Nothing to read, nothing to read.. just untrue.

Do you ever have the unbearable urge to read something specific, but not know what that specific thing is? Like the perfect book is out there for you and you want to read it so badly, but you certainly don't have it and well, you also can't get it at midnight.

This happened to me last night and I think I must have taken every book off my bookshelf only to read 1.5 pages and then throw it at the end of my bed with a really kind of pathetic disgust. Nothing  was what I wanted. I've been reading a psychological thriller recently that has honestly really freaked me out and though I loved it, I really needed something that I could trust. I know that sounds strange but to me opening up a book is putting all my trust into it, hoping it will in a sense take care of me and not only be worth my time, but won't suddenly scare me in a way I don't want it to, etc. Point is, that book didn't exist on my shelf last night, or at least I don't think it did.

I ended up picking up this little diddy and sticking with it until I fell asleep. It's a novel about birds, and honestly I can't remember anything beyond that. Sad, really. But true. I guess I didn't read very much...maybe it will be that book.

People I Love (Part I)

Part one goes to Lillian! She has been my best friend since high school, and we have been through quite a lot over the years -- has it been 10 already?! Lillian is not only a new mother (to the most beautiful baby girl in the whole world and also my goddaughter :) :)), she also has an amazing blog about being a new mom. It is called Labor, Delivery, and Beyond and it is just really wonderful. I am not a mother but I read every one of her posts not only because I love reading about what is going on with her and Laila (and I do love the pictures), I also feel like it will help me become a better mother for the future. Lillian is just so good at being a mom and reading her blog is like..getting a spoonful of advice that I can store in my brain for later. You know? I just have to give her blog a shout out because not only do I love it, I think other mothers or mothers-to-be will too.

Also, Lillian's tumblr is freakin hillarious. As is her twitter.

<3<3<3<3

Two Shopping Secrets

Two places I regularly visit online to shop because guess what, I don't really ever pay full price.

6pm.com -- Zappos' warehouse (where they send last season's trends to the price slasher. Also you have to keep checking because they will suddenly make a pair of shoes like $20 for a day, then back to "full" price the next).

Yoox.com -- Everything from Stella McCartney to brands you've never heard of from Paris. Again, don't shop the full price sections. Wait for the sale. Amazing sales. Fast shipping. What more could you ask for?

Love my Birchbox

Oh Birchbox, how I love you. Such a great company run by the nicest people. I watch all their YouTube videos like it is my job. And of course, the box. Mine came today! Will post contents shortly...

But point is, I love them.

They came!

Two days later and the wedges arrived and boyyyy am I happy. So so so chic and I already know these will be a staple shoe in my collection. They are by U.S. Polo Assn and I found them on Yoox.com.

They fit perfectly and well, I don't feel crazy tall in them. Success!!

Where I am headed tonight

TK!

I just realized what I've been doing. The whole "TK" thing. I guess I've been in publishing for long enough (2 years) to start using this in regular speech like some kind of crazy person. "TK" is used in publishing (or maybe just publicity) as a shortcut for "to come." So when I say "more TK"  I mean "more to come." I wish I knew why we use a "K" instead of a "C" -- really the only sense I can make of it is that a "C" is not as visually striking as a "K," and therefore in copyediting or schedules or whatever it is, a "TK" will be less likely to be passed over. Does that make sense? I don't care.

TK TK TK TK

Makeup Geek

Makeup Geek. Okay, this is a site I found --actually I don't know how. I think I was searching for a particular Mac blush on Google and I stumpled upon it. Not sure how much I'll really use the website actually. It just doesn't really seem like my kind of thing -- seems to be a website all about makeup, including tutorials, products to buy, and forums. I mean I do love my Youtube tutorials but I have to admit I'm kinda picky about who I watch religiously. That said, I may really get into this website. And this is why:

The forum, though it seems to be a scary wild jungle of posts, is actually a really great place to find blog sales. This is a new thing for me as I didn't know people did this until very recently, but it is AMAZING. Essentially people from around the world sell their stuff on their blogs. Who knew? I am really just interested in makeup (unused or swatched and I don't ever ever buy lip products. Just, no.) and maybe clothing and accessories (but honesly I haven't found blog sales for those yet!). The point here is really that I am super super excited because I placed my first order (through paypal) for the most AMAZING products that I usually could never afford. Never. I can't afford Mac. Let's be real.

For $40 I got (this includes shipping) 2 Mac blushes and 2 Estee Lauder eyeshadows. I've been on a real blush kick recently and I realized that I was only using one blush (granted, a nice one I got for Christmas -- Benefit Coralista is just.. beautiful) and that just 'aint right. So this little purchase I made felt warrented and just was very exciting. I know I will have these for a long long time because I tend to use up my cherished products until they die. And with the addition of these two blushes I will now have 3 (actually 4 -- my Nars blush (forget the name, I know, helpful) has hit pan and is about to go..) that I really love.

The woman I bought these from said she was shipping them out today so I'll post pictures when they arrive.

YAY

Oh and one other thing I should mention.. I realized this quickly. Make sure, if you decide to try purchasing something from a blog sale, that you read the comments on their post. Just be sure that there aren't any about being ripped off or dealing with the products not arriving etc. That's just not a good thing to get involved with. The woman I dealt with was so so nice (she even gave me a preview of the items she was planning to sell and hadn't yet posted so I got first pick!) and she had great comments.

Thinking about all this has made me want to organize some sort of swap. More TK there.

All you have to do is be nice, people, on the internet. It will bring you good things.

Tips and Tricks for navigating NYC

This is coming from someone who used to get hot flashes (not really, but you know what I mean) when navigating. So take it from me, these tools/tips will help YOU! Yes, YOU! I've compiled them with the help of friends but also by reverting to my instincts while in super panic mode.

1. If you're out and about make sure you have your hands free. I'm serious. You don't necessarily need to go for the "cross-body" bag that you see all the tourists wearing, but it makes life so so much easier if you aren't constantly thinking about holding your purse. The crook-of-the-arm purse is a no-go. I mean, I have some of them, but they are always annoying if I'm out and about. I am really a fan of the shoulder bag that also has easy access (for me, not to pick-pockets!!) to all my essentials.

2. This brings me to my next point: organize your purse! Essentials for walking around NYC for me consist of hand sanitizer, metro card, wallet. Literally those three things I might need at a moment's notice! So it is important to keep them handy but still concealed (well, at least the metro card and especially wallet). What I do is I keep my metro card and hand sanitizer in the same pocket (always) near the opening of the purse. That way I know where to look and retrieve quickly. I also make sure to keep my wallet in the center of the purse, always closed and at the ready.

3. Download the free app called NextStop. This is the most BRILLIANT invention for people who can't (or won't) understand the subways. And let me tell you, I've lived here for 2 years and I still use this quite a lot. I of course have my daily routine down, but if I need to go somehwere new I always consult. The reason why this app is amazing is becuase it has a bunch of easy-use views of the subway. Not only does it include a traditional subway map (which if you ask me, is confusing. So just don't use this) -- it also has these sections:

"Favorites" -- where you can keep your favorite subways. I don't have favorite subway lines, but okay.
"Nearby" -- this is very cool. If you don't know where the nearest subway is, this will tell you.
"Map" -- traditional subway map. Confusing and just not good for really understanding what the subway will do.
"Lines" -- MY FAV. Will explain below.
"Alerts" -- honestly never use this but I suppose it would be helpful. Usually you just have to listen to announcers either on the train or in the station. They will tell you if a line has trouble. And remember, if you find yourself in Brooklyn or Queens do not panic. You can get back. I promise.

Okay so the "Lines" feature:
Amazing. it essentially lists all the lines (1,2,3,7,4,5 etc etc) and you can click on each one (the one you want to know about). If you click on the "1," for example, it lists (in the order of how it stops) each stop the train will make. This gets rid of ANY confusion about whether or not a certain train will stop at a certain station. As you may know, subway lines can get confusing because some will stop at all stops on the line, and some won't, and it's just hard to remember OR figure out from the stupid traditional map. This feature never fails. You can count how many stops until you get off, you can help strangers if they are confused, you can know where the heck you are. Oh! And the best part? It acutally works in the subway -- no wireless needed.

4. For navigating the streets, pay attention to which way the traffic is moving. This is key. I don't care what google maps has come out with to tell you where you are and which direction you're facing. You need to understand in real life or you're going to be stuck to a machine that may fail you. You can still use Google maps (I do all the time) but just simply look (you may need to zoom in) at which way the traffic is going on the map. They have little arrows on the roads. Once you've figured that out, simply look around and detect which way the traffic is moving around you. Sync it up and you're golden. Yes, I realize you still are relying on the map a bit, but you won't be literally walking with the phone out in front of you looking like a fool.

5. Take deep breaths. It is going to be okay.

Lifesavers today -- Burt's Bees and new brush

Very very very snowy out today. And what happens when it snows? My skin freaks out (not the only thing that happens.. there are snowflakes and mittens and snowmen and hot chocolate and you know all that good stuff). But basically, in terms of my skin, with snow it becomes super dry. Why, you ask? Well, I don't know.

Luckily I came into work and remembered that I keep my trusty Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme at my desk. Love love love love. It really isn't for everyone but I love the smell and the payoff -- you only need a very small amount and it works wonders. I've had this particular tub for years and it just won't die.

My other friend today came in the form of my new (as of last night) brush. I've never owned a brush like this but, well, I'm a grownup now and we have to do these things.

I recently got my hair cut and now I have these angled bangs in the front that I've never really had. They looked so nice when the stylist blow dried them and I thought, 'how nice." Then I tried my usual - eff blow drying I don't have time for that -- and my hair flipped every which way it possibly could. So bad. SO BAD. I was twirling my hair like a madwoman trying to give them some uniformity. Fail.

So I reasoned that I should probably blow dry them with the same tool (cyllindrical brush) the stylist used and voila! This morning I woke up early, used this new brush (thank you Ricky's on Broadway in SoHo) and it was a  miracle.  A miracle in the form of a brush and hair dryer. A miracle that quickly went down the drain in the form of SNOW FALLING ON MY HEAD. Thanks, snow. Thanks.

Got into work, whipped out the new brush, fiddled around with it for a long long while and well, we're back to being able to be seen in public, my friends. Success.

Another time I'll disclose my secret (not so secret) hairdresser where I have gotten cuts I love for $20 (now $30.. ew). Still, an amazingly-cheap haircut for NYC. More TK!