TOPSHOP is finally coming to NYC!

On Thursday, April 2, TOPSHOP is finally opening it's doors to their first NYC store location. I can't wait to head down and take a look, especially at the Kate Moss Spring collection that also will be released that day. These two pieces are my favorites. 

The store is located in SOHO on Broadway and Broom. 

Cute Shorts = Summer Essentials

I have been looking for a pair of jeans shorts for a while now and I just came across these from Express. Granted, I haven't tried them on yet, but they are the perfect length and wash, so I think I have to try them. (express.com, $49.50)

I also spotted a pair of satin shorts. These could swing either way–satin is not the most forgiving fabric and tends to enhance flaws instead of minimizing them. Plus, the pleats in the front could make you look like you have a pot belly. I think I may have to try them on though. Could be really cute with a pair of really high heels. (express.com, $59.50)

Not sure if they have them in their store locations, but both pairs are available online.

Sail around Manhattan

One of the best experiences last summer was a two hour long sail on the Schooner Adirondack in New York harbor. Although, we chartered the whole vessel for a company outing, the boats sail every day during the summer, and they even have evening and night sails.

Although I'm a sailer, it's really nice to just sit back and enjoy the view of the city and the statue of liberty. Highly recommended. The cost for the two hours is $50 per person, but beer and wine is included. 

Visit http://sail-nyc.com/ for more info or make a reservation.

The schooners are docked at Chelsea Piers and leaves for there too.

My little cutiecakes

Top: Sleepy after playing

Bottom: Playing with mouse dipped in catnip. 

All set for Easter

For the first time in years we have remembered to decorate. We always forget to put the Easter decorations out, and when Good Friday comes, we have to scurry down to the basement digging in the boxes.  

What prompted this was that I think I have accidentally invited the whole family to our house this easter. My original idea of just us and my in-laws have now ballooned into an affair for eleven people. Aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews–they are all coming...I think. Of course no one wants to fully commit just yet, which is fine. I am secretly hoping that someone won't come, since we don't even have chairs for everyone.

Now I just have to figure out the menu for the brunch. 

Anya Hindmarch

Absolutely the best day bag collection this season comes from british designer Anya Hindmarch. I was browsing the site, and I loved almost every singe one of her bags. The collection in cobalt blue patent naplak is especially delicious. 

http://www.anyahindmarch.com/

Hot Spring Bags in Bright Colors

This spring I am keen on bright colored purses. I really love these four.

Top to bottom:

Kooba Natasha tote in Blue, $495

Rebecca Minkoff Nikki hobo in Persimmon, $595

BCBG Large Shoulder bag in Blue Surf, $398

Marc by Marc Jacobs Groovee Satchel in Purple, $498

Kobe Club tonight

Alexa's birthday today and we are all heading out to Kobe Club on 58th street for dinner and drinks. The place have gotten mixed reviews so my expectations are kind of luke-warm. My office has temporarily been turned into a dressing room and since my door doesn't have a lock, I'm hoping that no one will barge in. Could end up in an awkward moment.

http://www.chinagrillmgt.com/kobeClub/main.cfm?pp=0

Career Development Books

I have some quick recommendations of books that give great direction for your career path. 

The first one is The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and when to Stick) by Seth Godin.  

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/the_dip/

Essential for you who are (or think you are) in a dead end job.

The second is Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand by William Arruda. 

www.careerdistinction.com

This guy told me that if nothing of importance comes up when you Google yourself, you don't exist [as a brand] Do all you can to stand out.

Why did she do that!!

For the relaunch of her website, Carmen Electra had herself photographed in a really cute Ashley Paige one-piece swimsuit. I think she is so beautiful, but my big concern is her bosom. Some enhancements has obviously been made since she appeared in Baywatch.  She was so hot during those years, and now she looks like she is going to explode out of the swimsuit. Unfortunately she has started to look like a porn star, but maybe that was the look she was going for!?

Hammer time

Last night I passed by BCBG MaxAzria on 5th and was completely thrown off by the window display. Yes, there they were–a pair of harem pants. Traumatic flashbacks in my head of MC Hammer in "U can't touch this". Some fashion should never be resurrected (the harem pant is one of them). Short little legs and a big diaper butt–I don't know any girl who strive for those.

For serious burger lovers only: The Burger Joint

In an obscure dark corridor, behind a thick velvet drape in the quite fancy Le Parker Meridien hotel on W. 57th street, you find a small neon sign with only a burger depicted. 

That is the one and only signage for The Burger Joint–one of (in my opinion) best burgers in the city. With its 70s fake wood paneling, old diner furniture, tacky light fixtures, it's a flashback to old New York. On the only menu you have only a handful of items–burgers or cheeseburger, sodas and fries. Come prepared though, the staff is quite brusk and with lines going out the door you only have 5 seconds to order before they have a snarky remark.  

But it's worth it, because it is ohhh so good (and completely unhealthy).

Note: Seating is extremely limited so be prepared. And no credit/debit cards are accepted–CASH ONLY

Address: 118 West 57th Street

Bad Decision Blocker

I think we have all done it at one point or another...yup, I'm talking about drunk dialing. In a sober condition, you would have been more than able to resist the temptation of calling that ex-boyfriend, but with a little bit of alcohol courage...there you go again. Usually it ends in either a booty call or with tears (usually from your side). We have all been there.

So this afternoon my friend sent me a link to this site and it made me crack up.  There is a new iPhone app called the Bad Decision Blocker. For any of you drunk dialers out there, an installation is highly recommended. It does cost 99 cents, but it will spare you the regret and embarrassment of the day after. 

Dangling Earrings for Spring

I love big earrings, but in the winter I don't wear them as much. Always getting caught in my hat and scarf, I often end of loosing one of them. I have a collection of onesies in my jewelry box that I can't really get myself to throw out (as if I would ever wear one big earring!!) Anyway, I found four really cute pairs. All very or pretty affordable.

Top two are from Banana Republic ($34 per pair) the bottom two are both from Forever 21 ($3.80 and $5.80 per pair).

VOTE EARTH- Join 2009 Earth Hour

Please join Earth Hour this Saturday (March 28) and turn off your lights for one hour (8:30-9:30 PM). Earth Hour has grown from a local 2007 campaign in Sydney Australia, to this years goal of getting 1 billion people to turn off their lights for an hour to benefit earth. Do your part to help save the environment.

For more info, go to earthhour.org

Birthday Dress

Got a new black dress (comes in grey to) for Alexa's birthday dinner on Thursday. I would have loved if it was warmer so I didn't have to wear stockings, but what can you do. I'm planning on opaque black tights and a pair of cute heels.  Dress from Banana Republic. 

The chocolate factory is moving

I work on 27th street in Manhattan, and even if most part of the island is safe, our block is just gross. The storefronts consist of shady wholesale places selling knock-off purses and hair extensions. I don't think it particularly dangerous, just disgusting. 

One of the highlights of our building, though, is a chocolate factory–Vere. Organic/Vegan dark delishousness. Almost guilt free and so good. Free sampling too. Sadly, they have decided to move out of our building. Friday is last factory sale day and will be celebrated with free wine and unlimited chocolate. Yum.

http://www.verechocolate.com/

Wardrobe malfunction

I'm having one of those days, you know...one of those when nothing in the closet seem to fit right or match anything else. Everything seem to be either in the laundry, not fitting right, wrong season, wrong color, you name it. Plus, I am so sick of all my winter clothes, I simply can't bear to wear them one more day. Hmm, maybe this is an excuse to go shopping for a whole new spring wardrobe?? Ugh, probably not...we are in a recession after all.

Well, since this seems to be a long standing pattern with me, I have been trying to avoid these morning disasters by planning ahead and pick an outfit the night before. I guess that should work in theory, but every morning this past week and a half, I have woken up completely thrown off to 27 F weather. Where did spring go?

Although, I am trying to do some last minute alterations to the outfit to compensate for the sub zero New York weather, I have ended up staggering off to work in a completely mismatched ensemble that I would rather not remember. Today's result was pants that are too big and shoes that are too fancy. Color combo: questionable.

Note to self: Avoid problem by incorporating the weather report in evening routine.

Movie recommendation

If you are like me a complete spy flick addict (my childhood dream [ok, and adult dream] was to be a spy for the CIA and go on secret missions), you will probably love Spy Game with Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. It's well written, well acted, and intelligent–all unusual for a Hollywood movie.

Released in 2001, it a few years old now, but I can watch it over and over again and find it even better than the time before. Since the movie is really fast paced, I noticed that the first time I watched it I missed many of the details that made the plot even more interesting. 

Added bonus, hot looking men and an awesome soundtrack.

Sassy sunglasses from Oliver Peoples

The coolest sunglasses I found this spring is from Oliver Peoples. Clear favorites for me are styles Guiselle, Dulaine and Candice ranging from $325-$390. Shop either at Oliver People retail stores (oliverpeoples.com for locations), Bergdorf Goodman or Saks Fifth Avenue.

Drew is Hotter than ever

I have never been a particularly big fan of Drew Barrymore. I always thought she looked fairly average and her movies were often so so, and I never understood what the big deal about her was. But I have to say that after getting the latest issue of W delivered this weekend, I have to admit that she is looking hot!! I don't know if she has finally found her look or what is different, but I think she is looking better than ever before. A modern day version of Brigitte Bardot. Pick up the latest issue and see for yourself...(here is a sneak peek)

It's finally getting done...

It's been over four years ago since we moved into the house in Cold Spring Terrace and for equally many years, the renovation has been in progress. When we bought the house we thought that it only needed some stylistic changes, but overall the condition was good. We estimated that we would be all done in about 2 years, knowing that we would do almost all work ourselves.

Oh boy, were we wrong. Every time we started a new project we had tons of surprises. We found plumbing leaks fixed with duck tape, fiberglass window screening and tar as a fix to a crack in the foundation–the list is endless. We eventually ran out of steam. But now, after two years of procrastination and lack of energy, we are finally finishing a few projects that had remained half-done for a long time. Granted, our two year renovation plan is now more of a six year plan, but we are finally seeing some progress.

Although at times it feels like we bought the money pit, we do love our house. It's in a great area on the north shore, manageable commuting distance to the city and it's close to both sailing and beaches–our main requirements before buying.

I'm posting a few photos from the latest round of finished projects and a shot of the new bedside lamps I got a few weeks ago.

Everybody's working for the weekend

Just about to wrap up and go home for the day. It's been a long, long week and I'm exhausted. Last thing of the day was the introduction of The Office Award–inspired by my favorite worker Dwight Shrute. Unfortunately it's not an office sanctioned award, so the prize has to come from me. In the end, the wandering-prize of a Dwight Shrute bobble-head doll and a $10 Starbucks Card went to Joanne. She is a rockstar! 

Peace out. Have a great weekend everyone.