To the Dogs

Though I am a cat person (mainly because I am a compulsive clean freak, and dogs are just too hard to mesh with this complex) I am fairly obsessed with dog-inspired fashions. Again, for the second time in recent weeks, I bought a full price item from J.Crew (because I couldn't bear waiting for it on back order).

I love this intarsia sweater and have convinced myself there are many lawyer appropriate outfits I can weave it into.  This lamp doesn't really go with my new decor scheme, but it made me laugh and I feel like I know at least 2 people that would die to get this as a holiday gift.

And if you like the pops of pup but can't commit to an entire sweater or lamp, this pendant from Madewell is just a dash of doggy.

Sorry Coco, but cat sweaters are just weird.

New Discoveries Online

So much time indoors these past 10+ days has given me much time to scour the Internet for the most random things. Some embarassingly ridiculous (a monogrammed toothbrush holder?) and others chic and astoundingly affordable (this two-toned clutch pictured below for just $28 from a Website I don't know why I didn't know about sooner, C Wonder).  A website where I can buy all forms of apparel, home goods and free shipping? Love at first sight.

I'm going to need another closet room pretty soon to accommodate the number of cuffs I seem to be adding to my collection a rapid pace, but no worries, there's always room for more. (And where I used to collect 'C' monograms on anything I could wear or carry, I now get a 'T' without exception).

And then I became obsessed with finding a new serving tray for an upcoming gathering, and this one  seems good enough to plan parties around.

To serve the obligatory cheese (obligatory because I love all varieties of cheese and will eat it all night long) this pineapple board is beyond cute, and makes me think of my friend Cara who loves pineapples.

And though by night's end the glasses will inevitably end up on all surfaces in the house without coasters, I will start off with good intentions and place these on most table tops I can think of.

Its OK Thursday

Thursday Link Up

Its Ok.....


1. that last night, I made my 17 month old Kraft Easy Mac for dinner, and all I could think about was college while feeding him

2. that the recent snow storm, following the recent hurricane, makes living in the suburbs seem less appealing than it did this summer and makes me long for NYC life again

3. that I shopped Online everyday that I was stuck home from work after Hurricane Sandy (day 9 and counting....)

4. that empty wine bottles in our recycling bin out number any other item this week

Wedding Bells (and Brocade?)

Spring 2013 brings a fresh wave of weddings for the hubs and I, reminiscent of 2009 when we cut our honeymoon short so I could serve as maid of honor for my bf 2 weeks after our own wedding (and then did so again happily in May for my other bf), and in between attended a myriad of 'I Do' dances. This time around, we are a little older (and wiser?) and are in dire need of an uplifting excuse to dress up and party.

My dear friend since 8th grade gets married in April, hubby's groomsman gets hitched in May (in Napa!), college roomie ties the knot in July, and best guy friend since Middle School walks down the aisle in August. This schedule requires repeating at least once, since Hubby's law firm is still not quite revenue producing (and the whole point of my new job is to save the money!)

One Shoulder Misha Dress from J.Crew- tangerine is fresh for evening with pewter heels and accessories

The vintage feel of this brocade Anthropologie number is fabulous, with a bright necklace and shoes to breakup the black

Blue is a nice alternative to the LBD, and this mini by Aqua is super wallet friendly priced under $200

Cynthia Rowley brocade frock that I love (image from Zappos.com- free shipping!)

Note: ALWAYS check what color the bridesmaids are wearing to avoid an unintentional (and then uncomfortable) mistake resulting is glares from the bridal party, and elderly aunts asking you who you are and how you know the bride all night. 

(And be sure you get to the polls today!)

xo

Spotted: Dotted

Polka dots are akin to stripes in my closet. I have plenty of both, but like Toll House Pie from the Colgate Inn during college, its seldom about the need and instead about the desire. When I spied this single bag dangling from a display in the newly renovated (and relocated) J.Crew in Americana, I almost snatched it out from an approaching shopper's grasp. The envelope style is classic, and being able to use this as a clutch or a shoulder bag is a plus (which will be helpful at this Friday's Colgate Campaign dinner at Cipriani when I'll need both hands to thoroughly enjoy the cocktail hour).

Invitation clutch still available at J.Crew.com in  this neutral colorway. Banana Republic ring (similar here), J.Crew leopard bangle which I caved and paid full price for last month.

Click here to read this post on Lucky.com!

When it Rains....

When we bought our house this summer, we were so excited to have the beach at the end of our street, and a scenic bay running path for morning jogs with tucker. Sandy brought that beach feet from our home but we were very lucky. Hoping to see that proverbial rainbow all week long for all those in need.

Bay cliff walk on the left, cresting before the storm even hit

Photos courtesy of Sonna Allen

Dream Land

The finishing touches on a house are almost illusive, until you spot them and know exactly what they are. At a market last week I spied a hand painted glass jar, and pictured it sitting perfectly on my dresser, with a small silk flower. Next, a set of 2 nickel lamps (for just $15 each!) called to me from the store shelf.  The vintage style mirror (similar here) was purchased a few years ago after our wedding when we decided we had had enough of hand me downs, and actually purchased new furniture for our single room New York City studio apartment.

Yes, I love the twisted mind of Kurt Vonnegut (Cats Cradle & Slaughter House 5), and a few of my favorite books prop up my new lamp

A lush, white chair provides a great place to read, watch some Bravo, and more importantly, to cuddle with Tuck when he wakes a tad too early on a Saturday morning (and always with the zebra accent!)

And of course, the mate to my bedroom lamp sits very happily in the closet room on a new white table I assembled myself (a steal at $29). My closet is my version of a 'man cave', all that's missing is a small white wine refrigerator.

Fashion Now book written entirely in Italian, purchased at Corso Como in Milan when visiting with Rebecca after college in 2005