Lacrosse hats- www.preppyplayer.com

These hats are the best!

They are the LAX LAB hats I sell on http://www.preppyplayer.com

I sell them like crazy at tournaments. They are adjustable, cotton, coolfit crown, sun brim hats.

If you have a lab and your son or daughter plays lacrosse, this is a must have. They are practical for those games and tournaments where you spend long hours in the sun, and they are a conversation piece- people know you love labs and lacrosse!

As for the hat I am wearing in my blog pic. I can get those too. And, I am sorry to say Labs are the only dogs I am able to get, for now....

Thank God for Paddle!

I am so thankful for paddle. If not for this outdoor sport, I don't think I would get any exercise!

 I love to walk, but the snow and ice makes that difficult. I could go to a mall and walk in there, but I am really trying to avoid malls for a month or two.

I love yoga, but I really don't feel like spending the money right now. ( I may, if Marc really wants to go.)

We have gym equipment and a treadmill downstairs- lonely and boring.

At least with paddle I am outdoors for at least two hours four days a week, sometimes six days. It is fun, competitive, and social. There is always room for improvement.

Today I have team practice. Tuesday we have a State match. Wednesday we have an interclub match, and Thursday we have a team practice. Friday night we have mixed doubles. I love the game and the people I play with. What is really cool is I see and know people in their late seventies still playing.

I have some time!

An important announcement

My Christmas village is officially a Winter village and may be viewed until the end or middle of February. 

At that time it will be decided if it will be re-named as my Spring village,  depending on if I FINALLY have the energy to take the @#$$ lot of it down.

Woe is me...

It seemed like a brilliant idea, ordering the Seafood Udon.  It was delicious. The broth was amazing and the seafood perfect.

What was I thinking?!!

You might has guessed that I am over forty. 

I have a "condition" and it's called middle age/peri-menopause.  That word, peri-menopause means so many things.

 To me it means WATER RETENTION. 

And I mean WATER RETENTION!!

I am at the point that I know that I am unable to have commercial soups, sauces, soda, anything with a high sodium content or I blow up like a balloon. Almost unrecognizable.

This morning I woke up and realized my mistake. I took off my watch three hours ago, I can still see the imprint on my arm. Sigh.

Flexibility and Fluidity

My oldest son took a new job this week. He had only been at his very first job for a year and a half. Being that he works in finance and this very shaky economy, it seemed very brave. Especially if you consider that he joined a start-up in wealth management, in New York City during very tumultuous times...

But then I am reminded that when he first went to college he went to Stanford to play baseball with very high hopes and a scholarship. They say, (who are they anyway?) that if you have a scholarship you have guaranteed playing time. This did not happen. By the end of his sophomore year he knew he had to leave if he wanted to play.

So, he transferred to UPenn. Yup, gave up his scholarship as there are no athletic scholarships at Penn. he missed Stanford, his teammates, roommates and friends. Oh, and the weather...he really missed the weather.

But, he survived and did well. He played.

A lot.

His senior year he was selected to be one of the captains of his team. he also decided that he wasn't going to pursue his dream of playing professionally. He graduated and went to work.

And, I am quite sure that the lesson that he learned from his college experience will be applied to his job experience. That there may be disappointments and frustrations, but as long as you persevere and remain flexible- looking for opportunity, success will follow.

So far, so good.

best men's pea coat revisited

 I could say that the BESTmen's peacoat is at http://www.preppyplayer.com to see what would happen, but that wouldn't be right.

Everyone knows the BEST men's peacoat is a J. crew coat. Classic, affordable and always available no matter what is the current trend. Although according to the amount of searches for  men's pea coats- it does appear that men's pea coats are hotter than ever!

My question is,

Why do so MANY people want to know about the best men's peacoat?

Am I missing something? I know I have said this before, but on the hour I have hits on my "best men's peacoat" post! Who knew it was such a hot topic.

For the record men's peacoat fans get yourself to the J. Crew website, you won't be disappointed. Hurry though it looks like Spring has arrived at J.Crew.

So far so good...

Thank you for all the advice and warm wishes regarding my "tonsil girl."

So far, she is doing very well, staying hydrated and able to keep some food down. We did hear that days two through five are the most difficult. I will keep you posted on that.

A clean slate

I appreciate the first weeks of January. 

I feel slow and meandering, like a leaf floating down a summer brook.

 Little by little I put away the Christmas decorations, pack up leftover gift wrap, and file all receipts.  My calender is bare in January and I am thrilled. My only obligations are my family and paddle matches. 

Because I am unable to teach skiing this year (so far) my weekends are free as well.

This is my slowest month for my business. The kid's activities don't ramp up until later in the month.

I feel free and unencumbered. I know it won't last. But I am reveling in it while it does!

HOOPS!

I am LOVING these Cara accessories enamel hoops from the new Nordstrom catalog. They come in 8 hot colors and are only $28!!! That is a great price for an instant fashion update.

Winter in NYC

OK, winter in New York City... doesn't really sound appealing does it?  But, if you like Broadway shows for half the price, stores with sales galore, uncrowded streets, reservations in the best restaurants without hassle, and reduced rate hotels...  this might be the time of the year for you to visit.  I recommend it.

Recipe for recovery!

If you have your tonsils out, as my daughter did today, stock up on these two items.

We did.

pretty in pink

During the dark days of winter I tend to look for ways to energize, cheer up. One        easy way is to actually put on lipstick, (rather than just buying it, as I tend to do.)

     I think that nothing is prettier than some shade of pink lipstick. I think everyone, and every skin type can find a shade of pink that makes them look wonderful.

     I like wearing pink lipstick when I am wearing clothes in browns, grays, or pastels.

 I don't look right when I wear black though... I feel as I look like one of the Go Go's, ( you know, the band from the 80's)

Of these four lipstick colors, which would you choose?

 #3 works for me.

pearls of wisdom?

Well I think it's wise to have some pearls. Pearls to pull out when you have a black tie event or if you just want to look nice with a polo and jeans. They are THE classic go to jewelry for me.

Are they for you?

Out takes of the non-existent christmas card!

Friends and family, I think you can now see why there wasn't a Christmas card this year...

Not one pic where all five kids were semi-normal. 

As it was this photo shoot took place after Christmas due to my oldest being in NYC until Christmas eve and that nobody would cooperate Christmas day. Finally on the 27th, in the late afternoon, there was an amazing sunset and I begged and threatened to get them all outside for a photo shoot. Well as usual our photo saboteur was present and then everyone took a turn being annoying. next year- we get a professional... on Thanksgiving!
  

Real Tiffany's or faux?

Big question.  Where does Tiffany's get off selling sterling silver ball earrings for eighty dollars?

Tell me, what is soooo special about those earrings that they warrant an eighty dollar price tag?

Let's put it this way,

 I sell sterling silver ball earrings on my web site, www.preppyplayer.com

They are shown above, below the Tiffany's. I charge $20 and I am making a profit!

Now, it's true. I do not provide that beautiful tiffany blue box with the white satin bow...

But is it worth paying sixty more dollars for a blue box?

Real or faux, what would be your choice?

Tonsils

So my girl, here, had mono her junior year in high school. It's not like she had it so bad, she had it so long. Took a very long time to get back to her old self. Funny though, her neck/lymph nodes still seemed swollen. 

She went off to college and was diagnosed with strep at least five times that year. I attributed it to burning the candle at both ends, playing Division I sports, not drinking enough water, etc.

One night at Book club we were all talking about our kids (as usual) and the subject of mono came up. Apparently, chronic tonsillitis can be a complication or a result of having had mono. Not for everyone, but for some.

 When I told Michaela what I had heard she confirmed that many people at her school were either having their wisdom teeth removed or their tonsils. And those that were having their tonsils removed ? Many had mono in the past.

Sure enough, we visited our ENT, Dr. Eisenberg, and he also confirmed the mono/tonsil connection. He recommended a tonsillectomy. He also recommended allowing up to two weeks for recovery.

When does a college girl have time for that you ask? Christmas break of course! So, this Tuesday is the surgery. She is relieved to get rid of her tonsils but not looking forward to the recovery. I better get her some good magazines, DVDs, warm broth and ice pops.

Trapper Hat Medley

When it's cold here in the Northeast, it's cold. A damp, humid, cold. Believe it or not I have a trapper hat that I wear when I play paddle, ice skate, or take winter walks. This is NOT a good hat for curly hair like mine. So, once it is on-it doesn't come off until I am in for the day!

The hat above and below are classic Trappers. This is the type I wear.
However, I may change it up. The fair isle trappers are a fresh take and reasonably priced at American Eagle. Too. Cute!
This navy one is unisex cool.
This fair isle is soft and feminine.
How happy is this? Fun and functional. I'm all for it.
And these, they look cozy, bright and clean

I think I'm getting a new Trapper, just not sure which one...

What do you think?

Good Movie!

What a good movie! It was riveting the entire time. Funny, sad, violent, thought provoking. My husband and I are still talking about it the next day.

You. Must. See. Gran Torino.

Let me know what you think when you do.  Plus, doesn't my husband look like Clint?  Kinda?

New Year's repast

My Neighbor, friend, and ex -business partner Ann and her husband Mark had us all over for a festive New Year's meal.
Everyone brought appetizers, a side dish, and dessert. Ann and Mark did the main course.

Everything was delicious and for the most part, very healthy. A wonderful way to end 2008 and begin 2009

Good conversation, lots of laughs and a relaxing time with old friends and neighbors.

Ann is always this cheerful, even when washing dishes. I miss her as a business partner, but still have her as a good friend, paddle partner, and neighbor.

 There were ten of us, (I was a bit lazy with the camera and didn't photograph everyone.) It was  really nice to finally get the chance after a hectic holiday season to catch up with friends in a more intimate group. We all have kids around the same age, play a lot of sports, and basically have a lot in common. It makes for an easy and relaxing evening.

Ziggy and Anna Belle

These two honeys are making us seriously consider getting another dog, I mean making me seriously consider- Marc isn't ready yet!