childhood here if you like. i was just momentarily transported back to the fourth grade.

enjoy!

*picture via.

nashville.

so one time at this party i was told by two different people in the same night completely separate of the other that i looked liked hayden panettiere and then i got a you look like the girl from friday night lights... connie britton! needless to say, i was on doppelgänger cloud nine {and just when i'd pinned myself for not having a celeb lookalike}.

oh, a girl can pretend, because that was far too kind!

naturally, nashville is a show i just had to watch. we all know my love of carrie underwood and all things southern and the city of nashville {oh boy i really need a trip!} so i knew i would be hooked.

ya'll this show is a must-watch. tune in wednesday nights at ten pm on abc.

*photo credit here.

apartment 24.

i thought i'd take you on a little tour of my humble abode. over the past {almost} three years, i've put a lot of heart {literally} and even more soul into my space, so it's time i share my haven with you {as vulnerable as it makes me feel}. i think it's oh-so-important to make our home sweet homes our sanctuaries. spaces that make us thrive and offer nothing but refuge.

oh, welcome. so nice of you to drop by.

come on in.

make yourself right at home.

need a nap?

or feel free to put your feet up and take in the view.

if you need a snack you can help yourself.

or how about you stay for dinner?

feel free to use the restroom.

and don't miss some of my favorite details like roses and hearts and g's and lucky number fives...

thanks for stopping by! come back any time.

xoxo, g.

flower power.

over the weekend i got inspired to channel my inner florist and make a few bouquets. it all started with a trip to the flower mart on sixth and brannon... and then came the added charm of the mason jars. flower arranging turned into a therapeutic saturday afternoon activity.

i must say, i am quite proud of my work!

i started with pale pink gerbera daisies and then craved a rich, deep, burgundy dahlia. to make it pop i added what i'm calling {because this is clearly not the correct floral nomenclature} yellow puff balls, and finally balanced it out with a breed of delicate white daisies.

ta da! try it, it's so fun!  

{hoping they'll stay fresh all week long and keep my home feeling homier}. xoxo

*all photos taken with my iphone 4 and enhanced with the photobucket editing tool.

on creating traditions.

we were mid walk...

so, what can you do to make your home, homier? i ask.

create traditions.

thank you, wise friend.

it's sure beginning to feel a lot like fall around here. the air a bit crisper, the sun a bit brighter. this saturday marks the autumnal equinox {aka first day of fall}, when the tilt of the earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the sun. the night and the day have approximately equal length. farewell long days of summer daylight, hello cozy fall nights. seasons are funny, don't you think? they sneak up on you right where they left you last. something's missing by john mayer really sums it up perfectly.

october also marks my anniversary of being born, so might as well get in the birthday spirit and remind myself how lucky i am to be alive every time i walk through the door. 'tis the season. traditions are sacred, my friends. namaste.