Happy Weekend dear readers. This powerful photo was captured outside the home of Nelson Mandela this morning. Isn’t it amazing. It kind of sums up his life’s work. What wonder one man can do, so humbling.

I hope you all are off to a fun-filled and festive holidayish weekend. Or something like that anyway. I’m attending the Kennedy Center Honors and all of the fancy dinners that accompany it with my father-in-law Jacques this weekend. I’m seriously pinching myself. He was an honoree himself and goes to the dinners and show every year, so it’s old hat for him. For me, I’ll be rubbing elbows with the President (say what?) in the White House (come again?) and with the likes of the Meryls and the Dustins of the world at the State Department and then again at the Kennedy Center. Hello. Not to mention the actual honorees this year including Billy Joel, Shirley MacLaine and Carlos Santana- so cool. I’ve rented 2 dresses from Rent the Runway, both of which were supposed to arrive at my doorstep tonight before 8pm and as of this post, are not yet here. What is a girl to do. It’s not like I can just reach into the back of my (tiny) closet and pull out a floor length black tie appropriate gown. Yikes. I’ll keep you posted.

What I’m Drinking This Weekend:

Lots of Presidential-approved vino. I’m hoping for a Virginia-made Thibault-Janisson sparkling- one of our great state’s best bottles of bubbly. It really is absolutely delicious, I know you might be dubious being that it’s Virginia-made, but trust me- it’s truly divine. They love the stuff up at the House that is White, as they supposedly regularly serve it up at State Dinners, but honestly I’d be thrilled with a cold can of PBR in the company of those peeps.

A Few Things From Here & There: 

The New Yorker’s powerful cover tribute to Nelson Mandela.

Pope Francis was a bouncer? This guy just gets better and better.

Real Estate photos gone hilariously wrong. This is funny.

A couple of method kid actors on the subway. This takes commitment.

The 10 prettiest Christmas trees from around the interwebs.

Maddie the dog- way more interesting than a traveling Gnome.

Dylan’s Stratocaster fetches nearly a million at auction. Say What!

Enjoy your weekend and Cin Cin!

Photo by: Larry Hirshowitz

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Happy Weekend dear readers! Aren’t these leaves gorgeous? I snapped this yesterday on my daily walk through town with the bebes. I love the herringbone-bricked streets and those lavender-tinged leaves. I am really loving fall this year and trying to soak up this beautiful town while I still live here.

We recently sold our New York apartment (fingers crossed we will close by the end of the year) and while it is truly a bittersweet farewell from our little piece of the Manhattan pie, there is something satisfying about the resolute choice to plant some serious roots with family. We have decided to officially call Virginia home after a couple of years testing out the waters here. It is beautiful and a really lovely place to live with a kick ass wine scene to boot. A little challenging financially if you’re on the artsy side of things and not a lucrative lawyer or lobbyist but what’s new? We always seem to land in the most expensive places. We’ll find our little diamond in the rough. I’ve been scouring redfin trying to find that dream home that is somewhat architecturally interesting, close to a town with a vibrant and active community and in a great school district. It’s a tall order and a little tough-going with our budget, but I’ll keep you posted. Wish us luck. Northern Virginia real estate is not messing around, it is no joke here. Hot properties sell within hours of being on the market. Another rat race. Sigh.

In the meantime, I’m loving Old Town and trying to take in every moment here as we’ll likely head west to Fairfax County (still only 20 minutes from this cute little town but far enough that I can’t walk out the door and stroll the bebes along these Colonial streets). But we must make the move for the schools. Ahhh, parenthood.

What are you all up to this weekend? We have no big plans. Just hanging around, enjoying the fall.

What I’m Drinking This Weekend:

I’m going back to Cali. I’ll be sipping the ’10 Anthill Farms Syrah this fall weekend. Made by 3 rockstar winemakers formerly of Williams Selyem, my Somm friends love Anthill Farms, so I will give it a go. Tasting Note to come.

What I’m Reading This Weekend:

I’d like to say I’ll be reading Searching for Zion or something deep like that but I’m afraid I’m too tired for serious reads these days. Sleep habits of 17 month olds= not conducive to long lingering novels. Instead, I’ll sip my Syrah while reading about one of my best pals, Cristy Candler in the latest issue of Anthology, shot by the fabulous and talented Amy Dickerson (whose work and Sideshow Stories are constant inspiration).

Cristy is one of my best girls from back in the day. We grew up together on the Broadway scene. By grew up, I mean we were already in our 20s, but we hustled and got our first Broadway workshop together- Dirty Dancing directed by the now Tony-award winning Diane Paulus. What fun. Cristy is the definition of a free spirit, she cracks me up and always inspires me with her love of life, creativity and vintage-chic style. The whole issue is beautiful. Check it out.

A Few Things:

Three cheers for random acts of kindness!

This is hilarious. I love it when stuff like this happens.

I love this guy. He kind of makes me want to become Catholic.

I love these loafers.

24 Clear Signs You’re A Mom- funny and so true.

A 5 year-old transforms San Francisco into Gotham City. Truly amazing.

And Another Thing(s):

I don’t know how to feel about this. Martin Scorcese directs this gorgeous ad for Dolce and Gabbana with Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johanssen. Is it just me or does it feel like you’re watching a student film with superb cinematography?

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Happy Weekend dear readers. ‘Tis the season for apple cider donuts. I might try my hand at these little beauties handmade by Smitten Kitchen. Or, I might just pick some up at the Del Ray Farmer’s Market on Saturday, they are awfully good.

I hope you are all off to a fun weekend. Any big plans? My hubby is out of town this weekend on a writing retreat so I’ll be hanging solo with the bebes. This part of the country is loaded down with fall festivals galore at this time of year (seriously, it’s kind of out of control) so I think we’ll hit up the Del Ray Arts Festival which we can walk to (love that- makes me feel like a New Yorker again for a minute) and maybe the Fairfax Fall Fest to get a sense of life in the ‘burbs. Deep breath. The ‘burbs are in my imminent future, I’m trying to dip my toes in as opposed to diving in head first, which is my normal m.o. What are you all up to?

My Weekend Sip: Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose ’12. So, it’s not rosé season- who says? I personally love the pink drink year round. This one is my all-time favorite. From the Peyraud and Tempier family in Bandol, this one sings with hints of chocolate and spice. Yes, you read that right. It’s a little heartier than your run of the mill rosé, a nice companion to a fall feast. It’s a little pricey but if you’re hosting guests or just want a special treat, you’ll be so happy you sprung for this bottle. I talk about this wine a lot on this blog, I’m absolutely in love with it, its owners (Lulu is an inspiration) and its history. $39

A little link love and a few things that caught my eye:

1. I have got to get myself to a theater stat to see Gravity. This movie looks amazing. We have tried hard not to watch too many previews but the images look pretty astounding. I’ll see anything Clooney does, the guy never makes a misstep, and this one really looks magical.

2. I’m not sure that I’ll be plunking down $150 for an Italian cashmere onesie anytime soon, but I sure do like the looks of J.Crew’s new baby line. I’m just glad they didn’t have this line when I was pregnant, talk about el-broko.

3. If you’re a sucker for steak frites, a late night and live in the Bay area, you’re in luck. Alice Waters has just reintroduced late night steak frites at Chez Panisse, a long lost tradition there not seen since 1974. Monday through Thursday nights.

4. There are those brush strokes again. I tell you- frustrated abstract artist right here folks. I love this pretty iPad clutch. What I love even more- the color palette, inspiration for my next living room.

5. I love this wool cape coat. $70.

6. Call me predictable for the Pinterest set, but I can’t help but follow tales and adventures in the City of Lights- especially culinary ones. I religiously troll through David Lebowitz’s Instagram photos and love reading about parents and their bebes in Paris. A fun post by Joy Cho about her recent gastronomic adventures with her little one in Paris. I love that they toted their own highchair with them to local restaurants.

If you’re headed to the twinkly French city anytime soon and love a wine bar but don’t want to blow your budget, check out this new breed of wine bars in Paris. Spend a mere 4 euros on a glass of Burgundy at Ambassade de Bourgogne or pay retail price (unheard of, right) for a bottle at Le Verre Volé. Can’t get into Le Chateaubriand? Saddle up to the bar at Inaki Aizpitarte’s Le Dauphine for the second seating around 9:30.

And another thing:

To rid yourself of those annoying robo calls, the geniuses at nomorobo (i kind of love that name) have invented a service that claims to rid your voicemail of them for eternity. I’m a bit doubtful but it’s worth a shot.

Quote of the Week:

I was strolling the bebes down King Street yesterday and an older woman in her late 80s who looked like a more angelic version of Aunt Bea stopped me to ask if the kiddos were twins. I told her yes and she said that she had twins herself. “The first few months were hell.” I knew right then I loved her so and wished we were related. I really do love the elders, they are the most badass of us all.

And one last funny:

15 Reasons the Kids Don’t Like Facebook Anymore. My favorite is this one:

Images: {Steak Frites: Eric Wolfinger, Paris with Kids: OhJoy!}

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Some things are sacred. There are a few words in the world that simply cannot be translated. I have always been fascinated by these words and love that they are what they are and we cannot (try as we might) translate them. My favorite word of all: Mamilhlapinatapai.

I mean, is that a word or is that a word! Derived from Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego (I have always wanted to visit just because of this word), it means “a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other will offer something that they both desire but are unwilling to suggest or offer themselves.”

Pretty fantastic. My hubby introduced me to this magnificent word when we first met, I’ve loved him ever since.

I spied these lovely words via Pinterest a few weeks back and just had to share- the artwork is so lovely.

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I love a gallery wall. I shall one day enjoy one complete with a striped settee- totally going to copy this look.

Happy Weekend dear readers! I hope you have an excellent Labor Day as we officially kiss summer goodbye. Arrivederci summertime- ’til next year. I hope you have some fun plans. No biggies over here, just hangin’ round.

So… among more important things that occurred this past week, this happened:

I had to google the word “twerk”.

I endured a 7 hour bus ride to NYC (should have been 4.5). I know, whoa is me, right- 1st world problems- but when you get into the wine industry because you have a good “nose”, there is inevitably a downside. This said bus was wafting with an intense bouquet of ripe b.o. Yes you read that right. Having an acute olfactory system is awesome when you’re sniffing the good stuff but man oh man, I wish I could turn this thing off when things go wrong.

I caught up with my fabulous and dear friend Cristy and we stayed up talking way past my bedtime.

My kiddos are just getting funnier by the minute- it’s awesome.

I played charades with mom and brother via text. I did. And I guessed the clue with only a few characters. It’s a new world, folks.

Matt Damon comes to Ben Affleck’s rescue, “You know, he’s not playing King Lear. It’s Batman!”. Nice. What are you trying to say Damon? Affleck can’t do Lear? Ha. I personally think Ben will be a stellar Batman and loved Patton Oswalt’s thoughts.

“I’m the King of the Barbarians!” Tortured though he may be, Mike Tyson never disappoints with an amazing sound bite.

And as always, a little link love:

1. Support our dear friend Super Maeve by sporting one of these cute tees in her honor. Her inspiring parents are hoping to raise awareness for children’s cancer with this project. Maeve is the most amazing two year-old bravely fighting a rare form of cancer and kicking its butt. All hail Super Maeve!

2. Twerk Schmerk-this guy can take Miley any day with his mad Vogue-ing skills.

3. This is just fantastic!

4. I love Caitlin MacGauley’s illustrations. I just bought this leopard print for my desk.

5. And then saw this photo with my envelope in her bike basket via her instagram account- what a weird world.

6. I can’t wait to read this. Marilyn Hagerty’s book on food in America with a foreword by Anthony Bourdain. You probably recognize the 87 year-old Hagerty from her numerous tv appearances when her review of an Olive Garden restaurant went viral. Her earnest review started a snarkfest and Bourdain quickly rushed to her defense. In the foreword he writes that, “this book kills snark dead”. I like it.

7. On the flip side, I’m psyched about all of the chic-chic fall restaurant openings – especially Contra and Ivan Ramen in NYC (and if I still lived in Hell’s Kitchen I’d be psyched about Gotham West Market), Shoo-Fly in Baltimore and Maketto in DC.

And… this is silly and worth a few minutes: Sh*t Southern Women Say- this sh*t is funny- these gals are great.

{Images: Jenny Komenda Little Green Notebook, Nowness, Caitlin McGauley}

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Back to School- I know lots of your littles headed back this past week. Seeing all the cute pics on Facebook, it brought back so many memories all of those first days back. Who will be in my classes, who will I eat lunch with, where will my locker be and what the heck do I wear- don’t we all wish we could have rocked the Stephanie Zinone look on our first day back. It doesn’t get much cooler than Michelle Pfeiffer as the Pink Lady singing Cool Rider (above)- bad. ass.

I hope you’re off to a fun-filled weekend. No big plans over here- just some swim time at the town pool and parks and playgrounds.

A little link love:

This week is a little shelter-centric. In my mind, I’m concocting my dream house. It may be a while before we see our dream home, but that’s ok- it’s fun just finding inspiration.

1. 26 Reasons Grease 2 is better than Grease. Basically, no one’s cooler than Stephanie Zinone. I just love how she doesn’t want no ordinary guy coming on strong with her. I know every single frame, word and lyric of this movie- it’s genius. Say what you will about the sequel, but for me Grease 2 reigns supreme.

3. This is an easy DIY entryway via Glitter Guide’s Instagram feed. The desk could be a thrifty find punched up with simple brass hardware. Target used to sell these cute little coral x benches but you can still get these for $79 and give them this makeover via Style Me Pretty Living- sounds pretty easy and Kelly-proof (I’m not the greatest DIYer).

4. I had to pick this up. A super cute color block denim dress with pockets and an exposed zipper in back. $59, cute and it hides my post-baby tummy that will not mind its owner and hibernate already.

5. Anna Wintour makes her debut appearance half-veiled by her magazine via Vogue’s instagram account. She’s officially been voguestagrammed. Slow to embrace social media, Wintour is purportedly making her appearance in the name of the infamous September Issue.

6. Georgia O’Keefe reveals her younger self via vintage documentary footage. Cool.

7. I am loving these DIY abstract stained glass plates that Emily Henderson is making for her Fig House project. Are these cool or what!

8. How to cook your carrots stovetop?

{Images: Georgia O’Keefe: Alfred Steiglitz, stained glass: Emily Henderson, carrots: Emily Ho}

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A veritable field of dreams for classic car geeks, the Lambrecht Chevy dealership is auctioning off their more than 500 classic cars. Yes that’s right. One dealership in Nevada has a collection of over 500 classic cars, mostly Chevys. It’s like stepping into a time warp. They’re calling it the auction of a lifetime- nirvana for car geeks and I do love a geek.

Mildred Lambrecht and son outside their dealership in a ’53 Chevy Corvette

Ray Lambrecht, the owner of the dealership, made a practice of taking a trade-in car and storing it away, a master at selling only new cars. He collected and housed hundreds of cars dating back to just after World War II- talk about a classic car graveyard. Now in their 90s, Mildred and Ray decided it was finally time to unveil and unload their mammoth classic car collection. VanDerBrink Auctions will be holding the auction- details here.

I’d love to pop over and take a peek before they all go to their happy new owners- to see that many classic cars in one space must be a sight to see. The auction is taking place September 28th and 29th, so if you are a car geek, well… you have probably already heard about this and have booked your travel to the Cornhusker state. Pretty cool.

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Wow, glamorous train travel. The passing of the breakfast tea on the railway between Peshawar and Lahore, Pakistan circa 1983. On the job hazards for sure, but these guy don’t look like they mind. In any case, I don’t think I’ll be seeing this anytime soon on my monthly Amtrak Northeast Regional train to NY. Nope.

A little link love:

1. A House That Turns Into An Open Air Theater- this is the coolest ever, you have to watch this video.

2.2003 Auditions for The Office- so many great actors up for these roles. I spied this over at Cup of Jo, but couldn’t find an existing link that worked on youtube, so it may have been pulled. Check it out.

3. Marc Ghali blends Faces from Past and Present: cool.

4. 50 Things That Look Like Your Childhood (for the youngish Gen Xers, and Gen Yers, is there a Gen Z yet?)
-just a little sidenote, that mountain in number 7 was actually climbed by my brother Ben who was a real live contestant on Nickelodeon’s GUTS- and he won (it was kind of imperative for the future of his well-being that he did, as both his opponents were girls and at 12, you kind of can’t lose to a girl). And I was a real live contestant on Teen Win Lose or Draw and didn’t win. That’s right, that’s what growing up in Orlando gets you.- spots on cheesy pre-teen game shows.

5. The Dog That Will Not Kiss His Owner: hilarious. I’m not really a pet videos-on-youtube kind of gal, but this is funny. The whole culture/language thing helps too.

6. 10 Tips for Avoiding Crowds in Barcelona: helpful if you’re headed that way.

7. Bon Appetít unveils this year’s 10 Best New Restaurants. This list always makes me want to jump in the car and road trip to each and every restaurant. {Photo by Peden + Munk}

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Could Rita be any cuter eating her sandwich in Santa Monica circa 1941- I love her.

Happy Weekend dear readers, I hope you are off to lots of fun.  I’m traveling to NYC for some work and play, what are you up to?

Here are a few fun things I found this week:

1. In the mood for cake and a beer? Bake a craft beer cake- 2 birds with one stone.

2. Talk about portion control- these are hilarious.

3. This one’s on my wish list- a former W Magazine art director’s tales of renovation and inspiration in the Greek Isles. I’m thinking it’ll be my next Calgon Take Me Away read. I’m waiting for the paperback.

4. For those not a fan of Big Brother- The Off Pocket- makes your cell phone completely untraceable. Get off the map!

5. These ladies are actual mannequins in a Swedish H&M store, I love it.

6. Cameron’s cool glass house from Ferris Bueller is on the market with a price drop. Get it here.

7. The genius foodie site, Food 52, has just launched their own market- Provision. Pick up a cute kitch-y gift for your foodie friends.

8. I just bought these, aren’t they great! I’m a bootie fanatic- what can I say. Budget be damned.

9. I’m digging this brushstroke wallpaper.

And, a little link love:

The 10 Most Annoying Words in the Wine Business.

Couples wearing each other’s clothes- funny.

Ha. For those of you living in a cave who haven’t seen this, it’s now clear that Colbert has the most fun job on the planet. Seriously. I want to be in that writer’s room when somebody said, “We’ve got to get Kissinger!”.

Paris in China- hmm, this is kind of creepy and not in an EPCOT-creepy kind of way (which I actually kind of love). Seems the Chinese aren’t exactly nuts for it either, it’s a ghost town.

I love this look for less, I really love that the pants have an elastic waistband. Cute.

If you need a screenful of color, check out this tumblr page. Constant color inspiration.

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Ah yes, the Marky Mark I know and love circa 1991.  I’ve always been a fan of the classic early 90s tune, Good Vibrations- seriously, who doesn’t like that song- it’s just so, well… likable. Jimmy Fallon has made it even better. Brian Williams (or rather Fallon’s editor) is at it again,this time rapping with the Funky Bunch. You just know that editor is kicking himself for starting this nonsense in the first place, as he no doubt is now taking up residence in the editing room scouring NBC Nightly News clips that will match the next one, but we appreciate it.

Watch it here, it might make your day- or at least your minute:

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