Monday, May 25, 2020

Almost Open Season

We are almost back to our new normal. Today, the stores and churches can reopen, but with guidelines for personal spacing and occupancy. The stores should be okay, since they are never full unless it's Black Friday. The churches are out of my realm- I don't attend church, so I don't know how crowded it gets. I did get an order of dry cleaning done, which was nice, but I am still waiting on the cobbler.

So let's look at some outfits. Back on May 11th,


It was hot this day, so I wore a chiffon top from Express and some track pants. I have purchased a few of these pairs lately, because I guess they are in style. These are from Old Navy. They have pockets in the back.


The next day, May 12th, I needed to look nice, but I don't remember why. The brand is North Style, which I have never heard of, but it's a nice dress.



On top, I wore a really nice bespoke jacket that I got at a thrift shop. It's a Korean brand and it's a beautiful bright blue well tailored piece.


The next day, I wore a polyester dress from H&M. It's burnt orange with gold hardware.


It gave me a chance to wear these Nine West shoes. They are orange, brown, and yellow. I have the same pair in black, grey and burgundy.


On top, a beautiful uncut corduroy jacket from Amber Sun.


On May 15th, I wore a very old dress from Victoria's Secret. Remember them ? Anyway, this is a beautiful crocheted dress. I had the perfect shoes to go with them, but I killed them. So I found the same pair on EBay and repurchased them.



Let's go back to May 18th, when I wore a thrifted dress, but I don't remember where I got it. It's a knit wraparound style.


On top, I wore a suede jacket from SHE by Sherri Bodell. I have had it for at least 20 years, and it still spruces stuff up.


On May 19th, I wore a dress from Worthington that I got at a thrift shop in another city, I think Washington DC.. It has bell sleeves that are also pleated.


My chain necklace is from Paparazzi Accessories, and it cost a whole dollar. Every time I wear it, I get so many compliments.



Last outfit - another pair of track pants. These are navy blue with green and white stripes. On top, a draped top and a navy and white warm up jacket.


A chain link belt and a pair of Gucci shoes complete the outfit.


Let's move on to other stuff. What have I been cooking?? Yum !!


Monterey chicken - boneless breast, breaded and fried, topped with sour cream and avocado slices. On the side, rice pilaf with corn and black beans.


This recipe was advertised as "the best pork chops ever". It was true. They are pan fried, with spices and broth and butter. Then you make a roux and add more spices and broth to make gravy. I served it with butter browned new potatoes and three bean salad.


Chicken Kiev - breasts coated with buttermilk and corn flakes, then stuffed with swiss cheese. On top, slices of ham (they can also be stuffed inside with the cheese). Rice pilaf with white beans and peas and sauteed peppers completed the dish.


Wedge salad on steroids - use Gordon Ramsey's recipe. I made homemade vinaigrette, and then put a pool of that and ranch on the plate. Then iceberg lettuce, tomato, bacon, red onion, hard cooked eggs, gorgonzola cheese and croutons. Julienne beets on the side, along with more dressing.


My Birchbox came - such a pretty box !!


Inside, from top to bottom:


1) Number 4 Thermal Styling Spray
2) Kate Somerville Skincare Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
3) Oribe Split End Seal
4) Nest Fragrance Wisteria Bleu Eau de Parfum
5) ModelCo Instant Brows Pencil
6) Lawless Beauty Soft Matte Lipstick in Romeo


Ipsy quickly followed. The bag looks like rainbow sherbet.


Inside, from top to bottom:
1) Soroci Spotlight Eye cream
2) Purlisse Matcha Green Tea and Lemon Detoxifying Charcoal Mask
3) The Balm Autobalm Pic Perf shadow
4) Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
5) Catherine Malandrino Special Moments de Serenite Eau de Parfum


On Mother's Day, my grandkids brought over some gifts. Joseph made me a pull-out card.



And they got me some delicate roses.


Red, pink, white and green!!

We have also been getting some love as hospital employees who have had to keep going on during COVID. The neighbors posted this sign:



And at work, this sign appeared:



If you take a closer look, you can see that it is made of the names of every one of the employees at our hospital.


There I am !!

I also got a couple of new cactuses:


The pink cup is actually a wine tumbler that says "Fur Mama".


And we used to have a desk in our home office. It was a repository for all manner of junk:


So I got rid of it and replaced it with two large black bookcases.


Doc loves his antique book collection and now it looks great in there.


Today, we went and visited Doc's parents for a couple of hours, and then took Pandi on a walk and got Hawaiian BBQ for lunch. I had Loco Moco - rice with a hamburger patty, gravy and a fried egg on top. Delicious!!


Little Pan was tired after her exciting morning. Now I will work out and then watch the Lorena Bobbitt special movie on TV. Then back to the grind. Happy Memorial Day !!!