Ski season soon...

                                                          Becky and I at Alta, Utah

Time for the Ski Season checklist:

I know I'm pushing it and I am not trying to rush fall, my favorite season, but I am here to tell you that it's time to get ready.

Start thinking about any trips you might want to take and book now. This is the time of year you are guaranteed to secure flights, hotels, and condos- you can always cancel.

Bring your skis in to be tuned and waxed.

Inspect ALL equipment and make sure it is up to par.

Do you or your family need new ski clothes? This is the best time to buy as all the newest and best goes early. Put it away and give as gifts at Christmas.

If you live near a hill or resort, buy season pass now- there are usually early bird discounts.

This is the year to finally buy a helmet, if you don't already have one.

Be a good example for your kids, wear a helmet. Helmets are warm and protect you from errant snowboards careening down the hill or poles falling from chairlifts.

WEAR ONE!

Some of you may remember that I teach skiing at a tiny hill in NJ. I also spend quite a bit of time skiing in Utah where my family lives, two extremes. In both places I've seen helmets save lives.

Enough lecturing :) Any questions regarding skiing send them my way- I love to share!

Old Mother Hubbard...

Yup, that's me.

Or, that's what I feel like.

You see ever since my husband went thru his midlife crisis, (crazy, organic, all natural, no processed foods) We buy A LOT of nuts, beans, meal, flax seed, whole grain everything

 ( all natural/organic)

And,  these type foods tend to bring "friends"with them, BECAUSE of course no pesticides are used.

The telltale sign is the flutter, flutter of moth wings...

 and then the manic searching of the cupboards begins.

 I can never hold back the scream when I find the little worms moving about whatever food they came in on.

 This time it was chopped walnuts.

So begins the washing down of cupboards and the throwing away of all food in them. I keep them bare for a few days to make sure that they are rid of "new friends." The women who helps me clean said that in Poland they keep bay leaves in their cupboards and flour to keep the moths away. 

I might have to get some bay leaves...

And I better get some new food, our cupboards are bare!

Soccer Gifts

This time of year we start thinking of soccer gifts- end of the season team gifts and coach gifts.

The best place to go for all of the above for soccer gifts is www.preppyplayer.com

We watch a lot of soccer. Our daughter plays on the high school team and our son plays on the school and club team. It helps to break up the routine of weekend yard work and errands.

We also get to see friends and neighbors on the sidelines, standing  with one eye on our players while we catch up on town news.

I'm not sure what I appreciate more, the pleasure of watching my children play a healthy sport that they love or my effortless  sideline social life...

I repeat, it's all about scarves!

  THIS FALL- Scarves!!!

Seriously folks,  don't resist it.

 It's good for you, I mean your wallet, as scarves instantly update your wardrobe in a very economical way. What I like is that you can be boho, preppy, nautical, trendy, you name it depending on the style of the scarf.

I am now selling this style, perfect for my teenager. I had her wear it to school where it was an instant hit. ( poor girl, as my muse she is required to model many items I sell)
This pashmina is more my style. I sell these too. Perfect with a black turtleneck, jeans and black boots. I feel so put together and comfortable too, especially in the freezing cold frozen foods aisle at the grocery store!

So, remember my advice- get some scarves!

Thursday Question.

Because I am curious or call me nosy, here is my question:

At what age did you feel the most beautiful or feel that you looked your best?

My answer is in comments... where I hope to see yours!

lafayette women's lacrosse Fall Ball 2009

Looks like the first Lafayette women's lacrosse first fall ball tourney is:

Sep. 26	11:00 am	Rutgers, Lehigh, Lafayette	New Brunswick, NJ

Fall Ball, love it.

Why?

It isn't freezing cold like the regular "spring" season.

The excitement of the team with the new players is awesome.

Meeting the parents of freshman is always great.

We get to see the girls play teams that we normally wouldn't such as,

RUTGERS!!!!

Last ever first day of school pics!

The only other mother? The playground aide.
For 22 years I have taken first day of school pics, the traditional on the front lawn and then the group shots on the playground or outside the school.

Little by little I was told, 'no more."  My oldest was in 6th grade and begged me not to step foot on school property, 

( I think it was because I was pregnant and had a toddler in hand making it obvious to all his friends that his parents had sex ) 

I listened to him because I had a 2nd grader at the other school, Buh By....

My girls were fine with me taking pictures by 6th grade but at that point I had a little guy up at the other school. And, you know  about my photo saboteur-even at a young age there was never enough pictures to pose for.

Times have not changed. As we were crossing the street, I realized, Wow, he is going into 7th... maybe I shouldn't be here. So I asked him if he minded if I still take pics on the playground. He said, "no worries Mom, Mrs. Treimanis will be there (mother of triplets) and some of the new kids moms will probably be there."

Well, I was uncomfortable. 

I was the only mom!

 I looked like that pathetic, older mother whose last baby is in 7th grade and who is refusing to let him go/grow up! I was really self conscious, which is not like me.

But, my son?

Didn't bother him a bit. In fact he kept calling me over to make sure I got this friend or that friend in a photo. I hope I'm like him when I grow up because as of now I am sure I will not be the ONLY mom on the playground next year. AWKWARD!

Back to school night... as in plural

So I was at Back to School Night this evening. 

And although I do think it is important to go- my children love to hear the feedback on their classrooms and teachers, the teachers like to see the parents, I like to attach names to faces and see what the coming year is all about, and our school does a great job...  

(See chart above, all points followed by our district.)

I did find myself bored to tears. I felt like a caged animal and we only met with each teacher for nine minutes! But then I got to thinking.

Hmmm... How many back to school nights have I been to?

Well, counting nursery school and kindergarten for each child of mine...

70 Back to School Nights!!!!

No wonder I felt locked in one big Deja vu.

( image from the site of Gary S. Stager)

Bento Box lunch

Even if you are not a big Japanese food fan, you have to appreciate the Bento Box Lunch concept.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that. None of the foods touching each other, something most five year-olds would dig! 

I do too.

I love Japanese food and the thing I love most about Bento box is that there is always representation from all food groups. That it is always a colorful, healthy meal is a big plus too.

Are you a fan?

Visiting NYC? Nolita

My new  favorite NYC neighborhood for shopping?

Nolita! ( North of little Italy)

After brunch last weekend we left the Bowery walking northwest and came upon the most charming of neighborhoods. I'm not sure if the price of clothes in the little boutiques that dotted the neighborhood were so reasonable because of the proximity to Orchard and Hester Streets, ( the old garment manufacturing district) or because there are so many that they have to be competitive...

All I know is I picked up two darling, unique frocks for my daughter at $30 each!!!!

check out this neighborhood if you get a chance.

Oudin's Tennis Shoes!

Found these images of Melanie Oudin's tennis shoes...

Even though I am a tennis attire purist I am LOVING these shoes!

hope to have them soon on:

http://www.preppyplayer.com

Great tennis today! US OPEN

US OPEN- Maria Sharapova and Melanie Oudin

I like going to the US Open if we have great seats or are in a box with bathroom, food, and drinks.

Sorry, I like it VIP style!  

So, today I am watching the Open at home on the big screen and I am loving it. Not only is the tennis great, (I should say not only is Melanie Oudin great), but I am totally distracted by their fashion.

I LOVE Sharapova's dress! Young, fresh, sporty, flattering and  appropriate. let's face it, whatever she wears looks good...until I try it on :)

Although I think that Oudin's top and tennis skirt are better left on the practice court, I am really loving her shoes. The media are calling them "odd" and "different" I think they are refreshing and PERFECT for the seventeen year-old girl that she is.

As of the third set they appeared evenly matched, however I predict the young Oudin will walk away with the win.

 Sharapova's game is rife with errors and her body language and demeanor tell me she will lose this match... 

Yikes! 21 double faults as of the third set! Is that some kind of record?

Our American- Melanie Oudin won!!!!

I will post the pics of the Sharapova's dress and Oudin's shoes as soon as they become available.

Blogger question!

Are you ever solicited by retailers ( in my case preppy retailers) to post about products or sales?

I am and I can tell some fellow bloggers are as well, ( I see the ad I was solicited with in their post.)

I have to say it bothers me a bit. I do like to post about products I actually use, love, admire, notice...

I don't like being used by manufacturers or businesses to shill their products when they aren't even sure if I am aware of said products.

 Even if they did the right thing and sent me a sample or wrote a personal email (rather than the usual "preppy style" form email with 30 other names on the mailing list) I would feel duplicitous  and manipulative in regard to the people that read my blog.

I am not holier than thou. If an amazing product came to my attention and I actually liked it, after receiving a sample of course, I would promote it! 

Until then, when I receive unsolicited requests to promote products...

I will hit- delete.

What do you think?

Wordless wednesday, (aka lazy me)

memories of late 70's.

You?

VERY Sperry!

Have you noticed? 

Most college kids are wearing Sperry Top-siders. 

 I predict a trickle down affect and that by Spring you will see the high school crowd wearing them too. 

It isn't just the kids. The NYC fashionistas are sporting them too, especially the guys.

At the urban outfitters in the NY area, they are the footwear of choice. The hot pink pair above is part of a hot colored line developed with the uber fashionable boutique, Jeffery's, in NYC.
These grey, suede beauties are perfect for my guys.
YOU know I need these.
These denim and blue patent top-siders would look so cute with the new denim leggings and a polo or starched white button-down.

If you are starting to think of Christmas gifts these might be something interesting to put under the tree... they might not even know they want them.

Yet.

An open letter to J. CREW...

Dear J. CREW,

First off, I want you to know that I will always love you. 

This isn't about you and me. Our relationship is intact. 

 Since I have known you for a long time, I feel confident that I can be real with you and tell you what's going on.

You have always been my go-to for everything.

Once again, it isn't just about me. 

Although I can always, ALWAYS count on you for the men in my life and there isn't a time that I can't find something for myself or a friend, I have to say...

You've let me down.

I should say you've let my daughters down, down HARD!

Why have you abandoned your 14 to 20 year-old demographic?

Where and when is my 16 year-old going to wear... 

pretty much anything out on the floor this season?

How and why would my 20 year-old college student spend...

 way too much money on items of clothing that are WAY too dressy for college life?

( and trust me, she goes to a very preppy school that you WERE perfect for!)

My daughter and I just spent too many hours at one of the most profitable malls

 ( think Paramus, NJ) in the country searching for the perfect back to school outfit. I fought the crowds in Aeropostle, Hollister, and Charlotte Ruse, 

( my skin was crawling.) 

Finally, FINALLY I was able to talk my soon to be sophomore in high school into visiting my favorite place-

J.CREW

And it was-

 empty. 

No one was there.  

Even JC Penny had more back-to-schoolers than you!

How is that possible?

My daughter humored me and said a couple of 

"this is cute" and  'I might wear that" 

before we finally left with..

nothing.

Please, please go back to your roots. 

Classic, preppy, sporty clothing.

I beg you.

Love always,

preppyplayer

The big Climb

Forgot to post these pics of our lighthouse climb.

Yup. To the top. VERY high.

Overcast day on LBI?

Go for it.

We did!

Happy New Year! (kinda)

So, I feel as though I am ready to get organized.

I recently commented on another blog that I think Jewish people have it right-

The new year begins in September!

Seriously, I become so energized at this time of the year. The kids get new school clothes and school supplies, their new schedules begin.

And I have big chunks of time during the day to accomplish all those projects I have back-burnered all Summer long.

The days become cooler, the humidity lowers...

Yes folks, this is my time of the year!

Rainy day remedy

If you live in the Northeast and are home on this rainy day, 

(thanks to Hurricane Dan) 

If you are bored and don't want to-

clean the cupboards

leave the house on errands

do anything but surf the net...

here is a link to the portfolio of one of our favorite photographers

Click here

Make sure you have your audio on because the music is awesome.

A perfect antidote to a rainy day.

Tell me if you LOVE it!

Wow! Latisse...

Pretty amazing. Except for this little caveat-

" The manufacturer also warns that 3 to 4 percent of users will have eye itching, irritation, or redness or a darkening of the skin around the eye. And if all that weren't enough, you could experience hair growth around your eyes if you accidentally smear Latisse on areas beyond your eyelashes."

Bringing my girl back to school!

Well, it's been a great summer and this kid  brought a lot of fun to it. We are going to miss her!

Although thanks to Fall lacrosse we will see her many weekends.

Here is a Summer of 2009 tribute to our girl.

We love her TOO much!

Jack Wills, end of Summer Sale!

Jack Wills, Brit prep.

You know I am a huge fan and I am happy to report that not only are they having an awesome sale right now...

But, I just found out that shipping is free... always!

To me, Jack Wills is a breath of fresh air. I think the items below would transition from summer to fall really well. 

I think my daughters would flip for the sweats and button down.

 I think I need the pea coat (love the length of it) and I MUST have these shoes.

Head over to Jack Wills and see what you need...

http://www.jackwills.com/

Longchamp

Because I get many inquiries on how to wash a Longchamp bag I decided to do some research.

According to the Longchamp website,

"Le Pliage" ( synthetic, trimmed with cowhide leather)

To remove any stains, simply brush softly with neutral soap and water.  Avoid moistening leather when cleaning.  Use a Longchamp cream on leather trimmings if necessary.