Neighborly Envy

Ive often heard people lament the fact that Pintrest serves as a daily reminder of all the things we want but don’t actually have. That ones ‘Pintrest life’ is far better than one’s real life. So is the feeling when living across the street from neighbors, at least 15+ years your senior, whose social calendar and hostessing schedule make you energetic, then envious, and finally depressed. Last week alone they had guests 5 nights out of 7, requiring red Solo cups by the case. On Saturdays around 7:30, when Tucker is just falling asleep and I am blissfully pouring a glass of wine, the tell tale sign of a rocking Saturday night looms across the street as the omnipresent babysitter mobile pulls up and parks in front of our window. A taunting reminder they will be out at a fabulous event, child-free, until the wee hours of the morning.

The warm summer nights make this envy even more acute, as festivities are taken outdoors, and the pressure to have fun filled evenings and weekends bursting with action is at its peak. Suddenly wine on the back patio or an episode of Housewives loses its luster and I feel like I’m missing out, not fulfilling the summer mandate for fun in the sun. When a holiday weekend approaches, I must quickly scroll through all unread texts messages and ensure plans for the tot are made and confirmed. I have heard that security and inner calm come with age, but I am still waiting. By 'age' perhaps they mean 40 and not 30. Until then I'll learn to enjoy the view from across the street.

Summer in Cubicle Land

Though always difficult to stay dressed well, comfortably and appropriately when working in cubicle land, the humidity of July makes it even harder. (Today is also Tucker's first day of 'summer camp' so many tears were shed while dressing.)

Top, pants and necklace: Loft

Shoes: Cole Haan

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelet: J.Crew (try this one)

Storage Solutions

Taking a tip from Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere, I spent a few moments of my 'precious toddler weekend nap time' to organize my delicate necklaces (that always end up snagged and tangled and thus not wore as often as I'd like).

I have a small yet special collection of drop earrings (the turquoise pair at the far left has survived summer rentals on both Nantucket and the Jersey Shore with college friends), and each necklace here was a gift with a particular memory attached (for example, the large diamond horseshoe was from my grandmother, many years ago. The smaller ones were added after by my parents and I like to wear them at the same time). Organizing is sometimes like rediscovering things you forgot you had!

A Day in the Life

This weekend went something like this:

Toddler wakes up at 5:58 Saturday morning. He usually sleeps until 7. Milk, breakfast, errands, go to town pool to buy season pass because today it opens for the season- hooray! Dress and take toddler toward the  pool (like every single day was spent last summer, when I worked 4 days a week until maybe 3:00, which we both thoroughly enjoyed). Toddler screams, clutches onto my bikini top nearly pulling it off, and refuses the pool as if some form of ancient torture. Return to pool deck, sit for 20 minutes, bribe with goldfish crackers, finally get him to agree to sit on the side, on my lap. Making progress, toes in water, a smile or two, less clutching. Only to hear whistle blow and elderly (not very nice) life guard demands everyone exists the pool. Chlorine levels too high (and though they say they will test again in a half hour, the pool will then end up remaining closed for the entirety of the weekend).

Drive the 0.5 miles home, annoyed and wondering now what to do for the remainder of the day. Toddler refuses to leave car. "Boats, boats!” he demands. Said boats are located at the complex with the recently closed pool. Back to the pool we go. Arrive at marina next to pool, toddler refuses to get out. We sit in the car for 20 minutes. Then hes ready. A brief glance at the acclaimed boats, and hes over it. “House" he announces. Back home we go. This happens a few more times before the day mercifully ends, and I drink wine. This weekend I learned that people who say ‘it gets easier’ must have an enormous wine cellar, unlimited money to pay a nanny, and a well stocked snack cabinet. So far, 2 is no different than 1, except that now, the word ‘No’ is in the vocabulary, he can subsist on nothing more than milk and goldfish crackers for an entire weekend, and he weighs too much to physically force to do anything he refuses to do. Oh, and I have spent more money on wine than food in the past year.

A Few New

Having promised my husband for Father's Day a $0 Ann Taylor and J.Crew balance for the month of June, its been difficult, but I still managed to snag a few new purchases, thanks to gift cards and very good sale spotting. My favorite may be the persimmon shoes which actually go with a lot and still look polished enough for work.

1.

J.Crew Factory Emery flats (originally $98, on sale for $68, + additional 40% off) 

2.

J.Crew Factory pencil skirt in bright cobalt (originally $75, on sale for $49, + additional 40% off)

3.

Loft jacquard shift dress (originally $89, on sale for $54 in store, + additional 40% off)

4.

Banana leather bangle to add some edge to an otherwise bland work look (originally $55, on sale for $29 in store)

Buttercup

A lightweight blazer goes well over most any outfit in the early summer days, when mornings are cool and afternoons bring humid, frizz inducing waves of heat. When a client meet is on the calendar, all pieces need an extra bit of polish. And finally, here is my new 'do!

Blazer: Loft (try this one)

Necklace:Francesca's

Peplum Top: Ann Taylor (try this color blocked version)

Pants & Peep Toes: Banana Republic

Waiting for Baby

My best friend is due with her first baby any day now. Since they kept the gender a surprise (from themselves as well as friends and family) I am anxiously awaiting which gift I will rush to order when baby arrives. Shopping for tiny clothing and toys always makes the thought of a new baby appealing, even infatuating. But that usually fades around 7pm when adorable toddler refuses to go to bed and I can hear the Cabernet calling my name from downstairs.

 The countdown is on! What are some of your favorite baby gifts?