Category Archives: Life

Entitled to a response.

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So my friend told me not to look but I did and I suddenly remembered why I never visit Mumsnet.  People are rude and mean from behind their laptops.  All of us who blog know we don’t appeal to everyone – we don’t intend to.  We don’t take ourselves too seriously – it really is just for fun – and we know we don’t always, by any means, get it right.  Poppy’s Style is written to give you a light hearted look into my fashion, and sometimes life, choices…nothing more than that – I am no authority.  To those of you who read and enjoy – thank you!  We really appreciate your comments and friendship.  Given I put myself out in the cyber world every day I guess a lesson for me is to toughen up a bit and appreciate some value in the negative comments.  I’ll try, or I’ll just ignore them.

Okay rant over and I shall not be paying any more attention to the Mumsnet forums thank you!

Yesterday we had a fabulous time with a gymnastics recital in morning and a Halloween party in the afternoon – I still can’t get excited enough about Halloween to dress up but I did wear a dress!  It’s the H&M tunic dress which I dressed down for being outside and teamed it with my Boden cashmere wrap from AW 2011, Target tights, Frye Phillip studded harness tall boot, and my Zara bordeaux scarf.  Closet assembly is still in progress as you can see!

Enjoy your Sunday:) xx

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Some memories of years ago.

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For the past few years, every October we have made the trip to nearby Stone Mountain for the Stone Mountain Highland Games.  Today was no different and after a hectic morning of swimming lessons (managed by MM while I beat the rush at H&M at 10am!) we headed East to the base of the huge rock of granite that we climbed just the other week.

As we entered the park to the sound of bagpipes and drums my eyes filled up immediately.  I am no different from every other woman (or man if you include my Dad) in my family – we cry when we hear live music – especially bands, be they brass or pipe, and especially if there are children playing in those bands.  Pipe bands are particularly evocative for me, probably down to the years of Scottish holidays, memories of the Edinburgh Tattoo, and the happy years I spent in St. Andrews (though it can be argued that St. Andrews is more English than Scottish with the number of ‘foreign’ students there).  It’s actually a bit weird that I ended up in Atlanta as Emory and St. Andrews have really close ties due to the Bobby Jones scholarship.  I’ve attended both universities and have never played a round of golf in my life – the shame!

After straining to see the mass pipe band over the crowds, I legged it for the greatly anticipated highlight of the day – fish and chips for lunch!  Then off to watch the highland dancing which both the kids LOVED, though I feigned ignorance at any knowledge of how to ‘Strip the Willow’!  Historically it was always very late into the University Ball when this dance was undertaken – a shambles I tell you, a shambles!

Me at the Andrew Melville Ball back in 1990:

Friends:)

And how it is done properly:

One day I’ll show them the photos lol – this was the children today awestruck!:

So we’re all worn out now – the children are in bed, I’ve soaked in my new tub and I’m now being punished for something I’ve done as I’m watching Spurs vs. Chelsea.

Here’s the outfit I wore today – I did get my Hunters on at the park but I started off in my new Ash Alex sneakers.  TOTALLY adore them – not as chunky as the Steve Madden Hilight, and the Alex has great colors – love the black, coral and bordeaux.  I am between a 38 and 39 in Euro sizes and went for a 39 in these – very glad I did as they fit much smaller than the Thelmas.  I opted for comfort with my Zara t-shirt and camouflage pants.  Interesting to note that I lived in a pair of camouflage trousers back in 1995 that I bought from Kookai.  I remember wearing them with my Caterpillar boots all the time and feeling very cool at the Notting Hill Carnival.  This could be a bad case of mutton dressing as lamb that I am not prepared to accept quite yet, but surely if Emmanuelle Alt can do it so can I?:)  I’ll just put it down to a clothes obsessed woman enjoying a little experimentation…

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One less life.

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Just read the title to this post again and I assure it isn’t as morbid as it sounds!  MM and I just returned from the ABC Kids Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky.  I’ve only been once before when it was based in Las Vegas.  When we both go it means that we have to get a sitter for the children and I really don’t like leaving them for 2 nights.  Don’t get me wrong – I like the adult time away but I miss my little ones like crazy.  The reason for the ‘one less life’ is that there is always far too much partying involved and I really feel like a cat with one less life on my return to normality!

I was rubbish at taking my outfit of the day photos – which is madness really as they would have been fun with a great mirror, well thought out packing and no one trying to get me out of the house quickly – but I had other priorities!  I did get some fun shots of the party animal that I am though…On the first evening I wore my AllSaints Dita t-shirt dress, Zara bordeaux skinnies, Zara jersey jacket and my Rag & Bone Newbury boots.  Here’s a photo from the loo in the exhibition center – people really do think I’m weird when they catch me photographing myself!

Now the incriminating photo…dead classy:)

The cure the following day included:

Today I’m just about feeling human again so managed to pick out something other than sweatpants from the closet.  These are Zara cargo pants which I love – really comfy with lots of stretch, a Zara camouflage top, JohnnieB leather jacket from a couple of years ago and my Ash Bowie sneakers in camel.

Now off to sweat out the toxins at the Y.  See you tomorrow!

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Rainy Saturdays.

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Rainy Saturdays in Georgia are designed for watching College Football.  After a workout at the Y and collecting my new glasses I am now going to sit safely ensconced on the sofa and watch some soccer followed by football – bliss.  The children are playing happily indoors so all is calm for now.

I am feeling great after a fabulous haircut yesterday – I’ve gone really short at the back and sides and love it!  We were trying to go with Ginnifer Goodwin’s gorgeous cut and I think we almost got there, though her hairline at the back is almost shaved.

Ginnifer Goodwin:

Me! (not that I’d ever be confused for Ginnifer!):

Now I just need my greys covered next week – I can’t bare color and cut together it feels like I’m in the salon for an eternity!

I’m wearing my Zara emerald green skinny jeans, a Zara top from the sale and my Tory Burch Eddies in musk.  I love these jewel toned jeans and they are the same cut as the red ones I wore the other day – absolute bargains for $35!  I think they’re quite a bit ‘greener’ than shown here in the photo:

So the new glasses are here – these are the smaller version of Oliver Peoples Wacks and black/tortoiseshell and I LOVE them – they fit fabulously and are the perfect combination of style and comfort.

Happy Saturday everyone!

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New goggles.

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I am blind as a bat.  Astigmatism and over -5 in each eye means I cannot see a thing without glasses or contacts.  It happened years ago at school and I was mortified.  I had no idea that I was struggling to see the blackboard and I felt such a loser for needing glasses.  I never had the NHS glasses but my first pair were from Boots Opticians and horrific.  Mainly because at 14 I hadn’t done that much research into the spectacle market and really I was so ashamed I had to wear them that even trying them in the opticians was utterly disturbing.  By 17 or so I had my first pair of gas permeable contact lenses that scraped across my eyeball with every blink, but as far as I was concerned red eyes were preferable to glasses.  My how times have changed.

We are now inundated with amazing glasses – which even people with 20/20 vision wear, though I have never understood that.  A variety of daily and monthly contact lenses are available and I even get mine to correct my astigmatism.  Lasik of course is now done routinely, though it still scares the bejeezus out of me which is fine as at the ripe old age of 41 I have been told to wait a few years so my ‘old sight’ can develop before I have it done.

I am a daily contact lens wearer – I love my glasses these days, but to be honest I just find them inconvenient, but with working in front of a laptop so often I need to start wearing my glasses more as my contacts just make my eyes tired.  So as some of you know from my Facebook page I embarked on the hunt for some new cool frames.

I love statement glasses – I like them big and bold and prefer plastic to dainty metal frames.  That being said the dainty metal frames may suit me better.  My current pair are these Oliver Peoples Wacks in cocobolo.  I like them a lot but they are big.

They are also expensive – with lenses we are talking $600.  So I thought I would investigate Warby Parker.  Warby Parker are online only (I think they have bricks and mortar in NYC).  Online glasses shopping is a novel concept – surely you can’t choose without trying them on?  Well Warby Parker have devised a genius model where you can choose 5 pairs to try at home, then model for friends, share on Facebook (they’ll even give you their preference on their page) and hopefully come up with a consensus of the best pair for you and then buy a full set with prescription lenses for just $95!  I could have a pair for every day of the week!  So I chose my 5 pair tried them and not only did most people dislike all of them on me – the one that some did like was one of my least favorites.  So great idea Warby Parker but not that successful for me.

After revisiting my optician I realized I am going to have to suck it up and pay through the nose for my favorite pair.  The Wacks come in 2 sizes and I have the largest size.  After trying the smaller size in black/tortoise I fell in love with them.  They tick all my boxes of style, comfort and color.  Cha ching – ordered and paid for,

Now I am also intrigued by colored frames.  I’ve always played it safe with the tortoise shell as it suits my coloring – but recently I have been drawn to the new aubergine, blue and red frames that are coming to market.  I tried a pair of SALT Brixton frames in velvet purple which I LOVE – but can I carry off purple every day?

I then discovered that the Wacks frame is now done in a beautiful blue color – Havana blue.  So I’ve ordered them to compare with the SALT frames.  I’d love a pair of colorful frames for fun – that can add some pizazz to an outfit!  I just need to decide on the color – plus do I need another pair of Wacks?  I do think that if there is a frame I’m happy with why change it except in color?  I’ll let you know the verdict.  Meanwhile my cocobolo frames are being transformed into sunglasses for me.  Look out for more photos of me with my goggles on:)

Still in the contacts today while my lenses are being fitted and I’m feeling pretty tired after a stressful morning having an old filling removed – I hate the sound of the drill and the smell of tooth dust!  My knuckles were white!  I’m wearing my Hudson jeans, Tory Burch Eddies, Zara owl t-shirt which I love and my Zara jersey black jacket.  Lovely and comfortable for a traumatic morning!

 

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Amazing Georgia.

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I hate to sound like a broken record…but…the weather here is incredible right now.  Temperatures have dropped, the sky is bright blue without a cloud in sight – just amazing.  Unfortunately much of Saturday was spent inside the YMCA.  Poppy had her first swim meet.  We were incredibly excited and nervous as it’s a pretty big deal for a 6 yr old and her parents.  The great thing about the Y is that it’s not too intense – they a racing for fun – and the parents and coaches are all pretty relaxed.  However no one told me how many kids would be there nor how long we would be there!  If I tell you that Poppy’s races were #21 and #33 that will give you some idea!  I’m not sure how many different events there were in total, but safe to say a lot – relays, individuals, 50 and 25 – then multiply that by all age groups up to 17!  Some kids had event #70 written on their arm!!  All in all we were there from 1.30pm till 6.30pm for just 2 races – having said that we had a blast and Poppy loved it.  I was so proud of her dealing with it all – from the long lines for races to the pressure of a starting block start – she looked a real pro at just 6!  My heart was in my mouth for both her races but as always we tend to underestimate our children’s resilience and ability and she did brilliantly.

In order to get some fresh air after Saturday we headed up to North Georgia yesterday.  When we are out and about I always wish we did it more often.  Georgia truly is amazing and the mountains were stunning yesterday.  We headed to Amicalola Falls and needless to say after marching to the top and then using the many, many steps to walk down by the side of the Falls, my legs and butt are killing me today.  Stairs really do use muscles that no other exercise can!

It’s definitely layering weather as it was freezing at the bus stop this morning.  I took Tennyson for a walk this morning and it was lovely and brisk – when we were walking up the driveway back to the house I gasped as Bambi ran across the lawn – breathtaking and a brilliant way to start the week.

I opted for my fab Zara red jeans today – at just $35 they are a great price – but as always with Zara their sizing is random.  I was certain I’d be a US 8 as Zara tend to fit small but I ended up with a US 6 as there is so much stretch in these and I can’t stand jeans that get baggy over the course of a day.  I’m wearing them with my Express black tank, J.Crew black boyfriend cardigan from a couple of years ago, and my fabulous Sam Edelman Alvins in leopard print – probably the most comfortable shoes I own.

 

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Remembering.

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I cried this morning.  Listening to ‘Imagine’ on the radio just made it worse.  As I took Tennyson out for a walk it dawned on me that it was 9/11 again.  I immediately had a flash back – I remember it all so well.  I was driving to work here in Atlanta, running late, it had just gone 9am and the radio announcer said they were getting reports that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center.  I was shocked but somewhat dismissed it as a dreadful, unfortunate accident.  As the morning unfolded it turned out to be far more sinister than that.  I remember feeling guilty because I was so irritated when all air traffic was grounded as my sister was supposed to be flying out here on the 13th and I so wanted to see her.  There were many people who would now never see their siblings again.  Even for those of us who were no where near NYC that day it still feels very raw, we will carry memories of that day forever.  So peace and love to all, and we will never forget.

Shifting gears now to something far more trite and inconsequential – clothes and hair.

Inspired by Miley’s new look (totally wrong for a 41 year old to be inspired by Miley Cyrus) and Pink’s hair at the VMA awards (again totally wrong of me) I decided to try and go for bigger hair up top today using a bit of pomade – I quite like it for a change:)

I’m wearing my Zara floral jacket and in attempt to transition it to Fall I wore a darker blue Boden long sleeved essential tee from last Fall.  I love these t-shirts – they are so soft and stretchy and great quality.  I’m in my Gap boyfriend jeans and my Tory Burch Revas in hibiscus pink – the necklace is an old J.Crew Factory store one that I bought years ago.  I’m making an attempt to be more thoughtful about accessorizing – accessories are the first thing to be forgotten about if I’m in a hurry in the morning.

My final order from Zara arrived yesterday – final for now anyway – remember I am going cold turkey.  It’s a stunning blue jacket that I just love – it will look great with jeans and tan ankle boots.  I love the gathered shoulders too – I know I will wear this a lot.  Question is do I get the most out of it and start wearing it now or wait to wear it in October when MM and I are off to a trade show in Louisville (oh the glamour!)?  I’m thinking if one really likes something then surely it makes sense to wear it and enjoy it – but nervous about that approach as I know I will want something new to wear come trade show time!

 

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Solo parenting.

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I know I often sing the praises of My Fabulous Man but here goes again.  He really is one of the best parents around.  As he was moving the office last night it meant an afternoon and evening of solo parenting for me…Now the children are great and mostly well behaved but it is tiring parenting alone!  For those of you who are single parents you all deserve a medal as far as I am concerned.  From homework, to dinner, to entertaining, to bath time, to bed time – (even reading with my stubborn 6yr old can be quite exhausting when we have to restart every paragraph to get it error free, she’s such a perfectionist) – I missed MM’s calming influence and jolly banter.  I was thrilled to see him this morning, as I was fast asleep when he arrived home around midnight last night.  Even after a late night he was busy making Poppy’s lunch this morning – I do love him and appreciate him, probably more than he knows.

So we’re in the temporary new space today until our permanent new office is ready in about 2 weeks – they’re busy painting and building out the floor plan for us.  It all feels very grown up – 9th floor with a view of Atlanta and floor to ceiling windows…how did I get here?  Fortunately we have internet today – unexpected as it’s normally the first thing not to work in a move – so I have already ‘christened’ my new desk with a bit of online shopping.  I have bought the All Saints Dita tee dress in black/chalk.  It looks divine and there are knitted versions of this cut too that I have my eye on for the colder weather.  It looks perfect to be worn as a dress or with skinnies as a tunic – a black leather jacket over it will look fab.

Today I am wearing my tropical Zara pants again – not sure if the protocol is the same for these as with seersucker and white – they may have to be stored after Labor Day this weekend.  I paired them with my H&M coral linen jumper and black Nine West ankle boots from a few years ago.  As you can see I had a ‘prop’ this morning – my gorgeous boy:)

 

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Office move.

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So today is hectic – we’re moving offices.  I had no idea what a hoarder I am but I’ve just been through my desk and found proposals and presentations from years ago…it feels so good to get rid of it all!  Purging my desk is as therapeutic as purging my closet.  It’s pretty exciting to be moving – another indication that Halcyon Media is on the up and up – a new magazine and a new office all in the same month!  With more sales staff and interns it’s going to be fun to have more space for us all…I’m so proud of MM – I have to keep reminding myself that he and his partners built this business from scratch – I’m so used to it now that I forget the stress and risk involved 7 years ago when he went solo.  It makes me laugh how care free we were back then – he quit his corporate job to start Halcyon the week before Poppy was born – nothing like jumping in with both feet hey?!

I watched the news intently last night as Isaac is on his way.  Sadly it looks like New Orleans is right in his path – and Isaac looks set to hit land on Wednesday 7 years to the day since Katrina hit – can you believe it?  Shit luck for New Orleans – I hope Isaac steers closer to the the Florida coast even if it means Atlanta will get a good dousing, anything to spare New Orleans again.

As I remembered it’s a Bank Holiday today in the UK, it gave me another opportunity to look back over the years.  Between ’95 and ’97 MM and I were partying hard in the streets of Notting Hill.  Fabulous times even though we didn’t have a penny to our name.  We lived in a run down flat on Ledbury Road but critically it had a balcony and we could spend many hours watching the party in the streets and dipping our toe in when we felt like it.  It’s crazy to think how many people we crammed into that one bedroom flat!

Hard to believe it’s Labor Day 2012 next week!  We’re not heading anywhere but I’ll be at the pool again for sure all weekend assuming Isaac has moved on by then!  Today I’m making the most of the sunshine today before the rain arrives and I’m wearing my gorgeous fennel Boden Florence tunic – it was a great sale bargain at $26.40 and I love the color – there are still plenty left too.  I’m wearing it with an H&M scarf and my Tory Burch Emmy sandals.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for NOLA.

 

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Free therapy.

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Some weekends just turn out to be so much superior to others.  Not that the others end up as bad weekends but for some reason this weekend has just been…well…perfect.  Odd thing to say given that on Friday night I was up at 3am with a 4 year old refusing to sleep and 2 dogs with weak bladders.  Fortunately Friday had been a great day so it made the to-ing and fro-ing on Friday night more bearable.

I have to start with a confession – I cheated on my hairdresser.  After years of going to the same salon I have been introduced to a new salon by a friend.  Both Poppy and Hugh have had very successful cuts there recently and I really like the ambiance.  It’s a lot less pretentious than some of the big salons here and the senior stylist is also the owner so it feels a little more intimate and relaxed.  Given the success of the two trips with the children I decided to dip my toe and try a color and cut there myself.  I’ve given up trying to color my own hair and am now resigned to spending crazy money keeping the greys at bay.  I daren’t risk hair dye in the new bathroom!  Anyway I have to say it was a good trip – I did feel a ridiculous amount of guilt being in a different chair, but the owner of  A la Mode, Chad, was great and happens to be a runner and cyclist so we had lots to talk about after the Lance story had broken that morning.  Just wish the salon wasn’t called A la Mode – sorry just seems a tad cheesy to me.  I’m moving towards this style that Ginnifer Goodwin rocks – it reminds me of the 90’s – I just need to get mine a bit longer on top then we’ll get the trimmers out!

The afternoon was spent at the pool again – we’re trying to hang out there as much as we can before Labor weekend and the weather is just perfect here right now – the calm before the storm I think as Isaac is on his way.  MM and I had the perfect evening – great music and great, simple food – a fine Chianti, rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and crusty bread – we sat outside in the summer evening watching the kids play – it was brilliant.

Yesterday was a bit mad with parties, swimming lessons and pools so an early night was in order but that, quite frankly, meant my run this morning was AMAZING.  With the perfect weather and the perfect running pal I didn’t even notice the miles.  It’s like an hour of therapy each week but free – I have the best routes to run on and the best conversation around…I feel on top of the world right now.  As a treat we’re off to the OK Cafe for pancakes then back to the pool – nothing too taxing today!

Here was my outfit briefly yesterday before the bikini – my Zara t-shirt which I adore – pinks and greys and animal print and just $20!  Worn with my Hudson jeans and Sam Edelman Louie‘s in rose taupe – I saw from a press release that they are increasing the number of colors these come in including ivory and gold – they are gorgeous and so comfortable.  While we’re talking about shoes if you are in the US check out 6pm.com – they are owned by Zappos.com but have GREAT prices!  They have my Carson button Fryes at half price and they aren’t seconds!

 

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