Hello, my dearest reader! I'm not sure why I thought sprinting into NYC for only a weekend would be enough. It so wasn't. It's not NYC's fault, though. Truthfully, I don't think 10 years would be enough time for me in this place. I'm a good traveler and don't get bothered by jet lag (or any lag! Thank you plenty of sugar!) so we explored as much as we could. We stayed at the Essex House which sits smack dab in front of Central Park, and we were all over it. Anyone who has spent a moment in Central Park knows the allure and the complete loveliness it exudes. What is it about being surrounded by huge green trees and a skyline of buildings that is just so amazing? I'm a girl who loves big cities and crowds and this weekend was full of both! I wore another head to toe Zara outfit. The night before I left, I was literally in and out of the store with two outfits in maybe 10 minutes. (Because that's how I roll! And I also leave myself no time to plan, pack or generally relax! But that's another story!) It was the perfect ensemble for exploring and dining and shopping! It's Friday you guys!! Hope you have wonderful things in store for the weekend!!! Thank you so much for reading! Xxx Michelle
NYFW: Day 1
Hi beautiful reader!! I had the absolute extreme good fortune to be able to attend around 48 hours(ish) of New York Fashion Week and what an amazing time I had. If you are a woman and haven't been, like, dropped on your head, the chance to attend even 5 minutes of NYFW is a dream, am I right? And NYC... I am going to talk about this place a little later but for now, all you need to know about me and NYC is that I would do just about anything to spend a moment in this incredible city. And what was the cherry on top? Spending this trip with my beautiful friend Vanessa @whatwouldvwear. Putting NYFW aside, the trip would have been equally perfect if it was just she and I, running around Manhattan (coffee and cookies in hand), shopping and seeing and laughing.
The shows were at Skylight at Moynihan Station. I have no idea where this actually was. It felt like we were sort of in the middle of Manhattan but one can never be sure. We did not use our Uber apps because predictably, my phone was always dead and who remembers to bring a portable charger? Oh wait, everyone. Everyone did! Whoops. I missed so many incredible shots because of what I will call "technical difficulties" π and guess who I met in front of the shows? Yes! A little fluffy furry friend! With a nice owner who allowed me to borrow his pup!πΆπ©
We were able to go backstage at Tibi, which was pretty incredible. It was just as I expected it would be-- like a little bee-hive of activity with hair and makeup and just... people swarming everywhere. And Aveda was back there too, with their products and giving us hand massages and hair- dos (note to all who care: the low tousled pony is in! Who knew!?)
I was also able to meet some lovely bloggers at the Retreat at Vogue party. It was a little oasis of grey velvet and pictures of Anna Wintour. And the gift bags were unreal! Everyone was so nice and gracious!
So this entire outfit is head to toe Zara. How cute are these shoes, for crying out loud and oh my gosh! And comfy. Seriously. I hoofed it all over the place and not a blister in sight! It was perfect because it was light and airy and polished. And it kind of looked like a Tibi outfit. Its navy, and the top is completely sheer, so I just wore a little shell underneath. Perfect. Check back later in the week for more of my lovely adventures in the loveliest of cities! Happy Tuesday to you! xx Michelle
Top: Here || Pants: Here || Shoes: Here ||. Bag: Here. || Cuff: @vwearcollection
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{America's Birthday} Party in the USA
Okay, I love the Fourth of July. First off, it's summertime, so it's warm and beautiful. And it is a holiday made for spending time with your family and friends-- what could be better? And my neighborhood does it UP! There is a 10k run in the morning, booths of food, parades, live music, bounce houses, rides, food trucks and the best firework show ever! My little culdesac has scavenger hunts and a talent show for the kids and we eat together--it's a magical day!
This year, my daughter Addison and I are going to enter the cupcake making contest- I know a lot about eating them, which I hope will somehow magically translate into some kind of skill in baking them! We shall see!
Anyway, since we are outside most of the day nibbling and relaxing, we need a playlist and I am starting mine now- I thought I would give you some of my favorite songs and maybe you can add some (or all!) to your list. I tend to like songs that everyone is familiar with because it just makes it so fun to sing along! What are your favorite America tunes?
1. Bye Bye Miss American Pie {Don McClean} This is just a goodie that pretty much everyone knows.
2. Born Free {Kid Rock} I don't know if I am a Kid Rock fan per se, but I like this song. It's kinda gritty but it feels American to me.
3. Proud To Be An American {Lee Greenwald} If you don't weep copiously every time this song comes on, you are made of stone or something. It holds a lot significance to me for some reason.
4. American Baby {Dave Matthews} I love DM. He could sing the alphabet and I'd be swaying along happily.
5. American Woman {Lenny Kravitz} Because lets face it, us American women are pretty alright, am I right? :)
6. Brown Eyed Girl {Van Morrison} It doesn't mention America but my bestie is a brown eyed girl and this song is special to me!
7. Tiny Dancer {Elton John} This is possibly my favorite song ever and it was even before Almost Famous, which then sealed the deal. This song is on every playlist I ever make, even my running playlists (which grinds me to halt so I can sing along, but still!!)
8. American Girl {Tom Petty} So, also not a huge Tom Petty fan (I liked Free Falling in Jerry Maguire, I freely admit) but it's a good America song.
9. Miley Cyrus {Party in the USA } I know, I know. But c'mon. You know you kinda like it too!
10. Jack and Diane {John Cougar Mellencamp} I'm not entirely sure what name he goes by-- is he still Mellencamped? (after he divorced Elaine Irwin I stopped keeping track) but this song just feels like America to me.
11. Born in the USA {Bruce Springsteen} Alright, nobody get mad but I'm not the biggest Springsteen fan either. He's just ok to me. But this song is a classic on July 4th.
12. Surfin USA {Beach Boys} This one barely made the cut. My daughter is dancing to this song in her recital that is coming up and it is on at my house a LOT. But every So Cal resident has to love the Beach Boys!
Doesn't it just feel so festive to you right now? Like we are drawing together to celebrate this country of ours, a country we are so blessed to live in? I love it! Happy day, you!β€οΈ
Chicago, a Flag and a Bride
First of all, my font is funky and I don't know why!Β The blogging world is soo over my head so I apologize in advance! A professional is working on this...trust me! :)
Hi there friends! Β We had another jam packed trip to the Windy City for the wedding of my husband's good friend. Β We started the trip with a visit to the Aquarium and the Navy Pier (but it started raining and that kept us indoors). Β As my daughter gets older, going to new places gets easier because she understands and enjoys what she is seeing. She is an inquisitive 5 year old who wants to know the answer to everything and I love it. There is simply nothing like seeing the world through the eyes of a child. We had the best day together- just two girls in the big city- while my husband did groomsman stuff for the wedding.Β
Speaking of the wedding- oh my gosh. It was a rustic theme, with the ceremony in front of a huge tree in the middle of a huge grassy field that had a huge white tent over it. Β The details were incredible- wooden bowls and candles and pink flowers everywhere and twinkly lights and chalkboard signs with the most lovey dovey sayings but the best part? A S'mores bar! Yes! I roasted marshmallows and danced the night away to my happy heart's content! Β By the way, this amazing dress is from www.chicwish.com and it is so beautiful in person. It is full andΒ fitted and lined and oh so gorgeous. You can find itΒ hereΒ right nowΒ and it's on sale!
So Vanessa from @whatwouldvwear and I have been dying to see each other and this weekend worked out. We knew the day and we knew the time we were going to meet. But where? My husband and I passed this barn in the car on the way in from the airport and I was like "A big white barn in the middle of a field with an American flag painted on it? And it's the week before the 4th? COME ON! Here. HERE! We are taking pictures HERE!" Β We brought our kids with us too because there is just something more that we share because we are mommies. We get each other- the time commitments and the overwhelming love for our children. It was a delightful memory we made together this day.Β And this lovely dress I am wearing is from Bardot...a sweet little shop in Newport Beach www.shop-bardot.com.Β You can also follow them on Instagram ( like I do) @Bardot_oc and if you see something you love (like I always do)- just call then and they will send it to you! Easy-peasy!
We are heading back to the Chicago for a week in August and besides the American Girl store and the Lincoln Zoo, we don't have a ton in the agenda. I would love any recommendations you all might have! Happy Monday to you!! Xx Michelle