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Hurricane Hysteria

As I began this post

Hurricane Irma

was a Category 5 storm.  As info, a hurricane with winds of 157 mph or greater is a Category 5.  Hurricane Irma is currently ravaging the Caribbean Islands; LB and I are watching the Weather Channel for an update on the turn that she will take.  She is expected to turn toward Florida.

More storms hit Florida than any other U.S. state, and since 1851 only eighteen hurricane seasons passed without a hurricane impacting the state.  Approximately 488  hurricanes have affected the state of Florida.  This damage report includes a death toll of 10,272 people in Florida and $115 billion in other damage (primarily from Hurricane Andrew and thereafter (source)).

With the exception of the slight impact we felt from hurricane Matthew last year, I can’t remember having experienced a hurricane in Jacksonville.  Needless to say, everyone is a bit antsy about the uncertainty of what is to come.

Even Elvis is looking to me for answers.It is apparent to him that something isn’t quite right.

Since LB has to work on Monday, we are taking our necessities and heading to his office early on Sunday.  We will be spending the night and “hunkering down” here while Irma passes by.

This office has all the comforts of an office.

 

But we bring the party with us

 

During this time, my daughters are with their dad, my son and his little family are riding it out in their home, my Mama is at her house with my sister and her family.

We are in Jacksonville

keeping in touch via text:

 

 

Those are random, I know.

Welcome to My World.

My Mama is terrified (to say the least) of hurricanes, since her experience with Dora in 1964.  Thankfully, Jacksonville has not experienced such a storm in my lifetime.

Since we have no control over the weather, there is no reason for hysteria.  Several hours after beginning, as I continue this post, Hurricane Irma is headed our way, and expected to arrive in about nine hours.  That said, I know my Mama has been praying, because the storm has since downgraded to a Category 2 and the path has shifted away from the east coast of Florida.

God is in control, and in Him I place my trust.

Friday Favorites

Guess What Day It Is

Andrea cat friday weekend viernes GIF

Hee Hee!

I thought that was cute!  And funny!

Speaking of funny…

Favorite # ONE

recently my daughter tweeted:

I literally laughed out loud!  This is SO Stephanie!

 

Favorite # TWO

I like BIG BOOTS and I cannot lie…It is too hot in Florida to wear boots in the fall.  But when I found these boots on Amazon for under $30, I had to have them.  Although I love living in Florida (except when a hurricane is heading my way), I complain about not being able to wear my boots.  Regardless, complaining will not change the fact that I won’t be wearing them until December or January.

 

Favorite # THREE

I am obsessed with chicken wings!

Am I the only person who could eat chicken wings every day?  Last Friday LB and I had buffalo chicken wings ONCE AGAIN at Racing’s North Turn for dinner.  They were great.  Every last one of them.

 

Favorite # FOUR

The Bee Gees special that aired last spring has been waiting to be watched in my recorded programs until recently.  Last Sunday LB and I played this while we were cleaning up around the house and realized it was a pretty dang good show.

I’ve always loved the Bee Gees!Stayin’ Alive: A GRAMMY Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees aired on  April 16 and featured the talents of John Legend, Celine Dion, Demi Lovato, Pentatonix, Nick Jonas plus many others.  They each paid tribute to the Bee Gees’ pop legacy by performing songs made popular by the Bee Gees.  We watched it TWICE!

 

Favorite # FIVE

The Ethnicity Estimate.

Where in the world did I come from???

When I came across this CLICK BAIT on FaceBook last week, I nearly drove my Mama crazy… although I was just teasing her.  How I could be Brazilian is beyond me.  The three times I was estimated to be 53% Puerto Rican was also puzzling.  Later, I took a FB quiz “How Puerto Rican are You?” and scored 100%.  Since I am thoroughly Scots-Irish & English (as far as I know), I thought it was pretty funny, but I should probably stop clicking on those things!

That picture is horrible!  Apparently I have no pride.

 

As I always mention, I LOVE Fridays and I thoroughly enjoy posting my Friday Favorites!  I hope someone out there enjoys reading about them.

TGIF!

 

 

How to Wear White Pants

I’ve been following fashion bloggers for several years.

Once in a while I will come across a “how to” post.  The posts that really tickle me will have a title like the one I am using today.  Although this one is an exaggeration.  Every time I read one of these posts I am tempted to reply “you didn’t tell me where to start”.

How to Wear Pants

  1. Start out without pants on – undies recommended, but not required.
  2. Hold the tops of your open, unbuttoned trousers with the front facing forward and legs untangled, dangling in front of you.
  3. Place one leg through the corresponding pant leg. If it’s your left leg, put in in the left pant, right goes into the right pant.
  4. Step forward, placing the other leg into the other pant.
  5. Pull up, zip, button.
  6. Add appropriate top, jacket, accessories, etc. and You’re done!

Okay that was FUN!  Now on to the real topic.

Just because it is after Labor Day, doesn’t mean I am going to stop wearing my white denim skinnies.  I just love them and I have to keep on wearing.  Besides… it isn’t even fall yet.

My white skinny denim is from venus.com and I’ve mentioned these more than once.

Not sure how I’ll style them this fall, but they are incredibly easy to wear with just about any top during the spring and summer.

Here are some of my favorites:

Top: Nordstrom Rack, $12 (similar)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Bass Outlet (similar)
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: White House Black Market, $12 (same, similar)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Rampage on Amazon (similar, similar)
Necklace: Gift
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: Forever21 (similar)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Payless (similar, similar)
Necklace: Gift
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: Classy Crossroads Boutique
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Stein Mart (Gift)
Approx. dates: Jeans are about 1 – 2 year ago, but still available. Shoes and top are 3+ years ago. Top: Shein.com, $10 (same)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: Shein.com, $12 (same)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)
Sunglasses: Coach (similar)
Tote: Michael Kors (similar)

I have no doubt that my white jeans/pants would go perfectly with (and be perfectly appropriate for me)

Back to School

There are several blogs that I follow… most of them are fashion blogs. One in particular that I enjoy is Coast to Coast (by Lisa, an East Coast girl in a West Coast world).  She will occasionally post an outfit or publish a post that is fashion related, but she includes a little bit of everything in her blog. That is my kind of blog! I’ve picked up several ideas from her, including “Friday Favorites” and “Show and Tell Tuesday”.  Today when I looked at her blog I found a post titled Back to School by The Blended Blog ‘asks’.

Since I enjoyed reading Lisa’s answers, I thought I would join in the fun for a walk down Memory Lane.

My Back to School Answers:

1. Did I love school or hate it? I didn’t love going to school, but I loved having the opportunity to make good grades, and I’ve always enjoyed learning something new.

2. Start school before or after Labor Day? LB and I were just talking about this Sunday.  He mentioned that school used to start after Labor Day because most schools didn’t have air conditioning. I honestly can’t remember when school started.  But I do remember graduating from high school in June!

3. Wake up: Eager Beaver or Slow Poke? I’m pretty quick to jump up out of bed now. When I was growing up I must’ve been a slow poke; I remember Daddy calling “Rise and Shine, Beeping Sleauty”

4. Favorite Breakfast? Usually cereal with milk

5. Favorite Cereal? Something chocolateyI still love chocolate cereals!

6. School Uniform? No, we didn’t wear uniforms back in the 1800’s… except for during P.E.  That’s a topic in itself!

7. New outfit for the first day of school? Yes.  Usually.  I think.

8. Walk to school or ride the bus?  The bus rides began in the 8th grade…but up to that point, my Mama drove me.

9. Backpack, tote, or messenger bag? I always carried my books until I started college at the turn of the century.  Then I had a backpack.

10. Eat school lunch or pack lunch? A metal lunchbox with a glass thermos.  Sounds dangerous, right?

11. Remember the little milk cartons?  They were so cute.

12. Paper bag or lunch box? It was a Charlie Brown lunchbox.  Not sure why I didn’t have something a little more girlie?

13. Favorite thing to do at recess? Wasn’t a fan of recess… definitely didn’t enjoy Duck, Duck, Goose!

14. Favorite back to school item?  Hmmm…. probably the new notebook… a Trapper Keeper… or something similarly awesome!

15. Chalkboard or Dry erase board?  Chalkboard… and the worse thing ever was being called to the front of the class to work a math problem to be watched by all (tears).16. Regular pencil or mechanical? Regular… number two, of course17. Homework as soon as you got home or after dinner? I don’t remember having much homework until high school, but at that point, with all the extracurricular activities, it was do homework whenever you find the time.

18. Favorite after school snack? Ice cream… at my Mema D.’s house… which was part of the reason I was a little chunk.

19. Favorite after school show? The soaps (also with Mema D.) on Channel 4… typically the Guiding Light which started at 3PM right after school. Remember Reva and Josh???

20. Favorite subject in school? Art… no question.

21. Least favorite subject in school? P.E. (Physical Education) OMG… remember the physical fitness tests? Getting sweaty then having to go back to class! Wearing those ridiculous outfits a/k/a gym suits!  I have searched the internet high and low and those things are nowhere to be found.  I’m convinced that God Himself intervened!

22. Name of your best friend in high school? My aunt Debbie, Kim M., Kellie G., LaTresia B.

23. High school Mascot? An astronaut. Edward H. White (center) to be exact!

24. SAT or ACT? SAT is the only test I remember having to take before college. The MLST (Minimum Level Skills Test) was the goofy test that we were required to pass to move on to the next grade.

25. Favorite year in school? My Senior year.  Definitely!

26. Class ring or no class ring? Yes I have a class ring. Because I dropped it, there is a chip in the stone, but it is still pretty.27. Attend or not attend high school reunions? At this point I have not attended any of my reunions. Hopefully I will be able to do so in the future!

Labor Day Weekend Getaway

For Labor Day Weekend 2017, LB planned a trip to Daytona Beach.  I was supposed to have Friday, September 1st off, but alas, I have NO seniority, and had to report to work that day.  I would have to run home and pack quickly to leave for Daytona on Friday evening.

The great thing about packing for a weekend retreat is that you don’t have to pack too much. HOWEVER, if you’re like me, you want to make sure you pack enough to see you through any scenario that may arise.  The way to effectively compromise is by implementing Strategery… (love George W. Bush)

When LB and I head to our favorite hotel in Daytona, there are a few activities that I keep in mind when pulling together my weekend outfits.  They are:
· Friday night out to dinner· Saturday at the pool party (or basking on the beach if the pool-side karaoke becomes bothersome)

That’s My LB
· Saturday night activity (typically a concert at the Daytona Boardwalk-Bandshell)  on this particular trip it was raining on Saturday night so LB took me to

Caribbean Jacks

for dinner, instead of to the Bandshell concert.

We heard the Dewey Rose Band for the first time.  They were good.

Dinner was great… low carb, of course, Crabby Patties and a salad.

With all that in mind, I like to try to coordinate clothing that is equally fun and practical.  I managed to get it together quickly.

Here is my list

· Swim Suit
· Sandals
· Sun Hat (Hello Sunshine)
· cover-up (YES, I do have one)
· Denim or White Shorts
· White Jeans
· Two or three shirts (similar color palette)
· Cross-body Bag
· Beach Tote
· Sunglasses
· Accessories
· Personal Items

Whether you use my list to pack for a vacation or grab the unfolded laundry and throw it in a suitcase, heed the words of this prudent sage…

“The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in”
~ Paris Hilton

Instagram Roundup ~ Summer 2017

Happy Thursday!

Because I love shopping and fashion, I will occasionally post about an outfit that I love.  This summer my blog has been a collection of posts about family and random posts about travel, shopping, cooking, or thoughts about this or that.

Today I am looking through my

Instagram posts

and sharing the outfits that I have featured this summer on Instagram.

My pics are about as random as my blog posts.

 

This first picture was taken on a Wednesday night and it was raining.  We were all set to go to the St. Johns County Pier for Music by the Sea, but because of the rain, plans changed.  We went to play trivia instead.

I’m carrying my birthday mini-bag from Brighton that I mentioned in this post.

 

Can’t remember the last time I saw a sunny day at my house.  Glad I have a picture.This post also featured items from Brighton.

One of my many shopping trips, this one is obviously at Target.

This post was all about my shopping trip to Target and it was a lot of fun.  Its especially fun to have an adoring photographer follow you around.  By the way, I did purchase the star spangled shorts.  They are so cute!

 

My shopping trip to Ross to find the same jeans my sister was wearing was the subject of this post.  No luck.You should always dress cute when shopping.  Never push the buggy.

Although I didn’t find those Gina jeans, on that same trip to Ross, I did find this cute little $4 gray tee shirt with a criss-cross back.  It was mentioned in this post.

 

My White House Black Market bell sleeve blouse was the subject of this post.OH… and another sunny day!

Below is one of those aerial selfies that fashionistas always post.  I recently posted one and received the comment “where is ur face”.  Guess I haven’t reach fashionista status.

OKAY so its another sunny day. 

Last year I wore this orange blouse every other day.  Now that LB takes my picture, its easier to remember what I wore two days ago.  I don’t wear it as often, but I still love it!

 

Selfies with my phone just don’t turn out as well as the one’s LB takes.  But alas… sometimes they will have to do. At least my bed is made.

 

A post featuring the beautiful summer color Island Paradise. and an outfit that isn’t too bad either!

 

My “Seeing Red” post featured this top from Kohl’s.  Not a sunny day, but at least it isn’t raining!

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Fall 2107 Shoe Trends

It is hard to believe our summer is nearing the end.

So I’ve decided to submit a shopping post about trends in shoes for fall 2017.

Fall is less than a month away and some of the trends are unusual.

Here are just of few of the

Fall Shoe Trend

categories that I have come across.

MOST of these items are UNDER $50.

Embellished

one // two // three // four // five

The addition of decorative details and features makes this EMBELLISHED footwear a bit more interesting.  Buckles, bows and embroidery can be seen in every fall fashion magazine and website.

Decorative heels (boot # three) are also a trend that fall under the “Embellished” category.

 

White

 

one // two // three // four // five

If you’re like me, you feel odd wearing white after Labor Day.  This fall WHITE is HOT, especially white boots.

Item # four features a white sole in addition to another 2017 trend displayed in the transparent lucite or “clear plastic” look.

 

Red

one // two // three // four // five

 The only color hotter than white this fall is RED.  Red is the IT color for fall 2017 and these red booties and shoes are perfect for being on-trend.  The kitten heel is making a comeback this year and has been seen on mules, ankle booties, and the cute little red slingback pictured above (item # four) .

 

Glitter & Shine

 one // two // three // four // five

Because everyone needs a little sparkle in their life.

 

Velvet

one // two // three // four // five

As far as I’m concerned, velvet has always been perfect for fall.  Here are some examples.

 

Urban Cowgirl

one // two // three // four // five

Booties for the new generation cowgirl.  Or the old one.  Either works fine.

 

Because it will likely be too hot here in Florida for boots until December or January, I haven’t shopped the boots that are trending for fall.  Those boots include slouchy and over the knee length boots.

That will be a shopping post for another day.  Looking forward to it!

 

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