It was Hugh’s Pre-K graduation yesterday. I shed a couple of tears of pride. Where have the past 5 years gone? It’s a cliché, but true, your children grow up so fast.
Dress – Zara (sold out online but in the TRF section if you’re looking in store!) // Boots – Isabel Marant Dickers
The lady with the red trousers is Shirley. She adores Hugh – she cared for him in the baby room at the daycare and now babysits for us. I was so touched that she came to see him graduate.
We arrived home just in time to meet Karin and Simon, our friends from Sweden. They are visiting for the weekend. It’s a year since Simon proposed to Karin here in Atlanta, so this visit we get to chat about wedding plans and we’re off to choose wedding rings today!! Well rather they are off to choose them – but you know how I like to be involved and share my opinion. Fortunately Simon has known me for 23 years so has probably learned to accept/tolerate my interference by now:) I hope to share photos of the selected rings later. In the meantime my Husband kindly advised me to avoid wearing turquoise – apparently it could be interpreted as me trying to wear the store’s signature blue.
Some days you just know you got it right. Even if others don’t agree it doesn’t matter because you know you nailed it. Whether it’s the way a scarf picks out the colors, the new shoes you’re wearing, or even just the right piece of underwear – you feel damn hot when you walk out of the door and there ain’t no shame in that.
I’m having one of those days today. It’s an outfit I threw together last minute as I was initially envisioning brown leggings but then discovered they were in still to be washed. Thank goodness for that – what a dowdy outfit it could have become! Instead I was inspired by the blush trim on my H&M scarf and went for my favorite blush Express Zelda jeans. The sweater dress is the incredible bargain from H&M that I got at the weekend – just $25 and SO soft. I adore the tulip shape and the asymmetrical hem. Now the boots maybe what make the outfit – at least I feel like I’m in heaven wearing them – and it’s their first outing! The amazing Acne Pistols. Now I know what all the fuss is about. They are a ridiculous indulgence but they are freakin’ cool.
So now for the explanation of the title of this post for my non-European readers. In Europe we have a fascinating phenomenon known as the Eurovision song contest. Held every May, qualified European countries enter a ‘singing’ competition in order to be ridiculed by the rest of Europe. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some amazing success stories – ABBA being the most prolific (and they’re Swedish, continuing to prove the point I am trying to make). However the vast majority of us watch it to see which country has the most eccentric entry – and believe me there have been many as seen here. Anyway in the 2 hour long voting process that takes place afterward where each country awards points, based sometimes on political agendas, the highest awarded is 12. Point distribution is read in English and French – hence “Sweden, douze points!” from this little ole judge here:) Phew…was it worth it? Anyway douze points goes to the Swedes because they really are quite clever – not only do they have a fantastic standard of living, a great education system and fabulous childcare facilities –
What a brilliant weekend! SO much happened but I’m quite relieved it’s over now as my liver couldn’t take much more partying…my stamina isn’t what it used to be. Simon and Karin (I now have permission to use names!) arrived on Thursday and of course we had fun catching up over wine and good steaks. It was 1.30am when we eventually made it to bed which I knew was going to be bad news for Friday…and of course Friday was my daughter’s 6th birthday so I needed to have my game face on! I dragged myself and her out of bed in time for the school bus thankfully, after opening gifts – the Barbie camper was very well received. The day then began to unravel itself as one of rushing about madly – from dropping cupcakes off at school for the birthday girl, to shopping and lunch with our guests – to finally helping out at the end of year party held by our lovely school bus driver. I had to engage brain and get my mouth to work properly chatting to all the other lovely moms who were there…I was beginning to run out of steam. Fortunately the evening was finished off with a huge chocolate cake for the birthday girl and a Chinese takeaway – boy those dumplings were enjoyed!
This might be the time to confess that my diet was not maintained at all over the weekend…major fail…but I’m back on the wagon today. I did get a workout in on Saturday morning and then I took Karin shoe shopping while Simon and MM watched the Champion’s League final. After a very successful haul of 4 pairs of shoes for Karin and a new pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses for me, we cracked open some cava and began getting ready for a night out.
We went to our favorite restaurant, Abattoir. We’ve been often enough now that we are treated as regulars – the staff are so friendly, welcoming and patient thankfully, as we were quite a loud and raucous table. Festivities took an exciting turn when Simon decided to propose to Karin! I say decided – I do hope I didn’t force the situation – I have a habit of being a bit like a dog with a bone when I’ve had a drink – so I’m not sure if I cajoled, persuaded or forced a proposal but Karin said yes and everyone seemed very happy. So I’m looking forward to a trip to Sweden next year for a summer wedding! Simon texted me yesterday from Chicago with a photo of Karin wearing a beautiful diamond engagement band from Tiffany’s. Good job Simon:) Karin and I stayed up till 3.30am on Sunday morning chatting with mojitos…so yesterday was a little fuzzy to say the least. Thankfully spent horizontal, parenting by the pool.
So back to normality today with only 2 days left of the school year – hurray!
How did it get to April 30th? I’m really not sure what happened to the first third of 2012. I know time is supposed to speed up as you get older but come on now really?! May is jam packed with events and milestones – my daughter turns 6 and finishes kindergarten, the pool opens next weekend, Memorial weekend signals the beginning of summer (though we’ve had summer temperatures for some time now…), and we have our favorite friend from our University days arriving to party for a long weekend with his new girlfriend.
I can’t wait to see S. When I moved in with MM* in my 3rd year of University, MM was already sharing his flat above the The Central bar with S. We all worked together in the bar, partied together and lived together. S. was always very tolerant of my immediately intense relationship with MM. In fact he was instrumental in getting us together. The night MM told me he was “infatuated” with me S. had been working on his behalf from behind the bar, plying me with heavy handed Moscow Mules making me far more susceptible to flattery and sweet talk:) After graduation MM and I helped S. move down to London in a white van, and a few years later MM was S.’s best man, and though his wedding didn’t last too long it resulted in two gorgeous daughters for him. After a tumultuous time in London S. moved to Sweden where he has been happily living for some time enjoying the Scandinavian lifestyle and regular vacations to Thailand (apparently all Swedes go there in the darker months!). We haven’t been allowed to speak to the new girlfriend yet – I’ve even been banned from trying to search for her on Facebook. S. knows me so well that he’s aware I never keep anything to myself so I assume he is putting these restrictions in place in the interest of self preservation. At this stage he must be feeling relatively secure and comfortable with the new relationship as I have been granted access for a whole weekend! S. if you’re reading – I promise I will not embarrass anyone but myself:)
I must just mention that I LOVE Jack White. Seven Nation Army and Icky Thump have to be two of my favorite singles ever and the best music to run aggressively to!
Blunderbuss has had some great reviews. It’s his first solo album and by all accounts he hasn’t strayed too far from his White Stripes sound…I’m going to stick my headphones on and listen to it while I work today. I love listening to a new album – you’re never quite sure if it is going to make an immediate impression or if it will need a few listens for you to appreciate it. I must just remember there are colleagues sitting near me so I must not start howling along.
After a good 4mile run this morning and already climbing temperatures I was looking for something comfortable to wear. I have to say I really disliked the Boden SS 2011 Ibiza tunic when I first bought it in the preview. I immediately sent it back thinking the yellow was far too lurid. However, it reappeared in the clearance just before Christmas last year and I have to say I absolutely love it now! See you even need to be exposed to some items of clothing a few times before you fully appreciate them! Maybe the fact it was only about $30 helped too – but now I wish I’d bought another color too! It looks perfect with my Tory Burch black patent Eddies. Oh and speaking of Tory Burch they are having a Friends and Fans event that ends today – enter FRIENDS12 at checkout for 25% off!
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