This is the nickname of the city of Tucson, Arizona. I had the opportunity to travel there last week for the IP Directors Summit. This was the first in-person conference that I have attended in two years. It was also my first airplane trip in two years. I am not the best flyer even under perfect circumstances, but throw in a pandemic, and I am toast. Luckily, the flights went smoothly and all was well. Unluckily, since I wore an N95 mask during the flights, I now have a sore spot under my right eye where the mask rubbed.
Doc came along for the ride. He has a red spot on his nose from the N95. For the first two days, we stayed at Loews Ventana Resort, which is up in the foothills of the Ventana Canyon. It was a very luxurious hotel with great beds, but it was pretty remote. They decorated their common areas with all manner of geodes.
As you know, Tucson (and most of Arizona) is the Saguaro cactus capital. These beauties were everywhere.
In the background you can see another wing of the hotel and some of the large homes up in the canyon.
We were kept very busy and if you were late for a session, the conference staff would text you and ask you to appear.
On the first day, after checking in, we had a dinner and cocktail gathering. I wore my trusty slinky knit slacks with this silk top from Cynthia Rowley. One of the attendees asked if it was Hermes, since his wife is a luxury brand fan. Sorry, not Hermes, but Cynthia Rowley is a fairly nice brand.
You can see the detail on the top in this shot, as well as my jade and lapis necklace.
The next day was filled with sessions and product demonstrations. I wore my trusty yellow set from Antthony with brown slinky knit slacks.
This time, I wound one of the long amber necklaces that I usually wear with this around my neck twice. I liked this better than what I did last week. Back then, I wore a pendant that interfered with the embellishment on the set.
There was a huge party that night. It was great - I haven't been to a large social gathering like that for quite a while.
On the final day, I wore my ivory Semantix trousers with a tie front top from Forever 21.
I finished this look off with a chain mail necklace from Avon. I have had it since the 1980s.
After the conference ended, Doc and I went down to stay in the El Amador Luxury Inn in downtown Tucson. It was difficult to find since it is a group of old houses all grouped together to form the Inn. I was expecting a regular hotel-looking building.
Here is a look at our room. The houses date from 1917. I chose this inn because it was decorated with vintage furniture and accompanied by southwestern art.
It was a comfy and pleasant room. It was called the Tucson Room. Fitting.
The bathroom was updated. It still had quite a bit of southwestern art as well.
I thought that this little stool was adorable.
This is the grounds immediately outside our unit. The house across this patio contained two units.
This view is looking forward to the front of the inn. Our room was at the back of the property.
Here's another view of the two unit house. The inn was fully booked, but very quiet.
There was a gas BBQ pit. I was out there relaxing, and I met a very nice couple, Steve and Mary, who were on a road trip from Santa Cruz in northern California. We also met a couple who were there working as distributors for a seltzer brand. They provided us with both hard seltzer and pale ale.
Each room had a sitting area. All were decorated differently. This was the New Orleans room.
There were two decorative fountains - this lion headed one had a pool with little goldfish.
The plants were lovely and well maintained. It was anywhere from 96 to 100 degrees while we were there, so keeping them so pretty must be a challenge.
This is the veranda of the front house.
The front house has a fully functional kitchen and a dining room that seats 12 people.
This view is looking from the front house toward the rear of the property.
Here is the other decorative fountain.
At night, all the trees had fairy lights.
The large patio is used for social gatherings - the venue can hold about 50 people. They usually get a DJ and a taco truck.
The other reason that I chose this hotel was for its proximity to the shopping and dining district along Fourth Avenue. It was a ten minute walk, which was enough in the heat.
This Irish Pub wasn't open, but it looked like a real cowboy type place.
No firearms allowed. I saw that signage several times. Arizona is a concealed carry state, so I guess you need to specify that you can't bring your weapon into the bar.
These next shots are of a venue called the Boxyard. It was made of containers, like the ones used for trucking and shipping.
Each container housed a different type of food - there was Indian, Vietnamese, pizza, donuts and even a full bar that opened at 10 AM.
This Easter Island type statue was striking. I think it was some kind of party/bar venue.
It had a fence around the top - I can't imagine that customers go up there. I think that's where the DJ stands or something like that.
One afternoon I took a walk around the Amador neighborhood. Right across the street were some western style buildings of various ages.
One restaurant had these rusted metal sculptures outside.
They were actually quite large and very nicely done.
Across the street from that was another little inn that had the train outside.
The train was called the Roadrunner Express and the inn was......................the Roadrunner Inn.
Down the street were a lot of Craftsman style homes, some Spanish style adobe homes, and some Victorians.
This lamp post is dated 1912.
This large Victorian was beautifully maintained, and had faux grass.
Probably for the best in the middle of the desert, but the innkeepers said that last year was a very rainy year in Arizona. Wish it had extended to California.
This Victorian had the more typical "Scottsdale Syndrome" landscaping.
We see that in Huntington Beach sometimes, when the home owners want a yard that is almost zero work.
One neighbor was a member of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association.
This little bodega had a very colorful mural painted along one side.
We noticed this colorful Victorian as we rode in our Uber looking for the inn.
It had a full leafy arch leading up to the yellow and red front door.
The prickly pears were in full fruit. When I was little, we had family friends in Tucson, and they would always send us prickly pear jam.
They were trying to convert an old church into lofts. The project was called the Academy.
It looked as though a few units were occupied.
This is the headquarters of the Aveda Institute. The skin and hair care brand is located in an old motel called the Pueblo Hotel.
I loved the neon sign.
While we were gone, Pandi stayed at Pet Smart Pets Hotel. She usually stays at her vet's boarding, but they are doing construction next door and it bothers the animals, so we went with Pet Smart. They give each pet a report card.
As you can see, they rate the pet on all her little activities.
They also make sweet comments about her. When she saw me through the glass door, she got so excited that she slammed into it face first. She recovered gracefully.
Once again, Pandi had to let me know how she really feels about me.
So what else has been going on? Well, I have this enamel jewelry box and for some reason, I decided t look inside. I found five of Pandi's untouched, hoarded bones.
She was flabbergasted that I found her stash.
She guarded them while she thought about another better spot.
Let's sleep on it.
You're right, Pandi !!! No one will EVER find them under Doc's desk.
Two of my grandsons have birthdays during Labor Day weekend. We gave them $100 bills. Joseph in red is 11, and Benjy in green is 9.
Not Benjy's "Rolex". He got it on Amazon for $15 . He thinks that maybe the diamonds aren't real.
This cloud looks like a ribcage. First, I am reading pee spots and now I am reading clouds.
Another friend for Gary, our other grasshopper. This guy is green, so we will call him Insecto Verde.
He's so cool.
My Birchbox was waiting for me. I love the colors of the box.
Inside, from top to bottom:
1) Arrow Revive Radiant Skin Moisturizer
2) Balance Me AHA Glow Mask
3) Benefit Boiing Cakeless Concealer
4) IpKN Moist and Firm BB Cream with SPF 45
5) Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
My Ipsy bag has a fall plaid theme.
Inside:
1) BRTC Vitamin A Velvet Mask for Firming with Beta-Glucan
2) BRTC VitaminB5 Velvet Mask for Soothing with Panthenol and CICA
3) Kokie Professional Be Bright Illuminating Concealer - already opened this.
4) Lower East Side Full Brow Gel
5) Goldfaden MD+ Needleless Line Smoothing Concentrate
On Sunday, we went over to Mimi's for tamales. Preston made her play with his virtual reality system.
It's called the Oculus. I tried it also and it's pretty fun.
I made these gut bombs. They are Butter-Me-Not biscuits with honey butter and cinnamon sugar on top.
They were well received.
So I guess that's it except for some outfits. Way back on September 7th, I wore this chiffon dress.
I wore a black bolero over it. After I got home, I tossed the dress in the donate bag. The ruffly neck was killing me. I also look like a dork.
On September 8th, I wore white slacks from the Gap with this hot pink Indian style tunic.
Here's a better look at this sparkly masterpiece.
On September 9th, two items from Calvin Klein's cerulean collection.
I wore gold and pearls with this outfit.
On September 10th, my outfit had an ivory base - the top is slubby knit and the slacks are pleated.
A faux pearl necklace and a gold Calvin Klein belt finished it off.
On top, a lime green brocade Asian themed jacket.
On Monday, September 20th, I wore a Tshirt from Candie's that I got in Tucson. I paired it with my dark gray slacks from SunMoonStars.
I picked up the flat grey shoes in Tucson as well.
I wore a lot of silver jewelry with this outfit. The necklace is costume.
On Tuesday, September 21st, I wore a very old printed chiffon skirt.
It looks like the hem was uneven while I was posing.
My top is Joseph A, and it is a knit cami with a chiffon cold shoulder top over it. I wore a bunch of costume necklaces. Very blingy.
On Wednesday, I wore a self-made tulip shaped skirt. The purple jacket was a gift from my MIL.
I wore a mix of gemstones - emerald necklace, peridot rings and earrings and amethyst and tanzanite bracelets. I got lots of comments about the colors.
On Thursday, I wore a mix of things designed around my silver mules. You see, I got some new shoes for walking at work and they gave me a blister on the first go round. So I needed backless shoes.
I wore my Fendi slacks with an embellished white tank top. On top, a silver lurex hoodie. Nice and comfy and good for my feet.
On Friday, the same foot thing, only today I wore my Gucci mules. The ponte pants are ancient Express and the mesh top has no label.
I glammed it up with my Escada belt, a jet tassel necklace from INC, my CDC cuff and assorted gold and garnet baubles.
Pandi has found yet another sleeping spot - under the antique cedar chest.
She unfolded her faux fur rug so she could lay on the scratchy side???
Well, she looks comfy, so I guess it's a good choice.
One of the ladies at work is having her second baby, so instead of a shower, we gave her a sprinkle.
Karla designed the decor. She always does a great job!!!
There were mini-bundts, mini-donuts, and other goodies.
Also a lot of gifts, about 90% clothes, because Catie has all the big stuff from her first child, who is now three.
So that's about it for now. This weekend, I plan on getting some new fall flowers for the front porch. Then I am going to start getting estimates to re-do the hardscape front and back. That includes the driveway, the porch and the pool area out back. Stay tuned to see the blossoms !!!!
