Scenes from NYC & a Lowes Blogger Event

By now I've mentioned and teased last week's trip to New York City until you're sick to death of it, but today I'll actually re-cap the whirlwind adventure. I've said it a million times...this crazy thing called blogging has brought so many amazing people and opportunities to my life, and I know it's all thanks to you guys and your loyal support. My little spot on the internets has grown to be more than just a creative outlet for me, but a life outlet. #deep This blogging community is no longer a side-hobby, but my happy place every day, full of some of my favorite people.<br /><br />I have no idea how I got invited to such an event <i>(I don't ask questions, just in case it was a mistake)</i>...but when <a href="http://www.lowes.com/Home-Decor/Holiday-Decorations/Christmas-Decorations/_/N-1z0wnx4/pl" target="_blank">Lowes</a> offered to send me to NYC for their <a href="http://www.lowes.com/Home-Decor/Holiday-Decorations/Christmas-Decorations/_/N-1z0wnx4/pl" target="_blank">Deck the Halls</a>, my answer was a big, loud, obnoxious <i>'YES!'</i> And the pot was sweetened when I found out my friends <a href="http://goo.gl/c7IGy1" target="_blank">Megan</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/IWBJJi" target="_blank">Courtney</a> and <a href="http://goo.gl/AC17fb" target="_blank">Jen</a> were going, too!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | NewYork City" height="891" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/10501020565_38577f2606_b.jpg" width="550" /></div></div><br />We only had one full day, and two nights, together, but we packed in as much food, wine, laughs, and sight-seeing as our feet would allow. I'm here to report we <strike>kind of</strike> conquered the subway, street hot dogs are amazing, Central Park is as gorgeous in the Fall as you'd imagine, and the site of the World Trade Center will still bring tears to your eyes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="750" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/10502040975_67f44ff08a_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="635" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/10502041815_dd4a61f3c2_o.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="550" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/10500770345_88d39ba62d_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, <a href="http://goo.gl/IWBJJi" target="_blank">Courtney</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/AC17fb" target="_blank">Jen</a> & <a href="http://goo.gl/c7IGy1" target="_blank">Megan</a>. This pic was totally spontaneous, and not at all planned. #sarcasm</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="672" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/10502248123_af272a5075_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="646" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/10502057414_e887b202e8_o.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="664" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/10502058264_d1bdd5b1d6_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="716" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/10502247533_d5539abd3f_o.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="591" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/10502042796_da5aec95a6_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="825" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/10502043226_beaee61f3c_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="779" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/10502248623_f55a0bc247_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Then it was time to hit up the event that brought us to the city...Lowes <i>Deck the Halls and Walls and All</i>! <br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="550" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/10500770035_4967c939a2_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goo.gl/c7IGy1" target="_blank">Megan</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/AC17fb" target="_blank">Jen</a>, me, <a href="http://goo.gl/IWBJJi" target="_blank">Courtney</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/PKSkaW" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/7X7H4b" target="_blank">Dusty</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/g83A8x" target="_blank">Tracie</a> - love these girls!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />Meeting fellow bloggers is always so exciting...to finally put a voice to the one you've been reading and admiring for years! These ladies are amazingly talented, and I could have talked to them for hours. <i>(No, Mom, I'm not holding a pack of cigs...it's my phone! P.S., I don't smoke!)</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="891" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/10500865015_83e65c51da_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goo.gl/IWBJJi" target="_blank">Courtney</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/kKZ7tR" target="_blank">Stefanie</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/AC17fb" target="_blank">Jen</a>, me, <a href="http://goo.gl/c7IGy1" target="_blank">Megan</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/zAl4rN" target="_blank">Amanda</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div>The event was held in a cool loft, that had been completely transformed, and decorated for the holidays, by these fabulous designers...I'm talking rock-star bloggers here:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Front Yard by Gabrielle Blair {<a href="http://www.designmom.com/" target="_blank">Design Mom</a>} </div><div style="text-align: center;">Foyer by Jenny Komenda {<a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Little Green Notebook</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guest Suite by Jordan Ferney {<a href="http://ohhappyday.com/" target="_blank">Oh Happy Day</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;">Living Room by Erica Domesek {<a href="http://psimadethis.com/" target="_blank">PS I Made This</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dining Room by Brittni Mehlhoff & Gabriel Cabrera {<a href="http://www.curbly.com/" target="_blank">Curbly</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kitchen by Brit Morin {<a href="http://www.brit.co/" target="_blank">Brit.Co</a>}</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="891" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/10500876784_1ff951713d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goo.gl/SJpTwH" target="_blank">Jenny</a> & me....whom I likely frightened with my constant gushing.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br />I had no idea <a href="http://www.lowes.com/Home-Decor/Holiday-Decorations/Christmas-Decorations/_/N-1z0wnx4/pl" target="_blank">Lowes</a> carried so much fabulous holiday decor! I also learned the only way to eat a cheesecake ball cooked in liquid nitrogen, is just to go for it in one bite. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/10541266934/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Hi Sugarplum | New York City by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="891" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/10541266934_a55b2685f2_b.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goo.gl/c7IGy1" target="_blank">Megan</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/IWBJJi" target="_blank">Courtney</a> & the delightful <a href="http://goo.gl/xeHxAn" target="_blank">Gabrielle</a> | Me & <a href="http://goo.gl/JFHJYV" target="_blank">Erika</a>, who is just as fun & quirky in person as her posts</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="891" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/10501065113_d4165182f8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goo.gl/AC17fb" target="_blank">i heart Jen</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | New York City" height="614" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/10500769755_1844f2285d_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goo.gl/AC17fb" target="_blank">Jen</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/IWBJJi" target="_blank">Courtney</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/c7IGy1" target="_blank">Megan</a> & me trying to play it cool with John Collineri & Anthony Carrino, the Kitchen Cousins!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />It was a jam-packed, whirlwind of a trip, but one I'll always treasure. I love these girls, and am so honored to call them friends. Thank you, Lowes, for making it happen!<br /><br />You can see all my daytime outfits <a href="http://goo.gl/49ZzSi" target="_blank">here</a>, and I wore <a href="http://goo.gl/fOmuiu" target="_blank">this exact outfit</a> to the event, but with <a href="http://bit.ly/1cdPxFX" target="_blank">these booties</a>. Be sure to check out <a href="http://goo.gl/IWBJJi" target="_blank">Courtney</a> and <a href="http://goo.gl/c7IGy1" target="_blank">Megan</a>'s recaps today, too. So fun to see the city and party through different eyes. Have you made real-life friends online? What is your favorite thing to see and do in New York? Did you know Lowes had so much amazing holiday decor?

Scenes from NYC & a Lowes Blogger Event

By now I've mentioned and teased last week's trip to New York City until you're sick to death of it, but today I'll actually...

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Crossing the Virtual Friendship Line

Ahhhh, Monday....never my favorite day, but especially not this Monday, since it signals the end of a glorious weekend. It was packed with family fun and projects...but what made it so special was the time spent with new friends. I am so grateful that this blog has brought these girls to my life!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8133438546/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="court & megan by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="court & megan" height="502" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8133438546_9333e5129d_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, <a href="http://thoughtfuldesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtney</a> & <a href="http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Megan and I have <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/08/blogging-friendships.html" target="_blank">seen each other</a> several times since meeting through our blogs, but this was our first time meeting Courtney in person. I am so thrilled to no longer refer to her as 'my blog friend Courtney from California.' Now she's just, my friend Courtney! <i>(You bloggers know what I mean...when you talk to someone in your 'real life' about a blog friend...you always have to preface. And even then the person looks at you funny.) </i>Even our husbands hit it off and became fast friends!<br /><i><br /></i>One of the best parts was having them over to our house...watching them see it in person was funny. I guess pictures don't really show the whole package.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8133412305/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="court & megan by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="court & megan" height="550" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8133412305_4d6a01bc96_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why yes I'm wearing the same outfit as my profile pic!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We also met a few blog readers while out-and-about the city <i>(a first for me)</i>! Even though my face turned beet-red and I clammed up like a Lohan in court, I loved meeting them, and was so glad they said <i>'Hi.'</i> Thank goodness I wasn't picking my nose at the time <i>(or was I?!)</i>!<br /><br />We had such a great weekend, and I'm already looking forward to next time...and hopefully meeting more of my online friends! Who wants to plan one big blogger party?! Have you met any of your blog friends in person? I've got tons I'd love to run in to!

Crossing the Virtual Friendship Line

Ahhhh, Monday....never my favorite day, but especially not this Monday, since it signals the end of a glorious weekend. It was packed with f...

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The Friday Five

Hey friends, and happy Friday!!! I'm moving a little slower today after a night out with <a href="http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a> and <a href="http://thoughtfuldesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtney</a>. We had the best time eating, drinking, laughing and talking a mile-a-minute....you'd never know that this was our first time meeting Courtney in person! Of all the blessings to come from blogging, making new friends has been the biggest, and most surprising. You really do get to know people through their posts, and meeting them in person feels so natural. I'm not going to lie though, I was a little sweaty driving over!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8124864117/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="megan and courtney by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="megan and courtney" height="495" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8124864117_7905a36dec_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a>, <a href="http://thoughtfuldesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtney</a> & me</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />The three of us are heading out again today...there will be more laughing, talking, eating...and shopping! Here's the Friday Five of what's on my radar.<br /><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/SEBqj2" target="_blank">Anthropologie</a> is a little rich for my <strike>cheap</strike> blood, but they make up for it with stellar sales. I've been stalking this tulle skirt and funky rug online for months....fingers crossed I can check them out in-store today.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/24567893_066_b?$product410x615$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/24567893_066_b?$product410x615$" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/Rj3w52" target="_blank">Lawn Party Skirt, $30</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/24979247_004_b?$product410x615$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/24979247_004_b?$product410x615$" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/RYBlFN" target="_blank">Adiabatic Rug, $229</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I bought these boots in brown several years ago, and love, love, love them. I think this year I need to add a black pair. They are perfect for my Fall uniform of skinnies, cardigan and a scarf.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.redswagger.com/Store/pc/catalog/SMwint-1dt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.redswagger.com/Store/pc/catalog/SMwint-1dt.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/Y09vx8" target="_blank">Steve Madden Intyce Boots, $129</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My Pinterest board, <a href="http://pinterest.com/hisugarplum/now-wear-this/" target="_blank">Now Wear This</a>, has been seeing a lot of action lately. So many of the seriously cute Fall outfits contain a camel sweater, so I just picked this one up from <a href="http://bit.ly/SECofa" target="_blank">Target</a>. It's the perfect weight and length, so I may need to go back for more colors!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78ny3PkSjttWyXHN3KIXrqOOoo51qA9lIND6dEhbCAqk8AopREFhZtjZ1IUlutJ8raNuq1t3n5Z5RD4J_zALFZllKyCTr4lyOLXyGOij4MqvnlsPVRFwafAW-ce7HppjJJP3stVfItSA/s1600/target+cardi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78ny3PkSjttWyXHN3KIXrqOOoo51qA9lIND6dEhbCAqk8AopREFhZtjZ1IUlutJ8raNuq1t3n5Z5RD4J_zALFZllKyCTr4lyOLXyGOij4MqvnlsPVRFwafAW-ce7HppjJJP3stVfItSA/s1600/target+cardi.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/P66fPz" target="_blank">Merona Ultimate Cardigan, $20</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And finally, the new <a href="http://bit.ly/P68ySy" target="_blank">West Elm Market</a> is open, and I can't wait to check out the full collection....especially these wire baskets. I can think of about 100 ways to use them!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ab.weimgs.com/weimgs/ab/images/wcm/products/201241/0003/img98o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ab.weimgs.com/weimgs/ab/images/wcm/products/201241/0003/img98o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/XoFRSQ" target="_blank">Wire Baskets, $29</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The girls want to come House Crash me...so I'm off to shove things in closets and under beds! There's sure to be some InstaGram posting, so follow along if you want <i>(@cassiesugarplum, @honeywerehome, @athoughtfulplace)</i> Happy weekend, lovebugs!

The Friday Five

Hey friends, and happy Friday!!! I'm moving a little slower today after a night out with Megan and Courtney . We had the best time eati...

Read more »