Good-Bye 2009, Welcome 2010

Well it is New Years Eve, traditionally time to look back and ponder a year gone by and dream about the possibilities in the year to come.

First, the good about 2009. My job remained stable and (fingers crossed) appears to be continuing in the same vein. Hubby, who is self employed, also stablized. Just this time last year he was talking to bankruptcy counsel. All the kids are healthy and doing well in school. Even O, who has his own set of issues is thriving in kintergarden.

Now, the things about 2009 I won't miss and hope improve about 2010. The debt level in the house is high and I'm hoping to serriously make a dent in 2010. Hubby was out of work for nearly 2 years and the started his own buisness. During that same 2 years I was a stay at home mom to one child and also had twins which totally depleted our saving and run up some credit card debt. With things stabilizing this year, and me working now, at least it isn't getting any worse.

2010, gosh just 10 years ago we all thought the world was going to end with Y2K. How much has changed. My hopes for 2010 are that things will improve all over. I really dislike the negative tone in so much of the country. I'm hoping for good news all around. So Happy New Years to everyone and best wishes for a healthy, happy 2010!

Got them!

OK, I am so excited. I was persuing the Jcrew site, hoping for an interesting pop back when I spotted the Carina Metalic T-Strap Heels in metalic gold. Now I have been salivating over these beauties ever since I saw them over on Three Penny Princesses blogg. I check quickly, yes they were in my size, yes they were in metalic gold and just like that they were in my cart and I was checking out. With the extra 20% off they came to $44 dollars. So what that is is December 30th and a whole winter of rain and generally nasty weather lies before me before that golden day when they can come out to play. Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that they actually ship.

Love This Jcrew Photo - My Favorite Looks

When I think about when I first loved Jcrew 2007 comes to mind. That was when I first discovered their amazing blend of classic and yet stylish. Sometomes I feel that this has escaped them as the parade of ruffled camis continues, but that's another post! This photo from their holiday line in 2007 says it all. I love this model too. I had a very Jcrew christmas. On Christmas Eve I wore my coal minnies with a navy silk cami and sweater from the Gap and on Christmas Night I wore a red and black taffeta plaid strapless dress that was a score from Grandma last Christmas with a black tartine cardigan. Santa also left me a beautiful poppy red madeline coat under the tree! I am going to try and recreate this look tomorrow with my red coat and blue belle skirt! I'll post a photo if I can so you can see how it works.

Boxing Day Survival

Boxing Day is the day after Christmas and traditionally a big day for foxhunting. It was especially big this year as I ended up mounted on the horse my sister and I refer to as "the black monster". He is a big, black draft cross gelding my mom usually rides. Both my sister and I try and avoid riding him because when he was younger we both fell off of him and got hurt. She tore her ACL and I shattered my wrist resulting in a surgury with pins etc. Anyway, i rode him this time and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised as he was a total gentleman. Also out was my daughter C on her pony. The pony is a star, she doesn't jump yet but is tough as nails, the pony gallops right along and totally keeps up. This photo is of C, myself, my Dad and a friend. It was a greta day!

Christmas Re-Cap

Well its Monday and I am back at work. I hope everyone had a great holiday. We went over to my folks house and my sister was there with her kids as well as my grandmother and her husband. The kids had a great time and Santa was most generous. He left me a poppy red madeline coat which I just love. These two pictures are from Christmas Night. The one on the left is the whole family and the one on the right is just hubby, myself and the kids.

Merry Christmas! And God Bless Us, Everyone!

A Merry Christmas to all! I'm still at the my office but only making this one last post before I run off to start my holidays. This year I am happily taking Christmas Eve off. Last year I worked and even though we were able to leave early, it was a harder thing to do. I'm going to go hme, kiss my kids and hubby, wrap a last few presents and toast the season with a glass of wine, stylishly dressed in my navy minnie pants and a gray merion turtleneck of course. Tomorrow we will head over the river and through the woods to my parents house for the holidays and return home on Saturday afternoon. So, however you and yours celebrate, may it be merry and bright!

Minnie, where have you been all my life?

Ok, it took me a while to jump on the band wagon with the Jcrew Minnie pant but I bought the coal ones with the latest promo code and I adore them. In sz 10 they fit just right and make my legs look so slim. Not an easy feat for someone whose legs have always been described as "athletic". I was a distance swimmer in high school and college, it goes with the territory. Anyway I love these pants and see many wearings in their future!

Santa Baby!

Now's here is something to make your spirits bright! My daughter's Daisy troop caroled at the mall last weekend. For those of you that don't know, Daisy's come before Brownies. Essentially these girls are all in the first grade. They are singing, without music, before a group of about 100 at the local mall. They were great. All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth never sounded so good!

Do bad things come in threes? If so I'm covered

Wow has it been a week. So glad tomorrow is Friday. I'll say upfron that the attached picture has nothing to do with this post's topic. It just makes me smile plus it's been super cold her this week and I wish it had snowed. And after this week, I'll take a smile hands down! First off, I had a meeting with the resrouce teacher and school psycholgist at A's school. He's in the 3rd grade and struggling with language arts. They are going to test him for learnig disabilities, specifically dyslexia. Not surprising since his father has it. It can be hard to hear your child isn't perfect. I have another one who is on the autisic spectrum so I know what it can be like. Secondly, while working from home yesterday so I could attend the above mentioned meeting, I had a tech meltdown. Wiped my blackberry, couldn't get through the company firewall, you name it. I spend about 45 minutes on the phone with the help desk before it finally all got resolved. Finally I had a horrid conversation with my boss about, well basically everything. The environment here isn't very good right now and I had posted for another postion in the company which she found about about. I'm a relatively junior member of her staff and she is not giving me the mentoring and support I was hoping to get. It was just a disapointing conversation. I'm hoping the weekend will be better and I can get it into perspective. Sunday afternoon C's Dasiy troop is singing at the mall. Now that's festive!

Now Thats Style!

Love this photo from Kappa Prep's blog Monograms and Maincures. I wish my lofe, and myself, were in this photo!

Thank God it's Friday!! Well it will be Tomorrow

Gosh I am glad this week is almost over. The clock ticks towards the end of a very long work day and soon I can pack up my weary self and head for the BART ride that will take me home. I hate BART, don't get me started. Tomorrow is Friday and in my office that means jeans!! Since I am an attorney and I work in a bank most work days involve heels, pencil skirts and jackets. I usually wear a jacket on Fridays too but the pairing makes all the difference! Here's my plan for tomorrow. I'm going out after work with a group of mom's from my daughters first grade class too!

Great Giveaway!

I just had to post about this great giveaway! Biscuits are Never Boring is giving away a fab Lilly Pulizer Cuff. It's totally goregous! You have until 12/4 so check it out!

The Season Most Merrily Commences!

I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year. This year, even though it is not yet December, I managed to convince hubby that we should get our tree yesterday. We did have a great day. It was a really pretty one here in Northern CA. We went over to Half Moon Bay, cut down the tree, had a picnic with the kids on the beach and then walked to the harbor to watch the crab boats come in a picked out a yummy one for dinner! After dinner we drank hot chocolate and decorated the tree and house. Hubby will do the outdoor lights next weekend but I am officially in the holiday spirit!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm going to say Happy Thanksgiving now, even thought it is a little early. We are heading out to visit hubby's sister and family in Nevada so have a long drive ahead. Thank god for the DVD player in the VCR! Enjoy your holiday and have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

What about this?

Question about this set, I love my black minnie pants and thought this looked pretty good? Not sure about what to put on my feet with these pants sometimes. I lean towards ballet flats but soemtimes they seem to casual for my office. I do love this sweater because it's warm but not stiffling when it's what passess for winter here in California. What do you think? Cute or not so much?

It's Almost That Time!

I know, I know, it's not yet Thanksgiving yet it seems like Christmas is upon us. I love the holidays! I saw this shot online and it totally made me excited for Christmas. When I lived in Connecticut we used to go in every year to see them lighting the big tree. Here they are lowering it into place. It seems like the perfect metaphor for the anticipation I feel. I'm just waiting till Sunday when we get home from Hubby's sisters house and go get the tree!

This one's for the boys!

Hubby got a Jcrew gift card from my mother for his birthday. Notice I am a very good wife in that I did not imeadiately rip it from his hands and spend it on myself. Instead I made a trip to the good B & M store near me yesterday. I bought this great plaid shirt for him and then noticed it came in bys sizes as well. I grabbed them for both my boys. With khaki cords they will be so cute at Thanksgiving! I also got him this great looking shawl collared sweater and a fleece hoodie. Both boys also got new argyle socks to wear with their loafers! So cute!

ABC and 1, 2, 3!

Well yesterday was the dreaded conference day at school. I have kids in 3rd grade, 1st grade and Kintergarden. I did manage to schedule all three on the same day. The kids are by all accounts well mannered and respecatble school children. Yeah! Although I have to wonder if the 1st grader is engaing in some Dr. Jekell/Ms. Hyde activities. After listening to the teacher rave about how respectful and polite and organized she was in class I wondered if it was the same child I had just left at home. Another plus to the day was that I worked from home and went for a long run with some friends I had not seen in a while!

Now this is style

I think this set really personifies my more casual style. Now I work in the legal department of a bank so understandably my day to day look is more formal but this is what I wear on Fridays or on a day I work from home. Maybe not to the soccer field (I do have 3 kids) but I really love the look.

Does any one else have this problem?

I love Jcrew pencil skirts! The essential pencil skirt is one of my favorites and I just scored the dusty blossom from JCA. However, all of the ones I have are so straight! When I buy them they have to be altered at the waist. Once this is done, they are perfect but it is kind of a pain and adds to the already hefty price tag. Is it just me?

Watercolor Leopard Print at Jcrew

Gosh I love this new watercolor leopard print at Jcrew. I finally saw it in person last night and would have bought everything it came in if I could have afforded it. I did buy the Evie cami (bad I know) and I am thinking about the pencil skirt. I'm returning some other things today, I might try it on. I loved the cardi and the dress too. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

Shopping in your closet can be fun!

Since I am trying to scale back on my shopping, I've been rooting around in my closet and trying to make things seem fresh and new. I had forgotten how much I loved my sketchbook roses belle skirt from last year. I paired it with a white shirt and boyfriend blazer. I wore grey patent juliets, but these would have been pretty too. What do you think?

Monday, Monday

It's Monday again, sigh. I hate Monday. With three kids, somehow I am often more tired on Sunday night than I was on Friday. This weekend we had 3 soccer games and 2 little league games. I also managed to fall off my bike and have a huge allergy attack! However, as an update to my previous post below, no shopping was done. I am wearing a pink Jcrew button down with a beige pencil skirt and my fab new tortise joelys. (I bought those before I swore off shopping) Have a great week!

Confession Time

Ok, I admit it, I love to shop. I love the thrill of new things, those piles of perfect pristine garments just waiting to make you look all fabulous. I love putting on a new outfit and feeling perfectly prepared to meet any challenge. What I don't love is my credit card debt, and I admit I've got alot.

Once upon a time I was a sober, responsbile citizen. I still loved to shop but I never carried a balence on my cards. However, our fmaily had a little rough patch (oh say 5 years) which was a combination of me being a full time stay at home parent with 3 kids under 3 at one point. I had twins when the first baby was only 2. Hubby being out of work when the dot com bubble burst and then starting his own business and so on. The level began sneaking up.

Finally, I am now working full time and hubby and his business are stable. I am going to make a huge effort to pay some of this down. Not that I will stop looking fabulous, I'm just going to shop my closet and enjoy the challenge of putting together before unknown fabulous outfits! Whose with me!!

Opened Toes Shoes?

As the cooler weather comes upon us, I always wonder about open toed shoes. This morning I stood in front of my closet, desparately wanting to wear my new Jcrew Joley Tortise heels. I peeped out the window and saw clouds. Checked the paper and saw a chance of rain. Now here is SF it's not that cold but wet, bare legs don't do it for me. What do all you fashionable ladies do in inclement weather?

Working Remote

Ok, I love workig remotely. I worked from home yesterday because O was ill. Now, don't get me worng, I don't love that he was ill. What I love is that instead of wearing my usual pencil skirt, blouse and heels, I wore my favorite Jcrew cafe capri pants (in british khaki), a dark grey Jcrew "candy" tee, and my black tori burch flats. My feet thanked me. Today I am back at my desk in my trusty grey flannel Jcrew University Pants, a white french cuffed shirt, park purple Jackie Cardi and you guessed it! my black moc croc heels! I'm trying to put together a polyvore to demontrate the differences!

Batter Up!

I know it is a strange time to be playing baseball but my oldest son, A, plays in a fall league. Here's a really cute shot of him and some buddies cheering on their team!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and goblins out there. Be safe and have a howling good time. My kddies are headed out tomorrow night dressed as a football player, a pirate and Thumbellina respectively. I'll port pictures next week. Meanwhile, Happy Haunting!

Caved!

Ok, so i canved. I have been eyeing the Jcrew Joely patent peep toe shoes in the tortise pattern for ages. But $148 was alot to spend for shoes. Today however there was a 30% off shoe sale plus I had a free shipping code. Couldn't resist and pulled the trigger! Can't wait to get them!

It's still me!

I've changed my name but I'm still the same girl! Well maybe I'm to old to call myself a girl. As I've gotten a tad older this year my interests have changed to be more focused on style in general. Yes that style is still overwhelmingly preppy, as is my lifestyle but I'm branching out a tad. Come with me on this wild ride!

Personal style, changes?

I've always had a hard time with my "person style" It's changed several times over the years. I was a very preppy catholic school girl with the whole pleated skirt thing in high school. Went to a prepy east coast college where I lived in fair isle sweaters, chinos and duck boots. The I had the young working girl looks, the stay at home mom look. You get the picture. As I approach 40, things have changed again. The frayed light denim mini with tretorn sneakers gives way to the dark denim pencil skirt with pumps. I recently recieved a promotion at work and am now a VP at a major financial institution. Also, all my kids are school aged so there are no more jammy hands or spit ups. (Although an occasional vomit does happen). I'm still rocking the preppy vibe, it's just more Jcrew these days than Lily. Here's a glimpse of a look I'm working these days. What do you think?

Sorry its been so long

Goodness gracious me! I've been neglecting my posting for oh so long! Life has been a total carnival ride lately. Up and down and around and around! I promise to post more and get back to me my photo's and normal life! Hopefully soon.

Fall, what I miss most...

Well it's fall again. Here in SF that just means we are getting summer. So inspite of my longing for cool nights and crisp days we are having a heat wave. I went to college in CT and I think fall is one of the things I miss most. The leaves, those bright October days, sights like the one above out my window, sigh

Preppy Paper Girl does it again!

Preppy paper girl is hosting another fabulous giveaway! She's giving away a personalized holiday ornament! How fun is that! So hurry over and check it out!

Go Orange Crush!

How cute is this? This is a picture of my daughter's under 6 soccer team. Aren't those bright orange jerseys something? C is number 8 out there is front about to score. Infact she scored 3 of our teams 4 goals that day! A future Mia Hamm?

Full Bloom in Lilly!

Saturday night was my kids school auction parks. The event is called Full Bloom and it's really fun. The weather was a little dicey but Lilly Still made it to the event. Here's a picture of me and a friend, having fun!

Back, Back to School!

Yesterday was the first day of school for all my kids. Even the little guy started the big K. Everyone had a great day and I've got my fingers crossed for a great year.

Going to the Chapel, well actually went to the chapel!

Happy Anniversary to me! 14 years ago today was my wedding day. It was such a perfect day, one I'll never forget.

New Lilly Lovers Blog

Check out the new blog started by Muffy Martini. A home for all us Lilly Lovers!

Count Down to Kintergarden!

Yesterday was O's first playdate for incoming Kintergardeners. I am actually the liason for these this year. We meet informally for about an hour or so at the school so the kids know one another the first day. We will have a more formal picnic a Thursday before school starts to meet the teachers and see the classrooms. O is an old hand at this school because C and A also go there. I can hardly believe my last little guy is starting K! They grow up so fast! A, my oldest is almost 9 and going into 3rd grade! SO hard to belive!

The dreaded flu bug strikes!

Just as I was feeling all smug about going a whole year without getting sick (all three of my kids had perfect attendance records last year) I have been struck! Yes on Saturday, at the cabin in Yosemite with my all my kids, my sister and her kids and my cousin and her kids. I spend all day Saturday in bed, rode home in the car (hubby was there to drive) and went straight to bed. Monday and today I dragged myself to the office, naughty I know byt my boss is out of the country till Friday and I really have to be here. I felt pretty good this morning but the desent into crummy has started. I hope this isn't a foreshadowing of the winter to come!

Technical difficulties

You may have noticed that I haven't posted any new pictures lately. Not like me at all. Well the problem is that my at home computer has a dead wireless card and won't connect to the internet. That camera has all my computer software on it and I can't download it to my work computer. I'll keep posting and then try and catch up with some cute pictures! Have a great week!

The stars were aligned!

It seemed like the stars must have been aligned last night. Daughter C was at grandma's for pony camp, son O went to sleep over at cousin's and son A went to a friends for a baseball sleepover. Wait, that means the D and I were free! Although D is not feeling well due to an abcessed tooth that can't come out till next week we still went out to dinner and a little wine bar with live jazz. All I can say is the moon must have been blue!

Monday, Monday

Yes it is another Monday, they keep sneaking up on me. We had a great weekend at my mom and dad's. The kids swam in the pool and C rode the pony really well. Of course I took a ton of pictures because the kids were super cute in matching Lilly suits but havn't had a chance to down load yet so stay tooned!

Whew, what a day!

Today my sister and I took all the kids (her 2 and my 3) to the Oakland Zoo with my grandmother and her husband. The cousins all love each other and had a bal. Just check out these cuties!

3 Preppy Kids

I snapped this shot last weekend as kids were getting ready for church. How cute are they?

Pink and Green vs. Neutrals

Here in northern California it seems I am constantly waging a battle between my favorite bright pink and greens (nicely set off with navy of course) and the neutrals black, beige and grey that most of my friends wear. For example, I went to drinks with the girls last week and wore white jeans with my new meri top and a bright pink Jcrew cardi. Almost everyone else had on dark wash jeans and a black or grey top. My down vest is a bright green lilly, everyone elses is black. I certainly stand out, not a bad thing I suppose! I find the neutrals depressing after a while. Even when I wear my dark work suits I add pink jewlery!

30 Day Shred

Well I had read so much about Jillian Michaels 30 day shred dvd that I had to try it. Over the last 12 months, since going back to work full time I have noticed a creep of about 5 pounds.. Not much you say and since I'm 5'8" it's hard to see but I do see it. Well I had thought of myself in pretty good shape but the level 1 video kicked my booty and on day 2 I'm pretty sore. Of all od places to be sore, my calves are killing me. I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Away we go!

Hubby and I are off today for a weekend in Denver to celebrate a nephew's wedding. My suitcase is packed with plenty of Lilly and the kids are off to camp grandma! Yeah!

Doesn' get any cuter thanks this!

Tonight was C's ballet recital. It's a huge big deal with about 300 girls particpating and great staging, costumes, the works. Here are two pictures. The first is our star and the second is C with her Daddy and me! So cute!

Secretly Southern?

You know, I think I might be secretly southern. Nevermind that I was born in California, went to college in New England and then promptly moved back to Cali for law school. Here's why and all you soughtern gals, let me know if I'm right.
1. I love sweet tea and make my own although no one else in my family will drink it.
2. My 2 sons stand up when ladies enter the room and all my kids say yes madam and no sir
3. I live in pretty sun dresses (mostly Lilly) all summer which isn't easy in foggy SF.
4. Pink is my favorite color.
5. I write my own thank you notes on personalized stationary and so do my kids
6. I never leave the house in workout clothes, even just to take the kids to school, neat and clean hair and makeup at all times!
7. I say ya'll and all ya'll and know the difference between them!
8. I never leave the house for a trip, or even work, without the beds made and kitchen tidy.
9. I fry my own chicken!

I could go on, what do you think?

ANother fabulous Lauren Nicole giveaway!

Lauren Nicole is doing another great giveaway! Check it out!

Another great giveaway!

Pretty in Pearls is giving away some great Lilly to celebrate summer! Check it out!

SummerTime!

Well, it's finally summer. All the kids are out and off to the varrious camps. Summer seems so much more complicated to me this year. Each of the three kids has different camps with different pick up times and locations. I had to make the sitter a spreadsheet! This is my first summer back at work full time and I must say I'm so not loving it. Add to that the greycold weather hear in SF and I'm dragging a bit. I think I'll wear a pink blouse under my suit today to cheer up!

Where is summer?

It's getting harder to hold onto the pink here is SF. Grey, cold and foggy is the weather we've been having for the past 4 days and no change in sight. It was 58 yesterday in the city and windy! It's June for goodness sakes! This is where I was, lilly bikini on, kids playing in the sand, sipping a sweet tea by day and a G & T by evening! Well a girl can dream can't she?

It must be instinct!

These are 2 pictures of my daughter and a friend basically just lounging on 2 chaises at the friends house. They are actually watching both dads take out some bushes. It must come naturally!

Can't believe my baby's all grown up!

Well, yesterday my baby graduated from pre-school and will be heading off to the big K next year. So hard to believe. It was a cute ceremony. These are two pictures of him graduating.