Be Radiant: Monogram it!

Mark & GrahamLL BeanJ CrewClare VivierEtsy monogrammed stationary

Mark and Graham; LL Bean;  J Crew; Clare Vivier; and stationary found on Etsy.

Loving the chic element of adding a monogram to just about everything.  From tote bags to clutches to sheets to stationary to sweaters and sweats!  Mark and Graham is a company new to us that offers luxe looking leather goods as well as housewares all emblazoned with a monogram.  And beloved veteran of preppy chic, J Crew, now has a “Monogram Shop” and you can choose to monogram everything from your cashmere hoodie to your pajamas.  Mary also recently ordered sheets from JC Penney of all places that are affordable, fantastic quality and bear her monogram.  Frankly, loving the craze.

xo,

MFT and LDF

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Be Cultural: DC at Night! by Lucy

Bloomindale14th Street, Washington DC

The love affair with rediscovering DC continues as I am happily in awe of all the hip haunts that have tastefully sprung up in our home town…

The Red Hen I had never been to the historic neighborhood of Bloomingdale, which even in evening traffic was only about a 15 minute drive down U Street from Dupont Circle area. In LA that is nothing! And there were several quaint wine bars and bustling new restaurants that I can’t wait to explore on a future trip. The Red Hen, located on 1st and Seaton Place was worth the trip. Spacious with refinished wood floors and exposed brick walls gives it an ambient industrial feel.  The crowd is young and vibrant. The food delicious Italian-influenced American fare- the scallops were delicious and if you are a fan of sweetbreads apparently theirs are a standout. The Red Hen also boasts an impressive wine and cocktails menu…

The Gibson, an unmarked “speakeasy” on the corner of 14th street and U, is the perfect place to start the evening.  The Mischief Managed punch will ensure a fun buzz and the back patio was the perfect place to be on a hot summer night. The inside is furnished in dark wood and lit by candlelight.  Reservations are recommended especially as there is no standing allowed…

The Pig, a short jaunt down 14th street from The Gibson, obviously features pork creations in addition to locally sourced vegetables and inventive hand-crafted cocktails.  A casual, fun environment the pork and lamb meatballs and mac and cheese with truffle crust are musts! I’m a sucker for a good mac and cheese.

Cheers!

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Be Baby: Two months!! by Mary

baby picsbaby picsbaby pics

Loving being two months old!  And already a flirt with the ladies– all over his first new friend, Beatrice Faxon. 

You guys getting tired of the baby posts compliments of moi?  At just two months in, it is still very much Baby Season for me!  There is a lot to figure out and a lot of just going with the flow — his little baby flow that is sometimes textbook, and other days all over the road.  Ever does a lot of sleeping, a lot of eating and there a lot of diaper changes in our day!

As a new mom, I am beginning to wrestle with the concept of time.  Time with him, family time, couple time, time to myself and even when I have the time to myself, allowing myself to really be present with myself.  Shushing the little nagging worrywart voice that is always keeping an ear out or feeling a pull back to him.  The feeling that, “Oh he’s taking a nap so now I can tackle the list of things I’ve been wanting to do,” and then feeling this mad rush against the ticking clock of him waking prematurely.  Or even not.  Three hours between when he eats goes by so quickly!  And then figuring out childcare-  times when Napper can be with him, and when he can’t, who do I trust to leave him with?  I have two amazing women, Sandra and Hilcy, who are baby nurses extraordinaire that have been helping us mostly at night, but now that the nights are getting easier– he wakes once in the middle of the night now– they have been coming during the day for some hours to give me a break.  I have asked them to share their baby whispering tips, so stay tuned for that!

And then the pressure and the guilt of filling those hours when someone else is with him “meaningfully.”  That pressure I have been beating back!  A manicure never felt so meaningful and I have never enjoyed it so much.  Lunch with a friend- delightful!  Time to write this– an achievement!  Going to yoga?  Luxurious and also so essential for me staying balanced.  It’s all a balancing act is what I am figuring out.  Each day is different and mostly it is all wonderful and heart exploding.  Ever is also my greatest teacher — of patience, of realizing I am not in control (of anything really!), of being more thoughtful and gentle and of prioritizing.

Parenthood really and truly is an incredible adventure, lesson and experience thus far!!  Would love to hear from other parents on how you’re doing and on what lies ahead…  xox

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Be Adventurous: Teaser and Takeaways From a Father-Daughter Trip to Ireland…By Lucy

Just back from an incredible two weeks with my Dad in Ireland! We finally took the trip we’ve talked about taking for the last 10 years.  I initially questioned whether two weeks traveling with our sweet Dad would be too long for both of us, but the time flew! We adventured, explored, ate, drank and flat out LOVED Ireland!

The Takeaways:

1. The People are amazing! So genuinely warm and friendly.

2. The Air is so fresh and clean. Breathing feels like a cleanse in itself.

3. The Landscapes – we covered much of the Southern half of Ireland and even just driving was breathtaking, but the cliff walks were my favorite!

4. The Food – I was unexpectedly  blown away by how good the food was – from a soup at a roadside cafe to decadent tasting dinners, everything was delicious!

Details to come!

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Be Radiant: Scotch & Soda! Mary’s favorite new clothing crush….

scotch & soda

from top left clockwise: wraparound scarf, $39; blazer, $259; boucle skirt, $129; and sweater, $169.

Scotch & Soda, the Amsterdam clothing company, has been making its way into my closet over the last few months.  The label reads Maison Scotch, so when my varsity shopping friend Kimberly suggested we go into the new Scotch & Soda store on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice last week, I didn’t connect the two and honestly thought it was a menswear shop.

And it is not!  Yes, half the store is menswear– with lots of Euro flair, but when I brought Napper back in there last weekend, he found several pieces to his more refined liking.  And the women’s clothing and accessories are essentially classic pieces with a streak of flair, a twist, an accoutrement.  Right up my alley!!  Granted, some of it goes too far– bowties on women and too much bedazzling can turn me right off, but on the whole, I am sold on this label and will be purchasing a lot of it for my fall and winter post-baby wardrobe!!  Cozy sweaters, mini-skirts, blazers with nipped in waists, scarves– and all at very competitive price points.  If only the temps in Southern California would feel more like crisp Fall so I can wear all those cozy knits and coats!!  Soon enough….

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