Happy Birthday Louise!

Louise turns 50 today... go wish her a Happy Birthday!

Fashion Forward

I wasn't going to post this, because it is a bit silly. But I haven't got a more developed thought in my head right now. So here it is...

I sometimes feel I have to apologize for my interest in fashion. Such a girl thing ... but there it is ... I am a girl. I think fashion is one more way for a person to project their personality. Is that any more shallow than other pursuits?

All that being said I am not a very daring follower of fashion. But I have decided to set myself a small goal. I want to pair two patterns together in a way that makes sense. I have bought a couple of pair of patterned tights recently. I figure that like an art collection, whatever I am drawn to will probably mesh with other things I already have. I am dying for a really good pair of argyle tights... like Wouldn't Shoe, but I haven't found the pair for me yet.

My friend Louise has got a certain devil-may-care attitude when it comes to pairing patterns. Her fashion insouciance reflects her quirky view on life. One of my favorite accessories of hers was a child's baseball cap worn at a jaunty angle. It sat on top of her head (because it was so small) like a cocktail hat. This was back in the late 70's/early 80's when jaunty baseball caps were not the fashion bailiwick of inner-city hoodlums.

So yesterday I had to get dolled up for an event and I thought it as the right time to put my plan to work. Out come the tights, herringbone jacket, black skirt and wonderful red shoes. But I am thwarted- first one pair of tights has a hole in it and then another pair which is listed as medium/tall will barely make it past my knees. Sigh... back into the sock drawer for a pair of tights which has a subtle tweedy pattern. It looked good and I felt snazzy... but not as snazzy these girls in red.

I am such a fashion plate.

My Friend, Louise's Garden

I am spending my evenings at my friend, Louise's house while I am exhibiting at the Lakeside Living Expo up the road. I have not been to her house in over a year so it has been a nice opportunity to hang out with her and take a look at her garden which she has been working on so diligently. We wandered around the yard in our pajamas this morning, drinking coffee. Here she is with her senior kitty, Sid.

She has two monster mulleins growing in her gardens. This is the uber- mullein .... 6 separate spikes and a basal rosette the size of the Chrysler Building.










This is a lively little oriental lily hiding amidst her monster rue which is about to blossom. I think Louise only grows monster plants.








She bought the cute little ferny marigolds like I did but hers have benefited from some shade. Aren't they adorable?






Here I am next to my Element, in my pajamas and the monster mullein in the foreground. Who knew that a car could serve as such a wonderful color foil?