December 31, 2014

here's to hope and promises

you may recall that a few years ago i boldly swore off resolutions
 i said that making a solution is a much better fit to life in the long haul!

that it was more promising to commit to yourself and to change just one thing
 and see how much it could impact your life.

i stand by that, still to this day!

i believe in a solution to everything and anything
make them once a week, once a month even!

anything you can do
to be a better you is the ultimate commitment to greatness!



in the last year my life has changed drastically
but i wholeheartedly never gave up believing in myself 

i continue to set goals, to achieve what i have always wanted for myself
even with the most unfortunate of circumstances, i never stopped trying

quitting wasn't and won't ever be in the cards for me!

so if there is anything i can take from 2014 
it is to always have hope and keep your promises
you will see everything come together
you will find that your true strength is deep within you

a set back, is only a launch into something great
so let's do this 2015

<3
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December 24, 2014

Be Merry!


whether you were naughty or nice this year...

keep the spirit of the holiday in your heart <3

so much of the last minute chaos has definitely had us all a little anxious 
but now it's time to kick back and make memories with the ones we love!

indulge in your favorite treats, have an extra glass of wine
 and sleep in if it's permitted!

catch up with you all after the new year!


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December 18, 2014

Christmas time in the City

Something I have always loved about the holiday season
is the grandeur that becomes New York City!


The streets are 100% more crowded, the tensions are always high 

and everyone is rushing around a bit more then normal...
but every few steps there is something more beautiful to be seen!

I promise you, just look up and around you!


I gave you my personal list of favorites last year
but here are just a few more
( some more under the radar then others ) 
for you to check out this weekend and some that are even open, after the holidays!

1) Go to Rolf's - enjoy a drink or indulge in some German delicacies
but the site you are there to see  their enermous and over the top Christmas display!
 ( which is up until February 28! )

2) Stroll along 5th ave and catch a glimpse  of all the gorgeous window displays

3) If your feeling brave, head on over to Macys and walk through Santaland!
Maybe even take your picture with the man himself!

4) Go skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park 

5) Walk through the winter village at Bryant Park....
Do some light shopping, grab a bite or skate there too!

6) Union Square Market is probably my most favorite place to visit!
It is filled with tons of little unique shops sure to meet your every need!
from gourmet treats, handmade goods, art and much more.
Unfortunately, this market closes on Christmas Eve, so get there!

Hope you are able to make it there to any of these spots!
Be sure to post them on Instagram, use #SecretsInTheCity

Happy Holidays <3
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December 16, 2014

Secrets Holiday Gift Guide ( 2014 )



here for your convenience, all in one location
all editions of the Secrets Holiday Gift Guide
just click & go :) <3



The Guys
still can't think of anything refer back to 
the guides of years past...

 2013 
(men/ women)
2012
(men / women)
2011
(men & women)

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December 11, 2014

Holiday Happenings...

Where to skate : ❄️🎿

You can't turn down a good workout, 
and you will be left with lots of laughter, memories & maybe a sore or two after falling 

 Where to see the man of the month : 🎅📷

There is still plenty of time to visit with Santa 
before he heads back up to the North Pole to do final inventory for the big day!

 Where to celebrate the season : 🎄🎁

 Fortunately there is still this weekend and lots of local fun to be had, towns lighting their trees and menorahs and holiday parades and bazars! 

 Where to see fabulous lights : ✨🏠

Of course the most beautiful sight to see is the glimmering and sparkly lights!
Why not get in your warm comfy clothes, make some hot chocolate in to go cups, hop in the car  and check out some of the masterpieces on houses and displays!
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Gift Guide : The Ladies


Year after year, we rack our brains for what to get for our moms, our gals, our sisters,
we try to listen to subtle, hopefully dropped hints. (often missed!)

 But this year I thought, these items are classic and pretty swoon worthy. 
Not but the best, for any fabulous lady that you love!
These items are versatile, can be customized and very much so affordable!

 *Especially the Kendra Scott Kiri necklace! 
I must admit, all of these items, are on MY Christmas wish list!

 Remember any of the years past, gift guides still have the most awesome gifts to give!
( 1 / 2 / 3 )

So if you are simply out of ideas...
This gift guide is for you!

( * click on the image to direct you to the items site! * )

Gift Guide for The Gal


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Gift Guide : The Guys

I must admit, it is super complicated to find the perfect gift for the guy in your life!
He can be a creature of habit, he can seem like the easiest, most laid back guy 
and would love anything you give him! 


Truth is, most guys are incredible grateful for a pack of underwear, 
a new tie (of 20 if yours is anything like my Mr.) and some new socks!


But that's the kind of easy that makes you wanna throw your hands up and quit. 

Or, you could have what I suffer from... 

And want to spoil him and top yourself year after year!

Remember, that any of the gifts from years past ( 1 / 2 )
still make for an awesome gift as well!


So if you are simply out of ideas...

This gift guide is for you!

 ( * click on the image to direct you to the items site! * )


Gift Guide for The Man




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December 7, 2014

all that glitters



of course, one of my favorite things about the holidays is coming together!
crafts, cooking and baking is the best way to do that...
(MORE ON THAT LATER)

it's fun, a little messy and makes for a ton of memories too ;-)

since it's still the easiest, most affordable, most unique
and 
 ultimately the most long lasting gift to give...
(i love seeing them on peoples trees year after year)

i present (again) the GLITTER ORNAMENT
here are the past 2 years of tutorials on how to make them perfecto!



*here's a really awesome secret for ya...
i still have the same bottle of mop & glo - told you it's reusable! 

happy christmas crafting
<3
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December 5, 2014

5 things...


5 on friday is my favorite thing to share with you all
however, there are a couple of tasks 
that i need to accomplish before i can enjoy any lust worthy items!

my list has been growing longer
and obviously, my time to get the list done is much shorter

luckily i have an entire weekend with not a single thing booked!
and who doesn't crave a nice "do whatever weekend"

so that is exactly what i shall be doing this weekend
and in no particular order this is what i gotta get done :

laundry, meal prep, posts, recipe hunting and testing, 
a little sleeping in (okay a lot)
some errands and maybe some christmas shopping 
(if i can brave anything past target!)
but the most tedious tasks, crafts and new DIYs!

can't wait to show you all the goodies i encounter <3
what are you up to this weekend?!
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December 4, 2014

Guide Guide : For Everyone & Anyone


a gift for everyone on your list, literally! 
and they are CRAZY affordable, check them out for any of 
the guys, the gals, even the kids (no matter their age) 
they are sure to  love any (probably all) of these gifts!

*remember all links to buy are highlighted directly to the site!*


the thing that tends to get lost the most, is our keys!
help em keep them!
(even a personalized one)
 that will make their keys look chic!
* i promise you will love everything else on the leatherology site too!



everyone is fan! be it going to a game or concert, maybe even the broadway lover!
give them the BEST coffee table book - their own!
ticket stub diary is great for all ages - add some pictures from the event to boot!
*a great way to give someone concert tickets as well ;-) 



we all love our smartphones & we all love our instagrams...
why not combine the two and
with YOUR (their) own pics!
couldn't be any more unique!



this is maybe my favorite thing EVER!
from the highest and lowest points on the earth.
a great reminder to stay balanced and keep a good chi around you at all times!
this is also one of the gifts, on my list!
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November 30, 2014

november recap

i made a promise to have november to remember
and i think i did a good job at that!

here's a quick recap of what i was up to...
by photo of course ;-)

took a little afternoon and had lunch by myself and did some quality planning
not very rare i take myself out to eat!
my phone was off and it was delightful (minus the photo)

on a typical target run, i breezed through the shoes...
saw these (alone the only pair) i said those will never be my size.
well they were a 7.5 AND they were $10 dollars!


you know i love a good road trip and a great photo op


told ya, sucker for photos


YES! this happened. 
(more on this later)

purchased a little lucky bamboo when i was at ikea
just so happens mine and my good friends bamboo 
were attached <3

full meaning of sunday funday!
goblets of champs on the couch on a sunday afternoon
i'll take it!

some family time, is always a good time
oh and dessert isn't so bad either

the coziest little space 
where i've had the pleasure of working a few times

the struggle of having perfectly naturally straight hair 
and wanting lush fab curls

after an adventure in beacon one lovely afternoon...
i found where the sidewalk ends!
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November 26, 2014

give thanks...



















i am thankful for so much
even though i have lost, there are gains and things that have remained the same.
there are things i know never take for granted.

for life, for the people i get to experience it with, for the love we show one another.
for the laughs we share, whether they are meant to lift spirits 
or just because we're plain ol' hilarious.

for the things i've accomplished
and the things i've acquired, not material things.
for lessons, blessings, missteps, passes.
and more then anything...

i am beyond grateful for time. 
for the 23 years i had with my brother and all our endless memories together.

you see this thanksgiving, i'm not in the right frame of mind. 
i can't claim to be on top of it all the time
people keep reminding me how much the holidays will be hard for my family.
and i get that, i do.

but what i can't grasp, is how fast time is moving
watching minutes turn to hours and hours to days
it makes it all too easy to realize that time waits for no man.
and i need to appreciate that, first and foremost.
must i always remind myself to stop focusing on how stressed i am
and realize how blessed i am.

certainly a work in progress, but a true statement!

i hope you enjoy the holiday with those you hold near and dear
and of course, eat til your hearts content!

thank you for being apart of this special journey with me <3
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November 20, 2014

Gift Guide : Tweens



you might remember that as a tween ourselves, 
we were constantly begging our moms to take us to the mall
we always "needed" something...

much has changed since then, hasn't it ladies!? ;-)

goodness, how many hours of my life did i waste in the limited and in icing?!
(dating myself, 100% right there)

while i have a tween that i keep very near and dear to my wallet errr, my heart!
(c'mon what are big sisters for?!)
i thought this was an awesome category for the gift guide this year

so here are just a few fabulous finds any tween
 would be happy to unwrap this holiday season ;-)


(remember all sites are linked as description of items)



1. $16.00 (each letter) from pottery barn

2. $40.00 from lockwood shop

3. $14.00 from elf cosmetics


4. $9.00 - $14.00 from francesca's 



5. $24.00 perfume sampler set from sephora


6. $14.95 - $30.95 from h&m

*helpful reminder :
this is the moodiest, most fickle bunch you'll buy for - def get a gift receipt!

happy shopping for the tweentastic gals in your life!
 <3
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