On the Steps of The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of my favorite places in New York. I have always loved art and going to museums, and living in a city full of celebrated art houses is a dream! This is my second trip to the Met this year, just because I love it so much! My next goal is to make trips to other museums in the city, including the Guggenheim, the MoMA, and the Neue Gallerie.

My mom came to visit this week, and I was so excited to be able to explore with her and spend time together! Friday we headed into the city with Lauren for the museum, Central Park, and great food with great people.

So happy my mom got to visit for an entire week!

I am obsessed with Impressionist painters- it's my favorite style of painting and seeing several rooms full of nothing but my favorite artists was almost overwhelming! Just look at the colors in this Manet!

This Renoir girl and I have very similar poses.

Van Gogh is one of my favorite painters, I freaked out a little over the rooms dedicated to his works and seeing his self-portrait!

Maybe it's my history with dancing, but I have always admired Degas. His sculptures, paintings, and drawings dedicated to the art of ballet and the ballerinas of the Paris Opera are breathtaking. 

One of my other favorite galleries is the recently renovated Near Eastern gallery, full of ancient Islamic art. Everything is ornate and elaborately decorated, like this prayer niche (above). 

This guy laying down drove me crazy- you're amongst amazing works of art get up and get off your phone!

The Great Hall of the Met. I think what I really love about the museum is that it is a beautiful old building with so much history. People go to museums to see art, but the fact that the place housing the art is a work of art in itself makes me love spending a day at the Met. 

Outfit details: Hat, vintage. Vest, Ross. Sweater, Kensie. Skirt, H&M. Boots, Target. Purse, Kate Spade. 

I had to take the stereotypical Gossip Girl picture with Lauren on the steps!

We had to make a trip back to El Centro- I can't get enough! It's hard to find good Mexican food in New York, so if you're like me and are looking for something authentic and delicious, hit up this adorable little spot, previously seen here. 

New Orleans: Part 1

I'm delving into the past for blog posts, as I'm feeling very uninspired lately. So, now is the perfect time to blog about my trip to New Orleans!

I spent a lot of time in New Orleans growing up, as my grandparents were living there and we made the short flight from Dallas to see them several times a year. I have always loved the city, but I hadn't been back since my grandparents moved when I was in the third grade, just a few months before Katrina, save for a cruise we took out of New Orleans a couple years ago, but we were only there for a few hours after we docked. So, this was my first real trip back to NOLA in almost ten years.

The purpose of my weekend jaunt was to attend the wedding of a family friend. Her parents are very good friends with my grandparents, and actually lived across the street from them. Although she's a few years older we spent a lot of time together when I was younger. So, when we received the invitation for her wedding, I knew I wanted to go. I'll always take an excuse to travel!

My mom, grandmother, and I all met up in Dallas, then flew to New Orleans the next day (LGA to DFW, DFW to NOLA, NOLA to DFW, and DFW to LGA all in 5 days!). We checked into our hotel on Bourbon, where the reception would be held, and immediately had to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.

The view from our hotel room.

Dress, Prabal Gurung for Target. Shoes, Betsey Johnson. Necklace, Sam Moon. 

I didn't get any pictures of the dinner, but it was held at a fabulous French restaurant in the quarter, where I was served a full plate of crème brûlée for desert! If your'e wondering how I could get away with no tights and short sleeves in November, it's because NOLA was still hovering around 75 degrees at night. Much, much better than New York at the time.

Saturday was for exploring, as we had plenty of time to kill before the ceremony and reception. First stop, of course, was breakfast and beignets. The famous Cafe du Monde was PACKED as usual, but we found a more delicious and significantly less crowded beignet spot down the street.

New Orleans Famous Beignets and Cafe, check it out if you're ever in the city!

Part 2 featuring the wedding will come tomorrow, stay tuned and laissez les bon temps rouler!! 

What's In My Bag? School Edition

I've seen quite a few "What's In My Bag?" posts over the last few days (specifically these from The Chelsea Way and College Prepster), so I was inspired to post my own! Today is the School Edition, aka what I always, always, always have in my bag before I leave my dorm room.

Lilly Pulitzer Large Agenda//Kate Spade Tote (similar)//Target Notebook//Earbuds with case//Juicy Phone Case//Sunglasses//Wristlet//Laptop

I bought my first Lilly agenda last summer and I LOVE it. I chose the Large Agenda in Lucky Charm and it has been perfect. I like being able to write down everything I need to do for class, all my reading, and important dates! Plus it's the most adorable agenda you could possibly buy, and it'll never got lost in the bottom of the bag.

This Kate Spade Sophie Tote (scored at an outlet for $50!) is my favorite bag right now- it's super light so I can fill it until it overflows (which is pretty hard) and it's still manageable to carry around all day. Right now I'm coveting these two Beau bags (ugh, if only.) 

I never leave my room without my phone, and I certainly never leave without headphones! If I'm walking around campus by myself all day I have to listen to music. I just got a pair that comes with a bright chevron case that keeps them from getting tangled in my backpack.

I always have sunglasses with me, even if it's not sunny when I leave- you never know! 

This little Steve Madden wristlet (which I also have in purple) holds my phone, keys, and ID card. I can't get into my room without either of these, and this little wristlet makes it easy to run to dinner or the gym without bringing a purse.

My new love/obsession/favorite item ever is my MacBook Air. I never carried my laptop to class because it was inconvenient, but my Air now comes with me everywhere. While I still love handwritten things, and I always carry a notebook with me to jot down notes, to-do lists, or blog ideas, it is beyond convenient to have all of my class notes and textbooks in a few apps on my computer. 

These are just a few of the things I carry with me everyday- my bag is always full, especially lately when I find myself heading out the door at 9 or 10 and not returning for 12 or more hours. You never know what you're going to need!

What do you always carry in your bag, either to class or just everyday?