Make me pretty

I always need a little boost for my skin at this time of the year. The skin is tired, pale and lackluster. So off I went to the Sephora at my lunch hour looking for some good vitamin C cream to give my skin the needed boost and clarity. Thanks to the perky sales person, I walked out with a product that cost twice as much: Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. It promises to make my skin "moisturized and luminous" and to give me a complexion that "looks even and beautifully radiant" (gotta love that marketing language). The secret ingredient comes from grapewines, so how bad could it be - I love the other good stuff coming from the grapewines ;-) I will tell you how beautifully radiant my skin gets with this after I've used the serum for a couple of weeks.

I also got some make-up - my absolute favorite lip gloss, Buxom Lips, in Lacey. The perfect color and perfect consistency. And a new treat, a Bobbi Brown shimmer wash eye shadow in Heather Mauve (looks more silver or gray than mauve to me, but who am I to say, I am not the make-up artist, all I know is that it's a pretty color that's neutral enough for the day)...

Coffee Table - Take 2

The coffee table display evolves again..this time the green Aalto vase is out because it is in use elsewhere housing tulips. I added the cute little reindeer thingy I found at Anthropologie and the golden clock that has been looking for a place. The poor little clock has always looked out of place but I think I finally found the perfect spot!

The Never Ending Winter

Yes, winter 2010-2011 is now officially known as the never-ending-winter! Kids have had their fun in the snow and husbands have had their exercise shoveling the driveway. It's been pretty, but it is now time for the white stuff to melt. This winter provided plenty of material for pictures though, so here are a few shots taken on our yard.

NY Fashion Week

Today was a beautiful clear and sunny day, a day when you want to think about spring! (And go shopping, which I did, but more about that later...) However, the fashion week is always a step ahead, and the fashion industry is already looking at fall and beyond. With all the pre-fall collections and sneak peeks, there have been news about fall for so long that it almost feels like old news by now. But let's not let that stop us from enjoying the shows at the Lincoln Center! As the week kicked off yesterday, there were a couple of my favorites on the first day: Richard Chai and Christian Siriano. And since I am a very pragmatic person, I love the wearability of these designers. Here are my top picks:

Richard Chai

Richard Chai

Richard Chai

Richard Chai (and the beautiful finn Suvi Koponen!)

Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano

 

Coffee Table

There is a rotating collection of items on my living room coffee table. I change the display as the spirit moves me. Recently though, I changed it because a couple of wild girls were throwing a ball in the living room (a big no! no! in my book, apparently not in daddy's book) and broke one very delicate Orrefors candle holder that was from a set of three. There are two left, but they don't look as nice without the third. Needless to say, now throwing a ball in the living room is a no! no! in everyone's book!

Walk Like an Egyptian

The news from Egypt has given me a pause. The uprising is scary and exhilarating at the same time. The country finally has a shot to achieve true democracy after so many years of autocracy, but the road to change may be long and arduous. Egypt may also be the front runner of the other arab league countries, that yearn for change, democracy, and corny as it may sound, freedom. Of course the whole western world is holding its breath waiting to see whether Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood will emerge as a leading force, or whether the change to democracy will take a secular form. In either case, it will be very interesting to see how Egypt will incorporate islam into its politics going forward. Hopefully there won't be anymore violence, but a peaceful revolution. America should now "put its money where the mouth is" and strongly show its support for Egyptian democracy. And since this is a style-focused blog, I cannot help but asking how long do you think it's going to take to see some Egyptian influence in fashions?

A New Line to Watch - Leifsdottir

I discovered Leifsdottir online last summer when I was enormously pregnant. The clothes seemed really cute and had a somehow Scandinavian feel. And of course there was the name, Leifsdottir. I was left wondering about the Scandinavian connection. Sunday's New York Times Styles section brough the answer! Leifsdottir is a standalone higher end line started under the Urban Inc (parent of Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters) umbrella. The clothes are sold at Bergdorf''s, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus (and apparently they sell very well). And, the best of all, the line is the brain and design child of Johanna Uurasjarvi, a fellow Finn, who for ten years was the director of designer for Anthropologie, and then started this line in 2010. I can't wait to get myself to the nearest Bloomies next weekend to try on a few pieces.

 

Entre S'il Vous Plait

Remember the auction with the Kelly bag I did not win? Well, it wasn't all bad...I actually got a few nice pieces at the auction, like this white carrara marble top side cabinet which is now in my entrance. I love the way it looks there. The piece is big, but the white top lightens the load visually. Now I just need some bright colorful art or prints on the wall next to the mirror, preferably something modern and something a bit whimsical or humorous. 

The Sewing Project

If you recall, I got my daughter a sewing machine for her 8th birthday. First she practiced sewing shapes on paper, and then it was time to start a project. Given that she's really into baking, she wanted to make an apron. I figured that that's an easy thing to start with - no sleeves, collars or buttonholes :-)  We've had so much fun making the apron - or should I say, I've been having fun making it...she lost interest at some point and now comes around to check on my progress! The little machine works like a wonder and has a really nice and smooth stitch. I haven't sewn anything for years and years, but it's coming back to me, and now my mind is full of ideas of what I could make...

Shoes Shoes Shoes

I am always looking for cute flats or ballerinas. To my great regret, within the past couple of years I have lost the ability to wear high heels and am now wearing flats pretty much all the time. Even though ballerinas are everywhere, it is actually quite difficult to find good looking ones that don't make your feet look too flat, or too wide, or too long or too dumpy. This week, as a result of a quick lunch time run, I found a perfect pair of black, highly decorated flats by Enzo Angiolini. These made the prime placement under my desk at the office to better slip on as soon as I get in!

Also, a while back I had a little obsession on Gucci motorcycle boots. But I managed to talk myself out of spending $800 on them - and now I am so happy that I did, because I found this pair of very similar boots in the Bloomies sale for $50. Ha!

Awards

One of my favorite blogs is in the running for this year's Weblog Awards - 2011 Bloggies in the Best Latin American Blog category. Check out Anabel's beautiful blog "and so I whisper" and vote here.

And talking about awards, I have received a couple: the Versatile blogger award from Anabel, and Violette of the "Chez Violette" blog. Violette also gave me the Stylish Blogger Award.

Now, I would like to thank God, my mother, and all who have made this possible, i.e. me :-)

Apparently, once you receive these awards, you have to share seven things that nobody knew about you:

1. I love planning, not so much doing. Oftentimes, the urge gets satisfied with planning, and I can save myself the trouble of actually having to put the effort into doing...
2. But when I do finally get into doing stuff, I like to do it (whatever it is) well.
3. I always have about 2-3 (or more) books that I am reading. Some books may take me years to read, as I may come back to them after a long period of non-interest. I also read self help books...
4. I am a very impulsive shopper and I loooove bargains (not my best trait and am trying to change this).
5. I am a bit of a peeping Tom. I love to peek into people's homes. I guess that is why I love blogs that showcase how people have decorated.
6. I am always struggling with my weight. I have accepted that I am tall and large and will never be tiny, but it is those last few pesky pounds that refuse to leave my butt and thighs.
7. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up - I have always wanted to start a business but am too accustomed to a regular paycheck and convenience of a job. (And I actually like my job very much!) Maybe when I retire?

Ice

As New York is in the throngs of yet another winter storm, this time a veritable ICE storm, I was thinking about ice...a little bit different ice... I have never been a huge fan of diamonds, because to me diamond jewelery tends to be either a bit boring or too much into the rapper bling bling world. And since I am a fan of big necklaces, most of my diamond options would be in the rapper category, sigh. Except that there is one diamond necklace that I absolutely adore. The DeBeers Talisman. It is so beautifully organic, historic and not too precious looking. I even love the name, Talisman. This piece is on the eternal wish list!

The orchid and the snow

I love orchids, and this one has been making me think about warm, tropical islands where orchids grow wild, while New York is waiting yet more snow, or an ice storm...

Pitfall of Fashion

Do you want to be known for your fashions or for your opinions? That is a very relevant question to ask, especially when it comes to public figures with lots of expectations, such as Michelle Obama. There has been lots of criticism that Mrs. Obama wore an Alexander McQueen gown to the recent state dinner, instead of opting to wear an American designer gown, such as an Oscar DeLaRenta (who's been complaining the most). I, as most everyone else, am a big fan of Michelle, and the style she has made famous. But as an intelligent, high profile woman you want to be known at least as much for your achievements and opinions, as for your fashions. In Michelle's case, the fashions are beginning to overshadow the opinions, and she is in the danger of becoming, at least in my mind, what is described in the financial industry as an "empty suit". Someone who looks the part, but doesn't offer much. I still have faith in her abilities and I hope that she will step up her efforts to discuss issues that are important to American families.

Just Can't Wait

for tomorrow that is.. There is an auction with a black Hermes Kelly bag on the block. Will it stay within my budget? Please keep your fingers crossed!

A Winter Treat

New York was hit by a blizzard (once again!) and I had some extra time to nurture my inner Martha Stewart... Tried a new recipe and it came out mmm-mmm-goood!

This pumpkin-banana sweet bread is yummy and so easy to make.

And here she is....

Our new precious!

So 2009 or still stylish?

While on maternity leave I hardly wore a watch, or if I did, it was a smaller size watch for ease and also for being careful not to scratch the baby with my watch or with any other jewellery for that matter. But now that I went back to work I started wearing my Michael Kors watch again. It feels so huge on my wrist and the question is, is it too big? I guess the style pendulum is swinging towards smaller everything, watches, bags, even jewellery although rings still seem to be pretty huge...

Love that Prada

Is anyone else seeing the "marimekkoishness" of the Prada spring collection? I love looking at these clothes, they are so vibrant, full of life and smell like summer. 

The 48 Laws of Power

I have been reading the 48 Laws of Power on my iPad as an e-book. Although I find the laws of power fascinating, the book is really weird in that it almost single-mindedly speaks of power as something that can only be attained unethically by cunning, lying, deceit and cheating. I absolutely do not believe in that mindset. I believe that you can obtain power by being nice, fair, smart, hard working, and by having a good self esteem, i.e. recognizing your value, and not letting others take advantage of you. You can use other people on your rise to the top as long as it is mutually beneficial.

On another note, I sure hope that the quality of this book is not indicative of e-books in general. It is full of typos and the text is chopped in strange places. Other than that, I have been enjoying reading on my iPad and am not missing the actual book paging experience that much. Will definitely continue reading on the iPad and saving trees.

Style Advice Books

Here' the deal: Ines de la Fressange is coming out with a new style book. I have read a few books in this genre (Rachel Zoe, Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn)  and have never been very much impressed. After thumbing them in the book store, I went to the library and ordered them from there, and was happy I did. None of the books made me want to own them. But I have very high expectations for Ines' book. And not only because her style is such classicly and beatifully French and Chic, but because I saw a sneak peak into the book at the DisneyRollerGirl blog and it shows the outfits on both Ines and her daugher Nine. Two takes on the same items, styled age appropriately, and so not matronly, my eternal fear and pet peeve when it comes to aging and fashion. Here, finally, may be a style advice book that I want to own. Can't wait to have it in a book store near me.

3D Came Home

What is it with men and technology? When anything new comes out they are like kids in a candy store, excited and happy. I guess it's a little bit like I feel when the a new Prada or Marc Jacobs collection comes out... Anyway, mu husband is hugely into technology and has to be the first to try new stuff. He has been talking about getting a 3D tv for a while now, and I have been trying to stall. I am not into 3D at all. I hate having to wear the glasses, and the whole concept of stuff leaping out of the screen just does not appeal to me. I am perfectly happy to keep my distance from whatever it is I am watching and not feel like I am "in there". Well, my stalling tactics were not all that successful, as there is now a 65 inch humongous monstrosity of a 3D tv sitting in our family room. It will move to the basement once the on-going basement renovation is finished, and we can set up a movie theater in there. I guess I am going to give the thing a benefit of a doubt until I can make up my mind after seeing a few 3D movies on it.

The Tiger Mother

There is a huge public debate raging in New York about parenting styles. A few days ago Wall Street Journal published an article titled "Why Asian Mothers are Superior", an excerpt of an upcoming book that chronicles the very extreme Chinese parenting style of an American born Chinese mother, Amy Chua, or the "tiger mother". She advocates a very strict style that has been a norm in high aspiration, high achievement Chinese families. She eschews play dates, sleep overs, creative hobbies such as participating in school plays, team sports, camps, basically anything, it seems, that makes childhood fun. She obviously does not believe that children can learn valuable lessons via play, or that they need any unstructured downtime. No video games, tv, or anything other than academic drilling and piano or violin lessons and endless practice. I happened to read the article and was flabbergasted, mostly because she is so sure that her style is, well, superior.

I guess there are as many parenting styles as there are parents. The good thing about the "tiger mother" debate is that it is making people think about parenting. Being a good parent is such a huge and complex responsibility that nobody can be perfect. Parenting is wrought with guilt, and sometimes regret, but mostly it is a rewarding and wonderful job. I believe in balancing demands with fun. I love seeing my kids learn while having fun, as they did yesterday when we visited the Long Island Children's Museum (which, by the way, is a fantastic place). Life is very stressful, even for kids, and I am a big believer in downtime and having unstructrured time. Some kids get bored in a minute, but not mine because they have learned to play. If a kid never has time to just be, they don't have time to learn to play creatively and use their mind and imagination to come up with activities, plays and games. Balance is the key, though. Some kids have nothing but time and end up in trouble, or never experience achievements that can only come when you conquer and learn something that was hard at the beginning. Of course a good parent has to also teach kids the value of hard work and not quitting immediately when the going gets tough, or something feels difficult. But if a kid is consistently not into some hobby, and clearly will not be very good at it, whatever it is, it is ok in my mind to move on and try something else.

However good it is to analyze your own parenting style and think about how you can improve as a parent, I hope this debate does not bring back the age old "mommy wars" between working and stay-at-home mothers. I am so sick of that discussion. It has been proven that there is no one perfect recipe for well adjusted, happy children who will lead rich and successful lives.

The Arc Lamp

After a short hiatus we are back in the interior decorating mode. The house is totally functioning, and looks fine, but definitely requires fine tuning here and there. We have played around with the furniture changing the order a few times. Looks like the sectional is now staying put here in the living room. The living room needs a few finishing touches, one of which is this arc lamp. I love the way it looks with the mirror table, and it is just perfectly retro and modern at the same time.

My Favorite Things..

To borrow a little from Oprah (or Mary Poppins as it may be), here are two of my new favorite things... My glasses, without which I could not survive, and I absolutely love. I got these Tiffany frames last fall (and they came in the cutest Tiffany blue box). Another new favorite thing is the stainless steel Aalto serving platter that was just the perfect pick for me from someone I did not even know all that well at the time. I know things are not supposed to make you happy, but I can't help myself..these things just do make me happy.

Snow Day

Yay! It is a snow day in Long Island today. The kids are happy that schools are closed and parents are happy they can work from home :-)   Everyone gets a little unexpected break and some time together. The outside world looks like a fairytale winter wonderland with icicles and all.

Protection and Proper Use of Assets

This week I was asked to read and sign my company's code of ethics. The long text contained the header "Protection and Proper Use of Assets" which made me think that we all should have a personal code of ethics and borrow this important thought to resolve to protect our mind and body from all the external garbage we encounter. Another worthwile heading: Respect for the Individual.

About Having it All

So, about having it all. Is it really possible? Given the extreme shortness of American maternity leaves, I went back to work a week ago on Monday. The first week was tough, but made easier by the fact that I am doing this for the third time now and know what to expect. Dealing with guilt, sadness, and at the same time feeling competent and fulfilled by my professional life and proud of my achievements. And I do have to say, work sometimes does feel like a vacation compared to staying home with three kids. Regardless of all that, I did cry last night at the thought of having to leave my precious little one home. It is not easy being a working mom and it is not easy (or even possible) to have it all...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Long Island!

This is the first ever real snowman the kids built all by themselves - isn't it great?

I am a sucker for new year's resolutions - so of course I made them again this year... I made the usual ones of losing weight (baby weight has got to go!), sleeping more, trying to find time to exercise, really being there for the kids and spending quality time with them and not just "being" there.

My style resolution is to care less about fashions, more about style and to keep honing in on my own personal style.

2011 will be a great year, we will reap the rewards of the work done in 2010. The best is yet to come!