Singing in the Rain

 It has been raining a lot here in Huntington Beach. This year, we have had about twice as much rain as average, and it is not over yet. But I like it. I am going to get my front yard landscaped after the rain is over. All my outside plants are doing great. They are growing and thriving.

On February 4th, we went to a local garage sale. A man was closing his home business, so he had a lot of duplicate products. We got this folding tray table for our theater chairs.

I also got a few of these decorative slider locks. They look better in the window than a broomstick. 

                                

On Monday, February 6th, I didn't work. This is what I wore to run errands. The leggings are olive green and have those moto type seams on the knees and the thighs.

On top, a tan knit top with mesh shoulders from Velvet and a waterfall cardigan.

My costume necklace is a string of leaves and it tinkles when I walk.

Tuesday, February 7th saw me going back to work. I wore denim blue knit slacks, a tan ribbed turtleneck, and a brush print waterfall cardigan from Alberto Makali.

I bought this jasper necklace from the Taste of Charlotte, when I went to North Carolina.

On February 8th, I wore a navy print flouncy dress from Lush.

I wore navy tights and rust boots from Top Moda.

We actually had some sunshine on February 9th, our wedding anniversary. I wore a bright blue sheath dress from Maggie L.

It has very flattering seaming. I wore gold jewelry and jewel tone Swarovski crystals.

On top, an even brighter blue bespoke blazer from a Korean brand.

I no longer receive Birchbox. They never answered my email. I did receive my Ipsy bag. Here is what was inside:

1) Smashbox Cosmetics Original Smooth and Blur Primer

2) Beauty for Certain Eyeliner Pencil in Aubergine

3) MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Who

4) Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask

5) Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Post Workout Dry Shampoo Mist

Every year, Nordstrom has a clearance sale - some things are 90% off, most are 70%. I always pick up a few things as my birthday present to myself.

First up, two rings. One sterling silver dome with purple stones and one South Sea pearl and diamond.

Then two freshwater pearl bracelets.

And some pearl and diamond drop earrings.

Then I tried a website called Temu. They have very inexpensive designer knockoff merchandise. No counterfeit logos on anything. I got three belts - they were $2-3 each. One is a black pleather cummerbund with silver studs, and two long belts. They are actually pretty nice. The long belts wrap. It looks difficult, but it's easy.

Then I got this phone bag. It's really cheap looking.

Then I got an ivory corset - I have a black one, so this one can be worn under lighter colored tops.

Then I got three scarves - they are also nice. The pink one is Hermes-ish.

The navy one is Lousi Vuitton inspired.

And the brown one, is patterned after Fendi. Take a closer look - those aren't Fs.

On February 13th, I wore an outfit that I got from the Nordstrom sale. The leggings retailed for $100, And I paid $12.49.

The satin top is from Pleione. It retails for $79, and I paid $7.49, so both were very discounted.

I wore some pearl costume necklaces with this.

On top, a light tan perforated suede jacket and the faux Fendi scarf.

On Valentine's Day, my pictures came out all blurry for some reason. I wore winter white slacks with a tan cashmere turtleneck with bugle bead trim. Note the brown belt from Temu.

My poncho is Forever 21 and I got it at a thrift store in Ramona - we stopped on our way home from Julian.

Heart-shaped pork chops for Valentine's dinner.

My lunch the next day was a pork chop, some Dudley's date nut raisin bread, some Tzatziki and hummus, and some tomatoes and olives.

On February 15th, I wore black slacks with a green silk blouse that has gold chains printed on it.

My MIL Mimi gave me the Kelly green jacket.

Here's a closer look - I wore a vintage collar with multi-colored cabochon stones.

I went to Walmart to get pee pads. They had VD candy for 75% off and also dog treat valentines.

The Pooch Pack had Rachel Ray Soup Bones, some Pup-peroni, and some Milk Bones. 

She picked the Pup-peroni first - that is her favorite treat.

On February 16th, I wore a chiffon dress from Eliza J. I wore burgundy patterned tights and taupe and bronze Tahari shoes.

It needed a belt. On top, a rust suede jacket.

Pandi giving me the stink-eye from her Hungarian baby basket.

I was off on February 17th, after my morning meeting. I wore olive joggers with an orange stripe from Old Navy, and a bronze lurex sweater from Bisou Bisou.

My jewelry is all costume. 

I framed my owl painting and hung it in the She Shed.

It's a regular art gallery in there these days.

Vinni is such a ham. He was relaxing on the bed and when Doc pushed him out of the way, he growled. So he got scolded and pushed into the corner, where he sat on the hard floor instead of the soft warm bed. He was hanging his head and lifting one paw. He got the message. I let him back up later. 

On February 20th, I wore a tricolor cardigan from Spense and grey slacks from Express. 

I wore my Walking Liberty necklace and my Navajo Pearls. 

On Tuesday the 21st, I wore this silk top that I got at Savers. It's from Karina Grimaldi. It retails for $238 but I paid $7.99. It was new with tags. My black slacks are very old and are from Sharagano.

On Wednesday, February 22nd, it was pouring. I wore black ponte slacks from Express, a black cashmere turtleneck, and a chiffon top with no name. 

I wore a lab-coat length jacket from Dana Buchman on top. It's a black-on-black pinstripe.

This costume shell was my mom's and is Kenneth Jay Lane brand.

On Thursday, February 23rd, I wore brown leggings from Old Navy, a brown metallic turtleneck from Worthington, and a striped waterfall cardigan from Joan Vass. 

My fake Fendi once again.

On Friday, I began the first of four days off. We had company in the pool - Drake and his Duck.

Then I looked out the sliding glass door, and saw this baby hawk sitting on one of the ottomans.

He had bright yellow eyes and was so beautiful! He was hard to spot in the pepper tree.

It rained heavily on Friday and poured all day Saturday. A bunch of little tweety birds took refuge from the rain under our covered patio. They hung out on the fuse box and snacked on Vinni's leftover food.

Another nap in the Hungarian baby basket.

Today, we went to the accountant to do our income taxes. We were very happy with the outcome. It was still raining, so I wore the Nordstrom leggings with a Dana Buchman silk sweater and a vintage striped satin blouse.

You can see the cabochon collar better in this picture.

Well, that's about it for these couple of weeks. I really don't have any special plans coming up until May, when I am going to Hawaii with a friend for her 50th birthday. But I will keep you updated with anything that is at all interesting. Stay tuned!!!