my faves

Ever since I signed up for Birchbox (my obsession), I've been addicted to trying new beauty products. Below are some of my current faves. I don't usually rave about products like this, but I seriously think EVERYONE should try at least one of these -if not all (they aren't all exactly budget friendly...eek).

1. Best. Deodorant. Ever.
2. 8 Stila lipglosses for the price of one. Need I say more?
3. Most amazing eye cream (not that I really need it -- I had a sample and I was hooked - now cannot afford)
4. Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo -- when you're feeling lazy.
5. Clark's Botanicals Face Mask -- my skin has never felt better
6.  Amika Oil Treatment for your hair -- NOT OILY. Amazing. Obsessed.

What products do you currently obsess over?

now playing

You know how certain scents trigger memories? Music does that for me, but with exponentially more feeling. If I hear Wagon Wheel, I'm immediately back in my friend Kelly's kitchen before going out in Dallas. If I hear The Black Eyed Peas, Meet Me Halfway, I'm on a tour bus in the South of France battling a too-much-wine induced hangover (beautiful drive -- horrible sickness).

Lately, I've been in a serious British inspired mood. My two most recent love affairs have been with Florence + The Machine and Mumford and Sons. I first discovered Florence while studying in Paris two years ago -- before she was popular in America. I was so intrigued by her raw talent, and unique melodies.

My love for her has grown even more with her new album, Ceremonials. It has a darker, more personal edge to it, and it is perfection.

Their music speaks to me. Every individual lyric is crafted with such perfection that I like to think they were written for me.

"In these bodies we will live. In these bodies we will die. Where you invest your love, you invest your life."

"And i'm damned if I do, and I'm damned if i don't. So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road. And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope...and it's hard to dance with a devil on your back, so shake it off."

What songs are you currently listening to? I'm always looking for new music. I hope you all run to iTunes and buy Florence's new album. You will not be disappointed. Oh, and buy the Mumford and Sons album, too!

weekend recap

I fell in love with New York...again.

This was one of those picture perfect, "You've Got Mail", "Sex and the City", "Friends", "Insert perfect NYC moment movie/TV show" weekends. The fall is in its prime, with the leaves in brights hues of yellow and red. It was perfection. 

Work has been a bit nuts lately, so I collapsed on my couch with my DVR on Friday. But Saturday I made up for being lazy, and my friend Dani and I walked all over the city (over 6 miles!) and enjoyed the following...

A walk through beautiful Central Park. Seriously. So stunning. My happy place. A beautiful scenery while gossiping with your bestie. 

We then stopped at Lansky's. And they gave us amazing, out-of-the-oven banana bread. SO major.

After walking around the UWS, we stopped by Levain Bakery for ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies. I'm still drooling over these. Perfectly dough-y on the inside. How do they do it?! 

I, of course, had to stop by Jonathan Adler (my obsession) and pick up a few gifts for upcoming birthday's. I won't share the gifts in case people are reading, but I did pick up this candle, and my apartment now smells like Christmas. So so so so so cheery. 

To end my jam-packed, yet relaxing, weekend, I met up with fellow NYC bloggers at "Blogger Blitz: New York". It was my first blogger event, and it was so refreshing to meet real, down-to-earth people who enjoy blogging as much as I do. Thank you {av}! I encourage all my fellow bloggers in the following cities to go to their nearest Blitz! Thank you Jaclyn for the picture!

I hope you all had as lovely a weekend as me!

happy saturday

What a beautiful day in NYC. I think I'll walk through Central Park, grab lunch at a cute cafe, shop at Top Shop (I need to find a fabulous outfit for Blogger Blitz tomorrow!) and finish the day with wine and appetizers on the Lower East side.

Oh! Tomorrow I'll be brunching with one of my bestest friends. Note: Picture is from college...years ago...slightly intoxicated. So silly.

What are you all up to?

xoxo

11.11.11

Today is 11.11.11.

Woa.

This date will never happen again, and to me, there is something so magical about it. Each day at 11:11AM/PM I make a wish (if I realize it is that time -- which happens almost daily). This is one of the little things that I remember from being a child, and it has stayed with me to this day.

I thought since it is the ultimate "Holiday" for this tradition, that I would share my ultimate wish -- assuming that anything is possible.

...I wish to...


Pack up my life...

Move here...

Learn to cook french food like this...

Like her.

Blog/write/work full-time from this desk...

Or this desk...

And feel as happy as this little girl and this penguin (random I know -- but it's just so darn cute!)

I know this is multiple wishes...but it all starts with my one wish, which is to pack up and move to Paris.

A girl can dream, right?

What is your 11.11.11 wish?

from my kitchen to yours

I love to bake, and to cook. It is a cathartic experience for me, and nothing feels more satisfying then nailing a recipe.

For my first post under my new series, "From My Kitchen to Yours", I'm featuring these to.die.for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cupcakes. I cannot even begin to take credit for this recipe, as it hails from the extremely talented, and fellow SMU alum, Merritt over at Manolos and Martinis.

You must follow her blog for your daily dose of all things fashion, lifestyle and fabulous.

The recipe is super simple to follow, and it yields TONS of yummy muffins. I recommend freezing half so you can enjoy them over a long period of time. Below are the most delicious, moist (I hate this word- but it seriously describes it), and outrageous Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins.

(pictures courtesy of Merritt as well. Thank you Merritt!)

Mix together 3 1/3 cups of flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp nutmeg, 3 tsp cinnamon and a dash of salt together in a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine 3 cups of sugar and 1 cup of Crisco oil, then add to the bowl of dry ingredients.

Next add 2/3 cup of water, 1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin and 4 eggs to the large mixing bowl.

Mix well, add chocolate chips, and then pour into three 8 or 9-inch loaf pans (or do it my way and pour into 5-6 cupcake pans). If you choose to do the loaves, bake at 350 for 1 hour or until done - for the muffins, bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until done.

Et voila! C'est facile. I made these last weekend, and the hardest part is having self control when they're ready.

Enjoy!

new blog revealed!

the Urban Slant 2.0

As you have probably noticed, the Urban Slant got a much deserved facelift! After being so warmly welcomed into the blogging world, I decided that I wanted to take the opportunity to give my blog a makeover.

I see my blog as digital extension of myself, and I wanted it to represent who I am -- down to every last detail. While I'm somewhat saavy on Photoshop, I had no idea where to begin on backend developing, design, installation etc. Enter the extremely talented Danielle Moss.

I heard of Danielle through my good friend, blogging inspiration and also the brains behind my apartment makeover, Alex. One look at Danielle's portfolio, and I knew she was sheer perfection.

Major. Genius.

After a few email exchanges,  I was BLOWN away by her attention to detail, and understanding of how I wanted my blog to look and feel. She was so helpful, and had so many great ideas. Et voila! 

Welcome to the new Urban Slant.

Some of you may be asking how I got the name. Back in college I was brainstorming blog ideas for advertising (my major). Enter the word "Slant". Slant means an opinion, or idea.

Now, why Urban? Urban defines who I am right now - a twenty-something living in New York City. This blog is a collection of all things that inspire me in this crazy jungle, and a place where I can keep track of my latest must-haves, trends, goals etc.

I hope you all like the new design, and that you'll continue to follow and support me. Each and every one of your comments make my day, and I am feeling so very blessed to have so many followers, in so little time.

No new post today, just a big huge THANK YOU to Danielle, Alex and all my new blog friends.

obsession: glitter

First, thank you all for your well wishes yesterday. I feel much better today, and all your sweet comments made my day.

Second, it must be the impending Holiday season, or my recent desire to shine, but I'm totally obsessed with anything that has sparkles. On a recent shopping excursion I found myself picking up anything and everything with glitter.

I have the most fabulous vintage sparkle clutch that I add to most every outfit in the winter time. It instantly adds that "je ne sais quoi" when going out on the town.

Given the influx of this trend in the stores, I can already see myself purchasing many a glitter infused pieces this season. First purchase: this glimmer top from J.Crew. Do you die for it?! I do. I really do.

How will you sparkle this season??

under the weather

hi friends. I thought I had a post prepared for today, but it was having some technical difficulties. I'm home not feeling so well today, so I'll be eating a lot of this:



drinking a lot of this:



and doing a lot of this:



hope you are all having a better Monday than me.

it moustache be the weekend!

Thank. God. It's. Friday. Seriously.

What a week. Any of you have just an insane week as me? I was ready at 9am on Monday for it to be over.

In honor of the weekend, I found this hilarious guide to the crazy Moustache trend. It's one of the trends that still gets me laughing with every new invention. While it's not my aesthetic, I do appreciate the humor. I think my favorite (not pictured) was two pillows that came together in the form of a stache. SO hilarious.

I've got some exciting things happening next week that I cannot wait to blog about. First and foremost, and hands down the most exciting, is that Danielle from Breakfast at Toast (hopefully you follow her b/c she is a sheer genius) is designing my blog. The options look incredible so far, and I cannot wait to share it with you all.

I'll be spending the weekend catching up on my to-do list, and hopefully hanging some pictures up around my apartment. They're starting to collect dust...eek!

Happy Friday!