West Village

Today's highlight: cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Also passed by the new Karl boutique (Karl Lagerfeldt's new low end line), and had a laugh over the Karl dolls. There was nothing in the store that was very compelling, the style seemed very young and, unfortunately, cheap looking. Lower price point shouldn't translate to that... Apologies for pictures being all mixed up. Not sure how to order them correctly.

Love the window boxes on the West Village Town Houses

My little princesses posing in front of the Karl shop.

Aren't these hilarious? 

Gold Buttons

I am on a roll with these office outfit posts. Today's outfit is real cheap chic.. Gold button jacket from HM, necklace from Forever 21. Skirt is so old, don't remember the make. It used to be very big on me, but now fits nicely (and that's after losing 6 pounds in as many weeks on the Weight Watchers).

Office Outfit

Today's outfit is super conservative (did you say farty? Ok, maybe a little, but I needed to look trustworthy and like I was in charge of something). A Chanel wanna-be jacket with Hermes wanna-be scarf, a simple black skirt and my new DKNYC pumps. (And talking about farty, Isn't that a farty word: pump?)

New Shoes

I had a sudden urge today to go shoe shopping at lunch time. The best shoe store downtown is at Century 21, so that's where I headed, even though shopping there can sometimes be quite painful because of the throngs of tourists. I was looking for summery wedge sandals, maybe in a bright color, but surprise, surprise ended buying two pairs of black mid heels (DKNYC and Arturo Chiang). Also got a pair of sneakers that will stay in the office for those rare days that I can get to the gym next to my building (Reebok Flex - amazingly comfortable shoe, btw). And of course, I can never go shopping without getting something cute for at least one of my girls.

Easter

This Easter we've had a work camp going in our back yard, painting the deck. Luckily we had some child labor and my sister-in-law to help. Early morning we took some time to color eggs. Now it's time to put the lamb osso bucco in the Le Creuset pot to cook for Easter dinner.

Happy Easter from the Egg Hunt

Office Outfit

Today I am back to my usual variety of navy (Tory Burch cardi), gray (Ann Taylor tweed skirt), white (Banana ruffle T). Last day before a short Easter break!

Hello Clear Morning

My view is back! Ok, it's not all that, but it's still my daily reminder of this great city.

Also, had those extra two minutes in the morning to snap my office outfit. Still trying to incorporate more color into my black and grey wardrobe, thus this dark pink Ann Taylor skirt and the matching Missoni scarf.

Happy April!

I got fooled so many times yesterday on April Fool's Day! It's a tradition in my family and my oldest daughter is getting really good at coming up with fools :-).

These blue flowers are growing in my front yard, wonder what they are...pretty anyway.

My Best Accessory

My kids are my best accessories, ;-)

But I do love the Evelyn too!

Sleeveless Trench

Just the other day I had an inspiration for a spring time look of a sleeveless trench coat dress, and started looking for one. The only nice one I found was from Burberry but it was about $600 or so. Not sure this is a very long lived trend for me, so don't want to spend that much. However, I found a good DIY suggestion from HonestlyWTF (a truly wonderful blog and resource!). Now I just need to decide whether to sacrifice my Escada trench coat sleeves for this fad...or should I buy a cheap Walmart trench coat to bastardize?

The Love Elixir

Went to the Opera almost a month ago to see the old Italian masterpiece l'Elisir d'Amore by Donizetti. The production at the New York Metropolitan Opera was great (as always) and the opera is light and funny. It was the perfect opera to take my 9-year old to see. She loved it and I was so happy that her first opera experience turned out so much fun. I love the Metropolitan Opera no matter what, just because of its space in the Lincoln Center. The humongous Marc Chagall paintings at the entrance, and the gorgeous and distinct chandeliers that raise when the program is about to start. The amazing space makes you feel is so grand and excited. The music is another story all together. I've seen many operas there, and have never been disappointed. This time was no different, and I think I fell little bit in love with the peruvian bel canto tenor, Juan Diego Florez. What a beautiful voice (and face)!

Conquering Color Phobia

Yesterday I went out of my comfort zone and forced myself to wear a bright yellow BCBG sweater. Combined with black and gray Ann Taylor tweed skirt it was office appropriate and I guess getting out of my usual black and gray color palette was good as I actually received some compliments on the colorful sweater. Will try this again!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life

The consequences of today are determined by the actions of the past. To change your future, alter your decisions (and actions) today." ~ Anonymous

You really are what you do... Many times people say one thing, but do a completely different thing. I try to teach my girls to listen to people, but then also watch their actions. Do they practice what they preach? Some people may talk nice but act mean.  Some people may talk tough, but act kindly towards others. And some people moan how much they do and get nothing done. What I want to say here, is that many times we get stuck in a rut, thinking we can't do this or can't do that, or put whatever limitations in our mind on achieving things just because we are too lazy to do the effort and the hard work, and take the next step and keep going, even after mistakes and setbacks. But those actions are the ones that take us forward in life, keep us growing and make positive change happen. Even if the steps are tiny, as long as you keep doing something, you keep changing the course of your future. 

Green Thumb

Gardening is a hobby that I never thought I was going to pick up.  All those childhood summers when I was being forced to help out on our "summer farm", i.e. the summer cottage garden where my parents were growing all kinds of vegetables, berries, herbs, fruit, and flowers, left a mark that went pretty deep. When we moved to Long Island I was really happy that everyone has a gardener, and there was no need to lift a finger to keep the yard looking decent. But I don't know what has happened in these couple of years that we've lived here (closer to nature, and close to some magnificent gardens like the Westbury Manor Garden). Now I catch myself dreaming of different plants, walking the yard and thinking about how a rose bush would be pretty there, or a gladiolus here... I have dreams about an English Cottage Garden of a lush herb and flower filled place with a tranquil seating area, with rambling roses and beautiful sweet scents. I have dabbled here and there, planting tulips, and some rose bushes, and it is so much fun to see how these plants come alive now when spring is here. Gardening is really enjoyable when it is not a must, but a choice.

These pictures are from Westbury Garden, taken last summer:

Tom Ford Fall 2012

This is a powerful collection! Red, black and gold. For a strong, powerful WOMAN. Nothing girly here...

Where Is My View?

Every morning when I arrive in my office I take a moment to take in the view. But this morning there was none...

Bracelet

I've never been big on bracelets, but today I am wearing one, and this feels surprisingly comfortable. Love Yurman's stuff! Still don't think I can wear one in the right hand though...

Colored Jeans

I have been toying with the idea of getting colored jeans, and been thinking what color I should go with. Red seems like a stretch for a color phobic like me, burgundy good otherwise, but too wintery for spring. I would not feel comfortable in a light pastel color given my expanded size, and anything neon is definitely out. But two colors remain, that I could see myself wearing. A strong blue or a green.

Here are a couple of options, but neither seems completely right, so search continues:

These are Missoni, from Saks. I love the color, but am not sure about the length (28" which is way too short on me, unless I want capris), or the fact that these are pocketless pull-ups. Search continues..

These are from Old Navy, and seem to fit the bill, except that the green color seems a bit too light. I would like a share darker..

The Hunger Games

I just finished the first book in the trilogy, and boy is it good. Supposedly it's kids' fiction, but I would not let my 9-year old read it. She is going to have to wait a few years. I, however, cannot wait to see the movie, which is coming out this week. The book grabs you and does not let you go, I hope the movie will do the same.

Princess and the Rug

I never got around to taking pictures of the Keep Calm rug, but then I noticed that it shows in the background here.. I do love the rug and it's a great ice breaker when people come to visit. Everyone comments on it :-)  My 4-year old is going through a dress-up phase..although here she is dressed for a dance class. The thing is that she wants to wear the dance outfit the whole day...oh well... If I could get away wearing a tutu, I guess I'd be doing it too..

Hey, you never know!

When I win in the lotto, I will get me a house on the beach.. Something like these that I alway admire when walking by:

Happy St. Patrick's

Here's an Irish Blessing for You, on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Beach Combers

More iPhone photo practice. This time learning to making a collage. Perfect when sitting in my office on a conference call, bored to death, but trying to look like I am concentrating and multi-tasking. Aren't my little beach combers cute? 

What is Success?

Coco Chanel has said: Success is achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.

But she did not seem to have the most happiest of lives.. Maybe this quote (by an unknown) is better, after all:

Happiness is the highest form of success.

I have been thinking a lot about success lately. Mostly because I am going through a small age crisis (I am turning big four o this year). I was very depressed, thinking that I have not achieved enough success, that somehow I should have worked harder or smarter, to advance my career into something better and bigger. I should have lost the baby weight and be the perfect clothes horse that I used to be. And then my husband said something that really resonated with me.. That it all depends how you measure success. How true that is. I had been measuring success only in monetary and career development terms and forgot about the amazing success that I've had elsewhere in my life. For me, success is that I have been able to maintain a career, and still have a stable and happy marriage, three healthy, happy, smart and beautiful daughters, a comfortable home and a few dear close friends. When I realized that, I immediately stopped whining and started counting my blessings. I guess it is human nature to always want more. But it can make a person really unhappy. We should find a space where we can be grateful and happy about what we have, and still work for want we want from the future...

Prada

I can't wait for the Prada show at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum. And this time I won't miss it like I did the Alexander McQueen show. Prada's fall 2012 collection was great. One of their best in a long time, in my humble opinion. I did not so much care for the spring line with the hot rod theme. But the all black outfits, jacquard materials and modern navajo inspired prints of the fall collection are great.

Spring Fever

New York was blessed with a gorgeous spring day today. It was still dark and chilly when I left for work around 6 a.m. (!). By lunch time I was ready to take a good break to recover from work overload, so I took a nice long stroll around the Battery Park City board walk, and snapped a couple of pictures with my iPhone. It's so much fun playing around with all the photo editing apps. This photo of the Freedom Tower construction is edited with Pictu Magic.