When I look back on the summer of 2012 it will be filled with many happy memories. I'm not quite sure how everything came together the way it did but it was the perfect storm of a real summer vacation, working harder than I have in a long time but for a microcosm instead of a small niche and having more fun with life in general than I've had in...well, maybe forever.
I'm usually the type of person who enjoys driving forward. I embrace and love change. I don't have much time or patience for sentimentality. Fall is my favorite time of year. And yet, as fall comes upon us I'm a big ol' jumble of emotions right now. I don't want to let the summer go, even as it gently pulls away. Days are getting shorter. The weather's taken on a chill. Friends aren't as available. Work is calling me back. Like a toddler throwing a tantrum, all I want to do is say NO to all of it. Just give me a little more June. Maybe some July. I'd even take August. I'm not ready for October or Thanksgiving or the holidays. I'm not ready to move on from what made summer so great. I can think of a few days in particular I'd love to relive on a loop, Groundhog Day-style. But it's more the whole of the days spent wiling away that thrillingly blur together in my mind.
I don't know if it's possible to be really happy and really sad at the same time, but that's how I feel right now. I'm delighted by everything I got to do and sad that the living of those days is over. I'm excited about what may happen next but scared that things might not go the way I want them to. They're feelings we all have from time to time. It's just that they're profoundly acute right now. It's time like these when rule no. 32 really applies (Enjoy the little things). Like how the elevator chime on my floor always seems to ding when I think I'm developing a good idea.
The jumble has pulled me inside myself for a bit, and it's been an introverted week. As my friend Chris likes to say, I dress like I need a hug. My clothing is long and loose and kind of swaddles me because I want to be wrapped up in embrace. Silly as it sounds it's comforting. I'm sure more good things are on the way. Just writing it down is a great release. Right now though I'm feeling unsure and everything is just kind of blurring together. The only thing I know is that next week will be better. And the one after that...and the one after that...
In this outfit:
Cardigan: Anthropologie Incantation Cardigan (previously, similar)
Top: H&M open vest
Pants: Levi's Bold Curve Skinny
Sunnies: Anthropologie Split Frame Shades
Bag: Steam-Powered Satchel, the constant carry-all for me right now (similar here)
Necklace: RACHEL Rachel Roy wing necklace (similar)
Rings: Old, gifts
Earrings: Anthropologie Lights Down Chandeliers (similar)
One great thing about being on sabbatical (which has been more active than my working life!) is that I make my own hours, so I can be flexible to my friends' schedules. A favorite pastime is to schedule lunch dates with friends and meet them somewhere up by their offices.
No longer having to rush means I don't have to fly to the subway, race through crowds like a NASCAR driver and be all sweaty when I arrive. There's an express bus that runs practically by my building and the above-ground trip is always enjoyable. If it's not for the people watching it's fun for the scenery.
Meeting a friend who works by Grand Central, I got off the M15 select at 42nd Street and was reminded of the beauty that is Tudor City. They look like castles from the FDR. If you've ever seen the first Spider-Man movie (the Tobey Maguire vintage) Harry Osborn lives in Tudor City. I almost lived here myself, having scoured a few apartments back in 2007. They are very, very tiny. Relics of a past time when blue collar workers lived dorm-style with co-op kitchens and bathrooms. If only the walls could talk I'm sure they'd have some amazing tales. There's also a couple of public parks up there. Well worth the trip if you're ever in town, it's on the same side of 42nd St as Grand Central and the Chrysler Building. Then you can head west to Bryant Park or Times Square if you so desire.
Earlier today I headed back to snap these OOTD photos before meeting another friend who works at the United Nations. These stairs may not go to Heaven but Tudor City seems like an old fairy tale. It's so beautiful. Thanks to my friend Chris for helping with these shots.
I've had a good run of outfits lately which I'll try to snap soon. For this lunch date I didn't need to get too dressed up. The top has a little collar in front which I thought would pass for business casual. It's hard to get a sense of scale in these shots, but my jeans have a 36" inseam and the wedges add a good 3.5 inches to my height. I was 5'11" instead of my usual 5'8". It's fun being so tall! Even with all that tallness the shoes are pretty easy to walk in. Just avoid cobblestones.
In this outfit:
Anthropologie Different Stripes Blouse (with layering cami underneath)
AG Farrah Jeans
Seychelles Hawk Oxford Peep-toe Bootie (this year's version in lace)
Beracamy Steam-Powered Satchel via Anthropologie (similar, a new version will be out at Anthro soon!)
Earrings -- Anthropologie Rainfall Frame Earrings (old)
Ring -- Banana Republic (old)
Bangles -- from LuckyFABB
Sunnies -- Anthropologie Overhead Shades
On the nails: Essie's Merino Cool
