on January 9th, 2012%
 The Rubbish Bin This weekend we headed to Boston for a short birthday trip. Since my birthday was on January 2nd and most of the museums were still closed from the holidays, we decided to wait until this weekend to celebrate. I booked a room at the Ames Hotel, which is a luxury boutique hotel that opened in 2009 after renovating the historic Ames skyscraper. Usually, we wouldn’t be able to afford such a room, but thanks to Living Social we stayed in the Deluxe One Bedroom Suite (room #303).
Upon entering the room you are presented with a light filled open space. The arched windows are floor-to-ceiling, and the decor of the room is crisp, chic and grand. I especially loved the juxtaposition of the 19th century architectural details with the modern furnishings. Even though I typically am drawn to more traditional spaces, this design of this space provided an opportunity for me to really feel like I was on a vacation. The hotel room in itself would have been a terrific birthday gift in itself. But to make our trip worth while, we took to the streets to visit museums, soak up some history and window shop.
 The Living Space  The Bedroom and Bathroom - Loved that Tub! I gathered a list of places of interest and we weren’t able to see them all but these were a few of my favorites.
 The Newly Acquired Chihuly Piece & An American Art Gallery The Museum of Fine Arts Boston has always been a great destination in Boston. It’s a gorgeous museum with a wonderful collection from all over the world as well as outstanding exhibitions. This weekend we went to the Degas and the Nude exhibition.
 Hermes Windows in Boston designed by: Aux Armes The Hermes in Boston is always a treat because they carry the saddles. There’s nothing like a beautiful saddle and I can only imagine how it must feel to ride with an Hermes. I believe it was retailing for around $6,300.00. They also always have standout window displays.
 The Old State House The Old State House was built in 1713 (!) this building is where Samuel Adams, James Otis, John Hancock, and John Adams debated the future of the British colonies. The Declaration of Independence was proclaimed from the balcony to the citizens of Boston in 1776 and it was the site of what is known as the the Boston Massacre.
 Bodega- interior photo credits: kicksonfire.com and thebostonbazaarculture.wordpress.com The Last stop is Bodega, a men’s urban clothing and shoe boutique. Worth a visit because it’s actually disguised as a New York City style bodega (deli in spanish). When you enter into the front room, also merchandised as an NYC style deli – the miscellaneous items are real that aline the shelves. We actually thought we had the wrong store at until one of the staff members directed us to the soda machine, which slid open to expose the shop.
In addition to the typical touristy stuff, I wanted to revisit my family history and discover my mother’s Boston. Having spent much of her childhood and young adulthood in this city I ventured to the buildings she once called home and photographed some the streets that she herself used to walk. In my next post I’ll describe this part of our trip in more detail.
For more pictures, make sure to check out my Istagrams page, I uploaded a lot pictures over the weekend. Is there anything that I may have missed? Please tell me because I’d love to visit more the next time I go Boston.
on December 12th, 2011%
 Clockwise: 1. Unicorn - Gumps.com 2. Owls - Gumps.com 3. Blaze the circus horse - Etsy.com (cheswickcompany) 4. Felt Critters - WestElm.com 5. Porcelain Origami Swans - Gumps.com I’m finally feeling the Christmas spirit! We decorated the tree this past week, began Christmas shopping and settled on our plans with the family.
Every year that I decorate the tree I reminisce about years past with each ornament I hang. I know it sounds cheesy but really in my mind, ornaments are one of the greatest Christmas elements. I made a point after moving out of my parent’s house to put up a tree every year. In order to build my collection, I started purchasing a new ornament each year. It never failed that my mom took part in this tradition as well (thanks mom!). Then when Jack and I began living together we carried on the tradition. In addition to ones purchased around Christmas, we try to purchase ornaments as souvenirs when we travel.
 Clockwise: 1. 12 Days of Christmas - Potterybarn.com 2. Vintage Glass Strawberries - Etsy.com 3. Vintage Glass Ornaments - Etsy.com 4. Hello Kitty - Urbanoutfitters.com 5. Vintage Indent Ornaments - Etsy.com 6. Mercury Glass Tree - Potterybarn.com I thought it would be fun to pull together some of my the favorite ornaments I’ve discovered across the web this year. I think I’m going to have buy Blaze the circus horse! I hope these little treasures can inspire you to start a new tradition yourselves. Anyone have a favorite holiday tradition to share?
 The Narwhal Whale Ornament On another note, a great place to purchase wonderful ornaments is Anthropologie and they happen to have a great website for their ornaments this year. So great, that almost of all them are sold out! You must take a peak though, they’ve animated all of the ornaments and it’s really sweet! To Visit Anthropologie’s Branch Bunch click [here].
on June 3rd, 2011%
 Brooklyn Bridge by Lauren Gries © 2011 Today I was thinking about my life since I have moved to New York and how it has been in comparison to how I had imaged it would be. I moved to the NYC when Sex & The City was still a show and I hate to admit it, but I was one of those girls who thought I would have a Carey kind of lifestyle. I left my life in small town Connecticut and my boring UCONN education to “make it in New York”. At the time, I only had my parents and my boyfriend behind me. Everyone else, meaning my siblings and friends thought I was nuts for leaving during my third year of college to take a year off, and move into a loft apartment with 3 (at the time) roommates in what was still the mostly ghetto of Bushwick. I had a clear vision of what I would do, but I guess so many people have dreams and hopes that they themselves can never fulfill, I can understand why I had a few opposers.
When I moved in October of 2005 I realized that New York would be nothing of what I expected. The first two days after I moved in, I didn’t leave the apartment. The third, I ventured to the local health food store – Bushwick was still ‘up and coming’. While in the checkout line I read a posting that described an obscene crime to woman that occurred within two blocks of my apartment. With that information, I took my $6.00 tomato sauce and pasta and walked home as quickly as I possibly could without looking like a total fool. On the fourth day, one of my roommates took pity on me and offered to take me to Bedford, the avenue in the most gentrified part of Williamsburg. I had only ridden the subway one time in my life – never before in Brooklyn, and honestly, I was scared sh*tless! Luckily, my subway experience was fine, we got a seat, road the 5 stops down the line and ended up in Hipster Haven. The next day, I finally forced myself to ride the subway alone. I can still vividly remember my thoughts of telling myself to “only look at shoes, don’t stare at anyone.”
 Somewhere in Williamsburg - 2007 by Lauren Gries Amazingly, I adjusted pretty quickly, and fell in love with my new town. My time in New York has made me realize that although I haven’t lived the life of the Sex & the City woman I had imagined, I have in a sense lived the stereotypical life of a young New York creative. My experiences are like so many of my peers who have moved to the big city. My first place was in a shady part of Brooklyn, lived with up to 5 people at one time, worked at American Apparel and Diesel all the while being in art school, got mugged, moved 4 times within 5 years, and finally have settled into having a moderately nice living situation with my boyfriend and landing a career that I truly enjoy.
 Roommates Collette and Mo, from my first Brooklyn apartment - Rafael Fuchs Photography © 2011 e. studio@fuchs.us.com I think the greatest difference between my imagination and reality was how I was really going to spend my time in New York. The television show made going out every night, shopping at Barney’s and eating at Pastis to be common practices. But really, this city is one of the most expensive places to live in America and young people do not do the above mentioned. Everyone of my friends has realized that we’ll always have to suffer the cost of living vs. the amount of income – especially since the recession is still strongly effecting us. But honestly, I think it all evens out, rent may be ‘too damn high’ but there are plenty of other activities and experiences that can be had in NY that are super cheap! My favorites are definitely the free museum days, cheap happy hours and walking . . . a lot!
 Photo of me painting the loft, by Rafael Fuchs  Our second Apartment in Greenpoint - 2008 Photo: Lauren Gries © 2011 *Please Note: I started writing this post a about a few months ago. At that time I had no idea that I would be getting kicked out of my apartment. I was so grateful to have the place we’ve been living in. It just goes to show how life in New York consistently involves surprises and turns a corner when you least expect it.
on March 23rd, 2011%
 David Beahm I know I’m a little late on posting these, but on Saturday I ventured to Pier 94 to visit the Architectural Digest Home Show, DIFFA‘s 2011 Dining By Design Event, and The Artist Project New York. As usual it was a pleasure seeing friends and acquaintances through the DIFFA organization as well as visiting the lovely vendors and booths at the other two corresponding events. This year seemed to have a new vibe and feeling about it as the event was honoring Margaret Russel, the new Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest.
DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) is an amazing organization that’s main supporters come from all fields of fine design and the visual arts. It is one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventative education for those at risk. Since being founded in 1984 by Patricia Green and Larry Pond the organization has granted over $38 million to hundreds of AIDS service organizations nationwide.
The largest traveling DIFFA event that occurs nationwide is Dining By Design, which brings together the nation’s top designers and talent to create outstanding table-scapes and environments for diners of the annual gala to enjoy as well as visitors like myself to be inspired by.
I have made a point attend DBD every year since my participation in 2008 with the Fashion Institute of Technology. Not only is it is a visually inspiring experience, the members of the organization are all amazing people and inspire me to participate in volunteering as well as submitting donations when the funds are available. Below are a few of my favorite DBD installations. Please enjoy!
 David Beahm  Coca-Cola  2Michaels Design  New York Design Center by Coffinier KU  Jesgordon/ Properdom 
 Pratt Institute mentored by Alfredo Parades  Fashion Institute of Technology mentored by Preston Bailey  New York Times designed by Anki Spets of Area  Kravet  Hayneedle designed by Evette Rios  Effon Vodka designed by Tracy Reese  D'Apostrophe  Echo  'Double RL' by Ralph Lauren 
 David Stark for Benjamin Moore 
And my favorite!
 Jeffery Brooks
on March 17th, 2011%
 Bill Cunningham shooting on the street in New York City from the feature-length documentary, "Bill Cunningham New York," ( 2010), directed by Richard Press and produced by Philip Gefter. Last night was the opening night of the Bill Cunningham New York Documentary. I’ve heard/read mixed reviews, but I don’t care. I really want to see this film. I love this man. I work very close to where he usually photographs in the morning and unfortunately, I’ve never had the chance to meet him because I’m always stuck in the office by the time he’s there. But from my window, I have seen him in his blue parka clicking away at the fashionable individuals.
 The Master - Bill Cunningham Photograph by: The Sartorialist One day, my boyfriend was outside my work and I was on the phone with him from the 8th floor. When I was looking for him on the street I spotted Bill Cunningham, so I told him:
“Get off the phone and say hello to that man in the blue parka! He’s Bill Cunningham! I love him!” and Jack’s response was,
“Who’s Bill Cunningham?”
“He’s the man who photographs for the New York Times in the style section, remember the collages?”
“Oh okay.”
Then, he hung up the phone walked over to Bill, shook his hand and they spoke for about a minute (yes, I watched the whole thing). Later he told me that Bill was extremely nice and that he had mentioned how much I respect his work and appreciate him. Thanks, Jack!
I haven’t seen Bill outside since that day. I hope he comes back soon!
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