Beyond Boston Chic

Around the holidays this year, I visited my aunt Nirva (in the above pictures).  Nirva* throws a mean party each New Year’s Day and this year was no different.  Honey, a new and enthusiastic gourmand of Haitian cuisine could hardly contain himself as all his now favorite foods were served at the party.  And me, well, I very kindly helped myself to the family photo albums.  Hey, a blogger’s gotta do what a blogger’s gotta do.  I’ve scanned a few photos to share with you of Tatie Nirva and her then honey (now husband).

With the anniversary of the earthquake** in Haiti, I’d like to remember the beauty of Haiti and how sassy my aunties were.  Nirva had albums upon albums of photos of herself.  She could have given the modern-day personal style blogger a run for their money.  I’m due for a trip to Haiti very soon, you can bet that I’ll raid the albums back at home too.  In the meantime, I’ve made a resolution this year to take a lot more photos of myself.  I’d love for my future nieces and nephews to look at photos of me and my cousins and think: “Whoa Aunties?  Did you keep those clothes?”  And I’ll respond, “Yup, that’s how we rocked it in the 2000s!”

*Notice how in the first photo Nirva is way too big for her bike.  Methinks she borrowed it from someone in order to take this photo.

**These photos were taken in front of my mum’s house in Haiti at a time where it was being built.  Unfortunately, we had to tear it down.  I suppose we’ll rebuild soon enough.

I ran into Toni last week.  I’ve been in browns, blacks or cream this winter.  Earth tones are attracting me quite a bit this year.  I forgot to ask Toni about her Love ring.  Here’s one that is similar.

We had a particularly nippy day in Boston yesterday.  Because of the cold weather, I decided not to bring my camera with me.  Low and behold everyone was smartly layered.  I’m not making the same mistake for the rest of the week.  The camera will be glued to my hips

This photo was taken a few weeks ago.  I have to say that I quite like the mix of tweed and leather.

Happy New Year!  I’m coming off of about a week of doing absolutely nothing.  Glorious days of no make-up, no appointments, no emails, no Twitter, no blogging…well, there was that one post….oh, and there were those tweets, I sent somewhere along the way….Ummm, yeah, there was a bit of Facebooking going on too.  *le sigh*

OK, OK, so it wasn’t completely all no-work but Honey and I did enjoy cooking our hearts out.  There was homemade bread, olive oil cake, Haitian favorites such as legume (a beef/vegetable stew) and accra fritters, bucatini all’amatriciana and an Australian meat pie…..let’s just say we’re both going to hit the gym enthusiastically in the new year.

Many wonderful things happened last year.  There were TV appearances on WCVB’s Chronicle and Greater Boston, and an exhibit of my work to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the blog.  We were featured on CNN.com’s Living page, in Wellesley Magazine (my alma mater), and in the Boston Globe.  There were the trips to Australia, to Spain, to Venezuela and to Paris Fashion Week.  You’ll remember it is during my trip to Paris that I ran away from the Sartorialist and Garance Dore.  Oh, during this trip, I met Honey’s mate, Bill Cunningham and many other super stars in the fashion world. I know I’ve left a few things off the list but I reaaaalllllllly do hope that next year will be just as exciting as last.

Thank you for hanging in there and for supporting the blog through your thoughtful comments! I look forward to talking with you through this medium and via email in the coming months.  For 2012, I have a few things planned for you, including another exhibit, more style profiles, and more fabulous photos.  In the meantime, enjoy I hope you have wonderful things planned for 2012!

PS The above photo was taken in Paris.  As I stare at this photo, I realize more and more that I truly have a thing for jackets.  I have yet to purchase a smoking jacket though.  And in white at that?!  Hmmmm…..I may have to try it out in the new year.

My mum is heading to Haiti today (where it is nice and warm) and my sister is enjoying Australian summer.  *Sigh* I’m enjoying the holidays, but I do think wistfully of warm weather.  With that said, I leave you with this photo from earlier in the summer. I love yellow and red together.

See you in the new year!