Summer 2024 So Far !

 Before I tell you all about my trip, let's go over a few other exciting items. First, I got another Birchbox - I don't know why, but here it is, from left to right:

1) Vor She's Like the Wind Invisible Dry Shampoo and Conditioner

2) Victor and Rolf Flowerbomb Bllom Eau de Toilette

3) Doucce Lip liner in Gravity

4) Wander Beauty Drift Away Cleanser

5) Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer

My in-laws have a house up in Manhattan Beach, which is 35 miles north of Huntington Beach in LA County. Their renter of 23 years moved to Texas, so they are remodeling. He left some sturdy garage shelving units, which they kindly offered to us. So, we rented a UHaul truck and went to pick them up.

We took them apart (okay, so they fell apart) and brought them to our house. I reassembled them, then took apart the flimsy racks we already had. I was planning to buy the same shelves at Christmas, but fortunately I never got around to it. The big one would have cost $309, and the four smaller ones were $179 each. So, for the price of the UHaul, we got $1025 worth of shelving units. I guess procrastination does pay sometimes. 

Here is the large one, all put together and arranged.

Here are two of the smaller ones.

Here are the other two. I will put my tubs of clothing and workout gear on them, along with Doc's collection of canvas bags and backpacks after I have gone through them. See the tubs on the right?

Pandi inspected them and gave me her blessing. Then she rested after all that exertion. They are really nice, and our garage is so much cleaner and more organized. I have been working on all the built in cabinets over the past few months, so this huge chore is almost completed.

Let's check out a few outfits. On Monday, May 21st, I wore a slinky knit top with black sequin trim by Suzie in the City, along with my black knit cargo pants and my black rhinestone slip-ons from Temu.

On Tuesday, May 22nd, I wore a chiffon peasant style dress from Lush with gladiator sandals from Hinge to go check out the big Dollar Tree by our house, since all the 99 Cent Stores are now closed.

On Thursday, May 24th, I wore polka dot wide leg pants from Xhilaration with an embellished tank top from Old Navy. We went to the Grocery Outlet for Senior Discount Day and two people complimented my outfit.

On Friday, May 25th, I wore a knit sheath dress with a side tie detail from Max Studio with my Jack Rogers thongs to go to the half-price sale at the Salvation Army. I paid $3.99 at Goodwill for them, and they retail for $128. 

So what did I score at the half-price sale? Well, I got $725 worth of stuff for $40! Let's take a peek:

The biggest score was these Kurt Geiger Caravela studded shoes. I paid $10.99 and they retail for $339. I can still wear block heels comfortably.

Then I got this New Look pleather jacket for $6.49, and it retails for $60. I had one in my closet, but it disintegrated, and the pleather peeled, even though it was from Neiman Marcus. This one has the same type of quilting on the front, but silver zippers instead of gold.

Then I got a Champion warm-up jacket for $4. It retails for $50. I liked it because of the seaming that gives it a nice shape.

I got this lavender pullover workout top for $4 as well. I never heard of the brand, 90 degrees, but upon researching, I found that they are sold at Nordstrom for $30. The cowl neck can be worn as a hood.

This Loft eyelet tank cost $1.50. They retail for $60.

This chiffon tank is from Forever 21, and I paid $1.50. It retails for $16.99. I liked it because it's a nice basic, and the back has cool cutouts and seaming.

This athleisure set actually comes from two different brands. The top is from Zara, and I paid $4. It retails for $50. The velour joggers are from Guess. I paid $4 and they retail for $79.

They match very well. The top has a funnel neck and is quilted. The joggers have a rhinestone logo and gold aglets at the waist drawstring.

Then I got two pair of casual shorts for Doc to wear around the house. They were $2 apiece. The first ones are Nike, and they retail for $50. The second pair are from Wrangler, and they retail for $25.

On May 27th, this is what I wore to celebrate Memorial Day. My printed pants are from Loft, and the T shirt if from Velvet. I have an ivory camisole underneath from F21 and straw mules from Tried and True.

On May 28th, I wore white leggings from Nordstrom with a paisley mesh top from INC to go run errands for our trip. I got the white sandals in Indianapolis. Doc got the turquoise cross for me many years ago.

On May 29th, I wore black leggings with white dots and a swing top from Peck and Peck to go drop off the keys and dog care instructions to my friend who just happens to be an excellent dog-sitter. Once again, I wore my black rhinestone slip-ons from Temu.

From May 30th to June 3rd, I was on vacation up in Prescott Valley, Arizona. The fun and games that went on out there are in a previous blog post.  Back to Huntington Beach!

I got my Ipsy bag on June 8th. In it, from top to bottom:

1) The Balm Cosmetics Under Eye Super Jelly

2) Balance Me Pre and Probiotic Cleansing Milk

3) Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum

4) Benefit Plush Tint in Cream Puff - lipstick

5) Formula Z Cosmetics Glamgasm Pro Artistry Face and Eye Palette

Here's a picture of the palette when opened - there is base, blush, highlight, transition, and four eye shadow shades. 

On June 9th, I wore some black slacks from an old store called Mervyn's, with a mesh poncho style top. I wore a black velvet belt from Ann Taylor, an agate necklace that I got at the swap meet, and my black rhinestone slip-ons from Temu.

Jacki is so ladylike sometimes!

On June 13th, we took my MIL Mimi to a memory specialist doctor down in Newport Beach. She is affiliated with Hoag hospital. I wore a red and gray floral sundress, a gray sweater from J Crew, and my Catherine Malandrino tan sandals. I wore a lot of different garnet jewelry with this outfit.

Mimi gave me a perfume bottle that she has had for many years. I cleaned it up and added it to my collection. I didn't have a pink one, and now I do. 

On June 14th, I wore a knit sundress and my black Toms sandals to hang around the house and walk the dogs. The only jewelry that I wore was a mother of pearl necklace that I got in Hawaii.

I spent Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th painting the front porch. I also bought a few new flowers to spruce it up. It turned out beautifully! I also got a lot of gardening supplies, including a lot of different types of fertilizer, from my in-laws old rental house. 

We celebrated Father's Day on Monday, June 16th. We brought fish and chips over to Win and Mimi's house. I wore an orange and black sundress from Taylor and a black embellished bolero from Dana Buchman. I also wore the Kurt Geiger sandals that I got at the Salvation Army sale. 

Pandi is the world's happiest dog!

On Thursday, June 20th, we celebrated our grandson Preston's 15th birthday. I wore a black and white eyelet dress from CeCe and the white sandals that I got in Indianapolis. I also wore three enamel bangles that I got at the swap meet in Honolulu and a pearl heart-shaped necklace that was my mom's.

A spider bit me on Tuesday. I didn't see it, but I felt it. It got all red and itchy by Thursday, but it went away quickly. I was cutting down some dead bushes out in the front yard.

Here's Preston in his pointy hat! We got him a Mandalorian themed card, and he just happened to have the same paper plates for his Thai meal.

Luke and Ashley got him a special candle that opens up, then twirls around and plays "Happy Birthday". It was pretty cool, if somewhat annoying after a few minutes.

Preston picked out five different types of cake from 85 degrees for his dessert. There was tiramisu, opera cake, mousse cake, lemon cake and strawberry cake. We all shared them.

We went to US Bank on Friday to move some funds around so that they could earn some interest. Jacki got two frisbees from the deal. She was happy as she rapidly destroyed them.

So that's about all for now! Stay tuned for the next installment of my fascinating life!