Thursday, December 18, 2014

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?


23 comments:

  1. I'm calling it right now - Cy is going to be running the world before you and I are 60!

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  2. Cy's letter is wonderful. Does he have a blog? I want to follow him.

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    1. I was thinking he should have a sports vlog with his friend John John as he can talk all day about sports. As for writing something done, now that's a challenge for him...

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  3. I love a good clear out myself Jody. It feels so good to be pared down, in every way, at this stage in life. I like the simplicity. Congrats on your published pieces, I'm off to check those out. By the way, just as I was reading this post I saw that you commented on Stylemindchic Life. I love that! I've missed your posts. Scott and I will be in SF the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. I was going to stalk you and try to meet up for some fun, but alas, off to NZ you go. Have a fabulous time back home. Yes, to Cotillion--those images are so fun! Merry! Merry Jody!
    xx, Heather

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    1. Doesn't a good old chuck out make you feel 10 ibs lighter?

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  4. Well haven't you been busy?! Hope the flight seems short and you have a wonderful holiday in NZ.

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    1. How funny, actually i was thinking how unbusy I've been (sitting at computer on bum trying to finish dreaded novel) Guess its just that I haven't blogged in soooo long.

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  5. Safe travels Jody and Merry Christmas to you all and hope it lives up to Cy's expectations. Mum arrives from Christchurch tomorrow for nearly a months holiday here in Perth. Major housework on the agenda tonight when I get home from work LOL

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  6. 11/10 post here Darling.

    I was just at a lunch where someone said they were going to walk the Camino. Thought of you Immediately.

    Luff Cy's letter- the other day I said to my kid "you're hardly covering yourself in Glory behaviour wise" and he shouted back "I am covering myself in Glory!"

    Happy weekend, Cull Hard x

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  7. A year isn't very long to pass judgement on those poor clothes! I usually leave it five years, or even longer. Last NYE I wore a flowing black velvet skirt I bought when I was 20 and hadn't really worn since. It was too big then, and a tad tight on the waist now (easily covered up...).

    Mind you, a year is probably enough to recognise a dud buy.

    That young Philippine girl looks like she's getting married except there's no bridegroom. It looks like she had a lovely time, but she'll have to go through it all again when/if she ties the knot. The event was to celebrate her 18th birthday? They certainly do things in style in the Philippines! :)

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  8. Welcome back ...did you know that last weeks Times informed us that Oakland was the place to be/visit....so you are ahead of the curve there Missy. Your boys are fabulous and the dance looks really cool. Have a great visit back home..xx

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  9. Cy shares my sentiments exactly!

    Could not work with the husband - love him and i can live with him but not work. doing the house is just about testing the limits really. merry xmas

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  10. Loved this newsy post it has everything, a clearing-out, hilarity from Cy, glamour (the cotillion Wow) and industry... you have been busy and good job on all the writing.
    Safe travels to you and your family and I hope you have a very very Happy Christmas and New Year. I'm chillin' with my Rascals and I can't wait, the girls have been bickering non-stop and they need their brother around to change up the dynamic, he's home from school next week thank heavens. xo

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  11. Wow, you've been having fun indeed. The letter is too funny.

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  12. SO< my friend took me shopping on PIEDMONT AVE last week cause of what she had read in the CHRONICLE!YOU LOOK the BEST out of all those YOUNG THINGS in the front of the MAG............then there is CY and his LETTER!FRAME THAT when the time is RIGHT!Enjoy the family...........one day we will catch UP!We might have WALKERS, but we will!
    XO

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  13. Our daughter just flew in from Japan so Christmas festivities can now commence.
    Love your son's letter to Santa.
    Have a safe flight and damn the weather, it's family that makes Christmas.

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  14. Welcome back Jody.....hope you still talk to us when the novel is a huge best seller! Your boys look gorgeous......and yes I agree..bring back the cotillion..x

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  15. Oh that letter is hilarious! It made me smile as only this morning my oldest son (8) wrote on a gift tag for one of his teachers that he hoped she had a good 2015 and he was looking forward to the new topic in the New Year which was to be about China as he was a Chinese Master (of what I have no idea) but the fact that these thoughts go through their heads make me chuckle.

    And it's so true - the fit of an item is the true decider of whether it will be worn or not. That's why I have so many unworn items in my wardrobe. Time for a purge too methinks.

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  16. Good to catch up with your news and your articles. What a fantastic experience for Harley - how dedicated all the kids were to practise for so long - delightful.
    Laughing at Cal's letter - one to keep for the future.

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  17. Hunkering down with family .food and drink...its cold outside!

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  18. What a great letter! We are planning a very low key holiday. Both kids have been sick so I just hope we are all healthy! Love the purge. Nothing better for the soul.

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  19. Loved this! That Cy is something...! Looks like you squeezed some fun in before you left. I love the tamale tradition and they are so good! x

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