Friday's Outfits

Yesterday my après gym outfit was designed more to be comfortable in the heat wave, and the dinner outfit had the same requirement, as it was still really hot at night.

Also went grocery shopping, and of course could not resist the big sale signs at Banana Republic. (It's either super convenient to have a BR right next to my supermarket, or really dangerous, haven't quite decided, but leaning on convenient. (There are some really expensive boutiques too, but I do draw the line there, and rarely pop in. They don't carry my size anyway, me being mostly too huge for boutique clothing. This may be a very good thing, actually, at least for my budget if not my stylishness.))

But boy am I happy I went to BR. I renewed my jeans collection in one fell swoop, and found the perfect skinny jeans, white jeans (in pics below) as well as bootcut jeans and cropped denim trousers. All on sale except the skinnies, which the salesperson brought to me by accident, but which were so perfect I couldn't pass up. Now I can throw out all my old ugly jeans that I've been hating. Most of them are from before my last pregnancy, which changed my body the most, and they are not good fit anymore. All these things we women must deal with...

Anyway, it was a happy day, and ended well too. I took my girls to the dentist in the afternoon and they had no cavities. And then later, after kids' dinner, hubby and me went on a date and restaurant hopped to a couple favorite local places. Sometimes it's good to be adventurous and try something new, but sometimes it feels good to see familiar faces and be recognized. We've been in this area for about two years now and are getting to that point where we know people and they know us.

The best skinny jeans ever

Some of my BR sale loot

Old Navy tank top, Joe Fresh skirt, Bottega Veneta sandals and LV bag

Ellen Tracy dress, Marc Jacobs clutch,  Rolex watch and Marco Tozzi sandals

Weakness

The sales are KILLING me, or actually my budget.. I should stay away, but I just can't. What's wrong with me? If I see a sale sign, I just have to quickly see what's there. Every year it's the same thing. Every year I decide that I will only buy things that I plan in advance. Things that I actually NEED in my wardrobe to update it, or to replace something worn out. No impulse shopping what-so-ever. And then the sales roll around and all my good intentions vanish. I am so weak! So far I've been to Marimekko, J Crew, and Gap, and ordered some Marimekko stuff online from Crate and Barrell. (oops I forgot Nordstrom's and Anthropologie.) (and Gucci and Burberry).

And talking about Marimekko, that's another weakness. It is impossible not to buy something when you go to the beautiful Marimekko store on 23rd and Fifth. At least the last round was on sale...

My NYC

I have loved New York from the time I visited Manhattan for the first time as a fresh and naive 19-year old, and got my neck stiff because I looked up at the buildings all day. NYC still inspires me. And of course I am not alone. A friend of mine recently told me that she feels like it's an adventure every day, stepping out on the street in Manhattan (and not just because of the crazy bike messengers).

Wall Street is my work neighborhood, and this area has come a long way since 9/11. I've worked in four different addresses here, and was here on 9/11, which really destroyed the area for a number of years. I was happy when my company moved to midtown soon after. I've been back downtown for a few years now, and it's great to see this area bouncing back.

There's the beauty of New York: it is resilient, tough and ambitious. It's certainly not the easiest city to live in, but I am sure that it's one of the greatest.

Water Street (at Wall Street)

Liberty Street

Bike Rentals are new within the past couple of years in NYC - I always wonder how the tourists have the gut to ride here..

South Street Seaport

Goodbye Nora

So sad that Nora lost her battle with cancer.. She was an amazing writer, creating so many interesting and strong female characters. She was able to describe us women so accurately, our many layers and complications, and never resorting to boring stereotypes. I loved her movies too, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle (which she also directed) are favorites.


"Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women." Nora Ephron, from Wellesley Commencement address, 1996

Back to Normal

Last week was one of the longest weeks of my life. Work was insane, for a few days I was gone from 6 am to 10-11 pm, hardly saw the kids (I felt so guilty!). Then when that was over our basement floor was flooded on Friday. And on Sunday we had planned a mother-daughter garden party at our house, which included two full meals (a brunch at noon and a barbecue later in the afternoon).. The party was great, but I was so busy that didn't even take any pictures.

After all this I was beat!

But this week things are back to normal. My work schedule is manageable and I get to see the girls in the morning as well as after work.

Here is today's outfit: Marimakko top, Calvin Klein pants, Kate Spade bag, Bottega Veneta shoes, Toy Watch, and ancient H&M necklace.

Living Life

I don't have any outfits to post, been just living life in cut jeans shorts, white T and flip flops. When I haven't been dealing with a flooded basement (thanks to Friday's epic thunder storm and flash flood), I've been at the pool with the kiddos, and celebrating end of the school year with some decadent desserts.

Heat Wave

New York is feeling hot hot hot! The pool is The Place to be! Wish I was there with my pool buddies right now, instead of sitting here in my office.. But I have to wait until tomorrow. I have declared Fridays Pool Days!

Today's Outfit

At a freezing conference room all day today while outside is a sweltering 95 degrees. Can't wait for this work week to be over, and go for a swim tomorrow! Highlight today will be meeting Eli Manning, the star quarterback of the NY Giants.

Business Outfit

I had a very long day today, starting with a business meeting at 8:00 am, and ending in a dinner at Bar Americain.

Dinner Outfit

Dinner in TriBeCa:
Escada jacket, Target T-shirt, JBrand jeans, Carlos Falchi python bag, various jewellery, and Dr. Scholl's wedge heels (yes, they are THE most comfortable heels I ever had!).

Happy Father's Day

Kids and I made a feast of a breakfast for daddy, leek & curry omelette, and waffles with home made berry jam/syrup. Now we are going to putter around in the yard, and later take daddy to a nice walk on the Highline and then dinner in TriBeCa.

Coming Up Roses

Today I planted some roses, was happily surprised when I noticed a big, beautiful bud in one of the roses that I planted a couple of months ago and thought that it didn't grow because it was covered with some other plants, and we bought bouquets of roses to my two older daughters for their dance recitals. Today's just been coming up with roses. And I love it - the more roses the better. Roses are like life, wonderful but not without their thorns..

Chicken Wire

Today's outfit: the top from Anthropologie is like chicken wire, and I love it ;-)

Impulse Buy

Whenever I get a bit stressed out I turn to retail therapy. I know it's not the healthiest or most effective way to deal with pressure and anxiety, but, hey... I am sure you do it too!

Yesterday's retail therapy session ended in an impulse purchase of some make-up. One item especially turned out to be fabulous: Lancome's Color Fever Lip Shine in Hibis-Kiss, and quickly became a favorite go-to lip gloss.

Details

Here are a couple of detail shots of a recent weekend outfit.

Dinner with Valentino (again)

Here is an outfit from the past weekend, needed a bit more conservative look for an event for lawyers (no, I am not one), but punched it up with Val (I am so in love with this bag!). Event was followed by lovely dinner with hubby, so didn't want to wear a suit. Wore this age old dress instead. The goal was to look conservative and somewhat boring, and I think I managed (except for Val, of course).

TGIF

This has been a tough week, so thank God it's Friday (not that the busyness stops, but at least I don't have to make the long commute to the City). Here's my outfit for today, was trying to look half decent for my daughter's school concert so she doesn't have to be embarrassed my me ;-)

Covington Tunic
Escada Jeans
Hermes Bag
Chloe Sunglasses
Hunter Sandals
Tiffany Key and Anthropologie Charm
David Yurman Bracelet

Summer Reading

Just started reading Fifty Shades of Grey. Let's see if this lives up to the hype!

Hello Gorilla

I took my little monkeys to the Bronx Zoo this past Sunday and we saw lots of animals and had a great time. The highlight of our day was this gorilla, who stuck out his tongue, and then when people laughed and cheered he took a bow, waited a while and then did the whole thing again. So cute, and kind of amazing! The features, and expressions, so human like. The gorilla was putting on quite a show, and clearly enjoying it. We will remember this a long time.

Good Morning

Recently I've been taking the early train to work. Early means 6:19 am! It's a pain to get up early (5:30 am), but also kind of nice to get up when it's still really quiet and peaceful. Even the roads are sort of empty, but once you get to the station, you find out you're not the only early bird.

I get ready so much faster if the kids are still sleeping. Not that I take that much time anyway, I have perfected a morning routine of 30 minutes from bed to out of the door. (Now you know why I mostly wear my hair on a ponytail to work). I do give myself a small buffer though, and pack some healthy snacks or lunch to go.

My Shopping Buddies

My shopping is usually quite targeted, run in and out kind of shopping because my shopping buddies get bored in stores.. No leisurely browsing and trying on a hundred outfits to look for the perfect fit. But, hey, time flies so fast that pretty soon I will have these three as my real shopping partners... The oldest is pretty close already and gives me style advice. BTW - notice the bag? She's finally realized that it's pretty cool!

Dinner with Valentino

We were invited to one of my husband's business partners for dinner last night. Of course I chose my outfit to complement Valentino!

My Precious

Welcome home Valentino! You complete me.