PROFESSIONAL (W)RAPPER | #HITTIHOLIDAY

Every single year when Christmas comes around, I always hope that there will be more and more people that I have buy presents for, just for the sake of wrapping. I don't know, there's just something about crafting up a beautifully packed present. It gives the person more than just the present to enjoy. Okay, maybe it's just me enjoying things like waaaaay too much. I don't care though, it never stops me from concocting something awesome. 

THE BOOK BARN

St. Mary's By The Sea

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen that back in the beginning of the fall, I took a trip to Connecticut. My friend Diana (hi Diana) has some family there, but that's not QUITE why we went. There's a place called The Book Barn. Yes, you've heard it right, The Book Barn.

Thinking about the logistics of the trip was easy. Jump on the train and ride on up to Connecticut. We'd drop our bags off at Diana's, go to the diner for dinner, have some coffee, do a little shopping and then fall asleep. We had to travel to The Book Barn the next morning!

The Book Barn is in this beautiful little town called Niantic, CT. It honestly looks like a scene, to me, from a Nicholas Sparks novel or something. I always feel at peace when near the water, so I felt somewhat calm when I was there as we walked along St. Mary's By The Sea. 

SAUSAGE & WHITE BEAN ESCAROLE SOUP | EAT

I am most definitely not shy to say that I am probably the worst cook you will ever meet. Okay, I can make things, but it certainly doesn't mean they are going to turn out well. That I can say with confidence. 

I have amazing, fantastic cooks in my life. My grandmother was fantastic, I miss her cooking so much. My great aunt was wonderful. The two of them together was like a ball of Italian fire in the kitchen, so amazing. My dad definitely gained some of those skills and my uncle is a Chef. So there you have it, you get the idea. EVERYONE is great, and here I sit.... horrible at cooking.

There are a few things I make just because I know I can't screw them up, this soup being one of them. I remember my grandma making this when I was young and ever since then, I cannot get it out of my head. When I was old enough to start making it myself, I couldn't find a recipe that she used to follow, so I googled it and found one just to make sure I wouldn't make any mistakes. Now, I just do my own thing.

Honestly, everything this is pretty fool proof and being that I am so paranoid about heat when cooking, I take it really slow on every single step. This is a good thing, because that improves my chances of not screwing up (hopefully).

DEEP CUT GARDENS | MIDDLETOWN, NJ

So whether you have been following me for a long time or you just found my Instagram account/blog today, one of the first things you will notice about me is that my love for flowers is infinite. There are very few things in this world that give me more peace and happiness than flowers. Second to that are succulents and cacti. 

I think it's because they are so beautiful and represent things that are natural and simple, but at the same time have so much complexity. Does that make any sense at all? I don't care.

For the longest time, I have been hearing about this beautiful place called Deep Cut Gardens that is close enough to where I live that I could go on a weekend day for an hour or two and explore. I had heard there was a gorgeous rose garden, a koi pond, a bonsai garden and a succulent greenhouse. Peace overload. 

Let me say no more other than the fact that today, I went. Come on the journey with me.

RIP GEORGE

My plans originally were to relaunch the blog on September 1. When I found out that it was a Thursday, that for some reason bothered me and I didn't like the idea of restarting something when it wasn't happening on a Monday. Although it marked the beginning of a brand new month, I just had a problem with it for some reason. Despite my reservations, it was all ready, content planned, and launch date selected for September 1... until August 28 happened.

TAKING FLIGHT IN FLORAL | STYLE

So if you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat, you'll know that I am so beyond obsessed with flowers. Pretty much any variety of flower in any color, any shape, any size. I just find such a relaxing beauty and inspiration within them, that it always makes me feel happy and calm. I am always snapping pictures of impressive flowers that I am lucky enough to pass by daily while walking to my office. If you don't know, on 28th street in Manhattan there's something magical called the Flower District. This is where a bunch of wholesale (and retail) locations sell the absolute most beautiful flowers I have ever seen

I have always dreamed of an opportunity to walk down this block DAILY, ON MY WAY TO WORK. Even if you have the most stressful day in the world, you know you started it looking at color and life. Also, you know that you'll see it again the next day. It's always reassuring to know that you have something so beautiful and positive to look at.

I've been trying to figure out a way to show how the colors of these flowers influence my life through my outfits. Let me try and take you on a journey to through the Flower District of Manhattan.

POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE | 2016

It's hard to think of many things I love more than the beach, but if there was absolutely anything that came close, it would be reading. I have to admit though, I have learned throughout the process of the Popsugar Reading Challenge in 2016 (that is only almost 4 months done), that I can be quite the reading snob.

I never thought that I would say I'm a particular reader, but I have learned that about myself throughout the past couple of months. A coworker of mine asked me what kind of things I like to read in December/January and I told her that I normally prefer political/historical books, but I would read anything. At this point though, I realize that I wont just read absolutely anything. >>

NEON AMERICA

I always like to start my Sundays watching a Mr.Kate video. If you don't know who she is, I don't know what you're doing with your life. She's unapologetically herself and I can so beyond appreciate that. I also love that sometimes she makes things that I don't love, but she has taught me to appreciate why and be able to explain it. She is a huge inspiration to me and today she put out a video with David Bromstad about decorating around a self-made art piece. 

I decided to somewhat take on the challenge of creating something somewhat zany, but creative myself. You know, Sunday fun day. Anyway! I have been calling this "Neon America" all day long. I just love the idea of being able to relax on a Sunday and make something. Not to mention that I was able to sit outside on my front porch, listen to music and just leisurely so whatever the hell I wanted.

So! With all of that said, check out the process through gifs and photos. Enjoy!

COMING UP ROSES | FLATIRON IN FLORAL

If I could swim in flowers I would. If my life consisted of picking, growing and watering flowers all day long and arranging them, I would be the happiest person in the entire world. If I could make and wear flower crowns all day long, my heart would just combust with joy. Now that we've established that right now it's just impossible to have any of those tasks as my job, I'll have to just settle for taking a walk through the Flower District on my way to actual work. Notice I said for now. 

RECENT FAVORITES | LIFESTYLE

Recently there has been a few things that have been getting me through the winter and I felt like I needed to share them. The weather has been insane lately. It goes from 40 degrees to full blown snowstorm, and then this weekend it was 55+ degrees on both days. You really never know what jacket or shoes to wear so you really always have to be on guard and on the weather app if you know what I mean. Here are a couple of things that have been rejuvenating me lately.

DIY FLORAL WALL HANG

It's nice to be single on Valentine's Day. It just basically means that you can do DIYs and drink coffee/wine alone all day. I normally shoot my blog posts in advance, but today I just figured I would shoot this leisurely and upload it on the same day. IMO, this DIY is so full of love and happiness and I absolutely love it. As you know, my obsession with flowers is so real, so anything I can do with flowers to spruce up the place is a plus in my opinion.

4 PRODUCTS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN IN THE WINTER

I've been pretty open on the blog before about how sensitive my skin is and how many problems I have had in the past. It's not easy for me to just go out and buy any old skin product and use it to the point where I have amazing results. For this reason, it has taken me until now to realize what is great for my skin and what I will most likely always use. Today I'm sharing with you in hopes that you'll be able to see why I love these products and why they're worth it if you have sensitive skin.

MY NAME IS JONAS

As I'm sure most have heard on the news, probably all around the world, the East Coast has just recently been hit with a snowstorm. It was one that was projected to bring perhaps upwards of 24 inches of snow to my area and we only got about 12. 

Needless to say I was thrilled because honestly I cannot stand snow. As an adult I have absolutely no patience for it, especially commuting. For the entire week after the snow (the storm occurred Friday night into and through the day on Saturday), the trains were a complete mess. My commute home was 5 hours on Monday night! I am certainly NOT here for that.

If there was only one semi-nice thing I could say about the snow, it's that it does LOOK beautiful. If you don't have to go anywhere and can just stare at it. Check out some of the photos of what the Jersey Shore looked like on the weekend of Snowstorm Jonas.

NOTES OF NEIGHBORHOOD 6 + A BIRTHDAY CAKE

It's honestly insanely crazy to think that the holidays and my birthday have passed. Another whole year is over and better yet, the month of January is almost completely over. I wanted to share another Notes of Neighborhood with you from back earlier in January when things were still still decorated for Christmas. I hope you enjoy the tranquility of these pictures as much as I do.

Goals On Fleek

As I sit here right now with a full cup of my favorite coffee: black, and a delicious waffle that I made myself on my new waffle iron, I feel thankful and inspired.  After the first week of 2016 has already passed us by, it is kind of crazy to me. Every year that passes, I feel the same way: shocked that it has gone so fast. I always sit and wonder how I can make myself better in the next new year and how I can reflect on what has been done wrong in the previous year. There are a couple of goals that I am taking on in 2016 that I thought I would share. They're fun and lighthearted and that's what I think is the best part of it. Let me share them with you.

NOTES OF NEIGHBORHOOD 5

It has been absolutely beautiful in the city lately and I just cannot get enough. I often walk through the flower district and just think about how much of a tourist that I look like taking pictures of almost every single flower that I see. I don't really care though because I just think they're that beautiful and I want to remember those moments forever.  Here are a couple of recent pictures I look and I hope you love them just as much.