arts and crafts

We’re up to our eyeballs in all kinds of projects: youngest daughter graduated high school last week Monday and oldest daughter getting married this August.

bought a bunch of pink roses and tulips at grocery

one of her favorite candies is Sour Patch Kids and we had those little plastic cups on hand, instant party favor

 

cut the flowers and in about 10 minutes had 5 small vases for restaurant dinner

For high school graduation dinner we dined out- not our usual, yet the groom was coming from out of town. He wanted to dine out with our caterer, and Giancarlo’s did a fantastic job. Post coming, as soon as photos are uploaded. When we dine out for special occasions I always like to bring flowers, candy, and votives, it simply sets the scene and personalizes things a bit. We have a love of all white flowers, this graduation Monday there wasn’t a white flower to be found- it was the Monday after the royal wedding and there wasn’t one single white flower at the market. So, we went with pink. And Sour Patch kids. And white votives.

scrappy iPhone photo, it was late, and getting dark, and we we’re getting hungry

style note: resurrected the Valentino rockstuds, and they felt right

She wore a white dress I made for her oldest sisters high school graduation years ago, and she looked great.

House and garden at reception site are in major overhaul mode, there’s nothing like having a party to get your butt in gear for things that have been idle on the wish/to-do list, thank you Caroline and Sean.

before I decorate I pencil out ideas after tracing cookie cutter

at the last minute switched to pink icing details instead of blue

groom is wearing Louboutins for wedding, so pink icing on his soles as a nod

edible gold glitter

I’ve been crazy baking too. Bride, groom, and bouquet cookies, blah blah blah.

another iPhone pic, husband stocking one of two ponds with fish 

last night’s full moon rising, LOVE

Every day dress, arts and crafts all around. xoxo

food and stuff

Getting ready to hit the road again with 4 daughters and second sons girlfriend for fun wedding activities, second of three bridal showers on deck. Here we come New Hampshire.

We’ve been up to all kinds of prep: spreadsheets, construction projects, and major weeding, all for the upcoming big day.

We’re also in the kitchen, baking things like three berry cobble, coconut cupcakes, and beef tenderloin with bernaise sauce. Scratch chicken stock is a weekly routine and keeps all things food related humming. Vegetable stock goes on too as we’re kind of leaning into more plant-based eating although these photos indicate otherwise, haha, we have no wagon here. 🙂

Every day dress, food and stuff. Have a great and safe weekend! Xoxo

Footnote: okay you guys trying to fit this posting stuff in and did this while having mani/pedi, overjoyed.

showering linnie

Of course we’ve been watching all things royal, adoring her sartorial choices, and couldn’t be happier for the beaming bride and groom. Love too that it’s a modern-day fairy tale, and reminds us that with love, and persistence, all heights are possible.

the everything shoe

Honestly I don’t even know what day it is, as our own little wedding story has been wonderfully encompassing: in just under twelve weeks we’re bringing together two large and joyous families for a union that simply feels right, and good.

Peanut on the bride cookies

Stephanie on flowers and balloons, 100+

setting the stage

Last weekend (or was it the one before that?), twenty of us came together at Bobo in NYC for showering Linnie. We laughed, and cried, and shouted out a little with Taylor Swift, all in a glorious Saturday afternoon of celebration.

the bride arrives

Every day dress, showering Linnie, and loving everyone and every moment. xoxo

a mom in love

Linnie and her twin brother

sent as many guests as we could home with flowers, love you Taylor

I’ve been MIA as doing it all is seemingly not possible, so blogging slipped, sorry. Gotta do what’s necessary, and getting through the days is top of the list, even though settling in with the laptop and the keyboard is pulling, and consciously unsettling…

waiting on spring

brunch at The Obstinate Daughter | community table 

Six years ago today we put our first post up here, and if we’re completely honest with ourselves we’re looking to reclaim some of our mojo. It’s kind of funny, no one is really out there waiting for a new entry. Yet when we don’t write I feel anxious, and let it go for a while, and then feel more anxious, and then it feels even harder to get back to it. Kind of like the gym, when you’re in the habit it’s a daily do, and you feel better, even when you don’t.

yeah, that’s me styling oldest daughter, pink bag, pink charm, pink scarf, floral shoe 

So, here goes: writing and posting here keeps my brain engaged, even if it’s simply content about food and clothes. We’ve had a love affair with both for as long as we can remember, and we’ll need to be fed and dressed for as long as we’re here so content continues. If you’ve been a reader for a while thank you, I like sharing my space.

Several years ago through my professional work with Worth New York I heard Tom Black, entrepreneur and wine collector, speak. Motivational, yes, and since then I’ve subscribed to his Success Quotes for Daily Living. Yesterday, this landed in my inbox:

Ignore all hatred and criticism. Live for what you create, and die protecting it.  – Lady Gaga

And with that, we continue. Every day dress, and every day cook. Food and clothes, in any order, with as much style as we can gather.

of the several group photos this one’s a favorite, as it shows love, laughter, movement, and no perfect posing

Photos here are of recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina. Easter Sunday we brunched at The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island, and did a beach walk afterwards, thank you, Lucy. There were eleven of us in total, now ten of us are back in the northeast and we’re all waiting on spring.

Every day dress, waiting on spring.

xo, rebecca minkoff

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It’s Thursday, so let’s throw back a little: November 2013 had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca Minkoff via Tony Walker & Co. and the WNY Women’s Foundation. She was there in support of women and children and breaking the poverty cycle in our community.

By profession she does bags, shoes, clothes, so naturally we love her. Really don’t remember a lot about the afternoon but do remember exactly what she was wearing, all black, with a great neon blue manicure, and that she talked about family, and her brother. Loved that.

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There was an auction, so naturally bid on one of her great bags. She signed it ‘To Rebecca XO Rebecca Minkoff’.

Every day dress, xo, Rebecca Minkoff.

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all photos | Joe Cascio Photography

most days…

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Was gifted this small tray and hold the saying dear. Even better is to go with most days you just have to create your own sunshine.

Back in BUF in the home office and prepping heavy for upcoming Spring Trunk Show, kicking off February 27th. 3° and with the windchill feels like -18°. Since we’re not really going anywhere and the outfit of the day has been more of the same, denim and black, putting up pics of indoor Spring: florists we’re not but it’s easy to group together single colors and single blooms. Even carnations look good now. 🙂 All flowers picked up at the grocery during the milk run.

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Every day dress, most days…

Stay warm everyone. xo

no black pants

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For a quick holiday weekend getaway south, intentionally packed no black pants. White, grey, light blue denim, yes, several black tops and all black workout wear. Black yoga pants do not count as black pants, and black yoga pants should probably only be worn when doing such yoga, or while sipping coffee with those you have breakfast with.

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It’s about -6 degrees back home, schools are closed. Scooted out-of-town, threw some stuff in a carry-on; black dress, white dress, white bikini (fingers crossed), white jeans, grey jeans, wore blue jeans and black boots on the plane, black puffer, it’s cold even down here, two cashmere sweaters, two cotton blouses, a couple of tanks, a pair of sneakers, some stacked heel white sandals. That’s it, getting the color from the bag, Chartreuse, and the fancy from the small shoulder bag, Prada, and a couple different bracelets.

Saw another woman at the airport loaded down with three suitcases on rollers, wow, why? It’s good to discipline yourself when packing and only bring the things you really wear, and really love. Makes it easier for yourself and everyone around you.

Every day dress, no black pants, this time. 🙂 Stay warm everyone, -8 degrees back in BUF. 

dinner in

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For dinner in at dear friend’s home Saturday night wore sleeveless blue velvet. Sometimes it’s fun to do the unexpected and get kind of overdressed.  Three bangles on the left arm dressed it down. A little exposed shoulder this time of year is easy to pull off, Donna Karan tells us in this month’s Porter magazine ‘Women have all different kinds of body issues, as do I, but the one asset for every woman is her shoulders; they never gain weight, and never get wrinkles, guaranteed.’ Donna, you are a true fashion heroine.

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Barbara and Bill, so much fun to break bread with you and friends. Thank you for keeping that good tradition alive, dinner in, complete delight. xo

black black black


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As it’s white white white all around without a let-up in sight, decided to dig into the archives.

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For travel, and really every day, picking a neutral and building your wardrobe around it is a good thing. We like to move quick and light, so black here it is.

A great black dress, black tank, black jeans, black shoes, and a black leather jacket will take you miles, and span seasons. Yeah, we list this site as fashion and should probably write and wear with more color, it’s just that there’s so much going on around all the time that sometimes the simpler the better.

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We follow some really great fashion blogs. There are days though that instead of inspiring it’s a visual economic energy overload. Many women love new things, and we love new things too. Better than a constant replenishing though is having things you can count on, that work hard to get you out the door, where you’re going, all while looking good and appropriate.

So, for you it might be blue blue blue, or pattern pattern pattern, or even a mix-up. Love getting clients in things that they reach for over and over. Maybe you pay a little more up front yet each time you outfit repeat that cost per wear goes down down down. Colleague likes to say the most expensive piece of clothing in your wardrobe is the one you never wear.

Writing this wearing what else, black black and denim while working on Spring Trunk Show invites with snow all around.

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Good news too, we’re investing in much more than the clothes we wear: hired a fashion minded young women to come in two or three times a week. She’s a full-time student, works two other jobs, and jumps in while we both learn while we go. Working, learning, and moving forward with other women is a good place to be. Note her work on the side bar, Instagram is updated, archives are organized, top posts are there, clients can actually book an appointment, and Twitter we so need to work on, she says I’ve just gotta do it. Thanks, Alexa.

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Oldest daughter working from home today, looks like we have a staff!

TGIF everyone. Hope you all have a few great things in that closet of yours that you wear over and over. Makes the day so much easier.

Every day dress, black black black.

bookend(s)

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A little spirited relief from shoveling snow this Tuesday: we like to bookend our days with coffee first and wine last. Don’t let these photos fool you, it’s winter and when it’s dark it’s a nice glass of red, simply creating some visual interest. Just can’t seem to get away from it, and really, why?

So to break it up, lots of water in between. In fact, trainer has recommended going one to one: every coffee or diet coke or wine gets matched with a big glass of H2O. Cutting up a big pile of lemons for the water break is good, too.

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Lunch-time post, check, really trying to get better here. Every day dress, bookend(s).