I Was Enchanted

I have once again been AWOL. But a few things actually happened, so there is that. First of all, our Dutch Door was installed, and it is perfect.

It has two deadbolts, one on the top half and one on the bottom half. I got a cute bumblebee hook to hang the extra keys on.

Okay, so I told you about the knife falling in the last episode. There's more to the story. My mom had a box of mugs that she had collected from her travels. We had it stored in our attic, and my mom would frequently ask if we still had them. So while we were having the door installed, we got it down to see if maybe she had hidden something in there - she tended to do stuff like that.

Here they all are, but alas, no gold dubloons were taped to the bottom of any of them.

Out of all of them, we decided to bring out these six items - Doc's baby cup, a marble pitcher/ewer, a clay vase from Arizona, a mug from Ireland, a mug from San Diego's bicentennial in 1969, and this china birdbath.

The birdbath was numbered 22/143, so we figured it may have some value, so we took it and put it on my mom's shrine.

Then on Monday evening, I had somewhere to go, so I wore this:

These are Chloe jeans, a Joseph A turtleneck, and my Gucci belt.

On top, a sparkly bomber from Nite Life. I got so many comments on it!!! I paid only a dollar or two at the thrift shop.

I wore purple Austrian crystals and a silver herringbone chain.

So where did I go to be enchanted? Well, I went to a beautiful foothill town called La Canada Flintridge. It's pronounced Can-ya-da. It's above Pasadena and the home of JPL, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It is also the home of the Descanso Gardens, our destination.

During the holidays, they have an exhibit called the Enchanted Forest of Light. It is a mile long trail that has 10 exhibits.

Before you enter the forest, there is a cafe, a nursery, and a gift shop. I will show you what I bought later - it's still wrapped in the garage because we are now having some interior painting done.

There is a famous photo-op right at the entrance.

The first exhibit is called Flower Power - it is a sea of tulip shaped bulbs that change colors. 

The colors change in a wave pattern, starting from the back.

Then we went to the Rainbow Sycamores. The highlight of this exhibit is really for kids - there are a series of lighted tubes that change colors as the kids tap them.

Then we have the Starlight Garden - it is an archway that is hung with a bunch of these star shaped lanterns. It is actually pretty striking in person.

Then we have Celestial Shadows - these are geometric lanterns hung from trees and stands. You can spin them around to cast the patterns on the ground, and they change colors as well.

At this point, we decided that we needed to stop at one of the strategically placed cocktail lounges. We chose one that was made out of an Airstream trailer. The bartender looked like Kurt Russell. I had a Belfast Blast, which was Glenfiddich and ginger beer.

Then we saw the Lightwave Lake. It was beautiful, but very difficult to capture on film.

Then we hit the Symphony of Oaks - giant ancient oak trees that had lighted pads all around them.

They reminded me of that old game called Simon, where you tap the color and it changes.But kids jumped on these pads.

Then we saw the Luminous Lawn. It was a sort of kick-back area with sofas and benches.

It also had a chandelier hanging amongst the trees.

 As you exit, there is an outdoor theater that has many geometric patterns that change.

One of our favorites, and a fan favorite as well, is the Ancient Forest. It is a forest made of oaks and giant ferns, with mist and strobing lights.

You expect a T Rex to pop out of the forest.

There was a pretty impressive display of staghorn ferns at the exit. We went through twice.

The next exhibit was called Pixel Grove. It was made of tubes that had lights zipping up and down the tubes. In my opinion, this was the most underwhelming exhibit.

And finally, the Garden of Good Fortune. This is an expansive Japanese garden with a teahouse and many bridges.

Red paper lanterns hung everywhere.

It was filled with many varieties of camellias and lilies.

And that was the Enchanted Forest of Light !! I would like to go back in the spring, during the day, to see the tulips and rose gardens in bloom.

So it was back to work on December 11th. This is what I wore :

These are silk slacks from INC. They are a raspberry color with tiny pink and green rosebuds embroidered all over them. I wore a burgundy velour turtleneck with them.

On top, I wore a fuchsia suede jacket with decorative edging and a perforated pattern. It's from Pamela McCoy.

I wore rose gold jewelry - a crystal studded pendant and a locket. Both belonged to my mom.

On Wednesday, I had an important meeting to attend. I pulled out my trusty navy wool Anne Klein dress.

It has a brushed gold belt buckle, and side draping on the bottom of the front.

I wore my Bob Mackie Wearable Art embroidered jacket on top. It is ivory, with blue and gold embroidery.

I wore a trio of sapphire necklaces with this dress. Actually, two sapphire and my LV lock.

On Thursday, it was all black velvet. My velvet jeans are from Nordstrom.

The jacket is a vintage find from the forties. I got it up in Burbank, at a store that resells items that have been used in movies and TV. They are very reasonably priced.

I wore a necklace made of clear and champagne diamonds.

This beautiful jacket is black velvet. It has a peplum, jet faceted buttons, and a peach silk collar with beading. The brand is Alper-Schwartz and it's all hand tailored inside.

On Friday, I had another office party to attend. I wore black ponte slacks and an ivory sweater with a gold lurex pattern from Catherine Malandrino.

I look really gutty in these pictures - post burrito bloat.

Two diamond necklaces, one pearl pendant, a vintage chain belt, and my good old gut.

On Saturday, we had a potluck to attend, given by the LDS church. My MIL is a member. I made funeral potatoes. They are made of hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese and topped with corn flakes. 

Pandi did us a favor by thoroughly cleaning out the dutch oven. Don't worry, I ran it through the sterilization cycle.

This is what I wore. These are purple and black brocade slacks made by Carlisle, a British brand. They tie at the waist with a black velvet ribbon. I wore a black velvet crew neck.

On top, another vintage jacket. It is black on black brocade, with fluffy fur cuffs. It must be really old, like the sixties, because it is a size 12. Nowadays, with vanity sizing, I am a 2. I know that the size is not a good guide when shopping for vintage fashion. it's a fabulous jacket. The brand is Karen Lawrence. I wore it with the Catherine Malandrino sweater outfit as well.

Once again, the purple Austrian crystals and the silver herringbone chain.

Yesterday was Monday the 18th. Another party to attend. I wore one of my favorite dresses from my favorite brand - Calvin Klein.

It's a Santana type knit with silver and gold studs that are strategically placed to enhance the hourglass shape. I need enhancement.  I wore a garnet necklace, a multi-stone barrel and my LV lock.

Yesterday was my last day of work until the 26th. I wore a brown and gold outfit. The brown slacks have a sateen finish and are from Old Navy. The sweater is another vintage find, from Once Again.

My Chinese brocade jacket is from WDNY.

The sweater is a lurex blend, and it has tonal topaz sequins scattered all over the front. No jewelry needed.

The pants have a band of Venice lace around the waist. I thought they were nice for an Old Navy item.

Here's a look at the classic Chinese pattern on the blazer.

So in addition to all this fashion and forests, i got both of my cosmetic bags this week. First up, my December Birchbox.

Here's what I got, from top to bottom :

1) The Beachwaver Co Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray
2) Whish Vanilla Lip Scrub
3) bbrowbar Brow Definer in Cinnamon Spice
4) LOC Glisten Luminous Lip Sine
5) Oribe (RIP dear Oribe Canales) Supershine Moisturizing Creme


And now for ipsy - I love the sequined bag !!

Here's what I got:

1) Murad Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream
2) F.A.R.A.H. eyeshadow brush
3) The Beauty Crop Lip Brulee High Shine Lip Creme
4) Sugar Mini Bronzer in Woody Wonder
5) EAC Am to PM black eyeliner
6) R + Co High Dive Moisture Shine Cream

I will leave you with two shots of a beautiful white heron that i saw at Central Park on Sunday when i went for my run.

Linking with :

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