September 21 - 27, 2015

I couldn't even really think about clothes this week because I was so obsessed with the Volkswagon Beetle Convertible the BHW bought me for my birthday. It just makes me happy when I come out from work and see this car.

And She's Back...

Spain was truly a land of enchantment for me and I enjoyed almost every minutes of being there. My streamlined 21 piece travel wardrobe worked like a dream. Here are some highlight pictures:

Me sitting on the famous Gaudi bench at Parc Guell.

The Roman aqueduct at Toledo -- note the very modern set up for a rock concert in front of it.

We found an antiquities restoration expert hard at work in the Alhambra.

Alison and I get a quick picture with some Don Quixote graffiti in Alcala.

Me and my castle.

Spanish cuisine is heavy on meat and potatoes. I had a hard time maintaining my vegan lifestyle. Yes, that black sausage is blood sausage. Many of the places our group went to had a preplanned menu for us, and this is what they served. I'm not going to comment because I think the picture says it all.

Here I am succumbing to the cooling lightness of gauzy cotton clothing at the Plaza de España in Granada. My hat was truly a lifesaver in the relentless heat.

My feet in the exact center of Spain -- and Sam's turtle that he took everywhere to take pictures of for his wife.

A sweater I loved but figured I could make myself for much less. There was a lot of thin cotton worn due to the high temperatures.

We explored many a beautiful, narrow street. There is a very Moroccan feel to southern Spain.

Finally, me getting a foot massage from the relentless cobblestone streets.

Spain Trip June 9 - 28, 2015

I am going to Spain for three weeks. Yes, I am going crazy with travel this summer. Here is what I'm taking. I have decided to go ultra light (for me), and I just have one carryon suitcase and a pickpocket proof day bag. I made the 21 piece wardrobe set (not counting the socks) above, and I'm planning on making the outfits below. Everything is very hot climate friendly. I'm just bringing one neutral cardigan and a rain jacket. I bought Eagle Creek packing cubes and a new suitcase, and man am I streamlined! Hopefully I should only have to do laundry twice on the trip, and I plan on just doing it in the sink. I'm also going minimal on the jewelry, and I'm just taking one pair of California Convertible earrings from Harry Mason and bringing different dangles to change up the look.

Mama Dragon Retreat in St. George, May 30 - June 5, 2015

I spent the first week after school got out at the weeklong Mama Dragon retreat in St. George. This was an amazing time to relax, connect, share, grow, learn and communicate with other Mama Dragons. Our group is growing exponentially, and we really feel like we are at the forefront of a swelling tide of love that can't and won't be stopped.

February 1-9, 2015

The outfit with all the tops was what I wore on the plane and packed to go on a four day trip to Arizona. I wore the jeans, jacket, red sweater, blue sneakers, and jewelry on the plane and brought the three other sweaters and the skirt to change into. I got all this plus my makeup bag, toiletry bag, underwear/pajamas, an iPad mini, Kindle, wallet and cellphone in a large red purse because that was all that I could take on the plane for free. It was very minimalist packing; but it worked very well. I even had enough room to bring a gift for my mom!

Saturday, August 16, 2014

She's back. Wow. What a summer. First we went to the amazing Machu Picchu with the DD and our son-in-law.

While we were there we hiked our petunias off but did get to eat amazing gourmet food cooked out in the wilderness by a real chef. (Yes, those are AVOCADOS almost as big as bananas.)

While we were there we stayed in the beautiful five star JW Marriott El Convento Cusco. Built atop ancient Incan ruins and situated around a 16th-century convent, the hotel is a veritable museum in the historic city of Cusco. It was gorgeous!! I even had a massage there at the spa.

People were literally dancing in the streets in Peru.

Of course, we couldn't leave Peru without trying cuy, or guinea pig, according to our Machu Picchu tour guides. Umm...I think we could have.

Next we were off to Ecuador. We did a ton of things there, but here are a few highlights--visiting the world famous Otavalo outdoor market:

In Otavalo we met up with some of the son-in-law's siblings and even managed to buy a few things with some help from Javier who is in the brown shirt and showing off his brand new leather belt for $5:

From there we went to Puerto Largo and stayed in a lovely hotel right on the lake.

Then we went to Quito which is huge. And crowded. This is a lovely view from the tram we rode up to the top of a nearly mountain.

There we met more of the son-in-law's family and friends, including his adorable nieces and nephews who are swarming the DD:

We also visited a lot of churches in Quito, including this one, the Basilica:

And of course, we had to go stand in the middle of the world (latitude wise, anyway).

Our last side trip before the long trip back home was to Baños. We stayed at the Samari Inn and Spa. Gorgeous!!

Baños is right on the edge of the jungle, and it is lush beyond belief. We took a tour of some of the many waterfalls. How do you like that trail down into the Devil's Cauldron?

At long last it was time to go. I loved every minute of the trip except for the three hours that I spent violently carsick after our trip to lovely Lake Quilotoa. Let's just say that for a few hours, I really wanted to just die and get out of my misery. Anyway, I'm back, and regular outfit posting will resume tomorrow because Monday is the first day of school!

And what did I take for the trip? We had to bring stuff for hiking, and then I capsule wardrobed the rest. In retrospection, I wouldn't take white pants next trip -- dirt magnets. Everything else worked great.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Today I traveled up to Vernal, Utah to attend the funeral of my Aunt Janet. She was my father's oldest sister. It was a very nice funeral, and I got to see many of my cousins, so that was an extra bonus. My mom and dad are here, so I drove up with them.
I went with this simple outfit -- I really like this faux collar sweater with this skirt.
Palais Pencil Skirt in Gray, Talbots; Trompe L'oiel Sweater in Heather, J. Crew, Hue Tights in Gray.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Today I went with my Tuileries skirt, a mustard striped tee, and a little denim topper. The denim topper is necessary because this tee is cut a little wide in the neck, and shows my bra straps terribly without something over it. I really wish so many companies didn't cut their t-shirts so wide. WE NEED SHOULDER MATERIAL!!!!!! Is there anyone in her right mind who wants to flaunt bra straps for the world? (Well, maybe there is -- I saw a lot of bra straps and even, ahem, bras, at the NCTE convention; one attendee was wearing a plunging shirt that dipped down below her bra, which was not even a pretty bra but a plain old dingy white one. Please tell me this is not a new fashion.)
I changed out of the skirt into comfy stretch jeans for this evening's flight to Las Vegas for the NCTE Convention. I won't blog my outfits from there, but let me just say they will not involve bra straps. I am bringing super comfy NYDJ colored denim and light sweaters for the duration of that trip -- packing super light so as to bring back more free and purchased books. ;^)
Tuileries Skirt, Talbots; Hue Tights, Macy's, Mustard Stripe Tee, Banana Republic, Denim Jacket, Coldwater Creek; Jewelry, Shopko and Designed by Denée.

England Trip, June 23 - July 7, 2012

So, below here is an assortment of what I wore when I went to England. We tried to pack very light, so I had just brought two pairs of pants and two pairs of shorts. I didn't end up ever wearing the shorts except on the day we flew back--it was too cold and rainy. I also had two basic cardigans that I threw over a lot of these outfits. And, pretty much everything was worn with my trusty hiking shoes and either my Talbots Navy Trench (which worked great and looked amazing--for $35 it was a great trip purchase) or my Cabela's Fuchsia Goretex Raincoat. I did get dressed up a few times (reflected by the turquoise top and animal skirt) to go to three plays: The Woman in Black, The Lion King, and Wicked.
I didn't bring a lot of jewelry, but I did bring my new Pambil set from Chicos (seen on the pink and blue t-shirts). As the necklace is made of seeds, it is light as a feather and gives a lot of bling.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

We traveled down to Snowflake, AZ yesterday for my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary. I wore this for the casual get together in the evening with all of their relatives and friends. What amazing parents I have!!!!
Ikat Cardigan in Navy, Talbots; Platinum Denim Jeans in Gray, Chicos; Travelers Tank in Midnight, Chicos; Earrings, Gift from the BHW.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

This is the hot little number I wore to go to Noises Off at the Shakespeare Festival while we were in Cedar City. This photo doesn't do it justice, as it is cute as ever on. I brought a fancy red clutch I got from Chicos to go with the red shoes. I do wear hose with this dress--smoke colored. (The belt here is actually a blingy Chicos necklace I got for ten dollars. It has a slide cord in the back and works great as a belt.)
Travelers Wrap Dress in Black, Chicos; Jewelry and Belt, Talbots and Chicos.

Friday, September 16, 2011

This is what I wore to start our little weekend trip down to Cedar City. I added the red sweater in the evening after it rained all day. The color on the sweater is actually a beautiful, deep red.
Vintage Cardigan/Jacket in Scarlet, Talbots; Dark Pacific Wash Boyfriend Jeans, Talbots; Vintage Knit Top, Chicos; Jewelry, Gift from the BHW.