Big Girl Lipstick

When I met Amy at the Saks Chanel counter on Saturday morn, me - shlumpin' in khaki shorts, sandals, wet hair, chin covered in moving zits, she - Burberry barn jacketed, coiffed, flawless skinned, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore Toto...

So when the Pied Piper of Saks said, you must try my new fav Chanel lipstick I said, okayI'lltakethatoneplease. My first big girl lipstick. Babe should count his lucky stars I put the brakes on the big girl Moschino coat and big girl Chanel evening bag Amy also picked for me. I would've been in big time trouble girl...

Kindness of Amy for the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick in Bonheur rec. I looove it. It's found a place of prominence right next to my zit drying lotion on the vanity. Also, for her Barney's Denim Bar suggestion which I later referred to, and was politely corrected, as the jean counter. Like I said, loooong way from Kansas...XXOO

Salt Therapy Needed

Babe loooves to compare me with the world's largest particle accelerator in Switzerland. Like the infamous LHC, I am capable of performing at the highest-energy intensity but, if ooooone weensie bolt, or magnet is disrupted the entire system shuts down. Just the mere threat of change to my routine and I fold like a house o' cards...

I came thiiis close to holding it together through the move but, right now this house o' cards looks more like 52 pick up. And, since there are no immediate trips to the beach planned, and I haven't worked out all week, I think my salt therapy's gonna come in the form of my 7:30pm margarita date with Amy. Mucho salt por favor! I'll save the tears for Babe. He's been expecting them...

Kindness of anyone around the new hood for not judging the half bottle of Mario Badescu Drying Lotion I have on my face every time I walk out the door. And, the Butt Police for allowing me this extended week of probation. I prooomise come Monday it's back ON the workout wagon and back OFF the Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies...XXOO

My Pet Rock

Several months ago Ali from the mid-west sent me pics of her daughters beach rock art collection...

My creative copycat light bulb immediately went off...

In desperate need of a door stop for the screen door leading up to the rooftop deck to keep the Ti-Babes from following me up and trying to horn in on my PTH's...

I lifted the first good size rock I spied. And, I mean lifted. We don't get many rocks washing up on our beaches so, when I saw a keeper by the pool of my cousin's vacation rental, I sliiiiped it into my trusty Bean tote...

Then it was off to Michael's, Babe's least fav store in the whole entire world, where I chose my acrylic paints and brushes in record time in a race against his Majesty's visceral reaction clock...

Rock, paints, brushes and Lilly pattern in hand...

It was time for Lolls and I to make like PVE...

Babe, still high off his fantasy of toppling Michael's shelves, had little tolerance for our project, especially when it infringed on time he deemed better spent playing tennis in 100° heat, and started referring to it as my pet rock...

Week after week, stroke inducing tennis match after stroke inducing tennis match of interference, we painted on...

Til tropical storm Irene became perfect storm Irene trapping us in the beach house with nary a chance of coach making us play tennis. And, I kid you not, he tried. Ever increasing 30 mph winds and a mandatory evacuation and I was the killjoy...

Through all the pet rock taunts...

Through all the, by the time you finish we'll be moving out of this beach house! we toiled away...

And, now I have my pretty from a distance door stop and the last laugh. My task is finished but yours, my darling Michael's vandalizer, has just begun...

Eight months and counting down til me and my pet rock will need a new beach house screen door...

Kindness of Ali, Gracie and Holland for sharing their beach rock art with Lolly and me. I already have my Montauk rock find queued up for next year's summer project. And, for everyone else for not pointing out the obvious. It's quite evident that my squashed dream of being a Lilly Pulitzer fit model is now keeping company with the one of my being a Lilly Pulitzer illustrator...XXOO

Schoolboy Blazer Makeover

I made a quickie pooh pit stop at the Crew today in between running around trying to find the litter brand the Ti-Babes demand prefer, a rec'd dry cleaner, Wickles Pickles and window cleats to thwart Lolly's attempts to hang herself via the blind cords...

When I mentioned wanting the Schoolboy Blazer a couple of weeks ago, regular commenter Patsy offered up a geeenious idea; swap out the brass buttons for some shmancier ones...

Well, I immediately hightailed it to eBay where I bid on and won these vintage, early to mid-twentieth century Fox Hunt buttons from England...

I've already scoped out a tailor and, tomorrow when I head out to find Home Depot, a paint store, B³ and resume my search for Wickles, I'll be dropping off my li'l custom job request...

I'm so excited with the idea, I'm toying with also nabbing the Schoolboy in grey...

And, headin' back across the Pond by way of eBay for another set of vintage buttons. Right after I locate those d*** Wickles!

*FYI...Crew's Schoolboy Blazer has two front and three working sleeve buttons. Since my vintage haul only has a total of four sleeve buttons, I plan on leaving the spot closest to each wrist empty. No biggie since I probably wouldn't button those buttons even if I had them. All the better to eventually spy the Hermès double tour H face watch at Richard's I've been losing sleep over...

Kindness of Patsy for sharing her fashionably clever idea with Moi. This ranks right up there with the epiphany I had to have the Cobbler saw off a pair of tart height sparkly stilettos to a more Allie friendly kitten heel...XXOO

Gwynnie Uppin' The Bikini Ante

I broke the thinking about a wee trip to Mexico as soon as November ice last night with Babe. I blame all those who have scared the New England winters bejeezus outta me...

And, Gwynnie P who's been prancing around the net in Mel O's Vienna...

And, St. Barts, both of which I must now have natch...

Both of which also require upping the Insanity workout ante big butt time...

Kindness of my Mom who will please not read of my la playa intentions this morn and launch into her daily, have you purchased your ticket yet, calls. I promise, you will be the first to know when I am Vienna and St. Barts presentable...XXOO

C'est Bon

Boxes and belongings are still stacked...

And piled everywhere in the new G'wich digs...

But, outta sight, outta mind was the tune I hummed to myself as I left all unpacking behind for ooone last summer hurrah with my Loyola gal pals in NYC and Montauk...

And, the Summer '11 gods smiled upon our li'l gaggle of beach babes with glorious weather...

And, breath taking sunset...

After breath taking sunset...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...the to-do list I left alongside the Cinderella DVD, cued to the scene with the birds rallying together to do all of Cinderella's chores, was obviously ignored...

By all. Well, Ti-Babes...ya better rest up good tonight cuz the Sheriff's back in town and we are getting this job wrapped up by weeks end. The Avenue is calling...

Kindness of Annie and Pino Daddi for another wonderful Montauk weekend. White sand, azure skies, caught that day scallops, cod, striped bass, and clams, the last of the Long Island 'maters, endless Savie, outdoor showers, good friends and good times. C'est bon...XXOO

Adieu Fenwick Island...

The sun has set on our time at the beach...

And, as bittersweet as leaving is, I'm so very grateful for the time we've had here. Now 'tis time to let go and make space for all the new and exciting things the Universe has in store for us...

I just pray sun and sand are part of the deal...

Kindness of everyone for giving me some time off for the move and a li'l last of summer Montauk hurrah. I will do my best to check in next week but, just in case I'm biting off more than I can post, I'll see you, at the very least, the following Monday. As a Greenwichian...XXOO