Happy Together

June 12, 2017

A typical Sunday night for me involves last minute shopping and dinner out at a familiar favorite place like LaNopalera. Tonight LB surprised me with an event he TEASED me with last year. The “Happy Together” Tour.

With dinner first on the agenda, we left the house at around 6PM and headed downtown…

We checked into the Burrito Gallery. The Burrito Gallery is located at 21 East Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville. Although it is new to me, it has been around since 2005. There are also locations on Riverside Avenue and Beach Boulevard. LB and I enjoyed a tray of toasted tortilla chips with a hearty sampling of salsa, guacamole, and Queso (listed as Trio on the menu under Starters).

Right up my alley. I could LIVE solely on tortilla chips dipped.

Then we walked about a block to the Florida Theatre for the Happy Together Tour 2017 concert. The Florida Theater is a beautiful building, the architectural details are amazing.The concert began with Ron Dante, one of the voices of the Archies who sang Sugar Sugar and a few other songs and commercial jingles like this one that he helped to make popular. After Ron, the Cowsills took the stage. The Cowsills are a family of singers that were the inspiration for the Partridge Family. I was not familiar with the name Cowsills, but definitely familiar with some of their songs. As a matter of fact, one of my favorites last night was “I Love the Flower Girl“. Even today I keep singing ‘I knew I knew I knew I knew’ in my head. Although I had not been familiar with most of the artists, I fully enjoyed the concert and every song that was performed.

And last but not least, Flo and Eddie of the Turtles began their set with “She’d Rather Be with Me” and wrapped up the event with the 1967 hit “Happy Together” with all of the artists coming to the stage to join in the song. Every song that was performed tonight made me feel happy!

This event takes place every June and I recommend it if you’re looking for a happy together time!

Posing in Italy!

June 9, 2017

My life is exciting, but I haven’t been able to make time to visit Italy (source)

I have just recently started my blog… only three months ago TODAY! It has been a lot of fun and more work than I imagined… more like a second job than a hobby or pastime. Last week I enjoyed a summer vacation trip to Captiva Island which I covered in this blog, and wrapped up with a visit to the ER. It was at some point during the ride to the hospital that I realized how SHORT life really is. My thought during that ride was that I was on my way out, like my Daddy who was just slightly older than me when he left this world on November 23rd 2001. I am much like him, so it is no wonder that I assumed I would meet the same type of end. I may still do that, just not on June 3rd 2017. I am proud that I am so much like him. But I am pleased to say that I’m not finished here yet.

As I was flipping through Instagram during my lunch break today, I noticed ANOTHER person that I follow posting photos of herself in Italy. It seems to be a trend to pose for a picture of yourself in Cinque Terre.

Happily, I am taking shots of myself in my bedroom! Alive and well

… and wearing my beautiful White House Black Market blouse that LB purchased for me in March of this yearalong with my FAVORITE black sandals

and all the Brighton jewelry any red blooded American girl could ask for

my bracelets are retired. The above pictured are similar

Thank you Jesus

Sanibel Outlet

June 8, 2017

On the final day of our Captiva Island Vacation, LB brought me to the Sanibel Outlet Mall. The place caught my eye as we were heading out of town, on our way home. It was the bright blue roof shouting for my attention, and yes, I am frequently motivated by the superficial.
We parked at the end of the complex and walked to the first retail establishment. LB was much more excited about G.H. Bass & Co. Factory Outlet than I, but I did enjoy his enthusiasm, and, of course, his company. A shout out to the store manager who was engaging and charismatic and the employees were all very friendly and helpful.
LB enjoyed trying on jackets, vests…

and SEVERAL pairs of shoes I enjoyed taking his picture

I found one pair of cognac wedge sandals that I especially like and ended up purchasing And LB took the opportunity to snap several shots of me trying them on for size. I kinda like the red ones too.

We checked out and continued our excursion

Van Heusen is another store that I was not familiar with until this visit. As we were making our way to the store, a small group was leaving, each with stuffed shopping bags under each arm. That piqued our interest. Just inside the doors were racks with sale signs that read $15 each and $9 each. The $15 rack was loaded with white pants and capris. The Superstretch capri and crop pant. For $15, I couldn’t resist. You can look at them in black and gray here, but you can’t touch (shop) until you “find a store”.

There was a quick run through Banana Republic, GAP, Famous Footwear, Rack Room and Samsonite, but no purchases.
A visit to these websites will reveal savings on purchases. Currently Banana Republic has 35% off and free shipping on orders over $50. GAP offers 40% off and Free shipping on all orders with the code: WARMER. Famous Footwear offers up to 40% off sandals and free shipping on orders of $75 or more. Rackroom offers BOGO 50% off 2nd pair.
The last stop was LOFT.

No purchases during this visit, but plenty to dream about. If you visit this site today, you will be able to enjoy the 50% off FLASH sale OR $25 off your entire order.

Brighton Collectibles

June 7, 2017

I love Brighton’s jewelry and other accessories. But I also love a good deal!

A recent mailing from Brighton included a delightful little handbag that caused me to fall in love immediately. Maybe it was the puppy dog. Maybe it was the “K”. Maybe because the blue and yellow work so nicely together and are both prevalent in the 2017 spring/summer color trends. I’m not sure what drove the yearning, but I wanted this little handbag as soon as I laid eyes on it.

Since I always appreciate direction when looking to purchase gifts for others, right away I called it to LB’s attention. I knew he would be looking for something to give me for my birthday and since he loves to go to Brighton, I thought this would help.

After receiving this cute Minibag for my birthday, I couldn’t help but do some research.

Brighton’s website states “this ready-to-wear Ginger Snappy Minibag adds a dash of glamour to her look, with a metallic leather insert under its flap. Bonus points for versatility: she can personalize it as many times as she likes, adding new straps and leather inserts. She can also add different flaps. Wow!”

Wow indeed! I would have thought it through had I known this item is À la carte.

This is the actual Ginger Snappy Minibag

(source)

If you’d like to have the snappy flap, there will be an additional cost.

(source)

The birthday gift included the insert and a tassel. The “K” is on backorder and should be arriving soon. I still love this Brighton Minibag, I just can’t get past the idea of selling the top of it separately. The mistake I made was not doing my research before proclaiming my love for this little bag. Although it is a wonderful accessory, it comes with a wonderfully incomparable price tag.

But it is totally cute!

I’m sorry for loving expensive things LB!

Clara Sunwoo

June 5, 2017

It all began during a day trip to St. Augustine early in April. At the time, I didn’t realize I was admiring a Clara Sunwoo blouse in the display window at H.W. Davis. Visit their Facebook page Here. All I knew was… I want that blouse! LB took note…

When I was finally presented with the opportunity to try on this item, I realized that it was a product I had heard about while watching Hoda and Kathie Lee. I was impressed by this interview and hope that you will take a moment to watch this If you aren’t able to tell by the way I am admiring this top in the dressing room… I LOVE IT! It is adorable! No question. Aside from that, it is wrinkle-free and SO comfortable!

When presented with the opportunity to purchase a second blouse… how could I say no?

I feel an obsession coming on!

Summer Vacation 2017

June 5, 2017

Vacation is such an anticipated time in my life! This year summer vacation 2017 began on May 31st and continued through June 4th. The event itself starting in St. Augustine with the concert at the St. John’s County Pier (which I posted about here) and culminating in Captiva, Florida on Florida’s beautiful west coast. LB and I left our hotel in St. Augustine on Thursday morning and headed south. We arrived at Captiva Island late Thursday afternoon, checked in to Tween Waters Inn Island Resort and Spa, and headed directly to the beach.

Toes in the water…

Beautiful ocean… shells… sunsets… a tropical paradise

Life is good today!

The suite was beautiful

Some of the furniture reminded me of a collection that I became very familiar with during my time at Liberty Furniture. I was so sure it was the same collection that I did some investigating. Sure enough… it was the Thomasville Bridges Collection. I searched it online, but it appears to have been discontinued. I’m not able to find any pictures from my Liberty files which is not surprising. It wasn’t one of my favorites. But seeing the collection in our suite brought back memories of furniture days gone by.

Later that evening, LB took me to enjoy my most favorite cuisine for first dinner on the island. Cantina Captiva served us the best carnitas (pulled pork) fajitas I have ever had in my life!

There are dollar bills stapled to the ceiling and walls which is quite interesting to say the least, and the food is delish! Adiós and Vaya con Dios

It may sound like we ate constantly, but on occasion we split breakfast, skipped lunch every day, and split dinner every night. Gotta watch those calories! Speaking of calories…

Day Two

started with breakfast at the Captiva House.

LB’s breakfast sandwich

Kim’s Greek Omelet

and COFFEE!

and then we continued with a tour of the grounds

We spent the day on the beach. I love to collect shells and LB is kind enough to keep them in his pockets. We didn’t take any pictures (since LB had shells in his pockets and no room for his phone) during our 2 mile walk on the beach to Andy Rosse Lane. There are shops and restaurants on this little street. One restaurant in particular is the Mucky Duck which is at the end of Andy Rosse Lane, on the beach. There is typically live music in the evenings and LB and I were intent on checking this out. After doing so, it was decided that we would have dinner at the Mucky Duck that evening, which we did… and enjoyed a seafood platter… which we split. It is worth checking out if you are ever on the island. If you do, hopefully it won’t rain so the live music isn’t cancelled.

(source)

Dinner was good

And just like that… it was the end of day two of our summer vacation 2017

Vacation Day Three

began with a trip to the ER.

Yep.

All I am going to say about this is I had an episode unlike any I have ever experienced. This event cost us at least eight hours of vacation time and probable medical bills. I’m sorry to say that I can’t post the pic of me on the hospital gurney with medical apparatus around me and wires/tubes attached.

I’m just too vain.

The good news is, I am still here to tell about it and my heart is in good shape.

When I was finally released, I was more exhausted than when I checked in. And (believe it or not) we hadn’t eaten anything in almost 24 hours. It was time to get back to the resort, take a nap, take a shower, and (you guessed it) find something for dinner.

We enjoyed dinner at the Crow’s Nest Beach Bar and Grille

and a new dress (that I didn’t get a picture of (due to extreme discombobulation).

Vacation Day Four

The trip home involved a stop at the Sanibel Outlet which is documented here.

Happy Birthday to Me

June 1, 2017

My birthday celebration actually began on May 31st at the St. John’s county pier.

Every Wednesday night beginning in May and continuing through September at Music by the Sea, there is a catered dinner and musical entertainment event at the pier. LB and I attend every chance we get. This particular event was catered by Amici’s Italian Restaurant and entertainment provided by one of our favorite local groups The Committee Band. We split an entree that included eggplant parmesan and penne pasta while relaxing in the pavillion prior to the concert. While waiting for the concert, the resident DJ “DJ Dan”, honored us with tee shirts including us in The Danighan Gang.

As is customary, my birthday began with a phone call at 7:52 AM from my sweet Mama. Because I was in a hotel that rendered my cell phone useless [No Service] I missed her call. She went right to my voicemail. When we left the hotel this is the message I retrieved:

“(singing) Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you (laughs) Happy birthday Dear Kim… it’s too early in the morning, but I wanted you to know I love you. God bless you. You’re such a joy to have Kim. I love you with all my heart. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, spendin’ it with the one you love. When you get back we need to have cake. And biscuits. I’ll talk to you later. God bless you Darlin’. I’m so thankful there’s you. Bye.”

I am blessed beyond measure to have such a precious Mama who loves me so much.

I listened to that message several times.

LB had other surprises planned. He brought me to Cathedral Drive and let me pick a restaurant for brunch. I thought the Greek restaurant would be a nice treat. We walked into Athena Restaurant and I immediately noticed the specials posted. One special was Salmon Eggs Benedict. Yes please!

Those are grits on the side.

LB had hashbrowns

After brunch we strolled [it is a vacation day, after all] down to St. George Street and visited one of my favorite St. Augustine shops, H.W. Davis Clothing and Shoes. LB was recalling a post from April when I mentioned a blouse that I loved. He brought me to H.W. Davis and found that blouse

along with another that was just as cute

He bought both of them for me! Oh Happy Day! Not one, but TWO Clara Sunwoo blouses! LOVE these! This has definitely been a day to remember thus far.

The birthday gifts continued

These bracelets were purchase by LB more than a month ago from a Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry party hosted by my coworker Geraldine. LB logged onto the website that was assigned to her party and selected the Silver Star Fish Bracelet and the Two Tone Silver Razzmatazz Bracelet. I was not at all surprised at his GOOD TASTE! But very surprised by the presentation as I had completely forgotten he participated in this event.

There was also an adorable little bracelet that I picked out myself on April 2nd that LB decided I could wait till my birthday to have. This pearl bracelet with starfish and sanddollar charms is from Fresh Produce and I shared it on this post.

So cute!

Believe it or not there was ONE MORE! I absolutely loved it and feel it deserves a post of it’s own. I’ll be presenting this particular birthday gift from LB soon. Stay tuned.

Obviously a birthday is Not all about gifts. LB knows I love pretty things, but he also knows how to make me happy in ways that do not get filed under Material Girl. So he took me to the beach and let me put my toes in the sand

Afterward