Sliced Avocado and Turkey Sandwich

I told my friend, India, that I sliced an Avocado and put it on a turkey sandwich.  She told me to try this yummy sandwich.  Take Ciabatta bread, place turkey on one slice, slice Avocado and place on top of the turkey (Mayo optional), top with another piece of Ciabatta, and place on a Panini press.  She says the Avocado melts and is scrumptious.  I am going to try this tonight, for sure. I bought Avocados today at Costco (cheaper than anywhere else).  Also, here is a tip for you:  Once you slice your Avocado, take any left overs and rub on your face, hands, wherever.  It makes the most fantastic moisturize.  A lady at Costco told me today that the pumice or seed in the Avocado can be used to exfoliate along with Avocado pulp.  Don't waste, use any leftovers on  your skin.  You know, that little bit on the back of the peel, rub it all over your hands.  Great for the skin.

Lash Discovery by Maybelline - Waterproof Mascara

I absolutely love Lash Discovery by Maybelline - just received a complement on my lashes today from my friend, India.  This is what I use.  You can get it at Wal-Mart or Walgreen's Drugstore.  A friend from Australia was visiting and she bought loads of it to take back with her as she cannot buy it there.  That is how I discovered this wonderful product.


http://www.amazon.com/Maybelline-Discovery-Waterproof-Mascara-Black/dp/B000T5NCTW

Great Places to Bargain Shop

Some of the greatest places to shop, especially for women's clothing are Ross and Kohl's.  My daughter-in-law, Linda, turned me on to the great bargains at Ross.  I found a dress for my Mother-in-law to wear to a rehearsal dinner for $14.  And, it was very nice.  While I was looking, I found a dress that I bought a Macy's for no telling how much, right there on the rack at Ross's.  It was $39.  Also, Ross has great brand name shoes such as Nine West and Guess.  I was also looking for peasant blouses as they are quite the thing now.  Guess where I found them?  You got it!  Right there at Ross for $12.  You have to sometimes really look, but you never know the bargains that you will find at Ross.  They also have name brand purses as well.
Kohl's on the other hand, has great deals to especially in children's clothing.  Love shopping their children's department.  They have cute long dresses for summer and that is the fashion thing right now.  If you are into Vera Wang (I am not) she designs for Kohl's.  She does have some cute shoes.
Of course, my favorite place is Marshall's especially if I am on the market for shoes.  I bought 4 pair of shoes at Marshall's for less than $80.  They have many styles in the new wedge sandals.  I found a pair of pink wedge sandals for $12.  And, I have bought Kate Spade shoes at Marshall's.  Found a Tory Burch purse and a Kate Spade purse there as well. 
And, then, if you really want to shop, there is Off Saks Fifth Ave.  That is my favorite store.  They have great bargains, especially when they have sales.  They do have Tory Burch shoes at a good price sometimes.  The Off Saks Fifth Avenue in Hilton Head is the best one that I have found.  They always have great shoe selections.
And, then of course, there is the old faithful - Target and Wal-Mart.  I think Target is over-priced; however, you can usually find great knock-offs at Target.  I found all of my Twilight t-shirts at Wal-Mart for $5each.
So, there you have it, folks!  Looking for anything special?  Just ask me where to find it.  I just might know.
Oh, Yes, Yes, I was about to forget my favorite place in the whole wide world!!!!!!!!!!!!  UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE - Scottsboro, Alabama.  I bought about 10 pairs of shoes the last time I was there.  I love that place.  Love, love it!
Happy Shopping!!

The Aspen Trees - Oil Painting

I am trying to create an oil painting of a photo taken in Aspen, Colorado of the beautiful Aspen trees.  In fact, while in Colorado, I got lots of photos to use as references for some terrific paintings.  However, this first painting is giving me a bit of trouble.  I should have primed the canvas first, or painted in a little blue sky to peak through the trees.  The photo that I am using as a reference is above.  Any suggestions???  No, you do not want to see the canvas just yet.  I just completed a portrait of a co-worker and her two dogs.  Unfortunately for her, the dogs look better than she does.  I mean, she is a beautiful girl, but I did a better job of the cute little doggies.  That is my deal, animals..according to Matthew and David, at least.  They say that I am better at painting animals.  I think they are right.  Should stick to panda bears, dogs and cats, maybe.    Fiddle-dee-dee.  I placed an Amazon link to an Aspen tree poster so that you can see the beautiful trees, although the poster is in the fall..gorgeous, huh?

Over Forty and Loving It? Well, Rock it! en pleine floraison

To the over forty population -  are you tired of seeing those glamorous twenty year-olds in magazines displaying their skinny bodies, toned muscles, boobs under their chins and rocking five-inch heels?     Why don’t they show pictures of the over forty, over fifty, over sixty, seventy and eighty crowd?  Can we not look glamorous, classy or chic at that age?  Do the editors of these magazines not understand who has the purchasing power?  Do they not care?  Obviously, they do not care and they do not need to care.  Well, we are going to change that!  Seldom do we pick up a magazine and see photographs of people of age. 

 And, what really set us off is an article on an online major network.   It read, “Swimsuits for women over  forty”.   We immediately clicked on the article and there was not one two- piece swimsuit.  They were all one- piece granny type swimsuits.  So, is that saying that we shouldn’t wear a two- piece? 

Well, we say, if the shoe fits, wear it.  And that shoe (the article) just does not  fit.  If we want to wear a two- piece and we think that we have the body for it, who is to stop us?  Who is to say that we cannot wear whatever we feel most comfortable and look our best in?

We are going to revolt!  A hairdresser in Atlanta  at least ten years ago, told one of us to stop wearing blue eye-shadow  as that blue shadow should not be worn by women over forty. He recommended a light shade of brown.  Well, he should have been told to concentrate on hair and not the color of one's shadow.

And, those six inch heels, if we can walk in them and if they are comfortable, we wear them.  Don’t try to put us in a pair of lace up shoes and a granny dress.   And, don’t tell us  that we cannot wear a short dress, at our age.  If we want to wear a short dress, we will.  Case in point, one of us walked into shop in an Atlanta mall recently.   The sales clerk asked if she could help.  She was asked about a cute mandarin orange dress.  The color was gorgeous.  She said, “I need to point out that the dress is short”.   Duh,  “so?"

We think clothing should be worn tastefully, but we don’t agree that women or men should be tossed aside just because they are over a certain age.   We decide what is tasteful, what we want to wear, what we think we should wear and what we do not wish to wear.   Society doesn’t make those decisions for us.  We are not our mothers,  we do not wear our daughter’s jeans; however, if we are so minded, we will.  In fact, skinny jeans are quite cool and leggings are quite comfortable.

The moral of all of this is:  Shame on all of the magazines that toss all of us “oldies” to the curb.  There is one thing to do about that:  Stop buying the magazines.  And, while we are on a role, don’t tell us that our opinion doesn’t matter  and don’t hide us in the middle pages of some magazine or newspaper.  We want the front cover, baby! And, more importantly, we want our voices heard.  Our opinion does matter.

So, here is to all of you out there over forty , fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty and even ninety!  Have a cosmopolitan enjoy life.  If you can rock it, wear it.  If you cannot, you might want to think twice about it.  Your decision, you decide.  For us, we are not going down without a fight!  As long as we can swing it, we will sting it.  Sting, baby, sting! 

 We know a lady who is eighty-eight years young and she is known to have a Cosmo with her girls and daughter-in-law.   Here’s to you, Joycie - It's Five O'clock Somewhere!  Rock it Girl!

In closing, we leave you with inspirational words from an era gone by, "Flower Power and Stay in the Zone" for you have the freedom to do and be as you please. More to come, pass this on to your friends and family.  All comments welcome.

en Pleine Floraison,   (In full bloom)

BC

Visit to the Colorado Springs Mountain Zoo

Rocky Mountain High

Well, I now have a great appreciation for John Denver - at least to the lyrics of the songs that he sang.  Just got back from a trip to Colorado and what a state.  The mountains are just beautiful.  The Colorado River is also amazing.  We drove from Aspen to the Continental Divide.  What a view.  I am posting pictures from the trip.  From the streams to the Aspen trees, the rocky mountains and the snow-filled mountains - it was all breathtakingly beautiful.