a love note to Nora

I was in my narrative journalism class my sophomore year of college. We were given a sheet of paper, and were told we had to do a project on a famous journalist, not just any journalist but one related to narrative journalism. That told stories, that were factual, fictional and anything in between, the list had people such as Hunter S. Thompson, Julia Powell and a name I was not yet familiar with, but was to soon fall in love with, and that was one, Nora Ephron. As people had their names called in the class, they responded back with which writer they wanted. I really had no idea who to choose, and of course, all the big flashy names were chosen first. My name was called, and I just went with it, "Nora Ephron," I called out.

I don't remember the assignment to a T, but I know we had to write some sort of paper on this person, and do a powerpoint presentation for the class on their life and highlight their major works. As I began my research, I was pleasantly surprised to find she had written such cult classics like When Harry Met Sally and wrote and directed Sleepless in Seattle, Julie&Julia, among so many others. This was also upon countless essays & articles she also had to her name. Who was this woman and why have I not discovered her before now? I kept thinking to myself. She was also, by the way, hilarious, and so truthfully hilarious. And she did it in such a way that made you feel like she's been your best friend your whole life, like someone who really knows you. That, is a sign of a fantastic writer. 

Needless to say, I became a huge fan of her after this project, so I was saddened to hear of her death only a few days ago. The writing world, had really lost an icon, and women especially had lost a pioneer. She not only broadened my idea of what a writer could be, but she truly inspired me, and brought me back to my high school self, that came alive in my first journalism class at the idea that I could write, report and do it for a living. Relate and connect to all kinds of people with the simple power of words. That is something I will forever be grateful to Nora Ephron for.

I leave you with some of my favorite quotes from her:

“I don't think any day is worth living without thinking about what you're going to eat next at all times.” 

“Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women.”

“So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?” 

"I try to write parts for women that are as interesting and complicated as women actually are."

the power of lipstick.

The other day, I decided to do a very grown-up thing and I bought my first lipstick. Not your run-of-the-mill Maybelline or CoverGirl, but real lipstick, Chanel (!) lipstick. I had been toying with this idea for awhile, and as I have mentioned before, I'm not a huge beauty junkie, but I just couldn't get Chanel's coco rouge line of lipstick out of my head. So after a rough day at work, I decided to take the plunge. I was debating between 2 pinks, one a little brighter than the other, and a saleswoman (thank goodness) took pity on me, and helped me choose the right one to go with my skin (I essentially told her I didn't want to look like a clown). I went with the more subtle pink, and I'm so, so happy with it. I seriously feel like such a classy lady when I put it on, I mean come on people, it's Chanel! Although it was a splurge, it was totally worth it. I know they say the best things in life are free, but a nice lipstick will do the trick too ;)

life according to my iPhone

1- Paul bakery that I fell in love with in London & stumbled upon a location in DC!//2- A pug loving some clean laundry// 3- Wine tasting at Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison, VA// 4- one of the lovely views at EMV// 5- bright stripes & new sandals// 6- My pops and I on father's day// 7- some pretty new orchids for my room

Although the brutal heat & humidity has already begun for the summer - I'm heading up to NYC this weekend to spend some quality time with my college friends and I could not be more excited about it!

have a great weekend!

just a little post

I just wanted to say that today I am beyond honored to be considered an "it girl" in my dear friend Alyssa's eyes as I am featured over on her lovely blog today; so please go check it out! (her other posts are just as awesome too).


http://glossymusings.com/2012/06/18/it-girl-amanda-lavergne/

p.s. happy monday! xoxo

memorial day weekend

I'm a bit late in sharing this, about a week late to be exact, but below are some photos from my weekend away to Rhode Island with my Dad. We went up for my cousin Andrea's college graduation party, and on Sunday took a mini road trip down to Newport, RI. Let me tell you, I am in love with this little town. Situated right on the bay, we did a cliff walk that offered amazing views of the water. Later, we took a stroll down Thames street, which was essentially the main drag, which had tons of cute shops & restaurants & where we snagged some delish gelato and espresso. It was definitely a nice get away and great to have a change of scenery for the long weekend.

  

    

ended the weekend locally with a gorgeous sunset on the national mall

p.s. happy june! xx