Make it Yours

Cleaning out some stuff from my closet to make room for some new stuff. If anyone is interested here is a link to ebay with some of the items. I have a few dresses, a blazer and some jackets up for auction—all pretty cheap. Club Monaco, GAP, Honey Punch, Everley and J. Crew in an assortment of sizes.

http://myworld.ebay.com/aarthur1975?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

Happy bidding. Feel free to comment or email if you have any questions.

Sidetracked...

... from my photo and clean up mission today. Found this pretty little number browsing springtime dresses. Oh, I hope it will be a kind and short winter. I'm already in the mood for some warm temperatures with wine at a sidewalk cafe.

Alas, snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

Yazmine Striped Jersey Dress from DVF @ shopbop.com, $425.00

Catch-up

Back again after taking a few days off to celebrate Christmas with the family. Like always, Christmas was really nice but also really hectic. We ended up hosting Christmas Eve, which made us realize that our place is not nearly large enough to host everyone comfortably. Hopefully by Easter the basement will be 100% ready and we can spread out a little more.

Dropped of my parents at the airport last night after a two week visit. It was so nice to have them here, especially now when we have a proper guest suite. Extra space is just such a luxury! I have a couple more days off work and I'm planning to spend some quality time with Cami. Last night was mani/pedi night—she loves when I do her nails, even if she mess them up two seconds after they are finished.

Running a couple of errands today, but otherwise, today is photo day. I think I have at least 1,500 photos on the memory card, so it's about time for a download. With a little bit of luck I might even get around to post a few!

Christmas kisses to all.

It's 1:15 AM

And I'm still standing. I guess the world didn't come to an end today after all.

Just enjoying 5 minutes to myself before heading to bed. Just came back from the most insane day ever, day tripping to VA, almost missing the plan on the way home, experiencing my first Potbelly sandwich, and then topped off with a crazy Tenthwave Christmas Extravaganza at Gaslight. I'm just about ready to call it a day—I've been on my feet for 22 hours straight and I'm sooo tired.

Slight change of plans and Christmas Eve will now be hosted at the Arthur house here in Huntington. Appetizers, Wine and Sweets. But I don't mind...everything is wrapped up at work for 2012, so all I have to do is get those presents wrapped.

Early Bird

Early start to my very last day working in 2012. Jetting down to DC for the day, but will be back for the infamous Tenthwave holiday party at Gaslight in Meatpacking tonight. I have a feeling I'm going to be sleepy...

It's a Very Merry Lucia

Her first Lucia crown—the property of any respectable little Swedish lady. Next year we will make it back to the Swedish Lucia celebration in style—white gown, candles and glitter.

Lust Worthy

The most delectable winter boots from Sperry Top-sider for J Crew. If I had these puppies on my feet, I could ride out any winter weather.

Sperry Top-sider Shearwater two-tone boots in black and antique white, $178.00 @ jcrew.com

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

The little lady parked on Santa's lap—almost causing a minor riot refusing to get off and make room for the other kids.

Just kidding, of course, but she really didn't want to get off his lap! At least I don't have to worry about being scared of Santa...

For Book Lovers Only

Although Rich and I agreed to not really do any Christmas gifts this year, I have found a few little things that I couldn't help getting. A friend of a friend has started this company that create posters from words pulled from famous novels. I think it's such a cool idea, and with Rich being a huge Sherlock Holms fan and all, this one was a definite for Christmas.

Sherlock Holms Poster, 18X24 inches, $29.00 @ Litographs.com

Velvet Band Jacket

The most awesome little girl's band jacket. I wish Cami would wear other things besides just pink an frilly things—currently we are constantly at odds about her clothing. Whatever I dress her in, she wiggles out of again within minutes of me leaving the room. She is so determined and head strong—much like her mom, so I can't blame her!

Band Jacket in navy blue velvet, $50.00 at gap.com

Feeling Lucky

Cross your fingers—$500 million is on the line.

The British Standard

Perfect plum luggage from British luxury retailer Asprey of London in collaboration with Globetrotter. Super dreamy [but probably way too nice to drag onto a commercial airliner].

Asprey Londoner Luggage Collection, asprey.com

Feeling Thankful

Thanksgiving break was so nice, and I actually had some time to completely relax and spend some quality time with my beautiful little girl and handsome husband. Even took a few days off the blog to just decompress a little before the pre-holiday madness start kicking in. With Christmas just around the corner and a packed schedule leading up to it—it's going to be a busy month. Between getting the house finished up for our holiday guests, decorating, christmas shopping, cooking and of course taking some time off to enjoy the holidays, there is not much time left for anything else.

Talking about holiday plans—this will be the first time in 15 years that we will not celebrate Lucia in the city. Heading up to Essex, Connecticut instead for the North Pole Express and the Mystic Aquarium with Cami. Should be so much fun!

Gobble Gobble

Hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving!

Happy [Almost] Thanksgiving!

Just wrapped up a few hectic days, and I'm about to get a jump start on this Thanksgiving weekend channeling grandma with a glass of sweet vermouth.

I made a quick trip to Home Deport this morning, and $429 poorer we are finally ready to start painting. I'm sitting contemplating if I should spend this afternoon with some trashy TV, or actually be productive and start rolling on the paint in the guest room downstairs. Alicia is coming over Friday to help out—I have such amazing sister-in-laws. Always willing to help out—painting, baby sitting, whatever we need!

Spending Thanksgiving with Rich's cousin in Garden City. Every time we go there I have complete house envy. Huge old tudor house with tons of character placed on a beautiful corner lot. Absolutely amazing. Just scheduled girls' drinks on Saturday. I feel I haven't had any time to spend with my girlfriends since I had Cami. Being a mom and working full-time is filling up every minute of every day. I think I need to get better at scheduling some alone time; I think everyone needs it to be a better person and a better mommy. So girls' night out it is. Should be so much fun.

Cheers!

Home Stretch

I can't wait to see how far the construction crew has gotten while I was away for the past two days. I was thinking of not posting any photos until we were a little further along, but I can't help myself. Here's a little sneak peek of the work-in-progress. Tape and mud has been started, and I think i can invite Alicia for our wine and paint party soon!

xoxo.

Peplum

I'm thinking of getting this dress for the holidays. I think it's a nice and pretty simple LBD. I have tons of upcoming business lunches, holiday parties and family get togethers, and I think this one could serve double duty. What do you guys think? Is peplum still cute, or kind of on its way out? I can't decide.

Vince Camuto Peplum Sheath Dress, $150.00 @ nordstom.com

Good Morning St. Louis!

Wonderful night's sleep—soft sheets and black out shades do really help. I feel ready to go and get this done. Water is running for a nice hot bath, dress is pressed and shoes polished, AND the malfunctioning laptop [with the final presentation on it] is running again, and we are back in business!

If I now could just get my hands on a yummy latte, everything would be right in the world.

10,000 Feet

On a flight headed back to St. Louis for another pitch. With a 90 minute delay heading out from LaGuardia, I kind of wish I was home instead of 10,000 feet up in the sky. Missing my two loves so much, but I'll be on my way back tomorrow night again. If I can squeeze it in, I'll try to surprise them with some Pappy's BBQ, if I can squeeze in a quick pit stop on my way to the airport tomorrow. Full rack of ribs coming right up—long distance delivery!

Typically stressful going through security—I just hate it. Slightly sweaty and rushed trying to pull of your coat and boots, get the lap top out of the bag, followed by a quick run through in my head of the contents of my notoriously disorganized bag; just hoping that I don't have anything in there that will be confiscated. [Don't worry—noting illegal.] Last trio to DC I took the train down, and proceeded to forget that I had full sized beauty products in my carry-on on my flight home. $100 down the drain—literally.

Anyway, final rehearsal tonight in the bar at Four Seasons. At least we are staying in style! I swear the restaurant at the hotel has the best roasted chicken I have ever tasted. Maybe paired with a glass of Pinot Gris, I'll sleep like a baby tonight. This time I have made a full commitment to take a bubble bath in their amazing bath tub. It's so big it takes half an hour to fill it up—but it will be well worth it.

Will try to gig eye guys a quick update again a little later if time permits. If not, good night, kids.

La Mer

Not sure why, but I'm obsessed with this song right now.

I Heard a Rumor

That there is a utility truck in my neighborhood repairing lines. I think I'm going to be able to take a warm shower tonight after all and sleep in a warm room. Ahh, heaven!

And to sweeten my day, dry wallers are coming in on Monday to start work. Yay! It's down to the wire but it's getting done.

Patience

Patiently waiting for the dry wallers that again had to reschedule due to yesterday's storm. In the meantime I'm continuing to look for furniture inspiration for out soon to be finished basement.

Pretty things. Draper Lounge Chair by Zuo Modern, $280.00 @ ideeli.com

Dream Vacation: Sipadan

I would give a million dollars to be here right now—dive paradise Sipadan and Mabul in Borneo, Malaysia. So amazingly beautiful.

Who wouldn't want to live in one of those bungalows for a couple of weeks?

Darkness

Just managed to make it home after a 3.5 hour commute home. My train was the last train out of Penn Station before the whole system was suspended due to the nor'easter.

And just my luck—power just went out again—what are the chances if that. Another night in the cold and dark. Four inches of heavy, wet snow on top of already weakened tree limbs is spelling disaster...

Beat it Athena!

These storms just need to stop now—parts of Long Island is losing power again. It better not be us!

Photo by Matt Moroni

I Need This Lamp

Greyline table lamp, $99.90 @ cb2.com

Pretty Little Bags

Keeping Warm

Winter is definitely coming—it's freezing out. Brrr!! Just went online to buy some warm winter gear—all super cute stuff from GAP. Nice winter white woolly sweaters, gloves and hats. And a pop of color with a leather zip clutch and an infinity scarf. I think i should be set for the snow coming!

The Last Plea

I'm hoping this will be my last post about this horrible event that destroyed so much of Long Island, NY and New Jersey. This video was posted today on YouTube and it really touched my heart. Listening to this voicemail just brought back memories of the days that followed of 9/11 some ten odd years ago.

When things felt really hard this past week, when we were freezing cold, complaining of the lack of gas, hot water, cell service; I just reminded myself of all the people who lost everything they had and some, even their lives.

I beg you all to dig deep in your pockets and donate to one of the communities that are in such desperate need of help.

New York

Cover of New York magazine this week. Scary and pretty amazing, all at once.

Dire Straights

I apologize for not updating each and every one of you individually, but it's difficult to get any messages through out here on Long Island. It's day four of no power, so we still have no lights, heat or hot water, and of course no cable, wifi, internet or phone. Trying to get by, but it's getting more and more difficult. Currently sitting in a parking lot at Burger King where I managed to get a connection, so  my update here will be for everyone. 

Managed to order a generator online today (at least UPS is still delivering.) There is a waiting list of hundreds of people at the local Home Deport store, so I double we will be able to get one from there any sooner. Currently all of Long Island is out of gasoline, which means no fuel for the car or generators. I heard that some of the gas companies had parked their delivery trucks in areas where they got damaged by the incoming salt water storm surge—which means no way of delving more gas. Hoping that deliveries will be up an running soon...

We have managed to get an extension cord to our neighbor's generator, so at least we have power for the fridge. Little things that makes life so much easier! Our biggest problem is now boredom. We are all going a little stir crazy in the house with absolutely nothing to do. How do you keep a two and a half year old entertained for days on end cooked up in the house?

Suck it Sandy!

Cozy under the comforter with vintage Bond on the lap top. Thank god for a neighbor's generosity—currently hooked up with an extension cord to a generator. I guess we can continue to have good food, cold beer and tons of old movies.

Not too bad.

Damage

Alive and Well

No power and it might be 7-10 days until we get it back. No cable. No phone. No cell service until an hour ago. It can only get better...thank god for Mickey Mouse on the lap top

It's Actually Getting a Little Scary

Everyone from back home has been frantically emailing me to see how we are doing, so here is the latest.

We have so far lost power five or six times, but it's come back every time. I'm guessing it's going to be lights out permanently sometime during the night, but so far so good. We have stocked upon food and water and we have plenty of candles and flashlights, but hopefully we don't need to use them. I can hear tree limbs snapping outside and here and there I can even hear some scry thumps. I'm guessing a few trees have been toppling over.

We are all cuddled up with candles, blankets and a little bit of wine, and with a little bit of luck, we'll be just fine!

It's gonna be a bumpy night...

Here She Comes!

Frankenstorm Ball

Halloween bash at Leishies'—what better way to ride out Hurricane Sandy! Plenty of food and wine with the best family ever.