Easy like Sunday Morning - Life in Costa Rica

Lily & Lola chillaxin as the sun come up over our ridge

Getting around San Pedro Guatemala

TGIF

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

The Tuk Tuk

What your clothing says about you

Things are a changin!

but...

one of the things that has not changed, is my love for fashion and design. 

We moved into a furnished house in Costa Rica. I brought very few of my personal belongings and the space did not feel quite like "me". After living with what we had for a while I decided to buy a couple of Costa Rican Rockers and also some pottery from Nicaragua. Next I added some other odds and ends like lamps, a few pictures and some kitchen items. Although it still isn't quite "me" it's coming along. We are planning to make a trip to Guatemala soon and I am eager to bring back some of their beautiful textiles for our home. 

My next project...

my clothes

Since we were not bringing a lot of clothing, I downsized my wardrobe and then selected the clothing I thought would be most appropriate for our new life and a very different climate (mostly based on what I had read from other expats).

Since we have been here almost 5 months I have learned quite a bit about how I want to dress and it turns out that I brought many of the wrong items.

It is next to impossible to have packages shipped into Costa Rica so I thought I would have to live with what I had brought, until, an expat friend told me that she makes trips back to Houston a couple of times a month and would be happy to bring back some clothing items for me.

So I set out to find myself some new clothing.

YES!!!!

(thank you Deborah!!!)

BTW - up until now I have NEVER ordered clothing online (unless it was something I had already seen and tried on in the store) 

So this was completely new to me.

I took to Amazon, reading the reviews and checking each piece very carefully as I knew that it would be very hard to return any of the items that I did not like or that did not fit properly. 

I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered a site that specializes in 100% natural linen (the perfect fiber for the hot Costa Rican weather)

I want to feel comfortable and confident in my clothing

My new favorite place to shop online is Vivid Linen!!

Vivid's linen apparel is cool, stylish and comfortable. The boutique meets the demand from both men and women on linen wear.

link  Online Store

I found so many pretty things on their site that I went a little overboard (I bought tops only) and I was super happy when my friend delivered them to me.

I might also note that the packaging is 1st class. They are individually wrapped in plastic and then slipped into a very nice linen bag (picture below does not do it justice).

The clothing quality is amazing!!

I plan to take some photos of me modeling the clothing (I also bought linen slacks from another retailer) and will share them here at some point in the near future. Stand by

link this is the yellow top pictured in the photo

It might be late in the year for some of you in the U.S but consider for warmer weather.

The styles are also very comfortable for those of us who like a looser fit.

They have a physical store in Hong Kong but thank goodness you can shop them online! 

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Coffee Grounds - I'll take you there!

This was originally the Saturday video/post for my blog The Aspiring Expats but since I finished the editing early. YAY!! (for once) I thought I would post it here first

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Marcelo took us on a tour of the coffee farm that is behind our house (Casa de Coffey) and down a steep hill. To be honest, I always thought we were living on the edge of a cliff, and if we went out too far, we would go tumbling down the hillside, crashing through the trees and coffee plants and land in the river (which of course would contain wild animals and snakes). Truth! (smile) Really though, all I can see from our patio is coffee and trees for miles (and of course the rose garden).

I had no idea!

We were both pleasantly surprised at how beautiful it is out there. There are paths and trees and flowers and lots and lots of coffee! No wild animals only the neighbor's friendly Schnauzer.

I am so happy we had a chance to see it and Marcelo was so nice to answer the 1001 questions we had.

Come along with us and see for yourself.

Today's video is about 12 minutes long, so grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine (depending on what time you are reading this)get comfy, sit back and enjoy. (Excuse the audio in portions it is a little low - just turn up the volume a little)

Coffee Grounds - Exploring the farm from Devon on Vimeo.

 email subscribers click the link above

(If any of you come to visit  us "I'll take you there" out behind our house and walk along the beautiful paths leading to the river)

The Awesome Ridges of Grecia - Our life in Costa Rica

There are many reasons why we chose to live in this house, but one of the main reasons is... the view.

In the words of many who live on the ridges of Grecia "It is to die for!".

Grecia has 5 ridges that lead to the top of the Poas volcano and they all have spectacular million dollar views of San Jose and the Central Valley.

Someday I will photograph views from all 5 ridges but today's post are the views from our ridge, San Luis. We are at about 4,300ft. Each day we awake to the beauty of Costa Rica. The next ridge over from ours is El Cajon where many expats live. The video today is the view from our patio over to that ridge.

You can see coffee for miles. The plant and animal life is abundant. The owner of our house grows 80 different varieties of roses which we can see if we look down from our patio.

It's a beautiful and peaceful existence. It's a great life and we Love it.

So thought i would share with you.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Ridges of Grecia, Costa Rica from Devon on Vimeo.

email subscribers can click the link above for video

Not finished yet but getting there - Costa Rica bedroom redo

If you know me, you know that I am a girl who LOVES color. Bright Colors!!

Although the decor in the home was Ok (especially since it came fully furnished) - it was not exactly "our design taste". Many of the things we could not change, like the furniture and artwork (or the lack of it).

In the bedrooms I've wanted to add some of the colors and design that I like by changing out the duvets, however, try as I might, I have yet to find a duvet in any store where it did not come in combination with a full sheet/pillowcase/sham combination. Even that would not have been too bad except I have not been fond of the designs.

Before

In the box we shipped I had a brightly colored cloth shower curtain from one of my previous apartments (I really like the bold colors) and yesterday I decided to see if it would fit on one of the queen size beds. Although it could stand to be a tad bigger, it made it across the bed and there was enough room to tuck it in the bottom and the sides.

Of course since it is a shower curtain it did not have matching sheets or pillowcases. The closest color I could find (that I had brought with me) was orange. Not a favorite but doable in a pinch if I covered with throw pillows.

     throw pillow purchased in Grecia

shower curtain 

After

The cool thing was that I bought a throw pillow in downtown Grecia and it was a dead ringer in color, but I only had one. I made a trip into town to purchase more -- but as luck would have it, they had no more in stock. I compromised and chose a deep burgundy. I also had a green pillow which I had bought in town and it looked OK so I used it. While I was in town I decided to replace the dark blackout curtains with 2 lighter sheer panels in a light lavender/purple. 

new curtains

I recently purchased a full length mirror since the house only had ONE mirror! (previously I had purchased one for the 2nd bathroom) but have not been able to see what I look like below my shoulders since I got here.

The room is a work in progress. Next up I will change out the orange pillowcases. I also need an additional stand in the room.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Have a great weekend!!!

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!!!

With Liberty and Justice for All

Saddened by recent events and racial animosity in our country

America! 

We are better than this!

one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

Currently Listening

Jazz @ Yoshi's

What I wore....

jazz @ Yoshi's by urbandoggs featuring petite pants

Eileen Fisher top / Vince Camuto petite pants / Valentino black pumps, $795

shoes similar here

Steppin out on the town

Date Night 

Enjoy your Weekend!!!

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

Lavender & Red - Design Pick of the Week

Lavender and Red by grandylady 

Aqua shade / Silk rug / Rizzy Home acrylic blanket / Pier 1 Imports serveware / Bar tool / Fall home decor / Nearly Natural flower arrangement / Lene Toni Kjeld pattern wallpaper / Blue home decor / Thrive tufted sofa / Christopher Knight Home tufted accent chair / Paula Deen accent table / Noir mahogany table

Have a Wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Fashions for Labor Day 

Isabel Marant red peplum top / River Island tall jacket / Vetements high rise jeans, $1,140 / Tom Ford heeled booties, $1,190 / Valentino handbag / Larsson Jennings black bracelet, $330 / Burberry rectangular sunglasses / NARS Cosmetics lips makeup / NARS Cosmetics bath body $67

Downsizing the closet one hanger at a time

I'm pretty happy with myself.

Last Saturday I took a HUGE garbage bag full of clothing to Goodwill (instead of throwing it down the garbage chute which is my usual practice - easier) The one bag became 2 bags when it was split because it could not be lifted

and  then I was asked (nicley) to make the 2 bags into 3 bags (which I refused -- too much to bear knowing it was actulaly 3 garbage bags full) 

"Just drag it and I want my bags back"

I had put those clothes in that bag about 3 months ago and I could no longer rememeber what was in the bag. 

So time to let it go.

Baby steps

I have another bag half full read to go when the time is right.

Are you a weekend minimalist? 

Minimize when the mood strikes. 

When you’re just starting out trying to simplify your life, it might not always feel easy or practical to pare down your schedule, to empty your closet or to streamline your budget. Don’t stress. There’s no need to cut out things when you don’t feel like it. 

The point here is not to make life miserable for yourself (exactly the opposite, in fact). Instead, minimize when the mood strikes. 

Capitalize on that moment when you go to find something in your hall closet and find it buried under a pile of stuff you no longer want or like. Take that opportunity to pack up a box and get it out of your house. Just grab the moment while it’s there.

read more 

My first jumpsuit

Friday night I had an evening of great food and even better conversation with good friend of mine (who I haven't seen for a while). We had dinner a a chic little Italian restaurant in my neighborhood.

I wore a jumpsuit.

It is my first jumpsuit in many, many years. I love jumpsuits and have tried them on several times since they have come back into style, 

however, I have not found any to fit me until now. 

Many have been too long (I don't want to have to wear heels)

Many of the sleeveless variety make it impossible for me to wear a bra.

This one was perfect. It has sleeves that you can roll up and is very comfy.

Later in the evening I paired it with this cute sleeveless cardigan (sold separately) 

A Night at Bucci's by urbandoggs featuring a jump suit