Wine Weekend on the North Fork

Took our last weekend trip for the summer and headed to wine country on the North Fork of Long Island. I'm still crossing my fingers for an indian summer, but you can definitely tell that the peak of the summer is over. The air is just a little cooler and drier—perfect for tasting wine on the vineyard verandas. 

The North Fork has about 30 wineries and most of them are open to the public for tasting. It's so much fun. If you enjoy wine, I highly recommend it. And if you find a wine you like you can buy a few bottles with you home, or have them uncork it and drink it there. They even let you bring your own picnic basket. We ended up spending a whole afternoon at Raphael Vineyards. Absolutely stunning place. You can rent this place for you wedding too! Not that I'm planning a second one, but if I was planning my wedding now, this would probably be the venue I'd pick.  

I forget how beautiful the North Fork of Long Island is. Every time we head out there, I'm in awe. This narrow strip of land with the Peconic Bay on one side and the Long Island Sound on the other, can really take your breath away. Sleepy little hamlets, sweeping fields and shabby little farm houses.

New from Marc by Marc Jacobs

Happiness = Dress from Marc by Marc Jacobs

Avery Colorblock dress, $548. Sold at Blooomingdales.

Bargain Headbands

Just got some really cute headbands from Forever21.com. I have been looking all over for skinny ones and particularly woven leather (faux leather) headbands. After checking all over, the best ones ended up coming from Forever 21! They actually have a huge selection of all sizes, but these are my favorite. All three are just $3.80 each (the cream and black is a pack of two).

LnA Tees

LnA Luxurious boyfriend tees. Both of these are great. 

Blue LnA tee with white zipper detail,  $74.00, singer22.com

LnA Jersey Side Tail v-neck, $69.00, singer22.com

Both come in tons of colors.

Look Book for Fall

I'm in love with cashmere hoodies with blazers and dark jeans. 

Today's Outfit

I was told I look very congressional today. Funny. Maybe I should go into politics!?

Schoolboy blazer, J Crew; Shorts, Ann Taylor Loft; Double strap belt, J Crew; Tee, H&M; Heels, Nine West; Scarf, Old Navy.

Playtime

My niece Ella. Total Love. (with her friend Aaron.)

She must be the most fashionable little girl I know.

Affordable chic from JC Penny

I found this fun jersey dress at JC Penny of all places. Not a store that I usually shop in, but they have tried to revamp their styles the past few years signing designers such as Bisou Bisou and  I Heart Ronson.

I'll be wearing this with black leggings and my leather jacket. 

She said stripe dress, on sale for $24.99.

Where's the recession?

No sign of a recession at my job—we're busier than ever. I guess by running a really tight ship, we can stay relevant, competitive and profitable. I guess it's a good thing, but running around like a chicken without ahead, all day long, is exhausting. I have so far today briefed in three new projects to the creative department! That's the reason I left Ogilvy—it was a sweatshop with a fancy name. I need to breathe. 

I know that in these time everyone should be happy to have a job. Period. But sometimes you just want to scream. To keep it in perspective, at the end of the day it's just words and pictures. 

FNO Sept 10—Update

Courtesy of the jetsetgirls blog, here is a list of some of the designer appearances that are scheduled on Sept 10 [Fashion's Night Out].

Thanks thejetsetgirls.blogspot.com!!

Barney's: Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, Narciso Rodriguez, Isabel Toledo, Jonathan Adler, and more.
Bergdorf Goodman: Hosting a designer cook off between Cynthia Rowley, Peter Som and judged by Padma Lakshi, Zac Posen will be painting in the windows, the Olsen twins are scheduled to make an appearance (good thing the stores are close!)
Saks Fifth Avenue: Carolina Herrera, Chris Benz, Donna Karan, Bobbi Brown, Frederic Fekkai and models Coco Rocha and Daria Werbowry
Intermix: in Soho (98 Prince Street) Sienna and Savannah Miller with music by DJ Harley Viera Newton and Cassie Coane
Jeffrey: Hugh Jackman is scheduled to show, as is Jason Wu

Fall and Winter Jackets from Zara

Was doing some Fall fashion browsing yesterday. Stopped by Zara on 5th ave. and they already have tons of really cute wool fall and winter jackets. Lots of stuff in heather grey, black and camel with nice tailored cuts. They also have a few styles that are discreetly military inspired (double breasted and tone-on-tone ribbon details. Very cute!) None were too bulky or boxy. 

Stop by to take a look. Believe it or not, they were already out of sizes. Their sizing system tend to run small, so all M and L go quickly!

I am always late in the game—who wants to shop for jackets when it's still summer. But then again, the early bird gets the worm.

Most jackets were between $175-$225. 

Vogue Sunglasses

Hands down the best looking sunglasses for the best price right now—Vogue's VO 2568S. Comes in tortoiseshell (my preference) and black. 

Sunglasshut.com, only $79.95

The Cat's Meow

Christian Louboutin heels, Bergdorf Goodman, $895.

Ugly Betty filming in NYC yesterday

The Ugly Betty crew was filming by MSq Park/Flatiron yesterday. Managed to snap a shop of little Betty Suarez dressed up as a hot dog.

Ogilvy Reunion

Got together with my old work team last night at Ava Lounge in the Dream Hotel. Gossip and reminiscing about the good [sic bad] ol' times. I can't believe that most of us still work/live in a ten block radius but we haven't seen each other since this spring. That is just disgraceful. 

I don't think I'll ever work with such a great group of people ever again. I know it sounds a little dramatic, but we had an amazing group—all girls and no fighting, no drama. Could it be an better? 

Today's Outfit

Dress, Old Navy; Gold metallic sandals, Chinese Laundry; Gold belt, J Crew; Necklace, Club Monaco.

September is the January of Fashion

She may be worthy of respect, but this clip just confirmed what I already suspected. She has absolutely no sense of humor—she can't even make fun of herself for a second. If you can't admit your weaknesses and faults, you obviously no self perspective.

The documentary The September Issue will release in NY on August 28. This should be very interesting.

How to Deal with Haters

Khloé Kardashian is guest blogging at The Awful Truth. This one is a must read—How to deal with haters. So true. Read and learn—thanks for this Khloé!

Click here to read Khloé's blog on eonline.com 

Michael Kors Clutch

Runway Clutch in Acid Yellow, $595

Current Obsession: White Ceramic Watches

I want one so bad.

Top to bottom: 

Michael Kors $450

Chanel $4,312

Roberto Bianchi $277.25

Members Only and Nancy Rose at ideeli.com

Gorgeous Members Only leather jackets on sale at ideeli.com. Pencil it in. Tomorrow at 11 am for 1st Row and 12 noon for 2nd row. The site is free to join, but by invitation only, so if you have an interest in joining, post a comment and I'll send out an invite to you. (All items on the site is heavily discounted)

Upcoming sales include Nancy Rose and Amrita Singh. 

Fold-over Boots

Love at first sight. 

Ash "Olivia" tall Boot in black suede, $299.95 at Nordstrom.

The Calm Before the Storm

Friday night before hurricane Bill was moving in—the most amazing sky. No joke—absolutely no color enhancements, the sky looked like it was on fire.

New lows for Miss Universe Pageant

Heidi Montag's performance last night at the Miss Universe Pageant was even worse than I thought—bad dance moves, cheesy song and lip synching! I wonder whose idea it was to have her perform? They probably don't have a job today, or at least they shouldn't have one. Horrible.

And we all thought it couldn't get any worse than Britney's "come back" performance at the 2007 MTV awards. 

See for yourselves.

Just another Manic Monday

Why do the weekends pass by so fast?! Friday night starts and all the sudden it's Sunday already, and only half of the weekend to-dos are accomplished. The two main things we promised to get done this summer have barely been started, the siding of the house still needs repainting and the basement renovation is still to be started. Ugh—I'll never get ahead! 

Two weekends until Labor Day weekend, so two more weekends of fun before I really have to get myself together and continue the work on the house.

Spent Saturday having fun at the Scottish Games—caber tossing, sword dancing, bag pipes, kilts and all. So glad I got to spend time with my niece (although she is actually more like a little sister to me.) Can't believe that this was the last weekend before she leaves for college—time flies! 

Today's Outfit

Not a huge success this morning. Friday and I'm just exhausted. Looking forward to a weekend without plans.

Denim skirt, 7 for all Mankind; Tank, Banana Republic; Cardigan, Ann Taylor; Shoes, Nine West, Necklace from Pilgrim, Sweden.

Have a great relaxing weekend everyone!

Fab Four from J Crew

Fall clothes have start arriving in the stores. Depressing and exciting all in one. I love checking out the new collections, but in the same time I hate that it means that the summer is coming to an end. But what can you do!?

I found four new really cute things from J Crew. Wool mini skirt, $88, Skinny Cheetah calf-hair belt, $55, Cheetah calf hair belt, $68, Gold and crystal cluster necklace, $78.

Long Beautiful Hair

Gimme head with hair

Long beautiful hair

Shining, gleaming

Steaming, flaxen, waxen

Give me down to there hair

Shoulder length or longer

Here baby, there mama

Everywhere daddy, daddy

Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair

Flow it, show it

Long as God can grow it

My hair

I have finally made the leap. In two weeks I'll be getting Brazilian Keratine Treatment for my hair. Maybe finally the damage I have done to my hair for the past few years will be fixed. The result is supposed to be amazing! I have heard the fumes may be a little dangerous, but I'll endure it if my hair will come out great. My stylist have told me that if it's not life changing, I'll get my money back. 

Supposedly it takes about 2.5 hours and will set me back $350. A lot of money, but if it can save my hair it's worth every penny!

Swedish Crayfish Party

Let's get the party started. Swedish traditional Kräftskiva [Crayfish Party] at Smörgås Chef on Stone Street in Manhattan. 

Saturday, August 29, 2009

6:30 till close

Get tickets online or at the Smörgås Chef location in Scandinavia House. 

Tickets are limited so hurry.

More info and to buy tickets.

History: Every August/September, when the legal crayfish harvesting period begins, it's Swedish tradition to have a Crayfish party. Paper lanterns, bibs and funny paper hats goes along with it. Although, the harvesting period is nowadays only enforced on Swedish domestic crayfish. Main part of the caryfish is now imported from China, Turkey and some from the US.

Swedish Online Bookstore

Swedish books in Swedish. Not really a big market in the U.S., I guess, because for years I have been looking for a place with a good selection to with decent prices. I know Amazon.com carries a handful of them but never the once I want. So every time I go back home to Sweden, I came back with a suite case filled with them. Such a hassle.

This morning , I happened to stumble upon this site, skandimport.com. The carry a great selection of Swedish books (in all categories) both in Swedish and in English. Can't wait to place an order. I love Swedish crime drama—Läckberg, Mankell, Nesser, all recommended. 

They do also carry children's books, if you are raising your kids to be bilingual. 

Today's Outfit

Rather laid back. Jeans, Barely Bootcut, Express; White tee, H&M; Necklace, Club Monaco; Platform Sandals, Banana Republic; Belt, J Crew.

Never Mistake my Kindness 

for Weakness.

New York, I Love You

...every moment another story begins

First trailer just released. Whoo hoo. A Collection of 12 short stories taking place in New York. Can it be any better? New York, I Love You. Coming this fall. 

Grey Gardens

I can't believe that I missed this film when HBO premiered it on April 18 this year. Grey Gardens is a true story based on the somewhat bizarre and eccentric lives of socialites Big Edie Bouvier Beale and Little Edie Bouvier Beale (aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy Onassis) in their ramshackle mansion "Grey Gardens" in East Hampton. 

The HBO film is based on a 1970s documentary about the two women's lives together, and was later followed up with a The Beales of Grey Gardens (a longer version of the original documentary). A truly heart warming story. 

To read more check out Grey Gardens on Wikipedia 

There is also tons of footage available on YouTube with real images from the 70s documentary:

Grey Gardens Evolution 1/2

Grey Gardens Evolution 2/2

Little Edie

The Beales of Grey Gardens

Grey Gardens Before and After

To avoid eviction of the two Edies, 1972 Jackie O funded the $32,000 clean up of Grey Gardens. At the time of clean up, only 4 out of the 28 room mansion was inhabited. One room was supposedly filled with a 5 foot pile of cans. The house was also overrun by ferrel cats, raccoons and opossums and had no working plumbing. The house was sold and totally renovated in 1979.

The film can be purchased at HBO.com or at amazon.com.

If you are interested in the documentary The Beals of Grey Garden, that can also be found on amazon.com.

Fashion's Night Out

Mark you calendars. September 10 is Fashion's Night Out in NYC and thirteen other cities around the globe. 

Check out the www.fashionnightout.com website for a directory of retailers and designers that are participating. Special events at tons of stores. Everything from special collections to designer appearances and glasses of champagne while you shop. This should be so much fun!

Plus, proceeds from the official FNO t-shirt goes to a good cause (Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum).  

For the latest up to date info, you can also follow the even on Twitter. 

http://twitter.com/FNOnyc