Sunday, October 26, 2014

On Shopping

So this is kind of weird for a shopaholic like me, but the fact of the matter is that I haven't bought anything in two months. By anything I mean any clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, or make-up for myself since 8/26. Today is my two-month not-shopping anniversary. 

I know the date well because that's the date we went to the Deer Park outlets for back-to-school shopping, and I bought three pairs of jeans at the NYDJ store, and was oh-so-proud of myself for not splurging on the black crocodile bad at the Bergdorf outlet. Afterwards I felt ridiculous. Did I really need to buy three pairs of jeans? And why did I feel like it was such a big win to say no to a bag? I clearly have issues. So I started thinking that I should really begin to rein myself in and take it slower when shopping. There was no major decision on my part, but more of a quiet let's-see-if-I-can-shop-a-bit-less-in-stores-and-shop-more-in-my-closet kind of thinking. It's probably been building up for quite a while, not least that I'm somewhat of a hoarder and have an extremely hard time of letting anything go, which is why things pile up in my closet.  

The weirdest thing about this whole thing is, however, that I've actually been quite enjoying the not-shopping life. There is more time for other things. It's much healthier to hang out with kids at home or do something else other than drag them around in stores. I have been using shopping as a quick pick me up therapy, especially my lunch time escapades have been very much retail-therapy, so it's been interesting to find different ways to get a little mind boost. Reading a book, for example. Or just taking a little walk. 

I did make one major purchase during this period of time when hubby and I decided on new dining room chairs. But that shouldn't count since it's for the family home and not just for me. 

At this time, I really don't want to buy anything, I've got no wish list, and sticking to my shopping diet seems very easy. I feel good about it and plan to continue at least until the end of the year. Eventually I probably will ease back into shopping, but I should learn something from my 12-year old daughter who is extremely picky, and only buys stuff that she really loves. 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Sweater Weather 2

Here's another basic sweater and skirt office outfit from last week. The half sleeves on this sweater are perfect for the in-between weather we're having now. I love this time of year. The leaves are starting to turn but it's not cold yet. I used to think that September was my favorite month, but maybe it's October...



Friday, October 24, 2014

More from DC


I don't have to travel much for work so I don't really mind it when I do. It's a break from the routine... In DC I stayed at the Grand Hyatt, which I liked better than any other hotel I've previously stayed at when in Washington, including the beautiful Willard Intercontinental, which I swear is haunted! 

Lobby atrium featuring a piano in the pool

And a giant flag hanging in the ceiling 

The room was not kitschy, though, but had a very comfortable bed, and it was quiet. 

My dinner outfit, although you can't see much of it. The "thing" was my sleeveless Zara blazer. 

Love an elevator with mirrors! 





Thursday, October 23, 2014

DC

I'm in Washington DC today, woke up early and had a bit of time in my hands. Hence this blogpost with my board meeting outfit...






Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Americana Concours

My favorite shopping mall, the Americana in Manhasset, hosts an annual car show, the Concours d'Elegance. It's free to attend and a lot of fun to see the variety of cars, from a 1912 Ford, to the latest Rolls Royces. It's become a family tradition to go see the show, and we've been lucky that the weather has been super gorgeous on show day.











By the way, these pictures were manipulated in the Fotor app. What do you think? A nice break from the usual or too tricky? 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Sweater Weather

My new favorite sweater is this light blue Banana Republic number. It has a very slight shimmer which gives you a bit of a glow in a good way. I've paired it with jeans for casual wear and skirts for the office. Here it is again with my H&M suede skirt, which must be over ten years old and still going strong. One of those pieces that I keep going back to. Accessorized with Tod's bag, Tory Burch pumps and a Tiffany necklace. 


And by the way, I'm on a self-imposed shopping strike. It's been almost two months! More about that later...

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Better Photography

I would love to learn to take better photos... and to learn to use the apps and programs to manipulate the photos I take. Apart from the iPhoto, all the apps I've tried seem hard to use, not very intuitive or easy. The one I've had most luck with is the Fotor app, which I played around with last night. Here's the result...




Which photo apps / programs do you use? Anything that you could recommend? How about tips on learning to take better photos - web sites, books, anything?

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

I'm a Little Pumpkin Orange and Round...

Here is my stem and there is the ground...

It's serious business to pick the perfect pumpkin. You have to decide on the shape, the size, the perfectness, whether you want a pumpkin with a stem or without, and oh so many other variables.

Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but I may be your pumpkin, so call me maybe?

Orange you my pumpkins? 

This is the ONE!

But I saw it FIRST! 

Inspection in process... 

Sooooo many pumpkins!! 

This is my loot



I'm almost three pumpkins tall! 

And I'm a little too old to get too excited about this stuff.. 

Where's the milk? 

Aiti, I found it! 



Are you sure that's the one you want? 




I'm still not sure... 



The Bumpkin Family

Brothers

When is Halloween? 

Stop making me smile in these pictures!

Farmer Yaya

Greased Lightning



Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Orange is the Color of the Autumn

Since we moved to Long Island it's become a tradition that we go pumpkin picking at the Martin Viette Nursery pumpkin patch. They've got the best pumpkins, the best plants and the cutest little pumpkin patch.. If you're in the neighborhood in October, you should definitely check it out.