From Baptism to Communion

This Spring, the minnies celebrate their First Communion. They're so excited about it and have prepared for this important day with classes and a retreat. It's such an important day. I was reminiscing about their baptism the other day and found some pictures to share with you.

You probably already know that they girls were born in Mexico City, although we were living in Oaxaca, Mexico at the time. When they were 4 months old, the girls were baptized in the Capilla del Rosario at the Temple of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca. This church is arguably one of the most beautiful in Mexico, or perhaps the entire world. The Dominican order began construction of the church in 1570.



As is the custom in Mexico, we waited outside of the church to greet family and friends. Once the priest arrived, we all entered the church at the same time. My family came from Maryland to the special event along with other guests from Mexico City and Guadalajara.



Natalia slept through much of the mass while Alexia cried! I tried to calm her with a pacifier and a drink with some success. It was a beautiful service and I was blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love the girls.



The party was in a beautiful garden at Hacienda de los Laureles where we enjoyed the 80 degree weather in January. Guests enjoyed a myriad of culinary delights from Oaxaca’s seven regions while listening to a string quartet. Carlos Guzman organized the décor and staged the event.



I had forgotten that the colors were yellow and pink. That is a pretty combination, especially when paired with pewter. Guests took the pink rebozo shawls with them as a favor. This is my adorable sister with Natalia.



And my handsome father…



Here we are with Miss Alexia who changed into her smocked dress after a few hours at the party. Parties in Mexico last for the entire afternoon and often have several different musical acts or activities.



It was a beautiful day and I’m looking forward to the First Communion celebration. It’s the next step in the girls' religious formation and a rite of passage so to speak.

What are some important celebrations in your family?

A Day at the Races

Vineyard Vines launched a new spring collection that is perfect for a Day at the Races. The Kentucky Derby items from Vineyard Vines are a limited edition collection including items for men and women, as well as accessories for the perfect tailgate! Not just for the Kentucky Derby, I love this collection for any Day at the Races, or as the peeps at Vineyard Vines so eloquently stated, it's perfect for "anywhere mint juleps are on the menu."

Don't you love the jockey silks? Although I study the racing book like a pro and make my bets carefully, there's always something to be said for a longshot with pretty silks! I've been a winner more than once in races with terrible odds or no clear choice by picking pretty silks.


This group is perfectly polished and ready for action! I'm headed to My Lady's Manor, a steeplechase in Maryland, later this month and am sure that I will see some attendees sporting items from this new collection.


Are you headed to the Kentucky Derby? Look for the patchwork Vineyard Vines Suburban on the infield on race day. You can't miss it! So much fun! Going to the Kentucky Derby is one of those things that is on my bucket list.



Although the entire collection has not yet gone live, here are some of the gorgeous print stories you can expect to find:

Mint Julep silk sash in raspberry


Run for the Roses silk sash in green

Lucky Shoes silk sash in navy


What is your favorite ensemble for a day at the races?

xoxo



Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection

Stroller Envy

Hello Bugaboo Donkey! Where were you 9 years ago when my little tiny peeps were born?


Confession time. I have a thing for strollers. Kind of like the way I have a thing for clothes and shoes. When the minnies were born, I didn't need one stroller. I needed multiple strollers for multiple occasions. The Emmaljunga double pram for walks on the cobblestone streets of Oaxaca, Mexico. The tires were real inflated tires! This sturdy stroller stands up to the roughest terrain and looks good in the process. Yes, it's big, but it's a pram. The girls took many, many naps in this stroller.


The ultra lightweight Maclaren twin stroller for quick airport connections and shopping trips. Since I frequently traveled alone with the twins, at 14 pounds, this stroller was so lightweight and easy to manage. It folds up to a super compact size and fits through airport x-ray machines! Check out the circus of toys hanging from the stroller! Wouldn't want anyone to get bored while I was shopping! :)


I also had single stroller from Prenatal, a store from Spain, for quick trips with one baby in the stroller and the other in a baby carrier or with the nanny. So many of my other mommy friends who have older children out of strollers seem to feel the same way about newer strollers. They've certainly evolved in 9 years. Besides clothing, do you ever find yourself obsessing over something that is a must have? Some people love kitchen gadgets, other love decorating items, but I'm partial to cool strollers!

xoxo

Jackie in Jacks

Over the weekend, I was looking at the Jack Rogers website and was delighted to find the most gorgeous images of Jackie Kennedy wearing her Jack Rogers sandals. For over 50 years, the Jack Rogers sandal has been the go-to pick for resort, spring, and summer styles.






The classic Jack Rogers Sandal is the Palm Beach Navajo, one of Jackie's favorites! You know what they say about good taste is true. Some things will never go out of style. Available in an array of colors, this sandal will be a staple of your warm weather wardrobe. Now you can get free shipping on Jack Rogers online store with code FREESHIP. I'm partial to the pink, but also love the turquoise Navajo sandals. Which ones do you like the best?



Enjoy your day!

xoxo

A Special Garden

As we march into spring, I thought that I would share an anonymous poem I found with you. The advice sounds like the perfect blend of a beautiful garden of life!

First, plant four rows of peas:
Presence
Preparedness
Perseverance
Promptness


Next, plant three rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash criticism
Squash indifference


Now, put in three rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce obey rules and regulations
Lettuce love one another


No garden is complete without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip with a smile
Turnip with new ideas
Turnip with determination to make everything count for something good and worthwhile
Turnip on time


Enjoy your day!

xoxo

Elizabeth McKay Trunk Show

"The Perfect Dress is Never Overdone" -Elizabeth McKay Elizabeth McKay is holding a Trunk Show at Sherman Pickey

on Saturday, March 26th from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, March 27th from 12 noon to 5 pm. See the latest Spring collection and enjoy some refreshments while you shop. Ethan and his staff are so attentive and always are on hand to offer an opinion or suggestion to complete your outfit.

I adore Elizabeth McKay's dresses because they are elegant and versatile with classic lines that will never go out of style. Her attention to detail, evident in necklines and trims, makes each piece special. Here are some of my favorites: Louise dress. I adore the horse bit detail and the green color. This is such a classic dress. Perfect for work or play, I can imagine this as a perfect option for a steeplechase or spring social event. It would look amazing with a hat, too.

Elizabeth shirt. The elephant print is so whimsical and fun. Perfect for every day errands or shopping. It would be gorgeous with slim cigarette pants and flats for a more formal event.

Shirt Dress. Dresses like these put a big smile on my face. Why? They're oh so comfortable to wear and will help you look polished no matter how long you have to get ready in the morning. There's no excuse for not being pulled together on even the most rushed day with perfect little dresses like this. Sand Tunic. Stay breezy and cool on even the hottest day. While living in Mexico, I discovered that I am actually cooler wearing a tunic with long sleeves than I am in a t-shirt. The flow of the fabric and the sun off my skin makes the tunic an excellent choice for exploring and touring during warm summer months.

Which is your favorite? Enjoy your day!

xoxo

Daffodils and Dresses

Lately I've been seeing a lot of yellow and I like it. Traditionally, yellow is not a color that I wear often, and because of my fair skin; I didn't really think that it was a good color for me. But so many yellow things from this season are calling my name. The shade of yellow in these items is actually very complimentary to my skin tone. Such a pleasant surprise.

Here are my favorites...

The yellow daffodil Valerie jacket from Kate Spade. Kate Spade's page is yellow right now and has so many beautiful things. It is so happy and reminds me of spring daffodils.


Is being a "Mrs. Robinson" a good thing? It is if you're wearing this Mrs. Robinson dress from Trina Turk. This is an absolute must have for me right now. Gorgeous, gorgeous dress. Available in other colors, but why would you choose any color but yellow?


The Eryn dress from Lilly Pulitzer is a classic and was one of my top picks for Easter, although the Nadia dress ultimately was the winner.


These styles are so retro and remind me of a dress that Jackie Kennedy wore. Do you see the similarities? Which one of these would Jackie have liked the best?



Happy Thursday! Today's my Friday!

xoxo

Social Climbing Shoe

Standing tall at 5'4" on a good day, I love to wear shoes with a little height. During the winter, that's easy to do with boots and pumps in all styles and colors. But during the summer, I tend to gravitate to my McKims and my Jack Rogers flat sandals. It's difficult to find cute summer shoes with some height to them that aren't overly strappy or clunky looking.

So when I saw the Picture Perfect Espadrilles from Lilly Pulitzer, it was love at first sight. With a 4 inch heel stacked on a 1 inch platform, these comfy wedges help you climb to new heights at your social events this spring.


They're surprisingly easy to wear with an adjustable ankle strap and the wedge platform makes walking new heights a breeze. I tried these out for a test drive and think that they would be comfortable to wear all day. To help protect the shoe, be sure to treat the wedges with a stain repellent spray. Trust me on this one. I had to retire a pair of navy patent McKims last year.


Available in pink, green, and natural, they'll match all of your Lilly, too! I imagine myself wearing this with everything from Maxi dresses to white jeans and tunics. The possibilities are endless. Give yourself a boost this spring.

Which one would you choose? Pink or Green?

Enjoy your day!

xoxo

Manners Matter

My minnies are taking an etiquette course. The instructor is a Certified Etiquette Instructor and relates so well with the girls in the class. Interestingly, the course was open to boys and girls, but there are only 6 little girls enrolled. In my opinion, good manners help children be successful in life in addition to fostering and supporting their self confidence. Children who know what to expect and how to act in different situations feel comfortable.

Although I always try to instill good manners and behavior in my minnies, it’s so much better when they hear it from a third party. It always helps when everyone has the same rules. Especially if they think that the third party is the expert on manners. Natalia said, “Our teacher says that you do it the right way, Mommy.” Instant validation.

During the course, the minnies are learning how to introduce themselves, proper table manners, and many other important lessons. But two of the most interesting things they have learned involve elevators and phones.

My intolerance for bad elevator manners grew while the minnies were little and I was constantly traveling with them in the Maclaren twin stroller. People rarely seemed to know the unwritten rules for getting in and out of the elevator.

Elevator Rules:
* People who are in the elevator exit before others enter the elevator
* It is polite to hold the door open for people with strollers, wheelchairs, or other special needs.
* Take turns pushing the elevator buttons. (My minnies know that I will push the buttons if there is a disagreement about who pushes the button.)


Telephone manners was another very important topic of discussion. Not only are manners important, particularly to mommies with home based businesses, proper telephone use protects children.

Telephone Rules:
* Answer the telephone in a clear voice and respond to questions politely and appropriately. "My mother is busy right now" is a thousand times better than "My mom is taking a shower."
* Make phone calls at appropriate times. Determine the earliest and latest times your child can call others and make sure that they follow these guidelines.
* Safety. Know how to use 911 in case of an emergency and that this number should only be used when necessary. Children should not give out personal information to strangers on the phone.


This week is the big event where students will show their good manners during a meal. The minnies are so excited and have been practicing for the past few days. Have your children taken an etiquette course? Did you notice a change in their behavior after the class?

xoxo



via pinterest

Preppy in Purple

After an 80 degree day on Friday, a cold, rainy Monday is a little difficult to face. It's just typical March weather in Maryland...at least it's not snowing!

For Spring 2011, one of the biggest color trends is purple, in a myriad of tones. Many celebrities donned purple gowns at this year’s Oscars. My favorite was Natalie Portman’s purple chiffon draped gown from Rodarte. The elegant dress in a deep purple shade and v-neck was a perfect silhouette for her baby bump.


Lilly Pulitzer is well known for pink and green combinations, but my favorite dress of the moment is the Jonah dress in Iris. Understated and elegant, it is perfect for many occasions and should be somewhat rare in the Lilly world since it was a late addition to the newest collection. Paired with a bunch of gold bangle bracelets, this dress is a winning choice.


Hunter boots in a purple add a splash of color to a rainy day and are sure to get many compliments.


Purple is a color of beauty. Purple is a sign of spring and brightens your day.


Traditionally, purple was an expensive color to make and as a result, it was associated with royalty. Make a regal statement in your home or at a party with purple.




I believe in bold gestures and strong colors ~ Jonathan Adler

Have a beautiful day!

xoxo