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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!

 

August 1965

What was happening in August 1965?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was leading a civil rights march in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery.

The St. Louis, Missouri Gateway Arch was completed.   The Gateway Arch was created as a landmark to memorialize the symbolic gateway between the Eastern United States and the West.

Cool Whip was introduced by General Foods.

Diet Pepsi made its debut.

The Pillsbury Dough Boy, “popping fresh” came to be.

The New York Jets signed Joe Namath:

The Temptations’ “My Girl“, had hit number ONE.

The Academy Award for best best picture went to, “My Fair Lady.”

The “Sound of Music” movie was a smash success.

The “Green Acres” TV show made its debut [Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert].  Green Acres is the PLACE TO BE…

“Downtown” hits #1 in the US singles chart… Love me some Petula Clark!

The Mini Skirt appeared in London.  And as women’s skirts became shorter, men’s hair became fashionably longer.

The Beatles released 4 new albums that year, including “Help“.

“Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered on CBS.

More specifically, do you remember

August 28, 1965?

In addition to Lyndon B. Johnson serving as President of the United States and people in the US listening to “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher…

Mary Ellen Duckworth and

Richard Alton Reid

were planning a wedding.And they were married 52 years ago today.August 28, 1965 was a Saturday.

If my Daddy had lived, he and Mama would have been married 52 years today.  I have no question that they would still be together.  They loved each other dearly.

I asked Mama about her wedding vows because I thought she had written them herself.  She told me “actually they were the regular vows”.

The “Regular Vows” are

“I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.”

She then added “We just memorized them and said them to each other instead of repeating them after the pastor”.

I think that is very sweet.  What a lovely couple!

 

My Dear Mama

On this day that marks your anniversary, what would have been 52 years that you and Daddy had been married, I am thinking of you.  You have suffered a great loss, greater than I can imagine.  Of course you already know that everyone senses the void, the empty place that Daddy left.  Nevertheless, we all recognize that no one feels it more than you.  I appreciate the love that you still have for him, and that he is the love of your life, as you are his.

August 28, 1965 was a wonderful day and still is wonderful for the memories it offers.

Today I hope you can smile and remember your beautiful wedding day and the beautiful life you shared with him.

Love Kim

 

~

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

Saturday Switch

This weekend LB decided we were going to

Switch It Up

and do something other than the norm.

When we met at home Friday evening after work he announced that we were going out.

Usually we are both mentally exhausted by Friday and will stay at home on Friday night,  saving our date night for Saturday.  LB thought it would be a nice change have dinner out and enjoy one of our favorite cover bands.  In addition, I was instructed to pack a bag for the weekend.  We hit I-95 and exited on South Beach Parkway to the Hampton Inn and checked into our room.

Then we walked over the restaurant that is quickly becoming a favorite

Whiskey Jax

Keeping it carb-free, dinner was a side salad and hot wings.  Under a spotlight.

Ain’t Too Proud played into the night and, as always, we enjoyed their music.

Saturday Morning

after we enjoyed the complementary breakfast in the lovely Hampton Inn, we headed to Mickler’s Landing for a day at the beach.With this being our first trip to Mickler’s Landing, we were surprised to find there is no longer a boardwalk to the beach.  Apparently it had to be removed due to the damage caused by hurricane Matthew in 2016.  Nevertheless, the hike through the sand was good exercise and the flowers were cute.so were the seagullsIt started out as a sunny day and I was happy to have the opportunity to work on [my hopes for] a tan.except on my face!

The sunny day was short lived as the looming gray clouds moved ever closer.We cut our walk down the beach short and took cover under the umbrella.But not before I managed to find these…five reasons to NOT put my body in the ocean.

And an addition to my collection.

And now as I sit here typing, I have already enjoyed a wonderful weekend, and it has only just begun.

Thanks LB!You’re the BEST!

Season Shifting

There are officially 28 days left in our wonderful summer season.

Maldives, Ile, Beach, Sun, Holiday, Ocean, Nature, Sand

Fall begins on September 22, 2017 Autumn, Fall, Foliage, Leaves, Nature, Trees

and I will probably still be donning my summer wardrobe [as it will likely be HOT until next January].
Florida is notorious for skipping fall and going straight to winter.  Although, at times it seems like we have four seasons in the south, which are 1. nearly summer, 2. summer, 3. recently summer, and 4. Christmas.

With this in mind, how am I supposed to enjoy the fall fashions that I am seeing on EVERY fashion blog I follow?

What am I going to wear

after September 22nd?

Sadly, I don’t have the opportunity to spend much time with my jacket/coat collection.  That said, it is time to get creative.  A few fabrics (jersey, cotton knits, and silk) remain fairly seasonless.  When pairing these fabrics with the right colors, it makes for an easier transition from summer to fall.

If you aren’t familiar with those particular fabrics, think lightweight, and focus on fall colors.  I am always referring back to Pantone and their seasonal color report.

This year

the HOT color for fall is

Grenadine

“A powerful, evocative, dynamic red, Grenadine is a confident and self-assured attention-getter” (source).

Another pick for the fall season is

Golden Lime

Today I wore a top that I purchased last spring from White House Black Market.

Ironically, the base color is remarkably similar to Golden Olive (fall color 2017 – London ).  This is a top that will work well spring to fall.

Capris are also a good choice for summer to fall transition.
A transition-to-fall outfit would include a bootie or an open toe shoe to pair with your outfit.

Hopefully it does not seem as though I am complaining about the long, hot summer.  Not in the least.  If you live in the south (and if you’re reading this you probably do since you are likely a member of my family), join me for a moment of gratitude.

We who are here in Florida enjoy sunny weather most of the time [not today, but most days].  Floridians don’t have to purchase winter parkas or rain pants. We don’t require pants a size too large to accommodate long johns. Happily, we don’t have to deal with ice and snow ordering the shoes that we wear. We don’t have to deal with bad hair from balaclavas and skull caps.

Four seasons or not, in the sunshine state, we have it pretty good.

Enjoy your summer!

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