Somthing for the summer picnic

Loving this 'Alfresca Dip' from the Whole Foods site. They described it as 'something between pico de gallo and Insalata Caprese. Uh...that sounds scrumptious. We put the furniture out on the deck last Friday...here's hoping we can sit outside and enjoy a bit of this with a little crostini and a splash of wine...sometime...anytime soon :)

Can the iPhone be far behind?

Aren't these iTouch cases from Pantone the coolest things you have ever seen? Available in Apple stores as of May 25, the cases are also available in black and magenta. Love!

*Via Refinery 29

You've simply got to get one

I dragged my feet for weeks on getting this awesome cold cup from Starbucks...but I finally did and can I tell you how much I love it. Oh man, this little baby is not going to get a rest this summer (assuming it ever shows up ... ugh :) Not only is this cup perfect for my favorite summer drink of all time ... ICED COFFEEEEEEEEEEE ... it is perfect for my morning water with lemon routine. 

*Ironically, Laura just bought the very same cup for herself...here is hers...basking in the sun. Mine is not having nearly as much fun at the reference desk with me :)

A KatieP uniform

You know what I am going to say...don't you? I love love LOVE this look! From Madewell, I think this combo of the relaxed wide-leg jean and the stripped shirt (not to mention that great looking belt and those shoes) are IT. Why on earth does anyone need another outfit if they have this in their closet!

A nautical theme

Who doesn't love this anchor pendant necklace from Lands End Canvas? Smashing!

One more reason to love Starbucks

As if I needed another reason to love the coffee powerhouse...my favorite store (the one located in the student union on campus) let me participate in their end-of-the year graduation festivities. I'm not sure I ever looked better :)

And thank you to Benita, the store manager, who (very informally) named me 'Customer of the Year'!

One word...Bill

A lot has been written on Ooh La La Du Jour about street fashion photographer, Bill Cunningham. KJ and I have been fans of his NY Times column for many years and our wonderful guest blogger, JP Pullos has even worked along side the man. I finally had the chance to see the documentary Bill Cunningham New York this weekend and ... well ... there are just no words to describe how much I adore this man...how much I admire him, not just for his work but as a human being. If you have a chance, re-read KJ's fabulous perspective on this film and on the man because I could not agree with her more. Also try to re-read JP's post, which gives an amazing insider perspective.

Just a few choice words to describe Bill...hmmm...how about humble, talented, intelligent and creative...but more than that, there is something about his philosophy of life and work that makes him truly the most unique person I can recall in recent memory. He lives simply and (there's that word again) humbly. In fact, if everyone lived and acted like this man, it goes without saying that the world would be a truly lovely place. His single-minded passion for fashion is like nothing you have ever seen. The integrity of his work is something mere mortals like ourselves can only hope to marginally acheive. You know, when I left the theater on Friday night...I felt better about humanity...and I can't remember the last time someone made me feel like that.

It seems that anything I write will not do this man and this documentary justice. We ran into a dear friend at the theater before the screening who had already seen the film (twice) and she said, "You just have to see it to believe it'. Very well said. I could write all day about Bill Cunningham and I still won't be able to do him the justice he deserves...which is kind of frustrating...but something I accept. The richness of his character, the depth of his talent, the strength of his integrity..I am just not a strong enough writer to ever capture all these elements of the man. Thankfully, we have a film that does. And we have Bill...who, by the very way he lives his life, give us all something to aspire to.

What a difference 6 months makes

Anyone remember this, not-so-fun shot I took on the Dec. 1? The view from my office window on our first snowy day...

...and here we are 6 months later...same view...totally different mood. You know, I love winter but nothing...NOTHING...beats a gorgeous, warm, and sunny day!

Wonky blogger...wonky week...and Friday the 13th to boot!

I have no idea what was in the water this week but everything seemed a bit off...don't you think? Well, for starters, blogspot has been out of commission for like, a day. Kind of threw the whole blogging rhythm off but then again, it's been tough for me to keep up with my '2-a-day'post rule lately anyway. I already mentioned that graduation is this Sunday and has posed a major distraction all week. The preparations continue (above) as spring finally hits Rochester :)

The usual Chris-related chaos continues at home. He has about one billion things he is trying to do at once...so the trickle down to me is a whole lot of troubleshooting. This photo from the Death Valley shoot just says it all...yes, that is Chris on the motorcycle in the background and yes, he is wearing a zebra-suit. Tell me Mike (the first AD on the project) isn't saying it all with that look.

Baby Jack turns 11 months old today. He was a little under the weather all week, but that didn't stop KJ from snapping this awesome, "Who you think you dealing with' pic of our favorite boy.

The Lilac Festival officially kicked off on this gorgeous spring afternoon and according to all sources, the guests of honor are in full bloom. OK, this poster is from last year but I have to admit I think it's adorable and way cuter than this year's version.

And finally, finally, finally after months of waiting, I am headed to see Bill Cunningham New York  this weekend. I can barely contain my excitement! Have a fabulous weekend kids! We totally earned this one!

Light on the posts...heavy on the nostalgia

It is senior week here at the U of R and the 161st commencement will take place this Sunday, May 15. The graduating class of 2011, began their work here back in September of 2007, which will always be very significant to me since I was away during that time. I think I will always identify closely with the class of 2011...so happy I've been able to watch them advance through their senior year. As much as I love the excitement of the beginning of the school year, this week is my favorite on campus. Our wonderful guest blogger JP Pullos said to me, on the event of his graduation in 1998, that the ceremony and tradition of this time is really enveloped in every imaginable emotion. I always remember the way he described  it as an end and a beginning, how family swarmed in and how pride ran rampant but expectations ran even higher.

It's at this time of year that I feel so lucky to work on a college campus. As preparations are made and seniors take in all that they've accomplished, I realize how much I enjoy being even a tiny part of their lives during this truly unforgettable time. 

Kudos Class of 2011! I won't forget you any time soon :)

Must have bathing suit!

A few weeks back I was yammering on about a bathing suit I spotted in the latest issue of Fitness mag but I could not find an image of it. Well, here it is!! Still not on Old Navy.com but you can see it on the Fitness website. I haven't checked the stores yet but I have simply got to get this adorable suit for my upcoming Key Largo trip! Fitness has this listed as a good suit for pear-shapes...I think it will look awesome on just about anyone.

Carolina Jr. in Lonny

Anyone who knows me know I love love love Carolina Herrera Jr. She is my style-hero and I would give my right arm to walk in her proverbial shoes, for just one day. If you aren't familiar with her, please, please, please check out the feature on her in the latest Lonny Magazine.

You know what is coming next...Ooh La La!!!!

Guest Blog - Amy Cakes

It blows my mind sometimes to think about all the amazing talent that my friends have. Close to the top of that Most Talented list is my good friend Amy DeGiulio, who crafts these amazingly gorgeous flowers out of sugar. I mean, really, when you get down to it, she's a sculptor and a gifted one at that. Check out her site. Her creations are truly phenomenal. Not to mention that all of the ingredients that go into her cakes and her flowers are all organic and local. How sweet is that?

~JP Pullos

A second chance

For those of us who missed out on the super cool, stripey dress from the Lands End Canvas line (that sold out in like, a second) here's another fab version...by Madewell. Smashing.

If only... - LCM

...these lovely ladies worked in every library :)  Please check out the amazing Etsy shop Janet Hill Ink that I found (via Laura...as usual). The library-themed works will absolutely knock...you...out but wow!!! there are so many gorgeous pieces, I can hardly stop myself from ordering them all. Love!