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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:

 https://prettyis.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/FullSizeRender-14.jpg

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.

 

Summer 2017 Trends

The seasonal trends are always interesting to me!  I love to google things like ‘summer trends’, ‘summer 2017 trends’, ‘summer 2017 fashion’, etc.  This is a what I did Tuesday. My intention was to post this on the first day of Summer (yesterday), but alas, I have a job. There were several sites that I scoured for information regarding this new season’s trends: Elle, WhoWhatWear, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Fashionizer, and more… My goal was to find items that were actually agreed upon as Summer 2017 trends by each of these sites.  Here is what I found…

These trends were listed by at least one of the sites:

Pink – particularly of the fuchsia variety (aka Pink Yarrow), stripes – from school uniform to sailor and more, white dresses, red shorts, hats, Primrose yellow pants, camouflage, wide-leg pants, gingham, basket-bags, retro-kinis, wrap dresses, white sneakers with sundresses, gladiator sandals, laced jeans (as in shoe type laces up the side), crop tops, off the shoulders, sexy side slit, plunging necklines, sweatshirts, western, pants on pants aka layered pants, broad shoulders aka shoulder pads, and cutouts.

I am not discounting any of these as perfectly wonderful summer 2017 trends, I am simply focusing on the trends that were mentioned more than once.  Here they are:

 the detailed sleeve – ruffles, flutes, cropped, bunched, oversized

sheer (as in see-through) fabric bralettes – for those with a love of underwear as outerwearblouse170504708_2Rufflesthe slogan tee one-piece bathing suits crochet embellished suits deconstructed shirtsBasket Bags

 

In addition to these fashion trends, I want to mention (or reveal if you do not already know) the color trends for Spring/Summer 2017.  I would’ve done it months ago, but I didn’t have a blog.

PANTONE’s Fashion Color Report Spring/Summer 2017

These are the colors that I’m always asking Stephanie about every season.  Example text: “Steph, I’m getting my toes done, what colors are trending?” (And she always knows)

The top ten colors chosen by the PANTONE Fashion Color Report as seen on the runway are: Primrose Yellow, Pale Dogwood, Hazelnut, Island Paradise, Greenery, Flame, Pink Yarrow, Niagara, Kale, and Lapis Blue.

Happy SUMMER!

Target

For my birthday, my girls presented me with gifts that were purchased from a favorite retail establishment…

Target!

I loved my birthday gifts, but alas… they did not fit.  This is not a problem.  I’m accustomed to receiving apparel that isn’t quite right as I order things that have to be returned all the time.  Far from being a problem, this is an opportunity to SHOP!

We set out for Target.

With some help from LB and a Target employee, I found what I came for and tried them on for size.This Floral Print Cold Shoulder Dress with Tie Straps was hand picked by Stephanie.  The cold shoulder is a trend I have invested in considerably, but this dress has a new take on the cold shoulder with tassel ties. One of the cutest shift dresses I have seen this spring that incorporates the tassel trend into the cold shoulder itself.  Stephanie has great taste.

This Front Button-Down Gingham Blouse is intended to be worn off the shoulder. I love the off the shoulder trend and have several off the shoulder tops that I wear on weekends.  It occurred to me that I should probably exchange this top for something I could wear to work, but I wanted to keep this one that Amanda picked out just for me.

So I decided to make it work for workdays as well! and I wore it today.

Instead of an off the shoulder top, it becomes a boat neck top; instead of having long sleeves it becomes a 3/4 sleeve top.  I’m loving the versatility!

Perfect Fit!  Thank you Stephanie and Amanda!

the photo session was also fun!

 

 

 

Father’s Day

My last Father’s Day with my Daddy was in 2001. Although I am not able to remember that day, if he were here today, I would make the whole day a day that would be unforgettable.  I’d be up early making breakfast for him.  He would enjoy eggs and grits, biscuits and milk gravy, waffles with all the toppings, or one of our favorites from my childhood…

“Flying Saucers” (source)He would make flying saucers for me when I was a little girl.  Does anyone else remember these?

This little sandwich press device was filled with a white bread, peanut butter and jelly smothered sandwich (a LOT of jelly),  then pressed together and heated on the stove-top.  These were always a treat.

After having breakfast with Daddy, I would want to hear him sing.  Whether it was at his church in the choir, standing behind the pulpit, or standing behind my aunt Debbie or Brother-in-law Stuart as they played the piano at home.  I’d so enjoy hearing his valiant tenor voice again.

Later in the afternoon, it would be fun to play catch with Daddy again.  He was a sports enthusiast and always enjoyed a good game of tennis.  He attempted to teach me, but I didn’t pick tennis up easily, and wasn’t able to enjoy the game with him.  Softball was more my speed and he taught me everything I know about the game.  Daddy coached the girls softball team at Faith Memorial Baptist Church when I was in high school.  I’d love to have pictures to share, but cannot find them.  I would not have become involved in playing softball had it not been for him.  Because of this activity, I have many wonderful memories of my time at the ball park.  I also have great memories of skiing with him.  He taught me to ski in Vermont in the early 90’s and I had the opportunity to enjoy additional ski trips with him later on.  He was so good that he would ski with a video camera instead of ski poles.  This was quite a feat in the days preceding the Go Pro.

He loved a good movie.  John Wayne was his favorite actor, but he also enjoyed all of Elvis Presley’s movies, especially Kid Galahad.   He thought Groundhog Day with Bill Murray was hilarious.  After seeing this movie he tried to tell me about it.  He got so tickled that he could hardly complete a sentence.  The last movie we watched together was Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  I believe we would end our day together with a good movie.

He loved to have a good time.He had a bit of a mischievous streak

He loved his girls

I remember walking into the kitchen on the morning of my sixteenth birthday and Daddy had the stereo cued to play “Sixteen Candles“.  On June 1, 2001, Daddy stopped by my house on his way to work that morning, to wish me a happy birthday.  In addition to the traditional 7:52 AM call that he and my Mama always made to me on my birthday, this was an extra special treat that day.

I learned to love music from the 50’s and 60’s era, as well as Gospel music such as Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans.

Image result for Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans i believe in the sunshine

Okay… so maybe I don’t LOVE Willie Wynn like I do the music from the 50’s and 60’s, but the memory makes me smile.

Daddy was a spiritual person and a godly man.  In the last years of his life, his spirituality took a turn that made him seem like a man who truly walked with God.  He talked with me about this at times and I determined that the special relationship began with a workbook he used called Experiencing God.

I believe he walked with God right into to Heaven.

On the day of his funeral, this article was ran in the Times-Union.  I have it tacked up in my home office and I thought I would share

Happy Father’s Day in Heaven Daddy

Friday Favorites

TGIF!

To say I’m happy to see Friday again would be an understatement!

Right now it is June and I am in Florida, which means there is a LOT of rain.  So much, in fact, there is a lake in my front yard and a river in the back.  I love LAKES AND RIVERS and this would be great if I had waterfront property.

But ALAS I do not.

However… I am a happy girl because I GET to NOT go to the office for TWO WHOLE DAYS in a row.

(source)

To celebrate Friday, it is all about my Favorites this week.  Let me start with this text from my sister.  Apparently Gina saw this and it reminded her of me.

Favorite #ONE

She knows me well… I could not agree more!

Then there is the Icing on the Carrot Cake.  Because LB has to have a dessert EVERY night, and because the only boxed cake mix I had in the pantry was carrot, I made a cake from a mix and topped it with a homemade cream cheese frosting.

Favorite #TWO

My Favorite Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is the frosting recipe for the Carrot Cake Trifle that I found here.              It contain : 8 ounces cream cheese ( softened )
1 1/2 stick butter ( softened )
3 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla

To use it in the trifle, fold in 16 ounces of cool whip.

Schmear this on any cake and you will be a happy camper!

Favorite # THREE

This is a good product.  I’ve used it twice now and already see a difference.  You can read more about this MK charcoal mask here.

Favorite # FOUR

This week I joined the ranks of the fitness community and purchased a FitBit Flex 2 Activity Tracker .  It was delivered to the house today and I am charging it right now.  I am so excited about my new favorite toy!  I’ve already taken a whole 68 steps (I’m so proud) and I didn’t even break a sweat!

Favorite # FIVE

My Cat Elvis

Featured in two of my posts this week, Elvis is my Very Special Fur Baby and DEARLY LOVED (by myself and my allergic LB).  Who could resist him?

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