We’re back in the office, it’s empty until Thursday, we’re prepping for Spring 16 and a new product ship-in. Early in Fall Winter 15 friend, colleague, client and I were discussing the cost of a really great sweater. Her thoughts were spend the money on a good dress, mine are kind of put it into a  sweater.

We’ve been wearing this sweater since the first cool nights in August. Now that it’s really cold out there it’s in almost constant rotation.  Paired it today with a flat sequin silver skirt, even though the party’s over we can all still wear our sparkle stuff, just be sure to dress it down. In lieu of skin or a heel pulled on some black leather over-the-knee boots, outfitted for the day.

When you factor in cost per wear of a really great piece with the ease of getting dressed and out the door when all you really might want to do is stay home and clean house, the cost of a really nice sweater is of absolute full benefit.

There’s a bit of a black eye in there, matches the sweater, dropped a weight on my face at the gym last week, no kidding. Oh, the perils of training.

Black Leather Trimmed Cowl Neck Pullover | Worth New York Fall Winter 15

Horsebit-detailed leather over the-knee-boots | Gucci

 

 

 

Oldest daughter that flew out to Hong Kong yesterday mid-morning basically got to skip the first Monday of the New Year and went right to Tuesday, yikes, that’s like double Monday.

We here started with what we’re always doing, getting organized. Conference calls and planning sessions, and now that I have two direct reports professionally, one in sales and one in recruiting, seriously looked at some calendars.

First choice for sure would be any of the fashion picks from Smythson, my new sales manager uses this Fuchsia one; lovely, and effervescent just like she is.

I liked the size and the theme of the one at Barneys, slightly bigger and it has a map of Soho.  It’s a little more expensive, yet if you’re going in why not go all in.

While I don’t do resolutions, this year I’m moving towards writing more things down, so a new calendar is so needed, even though I do all the electronic stuff.

A favorite colleague emailed me after our conference call and suggested the American Express Appointment Books, one for the desk and one for the clutch, thank you, Christine.

Since I’m that woman who carries a really great bag yet rarely has any extra cash, always seem to spend it on great food to cook and clothes and shoes, and it’s January, I’m going for now with the one above, it’s free, lol.

Maybe we should rethink the resolution thing, (always) getting organized, and, every day dress.

Fifth child’s birthday is always New Year’s Day, this year she’s seventeen. As usual, it was dinner in: family and friends gathered round breaking bread. We turned up the heat with some three-chili harissa chicken, added a little of the morning’s bacon fat to the corn bread, made some beans in a great little vegetable broth, sautéed all kinds of greens, and put twelve grapes on skewers for a champagne cocktail in hopes of twelve months of upcoming sweetness.

We’re always flying a little by the seat of our pants, woke up on New Year’s Day and realized we just didn’t have enough chairs in the house to fit everyone around one table, so off the rental company we went, and threw in square plates and black napkins. On the spot decided on a silver and black theme and had kids and houseguests glitter up some silver place cards.

No resolutions or best of here, we go for the every day: every day make the bed, get out of the gym clothes, put on a little make-up, spend time with those you love, make some dinner, enjoy a glass of wine. Tomorrow it’s the first Monday of a new year, and I’ll be driving eight minutes down the road to our design studio. Oldest daughter just boarded a flight so she can start her week in Hong Kong, god speed.

Happy Birthday Lizzie, and wishing everyone near and far a year ahead full of all good things. xoxo

Everyone seems to be jumping through some pretty big hoops to get to year-end: work, play, parties, travel, gifts, food, drink, kids, friends, kids friends, house, dishes, laundry, dogs, and this year even garden.

One gift to myself from the husband, we were together buying gifts for others at Chanel on Madison Ave, were these big hoops. Kind of fitting as it’s been a full-out sprint the last couple of weeks.

Trend alert for Spring 16: big hoops. Usually a diamond stud only woman, who really has the time to change the earring game up, decided to go big after being totally inspired by ultra-beautiful Elaine Irwin in the new Worth New York Spring 16 campaign. If I can’t get that face and body I’ll start with the earrings, and then perhaps the outfit.

Merry merry and happy happy. We’re almost there!

Every day dress, big hoops for Spring 16.

earrings | Chanel

Elaine Irwin for Worth New York

For two days and one unbelievable night we were all tucked in, our young adult children in their childhood beds.

Cooked up a storm and fed our souls.

Christmas Eve we covered the table in newspaper, drank way too much wine, not really, and had crab legs and lamb lollipops and salad. Cookies and more wine in the living room for dessert.

Christmas morning/afternoon it was champagne and bloodies, ham and eggs with a side of bacon, of course. Incredible home-made pancakes, thank you Ruth Reichl, roasted asparagus, and fresh berries.

Christmas dinner I did what was easy, beef tenderloin, roasted red potatoes and pan sautéed tomatoes, spinach salad with toasted pecans, pomegranate seeds, and crumbled blue cheese. Keeping the red and green going we did brussels sprouts and beets, finished with a little black cherry balsamic vinegar. Dessert was Monnie’s baklava, with real whipped cream and a small scoop of Peppermint Bark Gelato.

Clearly not sure what I’m more passionate about beyond the family, good clothes or good food?

We believe, and hope that you and yours are enjoying a magical holiday season.

Yes, after a month of sequins, taffeta, and high-heeled boots, I wore rips with bare-feet for two nights in a row, and even had my knees up at the table. Oh, what a ride.

Sending love out there. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight. Let the spirit carry us all through to the New Year. xoxo

 

 

When we had babies and Santa believers we started the day after Thanksgiving and baked zillions and trillions of cookies. Now we fit it in when we can and we’re down to three types only: cutouts, (white frosting only), thumbprints, and Mexican wedding cakes.

Cookie daze is when you have last night’s leftover shrimp cocktail for breakfast with your coffee while thinking about topping it off with the leftover Chardonnay because you just can’t fathom cleaning one more copper pot if you scramble yourself an egg.

We’re getting down to the wire. We’ve been wearing black sequin pants with a navy scarf halter because it’s easy. We’ve wrapped and shipped gifts to the sister and kids in San Francisco that we just won’t see this year. We’re doing cards on the plane and in the hotel lobby and doing our shopping in NYC before we head home late tonight with oldest daughter in tow.

Our babies are now young adults and teenagers and always absolute Santa believers, love.

Cookie daze my friends, let’s all enjoy the process. It’s full-time production right about now, know we’ll all get there. xoxo

Strung 400 more lights outside, between everything else we all have to do. Napkin is a little askew, we we’re enjoying a little wine. Grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, oh so fine.

In a season of running around we’ve eaten in: good basic food. Husband and I walked the city streets of Buffalo Saturday night searching out a table for two, me in my over the knee boots, decided there was really no room in the inn. Walked home, cooked up some bacon and grilled cheese sandwiches, simple spinach salad, lit a few candles and had dinner in the dining room.

Beef stew with egg noodles ended the weekend, good basic food.

Tonight it’s roast chicken, this time with turnips and carrots, trying to keep up with it all. Didn’t even tie the legs with chicken string. Oh, and the cards came today (double eye-roll emoji). xoxo

all pics iPhone | right about now we’re not sure where the car keys are

The party continues in the closet, clothes are strewn all over. Second tree is lit, decorated, and wearing a skirt, still missing the topper. Christmas cards have yet to arrive from the stationer, we’ve done this so many times we must really like that kind of last-minute push.

Wanted to stay home all day, work on the laptop and clean house yet husband hi-jacked me Friday for Christmas shopping and Saturday for hauling and stacking firewood, no joke.

The clothes we wear are multi-purpose. Who cares if the lace top is maybe a little scandalous, it’s topped with a cashmere blazer and a crocodile belt in the mix. Denim is almost a daily must with the run-around and wood stacking.

End of year is an endurance test, we’re making progress.

Wear good clothes and every day dress. xoxo

Love that the kids can now come by and cook dinner. Happy Monday.

Tee Jacket Belt | Worth New York FW15

We’re led to believe it’s a perfectly orchestrated and decorated party all month-long, and surely it can be.

We like to talk about the every day here; so after travel and work and kids and dogs and loving husband and house(s), not in any particular order, I’m declaring a party in my closet.

Also sharing with you our undressed tree, she stands in the corner without even a skirt. 🙂 We’re working on all the above.

Dear Santa, I can’t really explain…

Stay tuned for more polish, simply wanted to check in. Love to all.

We’re staying put for Christmas this year, and it’s going to be slow and easy. Not that anything is ever really slow and easy, simply a mind-frame to try to hold onto.

Life keeps coming at you, holidays or not. House had a phone call this morning that took my breath away and had to pause, and then catch it again.

We’ve got one pre-lit tree up and ready, that became part of the rotation years ago when we started making our annual trip to northern CA. Leaving town preempted the real tree. Yesterday we picked up a fresh-cut too, she stands solo while waiting for her lights. This year, instead of nine of us flying out we’re flying just one of us in, oldest daughter that lives in works and NYC.

Photos shown are from the weekend, slow cod and asparagus, ready to be put away for breakfast or lunch the next day, easy winter greens and a simple yet festive front door look. We’ll be adding to it all as the days go on.

Everything here is do it yourself, no household staff, and supplies are picked up here and there while doing the runaround.

Happy Monday everyone. Every day dress, slow and easy. Gotta believe.