Vogue

So. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are on the cover of the Vogue magazine. I feel betrayed, disappointed, and sad. I am probably the only one in this planet who never even watched the Kardashian show. I'm not saying that I'm somehow better for that, I mean, I've got my own weaknesses (Beverly Hills and NY housewives, to be exact). But I honestly thought that Vogue drew a line and aspired to stay a bit above the fray, a bit more classy, a bit more intelligent. And that's why I'm so disappointed. I don't see the point of putting this couple on the cover and giving them that place of honor. Because it is an honor to be on that cover. Or maybe it was an honor and times have changed. Anyway, I haven't received my copy home yet and I have a feeling my subscription ended. I'm not going find out or renew. At least not for a while. We'll see if Wintour will redeem Vogue in the covers to come. 

This will be the first time in about 20 years without a Vogue subscription. I think I'll live...

Winter Shorts

So I've been wanting to wear shorts for like forever, but I either did not have the guts to do it or the right shorts to pull off the look. I finally went there when I found these Burberry shorts that I fell in love with. This is an outfit that I wore for a dinner with friends.

Brocade shorts by Burberry, cashmere knit by Saks Fifth Avenue Red collection, bag by Marc Jacobs. 

I had the hardest time deciding on the shoes. I finally had to dig out these old boots. They are Christian Siriano design for ... Payless!! 

I kept my accessories simple. No earrings, just this sparkly necklace. 

I have to say, I was pretty happy with myself for finally pulling off the shorts-look! It was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but once I had everything on it felt good and I felt confident. Next style challenge: overalls.

Doc Martens

Blue shoes seem to be a bit of a trend, at least in this household. Even I have bought blue sandals in anticipation of the spring and summer that just never seems to come. My 11-year old has been wearing Dr. Martens for about a year already and loves them. The first ones got small real fast, and it was time for new ones. She chose these blue boots. Aren't they cool?

The Crazy Hat Lady

I like wearing hats, but it's really hard to find a hat that you feel comfortable with (especially if you have a big head like me). I have two hats that I like, the gray one is so old that I can't even remember where it's from, and this beige one is from Anthropologie. For some reason my husband has a fear of me turning into a crazy hat lady. I guess he sees that I may have some obsessive-compulsive behavior patterns when it comes to accessories... I've been looking for the perfect summer hat forever. I would like it to be a little bit floppy straw hat. But I haven't found perfection yet. 

Here I am wearing a Banana Republic tweed jacket, Banana Republic jeans, cheapo no brand converse type shoes and my Missoni scarf. This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully all that snow has since melted! 

Today is the first day of spring - and it was a beautiful and mild day! 

Happy, happy, happy SPRING!

Blue Suede Shoes

Who would have thunk that blue boots would be this chic. I am so in love with my au pair's style - she has such an amazing eye for what works for her. These Stuart Weitzman boots are a case in point. The perfect understated blue, not very much in your face, but blue enough to make these boots interesting and unique. Goes beautifully with her classic style!

Well it's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and go go go....

but don't you step on my blue suede shoes!

Brunello Cucinelli

I recently discovered Brunello Cucinelli clothing. First I was impressed by the quality of the fabrics. Everything in the store is so soft you just want to stroke and touch. Secondly I was impressed with the superb fit and the ease of the clothes. This brand is like the polar opposite of Roberto Cavalli. No strong colors, no rhinestones, no showing lots of skin, just beautiful neutral colors, and very very understated luxury. There is a Brunello Cucinelli shop on Bleecker Street in NYC, in the Americana Mall in Manhasset, Long Island, and (YES!) in the Orlando Premium Outlet center. Since I was curious about the brand, I also checked the web site, and found that the company has a wonderful philosophy, which made me fall in love even more. I love it when it feels like the company has a soul, and you can feel good about your purchase. I really like my new coat,  purchased from the Orlando outlet, which is in the pictures below, paired with a Missoni scarf, Hermes bag, Banana Republic jeans, and Bianco wedge sneakers.

Magic Kingdom

Disney's Magic Kingdom was the third theme park we went during our winter break in Orlando, Florida. We've been to the Magic Kingdom a few times before, but it has undergone some renovations since our last visit. The lines are always pretty long, so it might make sense to splurge for the "fast pass" if you want to take all the rides in one day. We had scheduled a lunch with the Princesses in the big castle, which was definitely the highlight for the girls. The lunch is very popular, and has to be booked weeks, if not months, in advance. But if you have little girls, it's really nice, and worth all the trouble with the advance booking.

It's a process getting into the theme park... the parking areas are vast and there are several modes of transportation you can take from parking to the park entrance.

Mickey Mouse in the house

These mosaics are from the Magic Castle

This is main attraction... The princess lunch took place inside the castle.

Another amazing mosaic depicting the Cinderella story

Cinderella hard at work posing with dining guests! 

The menu was not very adventurous, but the food was decent

You get some little extras like these "wishing stars" for the kids.

The main thing, though, is that you get to pose with all the Disney Princesses.. This is Snow White

Aurora, i.e. Sleeping Beauty

Ariel, i.e. Little Mermaid

Jasmine, from Aladdin

You also get pictures of posing with Cinderella in this folder. 

Desserts were pretty! and yummy. 

One of the new attractions was Ariel's Grove

Dumbo, the classic ride, is still there too. 

Goofy

Donald Duck

Daisy Duck

Minnie Mouse - our favorite!

I have a feeling that it will be quite a while until we set foot in another theme park... Although we had a great time, our next vacation will definitely be something very different. This vacation was very active, so maybe the next one will be just vegging out on a beach - a vegication!

Happy

Yesterday we New Yorkers finally got to enjoy some milder weather. I was singing the "Happy" song all day. Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth... Was sitting outside of Cafe Angelique in the West Village, in the best company, sipping my coffee and humming with happiness. Amazing what a few rays of sun can do to the spirit! 

Islands of Adventure

Universal owns two theme parks in Orlando, and here are the pictures of our day at Islands of Adventure. We had a great experience, even though we went on a Holiday (President's Day)  and I was expecting lots of people and long lines. There was none of that. The lines were not bad at all, and this park is also designed in a way that the waiting is an experience. The biggest draw here is the Harry Potter ride, and I have to say that it was amazing. I was truly impressed with the quality of the full experience. The ride itself was a simulation and you truly felt like you were flying high above the Hogwarts on a broomstick. Fun for kids and adults alike. 

This huge tower sits at the entrance to the theme park

Upon entering, you walk through this structure - pretty cool! 

This was the cartoon area

This was entrance to the Harry Potter Land

The size of the buildings was amazing. 

Hogwarts

Inside Hogwarts, you walk through the castle while waiting to get on the actual ride

The talking portraits of Hogwarts

Aladdin's eastern land - we went to see a live Aladdin Show which was lots of fun

Wolverine and the kiddos

The Spiderman ride was a bit scary for the little one, even though she's a big Spiderman fan. (Don't ask!)

Dr. Seuss Land was very cute

Upon leaving...