Black and Blue For the WIn

So the inspection goes on. And on. And in the midst of this, I have to make reservations for an upcoming trip to Washington, DC. I'll be there representing our hospital at a conference as part of my new position. So what did i wear during this pandemonium?

This is an INC knit shift dress topped with a Dana Buchman blazer. Here's a better look at the dress:

It has a black background with a yellow,navy, grey and white paisley print on the front and back. The front is further embellished with little silver studs.

Here's a closeup that also shows my black velvet belt. I am all decorated in sapphires also. Here are my two necklaces.

The shorter one is sapphires alternating with diamonds, and the longer one is sapphire only. On my right arm, I have a sapphire/diamond ring , a sapphire bracelet, and a gold bracelet.

On my left arm, two sapphire bracelets and a big dark blue London topaz ring.

             I am wearing my black patent Boutique 9 sandals with the gold studs.

Just a couple of links today. First, Alice at www.happinessatmidlife.com has Throwback Thursday, and then Nicole at www.highlatitudestyle.com has Top of The World Style. Have a great day, and hopefully, tomorrow will be quieter.

The Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves !!

I know that I have been a bit cryptic about my workplace shenanigans lately, what with all my mysterious meetings and important presentations, but I can now tell you the scoop. Remember, my boss left us on August 14th. Since then, the hospital has been looking for a replacement. I went through 4 panel interviews, plus a bunch of performing and showcasing my talents. And, my friend and coworker pitched in too. We wanted to help the hospital. We devised a new organizational structure, and then pitched it to senior management. To make a long story a little bit shorter, we both got new titles and new salaries and are now leading the department together. YAY !!!

So last night, after hearing the good news, I decided to go to the Japanese "stupid stuff" store and get everyone celebratory presents. For my most dear and ardent supporter, Elli :

             A rain coat and a futbol jersey from Espana. And here she is, modeling them:

She actually liked the raincoat and didn't try to shake it off her head. For my other most dear and ardent supporter, Doc, I got a notebook with a monkey on it. He loves to keep notes about virtually everything.

And of course, I got a couple of tsotchkes for myself. I got a hair clip and a medication box to store my easily tangled jewelry in.

               I also got a sushi hand roll form and an eyelet puncher to make holes in belts.

And then today, the CMS inspectors showed up for their followup inspection. Since the dream team is now at the helm of the ship, we are leading the inspection. It was unannounced, so i didn't get to glamourpuss it up. Here's what I am wearing:

This is a wool shift made by Kenzie. It is grey with a burgundy pattern, which you can see better in this shot.

I wore the matching necklace and earring set that my mom gave me for my 45th birthday. It's garnet, and has matching earrings. On my right arm, I have a sterling braided bangle and a sapphire ring.

On my left arm, I have a triple fire opal ring, a silver tennis bracelet, and a sapphire tennis bracelet.

I finished it off with my grey Nine West ankle straps, and some grey hose with a weird dotted pattern.

See the dots? Those actually are NOT age spots (for once). This is a nice, easy, comfy outfit and it has pockets !!!

So onto today's links. Lindsey at www.thepleatedpoppy.com has What I Wore, and Tameka at www.pastriespumpsandpi.blogspot.com has Who's Wearing What Wednesday. Then, we can't forget Liz at www.shoppingmycloset.com for Style Me Wednesday. And last, the Sydney Fashion Hunter, www.sydneyfashionhunter.com for her linkup!!! Well, have a great day, and congrats to me and Lynne!!!! Time will tell what this new position will bring to us.

The Big Reveal !!!

                 Today, I am having a big meeting, so I busted out the new Calvin Klein:

                               This is me in the dress. This was the dress on the hanger.

I am happy to say that it lost nothing in the translation from hanger to body. I had the perfect jewelry for the look. First, a modern design blue topaz necklace:

I had a round one also, but I thought that the vertical line of this piece highlighted the silver bar on the dress. Here's a better look at the necklace:

On my right arm, three thin silver bracelets, and a triple stone blue topaz ring:

            On my left arm, an eternity band and a costume silver tone bracelet with crystals.

I wanted to find shoes with no gold hardware, so after a search, I ended up wearing my Jessica Simpson taupe suede pumps with reptile trim. I used my Mondi reptile bucket bag.

Now for the big AHA !!!! I got really bored with my hair. Doc didn't want me to cut it, and neither did I. So I went auburn.

I love it. It has all kinds of highlights. It was a two step process, and after the first step, my hair was fire engine red, I kid you not. I started to panic, thinking maybe the hairdresser (a friend from tennis) misunderstood me. She told me to calm the heck down, because the second layer is the brown. And I must admit, it turned out just like I wanted it. I have gone to the dark side - let's hope they have candy!!!

So let's do a couple of links - first, Jess at  www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com has Turning Heads Tuesday. Then, Laura at www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com has Trend Spin. Let's make those heads turn and spin when we walk through the halls today!!

Finally, Fall !!! (for a Short Time)

We had rain yesterday and last night !!! Yay !!! Here are the grateful plants on the front porch:

We walked over to the building that houses the HOA for our rental condo, and the ducks, etc, that live in the pond surrounding the building sure were happy.

Isn't this a cool setup for an office?? Our new dentist is in there. On Friday, I went and saw my plastic surgeon, Dr Lawton, for a Botox touch up. Here is my newly line-free forehead.

That stuff works like a charm. I had to sit upright for 4 hours afterwards, which was hard for me because that meant that I couldn't lie down until 10 PM. On Saturday, I got up and went for my weekly run in the park. They were having another crosscountry meet there, so the high school athletes had to weave pass the old lady (me).

My little goose family is still doing well. The two chicks are soooo cute. Mama and Papa are sure on high alert - I couldn't get very close to get a snap of the sweet babies.

They are totally camouflaged between the parents. You can barely make out their spotted bodies. This last shot is of an old lady in a wheelchair. Her son was giving her a push through the park. When they reached the lake, she got out her bag of bread, and was suddenly the most popular gal in town. She loved all the birds coming to her.

When I got home, we decided to go to Phuket Thai for lunch. We planned on spending all afternoon doing household chores, so we needed a treat before starting. We started with Angel Wings - chicken stuffed with pork sausage and glass noodles, then fried and served with cucumbers in sweet and sour sauce.

Of course, we then had Pad Thai. Doc asked the waiter if there was more sauce for it, and the poor kid told us that it was already very delicious. And it was!!! Bad Doc, can't take him anywhere.

We finished with Crying Tiger. That is BBQ'd strips of rib eye steak. It is yummers.

So back to work!!! Today, since it is still sprinkly, I wore a sweater dress combo. By the end of the week, it's supposed to be back in the high 80s. Ugh.

The cascade sweater is nice and thick, and is made by Joan Vass. Underneath, I have a sleeveless dress by Adrienne Vittadini.

                                   I accessorized with my newly found Paloma Picasso belt.

My necklace is one that I repaired over the Labor Day holidays. It has a matching bracelet, which I am wearing on my right arm.

                                    Also on my right hand, a floral ring made of smoky topaz.

On my left arm, my wedding rings, and a rose gold watch/bangle duo (costume) by RJ Graziano.

And the finishing touches?? Tan/black shoes from Neiman Marcus (store label) and my Baby Phat purse.

All this tan and black got a big thumbs up from someone who really knows how to do black and tan right - Elli the Calico Chihuahua !!!

So onto Monday linking!!! First, the ladies who sent an invite - Ana Luiza from www.northwestblonde.com has Start the Week Stylish. Then, Rachelle from www.pinksole.com has How I Fall ( I finally get to wear fall, yay), and last Deb from www.elegantlyfashionable.com has  Classy Monday. Then, I'm gonna join Patti at www.notdeadyetstyle.com for Visible Monday, because that has started up again, I guess. Have a great day, and see you all later!!!

Seeing Spots Before My Eyes

Today's outfit didn't photograph well, but I do like it. I took a closer shot of my blouse with my selfie stick, because the animal print is shot through with  silver lurex.

The skirt has special details as well. It's heavy eyelet, and sewn with a diagonal seaming pattern.

I wore my black coral necklace, even though the neckline of the peasant style blouse has black embellishments.

                       On my right hand, just my Swarovski Nirvana in Black Diamond.

                         On my left hand, my wedding set and a gold/diamond dust bangle.

To finish this jungle themed getup, I wore Enzo Angiolini gladiator sandals, and carried my Baby Phat satchel purse.

Three links today - first, Dawn Lucy of www.fashionshouldbefun.com has Fun Fashion Friday. Then, I missed Lindsey at www.thepleatedpoppy.com on Wednesday, so I can still join today. And finally, Tara at www.mixmatchfashion.com had What I Wore to Work.

Have a great weekend, and I'll be back soon!!!