Day 28... IKEA, NY-style

Today, I FINALLY made it out to IKEA Brooklyn to get my very-badly-much-needed-omg-my-life-will-be-so-much-better-when-i-have-this desk. As you can imagine, a trip to IKEA in New York City is quite different than it would be in any other state. You can't just drive there, park, shop your heart out, and then come back and stuff your goodies into the trunk. Nope, you've got to take a... wait for it... WATER TAXI!

{image: timeoutnewyork.com}

So my friend Noel and I met on Wall Street, walked over to Pier 11, and hopped on the IKEA water taxi. And it was surprisingly lovely! There's a nice air-conditioned (tres important on 90-degree days like today) section with comfy seating and wonderful views of the water. The whole trip only takes 15 minutes, and it's quite pleasant. I highly recommend it!

Getting back with your stuff, however, is un peu less glamorous. But I got my desk parts and chair set up for delivery (and I think I may have ordered the wrong size desk top so... that'll be interesting). Everything is arriving tomorrow afternoon, and I *really* hope that I can make it work because I really really really want a desk. Like, now. I want a place to sit and type and write and apply my makeup and eat and all that other stuff other than my bed, which has been the hotspot of all aforementioned activity (no bueno). The desk is large, and if I do make this table top work, then it will likely take up half my room but... whatever! I don't need much walking space. ;) I'll keep you posted!

In other news, I cannot WAIT for my beautiful Filofax to arrive!!! I've purchased all the lovely diary inserts and other goodies to go inside of it, and I just can't wait to get my hands on it and organize and plan and color coordinate and all that good stuff. Why are planners so much FUN?

I am convinced that this whole "job search" bidness will go so much smoother once I have a proper desk and planner. Wouldn't you agree?

Beauty

I am loving this post over at wishstudio about embracing beauty. I strive to surround myself with beautiful things, people, words, images, etc. all the time and everywhere i go. Et vous?

When i went to London to study abroad, i lived in a HORRIFIC narrow and long dorm room. The carpets were foul, the walls dispicable, and the furniture was, well, dorm furniture. I wasn't having any of it. As soon as i got into the city, i set out to find affordable ways to make my room as Carolyn-esque as possible. I covered my sad twin size bed in brought-from-home Hello Kitty sheets and a fluffy duvet. I covered the wall in beautiful and thick wrapping paper purchased from Paper Place? (i'm not sure that's the name, but the one on Tottenham Court Road was FANTASTIC and mere minutes from our flat), found cheap rugs to cover the stained carpet (and made sure to wear slippers at all times), tied and draped colorful pashminas purchased from Paris all over the furniture. I even decorated my door with a fun collage (my roomies made fun of moi, but secretly thought it was darling i'm sure!) I lit candles and incense daily (and set off the fire alarm a couple times... oops). I also made sure to bring stuff from home that would warm up the space - picture frames, colorful pens and markers, art, etc. Even though my suitcases were stuffed to the brim and impossible to drag all over Paris and London, it was all well worth it. And even though i only lived in that room for 3 1/2 months or so, making it mine was so incredibly vital to my happiness and well-being. (I wish i had pics, but sadly, my hard drive crashed last summer, and i lost most of my study abroad pics. Boo.)

People often label me "ridiculous" and "over-the-top" and "excessive." I do not deny being all those things, but that's just moi. And truthfully, i love that about me. I don't settle for ugly notebooks! I cover them, add sparkle and shine, and make them mine. Ditto my office (borderline inappropriate 4 a lawyer, but whatevs!), my apartment (pink, purple and yellow walls), and my wardrobe (skirt today is a combo of 2 shades of pink, blue, yellow, green orange, black, white, red, and cream). Color and sparkle and embellishment of every kind = beauty, for moi. What does beauty mean for you? It could be a soothing neutral palette of soft creams and beiges and pale pale blues. It could be a monochromatic palette of shades of green. It could be ANYTHING, as long as you find it beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - isn't that great??

I encourage you to surround yourself with beauty, even if you don't think you have the time, money, or ability. Little things make all the difference in the world, and i guarantee you will be a happier person.

{all images from Paul Massey photography}

L'Artichaut

If I had an extra $625 lying around, i would most definitely purchase this fantastic artichoke lamp. It's such a lovely lamp, n'est ce pas? I mean, i love artichokes, and i love the color pink (not to mention the colors yellow, turquoise, orange and green), and it seems like the perfect table size. It's too bad it's about $575 more than I'd be willing to pay. (Okay, maybe just $525 more than i'd actually be willing to shell out...)

Le sigh.

P.S. In my humble opinion, the best way to eat an artichoke is the simplest way - steamed or boiled and dipped in delicious melted butter. I could probably eat 5 in one sitting.