And it feels so good!

Is there anything better than being reunited with friends? Especially friends with whom a prolonged period of separation feels like no time at all?

This weekend I was wrapped up in that kind of love, surrounded by friends who know me best and who make my life fuller by sharing their interesting perspectives and fantastic stories.

Standing in line for the Prada/Miu Miu sample sale was a joy, despite the cold dreary weather, because I had MBM to keep me company. Our patience was rewarded with a pair of shoes each. Here are some snaps of my selection: Jeweled heel Miu Mius!

Then my dear friends PMH and TPH came to visit from Baltimore and Indianapolis, respectively. We grabbed Magnolia cupcakes, shopped at boutiques on the LES, ate Italian for dinner in the East Village and grabbed coffee at Mud--all while talking and laughing non-stop. In the middle of our busy day we stopped by Times Square to enter the ticket lottery for West Side Story so we could see our friend SAM perform; it's her first Broadway show and she's already the third female lead! We ultimately didn't win tickets, but still had a great time catching up with our former ballet buddy, who was sweet enough to meet us during her quick break between the two Saturday performances.

L to R: SAM, CJM, PMH, TPH

I ended the weekend with a full and happy heart. And a sweet hostess gift from PMH and TPH:


I can't wait to find some spare time to dig into this treat; PMH has the BEST taste in books and a real talent for selecting the perfect gift.

Thanks to all the ladies who keep me true to my roots and fill my life with laughter!
Until we meet again...
Cxx.

Gratitudes.

Based on my blog analytics, I know that (until it was private) my blog received about 200 reads each day. This humble but healthy number really surprised me and encouraged me to keep writing. Once I "went private" and began receiving reader requests from people I either didn't know, or didn't know were reading my blog (including many people I haven't spoken to in years) I was really touched.

Out of this period of requests and reconnections with people I didn't know were reading my blog, a great lifelong friend of mine, JPT, sent me the nicest email. I'm posting it here as a reminder to be myself, and enjoy being who I am, every day of my life. It's also proof of the EXCELLENT quality of people I'm blessed to have in my life. (Let me note that JPT is no shrinking violet: She recently returned to the U.S. after a long stint in the Middle East where, among other things, she studied deaf culture in Yemen on a Fulbright. Check out this video feature the Washinton Post created around her story.)

Dearest C,
Blogs aren't really my thing. Fashion and famous names that I should know don't really interest me. But I so enjoy reading your blog and looking at your pictures because I love the fact that you notice and appreciate things. Looking through your pictures from Paris over the summer made me so proud of you, I thought, "This girl doesn't take things for granted." I love it when I get to watch people who have been so fortunate in their lives, and they see those things and cherish them. I just hope you know how much I appreciate your blog- because it reminds me to look for a lobster on a print or really appreciate a funky sandal design or window display. Thank you for the effort you put into showing me part of your world.
Love,
J

I owe you an email, J, to thank you for your sweet message but I won't be able to express how much your words mean to me. Sending you best wishes on your midterms!

And love to everyone who keeps reading and engaging with me. This is one of those things that makes my life oh-so-sweet.
Cxx.