Youngest of six turned sixteen Tuesday, and honestly feel a change of rhythm, and somewhat heightened responsibility. Another one learning to drive, and with that the not easy letting go. Summer nights when they all might like to be out.

Instead of the historical cotton candy and snow cones and kids running all over, we celebrated with a small sit down dinner for twelve in the city backyard.

We had blackberry lime Rickey’s, old school artichoke and crab dip with pitas toasted on the grill, roast chicken, mashed potatoes and haricots vert. Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting when it got dark.

Not a lot of photos from the birthday, I was super busy in the kitchen and kept asking if someone would pick up the camera, never happened. That’s a good thing, seems we can get caught up documenting not just being. It was an absolutely beautiful evening.

The rest of this month we’ve been dining al fresco, making a good mess in the kitchen, and driving for overnights to upstate small lakes. Driving back again even in the middle of the night when the pull of family is strong and overwhelming.

Wishing everyone safe summer nights as we slide towards what we all think of as routine, which inevitably ends up not.

xoxo

 

Some days are just about getting it done. Today, one of those days.

Going to the gym: you’ve just gotta do it, makes you feel good. Funny thing, once you’re done, it’s all about going again.

Every day dress, let’s all get it done, again and again.

For sure, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the company we keep help to elevate the ordinary. How cool is it to cook for those you love most days and nights?

Thank you dear yesterday’s reader, for commenting you missed the food posts, this one’s for you. It’s not fancy, simply what we put out last night. Pan sautéed zucchini, not totally in season yet we love it anyway, and made it a triple pan party to cook it up fast. Red quinoa, that super grain of the Andes, cooked up with some organic vegetable broth, delicious. Added some fish for more protein, cod for the husband and salmon for the women. Oh, and the tomatoes, with the fresh basil from the new kitchen garden! The whole shebang made a great lunch today, too, with some toast and smashed avocado. No photo of that, we were working. (!). Simple white tulips, and white votives. Stovetop is a little messy, that’s how it goes.

Professionally, we’re working on adding to the team. If you are someone you know wants to work their days with beautiful clothing and beautiful women, comment here on the blog post and we’ll ring you. We’d love to make it a triple, and you know who I’m talking too. Teams are a winning combination.

Every day dress, make it a triple.

 

 

Well, hello February, finally some $$$ back in the bank account. December, always a whirlwind, January, always scraping by. Sticking to the basics  helps to hold things together. Call me crazy yet when you make the bed, have some protein for breakfast, #workfromwherever, walk the dogs, and cook real food, the day is a good one.

Basic wardrobe pieces pull the look together. Can’t count how many times the black shirt/white denim combo has gotten me out the door. Add a jacket, maybe a belt, a good satchel, (this one’s ten and a half years out), and you’re out the door.

Need something more professional? Button up the blouse, upgrade to a blazer, try a structured satchel, and swap the denim for some real pants, maybe even lined, especially for an office, especially in white.

Every day dress, basics, always.

Whatever your daily office/runaround look is, here its usually a creative black turtleneck and denim while in the midst of winter, a good coat can be a game changer. When it’s reversible, double outfit points.

Add some block-heeled boots and you’re good to go. Dressed up and out the door.

Every day dress and wear a good coat.

Fawn to Winter White Melange Doubleface Reversible Coat | Worth New York

 

Today was a full on office day, phone calls and catching up with clients, colleagues, friends.

Caught a bit of the island vibe from Ann, she’s traveling to Turks & Caicos, one of our favorites, for the first time this Saturday.

We talked a bit about what she might pack, a woman after my heart she’s a straight carry on for sure.

Bikinis, sandals, a big hat, some white jeans and a maxi dress. Lightweight and packable sneakers for the morning walk and the afternoon bike ride to town to get some chilled wine.

As for the dress, this would be my pick:

Some of my favorite night-time island vibe memories have been had wearing a long print dress. Over and over, you only need one.

The airport’s been updated, make sure on your flight out to head straight upstairs. Watch the planes come in and out, catch one last drink.

travel look | white everything, two handbags inside a tote aka KonMari | laptop in the carry on

Every day dress, the island vibe. Have a ball, Ann, see you in February. 🙂

Second daughter reminded me last night over a shared bottle of wine that January is really just a month full of Mondays. Excellent.

We’ve been all in with the family and off the blog for a week or so, life happens, as it should.

Traveled to the west coast with the husband for five days, turned everything off in my world (two quick Instagrams) except for him, heaven.

With two well-tended high school daughters at home the work is real to get out of dodge. Same with re-entry. Thanks Booie for holding down the fort.

Every day dress, we were off and now we’re all in. Everyone’s gotta do it.

Midway through first month of the new year and we’re all about getting clear: no detox diet or dry January, simply cleaning up and clearing out. We’re doing what we love; family, fashion, food, and in no particular order.

The lights and the glitter and the evergreens, gone. Bring on hyacinths, houseplants, and clear coffee tables. Cleaning closets, going to the gym, and working white accessories into the daily rotation.

Casual nights with house-made pizza and Prosecco, all about getting clear.

Every day dress, getting clear.

 

 

 

Kind of ironic, the big guns are all about Pre-Fall 2016 and we barely know what’s for dinner tomorrow night and it’s the second Monday in January. That’s why we’re the every day here, we simply make the most of what we’ve got going on. Gotta say it’s a strength and weakness, everyone’s all about planning ahead, we’re pretty much about all that’s good, right about now.

We’re set up in the showroom for Spring 16, and we’re just getting started. Navy always looks right, and kind of coveting a leather sweatshirt and some wide-legged olive khaki green palm print silk pants, can it get any easier?

It’s finally cold here in BUF, and we’re into white denim and wearing our over-the-knee boots as much as we can.

Every day dress, and we’re just getting started. Hello 2016.