Tune Up Time

Good morning, lovelies! So happy it's finally Thursday. It's been such a busy week and for a few days there it was seeming like the week would never end but now I finally see the end of the tunnel.

These transitional weeks between summer and fall are the weeks that I like to get myself back into shape. No I'm not talking about working out, although that will be happening in the very near future. I'm talking about my beauty regimine. After exposing my hair and skin and nails to all of the elements that I love so very much but are so very bad for you {the sun, sea and sand}, it's time for the much needed beauty tune up.

I already got my hair cut last night and it looks so much healthier. Next up is some spa time. A facial and body scrub are definitely in order. And I'll still be getting my regular manis and pedis but now is the time to change it up and move on over to fall color territory. And I already picked up a few new babies Chanel Graphite, Dragon (not a new shade but I'm so loving it!) & Blue Rebel and Essie Carry On & Power Clutch. Love them all!

What do you all do to get in beauty shape for fall?

Images: 1, 2, 3 All edited by The Alternative Wife

The Art of Entertaining

Good morning and happy mid-week lovelies!

The return of fall means the return of many things to me. Fabulous fall fashion, apple picking, strolls through the green markets, cooking, wine tastings, hockey. But it also means the return of my desire to entertain. After a long summer of casual beach house gatherings, now is the time to step things up a notch.

Dinner parties are suddenly calling my name. Time to break out the china, pour some fine wine while cooking up a storm all while being dressed up to the nines. Sounds like a party! Care to join me? :)

Hope you all enjoy the day!

xoxo

Images: All edited by The Alternative Wife

Style Strategy

Hello, lovelies! Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!

I'm getting ready for a major wardrobe overhaul and have decided to try to be a bit more minimalistic in my approach. I have a ton of clothes and if I had a closet the size of a room everything would be fine but that's not the case. I can barely get into my closet so I'm in desperate need of a change, and quick one!

For me, style starts with being comfortable in your own skin. If I had to define my style I'd call it classic with a glamorous twist. I like to mix classic pieces with trendier items. All in all it's worked for me but the amount that I own is starting to get a bit overwhelming. Time for a change!

I've decided to invest in well constructed pieces that speak to my signature style. I've always done this but I have to learn to be a bit more restrained in the amount of purchases. All I really need is a strong foundation. And accessories, as always, will continue to be a must. And the details really do make all the difference in the world, don't they?

So this is my challenge for the fall. Wish me luck!

I'd love to know,how do you go about building your wardrobe?

Images: 1 & 5, 2, 3, 4

Monday Morning

Good Monday morning, lovelies. How was your weekend? I have a very restful and relaxing weekend and I'm happy to say I'm finally feeling 100%. I think I was a bit run down there by all the summer fun I had been having and my body just needed a rest.

This weekend was all about remembrance for me. Saturday J & I went up to le Parker Meridien, the hotel where we got married a little over 2 years ago. We had brunch at Norma's, one of the best brunch spots in NYC, walked around the hotel and took some photos, and even had a cocktail at Knave, where we had cocktails with our friends and family the night before we got married. It brought us right back to that special time 2 years ago.

After we walked on down Fifth Avenue and happened to stumble upon the FDNY 9/11 Memorial at St. Patrick's Cathedral. I had no idea it was going on but I felt like there was a reason that we ended up there. It was so incredibly moving and brought me back 10 years instantly. Yesterday was a day a somber reflection and remembrance.

This morning I've woken feeling incredibly rested and serene. Feeling fortunate and proud. Fortunate for my life. Proud of my city and proud of this country. I'm going to carry this feeling for a very long time.

Images: 1, 2, 3 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Remembrance

This day forever changed us.

I remember exactly where I was 10 years ago on 9/11. I had walked into my office about 8:50 am and a few people were gathered around a television in the conference room. The first plane had hit the north tower a few minutes earlier. I stood there and watched in horror for the next hour and a half as the second plane hit the south tower and as both buildings eventually crumbled. I left work a few moments later and luckily J & I worked only a few blocks apart at the time and we found each other on the street.

We ended up walking 3 miles home to our apartment. It was the longest, scariest walk I ever took. There were fighter jets overhead and we had no idea if another plane was going to hit. We walked by the Empire State building in sheer terror.

Once we got back to our apartment which once had a gorgeous view of the towers all we saw was the billowing black smoke that remained. We stayed in the city that night, there was no way out, as all public transportation and the bridges and tunnels were closed. The smoke and scent of death began to creep into our apartment and the next morning we left the city to stay at Js parents house.

We returned from the city many days later to an apartment still filled with that stench. The site burned for months. I can still remember that smell to this day.

It's a time I will never ever forget. All the innocent and brave men & women that were lost. It still seems unreal.

I now have a view of the beautiful Freedom Tower that stands at the site where the Towers once stood. It's a symbol of hope, freedom and strength and I feel incredibly fortunate to get to look at that every morning when I wake up.

We will never forget.

Staying In

Happy Friday, lovelies! And welcome to the weekend! I'm so looking forward to a few days of rest and relaxation.

We decided not stay in the city and not go to the beach house this weekend. To tell you the truth, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but the whole beach house thing is starting to get a bit old right now. I'm ready for fall. I'm sure I'll have a different tone next weekend though and we'll be right back at the beach. Lucky for us we have it through the end of September so I can get my beach fix if I need it :)

On the agenda this weekend is sleeping in, lounging about, cooking & baking and maybe, just maybe, I'll consider venturing out to the green market on Sunday morning :)

What do you all have on the agenda this weekend? Hope you all have a great one!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2 edited by The Alternative Wife, 3

Take Two!

Good morning, loves! How are you all today? I'm happy to report that I'm feeling much better after a few days of being sick. I'm feeling so great, in fact, that I've decided that tonight will be take 2 of our anniversary celebration.

Our actual anniversary this Tuesday was nice and cozy and all but to be completely honest it wasn't really the greatest anniversary ever. J & I were so sick that we could barely even muster enough energy to look at each other, never mind anything romantic.

But the nice part of being together 25 years means that we don't sweat the small stuff. Things come up in life and we just make the best of it. And that's exactly what we're going to do tonight.

Rather than attend Fashion's Night Out tonight {can you say sacrifice???}, I've decided to take J to dinner and the theater. J's been wanting to see Anything Goes since the spring so I decided yesterday to get tickets for tonight. How good of a wife am I? The things you do for love.... :)

And then we'll follow that up by popping open the bottle of Dom that my sister & brother-in-law gave us for our anniversary. Nice gift, right? Love them!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4 All photos edited by The Alternative Wife

Gettin Cozy

Good morning, lovelies! I want to thank you all so much for the sweet anniversary wishes yesterday. They really warmed both of our hearts.

We had a nice day yesterday despite both of us having to return to work and both of us having horrible colds. We decided to cancel our dinner reservation and reschedule it for a night when we both are better. So it was a night of cozying up on the couch to tea and soup. Nothing fancy but romantic enough.

The weather has actually started to get a bit colder the past few days. I'm starting to feel a bit of Fall in the air. Between not feeling that well and the chillier temperatures all I'm wanting to do today is plop myself down in a quaint cafe and finally finish reading all of my September issues while enjoying a cappuccino & a yummy croissant.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Our Special Day

Good morning, lovelies! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It was a long one here in the states and now it's back from vacation for me and back to reality.

Luckily to make the transition easier, today happens to be a very special day for me & J. It's our 25th anniversary of being together. Yeah I know 25 years sounds almost impossible for someone not yet 40 but it's true. We've been together since we were 14 years old.

I'm so incredibly fortunate to have met the love of my life way back when. We grew up together and I ended up marrying my best friend. Lucky me! Looking back I always knew we would end up where we are today. Living our dream life and being happier than ever.

To my J...Thank you, my love, for being my love, my life & my best friend and for making all of my dreams come true. I know I'm the luckiest girl alive!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2 edited by The Alternative Wife

Labor Day

Hope you're all having a wonderful Labor Day. My summer vacation is winding down today and I've had an amazing time. Sorry I've been MIA the past week or so. I'll be back tomorrow in full force.

xoxo

Image: 1 - edited by The Alternative Wife

Guest Post Summer Send Off

Good morning, lovelies! Just checking in from vacation to say hello and to also let you know that today I am guest posting on over at Walks With Bella while Tamra's off enjoying her fabulous vacation on the Almalfi Coast. Stop by if you have a chance to say hello.

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend! I don't know about all of you, but I'm planning to celebrate the right way and give this amazing summer a proper goodbye!

xoxo

Images: 1 & 3, 2 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Long Lazy Summer Days

Good morning, sweets! Still basking in all the glory summer has to offer. Late morning wakeups, breakfast outdoors, long days at the beach and late afternoons lounging on the deck.

Hope you're having a wonderful week and are soaking up the end of summer!

Images: 1 & 3, 2, 4, 5 All images edited by The Alternative Wife