Between now and January 2nd, so much to be done. For so many years, probably since I’ve been fifteen, the gym, or some equivalent, has been the leveler.
Thinking about quitting the gym, at least for the next 3o days. Hall pass. When traveling, didn’t see one European woman walking or running or doing errands in her workout clothes and they all looked pretty damn good. Used to think giving up sleep was the answer, wouldn’t wish that on anyone now. Americans seem to spend an inordinate time in exercise clothes with pretty much only increasing waistlines to show for it.
Like any other woman this time of the year it will be all systems go. If I trust in myself to rely on all the good stuff that’s been deposited, come January 2nd we can pick up and go.
Walking the dogs, hauling groceries, moving clothing and furniture, constant movement, yes. Driving 14 minutes each way to work out with weights for half an hour two times a week, not this month. Way too stressful. Heck, I’ll shovel snow off the driveway.
If you’re committed to your exercise routine for the next 3o days, I’m with you, all about that, have done that for decades. If, however, you’re about walking and working and loving and eating, come with me, I’m quitting the gym, if only for a while.
Harper’s Bazaar December/January issue tells us one of the must-haves to be fashionable this winter is the metallic suit. The one they show, jacket, $1,650, with matching skirt, $995. Simply gorgeous but ouch, Christmas is coming.
Every day dress is hosting a sale this weekend, like every other retailer out there. This is a sample sale, great pieces and complete looks. I’ve even got a metallic skirt suit, the one shown above, and at a cool 50% off. Take home both pieces for considerably less than just the skirt in this month’s Harper’s. Friends and family still get gifts.
One thing that I picked up quick in the JFK duty-free is Chanel’s Démaquillant Yeux Intense, Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover. This takes off all the tough stuff, layers of dark eyeliner and even not that I wear it often, waterproof mascara. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact wearers. Left town so quickly forgot to throw it in the bag. Recommend highly, best eye makeup remover ever.
Sometimes you just have to get there fast. Second daughter, fourth child, studying abroad, and hospitalized for the second time in five weeks. You really have to just get there, and thank god for the resources to do it. Husband booked the flights and researched the train routes, had 2o minutes to pack, and in really no time at all was by her side in Seville, Spain.
Threw a bunch of stuff in the carry on, stuck with a cool color palette. Every day dress was put to the test: flew in the clothes that were worn that day, Friday, after the phone call that she was in the hospital again, early that morning. Wore them pretty much all day Saturday, and when she was out of the danger zone showered and put on a variation of the same. Dark, clean, modern, kind of what I’ve seen on the streets here since she was released late this afternoon. Had to find the one Pharmacia that was open on a Sunday, love that.
Viamed Santa Ángela De La Cruz took great care of her, thank you. When your kid is sick, nothing much matters than to get there fast.
Wishing everyone peace, wellness, and warm Thanksgiving wishes.
Elegant, beautiful, charming, witty, intelligent, and sophisticated, that’s Alison.
A new reader of the blog but with firmly established fashion sense and vision, Alison tells us she loves the big, crinoline ball skirt of this dress. Actually said she can eat as much as she wants while wearing it, love that idea, here at every day dress good food is right up there with great fashion, we’re all about that. She wore this to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Gala last Saturday, my husband and many others thought it was great. That African cotton fabric is downright fabulous.
For black tie gala at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery this past Saturday dressed from the summer wardrobe. Yes, its November, yes, was totally thinking of course of some expensive thing in black, when it came right down to the forty minute wire I had a re-look at the invitation, it read Forget-Me-Not, makes me think blue, right? And it was Anselm Kiefer : Beyond Landscape. Might be a little serious so decided to lighten it up sartorially, put the husband in a good mood, and wear some blue flowers.
Your clothes are there to give you things: make you feel good, look good, cover you, help you feel right for the occasion. In essence, there’s really no season for that, getting dressed pretty much needs to happen every day. All white is chic, especially now in the winter months, white jeans a twelve month staple, and resort look-books and catalogues are in our mailboxes before most of us have pulled on our leather gloves and winter boots.
I’m going with there’s really no season. Shopped the summer closet for the November black tie event, added black suede sandals and a black leather jacket. Last time these separates were worn it was with boots in AZ and flat sandals in upstate New York wine country. Shoe choice can definitely change the mood. The jacket was simply to take the edge off all the floral and to give a little coverage coming and going. The bag was a little oversized, like to have the camera, phone, and nude lipstick at the ready. Most of the women were carrying small exquisite clutches, and many were looking drop-dead gorgeous in my all favorite black, really beautiful. And really sophisticated.
So I think here is my message, do not be afraid, for big or small events it’s okay to look within your closet and beyond the season.
We were guests, thank you Amy and Mark.
Feel good note: by shopping the closet was able to write a check in support from the business account, husband was a little impressed. 🙂 From working in development at an independent school for girls and from year’s of volunteer work, I know that’s one of the things these galas are about, raising funds for community needs and cultural institutions. And for that there’s really no season.
For 26 hour in and out travel to Washington DC, wore black skinny jeans, black tank, black cardigan, black flat boots; was there to help sister from San Francisco set up for an event and to see oldest son. She does events all over the country, told me to wear all black and flat shoes, I can do that. He’s a third year law student at Georgetown, serious.
For dinner out with oldest son, his girlfriend, niece, and husband at happening DC restaurant Le Diplomate, wore Peacock Pullover Jacket, Peacock Slim Skirt, black Wolford tights, and you guessed it, second pair of flat black boots. Always good to have a back-up, after 12 hours in any pair of flat shoes a change-up is good.
For next morning coffee meeting and breakfast, wore blue denim skinny jeans, black skinny turtleneck, and Peacock Pullover Jacket from the night before. That’s it, not much, in and out and layer it on.
Funny thing about blogging is that you never really know what might get someone’s attention. Recently crossed paths with beautiful yoga Gail, she’s into her family and a healthy lifestyle. Asked me about this pasta brie tomato basil dish, here it is:
Silver Palate Cookbook calls it Linguine with Tomatoes and Basil. We kind of just do it. Here it is verbatim from the book-
4 large ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 lb Brie, rind removed, torn into irregular pieces
1 cup fresh basil leaves, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into strips
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon best quality olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds linguine
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for garnish (optional)
1. At least 2 hours before serving, combine the tomatoes, Brie, basil, garlic, the 1 cup olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large serving bowl.
2. Bring 6 quarts salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the linguine, and boil until tender but still firm, 8 – 10 minutes.
3. Drain the pasta and immediately toss with the tomato sauce. Serve at once, passing the pepper mill, and the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, if you like.
Every day dress loosely adapted from The Silver Palate: Okay, so here are notes from the field: family and friends much prefers and it’s so much easier to use organic small cherry tomatoes. Multiple colors are good. Simply slice in half. In the heat of summer of course use the big guys, but then you have to seed them. 1 cup of fresh basil leaves is a little heavy, and we certainly don’t rinse and pat dry, simply stack those leaves one on top of each other into a tight little roll and slice into strips. 3 cloves garlic? Totally, but must be fresh and must be organic. The 1 pound of Brie? Sometimes I’m sneaky and use all the leftover Brie wedges from the night or two or three before. When it’s all shredded up you never really know. Linguine? Really never do the pound and a half, usually it’s the one 14 ounce box. Ever notice how the whole wheat is 14 ounces and the other is the straight pound box? It’s got to be whole wheat and it’s got to be De Cecco. Until I find a better one, that’s the one and only. Optional freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese? DUH, are you kidding? Absolutely yes on the freshly grated cheese.
Since it now gets dark at 5 pm, thank you Gail for asking about this height of summer dish. Really works anytime of year, now with those crazy growing seasons and shipping schedules, and makes great lunch leftovers. Decadent and healthy.
