New Year, New Me and a Recipe (kind of)

Today was the first workday of the new year and since I'm so tired of the same old stuff that I've been wearing, I pulled a few things out that have been out of the rotation for a little while.

Kate Spade jacket, Hermes belt, Banana Republic pants, Me Too booties

I dug out this little black and white check Kate Spade jacket that's really a spring jacket but with a cashmere sweater layered underneath, it works perfectly this time of year.

Chanel pin, Louis Vuitton ring

I wore another one of my very favorite Chanel pins that was yet another generous gift many years ago from my girlfriends with my new Louis Vuitton inclusion ring which was also a gift.

Chanel black pearl nail polish

I got my nails done yesterday with this fab new Chanel nail polish in black pearl.  If you ask me it's more of a green than a black but either way, I love it.

Now onto another note.  Each new year always begins with so much resolve.  We resolve to spend less, eat less, drink less, give more, workout more. All the resolutions can be overwhelming so I'm not going to overdo it.  This year, my focus is going to be my fitness so at the moment I'm in diet and exercise smackdown.  Yesterday, I weighed and measured myself to get ready.  I'm competing with some people at work to see who can lose the most weight in the next three months.  I don't really have all that much to lose but the spirit of competition motivates me.  I had a very productive trip this weekend to Whole Foods in preparation. 

Yesterday I made some really delicious chicken to eat this week and it's really easy to make.  I marinated three boneless, skinless chicken breasts in olive oil, kosher salt, pepper, garlic, half of a lemon (zest and juice) and dried oregano.  I let them sit in the fridge for about 45 minutes or so and then I baked them in the oven for about half an hour at 375 until they were at that perfect point of being cooked just enough without overcooking and drying them out.  I had some chicken on a salad for lunch today with homemade dressing (good olive oil, dijon mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper) and again for dinner on whole wheat toast with avocado and tomato.  And all of this after a tough workout with my trainer plus half an hour of interval training on the bike.  So day one down, wish me luck in keeping it up!

Out of a Rut

The New England weather in winter is less than inspiring when it comes to getting dressed each day.  When it's below freezing and the winds are whipping it's difficult to dress for anything other than staying warm.  And I abhor getting dressed for anything other than wearing what I want to wear because I want to wear it (and not because it's warm or practical or comfortable).

Marc Jacobs jacket, J Brand jeans, Glenda Gies handbag

Since it was in the low 50s today, the snow is melting and I didn't need to wear a heavy coat.  I was meeting a friend for dinner in my 'hood and I wore one of my very favorite jackets.  This Marc Jacobs boucle number went perfectly with my vintage inspired Glenda Gies handbag.

Miu Miu shoes

I wore my bright pink suede and bejeweled Miu Miu shoes that I bought many years ago at the Prada outlet outside of Florence.

Chanel pins

I adorned myself with two sparkly Chanel pins; one which I bought for myself last year and one that was a generous gift from my girlfriends for a past birthday.To ward of the chill, I covered up with a fur trimmed cashmere wrap and hot pink long leather gloves that were a gift from Elisha.

Tomorrow is expected to be more of the same balmy weather which I'm wholeheartedly looking forward to.  I hope you are enjoying your first days of 2011!

Happy New Year!!

It's hard to believe that 2011 is already upon us.  Since I'm lucky enough to go out any night of the year that I want, I typically like to have a low key new year's eve.  This year, my dear friend Elisha had a few people over.  Here's what I wore.

Lace trimmed DVF top, Anthropologie shorts, Chanel bag and shoes

It was lovely and warm and I was so thrilled not to have to bundle up for a change.  I wore this lacy DVF top that has been in my closet for years and these festive shorts that I bought recently at Anthropologie. 

Chanel shoes

Plus I pulled one of my very favorite pairs of Chanel shoes from the tippy top of my closet. 

Necklace from Elisha's shop

How gorgeous is this pearl necklace with vintage bejeweled broach?

Tahari coat

 I topped it off with my navy blue Tahari coat since it wasn't freezing for a change.

Elisha

I got to Elisha's place and she had on this gorgeous baby pink lace dress.  I would never have guessed but she got it at Forever 21!

Ferragamo bag

Elisha had this gorgeous cherry red Ferragamo bag that I had never seen before.  This was from her deep archives. 

We gorged ourselves on cheese, pasta and lots of champagne.

 

And here I am at the end of a very fun night.  I hope you all had a fabulous new year!

Is the Snow Gone Yet?

It's finally started to warm up a bit and it's supposed to be close to 50 degrees this weekend.  Thank goodness, it should help to melt all the darn snow that makes getting around in any normal (fun) shoes impossible.

Theory cardigan, DVF top, Joe's Jeans, Cole Haan boots, Hermes belt

I was tempted to bundle up again today but decided instead to add some color to my life.  I bought this DVF top at Barney's on sale about a month ago and hadn't worn it yet but cozied it up with a cashmere Theory cardigan (from the Wrentham outlets).  I also wore my Cole Haan riding boots even though there's slush everywhere, the curbs are hard to navigate and the brick sidewalks in my 'hood are still so slippery.  At least they have rubber soles.

It's too bad that the pretty pleated tulip sleeve was hidden all day under my sweater.  The only person who appreciated it was the girl in the gym locker room who commented on it as I was getting changed.

Nava Glazer leather and chain long necklace, SoHo street jewelry bracelet

Chanel necklace

And as always, no outfit is complete without accessories and jewels.

Blizzard Attire

This is what my street looked like yesterday towards the end of the blizzard.

 

It still looked pretty but trekking around in it isn't easy.  This kind of weather always poses the what to wear dilemma.  I'm not usually one who dresses with practicality in mind but the weather caused me to make an exception to that rule.

Banana Republic sweater, J Brand jeans

I wore a basic black Banana Republic sweater, J Brand jeans that I bought from Rue La La and my sensible, furry, rubber soled boots.  I know, it's kind of boring but it was warm and cozy and the practical boots worked for my walk to work.  And maybe one of these days I'll figure out how to take a decent picture of myself that doesn't have my head cut off.   I guess that's what I get for rushing the pics as I'm racing out to work.

Louis Vuitton ring, Hermes belt, bracelets from SoHo street vendors

At least I spiffed it up with some accessories.