The Prequel

Right now, I am in Washington, DC, attending ID Week, presented by IDSA - the Infectious Disease Society of America. I love this conference - as a clinician, I learn lots of nice tricks of the trade, but I also get to hear the latest research on Infection Prevention from the experts, who are STUPID SMART !!! These men and women are amazing - they see an issue and they act upon it. The number of lives saved through their efforts are countless.

Anyway. many pictures of DC to come, but first, I must catch up on my outfits from the weeks prior to this fabulous conference. Let's go waaaayyy back to September 20th:

This was a super comfy casual Friday getup. It is my latest favorite - the Old Navy speckled leggings topped with a very soft tunic from Nordstrom.

The sparkly sandals are Badgley Mischka, and the necklace is also from Nordstrom, only it was purchased almost 30 years ago!!

The next day, I wore a tried and true dress. It is a mesh tribal print.

 This dress is so comfy and so flattering. I think the brand is Taylor.

With it, I wore a long costume necklace from INC, and a shorter gold herringbone chain.

Then, on September 24th, I got creative. I wore my classic ivory slacks from Ann Taylor. This time, I topped them with a filmy gold lurex blouse from Equipment. It is their classic best selling safari style.

I got many compliments on this elegant look.

With it, I wore a heavy link chain choker that I got at the church rummage sale, and a gold herringbone chain.

I found this Paloma Picasso belt at a thrift shop in Carpenteria, California, for a pittance.

The next day, I decided to try something different with this BD Dakota dress. I usually wear it with a red cashmere cardigan. I attempted to pull out the light gray in the dress, with a J Crew sweater and an Old Navy tank.

Although I got compliments, I prefer it with the red.

The next day, I was running short on pantyhose, so I went for slacks for the next couple of days. On this day, I wore very old sailor type pants from Worthington, a JC Penney brand. They are circa 2003.

But they still look really cute, so onward. I paired them with a sweater from Apt 9. a Kohl's brand. We are really going back in time here.

This necklace is one of those Charriol floating diamond things that were popular in the 1990s. I don't think that diamonds ever go out of style.

The next day, more slacks. These are Editor slacks from The Limited. They are a black on black brocade. Lovely fabric. I wore a sleeveless turtleneck with them.

On Monday, October 1st, I was due to have my picture taken for a special event, so I wanted to look elegant. I wore a basic black dress with a faux wrap and cold shoulders.

My picture turned out horribly. I am not photogenic and I know it, but this was ridiculous. Oh well. I asked them to not use it.

I wore Christian Dior shoes and my Buffalo turquoise and smoky topaz necklace. I thought I looked nice, but the photos were awful.

Onto more basic life stuff. We had a potluck at work, and I made a shepherd's pie.

The office raved. It's mostly cans and packaged crap. But it is delicious.

Joseph and Benjamin had their birthdays while we were in Canada, so when we got back, we gave them a special party, with money and books.

I also got my Ipsy bag, very very late.

From left to right :
1) HanHoo Watermelon Illuminator Overnight Serum
2) Unicorn Glow Hydrating Primer
3) The Beauty Crop eyeshadow in a pewter tone
4) Madison Miller blush
5) Skin and CO Truffle Therapy Shimmering Oil

I haven't tried any of these products yet.


I have been on a solar light buying spree. I got this scary dog skeleton at the 99 Cent Store, so I bought some paw print solar lights to go with him.

This is so cute that I may leave it up permanently.

Then I got this sculptularor globe light, but the pix I took are blurry. It was almost $20, and I think I got ripped off. Oh well.

I will try to get better pictures later.

Then I got these lilies. They are made of cheap looking fabric, so I was initially disappointed. But they turned out to be really pretty when lit up.

So that's it. Tomorrow, I am taking the Metro subway to Alexandria, Virginia, to see Old Town. First on the agenda is a HOT meal - I have been eating cold boxed sandwiches all week. Stay tuned for this adventure. I am crabby and frustrated and tired of this whole trip. I want to go home. I hope my attitude gets an adjustment tomorrow.