thredUP Thursday

June 28, 2018

The first blog I followed was

J’s Everyday Fashion

Recently in her post “My Office Style Secret” I read that she prefers to purchase office attire secondhand. In this post about office attire, J explains that shopping secondhand is cheaper and good for the environment.

The item she shared in this post was a Cynthia Rowley floral pencil skirt c/o thredUP.

It set her back a mere $14 and I was impressed.

Since I like to try something new every now and then, I decided to check out thredUP.

thredUP

is an online consignment and thrift store.

I logged on, created a profile, and answered a few style and size questions.

A few days later a

Goody Box Just For You (me)

was on the way!

Today I received an email:

Hooray, your Goody Box℠ has arrived!

In that Goody Box was a custom mix of 15 items, handpicked by my stylist:

Club Monaco Shorts, alice + olivia Khaki Shorts, Lilly Pulitzer Casual Skirt, Paige Jeans, Lilly Pulitzer Tank Top, French Connection Sleeveless Silk Top, DL1961 Jeans, Paige Denim Shorts, Banana Republic 3/4 Sleeve Blouse, Banana Republic 3/4 Sleeve Blouse, Juicy Couture 3/4 Sleeve Silk Top, Kate Spade New York Casual Skirt, Broome Street Kate Spade New York Long Sleeve Top, True Religion Jeans, and a New York & Company Denim Jacket (similar).

When I retrieved it from my front door, I took it into the house and opened the box. I then proceeded to try on all 15 items starting with this

Juicy Couture Silk Top.This was my favorite top in the collection. I thought it was cute, comfortable, and one of my favorite apparel colors: black. It is difficult to see the detail from this photo, but it is very feminine and I’m close to talking myself into keeping it.

My next favorite was this

Banana Republic pink 3/4 sleeve top

I tried it on with these Paige denim shorts which LB liked, but I didn’t like them enough to invest $32.

Then things took a downward turn.

Although I love Kate Spade, this top did nothing for me.

Broome Street Kate Spade long sleeve top

And when paired with this

Kate Spade New York casual black skirt…I began to shed tears.

The outcome was not much better when paired with these

black alice + olivia Khaki Shorts

I tried on everything and was not compelled to keep any of the clothes.

In my welcome letter, I was advised:

“Items you’re not keeping need to be postmarked by Tuesday, July 03 to avoid additional charges. If you keep over $100 in item value (excluding taxes), you will receive a $10 shopping credit for a future Goody Box℠ or thredUP purchase. Shopping credit is good for 1 year and excludes future Goody Box℠ deposit fees.”

Today Everything Went Back

…with the exception of the denim jacket.

What do I think about thredup?

Like any thrift/consignment shop, there will be a search involved for items that appear to be not very used.

In my Goody Box℠ of 15 items, I chose 1 item…A denim jacket from New York & Company.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Camping Food

June 25, 2018

Not a title I EVER imagined using (as I don’t camp).

Today The Blended Blog is focusing on

Camping Food

A quick look at the post will cause you to begin craving S’MORES.

Let me help you.

I must confess that I have no interest in camping because:

I do not like snakes and avoid them at all costs.

Nor do I want to sleep on the ground, in a tent, in the woods, or with any creatures other than my cat.

That said, I do like to cook out, and LB and I cook out often:

At the beach

At the park

In our backyard

My favorite cookout food (which could also be categorized as camping food) is

Hot Dogs

Although they are high in calories, Johnsonville Jalapeño Cheddar Smoked Sausage are the best!

These are best enjoyed on a toasted bun with grilled peppers, onions, and doused in yellow mustard!

If a low calorie option is preferred, Hebrew National 97% Fat Free Beef Franks is 45 calories per dog, is kosher, and contain no artificial flavors, artificial colors, or by-products.

(Now I sound like a commercial)

Some other easily portable items that grill nicely are:

Corn on the Cob

(an LB Favorite)

Kabobs

Fish

marinated in Ponzu sauce which looks very weird, but tastes good.

And believe it or not

Peaches

Cut in half, remove the pit and brush each cut side with oil. Place the peaches cut-side down on the grill and cook undisturbed until grill marks appear, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the peaches and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes.

Grilled peaches are Very Tasty!

According to this week’s author of the Blended Blog Camping Food post, you haven’t lived if you haven’t cooked Jiffy Pop popcorn over a fire.

I’m thinking LB and I will have to try this.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Summer Plans

June 18, 2018

What are my plans for the summer?

They have already been put into motion.

Fortunately, I don’t have to engage in summer planning.

LB is a Master Planner. He enjoys

GOING

and likes to keep the road hot.

He is always planning events to keep us entertained and this summer will be no exception.

Going to the Beach

is a summer weekend activity that LB enjoys. Having seen more than one horrific shark movie, I intend to avoid venturing into the ocean. Nevertheless I delight in having a tan on my legs, collecting shells and being by his side, so I am happy to accompany him.

Going to Concerts

especially outdoors, is a favorite summer activity.

Although we have yet to attend a concert at the new Jacksonville amphitheater, LB and I enjoy attending concerts at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.

Plans have been made to attend an upcoming concert in July. I’m looking forward to seeing Donny and Marie!

In addition to concert performances by celebrity musicians, the concert fascination extends to other musical events. Each Wednesday night throughout the summer there is the Music by the Sea event at the St. Johns County Pier. The Little Light Music Concerts are on Sunday evenings on the oceanfront lawn beneath the St. Simons Lighthouse. These are great opportunities to get outside and have a good time. If we happen to be in Daytona Beach for the weekend, we will go to the Bandshell to see what tribute band is featured. The Summer Concert Series happens every Friday night and occasionally on Saturday.

Speaking of Daytona Beach

Going to a Pool Party

is another summertime event to attend when visiting Daytona Beach for the weekend. For the past several years there has been a weekend pool party every Saturday [beginning on Memorial Day through Labor Day] at the Daytona Beach Shores Hampton Inn, complete with a cookout and karaoke. It has always been a fun weekend getaway during the summer.

Going on Vacation

is a given every June.

Although summer hasn’t officially arrived, we have already taken a summer trip. The plan was to begin with the aforementioned pool party, take in a few concerts, relax, shop, then head to Orlando.

As usual we stayed at the Daytona Beach Shores Hampton Inn. This year we found out the hard way, that management decided to forego the regular weekend pool party and feature the event only occasionally. It was a little bit of a disappointment and planning trips to Daytona Beach will now require extra research in the future.

Not to be undone, LB arranged an afternoon on the beach.Under a blue and yellow umbrella!

He always recovers nicely.

Both LB and I agree that there should be a summer trip do over. We also agree that a cruise would be nice.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

June 15, 2018

As always

I’m grateful that

The Workweek is Over

And I’m feeling blessed that I have so many favorites to share!

Favorite # ONE

Getting Caught in the Rain

Well that’s not entirely true, but I don’t mind getting caught in the rain when I’m at the beach and safely positioned under a picnic pavilion.

LB thought it would be fun to pull out our mini grill and take it to the beach for a cookout. While LB and I engaged in flipping hot dogs and enjoying oldies music, the radar app displayed a RED mass directly over our blue dot.

Translation: there was a heavy, side-blowing rain that came over our location. Happily, we had the beach umbrella to shelter us and our gear.

Favorite # TWO

A Cool Breeze

I’m not hard to please.

Much.

LB enjoys attending the annual Summer Jazz Series at the beach.

Be that as it may, I am unable to enjoy jazz music (or anything else) when it is so hot that my makeup is melting off of my face.

After relocating 3 times in an attempt to find shade, relief was experienced only in an occasional ocean breeze. And each time a cool waft blew by, I got a peaceful, easy feeling.

Momentarily.

Favorite # THREE

Birthday Shopping at EXPRESS

I fell for it.

Express sent me a $20 Happy Birthday coupon so I went shopping!

Favorite # FOUR

Little Visitors

Lydia came home with Glammy Tuesday afternoon. We had a sweet visit.

Later when her Mommy and Daddy came to pick her up, they brought with them another little visitor. Rory celebrated 4 months this week. Lydia will be celebrating 3 years in July.What a pretty face!

When asked what she would like for her birthday, she replied

MERMAIDS!

Favorite # FIVE

Shopping for MERMAIDS

If your name is Lydia and you mention that you would like to have mermaids for your birthday, it is highly likely that Glammy will make sure it happens.

This week I began scouring the internet for gifts that fall under the mermaid category.

There are so many options to choose from:

Jewelry

Barbie Dolls

Dress up Dolls

Bath Toys

The mermaid search has only just begun.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Summers of the Past

June 11, 2018

Hoping to link up with the Blended Blog, I’ve taken a trip down memory lane to reflect on

Summers of the Past

I remember bits and pieces of summers of the distant past. Although I can’t recall specific events, I do remember that my little sister and I would go to work with Mama and spend the summer days exploring (snooping) and enjoying the coffee.

Also I remember spending weeks at the lake house my grandparents owned. It was at Lake Hewitt in Interlachen, Florida that I learned to swim and water-ski.

As I entered my teenage years there were some summer activities with my church youth group, such as camp at Lake Yale and choir tours to other churches in the Southeast.

These days my summers are jam packed with activities.

I barely have time to catch my breath from one event before taking off on another

ADVENTURE WITH LB!

In this AWESOME photo we spent a summer day biking on the beach

and later grilling out in Jekyll Island, Georgia.

We often find ourselves at the beach during the summer and it is safe to say that LB will typically plan a vacation to a beach or someplace tropical every summer.

LB and I have enjoyed three summer vacations on

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island

Each time some bizarre event occurs. On our first trip to Sanibel, while we were “beach combing” one afternoon, a fisherman staggered over to where we had set up camp and took a seat in one of our beach chairs. He had managed to HOOK HIMSELF through his boot and into his foot.

The fisherman managed to stay calm, took out his multi-functional tool, and began to operate, while LB stood by for moral support.

Being that I am likely to faint on such occasions, I snapped a couple of pictures and quickly excused myself.

Happily all ended well.

Then there was that time while enjoying a birthday/summer vacation in Captiva that LB rushed me to the ER at 6AM to learn that my heart is in excellent condition. Apparently I’m prone to panic attacks when I have a birthday. Those photos are locked away in my photo vault [for never sharing].

Recently we have found that

Taking a Cruise

is a great way to enjoy summer vacation.

There are so many things to do on the shipand on excursions to the shore

and engaging in other things that you know better than

there’s never a dull summer moment!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites ~ Birthday Edition

June 8, 2018

June brings with it another birthday for myself and several others in my family (subject for another post).

Because this week has pretty much been all about birthdays, I’m sharing a special edition of my Friday Favorites!

Favorite # ONE

Babies and Birthday Cake

Although my birthday falls on June 1^st, the party begins on the evening of May 31^st. This year Mama made good on her promise and prepared biscuits and gravy (as only she can) for a special birthday dinner.

Followed by dessert…Several family members joined us at her home to celebrate.Two sweet babies were among the group.

LB snapped these photos with Rory and Lydia while I opened the gifts that were so graciously given to me.

While Lydia enjoyed seeing Glammy’s Birthday cards and gifts, Rory wasn’t quite as excited.I LOVE that face!

Favorite # TWO

A Birthday Outfit

(not to be confused with a Birthday Suit)

handpicked by a Fashion Diva.

Stephanie and Amanda will sometimes join forces to give gifts on special occasions. Stephanie has a particular flair for putting cute outfits together and for taking selfies.

She mentioned that she had picked several outfits and narrowed the prospects down to three.

This one was the winner

Favorite # THREE

A Fancy Birthday Gift

LB took a trip to the St. Johns Town Center this week where he visited the Coach store.

He has such good taste.And he even knows what colors are trending this season.

Favorite # FOUR

A Birthday Vacation

with LB

Beginning with a Friday night concert in the rain and ending with a sunny day on the beach. Every trip with LB is an adventure!

Favorite # FIVE

A Happy Together Birthday Surprise

Since we enjoyed it so much last year, LB made arrangements for us to attend this year’s Happy Together Tour at the Florida Theater.

The concert began with the Cowsills who are a family of singers that were the inspiration for the Partridge Family. Just as was the case last year, one of my favorites last night was “I Love the Flower Girl“.

(I knew I knew I knew I knew stuck in my head again).

Next up was Mark Lindsay (the voice of Paul Revere and the Raiders). I didn’t recognize any of his songs, but I was very familiar with the group that followed. The Association took the stage and sang quite a few favorites.

Another favorite for the evening was Gary Puckett (the Union Gap) hence the uniform.

Gary Puckett was not part of the tour last year, but such a great addition. Everyone enjoyed singing along with Gary as he shared a few of his 1967 hits.

Another fun singalong was a former member of Three Dog Night, Chuck Negron, who ended his set with “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog”.

And last but not least, one of the original Turtles, Mark Volman took the stage along with friend Ron Dante (from the Archie’s music). Ron was standing in for Turtle member Howard Kaylan who was unable to be a part of the tour this year.

The event wrapped up with all of the artists coming to the stage to share a short clip of one of their previously performed songs and together wishing the audience good night. It was an evening of great music!

Still stuck in my head today:

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Summer Lovin’

June 4, 2018

The Blended Blog is at it again…

asking those probing questions that will make for fun summertime conversation:

Summer Lovin’ Q & A.

Here goes:

Walk or Bike Ride?

Although my Fitbit and I endeavor to reach at least 10,000 steps per day, it depends on where I’m going.

If forced to choose between walking or biking for a long distance,

I’ll take the bike.

Okay… maybe not.

Yes, I really fell just like that (it was a graceful fall). And yes, I was asked to maintain the position for a photo.

Favorite Picnic Food?

A good old fashioned picnic is best savored with a good old fashioned sandwich.

Or a Subway Sandwich.

Or a Bucket of Chicken.

Pool or Lake?

Pool. No Question.

Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream?

Butter Pecan is my all time favorite full fat ice cream indulgence.

But lately my ice cream of choice has been Halo Top because I can enjoy the entire pint without much guilt.

Ice Cream Cone or in a Dish?

There is no discrimination when it comes to the ice cream vehicle.

And the carton works just fine.

Flip Flops or Slides?

Both.

I have many flip flops to choose from.

This season I’ve incorporated some slides into my wardrobe.

These are from Express:

Knot Sandals

and

Knot Slide Sandals

which are really flip flops.

Jean Shorts or Jean Capris?

Shorts.

Although I have three pairs of capri pants, when I wear them it appears that I have something wrong with me…

which may be the case, but why advertise it?

Favorite Summer Fruit?

Watermelon!

Corn on the Cob or Cut Off the Cob?

Neither.

Corn is a CARB!

Favorite Summertime Song?

Summer Nights

What is your Favorite Summertime Activity?

Anything outdoors.

Favorite Berry? Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry or Blackberry?

Blueberries are currently my favorite berry. However, I may change my mind tomorrow.

Bikinis, Tankinis or One Piece?

Because my swimsuit hates me this season, I don’t want to talk about it.

Dresses or Skirts?

Both dresses and skirts are so much more comfortable than pants, especially for work in a hot office.

One Word to Describe Summer?

Rainy

The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2018 Long Range Weather forecast is:

“Rainfall will be above normal, especially in the south.” (source)

Dates Weather Conditions

Jun 1-11 Several t-storms, hot

Jun 12-19 A few t-storms, cool

Jun 20-27 Sunny north, a few t-storms south; warm

Jun 28-30 T-storms, warm

June temperature 83° (1° above avg.) precipitation 7″ (0.5″ above avg.)

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.