My Life Lately

I haven't done an update in the new year and it's already March - how did that happen?? Things at johnnie-O have been busy busy busy with photoshoots and new products. I'm just finishing up my second quarter at FIDM for my Apparel Industry Management degree - it has flown by! January highlights include a great trip to Boca Grande and an unbelievable trip to Turks and Caicos with Riley for All-Star Break. I also went home to support NUSEA (national urban squash education association), who was celebrating their 20th anniversary. Lots of traveling! February highlights included the johnnie-O photo shoot, Jackson Hole skiing, super bowl fun and my first trip to Vegas. My best friend, Lauren, was in town after quitting her job and she is now settling in Australia. So fun to get to spend time with her. johnnie-O sponsored the O.A.R concert and green room at the PGA Northern Trust Open at Riviera Golf Course and it was a hit! Finally, I had my whole family in town for my godson, Jack's, baptism and my uncle, Chris, got a star on the walk of fame. I ate well and had fun - here's to a successful Q2!

 

 

 

 

My Life Lately

Hi everyone! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc., etc. I realized I haven't done an update since the beginning of November so I thought I'd let people know what I've been up to. My family came out for Thanksgiving, which was so nice. My aunt and uncle hosted us at their house in Pacific Palisades and we had a group of about 25 people. It was so fun to not have to travel and to show my family around our new hood!

At the beginning of December, work was ramping up at johnnie-O with the holiday season and exams were on the horizon at FIDM so it was busy busy busy. I'm happy to say I passed (yay!) and went home for the holidays. 

Christmas in Connecticut was lovely. Riley played New York and New Jersey and then we got to bring him home with us. Santa was very good to me this year. My family and I headed down to Boca Grande where I am currently writing this post. Lulu had her 16th birthday last night, which was so fun! Can't believe how old she's getting! I've had such a great time with friends and family with great food and great fun. Anyways, quick update but I'll hopefully have more time to post this week! Talk soon!

My Life Lately 1.7.13

I had such an amazing break (6 days off from work - wahoo!) and I wish I could say I'm happy to be settling back in (get me back to the beach!). I spent 8 days in Florida and 3 in Raleigh, both of which were so fun and relaxing. This -10 with windchill temperature is just not working for me, although, I have to say I am used to it from Ithaca. A ski weekend and a trip to see my bestie in Canada is exactly what I need to get through this January and February is short and I have a day off for President's Weekend anddd Riley gets time off so hopefully it will fly by and before we know it it will be warm!

Happy Friday!

Thank goodness for short weeks. After amazing times in Florida and Raleigh, I have to say I am sort of happy to be back in the swing of things. Although I am not thatttt happy to be leaving this:

Florida really was gorgeous and I had time to recharge my batteries for 2014. 

I can't wait to get up to Greenwich to see my pups for the first time in 3 weeks! I think they realllly missed me : )

I have fun pictures from break to show all of you next week but until then, hope everyone is staying warm in this winter storm and has a great weekend. 

P.S. saw this mug on Pinterest - a great reminder every morning...

(source unknown)

Christmas Traditions

As one of five kids and as part of a huge family, it is always tough to get the whole clan together. Christmas is the one time of year that my immediate family is together, without fail. Because of that, we have traditions that we've been taking part in since I was a little girl, though many have adapted as we've gotten older (drinking...) and we've added new ones. As kids, it was always easier for my parents to do Christmas at home. As we got older, my parents realized going away for Christmas could be fun. For the past few years we've gone down to Boca Grande, Florida to stay with my grandmother, Mimi, and whatever other extended family decides to go down that year. It is one of my all-time favorite places. 

Although the weather is warmer (fingers crossed!), the traditions are the same. We always watch "It's a Wonderful Life" at least once. We always have champagne on Christmas eve and Mimi's famous eggbake on Christmas morning. Classic Christmas tunes are always playing in the background. Christmas Eve dinner is always at the club while Christmas dinner, prime rib and popovers, is always at home. I know as we get older my siblings will get married (hopefully.. hehe) and there will be a time when we're not all together. That being said, I'm looking forward to coming up with new traditions and I will always love Christmas with my family. I'm heading down to Florida on Sunday for some much needed r&r so I may not be as active on here as usual so Merry Christmas everyone - see you in 2014!

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 1 // 2 -Art by Cy Twombly, Sylvae // 3 // 4 // 5

Recently

Last week was crazy with Christmas parties and this week is crazy at work. I'm trying to finish up everything before I head down to Boca Grande until the new year! Can't. Wait.

Next Week... Heaven.

photo credit: Lulu Berner

Beach Cars and Golf Carts

I recently read an article in the New York Times about the rise in popularity of "beach cars" (tiny cars that you drive small distances like to the beach or town that are mostly "open air cars"). I grew up going to Boca Grande, Florida for Christmas and Spring Break and the island is dominated by golf carts and beach cars. We had a fire engine red golf cart that I loved cruising around in. The island has designated golf cart/bike paths all over the island so you never had to worry about being on the street with cars. The NYT article described people paying top dollar for rare beach cars that come complete with wicker seats and a hefty price tag. I love the look of them! Maybe I'm biased from my Boca Grande days but the tinier and more colorful the car (especially in pinks and corals!) the cuter, in my opinion! What do you guys think? I'd get some pretty odd stares if I tried to cruise around in one in NYC. 

 Images via the New York Times, blog.wellappointedhouse.com, Pinterest, smartcarofamerica.com

Cocktail of the Week: Moscow Mule

Now that the sun is finally out and it starting to warm up a little bit, I'm in the mood for  a cold drink outside. Of course gin and tonics or glasses of rosé are old favorites but my new favorite drink is the moscow mule. When we were down at Boca Grande this Christmas break at one of our favorite restaurants, the Temptation, we ordered up a round with fried oysters and they were divine. Below is the recipe and don't forget the frosted copper mugs!!

1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice
2 ounces vodka
4 to 6 ounces ginger beer

Some recipes call for simple syrup or a sprig of fresh mint (whether or not you use either of these is up to you but don't forget the fresh  lime garnish!)

Squeeze lime juice into Moscow Mule mug (make sure the mug is frosty... that's the best part!). 
Add ice, then pour in the vodka and fill with cold ginger beer (not ginger ale). 
Serve with a stirring rod. 

It's as easy as that! Have a great weekend everyone! xo

Original recipe from Esquire.com, Photo from Imbibemagazine.com

Preppy Paradise

Works been crazy so I haven't really been able to recap or write anything substantial on here. In T minus 13 days (6.5 work days), I will be lounging in the sun in Boca Grande, Florida. Located on Gasparilla island and surrounded on all sides by the Gulf of Mexico. Boca Grande has been my haven since my grandparents got a house there when I was in 2nd grade. The water is pristine and because the island is only a few miles long, it has a really quaint feel. We frequent place with names like the Loose Caboose and the Pink Elephant and it really is a preppy paradise. Decked out in yellows, greens and pinks, the Gasparilla Inn and Club is swarmed with boys in Lilly Pulitzer pants and girls in Jack Rogers. It really is a hidden gem and I love going down there and spending time with my family (despite the prep overload). To get me in the spirit, I decided to go back to my roots and prep up this post. My apologies for all of the pastels!

 The front of the club

The Loose Caboose Restaurant

Images from Pinterest.com