My Own Challenge

I've learned in life that I do best when facing a challenge.  Something innate gets triggered -- my attention focuses, my energies unleash and I do my best work.  I have no idea why, but it's true.

Those of you who've been here for a while know that I own a red bra thingie.  (That's the technical term I gave it.)  Sequined and sparkly, it's one of my favorite pieces.  It is, however, a bear to wear.  The bra should be displayed but, by itself, it's awfully gaudy.  It needs to be toned down but not hidden.

I made a few stabs at incorporating the bra thingie into outfits but none really pleased me.  So I figured I'd keep trying as long as you'll indulge me.  I just came up with a new attempt which is radically different from my prior efforts.

There's a wonderful boutique for tweens that I visit every weekend on my neighborhood walk (Max and Gino's).  Despite their clothes not being designed for old farts like me, I've been picking up items every time I visit.  Part of that is because their clothes are a challenge -- how can I wear something too small and designed for girls?  The other part is because the saleswomen are so sweet.

In the following outfit, I join the red bra thingie with a sparkly skirt ($10) and a cute top ($10), both bought at the boutique.  I think these items work together, at least for fun.  This is something I'd wear to a party.  What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unexpected Delight

Do you ever come home from work, tired and blue?  You check the mail and see only bills and junk?  That happens to all of us and it's disheartening.

Last night I returned home exhausted and glum.  I looked at the mail and -- hey! -- there's something good in it.  A letter from my friend Kathy.  Even better, she enclosed a ring made from buttons.  How cute!

Kathy's note and gift lifted my spirits.  She elevated my mood in a minute.  That's the power friends have.  For this reason, I send letters and gifts whenever I can.  I know everyone loves to receive friendly mail.

Here's the button-ring.  I've never seen one like it.  Have you?

I'm also wearing Urban Decay nail-polish.  The scorpion mug is the emblem of my car (Fiat Abarth).  When I learned the symbol of the Abarth is a scorpion, I knew fate wanted me to have one.  I'm a Scorpio through and through.

Do you ever send letters  or gifts in the mail?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleeping At Work

This is a true story.  I have a link to prove it.

A bank employee in Germany was tired.  As he feel asleep at his desk, his hand was on his computer keyboard.  The number 2 key, in particular.  He nodded off and his hand typed 222,222,222.22.

The problem is he was supposed to make a bank-transfer of 64-Euros and, instead, accidentally transferred 222 Million Euros (which is about $300 Million dollars).

While the employee was napping, the transfer was processed.  A co-worker was supposed to verify the transfer but he wasn't paying attention and he let it go through.

Later the bank discovered the error and fired the co-worker.  The co-worker contested the firing in court and that's when this story came out.  Good news -- the co-worker got reinstated at this job.

Have you ever slept at work?  Or wanted to?

Scientific research shows that brief naps do a lot to refresh us and some companies now allow employees to take them.  But not with their fingers on the keyboard...

Another View

Today, Meghan reports her experience of our meetup in New York last week.  She also shares some photos she took.  Go take a look at her blog here.

I always find it interesting how two people can do the same thing and have different experiences.  Our perceptions are subjective.  We see, hear and feel depending on who we are and that differs from person to person.

Have you ever learned that someone experienced something you participated in differently than you did?

Living The Dream

I dreamed for years about being a woman.  Decades, actually.  And when I dreamed, I didn't fantasize about wearing a frumpy housecoat.  Or boyfriend-jeans.  No, I dreamed about feminine dresses and pretty gowns.  Elegant heels and dainty jewelry.  I dreamed about female beauty.

So, when I came across the dress I'm about to show you, I didn't hesitate.  Even though it exceeded my normal price-range, I stretched and bought it.  Of course, being in a thrift-store meant the dress was a fraction of its real price so I wasn't overpaying.  Plus, I was on a special shopping trip in New York with my friend Meghan and our excitement over being together affected my judgment on buying stuff.  In a good way.

What do you think of this dress?  I added a gold looped belt for structure and white gloves for elegance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Now For Something Completely Different

(That's a Monty Python reference, for the hipsters among you.)

As adult women, you guys have figured out how you like to look.  You played with options for years and selected among them.  You know how you want to shape your eyebrows, you know which colors flatter you, you know what your favorite hairstyles are.

Me, I'm not there yet.  I'm at the stage of a 14-year old girl, experimenting with everything that's available.  The good thing about this is I'm open to adventure.  I'm willing to try anything.  Since I don't know what will work, I take things for a spin.

I've played with different colors in my clothes but have never changed my hair-color.  Wondering what that'd be like, I popped on a new wig.  It's only a cheap Halloween-type wig ($12) but it gives me a reference point.  It helps me see what something different looks like.

What do you think?  Have you ever dyed your hair?  Tried a bold color?

 

 

 

A Day With Meghan

I met my friend Meghan through blogging.  She has a nice blog and we've got many mutual blogging buddies (like the other Megan).  A few months ago, I travelled to Philly where Meghan lives and we had a delightful dinner.  That experience deepened our friendship.

Today, Meghan took an Amtrak train up to New York City and we spent the day together.  What fun! 

Due to my greater familiarity with New York, I took the lead in planning our day.  I escorted us down to Greenwich Village which is my favorite part of the city.  The neighborhood has a bohemian flavor and is less crowded and less expensive than other areas.  Plus, it has lots of thrift-shops.

We started with an hour of conversation over the most delicious cup of coffee at Bruno's Italian bakery, a place where you put on weight just looking at the pastries.  I've been going to Bruno's for over thirty years and love its Old World charm.  Their baked goods are delicious and the ambiance is distinctly European.

Then we spent a few hours shopping.  Thrift-stores in the city are more upscale than the suburbs.  Prices are much higher but the wares are noticeably better.  I found an amazing white blazer with black polka dots and pink piping.  Meghan picked up a Philly Flyers jacket that she's sure will irritate her boyfriend because he roots for a different team.  I uncovered a delightful disco-era red gown with diagonal ruffles.  The gown must have a built-in time-machine because it instantly transported me back to that era.  You'll see these treasures in the near future.

We had lunch at a cool restaurant called Cowgirls which was crammed with cowgirl memorabilia.  An entertaining place to eat.  I bought us both t-shirts there.

We capped off the day with a refreshing visit to the new "ice bar".  Named Minus 5 Ice Bar, the place exceeded our expectations.  It immediately infuses you with excitement.  We donned parkas, gloves and went into the cold.  It has several ice sculptures which are well-done: a cool one of the Manhattan skyline and another of the Statue of Liberty.  The funniest thing we saw all day was a woman who went into the ice bar wearing sandals -- after realizing how cold it is, she put cloth gloves on her feet!  She looked hilarious.

It was a great day.  Time with friends is invaluable.  Thanks, Meghan!