Monthly Archives: February 2012

Remove brain and relax.

Now I am a sucker for reality t.v. – all the Housewives franchises and anything else that is on Bravo, I love HGTV and of course now I am hooked on American Idol again.  Gosh writing that sentence felt like part of a rehab program – I’m cringing reading it back!  Last night American Idol had their last episode covering the first round of auditions – normally the most excruciating to watch, as I hate it when they show the crappy singers for the purposes of ‘good t.v.’ – but you know what – I think I ‘appreciate’ Steven Tyler a little more each time I see him – that’s so wrong isn’t it?  It has to be said that on a Thursday evening (my ‘Friday’) there is nothing more relaxing than curling up on the sofa with Tennyson, one of our boxers, sipping a glass of vino, removing my brain and watching American Idol.

Tennyson

Tennyson, my love bug.

Friday is the first day of my weekend.  I must say if I were President (not feasible – and not only because I wasn’t born here) I would make a 4 day week mandatory.  Probably not great for the deficit or GDP – but it would be great for morale.  Working that 1 day less a week has had a huge impact on my personal happiness.  Oh, I should mention that school would absolutely remain a 5 day week – otherwise my 4 day week might not be so great!  These days my Fridays are spent procrastinating a little longer with Matt Lauer and my coffee, indulging in a long shower and taking my time deciding what to wear, then I normally run some fun errands around town like Target and Trade Joe’s, followed by a long lunch.  Even after the school bus has arrived I manage to fit in a nice short workout while my daughter does swim team.  When spring and summer come around I like to skip the errands and head off on my bike for a good ride while everyone else is off the roads and I can’t wait to get in the saddle more often again.  Mondays to Thursdays allow me to use my intellect and enjoy adult company in the office, then my ‘free’ Fridays provide some ‘me’ time, ultimately meaning that I enjoy the ‘family’ time more at the weekend.  I feel very fortunate – and sane most of the time thanks to this schedule.

So today, before heading to Trader Joe’s to sort out some food for Superbowl Sunday, I picked out my Boden straightleg wool capris, a fairly old but hardly worn Marks & Spencer Per Una pink sweater, last year’s Boden cropped washed leather jacket, Tory Burch black patent Eddies and a necklace from H&M.  Even though it is my ‘day off’ I still like to make a bit of an effort every time I head out of the house.  The wool capris keep popping back into stock in the clearance and I think they are well worth the $38.  They fit a little higher in the rise than I would ideally like but I find them very comfortable and flattering.

Boden straightleg wool crops, Per Una sweater, Boden leather jacket, Tory Burch Eddies

This week has been busy at work for both of us so tonight MM and I are having a lovely home cooked Thai curry.  I love Friday evenings when we can just put some music on, enjoy a glass of wine and cook together.  Let’s hope the children cooperate!

Thank you H&M…

It’s 69 degrees in Atlanta today and we’re gripped by Spring fever.  Everyone around me in the office seems to be planning trips somewhere – except for me…I’m getting itchy feet listening to them book their flights and chatter about sunshine, hotels and cocktails.  This time last year I was getting ready to head off to London for a week of fun and frivolity – I think I need to plan another city break with some girlfriends!

Sunday is Superbowl and while I’m not a huge football fan I, like many others, enjoy the partying, the food and the general sense of occasion.  This morning The Today Show gave us a sneak peak of some of the Superbowl commercials that will air and all I can say is thank you H&M I shall be replaying this often on YouTube!

Last night between the parenting and party planning for my son’s birthday, I managed to paint my nails – this time Smokin’ Hot by Essie – a lovely deep purply/grey.

Smokin' Hot

Mr. UPS swung by as well to deliver my new Boden Essential wedges.  I ordered the red and truffle and they are cute, but not only do they fit small, I do think they are a tad pricey for what they are.  I love the suede but I think if I am going to get some wedges I may get the now famous L.K. Bennett Maddox…so off they go back to Boden.  Another influencing factor is that there is a 14 week wait for the next size up – what is going on with Boden’s stock levels this season?

Boden Essential Wedges

The springlike weather influenced my clothes today and I am wearing my Boden Pretty Top, Boden LE sparkle pocket cardigan (which is SO soft – I love it), Hudson Collin jeans and my grey flannel Tory Burch Revas.

Boden Pretty top, Hudson, Tory Burch Revas

See you tomorrow – I’m ready for Friday!

Today I was mostly wearing…

I headed to the gym this morning the first time for a while – it was lovely and quiet at 7.30am and I managed to kill myself on the treadmill for 30mins.  As much as I love running outdoors I can’t abide the treadmill but with impending rain here today I thought it was a safer bet.  To keep me in the ‘zone’ I returned to my youth and cranked up the volume of some club classics including the The Collaboration “Do It Properly”.  Danny Rampling is a bargain on iTunes!

Knowing I was heading out for lunch with a friend I wanted to wear something comfortable and fun so I opted for my new Boden Mariner jumper, Hudson Collin jeans, Boden biker jacket from SS 2011, and my Tory Burch red Revas for a pop of color.  It was fun drying my hair today – it must have taken only a minute – I love it!

Boden jacket, Mariner jumper, Revas

My Addictions #2 Tory Burch Shoes

So it’s time to ‘fess up again about another addiction/obsession.  Up until a few years ago I would never have dreamed of spending $200 on a pair of shoes when I could get at least 4 for that price…that was until I discovered Tory Burch.  MM may live to regret this but he was the one that initially encouraged me to look her ballet flats.  He is a little bit of a shoeaholic himself in so much that he is a true believer of quality over quantity, so I have an enabler.

After having my son and in the heat of Georgia I found that I was only ever wearing flats.  I was tired of feeling frumpy and really wanted some ‘fancy’ flats for going out in.  I’m not a fan of ’boutique’ stores but with some trepidation I made my way to Phipps Plaza and entered the wonderful world of Tory Burch.  If you ever get the chance to go in one of her stores do.  They are so intimate and personal and the service I have experienced has always been great – not intimidating or snobby at all.  The stores are full of wonderful colors, her signature pink and orange, and they usually have one of her candles burning so it smells exquisite.  On my first visit I had my son in the stroller with me – not ideal for a small store but still we managed.  I knew exactly what I wanted – some gold Tory Burch Revas.  I had palpitations leaving the store with my pink and orange bag, I was so excited!  Revas are named after Tory’s mother and they are a classic ballet flat with the T logo, and I find they fit beautifully and really flatter my feet.  After the gold pair came a black pair that I wore for work with palazzo pants in the summer.  All in all I now have the following colors: gold, black, hibiscus pink, nectarine, bleach, Tory red, espresso suede, camel, mouse and grey flannel.  My caveat is that some were in the sale and one pair was a gift:)

Tory Red Revas

Tory Red Revas.

Yes that’s a lot of Revas I hear you say – but wait – then came the sandals – the brown Holly sandal and the black and tan Emmy sandals.  Most recently I have discovered the joys of the Eddie flat – it has a little less bling than the Reva having no emblem on it, and has the most gorgeous, spongy insole – they are incredibly comfortably – I adore them and have them in musk, silver, camilla pink, black and navy – all patent.

Tory navy Eddies

Tory Navy Eddies.

Maybe I should say here that I care for them well, and I’m not heavy on my feet so hope to get many years out of each of them…and obviously the more I add to my collection the less each gets worn.  Sometimes I open my closet door just to admire my tower of pink and orange boxes.

Towering pink and orange boxes

In need of a bigger shoe closet.

The collection

The current collection.

Going to her website to look for links for this post has been a difficult exercise – I’ve now started lusting after the peacock feather Revas, leaf green Eddies and turquoise Emmys – resistance is futile.