Chaletmomma

i was looking at this photograph and thinking how wonderfully dressed my grandmother Mary was. even after 48 years i remember her silk shift at Pop's 75th birthday party in May 1970; and how she didn't mind when i wanted to be in the photo. she was wonderful with her red hair, pack of Marlboros and dirty martini's.

it started me looking through photo albums and thinking about how someone wears a garment and has their own personal flair.

the biggest influence in my life regarding fashion is my Mother Rita. she was always turned out and wore the right outfit for the right occasion.

everytime i don a pin or throw a pashmina around my neck it's because of her influence.

i thought i'd share images; not only of Rita but, my Dad Jim - he was a suit and tie man and my Mom's sister Marion who was always up-to-date sporting the latest fashion trends.

here's another image from the party. Rita in green looking stylish. Marion in her mod brown and black striped dress - so of the moment. i love the gloves.

here's Mary in that same dress with it's matching jacket at my cousin's wedding December 1970.

a close up of Rita - that beaded dress! Marion was the mother of the bride.

some older images.

Rita and Marion 1940's. sweet sisters.

Puerto Rica 1954 this cinnamon pink cotton dress is timeless.

Rita was a fashion model 1954.

my parents leaving for their honeymoon 1955.

i have this 1955 image framed - it sits in a cubby on my rolltop desk - i adore the styling of this blouse.

Marion and Rita 1960 both look stunning. those colors!

Thanksgiving 1962. My gorgeous Mother!

i found this from spring 1967. i wish it was a full shot of her silk and linen brown dress. the beading was killer!

this blue dress from summer of 1966 - wow!

my grandmother Lillian had similar bags to this Enid Collins handbag. some of hers had straw floral embroidery.

here are my Dad's parents Lillian and Joe on a pit-stop at the Jersey shore August 1965. something about this generation they were always fully dressed - even at the beach.

my sister and Rita Easter 1968. stylin' and profilin' next to Jim's convertible.

Marion looks amazing in her colorful coat. circa 1973.

April 1974 Marion, Rita with their sister-in-law Gladys. That jacket, those sunglasses!

I love how groovy Jim is with his white belt, bolo tie and white dinner jacket on our 1979 trip to Phoenix to visit my snowbird grandparents Lillian and Joe.

when i worked for the Gap Rita and i had matching wool trousers - none of her friends were shopping there but, she loved the young fun fashion. i remember a great denim blouse she had - i wish i had now - it'd be back in style since it was over 20 years ago and i'm her size now... ha!

on our 1985 trip to Ireland she was right on point in her cute Esprit outfit!

inside sometimes i wish we could return to a bit more of the formality of yesteryear but, fashion and life are different now. casual Fridays. working from home. active wear and yoga pants are now integral parts of our everyday wardrobes but, as my husband Steven likes to say: "there is nothing wrong with being the most overdressed person in the room."

i hope you celebrate your personal flair everyday!

til next time.

we've been lucky enough to have had some snow - which has lead to all sorts of outdoor fun! of course i won't talk about how ridiculously cold it's been.

my husband and son are a really into it!

i was so excited for him when he got some air on that run! (please excuse the chainsaw-hubby was cutting up christmas trees for the firepit.)

they were outside for hours.

since it was so cold our local pond froze. you must clear the snow before you can skate and that's exactly what my boys did... down to the park they went and cleared they did.

after a break for hot chocolate inside the pond house and a pit-stop at the chalet for a clothing swap and to get their hockey sticks - they were back for skating fun!

nothing makes me happier than my son enjoying the same simple things i did when i was a kiddo, skating on this pond and sledding - here i am Christmas day 1972 i remember how exciting it was to try and get the toboggan to run all the way down to street from the backyard. pure joy!

back when i was a child the pond house was a shack with a few benches and a pot belly stove. the Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy has taken amazing strides for the betterment of our local park - the new pond house is only one of them.

the pond in the winter of 1948.

there was one lone gentleman out there Wednesday night when i snapped this on our way home from hockey.

the gang hit the slopes. this was my sons 3rd time and he improves every time he straps on his skis. he loves spending time with his Cousin Teensie (in the foreground) and my sister - Aunt Reen.

they had a great day at Camelback.

now, there's talk of a trip to Switzerland!

i shouldn't wonder - here's my hubby back in the early 90's in Davos.

snow is definitely a theme around the chalet

while i couldn't lay my hands on a picture of my hubby on the frozen lake behind his childhood home. i had to share this great image of his parents. Marge and Tom circa 1978.