To Chop or Not to Chop

Girls,

After 24 years of being on this planet, its official...I think I may have hit my mini quarter-life crisis mode.  I know, I know ...you are thinking, wait that is supposed to happen at 25! But kids, it has happened a year early.  Among many things that are running through this OLD lady's head, the two major ones are a change of location and change of hair do!

Let's be honest change of location may not be in the cards just yet (although watch out Kathleen and Megan, both NYC and San Fran are on my radar), but I have a strong desire to chop off my long locks to join my chic sisters below.

What do you think?  Could I pull it off?

 Much Love!

xoxox

Matty

Friday Favs...

Sissies-

I must admist that I have had a pretty great week! Here are some fun images that have added a little bit more joy to my already fantastic week:

1) Kim K's ring. A 20.5 carat ROCK  is totally normal, right?




2) Next year I am getting myself some Geronimo balloons to celebrate my birth!



3) Cutest little nugget ever. I want a dog, stat!


I am ready for lots of rest and relaxation this weekend. Lord knows that majority of my 3 day weekend will be spent being a macbook-monster because I am obsessed with my new computer!

Love from SF!

Thoughts on Oprah's Final Show...

Sissies-

Our little brother is funny (as if you didn't already know that). His tweets seriously cracked me up, so I thought I would share!

Oh, baby Robbie.... you da bomb.

A McQueen Dream

Sisters,
I went to the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met this weekend and it was AMAZING. I know very little about fashion (sorry Megan - I try) or art (again, sorry Christina - I try) but I do know that whatever I witnessed on Sunday was brilliant. McQueen has this beautiful ability to push political, social, and economic boundaries while also respecting the traditions of fashion that he's grown up and out of. You walk from tailored jackets, past dominatrix inspired head pieces and clothing, tartan pants, a Kate Moss filled hologram box, and end up staring in awe at a line up of space-aged goodness. The exhibit was curated to tell us a story, the one of McQueen, but also the one most of us hope to have. Nathan walked away inspired to pick up his history books and delve into the Jacobite Rebellion, and inspired to use history to help him create more and to create better. I wanted to come home and write something. A poem, a story, anything. I just wanted to throw my hat in the ring, or at least throw it so that the brim of my hat skims the artistic ring McQueen is in the middle of.

Some of my favorites are below...

To take a video tour of the exhibit go here.
To see more pictures head here.

All images found on Vogue

My Day Off...

Sissies-

For the first time ever I decided to take my birthday off! Let me tell you, this was the best idea EVER. I took the day to enjoy some quality time with myself :) My day included:

A mid morning workout with a view (squint hard and you can see the GG  bridge)

Lunch with my bestie

A visit to the Apple store! (ps we need to iChat!)

 


My biggest indulgence/my favorite thing in the world, a massage (I have no picture for this because I figured no one really wants to see me laying naked on a massage table)

A visit to the nail salon to fix my bad habit (aka nail biting). And YES, the nail lady said to me "oh you have short nail" just like all the rest. I don't really understand the need for them to tell me this. YES I KNOW I have short nails.

I have some serious sausage fingers. Which parent do I blame this on?

Then a delicious dinner at Wayfare Tavern. Matthew and I had to be rolled out of the restaurant after our meal!

At then end of this GLORIOUS day, I am reminded of the wonderful life I have. I am grateful for my friends and my family. I am grateful for the person I am and the person that I am becoming. I encourage everyone to spend a day just simply enjoy the life that you work so hard to get.

xoxo,
from SF

Happy Birthday Megan!

Megan,

We are so happy that you were born 20 some years ago! Life is incredibly entertaining with you as a sister and as the self proclaimed "idea factory" of the family, we can't get enough of your phone calls about a new adventure or product that will change our lives. Your ridiculous antics are hilarious and always full of optimism. Because this little girls reminds us of you and because everybody needs a pep talk on their birthday, here is an inspirational message from Jessica:

This could be a video of you has a child (mom don't you agree?).


Happy birthday to the most enthusiastic and positive person we know! We hope you have a great day in SF and we're so sad we can't celebrate with you in person - but we are both sure we'll get a nice 3am phone call from you when you're out on the town :)

Much love from your older sisters!

The Perfect Tuna Salad for Summer

Sisters,

Lately I have been thinking that I should bite the bullet and grow my cullinary skills. So I have started with something simple: Tuna Salad. I am not a huge mayonaise fan and so I emailed the lovely bloggers at The Bitten Word and asked for a recommendation on how to prepare tuna mayonaise free. They passed along this recipe for Mediterranean Tuna Salad.

The Bitten Word: Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

4 6-oz. cans tuna, packed in olive oil
1 15-oz. can garbanzo beans or cannellini beans (white beans), drained and rinsed
1 medium red onion, diced
1/2 cup olive oil, plus more to taste
2 tsp lemon zest
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Italian parsley, finely chopped
2 tsp salt
2 tsp fresh ground pepper

All you have to do is mix it together! It is so easy and so delicious. I normally eat it with pita bread or pita chips.
 

Much love from Chicago!

My Addiction: fruit snacks

I LOVE anything fruit flavored and chewy!  Of course you can't go wrong with gummy bears, but here are a few of my other favorites:

ALL NATURAL: All natural, only 45 calories, and full of fruit goodness. I seriously can't stop eating these things once I start.   http://www.stretchislandfruit.com/ProductsFruitStrips.aspx

FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T SWALLOW VITAMINS: Some days I think that I am an adult, then I fail to swallow a pill and my adulthood goes out the window. (Am I the only one over 10 who has trouble swallowing all pills other than Advil?) Anyway, for the child at heart who wants adult vitamins take 2 or 3 of these: http://www.flintstonesvitamins.com/gummies/index_new.html#supplement

AT STARBUCKS: Pick up these tasty strawberry mango twists when you want a fruit snack on the go! They are $1 and 100 calories.

FROM THE CORNER STORE: Abby recently reminded me about Mamba and they made me think about our childhood trips to Marv's General Store.  Mamba's are cheap, easy, and so totally dangerous! In a weak moment I can get them at every corner store within a mile of my house and drift back to summer days at Artesian Park.

FRUITY ICE CREAM + CHEWY MOCHI:  Try strawberry mochi the next time you are at an Asian restaurant and you won't regret it.

CHEAP AND ADDICTING: I work with elementary schools and so fruit snacks are readily available to me - sisters I know you are jealous. My coworker recently purchased Walmart fruit snacks called, Great Value fruit smiles. They are sold in a box of 42 pouches, they are delicious, cheap...and made of colored corn syrup. Not the healthiest choice, but totally addicting.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

For the men in our lives

Hi sisters,
I am loving Ernest Alexander's spring men's accessories! This collection is near and dear to my heart. A few of my friends have had a hand in it, designing for him, standing behind the camera, and in front of it.  Ernie started by making men's bags out of his home in the garment district, and then trying his luck selling the bags at small shops in New York. He is figuring out a way to do something he loves and work for himself, speaking of which ... Megan, when are we starting DawsonMade?

The images above are some of the shots Eric snapped for the Spring collection that are featured on the website. Aren't they lovely? Our friend Gabe is the model in the first picture on the left and does that guy in the middle look familiar?

My favorite Ernest Alexander items are their Wax Rucksacks, their Wax Overnight Bags, and their Forster Chambray Necktie.

Love from the Big Apple :)

Orange You Glad I'm Your Sister?

Sissies-

Here is another edition of  "Color Me Happy"! I have had a slight infatuation with this J.Mendel S/S 2011 line for quite some time now. I love the palette of ivory, beige, grey, punctuated by ORANGE! I think this is a beautiful and sophisticated wedding color scheme!

Lots of love from SF!

{NOTE:  Mother, I am not getting engaged any time soon. I just like to think about wedding color palettes.}

Come and Knock On My Door...

... We've been waiting for you.

Sissies,

Remember how much we loved to watch reruns of Three's Company?! Why did we love it so much and why did mom let small children watch that show?

With all the 70's chic that is out there right now, I am currently desiring a Mrs. Roper-esque look! If only SF had a real summer then I would have an excuse to jaunt around the city in caftan (or maybe sit poolside!).

I found some great styles that maybe the two of you can wear for me?

1. Tory Burch
2. Alice and Olivia
3. Calypso for Target
4. Tibi

I figure since you both are married you don't have to worry about scaring your men off by wearing a mumu (they are stuck with you throughout all kinds of trends).

XOXO from SF

Buttermilk Cole Slaw

Hi sisters,
Happy Tuesday! I made this buttermilk cole slaw the other day to go with those turkey burgers I was telling you about :) It's so easy, give it a try...

Ingredients

- 1/2 head of regular cabbage

- 1/2 head of purple cabbage

- 3 thinly sliced scallions

- 1/2 an onion sliced (red or otherwise)

- 3 carrots thinly sliced

- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped

- 1/2 cup of buttermilk

- 1/4 cup of sour cream

- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

- 1/4 teaspoon of celery seed

* This makes a light dressing for the Cole slaw, if you prefer it heavier you can adjust the ingredients accordingly

Directions

Step 1.

In a large bowl combine the cabbage, scallions, onion, carrots, and cilantro.

Step 2.

In a separate small bowl whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, Dijon mustard, Kosher salt, pepper, and celery seed.

Step 3.

Mix together

Serve and Eat.


Love from NYC!

Oh Bagel!

Sisters,
The weather was less than ideal this weekend, hovering around 40 degrees with spitting rain, and that may inspire some to stay inside and cook. Not me - I wish the kitchen inspired me! (For the record, I blame my lame cooking skills on Kathleen; she stole the homemaker gene from me in the womb.)  This weekend my kitchen was only good for peanut butter toast and Saltines so we decided to treat ourselves to a large cup of good coffee and an excellent breakfast sandwich.  These wonderful sandwiches are from Bagel on Damen and could rival and New York bagel shop. The chive cream cheese is heavenly and the Stumptown Coffee is an added bonus.  If you are in Chicago and need breakfast, stop here! Or try it out one of these sandwiches in your own kitchen and teach me how to do it please!


Breakfast III - Wheat Bialy, Chive Cream Cheese, Egg, and Tomato



Breakfast II- Mish Mosh Bagel, Plain Cream Chese, Egg, Bacon and Avacado

Love from the Windy City!

Love and other weirdness

"We are all a little weird, and life's a little weird, and when we

find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."

- Dr. Seuss

We all need this quote printed, copied, and framed for our apartments, because, well, it's only appropriate...

Christina and Bob

Megan and Matthew

Kathleen and Nathan

Friday Favorites

Hi sisters,
What are you up to this weekend? Nathan and I are looking for a new apartment (which feels like a second job here in NYC), so we'll be seeing a first round of places on Saturday. My friend Chinae is throwing her work's biggest party of the year for Design Week on Saturday and after schlepping around the city on an apartment hunt, a cucumber mojito, mushroom risotto, good music, and our friends all gussied up is exactly what I'll need :)

Here are a few things that got me through the work week:

This Awesome Book.

My favorite apartment hunting tool.

Oh Zack Morris, I don't care what they say, the Dawson girls will always love you!

This video makes me cry every time. Every. Time.

My new clothing line obsession!

And this recipe for lavender brownies that I've been drooling over.

Happy Friday from NYC!!!

{image above taken by Andrew Shepherd}

Wanderlust

Sisters,

It's official, Nathan and I are off on a two month adventure this summer! We are taking a leave of absence from work in July and August, packing our backpacks, and heading to Europe. We are going to visit cities we've never been to and places we know {but have not known together}, see friends we both know and good friends we've never been able to introduce each other to, and hopefully have a few adventures that we can tell our children about some day :)

Here's our tentative itinerary:

// June 29th - Sept. 1st //

NYC ---------> London

London --> Greatham & back to London (in the English countryside, about 50 miles southwest of London)

London --> Istanbul

Istanbul --> Athens

Athens ---> Santorini & back to Athens

Athens ---> Venice

Venice ---> Milan

Milan -----> Austria

Austria ---> Berlin

Berlin -----> Amsterdam (with a quick weekend trip to Paris)

Amsterdam ---> NYC

What do you think? Any suggestions? 

Love from the East Coast

P.S. Isn't this image so lovely? You can find it here on Etsy.

P.P.S. Just to clarify (mom) I'm not pregnant, when I say "tell our children about" I'm talking about future children. Sorry, still no grandchildren yet!

It's Black and White

Sissies-

I came across this Vogue Paris editorial and was enamored. As much as I LOVE color, black and white seems so refreshing right now.

Images by Inez and Vinoodh

lots of love from the city by the bay

Coconut Dreams

Sisters,

Meet my new favorite thing....

It's SO good!!! And dairy free :) It's sold at my local grocery store, but you can always find it at any Whole Foods or here. Happy Tuesday!

Love from nyc

Totally Outrageous!

Sisters,

Remember this pretty lady? I have no idea what made me think about our childhood obsession with Jem, but in my recent internet musings I found so my videos of Jem!  Growing up we couldn't get enough of her...and why wouldn't we love her? She had ambition, showed leadership, knew how to accessorize, and could wear a pink dress better than anybody.  

We all know that I don't typically wear pink unless it's a cardigan, but I am happy to live vicariously through you! You should totally channel Jem and buy one of these adorable dresses from ShopBob.

Rachel Roy                      Twenty8Twelve                   Nanette Lepore

Just in case Jem doesn't convince you, check out Blake Lively at the 2009 CFDA Awards.  One of you needs to purchase a pink dress for the summer!

Much love from Chi-town!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! 

Above is a picture of our beautiful mama. This amazing lady had twins (Kathleen and Christina), then 14 months later had another baby (Megan), AND then 9 years later had one again (Robbie). That's four children she's birthed, nursed, got up in the middle of the night for, kissed bumps and bruises and dried tears for, cheered at soccer games, dance recitals, and plays for, endured teenage angst for, became a driving teacher and college counselor for, assumed the roles of resume editor, apartment seeker, and interior decorator for, and became the advice giver and broken heart healer for. We are always grateful for the fact that we were born into the family we have and that we've been lucky enough to have the mom we have.

We love you mom :)

Friday Favorites!

Sissies!
TGIF! I cannot WAIT for the weekend to begin. The weather in San Francisco has been AMAZING and this girl needs to see some sunlight (my cubicle is really getting me down!). You lady-birds better call me this weekend so we can catch up!

Here are some links that have gotten me through this workweek:

~ An amazing YouTube video was passed along by Blair because the budding artist reminded her of me :)

~ I am pretty much obsessed with this entire line. Someone needs to tell me where I can buy it in SF!

~ Nothing starts a morning off better than a daily dose of cuteness !

~ Lastly, get ready to call me Dame Dawson because I am planning on becoming besties with royals. The Prince and the Duchess are coming to America! Do you think I should invite them over for a spot of tea?

Hugs, from SF