January 22, 2014

Wham Bam I am back in class again! 

This semester I teach Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings but, the good news is I have off Thursday through Tuesday morning.

Hello long weekends !!

Accessory Close-up

Leather sandals by Lucky ( comfortable on my broken toe )
Bangles by Kate Spade Christmas gift from hubster
Diamond posts gift from hubster decades ago
Cool astrology necklace from my girlie ( star formation for Leo )

January 21, 2014

Egads, this is the best I could throw together for my all important first impression outfit for the first class of the semester. 

I must confess I am caring less and less what students think of me.

Accessories Close-up

Bright scarf I sewed into a circle
Knot bracelet by Kate Spade and matching knot earrings ( not in photo )
Brooch I have had for 30+ years
Leather sandals by Lucky

January 20, 2014

Let me explain why I'm dressed for winter on top and summer on my feet…

I broke my little toe in Hawaii and cannot wear any shoe that touches my little toe :(

But, injuries were forgotten because I got to have coffee with my dearest friend
Mary Ann.

 I've known her for 35+ years but, she married a soldier so she has moved all over the past 20 years.

Always a treat to catch up face to face.

January 19, 2014

Sweet good-bye after 4 weeks to my girlie that I adore.

January 17, 2014

OMG! My favorite quote.

 Toured 3 businesses in Orange County as part of OC Dept of Education Professional Learning something ( always forget the full title ).

Element; a sport/skate lifestyle company

Our group has educators in fashion,

Innovative home appliances at Pirch

and educators in interior design.

American Joe; an overseas accessories manufacturer

The educators, the businesses and the day were all very interesting. 

Time well spent.

January 15, 2014

OMG!! 

Today was such a beautiful day that I hopped on my bike and rode to a …

FREE yoga class at the park!

Had heard rumors about it, and it's real. 

And really fun.

And something I am now going to try to do every week.

That evening I had to be all business and responsible at a meeting but, 

yoga definitely left a smile on my face.

January 14, 2014

Love going to LACMA ( Los Angeles County Museum of Art )

Love it even more when I'm going to see a fashion exhibit.

Love it best of all when the exhibit is FREE!!!

And the 40th anniversary of Diane Von Furstenberg's iconic wrap dress is 

the delightful free exhibit now at LACMA

 There are easily over 100 different variations of the wrap idea on display; 

from textiles to design features.

There are also over a dozen images of Diane Von Furstenberg by famous artists.

This is a very cool collection of Andy Warhol paintings.

And lots of great backdrops to create your own fabulous images.

As an extra bonus if you post your photo on Instagram with the hashtag #journeyofadress your image will join hundreds of others on Instagram.

( luckily my tech support was with me so she did the posting )

This is one fun exhibit to visit!

January 13, 2014

Was visiting my parents today when my mom generously gave me this fantastic pink straw hat from the 1950s (?) that has been displayed in her sewing studio for years!

The hat belonged to my great-grandmother who is on the far right. My mom is at the far left and my dear, dear grandma is in the middle. 

Families are like fudge; mostly sweet with a few nuts :)

January 10, 2014

Woke up early so I didn't miss the boat!

Whale watching with over one hundred art students from Dana Hills high school.

First sighting was a buoy full of sea lions

Next up was dolphins, dolphins and dolphins,

THERE SHE BLOWS !!!

A gray whale made numerous very appreciated appearances.

It was a great way to spend a morning and the weather was perfection!

Definitely having fish tacos for dinner :)

January 9, 2014

I had an excuse to go to Los Angeles and decided to finally check out F & S Fabrics on Pico Blvd.

Inside there are three large rooms full of fabrics and trims and buttons, oh my !

I resisted the fabrics until I crossed the street to a remodeling sale with ALL fabrics $5 a yard!

The fabrics stores were great but, two blocks down is FOOD and my lunch was phenomenal !

Stuff I don't need but, bought anyways :)

Seven pieces of sale fabric that will hopefully be made into hats

Trim for hats

Ombre silk ribbon for flowers

Happy 2014

After many hours and many, many miles

we landed in paradise !

 Island gods were there to greet us :)

And we were just in time for a Happy New Year! 

which got a lot happier…

until I was the happiest girl at the New Year bash up on stage with the band ! 

( I swear they invited me onstage )

Then it was sun,

snorkeling,

funny hats,

late lunches,

a few hours of inclement weather,

stand up paddling,

and off to the next island, man.

more sun,

more hats,

 more shopping, LOL

my favorite treat in the world; shaved ice !!!!

more dining,

 more stand up paddling,

a little flagrant posing in my favorite chair,

a little more shaved ice,

a little more fun and the holiday was over.

Believe me, the islands were so nice that even Santa was chillin' here after the
Christmas craziness :)

Aloha until next time.