Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Here in HB, we may actually get a little bit of rain tonight. It has been cloudy and gloomy the last couple of days. But I'm okay with that, because I have to work anyway, and I get to bust out some of my fall/winter clothes. Today is a perfect example - The clouds may be gray, but I'm all silver!!

This silver and black brocade coat is by Amanda Stevens. I have had it for several years, and I still love it. It's a lab coat shape. Underneath it, I have even more silver.

This pencil skirt is from J Crew, the suede vest was thrifted, and the turtleneck is by Bebe. Here's a closeup of the material of the coat and the skirt.

Pretty sparkly, right? One of my coworkers has the same skirt. We actually have a few of the same items. I usually wear a grey turtleneck and grey boots with this, but today I went for a black turtle and my black elf boots from Payless. I love these things, and even though they were inexpensive, I am going to have them reheeled if I can't find a similar pair at this year's Black Friday sales.

For my necklace, I chose the black quartz number that I got at the flea market last month. It perfectly combines grey and black.

It took me three tries to get this picture. In the first two, I was looking down, so I had a gigantic neck roll. It skeeved me out. Also, in this pic, you can see that the turtle has sheer panels that alternate with the solid ones. So I have to keep it covered at work. Since I have long sleeves again, only one bracelet. Two days in a row without two bracelets may be a world's record for me. I am sporting the twin silver rings - one onyx and one MOP.

Doc has been sick. One of our grandsons generously shared his cold. So I have had to walk the dogs by myself. I'm not yet confident with taking Kenni and Vinni together yet, so I do 2 rounds of 30 minutes each. First I RatPin (Elli and Kenni) then I RatPie (Elli and Vinni). More exercise for me.

And today, I am linking up again. First, with beautiful Alice at www.happinessatmidlife.com for Throwback Thursday. I think that she lives near me in SoCal. Then, with gorgeous Tara at www.mixmatchfashion.com for What I Wore to Work. Have fun visiting these lovely ladies!!

This Leopard Changed Her Spots

Ugh. When I went to feed Vinni Barbarino and Kenni this morning, Vinni's turtleneck sweater had been shredded. All that was left was the turtleneck part. I guess he doesn't like sweaters. Or Kenni was jealous. And to think, I even took those little ingrates on an extra long walk last night because they missed it the day before when I was at the Clipper game.

Enough about my spendthrift ungrateful mutts. Onto me. Here is my outfit of the day.

This getup is as comfy as jammies. The pants are ponte knit, made by Express, and have lasted years, through many washings and wearings. The tunic is by Bob Mackie. It's leopard with gold lurex shot through it. Then, I got a new coat. I received an email from Speigel that their Newport News division was having a preseason sale. I took one look at this coat and placed an order. It also comes in ivory with gold lurex, and let me tell you, I had a hard time deciding. But I wnet with the black, because I know it will get more wear.

It's a plain sheath shape with a stand up collar and a flounce at the bottom. Sooooo cute. And get a load of the chain trim down the front and around the neckline.

Now let's get to the title of the post. For you see, I am also wearing another leopard item, only the spots are a little different. I have had these boots for a long time. They have black fur around the tops.

Then, since I wanted at least a little shape, I wore a wide black elastic belt that also has gold chain trim.

The necklace I picked came from Macy's. A couple of years ago, they did a promotion where all the jewelry was "globally themed". I'm guessing it didn't go over too well, because a lot of the items ended up on the clearance table, which is where I always go first. Anyway, it's black and gold seed beads and bugle beads with 4 large stations. One time I wore it with a tank top, and the stations (which are heavy) banged on my bony chest. So now I only wear it with a higher neckline. One of the strands broke this morning, and seed beads sprayed all over the master bedroom floor. Hopefully, Elli won't eat too many of them.

Since the top has long sleeves, I went without bracelets today. Shocking behavior for me. Here are the two costume rings I did wear.

And then, just to be exciting, I am carrying a bag that I got in the 80s from HSN. It's made by La Cocina. Arriba!!! It is pretty, and now I guess it's vintage.

Two more linkups today. As always on Wednesday, www.thepleatedpoppy.com for What I Wore, and then, Lisa at www.lisalamode.com for Fashion A La Mode linkup. Have fun - Lisa is new to me, and she looks awesome. More tomorrow - hopefully that won't include a story about how I took my chihuahua who was impacted with seed beads to Dr Lizardo's.

A Big Thank You From America The Free!!!

Last night was my first Clipper game of the season up at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was really fun, as usual, but alas, the CLippers lost a close one. Well, the San Antonio Spurs aren't the world champions for nothing. There was lots of screaming and cheering and a general happy atmosphere anyway. And all veterans got in for $18, and were allowed to enter early and watch the Clippers practice. They also had a new way of introducing the team. The images that were usually displayed on the Jumbotron were displayed on the wood court floor. At one point, it looked like the floor was on fire. It was so cool.

So this morning, due to getting home around midnight, I wanted to wear something that is absolutely care free. This is what I ended up with.

This is a plain black knit shift dress with a draped neckline and ruched sides. It's made by Byer. On top, I have a short black cardi with gemstone trim made by Joseph A. No ironing, no wrinkling, no pulling, tugging, crunching, squeezing or torturing. Exactly what I wanted. Here's a closeup of the trim.

For shoes, I went with my Isaac Mizrahi suede/patent maryjanes. They are starting to fall apart, and will very shortly be retired to that great shoe box in the sky.

The only bump in the road this morning came when I went to put on my new lapis necklace that I got in Coronado. The delicate chain broke. I didn't have the time or the coordiantion to figure it out, so I made a game day substitution with a sapphire/diamond heart pendant.

On my right arm, I wore four Austrian crystal elasticized bracelets that an old coworker made for me. I also wore a sapphire/diamond ring.

These little bracelets bring out the jewels on the sweater. On my left hand, two diamond/sapphire bracelets, and a large London Blue Topaz ring.

So that's my story for today. In 15 minutes, we have a ceremony for all the veterans who work here at the hospital. It was very nice last year. Also, two more linkups today. As usual on Tuesday, Lauren at www.stylelixir.com for Fall Trends, and then Amber at www.induffinitely.com for Tremendous Tuesday. Although I may not exactly fit the categories, I like both of these blogs so much that I'm gonna join up anyway.

I Think I Found An Eskimo Pie!!!

One of my friends said something funny the other day - since Vinni is American Eskimo on the two ends, and Corgi in the middle, he is an Eskimo Pie!!!Here he is, sporting his new Wal Mart sweater.

I took him with me to Starbucks to show him off. That's where the Eskimo Pie comment was made. Here we are outside - they have a green belt that you can exercise your dogs on while you have coffee.

Then I took Vinni home, changed and took Elli to the Fall Festival for Life - it's a fundraising event that our hospital puts on to raise money for our cancer treatment programs. They have a silent auction. I won the Boudin Sourdough basket.

It had a cutting board, 10 coupons for a loaf of bread, a T shirt, and a metal can.

I took Elli to this event last year, and she was a big hit. So I brought her back to see all of her old fans, as well as her new fans. She had fun. Then, I came home, changed again, went for a run, and then took Kenni for a long walk. Yesterday, all I did was clean the yard, work out, and go to the sports bar to watch the Kansas City Chiefs game. Doc was sick all weekend long - he got a flu shot, but he either has a bad cold or a mild flu. He slept all weekend, but he was pretty sick.

So onto my outfit for today. This is another copycat of something I saw someone wearing in Philadelphia. Here it is, with and without the jacket.

The skirt is raw silk, and it's Passports by Pier 1 Imports. Who knew ??? The T shirt is Arizona, the jacket is perforated suede by Belle Sport, and the scarf is one that I got at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop ( just a coincidence that I wore it today). Here is a closeup of the scarf.

I like the combination of the kelly green with the burnt orange in the skirt. My belt is also burnt orange, and is elastic all around the back.

Of course, whenever I have the chance, I am gonna bust out my orange combo Nine West shoes. They are velvet and suede.

I continued the fall foilage theme with my jewelry. On the left, my American Indian souvenir cuff, and an amber ring. On my right, the Swarovski duo - the Nirvana ring in Black Diamond, and the Platinum cuff.

My nail polish is Scandal by Pure Ice. It's a nice chocolate brown color. Today, I am once again linking with Patti at www.notdeadyetstyle.com. for Visible Monday. She always has such a great lineup for us. Also, a new to me blog, Whitney at www.whitneynicjames.com for Personal Style Monday. I like finding new blogs to read that are appropriate for my lifestyle. Have a great day!!!

Head 'Em Up and Move Those Dogies Out

The dogies I am talking about are not my doggies (for once), but my dawgs - my feet. In honor of Sheila at www.sheilaephemera.blogspot and Shoe Shine Saturday, I am doing a recap of the shoes I wore over the last few weeks. Here in HB, October is still Indian Summer, but the nights and mornings can require a light jacket. So for the most part, sandals go in the closet until next spring, and out come the boots and pumps. And away we go:

Boutique 9 sandals - purchased at Nordstrom, go with many outfits, a basic workhorse of my collection.

Zara flats - I am nor really a flat person, due to my stubby legs, but these sparkly babies are turning out to be a pair I rely on when I have a lot of walking or changing into scrubs on the agenda.

Betsey Johnson high heeled loafers. Totally awesome in lokks and price ($3 at Stacy's Closet!!!) but alas, not too comfy. It remains to be seen if the cuteness outweighs the lack of comfort.

Payless faux croc pumps with cork heels - older than the hills, and one of the best pairs that I turn to when I can't decide what will match my outfit. Love these inexpensive pumps.

Steve Madden maryjanes- I was initially apprehensive of these, because they are pale tan suede. But they have definitely performed over the years. The distinguishing feature is the lug sole and wide webbing strap. Love them.

Charles David - I got these from ThredUp. They looked brand new, only no tags. They are eye catching, comfy and unbelieveably awesome. Love them, and wear them whenever I can. The color way is a little limiting, but that's okay.

Calvin Klein pilgrim shoes - I love this pair soooo much. I bought them twice!!! The first pair came from Macy's. They were reheeled, but eventually died. I saw the same pair in a consignment shop in Newport Beach, so I got them again. Enough said.

Worthington boots - I got these maybe 4 or 5 years ago on Black Friday at JC Penney. They were $29.99. JCP does this every year, and I always find something. These have been superb - they have also been reheeled, and will be again and again until they die.

Both of these boots are from Forever 21. The ankle high taupe wedges were bought in store, and the black suede on line. Love them both - the black are my second favorite boots, after the Worthingtons. They smelled REALLY bad when I opened the box, but I sat them out for 2 or 3 days and that went away. Even MEN comment on how cool they are!!!

Paloma slingbacks - an Italian brand, purchased at Macy's. They are beautiful lavender suede with metallic khaki and red accents. However, the sling back is not really my friend. It slips off my heel too easily. But the last time I wore them, I wore tights with them, and that seemed to help, as opposed to nylons, which enable the slip factor.

Sam and Libby ankle boots - I just got these at Target - for $22.48!!!. They are beautiful, elegant, and fairly comfy. They will appear quite a bit this winter and fall.

Sesto Meucci pumps - sometimes, I will spend some cash on something classy and elegant, like these pumps from Neiman Marcus. They are black suede with an organza rose. They always look great, and alwyays feel great, and always add a touch of class to the outfit. Money well spent.

INC pumps - another Black friday catch. I saw them earlier in the year, and didn't want to pay full price. Well, they sold out before markdowns, but one pair in my size miraculously appeared on Black Friday. Very high heels, but a hidden inner platform that helps. These are another pair of shoes that get a lot of comments and compliments.

Mixit pale suede shoes with pewter studs - just beautiful. I got them at Nordstrom Rack. I love them, because they have a retro shape, and are very flattering. They also came in black with gold studs, but this color way was more unusual and filled a gap in my collection.

Audrey Brooke pumps - I got these at DSW. I had a pair of black suede wedges with a silver wedge from JLo, but they died and could not be fixed- the silver peeled off after 3 or 4 years. So this was the replacement. Although not as awesome as the JLos, they have fit the bill nicely.

Tahari maryjanes - another fairly pricy purchase from Neiman Marcus, but so pretty and feminine and wonderful. Another pair that was worth the money.

So I hope you enjoyed my shoe extravaganza!!! Go say hi to sweet and pretty Sheila and see other wonderful shoes !!!