2017 - All Systems Go !!!

So, as I told you in my last post, New Year's Eve was very rainy and cold:

I don't let that stop me - I have a full set of rain gear for running, but I haven't used it for a couple of years since it has been so dry. But I did get Elli a rain coat a couple of months ago.

At first, she didn't really get how to wear it. But she finally poked her head out.

She took a look around, and then I put the hood back up before we started on our walk.

 It was not a huge success. Elli hates being cold and wet, unlike the other 2 dogs, who never seem to care.

So what did we do on New Year's Eve? Nothing. At least we didn't end up like this guy:

I kid, I kid. This was a picture of a dog I took in New Orleans on Halloween. The guy's gimmick was to panhandle for money to send his dog to rehab.


On New Year's Day, we made our annual trek up to Manhattan Beach for lunch, a walk, and a look at the rental house up there. It was sunny and bright that day (and only that day).
We had lunch at the Shark Cove. I had a steak burrito and Doc had fish and chips.

Then we walked down the hill to the boardwalk. Doc grew up in Manhattan Beach. It's a suburb south of Los Angeles. It's famous because a lot of NHL players live there.

The hills in the distance are Malibu. There were quite a few tankers out in the sea.

We walked all the way down to Hermosa Beach, and then walked around their pier. We were last there on NYE 2000. The house in MB was between renters, so we had it to hang out in.

At the entrance to the pier, you can see the Xmas tree. Naturally, I had to go pose in front of it. 

On the way back, we both felt compelled to pose in front of the Mermaid Restaurant. It's a biker bar.

It took us an hour and forty minutes up and back, and we didn't stop to rest, so that would be close to five miles. Then another 20 minutes was spent going up the hill in MB to the car. Parking is at a premium, so we were prepared to park far away. Doc was both proud and dismayed that he walked 5 or 6 miles.

I also had yesterday off, due to mandatory budget constraints at the hospital. So I cleaned out over half of the garage - I was proud of myself, too. But my back is a little stiff today, since I don't normally bend over that much.

So it's back to work today - we will be having cold and cloudy weather all week. This is what I wore:

This is a turtleneck sweater dress by Pink Rose. The black suede embroidered boots are very old, from Spiegel. On top, I wore a gold and ivory brocade blazer from Old Navy.

My necklace was too sparkly to photograph. It was my mom's, and is from Kenneth Jay Lane.

I put it down out of the light to get a better picture. It can also be worn as a pin.

On my right arm, two gold bracelets, and a pearl ring, all courtesy of mom.

On my left arm, my yellow gold wedding set and my beaded cuff from the Chakra Shack in Laguna Beach.

So here are today's links:
www.beautybymissl.com, www.colorandgrace.com, www.stylenudge.com, www.notdeadyetstyle.com, www.pinksole.com, www.northwestblonde.com

See you all soon, especially now that it's back to the grind!!!

2016 Will End With Much Needed Rain

So it rained all day today. California is definitely no longer in a drought, but it will take a couple of good years before it's back to normal. But that didn't stop me from doing a little shopping. I got four different workout tapes, but I will describe them later, because I forgot to take a picture of them. We got a fruitcake at Big Lots the day after Christmas, and it was so good that we snarfed it up. So that was my first stop:

 
Then I went to the mall to get the workout tapes at Book Off. I heard that the mall had some stores that were going to close, It was a bit of a ghost town, but it was only 10AM on a Friday. I stopped at the mall Post Office, and across the way, I saw a DSW, having a giant sale. So I got the two pair of shoes below for around $7 each.

First up, Ivory reptile textured leather and black suede made by Chinese Laundry. The heels are pretty high.

Then, a pair that I will use next spring and summer. They are made by Enzo Angiolini, which is a brand I like.

They are smooth pale tan leather, with a perforated pattern on the front strap.

After that, I went to the grocery store and WalMart. Nothing exciting planned for today or tomorrow. But this is what I wore to work yesterday.

This heavy weight sweater dress was purchased in Washington, DC, at a Marshalls near the White House. Yesterday, a friend wanted to see the brand. It is Jealous Tomato. I 'm not kidding. But it is a nice dress. I wore a cashmere turtleneck underneath, and my Nine West Mary Jane shoes.

I wore one of the necklace and earring sets that I got at the Taste of Charlotte last June. It is fresh water pearls, round crystals, and a topaz crystal drop.

On my right arm, My Swarovski duo - the Nirvana ring in Black Diamond, and the Infinity bracelet.

On my left arm, a leather and crystal bracelet that I got in Baltimore, and a silver ring with a mabe pearl.

Now for the biggest surprise - my Christmas present to myself. After the past year, and everything that happened, both professionally and personally, I decided I needed a treat. So I got a Louis Vuitton Caviar bag in the light tan/ grey color.

I didn't get the shoulder strap, but that can be added later. I have only carried it once, due to the rain.

So let's link up:

www.the-wardrobe-stylist.com, www.highlatitudestyle.com, www.nancysfashionstyle.com, www.fashionshouldbefun.com


Have a safe, fun, and Happy New Year !!!

All Aboard !!

Since we had our family party on Christmas Eve, we had Christmas Day free, and decided to take a train ride down to San Diego, about an hour and 40 minutes by train.This is what I wore:

Once again, I wore my ny collection ombre sweater, since it's so comfy and flattering. I wore plain black leggings and black suede boots with tassels. The kicker was my red satin Ferrari jacket

We got business class seats. On the way down, we were on a double decker train, so we sat up top for a better view.

Here I am, at the Irvine Metrolink station, waiting to depart.

It was a beautiful day, sunny but cold.

Here I am in my seat. The train was pretty empty.

We passed through many beautiful beach towns. These first two pictures are of the pier in San Clemente.

About a half hour later, we passed the decommissioned nuclear power plant at San Onofre.

San Onofre also has a very popular state beach - lots of people camp there.

Then we passed through Oceanside, and I snapped two pictures of the harbor. When I was a kid growing up in San Diego, Oceanside got pretty run down. Back then, it was a mecca for Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton - they would go there to party and meet cute girls from California. it has been cleaned up, no surprise, since beach real estate in California has gotten very pricey.

This picture shows the coastline as we rounded the bend from Oceanside, going down towards Solana Beach. When I was a little older, we would sometimes go to the Belly Up Tavern on Saturday nights.

This picture is after leaving Solana Beach and heading down toward Del Mar.

We got to Old Town, which is a historic part of San Diego.

It was fairly crowded, and only three restaurants were open. As I was posing by the sign, a family went by with their pet bunny.

There were two Mexican restaurants open, but the wait was at least a half hour, so we went to an outdoor restaurant that served a variety of food.

We relaxed in the town square after lunch.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel has a nice bar and dining room, but alas, they were closed.

Before leaving, I HAD to get my picture by the covered wagon (along with all the other kids).

Yesterday, we just did a lot of stuff around the house. Today, I am back at work for 2 days before having another 4 day weekend for New Year's Day.

This is what I wore today:

This is a black knit dress from White House Black Market. I added the red ribbon sash. It has 4 tiers and then a flounce at the hem.

On top, I wore a red leather jacket by id Sport.

I wore all silver and garnets today. My cluster necklace was a gift from my mom a few years back.

On my right arm, a garnet/opal bracelet that my om gave me for my fortieth birthday, and a Colleen Lopez ring that I got for myself last year.

On my left arm, a garnet bracelet that was another gift from my mom, and a white gold infinity band and round solitaire.

And that's about it for today. So let's do some linking:
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com, www.thepleatedpoppy.com, www.pastriespumpsandpi.blogspot.com, www.stylenudge.com, www.poshclassymom.com, www.shelbeeontheedge.com, www.theblushblonde.com and www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com