November 25, 2013

Today was all business, but I just couldn't bring myself to wear a suit…

so I settled for my cute cardigan with the black lace overlay.

Accessory Close-up

Gray leather wedges with oversize buttons from boutique in Burbank
Triple silver ring and silver ball earrings
New antique mini brooch from Laguna Beach

November 23, 2013

With so many projects to complete I decided to escape from my solitary studio for a few hours to the opening day of the Winter Fantasy Festival in Laguna Beach.

Fused glass ornaments 

It was a very festive experience from the goods for sale…

Fabric clips on a wreath

to lots and lots of decorations everywhere you turned.

And if that didn't put you in the Christmas spirit Santa even made an appearance in a snowstorm !

HO HO HO

November 22, 2013

The weather is finally cloudy, cold and occasionally even wet.

Sweater weather!

Accessory Close-up

Two-tone leather loafers by Talbots
Silver bangles, rings and ear cuff
Ceramic bead necklace that was quite costly from my favorite resale store.

November 19, 2013

Workin' my favorite color combination; gray and red.

This stairwell in my building is my favorite  selfie spot :)

Accessory Close-up

Red suede ballerina pumps from Zara ( LOVE )
Silver bangles, rings and earrings from various places
New enamel mallard brooch from San Francisco Chinatown ( it's quirky )

Happy 238th Birthday United States Marine Corps

For the past 14 years I have had the pleasure to attend the Soldiers of The Sea Band of Brothers ball celebrating the Marine Corps November 10th 'birthday'.

The party gets larger every year and there are always lots of handsome young men in uniform.

There is lots of proper pomp and ceremony,

guest of honor Major General Nicholson

and speakers with amazing stories to share.

The best part is that my good friend Liz is also always at the ball and rockin' an amazing gown.

This years emerald green gown was fantastic!

Finally it was time to dance and we danced our booties for hours until my bootie couldn't take it anymore.

I really liked my dress this year because it was navy blue, had long sleeves, a slash in the front, a cut out in the back, and a slit up the side.

Strategic peeks.

You'll never see me strapless. 

November 15, 2013

Today as I walked through a mall fuming because the H&M had not received any Isabel Marant garments ( today was the launch ) a man told me he " liked my style ".

Way to make my day :)

I also liked my style today.

Accessory Close-up

Blue canvas semi-espaderilles by Aersole ( ! )
Gold bangles from forever
Triple gold ( faux? ) from resale store
New favorite tulle and fabric brooch from Artist License Fair a few weeks ago
oops, forgot to put my weird cat-eye 50's style sunglasses in the picture

November 12, 2013

To tuck or not to tuck…that was the question today. 

Obviously I went with shirt not tucked into my way cool corduroy skirt.

I'm just an untucked type of gal.

Accessory Close-up

Faux black leather booties by Steve Madden ( LOVE )
Green glass bezel ring made my me
Weird green glass ( ? ) necklace purchased from a resale store
     Color of the day…GREEN!

November 9, 2013

It was a lovely afternoon tea party at Spring Field in Fullerton.

Inspiration; Breakfast at Tiffanys

Some guests were more inspired by Holly Golightly than other guests.

Lots of lovely food and ladies.

I tried to get my 50's party mood going with pearls and an up-do but. I literally decided to attend less than 24 hours before the event.

I think Audrey Hepburn would have been pleased although no one will ever come close to her unique wonderfulness.

November 7, 2013

Being comfortable isn't always being fashionable…

So much to do I just threw on a t-shirt, bell bottoms and to dress it up; a scarf :)

My go-to uniform.

Accessory Close-up

Circle scarf from Nordstrom
Fabric Brooch from Road to California Quilt show
Gold and faux gold bling
Pointy suede slip-ons from an Huntington Beach Assistance League

November 5, 2013

Yay for Fall and sweaters and scarves and deep jewel colors.

Never mind it was about 70 degrees, I am ready for sweaters!!!

Accessory Close-up

Polka-dot circle scarf from I don't remember
Rainbow bangles from Bowers Museum
Silver/glass ring I made
Silver ear decorations
Pointy toe black patent sling backs with a sweet kitten heel and I have no idea where I bought them!

November 4, 2013

Egads, tonight I volunteered to be part of a district wide college/career outreach for high school students.

Since I was representing Saddleback fashion department I tried to look fashionable, edgy and friendly…

I give myself a D- in each category.

I'm just too tired to be hip.

Our cute Malia and I set up the tables and waited for the onslaught of teenagers...

and we were not disappointed. Teenagers and parents swarmed and I pitched Saddleback all night until I lost my voice.

Thank God

November 2, 2013

I am one lucky girl to live minutes away from Laguna Beach. 

From the artist festivals all summer to the downtown galleries it just feeds my creative soul. 

And today I did something new, different and WONDERFUL!

I attended one of the monthly Artist Open Studio tours.

It is absolutely free and the city trolley drives up and down Laguna Canyon Road and makes stops at various artist studios ( 29 studios all total! ) and you basically hop on and off the trolley staying at each studio as long as you wish.

It was so amazingly fun.

Louis Longi house/studio; longisculptures.com

 Some studios were in clusters of semi-industrial space and some were the artists home and studio.

The artist were diverse and really glad to answer all my noisy questions.

I absolutely did not let on I have a degree in fine art; my fine art endeavors seem like a lifetime ago.

Sandy Groves ceramic studio; sandygroves.com

Maggie Spencer fused glass studio; maggiespencer.com

Maggie Spencer actually had her studio set up so visitors could make a fused glass Jack-o-lantern or turkey.

This is her glass kiln filling up with visitors fused art projects. 

They will be ready for pick up in a few days and I can't wait to see how my turkey turns out :)

The studios are open from 11am to 4pm and all the information is at spoeschl@lagunabeachcity.net

I tried valiantly to visit as many studios as possible but, by 2:30 I was barely half way through and really hungry so I called it a day…

but what an enjoyable great day it was !!!

Happy Halloween

Aaahhh, I actually had to work on Halloween so that morning I decide what my costume would be...

 luckily I had some masks from my mask making phase and decided to wear this one and be Envy. 

Thus all my green garments.

I knew these three students were going all out with their costumes and they looked great. 

You can't see it but, they had creepy contacts in their eyes.

That was pretty scary!

October 30, 2013

Today was my Moms birthday.

( I posted how I beaded my top on WeSew.blogspot )

My Mom looks great for having to  put up with me all these decades ( ! )

Wow, this is my original family before husbands and kids and inlaws. It felt nice being back.

! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM !