The Rug! It's Back!

The Keep Calm and Carry On RUG is back!! AND it's on SALE at Anthropologie. What should I do? There was a time when these rugs (with red background and light gray lettering) were selling at CB2, but I did not buy it and then when it sold out I kicked myself for not getting it. It would be so perfect for our entrance. Humorous but also exactly on message for our household with 3 little kids creating a constant chaos. We already have a different rug for the entrance now... What to do, what to do, what to do?

Skirts with Pants

I have now seen a few pictures of pre-fall 2012 lines where skirts go with pants. My first reaction was NO! Not again. Then I paused and thought that maybe this is not so bad after all. But after that momentary insanity, I realized, that it indeed is very bad. I will not be doing this again. It was enough that I did when the style was around last time in the nineties.

Alexander McQueen

Elections

Even though I have not had the time to follow super closely the political debates, I guess I can't pass the topic of the elections without making some comment, given that there are presidential elections going on in both of my countries, Finland and the U.S. It is interesting to compare and contrast, even though in US we are a bit behind and the big question now is which republican candidate will run against Obama. In Finland the elections were already held, and the big surprise was that the election went to second round (at least it was a surprise to me), and that the candidate against the more traditional type of presidential candidate (lawyer by training, served as Finland's finance minister) is a gay man and a green party candidate (who happens to have an amazing background working as a negotiator in international crisis areas, such as Sudan and Somalia).

Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/finland-presidential-race-pekka-haavisto_n_1223477.html 

I wonder how long it will take in America to have a woman as a President, or to nominate an openly gay man? Finland has had a woman President for 12 years, and now a very popular gay candidate. I am very proud to be Finnish.

I also wonder what would have happened if Hillary Clinton would have become the President of this country instead of Obama.. I was always for Hillary and think she is an amazing woman and a wonderful role model. I just hope this country can get through this year's elections without getting even more polarized and without widening the gap between the social classes, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, races, women's right to choose, those who have health care and those who have not, etc.

Having watched last night's CNN Republican Candidates Debate, I am not so sure that it's possible.

Office Outift

Here is another recent office outfit: dark blue Magaschoni cashmere open cardigan, Banana Republic white wool skirt (must be 10 years old, and used to be really loose on me, and fits now perfectly due to weight gain), Banana Republic necklace, the stripy top is from a discount store and the label was cut off.

The Best Part of the Picture: the little piano player in the background

Is your Personality making you Fat?

When I read this recent article in the Wall Street Journal, all I could think was OH MY GOD - this is why I am having such a hard time losing weight!

There is a clear connection between your personality and weight gain. And I seem to have the bonanza of personality traits that make you fat:

I am a stress junkie
I am a night owl
I am a giver
I am a mindless multitasker
I am a perfectionist

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204124204577150702592157004.html

The only thing missing from this list is being impulsive - which I have realized all on my own, is not a good personality trait for weight loss..

Maybe realizing how my personality affects my weight will make it a bit easier to deal with trying to lose weight..

New York Love Story - Williamsburg Bridge

My New York love story includes the Williamsburg Bridge:

Givenchy - pre-fall 2012

Givenchy is huge. Gorgeous. The boots are amazing. I would buy these outfits if I could afford them.. (ok, I would leave the hat out). They are fashion forward and still totally wearable. At the same time classic and modern. The best of fashion! I have to figure out a way to copy these on the cheap.

Inspiration - Black and White

Eve Arnold took some amazing photos where the vulnerability of her subjects is palpable. The beauty of these women and the moment captured is breathtaking.







Eve Arnold died a few weeks ago at the age of 99. She photographed many celebrities of her time and is perhaps best know of her photos of Marilyn Monroe.

Pre-fall 2012 Trends Part 2

Looks like fur is still going to be huge next fall. Good, since so many of us have made the investment!

Prabal Gurung

Nina Ricci

The Row

Are you happy?

For the most part, I believe that happiness is a choice. In our every day life we can choose to be happy. To me happiness is contentment and gratitude, love, peace of mind, and being able to smell the roses, i.e. enjoying small things.

Pre-fall 2012 Trends

White and beige with some red accents, anyone? 

Chloe

The Row

These Boots Were Made for The Office

I had been looking for a pair of boots for a long time. I wanted simple boots with no buckles, or embellishments. It was incredibly hard to find a pair that was comfortable enough to wear for an extended day, had some heel but not too much, had the right hight shaft, and was good quality leather with the right fit (tight on the calves), and didn't break the bank. I eventually found these boots from Finland. They are a German brand Caprice. I love these boots! I can wear them with anything, and they are a good supporting actor to whatever is the main attraction of the day.

Words to Live By

As a mother, I have my antenna up for good advice that I could give to my daughters about life. Here is one that I hope they will remember growing up, and if they won't remember, I remind them not to settle.

Gym

For those who made the resolution to exercise more (like me), here is a funny piece published in the Wall Street Journal: The 27 Rules of Conquering the Gym.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203471004577140900388728374.html

I am in the process of switching my gym membership, and am having some trouble with it because my old gym does not want to let me go... I agreed to a long contract with the NYSC, which I now want to break! Their gym contract is very un-consumer-friendly, and I will find a way to get out of it, but it's annoying and another thing that takes time when time is already so precious. But the new gym Equinox is sooo much nicer than the old gym. The older I get, the more I need all the fringe benefits and the small luxuries that make life more comfortable. And it helps that Equinox is right around the corner, both next to home and office.

Black and White

I love black and white. But it can be hard to do. Not for Lanvin, though. This outfit is so elegant, so beautiful. And the styling with the red gloves and black and white necklace is superb. 

Fashion Miss

In fashion, nothing is absolute - everybody has hits and misses. Or, like a catty New York Housewife put it a while back, "Even Louis Vuitton makes mistakes", when commenting on another cast member's LV shoes. And, so it seems, does Balenciaga.. Or what do you think about this pre-fall 2012 outfit? I think it's a miss, the pants especially.. I can't really think of anyone who would want to wear those. But then again, I am just waiting to be proven wrong...

Office Outfit

Not sure anyone wants to see my outfits, but here is yesterday's office outfit. This is full on H&M, jacket, shirt and pants and even the necklace are all from the same store, bought at various times. Only the boots are not H&M. They are a find from Finland; super comfy, and good quality, German made Caprice.

SALE Finds

I love a good sale as much as the next girl. But sales are dangerous, too. However, this year, I think I did very well. Missoni has been having a "moment" (for me at least), and I got lucky and found a gorgeous black Missoni open cardigan duster sweater, about 70% off. I think I will wear this thing for many many years and feel like a million bucks every time!

Another great find, although perhaps not as luxurious, was a North Face fleece jacket. Not the run-of-the-mill, boring boxy regular fleece, but a body hugging tight belted version. Perfect for a person who wants to look good even when exercising, running after kids or just lounging around..

Inspiration - John Chamberlain

The sculptures of artist John Chamberlain are very inspiring. His work is creative, bold and expansive. His use of old car parts, foam, etc, was ground breaking. Chamberlain passed away in December 2011, but the Guggenheim Museum in NYC will have a Retrospective of his work beginning in February 2012. I am definitely going to see it.

2012 Resolution

Happy New Year! For me 2012 will be a year of finding balance. I will try to remember Socrates' teaching "Know thyself" and be less influenced by trying to find approval from others. I will do what feels good and be gentler to myself. I will teach my daughters that what is inside counts more than what is outside, and even though we enjoy fashion and style, substance is more important than style. I will focus more on high arts and science and less on the junk culture of reality TV. I will try to find time to keep myself healthy, both in spirit and physically. I will keep my mind open to new thoughts and ideas, and my life open to new experiences. I will plan less and do more. I will seize the moment and let go.