I still don't know how she does it.. or how I do it..

The reality is that you cannot do it all. Something has to give. And in the movie Kate Reddy eventually has to relax her schedule to make sure that she can see her kids at least on the weekends.. So, the movie was light, funny and entertaining as expected. It also did bring up some issues that working mothers deal with, the guilt, the total lack of time for anything, the competition at work ready to pounce when you have a weak moment, etc. The cliche "mommy wars" theme, however, was a bit tired..

The movie was timely for me, as I've been pondering an opportunity that would require quite a big time commitment in addition to my current job. I now work four days a week, and this new project would probably take up the rest of the week. The question I ask myself is whether I do have the endurance, energy and motivation to spread myself so thin?

Show Pony

The guest outfits at fashion shows were very colorful this year.. not the usual black.. all the more for us mere mortals to gawk at. I wish I had been a fly on the wall (or the guest sitting behind) to hear the conversation between Nicki Minaj and Anna Wintour. Some mind reading ability would have been fun too, to find out what Wintour really thought about Minaj's outfit..







But I am saving the best for last:

I don't know how she does it

On Friday night I plan on going with girlfriends to see the new Sarah Jessica Parker flick "I Don't Know How She Does It", based on a novel of the same name. I read the novel a few years back when it first came out, fully expecting to relate to the situation and maybe find some advice on how to actually do it all. But I remember thinking that even though I am a working mother and trying to make a career in the financial industry I did not relate to Kate Reddy. Her character seemed far fetched. However, some of the issues that the book raised hit home, very much actually, especially the differences on how working mothers and fathers are viewed and treated. Nobody questions a man traveling on business and leaving the family behind, but that is not the case for women..I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked if I don't miss my kids when traveling, and I don't event have to travel that much, and only a couple of days at a time. Nobody will ever ask that question of a man. Taking time off from work for a kid's school event, teacher meeting, doctor visit, etc., makes a man seem like a great human being and does not diminish his value at the workplace, but if a woman does the same, it is an annoyance. The book was funny and I did enjoy reading it. I am hoping that the movie will be as entertaining. And it is nice to Sarah Jessica Parker finally grow out of the single woman roles!

I do love my TV shows...

When I got my first television set, I stopped caring so much about having close relationships.


--Andy Warhol, American artist


The fall TV watching season is now in full swing..I personally can't wait for the Boardwalk Empire to begin on HBO this Sunday. Yesterday I watched the first post-Charlie-Sheen Two and a Half Men episode with Ashton Kutcher. I almost felt sorry for Charlie - there really was no love lost or mourning for his character on the show..however, it was a funny episode and the show's never been very sentimental anyway...I got a few laughs.

Fashion Success Story - Tory Burch

I love Tory Burch! I hate her a little bit too, for being so successful, and for seemingly having it all.. But more I admire her for the ability to be able to build such an amazingly successful business in the middle of severe financial recession. I guess the line is appealing because of its wearable styles and reasonable prices. Tory really understands the woman who is buying her stuff. The stylized cross-T logo became well known almost over night it seems. The craze started with the ballerinas that fast became ubiquitous in the streets of New York, then spread to the tote bags and the colorful well fitted tunics. However, this was the first time TB showed at the New York Fashion Week. Here are a couple of my favorites for next
spring.

Quote for Today

"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right."

Cheap Chic Crash

I am a big fan of cheap chic, so when I heard about the Missoni line for Target I made a mental note to check the web site when it hits on 9/13.. and I did - but apparently the line was so popular that it has crashed Target's web site. Can you believe it? I hope they still have these bed spreads available when they get the web site back up.. I just heard that everything is long gone from Target stores.

BCBG

Dresses are still big for Spring 2012. Here are a couple that I love from BCBG collection.

Notice the length! There's something very modern in the blue. Love the grey and a shot of orange color. Both dresses are very sporty and yet feminine.
 

Fall Color / Fashion Week Outfits

Following Fashion Week's guest outfits is just as important these days, as showing the runway looks, if not more important! That is where fashion happens - and a great inspiration for real life. I Love these looks from Mr. Newton's blog, these two NY Fashion Week outfits. A great and very "New York" way to use fall colors. Not sure who the first girl is, but the second is the Project Runway 2010 winner Gretchen Jones.

This WEEK

Ok, we have survived an earthquake and a hurricane. (And some of us have survived a wicked cold!)  Now the fashion folks have to survive the Fashion Week.. And the rest of us are saddened again and again with all the coverage of the 9/11 anniversary that transports us back to that horrible morning, day and following weeks.

Last night it was Fashion's Night Out, and I went for the first time.. Because of family or work obligations, I've never been before during the few years that it's been happening. But this time I did go. I chose to come back to LI from work and go to the Americana mall at Manhasset, tagging the family along (it seems I rarely do anything without them - anyhoo, I thought my oldest would've quite enjoyed the hoopla).  But what a disappointment it was. By the time we were there, which was around 7:30 pm, there was hardly anything going on.. Some bubbly at Etro and Vince, and some black raspberry vodka cocktails at Escada (due to the cold, I had not one sip - come to think of it, maybe that is why it just seemed like such a bore..). I guess Long Islandites party early - as I was told that most of the people were there early and stores were getting ready to call it a night.. Well, next year, if I get the chance, I will do FNO in the City - I have heard that Saks is a lot of fun.

Now I am going to look at the coverage of the NY Fashion Week - the previews say that it is a lot less skin and a lot more color than previous years. Longer hems, less cleavage - I am ok with that!