Today officially marks the first week of 2015, and I for one, am still not ready to bid adieu to the holidays. It’s so difficult to imagine that both Christmas and New Years are a thing of the past, but really, just a few days ago!
In the spirit of not formally letting go, I’m sharing some fun moments (albeit slightly delayed) with my little munchkin, as we decorated our Gingerbread house together yesterday, courtesy of Dylan’s Candy Bar. Mommy had schlepped this gigantic kit on the plane all the way from NYC on Christmas Eve (huzzah!), and it’s finally paid off!
… better late than never right?
Sure, the finished product is not quite like the Ritz (see here), but really, it’s not bad for a Rookie first try! Plus, as hubby wisely pointed out, better we get some practice now before the little guy’s a bit older and the stakes get higher!!
Happy Monday everyone… hope you have a great start to 2015!!!
Hanging with my monkey on Bonita Beach, last seen <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/12/465-beach-resolutions.html" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/12/465-beach-resolutions.html">here</a>. Bathing suit from <a href="https://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp">J.Crew</a>.
Nothing beats daddy time.
It’s hard to imagine that Christmas has come and gone, and now we’re busy prepping for New Years!!
Much like everyone else, we had a very full day – complete with presents in the morning with the grandparents, a stroll in the afternoon, followed by a beach sunset with just mommy and daddy. It was definitely a lot of action for our little man, especially following our Christmas cruise the day before!
I wish I could relay to you exactly how I felt that day, a blend of tremendous pride, humility, joy, and gratitude for our new, loving little family. There were moments when I would look over at the visage before me and just feel completely overwhelmed.
Never have I known this kind of love.
Now that munchkin’s four months, he is becoming much more interactive and alert, which makes spending time with him so, so fun! Of course, he probably won’t remember any of this later on, but just seeing him getting all excited over the presents come Christmas day (more for the wrapping than anything else) was enough to make me want to do it all over again!
The night before Christmas at our little abode away from home... hubby did quite a nice job putting everything together, wouldn’t you say? Love the stockings with our initials on them! #finedetails
Christmas day, now what did Santa have in store for us? Mummy is wearing her favorite dress (reversible too!) brought from <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/portugal/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/portugal/">Lisboa</a>.
Munchkin on the beach. I got this last minute onesie on sale at <a href="http://www.gap.com/products/baby-clothes.jsp" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.gap.com/products/baby-clothes.jsp">Gap Baby</a>. The cutest thing! He's also developed quite a grip! Case in point with his <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/10/435-fuss-free-baby-and-mam.html" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/10/435-fuss-free-baby-and-mam.html">MAM paci</a>.
Building snowmen on the beach, the start of a new family tradition perhaps?
Oh the places you’ll go my little Nuke! Just you wait. #givingtime
An intimate conversation with dad.
My patient little monkey, doing some last minute Xmas shopping with momma in his <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/10/431-baby-flair-spanish-style.html" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/10/431-baby-flair-spanish-style.html">Babyhome Emotion stroller</a>!
Getting ready for his Christmas stroll! <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/10/435-fuss-free-baby-and-mam.html" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2013/10/435-fuss-free-baby-and-mam.html">MAM paci</a> in hand of course!
Every year, where possible, we try and create a special travel-experience for Christmas. This tradition began when we got married in 2008, and subsequently celebrated Christmas with old friends in Cartagena… followed by Belize in 2009 (where yours truly got her diving certification), then Buzios in Brazil (see here), then a Christams Eve Balloon Ride in New Zealand in 2011.
Last year, we stayed put, namely because I was sick as a dog and also in the early stages of my pregnancy and was afraid to fly.
This year, things have changed quite remarkably for us as a family – and I feel so incredibly fortunate to be celebrating Christmas in a most special way! A Christmas Eve cruise to a remote island for munchkin to meet Santa!!! What could be better?
Our little adventure was made possible by Adventures in Paradise (which I discovered via the Naples Mom Society, such a great resource!). It’s a fantastic way for the entire family to soak in the sun and enjoy the surrounding waters of Sanibel Island, not to mention see some wildlife (dolphins included!!), and get a little education from a local marine biologist (completely appeals to my inner nerd).
The true icing on the cake? Finding Santa on the beach, of course! Something you certainly can’t do in wintry New York at the moment (and quite a tan Santa at that!!). We enjoyed the cruise so much with the folks at Adventures in Paradise (big huge shout-out to Jim our Captain and guide Adam), I can’t wait to bring little Nuke back when he’s a little bit older.
Just think... after all that fun, comes PRESENTS!!!! Merry Christmas Eve everybody! xoxo.
Mamma is wearing: dress by Amanda Uprichard (bought from the Cutie Room!) and some sturdy espadrilles from Spain, last seen here. Munchkin is wearing: Hoodie by Ralph Lauren, glasses by Babiators.
Coming fully prepared with my Reindeer ears on! #tistheseason
Thanks for a fabulous morning! With Captain Jim and our guide Adam
Lounging in front of the yule log… with the requisite eggnog on hand!
A view from our balcony – the Empire State building lit up (Red, Green, and Green) in honor of Christmas.
Merry {Day After} Christmas!
Yesterday, hubby and I hosted a small Christmas day lunch at our place – our first ever!!! I must say, I really enjoyed the experience, and hope to do a reprise someday soon!
There was something very heartwarming about spending Christmas day with some of your oldest friends in NYC – many of whom we’ve known for 5+ years. It lends a sense of stability to the whole affair, as you look at each other and wink, “You too? You’re also here?”
It’s also a bit odd – n'est–ce pas? That Christmas day falls on a random Tuesday this year. It means that those of us in the minority (c’est moi) who have to work, must do so on both Monday *and* Wednesday! It is a rough life.
For the occasion, we cooked up a storm! (Which, for those of you who know me, is truly a feat… domestic goddess in the making?). This time around, I’m proud to say, I had more recipes on hand than usual, including a chilli-rubbed salmon with some homemade raita, rosemary and prosciutto flatbread, orecchiette pasta with arugula, green olives, and capers, plus a quinoa, kale, and sweet potato salad that was both healthy & yum. In addition, we had our usual BBQ essentials (lemon chicken with our trusted braai rub procured from South Africa), and lots & lots of beef sirloin from Chelsea Market thanks to our lovely and generous friends. My only lament is that I didn’t get a chance to make these charcuterie cones I had coveted. Ah well... you can’t have everything!
One of my favorite cheese spreads of all time... replete with pomegranate garnishes!
Dress: Badgley
Mischka | Shoes: Dolce Gabbana | Clutch: From
Argentina
Whether a bridesmaid
or not, I always find weddings to be a bit tricky to dress for. Generally, I have a tendency to procrastinate
until the last minute when it comes to getting a dress (it somehow makes me
feel better about my own inner anxieties, like I wasn’t trying too hard even
though I was… a bit perplexing – I know).
Ultimately, I think that all of the drama for us women, when it comes to
finding that perfect dress for a wedding has to do with misplaced angst. You don’t want to upstage the bride, but at
the same time, you do want to put your best foot forward, no?
My solution? Well I
had two dresses already lined up. A
Lanvin piece I had bought from the Outnet which was sadly disappointing when it
arrived (“It’s too short,” noted hubby.
I hate when he’s right).
Bizarrely, my second option was also from the Outnet, but coveted from
my recent outing at Lucky Shops NY. It’s a
Philip Lim cocktail dress that’s awfully similar to the one I had worn for
Sleep No More.
Yet, what ended up happening was… I got cold feet for both
dresses the night of the rehearsal dinner, and opted to find a third dress. I don’t know what spurred the resolution –
could it have been the spirit of the holidays? The thought of the fancy St.
Regis? The notion that “black tie” actually means fancy ballroom gowns rather
than understated shift dresses? Whatever
the case, I was determined to look for an alternative on the day of the wedding
(at least I held home-court advantage!).
As it happened, I lucked out and found this sparkly Badgley Mischka
number right after my dim sum outing. The
minute I saw it I knew it was the one. It
was appropriately celebratory, the cut was just right for the dance floor, and
the long sleeves made it all the more winter appropriate. It was also on sale, which was definitely the
tipping point for my decision making process, as I have firmly adhered to the notion
that the cost of your dress to any wedding occasion should never outweigh the
cost of your own wedding dress! Hopefully, that’s capped at a reasonable rate
(and believe me, I’ve come close!).
With the blushing, beautiful bride (aka Dancing Queen!)
Shirt: Zara (last featured here) | Skirt: Michael
Kors (similar one here) | Boots: Guess | Necklace: From The Market NYC on 159 Bleeker | Bag: Patricia Field (last featured here)
Last Saturday,
I attended a friend's bridal shower in DC (in one of the most beautiful apartments
I’ve seen, btw). For the occasion, I wanted something festive and sparkly (something
about the holiday season evokes that feel), but also classic and ladylike. I'm
in love with black and gold right now, which I view as a timeless combo. So I
opted for this sparkly, art-deco inspired sequin skirt by Michael Kors, which just
happens to go very well with the Monaco Hotel corridor, don’t you think?
The rest I wanted to keep minimal and simple, so a flowy white top and some
gold and silver plated embellishments did the trick. A fun extra? My studded
clutch from Patricia Field, which was a hit all weekend long!
Saturday night, I
was rocking my McQueen/ Snow White and the Huntsman-inspired Halloween
getup.
Tonight, I’m
sitting in my living room, frenetically cleaning and organizing, whilst
wondering when (and if) my electricity will go out thanks to Hurricane
Sandy!
Ah the curious juxtapositions
of life!
For my ensemble, I
took my inspirations largely from Charlize Theron’s character à la Snow White and the Huntsman. While I was a studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology this Summer, we
did an up-close-and-personal workshop on the styling of the evil queen for the
movie. That, coupled with the juicy
gossip btw K. Stew and that movie director, fueled my own personal fascination with the
film... along with its fashion at large. Finally,
the invitations for our Saturday evening Carnival at Sleep No More’s McKittrick Hotel
stipulated black. So evil queen it
is!
My dress is a new
acquisition from 3.1 Philip Lim. It’s
actually quite a nice evening cocktail dress, and I am all for recycling your
wardrobe for multiple occasions. (I actually hate spending money on over-priced and cheaply made Halloween outfits. I'd much prefer investing in something a bit more versatile and multi-functional!).
As for the rest? Well, it is no secret that I am a fan of
Patricia Field’s Halloween selection!!!
Now… lets sit back, enjoy the ride, and wait for the high tide to pass us
by...
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been in Rio for five days now… time flies when you become fully immersed!!! Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being a part of the most beautiful wedding. From the heartfelt ceremony, to the fun-filled carnival hour (complete with frevo!) and stylish reception, it was truly a night of enchantment. Plus, it is always extra special to witness a beloved friend getting married. Over the years, I’ve become rather fond of weddings, particularly that magical moment when the bride appears, and the entire universe seems to stop beating momentarily to cherish her graceful entrance…
Below are just a few photos I share with you from our whirlwind wedding weekend – stunningly elegant, surreal… full of love and joie de vivre, much like my dear friends who just got hitched!
Pre-ceremony breakfast at the restored Santa Teresa Hotel (Rua Almirante Alexandrino)
Hitting the dance floor -- post ceremony of course! (Solar de Santa colonial mansion)
About Me
Based in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Rock Shic is an excerpt taken from my personal lookbook of real people around the world. It is a combination of aesthetics, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I also offer personalized Lookbook Consulting and Styling upon request. Please contact me at rockshic (at) gmail (dot) com. Services include: Wardrobe Analysis, Closet Organization, and Personal Shopping.
