Happy Halloween!

Wishing everyone a happy Halloween.

Hope you have a "spooktacular" day and get tons of your favorite candy :)

Shopping in NYC

Oh my gosh - I did so much shopping its not even funny. I miss NY. I miss people watching and seeing how NY'ians master the effortless chic look. I miss shopping in unique eccelectic boutiques and street vendors.

I found a fab statement ring - i think it channels Olivia P - what do you think?

ps - my nailpolish color is Essie's new color - Merino Cool
I found these great - casual bangles with clover charms on them. I think it tones down my jeweled bracelet from JCrew and it looks stylish layered with my Michael Kors watch

My Collection

I guess i didn't realize this but i collect coffee table books - especially fun fashion/designer books. I've always loved browsing bookstores - but i never actually thought of myself as being a book collector.

Anyway, my new book for my collection is Lauren Conrad's new book, "Style." It was a gift from my favorite stylist, Alba Nela - she's so good to me. Lauren has great tips on Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. I hold it high up there with Nina Garcia's "Little Black Book."

It gets better

(Image courtesy of www.younghouselove.com)

So this is a post i've been wanting to do for awhile. I just haven't had the time to sit down and gather my thoughts. A few weeks ago, a Rutgers freshman committed suicide. He was gay and his roommates and their friends videotaped him having sex with another boy. His roommate broadcasted this video to the public and basically humiliated him. I realize this is wrong, but i also know how college kids think and i'm sure they didn't realize the severity or the impact this would make on the boy. But still, how could they.

Anyway, yes, that is so humiliating. I would die if my private business was shown to the whole world. I would also die if I was gay and already had a hard time fitting into society or finding my place in this world. Of course I say i would die b/c i'ma dramatic person, but i'm not sure if i would really go so far as killing myself. And its such a shame for this boy to think that everything that was happening to him was the end of the world. After this incident, Perez Hilton was advocating the saying, "It gets better." Isn't it so sad to think that this boy thought this was so horrible he would never be able to feel good about himself again? If only he knew that life moves on and that it WILL get better - maybe he would have saved his life.

It hits home even more so now as a mom. I would never want Gabe to go through life thinking he was alone and that he couldn't stand living anymore. I'd want him to know how much support he has through Wil and I and all of our family and friends. I'd want him to take everything day by day. He'll have his happy moments and of course he'll have his sad moments. As his mom, i wish i could shield him from all the future pain i know he'll feel. But i know that's life - that's how he'll learn. He has to go through some of those rough times to appreciate what he has or to figure out where his happiness truly lies. But, although i have to accept that he'll cry, have broken hearts, be humiliated, get hurt, I hope to instill in him that "It gets better." I hope the love I feel for him is strong enough to give him his own strength and edurance to face anything in this world.

Tuesday Shoesday

So....I did A LOT of shopping in NJ. I didn't mean to, but i couldn't help but want to take advantage of the no tax thing. It really sucks having to pay tax on clothing and shoes when i'm in Atlanta.

Anyway, my weakness - as most girl's share - is shoes. So i ended up buying 3 pairs - all on different shopping trips throughout my stay.

Here is one i found at the Aldo Outlet!!! I'm soooo happy about this purchase. I love how stylish yet classy these suede shoes look!!!!

Aldo

Sangrey grey suede peep toe gladiator sandals

I have to say i'm a little bummed that the weather is getting cooler b/c i'm dying to wear these now with cute dresses/skirts/leggings. Of course i can winterize it up with black tights but i want to show of my cute toes :)

Leaving Home

Again, sorry for the lack of posts, I've been here in NJ for the past 3 weeks. It was meant to be a week and a half trip home but it ended up getting extended to 3weeks!! Wil even had to assure his coworker that we weren't having marital problems :) It was just nice being here - around family and friends. It was a nice change from the quiet, lonely, pace of Atlanta. I miss3 being in my own bed, but i know i'll miss being around the people i love more.

A lot has happened these past 3 weeks that i'd love to share. i'll have more time to myself once i'm back home. But in the meantime, here is a beautiful pic of NJ from the NYC side. I've always loved staring back at the other side from across the Hudson. Not only is it picturesque but it brings back great memories of when Wil and I were just dating. Since we were in a long distance relationship, our time together was so limited so we made the most of our weekends. We would go for dates in NYC and watch the sunset from Battery Park - this is the view we'd always stare back at.

Its such a bittersweet feeling leaving tomorrow. I know everyone here got used to having Gabe around and its going to be such an adjustment for them not to see his smile or hear his giggles for awhile. Luckily, we'll be coming back for the holidays. But in the meantime, Ciao NJ. We'll be back real soon.

Craving

I don't know why, but i'm craving a refreshing Bellini right now.... and its a little past midnight....

Baby Soft Throw

So, in my quest to beautify my home and make me feel happy while i'm home with Gabe, I found a luxurious throw that's actually decently priced. Its a faux sheepskin throw from Pottery Barn - i want!!!!

Image via www.urbannestblog.com

the Pottery Barn throw is the top left pic with the little dog comfortably resting on it :)

it retails for $99

Though far, always near

Luckily, during my stay here in NJ, my sister Gail (from LA) was in Philadelphia for a wedding. We couldn't pass the opportunity up for the 3 of us sisters to get together (Christine lives here in NJ) so we drove about 2 hours to see her for dinner. Since all 3 of us live in different states, we rarely all get together at the same time. Its usually 2 of us together and rarely all 3. Gail was there in PA for a wedding and she was able to spare one night for us. She was staying at the Ritz Carlton and can i say, "wow!" Their interior design was magnificent! I wish i had my camera so i could take picsof their decor but all i had was my dinky camera phone. I totally have the itch to redecorate my home so i'm a bit anxious to head back to Atlanta!

I'm wearing H&M nautical top, awesome necklace from the Philippines

Gail is wearing an anthropologie top, bcbg wrap, and an Oraton purse

Christine is wearing a Club Monaco silk romper with a United Colors of Benetton sweater

East Coast

So sorry for lack of posts! I went "home" to NJ to see my family and to attend a few functions. I'm actually still here and its been tough to get to a computer!

I think i feel even more homesick when i come here than when i'm in Atlanta because i see how much i'm missing. I miss my friends, i miss hearing the "accents", i miss my beautiful neighborhood where i grew up in. This was Gabe's first trip to NJ so it was fun to share the sights with him - even though he has no clue what's going on yet.

Here he is - happy as can be with my fam at 21 weeks old.

I've done so much here, i'll have to post about them when i can. Have a great week!

Atlanta Zoo

My goddaughter and her parents came to visit us last week :) We took them to the Atlanta Zoo since we figured she's appreciate it. It was a fun time for Wil, Gabe, and I as well since it was our first time there.

(I'm wearing an Old navy ruffled shirt, hm sweater, Michael Kors watch, button pearl earrings, Ray Ban sunglasses. Gabe's wearing a top and shorts from Old Navy)

We got to see a newborn giraffe - it was born at 6 ft tall!

This was Wil's favorite exhibit -the panda bears :) he loves everything round and he loves how they get to eat and sleep all day - i think he hopes to be a panda in his next life.

VIP

Honestly, we should be VIP members to the Atlanta Aquarium and the Coca Cola Museum - we've been there 3 times in the past 2 months. We go there often because we always take our out of town guests there - but we do love going everytime. I still can't wait for the day when Gabe can finally appreciate going and get excited to see the fish or the animals. But for now, I love holding him close to me. I know once he understands what these places are he'll be running away trying to look at all the animals. So for now, i'm cherishing our time together.

(i'm wearing, black topshop leggings, white men's vneck tee, paisley scarf I got from Singapore, Louis Vuitton tote, Michael Kors menswatch. Gabe is wearing Carter's white oneise and Gap linen pants)

Style Icon - Olivia Palermo

As you know, I'm in love with Olivia Palermo's style. She always wears perfectly tailored pieces and knows how to mix and match prints without making her look too busy. I'm still trying to figure out the gaps in my closet and what pieces I need to invest in so i gathered a few pics of Olivia to help inspire me and help me hone in on the pieces i really want and need.

(image courtesy of redblog.mcmag.co.uk)

(image courtesy of www.skinnyvscurvy.com)

(image courtesy of www.coutureinthecity.com)


(image courtesy of www.marieclaire.com)

(image from unknown source)

(image courtesy of www.bagsnob.com)

(image courtesy of twenty2.onsugar.com)

(image courtesy of www.celebs.gather.com)

(image courtesy of www.myfashionlife.com)

(image courtesy of www.fabsugar.com)

Happy Monday!

Its a new day and a new week. Happy Monday!!

A Fab Friend

Each of us have different friends for different aspects of our life. Some are there for work issues. Some are there to listen to you cry. Some are there help you fight battles against the world. Some are there to tell you how fab you look in your new dress. Some are there to tell you how you really look in your new dress. A friend who is all of these to you are few and far between in life. But I am lucky enough to have one of those. I call her the Carrie Bradshaw of my life - she's my fashion mongul and she's the one who keeps me sane and grounded - Alba Nela. She has impeccable taste and knows how to make anything work in her wardrobe.

She and I met while working together at Tommy Hilfiger a few years back. She's just beginning to follow her own dreams of becoming a fashion advisor/stylist to all who want to look just as classy and fabulous as her.

Follow her blog - www.albanela.blogspot.com

Alba also has a featured spot on my website, www.designsbykcayetano.com called, What Would Alba do, where she takes pieces from my jewelry line and shows how she would style them with her existing wardrobe.

She's having a launch party next weekend in NYC that I'm fortunate to be a part of. It's a clothing swap that Alba will be helping girls style in new ways with my jewelry. So can't wait!!!! Plus, i'm so homesick - i miss my family in NJ and i miss the hustle and bustle of the city!! Big Apple - here I come!

Happy October!

Can you believe its October already? i can't - especially since its still pretty hot here in Atlanta . Anyway, October means fall which means new beginnings in the fashion world. Time to update the wardrobe! Well, in this case, the accessories wardrobe. Here's a bag that caught my eye in a magazine recently. Its of course by one of my favorite designers, Valentino. Its a grey lace leather bag. At first this bag did give a spring'y vibe. But then i pictured this feminine purse with my tall, light brown riding boots in the fall and a long grandfather cashmere cardigan in grey. Maybe even a nice jewel toned pashmina to add a pop of color - maybe a deep purple? Anyway, love this purse. of course it won't make it into my closet anytime soon, but just wanted to share.

Jump for your love

We just bought Gabe a baby Einstein jumper from babies r us! It was so exciting to buy because every toy he has now we got from his showers so this was a our first "major" purchase for him. I put him in it this morning and he loved it! His attention span was a total of 10 minutes -i'm thinking because of sensory overload. But it was such a great feeling watching him grab for the toys around him.

I noticed these past few weeks that he loved when i held him up like he was walking. He was always kicking his legs, his neck has gotten a lot stronger so we naturally thought this was the next appropriate toy for our growing baby boy.

Gabriel - 18 weeks