HOLIDAY RANDOMNESS + XMAS RAFT-UP

After sailing around the islands this month, it feels good to be home again for good. It was hard to say goodbye to visiting family but I have a lot of happy memories from their trip, including these photos from our Christmas week. Regular style posts will resume after the new year.

Photos from a nature walk on the island of Virgin Gorda...Hot pink is my favorite bougainvillea color.

Sorry, extra large pic- I've tried to resize it, to no avail...

At one of the resorts on Virgin Gorda

And now, our Christmas raft-up: Five boats came to anchor side by side, using fenders between the boats. We mostly see Puerto Ricans do this; they are the masters of rafting-up, and they love to party and bring their families. I think they would have approved of our raft-up! The tugboat here belongs to friends of ours who started doing the Christmas raft-up two years ago. This year, they hosted Christmas dinner for 20 people. We brought ham, dressing, two casseroles, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and cranberry relish.

Waiting for all the boats to arrive....I'm on the tug wearing a Marc by Marc Jacobs dress and bare feet, of course.

Looking down from the tug's upper deck...

Looking out over the harbour...Several boats had holiday lights. So pretty at night!

Finally, dinner is served. Me with my aunt- coolest lady ever! For her 70th birthday, I did a post on her style through the years (click here).

After dinner, there was an occurrence on the upper deck: An old teak glider broke, so several clever individuals decided to make a tower from its pieces.

The tower grew to over 4 feet tall.

Keith, a visitor from New Mexico, places a final touch- a little girl's fluffy headband (sorry, Victoria!) Don't you love Keith's hair?

Next day, we said goodbye to our hosts. I'm wearing Da Nang "Beach Pants" and a C&C tank.

Another photo of the harbour, called The Bight...

So what are you doing for New Year's? What are you wearing? NYE isn't a huge deal for me; this one will be very quiet. I'm staying in- glad and relieved to be home.

This week someone I love was in an accident, and there was a period of time that they were unaccounted for. Nearly losing someone only to have them returned safely is a miracle, and a great reminder to cherish every moment with loved ones. Whatever you do on New Year's, may you be surrounded by the warmth of friends and family.

Happy 2010 everyone!
xoxo

SHOE LOVE// the Marley by Dolce Vita

Image source

I'm in *love* with these Marley ankle boots by Dolce Vita but I'm not familiar with the label. Anyone know about Dolce Vita? I'm particular about quality, construction and fit, and appreciate any opinions on this label in general.

At $198, the price seems unusually low for how they appear in the photo. I'd expect a higher price. In the meantime, I am going to dream about these delicious ankle boots!!!

xoxo

LOOK OF THE DAY// Boxing Day

C&C California tank, J Crew merino sweater, Current/Elliot legging jeans, A&F scarf, Hot Topic belt, Marc Jacobs quilted flats

Holiday trivia...Wikipedia defines Boxing Day, December 26, as follows:

"The name derives from the tradition of giving seasonal gifts, on the day after Christmas, to less wealthy people and social inferiors, which was later extended to various workpeople such as labourers and servants. In the United Kingdom it certainly became a custom of the nineteenth century Victorians for tradesmen to collect their "Christmas boxes" or gifts in return for good and reliable service throughout the year on the day after Christmas. The exact etymology of the term "Boxing" is unclear, with several competing theories, none of which are clearly true."

What does this tidbit have to do with my look of the day? Nothing, actually- except that (1) today is Boxing Day here, and (2) I may wear this outfit to the movies tonight. We have a new "cineplex", fully air-conditioned, which means I'll need a lightweight sweater and scarf.

What are you doing today? If it involves shopping the after-Christmas sales, I want to hear about it; I will shop vicariously from my remote outpost!

Boxing Day greetings to all!
xoxo

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the CARIBBEAN

Wherever you are, I hope you get a few moments during this busy season to relax...or as we say in the Caribbean, to "lime". (I love that word- it means "do nothing". I admit it's not something I'm particularly good at! I like to keep busy.) I'm limin' here with a cup of green tea...wearing Ella Moss, Theory, Seven for All Mankind. Ultra casual.

During the twelve years we've lived in the islands, we've collected a lot of locally-made ornaments, like these little baubles.

Completo linen tunic, James Perse tank, Current/Elliot legging jeans, Via Spiga sandals...I've posted a couple of versions of this outfit before.

No presents under the tree: We've had a no-gift policy for a few years now, which may seem odd. But we have a large family, and due to limited shopping options on the island (and the impersonal nature of ordering gifts online for our stateside friends and family), we've stopped exchanging Christmas gifts for a while. It's very freeing. We'll probably start doing gifts again next year, though. I'm starting to miss it.

Wishing you peace and joy, and a very Merry Christmas!
xoxo

CHRISTMAS VACATION

Sorry for the slow down in posts. It's because we're out sailing again! I managed to get a few photos from the beach yesterday....

Wearing Chanel Black Satin nail polish, Juicy Couture shorts, Abercrombie & Fitch tee, Maui Jim sunglasses...and bare feet!
(I promise to do a more stylish post next time.)

Happy holidays!
xoxo

THE SARTORIALIST BOOK// part 3: men of style

Fierce steely eyes, unkempt hair, white pants, tee with tux jacket- totally crazy, sexy, rebellious.

Note the red socks.

This is how one wears a bow tie- no pretenses; it's all casual ease. He owns this look, made complete with the addition of brown lace-up ankle boots. Imagine him with matching black shoes instead- the effect would be lost.

He makes plaid pants oh, so dapper, and exceedingly stylish.

He reminds me of Lenny Kravitz. Love the simple coat, bright scarf tied just right.

Such expressive, beautiful eyes.

Part new-wave, part Beatles, 100% retro-cool.

LOOK OF THE DAY// cozy wood sprite

Every time I wear this outfit, friends say I look like a pixie or wood fairy. I never thought to make that connection, but whatever. Perhaps it does look a little "Robin Hood"...

I sure like the side slits and longer back of this tee dress.

Alexander Wang T dress, Velvet leggings, Gap belt, Fiorentini + Baker boots....one of my favorite outfits ever! It's the clothing equivalent of comfort food.

Knits, particularly leggings, always seem to define comfort for me.

Without venturing into tracksuit territory, do you have a "comfort outfit"- something that makes you feel stylish/pretty/slim/cozy, and (that often-dreaded word among the fashionable) comfortable?

LOOK OF THE DAY// black + blue

Hard Tail cardigan, James Perse tee, American Apparel skirt, Chie Mihara pumps

I got a haircut recently. It's more pixie-like without the asymmetrical fringe, which was starting to drive me crazy hanging in my eyes. I'm pleased with the shorter fringe- think I'll keep this way.

There are several ways to tie this cardigan...or not at all, leaving the pointy ends to hang loose. (I prefer them untied.)

Chie Mihara adds interesting details to her shoes, like a rope pattern on the buckles and toe cut-out design on these patent leather pumps.

Hope everyone's having a great week and getting into a festive mood. I know I am. Family just arrived from the States and I'm ready to decorate and start baking holiday goodies. We're going sailing this week, too!
xoxo