Good Old Clear Out.

Just finished an article about the purge before the New Year and thought heck - best take some of my own advice and give away clothes I hadn't worn in a year. Also out goes dresses too short for the 52-year-old knees (oh gravity - you beyotch!). Btw, how do we end up with clothes we like but never wear? According to Fashion Therapist, Vanessa Hernandez, it's because we go for print and color when in fact fit is the most important consideration.

This is all going to my sister....the blue Burberry coat was $40 second hand, never wore it as I already had a blue coat. Out go all the narrow shoes that are bunion unkind.

Not sure if I was being intentionally gormless here? Out goes this dress, pretty short even five years ago which is why I'm wearing strange tights I guess.

Nice story about youth today...Harley was asked to be in the "court" of his lovely friend Lois who was having her 18-year-old debut, performed in the traditional Filipina style. In all, 16 of her friends - boys and girls - practised the cotillion and a number of other formal dances for EIGHT months before the evening.  The cotillion was so intricate and graceful and so, so beautiful there as not a dry eye in the house. They danced it to the song of A Thousand Years. Friends, I defy you to listen to this song and not be affected. Bring back the Cotillion, I say!

Harley dancing around his friend Lois on her 18th birthday. At the beginning 8 girls bring her a candle and a rose and tell her what she meant to them. Eight boys each do a little dance around her. 

I wore my swishy blue frock, which turned out to be Lois blue.

Just found a snap of Harley as a three-month-old bubby, with his cousin Devan:

Baby Harley and cousin Devan 17 years ago. Seems like yesterday and yet a thousand year ago.

Also on the "youth today" theme, Cy, 10, is nothing if not genius about managing expectations.  He may not have covered himself in glory this year, as old FF would say. I just saw the start of his letter to Santa Claus.

My article about all the decor stores on Piedmont Ave, Oakland was in the SF Chronicle. Loved a new store called Mulberry Home which was a mix of Cali cool and East Coast preppy.

Mulberry Home

Arjan florists do that thing of using fruits and herbs in decorations

Also did an article about the couple who own Heath Ceramics (an iconic ceramics company in Sausalito) for Anthology mag (sorry no link). Trending are those old-fashioned pink tiles, black tiles and dark grout with a light tile. One of my Kiwi friends said she was all set then; her bathroom grout is all black (mold).

There I am with all the youngies

The couple who own Heath at their home in Sausalito. I really admire couples who work together but we could never (ever!) do it. What about you?

Their kitchen with acid yellow tile

This morning I went to Tamale-making Christmas party at my friend Cindy's house. The tortilla soup was incredible. I wore my stretch boots from Mexico.

silk sweatshirt

Purchased in a store in Sayulita, Mexico, eminently bunion-friendly as it turns out...

Cindy and her son Travis, 17 with the Tamales.

From the Philippines  to Mexico - friends, never say I don't take you places on this blog. We're headed out to the famiglia in Ohope Beach, NZ tomorrow. Apparently it's cold and raining. What are you up these holidays?