December 15, 2012

My semester ended Dec 14 and by noon Dec 15th I was in Union Square, San Francisco! 

And Christmas was everywhere...not to mention quite a few folks in the Christmas spirit.

Apparently I arrived in San Francisco on the day of Santa-con. 

This involves dressing up like Santa and  drinking at bars all over town.

 

Even the cable cars were festive! 

December 13, 2012

" You're only as young as the last time you changed your mind "...or hat. 

Original quote by Timothy Leary. 

Tonight was last hat class and ALL we did was look at each others hats and eat and eat and eat!

ps. Once again I am in bold red and gray !?!

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Bold red wool scarf borrowed from hubster's closet :o
Black fake leather boots from Sears
Gray wool cap from hat store in Gaslamp district of San Diego, CA
Pretty bow earrings covered with fake pave diamonds
Triple steel rings from Borrega Springs, CA

December 12, 2012

 
Another day, another celebration! Am really liking pairing bold red with gray, it's not as predictable as red and black. And it's a luncheon so you can't look like you're trying too hard...

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Goofing around in the 'photo booth' with my City of Dana Point cohorts.

December 11, 2012

The holiday frenzy is beginning and today was a double -header...event in the morning and class immediately after. My outfit needed to be jolly, serious and comfortable and this was my final selection.

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I was instrumental in orchestrating a display of artwork at the city community center by the Exceptional Need Students in our city. The city hosted a reception and a good time was had by all...and the artwork is outstanding!!

December 9, 2012

Stopped in beautiful woods literally blanketed with Fall leaves. 

Wish I was going hiking but, unfortunately it was just a pit-stop.

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Favorite boots from San Francisco Loehmans
Green knit scarf with dangly pom-poms ( love ! ) from a last Friday of the month sale at California Mart in Los Angeles fashion district
Sunglasses by Ralph Lauren
"Bling" package of wedding ring, watch and diamond hoops all from hubster

December 6, 2012

So many hats and only one head! 

This is my last hat class and next week is the final. I have succeed in wearing a hat to every class and other students started wearing hats also!

Next week for the final I will wear one of the hats I made for class BUT, hats are very nuanced and difficult to get just right... I came close but, my hat proportions need a little more tweaking.

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Burgundy wool felt hat from Hat store in Berkeley (?)
Burgundy boots from Nordstrom
Diamond posts gift from hubster
Bangles from Nordstrom
Rings from Silpada
Antique brooch from favorite online resale site ( no, I'll never tell the name )

December 4, 2012

It's December and I've decided to start sneaking in those cheery holiday colors of red and green. With my jacket and carnation pin I feel like a Mary Engelbreit drawing.

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Red suede ballet shoes with perfect little heel from Zara
Belt with embroidered trim from Walmart
Gold hoops gift from girlies
Class ring from CSUF
Gold bangles from forever
New carnation brooch ( love it! ) from Licensed Artists craft fair last month

December 3, 2012

Another day, another birthday celebration! This time it's lunch and the birthday boy is my most favorite person in the whole world - my Dad!! 

Happy 81st birthday Dad, keep on dancing!

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The most precious possessions a person can have - family <3

December 2, 2012

The picture doesn't show that these pants are a really cool brocade fabric so it's a contrast of dressy fabric in a casual style. Love 'em with my ruffled collar vest from Karen Kane outlet ( $10!! ).
 Going to Ron's 66th bday party and it was a happy, happening evening.

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Brand new leather pumps by Clark ( super comfy ) from favorite thrift store
Silver circle necklace from Steinmart
Silver hoops from Nordstrom
Silver bangle from Mexico
Favorite turquoise ring from Borrega Springs

November 29, 2012

This is my Billy Jack badass hat. You can't wear it without an attitude!

ps. it's also a nice rainy-day hat 

Who's Billy Jack? Just an ex-Green Beret hapkido expert who saved wild horses from being slaughtered for dog food AND protected a desert "freedom school" full of hippies.
Do I need to also state he is a fictional character played by Tom Laughlin in the 1971 movie?

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Favorite brown leather boots from Lohmans in San Francisco
Black felt hat from Anthropologie
Silver hoops from Nordstrom
Twisted silver bracelet inherited from my Grandma who loved Indian jewelry
NEW bolo tie with turquoise stone found online at favorite resale site

November 27, 2012

Sorry for the weird blurry photo but, was in too big a rush to take a photo before work so this is end of the day going into our favorite restaurant, The Royal Khyber ( best Indian food ANYWHERE ).
My pants are actually gray and I am wearing a white shirt under my sweater-hope it didn't look that strange in real life. And whenever I wear my knit chain scarf I think of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghost of his partner Marley who wears a long chain that represents all his sins...

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Faux suede loafers from GAP that I snazzed up with an applique
Green knit chain scarf from shop in Laguna Beach, CA
Silver bracelet inherited from my Grandma
Silver ring with Greek key design bought on the Navigator Cruise ship
Silver hoops from silver store in mall

ps. The memories of where, when, and how I acquired stuff makes it special.

November 23, 2012

Hello shoppers, it is "black Friday" and I am part of the insanity at the Desert Premium Outlets in Cabazon, CA. Shopping uniform; white blouse, blue slacks with cuffs and super comfy loafers.

There were huge lines to just get into some stores. The longest lines were at Ugg, Coach, Prada (!) and Kate Spade.

Needless to say we avoided the stores with the lines but, found some GREAT deals at other stores.

Doesn't everyone in California need a Russian fur hat?

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Blue leather loafers by Aerosoles
Sunglasses by Ralph Lauren
Bling package- watch, earrings, wedding bands
Triple gold hoop necklace gift from my girlies

November 20, 2012

Day before Thanksgiving and I am pretty thankful I have the rest of the week off...of course I am also thankful for my health, family and happiness.

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Black leather wingtips with heels by Steve Madden
Scarf I sewed into a circle from Aldo
Triple stack ring from Borrega Springs
Silver earrings with pale pink pearl from Lohemans
Silver bangle from Nordstrom
Vintage pink brooch from favoritie thrift store

November 16, 2012

The Soldiers of the Sea Band of Brothers 13th Annual Marine Corps Ball was fashionably late this year  since the actual anniversary of the birth of the Marine Corps is November 10th but, with speakers, traditions, food and lots of dancing it was a really great time!

HAPPY 237TH YEAR MARINE CORPS

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Handsome young men in uniform outshine any accessory and heck yes we all danced!

November 15, 2012

Who doesn't love the thought of looking good while wearing a beret. Obviously I think a beret is a keen addition to my outfit and if you look at individuals throughout history I am part of an interesting beret wearing  group...

Henry VIII

Che Guevaro

Patty Hearst in the 1970s

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Purple pashima scarf from Nordsrom Rack
Purple Beret from H&M
Black pleather boots from Sears
Silver hoops from Nordstrom
Triple band ring from Borrega Springs
Misc bangles
Green bead bracelet gift from student who visited Hawaii

November 13, 2012

A favorite student dyed a scarf in the dye class and then sewed it into this skirt in my fashion class. I loved it so much she gave it to me!! I swear she would have gotten an A anyways...

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New subtle burgundy leather boots from Nordstrom. I am pretty confident these are the last pair of boots I will purchase unless I find some really nice gray ones....
Assorted bangles and beaded bracelets
Abalone earrings from Hawaii street vendor
Triple ring from Borrega Springs
And special shout out to my new little ( size of a quarter ) enamel face pin. Purchased at Fountain Valley Licensed Artists sale/boutique last weekend.

November 11, 2012

A sunny freezing day in Southern California and I worked hard out in the orchard...okay, I actually only cut fruit from our one lemon tree but, it was a bountiful harvest!

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Favorite boots by Frye that I will keep forever! ( since it took forever to break them in )
Gold hoops from Nordstrom
New knit beret from H&M that I am wearing ALOT

November 8, 2012

It was a cold, blustery day...perfect for wearing a hat, so of course I did not wear a hat since I already had on a cape. One piece of extreme clothing per outfit :)

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Pointy leather shoes from Target's Dolce Vita capsule collection
Bejeweled head piece ( kinda like a hat? ) gift from girlies
Diamond posts gift from hubster decades ago
Vintage Brooch from Goodwill
Bangles from miscellaneous sources