Tori's Pretty Weekly Wrapping - New York, New York

Flatiron, Manhattan, New York

Never in my life did I think that I'd miss the New York housing market.

You heard right. I actually miss the insanity that is living and renting in New York.

Apparently the Toronto housing market? Honey, that's a wholeeeeee new ball game!

Long story short, this gorgeous condo that we rent (with the stunning views you saw here and here) is being sold. Thankfully, we're mid-lease and so locked in at least until that ends. But the possible outcomes are quite stressful - as is letting strangers into your home on the daily!

Fingers crossed that it's a whole lot of stress for nothing and we end up getting to live here for as long as we'd like. We'll certainly see either way!

So for today, I'm just going to live in the glory that is and was New York. That beautiful, strong, vibrant city. The place I used to call home and moseyed off to last weekend to celebrate B's 30th.

Are you ready for those fun-filled details? Then let's start wrapping!

This Week's Pretty Nails:

OPI My Favorite Ornament (old, similar), OPI Fiercely Fiona Mini (old, similar)

This week I wanted bright, simple, and a subtle homage to B's 30th birthday.

Enter a simple soft gold and B's favorite color paired up in this Moroccan-print accent. 

Wearing:
OPI My Favorite Ornament (old, similar), OPI Fiercely Fiona (old, similar)

I love, love, love the What's Up Nails nail art vinyls. They make straight lines and french manis so stinkin' easy!

However, I just can't get their Moroccan vinyls to work well. This was my 2nd attempt and they just don't peel up clean for me, requiring a little too much design clean up.

I love the look but I'm not a fan of the effort it took to get there. That said, these straight and x vinyls are beautiful and much easier to work with :).

Wearing:
OPI My Favorite Ornament (similar), OPI Fiercely Fiona (similar)

As far as the polish goes, this is such an easy look to re-create!

Buttery spring yellow and light gold sparkle compliment each other so well - but also don't look like your inner child went cray-cray :).

This Week's Pretty Makeup:

Wearing:
brow pencil, brow gel, crease shade, inner 1/2 lid - old  (similar), outter 1/2 lid - old (similar),
liquid liner, mascara, blush, lipstick, pearls

It's mid-last week and I'm three days deep into re-creating the no-makeup makeup look.

I once again reach for my mascara when the eyeshadow draw catches my eye. I'm drawn, once again, to oohing and aahing at the aqua, magenta, emerald, and copper shades.

Usually, I think, "Oh, so pretty! But I just can't make this work for daytime."

Wearing:
brow pencil, brow gel, crease shade, inner 1/2 lid - old (similar), outter 1/2 lid - old (similar),
liquid liner, mascara, blush, lipstick

Well, you know what? That day I said, "Challenge accepted!"

Ages ago, I picked up the three Disney-inspired Sephora eyeshadow palettes. So I grabbed Cinderella and used the shimmery french vanilla shade, Charming, on the inner half of my lid. I then swept the light minty shade, Destined, on the outer half of my lid.

I threw Naked, a matte light brown shade, in the crease and added my usual liquid liner. I popped a pinky nude on the lips and ended up with a perfect spring makeup look.

This combo is such a lovely way to wear a little color in a very daytime-appropriate way!

PS - I took these photos the day after I got my haircut and oh my wow did those curls brush out into perfect old Hollywood waves! Another plus for this look as a whole :)

This Week's Pretty City:

Downtown Manhattan at night - view from hotel, New York City

Last week, I shared that B and I were headed back to the city we used to call home.

Oh, New York. It was so good to see you again! I didn't realize how much I missed you until your views once again melted my heart.

Downtown Manhattan in day - view from hotel, New York City

If you're planning to visit New York, I highly recommend our go-to hotel, the Wyndham Chinatown.

The rooms are great and moderately priced. The staff is friendly. Plus, you could really luck out with some stunning views like we did!

Downtown Manhattan at dusk - view from hotel, New York City

It also tugs a bit at our heart strings because you're smack in the middle of our old stomping grounds. You really can't get more old New York than Bowery and Canal St.

I mean, look at that sunset? That Manhattan skyline just gives me all those "New York State of Mind" feels...::Heart Eyes::

This Week's Pretty Life:

B's 30th Birthday celebration!

Aside from those gorgeous views, I got to look at this gorgeous view as I celebrated the man I love starting out the next decade ;).

We began on Saturday with an early dinner reservation at Uncle Boon's, a delicious and authentic Thai restaurant in NoLita.

Rotisserie Chicken and Thai dipping sauces - Uncle Boon's, Nolita, NYC

I cannot recommend this place enough. It's so popular that I made reservations 3 weeks out...and even then there was a line to get in the door!

I'm still discovering Thai cuisine, so some dishes are still hit or miss for my palette. But would you just look at how perfectly roasted that chicken is?!

And that red sauce? Oh my god, I could bathe in that sweet and tangy deliciousness!

Copper and Oak Whiskey Bar, Lower East Side, NYC

After dinner, my sneaky surprises began!

B isn't much of a planner but I couldn't let such a big birthday pass without a bit of a shindig. So all last week I worked in cahoots with his closest buddies to plan a surprise hurrah :).

The first oart of the surprise was taking him to Copper & Oak, a great little whiskey bar in the Lower East Side. B's drink of choice is whiskey and, with a menu of over 180 options, Copper & Oak was not in short supply!

Then, one by one, familiar face after familiar face walked in as the second half of the surprise, slowly filling up the tiny bar. Eventually, both the bar and B's drink were as full as they could get! (I'm also pretty sure his heart was too ;) )

He was thrilled to spend his birthday with so many wonderful friends and I was thrilled that he was thrilled. +1 in the surprise success column!

Delta Airplane - JFK Airport, New York 

Sunday, B's actual birthday, included a sweat session at Brooklyn Boulders - Queensbridge and a perfect New York egg and cheese on a kaiser roll.

By mid-day we were back at JFK, walking the mile to our terminal and hoping to avoid the same delayed Delta flight from our visit into NYC. Thankfully, we made it back to TO safe, sound and fairly on time :)

All in all? A wonderful celebration success!

Gray Throw Pillows - Marshalls (similar), Ivory Throw Pillows - Marshalls (similar), Gray Couch 

I knew there would be tons of "life stuff" to catch up on when we got home so I planned ahead and took a day off.

I wish I could say I did something really fun and restful... but really I unpacked, paid bills, and ran errands. BUT! I did buy these super cute pillows during said errands!

I was veery inspired by this pin and Marshalls had the perfect pillows to make my cozy living room dreams start coming true :).

Gray Throw Pillows - Marshalls (similar), Ivory Throw Pillows - Marshalls (similar), Gray Couch 

Next on the decorating agenda? Upgrading this hideous lamp.

If only I could tell me 14-year-old self that this decor decision would literally follow me for the next 16 years, maybe I would have picked differently....

Oh well, one upgrade at a time!

What's next on the agenda?

Spring Vegetables

It's Easter weekend - I have nothing planned!

Life's been so busy lately that I'm just looking forward to a little thing I call, "Sleep, Eat, Repeat."

Or maybe I'll pop in an old Cary Grant film, burn a floral candle, and crack a window?

Or maybe B and I will take a stroll through the city? The possibilities are endless!

Knowing me, though?

I'll probably do that whole relaxing thing for a hot two hours and then start a bazillion other creative projects. So for now, I'll enjoy the idea of resting -- even if I have a hard time actually committing to it!

That's a wrap on another pretty week!

Now it's your turn. Tell me - What was the best thing that happened in your week?