OOO

I'm OOO, i.e., out of office for the next two and a half weeks. 

With that, here is my typical office outfit from this summer. 

Black and white stripes and culottes with a little color pop with accessories. 

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. 

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...

Black and White

Life has gone from 0 to 100 in a few days.

Quoting Milan Kundera: "There would seem to be nothing more obvious, more tangible and palpable than the present moment. And yet it eludes us completely." 

I need to remind myself to breathe and pause, pay attention to the important things, like the present moment. 

Here is an office outfit from the late August, when life was still on the slow lane. Now it's back to jackets and stockings.. 

White linen shirt (the brand escapes me now), black and white cotton skirt from New York and Company,
Tod's bag,  Ellen Tracy pumps

These Ellen Tracy pumps are my new favorites for the office

Woman's Work

is never done! I sometimes joke around with my coworkers when I'm leaving work, that I'm just going to my other job.. The job of being a mom and taking care of a household full of people who all expect being taken care of in one way or another. And I'm not saying that in a negative way, even though it may sound a bit complainy. Of course I am by no means doing any of the care-taking alone. I've got a wonderful au pair and a husband who is a real hands-on dad and a whiz in the kitchen. Most nights I come home to a ready meal, and we can sit down for dinner together as a family. I give the kids each their own turn to tell me what happened that day, what they learned, and what's going on with their friends. And then it's time to put them to bed... The evenings can feel a bit like mini tornadoes, but I try to just take a deep breath and go with it!

Here's what I was wearing to work yesterday (Banana Republic dress and necklace, H&M shirt, Chloe bag, Tory Burch shoes). I enlisted my 11-year old to take photos, and then of course everyone needed a bit of attention...including Coco.

 

The White Tweed Skirt Again

Here is an outfit from last week, wearing the Ann Taylor white tweed skirt in another outfit, this time paired with an Ann Taylor silk top, Zara shoes, H&M jacket and necklace, and Balenciaga bag.  (I am so stuck on that bag you'll be seeing lots of it!) I'm also still wearing my old glasses here. See the difference!!

Lunch time escapades

It is August, which means that Wall Street is pretty quiet (except for the tourists on the actual street), and some of us have a bit of time for lunch time shopping and strolls. Down town NYC shopping is not that great, especially after Sandy destroyed JCrew and a couple other spots at South Street Seaport (for us locals Century 21 is too much - the fight for space with tourists is overwhelming), but we try to get by with what we've got. Mainly it's TJ Maxx, Sephora, Duane Reade (thank the Lord for the new nice locations with much improved cosmetic and skin care selections), and, surprisingly, a discount chain Dijon (popular with us office rats, and completely hidden from tourists). 

I went to TJ Maxx yesterday, here is my office outfit, H&M on top, Ann Taylor on the bottom, Tod's bag, and sandals from The Loft. 

I bought these Michael Kors silk pants that had zero hanger appeal, but looked pretty nice on. 

I also got these 7 skinny pants. I mean, why wouldn't I? I'm sure they will find some use, other than just crowding my closet. 

Black and White Monday

Mondays are always tough, but even tougher after a great long summer weekend. Yesterday was scrumptious! More to come about that later when I get a chance to upload my photos... But since Mondays are tough, I always make a conscious effort to put my best foot forward, and pretend that I'm in a good mood, efficient and full of energy for the week ahead. Fake it 'til you make it, is my Monday motto. And surprisingly, it works. By the time I am at the office, I have mentally adjusted and ready to go on with my responsibilities. 

Today's outfit: H&M jacket, Banana Republic top, Levine pants, Juicy Couture earrings, Lord and Taylor necklace, Hunter sandals. 

Paisley

Today's print at the office is paisley, paired with black pants and a white ruffle front shirt.

I hope I get a chance to upload some recent pics soon. Been having a lovely time enjoying the best kind of guests from Finland and doing all kinds of fun things with them. It's just been so busy that there has been no time for blogging..but I am not complaining, the time will come when I have nothing to do but look at the photos and reminisce...and then I'll blog about it and post some pics here on my "diary".

Mixing Patterns #2

Flowers and stripes for the office. Serious enough business outfit, and body language too. I'm all about getting things done and crossing things off my list today!

Office Outfit

Didn't post an office outfit for ages, so here goes. Anthropologie "art lover" cardigan, Banana Republic skirt & tee, Aerosoles ballerinas (commuting shoes), Juicy Couture necklace.

Back to the real world

Thank God for "uniforms" when you have no energy to dress creatively... Today's uniform is a blazer, blouse and pencil skirt. My small indulgence was the cutesy leopard (or are they cougar? hah!) earrings which I fell in love with a few weeks ago. After some emotionally exhausting time and travel it actually feels good to be back in the boring routine.

Office Appropriate

This outfit combines a statement necklace and red loafers, and still manages to look low key and relaxed, and, office appropriate. I like that! I shopped my closet for this outfit; the top and pants are both from Banana Republic a couple of years ago, the necklace is from Forever 21, and loafers ordered from Gilt last fall.

Tuesday's Dress and A Peek of Blue Skies

It was nice to drive to the station this morning and actually see the road in front of you. Yesterday the fog was really thick! Seeing some blue sky peeking out from the clouds is also good for the spirit. The body is tired and trying to stave off a flu, but the spirit is fighting. I just simply can't afford to get sick now, there's too much going on. 3 out 5 in the family are sick with flu..I guess my chances are not very good..but I will fight!

Today's outfit is one of those tried and tru, comfortable and make-you-feel-good, but still business-like outfits. Everyone should have a few of these for busy days. A dress is so easy and this knit version is truly expandable. Expandability is important during this Holiday season - I swear I will only eat rabbit food in January! And stay away from wine. The consumption has gone thru the roof in December. I am not one of those to drink a glass every night, except in December when it all adds up; the Holiday parties, lunches, dinners and after-work cocktails. Maybe I will join the Finnish tradition to abstain from alcohol for the month of January to give my poor liver a break.

Hello Yellow

Today's outfit was inspired by all the yellow dresses we saw on Sunday at the Emmys. BTW- I was happy that my favorite show, Homeland, won big. Claire Danes knows her craft. She is totally believable in her very difficult role as the mentally ill agent. And Damien Lewis really deserved his award too. He is so haunted, complicated and weirdly down to earth at the same time. Anyways, all the yellow dresses made me think of my BCBG cardigan, which I paired with Ann Taylor ruffle tee and gray skirt.

Fall is in the Air

Happy Monday to everyone. This is the first morning you can really feel the fall in the air. It will probably warm up during the day, but while I was waiting for my commuter train at 7:30, I was happy I grabbed my old H&M trench. Today's outfit is easy, I am wearing a Calvin Klein dress. I Love dresses, they make dressing a snap, which comes handy, especially on a Monday morning... Here's today's pics, as well as the same dress a couple of weeks ago.

Shades of Grey

Just not 50!!

Here's an office outfit from last week. This weekend again doesn't offer much, it's the last weekend that the pool is open so we're making the most of it.

Anyway, the grey outfit consists of Loft top, BR cardigan, Ann Taylor pants, Tiffany necklace, Gucci flats, and Pour La Victoire bag.