Blog Break

Hello, wonderful blog friends!

I've been blogging on Sincerely, Sara for almost four years and haven't taken much of a break. A day here, two days there, but not a real break. I did take a week off in May (with amazing bloggers to guest post), but it's been a busy summer, so I feel like I need a small break. 

I'm taking this week off (without guest posts) to recharge. I'll be back on August 31st. 

But don't worry, I won't be entirely missing from social media: 

You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter!

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {Summertime}

Whoa, can you believe summer is almost over?! These few months have gone by so fast. Has it been the same for you? I feel like I haven't even gotten a chance to fully enjoy summer yet! Although to be honest I am excited for fall. 

Good things about this summer: lots of relaxing, hanging out with my friends, getting tons of reading done, having fun at work events, going to a blogger preview for the Container Store, and getting a new car, despite the circumstances. 

Meh things about this summer: getting into a minor car accident, not going into NYC as often as I wanted, and sweating like a pig because my brother's car doesn't have air conditioning. 

What have you been up to this summer?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {NYC, Pittsburgh & BookCon Adventures}

Three weekends in May I was off having adventures and sharing them on Instagram. I tend to get a bit snap-happy when I'm having a good time. I take pictures of my food, what I'm about to see, what's around me, etc. I should probably take it all in without a phone or camera in front of my face, but I'm a Millenial, so can you really blame me? And just because I'm documenting it doesn't mean I'm not taking it in. Anyone else agree? Sometimes it's nice to have a reminder of the good times when things aren't going your way. 

In early May, the lovely Naomi and her husband Jason were in town (because they won tickets to see Mumford & Sons #jealous) and we had a wonderful day exploring the Met, relaxing in Central Park, eating at a pop-up market called Mad Sq Eats, searching for cool street art (a Banksy!), and talking about life, moving, blogging, and writing. We had a great conversation about my novel and she's helped me see it in a new light, so thanks, Naomi!

It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to go to Pittsburgh. I was originally planning to go see Jess, Kristin, and Marissa in early fall, but then Jess told me she was moving to Houston in mid-June, so back in March I decided May was as good a time as any. I had a blast hanging out with them and after an hour it was like we had always known each other. I went to an outdoor food festival, saw the Cathedral of Learning Hogwarts, took the Incline, explored the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History, went to the Andy Warhol Museum, and bought too many cute things from cute shops.

This was my first year going to BookCon (or officially #TheBookCon) and it was AWESOME! I spent the first day with Danielle, Gaby, and Alyson of Bibliosmiles (plus their friend Shirley) and then spent the second day with my friend Brittany. I honestly can't pick a favorite day because I got so many books (19 in total!), attended fantastic panels where I learned a lot about writing and got new ideas for my own novel, and got to see cool authors (Rainbow Rowell! James Dashner! Elle Luna! Austin Kleon! Adi Alsaid!). 

What have you been up to?

Any plans for June?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Favorite Things & Life Lately

{Paddywax candle, Sparkly necklace via Rocksbox, "S" necklace gifted, Bauble bar bangles, 

Modcloth bag, Bauble bar ear jackets {different color}, macaron key chain gifted

& Alex and Sierra t-shirt from their concert}

Look at how sparkly and pretty that Rocksbox necklace is guys! I couldn't pass it up. Luckily it was a bit cheaper than I thought it would be since they give you $10 every month to use. I've already worn it a bunch of times!

The "S" necklace is a gift from my friend, Jackie, because I'm her maid of honor!!! 

Remember when I went to a concert back in March with my friend, Avra? I've been using this pretty watercolor t-shirt as my new sleep shirt since even though it's a small it's too big on me. I got this amazing-smelling candle (seriously, it's smell like a campfire!) and a few books from the Strand while I was with Kristin two weekends ago. 

A few fun links:

♥ How you can help victims of Nepal's earthquake!

♥ Self-esteem ad campaigns are getting it wrong.

♥ Last minute lunch ideas for busy people. Or if you're like me lazy people.

♥ Writing vs. resting: the work/life dilemma.

♥ Have you checked out Marissa's new blog Ampersand Creative yet?

♥ OMG yum: The most Instagrammed food in NYC.

♥ What it's like to be a travel writer.

♥ Sponsor love:

• Have you been curious to try Jamberry? They're so easy to put on and never chip {read my review}! Amanda Thompson, an independent Jamberry consultant, has so many wonderful styles. The next ones I'm going to try are the Mermaid Tales. 
• You guys know how much I love KOTFW's hyaluronic acid serum {review here}. I swear it's like magic. It's made my skin so soft and has helped with my dry patches. 
• Love vintage-inspired clothing? Unique Vintage has the loveliest vintage clothes, bathing suits, and accessories. In love with their #iamunique campaign as well as this scalloped dress.
• Dara of Hola Darla shares her love of TV, movies, geekery, and her daily life in Indonesia: English + Me and her review of Age of Ultron. 
• Jess of Bookworms in Dresses shares her love of books, cosplay, and drawing: a Pittsburgh bucket list (how cool would it be to make a bucket list for your city?) and I love her book reviews because without fail I always find a new book I want to read. 

♥ Swap friends: Such A Novel Idea, Lily and Wes, Majestic Golden Rose, Second Thoughts, Curator of Cute, My Life as a Teacup, Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups, Novelstyle & My Open Sketchbook.

♥ Fashion loves: floral dress, evil eye bracelet, striped top, red salt water sandals, purple dress, paisley dress, Cinderella t-shirt, watercolor tee, geo stud earrings, sky blue dress, and printed dress. 

Have a fabulous and relaxing weekend!

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {January, February & March}

So far 2015 has kept me very busy; I flew to Austin, headed into the city to see blog friends, went to a few work events, saw my kid sister perform in a ballet, had a lovely Valentine's Day with my two best friends, kept up my correspondence with my pen pal Naomi, tried new restaurants with my friend Brittany, and read a lot of great books. 

It seems like the new few months are going to be just as busy: I'm seeing Andy Grammar and Alex & Sierra in concert today (yay!), going to my bestie's engagement party, planning some more trips into the city, and there are more awesome food-filled work events coming up.

Anything coming up in your life that you're excited about?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {End of 2014 + Texas}

Last weekend I went to Austin, Texas and it was one of the best vacations I've ever had. It was the perfect mix of relaxing and exciting. I got to explore a new city, try new restaurants, meet new people, have a great time at my cousin's wedding, and not feel rushed because it was just me and my younger brothers. Anytime I go on vacation with my dad I always feel rushed because he's late for everything and I always like being early. 

The highlights of the vacation were walking around downtown Austin all day Friday, hanging out with family I haven't seen in years at my cousin's wedding, and meeting Nicole of Writes Like A Girl. First off, Nicole is so awesome! She's a bad ass feminist who has such a chic sense of style, has a podcast called Breakfast for Dinner, and it was wonderful talking to her about blogger things, movies, tea, taking outfit pictures, and more. 

Two interesting things I noted about Austin: it's a strange mix of cowboys and hippies, and there's awesome street art everywhere. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving fellow Americans!

I'm so thankful for every single one of you! 

Thank you for reading, for commenting, and for helping me

create a small community on here.

I love you all! 

This past Saturday I went to East of Eight to meet up with other bloggers. Four of them I've met a few times before (Monica, Alex, Sharon, and Christie) and three I met for the first time (Jackie, Johanna, and Diane). I had a fantastic time chatting with them about blogging, TV shows, music, beauty, and hot guys. I had a mimosa for the first time (yummy!) and an egg white frittata with spinach, tomato, and chicken (delicious!).  

What are you up to this weekend?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {Fall}

Well this has been an action-packed fall season! I thought that since this was the first fall that I wasn't in school that I would be bored and have nothing to do, but it's been the complete opposite: I've gone to so many fun work events these past three months that it doesn't seem possible, taken lots of pictures to get better at photography, got my mom an awesome 60th birthday present, and have been listening to Taylor Swift on repeat. 

Upcoming events that I'm excited about: tomorrow I'm meeting up with bloggers in New York City. Many that I've met before and some new ones, so it should be a lot of fun. In January, I'm going to Austin, Texas for my cousin's wedding. Yay!

What have you been up to lately?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {Summer So Far}

My summer has been full of so-fun-I-can-barely-stand-it days because of work events and adventures with friends, and there's still some summer left. I'm actually going down to D.C. on August 15th to stay at Jackie and Ben's apartment for a long weekend, so I'm super excited about that. She's been living there for over a year now; this is my first time visiting her new place and my second time in D.C. (though technically she lives just outside the capitol). 

A great view || Avra's birthday || Purple flowers 

A whole wall of Nutella || Farmer's market flowers || A show in Union Square Park

Strand bookstore || My writing notebook || My new camera!!!

A fun selfie

My name is in Westchester Magazine! || New books || Best of Westchester Party decorations

Saw Jackie in Connecticut || A cool temporary tattoo || Birthday presents from Brittany

How has your summer been?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {Work, Ladurée & Bloggers} + A $250 Giveaway!

May has been a crazy good month! I got into the swing of a new job, attended fun work events, beautiful flowers started blooming, the weather warmed up, and I got to know some lovely bloggers at Ladurée while eating French macarons. 

(Nicolette, me, Meagan, Alexandra, Alex)

(Simone, Nicolette, me, Alexandra, Monica)

(All of our stylish shoes!) (Last three pictures by Monica)

Brought donuts to work on my first day || Pretty Julep nail polish || Smoothies with my mom

Beautiful flowers blooming near my apartment

At work || New sandals from Yellow Box || We had tacos and margaritas at work!

Read Adulting and I loved it ||  What I wore to work || Ate macarons at Ladurée 

Macarons are coming home with me! || Me at Ladurée || Pretty macarons

Got a signed book and wine from a work event || With my dog || Influenster Spring VoxBox

It was wonderful meeting more New York and New Jersey bloggers! Monica, who put this all together, and Alex, who has her own beauty line, are the two bloggers I've met before, and they're the sweetest people. Monica even made us all personalized mini mason jars (which you can see at the bottom of this post)! I love mine so much! 

The new bloggers I met are Nicolette, who is so friendly and cute, Simone, who has the fiercest style and she's so nice, Meagan, a fashion illustrator who oozes cool, and Alexandra, a stylish Texas girl who makes her own scarves. It was great chatting with them about blogging and life, and I wish I could've talked to all of them more to get to know them better. 

We're planning to meet up again for a picnic in Central Park and I'm looking forward to it!


♥ ♥ ♥

Enter to win a $250 Loft gift card!

In celebration of Marissa of The Modern Austen's two year blogiversary, 

a whole bunch of bloggers have teamed up to giveaway $250 to Loft! 

You won't want to miss this! 

The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What wonderful things happened to you in May?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately

Since in the month of March and April, I hadn't been working very often (at Triboro, which is a company I've worked part-time at for six years) I did a lot of relaxing, hanging out with my friends and family, indulging in yummy treats, and looking for a full-time job. 

Well, in March I went to the Purchase College job fair and I'm so glad I did because that's where I heard about Westchester Magazine's job opening, and now I have the job! It's a part-time position right now, but it can turn into a full-time one. You have to try all options because you just never know. 

At a job fair (best idea ever!) || #selfie || Playing pool

A new little succulent || Reading Bitch magazine || A cute French cafe

Donnolis (donut + cannoli = amazing!) || Interview outfit || Sunlight

Yum! || Crissy recommended a whole bunch of KDramas! || New pjs

A sunny day || My favorite Bite lavender lipstick || Colorful teacups

New make up || Saw this pretty car at an auto show || Got a job at Westchester Magazine! 

What's one awesome thing that happened to you this past month?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Life Lately {January + February 2014}

The beginning of the year has already been a whirlwind of fun! I met up with some amazing blogging ladies (Alex, Melissa, and Julissa), saw a Kix'ies presentation, hung out with my besties, drank lots of tea while it snowed a ton, painted henna tattoos with friends, worked with some wonderful companies, got my first Influenster VoxBox, ate lots of yummy food, and had dinner at Up Thai with Kate and her friend Emilie, who are both really cool people! 

New Years! || Be Awesome! || Yummy tea and biscuits

Henna tattoos with friends || Heart-print socks || New trinkets

Mini me stickers from Jess' Etsy shop || More tea || I got a poster from Quirk Books

Love this heart pin || Writing! || I love the movie Austenland

My dog watching the snow || Polka dot Kix'ies || Behind the scenes

Temporary tattoos || Pretty lanterns at Up Thai || The Thai iced tea at Up Thai was amazing

While walking, Kate, Emilie & I saw these pretty trees || Delicious crepe || Half selfie

What have you been up to?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram

Outfit: Kix'ies Lingerie Fashion Week Presentation

I never thought I would ever be invited to a New York Fashion Week event, but then Alex of Glory Boon and Maile of Kix'ies emailed me about attending a Kix'ies presentation for Lingerie Fashion Week! So exciting! Maile even sent me two pairs of Kix'ies, polka dot ones and pinstripe ones. Thank you, Maile!

Kix'ies are thigh high tights that come in fun patterns that actually stay up. They have three silicone-grip bands at the top that help keep them in place, and they really do stay up. Kix'ies is the brainchild of Samantha DeMartini, who created these thigh highs to be comfortable and make you feel a little sexy. A percentage of each Kix'ie goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of her dad who passed away from Hodgkin s Lymphoma in 1995. 

I don't get many chances to dress up, so I decided to wear a new dress that I bought with my friend Avra, added some sparkle (how cool are these star earrings?!), booties, and of course some polka dot thigh high Kix'ies. I met up with some amazing bloggers: Alex of Glory Boon, Melissa of Simple Stylezz, and Julissa. It was wonderful hanging out with them all day, talking about blogging on the terrace of Canoe Studios and walking around Chelsea Market. 

P.S. -- If you're a blogger, pick which Kix'ie you like, email Maile at maile@kixies.com, and she'll send you a free pair! 

Shop Kix'ies | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Sweater: American Eagle | Dress: Charming Charlie | Necklace: Sammydress

Thigh Highs: ℅ Kix'ies |  Booties: Kohls {similar, similar} | Bag: Target | Earrings: Arajera

Below are some pictures from the Kix'ies Lingerie Fashion Week presentation in Chelsea.

Some of the pictures include women that are not fully dressed. I'm not shy about seeing things like this, but I know some people are, so if you want to see more that's entirely up to you.