The best laid plans can go awry.

Hiya Blogland!!! I'm here in the Craft Palace with the window open enjoying the wonderful Spring breezes. Before we get ANOTHER FREAKING SNOWSTORM tomorrow night. EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!

I had it all planned to post on Wednesday but our modem/router had other plans. We had been having trouble keeping a stable internet connection for a couple of weeks and it just pfftted out on Tuesday. After many phone calls and much hair-pulling it was determined that the router/modem was bad. Hubster connected the new system up last nite so we are now good to go.

In time for me to take another min-blogging break after just returning!! But this is for a good reason-we decided to use some of the tax return to replace my laptop and Kindle with a super sweet Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 tablet!! Since my back injury I have limited time I can sit at the desk using the laptop. The Kindle can surf the web (from the recliner or bed) but can't really do much else.  The new tablet will allow me to do all kinda cool stuff!!! It's supposed to arrive early next week. My laptop and Kindle will be finding a new home with friends. This is my last posting from the laptop but I'll be back next Sunday for Visible Monday with some SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!!

Since the injury my style choices have had to adapt to the new reality of not being in an office environment. I basically am homebound except for PT, doctor's appointments and church with an occasional meal outting with the hubster. I've had to get some athletic pants and casual t's to wear-especially for PT. A pencil skirt and blouse just doesn't work-LOL!!! I've had to re-evaluate my Spring/Summer wardrobe in light of this. I'm just going to leave stuff that won't work packed up.

I'm not really able to do much thrifting (and boy how I MISS it) so I've been ordering some stuff online to fill in the gaps. Thankfully I had thrifted some stuff at the end of the season last Fall for this year!

Here's my oh-so-inspiring outfits for a week full of PT and Doctor Appointments!

 Since I needed casual pants to wear with flats I ordered a pair of "skinny" jeans from Walmart to try out. They are Faded Glory brand and I was very surprised on how well they fit.  The shoes are my thrifted LizClaiborne pink loafer. The sweater is Sonoma from Kohls/gift. I got the scarf at ACMoore Craft store. They have a nice selection and they regularly go on sale for 2/$5. i loved the colors and the springy dogwood print. I've been wearing a lot of scarves like this lately. As you can see i got photo-bombed by cuteness!!

 I'm wearing a pair of jeans that I made into boyfriend skinnies. I had been wearing them tucked into taller boots all winter. The boots are my trusty thrifted Nine West ankle booties. The cardigan is Fashionbug/thrifted. The tshirt had no label but was thrifted last year. I have no idea why the picture quality is so blotchy but I will attribute it to my stellar photo editing skillz!!

 This is my "land" PT (in the rehab gym) uniform. Y'all ain't seeing the pool PT ensemble!! I'm wearing a thrifted green cardigan with grey Walmart athletic pants and a Walmart long sleeve glitter print tshirt I got for $5. Girl's gotta have some bling!! The shoes are some black slip-on sneakers I've had.

 There's my Walmart jeans again with a thrifted raspberry cardigan, grey graphic tshirt from Kohl's, scarf from Kmart and old ThomMcCan pewter moccasins.

 Oh look it's the pants again!! Actually this picture and the one above were taken the same day. I went to get a much needed hair-cut (hadn't been able to get one since November) before therapy so they could work out any pain issues sitting in the salon caused. Hubby was taking me for our weekly "get Tamera out in the human race" meal excursion.  It's good to be out but it involves some pain meds before and a heating pad afterwards and laying down!! I thifted the top last fall. It's a cotton knit and probably originally from the late 80's/early 90's. The style and color are right on trend now--proves what goes around comes around again!! The scarf is from ACMoore.

Here's a close-up of the shirt--it's a textured kind of print.  I had several compliments on it while out--even a teenage girl commented how cute it was.

And now for gratuitous cute doggy pix. They have been my constant companions the last few months- one on each side as we sit in the recliner!!

Little miss bossy-pants!!!

Sweet MrBill looking nervous. He REALLY is a happy dog despite his woeful expression!!

I hope everyone has a spectacular weekend!!! I'll be back next Sunday blogging from the new tablet!!

TTFN
Tamera

Primrose's in the snow.

Vintage Snowmen & bottle brush trees

Hiya Blogland!!! Everybody keeping warm out there?? It is ridiculously cold outside here. I'm a bit glad I haven't had to go out in it!!! The doggies and I have been snuggled up under a thrifted afghan keeping warm!! Here's some pix I shared on Facebook last week:

Gracie snoozing next to her weiner dawg. She's gotten a tad "rubenesque!!

MrBill rocking his camo sweater in his fav place next to Mommy

We had a terrible tragedy locally yesterday. Those of you in the US may have seen this on the news. A shooter killed 2 people and himself at a mall in Columbia, Maryland (between Washington DC & Baltimore). I know that mall very well. We used to live 5 minutes away before we moved to Western Maryland in 2006. The Mall at Columbia is one of the first indoor malls in the US. I remember going with a neighbor to see the Christmas displays in the early 70's. I pushed my daughter in her stroller around it 100's of times. Brought her prom dress there, she danced the nutcracker at Christmas for years.  It's just scary to think about. We aren't safe anywhere.

I got out of the house yesterday (YAY) that didn't involve going to the doctor's. We were given gift certificates for Red Lobster and I felt like attempting to go out. It's the first time since the accident. I was totally wiped out and hurting but it was worth it psychologically. We stopped at the grocery store for laundry detergent on the way home. They had primroses on sale 3/$5 so Lauren brought me some. I put their cheery pots on top of the TV where I can see them from the recliner.

Obviously I didn't go out nekkid so I have an outfit to share!!!  All but the scarf are thrifted. The sweater is SagHarbor, the pants DressBarn, the booties are HushPuppy. Photobomb is just cute!

I haven't been able to go to church since before Christmas. This morning I decided I wanted to go as I could ride with Lauren (he often has to be there early/stay late for usher stuff) so if I needed to we could leave early. I'm paying for it pain-wise now but my spirit needed it. I'm wearing a thrifted SagHarbor sweater, thrifted LaneBryant skirt, thrifted LifeStride booties and my fantabulous petrified rhinestoned vintage seahorse brooch and earrings. They caused quite a sensation!!

Here's a picture of my vintage display tree done up for winter  with artist trading cards and some repro victorian scrap art.

I'm linking up with all of the glorious ladies over at Patti's for Visible Monday, Monday Bloom, and Tres Chic Style Bits this week as I've been visible in public!!!

Everyone have a wonderful beginning to your week and I'll be back later in the week!!

TTFN
Tamera

Pink and Blue Violet-just because I can!

Hiya Blogland!! Has everyone had a fabulous weekend??? I will be so glad when this miserable heat leaves and it's properly Fall again!! I had to pull summer clothes out to wear the last few days!!

Yesterday we went to a picnic at a friends FABULOUS house. Their gardens have been featured in Better homes & Gardens. I'll be doing a post on it later this week! I wore my tribal maxi dress from Walmart. It's getting a bit big now!!

I hope you can see the new hair color. I added "Not so shy Violet" streaks--which came out more blue. I also added a pink streak. Next time I may mix the two for a more purple color.

Today I took Gracie to meet my mom and my sister. It was a long road-trip but she was a doll!! Everyone fell in love with her!! She sat on my mom's lap and gave her kisses.

I thrifted this skirt from Fashion Bug for $2 last week. The top is thrifted and the beads and bangles are vintage.

 

I'm linking up with Patti for Visible Monday!!  I'll be back later this week--no idea what kind of outfits as I'm furloughed right now!!

TTFN
Tamera

We need a bit of whimsy this week

Hiya Blogland!!  It's the start of another strange and wonderful week!! We are supposed to have some much needed rain all week-which will probably cut down on Miss Gracie and my walks a bit. We will have to expend that energy indoors with some fetch and sock-wrestling!

I just feel like this week needs some weird and whimsical to brighten us up! And what could be more weird and whimsical than The Munsters as a rock band?? Dig Grandpa on the guitar!!

So I've raided my stash of strange to share with y'all for some giggles!! Anyone who's checked out my Pinterest can see I have eclectic tastes in pinning stuff. Which is a nice way of saying I pin weird stuff.

As creepy as the picture of dolls in suitcases at the airport  Anne of Spygirl posted this week is,  I think this vintage picture is WAY creepier. Nightmare-inducing material here folks!!

I could totally see Sarah Misfit or Vix rocking this fabulous jumpsuit!!  What a fantastic print!

You can be fashion-forward when your attempting your next bank robbery!!  FREAKY!!



This must've been one awesome party!! That one poodle is a bit possessive  of the human!

What's not to love with styling lizards?? And what happened to their TAILS?? Wait... are they DEAD??

 

This is just one STUNNING vintage advertisement -the colors are FABULOUS!!

This picture says it all!!

 

And now to outfits!! Monday's outfit was built for comfort!! Everything but the shoes are thrifted. I recently got the Lane Bryant cardigan for $4. The total of this outfit was $9!!! New this outfit (Lane Bryant Cardi-$59, Denim & Co Tshirt-$39, Jessica London Maxi-$59) would have retailed for $160!! The bracelets are thrifted and the necklace is a gift from the always wonderful Vix!

 

 I had planned on wearing my 52 Pick-me-up outfit today but it was too cold, rainy and dreary!! I pulled out some thrifted Lee boyfriend jeans, blingy jewelry, my peep toe platforms and this new Jessica London trapeze T shirt I just thrifted for $2!! I feel a bit tres chic and French-LOL. I've really been drawn to black and white print tops lately for some reason. Almost ALL of the print tops I currently have are black & white.

 

Miss Gracie and I met up with our buddies Smokey & Dragon on our walk. We walk by the barn they live in a couple of times a week or more and they always come out to greet Gracie!! They are two adorable boys!! Their momma abandoned them as kittens and the people who own the barn took them in!! Gracie managed to find a groundhog skull while she was there!

 

Here's a picture of MrBill and Gracie this morning trying to catch a few more ZZZZZZ!!

 

I've been altering clothes like a crazy person lately- I think I can see the bottom of the pile finally!

I'll be back later this week with my Spygirl 52 Pick-Me-Up outfit, my Fashion for Giants Literary Stylings outfit and I believe this week might be Bella's Shoe shine!!  i enjoy these challenges because they force me to think outside my box!

 

TTFN

 

Tamera

 

 

 

Doggies in the sunshine!!!

Hiya Blogland!! Everyone have a fantastic weekend???? Mine has been very busy!!! Gracie and I hit three different hiking trails this weekend and logged 10 miles!!! I am seriously in need of new walking shoes!!!

This will be a quick post as I am WHUPPED!!! Today after church I spent time with a friends three little boys, hiked with Gracie and did some serious gardening!!

I snapped this picture of Gracie snoozing on her poochie pouch in the sun this morning. MrBill was snoring away on the bed!!

I pulled out another faithful maxi dress for church this morning!! I spent a bit of time on Saturday (a lovely rainy day) sorting out my closet. I had two bags to go back to the thrift!!! Stuff I couldn't alter or just didn't work anymore. I paired the maxi with a teal sweater I thrifted last year. As you can see I'm being photobombed!!!

I'm linking up with all of the fabulous ladies for Visible Monday. I'll be catching up with everyone's blogs the next couple of days. I haven't had my computer on at all since Thursday!!

Have a wonderful Monday and I should be back around on Tuesday!!

TTFN
Tamera

Hats Off!!!

Hiya Blogland!!! This will be a short post today I wanted to join in with Judith of the Style Crone's inaugural Hat ATTACK!!!

I have a mini-collection of vintage hats to choose from but decided to share the hat I wear the most. There isn't anything particularly exciting about it!! It was a freebie I snagged from my husband. I wear it practically every day when I walk Gracie. I chose it because it's very visible when I'm out and about.

Yesterday's outfit was a tried and true maxi and cardigan. Easy and mindless on a crazy day.

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!! Gracie and I are planning some nice walks and I've got some serious gardening to do!!I'll be back on Sunday!!

TTFN
Tamera

So what is sexy???

Hiya Blogland!!! How is everyone today??

This week's prompt for Jane of Flight Platform Livings Shiny T Tuesday is "Pin-up....Regardless"-which was inspired by this post by Bella of Citizen Rosebud. I've really been giving Bella's post a lot of thought lately.

What IS sexy??  I certainly can tell you what I think is totally NOT sexy.  Porn stars aren't "sexy".  Sexy is an attitude of self-confidence. It starts with your BRAIN. It doesn't involve bolt-on boobies, fake and bake tan, hair extensions and 10 lbs of make-up. I personally think Kim Kardashian is completely un-sexy.  The media tries to tell us that THIS is SEXY!!!

Now this is what  I think is sexy--confident, intelligent women who OWN who they are. I have always loved Jamie Lee Curtis (hence my hair). She's only a few months older than I am--she will be 55 this fall!!  She's allowed herself to age naturally and OWNS the body she has now. Jame Lee was known for her rockin' bod. Today she exudes self-confidence. 
Here she is recently in a bathing suit. She's not hiding her wrinkles, grey hair, menopausal pooch or flabby chicken arms.  She's thicker through the middle and the gals aren't as high as they used to be. But she's FAR more sexy than the plastic Barbie above could ever hope to be!!

Here she is looking amazing on the red carpet (I WANT that dress):

Another sexy lady is the fabulous Helen Mirren. Smart, talented and so completely herself! She's rocking this gown and displaying a bit of cleavage on the red carpet. Classy and sexy!

It's funny that most of the ladies I think are sexy are over 40!! Maybe with age comes wisdom and confidence that makes them sexy irregardless of the wrinkles, lumps and bumps.

If you want to see a listing of all of the FABULOUS, SEXY, BRILLIANT over 40 bloggers out there--check out Bella's new site  by clicking on the photo below!!

 

I really agonized on what a pin-up photo FOR ME would be. I have some modesty "rules" for myself that I'm certainly not going to break. I decided that outfit I'm wearing today is pin-up worthy. It shows off my legs and I feel POWERFUL and CONFIDENT in it!! And that is totally sexy in my book!

 

Gracie and I walked a new section of the Towpath yesterday. It's called the Mount Lock section and there is a restored Lock-tenders house there. It was very peaceful and quiet!

Today we walked on the Antietam Battlefield on the Burnside Bridge side. The Snavely Ford trail wound through woods, along the Antietam Creek and through fields. We saw lots of deer and Gracie found a toad. Gracie also found a deer bone!!! She becoming quite the little bone-collector!!

The tomatoes are coming in full-bore now and the garden is going nuts!! I'm off to harvest some more goodies. Chat with y'all on Thursday!!

 

TTFN

Tamera