December 6, 2013

What do you give a dad who has had 82 birthdays?

How about an adventure.

Life size sculptures of Ronald and Nancy Reagan

Off we went on an all-day tour of the Ronald Reagan Library up on a beautiful hill in Simi Valley.

A large chunk of the Berlin " tear down that wall "

The huge facility is full of interesting facts and artifacts.

The real Air Force One that was actually used by 7 presidents is a new permanent exhibit.

And you can pretend you're a president for a few moments touring the Air Force One.

This portrait is 4 feet high and 4 feet wide and is made of 10,000 Jelly Belly jellybeans; 

which were Reagan's favorite sweet ( besides Nancy ).

This portrait is made completely out of butterfly wings. I think it was from China.

This is the actual outfit Nancy Reagan wore to an official dinner on March 27, 1982 to mock the Press which was critical of her expensive style of dressing. 

This ability to poke fun at themselves was a good balance to their political ideology.

And the Library has many beautiful garments and gowns worn by Nancy Reagan but, interestingly there are no designers credited with any of the designs.

Not even the red dress worn in Nancy Reagans official portrait.

The Reagan Library is FULL of too much stuff to mention. 

It is a snapshot of history and a very different time.

All too soon it was time to mosey on home...

This was supposedly a gift to my awesome Dad,

but, it was really a gift for me too.

Love ya Dad!

December 5, 2013

Wore my coat of many colors today. 

It is a repurposed coat made from numerous cashmere sweaters and a wool jacket.

The coat is great coming and going.

Immediately after work I gulped down a double expresso drink and attended the evening performance of The Secret Garden, The Musical.

Saw it at the Chance Theater in Anaheim ( seems like Yorba Linda ) and the venue is so small every seat is a great seat.

My friend Eloise is in the cast of this really outstanding show.

Eloise had a great costume.

Of course I could not resist trying on her awesome, over-the-top hat.

I want one!

December 3, 2013

Back home, back to work, back to same old same old…

My blouse has lace panels in the front and my jacket is corduroy so lots of texture happening.

Accessory Close-up

Faux leather booties from Zara
Gold knot bracelet and earrings by Kate Spade
Plastic oversize flower necklace from Nordstrom
Triple stack faux gold rings from favorite resale store

Happy 82nd Birthday to my Pops !

Dec 1, 2013

Happy December!

A beautiful stroll through the open Farmers marketplace on the Embarcadero in San Francisco

Fishermans Wharf Christmas tree

And it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Giant disco mall ornaments

One last delicious meal at our favorite steakhouse in the city.

Santa rides by in a firetruck

Then later that night a familiar face…

7 foot tall tinsel covered 'angel'

a new bizarre face,

The 80 foot Christmas tree in Union Square

 a most lovely sight,

 and to all a good night!

Black Friday

It's shopping mania and I am prepared;

comfortable clothes: check

comfortable shoes: check

two free hands : check

Lets go!

My girlies and I braved the tsunami of humans to find some amazing sales.

Entire stores discounted! 

Except the always annoying Macys which had lots of coupons for nothing you wanted to buy.

A mid-day caffeine break buoyed our spirits and increased the silliness.

And of course looking at fashions is okay but, looking at people in the city is always awesome!

 Seriously dude?

 It ain't easy being gold.

Ever get the feeling you're being watched…

Thanksgiving 2013

Nothing beats beautiful weather in October…

except amazing days in November !

The leisurely holiday drive up the scenic California coast in perfect weather was a joy.

Santa Barbara pier

Guiseppes restaurant in Pismo Beach is my favorite Italian restaurant in the world
( and that includes the ones I visited in Rome ).
And not just because they give you crayons to doodle with :)

Yay!
It's onto San Francisco and turkey and girlies and food and fun

I am thankful for my healthy, hilarious family…

and REALLY thankful we are not hosting Thanksgiving this year :)

November 25, 2013

Today was all business, but I just couldn't bring myself to wear a suit…

so I settled for my cute cardigan with the black lace overlay.

Accessory Close-up

Gray leather wedges with oversize buttons from boutique in Burbank
Triple silver ring and silver ball earrings
New antique mini brooch from Laguna Beach