Fiel Sol

Meaning loyal or faithful sun, this Australian jewelry line definitely has my loyalty. Similar to Tom Binns' jewelry worn most famously by Kelly Ripa, Fiel Sol is just as beautiful but much less costly. (I'm not counting the shipping costs from AU to the US. In the name of fashion it's always worth it!)

Bird of Paradise Necklace
Photo courtesy of www.fielsol.com

I have a personal love of Fiel Sol because I studied abroad in Melbourne for seven months. (Pronounced Mel-bin by the locals. Now you won't be a geeky tourist. Thank you, Champagne Saturday!) While there I was fascinated by Australian fashion. Everyone seemed to have their own style. It was different from back in the States where everyone followed basically the same trends. People here wore what they liked and used their imaginations to create visually interesting and appealing ensembles. I shopped so much in my seven months there I had to buy a third suitcase and ship it home. (Parents were not too happy about that one!).

Precious Reunion Cuff
Photo courtesy of www.fielsol.com

Fiel Sol's jewelry is gorgeous, visually appealing and on trend. A beautiful combination of natural stones and metals, each piece is distinctive. The vibrant colors add a touch of life that seems to exude energy and exemplifies the brand's name. Each piece seems unique and versatile in its own way. Their pieces can be dressed up or dressed down, but no matter what they are the most stylish accessories. Step out of your fashion rut and get some "Sol"

Emilia Earrings
Photo courtesy of www.fielsol.com

The Fiel Sol blog describes their jewelry better than I ever could: "Marissa and her dedicated team at Fiel Sol create handcrafted, vibrant and unique jewellery inspired by cultures from across the globe. With her love for creativity and individuality, Marissa established Fiel Sol in early 2009 to design jewellery that reflects her own visual style. Each collection is designed with an emphasis on colour, texture, metals and the natural beauty of semi-precious stones. Fiel Sol blends the themes of antiquity with a modern edge - necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings capture the beauty of ancient treasures with bold, vibrant colours."

Eliza Earrings
Photo courtesy of www.fielsol.com

Check out their goods HERE.

Annika Necklace
Photo courtesy of www.fielsol.com

I shouldn't tell you this because I want to win for myself, BUT... Fiel Sol is running a contest to win an Annika necklace. Follow them on Instagram and post the picture of the Annika necklace from their site with the tag #lovefielsol for a chance to win! Check out their blog for the details.  The winner will be chosen November 1st. Quick, you don't have much time!!

Now we just need to get some Fiel Sol in the States! C'mon Fiel Sol, you know we will be your loyal "sons" (and daughters, hehe).

Pumpkin Me Some Apples

I look forward to nothing more than going to pick pumpkins in the fall. Cool, crisp air, sweaters, jeans and boots. It's the all-encompassing fall activity. What excites me more is that I get to tote along with me my four-month old for her first pumpkin picking experience.

I fondly remember going to the pumpkin patch  each year. My aunt, uncle and cousins would arrive at our house from the city and we would all pile in my uncle's little Toyota and head out east to Smith's Farm.

After what seemed like an interminable ride of 30 minutes we exploded out of the car running this way and that while the adults yelled after us. We begged to take the hayride which takes you to the pumpkin patch, skipping the fresh fruit, vegetables and jams that were for sale. We didn't even care about the haunted house (until after the pumpkins of course - there's a method to these things you know).

My aunt always wandered into the barns to buy lots of veggies and jams to bring back to the city with her. Really though I think it was to fulfill her shopping addiction and so as not to mess up her hair on the hayride. ("My hay-a, my hay-a I can hear her saying in her thick New York accent). Ah those were the days...

But back to today's voyage for pumpkins to Larriland Farm. We plan to leave between feedings so as not to destroy the baby's schedule. You know the one I spent all week perfecting. The one that gets thrown out the window by my husband each weekend because he is clueless of our daily wanderings.

We arrived at the pumpkin patch two hours after we planned. "Someone" decided that after months of sleeping through the night it would be a good idea to keep waking up all night.

Despite little sleep and a late arrival we trudged on. The "patch" was our first stop. Luckily, it wasn't too crowded and the nice people at Larriland Farm had a bunch of wheelbarrows on hand for the big loads. We didn't need one of those though. My husband sported the ever manly Baby Bjorn and insisted that with two free hands three pumpkins would be "no problem!" 

  

We scoured the fields laden with pumpkins of every kind - smooth round ones, small green ones, big warty ones and of course the rotten ones. Slightly overcast with a chilly breeze made me glad I'd worn my thick sweater. I proudly walked the fields with my new family as eager and excited as the little kids. We stopped a few times for the signature pumpkin patch family shots - me with the baby and the pumpkins, my husband with the baby and the pumpkins, all of us with the pumpkins- you get the idea. (And yes I pre-planned our outfits so we'd coordinate for the pictures. I know, a little psycho, but don't you read those blogs where everything looks professional and coordinated? How am I supposed to compete with that in my usual VS yoga pants and oversized tee?? Answer me that friends)

I find mine first. A smooth, round, almost yellow color with no flaws or blemishes. Meanwhile my husband discovers a small half green and orange one with bumps, ridges and warts. Then I realize these pumpkins are representations of us as people. I'm super organized, I like clean lines and modern furniture. He is disorganized, not scared of a few bumps in the road and enjoys the natural beauty of things. My daughter's pumpkin is the perfect combination of us both- a small pumpkin, round and mostly smooth with a few ridges.


                       

We slowly wander back to the register and snag a family photo from a nice grandma with her grandchildren.

We drive over to the
apple orchard next. By this time it is infinitely more crowded than when we arrived but we find a parking spot and head into the brush.



I can't eat apples because I'm allergic, but I haven't always been so. I "grew into" this allergy my doctor tells me. What is this a pair of pants? Like a baby grows into her head? So traipsing through the orchard staring at the shiny red apples on a beautiful fall day might as well be Chinese water torture. I know how good those apples taste, but one bite and I'll be epi-penning it to the hospital. Sigh. I begrudgingly help my husband pick gorgeous apples as he commits the ultimate sin. He shines one up on his pants, bites in and sighs in tastebud happiness. Kill me now!

   

My daughter is being surprisingly great so we decide to stop for lunch at the barn. We grab three hot dogs, two drinks and a large fry to split. We set out our blanket under the shade of a large oak tree, sitting lazily as the baby coos, and people wander happily around us carrying apples, pumpkins, fritters and cider.

After lunch we wander through the barn where you can buy a plethora of fresh veggies, pumpkins, jams, cider and butters. This is the lazy man's way to pumpkin pick if you ask me but it's America I guess. The man in front of us was alone and bought two pumpkins. He must've felt me thinking "how sad, he's here by himself." because he offered up that last week he was here with his fam and over the weekend those ever elusive neighborhood hooligans smashed his kids' pumpkins. He was here to get them new ones. What a great guy!

   

What a relaxing day.  And that my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!

All American - Not Just for the Homegrown

You want a burger? No. Do you REALLY want a burger? A melt in your mouth, just the right amount of onions and ketchup, cheese melted to the bread, perfectly grilled burger???

Then you must, you MUST take a visit to All-American Burger on Long Island. (http://allamericanhamburger.us/menu.php) Everyone from all over Long Island knows and raves about it and it is frequented by many celebrities who grew up in the area (including Jerry Seinfeld and Alec Baldwin).

It's styled after a 1960s burger joint and it tastes phenomenal. Ok I take that back, it is heavenly. It looks just like it did in the 1960s and is still run by the Vutaggio family. The line stretches down the street, especially in the summer, and people are willing to wait a long time for that perfect burger. And in NY that's saying something! Established in 1963 well before the Shake Shack, this place has great burgers and fries, a family atmosphere, and offers up a little piece of the past.

The perfect way to enjoy their burgers is to spend the day at one of LI's south shore beaches, stopping here for dinner with friends and fam.

So you're probably wondering why I'm telling you about this great summer burger joint in the fall. The secret to avoiding the crowds is to go in the fall and winter. There's still a line, it just doesn't stretch around the block. But if you go off-season you must make a solemn promise to return again in the summer, just for the crowded, summer experience which has become ingrained in so many Long Islanders' summer memories.

It's Soup-Naziesque in the sense that you need to be ready to order when you're called upon. Otherwise those hungry impatient New Yorkers on line behind you will descend. My advice? Get the Double Double and fries, which are cut from potatoes and fried up on the spot. No frozen bag-fries here! If you just get a regular burger, trust me, you'll wish you had more. A simple menu for simply delish food. And if you're one of "those" people who like mustard on their burgers or have lots of special requests you may not get the full burger-heaven experience that is All-American. Go big or go home here folks. (Check out their menu here: http://allamericanhamburger.us/menu.php)

After devouring the delicious greasiness and offering up a prayer of thanks to the burger gods, you must head next door to Marshall's Ice Cream Bar for a sundae, or better yet, a milkshake. Also retaining its 1960s appearance, I can't think of a better way to end a beach day! And that my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!

Crowds, Crab Cakes, and Cocktails: Fells Point Fun Festival

"Crab cakes and football, that's what Maryland does!" ~ Wedding Crashers


A statement filled with truth. Fall has settled on Baltimore when the Fells Point Fun Festival has arrived. Crowds mill around Thames Street all afternoon listening to local bands like Mr. Greengenes and casually sip Baltimore's beer of choice, Natty Boh while the scent of Old Bay wafts through the air.

As Baltimoreans try to hang on to summer with crabs and warm sun, the Fall creeps up in sweaters, Pumpkin spiced lattes and of course the Ravens.

The Fells Point Festival marks the end of summer but the beginning of cool night air and changing leaves. People wander the cobblestones streets enjoying the comfortable Fall weather, the yummy festival food and cold, refreshing beer.



At one time I would've grabbed my friends and headed straight to the beer garden at the end of Thames St. Here, music blares from a large stage, beer trucks abound and food is abundant. Post college grads flock into the makeshift beer garden (which is actually a parking lot, but college kids aren't picky) for a day by the water, fun with friends and lots of drinks.

These days I leave the parking lot behind for a small park on the opposite end of Thames Street. It's as if the festival organizers know these two crowds cannot and should not mix lest a youngin come face to face with their future selves. Or worse, a tried and true adult meets a young carefree version of themselves. Nothing could make either group more disgusted.

So anyway, far far away in a garden playground- turned beer garden I sit casually sipping wine (they don't have wine in the parking lot), celebrating yet another year on this earth, while my daughter coos in her stroller. My how times have changed. Families sit watching their children play, all the while exchanging knowing glances of what used to be and what is now.

Walking the cobblestone streets (which used to prove an obstacle for my stilettos but now proves impossible for my Snap and Go) we stop at many vendors, browsing their many wares. Wine bottles turned into cheese servers, jewelry of every kind, alternative, hard to find music from the Soundgarden. People of all types wander the streets shopping, eating, drinking, dancing and enjoying themselves.

Grab a glass of champagne and hit the town!

Check here for the details

*All photos courtesy of Google images. *