This One Is Mostly My Duds

 And by duds, I do not mean my bad jokes, even though there are usually a lot of those. I am once again on a kick to wear all those clothes that have sadly been ignored. I will let you know if they are keepers or being donated.

Let's go !!!   Back on May 14th, I wore a dress from North Style.  My shoes are Gucci and my moonstone statement necklace is an EBay find. All keepers.

Then, on May 17th, I wore a khaki suit from Kasper. The jungle print top came from Nordstrom. 

It is printed, seed beaded, and edged with wooden beads. No necklace needed.

Here it is with the jacket. The problem? It's a petite sized suit, and the pant legs are just a tad too short. I haven't decided on its disposition yet, but soon. My sandals are Steve Madden.

On May 18th, it was a little gloomy, so I decided to brighten it up by wearing a sparkly skirt from Ann Taylor. Then I gloomed it up by wearing a black top.

It's still my favorite color combination - black and gold!!

Once again, I wore my jet lariat that I got in Washington DC. 

Now for a surprise - the lacy back on my top !!

All of these items are definitely keepers.

On May 19th, I really brightened things up. This cerulean duo from Calvin Klein does the trick.

My necklace was a boutique purchase up in San Luis Obispo, California. It cost quite a bit, so I was very disappointed when it tarnished and I was going to toss it. But then I polished it up with Barkeeper's Friend, so now it can stay. Verdict for all - keepers!!

On Thursday, May 20th, something new - these scuba knit joggers from Nordstrom. They are a mix of camouflage and leopard prints in blue tones.

I topped it with a pirate sweater from Michael Kors. My velvet sandals from Gucci are starting to show wear, so I will get them reheeled. 

This jade and lapis necklace was my mom's and this gold belt is so old, that I think I got it in high school and have dragged it everywhere with me. All keepers !!

On Friday, I combined old with new. The old is this watercolor dress that I got many years ago. This belt is new-ish and came from Escada.

On top, a silk anorak that pulls the khaki color out of the green tones in the dress. 

Here's a better look at the belt and this costume necklace that is a great accessory for many on my outfits.  All of these things are also keepers. Seems like I am not giving much away so far.

On Monday,  May 24th, I wore a dress that I had really forgotten about. It was from the collaboration that Target had with the Webster hotel in Miami.

I got this dress and a camisole in the same print. The cami had really strange sizing, so it flew away long ago.

This necklace is convertible piece from Joan Rivers. You can change out the colors of both the outer petals and the center piece. I wear it a lot. All of these are keepers.

Yesterday, I wore one of my favorite dresses ever. It is from Taylor and it is not only flattering but it never needs ironing, since it is made of scuba material.

My lavender shoes are Sam Edleman.

These necklaces were my mom's. They are also compliment grabbers, every time I wear them. 

I will also keep all of these beautiful items.

Today, I am wearing a navy knit dress with gold lurex horizontal stripes. It is from Tommy Hilfiger. 

Since one of the trends for this season is layered necklaces, I am of course doing that. In case you haven't noticed, this is one of my favorite things to do. This trio is sapphire and gold. More keepers !!

Onto non-outfit images . My May 21 Ipsy bag came during this time. From left to right:

1) PYT Beauty Upcycle Eyeshadow Palette in Warm Lit Nude. This was my optional choice this month, but it's a little more glittery than I was hoping for.

2) Memoire Archives Fragrances in Garden Party - I like it and have been using it this week.

3) Undone Beauty UnFoundation Mattetint and has tea tree oil to control oil with light matte coverage.

4)  Sugar Beauty Matte as Hell Lip Crayon in Honey Rider.

5) Lottie London AM to PM Eyeliner in black. It might be liquid, and if it is, I will give it away.

Our neighbors moved, and they had 3 dogs. So they gave us a mesh dog bed. Doc didn't know what it was, but I did, since they use these beds at the shelters.

Pandi sniffed it thoroughly during her inspection.

She approves.

I don't remember if I told you that we have a bald eagle in our local park, Huntington Beach Central Park. So last weekend when I was running, I saw this bird.

I think it is just a beautiful and unusual hawk. The eagle remains elusive, although I have heard that he is still around.

So that's about all for now. I have a wonderfully blessed long weekend this weekend, and plan on sprucing up the back yard. Stay tuned, and maybe something interesting will happen !!

Huntington Beach is Back to Being THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE !!!

 I have a lot of outfits to show you, but first, I must relay the most exciting news!!

The Huntington Beach Library is back open for business !!  

Inside, the locals paid homage to helping hands and hand hygiene.

And the Secret Garden has been refurbished. I will be showing my own garden refurbishing later in the post.

I called Doc to let him know about the library and continued on my run around the entire park. Doc rushed over - he has been waiting not so patiently for this day.

As I rounded the bend, near the houses at the edge of the lake, guess who I saw?

My beloved Egyptian geese had another family!!  I counted 7 awkwardly adorable chicks.

And one baby goose was kissing a coot !!

But the mallard ducks are giving them a run for their money as far as babies go.

The vultures were back on their roost.

The Park Bench Cafe was open for full business. It has always been open somewhat, since all seating is outdoors. But now they can add more tables.

And I made friends with one of the squirrels. They are so tame that they approach you.

And Pandi has a doppleganger - his name is Lucky.

A brother from another mother!!

On Sunday, May 2nd, I was invited to the Global Citizen Vax Live concert at SoFi Stadium, the home of the Los Angeles Rams. There were acts by JLo, HER, Foo Fighters, Eddie Vedder and J Balvin. Harry of Sussex was also there, as were a lot of celebrities, including Selena Gomez, the host.

I invited my friend Mary - after a few minutes, we went down from the rafters to see if we could sit on the floor, and they welcomed us !! It was a lot more fun down there. The show aired on TV on May 8th.

Pandi has developed a new habit - she curls up in Doc's pants when he takes them off and leaves them on the floor. I guess it's nice and warm.

My May Birchbox came. It had a retro flower power theme.

Inside, from right to left:

1) Anatomicals Shower to the People Body Cleanser - it smells very herbal with a lot of mint. Tingly as well.

2) The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Shampoo

3) Balance Me BHA Exfoliating Concentrate

4) Benefit They're Real Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara

5) Aurora Cosmetics Intensively Precise Eyeliner in Espresso

Onto my own flora refurbishing. Every spring and fall, I replant the flowers on the front porch and the clump in the front yard.

These pictures are from April 24th, when all the plants were just put in.

By May 5th, they had filled in and flowered nicely.

The clump was something else !! The English Lavender had overgrown the entire area. After I dug it out, I saw a giant aloe and a big pot of thyme under there.

I added some pampas grass, some petunias, some zinnias, and a marigold.

My indoor plants are doing nicely also - it has been quite a while since my anthurium had a flower.

My little Vinni has found a place to nest in the backyard.

He likes it under the bouganvillia, near the pool.

Pandi, meanwhile, either chills in Doc's pants or in her crate - she is very protective of her own little world.

Doc decided that he needed more exercise, so he got a mini-trampoline to jump on while I am working out. 

I tried it out for him and Pandi joined me.

She ended up getting pretty tired pretty quickly.

For Mother's Day, the entire Holtzman gang was able to get together.

I brought Win and Mimi a New York cheesecake, which I decorated with Easter mix candy and pretzel topping. I don't like cheesecake as a rule, but this one was delicious.

And Nathan, Kim and their kids got me a little bouquet of flowers.

So onto the outfits !!

Way back on April 26th, I wore the Shein tunic that I got in Washington DC. 

I got this jet bead necklace at the Macy's there as well.

On April 27th, a navy knit dress from Taylor went out for a spin. This dress is scuba knit with black elastic accents.

I went with gold and sapphires for my jewels. And my Gucci sandals that I chased around the world and finally found a replacement for. I wore the first pair out and had them reheeled until they fell apart. Luckily, I found another pair on EBay.

On April 28th, I wore a dress by Michael Kors. On a previous wearing, I had to visit another hospital in our chain, and a lady down there was wearing the same dress!! She has good taste :)

                                                  

On top, a St John Santana knit jacket with silver studs and pearl buttons.

The silver jewelry  belonged to my mom. I wear this set a lot.

On April 29th, I went for comfort. This is a slinky knit skirt with a nubby knit top. I got the top at JC Penney and it is very versatile. 

I wore a Chico's warm up style jacket on top, and accessorized with my Escada belt and Style and Co sandals that are black with gold lurex woven through.

On April 30th, we had errands to do, and it was beautiful out, so I wore a mini dress from Forever 21, along with Gucci flip flops.

The garden rose print is really pretty. I paid $1 at a garage sale for this dress. Big spender.

On May 3rd, the day after the Global Vax concert, I wore a Kate Spade snow leopard print dress.

On top, a silver lurex cardigan from Style and Co.

My embellished pumps are really old - I got them from Spiegel, an old school mail order company that I used to love all through the 90s.

This blue topaz and moonstone pendant also belonged to my mom. It has a matching ring.

On May 4th, I went for my final IPL laser treatment. It was basically a touch up, so not much action. But every one of my age spots is now gone. That worked great !!! Highly recommend.

I am wearing a dress from Philosophy, and some rust suede sandals from White House, Black Market.

 

This long necklace is from Paparazzi Accessories, and it also cost one entire dollar.

On May 5th, I wore a draped knit dress from Encore. I got it in Philadelphia at a great consignment shop. I got a few things there, and boy was my suitcase stuffed when I came back home.

On May 6th, I wore a vintage shirtdress that I got at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop.

It was accompanied by my Tahari boots and an ancient mesh bib necklace from Avon that just keeps going.

By Friday I was beat. I only worked for a few hours, so I put in zero effort. I wore a warm up suit with a little nicer top. At least I was comfy.

On Monday, May 10th, I wore a self made dress. I used ribbons in the two main colors as a makeshift belt.

My shoes are from Guess, and the satin bomber jacket came from Macy's. 

On Tuesday, another Taylor dress. This one is a tribal print, made of a thicker type of mesh. 

It's so comfy. One of my favorite dresses. My suede Mary Janes are from Nine West.

On Wednesday, May 12th, I wore a glittery, nubby sweater from Alfani. It has a chiffon peplum.

My slacks are very old and are from Sun Moon Stars.

Today, I am wearing more glitter, in the form of a top from Ann Taylor. My corduroy jeans are from Old Navy.

I got this moleskin jacket at Stein Mart before they closed up shop. They were a victim of the pandemic. I rarely shopped there, but I always found something.

The jacket is from Lena Gabrielle, and I wanted to show you the trim. It is made of crystals and reptile print. Doc got me the Indian squash blossom necklace. I should wear it more often, but it is very dramatic, so I try to choose wisely.

So that's about it for now. We are getting our hardwood floors replaced next month. It is long overdue. We are getting the same color, because it's just so pretty (when it's clean). 

Stay tuned, and thank goodness our world is returning to normal!!