Here's what I wore :
These are some olive and glittery gold Hue leggings and a lace tunic that I have had for a while.
I decided to do my best Academy Awards pose. I wore the brown and olive statement necklace that I got at the hospital gift shop.
At the reception center, you can have your picture taken with Gainsborough's Blue Boy.
After you enter, there is a garden with native plants and a trickling fountain. The restaurant, 1919, is to the left of the garden.
It's an enormous property, with a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden and a camellia forest.
There are several fountains. This one is in the front of the library. You can see the house in the rear on the left. Henry Huntington made his millions in the railroad industry at the turn of the century. He and his second wife, Arabella, built this mansion on a ranch in San Marino. He had stayed there when he first visited California, and fell in love with the weather and the landscape.
Here is a side view of the enormous home, which houses a beautiful European art collection. Interestingly, Arabella's first husband was Henry's uncle, Collis Huntington. She had one son, Archer, and there is some doubt as to the identity of his father - Henry or Collis? Henry's first wife was Mary Alice, and they had four children. He divorced Mary Alice in 1910 and married Arabella in 1913, after Mary Alice died. Mary Alice was the sister of Collis' adopted daughter. Collis died in 1900. The family relationships are at best fascinating and at worst, incestuous.
Here are a couple of views of the house from the front.
The library starts with this interactive room. You can touch one of the projected images and play along. Henry was a huge book collector. He owned some of the most expensive books in the world.
Here is the main room of the library. You can't go up to the second level. The exhibits are on the first floor.
The first herbal book ever printed is in there. It is called "The Generall Historie of Plantes" and was published in London in 1636.
This musical work by John Dowland was published in 1612, and was constructed so that four musicians could all read the music from different sides - it took four instruments to play the concerto, and they all stood around it.
One of the first science books was this one, called "Philosophical Transactions".
His most valuable book is this Guttenberg Bible, published in 1455.
Outside the library is a vast lawn. The camellia forest winds around it, through the huge live oaks and palms. The San Gabriel mountains lie to the north. If you cross over them, you are in the San Fernando Valley, of Valley Girl fame.
The lawn is bordered by about 20 statues that Arabella had shipped over from Europe.
At the end of the lawn is a fountain.
Here is an example of the statues. They are all made of this material, and are allegories. This one is called Truth.
I guess this is where the saying "two faced" comes from when referring to lying.
Inside the house is a huge stained glass window that depicts the 10 virtues.
This interesting exhibit is called "The Orbit". If you go inside, you can hear transmissions from various satellites out in space. It sounds somewhat like the whale noises. It got quite loud at times.
Henry's most famous painting is Gainsborough's "Blue Boy". It is currently being restored. All of the artwork is regularly inspected and repaired, and over 400 full time artists do this work.
Across the hall is "Pinkie", a painting of Sarah Moulton, done by Thomas Lawrence. She was eleven and living in Jamaica when her grandmother commissioned the portrait in 1794. Sadly, Pinkie died before the painting was finished - she had tuberculosis. Sometimes, Pinkie and Blue Boy are assumed to have been painted by the same artist. Blue Boy was painted in 1779. It is thought that Lawrence both imitated and improved upon Gainsborough's style.
This all happened on February 25th. Let's go back to February 19th. Here is what I wore:
This is a tricolor tiered silk skirt from the Gap. On top, I wore a velour tank from Ann Taylor and a brown cardigan from INC.
I wore two rose gold and diamond necklaces and rose gold rings.
I wore my Halogen booties from Nordstrom. Someone commented that since they matched perfectly, I must have done it one purpose.
On February 20th, I wore my ivory and black ponte dress from Saks Fifth Avenue Black. I wore it jumper style, with a red turtleneck underneath.
Doc's photos are blurry this morning.This is how the detail looks.
I wore a red Givenchy necklace and a silver herringbone chain with this outfit.
On February 27th, it was back to Calvin Klein. This is a burgundy sweater dress with a gold double zip. I wore a gray henley underneath.
I have to say that I think my velvet Mary Janes from Nine West match perfectly here, also.
A couple of gold necklaces and my Hermes belt finished this off.
Today is February 28th, and I am wearing a tan leather skirt with a fuzzy houndstooth sweater that has lurex in the print and a chiffon ruffle. It's from Style and Co.
Here's a better look. My costume tassel necklace is from INC.
My shoes are also Calvin Klein. The heels are silver toned, and look like cheese graters.
I bought myself a gift - I lost a pair of Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses while walking the dogs, so I got new ones.
They are black matte wire frames with dark lenses.
The logo is done in brown crystals.
I also got my two cosmetic boxes this week. First, the Ipsy box.
From left to right:
1) Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara
2) Chella Eyeliner Pen in Bronw
3) HeyHoney Trick and Treat Moisturizing CC Cream
4) Feel Beauty Renewed Pumpkin Walnut Facial Cleanser - love this one!!
5) KNC Beauty Star Eye Mask.
And here is the February Birchbox:
From left to right:
1) Glov Quick Treat microfiber touch up glove for makeup mistakes.
2) ModelCo More Brows in Light to Medium - giveaway, because I have black eyebrows.
3) Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo and Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner - YAYYYYY!!!
4) Clarins Multi Active Night Cream
5) Clarins Multi Active Day Cream and Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate
And yet another gift for myself - Neck Lift Pro Instant Neck and Jaw Lifting Bands - you stick them on the back of your neck and pull back the extra skin. They feel weird at first, but they work!!! The effect lasts about 8 hours. They cost $16.95 for 12. They will be good for special occasions. You do have to wear your hair down to cover it.
And finally, I did some cooking for Doc last weekend. He must be tired of bratwurst, burritos and eggs. So I made Bay scallops with alfredo sauce on buccatini, and asparagus.
I also made him avocado eggs with bacon for breakfast on Monday. He loved it all.
So see you all soon, with more adventures.!!!
