Style Dilemma: Finding the Grownup Overnight Bag

This is my dilemma, folks. Usually, Style Dilemmas come from readers and friends, or even from family. But in this case, well, here’s my story.

In January, H had his Big Company Holiday Party at the American History Museum. It was a crazy time, and I’d barely thought about what to wear. Fortunately, both of the dresses I bought for his reunion were an option. Nor did I need to think about shoes. The I-Could-Wear-Them-Every-Day Stuart Weitzman patent platform pumps I bought for the reunion (a more than worth it investment I’d recommend you consider) worked for both dresses.

So we could have a little alone time, H booked the night at The Willard. We certainly don’t live far from downtown DC, but not having to worry about what time The Beans would wander into our room (invariably early, when we’re out late)? Heaven.

We were late, we were rushed. I tossed my shoes, underwear, and next day morning clothes into my gym bag. It’s the smallest thing I have. The dresses went in a leftover store garment bag.

We ran out the door and hopped in the Uber. I mean, if we’re going to stay at the Willard, we should arrive in style, right?

We pulled up, and the doorman opened the door. I stepped out, and our driver handed me my bag. And then I went to walk through the lobby at The Willard. With my gym bag. I decided right then and there I need a new overnight bag. Well, I need an overnight bag, because a gym bag doesn’t count. I’m a nearly-40-year-old woman who counts herself among the relatively stylish (presumptious, I know), and my bag looks like I’m in high school.

Thank you, Mr. Bellman, for snapping this before we stepped out to party with Kermit, Dorthy's ruby slippers, and the American Flag.

Well, I still haven’t bought one, but I’ve thought about it. Often. And on the eve of my BFF’s 40th, when I’ll drive north to PA to celebrate with her for one night, I packed, and again I wondered which bag to use. My trusted and reliable L.L. Bean rollerbag is too big for a t-shirt, shoes, a dress, toiletries, and a sweater. Oh, and a clutch. I won’t be able to find a solution in time (gym bag, you win again), but I searched out a few small, stylish, and hopefully durable options.

Herschel Novel, Rib & Hull Heirloom Tote, Adidas Perforated Hold All (yes, I know, no gym bags, but this is a decidedly grownup one. Picture yourself arriving for an overnight in a hipster hotel on the LES, perhaps?), Graf & Lantz Carry On

What do you use for overnight or weekend trips? Do you have a favorite? Do you use a garment bag? Toiletry or jewelry cases? Please share!

Oh, and yes, I wrote this post, then remembered...I’d posted on a very similar dilemma not all that long ago. We’ll just blame my memory loss on The Beans

Weekend Style: Holiday Version

This weekend was full. Very full, and I have the bags under my eyes to prove it. But we had a wonderful time, and spent time all together. Which is the Most Important Thing. Ever.

Clockwise, from top left:

Bark has become my go-to hostess (and teacher) gift. For a host(ess), "upgrade" by buying a pretty box and putting the crumbly, ridiculsouly easy homemade treat inside. For teachers, buy a simple white candy gift box at a craft or container store, then have your Beans decorate it themselves.

Danny Kaye (aka Bean No.2) had his stage debut Friday at his preschool Christmas pageant. He refused to wear his tinsel halo, but otherwise was obviously the star of the show.

While waiting for Santa to return from his lunch break so we could get our now-annual Santa Visit Picture, H and I gave in to Build-a-Bear. So meet Ken and Sally, all cozy in their boxes. Not kidding. That's Ken, not Rudolph.

We averted disaster with a playground stop on the way home from The Mall, and H averted a mama disaster by making a Frosting Bakeshop run and bringing a Viennese coffee to me.

Saturday night we got All Dolled Up in sequins and patent, complete with Red Lips. Well, I did, anyway. I don't think H wore any sequins.

Our first hosts served what might be my new favorite, Artillery Punch, which packs one, plus it has a storied history. Not a punch to be taken lightly.

Sunday brought foggy-headed (from sleep deprivation, not hangover) parents and energetic Beans, so we rolled into weekend wear for an early brunch at Open City.

Ken at brunch. You can now follow Ken on Instagram with the #KenofInstagram hashtag.

After all of the brunch frivolity, I had to head into the office and finish up a major deliverable. Just one more down between me and Real Christmas Time. Almost there.

Weekend Style: Thanksgiving Casual

I lurv Thanksgiving.

Let me qualify that. I lurv any holiday on which I get to plan and cook a massive meal.

Style, in these cases, takes a back seat for me, big time. Because I'm happily cooking and setting a pretty table, I rarely have time to shower before guests arrive, let alone plan a fancy-pants ensemble. My hair? Usually pulled back, and highly dependent on it's state of cleanliness. My makeup? It's a well-timed plan (that I was able to execute on time) that lets me put on mascara, instead of relying on my "concealer, powder, and (now staple) red lipstick."

Seriously, that red lipstick is a lifesaver. Lets me pretend I cared about my face.

Back to the ensemble. This year, I can easily rely on my casual uniform, as it's polished and cozy all at the same time. Skinnies + layered tops + moccasins = done.

L-R:

Crewneck sweater - in my case, it's a Gap version (in navy, rather than the grey pictured here), bought (at Stacy London's recommendation) small for the fitted, rather than slouchy look. I also love my black Target version.

Plaid button down in fun colors - here, I've got a blue and purple Target one, of which I have a red/navy and a navy/red version that's not visible on the website. But any lightweight plaid will do. Unless you're planning on a post-meal hike, stick to light fabrics, rather than rely on flannel. Or, skip the sweater and go flannel, perhaps belted.

Skinnies - I'm in love with my Gap Always Skinny Cords. They're softer than soft, comfy, and I have a tan version that's very Potomac Housewife with my navy sweater. Here, I've got a greyish pair that would be lovely in a monochromatic ensemble

Moccasins - sure, you could go predictable (and I do love the look) with riding boots, but as we're hosting (and I'm cooking), my Minnetonka Kitlies are it. They might as well be slippers.

And for those of you who might care, here's how I tackle Thanksgiving, along with a peek at our menu. I'm a plantastic girl.

To start, I am choosing a reasonable Thanksgiving menu. I love, love, love to cook, and especially to cook a big meal. Now, we aren't having many people, just 2 family friends, for a total of 5 adults and 2 kids, but still, I love to plan and execute to that plan. My first task today, before I do anything else, really, will be to literally plan out, 15m x 15m, my next 18 hours. Then I can check it all off as I go. Granted, it won't always go as planned, and I'll have to adjust along the way, but I do love my plans. They're usually color coded.

1) Confirm a menu. I do consult H, particularly as a "check" that I'm not planning too much. We've settled on:

• Turkey + gravy (using Sassy Radish's Alton-adjusted method)
• Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing (using Baking Illustrated's cornbread recipe to make my own)
• Butternut Squash and Yukon Gold Potatoes
• Brussel Sprouts and Carrots (an epicurious find, and so. darned. good.)
• Romanian Sauerkraut (MIL's "recipe," and an if-you-have-turkey-you-have-to-have item in our house)
• Cornichons (also necessary with turkey in our Romanian-ish household)
• Pumpkin Pie (from Baking Illustrated, complete with homemade crust. If you're gonna go, go big. Also, I will send pie home with people. And go work out!)
• Maybe some chocolate chip cookies, for The Beans, as they don't do pie yet.
• Wine
• H will put out some salamis & such (Romanian, again) before hand.

2) Assess the cupboards against recipe ingredients, then make my shopping list. I'm forever buying things I already have.

3) Shop. Did this yesterday after taking The Bean to the doctor.

4) Make the Plan. To do this, I work in two directions. First, I list out (on paper, mind you, none of this e-stuff) all of the dishes I'm making. Then I list out all of the non-food-related tasks (like setting the table and ironing the tablecloth). Then, working backward from "eat time," I start with the Big Main Dish, in this case the turkey, and time out the dishes to work with oven temps and resting times, etc.

For example, the bird's supposed to take 2-2.5 hours + 30m resting time. We want to eat at 3. So the bird has to go in around noon, to be safe. Back that up 3+ hours for it to come to room temp before it goes in, and it's out of the fridge NLT 8am.

5) Check off dishes and tasks as I add them to the plan.

6) Check off items as I proceed through the schedule. This may very well be my favorite part. My plans tend to stay on the fridge long after they're executed.

7) New for this year, the #healthyme Thanksgiving plan: load up my plate with the brussel sprouts and a little bit of turkey, with tastes of everything else. I will load up on fruits, veggies, and H20 as I cook. And coffee.

Here's wishing you and yours the holiday you want and need. May the travel, food, and family gods be kind and generous to you all.

Healthy Style: Moving Forward

Just a little update on where I am - in #healthyme, in life, in family, and in style. I have - promise, swear, cross my heart - a few actual reader questions I really, really, really want to get to, have started, but just haven't finished. I wrote a version of this for my Weight Watchers blog, and, as usual, it seemed worthy of sharing. Maybe it's not. You tell me.

1) I hit my goal weight, so now I'm on "maintenance" to stay at a single weight. I technically "get" to each more. yeah. a little bit hard. there's a little bit of a mental "oh hell." but on the other hand, the habits are still there. I still make choices like a roasted veggie wrap with hummus (seriously delicious) at lunch the day of H's reunion so I wouldn't have to worry about dinner that night. Also, I didn't drink. Very much, anyway. That had more to do with not wanting the hangover (even though our nanny came with us and kept the kids occupied so we could sleep in a teensy bit).

Yup. Used it. Friday night, walking to H's Homecoming game. But not actually at the high school. Promise. (Bowmore 15, btw)

2) I love Princeton, New Jersey. I knew this, but I especially love college towns in the fall.

Wandering Princeton's cobbled streets

3) I really want to have the space to be creative. Even just snapping cell phone pics in Princeton University's Prospect Garden gets me going.

Just one of the snapshots that littered Saturday's Instagram feed

4) I'm already having to toss my interim clothes (ok, give away, consign, etc.), plus I wore skinny jeans tucked into boots and rocked it. LOVE.

5) I was the Hott Wife at H's reunion. As in "how did he score that?" level. Kinda gloating in a way that's, quite frankly, deserved.

6) I love my dress (DVF)

7) I love my shoes (Stuart Weitzman Platswoon, in blk patent)

Dark and stormy accessories shot. Clutch is an ancient (at least 10 years old) 9 West.

8) I love my family

Goofing around on just one of the many sculptures littering Princeton's campus

This week. It's crazy at work, of course, but what this week brings is better:

1) (yes, another numbered list) Home. We're home. All week. And into next. Since I went to San Diego in the end of JULY, this coming weekend is only the 2nd that both of us will be home together and/or we're not traveling as a family. I made H promise we Will Start No Projects, even on the weekend.

2) Tuesday night: going an event designed to inspire women to figure out how they can make money with their passion. And there are a load of other inspiring women coming with me.

3) Thursday night: meeting one of my style idols (again): Stacey London at her new book signing here. CANnot wait.

4) Outfit planning for said events

Lastly, a few "thankfuls" on my part:

1) Our nanny. She is loving, kind, and savvy. She's patient, and puts up with us. We are blessed.

2) My husband. He's just plain old the best.

3) Our lives, that we have the freedom and means to do things like go away to H's reunion for the weekend. We're very lucky, and I recognize that.

4) Silliness. See the picture. The Bean looking all modelly, and for some reason, I'm in a Prell commercial. The weekend (and especially the drive back) was filled with giggly moments like this. And I really, really, really need to remember that. All of the time.

Weekend Style: All in the Family

It was killing me to not post or tweet or share anything about it ahead of time, but we surprised my stepdad this weekend for his 70th birthday. I was paranoid that, while he's not on any kind of any social media, he'd pick up my mommy's phone or accidentally see her facebook account and get an inkling.

As it turns out, he even walked into the party with his sister, who had to give it up when he asked "Are you here for someone?" with a sheepish "For you, I suppose," and didn't get it.

We got him.

For those of you who didn't follow along on Instagram to see my 10,000 pictures of cider donuts, the weekend was family and a wonderful unofficial beginning of fall. Which just happens to be my favorite time of year. So, thanks to my baby sis, who's become quite the shutterbug with her fancy camera, here are a few of my favorites.

The birthday boy - prince, as my MIL calls him - with his new toy. We'll get him into the 21st century yet.

Uncle Toby, at 89 years young, and his girls: My babysis (in Gap), me (in Target), Uncle Toby (i.e. the Coolest 89 Year Old You'll Ever Meet), my cousin Lee (not Claudia, thankyouverymuch, in Gap), and my Mommy

Cousins: Lee, Babysis, Babybrother, me, Cousin Bub

One of the most elegant ladies I know, our childhood neighbor, and the woman who was my Harvest Queen Pageant sponsor, with My Mommy

We also got to see Grandpop.

And majorly enjoyed time with cousins.

The Bean is 100% smitten with Zoe

The men who put up with us.

Babysis captioned this "This is about as good as we get." Also, my heart.

(Babysis: J. Crew shorts; me; Target shirt, Gap skinnies)

Weekend Style: Weekend at Home

This weekend is the first we've had all together at home in a month. It's also the last we'll have all together at home until September. Therefore, despite us being "at home," it was jam-packed with all sorts of domestic tasks - and a fair amount of indulgence. Both exceptionally necessary.

First row: (Not pictured: The approximately 73 hours we spent at IKEA before) The Bean and I (she in her Janie & Jack, I in my picked-out-by-The-Bean-in-NYC pinkyotto), before heading out to a celebratory dinner at Marcel's; The Bean and her rainbow trout with spinach and roe (the roe weren't so popular); the scotch H and I needed at Jack Rose after our amazingly indulgent and delicious-as-always dinner (cooked by Chef Wiedmaier himself, and who charmed the pants off of all of us when we met him after dinner)

Second row: Sunday morning birthday party; spicing cauliflower for roasting, inspired by her favorite part of our Marcel's dinner, "Meeting the chef;" one of the first "We're Cleaning Our Bedroom Thoroughly" discoveries of the day: the sheepskin rug we found in an old duffel bag underneath our bed and now keeps our tootsies comfy on our bedroom floor

Third row: Part of our newly clean and reorganized bedroom wall unit: my grandparents' engagement picture, our wedding day, Budda; Romanian, Greek, American, English, German, and French literature, my grandmother's orchestra binoculars; the books we won't ever give up, because

Fourth row: a basket hiding the family cameras from Bean No.2, my mommy's lamps awaiting shades, my puppy in brown paper; art books, atlases, and 1989 newspaper articles on the trials of Nicolae and Elena Ceaucescu; our major going-out-of-business-sale rug score, in all of its 80s porntasticness

Fifth row: my grandmother's finery, including - literally - kid gloves; Mom-Mom's compact and slide-out purse comb; rouched-wrist gloves I need to wear soon

Sixth row: a gloriously plaid 70s satchel that had been under our bed; our bed, newly decked out in IKEA linens, a vintage accent pillow, and my great-grandmother's crochet work; Mama's Monday morning's joyful tears of a first day of kindergarten

Also, in case you're not following me on Instagram, please do! @DCCeline there, as well as on Twitter.

Weekend Style: Woods, Woodland Wedding, and, Well, Beer

I didn't go horseback riding, but we did drive through mountains remote enough to have no data signal (seriously, how is one to Google Map one's way to something other than the fast food restaurants on the highway signs without Google Maps?), wander through actual woods, added Nemacolin Resort to our List of Places to Return, celebrated with dear friends who really are family, and drank Good German Beer.

My style, you ask? It was simple. The short list of how I got through the weekend without batting a proverbial eyelash:

The drive to Western PA: a Target black jersey summer dress and flip flops
Friday night's Wedding BBQ Party: Gap 1969 mid-rise dark skinnies, a vintage Romanian peasant top as a nod to our families' hertiage, and gladiator sandals
Saturday on the Resort: A bikini under my Motley Crue T and gym shorts
Saturday night's Wedding: My beloved and easy The Limited Outback Red maxi dress (similar to this shorter, sleevless version), slicked back hair (um, literally no time to wash and dry it), dangly beaded earrings, gladiator sandals, and a vintage clutch that still had my Mom-Mom's handkerchief in it. Which came in handy when there was nary a dry eye in the wooded place when the groom's father, and our wedding godfather, read his blessing.
The drive home: those mid-rise skinnies (they might as well be sweatpants, they're so comfy), and the Motley Crue t under a light vneck sweater (it was chilly!), and flip flops.

Here's just a teensy (I swear - there are loads more pictures! Didn't you see them on Instagram?) peek into our adventures.

L-R, from top left:

The youngest little old man, playing shuffleboard at the wedding venue Friday night

"It's like we're hiking," The Bean declared as they walked down a tiny path to a "dinosaur dig" on the resort

Private jet taking off right before our eyes on the resort property (apparently there are Very Rich People who go there)

Coolest insect plates I've ever seen and almost bought in one of the resort gift shops

Antoni Clave's original designs for a ballet production, Susanna and the Barber (circa 1930), just part of the remarkable Hardy family art collection on display at the resort

One of two partial (the actual icons beneath the metal covering is gone) icons (huge, btw) on display at the resort

"Caption" to a set of Audobon Societ plates in the resort library, bought from the Ambercrobie & Fitch Co, known for "outfitting weathy outdoorsmen" - who knew?

"Dress made for and worn by Marilyn Monroe" on display at the resort

Thistledown, which, among other things The Beans hadn't seen before (and I grew up just knowing), made me realize we need to get The Beans out into nature more

Narnia - the wedding venue, a retreat down the road from the resort, had lampposts that took us straight through the wardrobe

Antique linens decorating the ceremony site

Family

Our godfather (and the groom's father) and I

Yoga Bean playing while the grownups ate dinner

Zonked, and happily snuggled together

A doppelbock at our new favorite German restaurant, Schmankerl Stube in Hagerstown, MD

Weekend Style: Woodland Wedding

This will be the fastest post in the West.

Western Pennsylvania, that is.

It's still insane at work - it'll be that way for a while - so while I'd love to give you a "What I Packed" (or plan to pack, in this case) for our weekend away near Nemacolin, it's just not happening. It's busy enough (and I'm working late enough tonight) that this control-freaky mama is "letting" H pack for the kids today.

[Watch DC Celine attempt to not say a single word of advice or guidance. Better known as Watch DC Celine bite her tongue off because she can't let go.]

Anywho.

We're headed out for a family wedding near the fabled Pennsylvania resort. And while there is not a single drop of blood shared between any of our two families, they are. The groom is my MIL's godson (with his twin sister). The groom's parents are our wedding godparents (it's an Orthodox thing). There will be laughter, raucous laughter. There will be stories. There will be music (the groom is also a musician, and his band is playing at a Friday night BBQ), and there will be dancing. It will be The Beans' first wedding. No 1 is, shall we say, fairly excited. There's no stopping her wearing her most fanciest Easter dress, despite this being a woodland wedding.

Anywho No. 2.

It should be calm. It should be serene. And as tempted as I am by the activities (would horseback riding trump surfing, you think?) and the spa, I think I'll just ponder this picture, sit on the front porch of the cabin we're in for the weekend, and breathe.

Picture via

Weekend Style: The Best Kind of Exhaustion

As I put together the pictures from this weekend, I got tired just remembering. But it was the best kind of weekend. H and I had a solid date night, we had lots and lots of family time, and Mama got some alone time and some girlfriend time.

Now I need a nap.

1. Friday night, I used that sparkly liquid liner in one of my last birchbox deliveries. It was KISS/Motley Crue, after all. 2. KISS. 3. Ready for a Saturday morning swim.

1. The artist at work in her studio. 2. Mama time = new makeup, including 2 new Bobbi Brown red lipsticks. 3. Neon pink patent Sperry heels I tried to convince my girlfriend to buy at Loehmann's because they weren't in my size.

1. My girlfriend and I guffawed over The Most Absurd Label Ever. 2. Gold sequins (and the wrong undergarments). 3. Soft ballerina sparkle (that I wore to the show later that night with a New Red Jacket).

1. Gap 1969 ankle zipper legging jeans in tomato. Size 6. 2. A fantastic show, and humongous pride (Sheila was one of my dearest friends. She was the best. By far.) 3. Sunday morning.

1. Peach and blueberry picking at our favorite Virginia outpost, Hartland Orchard. 2. Stopping to smell the petunias in Middleburg, VA. 3. New skinny finds, old favorites that fit again, and a couple of pair I'm really hoping a good tailor can save.