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Dancin in the Street 2017

May 20, 2017

Every spring at Jacksonville’s Beaches Town Center is the one day event Dancin’ in the Street

The event begins at 11:00 AM; LB and I headed out around 4:30

There were PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!

And there is always a new band to discover. BayStreet is by no means a new band, but we first heard them here today. Visit their Face Book page for an excerpt and pictures of their performance.

In addition to all the vendors lining the streets, there are shops that beckon me like the Bali Cargo Company

After walking up and down streets, in and out of shops, through crowds, and around people, you may get lucky enough to find a couple of chairs to set up close enough to catch another band perform

and discuss where you want to go out to dinner

How about Culhane’s Irish Pub… since it is right up the road

OMG Delish!

All in all, it was a pretty good day

What are they doing back there?

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Pretty is: Friday Date Night

May 19, 2017

Once in a while on Friday, LB and I set our regular pizza night schedule aside to enjoy a date night. Because of my current schedule, my work outfit has to be date night ready when I leave the office. Fortunately I can go from day to night with only a few simple tweaks.
One of my favorite day to night items is this scuba skirt. There are three of these in my wardrobe arsenal and they are a go-to item since they pair nicely with so many of my blouses.
The scuba skirt can be dressed up or down depending on your plans and is oh so comfortable.
My black split back top is a perfect date night item. But it is also good for layering since it is so thin and practically calls for a cardigan or jacket/blazer.

Jacket: Venus
Sweater: Target
Blouse: Express
Skirt: Forever21 (similar)
Date Night Shoes: Amazon, XOXO
Handbag: Michael Kors
Earrings: Brighton

Date night ready: lose the cardigan, untuck the blouse, and change the shoes

Date Night Destination: Tom and Betty’s
A 40+ year old Jacksonville landmark, formerly located on Cassat Avenue, until a devasting fire. Now relocated at Roosevelt Square, Tom & Betty’s is a favorite spot for dinner and a band on an occasional Friday Date Night.

The Bronco Burger the BEST burger in town! A half pound of ground chuck, cooked to order and served on a grilled Kaiser with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, and spicy deli mustard and shown below with a side salad. YUM!

To limit daily caloric intake, LB and I will SHARE THIS

Happy Friday! Welcome to the WEEKEND!

Pretty is: Nautical

May 18, 2017

Is a starfish considered nautical?

Hmm…

I confess that I had to google this question because I figured anything having to do with the ocean must fall under the nautical category. According to Wikipedia a starfish is not included in the nautical category, but the civilized world seems to think it should be.

When I decided to wear my navy top with white stripes today, I felt a nautical vibe. So I added my Brighton Starfish collection to the mix and called my outfit nautical. I don’t have any sailboats or sailor paraphernalia and that’s okay… this is nautical my way

Pretty is: Striped Top and Striped Shoes

May 17, 2017

What do you do to brighten up an ordinary, flavorless hump day?

Find something fun to wear!

What ‘s more fun than stripes?

More stripes!

This springs stripes are everywhere… especially in blue and white. As of today, I own four of this season’s nautical inspired tops.

Stripes take the place of a statement piece. Who needs a colossal neck adornment when you’re styling stripes.
Today I pulled out a go-to top that I purchased during an online shopping spree at Shein.com.

The colors are fun, the stripes are amusing, and I’m entertained with myself for having sandals that seem to have black stripes that match my top.

Happy Hump-Day Y’all… we’re halfway there!

“Stripes are the equivalent to what a white t-shirt used to be back in the day,” says Roopal Patel, fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue. “They have nine lives. We’ve seen the trend now for two to three seasons and it will continue to carry forward.” (Source)

Pretty is: Little Black Blouses

May 16, 2017

“I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color.” – Wednesday Addams

Black is noted for its ability to slim and add drama to outfits and décor alike. No other color conveys elegance like black. Although it seems contradictory to the bright happy colors of spring, it is actually a color that was featured frequently during New York Fashion Week. While the Pantone Color Institute did not declare black as one of the top 10 spring 2017 colors, no other color is as timeless, and therefore is not to be neglected during the spring and summer seasons.

One of my “Pretty is” picks this season is this black crochet trim chiffon halter top that I purchased recently from Shein

Halter Top: Shein, $13
Shorts: Forever21 (similar, similar)
Sandals: Forever21 (or these will work)
Bracelets: Brighton
Earrings: Kohl’s
Sunglasses: Coach

These are a few little black blouses/tops that I think are pretty. Whats even prettier is the fact that each of them cost less than $20

Amazon / Forever 21

Lulu’s Boutique / Burlington

TJ Maxx / Lulu’s

Little black blouses… gotta have ’em

Pretty is: Celebrating Mothers

May 15, 2017

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and it was fabulous. For me, the day started with a “made from scratch” sour cream pound cake.

Since my mother loves a warm pound cake, I made sure she got some. I followed a recipe that I found on Pinterest posted by Call Me PMc which I have used before and will used again.

LB and I hand delivered it early Sunday afternoon. That’s Mama

We visited for a while, had a nice talk, then I had to head home to get ready for the evening festivities.

Amanda is my younger daughter and the celebrated middle child of my three. She likes to treat me to a pedicure on Mother’s Day, and that has been our practice for several years now. While waiting for her to pick me up, and getting everything ready for company, LB discovered a plumbing problem. Sparing the details, let me just say, it was bad enough to cause a change in our evening plans. Instead of having the kids come to our house to visit, enjoy sliders, and maybe take a swim, LB suggesting we reschedule. I broke the news to the kids but my brilliant first born decided we should all go out instead.
So we did.
To my favorite restaurant (it is Mother’s Day after all)… La Nopalera.
So we met at the Roosevelt location and enjoyed Fajitas for Mother’s Day. As expected, I carried on to excess and am back on the diet today. But it was thoroughly wonderful and I am richer for the experience to spend time with my delightful children, glam baby and for all the lovely Mother’s day gifts they presented.

Photography by LB

Pretty is: Mary Duckworth Reid

May 13, 2017

I met her in 1966. She was only 20 years old and a newlywed… just 9 months prior she had married her High School Sweetheart. With wavy brunette hair and big green eyes, she had her whole life ahead of her and so much to live for.

We liked each other right away…

…and we became a family.

Over the years, she taught me so much… beginning with the basics like how to walk, how to pray, and things every little girl should know like “Pretty is as Pretty does”.