I am pretty sure by now that basically all forms of animal life hate me, but for different reasons. For domestic pet hatred, we have Pandi. She is absolutely not thrilled that I bought her a pig hat and made her wear it.
Then we have this squirrel. He seemed to love me at first, but when he found out that I didn't have any food, things quickly soured.
These pictures are from my weekly run through Huntington Beach's Central Park.
I have always loved the Secret Garden, and now it has a Butterfly Pollinator Buffet.
We decided to get a bit adventurous with our groceries, so this week we bought everything at Trader Joes's. Unfortunately, as is the case with Trader Joe's, we ended up with more booze and candy than food. I also got this beautiful bouquet of pastel flowers.
On November 22nd, my outfit was a fail. This is a really pretty jacket, but this combo is just way too matronly. It needs a belt or something. Well, try try again.
On November 23rd, I wore a weird shirt that I have not worn for years. I don't even know what it is made of - it's really stiff and also completely sheer.
The slacks that I wore are pinstriped, and one of the stripes matches the shirt exactly.
Here's a closer look. I wore my Paloma Picasso belt with it.
Then I was off from Wednesday, November 24th through Sunday, November 28th. First on the agenda, making some food for Thanksgiving dinner at my MIL, Mimi's house. She got a spiral ham and I made all the side dishes. My DIL, Kim, brought the desserts.
This is a hot dip made of Swiss cheese, onions, and cream cheese. Surprisingly, my grandson Joseph loved this.
Then I made Doc's request - a big salad. It has lettuce, eggs, bacon, carrots, three bean salad and artichoke hearts on it.
Of course, I made the grandkid's all time favorite - monkey bread.
I also made green bean casserole, but I used fresh green beans, and it was better than using canned.
This is what I wore - pants by White House, Black Market and a crocheted poncho from Kroshette.
It's a really pretty ombre fuschia design.
My FIL, Win, has a big milkweed in his backyard. I told him that my housekeeper raises Monarch butterflies, and she grows milkweed for them to eat.
And guess what ? There was a Monarch caterpillar on Win's plant.
Here is the spread, ready to be devoured.
On Friday, Doc and I went to Saver's because we had a 30% off coupon. While he was looking at books, I roamed around and found this :
It's a flawless Celine sweater. It was $9.99, less 30%. I went over to the book section and told Doc that I had just found a $1000 sweater. I was wrong - the Celine website shows the closest sweater as being priced at $1950. What a find!!
So of course, when Doc and I met my brother and his partner Karin for lunch at Avila's El Ranchito the next day, I wore the sweater.
I paired it with ivory slacks from Calvin Klein and a gold lurex tank top from St John.
Remember last year when we got a little rosemary bush in lieu of a Christmas tree? We did it again. Last year, the tree was named Rosenberg, and this year he will be called Rosenbaum.
He is sitting all decorated on the hearth by the fireplace (don't worry, we won't be using it) . Next to him, the Halloween skeleton rat hangs in his stocking.
On Monday, November 29th, I wore a dress that I also got at Saver's and wish that I had for Autumn this year. It's a LulaRoe shift in the most fall-centric print one has ever seen.
I wore it with a burnt orange suede jacket and darker rust colored ankle boots from Top Moda.
On Tuesday, November 30th, I wore a silk shift from H&M, and a waterfall jacket from Sigrid Oleson.
I wore some moonstone/blue topaz jewelry along with some silver jewelry.
On December 1st, I wore a knit dress from INC. It has a lot of bronze toned studs all over it.
I wore a costume necklace with black stones and my Tahari boots.
On December 2nd, I tried to recreate a look that I saw on the internet - they showed a band T with a suit. I took a chance and wore a tailored black suit with my Caesar's Palace 50th anniversary T.
I got a lot of comments, mostly about the T shirt. I was also very comfy.
The next day, I wore one of my favorite dresses, from MM LaFleur. I got it at Boyd's in Philadelphia.
This close up is an attempt to show the intricate detailing on this fine weave 100% wool dress. It never shows up well, but the seaming is a work of art, and very flattering.
On top, a jacket by Bob Mackie. Here's a look at the embroidery on it.
I didn't like the shoes I wore - too matronly. The next time I wear this dress, I will go with a sleeker heel.
On Monday the 6th, I wore an outfit that I have worn before. As always, I got a ton of compliments.
The satin skirt is made by Notations, and the top is from INC.
The top is jersey knit, with mesh sleeves and heavy applique embroidery. I wore a belt from White House, Black Market, a jet tassel necklace from INC, and an Hermes CDC bracelet.
On Tuesday the 7th, I wore a couple of items that I haven't worn in a while. The slacks are from a brand with the wonderful name of Sugar Lips, and the tee is from Metaphor.
The pants are tweed, with a band of velvet and square copper sequins at the waist.
On top, my deep red satin blazer from Emanuel Ungaro, and a cashmere scarf from Louis Vuitton on top. It was rainy that day.
The outfit that I wore on Wednesday got the comment "You look like you belong in a harem !!".
These satin joggers are part of a two piece set that has a jacket.
The white crinkly chiffon blouse has gold and silver accents. It's by Worthington.
On top, I wore a lustrous jacket in an Ottoman weave, made by St John.
It has beautiful gold hardware and accent tips on the collar and pockets.
On Thursday, December 9th, I wore a deep red dress by A New Day. It's a very loose style, with a band of lace across the chest and at the cuffs.
I wore a festive brocade blazer by Ice.
I also busted out my favorite holiday boots from Spiegel. They are black suede with gold embroidery.
On Thursday night, Mimi and I went over to Mesa Verde Middle School and saw Joseph in a concert. It was put on by the school's band. He plays trumpet.
I wore a velvet skirt by Persaman and a velour turtleneck with no label.
I wore gold and emerald jewelry.
Here's a look at the details. The skirt has a net ruffle, and I wore patterned hosiery and Victorian style suede shoes.
Here's the scene - there were performances by the Beginner's Band, the String Section, the Advanced Band, and the Choir.
Joseph is somewhere in this group of brass instruments.
The choir did "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with dog breeds. Some kids barked and some sang.
Then the entire group played a finale.
On Friday, December 10th, we had our hospital's management party. It was supposed to be at a local restaurant called Spaghettini, but the room was too small to space out, so it was moved outdoors.
I wore a new dress from JS Collections. I got it at the 2019 after Christmas sales, but you know how that went - no parties last year. So I finally got to wear it.
It is made of a thin jersey knit with a mesh layer on top. The mesh layer has rich teal embroidery.
On top, a beautiful black brocade jacket from Karen Lawrence. It has deep faux fur cuffs. Since the party was outdoors, I wore my black suede boots from Tahari.
Pandi has been her usual cheerful self, helping me with everything related to Christmas. Here she is, making the grocery list and looking for bargains.
My December Ipsy bag came already, just in time. I had run out of face cleanser that morning. It was a sparkly pink bag, and here's what was inside, from top to bottom:
1) Grace and Stella Hyaluronic Acid serum.
2) Codage Moisturizing Mask
3) Three Ships Purify Aloe and Amino Acid cleanser - this is weird. It's a thin brown liquid. I won't be purchasing this.
4) Tarte Sea Surfer Curl Mascara - I was using one from benefit called Mr Big, but I hated it. It was really clumpy. So I will try this one next.
5) Tresluce IntensoLiner Gel color eyeliner.
Our department in the hospital faced the same dilemma as the managers. The room was deemed inappropriate for a socially distanced party. So here we all are, having a Zoom party.
And finally, here's what I saw on my run this morning - a weiner dog gathering !!!
So now we are all caught up. It has been a busy couple of months, and I am looking forward to taking some time off over the holidays. Stay tuned for gifts and festive outfits !!!
