To&From Magazine Classic Man's Birthday Gift Guide

I don't know about you but I wasn't quite finished with the weekend when I woke up today. If you're in the same boat, perhaps you can benefit from a little online shopping this week. I had the pleasure of contributing to Meg and Katie's gift guide magazine, To&From, along with many other fab bloggers and tastemakers!

Their quarterly magazine is on it's third issue for the spring and includes gift ideas for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and all your other spring time festivities. You can do your shopping directly from the magazine, too! By clicking on the objects you will be directed to the website were the object is available for purchase.

I curated gifts for that classic man in your life who just doesn't need another tie. He will, however, need some staples to get him through the spring and summer like a ball cap to wear to baseball games, travel gear for using that paid time off, new reading material, a lightweight multi-use button up shirt, and even objects for his home (a map of his favorite city or monogramed whiskey glasses). The guide is Gman approved including his favorite moisturizer, champagne, and flip flops.

Happy shopping!

What I Wore: ma birthday suit

So, are you wondering what I wore in the "feels like 10 degrees" weather? I wore a cashmere sweater, silk skirt, suede booties {The Steven by Steve Madden ones} and wool tights. I was warm enough outside with my coat, scarf, and hat on.

The lovely Katie shows another way to stay chic in the blasting cold with a {leopard, yay!} long sleeve silk blouse, dark jeans and knee high boots.

So now you have no excuse but to stop hibernating and get out to spend time with you friends this winter!



Wardrobe: Cold Weather Birthday

sweater, booties, trapper hat, coat, bag, earrings, pants, gloves

As you may know, it was insanely cold this weekend. In New York City it was 20 degrees outside and at one point the weather channel said it, "feels like 10 degrees." I'm not even sure how to understand how cold that is. If it's below freezing it's reason enough for me to hibernate. Too bad my birthday is in January, as you are well aware, and I like to go out to celebrate.

It has come up in conversation hundreds of times recently and was especially a topic of conversation during my party. How does one dress for 10 degree weather when going out for a night on the town? My typical go-to is a silk button-up blouse and sky high pumps, but that doesn't work when it's cold because my feet freeze.

This look was inspired by the ladies at my birthday party and Tammy, who wears leather pants. These are waxed cotton but I see what she's onto here. Perhaps the leather or wax helps keep out the wind? eh? I have a fur lined trapper hat and as silly as it is, when the temperature drops below 30 degrees, I don't leave home without it. It's a life saver.

When I showed this look to Gman he said, "It's funky confident." The woman wearing this isn't afraid of a good time and doesn't take herself to seriously. Now isn't that how we all want to feel on our birthday? Young and free?

Weekend Recap and Destination: I went to NYC again...

Weekend recap, better late than never!

This weekend was the first time Gman and I went back to NYC together since the big move last spring. As soon as we stepped foot on the streets of the city, we felt like we never left. Saturday, we ate brunch with friends at CookShop. On the cab ride over I got teary eyed at the sight of the people walking in the streets. Yes the streets filled with detritus and the bum peeing on a building while a middle aged couple walked their dog after grabbing bagels and a young woman was clearly in her dress from the night before. As we arrived at the restaurant it was so cold that the garbage in the gutters was frozen in place. We got to the restaurant a few minutes before it opened and I smiled to myself because everyone waiting with us, young couples, group of women, and large family with children, were all wearing black head to toe - coats, tights, pants, shoes, hats, handbags - all black.

After a productive brunch, we walked the Highline and browsed some art galleries in Chelsea {reviews to come}. We stopped in a bar or two before checking out the recently opened Maje, which, if you remember, I promised I would pay a visit. I tried on many goodies but refrained from taking them home, sadly.

Saturday night one of my best friends, Courtney, hosted my birthday party at her apartment. Gman and I were welcomed back with open arms by our friends and immediately caught up on the gossip and goings-on in their lives. It had been so long since we saw everyone, but at the same time the party felt casual, as if something we always did, a normal Saturday night.

I was glad she hosted a party for me for a number of reasons; mostly because it was a more intimate way to spend time with everyone (vs a loud bar) and because it was so freezing cold outside! We could stay in one place all evening and didn't have to shlep our layers of clothes from bar to bar. Although she did insist we have a drink on the roof, which was fun for all of five seconds before my legs and face began to freeze...

Sunday consisted of more brunch, shopping at Eataly and Club Monaco, then wine happy hour and Crif Dogs for a quick dinner. Every moment this weekend played out as perfectly as I imagined. How rarely does that work out?

A Piece of Cake.

Today is my birthday! I baked myself a cake on Sunday {who has time for that on a Tuesday night?}. I also made Gman light the candles and sing to me... and wear a triangular shaped paper birthday hat.

I love celebrating my birthday! Here are some of my favorite birthday traditions:


Making a wish while blowing out candles.

Spending the day with my mom, if we are so lucky to be in the same city that day.

Having a margarita.

Receiving phone calls from people who I normally just stalk on facebook.

After serving cake to those present, using a fork to go to town on what's left, then leaving my fork in the container with the cake so as to mark my territory, in case there is any confusion.

And the best one - using my birthday to do whatever I want for the entirety of January.


I must say sometimes it is difficult to imagine that another year has flown by, but instead of getting upset about aging, I choose to look at it as an opportunity to contemplate my experiences and move forward.

What do you do to celebrate your birthday? Or do you try to pretend it's not happening?

Destination: Washington, D.C.



Kennedy Center

Federalist architecture in Georgetown

My best friend from childhood, Jacqueline, came up to visit two weeks ago to see Wicked for her birthday. She used to live here and fell in love with DC through and through. We spent most of the weekend sampling food and libations from many neighborhoods in the city. As well as shopping in Georgetown and Eastern Market.

 

After a night of celebrating her return to the city at Ping Pong Dim Sum and The Passenger, Saturday brunch was a must. We headed to Dupont Circle to have granola, scones, chicken sausages, and chai tea at Teaism. We wasted no time going upstairs to our first destination, Secondi, known for its high-end consignment. It is located above Teaism, Starbucks, and a nail salon, Mimosa. Most Saturdays I browse in Secondi, get my nails done (while sipping free champagne), then grab coffee or tea to go. I like to call this the Saturday Morning Trifecta.

I always look at my food like that...

Shopping in Georgetown was also necessary. We both saved up our money in anticipation of a shopping extravaganza as we neither have self-control when around each other. Georgetown was hot, loud, and crowded. We soldiered on, determined to get all the shopping crossed off our list in less than 3 hours. I was disappointed that many of the clothes I saw in person were not nearly as beautiful as portrayed online and most of it didn’t fit either, including JCrew (eep!). I settled for chocolate covered gummy bears from Dean and Deluca.

Sunday we hit up Eastern Market for some shopping and had some homemade poptarts at Ted Bulletins. Then we spent a few hours watching trashy TV and flipping through fashion magazines before she had to fly home.

Although I clearly enjoy eating and shopping, the highlight of the weekend was getting to see Wicked at the Kennedy Center. I am usually cynical when it comes to musicals. I’m not the all singing, all dancing type and find some musicals to be just plain cheesy. However, as soon as Dee Roscioli, who played the lead as the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba), opened her mouth and started to sing, I got chills. I ended up getting completely sucked in; laughing and crying with the characters. I found the play to be a critical commentary on society and the age old nature vs nurture argument. Is someone born wicked? I suggest you book your ticket and go see it to find out.

Wicked faces

{photos courtesy of the fab. Jacqueline}

Shoe Love

I found these darlings in the window of a consignment shop in Bruges, Belgium. They always remind me of spring time (and birthday parties, I always wear them on my birthday). With our last snow behind us, Let's hope spring is on the horizon!

I took the day off to roam around Tribeca and perhaps see the Pictures by Women exhibit at the MOMA. What are you up to this weekend?