GUEST EDITOR FEATURE - FASHION FORWARD
I was beyond excited when I was asked a few months ago to be the guest fashion editor for Moffly mediaβs September issues. As I drove away from my coffee date with Julee Kaplan, one of the magazineβs chief editors, my excitement soon turned into panic and wondered to myself, βcan I do this?β. I quickly talked myself off the ledge and was reassured by a friend that it couldnβt be that different than the content I create here on THE GIRL LOOK BOOK {The Lust List and At Any Age}. Well I was right and I was wrong. I was right that I could do it - Iβm so happy I was given this opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. I learned something new and now have a newfound respect for editors - it is HARD WORK. The issues are now available so you can pick them up at your local stockiest or download a digital copy here:)
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l i k e a l a d y
delicate and feminine details
s e c r e t g a r d e n
dark florals blossom on the fall runways and into your closets
s h i n e b r i g h t
sorbet-like colors in elegant hues and sleek silhouettes
p a t t e r n p l a y
a little something borrowed from the boys
THE SUNDAY SECTION
t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n
WHO
The New Yorker - This article is scary - and its not just another piece on climate change. Iβve been asking myself this all the time lately, βHow are we going to fix this?β. The answer simply canβt be that we can't. There has to be a way - greed cannot prevail. The world came together and raised 1 BILLION dollars for Notre Dame when it burned, why canβt we do the same for the air that we breathe?
Vogue - OK now this hair trend is really giving me my in the 80βs vibesβ¦will you be trying a hair comb anytime soon?
Town & Country - Anyone else excited about the new Downton Abbey movie? Click to watch a sneak peek of the new film based on the uber popular British television show. Also on my list of must watch movies this year? Little Women!
WORE
WHAT
podcast - Roaming the neighborhood on your bike with the neighbors until dinner time or walking to the local card store to grab a piece of candy or buy a magazine with the money you saved from your chores that week - this is not the norm anymore. But it was for me when I was 10 years old. What would happen if a mother let her 10 and 7 year old daughters walk 20 minutes each way to the local shopping center? In many states she could be reported and arrested. What has happened in our society that this is no longer OK? That raising independent children is now seemingly impossible. Being well-rounded is now a product of how many after school activities youβre in instead of how you handle yourself on the playground when there are no adults around. In this recent goop podcast, Esther Wojciciki claims that our world is not as dangerous as we think it is and we are doing a disservice to our children by not letting them explore, combat boredom on their own, and fend for themselves. The helicopter has become the snow plow (parent) and we are just clearing a path free of all obstacles for our children. As parents we just want the best for our children. Iβm struggling with this right now as a mother of two boys. I want to keep things simple but it can be challenging when the world around us is always focused on stimulation.
recipe - You guys know how much I love tea. My bestie sent me this recipe last week and now I have to try it. If you follow me on Instagram (please do haha) stay tuned as I give it a shot on Wednesday night. The temperatures are supposed to cool down a little this week so this sounds like the perfect one pot meal!
white sofa - I always get questions about our white sofa - how do we keep it clean with two boys? We purchased it from One Kings Lane when we moved in and its from their line of Crypton styles. Its the most amazing fabric - stains just stay like beads and wipe or wash right off. They have a great selection at various price points and offer 20% off site wide a few times a year!
WHERE
NYFW
Kate Spade - I loved this look from Kate Spade.
Tory Burch - Classic Tory: navy, leather, and feminine silhouettes
Ralph Lauren - Someimtes I think to myself βI wish I was still at RLββ¦.fashion week is definitely one of those times. What I would have given to hang out in Ralphβs Club
Rebecca de Ravenel - simplistic elegance at its finest. Every look is better than the last.
Sea - I felt a little wah wah about SEAβs collection this past Spring. Underwhelming and it just donβt feel like the what we were used to seeing from the designer duo. Theyβre backβ¦..this dress and this puff sleeve.
Ulla Johnson - Iβve always loved UJ and 2020 Spring doesnβt disappoint. Somehow she is able to stay true to herself and still inject a little newness every season. Love this dress and this entire look ( I would wear pants and top separately but so gorgeous!).
NEUTRAL EVERYDAY STYLE
G E T T H E L O O K
d r e s s
c a r d i g a n
L O A F E R
THE SUNDAY SECTION
T H E S U N D A Y S E C T I O N
WHO
theeverygirl - how to support a friend who lost a parent. Frank lost his dad when we were only 21 and at the time none of my friends had experienced a loss like that and I was in unchartered territory. I would say pay attention to the months ahead, once the food and flowers stop arriving, thats when they will need you the most.
Vogue - A reading list to help you slip right into Fall. Iβm not really a book club kind of girl (maybe if there was one for people reading aka starting and stopping four books a year) but I would like to start reading more and would love to hear your suggestions. I want to fall in love with readingβ¦.HELP!
Town & Country - 7 surprising Labor Day facts. The one the resonates the most with me is that in many cases its the longest working hours for people in retail. I was there, its one of the hardest parts of the retail world - holiday hours.
WORE
Sezaneβs new collection is beautiful. Color palette for Autumn - ivory and chestnut with a pop of the prettiest earthy blue:
WHAT
JCrew - It looks like theyβre stepping up their game for Fall. This cable sweater in the perfect pink hue and this cream puff sleeve style. Iβm a big fan of a boiled wool coat - love the blue color of this one.
Dressing in September - a friendly reminder that dress season doesnβt begin and end with summer. I love wearing dresses in the month of September, especially white ones layered with a soft cardigan. I usually donβt break out my leather jacket until October. Here are a few more looks to help you get excited for Fall.
I pursued MANY Labor Day sale sites trying to round up a few summer sale pieces that you could still wear into Fall but I didnβt find anything worthy of your end of season dollars:) That being said one of my favorite sites is having a site wide sale which includes their new arrivals of up to 30% off. Their Fall collection is the most beautiful one Iβve ever seen from this brand. Its like Ulla Johnson meets Ralph Lauren at slightly higher than Zara prices - iβm dead.
w h e r e
Happiest of LBD weekends to you wherever this holiday may take you:)
SATURDAY MORNINGS IN THE Korkidis HOUSE
Keeping two energetic boys entertained isnβt always easy. What has worked the best for us this summer is playtime outside in the morning followed by quiet time after lunch. Obviously things donβt always work out like this but what Iβve found is if I first tire them out, theyβre more likely to play nicely with one another or on their own once we get inside. Which also gives me a chance to get some work done! The weekends are different though. Saturday mornings are for the boys. They each get 30 minutes to pick out the game or toy we all play with together. Harrison especially loves it because his older brother isnβt in charge for a change!
The Korkidis boys are currently obsessed with Legos, specifically Batman, Spiderman, and Star Wars (haha #boymom) which is why lately Iβve been really loving the selection at Walmart. They have a great assortment of our favorite toys and they offer a great mix of both educational and fun options. Ordering for ourselves or for friends is made easy with their free two-day delivery service. I always try to have one back up gift in the house just in case I forget a birthday party or we need a prize to reward good behavior (recently it was potty training!). Walmart also makes it easy to search for an item based on age or Lifestage.
Iβm sharing all of Luke and Harryβs picks right now as well as some of my favorite affordable pieces for back to school below!
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t r o t t a t o y s
back to school essentials
β I would like to thank Walmart for sponsoring this post β
All thoughts and opinions are my own
VINTAGE TENNIS STYLE
get the look
Meet me on the courts! Haha this look reminds me of an off the court Wimbledon look. When I worked for Ralph Lauren as an employee I got the chance to attend the US Open every year in their section. Its my favorite sporting event! Weβre thinking about bringing the boys for the day on Sunday just to walk around and watch the junior courts. One day I would love to goto Wimbeldon!
I love this cardigan - it has a dolman sleeve and oversized buttons giving it an elevated take on the classic style. Styling it here back to shorts but this style works over anything. Scroll down to shop my favorites right now!
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shop cardigans
THE SUNDAY SECTION
t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n
who
Harperβs Bazaar - Etiquette according to the royals. Loved Kate and the late Princess Dianaβs tricks for getting out of a car gracefully.
Departures - I forgot how much I loved the articles in departures and just recently started reading them again. Last week I shared this one on my stories. Its a great read about the future of our fabrics and how the fashion world is tackling our plastic problem. Have you heard of Dudley Stephens? They have transformed an 80βs classic and made fleece famous again with their ultra flattering styles created with recycled bottles (over 1 million to be exact). Click here for my favorite style and color:)
the everygirl - Should there be one day a week when we stay off social media? I have thought about it. I recently polled my IG audience and the majority of followers said they stay off the app on the weekends but catch up on Sundays. If I were to have a consistent βbreakβ I would lean more towards a period of time everyday than one full day all together.
wore
Another Harperβs Bazaar article this week that I had to share! White, cream, ivoryβ¦.ALL YEAR LONG:) Putting my obsession with neutrals aside, it is true that this once summer-only shade is acceptable in even the coldest months now. Hello!! Snow bunny?? There is nothing more elegant than a head-to-toe winter white look. So donβt trade in all your white blouses come September 3rd, instead mix them back to darker denim and printed skirts. One item I do put away? My super white jeans. To be honest Iβm usually sick of them by this time of year anyway.
what
Al fresco dining - Summer isnβt the only time for outdoor dining. Iβm looking forward to some cool (mosquito-free) nights over the next couple of months. I love the idea of alfresco dining with a cozy sweater and blanket draped over your legs. Last night we went to a beautiful farm to table dinner with long tables set under string lights. My friend sent me these black ones and I think Iβm going to order! We still havenβt found outdoor dining chairs but Iβve been eyeing a few styles from One Kings Lane and I love these from terrain.
loafers - I love loafers, mules (like the ones Iβm wearing above), and slides. I think they look great with skirts and dresses and are also cute with every style of denim. Basically its the cool ballet flat right now. You can turn them up a notch this season with a stud or embroidery like this pair. Here is a steal version for under $100! Also on the topic of studdedβ¦check out these Hermes dupes! Here are the originalsβ¦
Foundation - If you ask me this is the best foundation for covering up under eye circles. Its light and natural and easy to use (and did I mention its organic?). Iβve already refilled my compact three times. The best part? It doesn't sit and collect in the creases like most concealers. Maybe thats because its made of ingredients like jojoba, coconut, and sweet almond. My shade - like porcelain.
where
Korkidis House - Iβve been thinking about sharing a house tour on the blog in the next month or two. Do you guys like before and afters as much as I do? We moved in with a wishlist and a to-do list exactly three years ago and have been slowly chipping away at them, project by project. Here is a list of whatβs coming up:
replace windows - first on the second floor in the boys rooms, then on the main floor in the dining room/living room area
window treatments - Lukeβs room and the first floor dining/living
replace old tile around fireplace - right now its red clay tiles and Iβd love for it to be one slab of matte stone
replace wood on our front deck - Iβm DYING to do this. Itβs a really small space but I look at it everyday and it really bothers me. Frank and my Dad are going to do it themselves and hoping they start as soon as the weather cools off (like it was this weekend hint, hint)
paint front steps - Iβve been dragging my feet on this one only because Iβm unsure of the color. Right now theyβre gray but Iβm debating white or even black. Would love some Inspo!
update downstairs bathroom - this is a pretty big project because there is a shower in it which we currently use for cleaning supplies and storage.
THE LUST LIST - PRE FALL FAVORITES
t h e n e w n e u t r a l s
THE PERFECT MINI SKIRT
g e t t h e l o o k
mini skirt
moto jacket
accessories
heart necklace c/o // Jane Winchester
sunglasses // Celine
pumps (old) similar here // Ralph Lauren
THE SUNDAY SECTION
t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n
who
Harperβs Bazaar - Ann Dowd talkβs about playing one of the most hated women in television right nowβ¦.Aunt Lydia from A Handmaidβs Tale. Read how she speaks about her character being radicalized in Gilead and on using her own life to create this character.
Travel & Leisure - Ummmm I guess Ive been doing it all wrong! Click to see all the coolest amenities you can receive from various airlines while flying economy! On this note, I would love to hear from you if you use a credit card thats associated with an airline. Iβm looking into business ones and canβt decide. Thanks!
Vogue - A peek inside fashion icon and Moda Operandi co-founder, Lauren Santo Domingoβs stunning Hampton home. Although we would expect nothing less from LSD, the layers in this old world yet newly built pattern paradise really blew me away. Lauren hired Greenwich, CT based designer Virginia Tupker to help with the design and it is perfection.
wore
Maybe its just me but it doesnβt feel like Fall is being thrown in my face this year. Usually by August you start to see it everywhere. Iβve worked in retail forever so seeing wool sweaters in a stockroom after 4th of July doesnβt phase me, but there has been a refreshing change this season. Its given me a sense of excitement for this transitional period and Iβm crossing my fingers for leather jacket, skirt, and sneaker weather over the next couple of months. Sharing some pieces Iβm loving so far:
what
recipe - OK this is not a specific recipe per say, but we had dinner with our neighbors last night and she made the most DELICIOUS quinoa salad! Make a big batch of red quinoa. Grill up some veggies and chicken thats been marinated. Once everything is done combine with fresh lemon juice, EVOO, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs (I think she used cilantro and flat leaf parsley). Now howβs that for an off the cuff recipe?! I really like this one because its the kind of thing you can make a big batch of on a Monday night.
beauty - My absolute favorite lip oil. I use this all year round. It smells like mint and feels greatβ¦honestly I have yet to find anything better. Oh and its organic!
non-dairy - Have you visited Kourtney Kardashianβs website/blog yet? I remember seeing something about it coming soon a few months ago but then never followed up online or on Instagram. This week I was looking up almond milk recipes and this one popped up. If you watch KUWTK you know Kourtney is a clean (eating) freak so it comes at no surprise that this was recently featured on her new site. If youβre an almond milk drinker do yourself a favor, turn the bottle around and read the ingredients. I was not-so-pleasantly surprised by ours and have recently switched to this one.
entryway - I love this inspiration from studio mcgeeβs blog. Iβve been on the hunt for a console for our dining room/living room. Its one space right now and I feel like breaking it up a bit and adding another focal point will complete the space.
where
I always get questions about where I shop for the boyβs clothes. Iβve never done βback to schoolβ shopping before for Luke because he wears his clothes for what feels like forever. But he just had a little growth spurt and doesnβt really have much that fits going into this Fall (especially shoes), so Iβll be putting some new outfits together very soon. Iβll do a little roundup in the next few weeks but for now wanted to share where I shop for the Luke and Harry:
h&m - love their sustainable line
jacadi - they have the best skinny pants:)
VIDEO: NEUTRAL LOOKS FOR THE END OF SUMMER
t r a n s i t i o n a l n e u t r a l s
look two
dress (sold out - similar here and here) also love this style // hat // flats
look three
t-shirt // skirt // bag // shoes // sunglasses
look four
sweater // skirt // shoes // bow // sunglasses // shoes
jewelry
heart necklace // c/o Jane Winchester
LUKE'S SURGERY
The decision to put your child under general anesthesia is never an easy one. I was scared and nervous and kept replaying the same thoughts in my head, βIs this going to be worth the pain of recovery, what happens if something goes wrong, is this really necessary?β. All of these were valid questions and concerns. At the end of the day to have Lukeβs tonsils removed was an βelected surgeryβ. Sure the doctors can point you in a certain direction and make recommendations, but ultimately you as parents have to choose.
It took me over a year to come to the decision that this was right for us. We discussed it with his pediatrician a number of times as well as his pediatric ENT specialist. It was very important to me to take my time with this decision, to watch Luke over the course of the year, through all the seasons, and understand if there were any other factors that could be causing his discomfort. Luke has never had strep throat and he has never had an ear infection, our reasons were considering this were different and I listed them below. The first time we went to the ENT and he looked in Lukeβs mouth and said that his tonsils were a 4 out of 5 in terms of size. That coupled with his smaller sized throat brought him to recommend removal. That being said there was only so much he could see this way and what he realized after surgery was that it was much worse.
Fast forward 9 months. I was talking to a friend at a birthday party and she told me about a partial tonsilectimy which promised a much easier recovery and less risks. I brought Luke back to the ENT to discuss our options. He warned me that there was a risk the tonsils could grow back with a partial but the chances were very small. Additionally we would be removing his adenoids which could also provide significant relief.
The morning of the surgery I was terrified. The recovery scared me. I didnβt want to see him in pain and I was worried that it wouldnβt be worth it. The moment the doctor came to us in the waiting room that all changed. Iβll never forget it: He told us that the surgery went very well and that he had the biggest tonsils he had ever seen in a 4year old. As big as they could possibly be he said. THEN he told us about his adenoids (the forgotten part of the surgery that I always just considered an βextraβ). This is graphic but he told us they were blocking his nasal passage so much so that he had to scrape them out of one of his nostrils! βThis is going to be life-changing for himβ, he said. I let out the biggest sigh of relief.
I decided to share our story because I know how scary making medical decisions for your child can be. I am so grateful for the way our journey turned out. Luke is doing amazing. He stopped snoring completely the night we came home. He can breathe through his nose with easeβ¦Iβm still in shock to be honest. The recovery wasnβt fun but it also wasnβt as bad as I expected it to be. Iβm interested to see how his seasonal allergies effect him this Fall and will post another update in 6 months!
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Lukeβs Symptoms
Congested almost 365 days a year: we tried everything, Zyrtec, nasonex, Flonase, clariton, we were convinced he just had very very bad allergies
He could never take a full normal breath in or out of his nose - after the surgery we discovered this was because of his adenoids
Always tired - he was still taking a 2-hr nap almost every day at 4 years old
Snoring is not even the word - the sounds that would come out of his nose and mouth as he struggled to breathe at night could be heard around the whole house. It was very scary at times
REM sleep - he tossed and turned all night long and we assumed was never able to sleep deeply
Growth - this is something to be debated and weβll have to see if there is a change over the next few months but Luke is in the teens for growth
Eating - by the end of the day he couldnβt eat anymore. Every night was a struggle to get him to take bites as we watching him gag on food, chewing it, and not being able to breathe at the same time
Wheezing - overall you could almost always hear him breathing, always in and out through his mouth, and it was noticeably labored
I am not a doctor or a medical professional. What Iβm sharing today are only my personal thoughts and experiences. If you need medical advice or help please consult with you physician
SUMMER DON'T GO
hair bow // Zara
dress // H&M (similar style linked below)
shoes // old (similar linked)
sunglasses // Celine
bag // & other stories - old (similar linked)
make the most of summer
day trip to a place a couple of hours away
cocktails at home with friends
Al fresco dining
outdoor concert (if you live in the NY area we love going to tanglewood in MA)
gardening (beware of ticks and poison ivy!)
b r o d e r i e a n g l a i s e
white
black
color
THE SUNDAY SECTION
t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n
WHO
Vanity Fair - Courtney Adamo and the bloggers (and photographers) of Byron Bay. This article is so interesting and gives a peek into the seemingly perfect life of this mother of four.
Brene Brown - What Toni Morrison taught me about parenting. On what to do when your children walk into a room, ββLet your face speak whatβs in your heart. When they walk in the room my face says Iβm glad to see them. Itβs just as small as that, you see?β.
NPR - To be honest, I donβt know a lot about guns. Last week I decided the first step for me to help make a difference for myself, family, and community, is going to be educating myself. Here is an article outlining the gun the shooter used in Dayton. I was shocked, and probably naive, to find out there are guides online to building your own similar pistol and how to make it different from a rifle thus making it easier to conceal.
Harvard Medical School - The case for drinking more tea. What are flavonoids and why are they good for your heart and stress prevention?
WORE
Sometimes I need to take a taste of my own medicine. When my friends are feeling like theyβre in a rut, lost their mojo, or having writerβs block I always advise them to get out there, go somewhere different, and find inspiration. Last Monday I did just that, went into the city, and spent the day soaking everything in. It didnβt take long for ideas to start flowing. I had a few client styling appointments in the middle of the day and normally I should have hopped right on a train and head back home but I was so happy I didnβt. I canβt wait to share Augustβs content with you and here is a little sneak peak at what I picked up that day:
WHAT
headbands - this 80βs trend shows no sign of fading. Celebrities and influencers have been sporting headbands for almost a year now and Fall will be no different. As my friend said to me while we were shopping in Zara on Friday, βOnce it hits Zara you know its officialβ. But is it almost over? I for one hope not. I loved wearing headbands as a little girl and fondly remember my Belgian grandmotherβs sister wearing a fat black headband with a perfectly pressed white blouse. Want to give it a shot? You donβt need to break the bank with this style! Love this braided one too. Another trend borrowed from the 90βsβ¦my blush scrunchie:)
fohr - if you are an influencer or a brand hiring influencers youβre doing yourself a disservice if you donβt know about fohr. Click here to view co-founder James Nordβs youtube series, A Drink With James. In it he discusses everything from common questions about Instagram to advice on how to approach working with brands. If youβre not familiar with fohr (in my own words) it was created in an attempt to make the influencer world more fair and equitable for both brands and the bloggers they hire.On the platform, influencers can create a profile and fohr will assess their following on Instagram and rate the authenticity (followers vs bots, etc.). They are constantly adapting to the changing landscape that is social media and recently added βfollower testimonialsβ to profiles. They are anonymous and allow followers to share why they love following a particular influencer. Click here if you would like to comment about me :) {shameless plug}!
ice cream - Iβm always on the hunt for dairy free ice cream. Not sorbet, ice-cream. It used to be almost impossible to find but more and more restaurants and ice-cream shops are offering the milk alternative. If youβre in the Hamptons, my favorite destination for vegan soft serve is Buddha Berry in Sag Harbor. If you get lucky you can do a swirl - chocolate coconut and matcha! Here is a recipe for an easy (6-ingredient) dairy free chocolate coffee βniceβ cream by half-baked harvest.
fast fashion - the online retailer that is heating up Instagram. Iβve had my eye on this puff sleeve jumpsuit. How cute is this romper and this one?
candle - love potion no 9, my favorite candle, EVER.
WHERE
Non-stop service to Naples? Letβs go! A new route by United Airlines now makes it easier to get to this ultra desirable destination. Iβve been to Italy once as an adult. When we were 21, Frank and I spent 10 days in the country beginning with Rome. We took a train to Florence where we stayed for three days and ended our vacation in Venice. I would love to go back. We always talk about visiting the Amalfi coast. My best friend just returned from her honeymoon in Positano and the pictures are incredible! Check out the amazing hotel they stayed in, Villa Tre Ville.
VIDEO - LUCKY BRAND JEANS
Korkidis HOUSE - the boy's bathroom
Iβm so excited to share this peek inside the boyβs bathroom! We recently received this towel starter pack from weezie towels and its amazing the impact it made! All of our bathrooms are from the 1980βs and I couldnβt believe the first time I walked through the house and saw a gray toilet and bathtub! Of all the old-fashioned colors they could have been! It sealed the deal for me:)
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t h e d e t a i l s
towels // weezie
rug // Annie Selke
basket // home goods (similar here)
hooks // anthroplogie (sold out - similar rattan style here) also love this style
our favorite bath products for the boys // beauty counter
Were they worth it??
to splurge or not to splurge
OK so no one ever needs a pair for $400 sunglasses, $600 sandals, or a handbag over $1000. But once we get past that fact and you decide that you would like to invest in a few special pieces here is the criteria I start with. Will the item:
A. make you happy for years to come, you LOVE it
B. Be worn in many ways, is a staple
C. is something that hopefully will retain its value
If youβre item meets at least one to two of the three criteria, then its time to talk. C is an interesting oneβ¦just because something is expensive, it doesnβt mean youβll get even close to the amount you paid if you decide to sell it. Not all designers are created equally when it comes to the resale market - Only Chanel, Hermes, and some Cartier pieces can be sold close at their original cost and in some cases more. When I purchased this Chanel wallet on chain purse over 10 years ago it was $1,100. I always store it in the box and its in pristine condition. If I ever wanted to sell it I would be able to for close to $2,000 now.
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Celine Catherine sunglasses
Chanel woc
hermes oran sandal
THE SUNDAY SECTION
t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n
who
Harperβs Bazaar - the founder and fashionista behind weworewhat is re-launching her overall line and I think Iβm going to need a pair.
Menβs Health - Frankβs friend from college wrote an article on healing his soul and how it changed the course of his life. Its a must read.
Rolling Stones - July was the hottest month in human history. If this doesnβt make you want to click and read I donβt know what will.
wore
Summerβs not over. Here are a handful of dresses from the uber hot right now brand Reformation that will keep you cool in August and can be layered in September.
what
diet - βScientific evidence for the glory of breakfast is scarce. Instead, we should skip it and eat lunch like kings.β A new study out of a German university claims that fasting is not just a claim and can have more long term benefits then we give credit.
recipe - I made this frittata last week for lunch and it was delicious. I bought a package of zoodles from the grocery store which made a simple recipe even easier. If you donβt already have a cast iron skillet I canβt recommend this one enough. The care is a little bit annoying but once you get into a habit its worth it! Donβt wash with soap, add a touch of baking soda and rinse. Then coat with olive oil and store.
living room rug - One of my most requested items from our home is this wool and sisal rug. I originally found it on Amazon three years ago when we moved in. I wanted something that had a natural/sisal look but was also soft. It has held up really well and the wool fibers makes it easier to remove stains. This is my go-to carpet stain remover!
where
Newport
The Vanderbilt - The history of Newport is scandalous! With the gigantic mansions comes even bigger drama and this hotel is no different. Originally built to house a young Vanderbiltβs mistress, it was quickly turned into a YMCA to avoid bad press and embarrassment for the influential family. The hotel was lovely, the staff was attentive, and the location prime - just a five minute walk to the wharf. I highly recommend a cup of morning tea in the courtyard followed by a tour of Rosecliff.
Clarke Cookhouse - We celebrated Tyler Boeβs Fall Collection over dinner at the brandβs favorite spot in Newport. The history of the restaurant is just as rich as its decor and the food was delicious. Heading to Newport for a special occasion? This is a must stop. If youβre doing on a Friday or Saturday night ask to be seated on the summer porch.
Castle Hill Inn - I can only recommend CH for the view. It is stunning. The service, not so much. I guess everyone deserves a second chance but we arrived, immediately ordered hummus and pita and after waiting 50 minutes (you read that right) cancelled our order and left. Not the service I would expect from a Relais & Chateau.
LIFE, LATELY
All mercury jokes aside, July knocked me off my feet. I donβt think Iβve felt more out of sorts and disconnected in a while. I shared a little bit about what was going on in the beginning of the month on stories. Out of respect for my family I unfortunately canβt share specific details, but there was some tough and unexpected news that we received after the holiday (not health related). In my heart I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and we will come out stronger then we were before, but in my head Iβve been freaking out. Stressed, worried, scared - none of these are conducive to creating inspired content.
We did have some really great moments last month - my best friendβs wedding in Nashville was awesome. It was so nice to escape (alone) with Frank and reconnect. But for some reason when we returned I found it impossible to get back into our/my routine. I think it was part summer, part returning back to the scary reality we were facing, and mostly feeling like everything was piling up. Iβm a planner and I need for things to be organized - itβs weird because Iβm also a creative and like spontaneityβ¦is it possible to be both? I pride myself on consistency. As an entrepreneur and a one woman show I feel like its a non-negotiable. So when I missed a blog post last week and The Sunday Section the week before, it really upset me. I felt like I had lost my mojo.
So how do I get it back? Last night I made a (very long) list of everything I need to get done this month and then broke it down into weeks and priorities. I canβt tell you how much better that made me feel. Honestly, writing this post is making me feel better too. Iβm a talker, pick up the phone kind of girl, I need to work things out this way. I think what I realized about myself is that when things get tough I can get paralyzed and what I need to do is just move forward. Easier said than done but Iβm taking it one day at a time. Biggest THANK YOU to all of you for being here and supporting me. You are all the best part of my job and I couldnβt do it without your support:)
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