Mother's Day

{My mother going nuts dancing at my wedding after changing into her party-rocking dress.  I was asked several times if she was "okay to drive home."  She doesn't drink.  And she stole those stunna shades from Mike (in background).}

{A summer breeze on my wedding morning.}

Today the husband and I cooked a decadent lunch to celebrate my mom.  It involved grilled steak with kimchi butter, grilled asparagus and radicchio, giant cheeseburgers (beef mixed with pork, bacon fat, Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of light curry powder, and organic cheddar on egg rolls), potato salad, shrimp/veggie/pasta salad, wine, beers, and Diet Coke.  It was a great time with family and a warm, sunny day.

It's so nice to be able to spoil my mom sometimes.  She is the most generous, spirited, strong and amazing woman I know.  I am grateful to have inherited her joie de vivre and her drive.  In my last post, I wrote about vaguely regretting never moving to New York - but hand in hand with that, I am deeply thankful that I am 5 minutes from my mama.  To everyone, whether you are lucky enough to spend the day with your mothers or are perhaps missing them - Happy Mother's Day. - xo

Fort Tryon Park

Just a  few moments from an idyllic spring weekend with BFF Marina a few weeks ago.  Every time I go to the city to see my besties, I feel the (rare yet pronounced!) twinges of regret that I never moved there as I intended to do after college - as much as I love it where I live, nothing compares.  M. lives right near beautiful, story-book Fort Tryon Park, where she almost decided to have her wedding.  We went for a magical after-breakfast (grilled cheese and corned beef sandwiches) walk with iced coffees and the kind of watercolor-illustration spring day that makes you want to match the freshness of the blossoms and the lush seasonal palette.

{Trippy sculptures scattered throughout the park; M. looking fresh in J.Crew/Tendenza threads and jewels; dramatic flora and the lovely New Leaf restaurant tucked away amongst amazing twisty, bendy trees that arch like a canopy over-head; you're never too old for dandelion wishes.}

We ate at New Leaf the night before, enjoying special cocktails and delicious meals - the late-night walk through the park was just as beautiful, with a great view of the George Washington bridge sparkling across the water and a lilac-scented breeze.  Neither M. nor I are much for serious "hiking," but this was the perfect nature stroll for two girls with lots to discuss and a penchant for posing with petals.

-xo

20 Wardrobe Essentials

Items over which I am currently obsessed with or lust for, various versions of which (together and separately) currently comprise (or will comprise) my spring/summer wardrobe: 

{#1. $10.00 3-packs of Hanes Men's v-neck tees in Small.  What can I say, they are just perfect for lounging, dog-walking, throwing over a glam bandage-style mini-skirt, or sleeping.  Soft and slouchy from Jump Street til the day they retire.}

{#2.  Can't beat Old Navy for sweats ... and I prefer the men's version here, too.}

{#3, #4, #5, & #6. Slouchy, stripy black and white tees; dark skinny jeans; polished pencil skirts; medium-sized girlie clutches that can fit your wallet, phone, lipgloss, and keys.}

{#7. A feminine, moto-style black leather jacket, perfectly worn-in and just snug enough.}

{$8. Perfectly gorgeous, flirtatious, and elegant LBD.  I am currently stalking the Juicy Couture Guipure Lace frock above, equally suited to a wedding, dinner party, or fun evening out - as long as there's champagne involved.}

{#9, 10, 11, 12.  Soft, worn-in thin, drapey tees; saucy denim cut-offs, perfect sleek black pumps, platform shoes in all heights and degrees of chunk.}

{#13. The ultimate blazer, whatever your personal version of that might be.  Mine is black, boyfriend-cut slim, and sharply tailored, in both linen and heavy-duty cotton. The jacket version is the J.Crew gray wool "professor" blazer.}

{14.  Beautiful, functional bags. Obsessed with the M.Z. Wallace "Kate" with its peerless organization, spacious interior, lightweight stain/water-resistant Teflon-coated nylon, and jewel-toned "peacock" color.  Have the "Jane" in cardamom; addiction has set in.}

{#15.  Bright tailored pants to punch up dull work ensembles.}

{#16. Pretty, lady-like, professional nail polishes in blushing nudes.}

{#17.  More nudes ... shoes, that is, in all different styles - wedges, pumps, booties ...}

{#18. A jewel-tone cocktail dress, perfect for warm, balmy summer fetes.}

{#19. A flattering black-and-white "go anywhere" print dress.}

{#20.  An irresistible exclamation point: shiniest and sexiest of red pumps, for cinematic and empowering effect.  Bonus points for wearing them at least 1x a week.}

What are you rocking and loving this season?

-XO

{Photo credits: 1 hanes.com, 2 oldnavy.com, 3 4 5 6 gap.com, cupcakesandcashmere.com, 7 ebay.com, 8 net-a-porter.com, 9 10 11 12 instyle.com, 13 fleeflyflown.wordpress.com, 14 mzwallace.com, 15 thefashionpolice.net, 16 mckenzierenae.tumblr.com, 17 christian louboutin, 18 windsor.com, 19 forever21.com, 20 styleguru.com}

Spring Break: Moments of Zen

It's been a non-stop spring, hence the lack of posts and the temporary demise of my sanity.  However, my spring break was punctuated by a few sunny moments that brought some happiness and calm:

{Visiting beautiful baby Avery and mama Jennie - this little girl is such a smily, funny, cuddly beauty.  Look at her rocking her pastel and polka-dots - so on-trend.}

{I spend an inordinate amount of time on the chaise lounge in our living room next to this built-in bookshelf, and it's been a mess of paper piles and clutter.  Getting it in order was a major accomplishment, with frequently used items on back-to-back book-ends front and center.}

{Prescription glasses for movie-watching, iPad, frequently read books (you can never be too old for Grimm's fairy tales), my college thesis (short story collection).}

{Kindle, Moleskine musings, current reading material.  I read A Tree Grows In Brooklyn a couple of times a year; have done so since I was a kid.  Some books are home.}

{My Little Pony-esque nails - dark lilac with pink glitter.  Inspiration scrapbook and coffee-table fashion books.  Yes, I bought Lauren Conrad's Style.  Girl knows what's up.}

{A dark periwinkle silk blouse from H&M that I find myself reaching for constantly, for both work and play.  The deep jewel tone makes me happy and plays well with a lot of my wardrobe.}

Lots of color, a beautiful baby, spring cleaning, organization, and plenty of reading material are ideal antidotes to a frenetic life-pace.  Breathe, sigh, re-boot.

-xo