Jewelry Trays

I was talking with someone the other day about where I keep my jewelry. I have lot of nice pieces that are special to me and others that are more fun and inexpensive. I don't discriminate though and love them all. Though, I've found that if my jewelry isn't out in plain site, I won't wear it. So, I needed a place to stash my stuff so I could see it, without getting things tangled or losing it once I took it off.

So, I decided to use cute trays that I've collected to hold my  jewelry (I love trays!). This way, I can see what I have, they look cute laying out and I'm more likely to wear jewelry this way. Although, I do keep the really nice stuff away in one of my silver jewelry boxes...just to be safe. I also found a jewelry tree at Homegoods that I hang my big chunky stuff on.

Because one of my goals this summer is to start using my nicer camera more often (Instagram has made me lazy!), here are a few detailed shots.

I also keep a tray by my bedside so that I can throw whatever I need on there before I go to bed. Oh, and I'm obsessed with chapstick. I can't go a day (or more like a couple hours) without it so it's always by my bedside. And, I HAVE to have my headphones so I can plug in music or an episode of Parks and Rec if I can't sleep. It's a bad habit...

I even keep one in the entry way which usually collects keys and sunglasses and other odds and ins. But, hey, it's kind of organized, right? :)

What about y'all? More apartment pics to come.

Summer Happenings & Other City News

So, technically summer starts on Friday, but for me, it's already here. Warmer and longer days, green Central Park grass, beach trips and eating at outdoor cafes make it my favorite time of the year. I've been busy so I thought I'd give a quick recap of our past two weeks...(warning it mostly involves food).

First and most importantly, our Friday night spot is closing. We've been going to the same place (Dean's) for dinner on the Upper West Side for 3+ years. They know us there - by name. I'm even Facebook friends with the bartender - is that weird? We heard rumors about a pending close, but it is in fact locking its doors in two weeks. Dean's deserves a whole post to itself so more on that to come.

In other Upper West Side restaurant news, Good Enough to Eat just opened up on my block. It moved from 80 and Amsterdam to right around the corner on 85 and Columbus. The line is crazy y'all. I thought it was bad over on Amsterdam but it's even longer over here and no one seems to mind. The brunch is that good. We had breakfast here this morning and it was so pleasant sitting outside and having coffee before work.

Two weeks ago our friends took us to the Yankees game. While I can't remember who they played, I can remember what I ate. We were lucky enough to sit in the Legends box close to home-plate and ate for free. Yes, free! A rundown of what I consumed - lobster, crab legs, sliders, corndogs, cookies, three bites of ice cream, and probably more but I forget. The next few days I ate nothing.

That same week, I made the trek to BK and went to a bourbon and leather event down in DUMBO. My good friend Liz works for Moore & Giles (I've mentioned them here). The store, Modern Anthology was a perfect spot for showcasing M&G's leather bags, while sipping on yummy bourbon drinks while catching up with a good friend.

Later that week, friends from the sailing trip came for a visit. We had a blast and like most trips with friends we ate our way through the city including this amazing dinner at Lexington Brass. When your friends know the executive chef, you are treated like a king. I wish this happened to me more often.

All that food and drink has made me feel like I need to run and spend time in Central Park with Bailey. And, in the summer, I couldn't think of anything better.

Amagansett, Montauk, Heaven...

Have y'all heard the term hampsters? You know, when Hipsters meet the Hamptons? I hadn't either until last weekend while spending the weekend in Amagansett. You should read this and it will explain ohhhhh so much. 

It's that time of the year when the lucky few jump on the Jitney or the Cannon Ball and head east on Friday afternoons. We have been so fortunate to be able to crash our friend's in-laws' (The Overby's) beautiful home in Amagansett.You can read about our last trip here. As I said before, I could definitely summer here.

Friday night was spent chatting around the dinner table with The Overbys, talking about jobs, summer shares and even politics. On Saturday we walked into town to the Farmer's Market and ate the best bacon, egg & cheese sandwich I've ever had. Why is it that everything is always better out there? And, of course I ran into Eastern NCers who had to stop and say hello since I was wearing my favorite NC shirt. Southerners are everywhere people. Everywhere.

Saturday night we drove out to Navy Beach and watched the sunset, surrounded by all the beautiful people who looked like they just stepped out of a J. Crew catalog. I had my first Mojito of the season, so it's officially summer in my mind. Then, we ate the most delicious calamari salad at Harvest in Montauk. Y'all have to go. It was THE BEST.

It was a weekend filled with lounging by the pool, walking on the windy beach and daydreaming about buying houses at the beach.

And just like last year, we brainstormed business ventures in the hot tub (haven't quite hit the million dollar idea yet) and of course I got to use their outdoor shower. [note: I will have one of these in my home oneday].

On Sunday, we drove to East Hampton for ice cream and jumped back on the train to the city. And, because who doesn't think Penn Station is worthy of a photo, here's one we took, despite the fact that we live here and pass through Penn on a weekly basis. Next time, more photos on the beach ladies!

Doesn't quite capture the beauty of the weekend, does it?

Thank you Overbys for another great weekend in Amagansett!!