I Love LA !!!!!

Well, it's very different from Huntington Beach, anyhow. It's urban, so even if it's somewhat grimy and beat up, there is ALWAYS something fun to do. On Friday night, we drove up to Santa Monica, which is the beach area of LA. We stayed at the Shore Inn, and it was very nice. We had free WiFi, free parking, and the location was perfect. We got an upgrade to a spa tub for some reason - maybe my birthday. It was half the size of the room. There were also lots of Bath and Body Works toiletries.

First, we had continental breakfast, which was served downstairs.Then we walked down by the pier. That's it in the distance. This park is always crowded - jogging clubs, tourists, individual exercisers, homeless bums, and large tour groups of Asian vacationers. Here are two views.

See the row of homes below me? I can't even begin to imagine how much those cost.

We walked all through this park, until you get to the bridge/driveway that leads down to the actual pier.

It has a Bubba Gumps, a Mexican restaurant, some tzotchkee shops, and an amusement park.As you can see, it's kinda gloomy and misty out. But it never rained.

This picture of me looks north, to Malibu and the Pacific Palisades.

Then we went up to the Third St Promenade, which is a large outdoor shopping mall, with a couple of more organized mall areas in there. No cars are allowed. These topiaries of Triceratops and Stegasaurus, along with others, were in the center median.

We stumbled upon a farmer's market. There were huge assortments of flowers, citrus, dried fruits, apples, baked stuff, and lots and lots of Brussels sprouts. Here are tree different types of eggs they sold there.

Preston's eggs looked the most like the first ones -sprout fed. He has the same varieties of chickens, only he feeds them scratch and some leftover veggies and fruit.

Then we had lunch at The Olde King's Head Pub. First. I had a cocktail of Jack Daniels Honey and ginger beer. It was delicious.

Then it was entree time. Doc had an enormous bowl of Irish Stew, while I had the Cornish Pastie.

Then we split up. One of the reasons we went is because Doc was giving a lecture up there that has to do with his project with the Stage IV cancer patients.We agreed to meet back at the hotel in 4 hours. I went through the mall. The first picture is of the Karen Millen store. A few posts ago, I wore the Karen Millen dress that my MIL got me at the bargain store.

This next store is called All Saints and they carry edgy clothes that although cool, are not really my thing. I'm a little too old for the post apocalyptic look - I look like I have actually been through the apocalypse. Their windows were filled with antique Singer sewing machines. It was an impressive display.

After that, I went into Banana Republic. I don't usually shop there, but they had a 70 % off sale. That lured me in. I got a pair of oxford shoes.

They are black and white tuxedo style with silver nailheads and Cuban heels. They were $129 and I got 70% off that.

Then I went into Bloomingdales, another store that I don't usually  frequent. I got an Armani Exchange cornflower blue satin dress.

It has bell sleeves, a V neck line and pleats in the front.

In the back, it has more pleats, with a keyhole neckline above. Swoon.

I also got a black lace blazer made by Amanda Uprichard. It's eyelash lace, and semi-unstructured.

It's lined in a pinky nude, and it is maroon and black Chantilly-type lace. Very nice.

Then I met up with Doc - we went and had a bite at a restaurant called Brixton and we got some snacks and drinks to take back to the hotel and proceeded to chill.

The next morning, we Ubered up to the Fairfax district. At Fairfax and Olympic, this is what they charging for gas.Yipes.

We went to The Merkato Ethiopian restaurant in Little Ethiopia. Here are two pictures of the inside. You don't use utensils - instead you sop it up with a doughy bread called injera.

I started with a glass of honey wine. It tasted a lot like Irish Mead.

Here is our platter. In the middle are two meat dishes - yebeg sega wot (beef) and yebeg aliche (lamb).

Around the circumference of the platter is the Veggie Combo -collard greens, cabbage, lentils, peas, yellow split peas, and spicy tomato salad.

Look how enormous it is next to the wine and the water.

From there, we walked up Fairfax to go to Canter's Deli . On the way, you pass CBS studios and The Farmer's Market.

It's about two miles each way. Here is the destination: Canter's.

I walked two miles just to buy Jewish pastries. We got rainbow cookies, mandel bread, pizelles, cherry rugalach, and chocoalte dipped spritz spirinkle cookies.

Also a big prune Hamataschen.


Then we walked back and went through a couple of weird LA shops while walking. They really do have everything you can think of up there.


Then we came home to a joyful reunion with our Elli. She seemed happy to see us.

Today's magical color is grey. Here's what I am wearing.

The slacks are Rampage, and the light gray cardi with the bow is J Crew.

On top, I wore the long grey sweater that I got at Macy's in Philadelphia.

On my right arm. a leather/crystal cuff from Baltimore, and a mother of pearl ring.

On my left arm, my new pink adventurine ring, and a silver costume bracelet.

I wore a mother of pearl necklace, as well.

And of course, my first good bye kiss from Elli for a couple of days. My tiny love!!!!

Three links to follow my mega post. First, Patti at www.notdeadyetstyle.com has Visible Monday.  Then, Deb at www.elegantlyfashionable.com has Classy Monday. And finally, because of course, I am wearing my new shoes, Cherie at www.stylenudge.com has Shoe and Tell.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't let Monday get you down!!!

Launching to Los Angeles

Tonight, we are going up to Santa Monica, which is part of LA, to celebrate a late New Year Day and an early birthday. We were all set to go up on New Years Day, but just as we were walking out the door, we got the call that my mom had been hospitalized. So our trip was delayed.

Anyway, this is what I am wearing today:

This is my thick scuba knit skirt that I got at Stein Mart last spring. I have only worn it a few times, but always with a white top. So I winterized it with a black embellished T shirt that my MIL gave me. It was a bit chilly this morning, so I wore my Neiman Marcus black leather moto jacket on top.

I wore a black leather belt with silver diamond shaped studs, since the waist on the skirt is a wee bit large.

Since the neckline is very embellished, I went with a little marcasite necklace.

On my right arm, my diamond/sapphire band , a silver twisted cable bracelet, and a pale blue topaz bracelet.

On my left arm, my Swarovksi Nirvana in Indolite, along with a Brighton bracelet.

I wore my Nine West ankle straps, and carried my Anne Klein handbag.

Let's get to our Friday links!!! First, Jo Lynne at www.jolynneshane.com has Fashion Friday. Then, Dawn Lucy at www.fashionshouldbefun.com has Fun fashion Friday. Next, Deb has Fab Friday over at www.elegantlyfashionable.com. And finally, Christie at www.theclosetbychristie.com has Friday Favorites.

Have a good weekend, and I'll tell you about our little trip on Monday!!!

An Interruption to our Regular Programming

We got some bad news today about Doc's associate. Please try to think some good thoughts for Dr T.

Anyway, today you get a bonus outfit, since I didn't have the chance to post yesterday. On Wednesday, the Magical color was brown. So I wore brown tights and boots with my tan and white outfit.

This is the sweatshirt style top that I got at the closing of Irvine Macy's last weekend. I paired it with a suede dirndl skirt that my MIL got for me in New Zealand. It has a matching swing style jacket. I wore my gold Calvin Klein belt. On top, I wore a sweater with a faux fur front, made by i.e.

I chose a chain link necklace with clear crystals.

My faux fur trimmed hiking boots were a nice casual touch. They came from Target.

On my right arm, a diamond and ruby ring and my multi strand beaded and crystal bracelet from Neiman Marcus.

On my left arm, the beaded bracelet I got in Laguna Beach at the Chakra Shack, and a yellow diamond and diamond ring.

\

So onto today. Today, the color is white. I went with my beautiful Calvin Klein black and white intarsia knit dress.

I wore my black Bebe turtleneck under it. This sweater, and my black cashmere turtle had been misplaced, but I found them. On top, I wore a different red jacket this time.

This one is suede with a crocodile texture, and is made by JM Collection, another Macy's brand. I also wore a different necklace - my Joan Rivers convertible pearl rope with black and gold charms.

On my right arm, a garnet ring, and a stretchy crystal bracelet from Saks.

On my left arm, the same black and gold beaded bracelet as yesterday, and another garnet/diamond ring.

When I got home, Doc had brought me two bouquets of flowers - daisies and carnations.

I put the daisies on my antique bureau next to my collection of antique perfume bottles.

More bad news - I have had a stomachache for two days, after eating this chipotle bowl.

It tasted good, but it was NOT worth it.

So let's do a ton of quick linking. Alice at www.happinessatmidlife.com has Throwback Thursday. Then, Nicole at www.highlatitudestyle.com has Top of the World Style. Back to Wednesday, Liz at www.shoppingmycloset.com has Style Me Wednesday. Then, www.sydneyfashionhunter.com has Fresh Fashion Forum. Tameka at www.pastriespumpsandpi.blogspot.com has Who's Wearing What Wednesday, and finally, Laura at www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com has Trend Spin. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!!

Tennis Anyone?

Today's color in the Magical Calendar is white. So I used it as my accent color. My outfit started with this pantsuit by Antthony, (two ts is correct), which is an HSN brand. I was watching the year end clearance and I thought that this set looked easy care and comfy.

And it is definitely comfy. It's a polyester/elastane type jersey knit and the pants have an elastic waist. I ordered the XSmall, and it fits perfectly, both in size and length. There is not enough hem to let it out and make it longer. I am 5'5" and wear a size 2, for reference. Since the color of the day is white, I topped the pantsuit with a white embellished cardi by JM Collection.

Then, to add one more touch of white, I wore my black and white Guess maryjanes, and carried my red crystal studded purse that I got at the Queen Bee in Newport Beach a while back.

The belt didn't come with the pantsuit. It's black patent leather with clear crystals.

I wore my silver and garnet blossom necklace, which was a gift from my mom.

On my right arm, a mabe pearl ring and a silver bangle.

On my left arm, the silver charm bracelet that Preston gave me for Christmas, and a white gold wedding set.

And that's it for today, except for one link - Jess at www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com has Turning Heads Tuesday. See you all later!!!

Outbreak!!!! Quarantine !!!!

We went down to visit my mom in the skilled nursing unit on Saturday. When we got there, a sign was posted on the door that said that the facility was under quarantine for Norovirus. That's the bug that causes the stomach flu. So we were only allowed to go in and say Hi without touching anyone or anything. She looks a little bit better every time I see her. We said hello, and then scrammed outta there. On the way home, we stopped at a Filipino deli called Pinoy.

I had ribs Adobo, some pork dish, rice, and pancit. It was delicious, and the portions were huge. Then, we passed by Irvine Spectrum, an outdoor mall that I have never gone to. Doc wanted to go to Barnes and Noble. We noticed that the parking lot was absolutely jammed, but didn't think much of it. It turns out that the Macy's down there was going out of business. They were basically giving stuff away. The pickins were getting slim, but I did snag two tops.

The first one is made by New York Collection. It's deep forest green with shiny silver dots all over it. The back has a tie neckline, The second one is made by Style and Co.

It's a nubby sweatshirt style, with a gold and silver metallic houndstooth pattern, and a chiffon hem.

There was a group of 6-8 ladies there in hijab. They were handing out long stem roses and were doing a public relations event called Meet a Muslim. They were all very beautiful and very welcoming.

Each rose came with a lovely quote by the Prophet Muhammad. It was a very sweet gesture.


When we got home, my new Ipsy bag was in the mail. Ipsy is similar to Birchbox, and I figured that I would try it, since I love Birchbox, and I don't subscribe to any magazines anymore. Here's what I got -  by the way, Ipsy is also $10 per month.

I got a cosmetics pouch, and the following itmes:

1) A TheBalm Mr Write Now eyeliner
2) Coastal Scents Pearl Shadow Angle Brush
3) Mitchell and Peach body cream in English Leaf
4) City Color Cosmetics Eyeshadow Trio in Falling Leaves
5) pur-lisse Blue Lotus 4 in 1 Eye Adore Serum

So lately, I have been getting a birthday card almost every day from our CPA. I figured he was joking around with me since I have known him so long.

Then I received this card in the mail.

HAAAAAA. And who, you might ask, is Nacho Tango?

Darrel's chihuahua, and Elli's newest crush.

So what am I wearing today?  (Pssst ..  the color of the day is silver)

My new green blouse with the silver dots, and old ivory slacks. For my necklaces, I doubled up.

A long Swarovkski chain, and the shorter one that I got at Ann Taylor in Orlando.Since the pants are very long, I debuted my very tall Coach shoes.

They are surprisingly comfy. And that's about all for today, except a bunch of links. Melissa at www.mahogany-closet.com has Mahogany Closet Monday. Then Ana Luiza at www.northwestblonde.com has Start the Week Stylish. Next, Deb at www.elegantlyfashionable.com has Classy Monday. Rachelle at www.pinksole.com has How I Fall, and finally, Cherie at www.stylenudge.com has Shoe and Tell. Have a great day, and see you all later!!!