Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“always have fun, and make other people happy”

-my grandparents

Happy Friday! Thank you all for your patience and understanding over the past week for my absence as I grieved my grandmother. And thank you for your sweet messages of condolences.

It’s been a bitter sweet week, grieving my grandmother but also celebrating her 101 years of life. Born in 1922, I think of all the things she has experienced; the great depression, WWII, first moon landing, the growth of technology, and more. She was born in a time where there wasn’t a tv and now you can talk to someone on the phone face to face. It must have been surreal for her, and her generation, to experience such a wild, expansive growth in society.

I often say that grandparents are wasted on the youth. As a child you look at them as the loving grandparents who shower you with love and lets you have a milkshake before dinner. Sometime in my 20s I realized I had the opportunity to really talk to my grandmother. To ask her questions about the past and her life. Since then I tried to talk to her about what life was like throughout her 101 years on earth. I got to know my grandmother as a person and not just the woman who pretended there were little birdies in her purse.

I posted a little about my grandmother on Instagram yesterday— how she is the one who sparked my love for fashion. As a kid she would make our Halloween costumes as well as our Easter dresses. She would take my sister and me to Joann Fabrics where we got to pick out the fabric and print we wanted. Then we flipped through the catalogue to pick out the silhouette. It was always a fun day. Besides being an esteemed seamstress, she was also an accomplished pianist. Even spending some time in New York studying piano under a few composers. She brought her love of music and the arts into our family. She was also filled with so much love and kindness, as well as a wicked sense of humor. I am going to miss her terribly, but am happy she is reunited with the love of her life, my grandfather.

Prior to my trip to Ohio I went to Connecticut with a few friends for the Fairfield County Hunt Club polo match. I love polo matches. They are lots of fun. I enjoy the atmosphere of dressing up, sipping champagne, and watching horses. My friend is part of the Young Georgians group in New York whose tailgate we attended for the match. The Young Georgians is a group of people who have a love of British architecture and design. Anyway, the entire day was joyful and I was very happy to be there.

I flew into Ohio last Friday morning for a week long stay. I figured it was better to be with family than sit alone in my apartment grieving. Last weekend we cleared out my grandmother’s apartment at the assistant living facility she was living at. Mostly we just prepared for her funeral and spent time with each other. My grandmother’s calling hours were Tuesday evening and her funeral was on Wednesday. Although I am here for a sad occasion, it’s been nice spending time with my entire family. It’s also been lovely to see family friends, my friends, and extended family members.

Besides my grandmother’s funeral I went to my niece’s dance studio to watch her take classes. She is becoming a very good little dancer. She started dance competition this year and I can’t wait to see her compete. I also got to spend lots of time with my other niece as my parents babysit her twice a week. She is a joy to be around. I have also gone out to dinner and brunch with my parents a few times, as well as checked out the new children’s bookstore in my hometown, Cover to Cover. I haven’t seen any of my friends (except for the ones who went to the calling hours). As much as I would have loved to have spent time with them, I really just want to be with my family right now.

What I am watching: Dancing with The Stars is back!!! This is my favorite reality competition show. I jokingly say that it is my dream to become a d-list celebrity just so I can go on DWTS. I may have grown up dancing, but ballroom is a completely different beast. I have never taken ballroom dance before and hope to do so someday. Anyway, I am loving the cast this season. My top 4 based off of week one is Steve Nedoroscik, Chandler Kinney, Joey Graziadei, and Dwight Howard. Jenn Tran will go far. Ilona Maher will have the most growth. Pheadra Parks will also have growth. And we must protect and vote for Reginald VelJohnson aka Carl Winslow. I do not care if he just stood there the entire time while Emma danced around him, I love him! The rest of the contestants I am not a fan of. I do have a soft spot for Tori Spelling because of 90210, but I do not think she will go far. And it must be said, I think having Anna Delvey as a cast member is wrong. She clearly does not want to be there. Why are we glorifying criminals….

Speaking of reality tv I also watched the first episode of The Golden Bachelorette! I know the concept of the show is to eliminate people so you can find the one, but I do not want these men to go! They all won my heart with how sweet they were; Charles exploring the mansion, Jack clearly going to be the fun one, and the rest of them getting emotional watching the home videos of their children. I got teary-eyed the entire time. I want them all to stay except Gil… IYKYK (google it). Anyway, Joan is a stunning!! I hope I look that amazing at 61.

What I bought: I honestly haven’t been thinking about shopping this past week. However last week Eugene Kim sent me this fabulously chic sunhat that I cannot wait to wear on vacation and next summer season. I also started reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Very good so far!

This weekend I will still be in Ohio, flying back to New York on Sunday. My dad and I may go to the Ohio State football game– may be a last minute decision. I have been to Ohio State games over the years, mostly when they play Rutgers, but I haven’t been to the Horseshoe in 15 years. It would be nice to be back in the Shoe for a game- especially this year when the team is really good. Other than the possibility of attending the football game, I am going to play pickleball with my dad, have my hair cut and colored, and enjoy the last few days with my family.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. My favorite trio

2. Gorgeous fall dress

3. Eyeing this ochre color cardigan

4. Cute headband for the fall

5. Witnessing the evolution of the runway

6. All the best looks from NYFW

7. Excited for this new series on Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr.

8. 8 secrets of the Friends set

9. 12 ways to DIY Halloween decor

10. Oh I want to make these GF pumpkin pancakes

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