The end of the year is a great time to reflect on everything that's happened. (Who can believe it's already the end of the year?) It's crazy to think about how much can happen in just 365 days. I'm anticipating big changes next year, which make me both excited and nervous, but in the meantime I'd like to take a look back on this year!

Seeing as most people are taking off today for all of next week to spend time with their loved ones, I thought I'd take today to say Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope you all have lovely holidays with your friends and family filled with love and good food!

As for me...I'm staying in NYC this year, and so far only have a few plans for the next few days - Brooklyn Night Bazaar tomorrow, Christmas Eve at Ikea (well, just to pick up some much-needed drawers...) and then the evening spent at home hopefully snuggling up to some Christmas movies and good food (I'm going to attempt to roast a chicken for the first time ever - I really don't cook, so wish me luck!), and Christmas dinner with friends in Brooklyn. This sounds really not fun, but I'm also really hoping to continue to tidy up and organize stuff in the apartment! I've cleaned up my desk and my bookshelves, and next will be the kitchen, then all my clothes...it's a daunting task, but it's gotta be done!

Happy Holidays! (or whatever.) :)

I have a thing for grilled cheese sandwiches - and by "thing" I mean I really love them. On my birthday this year, I went to Beecher's for lunch just so I could finally try their grilled cheese sandwich. I discovered this recipe for what sounded like an amazing grilled cheese sandwich on Friday, and I made it while we were up in Woodstock this past weekend. It did not disappoint - in fact, I'd say it pretty much rocked my taste buds! (And I'm not even generally a fan of onions.)

Take a look and I dare you to not drool:

One annoying thing about dressing for the cold is that on the streets, no one can see your carefully assembled outfit because it's too damn cold, which is unfortunate. This is my main excuse reason for having multiple winter coats - practical down-filled puffy ones for when the weather is truly frightful, a basic black knee-length coat, and then at least one that's a little more fun, perhaps because of the color, or an addition such as a hood. I recently purchased this coat from Zara (below) and love it (I'd recommend sizing up), because of the light gray, the hood, the knit neck, long zipper, belt, and the fact that it's simply flattering! (Plus the fact that it was only $129 helped.)

Image via Zara

 Everyone should have a coat that not only covers up and keeps them warm, but also that makes you feel good. On the inside. 

Here's a roundup of a few options that I'm loving...

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six

The best part? They're all under $200!

Sometimes J. Crew just gets it right. This time, I'm referring to their printed pants - they have so many gorgeous ones to choose from, and they're all perfect alternatives to predictable dresses or skirts for holiday parties. Plus, once your parties/the holidays are over, take a cue from J. Crew's styling and pair them with a solid sweater and some flats to dress them down.

Happy Monday!

I had a really relaxing weekend...probably even more relaxing than I'd anticipated, which is great! I ended the weekend on the couch watching the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (which I read about once a year and had just finished on Friday). I love that story so much! I do wish the BBC version showed a bit more of the "after" being married part, but at the same time I get why they don't. 

Anyway, this week all I can think about is the upcoming weekend! Friday is a half day at work as it's our "holiday party" (not sure what that consists of...), and then Friday evening we are leaving to go to the Catskills for the weekend! I've been planning outfit posts in my head - I really love having a change of scenery for those!

How was your weekend? What are you looking forward to this week?

One thing I love about living in New York is all the culture and the art scene. With the holidays quickly approaching, it reminds me of a few things I'd like to do in New York that I still have not gotten around to do. Well, there's really only one holiday-ish thing I'd like to do that I haven't done yet, but that thought triggered a few other things I'd like to do around the city at this time!

See The Nutcracker. I've seen both San Francisco and Hong Kong's ballet versions, but have yet to see the New York City Ballet version and I'd love to see it! I say that every year and still have not gone. Tsk tsk!

Image via The Met

See the Matisse exhibit at The Met - Matisse: In Search of True Painting. Although the Matisse Museum in Nice was a little disappointing, I still like Matisse and his use of colors and patterns and I'd love to go see this exhibit. (Starts Dec. 4th, member previews going on now.)

Image via The Morgan Library

See the Beatrix Potter exhibit at The Morgan Library - Beatrix Potter: The Picture Letters. This is probably shameful, but I'd never even heard of The Morgan Library. I mean I have vaguely, but never really paid any attention until I saw a poster in the subway advertising this exhibit. As a lover of children's books and of children's book illustrations, I think this is a must for me! (Going on now through January 27th 2013.)

And finally, although previews don't start until January 25th, I want to see Cinderella on Broadway! I didn't realize this is the first time the Rogers & Hammerstein version will be on Broadway - I guess I always assumed it'd had its share of the limelight on Broadway previously. Cinderella was one of the musicals I participated in (as the Coach Driver, no less) in high school, so I'm very familiar with it! 

I've had a one track mind lately...concerning apartments! All I've been doing after work this week is looking at apartments - I'm sick of being technically homeless, and need to move on with my life! Then, because of my really awesome fun jet lag, whenever I wake up I'm thinking about something to do with apartments. Sunday night was all the stress of figuring out how to move without an elevator, when to pack, how quickly we need a place, etc. Monday was all about which apartment to go after. And last night was all about where I envision my next bedroom to be...dreamy!

Obviously budget-wise I don't think I'd be able to achieve the overall look and feel of all the pins on my Bedrooms pinterest board, but one can dream, right? I do think it's important to try and create a haven in your bedroom though, and I personally love a clean, white/natural/light purple or pink theme...if you couldn't tell for yourselves!

What does your dream bedroom look like?