Fashion Files and a Link Up!

Week 23!

Welcome back for this week’s edition of the Fashion Files, hosted by Amy and me! If you don’t know Amy, her blog is Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa. The church retreat is in the books, and it was wonderful. I’m really glad to have that presentation done and given. Now, onto the next things! I hope to get to all the linked posts this week. I have tried commenting on many and get a weird message about “nonce.” If anyone knows what that means, and how I can bypass it, please let me know!

Let’s get this party started!

If you’re a fashion blogger, this is the place to be. It’s the day of the week where I talk about the things I wore last week and what I did as well as anything I might have bought. It’s also the place where you can tell us about what you wore, what you bought, what you wished you’d bought! Please tell your friends about our link party because we’d love to see it grow and grow! I will try to get to your blogs this week! So, on with the show! Huzzah!

Last week’s looks…

Tuesday – And, our kitchen has a template! The guy came on this day, took the measurements, and said the tops could be installed in a couple of weeks. Our flooring is in, but we have to wait our turn for the installation of that. I need to start looking at backsplashes now! Yikes! It’s getting real! I continued working on my closet. I’m using Amy’s dog poop test. If a dog pooped on it, would I care? Since we sleep in the guest room (it has an adjustable bed), the king size bed in the primary bedroom is covered with piles of sweaters. Now that the retreat is over, I’ll have the time to work through them. I am determined to get rid of at least two sections of sweaters. Nigel said I shouldn’t get rid of anything just to make room. I’m wearing an old Gap linen button up with a pair of Old Navy shorts. I know that shirt is really wrinkled, but I don’t really care. If I were going somewhere, I would have maybe ironed it.

Wednesday – This was the day I worked on lots of writing. I mistakenly thought I had most of my presentation done. When I was reading through it, I realized there was a whole bunch I hadn’t changed. I had copied and pasted my presentation from last year into Word. Then, I was just writing my new presentation over the top of it. Don’t ask me why…I think it was the formatting already being done or something of that sort. Anyway, as I was reading it, I thought, “Man, this is really good, but it surely does sound familiar.” That’s when I realized it was last year’s presentation. But, I got almost all of the new one done this afternoon. I took the photos for Thursday’s blog post and wrote the post (remember, Queen of Procrastination). I also read and commented on others’ as well as responding to comments on mine. I tried a different top with a pair of the Kantha Bae culottes. I don’t know…I’m beginning to think I don’t especially like them. Or, maybe I just need to try a little harder at styling them. The tee is from Old Navy. It has lettuce edges which I think makes a tee just a little nicer.

Thursday – Oh, y’all!!!! I have no idea what I did for most of this day. I probably did a little of this and a little of that. I got my stuff packed for the retreat, but I just couldn’t wait for Thursday evening! I had a ticket to the special opening of Giants! And, it was beyond amazing! Do y’all get teary eyed when you see or hear something that just pierces your soul? I got to the museum shortly after the event started and bypassed the food and beverages. I was there with a mission…I just wanted to see the art! OH, MY STARS!!! It went so far beyond what I was expecting. Around every corner, there was another piece just waiting to be looked at, examined, oohed and awed at. When Swizz Beats named this exhibition Giants, he knew exactly what he was doing. Many of the pieces are floor to ceiling and cover entire walls. I just can’t hardly put into words how beautiful and amazing this exhibition is! I do hope some of you are able to make it to Indianapolis to see it. Anyway, I was in tears for a lot of the time. I skipped the opening remarks and was able to look at the art with very few people in the galleries. While I was happy to get away for a weekend and give my church presentation, I surely do wish I’d been able to attend the events where the Deans were present. I wore an Eileen Fisher crushed silk a-line dress and felt just right in it.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday- I spent three days in Brown County which is a hilly part of Southern Indiana. This was the ninth retreat for the women of my church but only my fourth (or maybe fifth). Friday, the steering committee drove down, stopping to eat at what looked like a little hole in the wall. The food was delicious, and it had such a fun atmosphere. We got to the camp around noon or so and unloaded everything and proceeded to set up everything. That night, we were supposed to have a wienie roast around the campfire, but Mother Nature had other plans. We had a thunderstorm and torrential rains…a first. Two of the women just took over cooking those dogs on a stove top, and they were fine. I think it actually worked out well as we usually are all spread out as we eat. This way, we were in pretty close quarters. It stopped raining shortly after, and we went back out to the firepit. We played some silly games, sang songs, and had a devotional. After, most of us sat around the fire for a bit longer and just chatted.

Saturday – This was the day I gave my presentation. I think I talked for about three hours…not all at once. I even knitted and tinked during part of one. The day was very warm and humid. That storm hadn’t done a thing to cool things down…just made it more muggy. Our morning was outside in the arts pavilion, and it was so nice to be out in nature. My co-presenter is one of those people who has her words typed out, but she can go off script and be even better. Most of the day was spent together, either with me speaking, or working in small groups and sharing with the larger group. We also had three different activity stations. I helped with a beading activity, using memory wire. That night, we had another campfire, songs, and funny games. After everyone had gone to their rooms, I worked on my artist profile for Giants. I was glad I’d copied and pasted the information into Word so I didn’t have to rely on the camp wifi. I got quite a bit done, but I still need to do more.

Sunday – I had finished all my presentation on Saturday so Sunday was a day truly meant for relaxing and worshipping. We had a beautiful closing activity and worship service. Then, it was time to pack up, say our goodbyes, and head for home. I was lucky enough to ride with someone because that drive is a little bit tricky. We did get “lost” on Friday, but that was totally on the WAYZ app! We got there; we just took the scenic route. We followed one of the leaders on the way home. I was absolutely exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Luckily, Nigel had an OK weekend. The kids checked in on him. But, I was glad to be home. Are you that way, too? I love to go away, but I’m even happier to get home. My oldest sister texted us (my brother, my youngest sister, and me) a photo of our mom. An old co-worker of Mom’s had found it and shared it with her. She looked just like Jackie O. It’s funny I never noticed that before. For the retreat, I wore a form of this every day…graphic tee and old Navy shorts! I did wear my trusty chambray shirt in the buildings because they were so cold after being out in the heat.

Monday – I had a two hour virtual meeting about giving tours re: the Giants exhibition. There were a few technical glitches at first, but the information was so good. I’m looking forward to looking at the art in more depth and coming up with a tour. Right now, I don’t have any scheduled nor does anyone else as far as public tours. They won’t begin for a bit as we docents get more familiar with the art. We all want to give it the very best we can. Luckily, I didn’t have to have my camera on because I watched in my pajamas! I picked Jack up in the afternoon, then went to the grocery store for a couple of items. Most of the day was just a little difficult. I don’t know if it was the letdown of the retreat being over and the attending stress easing out of my body, or if it was discovering something else. I just know Monday was rough. Clothing as armor didn’t really even work. I just felt ugly and defeated. I kept repeating the Bible verse we’d concentrated on, but it didn’t want to sink in. Then, as I was typing this up, Jack decided to let go of his dinner (along with a tissue or two) on the living room carpet. I wore this cute black dress from Tulip Clothing and didn’t even try to do my hair…just plopped on a wig!

In between…

Those little knitted squares are beginning to pile up, but I still won’t have the blanket finished by this Christmas. You want to know something funny? I don’t even know what it’s supposed to look like. Then, I’ll have to figure out the back of it. I know some people have a way of knitting two squares back to back (does that makes sense) so when they’re done, the back will be done, too. I think I’ll either buy some fleece (miss Joann’s) or maybe just knit a huge old rectangle to cover the backs of the little squares. It will be gorgeous, I’m pretty sure. We watched “This Is A Robbery” which was a documentary on Netflix about the art I showed in yesterday’s SIA challenge. I still think I’m right…that art is sitting in someone’s home or vault. I don’t think it’s been forgotten and is in an attic or basement. We have also finished “The Last Airbender” and will have to wait for the final season which comes out I don’t know when. I’m not sure what we’ll watch next. Feel free to give me any suggestions. I am still reading a rather strange book. It’s a collection of short stories and poems about a fictionalized Marie Curie. In one, she slew a dragon! In another, she time travels because the younger Marya crafted a creature much like Frankenstein. Did y’all know she was Polish? I had no idea. I’m ready to be done with that book, though. I am going to go to the actual library and get some real books. I’ve been reading on my iPad, and I know it’s really not good for my dry eyes. This is a busy week. Nigel has his physical therapy consultation today (Tuesday). I get a haircut on Wednesday and a facial on Friday. Thursday is another physical therapy day for Nigel. Saturday, one of my docent friends has her Colleague Feedback tour, and I told her I’d attend so she’d have someone who knew the process. I also need to hem four pairs of pants/jeans! Thank goodness I know how to do an original hem!

Purchases…

I am a sucker for a gimicky sale! I bought an all cotton striped cardigan from Talbots along with other things because they had a 40% off sale because of course they did! Another thing I bought was floral shirt. I also bought the cutest lace over mesh over lining skirt from Halftee. It’s grey and rather elegant. Let’s see if I can figure out how to style it! The ballet style tops I ordered from Old Navy came. The tall doesn’t seem any different from the regular except the sleeves are longer. I don’t know which I’ll keep. I would like a really nice quality one from Wool & Co, but the color I want is currently sold out. I can wait! I also caved and bought a cute sweater skirt from Gudrun Sjödén. I’m not 100% sure of the color so I may exchange it for a different color. I bought exactly zero shoes or boots!

What to link up…

Please link up your favorite fashion posts, old and new. Please take the time to visit some of the other bloggers. I’m sure they would appreciate it, and please let them know you are visiting from our link up! I really do thank Amy for being my co-host! Feel free to show us what you’ve been wearing, what you’ve bought, returned, or just thought about. Maybe you could share something you’d love to have but never will for whatever reason. You can tell us…we’ll understand. Tell us about your shopping habits. Do you enjoy thrifting, reselling, or online shopping? Just write a post about fashion of any kind. You could even do a review of an awards show. There are always awards shows, it seems! And, remember, even if you’re a movie reviewer, a baking blog, a book lovers blog, a blog that’s anything but fashion, I’m betting you get dressed. Snap a photo, write a little about it, and link it up! You really don’t have to dress up, either…take a look at my Sunday outfit! Thanks, my friends, for linking up and spreading the news!

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