Bowled Over

Similar glass pedestal bowl sold here

Ironically, the wedding gifts that I treasure most were not part of our registry.  My husband and I were naive and downright clueless when a sales associate handed us one of those guns and set us free in the housewares department in Macy's Herald Square.  We were like two kids in a candy shop (quite literally considering we were twenty-four and twenty-five respectively) aimlessly wandering around, half giddy with excitement, half bewildered and overwhelmed.  Despite our young age and our lack of expertise, looking back I am slightly impressed with our choices.  We chose a plain, classic China set (albeit we only registered for eight sets....what was I thinking?), our bedding and linens were neutral and we even managed to be practical (I still use our pots, knife set and most kitchen gadgets... my favorite being our highly useful pizza cutter).  Having said that, we did miss a few key items and so fortunately some very wise and generous guests decided to fill in the gaps.  One of those pieces was a simple yet elegant glass pedestal bowl.  I remember that it arrived in a handsome gray box adorned with a chic silver bow.  Intrigued, I eagerly tore back the tissue to uncover an exquisite centerpiece bowl that I knew would be a prominent fixture in our new home.  Timeless, polished and functional, this bowl has traveled with us from our one bedroom apartment (and a few apartments in between) to our current home and is presently perched on the cocktail ottoman in our living room.  It has survived four children (thus far...I may have just jinxed myself) and four moves and it continues to bring me joy every day.  Here are a few ways I like to display it from casual to refined.

Blissful Birthday Cake

I like to think that when it comes to most food, I possess a considerable amount of willpower.  I'll have a half of a brownie, a few McDonald's fries (they're best when they're piping hot), or I'll even stop at one slice of pizza.  There is, however, one exception to this rule and that would most certainly be cake.  If there is a cake in my house, it's all I can think (obsess) about.  I will saw away at it all day long (I tell myself that it's just a "sliver") but those morsels add up and before I realize it, I've consumed half a cake...not half a slice.  For this reason, I don't bake cakes too often but there is something special and personal when it comes to baking a birthday cake from scratch.  I have found this recipe to be extremely simple yet richly rewarding.  It is light, moist and flavorful and when it's coupled with this buttercream frosting, it brings me back to my childhood, when birthday parties were uncomplicated gatherings that consisted of hot potato, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey and most times, a homemade sheet cake.  This past weekend, we celebrated my husband's birthday and yet again, we were not disappointed with this classic yellow cake.  Of course, I had two helpings and I'm already thinking about my next piece which will go perfectly with a frosty glass of milk.

Rocking the Red Carpet

In Dior at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival

I've decided that I want to be French.  And I would like to move to France (at least for a little while).  Paris, to be exact.  Although I wouldn't mind summering on the Cote d'Azur. That would be lovely.  I fancy eating lots of cheese and chocolate (and never gaining a single pound...can't a girl dream?) and drinking wine in the afternoon.  I long to sit at a cafe with my croissant and coffee and smoke cigarettes and people watch. Of course I must learn to wear a scarf the way French women do (so effortlessly and chic) and master the art of greeting someone (I believe in Paris it's right, left, right, left).  I know this all sounds rather cliche.  But who wouldn't glorify the French and their je ne sais quoi especially after spotting the always elegant Marion Cotillard at the Toronto Film Festival?  Per usual, she looked stunning in several looks from Dior (after all, she is their ambassador...not a bad gig, if you ask me).  Here is a look back at Marion's best red carpet moments.  C'est magnifique!

Another Dior at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival

In Dior at the Cannes Film Festival 2013

In Alexander McQueen at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival

In Dior at the AFI screeening of Rust and Bone November 2012

In Dior at the 2010 Golden Globes

In Dior at the 2013 Golden Globes

At the 2013 SAG awards in another Dior masterpiece

In Dior Haute Couture at the Hollywood Film Awards October 2012

In Dior in Paris November 2012

In Dior at the 2014 Dior Resort Fashion Show

In Nina Ricci at the 2008 SAG awards

Into the Blue

Top: Target (similar here)/ Blazer: Aqua for Bloomingale's/ Pants: Karen Kane (similar here)/ Shoes: Coach (similar here)/ Bag: Ferragamo (similar here)/ Sunglasses: Michael Kors (similar here)/ Cuff: Kayce Hughes (similar here)

The weather here in New York this week is anything but crisp.  I would even describe it as balmy.  It certainly does not feel like October which poses a problem....a fashion conundrum of sorts.  Yesterday, for example, the temperatures soared to eighty degrees.  I was perplexed.  Shorts?  A tee? Flip flops?  It just didn't seem...well, appropriate.  I have a pet peeve (okay, I have more than one as my husband can attest) with people who do not respect seasonal guidelines.  I cannot understand boots in the summer or flip flops in the winter.  In my mind, flats are for transitional seasons like spring and fall, boots are for winter and open toed shoes are for summer.  I have corresponding "rules" for shorts versus pants.  Shorts are for late May through mid September and pants are for the rest of the year.  Normally, this code works.  Of course, there are exceptions (as in traveling south in winter) but for the New York metropolitan area, this system has been fool proof.  So, what is there to do when the calendar claims it's fall but Mother Nature is not cooperating?  Well, for running around town with the kids, I donned a pair of khaki J.Crew shorts, a white button down with the sleeves rolled up and leopard flats.  I thought this was a compromise between two seasons.  This weekend, we are celebrating my husband's birthday and with the forecast stating that we will be experiencing an extended summer, I needed to come up with an outfit for dinner that wasn't quite white jeans and espadrilles but also wasn't faux fur and leather leggings.  These cobalt blue jeans by Karen Kane are ridiculously comfortable and flattering.  I love this shade of blue because it's chic and playful at the same time.   Paired with a black blazer and pumps, this ensemble will  always remain effortless and polished.  I must admit, however, I'm thinking, next time it needs a leopard something such as these wedges or perhaps this clutch.  Stay tuned...

The Art of Saying Thank You

A couple of weeks ago, a good friend surprised me with this charming liberty floral notecard set.  It was a belated birthday gift (my birthday is in June) because we hadn't seen one another all summer due to our hectic schedules.  It was such a lovely gesture to remember my birthday months later and I was truly touched by her thoughtfulness.  So, naturally, I decided to use my new stationery to write her a thank you note.  Yes, that's right.  I took pen to paper and wrote her a letter.  Next, I will address it, place an actual stamp on it and place it that archaic structure otherwise known as a mailbox.  I realize we live in a digital world that makes communicating quite simple and immediate.  So, why not text, email, facebook or tweet?  I wouldn't need a pen, it wouldn't cost the 46 cents for a stamp, I wouldn't need to locate a mailbox and it wouldn't take several days to reach her.  If I typed out a simple "thanx 4 the cool gift" I'd probably get a "like" on facebook or one of those smiley faces via text.  I would instantly know she received my message.  Some may call me out of touch or old-fashioned but to me, it is saying to the recipient, " I appreciate you enough to take the time to write you a heartfelt letter."  I have a boot box filled to the brim with old letters from my parents when I was away at college, friends who I met at sleep away camp and silly, romantic cards from my husband.  They are precious to me and to own a tangible box of mementos can never be replaced by a text message.  I'd rather actually laugh out loud than LOL any day of the week...JMO.  

Pear, Apple and Cranberry Crisp

On Saturday, we embarked on our annual trip out to the east end of Long Island in search of some apple and/or pumpkin picking.  We did not come across an apple orchard but we were lucky enough to discover a charming farm complete with a corn maze, pumpkin patch and hay rides.  The kids were delighted to navigate their way through the corn maze (although I must say I found it quite dizzying chasing after my two year old son in there...note to self: next year, wear wellies....the mud was not kind to my flats) and pick out their own pumpkins. (Looking forward to carving them...I saw some great ideas in the latest issue of Coastal Living.)  Of course, we couldn't resist picking up some fresh produce from the farm stand before departing.  So, we ended up with an array of apples, pears, butternut squash and spaghetti squash as well as some decorative kale that I potted and placed by my door step.  Initially, I was going to make an apple pie but yesterday morning as I was sipping my coffee and thumbing through Barefoot Contessa's At Home, I came across this recipe for a pear, apple and cranberry crisp.  To me, a crisp is the ideal fall comfort dessert.  The fruit bursts with flavor while the rich crumbly topping is begging to be paired with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.  Oh, and the best part...the house smells divine!  This recipe did not disappoint.  I experienced five full minutes of silence as the kids licked their spoons...and their plates down to the last crumb.

Fall Forward

Trench: Zara (similar here)/ Long Sleeve Tee: J.Crew (similar here)/ Pants: Gap)/ Flats: Tory Burch/ Bag: Ferragamo (similar here)/ Sunglasses: Michael Kors (similar here)

This past weekend, we experienced quintessential early fall weather here in New York.  The mornings were crisp, the afternoons were warm and the evenings were perfect for curling up by our outdoor fire pit with a cashmere sweater and a generous glass of Malbec.  My husband even marked the change of season by making his annual version of Barefoot Contessa's ultimate fall comfort dish, butternut squash risotto.  While there is a definite appeal to autumn with it's promise of apple picking (and apple pie, of course), Halloween (my favorite "holiday" due to copious amounts of chocolate) and new fall fashions (very excited for leather everything), this transitional period where it's not quite summer and not fully fall has people (including me) thrown off in the wardrobe department.  Case in point...my daughter and I ventured into the city on Sunday for a much overdue day of shopping and lunch.  Naturally, we ended up at Bloomingdale's and eventually made our way over to Rockefeller Center for it's proximity to Sak's and for Dean and Deluca (best coffee ever).  As we sat sipping coffee and hot chocolate and nibbling on our brownies, we witnessed a conflicted fashion show in full New York glory.  Everything from shorts and flip flops to quilted jackets with fur trimmed hoods and riding boots went strutting past us.  There were floppy hats, plaid button downs, denim cut-offs and sundresses.  Judging from yesterday's images, one couldn't tell if it was August or November.  My version, based on the morning's cool conditions and the chilliness factor after the sun sets, had me layering in a three quarter sleeve cotton tee, skinny cropped pants and my trusty trench.  I must say, I was neither too hot nor too cold and my reliable Reva flats by Tory Burch are ideal for navigating through the relentless streets of Manhattan.  I do have my eye on this vest and these boots but I'll wait for the temperature to take a dramatic dip before I'm ready to make a full commitment.