Phewer Phun Phashionist Photos

 
I'm sad.  In spite of all the fine features of our new Smart Phones, the one  I FORGOT to be sure to look for when purchasing was the time delay on the camera. Soooooooo, while I have a better camera, I have no way to take my "fashion" photos!

Oh well, fashionista that I am (not) -- it's probably not a big deal.

Here I am in my almost-uniform.  Except for the blue skirt, It's pretty well what I wear around the house most days.  The shoes are a little fancier, because I'm off to our Ladies' Home Connection - a Bible study and lunch with friends that meet every other week...

I'm wearing a black patent-leather belt (obscured by said Smart Phone) and a necklace of black jet beads.

(I'm holding my head high to minimize wrinkles on my neck--not because I'm snooty.)

Speaking of black, this is our Black and Decker Brew Station.

It may be on its last leg....but I did run a white vinegar solution through it this week

and it perked up a bit (no pun intended).

Above my Brew Station, on the inside of the cabinet door,

I have a sheet of directions for cleaning the coffee maker.

You can see I scribble dates (when I remember) that I cleaned it.

Actually, these directions are from several pots ago and go back YEARS.

I've also noted the dates that I replace the filters in our Brita water pitcher here.
My husband has placed reminders to check furnace filters
and the salt level in the water softener on the calendar on his phone...

How do YOU remind yourself of these maintenance chores?

(They really DO help prolong the life of household equipment!)

cropped cardis and summer shoes

My friend and I were at My Favorite Thrift Store on Monday.  I had paid for my purchases and carted them to the car.  I returned to wait in line with Sue.  This sweater caught my eye - hanging at the end of a rack of sweaters.  Actually, it was the faux fur collar that caught my eye....When it was time for her to pay for her items, the cashier pointed out that all clothes were priced Buy-One-Get-One-Free.  Since she had three items, she was entitled to a free one.  Overhearing this, I boldly stepped up and claimed this sweater!

I didn't realize just how "in style" I would be wearing it until I was blog surfing this morning and found a post on cropped cardis.  This DEFINITELY would be considered a cropped cardi!  I'm not sure if it was MEANT to be or if it assumed this shape after an ill-attempted washing....

The fit -- especially the lay of the collar  -- is awkward.  But the fur is detachable.  And if I can't make it work the way it was meant to be worn, I shall use the collar another way.

Meanwhile...I have summer shoes to sort and store.  I piled them all in the middle of my closet yesterday and kind of forgot about them until this morning.  So sorting/storing is on my agenda.  That's my plan.  And I'm sticking TO it.

...summer shoes

i still use the ironing board

OK.  I'll bring out the iron and ironing board

before leaving the house this morning.

I still do.  Occasionally.  

Do you?

Brrrrrrr! It's Cold (Almost)

 I took advantage of the 59 degree temperature this morning
to do some much-needed weeding.

I noticed a few new flowers. 

They seemed to be hiding behind the foliage

as if uncertain of their timing.

 It's been awhile since I showed our mattress spring gallery.

The "SIMPLIFY" sign is begging for a new paint job.

The spirea appeared undaunted by the cold temperature.

It seems unusually brilliant this year.

OK.  I just realized I got this post on the wrong blog.
Sorry.  I'm too lazy to move it to where it belongs.

triple play

 Next to my denim jackets, these wool ones are my favorite, casual ones.

I remember my grandmother's that hung in a closet in their garage.

It was there to wear on chilly mornings in the garden.

 

This brown one is my favorite.  It is also the only one with a label.

I think the others may be handmade.

Their workmanship is excellent.

 Big pockets.  Big buttons.  Shoulder pads.

All thrifted.

They're airing out on the clothesline this morning.

Then I'll probably put them away for the season

and pull them out again in the fall.

works for me

OK.  I stole it from Angela.

She apparently got it from Maxine!

I tried it.

It worked for ME, too.
(I have NO idea why Angela's name above does not show up as a link,
but if you click on her name, you'll go to her blog.)
Do you have any additional "tips" for cleaning house?

Welcome, all you new fascinating followers!

I noticed you.  It's great to have you on board.

well-heeled

I realized I DO have a fashion post in me....sort of.  One of my favorite fashion blogs is Vintage Vixen.  This gorgeous lady is creative, daring, frugal, innovative, and (most importantly) kind.  She has an eye for vintage clothes and accessories.  In yesterday's post she explained that she buys at low enough prices that she is able to sell her clothes on ebay.  She also said about every two weeks, she spends a day repairing zippers, hems, and tears etc.

Today's
silhouette

When I read that she pays her local cobbler 2.50 pounds to reheel shoes, I was a little jealous.  (But then, I'm not sure how British pounds and American dollars actually compare.)

Remember my $.30 brown shoes?  After two wearings, I realized one of the heels was gone.  So it was off to the shoe repair shop.  It's been awhile since I've had a pair of shoes in the shop.  At the price I buy my shoes, it sometimes makes more sense to get rid of them and buy another pair for $1-3.

I really liked the comfort of these particular shoes, and considering my meager investment in them,  I reluctantly paid the $9 plus tax price to have them reheeled.  My husband picked them up Tuesday.

What's the price for reheeling in YOUR town?

PLAIN AND SIMPLE

 That pretty well sums up my fashion style - Plain and Simple.  This sweater is another piece I purchased at the 1/2 price sale at the thrift store last Friday.  It is comfortable and warm.  (I just eyed it and didn't try it ion.  It looked smaller than it wears!  The sleeves are long, so I just rolled them up a couple of times....).

Having spent $.50 on the sweater, I can turn the thermostat down a degree or two in the house and save more on today's heating bill than I paid for the sweater!  My style is "thrifty" in more ways than one.

Today I need to sew a button on the cuff of the red blouse I wore yesterday.  I pinned it in desperation before church.  Note to self:  Be sure item is in good repair before hanging in the closet!






Plain and Simple.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

By the end of this week, I am determined to have made some of my own laundry detergent following the directions of a trusted friend.  Click here to see Kathy's formula.  I have seen other similar recipes and have been curious, but this time I KNOW the source personally.  So I'll be off to gather Fels Naptha soap, washing soda, and Borax powder from the grocery shelves in the next couple of days.

The final trigger was seeing the Fels Naptha post at An Affordable Wardrobe.  Apparently it is a stain remover to rival even my current favorite, Spray and Wash Stain Stick.  I should have enough of the soap bar left after making my detergent to experiment on stains!

By the way, the saying in the title is said by some to have come from ancient Hebrew writings. However, its first appearance in English - though in slightly altered form - seems to be in the writings of Francis Bacon. In his 'Advancement of Learning' (1605) he wrote: 'Cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God.'  About two centuries later John Wesley in one of his sermons (1791) indicated that the proverb was already well known in the form we use today. Wrote Wesley: 'Slovenliness is no part of religion.'Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness.'  From "Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins" by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).