Updated on August 28, 2019
DECORUM…WHAT’S THAT?
Long ago, decorum, like perfume, added to a woman’s mystique. Everybody knew a lady only went into the washroom to powder her nose and refresh her lipstick. Right? And that we were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? Right again! Certain body functions were never mentioned in public, certainly never in front of a lady! Some people don’t like the word ‘Lady’. They think it enchains us. Personally, I believe the word ‘Lady’ empowers us!
Fast forward to 2019…
I was in the pharmacy the other day and overheard this angry amazonic-like female scream at the top of her lungs, “I fricking hate having my per**d! It pisses me off!” I turn to see this girl storming out of the shop, her lobster-faced boyfriend crawling behind her. Funny! The man beside me in the shop looked mortified!! TMI!
Watching a reality show recently, Tardy is cuddled up with her husband on the couch. Everything nice and romantic, until she asks him “Did you just f**t? Or is it your tummy rumbling?” Umm…Decorum? Enooo! Back in the day, you’d never hear Audrey Hepburn ask Givenchy that question.
I’m an old fashioned girl who believes in feminine allure and romance. I think decorum is as necessary an accessory to women today, as a nice handbag, or a killer pair of heels. We girls need to retain the mystery of that which separates us from the livestock of life. Our power is in our femininity. Men cannot compete with us in that regard. So work it sisters!!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on August 12, 2019
MONDAY MUSINGS: PENNIES FROM HEAVEN.
Why is it that every time I am thinking about loved ones in Heaven, I find a coin! ALL the time!! Usually a dime, with the image of a ship on it. My mother always believed that ships were a symbol of good luck (as in ‘Your ship’s coming in!’) I’m not the only one who finds coins from departed loved ones. Several of my friends have experienced those ‘Pennies from Heaven’ and usually in random places too, such as under a tree, stuck in a couch, etc. – just to draw your attention!! Here is my recent magic moment which I had to share because it was so special!
Thursday morning, the sun was beaming gloriously through my bedroom window, illuminating the whole room, nagging me to rise and shine! Out came the walking shoes. Pronto! You have to be quick before the sun changes its mind!! I drove to Willows Beach, the most beautiful place in the world and began my walk, determined to put in my 10,000 steps. Are you putting in yours? I digress…
As I was walking along the promenade, taking in all the early morning buzz, watching people on the beach hurling sticks at their dogs to catch, joggers sweating it out, ravenous crows foraging for scraps, everybody busy about their morning routine, I suddenly, quite out of the blue, had a very strong Mammy and Daddy moment. One of those precious moments when you know your loved ones are close… I could see their smiling faces, hear their voices in my ear. They knew I loved my ‘little walks’ and I knew they would love to be walking the promenade with me, chatting away like we used to do. But, hey, they were walking with me, I could feel their presence, just couldn’t see them. If I was in any doubt, they threw me a sign to let me know Heaven was only a whisper away!
At that precise moment, something lying in the sand was blinding me with its brilliance. I had to inspect. Curiosity got the better of me so I jumped off the clean concrete sidewalk to get to the beach. The shiny object had distracted me from my power walk, and I was getting sand in my sneakers. It was a silver dime which had caught the sun’s rays and appeared much bigger than it was! A penny from Heaven! Yes, Mammy and Daddy, you sure let me know you were with me yesterday!!
Don’t you just LOVE those magic moments which draw pennies from Heaven!!
Happy Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on August 9, 2019
FASHION FRIDAY: SUPER SUMMER SALES!
I just love summer sidewalk sales. Some of my best treasures have been acquired from them. I shop ahead for Christmas and birthday presents and clothes. I rarely have to go out and buy an outfit for an event – never in fact! I simply shop in my own home closet! If I had to go out looking for an outfit to wear to some social event, I’d be stressed! I don’t like buying under pressure. That’s when I make the worst wardrobe mistakes!
The following are some of my favourite Summer Sale purchases this year. Each piece was chosen knowing it would match existing clothes in my wardrobe. Most of them were bought during my recent visit to Ireland. I love Irish fashion because it is so unique and well made. I also find I get the most compliments when I wear them.
I love this pink/gold/cream coat created by Irish Design label, Caroline Kilkenny. In fact the designers are a sister duo! It was always their dream to design clothes. What I love about this top is the fact you can dress it up or dress it down. Looks great with all cream inside or the pink pants I am wearing. I have had SO many compliments about this one! I love the Caroline Kilkenny vibe! Check it out!
Orange ‘Free People’ Kimono top. I don’t normally buy Free People clothing. I always thought it was for the younger generation, but not so! This long kimono top is so ‘in’ at the moment and has been so versatile over the summer. I loved the vibrant fun colours and the fact it was 50% off!! Everybody should have a kimono in their wardrobe. It can be dressed up or down! I might even transition this one into the Fall!
Ah, who doesn’t like Michael Kors? This cute silky top is fresh and has a ‘Housewives of Orange County’ vibe to it lol!! I feel glamorous when I wear it! Only $20 at a local consignment shop! Never know what treasures you find there!!
This floral Ted Baker top was purchased at Willow Boutique in Ennis, Ireland. It is one of my favourite shops in Ireland. Gorgeous stuff!! Also, had a super summer sale. Got this top at a great price and fell in love at first sight!! Had to have it!! You can wear it with jeans, all white inside, anything in fact! It screams Ted Baker FUN!! The pink pants are vintage Banana Republic from 2 years ago.
LOVE this versatile little VilaGallo silver jacket! So cute and also much admired. I purchased it in Ennis, Ireland during the super summer sales! VilaGallo is in fact a Spanish label, the name comprised from both designers, Villalon and Gallo. They describe their clothes as ‘Classic with a twist’. That would be right! Silver is a neutral colour, so can be matched with almost any colour. I could even transition this one to Christmas!!
Lastly, my cute linen playsuit! This one is from the Mango store, Malaga, Spain. It was only 39 euros but because it is a neutral colour, you can have great fun with accessories. I teamed it up with a colourful scarf from Australian Designer, Tamara Armstrong. I love her happy soulful vibe! She lives at Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast. All her designs have a story to tell, which doubles the pleasure of wearing them! This particular scarf depicts inner-strength, inspiration and courage that can ignite us when we dig deeper into our own creativity! Don’t you love it!! Knowing the story behind each design sure puts a different twist to things!
Hope you have FUN with your clothes this Summer and find some fabulous bargains!
Happy Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on July 29, 2019
RE-BOOT YOUR ENERGY AND BECOME A NINJA!
I don’t know about you, but these past three weeks I’ve been feeling the sluggish and exhausting effects of Mercury Retrograde with all its accompanying brain fog and sloppy doppy ways… I’ve been counting the days until it goes direct again (next Thursday, Phew!!). Seriously, I’d be black and blue if I’d kicked myself for all the silly errors I made, and the number of times I could not remember where I put my phone, or car keys. Maybe I’m just getting old!
In the office too, I had to really pay attention as I nearly made some serious mistakes, like putting the wrong papers in a file, or the time I phoned a patient to realise I was speaking to the wrong person!! Driving was pretty precarious too as people around me were equally careless, reversing backwards on to busy roads without looking, no indication when making turns, slowing down in fast lanes, etc. If I wasn’t 100% on my guard, I’d have been gifted with a fender bender! Hot weather and Mercury Retrograde are a lethal combination! I survived – thanks to the following simple, yet effective magic remedies. Try them!
To reboot YOUR energy, and become a Ninja, here are my TOP FOUR secrets:
Munch on Protein: When we’re stressed, our bodies will crave carbs and comfort food. Rather than reach for sweets and chips, grab some seeds, nuts, or a low sugar protein bar. The receipe for my delicious sugar-free ‘Rescue Cookies’ is on BB. They have peanut butter in them which gives a nice litte kick! I keep almonds or pumpkin seeds in little sandwich bags, ready to go in my handbag. Like the girl scouts, be ‘Ever Ready!’
Keep Hydrated: De-hydration sure doesn’t help! Water up with – 2-3 litres per day. Sip green tea as it gives you a mental and physical pick-me-up. Green tea with ginger is a good one. I also put sliced lemons in my water to give it more flavour and burn fat. I make my water work for me as I don’t enjoy drinking water!
Boost the Vitamin B (B12): This vitamin is critical for energy production! Load up on whole grains, fruit and veggies, eggs, and dairy. Start your day with a burst of eggCitement!! It pumps you up. I now keep a bowl of hard boiled eggs in the fridge for those sluggish moments. Kevin gave me that trick and it works! Only 90 calories and yummy!
Keep Moving: Exercise might be the last thing on your mind when you feel tired but it can actually increase your energy level! Squeeze some in whenever you can.
Friday, seeing a big crowd waiting for the elevator at work, I decided to take the stairs instead. I beat them and ran up the 3 flights of stairs. A young fellow emerging from the elevator looked stunned and asked me “Are you a Ninja?” I said no, not the last time I checked. He said he had never ever seen anybody climb stairs as quicky as I had done, and the look of amazement and respect on his face said it all! Boy, that sure made my day!
You too can become a Ninja by trying the above easy remedies!
Hugs Galore,
Patricia xxx
Updated on July 27, 2019
HATS OFF TO ASCOT!
There is something about a hat that cheers the soul and makes one forget about politics and all the nasty stuff. Right? I always notice a woman who wears a hat, though I do notice the shoes too, and the bag… But the hat is the first thing I notice because it surrounds the face, which is the heart and soul of a woman! If the eyes are the window to the soul, the hat is the door to a woman’s heart, and the higher the hat – the closer she is to Heaven!!
