odds and ends, mostly odd


(not our deck - you figured that out already)
Here we are, out at Flintstone Manor, three summers ago we killed the entire summer having our deck refinished. Naturally the weatherproofing treatment which, according to its literature, could be applied with startlingly minimal preparation, began to peel off almost immediately. Now, Himself arises, looks out the back, starts cussing and grumbling. I could think of better ways to start the day. Like a cup of hot coffee with real cream, taken in silence. Of course we have contacted the owner of the home maintenance company. The first time we called, he came over in less than 10 minutes, gasped in horror, and promised that workers would arrive the very next day. They did not. Ever. Deck situation went downhill from there. Owner has formed a new company with a slightly different name. It would have been cheaper and more durable to have John Derian découpage it with $20 bills.

On a more cheerful note, the sun was here all day Sunday!

It's enough to make me believe that we will have a summer!

And here's a collection of things that go with my Hydrangea Pencil Skirt - I was racking my brain and refusing to wear it with a gray teeshirt or a jumped-up sweatshirt. I feel better having come up with a few choices, even though that pink cashmere sweater is sufficiently bright to make an Easter egg out of me should I choose to actually wear it. I'm getting close enough to oval without encouraging the impression, so maybe that match is a non-starter.  However, to my happy surprise, the electric plaid silk blouse has a line of color in the pattern that is actually Hydrangea and has a nice dressy look with the skirt. This is where I should point out that I did not buy the electric plaid skirt, it was a disaster - if memory serves, it was a heavy quilted mess. Happy with the blouse, though.
The one that works best is in the upper right corner - the bluish blob is exactly the Hydrangea color, perhaps a touch faded, so not obvious but nice.

Let's see, what else is new? Well, my sister signed up for eHarmony.com, filled out the questionnaire, paid her initial fee, and waited. She has a very whimsical and creative turn of mind, so without ever having seen the questionnaire, I'm betting that at least some of her responses were, um, original.
note color-coordination with Hydrangea skirt, above
What makes me so sure? After 3 months without a match, they sent back her money without being asked.

Lastly, a report on the St Paddy's Day event we attended. It was unlike any other St Pat's event in New York or Boston, guar-an-TEED.  Next year, back to pipes, local (and other) pols, old guys who can lower a few, and some thought given to those who served, those who defend, those who protect, and widows and orphans.

In hindsight,  perhaps the reason I felt like a relic was my shoes - those adorable Kate Spade dark  green suede sandals? I tried them on right before the event and they were perfect. Perfect!

Well, readers dear, they grew. The expansion began as we got into a taxi. By the time I had wobbled from the elevator to the bar - which was suspiciously uncrowded and more suspiciously didn't have Jameson's - the shoes had become loose. The totter from the bar to the table was more than they could take - only my capacity to exercise my Iron Will kept them near my feet.  The shoes had cost some money, too, so I was afraid to have more than one glass of wine. No way to celebrate!

When I feel better about the shoes, I'll take them to a fancy shoemaker and see if there's a way to stuff them. Sigh. Of all the pointless places to get thinner - the sides of the feet!

Oh, another random note - I like silk tees under jackets and sweaters and have gotten a lot of use out of mine. Last week another caught my eye, but not for a good reason.

At first glance, I thought this was a test shot that accidentally got onto the website. It looked like the model was just practicing holding still and the hot pink outlines over the chest were leftover tailor's chalk. No, it seems the marks are deliberate:

20 comments:

  1. Hehe! Nice shirt with the neon targets! I have a silk blouse in a cardboard box from JCrew, it just arrived and I hope I don't have to send it back.
    That hydrangea skirt screams spring, and now you've got me thinking about an easter outfit.
    Would it have been an option to take the shoes off entirely? Really it's lucky you didn't have an accident.

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  2. Hi. Dani, my Easter outfit will be the skirt and the plaid silk blouse - hope your new blouse is a keeper!

    We were someone's guests at the event so I wouldn't have been comfortable table-hopping in my stocking feet.

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  3. You always make me laugh! So sorry about the Kate Spade shoes - they look lovely. Surely the shoemaker will be able to work some magic for you. Love your ideas for the hydrangea skirt. I would be the one pairing a boring gray tee . . .

    The neon piping on that silk tee - I have no words!

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    1. Hi, shopalot, I'm sad about the shoes, but I remain optimistic.
      One word for the tee: WHY?

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  4. The shoes are so pretty. Most unexpected: too large and not too small. You certainly couldn't plan for that. I carry a band-aids in each handbag for the "too small" contingency. I always admired the plaid blouse. I also love hydrangea blue with black. Not as spring-y but very polished.
    It makes me giggle when they are amazed at how much merchandise makes it to the sale rack. That should have seen that one coming. Neon outlines. Yikes.It really makes you wonder about the candidates that didn't get hired....

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    1. And they kept getting bigger! Imagine a St Pat's event and being afraid to have a drink!

      Oh, that tee - they really need to hire a full-time professional women's designer.

      Delete
  5. I can relate to your shoe problem as I frequently buy my shoes, especially heels, a half size too big. The thought process is always that pinched toes are painful. In the end I always look like I am wearing someone else's shoe and must concentrate to not lose one while walking. I think that your electric plaid blouse is a brilliant choice for your new skirt. The gray patterned sweater would also be a great look. I hope your sister was not disheartened. Despite today's gloom it is starting to feel like spring might actually be a possibility.

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    1. Hi, Teacups! Well, my sister's reaction was relief that they were being honest with her and not trying to set her up with - whoever - just for the sake of keeping her money!

      Yesterday we were driving a along the beach and I was actually chirping. Here's hoping!

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  6. That tee is so, um, random. Some people are bored, maybe?

    Too bad about your deck! Is it cedar? We do ours every year and have had some bad types of finishes-- the peeling one and the gummy one, especially. So the best finish we have found is a stain called Sikkens ( I think, I can always find this out). Not my favorite weekend, to say the least.

    V funny about your sister's experience; we know the founder who is the most sincere, sweet man.

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    1. So is he single?

      The deck is over 25 years old and was there when we bought the house, it's had many bad years and unsuccessful stains. This last one did it in, I'm afraid, it was like a thick coat of paint - not one of Benjamin Moore's more successful products. The wood was old and worn to begin with, and we've been trying to stave off replacing it.

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  7. I also did a double take on that silk top and not in a good way either.

    Too bad about your shoes, such a beautiful color, I hope you can salvage them. I swore off sling backs long ago, they never seem to stay on.

    Sorry about your deck. There ought to be a law against companies that reorg under a different name, scamming people in the process. The real estate development company that built our house operated that way, going on to Arizona to build more houses with sloppy workmanship after its Southern California stint, as we learned years later.

    April Fool's Day brought us winter, or so we thought. It will be 92F tomorrow and the next day ... speaking of summer.

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    1. hi, tiffany rose, the thought of that silk top has really started to annoy me!

      We're having a lovely day today, mid-60's, sunshine...

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  8. Slingbacks are not my friends....
    Sorry to hear about your deck disaster. V, v frustrating.
    That blouse is bizarre. I really do wonder about J Crew... they seem to have borderline personality disorder in their designs. Some items are so perfect and yet others so batshit mad.

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    1. Hi, Ruth, loving "batshit mad"! and agreeing with your diagnosis.

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  9. That T-shirt is just stupid looking! Apologies to anyone who likes and purchased it. Shame about those shoes. I like the look of them but imagine they were a beast to keep on. Just had another peek at that T-shirt...what were they thinking? Wonder how fast it will take JCrew to mark them all down?

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    1. Hi, Jen, I can't imagine anyone wanting this. My best guess - after due consideration and reflection - is that the piping was supposed to be at the neck and someone at the factory got confused. I shudder to think how many were produced, and I agree, we'll see it in markdown very soon.

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  10. What are they thinking over there at J.Crew? Perhaps the highlighter effect is supposed to be enhancing?

    At first glance I thought your beach photo was snow. That is what happens when you are buried all winter.

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    1. Wouldn't it be fun to have a JC Walk of Shame with all these goofy musta-been-a-mistake items? Well, maybe not.

      We did have snowdrifts , they seem to be over. The beach roads are showing what happens when the weather moves the sand around and the town tries to put it back.

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  11. Well I don't think my comment made it through! Damn those computers! The story of your sister killed me!!!!! Love the skirt as well - so nice to have a lovely bit o'colour for easter! As for the shoes - wow! YOu are lucky indeed that you didn't kill yourself! I am ready to see sand again - may have to take a drive down to the coast!

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    1. Aww, missed you, Wendy! My sister is quite a character and lights up every room she's in. I guess eH just didn't have anyone with a whimsical world view. People who know her were not surprised.

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