peller estates winery

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First day of August and it’s time to really start checking off that summertime list. As promised previously, here is some fun info, and sorry, only one actual photo (total amateur tech issues were happening) from a great visit we had at Peller Estates Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.

For a truly memorable evening, make a reservation for dinner and put yourself in the very good hands of Chef Jason Parsons. The five course tasting menu with wine pairings, simply outstanding. We sat on the gorgeous terrace, inside is as equally beautiful. A visit is really a must, check them out on the web at www.peller.com.

Many great places to stay the night, one of our favorites being the Oban Inn, www.obaninn.ca.

For breakfast at least once go to Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, open to the public. The view of Lake Ontario is breathtaking while the food is traditional good fare. www.notlgolf.com.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is just a 15 minute drive to Niagara Falls.

Peller Estates dinner outfit is pretty much as you saw in ‘the circle’ post and what I wore that night. Changed out white jeans for white pants. Professional model looks pretty amazing, right? You might be noticing a theme by now: one way to keep life a bit uncomplicated is outfit repeat. When you have a good one, wear it often. This top shows a little bit of skin for a little bit of sexiness while keeping everyone at the table comfortable. Paired with perfect white pants, a great clutch, and luxurious flat sandals  you could really go anywhere. Every day dress.

Optic White Jersey Leather Strap Blouse, Optic White Silence Wash Loulou Pant, Luggage Smoked Leather the Simone Bag. All, Worth New York Spring/Summer 2012.

 

east coast girl

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Just packed up second daughter for her road trip to Newport RI to work for a month in probably one of the best summer spots ever while you are young and single. After her month of work she heads to Boston MA for her second year of college. Smart, intellectual girl.

As this is a fashion and lifestyle blog it encompasses in my mind both luxuriousness and practicality. These shots include Louis Vuitton luggage and clothing wrapped for travel in bed sheets with packing tape.

The ‘body bag’ method is something I have learned from my year’s of hosting trunk shows and putting on fashion shows. When packing clothes that will travel by automobile, it is super easy and convenient to lay them flat on a bed sheet, alternate tops of items every five pieces or so, package it up like a gift, and wrap the whole thing with packing tape. Keep it the size of an extra-large duffel bag. That way two people can easily carry it or one can schlep by themselves if need be. Been there schlepping plenty of times by myself. This method has come in oh so handy to pack kids off for college and/or graduate school. Oldest daughter has become a convert and has taught her friends how to pack this way too. These ‘body bag’ packages fit easily in trunks and back seats. It is amazing how much stuff you can get to and fro using this method.

Louis Vuitton luggage? Definitely luxurious but also practical as you can bang it around and it lasts for years. Worth the investment and makes super great gifts. Recipient will always remember the year and occasion.

New wheels for second daughter? Luxurious and SAFE.

Safe travels booie. Love you. Thanks older brother for accompanying her. Love you too.

 

every day cook

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There are a couple of things we all need to do every day, most of us at least, and that would be to put some clothes on and eat a few times.

My blog is kind of devoted to those daily habits, dress, love, work, cook, eat, exercise. Here’s hoping you have a couple of good outfits you can throw on without thinking that look good and have a couple of things you can prepare for dinner in 15 minutes flat that taste great.

Here are today’s offerings: wild salmon, pictured here, and wild cod, not pictured here, for husband that doesn’t like pink fish, local lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and squash. Fish on the grill, lettuce, tomatoes, and cukes tossed, zucchini and squash pan-fried. A little Italian white to round things out.

Outfit has been posted before. Get a few things together and repeat repeat repeat. Worth New York top, J Brand Capri Empress jeans, and close-up of sandals I have been absolutely living in all summer long.

 

helly hansen shorts

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Last Friday in July 2012. When wearing shorts, go big or go home. Walking shorts, mid-thigh, golf shorts? On any fit woman I’d rather see pants. Shorts are tough and when they hit you in just the wrong spot, well, they look wrong. So, in July, and maybe even August, if you spend any time at the gym at all wear short shorts when you need to wear shorts. Not kidding, regardless of what size you wear if you are fit a shorter pair of shorts will look better.

Helly Hansen is a great place to outfit yourself in serious athletic apparel. You can always look the part and participate fully when wearing their stuff. Visit www.hellyhansen.com for a preview.

Almost time to get serious. August 1 is right around the corner…

While dog-walking wearing Worth New York sweater, Helly Hansen shorts, Nike shoes.

traveling pants

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Table has turned. Twenty-two year old daughter wore these jeans home on a flight from Boston MA Sunday night. She leaves tomorrow morning for a big time job buying men and women’s clothing for a national company traveling between LA and NYC.  After washing and hanging these jeans in the sweet summer sun I wore them out for family dinner for eight. Upon arriving home, nineteen soon to be twenty year old daughter (don’t tell the bouncers) asked me for these pants. Promptly gave them to her.

When in the mood for a summer color combo during last week of July reach for mustard, gold, and navy. Add neutral shoes to keep the leg length long. Pictured here, Manolo Blahnik cork peep toe pumps- keep the sisterhood.

Traveling pants are now going clubbing.

In photos, Joe’s Jeans high rise skinny mustard ankle mustard jeans, Alice + Olivia pullover sweater, Louis Vuitton navy monogram bag, Ebel watch, Manolo Blahnik shoes.

the circle

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The hula-hoop was not a prop. Tonight dear friend, husband, and child visited us all for dinner from Park City, Utah. This young woman came into our lives when she was sixteen years old and helped us through all kinds of times- needed out nights for two, endless bedtime stories and grocery trips, library outings, berry picking, and downhill skiing lessons. Here is her daughter, so beautiful. Tonight she announced her daughter would be a big sister in early 2013. Oh, how I love the circle of life.

We celebrated with a dinner of wild halibut, beef tenderloin, local green beans and corn, roasted organic cherry tomatoes, spinach salad, blueberry pie and chocolate chip cookies.

While cooking for eleven plus one I wore white 7 for all mankind straight leg jeans, Worth New York Optic White Leather Strap Tee, flat Christian Louboutin sandals, and, an apron, of course, until it all came out of the oven at the same time. ha ha. Celebrate life. xoxo

Small clothing detail note: after months of skinnies the extra ease from the straight leg on these jeans feels fresh. Hemmed them myself. To reduce bulk and shadows in light colored pants have your tailor remove the extra length from the front pockets. Gives you a cleaner and more polished look.

 

work from home

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Weekend was a whirlwind- great content but not great photos so posts will be forthcoming. Peller Estates Winery and Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club to name a few highlights. Double challenge to blog posting was being in Canada; iPhone and iPad were off the grid so need to check that out and upgrade service plans.

With respect to other tech news here is a shout out to Boston College student and blogger, Tebs Maquebela at www.nofillers.com for connecting my admin Booie to his tech guy, Lucas Bancroft-Baer. Thank you for helping her install a plugin to block the ever increasing spam comments. Thank you too to everyone out there, every day dress has had 3,200 visits since April.

So here is a little self-promotion part. I work from home and work flexible hours. Four times a year there is considerable ramp up time that coincides with four fashion seasons, Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. In addition to helping women build incredible wardrobes season to season I also recruit, train, and mentor women interested in fashion and in being successful in their own business while being backed by a multi-million dollar luxury New York fashion company. If you are fun and fabulous, looking to be fun and fabulous, or know someone that is fun and fabulous and would like to learn more about the work I do, visit www.worthnewyork.com. For an immediate reply to your enquiry, email me directly at recollins@worthtld.com. Our Fall season promises to be better than ever and I would love to add a few great women to our team.

ps. Bad news from last Friday became better, thank god. Not out of the woods but hope has been restored.

Wearing Worth New York blouse and Stella & Dot necklace.

 

try for neutral

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Couldn’t do black, couldn’t do color. Bad news all around makes for a bad day. Wallow in it for a while and then get back to basics: eat protein for breakfast, make the bed, walk the dogs, get out of the yoga clothes and put on some makeup. Light a few candles, have some dinner and enjoy a glass of wine. Embrace the good, keep the faith.

Wearing all Worth New York neutrals while having dinner in the city with second daughter. She wears J Brand Skinny Leg Jeans, Alice and Olivia Blouse, Worth New York clutch. Every day dress.

the body issue

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Hot topic. We could go on and on and on. Here is a much abbreviated post.

I love fashion. Most high fashion looks best on thin thin women. As much as I love great clothes I love food and fitness as well.

How to make it work? Find balance with regular exercise. For the body and mind. Eat for pleasure in the company of family and friends. Being healthy helps you feel better on challenging days. Choose and wear clothes that work for you. Everyone is different.

LOVE ESPN’s the BODY issue. Check it out for inspiration. http://espn.go.com/espn/bodyissue

Yes, that is my right foot with surgery scar from marathon training and running in my late twenties. Note Chanel nail colour in Vertigo, still strong and loving life at forty-seven.

scarf as halter

 

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During these dog days of summer one of my favorite ways to wear a scarf is as a halter. Very easy to do. You can be fancy with an Hermes scarf ring or just use any ring you happen to have around or are currently wearing. Here are step by step instructions using a 35″ square scarf:

Fold scarf in half to form a triangle. Take your ring and slide down top point of the triangle you formed. Separate the top into two ties. Tie around your neck and fasten with a square knot. Take other two points and tie around your waistline with a square knot in back. Adjust the neckline and square knot in back so you are most comfortable. Keep in mind the larger the scarf the longer the hem of your intended halter. If wearing high-waisted pants feel free to tuck the bottom of the scarf into the waistband of your pants for a more fitted look and if desired add a thin belt.

Must be the heat. Had a very tough time uploading these photos tonight. Had many more but iPhoto and MacBook were just not cooperating. Hope you get the gist of it.

Stay cool.

Both scarves, Worth New York Spring Summer 2012. Jeans, Lily Pulitzer, very old.