trying to get a vacay

So it is late March and this is only my second post of the year and I am going to be honest - I've been in a bit of a slump!  Working 3 jobs/7 days a week while trying to be young and have fun and take advantage of the city is beyond exhausting and is a little disheartening what little you have to show for all of your hard work - but then again the beauty of NYC compensates for all of the sacrifices you make.  And so the up-and-down emotional roller coaster I have with this city goes.   

I've been really enjoying my new job job - I had my first event last weekend and think it was a success!  I also have several new consultations on my calendar so I'm hoping to book some fun new interior design projects soon!  I had one this afternoon and I was so inspired by my potential client's closet I seriously need to find a way to make more money without having to pick up another job... 

Besides work... I've been trying to get in shape for summer I've been so happy that I've been able to start running in the park again and have been able to get to SoulCycle once a week - my Monday ritual that gives me something to look forward to at the start of each week.  I've had several friends come to visit since my last post and I have gone to see Aladdin, the Frick Collection, visited Ladureé for the first time, Polo Bar, had drinks at the Four Seasons (where I spotted Iris Apfel!) to start!  So I am having fun! 

Even though I'm able to make time to do so much in addition to work, I have been feeling seriously burnt out and can't find a time to recharge.  Whenever I have a free afternoon or a day off I make an effort to get an extra workout in and try to hit an exhibit or SOMETHING that I've been wanting to see and am at my limit.  I am thanking God that we have this Friday off and I will be going to MN next month for a long weekend and am hopefully going to treat myself to a long weekend in Palm Beach in May because I honestly think I need it for my survival.  

Thanks for listening to me - I love having an outlet to share.

More soon! 

Take Care, 

T 

Happy 2016!

Happy New Year!!  Mine has definitely been off to a quick start as I am still trying to balance my old and new position at work, I've taken on 2 new freelance clients, keep up with my New Year's resolutions, squeeze in a SoulCycle class, and I'm trying to prioritize making time for fun!

I have actually been doing a pretty good job with saving money recently - likely due to the lack of cute clothes out last season (I deem fall/winter 2015 the worst in living memory!).  So I have decided to turn my focus back to my apartment a little bit.  I have added a lamp and this new rug from Anthropologie!  I got both for well over 50% off - I believe you just need to watch for sales on items you LOVE rather than trying to find something second best.  So far this has worked for me!  I love the playful shapes with my clean lined dresser and all of the color!  Even though I have a very small space, the colors and patterns have really made it start to feel like my home!

I call my entry my walk-in closet since I have my two large closets opposite of my dresser and my full length mirror.  I adore how it has come together so far... but it makes my studio feel unbalanced because on the other side of my bed there is still nothing!  I am considering either an armchair or little bistro table and chairs... Hopefully this spring I can pull it together!

Always more to come!

Take Care,
T

Christmastime In The City

Things have clearly been a little crazy in my life - I have officially accepted a new position with Holly Hunt in NY and have a few potential Homepolish clients I'm looking forward to meeting in the New Year!

In between all of the work I've been doing I have been trying to enjoy my time in the city this holiday season while I've been in the city despite the fact that it still has yet to snow!!

I haven't made it to the Rockefeller tree since it has been lit, but I have taken in Bergdorf's magical windows (and every other store on Madison!), explored the most beautiful Christmas tree shop I've ever seen, shopped the pretty vintage ornaments at ABC Home and enjoyed our Holly Hunt Holiday Soiree!

I'll be going to Chicago this Sunday for training until Tuesday and then I'll be going up to Albany, NY to spend Christmas with my family!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Take Care,
T

Nursery Design

I bet no one even believes me when I say I will post more or share soon since I have not given any reason for you to take me seriously!  As much as I'd like to post more often, I've been so bogged down with work, work, trying to be social, getting into a SoulCycle class, work, hosting friends, taking in the city and some more work that I have admittedly put Young, Broke & Fabulous at the bottom of my priority list.  Hoping in the New Year I can turn that around!

Anyways....

Tomorrow I am meeting with a client who I have previously worked with on her living room and master bedroom.  Now it is time to pull together the nursery as she is due in March!  We are finding out the gender soon - but I am sensing it is a girl.  Either way, we want to keep the nursery neutral so the pieces could serve another baby down the road.

Here is one of my proposals (for a little girl):

I am not over Juju Hats and I had thought I was over chevron until I saw this rug!  The crib and lamp are from Land of Nod and the dresser is from Dwell Studio.  I am so into the Restoration Hardware canopy - it is a steal for a pre-made option and doesn't look like mosquito netting.  We want to keep the room mostly greys and whites, but I think the teal/blue color is a little unexpected for a girl and so pretty!  I can't wait to find out if it is a little boy or girl and to see what direction we end up going in!

I will be back!

Take Care,
T

La La Lamps

Somehow between all the chaos of work and trying to take in as much of NYC as possbile and feeling terribly broke, I have slowly continued to feather my nest. 

I am very sensitive to lighting I have learned and  I could not handle all the light in my apartment.  Which is a complaint I have never heard from anyone else, most apartments that I have seen in the city don't even have a single overhead light fixture.  #Tori Problems.  Thankfully my recessed can lights are all on a dimmer, but still.  

Towards the end of summer I ordered a cute little bedside lamp from Pottery Barn on sale and I love it!  The only problem is sometimes if I'm watching a movie but also working on emails or painting my nails it drives me nuts that there is a light so close to my bed, but I don't want ALL the overhead light either.  

My solution was to order a lamp that I had been eyeing for months that finally went on sale at Anthropologie.  It was originally $198 that I was able to get for like $85 with my designer discount plus tax and shipping.  It finally came and I learned for the 12378324892476 time why you should not assumed things!  There is no outlet that the lamp could reach from my dresser which is the only surface that I have in my apartment to place a table lamp!  Sigh.

My resolution is to get a small extension hopefully sometime in the next week and to tack it to my baseboard so it won't be so obtrusive.  It's so cute and fun I don't think I can rationalize sending it back. 

I also need to get a lightbulb,

I have been busy starting work on a nursery for one of my client's, booked a job redesigning a "teen" room and am almost done with an apartment that I had started this summer!   

I will add pictures as soon as I get my lights together! 

All the best, 

Tori

Fall Fix

Hello!

So clearly I have been MIA.  October was a chaotic black hole of a month so full of fun and work I can't really wrap my head around it.  From work events, covering for a coworker on medical leave, booking 3 new clients, having champagne at Bergdorfs, getting to Cooper Hewitt, working on my existing clients, travelling to Notre Dame, starting another part-time job, and having college friends visit it's no wonder I let the time get away from me!

Here's a little bit of what has been keeping me busy...

A couple more updates... trying to get my first project professionally shot, booked another nursery, and saw Karlie Kloss.  Life is good.

Take Care,
T

Bloomingdales x Homepolish

This is way way wayyyyyy over due.  Tonight I attended the Homepolish x Bloomingdales: Small Space City Living event.  It was super fun because 1.  I actually ran into people I know in the interior design industry which makes me feel more settled in this city (and Homepolish colleagues I adore and knew would be there!) 2.  It was at Bloomingdales and 3.  Free prosecco!  Cheers!

The event celebrated Homepolish's cofounder, Noa Santos, designed 3 vignettes representing different small and stylish spaces.  The rooms also showcased some seriously fabulous accessories.  They were beautiful, but I think it was a great setting for a party and to bring  different people in the industry together.  

I am so wiped, waking up at 3:00 am for a flight to Chicago for the weekend! 

I have posts I plan to publish soon!

Take Care, 

T