a scarf now

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Not a new idea in any way, yet now a scarf just feels so right. The silk twill kind of thing that might make you think of a man’s tie.

For an 8:30 am board meeting, some work at home, and then some work out in the field, wore what I really feel most comfortable in: grey jeans (yes, even to a board meeting), black turtleneck, black jacket, and a silk square at the neck tied on any which way. Ten years ago, maybe even five, would have never worn jeans to a board meeting – it’s good to feel good in your skin.

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While out in the field at a colleague’s Spring Trunk Show, had to try this great raincoat and matching hat: downright adorable, Nancy, this has your name all over it.

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And while the skinny jean can get you up and out, feeling a little over skinny: these pants here are definitely on the Spring Wish List.

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One blog that has it going on and is a daily read: Preston Davis and Keep it Chic. Yesterday she was all about a navy bag, this one here is looking pretty chic, tried that on at colleague’s Trunk Show as well.

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Every day dress, a scarf now.

all clothes and accessories (except for the jeans) | Worth New York

spring trunk shows happening now

no turnaround

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For client and colleague meetings, doing inventory and shipping out samples wore the same outfit two days in a row, kid you not, a week or two ago. White blouse, leather pant, flat shoes. Gave it a little personality with Chien cuff and fourth daughter’s old JCrew socks. Casual, yet still dressed, had to move a lot.

Love this shirt as there’s no (dry cleaning) turnaround, machine wash on cold, hang to dry, perhaps lightly steam. Added it to the wardrobe in black too, we all know how useful a great black shirt is.

Now that I’ve figured out we’re all about great clothes and good food, here’s some pics from last night’s dinner:

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Back to work now, prepping for Spring 2015 Trunk Shows and searching for a new stylist in upstate New York, with good focus on Saratoga Springs. Beef Stew on deck for after hours tonight, cold, snowy, and winter storm advisory here in Buffalo.

Have a great Monday. Every day dress, no turnaround.

Optic White Sueded Triacetate Pocket Shirt | Worth New York Spring 2015

 

keep it interesting

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Winter weather, late January, and working from a home office often keep the same dull daily outfit in heavy rotation. Can’t help it, all I really want to do is hibernate for a while and eat leftover carrot cake, not even really venture out to the grocery.

Grocery we must, so to keep it interesting, into the lingerie closet we go.

Great lingerie is fun to pick up while traveling, doesn’t take much room to pack back and doesn’t slow you down while exploring city streets. When buying shoes and boots the best thing to do is charge/send. 🙂

With Valentine’s on the horizon and the upcoming and anticipated release of Fifty Shades, let’s all keep it interesting, same daily outfit or not.

Turquoise and Navy | Agent Provocateur | Boston MA

Grey | Simone Pérèle | Bandol France

1955

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Sixty years and two days ago dear husband arrived in this world. Celebrated, of course, with family dinner at home.

No Rolex, or fancy cocktails for a hundred or so, simply flew two Boston MA girls home for his surprise.

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Osso Bucco was a whole day affair, that with work and all. Thankful for good clothes, never had a chance to think about what to wear. Printed silk blouse (black lace bra underneath, something needs to be fancy), sleeves rolled up, ubiquitous blue jeans and flat black boots, good to go.

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Went without the cliché of fresh flowers, this was a man’s party, and put three small pots of ivy down the table. (So much less than fresh flowers too, being January and broke and all). White tapers, this time no votives.

You’d think with a milestone like this for the man I love deeply I would have it together a bit more. Knew what I wanted and needed to do, took a deep breath, anxiety and all, and went forward. Had visual memories of three photos from recent travels, at 4 pm dropped them in a thumb drive, headed to Kinko’s FedEx and printed them out, and then to Target, I know I know, to grab a frame. Here it is ready for the red room, haha.

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This is how it looked at 5 pm, and dinner was at 8: carrot cake baked, cream cheese frosting on the counter, haricot verts blanched, veal shanks wrapped and on a tray, onions out for the risotto. One great thing about doing things time and again is that you don’t really have to measure things like chopped vegetables: simply feel the amount needed for onion, celery, carrots, tomato, garlic. Spinach and artichoke dip to go with the champagne, and caesar salad for some more green.

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Green continued with wine bottle-shaped sugar cookies, hand embellishment with his birth year as vintage. 🙂

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There were eight of us plus one, second son’s girlfriend, always make room for more love at the table.

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Happy 60th dear husband. 1955 was a very good year. xoxo

 

short quick statement(s)

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Entire weekend was spent in blue jeans and a cotton t-shirt, a sweater layered on and off. Stepped it up a bit for Friday night spontaneous dinner out (isn’t that the best kind?), and switched to black jeans and a black cotton turtleneck. Quick statement was a short faux leather jacket, second quick statement, jeweled up new bag worn cross-body. Usually only like to make one statement at a time, so cold decided to just go with two.

Most heartfelt statement, peace and love to Paris France.

faux leather jacket | Worth New York

bag | Prada

 

five cakes

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For third daughter’s sixteenth birthday celebration this past Saturday night, ordered five cakes from our local restaurant two days before the party. They don’t make one big cake, had to order enough for sixty or so guests so five cakes it was. Yeah, kind of last-minute, made it work. Didn’t want anything too overdone, or looking like a wedding, so naturally waited to the very sweet end. Thank you, Cynthia, you were spot on, they were a hit. A little anxiety about how to make five cakes feel special, it came in the middle of a long walk: five siblings, each will carry one and present, sparkle candle and all. Fun.

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Balloons were a two-day before addition as well. At the walk-through on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 pm, asked the club manager for her source, deliver she did. Chris, from Balloon Masters, did it up brilliantly. Called him on the car phone on the way home, barely 48 hours in advance, signed, sealed, and delivered. Wanted to call in a real photographer, husband nixed that idea rather quickly, like the blog here we’re a bit of a do it yourself cottage industry.

Dress was bought the day before, no stress there, that’s one of the things we do here at every day dress, dress busy women in beautiful clothing. Last minute for that kind of thing is fine. Shoes were a gift from Santa Baby, she was delighted. Birthday crown purchased at a local little French shop in Sonoma CA, two years ago, she wore it at her fourteenth as well. New nail color, Chanel.

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We were all there. A New Year’s Day birth is sometimes a little left behind. This year, not so much. Lizzie, happy sweet sixteen, we love you to the moon and back.

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Every day dress, five cakes. Believe, keep moving, make good things happen.

birthday cake | Ristorante Lombardo

balloons | Balloon Masters

shoes | Valentino | at Neiman Marcus

nail color | Chanel | Paradisio

invitations | Fine Stationery

go with it | for it

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While it would be good to drink warm water with lemon all day and perhaps hop on the Gwyneth Paltrow goop cleanse
, (so not happening now), have decided to just go with it | for it.

A couple more days of celebrating with family and dear friends. Happy New Year everyone.

Simple style note: can’t seem to get out of the jeans mindset. For New Year’s Eve at home wore Citizens white boyfriend’s, black sparkly top (saucy! without the camisole underneath!), and new white shoes, Christmas gift from the dear husband.

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Let’s all go with it | for it. Yesterday, first day of January, went to the gym first thing in the morning and walked the dogs for miles in the afternoon. Husband asked, resolutions? Nope, lifestyle baby, lifestyle.

Every day dress, go with it | for it.

white jeans | Citizens of Humanity

black bias fringe blouse | Worth New York

white sandals | Prada

 

 

dress it up

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Thinking there are days when black leggings and a black tank could be all you really need or want. Thinking also that if I served chicken every night I might not have many dinner guests. 🙂

These photos taken on the iPhone, on Christmas Eve. Being a little overachieving kind of overdid it the month of December and wound up not feeling great the day we all landed in San Diego, December 20th. That bug is still hanging around and promptly went to the doc, today, the 29th, first day back on the east coast.

This is the every day and sometimes you’ve just gotta dress it up, good or bad. Photos don’t do the clothes credit but wearing the best darn black leggings around. Didn’t feel great but dressed it up anyways for dinner with that dress picked up at a market in France, black Wolford tights, flat black boots, and hair up high. Family thought I looked great, fake it till you make it.

Every day dress, dress it up.

Here’s to good health everyone, happy Monday.

baked like crazy

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For three nights straight, baked like crazy. Crazy stuff is going on all around in kitchens and beyond everywhere, busy time of year. Love the personal touch the hand can lend to gatherings large or small.

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Baked like crazy when blessed by being home with a houseful of young children. Now four of them are out, two of them in, and youngest daughter said she loves when the house smells like Christmas.

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For husband’s annual office Christmas party, this year in a space that was moderate and new, loaded the car with cookies and greens candles and decorations all from home. Dressed it up nicely.

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Just as the clock hit six, slipped on super simple black dress. No manicure, no pedicure, no jewelry, thinking we’re all a bit baked like crazy. Client and friend told me yesterday the week before Christmas is one of the busiest of the year. Agreed.

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Every day dress, baked like crazy.

Let’s all hang in and keep the faith. xo

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simple will do

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One good thing about doing things many times is that you begin to understand that simple will do. This time of year, white lights, white flowers, (from her date’s mom, how nice!),white candles, fresh greens, good to go. A few ornaments and some glittered nutcrackers dress the table.



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Youngest of six, high school date dance. Done this a time or two. 🙂

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Even served super simple food. Punch, chips, dip, and cookies. They didn’t really eat a thing, it simply looked and felt special. Way too much excitement in the air, simple will do.

After the drive down, made some simple dinner and sat among the cranberry ginger ale topped with a cherry glasses.

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One thing the chef talked about at Canyon Ranch cooking class was the single idea of keeping your oven at 400 degrees. Instead of adjusting the oven temperature, you simply adjust the cooking time. Much like perceived exertion when exercising, it’s really kind of a feel. Have been keeping that oven at 400 degrees this week, simple it is, simple will do. Cod, asparagus, tomatoes, all roasted, 400 degrees. (Not for baked goods, that gets more precise).

Every day dress, simple will do. Sister in CA messaged me at 4:28 am, ‘just caught the spirit – it always takes a little time but it’s good when it finally gets ya…

Love to all. 

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Style note: thinking all seven young women shortened their dresses with packing tape from the home office, how sweet.

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This is what was ordered in afterwards, thank you Dante and La Nova Pizzeria, huge hit.

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