If you’ve checked in on the blog over the past couple of months and noticed the lack of updates you’ve probably been wondering whether I’m still alive and breathing! Well, I can asure you I am and I’m currently recuperating from one of the busiest Fall seasons I’ve had in a while, hence the radio silence. Besides working full-time and executing my biggest project of the year which just wrapped up the first week in December, I was traveling quite a bit, had some family obligations to tend to and also just took the opportunity to enjoy some much needed “me” time. When I wasn’t swamped with work or travel, I used my free time to catch up with friends, catch up on sleep and also committed myself to working out 3-4 times a week which has done wonders for my sanity. I’ve also been working on some behind-the-scenes updates to the blog including a slideshow feature which will be launching soon. So without ever intending to, I ended up taking a 2+ month hiatus from the blog and I feel great … Refreshed, re-energized and ready to get back to regularly scheduled blogging. So Haute has grown so much this past year that I also think it’s time to enlist some help. I’m looking for a fabulous New York based intern to help contribute to So Haute. Click here if you’re interested in learning more. And if you want to have a look at some of the highlights of my time off from the blog, I included some of my Instagram snaps below. I am utterly obsessed with Instagram so if you ever want to keep up with what I’m up to outside of the blog you can always follow me @sohaute. Thanks so much for reading!!

Trips to London, Barcelona and Dubai earlier this fall were quite memorable. Top left: London – one of my favorite cities in the world. So full of charm and history! Top Right: Gaudi architecture at La Pedrera. Bottom Photos: Architecture at Al Quasr in Dubai (L) and the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world (R).

Last week I went to LA to visit my sister and my bestie. While there I visited the urban light sculptures at LACMA (L) which is one of my favorite outdoor art installations. I also had brunch with a few blogger buds including my girls Sydne, Aimee and Chriselle. The top right photo is from brunch with Sydne at Blu Jam Cafe – a new fave. Bottom Left – persimmons at the Larchmont Village Farmer’s Market. Bottom Right – took my first SoulCycle class while in LA and am now obsessed! Can’t wait to make this a regular part of my workout routine in NYC!

There seemed to be a lot of rainy days like this one in NYC this fall…

Spotted this graffiti on the wall in Freeman’s alley on my way to dinner at Freeman’s – a favorite dining spot on the Lower East Side.

The view of NYC from the rooftop at the Met. I still think NYC is the greatest city in the world!

I’m blessed to have survived hurricane Sandy unscathed. This is the infamous crane you all probably saw on the news. It was just a block from my office which was in the crane collapse danger zone. Thankfully, the crane did not collapse!

I caught a couple of awesome concerts. Above is a snap of Rihanna during the last stop on her 777 tour in NYC. She is so badass and now my latest girl crush! 

I also saw Justin Bieber in concert at Barclay’s Center on a whim and I have to admit it was one of most fun concerts I’ve been to in a while…despite the piercing, nearly deafening screams and shrieks from the 19,000 tween girls in the audience. I’m now a belieber LOL!

I also ventured to Brooklyn for the launch of West Elm Market…such a cool concept shop that will be rolling out across the country to West Elm stores and a few stand alone locations across the country. It’s full of tools and solutions to make life at home easier.

I brightened up my winter wardrobe with a bold chartreuse green coat from Milly that I ended up buying thanks to feedback from all of my fab followers on Instagram! The coat is now on sale at Nordstrom!

I also saw the awesome Andy Warhol exhibition at the Met which focuses on the work of Warhol and sixty other artists whose work was influenced by Warhol. Above, is his iconic pop art painting of Marilyn Monroe. Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years is on view until December 31st so there’s still time to check it out!

All photos via my Instagram @sohaute. Top photo in this post is from deGournay’s beautiful new NYC showroom that opened in New York this fall just steps away from the D&D building.

 

_{A desk vignette in my apt via my Instagram!}

I think I might just be having the best summer ever. I’ve truly been enjoying every non-working moment…traveling, visiting museums, enjoying good eats and spending QT with family and friends. It’s flying by so quickly…I can’t believe we’re already half way through July! Thanks to my current addiction, Instagram, here’s a quick look at what I’ve been up to so far this summer!

I kicked off the summer with a little beach getaway to Mexico.

Which called for pink toes, sandy feet and blissful dips in the ocean!

I’ve also been enjoying the sights during long walks in my neighborhood Harlem, which has been (mostly) bright and sunny all summer long!

This was the first of many backyard BBQ’s at my brother’s house … a favorite Summer pastime!

I updated my apartment with a pretty pink azalea plant that totally brightened up my home!

Cocktails on chic NYC rooftops are the best way to spend an early evening…

Mani/pedi’s in the season’s brightest shades are a must! Here, I’m wearing Essie “Lights.”

I took a trip to to visit my bestie and her family…

… In LA! Which happens to be one of my favorite places ever.

While there I enjoyed plenty of yummy food…like this healthy lunch at Lemonade!

… and this healthy breakfast at Larchmont Bungalow.

But of course I indulged a little

Here is a banana cupcake/peanut butter ice cream sundae I had from the new Sprinkles Ice Cream shop! And yes, I ate the whole thing!

While there I also enjoyed some Farmer’s Market freshness…

Once back in New York I celebrated my twin niece & nephew’s 1st birthday! How cute was their cake?

 And I checked out the Schiaparelli & Prada exhibit at the Met…

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you may have already heard the buzz, but just in case you missed it, I’m excited to share the news that I’m teaming up with Nate Berkus and Target for a special project to help launch his new home collection! The Nate Berkus Collection, which will feature bedding, bath, accessories, lighting, rugs, window treatments and more, hits Target stores and Target.com on October 21st. I had a chance to get a sneak peek of the line and it is seriously A-MAZING! There are so many great pieces (150 in fact!) and every item is not only uber stylish, but also extremely versatile and super affordable. I’ll share more details about the project and product collection when I can but in the meantime, enjoy these sneak peek behind-the-scenes photos!

 

 

 

The Spring 2012 issue of Trad Home is live and below is a sneak peek at the article I wrote on New Trad honoree Gideon Mendelson! To see the full article, and other stunning spaces by designers like Nick Olsen, Palmer Weiss and Christina Murphy, click here to check out the latest digital issue of Trad Home!

 

 

_{(My Instagram Profile Pic)}

In my previous post I talked about my obsession with Pinterest and other social media sites and one that I post to almost daily is Instagram! It’s an app for Apple and Android devices that creates a fun way to capture and share photos with vintage inspired filters. Like Pinterest, I’m totally addicted to it! Here’s a recap of the last couple of weeks through the lens of Instagram! I’m going to make this a regular feature so you can stay connected to what I’m up to when I’m offline. 

I took a stroll through Union Square Park in awe of the first true sign of spring – blossoming magnolia trees!

I flew to LA where I spent most of last week and the week before for a bit of work and play. I stayed at The Chamberlain which is one of my favorite hotels and has the chicest interiors. Here’s a vignette from inside the hotel.

I also spent some time chillaxin; at the Chamberlain’s rooftop pool. There’s nothing like the California sun!

While lounging I enjoyed a drink from one of my favorite places in LA – The Pressed Juicery.

I also enjoyed some fonuts – another LA food obsession! This is their baked, gluten free chocolate hazlenut donut. It was as delicious as it looks:)

I bought a chic, gold hand chain made by my friend Kelly Schumacher who I caught up with while in LA. Her fabulous jewelry line is coming soon!

I continued to eat my way through LA with a stop at Lemonade for some fresh salads and a yummy blood orange lemonade!

I caught up with Kishani Perera for dinner and was thrilled to receive the most amazing gift – a copy of her new book which I have been devouring! The beautiful book highlights some of Kishani’s best work with a focus on mixing old and new! It’s full of inspiration and you can purchase a copy here.

I flew home on a red eye…

And this past weekend upon returning to New York I made a pit stop at J. Crew where I picked up this colorful arm candy!

You can follow more of my daily adventures on the Instagram app @sohaute or here from your web browser!

PS – did you hear the announcement yesterday that Facebook bought Instagram for $1BILLION dollars! That is not a typo. One of my favorite lines in the movie The Social Network is when Sean Parker played by Justin Timberlake tells Mark Zuckerberg: “A million dollars isn’t cool. You know what’s cool? A billion dollars.” That is the first thing I thought about when I heard the news about the Instagram acquisition – ha!