aoknkentucky

Laurie,

I too love all three dresses and am glad you decided to keep them all.

Heaven knows that I'm no fashionista. After all this time, I still have trouble telling my FIRE colors from your EARTH colors because I'm so drawn to FALL colors in general. But with that disclaimer, I'll tell you that I've taken scarves on nearly every cruise or land trip in the last 5-6 years. I don't wear my silk scarves with casual clothes, but I'd wear my woven scarves with fleece without hesitation. And, I did on our Alaska cruise. I almost always take a scarf or two on our super casual land-trips.

High humidity where I live means meat-locker style air-conditioned buildings in the summer. Because I have neck, shoulder and back pain issues, I feel better if I'm warm rather than too cool. So, scarves have become my warmer version of your gorgeous necklaces.

We took a bus trip through Yellowstone once and one of the ladies onboard absolutely made my day (maybe, even my whole trip!) when she commented about my scarf. It was during my earlier days of scarf-wearing and I was very self-conscious (to the point that I had to MAKE myself not fiddle with my scarf). On the third day of the trip, we were waiting in line and she casually mentioned that she couldn’t wait each morning to see what I would be wearing and what my scarf would look like. She actually mentioned outfit and THEN scarf. I was so afraid everyone would notice my three little t-shirt weight zip hoodies and the few casual t-shirts were the sum total of my ten-day wardrobe.

Fleece toppers are a little thicker, but same level of “casual” as my hoodies. You will have an enormous collection of different outfits if you take a few scarves along with two or three casual toppers that will mix and match all solid-colored tops.

Linda, since we don't have pictures, would you mind describing what you wore for the events of the day while you were having fun? What do you like to do on such a trip?

I'm working on our next land-based trip to the Smokey Mountains. We stay in real log cabins that have been reconstructed on a Christmas Tree Farm. Yes, it's as pretty as it sounds. My wardrobe is more campground attire than cruise attire, but it's become a game to see how I can coordinate and how small my luggage can be for each trip. I know. I'm weird. I'll report back if time permits before we leave.

Kim, the link didn't work for me. Now that I understand what kanga material is, I'm anxious to see your new patterns.

Enjoy! Anita.

Say "hi" to Pam for me. OR--have I lost my mind and they aren't joining you this time?

I feel guilty saying this when I am sooo bad about it, but thought I'd beat Kim to it--Pictodiary!!!!!:)

Awww, Kim. Don't freak out. Lots of people are like me and just want to visit Tanzania vicariously, maybe? Some of the other threads have many more views than ours. I remember that it was almost a year of reading the CJW thread so long ago, before I even joined as a member to comment. I was so scared to put myself out there. I usually just think that people are shy. Or having a grand ole time reading my accent. And a good laugh because I always imagine that it comes across on paper too. Heck, I still haven't commented 400 times yet and I joined in 2005! Either way, it's all good, right?

Finish us up in style, friend. And, Thanks again for taking us to Africa! --Debbie

so.........did he believe it?

Laurie, I'm sorry that I've forgotten, but is your Vancouver trip by land or are you cruising? Packing for cooler weather and for warmer weather are both fun, but each one is very different for me since we don't tend to dress up as much if it is a land trip. Is it the same for you, or do you take your gorgeous dresses for both?

My next trip is a land-based trip to the mountains in a few weeks, so I have been deciding on my five-day wardrobe. Weather runs the gamut of hot to very cool, so it's much like your Vancouver trip, I'm thinking. My February cruise will be warm to hot. I have so much fun planning both packing lists...and matching nail polishes.

Cruizisme, the "shapeless" dress linked earlier surely wouldn't work for me, even if I could find it in a flattering-for-me color. I seems I have much in common with some of my EARTH sisters. I don't have a defined waist either and am also top-heavy. I work really hard to lock and load all my top-heavy parts into the proper position. I definitely don't need a dress that gives the appearance that everything resides at my waist which looks much too wide already!!! I like classic styles also.

Anita, I thought of you over Labor Day. DH's family had a reunion and both family units from your area were here. I overheard a remark about how hot it felt. It's hard for some people to understand humidity makes our area feel hotter than several hundred miles to our south. Today is cloudy but the 77% humidity already has the heat index making it feel six degrees warmer than the actual temperature this morning. I sure am glad the weather was nice when everyone visited earlier this summer.

Sailor Sally, have you thought of trying a cheapo fun polish color? I like to dabble with NYC polishes (under $2.00) or Dollar Tree brand (what's not to like about a polish that cost $1.00?) I started with a flattering blue after reading here about my EARTH sisters finding their good colors. It took a little getting used to, but I figured, what the heck! It's just a dollar and if I don't like it, I can ditch it. While I was painting on my pretty blue, I remembered the soft light green polish and light golden yellow polish that I used in the 70's. This wasn't new for me. I had just forgotten!

Margaret, thanks for the Chadwicks link also. Somehow, I had either forgotten or missed Pam talking about it. I ordered a jacket last fall, but sent it back because I wasn't pleased with the quality of the garment. I really should probably give them a second chance...I really should.

Do you Ladies realize this thread has passed 100 pages? So glad new voices are being added. EARTH sisters make a gal feel welcome to chime in. Thanks --Debbie

Have a GREAT time, Pam!

I'm w-a-y too low maintenance, I guess. I just discovered a nail polish during the past couple of weeks that's cheap (Dollar Tree) goes with everything and wears like a dream. The first thing I thought about was how great it would be to take on vacation. It's a gold polish with sparkles or glitter in the polish. This stuff is like concrete. I can't wear this stuff off my toes. It's like I've glued a gold colored emery board to my toenails. I'll polish before I go, take this one bottle of polish, include a few q-tips and put liquid nail polish remover in a contact case. That will be the total nail products traveling with me.

Hair supplies? I normally use whatever is provided where I stay. Blow dry and run a travel flat-iron through it, hair spray and go.

Make-up? Cetaphil cleanser, Cetaphil lotion, primer, mineral base, brush, blush, brush, mascara, lip pencil and lip color. That's it. Total.

On a cruise, each group is packed in a different metallic clutch (pewter, bronze) I use each one for different night's evening bags.

Am I carrying this "natural" style waaay too far? Maybe. Probably. Oh, well. I'm just pretty low maintenance and I'm ok with that. I do love hearing how everyone else is different.

Hey, Margaret, how about a chocolate brown skirt so both EARTH and FIRE could wear it? Because I really, really like it too! Love that zipper detail! I could deal with a bronze zipper and still cope. You find such spiffy items. Thanks for sharing.

Laurie, I bought a FIRE orange-red skirt this past week very similar to your green. I can tell already that it will get a lot of use. Love that skirt.

Anita, broomstick skirts. I remember what you said about styling mine with boots or a western vibe. I'm just waiting for the tiniest break in this humidity. 109 degree heat index yesterday. Yuck. Short skirts for me for the near future.

I like skirts of any shape or length, but I really like handkerchief hems or something with a pizzazz factor. My top half is my problem area, so skirts or pants are easy for me. --Debbie

Anita, I agree that less clothes is probably the way I'll pack for my February cruise. I tend to pack so that the outfit I wear for dinner one night can be worn the next day or used for dinner another night. Since we are cruising NCL and don't have an official dress-up night, I'll probably take a few maxis and scarves. My jewelry and scarves change up my outfits so that I don't mind re-using my mix-and-match wardrobe. I'm leaning toward lime and blues this time. I've accumulated quite a few items of those colors lately and can easily manage 15 or so pieces. That's usually enough for any possible activity. If I have enough for a week, I have enough. But I don't mind washing out a piece or two if needed. The best thing I've ever done, is a daily spreadsheet. One less thing to stress about. Just enjoy the vaca. AND, I really enjoy the vaca planning. I've already started the February spreadsheet. That way I'll have those items handy and they won't be in the back of some closet where I'll forget.

So many of us pack similar and yet different, don't we? I love that the FIRE and EARTH ladies can move back and forth between the different rooms. I have learned so much from everyone. Thanks y'all!

While Kim is working on our next installment, I thought I'd add my condolences, Linda. I have an aunt that sounds much like yours. Her health is also beginning to fail. She is 10 years older than my dad and the two of them have only one other remaining sister from a family of 9 children. Sounds like we have much in common, don't we? She has asked if I'll be one of her pallbearers when the time comes. Wow, that will stir our family conservative pot one of these days! Boy howdy! How much fun it's going to be! I told her I would be proud, of course. Sad, but proud.

Kim, I've been sharing your story with DH. He asks occasionally if we have another installment. We both agree with everyone here. Your photography is gorgeous! Thanks, again for the time you've spent taking us to Tanzania. It is much appreciated.

Ahhh, facial sunscreen. Duh!!! Thanks, Pam. I have a sunscreen/bugspray combo that I'm happy with, but I need something for my face. Appreciate the recommendation.

Ok. Back to our regularly scheduled trip to Tanzania. Hint. Hint! HINT!!!

Yeah. I'll be patient. I. Will. Try. To. Be. Patient. I will. I will. I. Must. Sigh....

Just kidding, Kim. ;-))

Soooo, it would also help my poor, tired, whitish legs look a tiny bit more tanned?

Is it readily available or do we special order it online by the case?

Inquiring minds, ya know?

Elephants, right?

Yessssss! We are touring Tanzania! Sounds like it's shaping up to be a great trip. Wonder what surprises are in store for tomorrow?

(I. Abhore. Crickets. Detest the nasty things.). Off to look up what a Civet is.

Kim, I'm excited to hear all about your trip!

Pam, hope your trip and travels are sooo much fun. Be safe.

Oh, Mousey! You've got to get yourself set up with a laptop at your recliner where you can stay up to date and join in. Heck, the EARTH ladies here are good for a laugh or two to take your mind off of that aching back.

Hope you are up and feeling better soon! --Debbie

Thanks so much for the warm comments, Ladies. Of course, I have a tendency to give a little TMI anyway, but it was definitely scary to bare my soul and put myself out there with my Style Statement. Maybe that's why it's hard for some of us to work through the exercises?

I mentioned this at our Meet N Greet, but I normally detest open-ended question workbooks. Especially if it's a read this passage and then answer a question type. I think it's the direct part of me rearing its ugly head. I usually just circle the pertinent info in the reading portion and draw a line to the answer section and move on. Really, you want me to spend my time handwriting on these lines what I just finished reading in print? Sheesh! For some reason, I enjoyed this project because it didn't treat my brain as a non-working muscle and so I powered through it in one huge day of retrospection. It was a lot like a sewing project for me. I wanted so badly to work to the end of it to see the final result that I didn't give myself time to question and ponder. I just wrote the first thing that popped in my head and moved on. Words and phrases kept reoccurring and the questions were easier to answer as I went along. If I repeat the exercise in, say, five years, will it be different? I fully expect it to be changed. We had a newborn in the family and my father was recovering from his first major illnesses EVER (throat cancer, lung cancer and heart attack) at 77 years old. It was a retrospective time for me. The nostalgic description might change to a certain degree, but the natural is definitely the best 70-80% word for me. Strange how I never saw it before. It was a true revolution for me. I was amazed that it was so accurate when I read the descriptions of both words. Especially when put together. I'm still amazed when I realize how natural and nostalgic find their way into my wardrobe, my home and my way of life and they have been for years!

P.S. For those who have trouble with disappearing posts, I want to mention what helps me. I do one of two things. Either type your post in a Word Document and copy then paste in the message portion here, OR if you prefer to type in the Message box of the Reply to Thread here, be sure to highlight your entire message, right click and COPY. That way, when you preview your post, you have your message copied and if the page gets screwy, you can just right click when you get the page refreshed and it should paste your post right back. Hope this helps. (AND that I explained what I meant clearly enough to be understood!)

Hugs for you, Anita. I'll be thinking and sending warm wishes for your family and Toby cat.

Pam, You've Got Mail!

Since Linda has finished with her Alaska trip, and the EARTH ladies are posting Style Statements on their thread, I thought I’d bare my soul and talk about what I discovered about myself when I worked through the Style Statement book. Since I wasn’t sure if any other FIRE lady bought in to this exercise and anticipating that not everyone has the book to reference explanations, this will be an extra long post because I’m copying the descriptions. Ok. Here goes…. I am Natural Nostalgic.

Natural

Spirit: Natural is genuine, free from artificiality, affectation, and inhibitions. Natural is known for being spontaneous. Natural hates to be fenced in and riles against conformity and unreasonable rules, though they are rooted in moral certainty and a strong sense of justice. Very much at ease with their essential selves, they love to get down to basics and can be direct communicators. Down to earth, literally and figuratively, natural has a deep reverence and respect for nature, which delights and replenishes them, and an appreciation of supernatural forces.

Look and Feel: All things generated by nature: wood, minerals, gems. Natural coloring, textiles, and produce. Rustic, primitive, flowing, native, or common to its surroundings.

Being oneself, candid, direct, easy, elemental, folksy, forthright, frank, genuine, green, handcrafted, homey, impulsive, instinctive, laid-back, leather, minerals, native, open, organic, plain, primitive, provincial, pure, raw, real, rustic, simple, simple-hearted, sincere, spontaneous, straightforward, trusting, unassuming, uncontrived, unpolished, unpretentious, up-front, untamed, wilderness, woodsy, wild.

Nostalgic

Spirit: Nostalgic is an ambassador of sentiment. They collect memories, trinkets, rare and precious things, and memorabilia. Nostalgic loves to pay homage to what has gone before. Enamored by the past—from royalty to rock stars, family heirlooms to classic films—they work it into the present with quirkiness. They are usually hopeful romantics, yearning and working toward creating fulfilling connections. Their social circle is very important to them, as are the basic social graces of politeness and a welcoming heart. Nostalgic likes to look good. They put creative thought into their home and appearance and love trying their treasures and good finds together with contemporary basics. Attracted to the whimsical and the precious, Nostalgic has a great eye and heart for detail and seeks to fill life with the small pleasures that matter most.

Look and Feel: Vintage, antique, rarities, collectibles. Romantic.

Ancestry, culture, customs, estate, heirloom, history, inheritance, legacy, passionate, picturesque, poetic, remembering ritual, sentimental, tradition, wisdom

Two pictures from my internet search of Natural Nostalgic:

http://www.naturalnostalgia.co.za/wp-content/gallery/vintage-equipment/post-cards-box.jpg

http://www.naturalnostalgia.co.za/wp-content/gallery/vintage-equipment/singer-sewing-machine.jpg

The first picture has a quirkiness factor for me. I worked in a mail-related field when my children were younger. Not my dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but it paid the bills. The second picture reminds me of my mother’s old Singer machine in the treadle cabinet. It is still in use today. The outdoor setting and the wildflowers add the quirkiness I need. Just crop out the teacup and fabric in the lower one-third of the picture. They're not necessary for me. In fact, they're a little too frilly-fancy for me.

What I understand better about myself now: My kitchen is decorated with my grandmother’s 50’s style chrome and vinyl dinette set. It is flanked by the Hoosier cabinet complete with original flour bin and bread drawer that belonged to my husband’s mother. Both items suit our 1890’s farmhouse and I am grateful to own and daily use these parts of our past. Every room in my home has a piece of family furniture. This makes me smile.

At 16, my boyfriend’s relative had a bathroom with vintage newspaper-print wallpaper. I only saw that room once, but always knew I wanted something similar some day. Our bathroom nearest my 50’s-style kitchen sports vintage black and white newsprint wallpaper. It doesn’t matter one iota that wallpaper isn’t in style these days. The “articles” have a quirky play-on-words that I find hilarious. There’s something so decadent about starting my morning early enough to leisurely bathe in a claw-footed bathtub! I love that tiny bathroom. Similar found here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-American-Newspaper-from-the-1900s-Wallpaper-KW7620-/181366783767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a3a4d7f17

My brother gifted me with twin cherry wood bangle bracelets when we were teenagers. They are simple circles with no ornamentation of any kind. I know exactly where they are in my jewelry collection. Enough said.

Like someone mentioned on the other thread, this exercise not only helped explain how and why I prefer certain fashions, it’s bled over into understanding nearly everything about me. Why I love zingy little play-on-word lyrics in songs; anything with little quirki-isms.

Charles Wysocki puzzles (nostalgic AND quirky)

http:// http://charleswysocki.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=1140&categoryid=98&startpage=3 (the brand of needles? And, there’s that Singer sewing machine again.

http://charleswysocki.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=1152&categoryid=98&startpage=3 (the book titles! Oh my, hilarious! And Frederick is a twin to Mitch, our last much-beloved cat friend.)

So, although I am a FIRE girl, I now understand why I gravitate to EARTH colors. My love for the autumn season draws me to the earthy colors that appear in nature, and it’s double hard for me to see my colors because so many FIRE colors do not appear in nature. For now, I must train my eye for nature’s colors of spring: deep daffodil yellow and spring green. Maybe the rest will come in time.

One of my favorite outfits this season has been a lace sleeveless top with jeans, strappy cognac leather sandals with cork wedge heels. I keep thinking I’d rather wear it with one my broomstick skirts, but am afraid that I would look “costume-y”. Nostalgic me tries to hang on to things WAAAAY too long, especially if I like that style and I really, really like loose and flowing hippie fashion made of natural fabrics of linen, cotton, cashmere, leather and wool in colors of cream to cognac brown. Lace. I’ve liked handkerchief hems on skirts and dresses since I was a teenager. Love the look, feel and smell of leather. Now I understand that it fits both the natural and nostalgic parts of me. My father trained horses my entire childhood and the smell of leather is part of my heritage.

It will soon be time to pull out my favorite fall purse. It’s made from material originally intended as car upholstery. It’s that quirkiness factor again mixed in with the natural and nostalgic. http://kimwhitehandbags.com/automotive/redblue_striped_shoulder.html

If I hadn’t given an open and honest look into my world before, I’ve surely opened the floodgates now. Has any other FIRE lady worked through the Style Statement book?

Thanks so much, Linda, for giving us the gift of your Alaska trip. I say that I'm going to post pictures and such, but it seems that my time slips away from me. The next thing you know, it seems silly to post about the trip I took, oh yeah, months ago. Duh. I must get better about this. Can't have you and Pam thinking you are the only faces we see on the thread, now can we? Oh, wait. Kim will be back soon with a trip to Africa! That will be fun.

DH and I fully intend to go back to Alaska. We really, really liked it there. I have a thing about waterfalls and Boy Howdy! They do have themselves a few waterfalls, don't they? Isn't it funny how everyone is so different? Both couples that went with us on our Alaska cruise don't care to go back. We did an excursion with one couple one day and with the other couple another day. Neither were terribly impressed while we were enthralled with both excursions! Sometimes I think DH and I just like to go and do. Heck, we don't get out much.

Aww, Linda. I feel so for your aching knees. Mine is my shoulder/back, but it's Uncle Arthur OSTEO that visits me. He's not nearly as mean, but he came to visit in my mid-30s and keeps showing up regularly now without rhyme or reason. I've always thought it was the warm weather during cruise season that made me feel better, but, if I understand correctly, it has something to do with salt water? That's why Epsom salts helps sometimes? I'll research that.

I'm so glad Pam chimed in with her comment. This board needs a "LIKE" button. I'm so direct when I try to communicate that I hesitate to EVER say something comforting. It usually comes out bass-ackwards and I dig myself and the buddy I'm trying to help even deeper in a hole. But, what I noticed from the first picture in the red sweater is how much thinner your face looks. Well, that and how your personality and perseverance shines through your adventure so far. Wheeeew, girlfriend, I'll never forget my trip to Alaska and I didn't even have an earthquake!

We're ready for the next installment when you are ready.

We must have been posting at the same time, Linda. Thanks for the link. It brought tears to my eyes, because I have those same issues too. It could be my granddaughter that wrote that about me.

I agree, Pam. I've been chewing my fingernails trying to be patient. Sometimes I think I have the patience of a two-year old and since my DGS turned two in June, I have first hand experience of such things.

In the meantime, I have news. My son is getting married in November. Very different from the wedding of my daughter. Of course, it would be. This really shouldn't have come as a shock. They've rarely agreed on anything their entire lives, except defending each other to anyone outside our family unit. I'm not sure I've ever attended a ceremony like this one is shaping up to be. I said during my daughter's wedding planning, when my son's turn rolls around, I will ask what color and length of dress I should wear and how the check should be made for the rehearsal dinner. So far, I think I'm right on track. This will be fun!

Oh, I got around to planning a cruise too. It's shaping up to be another busy year!

YAY!!! Oh I'm so excited to hear about ALASKA!!!

 

I agree...lovely red on you, Linda!

 

Seriously rough start to your trip! OMG. The deal with not taking medication in a carry on...this would have made me insane.

 

MARGARET!!! Oh I'm all over that invitation! Cottage accommodations? Boat? Kayak? If everyone could deal with travel to NJ...that sounds like fun. I haven't been to NJ in years and years...the only time I went was when I was very young...I flew with my Great Grandma to visit my Grandma and Grandpa one summer. I don't recall being there too long and don't recall that much about NJ because I was so young, except that they lived in an area of NJ that was covered in pine trees IIRC.

 

If beds are provided...and we don't need to pack all the camping gear, then we could research various travel options. We'd have to get this firmed up enough in advance in order to have the most options and take advantage of any sales...

 

More, Linda!

Like. Like! LIKE!!!

Well, since the pontoon doesn't belong to me, I can't offer a trip on the water. But I have access to the man that can and I'm thinking it could be arranged. However, a repeat Meet N Greet weekend is definitely offered. I feel almost guilty to have everyone travel except me again, but am more than happy to host our Second Annual. It would definitely be fun!

So glad the info worked out. You research like I do. One link leads to another, then another and before too long, you've found a whole lot of info. Glad it turned out so well for you.