Special Anniversary

Earlier this month, Chapin and I celebrated eight years of marriage. Since we actually got married on the fourth anniversary of our first date, that means we have been together a total of 12 years. It's hard to believe it has been that long!

Our Eighth Wedding Anniversary

I met Chapin in 1999, when I was in my last year of college at Emory and he was in his last year of college at Georgia Tech. We are both shy individuals, so it took awhile for us to feel comfortable around each other and to really be ourselves. Soon, though, we just started clicking, and after the first three months together, I think I knew he was the one. I definitely knew I was in love.

This anniversary was more low-key for us because we just returned from a fabulous vacation in Puerto Rico. (I still have to go through all the photos, but I hope to update this blog soon with an account of our travels. It's also why I look more tan than usual!) Chapin surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my office, and that night, we went to our favorite Italian restaurant, Nino's, for dinner.

Bouquet from Chapin on my Desk

I still have dresses in my closet that I bought years ago but, for some reason, never wore, so I decided to choose one of those unloved dresses for our anniversary night out. This A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz Strapless Ruffled Lace Dress has some intricate lace detail on the bodice, and an A-line silhouette that is flattering on a variety of body types. I paired it with some Betsey Johnson peep-toes that also have lace detailing, and a black and silver clutch.

Chapin is growing his hair longer for a different look, and I just love it. He is so handsome and sexy, especially with that facial scruff. I'm glad after all these years that I still love him just as much as when we were first together. Happy Anniversary!

Starting Our Life Together

A Relaxing Week in Puerto Rico...

Sipping a Coconut in the Rainforest

This October, Chapin and I took a much needed vacation, visiting Puerto Rico for the first time. The Caribbean sun, short (and very reasonably priced) flight and the fact that we wouldn't need to go through customs made Puerto Rico a perfect destination for us.

Chapin and I have both been working extremely hard lately, and we saw this time away as an opportunity to reconnect with each other, as well as to rest, relax and replenish our energies for the busy winter months ahead.

We picked a great day to leave Atlanta, as the temperature started to dramatically drop right as we touched down in Puerto Rico. Our flight did not take off until noon, so by the time we made it to our hotel, the La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, we were ready for dinner. 

This Mariott hotel (thank you, Mariott reward points) was probably one of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed in, not including the Four Seasons Atlanta Hotel we stayed in on our wedding night, and the Rihga Royal Hotel we stayed in one time when Chapin accompanied me to New York for a movie junket. Since our room wasn't quite ready when we arrived, we walked from the hotel to a nearby restaurant that the hotel recommended: Casa Lola.

As we were browsing the menu, we realized that a popular fish in Puerto Rico shares its name with my husband. After that, whenever someone asked Chapin his name, he would say, "like the fish!" It was very cute.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to change and hang out at the bar in the hotel lobby. We had a few drinks but did not stay too long since we were so exhausted from our travels. The next morning, it was so amazing to wake up to the sound of the waves on the beach. I could definitely get used to that.

The amazing view from our room in Puerto Rico

Our first full day in Puerto Rico, we decided to just relax and enjoy ourselves. We switched back and forth between the beach and the "adults only" infinity pool. I didn't check my work email, either. I just read my Kindle, drank frothy, calorific drinks and napped in the sun. It was heavenly.

That evening, we decided to walk to a restaurant that was about a mile away. Chapin assured me that the walk would be worth it, so I put on my new MICHAEL Michael Kors Halter Maxi Dress that I had bought especially for the trip -- with Chapin's blessing -- and we headed out.

We walked and walked, from the hotel through suburban Puerto Rican neighborhoods, where we saw nannies with young children and people out walking their dogs after the end of the workday. Finally, we reached our destination... which turned out to be more of a grocery store/ deli than a restaurant. We looked at each other and decided to head back. We would not be eating there after all.


We had passed a Mexican restaurant on the way, so that's where we ended up about 20 minutes later. We ordered margaritas and browsed the menu. Chapin wasn't impressed, so we left after our drinks... which were literally the strongest margaritas I had ever had in my life. After finishing mine on an empty stomach, I was DRUNK. We went back to the hotel and ended up eating a very nice meal in the pricey hotel restaurant. I had seafood. That's about all I remember.

The rest of the trip, we decided to do at least one activity before heading to the pool and/or beach to relax the afternoon away.

We visited the Bacardi Rum Distillery on our second day there, where we got two free drinks and learned about the history of the famed brand in Puerto Rico. (The tour was free.) It was so much fun to be drinking before noon on a weekday! We also picked up some special aged run for Chapin's father (and Chapin), and I got the cutest hoodie for myself. I did not bring any long sleeved shirts with me, and I wanted something casual I could put over my bathing suit when the sun would start to set.

After our tour, we headed back to the hotel, where we immediately went to the beach. Since the beach was man made, the waves were very rough, and I lost my Fendi sunglasses that I'd had for years in the surf. Chapin told me he was actually very glad, because he hated those sunglasses. It was nice to know that after I'd been wearing them for years! I got some new sunglasses in Old San Juan: the Christian Dior Lady Dior Sunglasses. I cringe to see how discounted they are, because I had to pay full price in Puerto Rico. Argh!

That night, we decided to try a restaurant in town that we had read about online: Jose Enrique. This time, we made sure it was a real restaurant... and it was. There was a long wait, so we decided to get a drink, and ended up across the street in an area of town called "Taberna Los Vazquez-la Placita." We got some strange looks, and after speaking to a "local" who spoke English, realized that it wasn't a place very many tourists frequented. That made it all the more authentic for us - a real Puerto Rican experience. And the wait was worth it... the food at Jose Enrique was one of the most delicious meals I have ever had the pleasure of eating. (And I like to eat!)

The next day, we decided to visit Old San Juan.

We walked around for several hours and treated ourselves to some chocolate ice cream. The views were amazing. Here I am in my new Dior sunglasses and a Juicy Couture strapless polka dot terry cloth sundress. It's the most comfortable little dress for outings on a hot day!

We ate at an Italian restaurant called Vittorino that night, which was in the same area of town as Jose Enrique. We actually weren't sure the restaurant was even open, but then we saw what we thought was a patron walk in. It turned out to be the owner of the restaurant, and even though it was only 8:30 p.m., the restaurant was, in fact, closed. An upscale place, and very small, Vittorino has to limit the number of people who can get a table. We were fortunate enough to get one, because it was our second best meal in Puerto Rico. Our waiter also looked like Johnny Depp, which helped make the overall experience even better.

I wore this magenta Shoshanna Faille Seamed Bodice Tank Dress to dinner. I think the pink hue helped highlight my burgeoning tan. This dress was also spotted on E! News anchor Ashlan Gorse.

On one of our final days in Puerto Rico, we decided to tour the El Yunque Tropical Rainforest. It was a long drive, but we saw some amazing feats of nature, including the world's smallest orchid. Chapin managed to get some great shots of the little orchid, like this one. The little red bud is the orchid!

There are so many favorite photos from the rainforest tour -- the waterfall, the view, the huge spider web! -- but I think this one is my favorite:

Our last night in Puerto Rico, we decided to go back to Jose Enrique, because the food was just that good. I wore this gorgeous Nanette Lepore Silver Blaze Cami Dress.
 

The food was just as good as we remembered!

Our last morning in Puerto Rico, we got up early and spent the morning swimming and lounging at the pool. All too soon, it was time to pack up for our return trip to Atlanta. I was excited to see my family and George, but going back home after a vacation is always bittersweet.

Dogs on the Woof

A few days before Halloween, Chapin, George and I attended Dogs on the Woof, held on the roof of the Loews Hotel Atlanta. A professional photographer took some great shots of George at this event, where a portion of the proceeds helped benefit the Atlanta Pet Rescue organization, and this one is by far my favorite:

The photographer, Alecia Lauren, somehow managed -- despite all the commotion around us -- to get George to sit still long enough for several great shots. She did such a good job I may hire her for one of our next family photo shoots.

Since there was going to be a costume contest, we decided that a pumpkin, his 2011 costume, wasn't competitive enough, so we put him in a costume he wore several years ago: a caterpillar. I love the little bow tie, the tentacles and all the little feet going up the sides of the costume.

The way he is wearing his hood with the tentacles flying out reminds me of an old fashioned pilot's cap.

The way this costume is made, with helpful Velcro closures, even makes George seem slim! With their hearty little body types, pugs are hard to fit, and most clothing that fits George around the neck and middle ends up being too long. This costume fits better than most of his other costumes, which have included, over the years:

• Pumpkin
• Dragon
• Giraffe
• Gangster
• Football Player

I think George enjoyed all the attention he received at the Dogs on the Woof event, although he did not place in the costume contest. Several people came up to us afterward and said they thought we should have won, but a Ghostbuster took that honor instead. The prizes were awesome, though, so we will probably attend next year with a more competitive mindset.

This Coat is It!

I am currently on the hunt for a new winter coat, and am in love with the Jessica Coat in Macrame (White) from Elie Tahari. There is nothing as classic as a white wool winter coat. This one is pretty pricey, though, so it will most likely stay out of reach for now!

Happy Halloween!

Chapin and I had fun dressing up this Halloween as... brain-eating, blood-dripping ZOMBIES!

Although I was hesitant about the zombie idea -- I figured that, with the success of shows like The Walking Dead and other news about the zombie apocalypse, everyone would be dressing as zombies -- Chapin eventually talked me into it. Since he is growing his hair out, he wanted a costume where he could do something crazy with it, and a decaying zombie would be perfect.

I am actually an Undead Teacher's Pet, so I got to be a sexy zombie. I guess that's why Halloween is one of my favorite holidays... because, for just one night, you can dress crazy and provocative (and get away with it). The skirt on this costume was so short that I could not bend over to grab some candy corn, but hey, it's Halloween!

Chapin is actually a character from Shaun of the Dead, a zombie spoof movie that still scares me, which should tell you that although I like dressing up as a zombie, watching movies about them is another story. I refuse to watch The Walking Dead, and scenes from 28 Days Later still haunt me. (And, no, that's not a sequel to the Sandra Bullock say no to drugs romantic comedy of a similar name.)

I did have fun doing the makeup for our costumes, though. I got to do a crazy, smoky eye on me, and Chapin let me make up his eyes as well. (The "blood" on his face is all him.) I also got to use a lot of hair spray on Chapin's head. His hair was so sprayed that my 11-year-old self from 1989 would have been proud.

Speaking of 1989, I watched Teen Witch for the first time in years during ABC Family's Halloween movie marathon this weekend. What a terrible movie, but somehow that "Never Gonna Be... the Same Again" song still got stuck in my head.

And finally, since I could not find a zombie costume for George, he ended up being a Halloween pumpkin. Doesn't he look happy to be in his costume?

Sale Alert

It's finally Friday, and there are some amazing sales going on this weekend that I want to bring to your attention:

Nanette Lepore: Friends and Family Sale

October 7 - 10, 2011
Enter Code FFF11 at Checkout for 20% Off Your Order!
Code will not work on sale items.

Tory Burch: Friends and Family Sale

October 7 - 10, 2011
Enter Code FRIENDS2011 at Checkout for 25% Off Your Order!
Code will not work on specific items like the Reva Ballet Flats, but will work on sale merchandise!

Several retail sites are also marking down Summer items as we go deeper into the Fall season, including:

ShopBop.com
Featured Pick:
Shoshanna Sweetheart Strapless Dress
Was: $385
Now: $115

EvesApple.com
Featured Pick:
Tracy Reese Contrast Dress
Was:  $257.40
Now: $  77.22

Dillards.com
Featured Pick:
Max & Cleo Sleeveless Tucked Dress
Was:  $148.00
Now: $  51.80

Happy Columbus Day Shopping!

A Little Bit of Paris...

I've been a little bit obsessed with Paris lately. I think it's because the setting is prevalent in two novels I am currently reading: The Night Circus and The Story Sisters (only $1.99 for the Kindle), which I actually finished this morning. (Am I the only one who mourns novels once I'm done reading that last page? You get to know the characters so well, and then suddenly, they're gone from your life. Sigh...)

Chapin and I are hoping to take a trip to France and Italy next year, but for the time being, we're making do with French restaurants like Bistro Niko, where we ate dinner this past Wednesday night. Since George was with me at the office most of the afternoon, we didn't feel guilty going out for the evening, and I hate missing out on any opportunity to dress up.

Here I am before we left for dinner. (I wanted to show a picture with Chapin, but his head was cut off in all the shots!) I'm actually wearing a dress that I have never worn before. I've owned it for probably close to four years, and for some reason or another, just never wore it. (It's terrible to admit, but I think I actually forgot about it.) The dress is a corset dress from Nanette Lepore, one of my favorite designers.

I am so in love with everything in her new collection for Fall, especially this dress, which I have already told Chapin I plan to buy as soon as it goes on sale. Brands like Nanette Lepore and Rebecca Taylor really turn out feminine, sophisticated looks, and that's probably how I would define my style. I also like looking sexy, and I think this dress I wore for our dinner out definitely fits the bill.

Since Chapin and I usually eat dinner in front of the TV, going out for a leisurely evening is such a nice change of pace for us. On this particular night, the weather was clear and the temperature in the mid 70s, so we sat outside to enjoy our food and wine.

On the menu:

For me:
I wanted to get something definitively French, so I decided to start with the Vichyssoise, which I enjoyed saying as much as eating. This Chilled Leek & Potato Soup was delicious, and  I especially liked dipping my bread into the cold soup.

Oh yes, the bread. I'm not one to stay away from carbs, otherwise I would be much thinner, and this bread was just divine. The outside was crispy but not tough, and the inside was like puffs of soft air hitting my tongue. When we first walked in, we could see baskets of French bread in the open kitchen, and knew we weould be in for a treat.

For my entree, I decided on the "Sole Aux Cherries de Tomate": Maine Lemon Sole, cherry tomatoes, tomato lobster broth and polenta. The fish was a bit bland for me, so I made sure I had enough tomato, polenta and fish on my fork for each bite. (It reminded me of how Barbara Streisand's character in The Mirror Has Two Faces ate her salads... "the perfect bite," she would say.)

For Chapin:
Chapin did not have an appetizer, instead having two pieces of buttered bread, and got the Magret de Canard Rôti a L'Cumquat (Pan Roasted Breast of Duck served with cumquat marmalade and red cabbage) for his main course.

We were both so full, and it was almost 10 p.m by the time we finished our entrees, that we decided to skip dessert. Since Chapin and I both love sweets, that's saying a lot!