Contrast

Today was a black and white kind of day. My daughter going to a friend's birthday dinner wearing a black and white dress from Urban Outfitters, Michael Kors bag and metallic platforms from Nordstrom; and me going to drop her and then to the mall wearing a Banana Republic top, Ann Taylor pants, Prada bag, and Tahari sandals. 

 

OOSD

This is not OOTD, but "Outfit Of Saturday Night". Went to a Mexican restaurant Besito with my date, i.e. my boyfriend of the last 24 years. Still making a little effort after all these years! I wore my Zara top, Old Navy jeans, J Crew heels, Gucci bag, and Alexis Bittar jewelry. Put my hair up on a high pony, and some new red lipstick and voilà: 

Sunset Picnic

Here are the pictures from last Friday's sunset picnic. The Seacliff sunset picnic is really my favorite thing to do in the summer. All you need is some good company, a bottle of something bubbly, something to munch, and then just settle down to enjoy. I'm planning another sunset picnic for tomorrow, and I really hope the weather co-operates.

The recipe for a successful picnic: set the food and drinks next to the playground, let kids run around and play while the adults get to eat and drink in peace, bring a row of chairs to relax and watch the sunset... 

Nauvo

Let's go back to Finland for a post. A little over a week ago my daughter and I had lunch at Nauvo, which is an island in the Turku area archipelago in Finland. The archipelago is beautiful, and Nauvo represents the best of the area, with its marina, little shops and restaurants. Very cute! We had a great time having lunch on a boat restaurant, enjoying the beautiful sunny day, the clean air and the very laid back, relaxed atmosphere.

Summer Fridays

Yesterday was the perfect summer Friday. I wish I will remember this day and the happiness of it for a long time. Went for an early morning walk with my daughter and the princess (i.e., the poodle). Then I got my hair done (I love my new highlights), and in the process socialized with a dear old friend. I did some easy cooking, and packed a healthy picnic (with a bottle of yummy bubbles), and finally took my crew and two of my bestest friends for a sunset picnic in one of the prettiest settings on Long Island not far from my house. We had 6 kids with us, 3 ladies and 2 gents, and everyone had an amazing time! The evening ended with a gorgeous sunset, and then conversation under the stars, looking up to spot shooting stars... 

Back to Reality

I am back from my vacation a bit jet lagged but happy and relaxed. It's funny how you remember who you actually are and what's the most important in life when you're on a vacation. I want to hold on to this feeling! Here's something I haven't done in ages - posting an outfit picture: 

The lighting is terrible but this was taken pretty early in the morning prior to heading to the office. I'm wearing an Anthropologie top, H&M skirt, Elie Tahari shoes. 

The fun continues this weekend - we have lots of stuff planned to enjoy the rest of the summer to the maximum. I'll try to remember to take photos. 

The Forest

Finland is full of beautiful forests. And the forests are full of beautiful natural bounty. I love picking mushrooms, but since it was not quite mushroom season yet, we went blueberry picking instead. We picked enough berries for a yummy blueberry pie that mom baked that evening. Being in a forest is a form of meditation. I feel like my soul is cleansed out there. I love the quietness, the sounds of the forest and the sweet fresh air. Your life and whatever problems you may have, feel small in the forest. What a contrast to a busy work day in New York City, where everyone is so full of ego.

Tourists in Turku

This week I visited Turku with my daughter for a quick touristy stroll and a delicious coffee stop.

Cottage

Every Finn needs a summer cottage. I love ours, although it's a bit run down and rustic. All the more authentic...

The vegetable garden used to be huge. Now it's just zucchinis. 

My mom makes the most amazing juice from these wild berries. 

The required footwear at the summer cottage is rubber boots or flip flops. 

The nature is slowly taking over. 

The past couple of days have been emotional, my thoughts are with my daughter's friend and her family. There's been lots of tears thinking about their pain and sorrow.

Life is so precious and can be taken away unexpectedly. Live, love, be present and appreciate every precious moment and every precious person in your life.

In Memoriam

Today I received shocking and deeply sad news. 

My daughter's best friend's mom passed away. 

It feels hard to believe. 

I did not see her through the illness, and all I can remember was an energetic, vibrant, funny, happy and friendly woman. 

She was a wonderful mother to four girls. The kind of mother who dressed up for Halloween trick or treating. 

She was full of life, and her house was always  full of people. 

I knew her a little bit, and I was very happy my daughter was in good hands when she was there for sleepovers. She was taken along for movie and restaurant outings, and treated like family. 

I really cannot believe that she is gone. 

It absolutely breaks my heart to think that she left so young, and left such a loving family with young daughters behind. 

I keep asking myself why her. It's so unfair. Why did she not get well? What is the purpose of this? 

I could never have imagined that this would happen. I knew she was ill, but I was sure that it was something that could be treated and that she would get well again. 

Her passing comes as a shock to both me and my daughter. 

I am deeply saddened, and it's painful to think that she is not around to see her daughters grow up. My heart cries for her family for their pain. 

My prayers are with them tonight and for the coming days, weeks and months. 

I don't know how they will live through this... 

Finland

I've been here in Finland for over a week, and today I noticed that I'm finally calming down. I've been in an overdrive for such a long time that just learning to let go and relax has taken this long. It's almost scary. I really feel like I've stepped off of the race.

Thank God for Finland, and thank God for the Finnish nature. It really has the most amazing calming effect on you. Scientific fact, by the way :-)