Fall is in the air (and so is mercury retrograde). Between birthday celebrations, rooftop gatherings, performances in the Thompkins Square Park, dinner at german pubs and Brooklyn diners, freelancing in midtown, midnight photo shoots (with an abundance of sparkles and sequins) and attending Fashion’s Night Out, it’s been an eclectic mix of events this week.

Follow the arrow. I love this sign! I just noticed it a few days ago on Ave. A near my friend’s apartment and supposedly the document proclaiming the sale of Manhattan was signed in the bar below.

Fall fashion. Last night I visited the Miu Miu boutique and fell in love with a white coat and black flats with gold toe caps. The cooler weather is here and strolling through Soho at night while peaking into boutique windows is a nice way to pass the time.

Midtown. I spent a few days working at a marketing agency this week and it was fun getting dressed up for a change and taking the train up to Grand Central Station. I love mixing things up routine-wise and get a thrill trying out new settings.

Speaking the truth. During a visit to Williamsburg, I noticed this poster. One of my favorite things about New York is the abundance of homemade street art.

Fashion’s Night Out. Bianca and I hit Fashion’s Night Out last night and my favorite experience by far was visiting the Phi boutique. The staff was super nice, the entire collection was impeccable and the ad campaign covering the walls was pretty flawless.

Turning 26. Bianca turned 26 a few nights ago and had a birthday bash complete with red velvet cake on Wall Street. We met back when she was 20 and its nice having a friend that you can grow up with and always depend on no matter what. It’s funny how the social circles in New York are actually really small; I’ve ran into Timothy and Jeffrey (on the right) on at least three occasions in the last two weeks! Adore them.

Strange posters. Can you believe that this is a Converse ad? It stopped me dead in my tracks because it was so weird. Those crafty marketers!

Head Shots. This week I finished my first legit magazine writing gig and realized that I didn’t have any basic head shots to accompany it. I called Bianca and by that night, the problem was solved! What can I say? Virgos are super punctual and organized. This is my trademark ‘scholarly look’….which is really quite far from reality!

My birthday is swiftly approaching; I’ll be 28 on September 14th! It’s been a roller coaster of a year but change is good, right?

Readers: How was your week?

To say that a lot happened this week is the understatement of the century. On top of the normal curve balls that life sometimes throws, I attended rainy rooftop parties in penthouse apartments, visited the Highline, did some design work for the Wall Street Journal, made a massively long trek by foot to the Financial District, said goodbye to Gala (sadness!), tried on designer shoes, visited old friends, turned down social invitations to sleep instead, realized I know my way around this city much better than I thought I did, spent hours on the phone talking to loved ones and felt sad that I am totally missing my mom’s visit to Portland right now! That’s life for you.

Hi, George. I am still soaking up the history that’s saturated in the Financial District. George’s pants are a wee bit tight, but hey, there weren’t fashion blogs in the 1700s so I’ll give him a break.

Making adjustments. Booking a week of freelance, catching up with old friends, missing my family, trying to plan when uncertainty creeps up on you. It’s best to take life one day at a time. I love the photos that Bianca takes; she has a knack for capturing certain moods and moments.

Manifestos. YSL can do no wrong.

The Jane Hotel. I visited The Jane with my friend Eliza and though the bar area was too dim to get any good photos, it can be best described as a turn of the century safari-themed lodge with baroque couches, lots of velvet, high ceilings, oil portraits of unknown dictators and a healthy dose of taxidermy. Fellow Virgo Zana was there as well celebrating her birthday and it was awesome briefly meeting her in person.

Visits. I love getting invited over to my friends’ apartments complete with tours of their buildings; they all have pretty impeccable taste. I entered this lobby and felt like I was in a glamorous spa and that isn’t a bad way to live!

Goodbyes. Gala left me the other day for Vegas, was back for a few hours and then jetted off to New Zealand. I miss her so much but the cute notes she leaves behind definitely help me feel better.

Rooftop parties. Even when it’s pitch black and raining, the parties must go on. Good friends, amazing views of the city and a glimpse of the Hudson can’t be beat.

The Highline. This is one of the places that you absolutely have to see if you are in town. The Highline recently opened to the public and a once desolate and grungy set of train tracks above the city have been transformed into a serene piece of urban utopia. Walking along the path, there are benches and wild grasses as far as the eye can see. Vendors sell organic juices and fair trade coffee. Everyone is happy.

The West Side. I spend most of my time in the East Village, but a change of scenery can do wonders. My friend Seze drug me across town and made me realize what I’ve been missing out on. We walked through parts of Chelsea, the Meatpacking District and the West Village and I can’t get enough of the cobblestone streets and quaint European influences.

Oh, Chloe.These boots reminded me of glamorous strawberries and fit like a glove. Though I gave them a try, I did not buy. How’s that for self control?

Readers: How was your week? Good? Bad? Mind altering? Life changing?