SCARVES

As I shared in last week's post I was recently in Europe...oh my do I like to be able to drop that little phrase anytime and anywhere possible...HA HA.  It was my impression that women there dress in a more classic and conservative manner.  Most people live in smaller homes with less closet space.  Thus they generally own less clothing while finding  more creative ways to maximize their wardrobe.  Scarves seem to play a central role in their accessory collection.

You would think based on the number of scarves that are in my closet(s) (shhh...the other person in my household does need to be reminded I might have one or two closets full of VERY  important belongings) that I wear multiple scarves per day.  I feel like I run in scarf cycles...since this is a blog and not a piece of literature, I can make up words and phrases like scarf cycle, correct?  I may wear scarves for days on end and then all of sudden seem to forget such an item exists and not wear a single one for weeks.

I think several keys to maximizing scarf cycles...(see I used this new phrase twice in one post..so far...) is to think outside of the box.  Instead of a cardigan why not a scarf tied like this?

Bow tie belt anyone?

I have worn a long thin scarf in a bow...although even for me this is a bit oversized:

How about wearing 2 coordinating but different scarves together...AT THE SAME TIME (take a fashion risk now and then)

Tie a scarf on the shoulder of your handbag to add a pop of color or pattern or both.

If you have any helpful suggestions on scarf tying or a favorite scarf you find yourself always pulling out because it goes with pretty much anything and everything in your closet, please share in the comments section below.

For a small smile before I close .....

CATCHING UP.........

So its been awhile hasn't it?  Yes its been way too long. I missed blogging and most of all,  I missed all of you.  So, lets play catch up:

My most exciting news is that my husband and I traveled to Italy in celebration of our 35th wedding anniversary.  Neither of us have ever traveled to Europe so needless to say,  this was a BIG BIG DEAL.  After consulting with several friends who are well traveled along with  a highly recommended /experienced travel agent, we booked our 10 day tour through Insight Travel,  "The Country Roads of Tuscany and Umbria".  Our first afternoon/evening and the following morning was spent in Rome.  We had an opportunity to walk around the city a bit on the day of our arrival.  The following morning was a private tour of the Vatican and then we were off to Tuscany for 6 days.  It was magical, that is all I can say.  We visited Umbria, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Perugia and ended in Venice.  Its impossible to pick a favorite place because each and every one was beautiful, charming and fascinating.  As everyone I have ever met or hope to meet has heard me say, its difficult to believe such a beautiful place exists in this world.  From the delicious food (gelato, pasta, pizza, seafood to highlight a few) to wine at a minimum of twice daily thank you very much, unbelievable architecture and art as well as the fabulous colors of the flowers, the layers of paint showing through on very old buildings colorful store windows with delicious desserts, scarves,  Italian pottery, etc one's senses came alive.  In closing, there is no more keeping this girl "down on the farm" ..I am already dreaming of my next trip abroad and it WILL HAPPEN!


I have a few fun new blogs for you to enjoy (as long as you promise to read mine):

http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com  I just discovered this fabulous read recently and am enjoying going back and looking at all of her posts...lots to enjoy and learn.

https://atypical60.com I am not sure how I found this blog but LOVE her posts, they seriously make me laugh out loud, I want to be her BFF and hang out together.

http://poppisima.blogspot.com  Again, so so funny.  She tests products so we don't have to as well as sharing shopping hits and misses among many other vitally important topics.

New post up soon and I leave you with these words of wisdom:

FRIDAY FANCIES

Its time to share some fun and pretty things that have recently caught my attention:

These just make me smile every time I see them http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ivanka-trump-hettie-fringe-tassel-sandal-women/4152982?cm_ven=Linkshare&cm_cat=partner&cm_pla=10&cm_ite=1&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-ZCjU4mPJimFqQ.IgRwtIYg

Pink seating?  I am in! http://theglitterguide.com/2016/02/10/the-prettiest-pink-seating/

French grey?  Pebbled leather?  Tory Burch???  YES PLEASE http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tory-burch-britten-leather-crossbody-bag/4101936?origin=related-4101936-0-1-PP_OOS-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-4&recs_type=related&recs_productId=4101936&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=1&recs_placementId=PP_OOS&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=4&recs_referringPageType=item_page#select-gallery-thumbnail-0

Hope you have fancy and fun weekend plans.  I leave you with this thought:

LINK LOVE

Happy Wednesday!

Did you know that Nordstroms has expanded their clothing subscription service, Trunk Club, to women's apparel?
http://techcrunch.com/2015/07/21/nordstrom-owned-styling-service-trunk-club-expands-to-womens-apparel/

NY Times list of 100 notable books from 2015:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/06/books/review/100-notable-books-of-2015.html?_r=2

This explains why I am not a fan of outlet malls that are mainly factory stores:
http://styleblazer.com/317254/designer-clothes-youre-buying-outlet-stores-arent-actually-designer/

I love seeing street looks from Fashion Week:
http://www.popsugar.com/fashion/New-York-Fashion-Week-Street-Style-Spring-2016-38350692#photo-38350692

Do you read the NY Times Modern Love column?  If not, you should.  You may now also enjoy the Modern Love Podcast:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/fashion/modern-love-podcast-daniel-jones.html

Books

Are you a reader?  I have always considered myself to be, but it recently dawned on me that I spend more time on the computer and less time with my nose stuck in a good book.  Vowing to change that, I have made a real effort to read (books...People and Us Weekly do not count) and waste less time surfing the web and reading blogs.  I am in a wonderful book club.  We have been together for almost 19 years.  That seems almost impossible to comprehend, the time has gone by so fast.  We started to keep a list of all the books we have read but I think at some point around year 15 that plan slowly faded away.  Thinking back on just a very few of so many books I have loved;

Snow Falling on Cedars http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Falling-Cedars-David-Guterson/dp/067976402X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456086814&sr=8-1&keywords=snow+falling+on+cedars+book
This book was so engaging while also very sad.  How did I not know what happened to Japanese residents in our country during WW II?

Memoirs of a Gesisha http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Geisha-Novel-Arthur-Golden/dp/0679781587/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456086998&sr=8-1&keywords=memoirs+of+a+geisha+book
ABSOLUTELY fascinating.  I had no idea about the training and the history of Gesishas.

The Help http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0425232204/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1456087177&sr=8-2&keywords=The+Help

The Glass Castle http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Memoir-Jeannette-Walls/dp/074324754X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456087236&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Glass+Castle
I had to keep reminding myself this is a true story.

The Kite Runner http://www.amazon.com/Kite-Runner-Khaled-Hosseini/dp/159463193X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456087345&sr=1-1&keywords=the+kite+runner
A very difficult scene to get through in the beginning but the book is well worth doing so.

The Red Tent http://www.amazon.com/Red-Tent-first-Text-Only/dp/B004TMT7OK/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456087456&sr=1-3&keywords=the+red+tent
So much discussion about this book, one that I think I will soon read again.

I am reluctant to stop because there are so many other books I want to recommend.  However at some point I must end this post.  I will share with you our book club's February read, its fabulous!

What have you read recently that you will recommend to all of us?  Please put all suggestions in the comments section below.

LINK LOVE

Its Wednesday and you know what that means.............Link Love time,  so lets kick this post off with a happy thought:

Did you know that Kate Spade no longer owns the Kate Spade name?  She is starting a new company:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/04/8b/4e/048b4eb27183bbd704c16dab0d13c143.jpg

This is very interesting since I think Amazon has had a lot to do with the demise of bookstores:

http://nymag.com/following/2016/02/mall-ceo-amazon-is-planning-physical-stores.html#

Since we strive to be well informed in all areas, an article explaining the Iowa caucus and how it differs from primaries:

http://digg.com/2016/what-is-a-caucus-iowa-2016

I thought most Macys stores already were outlets...and not good ones at that, excuse my sarcasm:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/macys-just-announced-end-department-201100218.html;_ylt=AwrXgiL85J9WJH

Did you see the documentary Iris?  If not, you should, its fabulous:

http://www.vogue.com/13256850/iris-apfel-documentary-albert-maysles/

FANCY NANCY IS BACK.......

Hello all.  Its been a long time hasn't it?  No excuses will be offered as there are none worthy of your time.  I was feeling uninspired on topics to post about and before I knew it,  days turned into weeks and weeks into months...you get the general idea.  I missed exchanging ideas with all of you and after this little hiatus, I now plan to post on a regular basis.

I logged onto the Target website at 7AM this morning to check out the Who What Wear/Target collaboration.  No surprise, the Target website was not working and only 5 items from the collection were available to view.  Since I was already up and on my 2nd cup of coffee I drove over to the store when it opened at 8AM.  I was the ONLY person even looking at the collection.  Good decision everyone else and bad decision Nancy.  The super Target in our area had about 40% of the collection  I was not impressed.  I tried on a few tees and they were so sheer a cami would be an ABSOLUTE requirement, so back to the rack those went.  I am not a pattern person in general but did try on a royal blue/mustard flowered polyester top (sounds so attractive doesn't  it?? hahaha).  Need I tell you that was also quickly returned to the rack.  I saw a black sweater dress that looked like when stretched it might fit a size 00.  You will not be surprised to know I left empty handed.  Why do I always have such high hopes for these events?  I think I am done with all future clothing collaborations offered by Target. They are, in my opinion,  of poor quality and lacking in style.

I REST MY CASE