One year ago yesterday...

...we walked to the East River in the rain, sat on a bench overlooking the river and my cute Brett got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! It was the perfect night (the rain kept all others away giving us the entire East River to ourselves) - I was there with my perfect match, on the perfect night. He said the perfect words and gave me the perfect ring! Happy Engagement Anniversary!

Moving up and moving on

I feel like the past year has been one of big news...

October 25, 2006 Start my first official job on Madison Avenue
October 27, 2006 The love of my life proposes to me
May 1, 2007 Our lease begins to our first home
May 12, 2007 I married my best friend
August 6, 2007 Brett receives and accepts a full-time position on Wall Street
October 24, 2007 I accept a job offer at a different agency

I put in my two weeks notice today at my current agency and will start at a new, thriving agency on November 13th. It's all very surreal. It feels a lot like transfers did in Argentina. You fall in love with the people and then just when things are comfortable, you find out you're leaving. You have mixed feelings, so sad to say goodbye and yet excited for what's to come (and the fact that you can start fresh). The moment you know you're leaving, you begin to see everything through different eyes. And that's how the past day or two have been. The agency looks a whole lot different when you know that in two weeks, life as you know it will change. One things for sure, I will miss the incredible friends I've made at Y&R and cherish all that I've learned. I look forward to the wonderful people I'll meet and the new beginning.

Check out my virtual congratulations bouquet :)

Just when you think you're on top of things...

So real quick let me take you through my morning...I had to get up early to teach seminary this morning, so I rolled out of bed 15 minutes later than I wanted to (not like that's unusual, I do it everyday) and scurried to get ready so that I could make it on time. Today I had to go straight to work so that I could get a few things done before heading to an interview. Unlike every other day, I was able to pick out an outfit fairly quickly. Things were running smoothly and I decided to grab the make-up bag to do at work and forego the blowdry for the scrunched/wet look today. Fine, no problem...or so I thought. I shook the bottle of mousse to quickly scrunch the hair, turned it upside down and pressed to spray the mousse. NO MOUSSE! Ok, fine, I'll just throw the hair up in a bun to keep it curly and stop on my way to work for mousse. Great, done. Go to seminary...put on make-up...go to CVS...head to work...run into the bathroom...shake the mousse can...turn upside down to spray. Hmmm...it's a different nozzle, they must have changed their packaging design. Spray...but no foamy mousse leaves the can. Hmm. Read the can, oh, maybe because it's volumizing hair spray!!!! Not too happy, but in a hurry. Can't look bad for the interview. So, we now have a hairsprayed, scrunch kind of look. We'll know how much of a disaster it was by whether or not the offer comes, right? Gotta love these kinds of mornings :)

Addendum: So, right after I posted, I ran off to a photoshoot. I walked down into the subway and as I did so, I looked down to fix my shirt. To my utter disgust I find a little present from a feathered friend. That's right, a bird pooped on me! I mean really, what bird thinks he has the right to use my shirt as his bathroom! Come on! I immediately pulled the tissues from my bag to remove the mess. Unfortunately it left quite a nasty colored stain. No worries though...Tide-to-go to the rescue! There I was on the subway platform Tide-to-going it away. The whole platform was looking at me like I was one of the street musicians trying to earn money. I should've put a hat out in front of me or something. They say it's good luck to have a bird poop on you...maybe I would have earned a pretty penny!

My new favorite store!

I know, I've lived in New York for almost a year and a half and I just discovered the Container Store. How many times have I walked by it? How many times have I said that I was going to go in? Well, last night I finally ventured in. It was everything I dreamed it would be and oh so much more! If only I had an apartment bigger than 370 square feet, but alas I must be couped up in our not-so-spacious studio (don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining...it could be worse and I'm more than grateful for our beautiful place). Anyway, I think I'm going to spend half of a Saturday getting lost in that store and planning for our first home outside the city. I could have just taken the displays right from the store and placed them in my home. Everything from the shelving to the vintage books, the closet organization to the adorable coats and dresses hanging inside...I could have taken it all. What did I walk out with though? Just some fun things to use for Martha Stewartly wrapping up cookies for Brett and I to take in to work in honor of National Boss Day. Check out the site though, there are some seriously great finds there.

My purchases included:

Some of these

And this (black & white)

And some homemade goodness stacked like this

All put inside to look something like this (you get the idea)

With a little homemade card to finish it off.

Happy Bosses Day!

Dove Onslaught

Here I go, trying one more time. I tried to post this video a few days ago. I think it's brilliant, just like it's campaign. Talk about finding an insight and running with it. Way to go Ogilvy (from my experience working there, I know this is their pride and joy) and way to go Dove for taking a stand for such an important problem in our society. I know they are reaping the rewards in their sales, but I also hope that it's helping us change our perceptions one ad at a time.

What I LOVE about New York

Just a taste of what I love about New York...

1. Central Park - whether it's running, walking, picnicing, exploring, bike riding, boating, taking pictures, I just love being in Central Park. It's SO beautiful!

2. Shopping - there are endless places to find the latest and greatest in fashion. Sometimes I venture into the cute boutique shops, but then I see the price tags and I think, "Never in a million years would I spend that much on one item of clothing, not even if I were a millionaire." There's just something about getting a great deal that makes you feel like you've really accomplished something :) And trust me, there are some definite deals to be found in this city.

3. Fruit stands on every corner - I probably love it because it takes me back to my days in Argentina. But I also just love having such easy access to fruits and veggies as I head to work, out for a break or home at night.

4. The abundance of nail salons to pamper yourself with great mani/pedi deals - enough said!

5. The best restaurants in the country - Brett and I love to try new places...you just can't go back to the same place even if it was fabulous cuz you just feel like you're shorchanging yourself.

6. Street fairs! - I just love finding random street fairs on the weekends and walking through to survey all the merchandise. Last weekend I walked through one after a run in the park and came home with a bonsai tree that looks a little like this one. Brett had been wanting a bonsai tree. Truth be told, we're having a hard time keeping it alive. Who thought it would be that hard? If we can't even keep a simple bonsai tree alive, I don't think we're ready to take the step to a child...haha!

7. Pinkberry - my oh my...this is one place I'll always go back to...mmm! The best ever...it's literal soft serve yogurt! I'm salivating just thinking about it. And how convenient that our apartment is just a few short blocks from the nearest one! For any of you Californians, you are the only other state privileged enough to house Pinkberry.

8. The East River - because that's our spot. Brett and I have shared some of our greatest memories on the East River. And I will forever LOVE New York because this is where I found my man!

Stay tuned for the list of opposites (i.e. what I definitely don't love about New York)