July 25, 2013

Hey, didn't I wear this yesterday? 

Same colors, different silhouette...oops.

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Brown leather sandals from Nordstrom Rack
Necklace with three wood links from Coldwater Creek Outlet closing sale in Gilroy, CA
Tiny diamond posts gift from hubster 25 years ago
Silver bangle had forever
New silver pinkie ring from Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach
New tiny silver ear cuff from Sawdust Festival ( I may decide I am too old for this... )

July 24, 2013

Today I may be wearing blue but, I'm definitely not feeling blue. Get to go back to Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach after work and meet up with a dear friend.

And yes, I bought more one of a kind crafts but, this time it was mostly for gifts.

This is probably my most favorite top. First I love the tie at the neckline, second the sparkly sequin and crystal embellishments are super nice and moderate, third the color of blue is just really pretty, and fourth it was purchased at a resale store so it's one of a kind.
Only negative is that it is sleeveless and I don't keep my upper arms toned :(

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Fabric leopard sling backs from Zara
Triple interlocked ring from Borrega Springs
Faux ( ? ) silver drop earrings from Ralph Lauren
Silver bracelet I've had forever

July 23, 2013

Threw on my new orange stripe skirt from JCrew ( originally $88; final price $14.99 !!!) added a t-shirt, scarf, sandals and suddenly I was kinda dressed up. Just a happy accident...hope I see my boss :)

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Leather sandals by Michael Kors ( love the heel shape )
Orange bracelet from I don't remember
New silver pearl ring from Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach
Faux pearl drop earrings from Steinmart
Giant scarf from Zara purchased in Paris, France ( yes, I bought stuff in Europe I could buy in USA )

AND

a birthday shout-out to my beautiful, super smart, awesome girlie

July 22, 2013

Why is it always ' Casual Friday ' ? 

After my crazy busy weekends I need a casual Monday and today was definitely casual. 

I barely even accessorized!

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Faux leather navy blue flats with metal white daisies ( LOVE ) from Urban Outfitters
Rainbow steel bangles from Bowers Museum ( these have become a summer staple )
New silver pearl ring from Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach
Blue glass earrings I made from a bracelet purchased in Washington State antique store

July 21, 2013

And now for something completely different. After a 16 year hiatus I once again hit the links and played a round of golf. My game was surprisingly not awful and it was not surprisingly ALOT of fun.

FORE!

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Mr. Ball, he survived all 18 holes

July 19, 2013

Hurray, The festivals have begun in Laguna Beach so I spent day off work playing in Laguna.

And after driving by this new hat store on Pacific Coast Highway I finally got to stop by...

The Hat Box is FULL of fabulous hats for men and women. The owner/milliner is Paula Del Percio and she also has a hat shop in New York. But, here's the best part; her parents were both milliners and she grew up going to their hat factory! And she still used hat blocks used by her dad. This lady really knows her way around a hat.

The exact location is 550 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach and the store is open everyday from 12-6pm. Check it all out on her website  http://www.thehatbox.com The hats are wonderful and the prices are really reasonable. I couldn't resist and bought a green knit newsboy cap.

 But, before the Hat Box I was at the 47th Annual Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival which is anevent with over 200 local artists showcasing their creations. The stuff ranges from amazing to somewhat bizarre...
Of course I headed straight to Edith's Hats. Every year I drool over the exquisite combination of fabrics, designs and embellishments. The hats are so unique they'd be a little difficult to wear casually...
but, I can still dream :)
Check out Edith at  http://www.edithlagunabeach.com/

Sawdust is open daily 10am to 10pm until Sept. 1

New Accessories I did not need

Baby diarrhea color shoulder shawl ( hope it doesn't make me look like a granny )
Silver ring with a pearl
Purple Sawdust Festival shirt ( buy one every year )
Green knit newsboy cap from the Hat Box

July 18, 2013

I dare you to wear a full skirt and not twirl in it. 

This skirt is gorgeous and I got it super cheap in December in Honolulu. 

Always good to buy clothes in their off-season.

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Goofy flat orange leather sandals bought on a whim from Marshals
Gold bangles owned forever
Enameled flower necklaces; flower ball from JCrew and flower chain from California Mart in LA

July 17, 2013

I started today feeling a little sorry for myself because my term on a city commission was ending. Being the pouty girl I planned to not even attend the evening meeting but, hubster told me to be mature. So I composed my farewell speech, entered the meeting and got the huge surprise of having my term extended until 2017 ( !!! ) AND be elected the new Chair person. What a trip!

Wished I would have worn something a little more serious.

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Leather sandal shoes  ( LOVE ) from Steinmart
Turquoise ring from Borrega Springs
Teeny tiny turquoise posts from I have no idea
Favorite vintage flower with a ladybug brooch ( the ladybug makes me happy )
Multi colored bead necklace from kids section of random surf shop on Balboa Island

July 16, 2013

Today I took 19 students to the Los Angeles fabric district. 

The goal is to  stay cool, look cool and keep my hands free to shop.

And although I am overwhelmed by projects I absolutely could not resist a remnant of striped knit ( $1.25 ) for a skirt, the beige silk with milk chocolate brown squares ( $10 ) for my favorite tie front blouse ( see July 15 ). Also some buttons and a little fabric to complete some half finished projects. 

Didn't even spend $20 bucks. 

You gotta love LA.

After my exhausting day in LA instead of heading home I got to go to the Orange County Breakers tennis tournament as a V.I.P. guest. Being a V.I.P. meant free food, drinks and a chance to meet the strangest mascot ever, Butterfrog. It's a frog with little butterfly wings. Seriously.

And who knew tennis could be so exciting! The highlight was watching a doubles match against the Bryan twins who last month won the male doubles tournament at a little tennis match called-

WIMBLEDON!

July 15, 2013

Who doesn't love a pair of wide leg linen pants on a hot summer day. 

Unfortunately the pants wrinkle horribly before you can even leave your house!

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Last summer's leather sandals bought for $8 in San Francisco last December
Leather flower with ladybug ring from Crafted in San Pedro
Gold hoop earrings gift from girlies

July 13, 2013

If it's July and it's hot then the Orange County Fair must be going on. Dressed in my uniform of hat, shorts and t-shirt I spent most of my time in the air-conditioned display halls. The displays were full of the good, the bad and sometimes just odd contests and collections. 

But that's what makes the fair so fun. And kettle corn :)

The random costumes on these stilt walkers were really well done.

When I was a kid I loved walking on stilts but, I never thought of wearing a costume while I walked up and down my street. That would have been GREAT!

These are OLD photos of me on my stilts. My tall stilts I stood on the fence to get on them and next to me is my best friend Polly Keller. I am 10 years old in this picture. The shorter stilts were my go to stilts and I was on them as much as possible. They were painted my favorite color; purple :) 

Life was so simple.

July 11, 2013

It's gloomy, humid, rainy weather and it makes you feel kinda blah. 

So today I tried to brighten up my day with my favorite red skirt. Add a white t-shirt, scarf and flats and my uniform is complete :)

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Scarf graphic by Ceclia Birtwell for Uniglo, London
New black & white tasseled flats ( love ) from Zara, San Francisco
Silver bangles from Nordstrom
Silver ball posts from Ralph Lauren outlet, Las Vegas
Triple rings from Borrega Desert giftshop
Silver red stone ring from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

July 10, 2013

It's a sticky and humid and I know I'm going to sweat all day :(

My darling blouse and brand new skirt are both from resale boutiques and together cost less than $20.

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Leather shoes from Nordstrom Rack
Rainbow metal bangles from Bowers Museum giftshop
Gold posts I've had forever
Faux gold and black necklace freebie from favorite boutique Shadow Lounge in San Clemente ( now closed, lost their lease )

July 9, 2013

Yesterday at 6:45am a student tried to burn down the building where I teach my classes. The student died from his burn injuries. My Monday class was canceled and there was the real possibility of my classes being canceled for the rest of summer! Luckily the fire was on the third floor and all the sewing labs are on the first floor and the fire department gave the okay to re-open just the first floor. The second and third floor will be closed for months.

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Faux leather wingtips from Forever 21
Bling bracelet gift from hubster
Diamond posts gift from hubster

July 4, 2013

It was a happy 4th of July! 

Rockin my red, white and blue outfit for a long bike ride on a semi-sunny super crowded beach day.

Great people watching!!

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Lovin my beach and SO glad the day was drive-free!


ps. One year ago I started this blog inspired by the young girls blogging what they wore. I am not young but, I do care what I wear and I hope you do too...

" Fashions fade, style is eternal. " Yves Saint-Laurent

July 3, 2013

Hmmmm, beginning to notice I am falling back on my uniform of a knit top and casual pants. 

Must try harder...

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Leather and cloth sandals purchased last November at great price from DSW
Multi-bangles because I was feeling funky
Triple circle necklace from my girlies
Little gold earrings
Silver glass ring I made

July 2, 2013

Now begins the task of being presentable everyday. I've got the clothes; I just hope I don't succumb to fashion fatigue!

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Leather woven classic shoes from Nordstrom Rack
Gold bangles from forever
Gold hoops present from my girlies
Triple gold hoop necklace also present from my girlies
College class ring

July 1, 2013

It's another first impression day...my 6 week summer class starts today. 

My outfits will be brighter  when the weather stops being so gloomy. 

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New ceramic necklace that I paid too much for at my favorite resale store
Gold bangles from forever
My college class ring. LOL
Little gold earrings from forever
Perfect summer sandals by Lucky ( LOVE the heel ) from Macys San Francisco