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!!!

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!

A Day of Two's

"Arise, all women who have hearts!"

Spent a wonderful Mother's Day/Birthday with my daughter on Sunday. She treated me to a delicious brunch at Canela Bistro & Wine Bar, (a cute little Spanish restaurant in San Francisco specializing in Tapas). She even gave me TWO cards! (she also gave me the picture of us below) She knows a little about celebrating TWO occasions on one day as her birthday is Dec 27 and for her whole life has been subjected to Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas. I only have the double whammy every 7 years.

BTW - Costa Rica celebrates Mother's Day in August, so I will get to celebrate TWO times this year.

Me & My daughter, Farryn 1983

The Original Mother's Day Proclamation

In the United States, the origins of the official holiday go back to 1870, when Julia Ward Howe – an abolitionist best remembered as the poet who wrote “Battle Hymn of the Republic” – worked to establish a Mother’s Peace Day. Howe dedicated the celebration to the eradication of war, and organized festivities in Boston for years. More

It was A Gray Linen Day

Wearing

//Eileen Fisher Blouse//

//Jones of NY Trousers//

//Bryn Walker Black Vest//
//BP Pointy Toe Lace Flats//

Hope all you mom's had a great day!

Le Tote - thumbs up or down?

So I thought I was pretty much in the know, but guess not. Just heard about Le Tote, a fashion rental company.

If you aren't familiar with Le Tote, they have been described as the Netflix of clothes. 

When you sign up, you are given the opportunity to "like" any and all of the clothes and accessories that they offer. These items will make up your "closet," and give the stylists an idea of what you like. You get to fill out a short questionnaire about what you like and don't like. 

Now after saying all of this, I found 2 negative reviews on line from Back to Carolina. and Spice and Sass. Both were pretty disappointed.  In fact Back to Carolina gave the experience a D and would have given them an F had they not refunded her money. In contrast the friend that told me about the service said that many of her colleagues have used Le Tote and were very satisfied.

It certainly sounds like a great idea although I think the styles cater to a younger crowd. So, if I were still working and quite a bit younger, I might give it a try. The only reviews online seem to be positive so I guess you have to check it out for yourself and make your own decision.

Let me know your experience if you try it.

I can see clearly now!

My first pair of glasses arrived the other day. Just in time for the Super Bowl and about 7 days ahead of schedule.

I really like the glasses, although I do not particularly care for myself in glasses. There are some really cool frames out. It is hard to choose one. Which is why I chose 2.

My prescription changed just slightly in my left eye and with the new progressive lens I can now read my phone, up close (before it was much easier to read the text on my phone by removing my glasses).

Regarding Super Bowl 50 -  First let me say, after a week of rain and some very chilly weather, the skies were beautiful and the temps high, all across the Bay!! Cannot complain about that. Perfect weather to host Super Bowl 50! I didn't have a favorite team to cheer for this year, but we invited a few friends over and watched the game together. It was a good defensive game. Congrats to the Denver Broncos!!

Below are some pics of what I wore 

and

 photos of me in my new Dior glasses

Wearing:

Gray Chino Pants | Banana Republic|

Gray/White Top | Gap |

Dark Havana Ivory Black Glasses | Dior CD3289 |

Camo Casual

   I'm still in the same tiny apartment with no space to take fashion pics but every time I am out and have a chance, I snap a few photos of what I am wearing.

Wearing:

Blue Caslon Camo Pants | Norstrom |

Blue top Jones of New York | Macys |

Black Sweater by Bloom| Nordstrom |

Blue Patent Flats by BP | Nordstrom|

Wearing:

Burgundy Lip Liner | Smashbox |
Electric Pink Matte Lipstick| Maybelline |

                     Cheers!

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

Never too "OLD"

Bought a pair of overalls the other day
No, not the "black"classic, sleek, wide legged kind
The denim bib overall kind
Got them from the Gap
Then started reading about how no one over 30
should wear overalls
Well "WHO SAYS???"
and who is "no one"???

That's not my name.

I wear what I want and you should too.

Don't let age be your decider, 

decide with your heart 

and how the clothes make you feel!!

I'll put a pic of myself when I wear mine

The day after

Meant to post this one on Tuesday

I had an enjoyable holiday, with an extra day off on Tuesday. Took the girls over to the boyfriend's house for the weekend and the Labor Day holiday. Since I don't have any room in my tiny apartment to take any fashion photos I like to take advantage of one of the long bare walls he has at his place. I was sort of in a goofy mood today but Mr "retired but always working anyway" was not having any of it, so I barged into his office and took this picture (which he told me not to post) but don't worry, he doesn't read this blog, so he will never know!

Wearing:

1969 Tencel Jogger Pants | The Gap |
Boyfriend Shirt | Banana Republic |

Post Labor Day Casual by urbandoggs featuring petite pants

My girls, Lola and Lily the "urbandoggs"

Sunday Summer Casual

The weather has been super hot here in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I'm not complaining. I can remember when I first moved here back in the early 70's when it would be very cold in the summer. Over the years the temperature has gradually increased. I suspect it is a result of Global Warming.

Anyway, it's a great excuse to put on a pair of shorts and a sleeveless blouse (something I rarely had the chance to wear back in the day)

I love this top, so much so that I bought it in both colors. I also bought the comfortable drapey cargo pant.

Check them out at Banana Republic. 

Sunday Summer Casual by urbandoggs featuring a sleeveless blouse