Try-it-out Tuesday: triple pinks, double inspiration

    This outfit was inspired by both Erin of Loop Looks and her recent rule of three outfit, and  Une Femme d'un certain age's scarf  tutorial. This look is one of my recent favorites ... it's amazing how matching the shoes, scarf and accent color on the glasses pulls everything together. 

Tee, J. Crew

Cejon scarf & Softspots "Ventura" sandals, Ross

Nicole Miller "Abstract" glasses in black cherry

skeeters, 10; Carrie, 0

     On those days when the sun is like a baleful eye glaring down from the sky, all I can think about wearing is an easy cotton dress that skims the body. I just added a little jewelry and shoes in a punchy hue.

dress, Esprit, very old

pearl bracelets, HauteLook

Softspots "Ventura" sandals, Ross

     My purchasing pattern seems to be: buy something nice, ignore it for years, dig it out on a whim one day, and fall in love with it.

     I kind of like this photo spot. While it's fairly close to one of the campus dorms, there are some trees and bushes that I've fooled myself into thinking render me invisible to residents. It's part of a garden, but a less-trafficked area. The bench and a rock wall offer a place to rest the camera for photos, since I'm working without a tripod. The worst part? I can spend 10 minutes here and walk away with 10 mosquito bites. Mosquitoes love me, but it's a one-sided affair.
     Many years ago, I foolishly went off to a weekend camp without repellent, returned with probably 70-plus bites all over my legs that necessitated a trip to the dermatologist, and had to wear pants for two weeks (in very hot weather) while I got over the allergic reaction I had to the mosquito bites. Since then, I've figured out that a Bounce dryer sheet tucked into my pocket will drive away the bloodsuckers ... but a dress without pockets makes it a little hard to hide the dryer sheet on my person.

inspiration Monday: a simple dream

     We are always exhorted to "dream big!" We worry about "settling" and selling ourselves short. Yes, I love a good goal and challenge. But let's not forget the charm of a simple dream.
      I was taking a run/walk in a very nice neighborhood recently, when I heard the unmistakable sound of kids having fun in the water: lots of splashing and giggles. By very nice neighborhood, I mean palatial compounds that loom grandly behind tall walls, mansions with exquisitely landscaped entryways, unobstructed ocean views, sweeping driveways, costly ornamental copper gates swirling with dolphins/waves/palm fronds, and long Hawaiian names proclaimed in iron letters on the stone wall.
      Upon hearing the splashing and laughing, I immediately thought, "kiddie pool." Then I took another look at the carefully maintained landscaping and realized that behind that sturdy stone wall I was more likely to find a stately pool instead of an inflatable piece of rubber filled up with warm water from the garden hose. I had to laugh at myself. I love the good things in life -- and sometimes they come in the humblest forms.
     

 The inspiration: Katie Holmes

My take: 

 Tommy Hilfiger shirtdress, Macy's

Softspots Ventura sandals, Ross

 

     While I was taking these photos, a guy scared the bejeebers out of me. I had set the camera on a rock wall along a curving path, so it seemed he appeared out of nowhere. As I snatched up the camera, he said placidly and pleasantly, "Getting some nice pictures?"  I managed to answer, although I think I turned as pink as my shoes. Perhaps that's why I managed to give my booktalk in an extremely calm manner in class right afterwards ... I guess I had used up my blush quota for the day.