Bopril

Happy Halloween

It is one of my favorite days of the year. It kicks off the holiday season which thrills me no end. 

I think of my Gramps and the fun we had each year. He always outdid himself; no child or adult had as much fun as he did. He'd surprise us year after year with a scary mask, and I'm not sure anything brought him as much joy as trick-or-treating with his "grandbabies." Even when I was arguably too old for trick-or-treating, I'd still go simply for the fun of his favorite holiday.

Our little super heroes enjoyed trick-or-treating in our neighborhood - they sported their costumes on our early morning coffee walk, napped with Dad midday, and ended at Dog-a-holics where they devoured a special halloween pup-cake. I wish we got more trick-or-treaters at our house - a side effect of city life I guess. I look forward to the day when I have a huge porch for decorating and can spend hours giving treats to the little folks. 

We hope you are having a terrific and spooky Halloween. BOO!

Run, Smashey, RUN!

My BFF is super woman. That is the only way I can explain the fact that she is currently doing the following three things (simultaneously):

1. Pursuing her MBA at an Ivy League School
2. Working full time
3. Completing training for her first ever marathon

I'm exhausted just typing that list. But I am not surprised. She never ceases to amaze me. And I am so proud - I wish I could be there this weekend wearing a custom t-shirt and homemade sign, but we'll definitely be cheering you on from afar Wifey. And in the interim, a couple of little cuties would like to wish you the best of luck. 

GO GET 'EM SMASHEY!!!!

 

 

 

 

*no doggies were harmed during this photo shoot; however, a lot of cheese was consumed

**give 'em hell wifey!

Central Park Will Never Get Old - NY/CT Trip Part 1

I can't believe a week has already passed since we headed to the Big Apple to catch up with Ash and get a little Fall fix, Connecticut (and Central Park) style.

The trip was fantastic and I think the best way to describe it is to allow the photos to speak for themselves.

But before I do, I'd like to publicly declare that Connecticut is simply awesome. I literally love everything about it (except for real estate pricing). 

I feel better now.

On Thursday, we flew into LGA and Rich dropped us off at their adorable house in Stamford. We grabbed lunch at a nearby restaurant and enjoyed our walk back to casa Kraska immensely.

The path to their driveway and house looks like this:

 

Beautiful trees exploding with color all over their neighborhood look like this:

 

Their mailbox looks like this (tell me you didn't just die of cute):

 

 

And their fabulous house, nestled in a stunning "woodsy" view looks like this:

 

I rest my case (and that is only a smidgen of the eleventy billion photos I took). On Friday, Hubby and I explored the Big Apple together. We've both been countless times over the years for work individually, but had never visited Manhattan in each other's company. My favorite highlight had to be our 3 to 4 hour adventure through Central Park. That place truly never gets old.

Everything was stunning and photos don't really do the colors of the leaves justice, but that did not stop me from taking another 3 billion of them on our adventure.

 

The leaves were blowing all around us. See?

 

We conquered the self portrait (sort of):

 

But only after we failed miserably (several times):

 

We oohed and aahhed and wanted to pitch a tent and stay forever:

 

 

 

We came upon 2 paths diverged in the woods and Hubby pondered which to choose:

 

And we realized we had to get going so we could meet Beck and Jason for dinner. We met at their friends' place and he had a most serious wine collection (those cabinets are full. of WINE.):

 

The fun didn't end there Internet. Come back for part 2, won't you? I'll tell you about a 30/40 birthday party in a small, but hip gallery in NYC. There will be decor. And costumes. You won't be sorry.

Ash & Rich, a million thanks for being excellent hosts. We had a blast and we love you guys. Also, do you mind if we move into your guest room? 

Headed to the Big Apple

It's been close to a year since I've been there, and several more since I've visited during my favorite season. But tomorrow, bright and early, we are heading to New York and I'm beyond excited.

We're going for my BFF's 30th birthday; she and her hubby are throwing a dual bash to celebrate each of their entries into a new decade (the 30's for her, 40's for him). I cannot wait to relax and catch up with friends. I plan to pop open the wine frequently and walk as much of the awesome NYC streets as I can squeeze in.

In an extra special twist, another of my favorite gals is going to be visiting the Big Apple at the same time, so we've arranged a fun dinner with another rad couple. Internet, this is going to be fun.

Also? My camera is feeling very neglected so I plan to be really snap happy while we're there. To kick things off, I've borrowed a couple of images from Google and Flickr to inspire what I hope to see in my beloved Central Park:

 

Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.

 

Yes please, take me here. Now.

I'll check back next week with plenty of updates and tales from our big city adventure. Until then, have a great weekend all!

Weekendings

Last week was - well - just ugly. Long nights, anxiety, the works. So when Friday rolled around, I was beyond ready. I'm always more than willing to embrace a weekend, but this one in particular? Could not have arrived any sooner. It also got me thinking. It is dangerous when that happens.

I thought about stress and the physical, emotional and psychological havoc it can wreak. I thought about my dental woes over the last year and how much of it was attributed to stress. I thought of my ongoing battle to maintain a consistent level of fitness and how I'm always blaming my "lack of time" and "crazy schedule" for my failure to do just that. And then I thought of my family - my amazing Hubby and his never ending patience with my stress and meltdowns and dramatic declarations that I just. can't. do. this. anymore. And then I thought of my little fur-babes and how I often rush out the door in the mornings with just a mere glance in their direction and a hurried "bye boys - see you tonight, love you" shouted in their direction. And then I thought - very randomly and inexplicably - of my friend Chris and the tragedy of his loss - way too soon. I thought of his family and the millions of other families just like them. Families that would probably give just about anything to be able to deal with some of the stress I'm constantly allowing to control me. And then, Internet - I thought simply this: enough.

And I went about enjoying a fabulous fall weekend with the little family that makes my heart so full.

It went a little something like this:

The boys and I enjoyed a little mini Friday afternoon dance party (as is becoming our ritual) in our living room while we waited for Hubby to battle Friday traffic and rain to get home. Then it was date night and we spent it laughing our asses off at Vince Vaughan and Jason Bateman. Seriously, I'll watch anything with those 2 in it. Check out Couples Retreat if you get a chance - it has plenty of light hearted fun and breath taking scenery.

Woke up early on Saturday morning as I'm apt to do - left the boys and Hubby snuggled beneath the blanket and realized we were going to have to give in and kick on the heat. Our thermostat read 59 degrees - brrr!! I spent some time browsing the Interwebs and catching up with good reads and then, because I'm crazy, I started another blog. Don't worry - this one will still remain as is - the new spot is really about photography. And sharing images in real time with a new technology that blows my mind with its awesomeness.

Hubby and I tackled our closets - mine is now fully ready for fall and winter and is organized by color which brings me endless pleasure (nerd alert). We also cleared out a few garbage bags full of clothing for Goodwill and did not shove it into a corner or closet for a month before taking it to their offices. Yay us!

We wrapped things up with some time on the treadmill and a lovely Saturday night indoors after grabbing dinner at our new Whole Foods - aka The Coolest Place On Earth. No seriously - you should be really jealous. You drink wine. While You Shop. Please re-read that sentence. Thank you. I immediately told Twitter all about it, of course.

Sunday's biggest news...? Someone went to the groomer. And did NOT get kicked out. It is nothing short of a miracle - this is our 6th city groomer and finally, we had a successful experience. Naturally, he is cuter than ever:

Hubby and I also enjoyed lunch at a favorite spot and a brisk walk through our 'hood before grocery shopping (yep, at the coolest. place. on. earth. AGAIN) and a Yoga class that kicked our asses in the best way.

Next weekend, the boys and I are on our own and I think we'll finally grab our large pumpkin for the deck, look at costumes for Bow-Wow-Ween and maybe...just maybe...I'll try my hand at these gorgeous little devils from PDub:

Don't they look heavenly?

And you?
 

Entirely Crush Worthy

Loving these two. And wishing I was musical. Yet again. Sigh.

Keeping it Warm

We just returned from a very brisk walk to Starbucks. In fact, the temps were definitely the coolest we've felt so far this year. The boys shivered the entire way, but we aren't quite yet ready to pull out the coats - not just yet.

I'm still enjoying the weather immensely, but this morning's walk had me thinking that we are probably going to go very quickly (all too quickly) from this:

To this:

 

I am appropriately excited, I assure you.

In any case, the weather has me thinking about all things that signal warmth. In particular (because my brain is hard wired for fashion), I am obsessing over yummy wraps, hoodies, military jackets, blazers, coats, etc.

Here are a few items that might lessen the chill factor as we head straight for snow and ice and frigid temps (pardon the blurriness - grabbing straight from their sites, but you can still get the idea):

Isn't this yummy? Warm belted cardigan from Banana Republic - worn over leggings, skinny jeans, or even sweats. I like...I really like.

How chic is this little guy? Another Banana Republic find. Worn with a soft long sleeved tee layered underneath with jeans and a fabulous pair of boots? Score!   

Classic, sexy and now, thanks to wool lining - warm! Banana Republic does it again - dressing the part is easy with a piece like this.

Classy cardigan from Tory Burch? Yes, please.

Can you even stand it? Dear Tory Burch, I LOVE YOU. That is all.

Makes me want to curl up in front of a fire with a good book and a chai latte. Do you shop at victoriassecret.com? If not, please begin immediately. It's the right thing to do.

I could go on and on, but I will stop for now. I'm feeling better about this winter thing already.

 

Weekendings

I recently kicked off a new routine at work...this weekend marked my second consecutive Friday where I worked from home. It's amazing. I completely underestimated what a difference a single day could make. One morning that I'm assured a workout because I don't have to rush to get ready and head downtown. One less day per week that we require the services of our lovely dog walker - which translates nicely into dollars saved. And most importantly - one day a week when I can take a breath, work in my pajamas if I feel so inclined - plow through my to-do list without the inevitable distractions an office setting brings. I'm grateful for the gift, so pleased with the change, so happy at the prospect of flexibility.

Naturally, the boys are thrilled with the new schedule and they spent the entire day curled on either side of me as I completed conference calls, emails, decks and various other documents. I find them to be the perfect co-workers, terrific office mates. We wound down our workday, opened a bottle of wine and indulged in a mini i-tunes inspired dance party while we waited for Hubby to get home.

Then it was off to date night - a chilly, misty Friday evening at one of our favorite neighborhood haunts followed by an early bedtime.

I joined a great girlfriend for my second consecutive Saturday morning at Pilates - love everything about this class except for the price. (Seriously, WHY must yoga and pilates run such steep price tags??)And together, we're mapping out our path to fitness and better health. I'm keeping a detailed food journal and tracking workouts - here's hoping the buddy system is just the kick in the #$$ I needed to get on track.

Errands consumed our days - finding a new dog groomer, picking up needed items at the store, grocery shopping, perusing a new costume shop as we began to give thought to our Halloween costumes, looking up recipes and thinking through the week's meal plan - mundane normalcy that never fails to make me feel lucky and like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

The park called our name - it was muddy, so the boys' frolic time was cut a little short and Jack didn't get to chase his favorite toy, but an excellent time was had by all. Sunday is winding down now - we enjoyed a brisk fall evening walk, whipped up a pot of veggie soup and are watching a little tube before we call it a night.

As much as I hate to see the weekend come to an end, I am comforted by these treasured rituals, safe in the routine of home.

And you?

These Boots Were Made for Walking (Right into My Closet)

One of my favorite things about fall is the opportunity to pull out the boot collection - and of course, to add to it! I'm knee-deep (pun intended) in research to see what beauties I'll add to my closet this season and I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. Take a look:

 

These beauties are from J Crew and they come in varying calf sizes which comes in handy when you're looking to wear them over skinny jeans.

 

These are from Coach - I love the sleek look and the fun details. In case you can't tell, I'm on the prowl for flat boots this year.

 

Love these classic kickers from Frye. I can see them pulled over leggings, tights and skinny jeans alike. Come to Mama!

 

I like the slouch look too - these are fun and actually quite reasonably priced from the folks at Kenneth Cole.

 

I love everything about these booties from Coach. Look at that hardware detail - I die.

And of course, I'd be remiss not to mention the genius that is the entire collection of fall foot ware at Tory Burch. For some reason, the site won't allow you to grab images, so I suggest you click on over and take a look around for yourself. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

If you need me, I'll be rearranging my closet to make room for new additions. :) What foot wear is making your heart flutter this season?