Cue Jay-Z and Alicia.

Editors note: Playing this song while reading this post is the only way to truly to get a glimpse at the enthusiasm that is bubbling inside of me. 



Yes, It's finally time for my NYC Sex and the City Weekend!!!!

Tomorrow at 7 am I will be embarking on my child free/ husband free 56 hour Carrie Bradshaw dream weekend. Here is what my dream looks like.

• Tomorrow I (or "Carrie" as I would hereinafter like to be referred to for the rest of the weekend) will be taking the train (for the first time) and on my agenda is reading The Carrie Diaries, a new US Weekly, and 2 months worth of Vogue. 
• Having drinks on the rooftop of the new Standard hotel. (apparently it is open to us "normal" people from 4:30p-8:30p.)
• Seeing SATC 2!!! (at 6p tomorrow). Oh, Aiden I heart you.
• Checking out a recommended art installation between Washington and Greenwich St.
• Lunch at Pastis and Cafe Cluny. (highly recommended by my bestie)
• Tapas in the West Village.
• Staying with my SIL on Bleecker Street (I think that's where Ms. Bradshaw lived.)
• Checking out Chelsea flea markets. 
• Checking out all of the service men in uniform. (It is Fleet Week you know!)
• Window (and otherwise) shopping in Nolita.
• Keeping my eyes out for stalking any and all celebrities. 
• Vintage shopping on the lower east side. 
• Reading the Sunday New York Times on Sunday, in New York (this may be what I'm most excited about.)
• Sleeping in past 7am. (ditto on the above)
• And finally, eating and drinking, and eating and drinking, and eating, and drinking, and eating....

I am so excited I think my head is about to pop!

Is there anything that I am missing???? If any of you NYC locals have any tips, please, please, please send them my way!!!

On a side note my SIL has made me promise not to sing the above song at the top of my lungs everywhere we go. Apparently it may give away my tourist status. I assured her that my cover will likely be blown by the GIANT camera that I will be carrying at all times. I may be outed as a non-local but I promise to have some great pics from the trip to share with you all when I get back.

I hope you all have a great long weekend and that you ladies are able to get in some Sex and the City time with your girls!

Cue Jaz-Z and Alicia...... "In New York......"

Executive Decision Time.

This past week the Husband and I have been driving ourselves crazy trying to figure out when we will be able to schedule our next IVF cycle. Crazy as in we are about to kill each other, kind of crazy. We thought we would be able to do it in July but now that my cycle is back on track the dates are not going to work out. To do the IVF, we (I) have to be here for at least 25 days in a row, and my hubby has to be here on retrieval day. Since all of this is flexible we basically have to make sure we are available every day for at least 30 days, starting on a day which there is no way of knowing when it will begin. Between trips we have planned for pleasure, and trips my husband has for work, there is just no way this is going to happen this Summer. When you add on the fact that I have to account for at least 2-4 weeks of painful bed rest, I finally came to an executive decision (I am the CEO of this house, therefore that makes me an executive.) The decision?

I GIVE UP! (shouted while throwing arms in the air.)

No, I haven't yet given up on baby number 2 (like that would happen,) but I have given up on any possibility of IVF over the Summer. We would have to kill ourselves to make it work, and the stress and the uncertainty is not something I am looking to sign up for. I am basically washing my hands with the whole thing until September (at the earliest.) We will still "try" on our own each month, but there will be no ultrasounds, no needles, no talk of transfers or retrievals, or embryos until the Fall. I hate the idea of waiting any longer, but more so I hate the idea of freaking out all Summer and trying to get in an IVF cycle that may or may not happen.

So that's it. That's my final answer. My little man and I are going to have another great Summer on our own and will be enjoying a few family trips together. There will be no tears, no disappointing tests, and best of all no pain for an entire season. My kids may be 4 years apart, but such is life. I finally am giving in to the unknown and giving up.

For now anyway...

Wardrobe Essentials 3: The Trends.

I think I've said it before, and I will say it again, I have never considered myself to be "trendy." Sure, I follow trends, but time and time again I find myself buying pieces that I will love this season and the next (and the next and the next, etc.) I would hate to purchase something only to find out a few months later that it has gone out of style or worse that I look too young in what I am wearing. I always feel that as a mom, and as someone now in my thirties, that it has become more and more important to dress my age. That being said there are a few "trends" that I am loving right now. I have tried to wear each in a way that is both age, and mom appropriate. 

1) Embellishment.

Oh how I love me some embellishment. Seriously, if it wasn't against the law I am pretty sure that I would have bedazzled my kid by now (you think I'm joking don't you?) While I love to look at embellishment, I'm not always sure I like to wear so much flash. This bolero adds just the right amount of sparkle, without being too over the top. Bolero vintage by Zara.

 

2) A Skinny Vest.

This is one trend that I fell in love with a year or so ago but I always thought that this look was definitely for women in their twenties. I don't know why but I just figured that this was one thing that I was too old for. That was of course before Gwyneth came along. Back when GOOP was good (remember that?) she featured this vest in one of her newsletters. I loved the look on her, and basically stalked this vest online until I found at a more reasonable price point. I usually wear it with boyfriend or skinny jeans and a white tank. Vest by Mason.

3) Crochet.

Crochet is a super hot trend right now, and I for one am LOVING it. I am almost on the verge of learning how to do it just so I can fashion some seriously hot Summer garments for myself. Until then this sweater will have to do the trick. Sweater Bird by Juicy. (if you haven't checked out this line it has some pretty amazing stuff, and no there are no logos on the butt (thank god!))

4) Liquid Leggings and 
5) Over The Knee (OTK) Boots.
This is another trend normally reserved for the young, but I just couldn't resist. I typically pair both with black and try to stay as classic or understated on top as I can. As you can see I think it makes for a pretty fierce and age appropriate(ish) look. Boots by Joie, and Leggings 10 dollars from unknown online retailer.

6) Leather.

Do you all remember that girl from Project Runway that made everything out of leather, pronounced (LeTH-AAAA)? I still can't say the word without thinking of her! Pronunciation aside I am a huge fan of the leather jacket. This almost made my list of essentials, but was narrowly beat out by the boyfriend blazer. I love the way a leather jacket can add so much dimension and texture to an outfit. Plus it just makes me feel like one bad ass bitch. This quilted version adds a little more softness to the trend and can be worn with almost anything pretty much all year long. I love pairing mine with florals to "girly" up the look. Jacket by Tory Burch. 

7) Army Jacket. 

This season it seems like the army jacket is everywhere, and I for one couldn't be happier about this trend. It's comfy, it's cool, and it adds a little "something" to almost any outfit. I typically wear mine with a super casual look, like the one below, but I have been know to also throw it over a spring dress. This is one trend that I hope becomes a classic. Jacket by Calypso. 

So there you have it, the clothes, the shoes, and the trends. I hope you guys got a kick out of going through my wardrobe with me because I had a blast putting this together. I must admit that I was pretty exhausted from all of the wardrobe changes. All that dressing and re-dressing kind of made me feel sorry for Giselle, thinking she must go through this on a weekly basis..... NOT! 

Tomorrow I'll be back to posting as usual, until then...

Wardrobe Essentials 2: Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

Ahhhhhh shoes. Really, what girl doesn't love a new pair of shoes? I for one do, but sticking with my motto of quality over quantity I probably only purchase one or two new pairs of shoes a year. Leaving out the sneakers, and flip flops below is my entire shoe collection. And yes, I consider all of them to be essential!

1) A Dress Heel.

This is the one area where I did some double dipping, but I simply could not resist the deal I got on my second pair. I love that these shoes are timeless and go with virtually everything. Both are by Christian Louboutin (aka the master.)

2) Over The Knee Boot. 
I fell in love with this boot last year and I can definitely say that I have gotten my money's worth out of these babies. I wear them with everything, from chunky sweaters and jeans, to tights and dresses. I am so happy I went with the suade rather than basic leather, it really adds a great texture to any outfit.Boots by Joie.

3) A Summer Wedge.

I am a huge wedge fan. Huge. I love these gladiator style suede wedges more than anything else in my shoe wardrobe. I wear them with jeans, dresses, shorts, you name it. This "perfect" wedge is made by Cynthia Vincent.

4) Patent Leather Heel.
I think this is a "must have" for any shoe wardrobe. I bought these 4 years ago and I have probably worn them over 100 times. I love them with tights in the Winter and bare legs in the Summer. When I helped my girlfriend re-do her wardrobe I insisted that this be the first thing that she bought. The patent protects the heel and keeps it from scuffing, and the platform gives some great height without sacrificing comfort. These are by Marc Jacobs, but if I was in the market for another version it would absolutely be these by Brian Atwood. 

5) A Great Flat.

This is another "essential" for my shoe wardrobe. I prefer my flat to have a pop of color. I chose the patent red in case I ever get stuck in the rain. Almost as comfortable as my sneakers I "live" in these shoes. Flats by Tory Burch. 

6) Motorcycle Boot.
This is my newest addition to my closet and right now it is my absolute favorite. If there is any reason to hope for cooler weather, than this is it. I was on the fence about what style/color to get, but after seeing them here I couldn't be happier with the 3 buckle in dark brown. Now if I could just find a man with a bike! Boots by Fiorentini + Baker.

7) Gladiator Sandal.

For me summer equals a great gladiator sandal. They are a great mix of style and comfort and are pared perfectly with a great summer dress. I do a lot of walking in these babies so I definitely don't "invest" in these. Last season I was loving the snakeskin gladiator by Sam Edelman and this year it's the tan leather by Aldo. 

8) Fringe.

Perhaps it's the boho mama in me, but I love (! )some fringe on a shoe. I wear it two ways. The top is a minnetonka moccasin, and the bottom is a sandal by Cynthia Vincent. 

9) The Jeweled Sandal.

What Summer dress would be complete without a jeweled sandal. I fell in love with the turquoise on this sandal and wear it with white all season long. By Mystique.

10) A Sexy Summer Heel.

As much as I would like to, I can't wear my Louboutins everywhere, and sometimes I am in need of a more causal heel to wear with dresses or skinny jeans during the warmer months. These neutral heels by Michael Kors fit the bill perfectly. 

11) A Riding Boot.

Do you know what I love most about a riding boot? I love that the more you beat them up, the better they look. You definitely can't say that about too many things! These boots by Coach have definitely taken a licking and year after year they keep on ticking. 

12) The Wellie.

By Hunter, need I say more?

  

13) A Snow Boot.

A must have for this New England mum. Makes running around the city much warmer, and MUCH safer. This one adds some flair with the fur. Just because you are freezing doesn't mean you can't be fashionable! Snow boot by Sorel. 

So there you have it, my entire shoe wardrobe. It took me a few years to build this collection and a few years from now it will probably look almost exactly the same. I think that's the beauty of building a great working wardrobe, whether it's clothes or shoes, a classic never goes out of style!

That being said, there are a few trends I'm loving right now... these will be featured in tomorrow's post. 

I hope you al are enjoying a peek inside my closet, special thanks go out to my SIL foot model for lending her piggies in some of the pictures. 

Wardrobe Essentials: Yummy Mummy Edition.

Lately I've been getting a few requests, here and in "real" life, to do a post on what my "Wardrobe Essentials" are. Given that my SIL was in town this weekend, I figured this was the perfect opportunity for us to play dress up. Here are the 15 things I that I believe are essential to my wardrobe and the way that I style each piece. I hope you have as much fun looking at each outfit at them as we did shooting them. Talk about a great way to clean out your closet!

1) A Boyfriend Blazer.

This is my number one "must have" for any wardrobe. This is my "go to" piece about 300 days a year, and I simply cannot remember what my fashion life was like before this became a staple in my wardrobe. I love the versatility of a good blazer. I have shown this one  dressed down two ways and dressed up two ways. Blazer by Zara.

2) A Trench.
What is not to love about a trench? It's timeless, classic, covers all sins, and is actually a pretty functional piece. I love that you can wear a trench over pretty much everything you own and it never goes out of style. I have one with a removable warmer built in the back which gives me about 9 months of use out of it. Tan is a classic, but I prefer black because it has the ability to be dressed up or dressed down. Trench by Burberry.

3) Nautical Stripes.

As you have already seen I love me some nautical stripes. As in love. I definitely don't consider myself "preppy" but this is one prepster item that I wear year round. I will always chose something with stripes over a solid color any day of the week. I love how it adds just a little something to a basic outfit (as shown above) but you can also add other patterns or texture to funk up an outfit (as shown below). Nautical shirt by A.L.S.

4) A Printed Silk Blouse.
It is for the same reason I like a nautical shirt that I like a printed blouse. A great blouse can take you from drop off at school, to work, to a night out with the girls, with just a quick change of accessories. This is another of my "go to" items. Here I have shown them with a tuxedo jacket, leather jacket and, of course, with a boyfriend blazer. I realize looking at them now I have jeans on in all the pictures, but a blouse like this also looks amazing with a pencil skirt, tights, and a great pair of heels. The first is by Joie, the second Vera Wang Lavender Label, and the third is by Parker.

5) The Shirt/Dress.

I am a huge fan of the shirt/dress. And by shirt/ dress I mean a garment that doubles as a shirt AND a dress. I love a good deal and anything that can be worn more than one way is a must have in my book. Here is a dressier version of the Shirt/ Dress, by Parker. 

 

And here is a more casual version. The first tunic is by Josh Podol, and the summer dress is by Vanessa Bruno.

6) The Maxi Dress.

Oh how I love a good maxi dress in the Summer. This is my uniform the minute the temperature hits 75 degrees. I know that this style is usually covered with some sort of print but I prefer my maxis to be basic so I can really accessorize the look. This top dress (my favorite) is by Velvet and the others are Gypsy 05 and Melissa Obadash, respectively. 

  

7) Summer Whites.

Speaking of Summer, what is better on a hot day then a classic white dress? Um nothing. That is why a white sundress is definitely on my list of essentials. Bring on the heat! The first dress is by Miguelina, and the second is Milly.

  

8) Prints, Prints, and Prints.

I love printed dresses. Hell, as you have seen I love printed anything. While going through this project I found that I considerable part of my wardrobe is made up of printed dresses. I think I love them so much because they are just so easy. The pattern says it all, so throw on a cuff or a great pair of flats/ heel and an outfit is made. Clockwise from top, Love Shop, Parker, Calypso, and MM Couture. Denim jacket by Gap.

9) A Basic Sheath Dress. 

I think every wardrobe should have at least one basic sheath dress. The reason being that they are just so versatile. I chose one made of navy taffeta and it can easily transition from day to night, and with some tights from winter to summer. Year round wear? Yes, you had me at hello! Dress by Calypso.

  

10) A Long "Chunky" Sweater.

This is the one item that they majority of my wardrobe consists of. Sure I live in New England, and warmth is a must, but I also have to admit that I also just love wrapping up in something that is both warm and stylish. For me I find that the longer the sweater is, the more I wear it. They make dressing for winter just so easy, all you need is a pair of jeans, boots, a good scarf and a stylish and weather appropriate outfit is made. Here are three of my favorites. The first is Jameson, the second is Vince, and the third is French Connection. 

11) The Boyfriend Jean.

Jean by Current Elliot.

 

12) The Skinny Jean.

If the boyfriend jean is my new mistress, then the skinny jean is my partner for life. I say this because these are the only two styles of jeans that I wear, and if I had to chose one to say forever and ever to, it would absolutely be the skinny. This style is just so damn flattering, and it really is so on almost everyone. A lot of my girlfriends were afraid to try the skinny thinking that it would just make them look bigger, or that they are made for only model skinny girls, but for this jean that is just not the case. They are called skinny because they actually make you look skinny. The cut hugs the body so all you see is the natural silhouette and when they are under boots all you see is the leg, not that bulky fabric. Oh skinny jeans, will you marry me? Clockwise from top left J Brand, Genetic Denim, and MIH.  

13) A Great "Go Out" Top.

Admittedly, I don't "go out" all that much, but when I do it is quite the event. Over the winter I realized that I didn't have any tops/ separates that could be both (really) dressed up and also dressed down. I quickly remedied that and found a great top that I could wear out with my girls, but that could be worn in my every day life. The first is an outfit that I wore out with my hubby, and the second with a turtleneck under to an event at my Little Man's school. Top by Gryphon. 

 

14) A White Shirt.

I know most "experts" say that this is an item that every woman must have in her wardrobe and I have to say I agree. There is nothing better than a classic white shirt. It is timeless, seasonless, and can virtually guarantee that you will be appropriately dress wherever you chose to wear it. For my white shirt I chose this longer tuxedo style. I have worn this shirt everywhere, from a George Michael concert (with leggings and some funky jewlery) to my little mans first birthday party. Yes, you really can't go wrong with a classic white shirt. Shirt by Elizabeth and James. 

15) A Killer Party Dress.

My last "essential" would have to be a killer party dress. Just having these in my closet makes me feel prettier. No, I'm not kidding. I love knowing that I could be invited anywhere at anytime and have the perfect dress for such an occasion. I fell in love with, and bought, the first dress without having a specific event in mind and at the time my concern was not having anywhere to wear such a dress. Well, 6 months later I have already worn it 4 times. I am so happy that I bought the perfect dress when I found it, rather than waiting until I had an event and having to shop under pressure. The second is on loan from my SIL and I am just waiting to break that baby out. I love a LBD with a twist, and the detailing on this one really makes it special. Dress on left Adam, right Jill Stewart.

So there you have it, my 15 wardrobe essentials. Are there any "must haves" I'm missing? I would love to hear what you all consider your essentials! 

Coming tomorrow.... the shoe edition!