May 21 2012
Got denim questions?
No prob, our all-knowing denim designer Jac will be answering your questions live on Twitter this Wednesday, 5/23 at 7pm EST! Join the conversation at twitter.com/madewell1937.
May 31 2012
Barney’s Fashion Director, Amanda Brooks, has decided to finally leave New York City for the country.
Why?
Because of Ree Drummond, mouther of four who lives on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, and her blog, The Pioneer Woman. According to Brooks, “It’s the idea of having a career on your own terms, anywhere.”
Very inspiring, although maybe not the easiest or even remotely practical feat to achieve.
Read the full article here: nyti.ms/JRdgxB
May 29 2012
Now that I’m engaged, it’s pretty ironic that one of my clients is Brides magazine.
The lovely Lucie and I went to Conde Nast HQ today for a business meeting. And by “business meeting”, i mean discussing the Brides Pinterest page.
Pretty fun, no?
May 21 2012
Say hello to my Mom and her lifelong friend, Judie.
Both ladies came to New York last week for engagement/belated birthday/Mother’s Day celebrations and we capped off the festivities with dinner at our all-time favorite indian, Tamarind.
Their friendship has spanned several decades - what an inspiration!
P.S. How cute are their matchy black and white ensembles?
May 18 2012
Finally took advantage of our courtyard last night.
Chardonnay, Délice de Bourgogne + Gorgonzola Dolce Artigianale Cheese, Hydrangeas, discussions about our this summer’s trip to Crete, Greece - quite the combination.
May 18 2012
Last night, some friends came over for dinner.
I stopped by Murray’s on Bleecker to pick a selection of cheeses and fig preserves.
I then walked around the corner to Jones Street into Florence Meat Market, the old-school butcher shop (opened in 1931!), for precisely trimmed Lamb Chops.
The meal was topped off with tomatoes, maple glazed brussel sprouts, several bottles of wine and homemade chocolate chocolate chip cookies.
Not only do I like avoiding the post-work Whole Foods madness, but popping in and out of local West Village shops and supporting small businesses just feels good.
May 17 2012
Just When It Couldn’t Get Any Better…
Upon returning from our whirlwind trip to Nantucket, I was utterly exhausted.
I envisioned an evening at home that included my sofa, sweatpants, take out chinese and snuggle time with Lady.
As soon as I stated my intentions, Joel objected. He wanted to “continue our seafood themed weekend” with dinner at Atlantic Grill. I could barely think straight, let alone imagine a dressed up evening with even more champagne. However, I lost that battle.
We arrived at Atlantic Grill, walked through the front dining room, entered the back dining room and my jaw dropped.
Dropped.
Sitting there in front of us was my family (who I had just spoken to on the phone), who Joel had coordinated with to come from Baltimore to New York for even more celebrations!
There were sweet toasts from both my parents.
And I was perfectly happy to not be home sitting at home.
I lucked out with this guy, right?
And, of course, it was the perfect pre-Mother’s Day celebration.
May 16 2012
The best part of the surprise Nantucket trip?
When Joel asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.
May 16 2012
40 Hours in Nantucket
*Warning - long post ahead.
Last week, Joel sent me and email that essentially said:
“I’m taking you on vacation this week, but I’m not telling you where. Attached is the weather forecast so you can pack accordingly.”
Fortunately, he had coordinated the time off with my boss a month ago (good man!), but nevertheless, the trip remained a secret until we landed at the Boston airport and he gave me my boarding ticket to Nantucket.
I admit that I had a mini panic attack when I saw the plane.
I was sitting directly behind the pilot, Hilton, which quickly became a problem when I would unintentionally grab his seat (oops) as the teeny plane shifted back and forth and up and down. Thankfully, Hilton didn’t scold me.
Upon arrival, we settled in at The White Elephant Resort, which is even cuter than it looks in this photo.
Dinner included lobster because, well, when in Rome.
The next morning, we kicked things off with coffee on the balcony overlooking the harbor.
Followed by a walk down Main Street and through town.
If you’re ever in Nantucket, you must pick up sandwiches at Provisions. The Nobadeer (i.e. the Thanksgiving sandwich) is pure heaven.
Then, Joel and I biked 6.2 miles west to Madaket, my favorite Nantucket beach, to enjoy our lunch.
We had the beach all to ourselves, but to say it was windy would be an understatement.
After cruising back to town, some well deserved Whale’s Tale beers at The Gazebo were in order.
That evening we rested our sore legs with a bottle of champagne…….
Before a 7-course tasting menu dinner at Toppers (where meals and sunsets are always exceptional.)
And of course, there was more and more champagne.
We capped off the trip with a final morning in Nantucket.
And I managed to not give myself a heart attack on the flight back.
All in all, it was the most memorable, whirlwind trip of my life.
May 10 2012
Vintage Throwback
While cleaning up my Grandma Jo’s home, my dad found this special newspaper article from the Washington Herald, 1931. It features my Aunt Alice (nicknamed Sleepy - left) and Grandma Jo (right), announcing their family trip to spend winter in Corondo, San Diego.
Glamourous, no?
May 09 2012
CC in Kansas
Last week I went to Kansas for my client, Madewell, in support of their #MWDenimRoadtrip.
The quick trip was fun and put me out of my comfort zone for several reasons:
I had to rent a car and drive around Missouri and Kansas. For someone who hasn’t driven regularly in almost ten years, this was scary (using iPhone Google Maps while driving is not recommended).
I had solo breakfast on the main drag in Lawrence.
Got in “Madewell Character” by sporting their signature pieces and cool side-braid.
Became best friends with a local Great Dane.
And successfully ventured the back roads of Kansas to find true, authentic local BBQ at Woodyard BBQ.
The old shack produced incredible BBQ (I tried a sampling of Brisket, Sausage, Chicken AND Ribs!) and even featured live music on the patio.
How do I know it was legit? Beyond the tasty meat, one of my food heros, Anthony Bourdain, apparently visited the local joint.
I'm Casey, I live in Manhattan and here is my everyday journey and toast to life. Have a question? Ask me 
