Monthly Archives: June 2012

Movie day.

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So what do I pack for the UK next week?  Is it really that bad that I just need to take jumpers and jeans?:(  Am I being crazy if I pack shorts or a skirt?  Is it really going to be wellies and rain coats?  To be honest I don’t mind the rain too much – we had torrential down pours here yesterday and it was lovely – I miss it in an odd way.  But rain for 2 weeks in the UK will restrict my footwear choice – i.e. no suede, and also means my bags will be heavier with colder weather clothes – unfortunately rain in the UK does not equate to saunas and steam room heat and humidity like it does here…I’m slowly building a pile of possible items to take but I’m now getting to the stage where I am throwing things at the pile for the hell of it.  I need to keep reminding myself that I am not Victoria Beckham and will not be wining and dining every night in Bury’s finest establishments – therefore I do not need 3 pairs of ‘going out’ shoes, a pair of heeled boots, or a pair of strappy sandals.  I WILL be going out though and obviously if I am seeing people from my past i.e. school etc…then I need to look drop dead gorgeous, skinny and fabulous so maybe I do need some heels?:)  Shallow indeed;)

Yesterday afternoon I went shopping with Poppy for gifts for the nephews and nieces and my sister’s birthday gift.  I truly am creating a diva – while at the Jo Malone counter in Saks she was asking very relevant questions about certain scents and then had the audacity to ask for extra samples – I love her nerve!  We then had fun at the library doing much more sensible things for a 6 year old like signing up to the book club.  I LOVE libraries – even the smell of the old books appeals to my inner nerd…entering one takes me straight back to school – I really did like to study!

Today after her gymnastics camp I’ve promised to take her to watch the new Madagascar movie.  I’m quite relieved to have something to fill my afternoon given the demo of the bathroom is in full swing – the last place I want to be right now is home.  I’m looking forward to my popcorn:)

I was again very uninspired with what to wear – I think it’s because I feel overwhelmed with packing and wading through my clothes – it’s times like these I can really see the benefit of a capsule wardrobe.  Anyway I picked out my J.Crew skirt from a couple of years ago, Zara Union Jack tee (feeling a little patriotic with the imminent trip and England’s not too shabby performance yesterday in Euro 2012!), and then I opted for my Frye Sabrina’s in clay which I’d probably take to England were it not for the hassle of taking them on and off at airport security – and I don’t want to pack them as they will take up precious cargo space!  So sorry for the rubbish photo again – ’tis dark in the basement!

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Dislocation.

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Uuuurgh – sorry for the lack of weekend posts.  I have had an exhausting, stressful time running up and down stairs moving what appears to be shed loads of clothes, shoes (some I’d forgotten about – the shame) and cosmetics to the basement suite where MM and I will be residing until the end of the renovations.  In a way it’s quite nice to have the opportunity for a good clear out.  We really haven’t done it since we moved into the house 4 years ago – then we just put stuff in what seemed logical places and now, having lived in the house for a while, I know there is a better way to organize things.  In fact it will be amazing to have a large walk in closet where all my lovely clothes can be hung, and shoes can be stacked for easy access.  You wouldn’t believe the amount of crap that my bathroom vanity had hidden in it.  I must have really suffered with hemorrhoids after the birth of my son – I had about 20 different brands of cream in there!!  Ouch!

Poppy and I took a break from the turmoil yesterday and headed to the salon for her hair cut.  Honestly you would think she is 6 going on 16.  Mom wasn’t allowed to sit with her – but I assure you as I sat in the waiting area I could hear her chit chatting away ‘well ac-tual-leee I can do this’, ‘no reeeeally she said so’, ‘I SO like that’…etc.etc.  Where did my little girl go?  She’s been possessed by a 16 year old mall rat!

The workmen arrived this morning…an hour late…not a good start…but at least they showed up to start the demo.  I now have to stay clear of the house all day till 4pm so I don’t get roped into making cups of tea all afternoon:)  I did manage to get MM to move the only long mirror in the house down into the guest room where we are sleeping for the next 8 weeks – but the photo is pretty dreadful today – I need to move the mirror somewhere where it doesn’t look like I have a light affixed to my head!

The outfit isn’t too inspiring today mainly as I was struggling for ideas after carrying all the clothes downstairs.  Packing for England this week is going to be a nightmare – I already can’t find half my underwear!  I’m wearing my Hudson jeans – all of you in England will be happy to hear it’s throwing it down here too and we have grey skies today.  Paired with the jeans is the Boden Pretty top from last summer – a lovely, ‘pretty’, easy to wear top that is much more girly than my usual attire.  On my feet I have my Tory Burch flannel Revas which are really comfy.  You’ll notice I’m also desperate for a haircut – 6 weeks between cuts really is too long for me.

 

TGIF.

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Note to self – must go away without MM more often…the reason being I get wined and dined before I go!  Poor love I know he will miss me and the children and he is being so sweet taking me out a few times, without the children, so we get some time together before I leave for the UK on the 18th for 2 weeks.  We’ve always been very independent and I know he’ll be fine without us – he doesn’t fall into the usual stereotype of being useless by himself – he’s a better cook than I am, always runs the dishwasher and loves to read so he can catch up and a few books while I’m gone – oh and the European Championships start today – so who am I fooling about reading?  Every game will be DVRd and watched I know for sure!  In fact is it possible that is why he suggested we left the country for those 2 particular weeks?…Hmmmm cunning….

So before he sits down tonight to watch the first games we’re off out to lunch at Local Three – it’s a fabulous local eatery with a menu based around local and seasonal fare – they do great ‘small plates’ too so it is a fun place to go and share lots of different offerings.  The lobster salad sounds particularly good!

This weekend will be spent – by me at least – moving all my clothes and possessions from the bedroom to the basement bedroom where MM and I will be relocating to while the master bathroom, bedroom floors and walk in closet are under construction.  It all starts on Monday!!  I’m SO excited about the work starting, but running up and down stairs with arms full of swag does not fill me with joy.  Oh well it will be worth it and who knows I may find more items to eBay!  I may start trying to design the interior of the new closet too – IKEA have some brilliant modular solutions I’ve got my eye on.

So for lunch – what to wear?  I wanted something casual but not too casual as I’m getting tired of throwing a tunic on over a bikini at the weekend…so I opted for my lovely green J.Crew chino shorts, Express white tank, and my new Zara printed jogging jacket – I’ve gone for a nude shoe, Tory Burch Emmy sandals, so as not to overwhelm the look – the flowers and green are already pretty vivid!

Have a fun Friday!!

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Yummy Thai.

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It’s a quiet day in the office today so my fabulous Husband has just offered to take me for lunch – what a lovely surprise – so we’re off for Thai.  Not really on the diet plan but hey I’ll go off to the gym later to compensate:)

I watched the first half of the Jubilee concert last night and absolutely loved it – I am amazed how many people were out on The Mall!  It made me feel tremendously homesick – I’ve strolled down there countless times to then walk through St. James’s Park back to Westminster – one of my favorite ‘most London’ walks, where I felt more like a tourist rather than a resident.  I think I need to plan a girls trip back to London again for some sight seeing and fun:)

Anyway before I plan for more trips I need to prepare to head for the UK on the 18th of this month!  I feel quite overwhelmed tackling the packing for 3 of us for the unpredictable North West weather – layering may be the key.  I also have the daunting task of whittling down my shoes from the ‘really want to take’ 6 pairs to the ‘really need to take’ 3 pairs.  I’m wondering whether the hot spell a couple of weeks ago is it for the UK?  There’s usually only one per year – so do I gamble and not take shorts or a sundress?  If it does get hot I can always pop into Sainsbury’s for some great deals – I got a gorgeous blue sundress from there 2 years ago when I was caught out by rising temperatures.  To add to the complexity I now have a 6 year old asking me if she can do all her own packing without any help…hmmm maybe not as the first thing she put in the pile was her Girl’s World head!

My ensemble today demonstrates how brilliantly previous seasons from Boden complement current seasons.  The cardigan is the long line cardigan in pewter from summer 2011 that I got in the sale – I love this color and it’s an almost identical style to this season’s effortless cardigan.  This pewter coordinates perfectly with the border print tunic in pewter from this season, and even better my Tory Burch Eddies in camilla pink pick out the pink in the tunic brilliantly.  I feel wonderful in this today and can’t believe I nearly passed up on this tunic thinking it was too similar to last year’s Terazzo.  The tunic by the way is my usual US 6 – I know some have said size up but as I have no hips I didn’t need to.

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A good sweat.

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One of the reasons I love working out is that I love to have a good sweat.  Sounds gross I know, and yes ladies are supposed to glow, but for me there is nothing more cleansing, purifying and invigorating than sweating buckets.  Yesterday afternoon I indulged in a couple of hours of sweating at the gym – treadmill, bike, and sauna – it was fabulous.  I don’t normally allow time to indulge in a sauna but it was SO relaxing – I need to do it more often if I can get over the awkwardness of sharing a small wooden box with other people for 20 minutes!

I was beginning to regret that I hadn’t planned my trip back to the UK to coincide with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.  I was really upset that I couldn’t watch the whole concert that was shown live yesterday in the UK.  It looked a treat with some good old British family entertainment with the likes of Sir Tom Jones, Sir Elton and Madness.  I’m thrilled though to have just discovered that ABC are showing highlights tonight at 9pm – I just hope it’s not all Stevie Wonder!  I chuckled to myself this morning while reading my guilty pleasure that is the Daily Mail – William and Harry certainly did look a little hungover this morning in St. Paul’s – I’d recognize that look anywhere:)

It’s raining and grey again here in Atlanta – very unusual for this time of year – but it allows me to wear my jeans and a jacket again.  I’m wearing the Zara jersey blazer in fuchsia which I love – the color is perfect – not to bright but lovely and summery.  The t-shirt is an old Diesel one that I love – it’s the perfect t-shirt for layering and adds a bit of interest to an outfit.  The jeans are Hudson, the shoes are my new Levity wedges from DSW – they’re high but I love them, especially the suede nude wedge heel, and the necklace is a great buy from H&M – I love it’s simplicity.

If you’re US based and you watch ABC tonight I’d love to know your thoughts on the concert!  I’m sure it’s a very different experience watching as a non-Brit than for someone like myself who can embrace the eclectic eccentricity and patriotism of the event.  Enjoy!

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Red, white and blue.

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It’s rubbish weather here in Atlanta today – dark and dreary, such a shame after a fabulous weekend, but easier to bear now I’m back in the office.  We had a fabulous time at Virginia Highlands Summerfest – the weather was perfect for mooching and watching some great live music.  I was in awe at a group of 14-16 year olds rocking out on stage – called ‘My Homework Ate My Dog‘ – they were brilliant – and it got me thinking about how to introduce music lessons to my two.  I think music is so important and there is evidence that reading music can also help with numeracy.  I was reading basic music at elementary school and playing the recorder, and then I graduated to the flute which was challenging once orthodontics started!  I really think understanding rhythm and reading music can boost your appreciation of music and we always have some sort of music playing in the house – anything from Led Zeppelin to Robyn to Mahler.  So maybe I should start them with piano lessons?

Brightening up the day today and sticking with the patriotic theme I’m wearing my Boden long sleeved Breton, Boden Effortless cardigan in radish, white Express Zelda crops and Tory Burch Eddie flats in Tory Navy.

Oh and one final very important note the Boden Autumn preview is out for women!!! In my opinion this is THE BEST season of clothes I have seen from them.  Very ‘on trend’ with a retro, younger vibe – I’ve already placed two orders!!!  My most favorite items are the Scoop Neck Tunic, Loulou dress, Cable knit dress (I’ve only ever previously bought 1 Boden dress!) and Skye jumper.  Enjoy browsing and until June 25th there is a 20% discount.

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A quick change:)

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Okay I just threw on my Zara Union Jack t-shirt (unfortunately I can’t see it on the US site but they were still in store on Friday) and white denim J.Crew shorts – feeling much more appropriate and patriotic – if I’m allowed to given I’m a US citizen!

 

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Summer festival.

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I have friends who still manage to go to lots of music festivals every year even with 3 young children at home.  The closest I will get to a summer festival is the Virginia Highlands Summerfest today here in Atlanta.  It’s actually a lovely art festival with music and activities for the kids and VaHi is a beautiful part of town – very residential with gorgeous craftsman cottages and close to Piedmont Park.  I remember going the year Hugh was born – it was our first proper trip out as a family of four – so I love going back when we remember what weekend it’s taking place!

I just Skyped with Mum and Dad and feel rather sad that I’m missing out on all the Diamond Jubilee festivities.  The UK has both Monday and Tuesday off to celebrate and there are so many street parties and galas taking place – I do miss the UK at times like this.  I was back last year for the pomp and ceremony of the Royal Wedding and loved it!  In fact maybe I should be wearing my Union Jack tee today – I might just actually go and change now I’ve remembered it!:)

For now I’m wearing my AllSaints t-shirt from a couple of years ago, ornament orange JCrew chino shorts (4″ available online only), and AllSaints Bonny Cuban boot which is currently out of stock on the US site.  To celebrate the Jubilee AllSaints are giving 20% off selected styles this weekend till Tuesday when you enter code JUBILEE at check out!

Long live the Queen!:)

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Music that motivates…

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I decided to change the title of this series to ‘music that motivates’ rather than ‘inspires’…the reason being this next tune that got me racing up the hills yesterday.  It’s Kelly Rowland and “Down for Whatever” – definitely not an inspirational song but brilliant motivation when running!  I actually heard it first when I was back in the UK at Christmas when she was having huge success judging on the UK version of the X Factor.  I’m really looking forward to seeing what other mindless, thumping, dance tunes are in store for me in the UK charts later this month!  Enjoy!

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