Sue, sending prayers for your dad and for you too. It's not easy caring for parents. Take care of you too!

Sorry to hear this news Sue, and hope your father gets better with the least amount of intervention possible. ❤️

So sorry.

I brought all neutrals on my recent trip to Portugal and loved having a colorful scarf too.

Hahaha I need these! I just took a weaving class…so difficult to learn. We made scarves. I told a friend that if I were to sell it, I’d want $800 because of the labor.

Love those!!

Those are so funny.

Sooo much weirdness.

(Although I do like the doggie basket.)

I only looked quickly, but there were only a couple I liked:

This one reminded me of the potential prom dress kswl posted recently.

The person who was carried up the stairs was the one wearing the sand dress. They were afraid that the train would disintegrate going up the steps. And then as noted above - they had to cut off the bottom later because it was disintegrating.

SJP apparently didn't stay for the dinner because she couldn't sit down.

The theme was Garden of Time and like so much it's open to interpretation. Someone mentioned that they wanted Mindy Kaling's dress in a different colour except that her dress was mimicking sand and that is the colour of sand. I don't know if it was a sand dune or an hourglass of sand moving from one side to the other.

The Met Gala is usually used to showcase their latest show and in this case "Sleeping Beauties Reawakening Fashion" and is a fundraiser for the Costume Institute.

Yesterday afternoon I had time to read crap and chose to read about the Met Gala. LOL.

It's a nice distraction, if nothing else.

Just finished The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers, which (as a crossword/spellingbee/etc lover) I really enjoyed. There was one element of the ending that I was not happy with -- a missing piece, I guess -- but otherwise it was a great story with good, quirky characters.

Recently read The Measure by Nikki Erlick. This story opens with everyone over the age of 22 waking up to a small box outside their front door. Inside the box is a piece of string. The length of the string determines how long you will live. Some people want to open the box while others do not want to know their fate. Once you know how long you will live, what life decisions will you make? Will people treat the short stringers differently? Goodreads gave it 4 stars and I agree. Should be an interesting bookclub discussion.

I also read After Annie by Anna Quindlen. This story is about a young mother of 4 children who dies suddenly. Over the next year, the oldest daughter Ali attempts to care for her younger brothers, as well as her father in hopes of keeping their lives as normal as possible. This transition year is difficult, but offers some hope as the family grieves and grows. It was a sad book, but I enjoy Anna Quindlen’s writing.

I just finished The Last Bus to Wisdom and wow. What a great book. I was kind of savoring it. It was so wonderfully written, so sweet, so touching, and at parts so funny.

I rate it 5 stars.

I think the only other book I've read by the author, Ivan Doig, is The Whistling Season which I adored. He had written quite a few, so I intend to read more of his books.

I just keep losing and gaining the same two pounds, LOL. Going through the house buying process with DS and DDIL was just a whirlwind, first stressful and then celebratory, and I used food and wine to deal with it all. And this leads up to our Europe trip, where I had all intentions to not be a Fat American but now it’s too late…we leave in 3 days. I am certainly not going to ”diet” in the lands of pasta and fondue, but we will be walking a lot every day so that will help a bit.

I am now doing acupunture for my foot issues. I have been going 2x/week and this is week three. It might be helping a bit, hard to tell, but our trip will be a test. I can walk without a problem, but the aftermath of walking — especially the morning after — can be painful. I am trying everything else before my last resort: custom orthotics. 😖👵🏻

Good news, Gscience! And the fact that you maintained without is telling. (Tell DH welcome to the crowd!)

Glad to have you join us, 3Katz! I think you have a great plan-- just replacing simple carbs with more veggies is such a positive step! Also clearing the house of the junky snacks. I still enjoy the junky snacks but I have to keep them out of the house!

GS glad that you are able to get a dose but I echo Feathers, it is great that you have been able to maintain without it!

And speaking of holding steady -- great work, Feathers! I think one of the hardest things for me lately is keeping to a routine and holding steady. You are inspiring and I love hearing that you are feeling stronger! Also love hearing that you are sleeping better. This past week my sleep has taken a steep decline and I feel it. I am waking up multiple times in the night-- not for the bathroom or any known reason. Just waking up. I may check out the magnesium glycinate. I read somewhere years ago that most people dont get enough magnesium -- since it has so many health benefits, I started adding walnuts (a great source of magnesium) to a lot of my meals (salad, pasta, etc) .. i may try adjusting my diet first. Green leafy vegetables, nuts and black beans are all good sources that I remember off the top of my head.

Speaking of black beans, I have been enjoying a chicken taco salad this week-- with seasoned ground chicken, black beans, campari tomatoes, shallots. It is quick and easy and pretty satisfying. I have had a hard time getting into salads ever since I got very sick after eating a salad a year ago. I think any variation that isnt the typical cucumber, tomato, onion in vinaigrette is the key. It is crazy it is still turning me off a year later-- but I am glad to find other variations of salad that I can enjoy.

I haven't lost any weight but I have been better about increasing my protein. When I do increase protein though, I dont eat as many vegetables. I need to get a better balance. I know protein is so important but I feel better when I eat more veggies than protein.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I did a bit of googling because I was not familiar with her until this discussion. I am generally not a fan of her style, but I think she looks great here. Maybe ditch the gloves. Just ditch them all.

I think the gloves are a nod to royal etiquette. Also, I suspect they are comforting when one is expected to shake many stranger's hands.

“ I think a non-matching sweater can just come off as a sweater, no matter how nice it is.”

True that, but in my world there’s nothing wrong with “just” a sweater, especially in the daytime 😎

I also love this ensemble although I don’t care much for purple as a general rule

This dress looks to be embroidered and appliquéed silk and is one shouldered— and her husband is wearing a tuxedo— so the shawl is a better choice here.

@ Sueb - the GE stovetop that originally came with my 1950s house had a control panel like that, but it was removed and covered over with some wood when the stovetop was replaced. Wishing I still had the original - it would've been in this yellow enamel that matched the wall oven - which had to be replaced back in 2010. All the homes built in this subdivision back then were equipped with them - in shades of aqua and pink as well.

That oven was a workhorse that kept perfect temperature, but the serial number was obliterated by time, so it couldn't be repaired when something finally gave out.

Isn't glass block energy efficient as well?

On repeat senior year of HS and first year of college.

Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Doors, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin. Spirit.

This was probably my favorite song of my senior year in HS.

I got to meet some of this band at a party in Laurel Canyon (L.A.) in 1973.

So long ago:)! I graduated a semester early, in ‘68. The Beatles still ruled, but I remember carefully transcribing the lyrics to Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues, and loving the Stones, Byrds, Lovin’ Spoonful, Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield, Love, The Who, Cream, Pink Floyd, Kinks, Procol Harum, (I saw many of these acts live) and of course listened to the radio constantly. We turned our noses up at the Monkees, as I recall. I also really loved folk music (Joan Baez) and protest songs (Phil Ochs)-and saw them, too.

Ditto.

I took a cooking class with a friend last night. One of the dishes was an artichoke dip and my friend was telling the instructor that she had made an artichoke dip once that smelled so bad, people at the gathering were blaming the dog. 🤣 The instructor asked if she had used marinated artichokes, since you should use only plain (these were canned). I thought that was interesting/strange…and now we have band-aid scented canned tomatoes. Weird.

Too funny, Pal.

Sherry, I also detest liquid smoke and wondered if that might be it. I am buying another can just out of curiosity. If it has the same smell, I can stop worrying. If it does not, I will let the mfr know. I kept the can; even empty I am getting bandaid.

Meanwhile my DS loved them. He took a picture of them (?) because he said he might want to make them. LOL. I didn't mention bandaids and it did not come up. Maybe it is like people who think cilantro=soap.

It's funny the things we can associate with unfamiliar smells. For instance, the other day Hubby said something smelled like tar after I'd just finished using Method bathroom cleaner 😀

P.S. Fire-roasted is not smoky. I suspect it's a gas flame like that used for 'flame-broiled' burgers - which also have a sort of strange plastic-y smell to me.

I used to ask DH for specific books for Christmas — often decorating books — and I would spend the day after Christmas cuddled up with my new books. Somehow we fell out of that tradition. Mothers Day will be a little weird this year because DH and I will be out of the country, so I decided to buy myself a couple of books and I plan to spend time with them this weekend.

This huge John Derian book, I mean, I don’t even care what’s inside…

And this one:

We are meeting DD this coming Sunday for lunch at a halfway point (she is 2 hours away) so I’m just going to pretend Mothers Day is a week early.

Recommending another book choice: "Wild Horses of Skydog", avail from Amazon, B & N, Skydog Sanctuary website. Photography book, history lesson, meditation on what it means to be an American and uplifting tales of horses reunited with friends and families and returned to the wild life they were taken from.

My DS is in the process of buying a house from a woman in her mid-80s whose husband died fairly recently. They lived in this house for 50+ years and I already kinda feel sad for her because she clearly loved the house and maintained it so well. The listing agent said she literally cleans the house every day. Every window is covered in multiple layers of drapes and all the furniture screams 1960, and not in a cool MCM way. More like Italian Grandma. But it has a sweet vibe. Too bad none of the wallpaper is as cute as your closet paper! They have wallpaper in every bedroom and bathroom and hallway.

I am guessing the homeowner may not leave anything behind, but the house will be immaculately clean!

Speaking of keys — I have these that were hung on a hook in my parents’ garage. Late family dogs’ tags! Why I kept them, I’m not sure but they hang in our mudroom, usually covered by coats.

Oakley, check out Hedgren brand bags too. Similar to Baggalini.

I went to our closest mall yesterday and was very disappointed by what was available in stores like Nordstrom and Macys. Just not much to choose from in person! I was looking for a few cute tops and left empty handed.

That was sweet to speak up and let your son's fiance use the bag. I'll add that I've machine washed my Kipling bag a few times during Covid when we were extra cautious about germs.

I personally don't care for the wide straps that are on so many bags. Too often they're bulky and stiff and just not necessary unless you're carrying a really heavy bag. My Kipling has a softer, woven cloth strap and it doesn't slip off my shoulder.

I carry the Kipling every day to run errands or go to the pool - it's durable and I've thrown it into the back of the car hundreds of times. However I have lots of bags and love switching them whenever I'm going somewhere other than the food store.

Another brand that's comparable is Lug. They have quite a few bags that have an exterior side pocket that can hold a water bottle or an umbrella. I don't usually carry a bottle of water around but if I did I'd definitely look at Lug. There are 2 sisters in my gym class and that's what they use every day.

Thanks for the new brand selections. I'm ready for faux leather, but what I want is usually canvas. I'm not going hiking. :)

Times when we know a bad storm is coming I take my purse and another one for essentials, meds, etc. Sunday morning I knew we were in for bad weather so I went through my bags to find one smaller than the tote I used to take.

I found the perfect bag in my closet and it has outer pockets and zippers similar to my Bagg. But I'm over floral.

Sunday night all I took with me was an iPad and Kindle. Fit this bag perfectly!

Below is like my old bag but another color. I think it's retired or discontinued.

https://poshmark.com/listing/Like-New-Vera-Hope-Garden-Fabric-Bradley-Bowling-Bag-66304797d253f181288f0e99

If you haven't looked at VB's website lately you really should.

https://www.semikolon.us/photo-box-marine-1.html

I thought the pic Mtn shared 3 hrs ago was a crockpot for a second.

I like the one on the bottom left corner and the one next to it to the right - both with horizontal stripes.

So these WERE the top 3 contenders:

Bottom Left, Radley London bag, an inch too large both height and width but still a contender of nothing else pops up

Bottom Right, Kate Spade, already sold :( (It was perfect now that I can’t have it!)

Second Row far right, Nine West, have inquired about dimensions and no answer for 24 hrs so I probably won’t get one.

Kids did not get the first house (there were 12 offers!) but they got another one! Phew. I am so thrilled; they’ll be about 20 min from us. The house needs some updating, mostly cosmetics, which of course I’ll be happy to help with!

Thank goodness it’s spring. I went for a nice 3 mile walk today admiring all the tulips and daffodils around town! DH and I have been pretty good about going for walks after dinner…not quite every night but I think we made it 3x last week. We are trying to commit to 1/2 hour after dinner most nights, regardless of whatever exercise we’ve done earlier in the day.

What great news, Sue! Congrats to your DS and DDIL! And how wonderful for you ❤️

awwww, Sue—- you live in the northeast!!!!!!

I just had one of these with my meal:

Finlandia grapefruit, St. Germain and fresh-squeezed red grapefruit juice

My fave

I really like the frame choices! nice idea.

This is another Iceland view taken while driving - DD1

This is a blue passionflower in Belize - DD2

This is an arch near the Colosseum in Rome - me

This is a natural bridge in Iceland’s Snaefellsnes peninsula - me

This is a bridge in Bosnia - DH

Much easier to see! Thanks. I have not sorted through our photos but they are mostly in albums for better or for worse.

The newest BH&G magazine has a big feature on murals. 😃

< My DH says we are all amoebas, with the illusion of choice. We met a couple at a neighborhood thing recently and we were so alike in so many ways it almost became funny. We "think" we are making choices, but we are such products of our environment! >

I've been told that I am quite the opposite, and my own choices are generally 180° from what I see posted here. I am therefore reluctant to post photos here of my style preferences.

Lars, that may be the key difference between creative people and the rest of us?

Beautiful!!

It’s so good! Now you get to enjoy it.

It is so on trend, but the vanity makes it just a little bit different. I love the rug you chose and hope you post when that is in.I might add some bamboo blinds to the windows in a light color like your vanity.

I am already thinking about outfits for this purse, i.e. new drawstring bags in navy gingham, black and white stripe, pink paisley….. oh, the possibilities!