Fall Cleaning

While the fall feel that begins to tickle the air in late September inspires the usual yard clean up (I say 'usual' as if this isn't my first fall owning a house in the suburbs with a yard), closet purging, and sickeningly early holiday displays at local retailers, it also makes me think about juice. As in the juice cleanse. Yes, they smell gross, look putrid, and make you irritable, hungry, and test the patience of those around you. But they promise better skin, fresher spirit, and the elusive 'energy' one can supposedly achieve without the aid of caffeine.

My blogger friend Lisa Marie from Lovliness of Life talked about her own DIY juice cleanse using her very own juicer a while back (wedding gifts make us to the craziest things!) and I've decided its time to take the plunge myself.  I have heard the cabbage diet has cost some their friendships, the pepper and lemon juice plan similarly has claimed several working relationships (one can imagine being confined to a small space for hours on end with a coworker who has had nothing but lemon, water and cayenne pepper for several days). Blueprint seems to be the safer way to go- the colorful concoctions even match some of my new fall accessories. Though I want to be active, healthy and energetic, I don't want to make my own brew, or drive to the local Grass Roots store to pick the regime up each day. So the $10 daily delivery fee seems like a small price to pay for convenience and the promise of all that potent produce in liquid form. Wish me luck!

9/26/09 Revisited

Oheka Castle

Guests begin to arrive for the ceremony

Bridal Suite

Reception tables dressed in all white

Invitations

Bridal party in black, best friends since elementary school

One of my favorite candids after the ceremony

Three years ago today, the hubs and I tied the knot. I had the good fortune of being able to visit our wedding venue, Oheka Castle, yesterday to book an upcoming work gala for April 2014. The trip brought back memories of that fabulous September Saturday, and inspired a combing through of wedding photos (something I do at least once a month). Though Tucker has been waking at all hours of the night, and refusing to go back to sleep after 3 or 4 am recently, days like today remind me of how far we have come and how much more there is in store. What do anniversaries make you think about?

A Few New

Amidst utter work chaos, and a waking baby, I managed to spend the precious days off this week collecting a few new things that made me smile. Most purchases were full price (gasp), which is every unlike me, and reflective perhaps of the inner turmoil I am currently experiencing. But nevertheless, I am very happy with my finds.

A Louis Vuitton Neverfull (did you know they heat stamp an initial on your new bag for no extra charge? I almost squealed when they mentioned this).

JCrew animal print wide bangle- I am obsessed with wearing on my left wrist alongside my husband's Rolex. Finally the bargains- a striped Banana dress reduced from $74 to $37, and a pair of Vine Camuto loafers originally $198, scored for $59. Now if only baby would go back to sleeping soundly through the night in his organic cotton lined rib, we'd really be in business.

DIY

A new house, a new season, a new invitation- whatever the occasion, the quest for something new (outfit, throw pillow, ankle booties) is a thrill. When on a budget, the urge to buy fabulous things is no different. The source for those items, however, is adjusted. While Ethan Allen, Pottery Barn or Anthropologie might be my go-to's for a quick accent piece, I've discovered the joys of Amazon (not quite for furniture- a wine rack that seemed too good to be true was exactly that- it arrived in 100 pieces, I sweat like pavement in the sun assembling it for 3 days, and still ended up with 3 leftover screws, and it tilts left when you put any bottles of wine in it.)

Sherman Williams Emerald paint in Serious Gray on left wall, and Morning Fog on center wall

But for small touches, I have had much success using the website. The zebra pillows, citron pillows, throw rug, and avocado table lamps totaled less than $300 in all. I painted myself, and installed the drapes with the help of a local handyman (who knows how to find a 'stud' to attach the screws anyway?). The bookcases and couch are carry overs from our first 'real' apartment, purchased with wedding funds (the later stained with remnants of Tucker's newborn months, but nicely camouflaged in the beige suede). So I consider it my first successful DIY, and perhaps not my last either.

The Closet Room is Complete!

Shoe Wall

Behold the Blazers

Zebra throw rug reminds me of my grandmother

Pile of Printed Cardis

Blouse Wall

My Favorite Peep toes

Taking Inspiration from Cupcakes and Cashmere on statement necklace storage

Pictures of my finished closet room- yes, I took them myself tonight after Tucker went to sleep in his orange and white baby paradise, on top of his organic cotton mattress. The actual (and not sarcastic) joys of home ownership!

Melting Pot

The calendar says September, but the mercury says late July. Friday evening, at an event for work I spent the better part of the summer planning, all went fabulously except for the one factor beyond my control: the heat.

The day went smoothly enough, with the wrench in the plan being my 15 month old waking up with a resurgence of pink eye and a fever (one plus to having the hubs jobless is that he can tend to such matters without me rearranging 4 meetings and a 120 person event at work). Solving problems and practicing diplomacy from 7:30-12, the day was then punctuated by a visit from said infant and husband since the latter can't give eye drops so well (where by I administered the drops in full work attire, sitting in my desk chair while asking my 12:00 meeting if they could possibly wait 3 minutes).

3:30 rolled around, time to run home, change out of eye drop stained work dress into a different, stain free event dress (cobalt Ann sheath, on its 3rd wear since originally purchased for Auction Gala last May).  Quick flatiron to the hair, dose of amoxicillin for baby, new list of evening instructions for the husband, and back to work. Guests arrived at 7, and by 7:25 my once frizz free locks had grown into full blown shrubbery. How to stay effortlessly chic in 90 degree heat and 80% humidity? I can tell you the commercials declaring you can 'defy humidity' with Nexxus or Granier are without merit. I could see people melting around me, not to mention the perfectly placed cheese display which was glistening like a rare gem with damp heat. I have said it before, but I am so ready for Fall!

Fall Finds

Though the economy is on the rebound (right?) September sales indicate retailers are either trying to move through deep buys, or have changed their merchandising strategy and planned for such sales (they would probably prefer consumers perceive the latter). No matter the reason, my custom made closet has enjoyed the trend. With a brand new mortgage to match that brand new closet, I have had to tighten the belt more than ever (and the added challenge that my lawyer Hubby has been without a job for several months further complicates my love of fall fashion).

Often I find pieces on sale soon after they hit the racks for the first time when consumers feel the article has some fit issue. These can range from running small, to pulling at the armholes, to being just unflattering to the average figure. When I see this, I can usually find an easy solution and thus enjoy scoring a great find at a fraction of the typical retail price. The above necklace was just $20 from Banana because the clasp had a small dent in it, and since its uber long you don't need to undo the clasp ever, so whats the problem?

Always a fan of the flapper dress, I scored this frock for under $40 (paired with a medium width black belt to give it more form, as the comments suggested it was otherwise shapeless). And for a May wedding in Napa I couldn't resist this teal number from Ann reduced from $168 to less than $50 with all discounts applied.

I've also been lusting after the Kate Spade and Louis Vuitton polka dot pumps. The vintage chic look paired with a pair of modern straight pants is just right for work or evening. But of course $300+ shoes are not in the cards for me right now. While I wouldn't voluntarily enter an Aerosoles store, my 62 year old mother dragged me in, and luckily I am (mildly) open-minded because there sat the perfect polka dot pair, on sale, looking nothing like the stale, frumpy brand I had remembered. So add those to my list of victories. There is no point is getting out of bed each day if you can't find joy in getting dressed!