May 27, 2016

FRIDAY LINKS

Finally, it's time to kick off summer! I am sticking around the city for the weekend, and crossing my fingers for warm weather. Annnnddd doing lots of shopping. One thing I love about holidays is there is a guarantee of sales all around. Below the Friday links, I have a running list of Memorial Day sales, and I'll add to it as the weekend goes on.

Happy weekend and Memorial Day! xx





MEMORIAL DAY SALES!
Clothing
Free People - Extra 25% off sale
Home

Other


May 26, 2016

INSTAGRAMS TO FOLLOW

It's pretty evident that at this point, Instagram is here to stay. For me, it's my favorite social media to browse for inspiration and I am finding fantastic new accounts daily. I wanted to share a few of my favorites as of late.


@milkandpancakes
Italy is maybe my favorite place in the entire world, so I love following this account to see peeks of Rome. Plus, I really miss the food and coffee so I can live vicariously through this account!


@TheAcademyNewYork
This account posts three successive photos that are all related in someway or another. It's very creative, aesthetically inspiring, and often times hilarious. Probably the most unique and interesting account I follow.


@TasteofStreep
This one is just for the laughs. I really want to know how this idea come about. I literally laugh out loud every time this account pops up in my newsfeed. And I love Meryl! 



May 20, 2016

FRIDAY LINKS


Last night I went on a lady date with my best friend to see the new SF MOMA. When it first closed for renovations, I remember thinking that three years was going to be forever, and wondering if I would even still live in SF when it reopened. Well, it's reopen and I'm still here! The new space is absolutely amazing, and so much bigger than the previous space. It's by far my favorite museum in the city. I highly, highly suggest a visit if you get the chance. And don't miss Clyfford Still.

Have a good weekend xx. 

Via my Instagram

May 16, 2016

POSTGRAD FINANCE: THREE WAYS TO SPEND LESS MONEY

Between all the apps and online shopping we have access to, it can be easy to wonder where your money disappears each month. I have been making a conscious effort to be more savvy with my spending, and I wanted to share three easy ways to cutback on mindless spending.

Image via Dagne Dover

1. Unsubscribe From Promo Emails -- My mom is a wise (and financially savvy) lady, and she once told me "There will always be another sale". Those words really stuck with me, especially when I see stores having promos more and more often. If you are buying something you truly need or want, another sale will come around. If you are on a budget, unsubscribe from emails from stores you shop in. When you don't get the email announcing a 24 hour flash sale or 30% off this weekend, you won't get sucked in to buying things you don't need.

2. Stop Ordering Delivery -- On lazy days, especially Sundays, it's so easy to just tap your phone a few times and have food delivered through one of the hundreds of delivery apps available. It easily turns in to a habit. However, with delivery fees and tips, it can easily double the price of a meal. Instead, stock up on some healthy, frozen meals to eat in case of emergency.

3. Cancel Recurring or Subscription Services -- When you set up a service with recurring payments, it's easy to just forget about the cost. Really think about if you use services like Netflix or Spotify, and if you can live with out them. Also look into which ones you can share with a friend or significant other (like Netflix!). In terms of subscriptions, do you really need bacon of the month club? or new athleisure every weekend? Really weigh if it is cost effective, necessary, or brings you joy. I quit Fabletics and Netflix, but I stayed subscribed to Book of the Month because it fits those parameters.

May 13, 2016

FRIDAY LINKS

I've been on a real cooking kick lately and recently picked up Gwenyth's new cookbook It's All Easy. I spent a good chunk of time flipping through it and marking the recipes that I wanted to make. My feelings on it are pretty 50/50, maybe more like 70/30, in that the cookbook has some recipes that are simple, unique, and look wonderful. But then there is also recipes for avocado toast and grilled cheese with tomato soup. I think if a few recipes had been edited out, the cookbook would be stellar. Anywho, I'm excited to get in the kitchen this weekend with a couple of the recipes!

image via 

May 11, 2016

POSTGRAD LOVES: BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB

Recently, a Facebook ad caught my eye (finally, good for something!), advertising a book subscription service, plus a discount code to boot. The gist of Book of the Month Club (BOTM), is that each month they have a curated list of 5 books, give you a brief synopsis of each, and you choose which one you want mailed to you. The cost of the service includes shipping, so there is no extra fee after you pay for your subscription (unless you want more than one book from that month's selections -- you can order extra at $10 a piece).

I like this model because it still gives you a choice in what to read. Honestly, I get really lost on Amazon and end up with such a long list of books that I don't buy any. BOTM gives a nice variety of books and honestly I've had a hard time choosing just one.

When my first book, The Nest, arrived, I was so happy to see the book was a beautiful hardcover copy, well worth the money! The April Guest judge was Ellie Kemper (love her!!), and I chose her selection so I got that sweet I <3 Ellie sticker too. Loved the book by the way... keep an eye out for a review coming up!

The current pricing is:
1- Month plan for $16.99
3-Month plan for $44.97 ($14.99 per book)
12-Month plan for $143.88 (11.99 per book)
You can also always skip a month at no additional charge if you don't like any of the selections.

Also, if you want to sign up, they are running a promo for the month of May, use code MAY30 to get 30% off of a 3 month subscription! You can sign up here: Book of the Month Club.

May 10, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO: GOOP MRKT

When I heard Goop was popping up shop on Maiden Lane this month, I knew I had to stop by. 


140 Maiden Lane is inconspicuous from the outside, but the inside is absolutely breath taking. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (huge fan over here!), and is a bright space with mid century modern details, plus an absolutely stunning staircase. If the staircase looks familiar, that's because it was inspired by the famed staircase at the Guggenheim in New York. The American Institute of Architecture actually named the space one of Wright's 17 essential works. 

Steven Volpe was brought in to do the decor, while Flora Grubb Gardens installed all the greenery. It all came together in a way that felt modern, while paying homage to Wright and his vision.


The products in the pop-up were as expected: Beautiful, luxurious, and outrageously expensive. There were gaggles of women trying face creams, others ooohing and ahhing over the full kitchen set up, and a few gently flipping through racks of luxury yoga wear.

I was in awe of the entire thing.


I really wanted to take a home a souvenir and I had my eye on a copy of "It's All Easy". I wanted to take a piece of the store home with me, but a quick Amazon search showed Gwyneth's latest cookbook at 40% off, so you know I hit that 1-click order and walked out empty handed.

Goop MRKT is open through May 22nd.

May 5, 2016

5 PODCASTS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO

I am a regular podcast listener while I am working and commuting, so I wanted to share my 5 favorites. I prefer highly edited and produced podcasts that focus on storytelling, so if that's up your alley than give these ones a try! 



1. Monocycle by ManRepeller -- Man Repeller was the first blog I ever read (I think in 2010..?) and followed religiously. I loved Leandra's quirky style, and her hilarious and insightful writing. It's been pretty incredible to see the evolution of the site and see Leandra become a force in the fashion world. I recently started listening to her podcast, Monocycle, and I ran through every episode very quickly. Leandra is so intelligent and well spoken. She really hits the nail on the head of so many topics that I found myself saying "YAAAASS" and nodding along through almost every episode. I find that she really encourages positive thinking and self awareness without being too new age, as I find some other podcasts and authors. Bottom line, it's completely relatable and you will feel like someone else really gets it.

Favorite Episodes: Vulnerability, Fashion Week is Funny, Saturday State of Mind, Self-Sabotage



2. Reply All -- Gimlet Media produces quite a few awesome podcasts, but Reply All is my favorite. In a nutshell, it explores the human side of the internet. Make sense? No, not really, but give it a listen and you will understand. The stories are captivating and the hosts are hilarious, they really have a gift for storytelling. (Surprisingly Awesome is another Gimlet podcast that deserves a mention!)

Favorite Episodes: The Time Traveler and The Hitman, This Proves Everything, The Art of Making and Fixing Mistakes, Exit and Return





3. Modern Love -- A podcast version of the New York Times popular series, Modern Love has different celebrities read essays that are submitted by readers on the topic of love. It's really fascinating, heartwarming, and funny. The podcast truly explores all different facets of love and the complications that come along with it. It really just embodies what it is to be human. Plus, they have bonus episodes with further commentary and listener stories relating to the previous episode, which I really enjoy.

Favorite episodes: Missed Connections, A Faithful Leap, A Millennial's Guide to Kissing, A Second Embrace



4. Planet Money -- While economics are not my forte, this podcast really grabs my attention and keeps it for the full episode. They explain all things money and economics, and answer several questions that you probably had but never articulated. Like why are Birkin bags so expensive? Why do we tip? How do matzo manufacturers make money? The podcast is equal parts economics, history, and social commentary. All the episodes are very fascinating.

Favorite Episodes: The Fondue Conspiracy, Bagging a Birkin, How Stuff Gets Cheaper



5. This American Life -- Okay, so if you have ever listened to a single podcast, you definitely know about This American Life. But there is a good reason it is so popular. It really delves deep into the issues facing our society as American's, but in a very digestible manner. Some episodes will wrench your heart, some will have you crying with laughter, and a lot will do both. The story telling is the best that I have listened to, and the amount of love and hard work poured into every episode is evident. Also, I want Ira Glass to read to me every night while I fall asleep. A little odd? Maybe, but I love his voice.

Favorite Episodes; Harper High School Part 1 and Part 2, The Incredible Rarity of Changing Your Mind, Cops See It Differently Part 1 and Part 2

May 4, 2016

101 IN 1001


How many times have you thought, "Oh I would love to learn how to surf!", "I should volunteer more" or "I've been meaning to try that restaurant/bar/museum"?



I am trying to make a conscious effort toward living an intentional and fulfilling life. Which includes actually doing, and not just setting vague, lofty plans with no deadline. So, I am going to participate in the 101 in 1001, which means 101 goals in 1001 days. This list idea comes from Mackenzie over at Design Darling, who is the middle of her second round. It's been inspiring to keep up with her progress, as well as other participants, so I decided to give it a shot and see if it will keep me on track to shape my life to match how I imagine it.

I actually decided to start this list at the beginning of the year, but I still need to finish it. If you want to see what I have so far, or follow along and see if I can actually complete 101 goals, click the  "101 in 1001" at the top of the page.