After a lazy day by the pool, which we all needed for a bit of R&R, we headed out to dinner. The restaurant is situated in the village where we are staying, and it is on the side of a hill overlooking the Med. Just a beautiful location with great views and amazing food. The mezze never stopped arriving!
Dress – Zara (on sale – similar here) // Shoes – Avarcas Pons
Dress – Riviera dress AllSaints (all sale items now and extra 20% off here!) // Shoes – TopShopAfter an early night on Friday I was up and raring to go on Saturday morning. There were a couple of things that I had promised myself that I would do while NYC on my own – one was to head for a run in Central Park, which I did! Even in the crazy, nasty humidity that morning!
Sweat I did, but it felt good, I was cleansed and ready to imbibe again! That started with the second thing I’d promised myself – coffee and an egg and bacon roll from a deli on the way back to the hotel!
It was still only 10am so I decided I had time to mooch around the shops before I had to get ready for the rewardStyle blogger party that started at 3pm. Given how hot it was still I threw on a Mango t-shirt and denim shorts with my Avarcas pons – perfect for beating the heat in the City.
The party was held at the Empire Hotel next to Central Park – so I had decided to stay in Times Square. This was my only error of the weekend. I HATE Times Square. Tell me please why people will queue for hours to get into TGIF, Ruby Tuesdays or the Shake Shack when they can dine at the most amazing places in the USA, for the same price, just a few blocks away? It baffles me.
Still I had fun and it was easy to walk across 46th to 5th to get to all the stores. Though I have to say I spent longer in the American Girl Store than I really wanted to – mainly as their air conditioning was so welcome! I managed to snag the cheer outfit for Poppy which she was thrilled with.
From there I nipped into one of my favorite shoe stores – Stuart Weitzman. I just wanted to ‘look’ of course – but I ended up trying the Highland in charcoal and the Leman in black and white. I fell in love with both immediately, especially the Highland which I wore a lot last season in black (here, here, and here). This season they have raised the bar with their boots and shoes!
I’ve had an obsession with black and white lace ups since I saw Victoria wearing hers.
I stunned myself by walking out of the store empty handed – but only because they didn’t have my size! Trying on shoes when it is hot and sticky is pretty nasty too! 🙂
So then it was back to the hotel and I was ready in less than an hour – I was quite impressed! I did have a little dither over which shoes to wear though!
In the end I opted for the Sam Edelman Anastasias in grey – they coordinated really well with the AllSaints Rip it Up sweater dress and gave an edgier vibe than the originally intended Vince Claires.
I met some fun people and even Coco Rocha was there! After a thrilling day I was in bed by 10pm – that wouldn’t have been the case 20 years ago in NYC!
I spent a lovely couple of hours at the salon yesterday and I absolutely love my new do! Â Here is my inspiration photo…
And here am I – smokey eye and nude lip included 🙂
I’m now off back to the salon with the kids for their ‘back to school’ cuts so this a post of minimal words!!
Have a fabulous weekend y’all!
May is the busiest month on our calendar every year. Â What with anniversaries, birthdays, the end of the school year, school recitals, school field trips, visitors from abroad etc…it is non stop here. Â I’m just coming up for air after an amazing weekend of catching up, eating and drinking with Simon – our friend from University, who now lives in Stockholm.
We  had a very late night on Thursday talking and drinking good wine, and then we were off out for dinner on Friday.  The kids and I hung out in front of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday afternoon, streaming it live via SVT.se, the Swedish tv channel.  This made it even more fun and Eurocentric listening to the Swedish translation:)  I found it all as surreal as ever, but I loved the drama – and in the end the right diva won!  For all you American readers who have no idea what I am talking about the Eurovision Song Contest is the annual competition that rocketed ABBA to fame in 1974.  Here’s Conchita, this year’s winner from Austria, a drag queen with more diva in her than Celine Dion.
Before Simon arrived I had another hair cut and went even shorter – thanks to Chadd I am now sporting a magnificent undercut. Â I LOVE it.
Jeans – Zara TRF (old) // Shoes – Avarcas Pons // Top – Mango
On Friday morning we headed out shopping and I treated myself to a couple of NARS lip pencils – Yu and Cruella.
The color of both is so intense and bold and I feel really feminine wearing them with such short hair.
Then Friday night it was off to Abattoir again where Simon proposed to Karin a couple of years ago now!
Yesterday was Mother’s Day here in the US and my fabulous kids presented me with great handmade cards. Â This one from Poppy made me grin especially – there is no greater compliment she could have paid me than describing me as ‘odd’ and ‘risky’…
Today I’m off to watch her recital so decided to wear a dress again. Â I started off with the canvas Newburys.
However, with the jacket I decided the grey nubuck pair coordinated better – not much in it to be fair…
Finally – shhh it’s a secret – but we’re having a surprise disco for Poppy this weekend for her 8th birthday!! Â Here’s an idea I stole from Pinterest – all her friends will be VIPS!
I hate spending money on underwear.  No one sees it and these days I opt for comfort rather than style.  Once in a while though I start to get embarrassed about the state of my knicker drawer.  Currently it is stuffed with more knickers than any girl can wear in a year – all a different shade of grey, faded colors or fraying elastic.  Oh and there’s still the odd pair of thongs in there which I think I can safely say will never be worn again.  So it is time to purge and restock.
Now here is where I promise not to model my new attire if you promise not to giggle about the size of them. Â I did used to wear thongs ALL the time. Â How I ever did it I have no idea. Â The thought of wearing one now makes my eyes water with discomfort. Â They were perfect of course for tight pants when a VPL is an absolute no no. Â Thankfully good old M&S came to the rescue with a whole range of no-VPL underwear. Â Yes after 15 years in the USA I STILL buy M&S underwear.
My favorite style is their famous Brazilian cut. Â Sales of underwear at M&S soared by 64% the year they were introduced. Â They are just a little cheeky – quite literally – being a little higher cut on the butt cheeks – but a hundred zillion times more comfortable than a thong.
And as we’re stocking up they do multipacks too which are great value.
I also ordered a multipack of their ‘boy shorts‘. Â I love to wear these when wearing a shorter skirt or dress and want to keep my modesty intact after a couple of glasses of prosecco.
Okay – now don’t laugh – I bought some ‘big knicks’ too. Â Sometimes comfort really does trump (oops) style. Â Thankfully these do have a little bit of lace detail so they aren’t completely Nana knickers. Â Trust me no one will know and you will be so thankful wearing them!
Finally just to prove I can still do ‘sexy’ I ordered a couple of these lace bodies from their Limited Edition. Â Just gorgeous for the summer under a maxi dress. Â I love the cross back detail too.
So now you know what I wear underneath here are my outfit pics from the last few days!
Today I’m back in a skirt as the sun shines again. Â I started the day in heels. Â It feels so fab to have bare legs again!
Shoes – M&S // Skirt – Mango (similar here) // T-shirt – J.CrewI later changed into flats for running errands around town. Â I LOVE these – they are a great Miu Miu tribute with a lovely shaped toe.
Yesterday I was in one of my favorite simple ASOS dresses. Â Must remember to clean my mirror when photographing black!
Then finally from the other day when it was still damp and cool after the storms.
So who else out there will admit to wearing big knickers? 🙂
Back to work for us here in the US while all of you across the Atlantic enjoy an extra day of vacation! Â I hope you all had an amazing Easter. Â I’ve mentioned before how much I adore the Easter celebration. Â For me it signals the beginning of Spring – green shoots everywhere, great food, and the anticipation of great things to come over the summer.
We hosted friends on Saturday for our Easter dinner. Â I roasted a 5lb leg of lamb which was completely demolished. Â I love watching the kids enjoy a good roast!
Poppy and Hugh made a fabulous trifle too for dessert.
There was of course the drunk dancing (and photography)…we were grooving the best of Daft Punk at this point I think! (p.s. the dress is the ASOS t-shirt dress currently on sale – PERFECT for over indulging – no belt loosening required).
Always a bad sign when the Port arrives on the table…
Yesterday we started all over again with a fabulous party and egg hunt at our friends’ house across the street. Â Glorious sunshine accompanied by great conversation, a huge ham and cold prosecco. Â I LOVE Easter.
So the elasticated waists have been needed for the large indulgences all this weekend…but also this that happened Thursday…
The bruising has vanished now and as soon as it is heeled I’ll add a little more bling. Â 42 year old mom gets navel pierced – they will be coming to take me away soon:)
And here are the said elastic waisted wonders!
 Trousers – Mango (old) // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (currently on sale) // Jacket – Next (old) // Shoes – Avarcas pons ankle strap in brown
Oh and another piercing happened Saturday too – for my girl, who turns 8 next month.
Poppy's Style 