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Clara Sunwoo

It all began during a day trip to St. Augustine early in April.  At the time, I didn’t realize I was admiring a Clara Sunwoo blouse in the display window at H.W. Davis.  Visit their Facebook page Here.  All I knew was… I want that blouse!  LB took note…

When I was finally presented with the opportunity to try on this item, I realized that it was a product I had heard about while watching Hoda and Kathie Lee.  I was impressed by this interview and hope that you will take a moment to watch this If you aren’t able to tell by the way I am admiring this top in the dressing room… I LOVE IT!  It is adorable!  No question.  Aside from that, it is wrinkle-free and SO comfortable!

When presented with the opportunity to purchase a second blouse… how could I say no?

I feel an obsession coming on!

Summer Vacation 2017

Vacation is such an anticipated time in my life!  This year summer vacation 2017 began on May 31st and continued through June 4th.  The event itself starting in St. Augustine with the concert at the St. John’s County Pier (which I posted about here) and culminating in Captiva, Florida on Florida’s beautiful west coast.  LB and I left our hotel in St. Augustine on Thursday morning and headed south.  We arrived at Captiva Island late Thursday afternoon, checked in to Tween Waters Inn Island Resort and Spa, and headed directly to the beach.

Toes in the water…

Beautiful ocean… shells… sunsets… a tropical paradise

 Life is good today!

The suite was beautiful

Some of the furniture reminded me of a collection that I became very familiar with during my time at Liberty Furniture.  I was so sure it was the same collection that I did some investigating.  Sure enough… it was the Thomasville Bridges Collection.  I searched it online, but it appears to have been discontinued.  I’m not able to find any pictures from my Liberty files which is not surprising.  It wasn’t one of my favorites.  But seeing the collection in our suite brought back memories of furniture days gone by.

Later that evening, LB took me to enjoy my most favorite cuisine for first dinner on the island.  Cantina Captiva served us the best carnitas (pulled pork) fajitas I have ever had in my life!

There are dollar bills stapled to the ceiling and walls which is quite interesting to say the least, and the food is delish!  Adiós and Vaya con Dios

It may sound like we ate constantly, but on occasion we split breakfast, skipped lunch every day, and split dinner every night.  Gotta watch those calories!  Speaking of calories…

Day Two

started with breakfast at the Captiva House.

LB’s breakfast sandwich

Kim’s Greek Omelet

and COFFEE!

and then we continued with a tour of the grounds

We spent the day on the beach.  I love to collect shells and LB is kind enough to keep them in his pockets.  We didn’t take any pictures (since LB had shells in his pockets and no room for his phone) during our 2 mile walk on the beach to Andy Rosse Lane.  There are shops and restaurants on this little street.  One restaurant in particular is the Mucky Duck which is at the end of Andy Rosse Lane, on the beach.  There is typically live music in the evenings and LB and I were intent on checking this out.  After doing so, it was decided that we would have dinner at the Mucky Duck that evening, which we did… and enjoyed a seafood platter… which we split.  It is worth checking out if you are ever on the island.  If you do, hopefully it won’t rain so the live music isn’t cancelled.

(source)

Dinner was good

And just like that… it was the end of day two of our summer vacation 2017

Vacation Day Three

began with a trip to the ER.

Yep.

All I am going to say about this is I had an episode unlike any I have ever experienced.  This event cost us at least eight hours of vacation time and probable medical bills.   I’m sorry to say that I can’t post the pic of me on the hospital gurney with medical apparatus around me and wires/tubes attached.

I’m just too vain.

The good news is, I am still here to tell about it and my heart is in good shape.

When I was finally released, I was more exhausted than when I checked in.  And (believe it or not) we hadn’t eaten anything in almost 24 hours.  It was time to get back to the resort, take a nap, take a shower, and (you guessed it) find something for dinner.

We enjoyed dinner at the Crow’s Nest Beach Bar and Grille

and a new dress (that I didn’t get a picture of (due to extreme discombobulation).

Vacation Day Four

The trip home involved a stop at the Sanibel Outlet which is documented here.

Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday celebration actually began on May 31st at the St. John’s county pier.

Every Wednesday night beginning in May and continuing through September at Music by the Sea, there is a catered dinner and musical entertainment event at the pier.  LB and I attend every chance we get.  This particular event was catered by Amici’s Italian Restaurant and entertainment provided by one of our favorite local groups The Committee Band.  We split an entree that included eggplant parmesan and penne pasta while relaxing in the pavillion prior to the concert.  While waiting for the concert, the resident DJ “DJ Dan”, honored us with tee shirts including us in The Danighan Gang. 

As is customary, my birthday began with a phone call at 7:52 AM from my sweet Mama.  Because I was in a hotel that rendered my cell phone useless [No Service] I missed her call.  She went right to my voicemail.  When we left the hotel this is the message I retrieved:

“(singing) Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you (laughs) Happy birthday Dear Kim… it’s too early in the morning, but I wanted you to know I love you.  God bless you. You’re such a joy to have Kim.  I love you with all my heart.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday, spendin’ it with the one you love.  When you get back we need to have cake.  And biscuits.  I’ll talk to you later.  God bless you Darlin’.  I’m so thankful there’s you.  Bye.”

I am blessed beyond measure to have such a precious Mama who loves me so much.

I listened to that message several times.

LB had other surprises planned.  He brought me to Cathedral Drive and let me pick a restaurant for brunch.  I thought the Greek restaurant would be a nice treat.  We walked into Athena Restaurant and I immediately noticed the specials posted.  One special was Salmon Eggs Benedict.  Yes please!

Those are grits on the side.

LB had hashbrowns

After brunch we strolled [it is a vacation day, after all] down to St. George Street and visited one of my favorite St. Augustine shops, H.W. Davis Clothing and Shoes.  LB was recalling a post from April when I mentioned a blouse that I loved.  He brought me to H.W. Davis and found that blouse

along with another that was just as cute

He bought both of them for me! Oh Happy Day!  Not one, but TWO Clara Sunwoo blouses!  LOVE these!  This has definitely been a day to remember thus far.

The birthday gifts continued

These bracelets were purchase by LB more than a month ago from a Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry party hosted by my coworker Geraldine.  LB logged onto the website that was assigned to her party and selected the Silver Star Fish Bracelet and the Two Tone Silver Razzmatazz Bracelet.  I was not at all surprised at his GOOD TASTE!  But very surprised by the presentation as I had completely forgotten he participated in this event.

There was also an adorable little bracelet that I picked out myself on April 2nd that LB decided I could wait till my birthday to have.  This pearl bracelet with starfish and sanddollar charms is from Fresh Produce and I shared it on this post. 

So cute!

Believe it or not there was ONE MORE!  I absolutely loved it and feel it deserves a post of it’s own.  I’ll be presenting this particular birthday gift from LB soon.  Stay tuned.

Obviously a birthday is Not all about gifts.  LB knows I love pretty things, but he also knows how to make me happy in ways that do not get filed under Material Girl.  So he took me to the beach and let me put my toes in the sand

Afterward

We split smokin’ Carnitas Fajitas at a delightful Mexican Restaurant

To all of my FaceBook friends who wished me a happy birthday… I Had a GREAT day.  Thank You!

 

Memorial Day

As I was searching for a words to capture the spirit of Memorial Day, I came across this article and could not decide which quote to use.  It is worth reading.

While Memorial Day is a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered, and I have no intention of undervaluing this, it is also a day that typically marks the beginning of Summer.  Although summer officially begins on Friday, June 21 of this year, we typically celebrate its start on Memorial Day.  This year I celebrated with my family.  Though I do this on many holidays with my Mama and kids, this year my sister Gina and her family joined in the fun

We had FOOD!

corn dog bites, sliders, kettle chips, Asian slaw, crudités, guacamole, corn chips, cupcakes, and there was more!

There was even an attempt to create a red, white, and blue punch that did not remain red, white, and blue for long.I tried!

however… Kyle liked my PURPLE PATRIOTIC PUNCH!

then there was the initial investigation of the hot ducks (thank you Lydia)… and Yes, they were hot.

I didn’t get many action shots of the family gathering, but I so enjoyed seeing everyone get together.  They played in the pool, enjoyed dessertthose are the sprinkle accessorized ice cream sandwiches you’ve all seen on Pinterest.  They are very tasty and cute.

then some came inside to watch Moana (which I didn’t get to finish watching), played various board games, ate again, and enjoyed being in the company of family.  Regardless of the takeaway from this event, I am happy that it occurred, and hopeful that it happens again.  LB and I thank you for coming Mama, Stephanie, Amanda, Richard, Emily, Lydia, Gina, Stuart, Kyle, Clay, Dillon, Sydney, Chynna, Levi, Thea… I love each and every one of you.

Liberty Furniture

When I opened my Face Book app this past Friday, I saw a post from my friend Jane that made me stop and catch my breath:

“My Liberty Furniture Owner leader and friend past away this morning. Rest In Peace Mr. Sherman. So many happy memories and a honor to work for him.”  Jane being the purveyor of goodwill that she is, can be counted on to keep me abreast of Liberty Furniture alumni current events, whether they be happy or sad. 

 It is always a shock and never easy to see that someone you worked for and saw on a daily basis for years has come to the end of his life.  It causes you to be mindful of the brevity of life.

 

This is the picture she posted
I met the Shermans of Liberty Furniture in 2003 when I took a position at their furniture store to assist with maintaining the showroom.  At the time I was an intern in the Interior Design Technology program at Florida Community College of Jacksonville.
I was hired to assist Bea Sherman so she could retire from planning and rearranging the showroom floor at Liberty.  Mrs. Sherman was the heir to the furniture kingdom and married to Mr. Sherman.  She was filled with information that would prove to be inspirational when it came time to place furniture on the showroom floor and accessorize it with items that would make it something that screamed BUY ME! to a shopper.
How many young ladies can say that they went to the Atlanta Accessories Market with the seasoned interior design veteran Bea Sherman?  I did and I am thankful for the opportunity to have spent time with this kind lady.
Although my time at Liberty was brief (just over 6 years), I am richer for the experience, and the opportunity to know these lovely people.  The others I worked with have moved on, but I am thankful for the time I was allowed to be a part of this Liberty family.

Boutique Finds

Today as I retrieved this handbag from the back corner of my closet, I remembered my annual trip north to see the fall colors peaking.

It is a pretty little Coach look-a-like that was purchased in a cute little boutique in Dahlonega, Georgia.  Sadly, I can’t remember the name of the boutique.  Happily I do remember the trip to Dahlonega, Georgia on our trek through the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We enjoy this trip every year and Dahlonega is often a town that we visit.  What is captivating about this town is the Gold Rush Days event.

Gold Rush Days are always held the third full weekend in October.  It is a Festival when thousands come and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold.  There are over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gathering around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event.  The Festival includes a Parade, a Festival King and Queen, and a Festival Grand Marshal.

It is a fun day of site seeing, people watching, and, of course, shopping.

The boutique had moved when I revisited, but there remain plenty of shops and places to dine in Dahlonega’s Historic Downtown Square.  The Dress Up boutique has a locations in Dahlonega and is another worthwhile shop to visit while at Gold Rush Days.

 

This year Gold Rush Days will take place on October 21, 2017 – October 22, 2017 in Dahloneha’s Historic Downtown Square.  Maybe we’ll see you there.

Rainy Days

The rainy season in Florida has begun.

This means bad hair days and raincoats.  I have 4… this one from Old Navy is my favorite

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and will continue into the fall.  With that in mind, it is always good to have a nice selection of waterproof attire to add to your outfit.  I’ve taken this opportunity to do a bit of rain coat shopping and have included some favorites below:

Nordstrom / Macy’s / Target / Burlington

Old Navy / Free People / Macy’s / Macy’s

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