As always, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it? Moving to New York was… intense. Moving across the country is hard enough, but moving to the craziest city in the country was even harder! But we’ve been here 3 months now… where has the time gone?

We have pretty much adjusted to big city life at this point (it was an adjustment even for this Chicago girl), and I’m starting to fall into routines. I have my favorite coffee shop (Joe Coffee Co), most-loved ice cream parlor (Van Leeuwen, scoop of Honeycomb in a sugar cone), and most frequented Thai delivery places (Sala Thai on the UWS). New York has finally begun to feel like home!

This summer has been absolutely insane in the best possible way. I had 3 bachelorette parties, 1 wedding, and 2 sets of parents visiting. All in the span of 1 month. My own bachelorette party is next weekend and then one of my best friends is getting married 2 weeks later… and THEN I can relax.

The one thing that’s been keeping me so sane during this hectic time is reading. I’ve been devouring books lately! All the books I’ve read and loved are linked here on my Amazon page, should you want to check them out.

I’ve been getting a lot of reading from some of my favorite places lately: Cup of Jo, Hitha’s 5 Smart Reads Newsletter, and Grace’s weekly newsletters.

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Links I Love

Idan and I have been talking lately about how addicted I am to my phone, and this article couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

I adore this piece about being a good aunt from Cup of Jo.

I have my eye on this DIY for the wedding…

Speaking of wedding inspo, Bri’s creative and unique invites really have my gears turning!

My aunt made me these Curry Rubbed Chicken Thighs and oh. my. GOD.

Since visiting Israel (and dating an Israeli), I have become addicted to bourekas. This version from What Jew Wanna Eat looks to die for!

Yes to everything in this article: smash the wellness industry.

This story is insane, yet it happened.

Hair discrimination is real, and these women are over. it.

I know this tool is everywhere but it went viral for a reason. I am OBSESSED with mine and use it every day!

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On The Blog:

A little apartment tour!

Traveling to Israel: What to see, eat, and do.

A meal prep idea.

A review of a company that I really believe in.

The post this & that, volume 14 appeared first on love always, audrey.

Sooo in case you missed it, we moved to New York! 8 weeks ago, to be exact. It’s been a complete whirlwind, but we are slowly adjusting to the fast-paced life of New York City. We’re on the Upper West Side, so yes, I am officially Midge Maisel. Please send your New York recos; I’m making my NYC bucket list slowly but surely!

The New York apartment has been QUITE the project, with Idan and I both coming to it with absolutely zero furniture. Starting from scratch was fun but expensive–moreso than I originally had planned on. We ended up using Facebook Marketplace for a bunch of items, and I’m really glad we did.

I knew before moving that I wanted a Juniper Print Shop large format print for our place, and above the dining table was the perfect place to put it.

Our couch pillows are a mix of Homegoods finds, and the middle one is a pillow I fell in love with in Mexico City.

This Wrigley Building print came with me from my old Chicago apartment and was photographed on my  iPhone! Read more about that here.

Our office space needed to be functional but also cute because of who I am as a person.

The mirror is vintage; I actually picked it up off of Katherine Corden before she moved from Chicago herself! I know I wanted it in our New York apartment so I made sure to ask the movers to please, please not break it.

That little house tin is from Monet’s Garden (Paris trip) and I put little memories from different trips in there, like seashells and foreign coins.

I had heard about High & Mighty products before moving and was eager to try them because we are destined to live in a New York apartment rental for the foreseeable future. High & Mighty products work perfectly on drywall and require no drilling and no looking for studs (lifesaver in a rental apartment!). The team over there sent me a few products to try out–here’s how I used them:

We received the 85lb hanging kit, a floating shelf, and a set of 20lb wall hangers.

The floating shelf was relatively easy to install, and required no drilling into the wall or studs. The kit came with a strip that included markers for where to put the hangers. It also had an adhesive backing, so I was able to stick the strip on the wall to eyeball where I wanted the shelf to go. We used a regular level from our tool kit to make sure it was definitely level, then stuck the hangers into the wall and hung the shelf! It wasn’t as easy as pressing into the hangers with our thumbs, like the instructions suggest, but we used the back of a screwdriver for a little assistance and that was totally fine.

Screwdriver in action!

The other thing that the High & Mighty products were perfect for was hanging this giant, heavy mirror. I knew I wanted it to go above my dresser, but there were no studs to drill into in that exact spot, so I thought I was going to have to get rid of it! This is where the High & Mighty 85lb kit was a savior–it sticks right into drywall with no problem, and my mirror is now hanging exactly where I want it! Thank you, High & Mighty!

The post A Little New York Apartment Tour appeared first on love always, audrey.

When the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale comes around annually, I do most of my damage for the year. After all, I live in a place where it’s cold 80% of the time (or so, haven’t figured out the New York climate yet!), so sweaters, jeans, and boots make up the majority of my wardrobe. I used to think the NSale was silly, but after a few years of shopping it, I’ve come to really love finding my fall and winter staples!

They brought back a few favorites this year, like the wubby pullover, Blondo boots, and the Spanx leather leggings.

While I don’t think anything this year is completely out of this world, there are still quite a few items that I’d definitely be adding to cart if I weren’t saving for our wedding. I did snag a few things, though.

P.S. If you don’t need all my commentary and want to go straight to my favorite things from this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, head to The Shop! The Shop is a new page I created to curate my favorite things. Now onto the commentary!

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

SPANX Faux Leather Leggings – $64.90 (Normally $98)
I wear these all. winter. long.

AG High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans – $149.90 (Normally $225)
I’ve heard the best things about AG jeans, and eventually want to get a pair! I’m all stocked up for this year, though.

Moonlight Pajamas in Short and Long – $42.90 for long and $35.90 for short
These PJs as SOOO comfy. I bought 2 pairs for Idan’s sister when she was pregnant and nursing and she lives in them! They are a fantastic gift for anyone, but especially preggo friends.

Lace Cami – $25.90 (normally $39)
I’m going to be honest–these lace camis look weird AF on me. I’m going to order this one and try it one more time, because they look awesome on other people. Maybe I’m overthinking it? Either way, this is a steal!

Madewell 10-Inch High Waist Skinny Jeans – $89.90 (normally $135)
They ran out of my size already and I am so sad!!

Natori Feathers Underwire Bra – $44.90 (normally $68)
Okay sorry to talk about my bras on the internet but this is the ONLY bra I own. Multiple of them, obviously. I buy these every single year because they are the best. Adding more to my cart now.

Turtleneck Sweater – $45.90 (normally $69)
I just really like this.

Suede Miniskirt – $64.90 (normally $98)
I bought this last year and am soooo glad I did. It’s one of the most versatile pieces I own! They have it in 2 colors.

Leopard Print Slip Skirt – $49.90 (normally $79)
Because if you don’t own a leopard print skirt these days, who even are you?? (Kidding)

Kate Spade statement earrings – $37.90 (normally $58)
I thought these were Kendra Scott when I first saw them! Even though they’re statement earrings, I feel like they’d go with just about anything.

Free People Knit Tunic – $98.90 (normally $148)
That French tuck, though…

Wubby Fleece Pullover – $49.90 (normally $78)
This sold out so fast last year so I am considering pulling the trigger… work from home days would never be the same. NOTE: I ordered this in a size small and am returning and getting an extra small instead.

SHOES

Adidas Swift Run Sneaker – $63.90 (normally $85)
I have no idea about the technical functionality of these shoes, but they’re so cute!

Vince Camuto Knee High Boots – $159.90 (normally $239.95)
I reeeeally like these. But I like these even better…

Blondo Noreen **Waterproof** Knee High Boots – $159.90 (normally $239.95)
I have heard people sing praises of these boots for ages so I finally bought them (with a gift card! I promise!). I can’t believe they’re water and salt proof and THIS pretty. Thank you, Blondo! NOTE: Size up on these! I ordered my usual 7.5 and had to re-order an 8! More Blondo below:

Blondo Eloise **Waterproof** Bootie – $104.90 (normally $159.95)
Okay, I also bought these (in the brown suede color). I have no booties left from years of Chicago wear and tear, and I justified that these are *also* water and salt proof!! NOTE: Size up on these! I ordered my usual 7.5 and had to re-order an 8!

Cole Haan GrandPro Sneaker – $84.90 (normally $130)
If you followed my trips to Paris, London, and Israel, you know that I wear these sneakers to death. And they’re included in the sale (!!!). I will say that I don’t know if this light color that’s featured is a true white like mine (it’s called Nimbus Cloud Leather), but for 85 bucks it’s absolutely worth a shot. These fit true to size–I wear my normal 7.5.

HOME AND BEAUTY

Diptyque set of 5 travel candles – $55 (a $75 value)
Okay, first of all I think it’s hilarious that companies use the term “travel candle.” Please raise your hand if you take a candle with you on trips, because we need to talk. All jokes aside, I absolutely love Diptyque fragrances and these little candles are a steal! They’re a REALLY great gift, too. This set sells out every year!

Diptyque Candle and Eau de Toilette Set – $72 (a $105 value)
If you’re going to buy a Diptyque set during this sale, I would think this should be it. It has the best fragrances in it, like Baies for a candle and Do Sons for an Eau de Toilette!

Supergoop! Setting Powder Set with Refills – $39 (a $79 value)
We use a lot of Supergoop! products in this house (apartment?) and this setting powder is wonderful. You know when you’re halfway through the day and realize you need to reapply SPF but don’t know how to without messing up your makeup? See above. You’re welcome.

Beachwaver with 1.25″ Barrel – $133 (normally $199)
This thing automatically rotates to curl your hair. Whaaaaa!!

Capri Blue JUMBO Volcano Candle – $56.90 (normally $86)
It is taking every bit of power I have not to add this to my cart. If you’re a fan of how Anthropologie smells, and you want your house to smell like that, buy this candle.

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Aaaaaand that’s a wrap. Thanks for shopping along! And let me know if you got any of these super sale items so I can be jealous!!

The post Things I’d Buy From The #NSale If I Weren’t Saving For A Wedding appeared first on love always, audrey.

As luck would have it, I am marrying into an Israeli family, and Idan and I decided to do a little pre-wedding tour de Holy Land to see his family there. The trip was the perfect blend of family time and solo exploring, and I am still so sad that it’s over.

When I told some of my friends I was traveling to Israel, they looked at me in shock. Was it safe??? Wasn’t I worried about safety?? I always told them that I actually feel the most safe in Israel… more than Chicago! There is something so comforting about the energy there; I can’t explain it!

I wanted to write a blog post outlining all the best things to do, see, and eat in different cities in Israel so you can see for yourself why this place is so special to me. Up first… Tel Aviv!

TEL AVIV

Flying into Tel Aviv is the coolest thing. If you’re flying from New York, you likely take a red eye and end up there in the morning. This photo doesn’t do it justice, but the view is gorgeous.

Note: If you do arrive in the morning, it is so incredibly important that you keep yourself awake all day to fight jet lag. If you take a nap during the day, you will absolutely hate yourself for the rest of the trip. Fight the urge to close your eyes all day, and you’ll be set for the rest of your trip!

The other most important thing is to hit Aroma Cafe first thing upon arrival. The typical tourist thing to get is an Iced Aroma–I had one every single day of our trip (sometimes two). There is a diet version with much less sugar that tastes the exact same so I recommend getting that! They give you a piece of chocolate with every beverage, too. Aroma is the Starbucks of Israel and they are EVERYWHERE (important when you’re an Iced Aroma addict like myself).

One of the most common (for good reason!) things to do in Tel Aviv is go to the Shuk–the local market. We walked up and down, buying fresh fruit and candy to nosh on later. There are tons of tsotchkes at all the Shuks in Israel, and everything is negotiable. Don’t be a sucker and take the first price–everything is VERY marked up!

One of the most fun things we did was taking Bird and Lime scooters and ride them all over Tel Aviv. Our airbnb was a block away from the beach and boardwalk, and the scooters were aplenty, so we took them everywhere. We went for tons of joyrides up and down the boardwalk!

Sign up with Bird and use code 3XP8GU to get a free ride! 

We took a very long walk to Rabin Square which is the largest public square in the city. For being a huge gathering place, it felt very calm. The koi pond with water lilies was one of my favorite things.

Yashka was one of our favorite places we went for shawarma.

We also got delicious falafel on our first night at a random street falafel place. It’s not a stereotype; there are falafel and shawarma joints EVERYWHERE in Israel. Walk 10 feet and you’ll find one–just be warned that most places will be closed on Shabbat (Friday sundown – Saturday sundown).

We had falafel almost every single day of this trip.

Tons of cool street art in Tel Aviv.

Iced Aroma #13840 of our trip.

This is one of Idan’s favorite desserts in Tel Aviv: Hamalabiya. I will be honest–Malabi is not my personal cup of tea, but this place was BUMPIN on a weeknight; people love it!

Another incredible falafel and shawarma place: Hakosem. I got shawarma but they put a falafel on top so this photo is deceiving. It was DELICIOUS.

We walked around this neighborhood called Florentin, which is basically where all the hipster Israelis live. There is a TON of really incredible street art, so Idan and I hopped on our trusty scooters and explored the neighborhood. We also ate at a delicious Mexican place with some friends called Mezcal.

Another favorite activity in Tel Aviv: sit at one of the many beach bars, order some pita and hummus, and bask in the Israeli sun. We sat out here until sunset!

JAFFA

Jaffa is essentially part of Tel Aviv, but I thought it needed its own section. It’s that good. Jaffa is an old, old city, and the architecture is stunning. You can easily walk there in 30 mins or so from Tel Aviv, or take a scooter in 12.

We went to my favorite, Dr. Shakshuka, twice during this trip. If you haven’t caught onto the craze yet, shakshuka is a tomato-based egg dish that many people eat for breakfast (but I eat for any meal that I can). It’s served with bread and you are supposed to dip the bread into the tomato sauce and clean your plate with it at the end.

If you look closely, you’ll see that behind me in that picture, Dr. Shakshuka himself is right behind me!! I chickened out of getting a photo with him, but I did meet him and shake his hand.

I should mention there are a LOT of stray cats all over Israel. It’s a thing.

The Jaffa Flea Market is the main attraction there. You could walk around there forever!

We got some amazing za’atar bread at Abouelafia Bakery in Jaffa. It’s so aesthetically pleasing, and their baked goods are world famous.

One of the nights for dinner, we went to a blackout dinner at Na Laga’at. The dinner was completely pitch black, which was extremely uncomfortable for about 20 minutes until we got used to the darkness. The servers were all blind, and it was a very interesting experience. I highly highly highly recommend doing this! It was a big highlight of the trip. You do need reservations in advance!

AKKO

We rented a car and took an overnight trip to Haifa, and stopped in Akko (Acre) on the way there. Akko, like most of Israel, perfectly blends faiths;  Jews, Christians and Muslims coexist there in the most beautiful way. Akko has an insane amount of history (read a bit here) and is gorgeous. We only stayed for a few hours, but could have spent way longer here.

The big thing we did in Akko was tour the Hall of the Knights. We received audio guides and walked around this incredible piece of history.

We also visited a really beautiful mosque where a very nice man gave us a free tour. He, of course, wanted a tip at the end, but it was well worth it. They had scarves readily available for ladies to cover their heads, so don’t worry about bringing one!

We also walked around their local market which was all set for Purim, a Jewish holiday where everyone dresses up in costumes (like Halloween, but not.). Hence the masks!

HAIFA

Ugh, you guys, I wish I had more to say about Haifa. It’s a really cool city; it’s all on a hill so you have to walk up and down a LOT. We stayed at the Dan Panorama Haifa which is basically at the top of the city, and our first night there we walked allllll the way down to the bottom and took a cab back up to the top! We were so exhausted! The hotel was amazing.

For dinner, we heard about these two really yummy falafel places that were right across the street from each other. Idan and I, being the competitive people we are, decided to test them against each other. I went to Falafel Hazkenim, and he went to Michelle Falafel. We both thought our respective places were better, so I guess it’s a tie!

Pro tip: Go to both of them and ask for a sample. They will happily oblige!

The big thing to do in Haifa is see the beautiful Baha’i Gardens. Well…. it turns out that the gardens are closed on Wednesdays. We showed up on a Wednesday. Wooomp womp. I hope we get to go back one day! But for now this little view will have to do–still gorgeous, right?

Also, see what I mean about Haifa basically being a vertical city?

CARMEL

Because we had nothing left to do in Haifa, we decided to take an unplanned trip to Carmel, which is Israel’s wine country. I am SO glad we did! Carmel was a huge highlight of the trip; we hung out in the cutest little town and ate delicious gelato and it was just great.

I’m obsessed with my Sony a6000 camera and bring it EVERYWHERE.

Jachnun is one of Idan’s favorite foods, so I happily obliged. It was just as good as he described. We got it at a street place in Carmel!

Walking around Carmel was a true delight; we sipped wine, ate gelato, and visited some very cool art studios.

We also visited this amazing garden called Ramat HaNadiv. It’s so peaceful and we loved walking around! We especially loved the spice garden, where we got to smell all our favorites, like lavender and za’atar.

JERUSALEM

Honestly, Jerusalem probably warranted its own blog post, but we’re just going to go with the all-in-one Israel package.

We took a taxi to Jerusalem, which sounds expensive but really isn’t. Outside the big bus station in Tel Aviv, there are a ton of taxis waiting outside the other side, all going to Jerusalem. You pay a really small fare and share a cab with a bunch of strangers. The drive isn’t very long at all, so it’s not too bad! The taxis are called Monit Sherut and are about 24 nis/person.

The second we arrived at the hotel (the Leonardo Plaza), we dropped our bags and booked it to the Shuk. To say the Shuk in Jerusalem is my favorite thing is an understatement. It’s filled with spices and treats, hustle and bustle, and you will probably never have seen anything like it. This particular Shuk is called Machne Yehuda.

Obligatory “Iced Aroma at the Shuk” pic.

The best thing I ate in Israel, hands down, is Malawach (pictured above). Malawach is a yummy, fluffy dough that they fry up in a frying pan.

At Jahnun Bar in the Shuk, they fill the Malawach with all the good stuff: fried eggplant, fried onions, tahini, hummus, schug, hardboiled egg, za’atar, and tomato. You can customize it, though! DEFINITELY stop here if you’re going to the Shuk in Jerusalem.

The Old City of Jerusalem is the main attraction there, and is so special to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.

The Jewish Quarter is a great place to walk around and shop for goodies. The halls are winding and it’s pretty easy to get lost, but any shop owner can point you in the right direction to where you want to go. It’s also very easy to find yourself in the Muslim and Christian quarters, which are both also lovely.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is incredible. It’s identified as the place both of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus. I don’t know a lot about its history other than that, but there were a ton of people in there waiting in lines to pray at this very holy site.

The Western Wall is probably the most recognizable site in Israel. It’s the holiest place for Jews, and people come from all over the world to pray. People were singing and dancing in groups and it was just beautiful. Many people who visit bring a folded note with a prayer on it, and stick it in the cracks of the wall.

Note: If you go up to the Wall to pray, you will need to go to either the men’s side or the women’s side. I will stay mum on this policy.

Another really cool thing we did was take a tour of the tunnels underneath the Western Wall. It is NOT for claustrophobic people, but it was really awesome.

We also went to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, which is incredible and has hours and hours worth of things to see, including the Dead Sea Scrolls! Definitely worth a trip, and plan lots of time for it!

Model of the Old City of Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.

This says “ahava,” which means “love.”

Israeli fashion exhibit.

We had the MOST amazing meal at Mona in Jerusalem. The food was incredible, and the service was so good. The setting is really romantic and it was the best date night for Idan and I.

On our way back to Tel Aviv, we took the bus instead of a taxi. The security to get into the bus station is VERY stringent, so you should build in time for that. I will say the bus is a lot more comfortable than the taxi, but less convenient because you are on their time table (vs taxis which leave every 10 mins or so).

TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO ISRAEL

• You will see many IDF soldiers with guns strapped onto them. Don’t be alarmed! They are required to carry their weapons on them. You’ll get used to it–and hopefully feel safer because of it.
• The security pretty much everywhere is very stringent. You’ll need to go through metal detectors to get into any public place.
• The security at the airport to and from Israel is also really intense, so make sure you build in a lot of time for this. In the American airport you leave from, there will be a second and sometimes third screening process. You will be questioned about why you’re traveling to Israel, if you packed your own bag, etc. Don’t be alarmed at this either! It’s part of what makes Israel feel so safe.
• Most people in Israel speak English, and all the signs are in English as well as Hebrew and Arabic. Yay!
• Most restaurants and shops are closed from Friday night to Saturday night for Shabbat, especially in Jerusalem. If you want to do any activities during Shabbat, make sure you are NOT in Jerusalem as you will be very bored.
• Pack appropriate clothing to wear in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a very holy city and people will not be pleased with you if you’re baring your shoulders and legs.
• There isn’t Uber in Israel; they use an app called Gett instead, which is basically a taxi service.
• If you visit the Dead Sea (which we didn’t during this trip but I’ve been and highly recommend it!), do NOTTTT shave any part of your body for a few days  beforehand. That much salt meets 1,000 tiny wounds… ouch.
• A few words and phrases that are nice to know:
  • Slicha (slee-ha): Excuse me
  • Shalom: Hello, goodbye
  • L’hitraot (le-heet-rah-oht): See you later!
  • Todah (toad-ah): Thank you
  • Todah rabah (toad-ah rah-bah): Thank you very much!
  • B’vakasha (be-vah-kah-shah): Please

Things To Do in Israel (That Weren’t Mentioned Above)

There are countless things to do in Israel, but here are a few that we didn’t do on this trip:

• Swim in the Dead Sea and hike Masada
• Go to the Golan Heights, Banias Nature Reserve, and the Sea of Galilee
• Ein Gedi National Park–it’s incredible
• Visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s holocaust museum

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5 Days in London
5 Days in Paris
Traveling to Mexico City
Phoenix, AZ Ultimate Travel Guide

Pin it for later: 

The post Traveling to Israel – What to Do, See, Eat, and Travel Tips appeared first on love always, audrey.

When I first started working after college, I would go out for lunch every day. Every. single. day. For a new grad with a photography degree, this habit wasn’t sustainable, and I had to learn how to grocery shop for something other than mac and cheese. In addition, I had to learn how to prep my meals for the week in advance, which has become such a staple of my lifestyle. I gathered some meal prep ideas from the internet, and went from there. I love having all of my meals prepped ahead of time, even if it means spending hours in the kitchen on Sunday! It saves me stress and money during the week, and I always look forward to eating the fruits of my labor.

All of my current and past co-workers are going laugh and roll their eyes when they read this post, because I am such a creature of habit and have not changed one bit. I’ve been eating the same 4 hearty salads (and the same brand of snacks!) for the past 5 years, and I’ve highlighted my favorite below.

My favorite salad to make is a bit of a knockoff of Sweetgreen’s Harvest Bowl. To prep this for the week I:

• Use arugula or baby kale as the base
• Pack goat cheese crumbles OR if you don’t like soft cheese, and prefer a CRUNCH, White Cheddar Harvest Snaps are a great alternative
• Bake chicken breasts or thighs in the Instant Pot
• Roast diced sweet potato
• Cut up apples and cherry tomatoes each morning (these are best cut fresh)

Also, I always pack tons of snacks for in-between meals. One of my all-time favorite snacks are Harvest Snaps! I’ve been eating them for over 6 years, and they are the best if you want a good crunchy snack. They just released a few new flavors that I really like: Parmesan Roasted Garlic and White Cheddar. You can find them in the produce aisle at your local grocery store!

Do you have any other meal prep ideas? What are some recipes you like to prep? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you to Harvest Snaps, one of my favorite snacks, for partnering on this post.

If you liked this post, you’ll also like this one and this one.

The post Meal Prep Ideas appeared first on love always, audrey.

Let me tell you about one of my best friends, Nicole. Nicole and I met freshman year of high school through a mutual friend at a cafeteria lunch table. We didn’t become friends immediately. In fact, I don’t think we were too fond of each other when we first met!

It’s hard to say when we first became friends because after 13 years, it gets a little blurry. Nicole and I became especially close my senior year of high school when we were both in choir, and also had the same job (hey Lifetime Fitness!). We were practically inseparable the summer before college, and I was SOOO sad when she went to ASU and I went all the way up to NAU (2.5 hours away). I spent so many weekends visiting Nicole at ASU, where we dabbled in frat parties where we clearly didn’t belong, along with the occasional road trip to California.

After college, I moved to Chicago and Nicole moved to Brooklyn, but we kept in touch. Nicole and I have a friendship where we can go weeks without talking to each other, but then talk on the phone for 4 hours (literally). I always think it’s so funny when I look down at my phone and realize that hours have gone by because she has always been so easy to talk to and we always have a lot to catch up on. Luckily, last year Nicole started using g-chat, and since it’s my main method of communication, we talk even more.

Oh, and you may recognize her from my post about our calendars we made in 2017! We love working together on creative projects and hope to make many more in the future.

13 years is a really long time to be friends with someone! When I think about how many friendships have faded in that time (even since college), I am amazed that her and I continue to be close. Nicole is sooo beyond caring, sweet, kind, non-judgmental, a really good listener, very creative and talented, and she has a fantastic sense of humor. Who wouldn’t want to be her friend forever?! Nicole’s friendship means the absolute world to me, and I am so lucky that she’s my friend!

A few weeks ago, a new, woman-owned company in New York called Small Packages reached out to me to see if I’d want to send a package to a friend. Small Packages curates boxes for you to send to the women in your life–for any reason and at a bunch of different price points. All of their boxes are either $35, $50, or $100 plus shipping. I don’t know about you, but that’s the best pricing breakdown I’ve seen yet of all the box gifting companies!

Given all of the reasons above, I just knew I had to send it to Nicole.

You write a note to your person and they will handwrite it for you! Nicole has called me “Audwee” since forever so I obviously had to sign it with that.

I chose to send Nicole the “When You Miss Her” box, which had a lot of things I thought she’d really enjoy.

This is the $100 level box, but the other levels have a lot of the same items. What I really love about these boxes is that the $35 one doesn’t seem cheap at all–whereas other box gifting companies will give you, like, one teabag for $20. For example, the $35 box of “When You Miss Her” includes a handwritten card, a fancy chocolate bar, Tattly temporary tattoos, a stationary set, and Fatty Sundays pretzel bites! Not bad for something that makes your BFF feel like the most appreciated person in the world.

Nicole has famous cats–Sola and Luna! I love them.

Another thing I love about these boxes is that they don’t just include knick knacks (I HATE knick knacks)! Everything in these boxes is stuff I’d ACTUALLY use myself, which again, isn’t typical of gift box companies. There is just so much that sets Small Packages apart!

ALSO! Small Packages will be doing a Limited Edition Galentine’s Day box! There are only 50 boxes total, and the contents are adorable and perfect. Get yours here!

I should also mention how crazy easy it was to place the order for my Small Packages box. I did it on my phone on the bus ride home from work… so simple!

Thank you to Small Packages for partnering on this post and for making my BFF feel loved! I can’t recommend this company enough.

If you liked this post, you may like:
How to Care For and Maintain Adult Friendships
The Best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Meet The Artist: Katherine Corden

The post A 13-year Friendship That Means The World To Me appeared first on love always, audrey.

Happy 2019! I can’t believe it’s already 3 weeks into the new year… and I’ve only read half of one book, ha! I’ve got to get a move on this year, as my goal is 25 books this year.

I read a lot in 2018 (19 to be exact!), and since many people ask me for book recommendations, I wanted to outline the best books of 2018 (at least in my opinion!)–and the reasons why I loved them so much.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

I have to admit, the cover and description of this book really did not have me interested at first glance. I actually picked up a copy of this at work on our free table, but didn’t start reading it until two of my favorite podcasters started talking about how great it was! Children of Blood and Bone is a fantasy novel about kids who make it their mission to bring back magic in a land where magical people have been subjected to genocide. Yes, pretty heavy, but this is actually a YA book! The story has adventure, violence, betrayal, friendship, and even love. I highly recommend!

Good book club pick? Yes!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Oh my gosh, this book. I could not put it down once I got into it (it took about 30 pages or so). I so deeply adored the main characters, and was genuinely upset when it was over. Where the Crawdads Sing is about a young girl named Kya Clark, who lives in the marsh in very rural North Carolina. She is known as the Marsh Girl, lives alone, and is absolutely in love with nature. While the book is centered around a mystery, to me it was so, so much more than that. I hold this book close to my heart.

Good book club pick? Yes!

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

The Alice Network is about a young girl who goes on a quest to find her beloved cousin who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during WWII. It also tells the story of a female spy during WWI. The story is told equally between post-WWII and WWI, which is one of my favorite types of stories to read. I love when books jump around between perspectives and times, and I also love historical fiction, so this book really got me.

Good book club pick? Meh.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I loved this book. The Great Alone is set in very rural Alaska during the 70’s, where a 13-year-old girl, Leni, and her parents learn how to survive the winters and wild of their new home. As if their lives couldn’t be any harder on a homestead in Alaska’s wilderness, Leni’s father is an abusive alcoholic who mentally imprisons both Leni and her mother. The Great Alone was hard to read at times, but an incredibly riveting story that I very much loved.

Note: Kristin Hannah also wrote one of my other favorite stories, The Nightingale. If you haven’t read that, read it first!

Good book club pick? Yes!

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

I have a lot of feelings about this book. The writing was beautiful, and it invoked a lot of really great conversations between my friends and I. An American Marriage is about a newlywed couple whose world is rocked when the husband gets arrested and convicted for a crime he didn’t commit. He is expected to be in jail for a very long time, but gets out early only to find out that everything in his life, especially his marriage, has drastically changed. “What would you do in this situation?” is a question my friends and I pondered, and it made for some very lively discussions (especially with our significant others, ha!).

Good book club pick? Yes!

The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

UGH you guys, this book was incredible. I can’t even explain how much I loved it. It’s a long one–592 pages–but every page is riveting, heartbreaking, whimsical, and everything in between. I loved the story so much. The Heart’s Invisible Furies follows a young man throughout his life in Dublin during the 1940’s on. There’s not much else I can say about it without giving it away, but it’s a story of a lifetime of getting to know yourself and how everything in life comes full circle in the end.

Good book club pick? Yes!

Educated by Tara Westover

What a story. While the truth of some of this memoir is being questioned by characters involved, it is a riveting and heartbreaking story nonetheless. Tara Westover grew up in a survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho, and never set foot in a classroom until she was age 17. Educated is a true story of resilience and the ultimate quest for knowledge. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Good book club pick? Yes!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This might be one of the most addictive books I read all year! I think I read this in about… 3 days. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about a famous film actress who tells her entire life story to a budding journalist. They form an unlikely friendship, and it turns out that Evelyn’s life story is not at all that it seems to the general public. It definitely got me wondering about the private lives of celebrities now.

Good book club pick? Meh, maybe!

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

I had a hard time with whether or not to put this book on my best of 2018 list. While I absolutely hated the writing style, I loved the story. The Immortalists is about a set of siblings who go to see a psychic when they are very young–and this psychic tells them all the exact date in the future that they will die. How the teenagers process this information and how it affects their lives varies greatly, and it begs the question: do we really want to know what the future holds? This story is very thought provoking, so I recommend it for that aspect alone.

Good book club pick? Yes!

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What’s Next?

I have so many books on my list for 2019. Read them with me!

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal (reading now!)

The Thousandth Floor Series #2 and #3 by Katharine McGee

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guilllory

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

Choose Your Own Disaster by Dana Schwartz

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Attached by Amir Levine

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If you liked this post, you’ll like:
The Best Books I Read in 2016
Favorite Books of 2015

The post The Best Books I Read in 2018 appeared first on love always, audrey.

Ah, lucky number 13! And the first this & that of the year. I spent the holiday season at home in Phoenix with mine and Idan’s families. We were there for 2 and a half weeks! It went super fast and super slow at the same time. It also was rainy and gloomy and cold almost the whole time we were there… go figure! We also got ENGAGED when we were home! Idan proposed in Sedona and surprised me with both sets of parents there. I am still floating on cloud 9 and don’t think I’ll ever come down. I’m going to do my best not to talk about engagement or wedding stuff too much on here, because I think some things should be kept private.

We also booked a trip to Israel in March which I am so so excited for! Between that and wedding planning, I am staying quite busy this year! My Etsy shop is back open for business now that things are semi back to normal, so if you have any custom bachelorette party needs, I’m your girl!

Sending all the good vibes your way for an amazing 2019!

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Links I Love

This pom pom throw has got me feeling hygge AF. Pictured above!

A few good productivity hacks.

Idan sent me this article about name pronunciation and why it matters so much. Up until now, he used “Dan” as his Starbucks name because nobody could figure his real name out. This is why he’s not doing that anymore. (P.S. it’s “EE-don” )

What’s going on with Flywheel and SoulCycle? My friend Bethany breaks it down.

Did you finish The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 2 yet? It went wayyyy too fast!! If you love the show, you’ll love these books.

This post from The Everygirl breaks down if you should start investing or not… definitely something to think about!

Jess went to Portugal and now I want to go to Portugal.

I am obsessed with this Chicago Gold Coast condo–this girl has STYLE.

My friend Cody started a blog!! Her post about makeup got me–do you feel comfortable leaving the house without makeup?

10 beautiful small towns in France. Also, 10 safety tips for female travelers in Paris from my friend Rebecca.

The staff of Cupcakes & Cashmere review the best things they watched and read in 2018. How many of these have you watched/read?

My all-time favorite fitness studio in Chicago has opened a brand-new Lincoln Park location! It’s right at the intersection of Fullerton/Lincoln/Halsted and the space is gorgeous. They’re doing a week unlimited pass for only $35 right now–email [email protected] to claim. You can’t have taken a class there in the last 6 months to be eligible!

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On The Blog:

The best chocolate chip banana bread EVER.

A fun craft for 2019: mi casa es su casa doormats

Meet the artist: Katherine Corden

A money-saving tip you probably don’t know about.

Gift ideas for the feminist in your life.

The post this & that, volume 13 appeared first on love always, audrey.

On Saturday, Tori and I hosted our annual mug and cookie exchange party! Everyone brings a batch of cookies and a mug ~$15. We do the mug exchange white elephant style and people steal from each other… it’s really fun! And everyone leaves with a baggie full of assorted cookies. We’ve done this every year we’ve lived together and it’s fun to see how it’s evolved over the years… see the group picture from our first year below!

I had one of the best brunches of my LIFE this morning in Lincoln Park at Broken Barrel Bar (Southport/Wrightwood). Chef Bryant Anderson had my friend Julie and I in to try out their new brunch menu and we were both so impressed. We had the Hangover Breakfast Sandwich, the Fried Chicken Sandwich, the Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes, and some really amazing chicken wings. It was so hard to pick a favorite dish! A bit of what we ordered was on the seasonal menu, but the Hangover Breakfast Sandwich and the wings are staples there. Try not to drool looking at the menu!

Not only is the food incredible–Broken Barrel Bar is the perfect place to watch a football game in Lincoln Park! Julie and I were both saying how we’d love to bring our boyfriends back because they’d be obsessed with it.

I really, really, really recommend this place! Thank you so much to Chef Bryant for having us in.

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Links I Love:

This mug cracks me up WAY too much and I think I need it.

This wall art is really cool. And it’s on sale!

This is cute: 6 great things that real bookstores all have.

Hanukkah may be over, but if you don’t know what it’s about, this is an easy explanation for next year!

I made these cookies from Monique’s blog recently and there was not a crumb left. SO. GOOD.

I love my friend Beth’s article about why our generation loves food halls so much. She nailed it, don’t you think?

Is there anything the Barefoot Contessa makes that isn’t delicious? This recipe for crispy mustard chicken & frisée looks amazing.

I updated my photography blog a bit as I’m trying to get back into my portrait photography business! And I ordered a new lens. And I’m taking an online course to refresh my skills a bit. Here we goooo!

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On The Blog: 

An easy dessert bar you can make over the holidays!

Free holiday wallpapers for your computer or phone!

Where to eat in Chicago.

The post this & that, volume 12 appeared first on love always, audrey.

Thanksgiving is coming up so fast! I’m headed to Washington DC for Thanksgiving to spend it with Idan’s family; how about you?

Because I’m not always super useful in the kitchen (unless I’m baking), I thought it would be nice to bring some decor items to spruce up the Thanksgiving table a bit. We’ll see how much I actually have time to make, or how much I can realistically bring on a plane… I pulled together some cute DIYs from across the web that I thought would help make your Thanksgiving a little more fun (if pie doesn’t do it for ya)!

Corn husk candy favors – These are just darling, don’t you think? And super, super easy. These would also be a great gift for co-workers to thank them for a November well done. And they could be great place cards as well!

Leaf napkin rings – These are made pretty easily with air dry clay and add a handmade touch to any dinner table, especially Thanksgiving!

Pie-painted macarons – Oh come on, how cute are these?! Probably not for the faint of heart, but I have faith in you. You could totally buy store-bought macarons to make these, too! Nobody will ever know.

Pie Stencils – Click through for even more pie stencils where this came from (this one was my favorite out of the bunch). Super easy, and again, could definitely be done with store-bought pie (Costco makes the best pumpkin pie!!).

Pumpkin pie garland – SO EASY! And so stinking cute. I wanna eat it.

Pumpkin pie placecard boxes – Fill with candy! You can either place one at each person’s seat, or put them all together into a pie and have everyone grab one later as a treat! Also, if you don’t have a Cricut or Silhouette machine, you can always hand-write peoples’ names.

Other fun Thanksgiving things!

How to host a Friendsgiving dinner 

The post 6 Thanksgiving DIY Projects to Make Your Table FUN! appeared first on love always, audrey.