Modern Femme at Home...Frazzle Free Christmas

I love the holiday seasons.  I say seasons, because from October 1st through January 2nd, I'm floating on Cloud 9, on a dopamine high fueled by pumpkins, apple cider, candy, scary movies, costumes, spider webs, gourds, pies, savory crackers and breads, cranberries, turkeys, tables filled with white platters of food, candles, twinkle lights, sugar cookies with icing frosting, office holiday parties, door decorating contests, wreaths, Nutcrackers, Christmas trees, carols and anything seasonal sung by Ella/Frank/Nat, ornaments, stockings, shopping, wrapping, "The Christmas Story," "Home Alone," and "Love Actually" movies, flannel pajamas, Christmas morning meals of scrambled eggs and Sarah Lee Coffee cake with mimosas and hot coffee, Christmas lunch of vichyssoise and beef Wellington followed by a Bouche de Noel, presents, thank you notes, sparklers, festive hats, and champagne.

So, naturally, I'm in my happy place as I write this.  But this year my happy place is clouded with a little bit of apprehension, because this is my first holiday season with Bebe in the house.   I love Bebe more'n my luggage, but Lordee does the little man make the day speed by!  For the past decade as an independent adult, I have approached every holiday season with the best of intentions, but inevitably ended with 6 days to go till Christmas, still needing to buy gifts, send cards, bake cookies, and generally stressing myself sick.

Well, that. Is. Not. Going. To. Happen. This. Year.  It can't!  I have to approach all these holidays with Bebe on my hip and a plan in my hand.  And I've found one.

There's a great website called Families with Purpose, and they have posted a complete timeline for a Frazzle Free Christmas.  I'm following their "8 Weeks to a Frazzle Free Christmas," which is, in their own words:

"The 8 Weeks to a Frazzle Free Christmas begins on October 15th and ends on December 9th, giving you and your family a full two weeks BEFORE Christmas to relax, unwind, and enjoy the holiday season.  This plan is based on the philosophy of starting early and working in small increments to get ready for Christmas and requires on average 15 - 20 minutes a day to complete."

They have a day-by-day planning e-book, weekly checklists and free printables.  I'm on week 2 of the 8 week Frazzle Free Christmas plan, and I'm feeling pretty serene.  Won't you join me in making this holiday season the most relaxed one possible?

Now...I guess I should post this and go tackle the two bins of Halloween goodies that are sitting in my front hallway. Eeeep!!

Modern Femme at Work...My Work Space

In my first job, I was an executive assistant to a senior executive.  I loved working for my boss - he was brilliant, kind, and patient.  He also was a hoarder of paper.  When you walked into his office you were greeted by stacks and stacks of papers.  They were everywhere - on his desk, on his meeting table, on chairs, even on the floor.  It would give me hives - followed by an uncontrollable urge to clean his workspace.

But it worked for him.  He knew exactly what was in each and every pile, and could fish a single sheet of paper out of a dangerously tilting mountain of documents.  He had a system, and each of those stacks of paper were an integral part of it.  I once volunteered to file all those papers (what was I thinking? It would have taken forever!), and he swiftly turned my offer down, spreading his arms protectively in front of his filing system, keeping me at bay.  I'm sure had I filed all those papers, he would have been at a serious disadvantage - it would have taken him hours to find in a file what he could find in seconds in a pile.

I, on the other hand, couldn't be more opposite.  The sight of all that paper made me incredibly anxious.  I marveled at the fact that my boss was able to get anything done, as I would have been paralyzed, rendered catatonic at the thought of finding anything in that, well, mess. My work space system is one of rigorous minimalism.  There are exactly five things on my desk: an inbox, two picture frames, a pretty calender, and a pen holder.  Any papers that are not immediately in use must be either in my inbox, or filed away, but never laying about.  My desk drawers are brimming with meticulously labeled files, most of which house a combination of notes from meetings, deliverables, and reference materials.  

I crave order, not because I'm a control freak (well, maybe a little), but because I shut down when surrounded by clutter.  I feel overwhelmed and my brain capacity goes from 60 miles an hour to 5 miles an hour.  This is true for both paper clutter and virtual clutter - I rigorously prune my email, filing emails or deleting them, and leaving only a handful for action in my inbox.  Besides being rendered comatose by visual clutter, another major reason I maintain such a strict system is that I have a terrible memory, and I need to ensure that documents and emails that I need to find are in places that I can easily remember and access.

If Al Gore is on one end of the messy desk/minimalist desk spectrum...

And Martha Stewart is on the other...

I am off of the middle, leaning more towards Martha.  

And my ideal work setup? It would be even more minimalist, with any computer equipment and filing systems cleverly disguised from view, sleek modern furniture, and as much open space and light as possible.   Just looking at the above office (from "The Devil Wears Prada") makes me feel alert and energized.

What is your ideal work space?

xoxo,

MF

Modern Femme loves...Vintage Wrapping Paper

To me, wrapping paper is so much more than the material meant to cover an object, only to be torn off and discarded.  Wrapping paper is the front line of a gift, a method of communicating to the recipient how much you care for them, especially if you took the time to wrap something beautifully. 

I love it when Christmas rolls around and you can unload colorfully wrapped gifts from your boat bags to strew under the tree.  I love handing over a birthday gift that is cheerfully colored with jaunty bows, or a bridal shower gift that is elegantly wrapped.  Nothing is worse than handing someone a gift in cheap paper that you can see through, with a droopy bow sagging on top, or crinkled corners tearing at the sides.  "It wasn't a problem to buy it, but lord I didn't want to spend a single second on making it look nice for you."  That's what it says to me.  

If you're anything like me, and enjoy the process of packaging a gift as much as the giving of the gift, then have I got the store for you.  The Goose and the Hound is an Etsy Shop that sells vintage wrapping paper.  When I look at some of their prints, I can hear the story of the gifts they could wrap around:

I'm so proud of you - I can't believe my little girl is playing Beatrice in the community theater production of "Much Ado About Nothing!"  You were wonderful, you brought tears to my eyes.  A mother couldn't be prouder.  Your father and I got you something to celebrate.  Go on, open it.   Yes, it's from Tiffany's - a star necklace for our star. You're welcome darling.  Here, let your father put it on you.  Oh, it's perfect!  Will you wear it at tonight's performance?  You will? Oh I know, I'm silly, here I go, crying again!

You've been working so hard, I think it's time you took a little time for you.  I put in some calls, and that villa you love on the beach in St. Martin is available.  Don't say anything else, I've already packed your bags - and here's something to open on the way to the airport.  It's just some Coppertone, a new ikat swimsuit, and Justin Cronin's latest book but it's a good start.  Let's go, the taxi's waiting.

I found you in the library, curled up in your favorite leather chair in front of a roaring fire as the snow came down outside.  I help myself to a cup of tea from the tray and watch as you nibble on a biscuit.  Your two hunting dogs are dozing at your feet, and you mention that Cook is preparing a feast of Oysters a la Russe, Calvados Duck, asparagus with Hollandaise, and Waldorf Pudding for tonight's dinner.  That tiresome Count will be coming, and do I think you should wear the pearls from the Orient, or the maharajah's rubies?  I wonder if now is the best time to give you the gift I bought, the complete boxed set of Downton Abbey, but you look so lovely with the firelight in your hair that I can't help myself.

I bought the cottage in West Palm Beach.  You were right - carpe diem.  Remember that chameleon that we saw by the pool?  He's there every morning when I go outside with my coffee.  I like to think he's making sure I start my day off right by spending some time on the chaise lounge.  Anyway, thanks for helping me bite the bullet - and as a token of my appreciation, I got you those Jack Rogers you were eyeing, so you'll always remember our time on Florida's Gold Coast.

Wasn't that fun?  I love spending Saturday afternoons on the Sound.  You could see Long Island perfectly today.  Maybe tomorrow we can sail to Oyster Bay - only if you don't have anything else going on, I know what August can be like.   Are you sure you don't want that last piece of fried chicken?  I can't eat another bite, but I think maybe just one more rum punch. Oh, by the way, before I forget, I got you a little something in town today.  Oh no, please don't - it's nothing, just that melamine tray that I saw you admiring.  I know, they're great for outdoor entertaining, aren't they?  Just wipe and go. You're welcome dear, don't mention it.  Will you stay for one more dockside drink?  No?  Okay, don't forgot your hat, and if you're up for another sail tomorrow, just call me in the morning.

 Okay, does everyone have their glasses?  A toast then, in celebration of the newest - and youngest - PARTNER at the firm!  You did it girl!  We knew you could.  And here's something from the four of us for you.  Go on! Open it!  Eeeee!!! Do you like it?  I know, I saw you admiring a similar cocktail ring in Barney's and we thought, you know, now that you're a big shot, you should have some bling to match your fancy new office!  Aww, no, don't cry sweetie.  You've earned it!

See all these prints and many more, along with vintage cards and wrapping seals at The Goose and the Hound.

Yours in printed bliss,
xoxo,
MF

Modern Femme at Work...My work wardrobe

My closet has two sides to it - professional Modern Femme, and private life Modern Femme, and the twain shall never meet. I can remember the outfit I wore to my first job interview - a chocolate sheath dress with a matching jacket from Ann Taylor, and a large-gauge black pearl necklace with matching studs.  All of 22 at the time, I probably looked like I was playing dress-up, but hey - guess who was hired on the spot?

I get teased by colleagues every now and again, because I'm that person who refuses to indulge in blue-jean Fridays.  My coworkers are genuinely perplexed that I "dress up" every day. 

Maybe it's because my parents both wore suits every day of their lives to work.  Maybe it's because I believe in the old adage "dress for the job you want, not the job you have."  Maybe it's because I'm lazy and like having my closet divided into Monday - Friday on one side and Saturday-Sunday on the other.

It's probably a combination of all those things.  In any case, I like to look polished and professional at work.  No blue jeans (not even "dressy" blue jeans), no overtly flashy accessories, no outrageous colors, no sexy anything, no cleavage.  No skirts that end more than two inches above the knee, no pants that sit on your hips.  No loud makeup - leave the blue eyeshadow at home.  No wet hair!!!!

Yes to black foundational pieces - pants, skirts, suits, sweater.  Yes to ballet flats to wear to the office, and then black heels under your desk to change into.  Yes to printed scarves, chunky statement jewelry (a la Madeline Albright and not Lady Gaga) and sophisticated perfume.  Yes to classic jackets that can be mixed with black pants and skirts for a touch of color with a polished finish. 

Whereas my work wardrobe budget used to be large enough to allow me to shop unhindered, being a parent and a homeowner has put a serious dent in my wardrobe's wallet.  But you can still find classic pieces at reduced price points, it just takes a little more legwork.  Here are the vendors that I frequent nowadays on my tight budget:

1. Zara.  Even if all I can afford is their sales rack, this clothing store has awesome jackets, and fun accent pieces.  The sizing is definitely European, so just be (emotionally) prepared to take whatever size you are and multiply it times two. 

2.  White House, Black Market.  I have to dig through their racks, because they are a little flashy (despite the name), but I have gotten good foundational pieces here - like the black pencil skirt I wore to work today!

3.  The Limited.  This store has really changed in the last five years.  I can remember when it was incredibly frumpy, and then it got a little too edgy, but now it has settled in a nice classic space that I quite like.  I get a lot of work tops from here.  They also have really cute work-appropriate jewelry.

4.  Banana Republic.   It's hard to go wrong in this store, though lately the only place I'm looking in is the sales rack.   That being said, I still own a summer weight shirt and sweater combo that is three years old, so it's a good return on investment.

5.  Lands End - Shoes.  Their selection is getting better and better, and they have sales and discounts all the time - which, when you combine it with their all ready low prices, is hard to beat.

6.  Target.  I tend to get things like tights (black, gray, navy blue) here.  They also have a cute selection of scarves and some jewelry - though most of it will only last a season.  You can also get snag seasonal trends in button downs and sweaters here - though most cute things are snapped up as soon as they hit the floor.

Where do you do your work wardrobe shopping?

xoxo,
MF

The Modern Femme travels...St. Michaels, MD

Hello my dear readers.  Can you do me a favor?

Can you pretend that I haven't been MIA for the past three weeks?  I've been swamped with a billion uninteresting domestic-related things that have kept me from you.  Terrible, terrible.  But let's just pretend like it never happened, m'kay?

Good.

Alrighty then.  Here's something that I was up to when I wasn't writing to you all.  Two weekends ago, the MF family took a day trip out to historic St. Michaels, MD.  The town was incorporated in 1804 - a salve to this native New Englander, who misses her historic towns - but the town was named for the Episcopal Parish which was established in 1672.  That's a long time ago, y'all!

It was a lovely day - we started with lunch at the famous Crab Claw restaurant. We had New England clam chowder, crab cakes, corn bread and ice cold beer YUM! - and then took a stroll down the main street.

St. Michaels has a lot of quaint shops on the main drag.  Seasonal decorations were abundant.  Love the classic pairing of pumpkins and mums!

The houses of worship won't be outdone by the merchants.  Love these red doors on this church - and the wreaths are perfect. Welcome fall!

The church and parish for which the town was named.  

St. Michaels' is one of those aesthetically-pleasing towns for whom no detail is too small - don't you love these classic street signs?  

I love how St. Michaels has chosen to advertise attractions using the street signs instead of billboards.  And I especially got a kick out of the "child-friendly" designation next to the Maritime Museum sign!

Classic gingerbread house trimming.  I love the color scheme - white, pine green and gold.  Gorgeous!

No Holiday Inns here - doesn't this little B&B look divine?  I want to lounge in one of those rockers and watch the world go by!

That being said, St. Michaels residents are not without a sense of humor...love this store's sign!

Unfortunately, we left our dog at home. I'm sure she would have loved to belly up to this bar.

Love this unconventional planter!

If you live in the area and haven't been out to St. Michaels, consider visiting for the Christmas in St. Michaels weekend from December 7-9.  The only way this town could be any more picturesque is to add in Santa, actual gingerbread houses, a holiday parade and some carolers!

xoxo,
MF