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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Fashion (and an) update

Happy Sunday! Here's a quick post about some favorite fashion finds, as well as a little update on what's been happening on this side of the screen. 

Have you heard of Tieks? They're comfortable, foldable ballet flats with a trademark blue sole. Now, these things are pricey. Really pricey. BUT- they're the only ballet flat I've found that doesn't rub the back of my foot raw. Even my Tory Burch Revas (even MORE expensive) that I've had for 6 years now still irritate my sensitive skin. So, for this flip-flop lovin' girl, on the rare chilly Florida days when I need a bit more substantial foot covering, these are it. Worth every penny. Plus, they're buttery Italian leather and feel (and smell!) so good. 

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I love the Ballerina Pink color- a neutral that pairs with everything. I'd been waiting for these to come available in my size for almost a year, and they FINALLY did just before Christmas. If you want a certain pair, check out the website and add your name to the wait list if need be. Also subscribe to their Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter feed- that's how I found out new sizes were being released and snagged my coveted pair. 


Unrelated, but cute, here's a little visual I found that gives some ideas for different ways to style the ever-popular button up. See, here's the thing. I have A LOT of clothes that I love, but I'm a bit lacking in the styling department. Pictures like this are so helpful to me. Hope you like it too. 

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Speaking of fashion, I'm planning to do a little blog sale of lots of my clothes that I just don't wear anymore. Let me know if you're interested and I'll be sure to let you know when it's up and running. 

Lastly, here's a quick update of what I've been up to lately. Mostly teaching and such, but I've been squeezing in a few trips to one of my favorite places- Disney World! Yes, I'm a child, but I love it. Phil and I go about once a month and escape reality for a few days, and enjoy eating, drinking and merriment. We have annual passes, and it's only about an hour away, so we make the most of it. 

I had a workshop in Viera the other day (which is right by 1-95, compared to our little beachside community which is a good 15 minutes away from the freeway), so when it ended at 3:00, I hopped on the highway and went over to catch a few hours of opening day at Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival

In addition to the amazing plants and flowers, they're also offering food and drink booths, just like at Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival. Here's a few pictures from my quick jaunt: 


Living in Florida is simply PARADISE in March. 


I LOVE air plants. It's a fact- I just do! This part in the Mexico area of World Showcase always has an beautiful array of them, but during F&G, it's full of orchids! Just gorgeous. 


Here's a sampling of some of the food and drinks this year. These are from the Florida Fresh booth- watermelon and feta salad with arugula and pickled onions (yum!!), Florida shrimp with local corn over andouille sausage grits, and tomato wine. Yep, tomato wine. It was- ok. Kind of like a Bloody Mary in wine form, a bit spicy and not overly tomato-y. Would I get it again? Probably not. But that salad is on my list the next time I'm there (which will be this coming weekend when I go with my brother and his family!! Maybe I'm a bit obsessed. Don't judge!)



This, my friends, is a Dole whip 'float' with spiced rum. A Dole whip is pineapple flavored soft-serve, and has a bit of a cult status in the Disney community. They even make t-shirts featuring this stuff. F&G took this classic and paired it with spiced rum, and it was actually pretty good. 


That's it for now. If any of you are local or visiting the area and want to meet up in the parks, you know I'm always game! 
In the words of a particular oversized rodent:
"See ya real soon!"

Saturday, February 16, 2013

New York City, New Years Eve: It's Phishy! (or, An Ode to Dad)

Well hello! So glad you're still around and interested in finding out about what happened for New Year's almost 2 months ago! Since we've waited this long, let's just dive right in, shall we?

And I think I'll try to make this less wordy and more picture-y (but ya'll, that will be hard for me... I'm a bit long-winded when it comes to writing.)

Before we go, though, I'll give some insight into the title of this post. Besides being about NYE, it's also a 'thanks' to my 'papa' (ala Downton Abbey) for all he did to make it happen. AND for being my biggest blog fan. He's been asking me to write this post since I posted my last entry. So Dad, thanks for the motivation.

Here we go:

Favorite city and two of my favorite spots in it, the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station (which is celebrating it's Centennial this year, how cool!

Our first Wook sighting of the run

The Tempest Bar- the spot to meet before a MSG Phish show.

Night one seats

A fairly empty Grand Central around 1:30 a.m.



Breakfast in bed the next morning

Trying on some vintage engagement rings in the City. This one's from 1905.

This stunner is from the 1890's! LOVE! SWOON!!

Pretty

A dreary day on Park Avenue

It's always warm and cozy inside the Algonquin

Night 2 SOP meet-up 

'Lotta beards here

Night 2 seats

Take the last train to Stamford


Breakfast (lunch) in bed the next day:

Just a little nippy

Bundled up for the cold. "It's gonna be co-old!!"

Magnificent walk down Madison Ave from Grand Central to MSG. Fantastic old buildings!

And this beaut.

And these weirdos

Night 3 seats

I spy an Electrolux

Sigh. Ain't it grand?

Fancied up for New Year's Eve
top: Calypso/skirt:Lilly Pulitzer/shoes:Lilly Pulitzer

Bubbly for the car ride into the city (AWESOME Christmas present from my Dad- a car service into and out of the city on New Years! SUCH a treat, thanks Dad!!)




The ceiling of Park Avenue-Winter all dressed up for NYE.


Seriously, eat here. The menu and decor change with the seasons. Winter was dynomite. Phil had yellowtail sushi that I'm pretty sure was life-changing, and veal; I had the world's best kale salad and king crab legs, and we split some pineapple gelato/cake thing for dessert. Un-freaking-believable. (Thanks for dinner, Dad!)

VIP passes to the ABC New Year's Rockin' Eve party in Times Square. (Thanks AGAIN, Dad!!)

Phil's thinking: "I wish I was at the Phish show right now..."

Private entrance right out onto the street for the ball drop

Lots of reallllllly cold people!


Look at us all warm and cozy inside, and them all cold and having to pee outside.

Some people. And a lot of booze. Psy!

Everyone emptied out for the ball drop- we were bringing up the rear

Happy New Year! The confetti begins...








Don't see me!

Makin' it rain (confetti)!

Ours


Not all ours

You know it's a good night when you have confetti in your drink

Not related to New Year's at all, just a sweet face to see when you finally return home from a stellar New Year's trip to the Big Apple. 


The end!