State Fair

We recently took a trip to the State Fair with the kids. I always loved the fair growing up.  Most of my friends were 4H and raised goats or cows.  The local fair by us now isn't very agricultural but the state fair is. 

 Both OPB and CMB milked the goats. UC Davis has a big vet school and they run a pavillion where there are babay animals and all sorts of fun things to do

 What's the fair without some cool treats? It was reall hot so a snack in the shade was a hit!

The kids and the State Fair wagon. This is pulled by huge cydlesdales during the parade but we missed it! Do you like the fair?

More than Skin Deep

I read Susan Cheever’s Newsweek/Daily Beast piece  and I thought you would also find it interesting.  as well; it looks at ‘old school’ WASPS and values. The Preppy Princess also did a blog post about it which is at this link (http://thepreppyprincess.wordpress.com/). It goes into how the mainly East Coast moneied class on which "preppy" was based was more than whale pants and head bands.  Sure all that was there, but there was more. "

"A sense of a tradition of service—noblesse oblige it was called—that led them to give away lots of their money and to behave in ways that helped those who had less. John D. Rockefeller famously spent more time at the end of his life giving away money than earning it."

Sometimes I wonder where that sense of service went?  Today for many of us that translates into volunteering our scarce time, in our kids schools, on youth sport teams, in the Junior League or other community group. I know I give more of my time that I wish I had too but too often I see parents who refuse to or just wont.  I know that some folks can't. That work and just living, sometimes today just surviving takes up all the engery they have.  But isn't that the whole idea?  That those who are even slightly mroe forutnate should step up? 

                                                         Lilly Pulitzer via Fashiontent

Blazer or Cardigan?

I've always been a cardigan girl. I would layer them over anything. Here in Norther CA it often is cooler in the evenings and my all purpose navy cardigan got a lot of wear. However, lately I have been reaching for my blazers more than cardigans. My personal favorite is the J Crew Schoolboy blazer. I have the navy one below, plus camel, pearl gray, and red. I also have a great one in blackwatch plaid that is actually a Brooks Brothers boys blazer in a size 16.  As I get a little older (ok 42) I think the blazer just looks sharper and more pulled together with my jeans and work slacks. I love the look below and totally plan to recreate it as soon as it gets a little cooler. Not the newsboy cap though. I have short hair and that would look ridiculous. What do you think?  Blazer or cardigan?

Monograms on Monday

I had to share this great item I found courtesy of the wonderful blogger at "Heaven's to Betsy." It's a mini monogram necklace from Bauble Bar.  I love the layered look and you can bet I will be stopping over there on this monday to get a quick mongram fix!

(L photo: atlantic-pacific; R photo: bauble bar)

A New Staple?

I just recevied the new J Crew catalogue and spotted what could be a new staple in my wardrobe. It's the painter boatneck tee. J Crew desctibes it as follows:

"Spun from silky slub cotton jersey, our painter tees love to be layered but are substantial enough to go it alone (the hallmark of a true wardrobe staple, if you ask us). Forever fans of a classic boatneck, we're smitten with this version's slim body and fully functional gold-button hardware for a luxe touch of polish."

It's just the look I like, neat and trim. Polished and yet not stuffy. And it comes in a huge varitety of colors. You can bet I will be checking it out!

Summer Sports

Othe AGB and CMB play summer sports as well as the fall and spring ones. Tournament baseball seems like maybe I am boring you with it so here is a picture opf summer lacrosse league.  We are still the Coyotes. I never played as a kid but CMB sure likes it.  She is big and fast and pretty strong for U9. Did you play as a kid?

Summer Reading

Nothing says summer like a good read whether it's done on the beach or not. I've always loved Edith Wharton novels, they take you back to a different time and the descriptions are so rich and amazing. The two books below take the original novels reimagine them on a different time and place but the rich descriptions and feelings remain.  I really enjoyed these and recomend them! What are you reading this summer?

 The Innocents take the Age of Innocence and places it in a contemporary North London Jewish neighborhood where Adam Newland is newly engaged to Rachel Gilbert when he meets her cousin Effie. I think this book is a little more sympathetic and that Rachel and Adam learn to be happy where as I am sure May and Archer were not as lucky.

The Gilded Age reimagines The House of Mirth in upper crust Clevland society.  This wasn't one of my favorite Edith Wharton books but I still enjoyed it. I always wanted to shake Lilly Bart and wanted to do the same here. I'm not quite done with this one so I can't say how true to the original inspiration it is but so far it's close!