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Friday Favorites

What an easy Post… Friday Favorites is a collection of things I’ve enjoyed this week that I want to share with you!  From love notes to delectable dishes, I hope you have experienced some of the same…

Favorite # ONE

Morning love notes written on my breakfast napkin

Life with You is Sweet!
The ONLY ONE for Me is You!
Baby It’s You!
You make Me Smile!
I’m So Glad You came into My Life!

I don’t know if it was breakfast or lunch, but at some point when we came to live together, LB set a table for me and wrote a love note on my napkin.  It made such an impression on me that he hasn’t stopped.  I get a breakfast note every morning and I have been saving them for 5+ years.  Precious.

Favorite # TWO

This Rock-A-Billy Jive Dance by Marty & Miss Dee.   Music by the Cues.

LB and I took a 6 week dance lesson early this year in preparation for the Rock-A-Billy Prom that took place in February (more about this next year).  This couple has inspired me to learn dance more than any I’ve found on YouTube.  If you can find better… I challenge you to submit.

If this doesn’t make you want to get up and dance, I don’t know what will!

Favorite # THREE

Grits

Sunday morning found me out of town and checking out of a hotel room to head for home.  Because the continental breakfast in the hotel was not worth… whatever… LB and I went to the Gypsy Cab Co. for brunch.  If you have never enjoyed an Eggs Benedict Brunch, get out and go enjoy one.  Typically you will have a choice of hash browns or grits for a side.  I do not want to discount the Eggs Benedict in any way whatsoever, but when I dipped into the little bowl filled with grits (plain grits, no cheese) I was taken home.  SO GOOD!  Does anyone else appreciate grits?  You can’t get this from a Quaker packet.  I Declare that my Favorite # Three this week was my Grits Experience.  Yeah.

Favorite # FOUR

I’m going to sound like a PIG after the whole GRITS thing, but… another favorite is the box of Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins that was presented to my group this week.  I am a perpetual dieter, so bear with me as I ask… WHEN was the last time I had a munchkin????? OR a donut for that matter?

Since life is short, I let myself enjoy several of these little delights this week.  Believe it or not, blueberry, not chocolate, was my favorite.  Thank you for the Munchins.  This girl really enjoyed them!

Image result for dunkin donuts munchkins

Favorite # FIVE

You will be hard pressed to find me not having this little Lovely as one of my Favorites.  Once again, my sweet Mama has captured a moment as she typically does.  This precious little GlamBaby is expressing herself in song.  We have no idea what is the name of this song, but [as my Mama explained] Lydia knows.  Although it is likely the opening song to Peppa Pig or Curious George, I like to think it is her own sweet rendition of “How Great Thou Art”

I haven’t figured out how to properly present this yet… but you must see this little musician in the making…

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Click below for the full version

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Happy Friday!

4th of July Fashion

The annual celebration day of America’s Independence

is only a few days away.  Although it doesn’t top the list of holiday fashion days, it’s still an opportunity to dress cute.

There are many red, white, and blue items in my closet.

I’ve chosen some shown below to begin with

 

Each of these outfits can easily be patriotized by adding one of the missing colors (most of my outfits need a splash of red).  To jazz up what I already have on hand,  I need to start shopping.

With a little luck I’ll come out looking patriot-chic.

 

Revolve // Target // World Market

Target // Revolve // Target

Payless // Shein // Target

Revolve // JadeTribe // Target

 

Although you may not have time to shop for the items shown, maybe they will inspire you to find something similar, or perhaps something you have in your own closet.

This iconic All-American day for styling red, white, and blue presents an opportunity to express your patriotism, and look pretty doing it!

National Sunglasses Day!

I first heard it from Kathie Lee & Hoda: it is…

National Sunglasses Day! 

the Vision Council invites us to join them in the celebration of “Sunnies” today.

Sunglasses on a SunflowerNational Sunglasses Day is a commemorative date held annually on June 27 reminding us of the importance of wearing our eye shades.  We are encouraged to practice safe sunning by styling our eye accessories, not only in the summer, but throughout the year, as the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays are always at play.

In an effort to

Share the Message of UV Protection

lets all grab our shade spectacles and post a picture on social media.  To help share the message of the importance of protecting our eyes celebrate use #NationalSunglassesDay and #SunglassSelfie in your favorite shades (source).

That said, I’m joining the National Sunglasses Day celebration!

Here are some of my favorite Sunglasses Pics

from the streets of St. Augustine, Florida

to the shores of the Golden Isles…to the beaches in Jacksonville… and Ponte Vedra… and Daytona…or exploring the east coast… That was FUN!

Johnny Cougar

This weekend we had the opportunity to enjoy a mini-vacation in St. Augustine with the intention of seeing a concert at the Amphitheater.  When it comes to attending concerts, LB and I have spent the last few years making up for lost time.  Our first concert experience together was Toby Keith in 2011.  Since then we have attended more concerts than you can imagine.  Some may think we are crazy, but we always have a fun time.

Since parking has become ridiculous, we decided to walk to the venue from our hotel.

According to google, it was 1.3 miles.  Luckily there was a nice breeze.My FitBit logged 20,188 steps that day.

 

The subject of our concert quest was a long time entertainer and a remarkably talented singer/song writer.  At age 66 the man still has GREAT hair and a lot of spirit.

John Mellencamp with guests Emmylou Harris, Carlene Carter and Lily & Madeleine

(source)

There he was… a 1980’s teenage dream… John Mellencamp… live on stage.

You may remember him as John Cougar Mellencamp.  He was dubbed Johnny Cougar by his manager in 1976 for fear that nobody would buy a record from someone named Mellencamp.

The 80’s brought a change for him after the release of his fifth album in 1982 “American Fool”  as the albums that followed were released under the name John Cougar Mellencamp.

Saturday night we had the opportunity to hear him sing some of his greatest hits such as “Jack & Diane,” “Pink Houses,” “Small Town,” “Rain On The Scarecrow,”

and

“The Authority Song”

Another great weekend and memorable experience with LB!

Shops in St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a place that we travel to often.  Although it is nearby, it is far enough away to make it seem like a mini-vacation.  There are so many places to explore.  This weekend we found three new shops and one restaurant that I thought were interesting and wanted to share.

Located on Anastasia Blvd. near the Bridge of Lions,  is “St. Augustine’s Iconic Fashion Boutique”

Rochelle’s

Featuring clothing by Free People, Ella Moss, Velvet by Graham & Spencer, and Bailey44, this trendy boutique offers high end items.  Although there was a $29 Sale rack at the front of the store, overall this is a name brand boutiquePrice Tag Pic

Toward the back of the shop are some sale items, a fitting room, a sitting area, and some VERY interesting artwork

If you are not familiar with the name brands, you may not appreciate the items that you find at Rochelle’s.  There are some bargains to be found and the shop itself is worth the visit.  When in the area, you need to check it out for yourself.

Abbey Road

Featuring clothing styles for young and the young at heart, swim suits, jewelry, accessories, and even bike rentals.  Abbey Road is located on A1A and is adjacent to an ice cream shop (great idea)

This was My favorite item and I think my youngest daughter (Amanda) would likely fight me for itNotice the Cold Shoulder application.  Love it

She would like this too

Vintage Warehouse

There is lovely furniture here that my Mama would love, and could paint to look equally as lovely.I LOVE this lingerie chest and would have LOVED nothing more than to take it home with me today…

along with this…LOVE!

If you happen to be in St. Augustine driving down Anastasia Blvd. and you seeI highly recommend a walk thru.  You will likely find something that you want to take home with you!

Gypsy Cab Co

Last but not least is the Gypsy Cab Co. because Sunday Brunch has to happen when you are away from home for the weekend I enjoyed the California Benedict with grits and fruit

LB enjoyed the East L.A. Burrito with cheesy grits and fruitDon’t you love watermelon?

In the end, LB ate half of my order and took half of his home for leftovers this week.  It was SO GOOD!  I HIGHLY recommend Brunch at Gypsy Cab.

They open at 10:30.

You can do it, and You will be glad You did!

Fitbit Fever

The package arrived on Friday, June 15th…  and I’ve been wearing it ever since…

It’s my FitBit Flex 2!

The Flex 2 is a fully waterproof fitness tracker.  This smart little device tracks activities like swimming, biking, running, and walking.

Fitness trackers can help with improved habits and overall health.  It also helps with motivation to move, which is why I have been wanting to get one.  My job involves a LOT of sitting which apparently can have long-term effects on your health and body.  As I stare at my computer for 8 or more hours a day, I don’t think about the fact that I’ve been sitting for too long.  My little FitBit is programmed to alert me to get up and walk away from my PC.  When I feel it vibrate and see the purple light flash, I know that it is time to move.

Instead of a display, it has a row of colorful lights that blink to indicate your progress and provide alerts.Because I am not permitted to have any personal devices (such as smart phone, tablet, etc) at my desk, the tracker with this display is the best option for me.

There’s no built-in GPS or heart rate monitoring, but given the price point, that is understandable.

The Flex 2 is slim and can be placed in a variety of different bands and bangles.  This bangle is on my wish list for styling my FitBit in the near future

Now for the part that is perplexing.

At least four days a week I log 3 to 5 miles on my treadmill.

The FitBit Flex 2 is NOT accurate in mileage tracking.

Case in point:  This first screenshot shows that I have walked .44 miles before getting on the treadmill

After logging 5 miles on my treadmill, I captured this second screenshot.  As you can see it indicates that I added much less than 5 miles.

LB did some research and found that it may be helpful to put my FitBit in my pocket, instead of wearing it on my wrist, to get an accurate mileage reading.  We both agreed that this suggestion didn’t make much sense.  And I don’t have a pocket in my running shorts.

So I decided to put it in my shoeAnd here are my results:

This first screenshot shows that I have walked 2.13 miles before getting on the treadmill

This second screenshot was taken after I completed 5 miles on the treadmill.

It shows that I have added 4.17 miles to my day.  I feel a little less cheated.

So it isn’t perfect, but I’ve learned a lot about my habits and I’ve had a pretty good time playing with my new toy this week.

I’m thinking I’ll keep it!

 

 

 


Friday Favorites

Friday is my favorite day of the week, therefore it is a perfect day to mention my weekly favorites.

Every Friday,  I will go to the office and do the same job that I do on Monday through Thursday, but for some reason, it is easier to manage.  This is an enigma.

Nevertheless…

Here are my Five Friday Favorites:

Favorite # ONE

Gingham I mentioned this blouse on my Target post and I think it is adorable.  Gingham is a classic and also a trend.  Here are some other gingham items that I think are cute:

Favorite # TWO

This HatA box from Amazon made its way to my doorstep last Tuesday.  Certain that it was for LB, I alerted him that he had a package at the front door.  After he retrieved it and brought it inside, he announced, it is addressed to Kim Starling.  Well, I thought, when did I order something from Amazon?  I must be losing my mind.  It must be something I ordered.  It is JUST like something I Would order.  I can’t remember ordering anything.  Maybe it is a back order item from Shein.  How is that possible?  It is from Amazon, not Shein.

I was perplexed about this for at least 12 hours.  Finally, I decided, I must figure out when I ordered this hat, so I went back to the box.  Inside the box I found this:What a Happy Surprise!  Thank you for the belated birthday gift from my sweet Daughter-in-law Emily, my wonderful son Richard, and my Perfect Glam-daughter Lydia!  I am tickled!  (that’s a Southern term)

Favorite # THREE

Hall & Oates tickets… this week LB discovered that one of my favorite 80’s Duos will be performing at the Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena in September.  So he bought tickets!  The last time Daryl Hall and John Oates were in Florida, I had bronchitis, and was not able to completely enjoy the Hall and Oates experience.  Now I get another chance and I’m SO EXCITED!

Favorite # FOUR

A FaceBook post from my Daddy’s cousin (and mine) Robbie Darden.  It is SO HOT and HUMID right now.  If we weren’t able to come inside for comfort and cool air, what would become of us????

Favorite # FIVE

This Video clip:

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This is a MUST SEE… My sweet Mama spending a rainy day with my sweet Glam-daughter Lydia in search of muddy puddles (thank you Peppa Pig).  When asked, “where’s the muddy puddle?”  Lydia replies, “where’d it go?”

So Adorable.

 

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