There are a number of small things that can make a huge difference in a day. With a work schedule that’s becoming increasingly more and more intense as I get closer to the big day, I’ve learned to take a minute for these small things. Sometimes, it’s those little things that can raise you above the worst and into a better light.

A delicious cup of coffee
My favorite coffee (the one I don’t brew at home) comes from the coffee cart vendor who sits outside of the Prada store on the corner of Broadway and Prince. He knows my face, always asks me how I’m doing, and gets my order right every time. When I don’t visit him for a while, he always asks where I’ve been. “Fashion Week again?” he’ll say with a smile as he makes my hot coffee with the perfect splash of skim milk (no sugar, never sugar). “Oh, sure” I’ll always answer, even those it’s March and everyone knows Fashion Week is in February and September.

Getting a manicure & pedicure
No joke, there is nothing better than sitting in a pedicure chair, reading a trashy magazine, and having someone rub on your feet. It is worth every penny, and every minute of a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Enjoying a beautiful spring day with a real lunch
The New York City mind set is one that never tires. You work through your lunch, eat hurriedly at your computer, and by the time you leave your desk, the sun has gone down and you’ve missed the day. With the weather getting nicer (especially because everyone knows that Summer in NYC is the absolute best). To enjoy the weather I’ve been “forgetting lunch at home” and popping out to grab something, even if it’s only a block away. Worth every missed call and urgent email unanswered, even if only for 5 minutes.

What are the little things that make your day just a little bit brighter?