Lifestyle Archives : Page 14 of 21 : Pretty is

Vacation Planning

May 22, 2017

Summer is on the way and with it comes VACATION planning. Luckily for me, LB does all the general trip planning, making travel arrangements and hotel reservations. All I have to do is take time off from work (no need to twist my arm).

Then comes wardrobe planning. Although this sounds fairly simple, I start thinking about it at least a week in advance to be sure I don’t forget anything and can fit it all into one suitcase. Actually fitting everything into one suitcase shouldn’t be an issue as mine is big enough to throw out your back. LB knows.

If you do a google search for tropical/beach vacation packing, you’ll likely find a strategy that involves a list of items that you can mix and match. It looks something like this:

· 2 swimsuits, and if they are 2-pieces, make sure the bottoms coordinate with the tops so you have even more options
· 2 tunics and/or 2 sundresses (to total 2) that will serve as cover-ups by day and going out pieces by night
· 3-7 pairs panties and 2-3 bras, depending on washer/dryer availability
· PJ’s
· 2-3 pairs of gym shorts (if you plan to work out), depending on washer/dryer availability (remember, you can rinse in the sink!)
· 2 t-shirts and 3 tank tops
· 2 going out tops, like a sparkly tank and a linen camp shirt
· One pair shorts, preferably white
· One fun skirt, preferably white
· White jeans
· Light sweater or jacket
· Pashmina
· 1 pair flip flops
· 1 pair trainers or athleisure shoes + socks
· 1 pair wedges
· A colorful statement necklace
· Gold hoop earrings
· A floppy hat that folds in your suitcase
· Toiletries & incidentals (Make travel size toiletries from drug store containers.)
· Make sure to pack electronic chargers.
· Assume a hairdryer is at your hotel/rental house, but you may want to check!
(source)

That is a nice list, and I can use it after I plan like this:

Day 1 (travel): white shorts/orange shirt/tan wedges
Evening 1: same
Day 2: orange swimsuit/Marilyn Tee shirt/orange shorts/orange sandals
Evening 2: white maxi dress/tan wedges
Day 3: black swimsuit/black wrap/black tank/black sandals
Evening 3: navy sundress/tan wedges
Day 4: black/white swimsuit/pom-pom top/denim shorts/flip-flops
Evening 4: multi-colored off the shoulder dress/black sandals
Day 5 (travel): multi-colored romper/orange sandals

I like my way better.

These are some of the lovely items I included in my packing list

Shein / Light in the Box / Light in the Box / Shein

Kohl’s / Light in the Box / Shein / Kohl’s

I had to google Pashmina.

I still don’t get it.

Dancin in the Street 2017

May 20, 2017

Every spring at Jacksonville’s Beaches Town Center is the one day event Dancin’ in the Street

(source)

The event begins at 11:00 AM; LB and I headed out around 4:30

There were PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!

And there is always a new band to discover. BayStreet is by no means a new band, but we first heard them here today. Visit their Face Book page for an excerpt and pictures of their performance.

In addition to all the vendors lining the streets, there are shops that beckon me like the Bali Cargo Company

After walking up and down streets, in and out of shops, through crowds, and around people, you may get lucky enough to find a couple of chairs to set up close enough to catch another band perform

and discuss where you want to go out to dinner

How about Culhane’s Irish Pub… since it is right up the road

OMG Delish!

All in all, it was a pretty good day

What are they doing back there?

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Pretty is: Friday Date Night

May 19, 2017

Once in a while on Friday, LB and I set our regular pizza night schedule aside to enjoy a date night. Because of my current schedule, my work outfit has to be date night ready when I leave the office. Fortunately I can go from day to night with only a few simple tweaks.
One of my favorite day to night items is this scuba skirt. There are three of these in my wardrobe arsenal and they are a go-to item since they pair nicely with so many of my blouses.
The scuba skirt can be dressed up or down depending on your plans and is oh so comfortable.
My black split back top is a perfect date night item. But it is also good for layering since it is so thin and practically calls for a cardigan or jacket/blazer.

Jacket: Venus
Sweater: Target
Blouse: Express
Skirt: Forever21 (similar)
Date Night Shoes: Amazon, XOXO
Handbag: Michael Kors
Earrings: Brighton

Date night ready: lose the cardigan, untuck the blouse, and change the shoes

Date Night Destination: Tom and Betty’s
A 40+ year old Jacksonville landmark, formerly located on Cassat Avenue, until a devasting fire. Now relocated at Roosevelt Square, Tom & Betty’s is a favorite spot for dinner and a band on an occasional Friday Date Night.

The Bronco Burger the BEST burger in town! A half pound of ground chuck, cooked to order and served on a grilled Kaiser with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, and spicy deli mustard and shown below with a side salad. YUM!

To limit daily caloric intake, LB and I will SHARE THIS

Happy Friday! Welcome to the WEEKEND!

Pretty is: Nautical

May 18, 2017

Is a starfish considered nautical?

Hmm…

I confess that I had to google this question because I figured anything having to do with the ocean must fall under the nautical category. According to Wikipedia a starfish is not included in the nautical category, but the civilized world seems to think it should be.

When I decided to wear my navy top with white stripes today, I felt a nautical vibe. So I added my Brighton Starfish collection to the mix and called my outfit nautical. I don’t have any sailboats or sailor paraphernalia and that’s okay… this is nautical my way

Pretty is: Celebrating Mothers

May 15, 2017

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and it was fabulous. For me, the day started with a “made from scratch” sour cream pound cake.

Since my mother loves a warm pound cake, I made sure she got some. I followed a recipe that I found on Pinterest posted by Call Me PMc which I have used before and will used again.

LB and I hand delivered it early Sunday afternoon. That’s Mama

We visited for a while, had a nice talk, then I had to head home to get ready for the evening festivities.

Amanda is my younger daughter and the celebrated middle child of my three. She likes to treat me to a pedicure on Mother’s Day, and that has been our practice for several years now. While waiting for her to pick me up, and getting everything ready for company, LB discovered a plumbing problem. Sparing the details, let me just say, it was bad enough to cause a change in our evening plans. Instead of having the kids come to our house to visit, enjoy sliders, and maybe take a swim, LB suggesting we reschedule. I broke the news to the kids but my brilliant first born decided we should all go out instead.
So we did.
To my favorite restaurant (it is Mother’s Day after all)… La Nopalera.
So we met at the Roosevelt location and enjoyed Fajitas for Mother’s Day. As expected, I carried on to excess and am back on the diet today. But it was thoroughly wonderful and I am richer for the experience to spend time with my delightful children, glam baby and for all the lovely Mother’s day gifts they presented.

Photography by LB

Pretty is: Black and White

May 12, 2017

Black and white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, and hyphenated black-and-white when used as an adjective, is any of several monochrome forms in visual arts (source).
You can find it when watching movies or television

appreciating art

listening to the words of a song

shopping in a particular retail establishment

and on MY DRESS TODAY!Dress: Shein
Cardigan: Target
Purse: Michael Kors, Dillards
Shoes: XOXO, Amazon
Bracelets: Brighton

In my closet, if there is one color that stands above all the rest, it is black. Right behind at a close second is white. Most of the time I’ll be styling either black or white in my outfit ensemble
For my fabulous Fashion Friday entry, I respectfully submit

TGIF!

“Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” – Coco Chanel

Pretty is: the Right Shoes

May 11, 2017

Give a girl the right shoes… and she can conquer the world. ~Marilyn Monroe

Perhaps Marilyn learned this from Cinderella, who showed us that “one shoe can change your life”.

More recently, Carrie Bradshaw taught us that a great pair of shoes can make everything all right.
Most women would have to agree that shoes are obsessive.

I’ve mentioned before that there is something satisfying about shopping. This includes shopping for shoes. Perusing through a magazine today, I came across an article that provided enough proof for me in this statement [regarding shoe shopping] “The neurotransmitter dopamine is released, providing a feel-good high, similar to taking a drug,” (source).
I told y’all!

Another detail I learned is that there is an additional desirable sensation that is brought about by wearing high heels. It seems that wearing high heels can bring a woman to a state of euphoria as the height provides a level of confidence that brings with it a sense of power.

This is not something I have experienced firsthand, as I typically keep my heels at or under a controllable 2 ½ inches

Feeling euphoric, dominant and more self-confident helps empower women, so why stop at one pair of shoes? Thus the addiction; the purchase of shoes will be continual, in order to keep these sensations alive.

It doesn’t matter how many shoes I have, I am always finding that I have an outfit that requires a pair that I don’t have.

Therefore, I keep shopping.