Perspective

Taking the ferry to Brooklyn, from my instagram feed @dervlakelly

So, yesterday I was having one of those days. You know what I'm talking about. Those days that fester under your skin, bubbling and broiling upwards until you could almost shriek with frustration? Well, instead of shrieking, I decided to leave my desk and go for a walk. Five minutes and two blocks later I could feel my shoulders relaxing, my feet melting into the sidewalk on this late June day. A few rounds of the Chelsea streets (and a side trip to the Kate Spade Saturday store) and I felt composed enough to return to my office.

Things improved even more later on that evening, with a lovely meal at a new Indian restaurant in my neighborhood [and a rather large beer consumed at that dinner]. And now, as my body surrenders gratefully to my pillows, I can say it wasn't a bad day after all. I just needed a little perspective.

As we all do.

But before you do anything else, take a little trip over to Caitlin's beautiful little home on the internet, where she astounds me post after post. She's written a poem, and put it to music, and I don't think you should miss it.

interior design

If I had a garden, I'd create this cozy summer reading nook for myself. Of course, we'd have to live in Utah with no rain all summer, and that's definitely not happening. But anyway, Mandi at Vintage Revivals created it, and it's gorgeous.

Sorry, I'm always showing you Swedish homes! I can't help it, something they do with the light there makes me sigh and covet. My Scandinavian Home posted this restored Swedish farmhouse. Check out the saddle over the cross beam in the living room!

I love the thought of crafting but never really get around to it. But I think these cute hanging flower jars from Drifter & the Gypsy look simple and pretty enough to try out.

food

Angel food cake hasn't been attempted in this apartment yet. BUT if it was? I'd try out these angel food cupcakes with coconut lemongrass whipped cream from Carey at Reclaiming Provincial.

Cool off during this heatwave (here in NYC anyway) with this insanely good looking summer lemon rye cocktail from House of Brinson. I think I'd like to sip on this while I watch the July 4th fireworks.

Turning on the oven in the summer is tantamount to death in my apartment. These no-bake orange cream tartlets with berries from Ashlae at Oh, Ladycakes ought to do the trick. Plus she's heading off on a 4-month trip around Europe so that's exciting!

fashion/style

I want everything about this outfit on Gary Pepper. I think it would be the perfect dress, bag, and shoes to wear to a summer wedding. Sadly (or not so sadly?) I don't have any summer weddings to attend this year, so I'll have to invent an occasion.

I dream of visiting an empty Met as Alice Gao of Lingered Upon recently did.


Here are some more photos from Alt Summit last Wednesday and Thursday, all photos by Justin Hackworth (sponsored by Atly):