Belated Summer Kick-Off

We celebrated my brother's May college graduation (congrats, David!) and the beginning of the warmest months by visiting the picturesque sea-food joint Abbott's in Noank, CT. We had a great shore-side lunch that helped soothe report-card/final-grades stress, and got our summer started right.

Hooray for BYOB places! We loaded up our favorite Hawaiian cooler with delicious beers and refreshing juices. A maxidress , Rainbows, and Reefs suited the mood.

Clam chowder, lobster bisque, steamers, cherrystones, a flamboyant self-manicure to match the sun sparkling on the waves, lobster rolls, whole lobsters, and corn on the cob, all with the smell of the ocean and the boats sailing tranquilly by - hello, summer. Enjoy yours!

- xo

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

I've Got the Green Light

Coming up on the end of March has come to mean several things for me over the past few years: my first "official" anniversary with my husband (we became "boyfriend and girlfriend" on St. Patrick's Day five years ago ... potato chips and Jameson were involved, and the rest is history ...), I start running (thinking about running?..) outside again, and I read/teach The Great Gatsby with my 8th grade students.  Gatsby then naturally colors my days, I start listening to The Killers non-stop, and every other song I hear or poem I read reminds me of the green light from the novel.  I feel re-awakened, passionate, invigorated.  What can I say?  I'm a hopeless romantic.  Always have been.
This past weekend, we went to the city for unbelievable meals with friends and a great engagement party.  The days were full of spring-is-here and incidental green (light) moments:

{This coconut water: Delicious.  Refreshing.  Addicted.}

{Forever21 nail polish in "Jade."  This color makes me happy and reminds me of Chanel's, for a fraction of the price.  Madewell rings.  Vintage "birthday bangle" from parents.}

{What a nerd.  Had to get this nails picture with the sticky-rice-discount-and-other-fun-pastel-block-letter-words sign.}

{Marina's engagement party!  Good times, great people, Dinosaur barbecue, and a radiant bride-to-be.  Liz and I can't wait to b-maid it up.  I love my best friends.  And spilling beer on my clothes, apparently.}

{Ninja-photographed this adorable love note from Ariel to his new fiancee.  Never seen her happier.}

{Random blurry pic taken driving on the West Side Highway - I actually like how it came out.  Perfect after a weekend of celebrating romance, true love, and dream-chasing.}

Isn't it weird how you start to associate a certain band/album with a season, book, or mood?  The Killers, blasted at top volume with the sun-roof open while driving on a fresh, balmy day, always make me feel like myself when spring begins.  And they make me think of Gatsby.  Don't know why.  I guess just the perfect synergy of fitting lyrics, the corny major-third melodies, and epic choruses I tend to go for when it's warm out.  Especially "All These Things That I've Done," "Mr. Brightside," and "Read My Mind:"

"I never really gave up on /
breakin' out of this two-star town /
I've got the green light / I've got a little fight /
I'm gonna turn this thing around / Can you read my mind? /
The good old days, the honest man / the restless heart, the Promised Land /
a subtle kiss that no one sees / a broken wrist and a big trapeze /
Well I don't mind if you don't mind, 'cause I don't shine if you don't shine /
Before you go / can you read my mind?...."

Here's to hope, beauty, and wonder this spring.  No matter that we might come off like creepy psychos staring all night at a single green light.  I'm all in; it's all right.  ---xo