Mother’s Day Musing

When I became pregnant for the first time, the first person (aside from my husband Chris!) I shared the news with was my Mother. Having made it through the teen and college years, we were solidly BFFs. I so looked forward to all the years we would share as Mommy and Nana. But that was not to be. Shortly after my first son Pierre was born, my Mother was given a diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I’ll never know if it was life going and life growing, but I became pregnant with my second son Spencer while Mom was in remission. His birth and her decline were inevitably intertwined.  I was 7 months pregnant with Chanler, my third and last son, when she died. She had suffered so much, for so many months, that we knew she was going to a better place. Still, the huge gaping hole of being Mother-less as a new Mom loomed before me. I mentally and physically struggled to read the 23rd Psalm at her her Memorial Service. And to picture my life, and my children’s lives, without her. I was so used to talking to her every day. Really. But now I had lost my best friend. Not a day, a week, a month, a year goes by without me wishing she could have seen (and supported and hopefully approved of) me as a Mom. And more importantly truly known and enjoyed my three amazing sons. Every year I so wish I could wish her “Happy Mother’s Day” just one more time.

Feeling Kind Of Frida

 

This simple yet sophisticated off-the-shoulder dress is the only new piece in this look, making it a stunning example of how one fashion find can bring new life to the wardrobe you already have. And when it came to shooting this post, I knew the perfect Jersey City mural to be our backdrop. It was almost as if this spot had been waiting for us. 

Faux Real

We shot this post a few weeks back, and I was so excited to feature this fantastic faux fur-trimmed parka (now on sale!). But then Bomb Cyclone blew in, along with arctic temps, and fun fashion flew off the radar. Fortunately “normal” winter weather has returned, and I can put this parka, along with a snappy beret and footwear other than snow boots, into heavy rotation.

Top 10 Instagram Looks of 2017

Thanks to BomboGenesis 2018, I spent most of yesterday working from home. Not in these cozy jammies but with this super cute pooch to keep me company. OK, and also to distract me with some ear scratching and tummy rubbing (his!). When Nature called (for Bowie!) we both had to bundle up to brave the blowing snow, deep drifts and below freezing temps. I didn’t think it was so bad. Not so sure about Bowie. While I’m currently juggling a couple of projects, I’m also working on getting Life’s a Spritz off to its best year yet. So in planning forward, I did a little looking back. At my most liked Instagram outfit posts. Believe it or  not, this look came in at #1! (Think my Bowie “accessory” helped!!)

Kinder, Cleaner Beauty

OK, so I’m not the most makeup-y person, but I do wear it every day. Not much, because I think as we get older, the less makeup the better. That’s what works for me. But beyond that, it’s what’s in our makeup and it’s how it’s made. Certain ingredients that we’ve all taken for granted are pretty darn scary when you really think about it. And I for one don’t want anything to do with products that are needlessly and cruelly tested on animals. So I’m sharing a little test I did this past weekend. See what you think!

All About Autumn

It’s finally Fall y’all, and that means colors like merlot (or burgundy or pinot) and mustard (um…don’t have a snappy variation on that) are on the fashion menu. And I think they are all deliciously beautiful. This look mixes ruffles high and low, not to mention my attempt at “ruffling” my hair. But there you go, sometimes you just have to go for it!

Get Away with Gingham

Hope you had a great weekend! We are having the most amazing weather, and we got to enjoy it even more up at our Adirondack cabin. As you can see, it was seriously picture perfect up there. We always try to go to the Sugar House Creamery and stock up on milk, cheese, eggs and whatever looks good from the Farmer’s Market. New item…pumpkin spice scones! Crazy delicious!! We also had a weekend guest who is a dear friend but also a most talented Producer/Director. I was lucky to have her volunteer to be the photog for this post. BTW, SHC has the cutest Airbnb if you want to come up here and see just how special North Country living is.

Going on the Llama!

Is it crazy to build your whole look around a pair of shoes? Not if it’s Shoesday Tuesday! When it came to these llama-detailed velvet sneaks, it was love at first sight for me. But not buy at first sight. I hemmed and hawed for a couple of weeks, then panicked they would sell out. So…a few secs on my Mac, and they were mine. And now we’re together forever, wherever they take me! I mean seriously…are they not the cutest.

Paisley, Please!

Sure everyone is Falling for florals, but paisley is having a moment, too. Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the 60s, but paisley is one of my favorite patterns. Especially in autumnal tones like the brown, rust and teal of this dress from the Olivia Palermo Collection for Banana Republic. If ever there was a style icon to emulate, Olivia is it! No matter your age!! And if you agree, run, don’t walk to the BR website and check out this must-have, sure-to-sell-out capsule collection!!! And how about these velvet mules? I’m totally crushing on them.