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Friday Favorites

Friday is my favorite day of the week, therefore it is a perfect day to mention my weekly favorites.

Every Friday,  I will go to the office and do the same job that I do on Monday through Thursday, but for some reason, it is easier to manage.  This is an enigma.

Nevertheless…

Here are my Five Friday Favorites:

Favorite # ONE

Gingham I mentioned this blouse on my Target post and I think it is adorable.  Gingham is a classic and also a trend.  Here are some other gingham items that I think are cute:

Favorite # TWO

This HatA box from Amazon made its way to my doorstep last Tuesday.  Certain that it was for LB, I alerted him that he had a package at the front door.  After he retrieved it and brought it inside, he announced, it is addressed to Kim Starling.  Well, I thought, when did I order something from Amazon?  I must be losing my mind.  It must be something I ordered.  It is JUST like something I Would order.  I can’t remember ordering anything.  Maybe it is a back order item from Shein.  How is that possible?  It is from Amazon, not Shein.

I was perplexed about this for at least 12 hours.  Finally, I decided, I must figure out when I ordered this hat, so I went back to the box.  Inside the box I found this:What a Happy Surprise!  Thank you for the belated birthday gift from my sweet Daughter-in-law Emily, my wonderful son Richard, and my Perfect Glam-daughter Lydia!  I am tickled!  (that’s a Southern term)

Favorite # THREE

Hall & Oates tickets… this week LB discovered that one of my favorite 80’s Duos will be performing at the Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena in September.  So he bought tickets!  The last time Daryl Hall and John Oates were in Florida, I had bronchitis, and was not able to completely enjoy the Hall and Oates experience.  Now I get another chance and I’m SO EXCITED!

Favorite # FOUR

A FaceBook post from my Daddy’s cousin (and mine) Robbie Darden.  It is SO HOT and HUMID right now.  If we weren’t able to come inside for comfort and cool air, what would become of us????

Favorite # FIVE

This Video clip:

 https://prettyis.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/FullSizeRender-14.jpg

This is a MUST SEE… My sweet Mama spending a rainy day with my sweet Glam-daughter Lydia in search of muddy puddles (thank you Peppa Pig).  When asked, “where’s the muddy puddle?”  Lydia replies, “where’d it go?”

So Adorable.

 

Target

For my birthday, my girls presented me with gifts that were purchased from a favorite retail establishment…

Target!

I loved my birthday gifts, but alas… they did not fit.  This is not a problem.  I’m accustomed to receiving apparel that isn’t quite right as I order things that have to be returned all the time.  Far from being a problem, this is an opportunity to SHOP!

We set out for Target.

With some help from LB and a Target employee, I found what I came for and tried them on for size.This Floral Print Cold Shoulder Dress with Tie Straps was hand picked by Stephanie.  The cold shoulder is a trend I have invested in considerably, but this dress has a new take on the cold shoulder with tassel ties. One of the cutest shift dresses I have seen this spring that incorporates the tassel trend into the cold shoulder itself.  Stephanie has great taste.

This Front Button-Down Gingham Blouse is intended to be worn off the shoulder. I love the off the shoulder trend and have several off the shoulder tops that I wear on weekends.  It occurred to me that I should probably exchange this top for something I could wear to work, but I wanted to keep this one that Amanda picked out just for me.

So I decided to make it work for workdays as well! and I wore it today.

Instead of an off the shoulder top, it becomes a boat neck top; instead of having long sleeves it becomes a 3/4 sleeve top.  I’m loving the versatility!

Perfect Fit!  Thank you Stephanie and Amanda!

the photo session was also fun!

 

 

 

Father’s Day

My last Father’s Day with my Daddy was in 2001. Although I am not able to remember that day, if he were here today, I would make the whole day a day that would be unforgettable.  I’d be up early making breakfast for him.  He would enjoy eggs and grits, biscuits and milk gravy, waffles with all the toppings, or one of our favorites from my childhood…

“Flying Saucers” (source)He would make flying saucers for me when I was a little girl.  Does anyone else remember these?

This little sandwich press device was filled with a white bread, peanut butter and jelly smothered sandwich (a LOT of jelly),  then pressed together and heated on the stove-top.  These were always a treat.

After having breakfast with Daddy, I would want to hear him sing.  Whether it was at his church in the choir, standing behind the pulpit, or standing behind my aunt Debbie or Brother-in-law Stuart as they played the piano at home.  I’d so enjoy hearing his valiant tenor voice again.

Later in the afternoon, it would be fun to play catch with Daddy again.  He was a sports enthusiast and always enjoyed a good game of tennis.  He attempted to teach me, but I didn’t pick tennis up easily, and wasn’t able to enjoy the game with him.  Softball was more my speed and he taught me everything I know about the game.  Daddy coached the girls softball team at Faith Memorial Baptist Church when I was in high school.  I’d love to have pictures to share, but cannot find them.  I would not have become involved in playing softball had it not been for him.  Because of this activity, I have many wonderful memories of my time at the ball park.  I also have great memories of skiing with him.  He taught me to ski in Vermont in the early 90’s and I had the opportunity to enjoy additional ski trips with him later on.  He was so good that he would ski with a video camera instead of ski poles.  This was quite a feat in the days preceding the Go Pro.

He loved a good movie.  John Wayne was his favorite actor, but he also enjoyed all of Elvis Presley’s movies, especially Kid Galahad.   He thought Groundhog Day with Bill Murray was hilarious.  After seeing this movie he tried to tell me about it.  He got so tickled that he could hardly complete a sentence.  The last movie we watched together was Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  I believe we would end our day together with a good movie.

He loved to have a good time.He had a bit of a mischievous streak

He loved his girls

I remember walking into the kitchen on the morning of my sixteenth birthday and Daddy had the stereo cued to play “Sixteen Candles“.  On June 1, 2001, Daddy stopped by my house on his way to work that morning, to wish me a happy birthday.  In addition to the traditional 7:52 AM call that he and my Mama always made to me on my birthday, this was an extra special treat that day.

I learned to love music from the 50’s and 60’s era, as well as Gospel music such as Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans.

Image result for Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans i believe in the sunshine

Okay… so maybe I don’t LOVE Willie Wynn like I do the music from the 50’s and 60’s, but the memory makes me smile.

Daddy was a spiritual person and a godly man.  In the last years of his life, his spirituality took a turn that made him seem like a man who truly walked with God.  He talked with me about this at times and I determined that the special relationship began with a workbook he used called Experiencing God.

I believe he walked with God right into to Heaven.

On the day of his funeral, this article was ran in the Times-Union.  I have it tacked up in my home office and I thought I would share

Happy Father’s Day in Heaven Daddy

Friday Favorites

TGIF!

To say I’m happy to see Friday again would be an understatement!

Right now it is June and I am in Florida, which means there is a LOT of rain.  So much, in fact, there is a lake in my front yard and a river in the back.  I love LAKES AND RIVERS and this would be great if I had waterfront property.

But ALAS I do not.

However… I am a happy girl because I GET to NOT go to the office for TWO WHOLE DAYS in a row.

(source)

To celebrate Friday, it is all about my Favorites this week.  Let me start with this text from my sister.  Apparently Gina saw this and it reminded her of me.

Favorite #ONE

She knows me well… I could not agree more!

Then there is the Icing on the Carrot Cake.  Because LB has to have a dessert EVERY night, and because the only boxed cake mix I had in the pantry was carrot, I made a cake from a mix and topped it with a homemade cream cheese frosting.

Favorite #TWO

My Favorite Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is the frosting recipe for the Carrot Cake Trifle that I found here.              It contain : 8 ounces cream cheese ( softened )
1 1/2 stick butter ( softened )
3 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla

To use it in the trifle, fold in 16 ounces of cool whip.

Schmear this on any cake and you will be a happy camper!

Favorite # THREE

This is a good product.  I’ve used it twice now and already see a difference.  You can read more about this MK charcoal mask here.

Favorite # FOUR

This week I joined the ranks of the fitness community and purchased a FitBit Flex 2 Activity Tracker .  It was delivered to the house today and I am charging it right now.  I am so excited about my new favorite toy!  I’ve already taken a whole 68 steps (I’m so proud) and I didn’t even break a sweat!

Favorite # FIVE

My Cat Elvis

Featured in two of my posts this week, Elvis is my Very Special Fur Baby and DEARLY LOVED (by myself and my allergic LB).  Who could resist him?

Mary Kay Day

There was a big box waiting for me when I came home this evening.  On the side of the box read “Mary Kay”.  My order has arrived!  I quickly began the unpacking process to examine everything.

This order contained several Miracle Sets and specials such as the Etheral Bridal Look, the Modern Maven Bundle, and the Skip the Squat Bundle.  But the reason I am so excited about this order is because it contains the new Clear Proof® deep-cleansing charcoal mask. 

I’m not sure why I had to open it straight away, but there I was, standing at the kitchen table amid MK product and Styrofoam packing peanuts opening this little box which… oooh… smells good.  I was surprised at the minty fresh scent.  Apparently it contains extracts of rosemary and peppermint which my cat will also like.

I have to try it I thought I might be able to scare my catHe just wanted to smell my face See how pretty

Here is my take away: the Mary Kay Charcoal Mask is certainly fun.  But it will likely NOT scare your cat.  The mask smells good and provides a cooling sensation when applied to your skin.  It is not difficult to remove and requires only warm water to do so.   According to information I’ve read, the mask is formulated with activated charcoal which works like a powerful magnet withdrawing dirt and debris from deep within pores.  I’m feeling clean just thinking about that.

Like the information I’ve read, does it actually work to deep clean pores, absorb excess oil, and reduce shine?  Stay tuned for future reports

Posing in Italy!

My life is exciting, but I haven’t been able to make time to visit ItalyCinque Terre, Italy, Manarola, Liguria, Rock, Sea (source)

I have just recently started my blog… only three months ago TODAY!  It has been a lot of fun and more work than I imagined… more like a second job than a hobby or pastime.  Last week I enjoyed a summer vacation trip to Captiva Island which I covered in this blog, and wrapped up with a visit to the ER.  It was at some point during the ride to the hospital that I realized how SHORT life really is.  My thought during that ride was that I was on my way out, like my Daddy who was just slightly older than me when he left this world on November 23rd 2001.  I am much like him, so it is no wonder that I assumed I would meet the same type of end.  I may still do that, just not on June 3rd 2017.  I am proud that I am so much like him.  But I am pleased to say that I’m not finished here yet.

As I was flipping through Instagram during my lunch break today, I noticed ANOTHER person that I follow posting photos of herself in Italy.  It seems to be a trend to pose for a picture of yourself in Cinque Terre.

Happily, I am taking shots of myself in my bedroom!  Alive and well

… and wearing my beautiful White House Black Market blouse that LB purchased for me in March of this yearalong with my FAVORITE black sandals

and all the Brighton jewelry any red blooded American girl could ask forLimitless Heart Limitless Heart Charm Bracelet

Contempo Medium Hinged Banglemy bracelets are retired.  The above pictured are similar

Thank you Jesus

Sanibel Outlet

On the final day of our Captiva Island Vacation, LB brought me to the Sanibel Outlet Mall.  The place caught my eye as we were heading out of town, on our way home.  It was the bright blue roof shouting for my attention, and yes, I am frequently motivated by the superficial.
We parked at the end of the complex and walked to the first retail establishment.  LB was much more excited about G.H. Bass & Co. Factory Outlet than I, but I did enjoy his enthusiasm, and, of course, his company.  A shout out to the store manager who was engaging and charismatic and the employees were all very friendly and helpful.
LB enjoyed trying on jackets, vests…

and SEVERAL pairs of shoes I enjoyed taking his picture

I found one pair of cognac wedge sandals that I especially like and ended up purchasingAnd LB took the opportunity to snap several shots of me trying them on for size.  I kinda like the red ones too.

We checked out and continued our excursion

Van Heusen is another store that I was not familiar with until this visit. As we were making our way to the store, a small group was leaving, each with stuffed shopping bags under each arm. That piqued our interest.  Just inside the doors were racks with sale signs that read $15 each and $9 each.  The $15 rack was loaded with white pants and capris. The Superstretch capri and crop pant. For $15, I couldn’t resist. You can look at them in black and gray here, but you can’t touch (shop) until you “find a store”.

There was a quick run through Banana Republic, GAP, Famous Footwear, Rack Room and Samsonite, but no purchases.
A visit to these websites will reveal savings on purchases. Currently Banana Republic has 35% off and free shipping on orders over $50. GAP offers 40% off and Free shipping on all orders with the code: WARMER. Famous Footwear offers up to 40% off sandals and free shipping on orders of $75 or more. Rackroom offers BOGO 50% off 2nd pair.
The last stop was LOFT.

No purchases during this visit, but plenty to dream about. If you visit this site today, you will be able to enjoy the 50% off FLASH sale OR $25 off your entire order.

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