Quick update! Wanted to let you all know that I was recently featured on a blog called Fashion My Legs (FML), which showcases all things tights and hosiery. Their editor, Lisa, loved my “Amaze” post in which my look included a pair of sheer black bow tights from Urban Outfitters. Check out her blog for more inspirational ways to wear cool tights. Thanks for the shout out Lisa!
Happy Friday everyone! XO.
Gina
My Mom and Dad are literally two days apart in age. They usually end up celebrating their birthday’s together (much like my sister and I did growing up), but I figured I would give them each their own individual shout out on the blog for their special days this year. So Mom…now it’s your turn…
She’s the one who tucked us into bed at night. She’s the one who said goodnight at the bottom of the stairs. She’s the one who made up songs with our names in them. She’s the one who performed these songs while giving us a bath. She’s the one who always tickled our backs. She’s the one who made us dinner every night. She’s the one who also made us eat it whether we wanted to or not. She’s the one who drove us to soccer and basketball practice. She’s the one that was cheering or coaching at every single game. She’s the one who watched TGIF with us on Fridays. She’s the one who thought of cool birthday party ideas. She’s the one who took us shopping. She’s the one who helped us with our homework. She’s the one who helped us study until we were falling asleep with our books in our laps. She’s the one who took me to her lab and showed me what scientists do at work. She’s the one who helped me apply to thirteen…yes thirteen different colleges. She’s the one who went with me to visit a lot of those colleges. (Loyola New Orleans was particularly fun.) She’s the one who understood the true meaning of being a Terp since she’d experienced it herself. She’s the one who taught me how to balance my checkbook. She’s the one who still pretends we are five years old when we are coming down the stairs on Christmas morning. She’s the one who cooks Christmas dinner every year. She’s the one who has her own special Redskins touchdown dance. She’s the one who makes sure there is always food in the fridge when I come home to visit. She’s the one who comes to visit me in New York City. She’s the one who is afraid of the subway. She’s the one who shares my love of singing. She’s the one who plans our OBX vacations. She’s the one who sacrificed so much for us throughout the years. She’s the one who taught me how to be a woman, a daughter, a friend, and hopefully one day a mother myself. She’s the one who has no idea how much she means to all of us.
She is my Mom.
Love you so much Mernie! Hope you have a fantastic Birthday! XO.
He’s funny. He’s sweet. He’s loud. He’s crazy.
He’s friendly. He’s fun. He’s handsome. Never lazy.
He’s strong. He’s affectionate. He’s lovable. He’s grand.
He’s Italian. He’s an entrepreneur. Always willing to lend a hand.
He golfs. He skis. He dances. He plays.
He smiles. He whistles. He works hard for days.
He cries during movies. He smokes cigars.
He builds lots of things. He has lots of cars.
He makes pizza and wine. He loves to play bocce.
He built his own motorcycle. He loves the movie Rocky.
He also likes the Godfather. And Scarface too.
He quotes movie lines. Probably better than you.
He’s a good friend. He’s a good husband. He’s a good father. He’s a good lad.
This man that I speak of…
He is my Dad.
Happy Birthday Pops. Love you!
I apologize that I am a day late on this post! I originally meant to post this on my Dad’s actual Birthday which was yesterday, but I was on the hunt for some of those older photos. Alas, here they are. Hope you enjoyed following me on my trip down memory lane. 🙂
Happy Wednesday!
XO,
Gina
Atlantic City! What a weekend. First off, congratulations to the bachelorette, my cousin Alex. I think we showed her a pretty good celebration, evident by the fact that she wore her tiara the entire time, and even on the way out of the casino. She clearly did not want the weekend to end. It was wonderful to get some quality girl time complete with constant squealing, dirty shirley’s, sequins, stilettos, and dancing. I am not a huge gambler, but I did get into a game of black jack, the Sex and the City slots, and a little roulette as well. This weekend was definitely one for the books, and I am now super excited for her wedding at the end of the month!
Well, I am looking forward to a little relaxation tonight after a crazy fun-filled weekend. Planning on maybe a little work out, dinner with the hubs, and catching the Redskins v. Giants game on TV. HAIL!
Happy Manic Monday everyone!
XO,
Gina
Ta da!!!
We finally got our Christmas tree up! We had to get a smaller one this year due to living room space. Last year, our couch had not yet been delivered, and we got the biggest most beautiful tree. While this one may not measure up in terms of looks, this year’s tree is definitely quirky and unique. Dressed up in all the colorful lights and special ornaments, we have made this tree our own for 2012. Take a peek and spread the holiday cheer!
Before:
Next on the list: writing my Christmas cards! Can you tell I kinda like Christmas? Just a little? The Christmas cards will have to wait ’til after the weekend though, because this girl is headed to Atlantic City. Girls weekend here I come!
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend as well!
XO,
Gina
Lately I’ve been…
reading Just finished the November issue of Marie Claire. Started Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn this morning on the Subway. I have heard so many amazing things about this book, and I cannot wait to get intoxicated by it!
writing I wrote my to-do list at the beginning of the week with tons of chores and errands to be completed since returning from the Thanksgiving holiday. So far, I have been very good at checking things off the list. Hope to check a few more things off tonight before my trip this weekend.
listening Anything and everything on XM’s Channel 51 BPM station. I can’t seem to want to turn the station…ever. Makes me want to dance. Yes, even in the car.
thinking About some different collaborations and blog posts that I may want to do in the future.
smelling My morning coffee…although it is now afternoon.
wishing That I wasn’t going to miss seeing my mother-in-law this weekend when she comes to town. Yes, I actually like my mother-in-law, and we get along wonderfully. Had a blast with her and the rest of the Notes clan over Thanksgiving, and wish I wasn’t going to miss out on her visit to town.
hoping That the Mayans were incorrect and that the world is not actually going to end in three weeks. I still have a lot of bucket list adventures to complete!
wearing Today I’m wearing black skinny jeans, long sleeved black tee with purple/fuchsia sweater dress, combat boots, and a pink skinny headband. On nights out I can’t seem to get enough of my navy peplum top from ASOS that you saw here.
loving The fact that my Christmas tree is finally up! To my utter delight, the deli on Courtelyou got trees this week. We quickly snatched one up and drove it home (wow feels nice to say we didn’t need to cab it home). We then proceeded to trim the tree and decorate the house all while blasting holiday tunes. Keep your eyes peeled for a post complete with photos soon. ‘Tis the season!
wanting A Hippopotamus for Christmas. Only a hippopotamus will do. Okay, so maybe not really. But while most may find this Christmas song obnoxious, I sure do love it! It makes me think of my cousins on Christmas Eve, and obviously I cannot get it out of my head at the moment. Probably because I keep playing it on repeat.
needing Lunch. My tummy is a grumbling. Hmm…I’m getting tired of the same old Murray Hill lunch options. Any one have any favorites in town?
feeling Excited for tomorrow! After work, I will be driving down to Atlantic City to celebrate my cousin, Alex’s, bachelorette! Looking forward to a much need girl’s weekend including my other cousin, Marisa, and my sister, Angela. The Fab Four reunite. Woot woot!
clicking Through a few different animation studios’ websites. Doing some research for potential new clients and new talent.
What have you been up to lately?
Happy Thursday!
Love,
Gina
***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.
Knitted Sweater Cape Poncho: Ann Taylor LOFT (last season) – also love this tribal poncho from Piperlime / Long Sleeved Tee: J. Crew / Mint Skinny Jeans: ZARA / Boots: Steve Madden / Leg Warmers: K Mart / Necklace: H&M / Bow Earrings: ALDO / Watch: NY Street Vendor / Lip: Lancome Luxe
Happy Hump Day! This week has been all about catching up from the holidays. Between work, e-mails, laundry, unpacking, cleaning, grocery shopping, ordering our Christmas cards, and trying to get back into the gym, I have been a busy bee. The rest of the week is filled with more chores and errands (and hopefully getting that Christmas tree!) I’m counting down until this weekend where I will be celebrating my cousin Alex’s (remember her? also here) bachelorette! We will all be headed off on an exciting girl’s weekend to Atlantic City! Luckily, I was able to find a few festive outfits this past Monday to sport for the occasion. Decisions decisions.
XO,
Gina
Meet Finley…my new nephew pup! My sister and her boyfriend went to Deep Creek Lake for the weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family, so Mom, Dad, Zack, and I got to meet and spend lots of quality time with this little guy over the weekend. Isn’t he precious? Besides, being ridiculously handsome, I found that Finley was actually quite smart! At only 9 weeks, he was sitting, shaking paw and other paw. By the end of the weekend, Zack had taught him to play fetch, and I had taught him to go up and down the stairs. I was very impressed. I am missing this little snuggle bug already.
Long Sleeved Tee: J. Crew / Knit Sweater: ZARA / Jeans: Seven for All Mankind / Boots: Kohls / Necklace: H&M / Watch: Coach / Skull Chain Bracelet: Oia Jules / Ring & Earrings: Passed down from Grandmother / Lip: Lancome All Done Up
Photos by: Zack Notes
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend with our friends and family in Maryland complete with a potluck dinner with friends, two family Thanksgivings, a lunch date with a friend, a trip to DC to celebrate my cousin’s 21st birthday, a jam session with the Notes fam, and of course playing endlessly with little Finley.
We returned to Brooklyn last night and ate the famous DiFara Pizza for dinner which definitely hit the spot. Not that we really needed pizza after all the feasting, but we didn’t have any food in the fridge, so it is what it is. We also tried to honor our tradition of picking up the Christmas tree when we got back to NY, but unfortunately, our local spots did not have any trees yet. I’m hoping the trees will arrive by at least mid week so I can get started on my decorating!
Hope you all have a fantastic week!
XO,
Gina
Dress: Free People – last season, but view current dresses here / Jacket: Macy’s – old – I also like this one / Shoes: Aldo – similar here / Bag: TJMaxx / Sunglasses: Calvin Klein / Ring: Forever 21 / Tiger Cuff: BaubleBar / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Skull Chain Bracelet: OiaJules / Necklace: H&M / Earrings: Aldo / Lip: Kat Von D Homegirl
Photos by: Zack Notes
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We spent the holiday with my cousins, and I must say I am still stuffed! Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce (my fav), green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, chocolate pie, pumpkin pie (yes, I had two desserts) – what’s not to love? After a night of gluttony, I am looking forward to getting a little exercise today. I think a few trips around the neighborhood is definitely in order.
Anyone going out to fight the crowds for the Black Friday sales? I must admit that rather than try to brave the madness at the Annapolis mall, I am going to be in the comfort of my parent’s living room with my computer in my lap doing all my Black Friday shopping. Why stress out in long lines when I can just click my finger and poof! – a package arrives at my doorstep next week? The decision is all too easy.
These photos were taken last weekend in the East Village before a big birthday brunch at the Sunburnt Cow for my favorite Aussie mate. After a delicious meal and unlimited mimosas and bloody mary’s, we headed off on a little bar crawl to continue the celebration. This Free People dress is probably the most comfortable dress that I own, and I decided to pair this soft boho look with a more tailored military jacket and combat boots. Flat shoes were a must with all the walking we would be doing. I think the birthday girl would agree that this day was a “great success!”
Happy Weekend everyone.
XO,
Gina
