Eye Opener

After my New York excursion, I realize that I have spent entirely too much time living in the suburbs. I spent a great deal people watching (which I love to do) and I now see what all the hype is about. But even more than that, I see that it really isn't complicated at all. The suburb moms can be easily picked out of a line up. They usually have that signature piece (the latest coach/designer bag and or a nice piece of jewelry) accompanied with a sensible outfit. The uniform in the city, black boots with a decent heel, wool coat (with a tailored fit), big black bag (non designer specific that one can see). Simple, yet strangely stylish. It made me think twice about how I dress when I step out the door to run an errand. Today I wore, black knee high boots with 2 inch square heel, Black turtleneck, grey wool skirt, black tights and brown coat. Nothing fancy, very simple, very comfortable and I felt good. (ok, I did have a black coach bag, but it was one of those classic plain leather ones from years ago).

I cleaned out and rearranged all of our closets this past weekend - I have bags and boxes of clothes that will be donated to the Veterans tomorrow morning. I integrated my casual and work clothes to expand my wardrobe options. I feel re-energized!

I Love NYC!

Well we are back and getting back into the normal swing of things since our 24/hr trip to New York. The kids and I had a fabulous time! It was 24 hours to throwing caution to the wind, playing it by ear and no routines. After we dropped the puppy off to be boarded, we stopped for dinner before hitting the Turnpike. There was no traffic and we arrived at the hotel in record time at 7:45. By 8pm we were in the hotel room watching "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown". Busy Hubby left us a home made gift basket (water bucket) with a welcome note. The bucket was filled with treats for us to snack on. Our intent was to wait for him to get back to the room before heading out to see the tree at Rockefeller Plaza. Well, we watched the finale of Heroes and at 10pm, still no sign of Hubby. Under normal circumstances I would have hustled the kids to bed, but instead I told them to bundle up, we're heading out to see the tree! It was wonderful! We walked to Rockefeller Plaza by way of Time Square, the streets were not crowded at all and well populated with police officers. It began to snow lightly and all seemed perfect with the world. We walked and snapped photos and had a ball. The kids really enjoyed seeing the tree and watch people ice skating. We took a cab back to the hotel (an adventure for Busy Boy), and upon arrival, ran into Busy Hubby in the lobby.

The next morning, the kids and I, awoke bright and early and made our way back to Rockefeller Plaza to attempt an "impromptu" appearance on The Today Show as and audience spectator. We made it!! I set the DVR to tape the entire show and BAM! There we were. Such an adventure. Everyone looks so much smaller in person (I guess the camera really does add pounds!).

24 Hour Vacation. Ready-Set-Go!

Busy Hubby often travels on business trips about every three months or so. We've discussed the possibility of the kids and I tagging along if a trip occurred during a school break - but that opportunity never happened. Well the time has come! He will be attending team meetings in NYC and has a room at a hotel right across the street from Rockefeller Center. It's only for one night, but dag-nab-it, we are gonna make the best of this 24-hours! Today when the kids get home from school, we will hit the road and drive into the city. Hubby will already be there waiting for us. Since he will be busy with meetings and dinners, the kids and I plan to make a mini vacation out of the time we'll be there. The kids will miss one day of school, we plan to hang out at Rockefeller Plaza during The Today Show and take in the sights, sounds and cuisine of the city. I've already packed and arranged boarding for the pup...Ready-Set-GO!!!

Smiling from ear to ear :-)

I love a good consignment shop. A perfect afternoon for me is to scour a consignment shop from top to bottom, just browsing around at all the interesting finds. When we lived in Michigan there was this wonderful consignment shop in Milford called "Our Blessings". They carried merchandise for women, children as well as home furnishings. I purchased many items from Our Blessings, including a set of lamps (these lamps can be used as a weapon they are so heavy) $15/piece! If you can find a consignment shop in an upscale location, you have struck gold!

I found a decent consignment shop here in downtown Bordentown, it doesn't have the selection that the one in Michigan does, but every once in awhile they will have good merchandise. It doesn't happen often, but once in a blue moon you may stumble upon a deal of all deals. For me, today was that day. I like to browse when I have a specific item in mind, that keeps me focused. Today I was in the market for a casual jacket. We've been having such an influx in weather lately that some days don't require a heavy coat. I found a sage green, fully lined, DKNY jacket with a removable fur collar. It's a very casual coat and has a brushed corduroy texture to it. It has a hidden zipper up the front and three snaps (top, middle, bottom). With the collar removed it has a cute belt with a brushed buckle that wraps around the collar. This coat was brand new with tags and retailed at $102. I got it for $27.

Now, believe it or not, that was not the "blue moon" buy I was referring to. With jacket in hand, I continued to browse the other side of the coat rack and came across some really cute things. I picked up an arms full and tried them on 1) a suede eggplant collarless coat with three buttons down the front, really cute @ $70 but I wasn't "in love" with it, 2) a red boiled wool coat @ $40, nice, but I'll pass, 3) a fur lined tan trench coat @ $68. Well, I tried on the trench coat and BAM!!! I immediately fell in love (think hearts dancing around my head)! Upon closer examination I realized that it was all completely hand made. Hand made as in, "NOT SOLD IN STORES" hand made. This coat was so classic it looked like it could have belonged to Grace Kelly! It is Gorgeous, Simple, and Classic. I can dress it up or wear it with jeans and boots. It has this huge collars that wrap across your upper back and runs from shoulder to shoulder, there's one hidden button inside the front center for closure and you can wrap the coat closed and tie it secure with the matching belt. It's has an a-line cut so it swings out from the waist, so beautiful, it fit me like a glove (if only I can find dresses in that same style). And the lining is real fur, so heavy I can wear it in the winter and removable so I can wear it year round. It must have been too small for the recipient and they sent it to the consignment shop - one person's loss...my happy treasure :-)

I put it on layaway just to be sure I wasn't making an impulsive buy - I'll rescue it this weekend-for $68, I'd be nuts to leave it!