It couldn't be colder in NYC right now. New Yorkers are walking around in layers and layers of clothes and piling in to the warmest place they can think of. (For example, tonight I am going to a book club at Kashkaval. My favorite place in the city... Warm rustic feel and the only place girls should go to discuss "The Happiness Project...Oh, and drink the juice. Booze and Books. CUTE!) I myself haven't gotten out of my cuddle duds in days! (Cuddle duds...google them. You're welcome. You cannot feel a thing though these suckers. Yes, they are long underwear. No, they are not sexy, but I'm WARM! So there!). The freezing cold can put you in a funk for sure. The lack of vitamin D alone is a wah wah. How do you even attempt to feel stylish and fun in the city when it is THIS COLD. I did my best:

Gotta love a mustard head wrap!  I did have Bordeaux colored ear muffs that I swear my dog has stolen and hidden from me (that tricky tramp...). Oh well, my plan is to curl up with a Hot Toddy (what is that you say??

Recipe for MAGIC:
Hot Tea
Lemon Juice
2 shots of Whiskey or Bourbon
1 Tbls of Honey
Pinch of cinnamon
(Cloves option)

 Mix all of those together, crawl under a blanket and watch your favorite movies. It is the only way to combat the cold!

xoxo
Her LadyMess

A New Year of my Life and the New Journals Pages to go with it :)

Yes, I have a lot of questions on my mind before I commit to someone for the rest of my life. I think this is a lovely representation of "asking the questions"... I won't settle down "just because". I want to know that it is right and that I have found someone who is my partner/playmate/soulmate. I believe in love and in finding your best to share it all with.








One who inspires who or makes you feel inspirational...

Or that you BELONG in a place where you FEEL is home despite the miles apart from real family...

Heed the advice of Lawrence K. Fish: Let us all exhaust ourselves in the glorious pursuit of life!

xoxo
  Her LadyMess

Her favorite color

What's your favorite color? Little girls tend to say "pink" or "purple"... as a woman, I love that my favorite color is champagne. (I'm not much for the drink of bubbles, you know I love my juice! Something about the carbonation in it doesn't feel pleasing to me going down...) But, the COLOR! It took me a long time to realize it was my favorite... a beautiful blend of tan, cream, with an undertone of a grayish lavender. My love for it started slowly... my bell sleeved down coat (thank goodness for the bell sleeve and bottom ruching. Down coats can be unflattering and make you feel disgusting. But, not this gem. Thanks, GUESS! Their description said "Champagne"... then everything I bought was that same very color. So versatile. So classic. It all looked as expensive as the lady drinking her champagne cocktail in a window on Lexington Avenue :) After assessing my wares, I saw that with my wallet (Also GUESS), boots (Me in boots? SHOCKING, I know), and new Big Buddha Bag...



I was head to toe in champagne. What a beautiful LADY WAY to be described :)


With Lady Friend and fellow juice lover, Sara Sheperd.

XOXO
Her LadyMess

Valentine's Day

No Valentine? At least I have a fantastic collection of shoes!

Perhaps on this Valentine's Day where red paper bags and visions of wrapped flowers has made you feel you are lacking in some way, why don't you make a vow of love to YOURSELF. Here and now about how you can be better for YOU.
<3 Zumba, Ballroom, Dance classes
<3 French Lessons
<3 Monthly reading lists
<3 Meditation and mindful activities
<3 Lady lunches in support of the people who        deserve your time and energy.
<3 Hold YOURSELF accountable

XOXO
Her LadyMess

Birthday Bonanza

Some people get depressed at the idea of a birthday. We always looked forward to presents and parties at kids and rarely paid attention to the idea of the number. Then, as AGED, we got excited for milestones : Sweet Sixteen you can drive, Eighteen you are an adult (by law anyway), and 21 you can drink. I always wanted to be in my 30's. A time in which it seemed you had it all together, your life was set and settled, and you knew yourself inside and out. My goal growing up was to have a life like Gwyneth Paltrow. Articulate, lovely, and radiating from a heart of gold that makes her such a beautiful person. Her life has broadened since I was a teen. Now she is a wife, mother, author, foodie, and just a class act. I still want to be her when I grow up :)

I just turned 29 and have done the usual, set up an entire we of brunches and social engagements to ring in a FABULOUS year. Why celebrate a day when you can have the week? I woke up to pink roses and an edible arrangement of fresh fruits and chocolate covered bananas. Then, I had brunch at my favorite gem in this city : Kashkaval (where they presented me with a gift certificate since I am an episode of Cheers in that place... you remember that them sing: Where everybody knows your name!") I am THE regular there...I prefer to call myself the Duchess of Kashkaval. My pals and I had a bottle of Pinot Blanc, a bottle of Bodegas Mesache, and a double espresso shot. I was able to get some journaling done in the afternoon and was able to smile knowing I have made the day exactly what I wanted and needed to it be.

I sit here this morning with my coffee and typing by my vase of roses having a breakfast of fresh fruit. And I don't mean this kind:

A bit of fresh fruit and some chocolate covered bananas, and SPEAKING OF BANANAS: My cocktail celebration is at Monkey Bar! www.monkeybarnewyork.com/

A Sex and the City classic where Big and Carrie go and listen to Jazz music. It was on a restaurant week options (a glorious time to take advantage of the fancy shmancy places you could never afford otherwise!) I have my cocktail dress picked out and I am sitting with my up do and my new Kate Spade earrings on and wishing I could make the day go faster. But, what have I always said, it is about looking forward to something. Always makes for a better day.

Cheers to Her LadyMess in year 29! Let us make it a classy year of living, loving, and asking the questions.

XOXO
Her Lady Mess

Today I am bringing my gold sequined skirt out to play. Do I have any real reason to wear this bright and shiny treasure? As a matter of fact, I do. I have a closing night party for "Fiorello" at Encores City Center. I pulled my fantastic skirt out to make its debut! Why though, have I had the skirt for MONTHS and never given it the opportunity to shine? My Lady Mess challenge for you is to pull out a fantastic piece of clothing you never wear and take it to brunch. Have a mimosa or two and feel FANTASTIC in your lady business. Why wait for a special occasion? In "Alice in Wonderland" they celebrated the un-birthday. If you need that title to serve as your celebration, adapt that. Or be fun and create your own! Life has MANY reasons to celebrate. Why wait?

Paired with an off the shoulder black sweater, black opaque tights with the seam running up the back, and a black patent leather pump. Who needs a cocktail ring when I'll be holding a wine glass as my accessory? Okay, okay, I have a gold amethyst ring that will do the trick! Pictures to follow!

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Let's feel Lovely

I am constantly stopping myself from where I am at in this journey. I sit across from my dearest friends and it is our greatest challenge! Despite the ups and downs, there is no inevitable cure for the blues or perfect recipe for happiness. You have t know yourself, be good for yourself, and realize that every emotion will pass and it will come again. All we can hope is that we learn along the way and don't let those emotions pull us into a void of nothingness. Some people journal, some people take a walk,some people work out, some people plan a lady sushi lunch with wine at 2 pm on a week day because it makes the day seem like a vacation day! Implement what works for you! When it doubt, just force a smile as big as you can and I guarantee you will feel just a little better.

A little inspiration from Sara Haze:

"Lovely"

I don't wanna be her
I just want to be little old me
Shouldn't have to think
Who am I suppose to be today
And what give you the right
To tell me who I should be
Who gave you that right

Cause I, I feel lovely
Just the way that I am
Yes I feel lovely
The way that I am

I know you want the best
Yeah only good things for me
But you have to realize
I can't be all these things you project on me
Cause I'm beautiful to me
Doesn't that mean a thing
I feel lovely
Just the way that I am
Yes I feel lovely
The way that I am

Shine on, friends, shine on!
XOXO
Her LadyMess