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.

Xmas

I am a big Christmas person. I enjoy the festivities, the traditional food, the chocolates, gingerbread, decorations, presents (both giving and receiving), music, and the chance to quiet the mind and heart in the middle of it all to remember the real reason we celebrate christmas and take in the blessings we have. We had a lovely Christmas and it is still continuing this week and until New Year. Santa was generous but practical and brought me things that I've been needing: Ugg's all weather boots and North Face light and packable down jacket. I also got Thierry Mugler's new perfume, the Alien - a quite unique scent which comes in a refillable bottle. Thanks Santa!

Today I am off to see the Christmas Carol play in the City with two of my girls. One of my daughter's friends has a part in it and we will take her celebrate after the play. And maybe we will have a chance to peek in on some of the sales.. The discounts are steep this year because the retailers were too optimistic and have a lot of inventory left. Just have to remember that a good deal is only a good deal if you really will wear the item. Better to stick with the classics like cashmere sweaters and good jackets, etc.

A Great Fashion Magazine

I may have mentioned this before, but I LOVE the Wall Street Journal Magazine. It's a monthly and it is one of the best fashion magazines I know of. It's none of the nonsense and all great articles and interesting photos and it's just fantastic. For some reason I did not receive the November issue, and I never had time to call and complain, but I was really upset. I have probably never been so upset over a magazine before (well maybe that one fall when they missed the delivery of the September Vogue and it was sold out everywhere when I realized they were not going to re-deliver).

The December issue features a photo editorial on jewelry with models that are not models at all but the great dames of the fashion and art world, aged 55-70. It's beautiful and so refreshing. The issue also has stories on Roger Vivier's Bruno Missoni and the house Max Mara. And of course great fashion photos.

If I ever left the financial industry, I might continue my subscription to Wall Street Journal just to continue to receive the WSJ Magazine!

A Couple of Outfits

This fall has been the warmest ever! I just now have taken out my winter stuff.. I am so bad at taking pictures of myself, not sure the outfits are very visible here, but the first one is my Thanksgiving hosting outfit, and the second my Black Friday shopping outfit:

My Missoni Poncho - I LOVE it!

Burberry sweater coat, Escada jeans, Bottega Veneta bag

Life is an Art of Circumstance

Most people try to plan their lives and careers and make strategic moves that help them get closer to whatever goal they set for themselves. However, the line moving forward is not always linear and vertical. Sometimes, and maybe most of the time, because of circumstances, you may need to stay in one place for a long time, or move side-ways or horizontally, instead of upwards. Sometimes you even need to take a step back. These moves may open up new possibilities that were not even part of the original plan. That is what I call the beauty of life. If you let life carry you, be grateful of all the good things that you have, and do your best to live fully and present, learn new things and be open to change, push yourself just a little bit outside of your comfort zone every now and then, the plans will eventually fall into place and you will find yourself in an amazing place that you never thought possible...

Droolworthy Stuff on My Ebay

Here are links to the items I had time to post on Ebay. Much more to come!

Manolo Blahnik Multi Color Python Slingback Stiletto 39

Manolo Blahnik Sandal Booties 39 (Carrie wore these in the SATC movie!)

Manolo Blahnik Double Band Sandals in Snake Skin 39

Items on Ebay

I am in the process of posting these items on Ebay. My seller name is nycfashionistastore. Come and see my listings!

Sergio Rossi

Sergio Rossi

Sergio Rossi

Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik

Chanel

More is more and starting something NEW

I am one of those people to whom one is never enough. I try to embrace the less is more philosophy but I never quite succeed because it's just not me. My closet is bursting in the seams and spilling over to the attic and various other places but I can't help myself - I am so bad at letting go of things, and so bad at not shopping. Retail is therapy - and having something new to wear is the ultimate feel good medicine for me.

I guess in this same vein, one job or career is not enough, and I have been planning to start another. This time I want to be in business for myself and do something fun in an area that I love: fashion, clothing, retail, style. However, I have invested so much time and effort in my career in the financial industry that I am not ready to let go of it yet. It also affords me a safety net as I explore this new business as more of a hobby first. I want to invite new and exciting developments to my life and career, learn new things, do something fun and make something cool happen one little step at a time.  

Got Nothing to Wear?

A man told his friend: "My wife only has two complaints: nothing to wear and not enough closet space."

To me, planning is key. I usually choose my outfit in the evening so that I can get out of the door in the morning in time to catch my train. If I don't, it's usually a small catastrophe, and certainly a panicky moment when I think that I have nothing to wear, even though the closet is bursting. Certainly if I don't choose the outfit in advance, it tends to be boring and un-coordinated, and all day it just won't feel right.

Sometimes I even plan the whole week's outfits in advance, especially if I know that the week will be extraordinarily busy. If only I could be that organized in other areas of my life!

A Quick Bag Update

Ok, so I finally made up my mind and did NOT get the Reed Krakoff bag. The reason was that the bag is very heavy, even with nothing inside, and since I have issues with my hands, I can see a problem carrying it.  Instead, I am now leaning towards the Celine luggage tote in navy. Why is it so hard to decide on a bag this fall? The semester is almost over and I still don't have my new "schoolbag"...

Treehouse Dreams

Who has not dreamed of a treehouse? I have, and I do. In my dreams it is a magical, romantic place to hide out from the world, a space where cellphones and computers would not be allowed, where you could just hide out, sit and daydream or maybe take a little picnic up there with loved ones and have a nice long chat about life.

A woman in Brooklyn made her dream come true. NY Times featured her backyard treehouse. It's cute and inspiring.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/garden/a-treehouse-grows-in-brooklyn.html



Here's another lovely treehouse, built by a boy and his father in Florida over many summer holidays. It took 4 years to build it and no doubt created a lovely bond between them, and an amazing memory and a place to hang out together:



This treehouse looks very Scandinavian:





I would love build a treehouse in my backyard, for me and my daughters to hang out, play and relax.