Happy Anniversary

 Happy anniversary to me !

My hubster bought me this darling white gold and diamond ring by David Yurman.

Of course he gave it to me before we even left on our anniversary get-away!

And get away we did…to Pismo Beach because,

our most favorite restaurant is Guiseppe's in Pismo Beach.

It's not super fancy but, man oh man the food is super good!

AND there are crayons at every table to doodle on the paper tablecloth.

I left a love note to my honey.

And who knew that just inland from Pismo Beach are some really good wineries.

We toasted our anniversary with wine at Edna Valley Winery,

We toasted ourselves again at Tap-It brewery,

and then we were pretty toasted so we bought cookies in this funky coastal town called Cayucos at

Brown Butter Cookie Company and they were YUMMY !!

A beautiful, gorgeous slow meander home along the coast…

and our three day anniversary adventure was over.

Loved every minute and I think it should become a new annual event.

Especially the part where I get jewelry :)

February 19, 2014

Hope my little burgundy throw tricks people into thinking this is an interesting outfit.

If they look close it's just a t-shirt and skinny pants.

Accessory Close-up

Knit burgundy throw from Hawaii
Silver bracelet from my Grandma
Antique silver earrings bought in antique store decades ago
New purple sunglasses by Vivianne Westwood

oops… forgot my gray patent leather sandals purchased at Marshals years ago

February 18, 2014

I think part of why I am so uninspired on Tuesday nights is that it's 

weird to get dressed at the end of the day. 

I'd rather be putting on my pajamas than work clothes.

Accessory Close-up

Black faux leather booties by Steve Madden
VIntage flower brooch from online resale site
Silver earrings and ring

The State of the Blog

I would like to thank all three individuals that looked at my blog this week :)

Happy Valentines Day

Read about this documentary in the newspaper this morning and as a 

Valentine gift to myself I snuck off to a matinee showing.

Best gift to myself ever!!

Extremely interesting and entertaining film.

Later my real Valentine came home with a beautiful bouquet.

And it was off to be wined and dined and I loved every minute.

February 12, 2014

Wednesdays just seem to get away from me and I am taking a lot of selfies at school.

Just not feeling the fashion love on Wednesdays…

Accessory Close-up

Black leather Aerosole wedgies that are super comfy and ancient
Bangle arm party!
Silver drop earrings by Ralph Lauren
Silver ring with red stone from Cabo San Lucas 15+ years ago

February 11, 2014

Am loving my new ( to me; from resale store ) Armani jacket but, what really has me happy is that I am finally able to wear a pointy shoe without any pain in my broken little toe :)

Accessory Close-up

Circle scarf from Nordstrom
Silver jewelry
Purple glass stone bezel set silver ring made by me
Beautiful brand new Talbot green faux alligator leather pointy shoes from new favorite resale store

February 8, 2014

Had to attend an odd afternoon soiree full of guests I didn't know. 

Trying hard not to be too dressy or too casual since I had no idea
the what or why of the soiree.

Luckily I had the perfect excuse to leave after a few hours because I went to the premier

Lysistrata Jones at the new and improved Chance Theater in Anaheim.

It was a very odd little play.

Not sure if I enjoyed todays events or not...

Just an odd day.

Accessories Close-up

Red suede heeled ballet slippers from Zara
Bling bracelets, rings and earrings
Vintage brooch from my favorite online resale store

Feb 7, 2014

hand dyed cottons and silks quilted and embroidered by Charlotte Bird

 Love to spend part of a day at any kind of exhibit and I found a great free California Fibers exhibit at Soka University in Aliso Viejo.

wool and hand painted silk felted, quilted and appliquéd by Valya

There are 66 pieces by 22 different artists in the Founders Hall Art Gallery.

wire, caning, fruit skin and leaves by Polly Jacobs Giacchina

 The pieces all highlight amazing results using traditional techniques in very imaginative ways.

felt, wool, netting, gauze, cotton by Valya

 Some of the techniques could definitely be used in garment construction.

cotton yarn by Ashley V. Blalock

Sometimes I wonder if I am more inspired by what these artists create or depressed by how little I create in comparison.

I really, really, really, really, really, really need to think less and make more.

February 5, 2014

Wow, I leave Saddleback at 10pm on Tuesdays and I'm back at 10am on Wednesdays !

Definitely uninspired for fashion attire.

Had to take a selfie in the stairwell :)

Accessory Close-up

Gray suede shoes I snazzed up with tie fabric embellishment ( see WeSew.blogspot.com Oct 27, 2012 )
Silver bracelet from my Grandma bought in Arizona in the 1960s
Turquoise ring from pawn shop
Marc Jacob zipper pull earrings gift from my girlies
Silver necklace from Carmel purchased by my hubster ( then boyfriend ) 28+ years ago

February 4, 2014

Today was a double whammy of attending my first meeting with 

the California Community College Advisory Board ( how do I get myself into these obligations ?? )

AND teaching my night classes.

So I tried to look professional :)

The great news was that the advisory board meeting was deep inside Angels Stadium

AND I won a drawing for a baseball signed by CJ Wilson.

Found out the advisory board is all about the pathway from school to employment.

Accessory Close-up

Soft fabric shoes from I forget but didn't hurt my mending broken toe ( hallelujah )
Enamel Kate Spade bangle Christmas gift from hubster
Gold earrings and rings
Gold triple hoop necklace a favorite gift from my girlies

January 31, 2014

On a gloomy Friday I decided it was time to introduce my favorite hat that I have made to the world .

I honestly am afraid a more accomplished milliner will copy my smashed crown idea.

I know I troll the internet for ideas and inspiration.

www.ramoshouse.com/

Anyways, I wore my hat to the delicious Ramos House Cafe in the historic 

Los Rios neighborhood in San Juan Capistrano.

I have heard about this cafe for years but, this was my first visit.

And it was the first time EVER that I have met up with a group of students from my classes.

These ladies were all in my summer class and they have remained good friends. 

I was delighted to be invited.

January 30, 2014

Have been afraid to wear this jacket ever since I got it because I can't tell if it's black or navy blue !

Today I figured out a brilliant solution and wore it with neutrals

 and a new scarf that has black AND blue in it :)

Problem solved.

Accessory Close-up

Lucky sandals that don't hurt my broken toe
New scarf from boutique in San Francisco
Bangles, bracelets and earrings by Kate Spade

January 28, 2014

Sad to say I have broken my self imposed dress code and am wearing jeans.

But it's a night class and I am tired before I even start.

Accessory Close-up

Leather and cloth sandals from DSW
Vintage brooch from online thrift site
Bangles and bracelets all gifts from Hubster and all by Kate Spade

Mad Hatter

 Fifteen hours after my first week of classes ended I was leaving on a jet plane...

for a three day millinery blitz at Wayne Wichern's Millinery Studio in Burlingame

There were new hats to try on,

 vintage hats to admire.

and then off to San Francisco and dinner with my girlies.

Wake up early, early to catch the bus to catch the BART to

spend another day immersed in millinery

learning millinery tricks of the trade,

and how to make hats.

What people are wearing in San Francisco

LOL! My girlie and I discover we're on the same bus :)

Another fun evening with my girlies.

Another early, early morning at the bus to go to BART to go…

trim my hats!

It's like the frosting on the cake; makes it sweet.

Egads, this dead bird head another student wanted to use 

to trim their hat was not so sweet.

Another evening with my girlies and friend

Shared some laughs

Wore my new cool hat I'd made and 

had a woman ask if I was British ? 

LOL 

One last lunch with the girlies

What thank you bottles of wine wear

and then I packed up my hats and left.