We spent this past weekend up at our cabin with Christmas decorating topping my “To Do” list. Since we’ll arrive Christmas Eve day, I wanted everything up and ready to welcome our Boys. We were also invited to a lovely holiday party at one of the historic Adirondack Camps in Keene Valley. So not all work and no play!

I’ve collected A LOT of decorations since we bought our first home in 1993. When we downsized from a rambling Victorian where I decorated every room, I had to pare back and pick what would work in the city and what would work in the country. I’ve also got boxes (and boxes!) stored in a dear friend’s basement. That’s a 2017 resolution. I like to group like things — Santas, snowmen, angels, nutcrackers — in obvious and unexpected places. And I love remembering the stories they tell us every time we…

TGIF! It’s been a super busy week “day job” wise, as I’m juggling multiple freelance projects. All fun but demanding of my time. I had hoped to post a day or two ago, especially after the great shoot we had last weekend. And especially because I want to share some of my favorite fall fashion finds — pieces I know I (you?) will be wearing again and again. And will probably love just as much next year, too.

So unless you’ve been living on an atoll in the Indian Ocean you know VELVET is everything this fall. I’ve loved velvet since I was a kid — from my Madame Alexander doll dresses to ballet recitals to holiday party dresses. It’s lush, plush, and simply perfect for colder weather. I had my eye on these Blue Velvet Booties the moment I saw them, backorder drama notwithstanding. They are simply sublime. The…

We have a log cabin nestled on 101 mountain acres in the Adirondacks. Dream come true? You bet ya.  My husband Chris has been hiking up there since he was 16. I think it was on our second date that he suggested we go up and climb a 46er. Flash forward a few months later to a rainy, cold, almost gale like October, and we were on the way up Gothics — aka pretty damn scary. Chalk it up to being fit, foolish, feisty and 20-something but climb my first 46er I did. And after a hot shower and some craft beer, I fell in love with this most magical spot in the world. We’ve never looked back. Though we’ve kept our Keene Valley Real Estate agents busy for years…and years…as we searched for the perfect property.

Buying our cabin meant a massive life change, in that we sold…

Velvet is really having a moment as far as Fall Fashion is concerned. I kicked off my own obsession with this one-button blazer in citron. I actually bought my usual size 2 but a Tall — so I could fold the cuffs back. Due to the weather, this shoot had to be indoors, and it just happened to match the seating nook in our building’s resident lounge perfectly. How mod is that! I loved the idea of pairing it with blue hues — a pop arty, navy and cream polka dot blouse and cropped raw edge denim flares. The finishing touches? A two-tone blue leather clutch and my flashy, gotta love ’em Gucci Marmonts. (Amortizing wears per dollar on a weekly basis!)

Blazer: (Banana Republic, no longer available) but plush alternatives here and here

Blouse: (Marc Jacobs, old) but like this and this

Jeans: Rag & Bone or these

Clutch: 

This morning, as I was perusing through my Facebook timeline, I happened upon an article that a lovely friend shared. It was entitled “24 Things Women Should Stop Wearing After Age 30”, and it triggered Maximum Eye-Rolling from everyone who took the time out to read it.

Written by Kallie Provencher for RantChic.com, this “article” (I use the term loosely) highlighted things such as “leopard print”, “graphic tees”, and “short dresses” (because “By this age, women should know it’s always better to leave something to the imagination”). Kallie, it seems, has a number of opinions on what women over 30 should and shouldn’t be doing, having also penned “30 Things Women Over 30 Shouldn’t Own” and “20 Pictures Women Over 30 Need To Stop Posting Online”. (What is this magical post-30 land where women are suddenly not allowed to do or own so many things?!)

Motivated by Kallie’s “article”, I decided…

The weather this past weekend was nothing short of spectacular. The skies were clear and the temperature co-operated (70F). On Saturday, we headed to the beaches in Tel Aviv, stopping when we could find parking. We weren’t the only ones out enjoying the day, including…

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna…

…and some of the folks were enjoying a brew at a nearby BierGarden…

Kind of ironic, a German BierGarden and Hare Krishna in Tel Aviv. We left the beach with  the sun setting and the temperature dropping.

The next day I headed to the marina in Hertzliya Petuach, hoping for another special sunset and I was not let down…

I met another photographer who was shooting from the rocks alongside the marina. Her name is Romina and she teaches photography. She was born and lived in Venezuela before moving to the South Bronx. She travels to Israel for several weeks each…