Interview with The Black Expat!

One of our goals for my Aspiring Expats site is to motivate and provide information to black people who are considering making a move to a new country -- so we were extremely honored to have been asked to share our journey to Costa Rica in feature interview with The Black Expat!

The Black Expat, is a digital platform that focuses on the experiences of black expatriates/immigrants and international living.

You can Check out our interview here

If you haven't visited their site please jump on over and check them out. They have lots of helpful information as well as videos and interviews with people who have made the move! Enjoy!

Our First Christmas in Costa Rica

Lots of parties up on these ridges during the holidays. When its all over I think we will have attended 10 different events.

Here is a video of the Annual Solstice party hosted by our friends Jim & Irina. It was held on El Cajon which is the next ridge over from ours.

It was an awesome party. And what a lovely home they have!

Annual Solstice Party Dec 2016 from Devon on Vimeo.

Pink Linen in the Rain

We had big plans on Sunday to attend Barrio Escalante's La Luz outdoor food festival in downtown San Jose -- but we woke up to rain. (BTW-the rainy season was supposed to be over in Nov -- we are more than ready for the beautiful summer dry season!!) We were going to the festival with a group of folks in a rented 21 person van. The instructions were to meet at La Terraza B&B for breakfast at 9am and leave for San Jose at 11. Usually the rain here is intermittent and a shower in the morning is not indicative of rain all day but as luck would have it, once we arrived, we found out that the forecast for Sunday was for rain -- all day! So, our event was canceled -- however, since we were already there and a couple of folks had cameras, we decided to take some photos of the beautiful grounds. 

Also one of the ladies is a videographer and was shooting film for an upcoming ad for the B&B which I just might have a bit part in (stay tuned).

While cameras were out I had my other half take a few pics of me in my pink linen and also a couple of video clips of me using the bridge as a make shift runway. 

Canceled due to rain! from Devon on Vimeo.

Costa Rica Wedding Day fashions

The wedding (of 9 couples)  was today and it was a wonderful event!!

I took photos and video so now I have the tedious task of editing.

Not sure how long it will take, hopefully should be done to upload by Wednesday (fingers crossed)

Till then, here are a few pictures of my outfit.

 Balloons mark the path to the event location

Taking some photos in the bedroom of one of the brides. 

Ms Jane with the veil she made with material she purchased in town a few days ago 

Me & Kathleen (one of the brides)

A beautiful setting. Don't you agree?

See you back in a few days with the video!

There's gonna be a Wedding!!!

Not me of course!!!

The other day Kathleen, Jane and I went into town.

Our mission: To find an acceptable fabric for Jane's veil

Jane & Kathleen are both part of the expat group of 10 couples 

that will be re-married  (under Costa Rican law) on El Cajon ridge this Saturday.

We went into town to get some last minute wedding items. Jane has a tiara which she plans to wear (a very heavy one) but beyond that -- she has no idea what else she is wearing (and the wedding is tomorrow)

This should make for a very interesting affair!!

Here's a clip of our little shopping expedition 

She's getting married! from Devon on Vimeo.

BTW- I will be one of the photographers and video folks who will document the event on Saturday!!!

Plus I feel a fashion reveal coming on

Stay Tuned!!!

The FABULOUS "White Party" in Escazú Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a beautiful and diverse country. One of the most important things that I want to do is give people an idea of what life in like here in Costa Rica.

We are traveling and exploring many of the areas (each area is special and unique and often very different from the other)

On Sunday July 10, 2016, Evelyn & Matt Lopes hosted a beautiful "White Party"
Have you ever attended one? We had not.

The premise is simple. Everyone wears white! 

These parties have been given all over the world.

So we went out and got ourselves a white outfit and off we went (9 of us) in a private bus to Escazú, which is about an hour away from Grecia. Even though Escazú is geographically close, life there is very different. In Escazú you will find tall buildings, luxury condos, fine hotels, huge upscale malls and many of the niceties that you would be very familiar with back in the states.

me in my white outfit

Note from Evelyn after the party -

Everyone commented on how good it was. We had BBQ ribs, chicken, Chiccharones, beans and rice, salad and cake and coffee for dessert.  We also had a surprise for our guest, a Mariachi Band, everyone had a great time you can tell from the photo's. Our Goddaughter, Dr. Hancock came in Saturday with her boyfriend, Alex from New York for the party. We were celebrating birthdays, some of our friends retiring in CR a new baby on the way and our 48th Anniversary. We had a BALL.

Evelyn in her white

Thank you to Matt & Evelyn for hosting this party and welcoming us to Costa Rica!!

Below is a short video with some party highlights 

  The FABULOUS "White Party" from Devon on Vimeo.
Link to Video above ​

Between the Lines - Changing Direction

When Katie from Katherines Corner put out the call to bloggers over 50 for her new feature series, Between the Lines, it came at exactly the perfect time for me. 

go here

What a great idea! Most bloggers over 50 get very little recognition. We don't even know where to find each other to/for support!

Finally someone who wants to CELEBRATE the wisdom and creativity of bloggers over 50! Thank you Katie!! The series will run for 10 weeks featuring a different group of bloggers every Tues. I hope you all will check out the bloggers and follow their stories.  You will find their links at the end of this post.

For this feature series Katie asked us to share our feelings about blogging in the second half of life.

 “Retire to something, not just from something,”

I will retire from the corporate world at the end of this week, after having worked for 45 years. My 66th birthday comes up in about 2 weeks on May 8th and I'm moving to Costa Rica on May 31st! 

I started blogging in 2009 at the age of 59. I started with a little blog called "I'm Just Sayin" and later added several more blogs reflecting other personal interests of mine. They include travel, holistic wellness, my non profit projects in Africa and fashion/lifestyle.

Life is all about change and I am enjoying writing about all the changes in my life.

The biggest challenge for me (I hate to say it) unfortunately has been my age. This is mostly apparent with my fashion blog. Although I stay fit and keep current with fashion, there just hasn't been a huge number of readers over 50 (and let's not even talk about the over 65 crowd)! Of course readership is growing and has come a long way -- but ageism still exists. 

When I first started this blog 2 years ago, I posted fashion shoots of myself several times a week. Since I modeled my own clothing, eventually I exhausted my wardrobe -- so I decided to change direction and include more topics on lifestyle. I have found this change to be much more rewarding and allows me to include posts on many other topics as well. 

I've always enjoyed writing. I find it therapeutic. I don't write to count the number of readers or followers that I have. I write because I have a point of view and because I believe that each of us is unique and has something special to share with the world. 

"If I don't do me, no one else will"

Along with fashion, I also LOVE to travel and have taken up travel blogging. I have a new website Itchy Feet which debuts on June 1st. At the same time I will launch my new youtube channel Itchy Feet TV where people can follow our journey and our new life in Costa Rica!! 

(this will be my first time vlogging). Hope you will check me out. 

                    The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

I appreciate you stopping by my blog today and hope that you will subscribe and come back often. I'm pretty sure that my fellow bloggers over 50 

would also appreciate your support of their efforts as well. 

Please take the time to visit each of their sites below. 

Getting her mojo back - Fabulous friends over 50

I did a pictorial featuring my friend Cindy back in May 2014. In July 2014 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been on leave ever since. Although I have spoken with her many times on the phone I have not seen her since she left. Yesterday, after her next to last chemo treatment (yay!) she came down to our office and met Julia and me for lunch.

She looks great and her hair has grown back in and it's blond! Go figure! She says it grew back that way and will get darker. Either way it looks cute and we were happy to see her! She plans to return to work in the next few months!

Julia and Cindy

Cindy & me

#TBT Feel the Burn - Memories of Jane Fonda Workout

Anyone remember Jane Fonda's Workout?

Back in the early 80's you could find me at least 3 times a week at Jane Fonda's Workout on Maiden Lane in Union Sq in San Francisco. Addicted to the burn!

I respected Jane then and I respect her now. 

She makes plenty of sense as she talks about entering the Third Act of life.

Take a listen 

Jane Fonda, actress, author, producer, activist, exercise guru, and guest curator and host of the ReBirth Session, opens up the third section with a discussion of what she calls the "Third Act" of life, what we can do to make the most of these years, and how we can use these years to make a difference. She describes her own search for self-understanding as she grew older, and explains how reflecting on experiences is key to moving forward with clarity and meaning.

This is how we do it! On the street in Costa Rica

Tonight I am doing the happy dance.

This is how we do it

Montell Jordan (1995)

Today I decided I would share some photos of my relocation destination in Costa Rica. This is a re post from my 10/15 travel/retirement blog I'm Just Sayin!

I've been chatting with my new friend Ashlea for several months now. We met on Facebook due to our mutual interest in relocating to Costa Rica (particularly the Puerto Viejo area located on the Southern Caribbean coast).

Ashlea and I had many really long, drawn out IM conversations on Saturday mornings. Each of us confessing our true desires (like possibly finding a boutique or some place to shop and how to open up a business) and our fears (like too many insects, wild animals and lousy internet).

Ashlea, her mom and their friend Tommy made plans to visit Costa Rica several months earlier than our planned spring time trip. So, she promised to report back to me and give me the 411 on the area.

Well, she arrived on Wednesday and she is following through on her promise.

Looks like the only glitch so far has been the flight over (Spirit Air).  I have been very hesitant about taking advantage of one of the advertised "cheap" flights. They keep popping up on my fare alert. I think Ashlea took one of those flights and it was delayed in Miami.  The delay pushed them back a day. My plan is to fly Jet Blue to Ft Lauderdale and then on to Costa Rica.  Not the cheapest fare but reasonable if we wait for the right time to buy our tickets.

When they finally arrived in Costa Rica they made the 4 hour bus trip to Puerto Viejo. She reports that the trip seemed a bit long but explains it was due to their earlier flight delay.  A thumbs up to the bus and the beautiful scenery along the way.

The initial report was that the place is packed full of culture and pretty cool place despite the fact that it is also very hot and VERY humid. However, we both knew this going in.

They stayed at the  his cute little place called the Coco Loco Lodge. A very nice, quiet little place a bit off the beaten path with no AC and mosquito nets--a plus.  On their 1st night they endured a power outage but were assured that although it happens from time to time (generally when it had rained a lot) It is not the norm.  In spite of this they were very happy with their lodging choice.  They did miss the earthquake that rocked Costa Rica the day before.

Our plan is to stay at Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel in Cochles, located on a beautiful beach a few miles from Puerto Viejo.

They had a chance to check out Bread and Chocolate, a bakery and bistro in Puerto Viejo.  It's also on our list of places when we eat. The breakfasts look scrumptious.

Because we both have pets, Ashlea and I discussed the stray dog situation which I've read a lot about. The rumors appear to be true although she says the dogs seem friendly.

The people are very helpful and they are getting loads of info.

Now they are off to dinner and some music at The Lazy Mon. Can't wait for the review!!

Pura Vida!

Ashlea, and Wanda with new friend Levi in Puerto Viejo

Thank you Ashlea, Wanda and Tommy

Visit I'm Just Sayin for more about the journey
"This is how we do it"

Whatever you have planned (or don't)...Hope you enjoy your weekend.

HGTV Island Hunters - Fashions for a new episode

I still enjoy watching some of the shows on  HGTV.
My friend Pam is filming a new episode of HGTVs Island Hunters.

She and her partner Dan are buying an island....somewhere (which remains a secret)

end of filming on set

But first things first

What's a gal to wear for her TV debut?

That called for a  personal shopping consultation at Macy's. Unfortunately, I could not go with her as I had to WORK!

Filming episode requires LOTS of wardrobe changes

And 21 pieces later.......

 Take the hunt to a new level

In 2011, Private Island Inc. began working with World of Wonder Productions in Hollywood, Calif., to capture the visually stunning world of island real estate on film and share it with a wider audience. HGTV embraced the concept and debuted two half-hour “Island Hunters” specials on Jan. 1., 2013 to extremely high ratings.

New episodes of “Island Hunters” are airing in 2014 as part of HGTV’s “House Hunters” franchise with CEO Chris Krolow as producer/host on island-for-sale episodes and Director of Marketing Adam Mckie as host of rental-themed episodes. The wildly popular show brings private islands into the mainstream and attracts unprecedented attention for the featured properties as well as Private Island Inc.’s entire real estate catalog. 

Find episodes on HGTV Island Hunters

More to come.....

 I'll keep you in the loop and we will see how Pam wore the pieces and I'll post a link to the show/and or the air date here.

Break a leg Pam! 

We are family!

About a year ago I received an email from a female "stranger" who wanted to know about my trip to Guinea Bissau West Africa.  She was interested in my feedback because she had traced her mtDNA and discovered that she also has ancestral ties to Guinea Bissau.  She was thinking of planning a trip.  The fact that she has ancestral ties to Guinea Bissau was very interesting because it is a very small country (1.5 million people) and only a small percentage of African Americans can trace their ancestry back to that country.

So, of course I was delighted to share.

However, the most exciting part was that she also lives in the Bay Area, only a few miles from me. We talked on the phone and then we met in person. We found that we have lots of other things in common as well.

She joined our weekly meetings and is now a good friend of mine who will be making the relocation to Costa Rica with us (and joining us on our exploratory trip in March)!

About:

Mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA, which is passed down from a mother to her children shows that all people living today shared a common female ancestor who lived in Africa over 100,000 years ago.  She is often termed the “Mitochondrial Eve”.

Oh, and did you know???

People may unsuspectingly choose friends who have some DNA sequences in common with them

Researchers compared gene variations between nearly 2,000 people who were not biologically related, and found that friends had more gene variations in common than strangers.

Today I celebrate
Verdette 

Fabulous  Fashionable  Friend 
over Fifty

Friends are the family you choose!!