Fine Dining Every Day!

I work in a high school…granted, it is a private high school and is a Mercedes compared to most public educational facilities, but, nevertheless, it’s a high school. Not the most glamorous work environment.  On top of that, I have an inside room…no windows.  I have taught in this room day after day for over 13 years.

So, I have made a decision to upgrade my work area…just a tad.  My journalism classroom is designed purposefully to resemble a professional newsroom and it does, so there is not much I can do to bring in touches of glamour.   This week I started small…with my cups!  Out with the plastic, in with the glassware.  Like a gentle breeze, it has put a smile on my face and given me a chance to tell students who noticed, “Life is short.  Make fine dining a daily event!”

I try to bring this same attention to fun detail in my work wardrobe…occasionally wearing a little bling; pearls with denim; a faux fur collar…you, get the idea!!  The minute I saw this scarf a few years back at Walmart, I grabbed it.  Reduced to three dollars, it was the detail which caught my attention with the design painted on the scarf.

This is a very affordable look:

Chico’s Travelers jacket  (resale)  $16.00

Coldwater Creek skirt, on clearance,  $11.00

Walmart scarf, $3.00

Cynthia Rowley, gray tank, Marshalls - $10

Target Ballet Flats – so old I do not remember what I paid!!

Premiere Jewelry Bracelet: Two years ago

Have a great weekend everyone…remember to get out your elegant dishes and enjoy!!  Make fine dining a daily event!

psst....for those who saw a couple of Polyvores here earlier...I was just playing and did not mean for them to be published....YET!

Weddings: A How To Look Your Best Guide!

I have been mother of the bride...and....

mother of the groom....and....

figuring out how to look at any wedding is just

not that easy...especially if you are related. So I

am very pleased to share this infographic with

you to help with colors and makeup!!

Then, on Thursday, go visit the wonderful

bloggers of Katie's Favorite Things Blog Hop!!

http://katherinescorner.com/2013/01/31/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-73/

It's almost Friday, everyone!! Have a good one!



Heading to a Wedding - An infographic by the team at Mother Of The Bride Outfits

Toppers, Cardigans for All Print Fun!

Yes, Gigi’s new outfit from Chico's is the tops!  She received the total look as a Christmas present from her daughter and the colors are …well….just perfectly artistic, Gigi!

 Toppers and cardigans are great ways to add pizazz to a neutral based wardrobe.  All the work is done by the one garment.  Gigi’s can go with so many neutrals and some of the fun denim spring colors.  Mine works with red, black, khaki or gray.

Pants and Topper: Lane Bryant

We both just happened to wear fun toppers today…so, of course I had to share! Tell us where your favorite place is to buy toppers and cardigans!

Bracelet: Premiere Jewelry two years ago

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone…make sure you stay on TOP of your game!

Go Ahead...Try It On!

We really should not be surprised that when it comes to our appearance, the majority of us tend to think more negatively than positively.  Our owner’s manual should come with a warning about emotions.  Something like this:

PLEASE BE AWARE….This woman comes with insecurities and unexplained tears due to bad hair days, bad complexion days, muffin tops, wrinkles, age spots,  sagging, chipped nails, bunions, calluses, unwanted hair, and overall body issues.

RED LIGHT WARNING….all of the above is exaggerated during operational time known as MENOPAUSE!

Our insecurities drive us to believe all kinds of things.  For some reason, I have believed that I do not look good in pastels.  However, I look at this outfit and think well it is not so bad.  Gigi is constantly telling me that she has wonky legs and her legs don’t look good in slim leg pants…I think they look fierce in this outfit!

I learned from WHAT NOT TO WEAR a long time ago, that we should always try on the clothes we think will not look good, because often we are pleasantly surprised.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, there are items and colors which do not look good on me, but now I try them on first before I say that.

My daughter picked these up on sale at Anthropologie!  She loves them!

You are not going to see me in pastels very often, but after trying them on in the last year, I will no longer shun them.

Is there a garment or color you stay away from that maybe you should just try?  It costs no money to try things on!!

Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!!

Dressing for One Dreary Day!

Saturday was one dreary day…I looked out my window into the drizzle and fog and thought, “There has got to be a way to find some fun!”  So, as we said in college…ONWARD THROUGH THE FOG!

I decided to begin with a pop of color out of the gray.  This trench was a recent thrift store find and when I first put it on, I tried it with a white blouse underneath.  But, I still felt dreary. That was when my eye fell upon this blouse, in my closet, from Foxcroft Collection.  Together, the stripes and the circles seemed to be the right mix of visibility I was looking for.   My Talbot's black pants from last year were perfect to pair with the shirt and jacket....the darker circles on the jacket are actually black and not navy.

But, the fun did not stop there.  I asked Gigi if she wanted to take in some local color at LOCAL COFFEE…an aromatic neighborhood coffee shop one of my students has lobbied me to give it try.  He would say, “Starbucks is so predictable…go to Local Coffee!”  Since I was visiting a new location, I tried a new blend and it was amazing…I drank it black with no additions and was pleased to find it smooth and flavorful.   Gigi could be seen through the drizzle in her fabulous gold ensemble with leopard pants.   Together, we took a powerful stand against dreariness.

Finally, we headed off to spend our Saturday with family, and, of course, by the time I got home, the sun appeared and burned off the dreary.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and make sure you visit the not-dreary-at-all ladies of VISIBLE MONDAY!! and THRIFTERS ANONYMOUS LINK UP and MONDAY MINGLE!!!!

Add captihttp://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2013/01/visible-monday-82-visible-in-mood.htmlon

http://www.glamamom.com/2013/01/mode-monday-cold-front.html

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Spring's Horizon

Lafayette 148 New York

Good morning, everyone!  In reading through some emails, here are just a few looks I really like for spring.  Just might give you some inspiration!
See you later today for Visible Monday!!

Carmen Marc Valvo at Neiman Marcus

Misook at Neiman Marcus

Johnny Was at Neiman Marcus

I will find a few more for later in the week!

Candles, Coffee...and Cedar Fever!

I love to work by candlelight with my favorite coffee sitting beside me....and right now, sitting here, I am so touched by the comments on yesterday's post!  Thank you sweet ladies for all of your encouraging words.

Today, I wanted to share with you some random facts.  First, my new favorite candles are  Tyler Candles!  My daughter introduced me to this brand and they smell amazing.  I am lovin' the scent French Market.  

True confessions time, I have not been walking since late December because I am allergic to Mountain Cedar.  The counts are high this time of year and it aggravates my asthma.  So, when I received an email today from the company which makes my allergy medicine, Zyrtec, I took notice.

They sent tips from beauty expert, Rebekah George, for how to avoid an allergy face during cedar fever time.  The tips are:

Tips to Help Combat Allergy Face

·      To tackle a puffy face:

o   Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You may also want to create “beauty water” by filling a pitcher of water with cucumber, grapefruit or lemon slices for a little extra flavor!

o   At night, use an extra pillow or two and try sleeping with your head elevated. Elevation can help drain fluids from your face so skin and eyes are less puffy in the morning.

·      To hide a red nose:

o   Apply a thick layer of cream at night. Then, smear on a lighter-weight oil in the morning.  Allow oil to dry for a few minutes and apply a yellow-based concealer. Finish with a swipe or two of a bronzer in coppery tones to cancel out the redness.

o   Consider using fragrance-free, lotion-treated tissues, which are gentler on your skin and can prevent areas from becoming more red and sore.

·      To brighten eyes:

o   On days when your eyes feel too irritated, skip eye shadow and use a bright blue waterproof mascara. The colors help to brighten and counteract dullness!

o   You can also stash two spoons in the fridge.  Take them out and place them on your eyes whenever your eyes are feeling puffy.  The metal from the spoons holds in coldness longer, so you get better results than using cucumber slices.

I will probably try a few of these...I can relate!

Have a fabulous, peaceful Saturday everyone!!

It's The Little Things...And How To Handle Them!

It has been one of THOSE weeks.  A week when little annoyances just would not go away…they began to eat away at my joy on Tuesday and every day brought one bite after another.  From allergies to computer viruses to Spam Comments to money and just life, chomp, chomp, chomp…

One thing I really like about my age is how I now approach frustrations.  I was raised in a contentious home.  Screaming and arguing were daily specials on the menu.   I spent a huge amount of home time behind a closed door with music and books.  When I first entered the career world, I let every frustration get to me and did not handle them well.  Jumping into an altercation, even if it was a driver who cut me off, was easy for me.  It took a really long time and much assistance before I realized that my home life of youth was leading me into an adult life of bitterness and rage.   I have learned just how much bitterness and unforgiveness will eat away at your health and relationships.  It has been such a long journey, but now that I am on the other side, I welcome the lessons learned.

So, how do I talk myself off the ledge during weeks like this?

1.            I recognize what is happening.  If I see that I just want to eat someone’s lunch over nothing, then I immediately pull back.

2.            That means looking at each annoyance to see if the attitude is worth it.  Is it worth it to lose my joy and sleep over some ridiculous person who just put a virus in my computer system?  They are not around.  To vent upon someone else, an innocent bystander, would destroy the peace of two people!

3.            Understand that I cannot change the situation…it is what it is…bitterness might put me in the doctor’s office and it is just better to deal with the issue calmly than allow anger to grow over it.

4.            Find someone else to help and focus on helping them.  It usually gives me such joy to help others and then I forget my little troubles for awhile. 

5.            Remember, life is short.   I do not want to waste time, energy, and joy on something stupid.  If I keep things in perspective, I often see it is not worth it to have a melt down.

Finally, bring out an outfit to wear which really makes me smile.  Like this one!  I love the colors…purple being my favorite…and the bling in the earrings!  Then I can leave the house smiling no matter what is eating at me!!

I wish everyone a very peaceful weekend!

Black Blouse: Goodwill

Purple, Knit Jacket: Stein Mart

Skirt: Lane Bryant

Brown Tights: Kohls

Shoes: Ross

Necklace: Chicos

Best Buy and Best Apps....Amazing!

Surprise, Surprise!  I have to give kudos to Best Buy and the Geek Squad!  They found multiple viruses, but had me up and running within just a few hours! Just a little was lost, but most still in tact.  Thanks to all of them...and to those of you who offered a sympathetic shoulder!

So, because I am just getting things back up and running, please allow me to show something special to you today...APPS JUST FOR THE VERY SAVVY OVER 50 CROWD....

This infographic from Castle Cover takes a look at some of the top money saving apps for daily activities. View the interactive version here.

Then please join the other bloggers of Katie's Favorite Things Blog Hop!!  

http://katherinescorner.com/2013/01/23/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-72/

Rejoicing over my healed computer and wishing you a joyful Thursday!!

A Momentary Delay!

Last night I worked at my computer for several hours.  Toward the end of the evening, I decided to upgrade one of my programs and without thinking clicked on the link I truly believed was the upgrade.

A vicious, cruel, horrible virus was immediately released into my laptop and there was no real way to stop it.  I thought I had security protection for this...but obviously, these guys are smarter than some of the protectors.

I have just spent a ridiculous amount of money, $300, to get the computer fixed and returned to me (hopefully) within 24 hours.  My laptop is my blogging tool...where my pictures are edited and stored.

I will not have my usual Thursday post (so sad), and I hope to be back by Thursday night!

Be careful, what you click...there are viruses masked to be actual program downloads.  I have learned the hard way.

Have a wonderful Thursday and I will see you soon!

Favorite Winter Garments

“My old grandmother always used to say, Summer friends will melt

away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever.”

― George R.R. Martin

So, hello winter friends!  I realize that for many of you, winter just got very, very brutal.  I hope all will be warm and safe.

Winter for South Texas just does not last long and happens in between spring-like days and an occasional cold front.  So, I am ever mindful that my time is short with my favorite winter garments. 

This is the second time I have worn my leopard cape from Lane Bryant, but I wanted to make sure I styled it one more time on the blog for this winter.  It is one of my favorites and very warm.  Since, our season is only a whisper, I need to make sure I answer with the garments only designed for the cold.  I purchased the necklace a year ago from a beautiful, creative young woman.  We were both at a trade show for women and one of her necklaces was selected to be worn on The Young and The Restless because one of the show's stars was speaking at the event and was completely taken with her work.  Nadia is gorgeous and very talented.

What is your favorite winter garment this year??  Please share with us and have a warm, wonderful Wednesday.