laurspag

Anita, that is a bucket list item for me. Seeing your pictures just reminds me that I need to really start researching this. Are they elusive or commonplace? I'm just wondering if I planned a trip around aurora borealis is easy to do, or difficult. Your pictures are stunning. Your discussion about the dancing lights reminded me that so many time, we miss out on the beauty that nature provides us. When we went to the Grand Canyon, I can still see the stars, and how much bigger, brighter, and three dimensional they were. Nothing ever takes the place of a beautiful memory. I'm jumping around here a bit, but by aging gracefully, I think it is about just feeling good about yourself, instead of saying that I'm 57, and my hair is turning gray and I've got wrinkles and my weight is being stubborn, and....you get the picture. It's about feeling comfortable with who I am. That duster does seem like something you can see being worn now, I agree. I think it is pretty neat looking. I was noticing the button. As someone who grew up sewing and not having much, I was used to saving buttons off of clothing that needed to be tossed. You never knew when you might need a button. I loved when I was sewing and could choose some of these great buttons. I still have my buttons too! Melody, I went on Allure before. It is beautiful, with tons of things to do. The aqua show is a must see. Central Park was quite impressive too. We ate at Chops and Giovanni's on different nights, and if you get a table near the entrance, it gives you that feeling you are eating at an outdoor cafe. Once thing that was not my favorite was feeling more closed in. I had trouble finding those quiet areas where you could watch the water, but it was also a port intensive 7 night cruise. We were catching shows and doing all sorts of things when we were onboard, so I don't think we explored as much as we should have. If you have a FitBit, wear it and watch how quickly you get to 10,000 steps!

I just noticed something in the pictures I posted...both me and my daughter both have one eye that closes more than the other when we smile. Lol! I just saw this maxi dress online at Macy's. I think the colors ae great. There is a small triangular cutout in the front, but it is subtle. I'm thinking that the overall styling is something I would like, and jersey is a good fabric for me, since there is a size difference between the top and bottom and jersey adjusts pretty well to that. As you know, I'm not a bit print fan. I'm also not usually a fan of something that feels geometric, but the abstract nature of the flowers picks up on that for me. So, I really shouldn't like this dress. But I do? RACHEL Rachel Roy Fran Halter Printed Maxi Dress & Reviews - Dresses - Women - Macy's (macys.com) I found this to be cute too, but I don't see myself wearing it. Ruffles, thin straps....no. If I was in the store and they had it, I would try it on, I think. Mostly, I like to analyze what I like and dislike about things. If the straps were thicker and I could wear a regular bra, it would be a plus. At the same time, my broad shoulders would look even broader, and then the area the ruffle lands would just be adding to the wrong part of my body. It is still fun to look and admire! RACHEL Rachel Roy Marcella Off-The-Shoulder Dress & Reviews - Dresses - Women - Macy's (macys.com)

Margaret, I'd love to see the dress you ended up getting. I liked that Calvin Klein dress, but as you know, I have trouble with prints sometimes. You actually had two CK dresses, and I liked both. For myself personally, the sleeveless sheath looked like my kind of thing, and I might be okay with that print but I was concerned that the white background might be too cool, and then there was the price. I do know after this cruise that I am seeing that I need to focus a bit more on how easy or hard something is to pack. Long or short isn't so much the issue, as style. My daughter's dress was a nightmare to pack but worth it to see it on her. My dress was super hard to pack because it had a bit of a trumpet/A-line quality and it wrinkled easily. My dresses for the next cruise have similar issues. I think for a short cruise like the one I just went on, I really wanted simplicity but that was hard to do with those two formal night dresses. Someone told me once they pick a pair of sandals for dinner, and everything they were is based on that. Of course, they mentioned black, which I don't wear. I have had cruises where I was able to wear my gold Anne Klein sandals or those bronze sandals (I still have those! Can't wait to wear them again!) not just on formal nights, but other times as well. I am looking for a new pair of gold sandals and I am very focused on them being similar to the Anne Klein ones. When they are not glittery and they are comfortable, you can really make them work well with a number of things. So I'm on a mission with that. One more picture of my daughter...and me. Because I think the aging process is something we shouldn't be scared of. I'm in a pretty good spot, even though I'm not happy with my weight right now.

Oh, and I'm ordering that dress in red, not the burgundy, because....well, red!!!

Just a few quick pictures here, but my daughter looked so good, all cruise long. One thing I realized is that my daughter really doesn't love having photos done, but she humored me. And she is so photogenic! I told her that this is a way to save memories.

Margaret, those are great dresses. I think I may order that cranberry one, the one you mentioned for the red and gold ball? I don't really have anything to wear in a shorter version that has sleeves. It is also on sale for such a good price that it is worth checking out. My personal favorite is the Calvin Klein dress, but I can definitely see you in that off the shoulder dress in periwinkle. I think Melody may have a similar dress? I love those dresses on both of you, but I have trouble with figuring out the chiffon overlay. I get very distracted by things like that. You mentioned an outdoor wedding in July, so I would imagine it might be pretty hot. Which dress is your favorite?

I'm back! Already. That went fast, but I think it was just the right length for my daughter and I. First, I want to mention that I'm glad to hear you had a great time in Niagara Falls, Margaret. I haven't been there in quite some time - 2010, I think? And I love Watkins Glen State Park. I absolutely loved hiking there, and would love to go again. I don't think my husband could do it though. It is a very pretty area. It has easily been 20 years since I was last there. I know I mentioned that my husband was doing better, but he still has a lot of trouble getting around. I did a little online researching, but I know that never takes the place of a doctor's diagnosis. It's just that I think he has a very weak link in the doctor chain. His primary is great, his arthritis doctor is great. His gastroenterologist leaves much to be desired. For example, on the first visit, he started asking by husband some questions, and very quickly said "you have IBD! While he has done a colonoscopy and endoscopy, he really doesn't do much when my husband visits. It is always another prescription, without telling my husband what it is even supposed to do. So, long story short, I have suggested he find a better doctor - one that communicates with him better. The reason I bring it up is because I am not certain how they decide when you have Crohn's Disease versus IBD or IBS. And Crohn's can cause a great deal of joint pain. I just want him to feel better. Melody, is your snow gone???? Now to the cruise...we had a fabulous time, and I really needed the time away from work. It was good to clear my mind. Our flights from Syracuse to Miami were right on time with no issues. We got a Lyft from the airport to the Marriot Biscayne Bay. It is a very nice hotel on the harbor. There is this little mall like building attached, and we found a restaurant called Primo's. They had the best seafood linguini I have ever had. I think I will be craving mussels for weeks now! I will share more soon, but we really enjoyed ourselves.

What?????? It's 90 here! I can't believe you have snow!!! We leave tomorrow. Leaving for the airport at 3:30 AM. I think I'll turn in early tonight...

Here is something fun. My sister attended my daughter's graduation ceremony and went to dinner with us. I was wearing my new dress, which I was thinking would make a great cruise dress in October. The print is rather tropical. The dress is wonderfully made - the fabric is just the right weight for jersey, and it fits really well. In the midst of running around in the morning and then picking my sister up, I realized I didn't put any jewelry on. I got caught up in what shoes to wear, as you have to do a great deal of walking there, as parking is a bit farther out and then you have to walk to campus. I ended up wearing a pair of flats that I have previously posted a picture of, and they looked okay with outfit. But...no jewelry. My sister handed me a little bag with some odds and ends of things. There was a bracelet in the bag with lots of different colors, that I look forward to wearing. Then there were two pair of earrings, and both were perfect for the dress. As a matter of fact, they go with a lot of things that I'm bringing on this cruise, and I plan to wear them with the maxi dress. I had those bangle bracelets out, and I think they go so well. I'll post the picture I took shortly.

And this... https://www.jjill.com/product/pure-jill-embroidered-linen-maxi-dress

I just saw this at jjill online. I need to look at it on my computer to see the colors better. https://www.jjill.com/product/embroidered-paisley-dress

For me, the color faded in the hot tub. I am not in swimming pools very often. I do like the beach when I'm on a cruise, so thankfully, that doesn't cause any fading! The upcoming cruise is with my daughter, so it may be very different. She has much to celebrate. The cruise was booked to celebrate her master's degree. I told her too that we are kind of celebrating her 30th birthday a little early. Then,, she was scouted out by a local accounting firm, and they have offered her a job starting in August! She is super excited. They are offering her a competitive package as far as pay and benefits go, and they will pay for her CPA test. If she obtains that within a certain time frame, she will receive a bonus and instant pay increase. I'm very proud of her! We have been having amazing weather this week, and her graduation day is also supposed to be beautiful. My plan is to wear that new dress, so I should get a picture or two of it.