Fantastic Friday Finds

This very chilly Friday morning finds me wishing I was on a plane headed south to Palm Beach so I might be wearing these really cute outfits from Vineyard Vines' new "Palm Beach Lately" campaign.  Love these.....

 If you are still stuck in winter like I am, you won't be wearing these styles any time soon.  But I discovered these fantastic shoes.  They are super comfortable, have a nice heel (just enough, but not too flat) and you can wear these all day long.  I bought two pairs but only the suede ones fit my awful feet (with a terrible bone spur) but if you have this problem like I do I'd try them anyway. These are my new "go to" shoes and hope to add more colors to my wardrobe.  Try them!

Love this vintage Limoges plate, perfect to place on a table or bookshelf.  And reasonably priced too.

Love this Limoges horse plate. Perfect for a library bookcase.  See it here.

Love this Limoges box and it would make the perfect Easter present for someone.  See it here.

The Bucket List - An Update

It's been three years since I first discussed "The Bucket List" so it's time for an update.  The original Bucket List (only equestrian) was published in March 2017.  I'm happy to report that I've started checking off some of the boxes but I've added a few more to the list.

Here's an updated Bucket List:

1) The Breeder's Cup
We have our tickets for the 2020 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland.  Hotels are already sold out and I'm going to exhale to deal with the crowds but where will I go and see this kind of horseflesh in two days?  We love Keeneland so it's going to be fun and our seats are covered so even if it rains, we're there.  Only eight more months to wait....

2) Stallions
We managed to see American Pharoah but we still have not made it to see Justify yet.  So a trip back to Coolmore to see him gets added to the list.  The others I'd like to see:  War Front (at Claiborne), Curlin (at Hillandale), all of the stallions at Lane's End.  We have plans to see Gun Runner at Three Chimneys later this year.  We were able to see Pioneer of the Nile before he died, Giant's Causeway (before he passed) and California Chrome before he was sold to Japan.  I wish we had made it to see A.P. Indy (he died last week).  But we have seen some other great ones too - Tiznow, Megdalio D' Oro, Uncle Mo, and Tapit among others.  I'd add Into Mischief to that list now as well.

3) Saratoga

Saratoga is still on the list and we won't make it to New York until 2021 at the earliest.  Cannot wait for my August junket to this paradise of horse racing.

4) The Preakness

We have plans to attend both The Preakness and The Black-Eyed Susan in May with friends who have box seats on the finish line so we'll be going in style.  Looking forward to my first Triple Crown race in real life.  I have a hat but it's not like this one!

5) Aachen

Aachen is still on the list.  Maybe in 2022 or 2023. 

6) Del Mar

Del Mar is still on the list and eventually I'll make it to Southern California to see this historic venue.

7) The Horse Show Bucket List

As my horse showing days are winding down at the upper levels, I've checked off most of the list here.  A few more I'd add (and I am not certain I'll make it to these as an exhibitor now) are Aiken and Blowing Rock.  I had hoped to go to Aiken this spring but with my injury that's now out of the question. I showed at Blowing Rock as a child but wanted to show there again as an adult. I may still get there but not likely this year. But the ones I checked off - the WCHR Finals (three times), Capital Challenge, Harrisburg, Washington, Devon, the Florida Circuit (Ocala) and Upperville. Ribbons from all of these - tri-colors from Capital Challenge and Ocala.  So even if I miss out on Aiken and Blowing Rock, I've surpassed my goals in this category for sure.

A few non-equestrian events on my list now......

8) The Greenbrier Carlton Varney Weekend

I have plans to attend this fun weekend in March 2021.  

9) Skiing in Europe

We are considering a trip to Switzerland in 2021.   Stay tuned.

10) Budapest

I had wanted to go to Hungary on a trip to Europe in the early 1990's but was not able to fit it in but finally made there in 2019.  It was freezing cold but I loved it and would love to go back but in the spring.  The zoo looks amazing and did I mention Herend?

11) Salzburg

I have never made it to this idyllic spot in Austria.  It's on the short bucket list for sure, in winter, so I can visit the Christmas Markets.

 

Don't have a Bucket List?  It's amazing how you'll check off your list if you make one!  Life's too short. Buy the shoes and and just do it!

 

 

Romantic Florals

As if to follow an Edith Wharton or Jane Austen script, romantic florals are "in" this spring and you can find the pattern most anywhere.

(Floral Shirt, Liberty, J Crew)

(Gucci Perfume)

(Banjanan Dress)

(Floral Pumps)

(Floral Hat)

(Floral Sandals)

(Floral Suit)

(Floral Saddle Pad)

(Floral Napkins)

(Floral Notepads)

Happy hump day!  May your day be filled with flowers.

The Bunnies Have Landed

There's nothing I love more than Easter decorating, bunnies everywhere.  You cannot have too many sets of bunny salad plates, appetizer plates, stand-ups, wreaths or door hangers.

(Bunny Appetizer Plates)

Love these salad plates, in sets of 4:

Love these too, also in sets of four:

You can never have too many bunnies for around the house this time of year.

More bunny salad plates.  

A fun wooden bunny that could go most anywhere....

Love these bunny mason jar mugs. I'd use these for the table, put flowers in them.

Love this bunny tray or platter.

This bunny is perfect for the patio, the sun room, the mud room or even the table!

Love this bunny platter.

Love this tablecloth (and there are napkins as well) but wish it was cotton.  See it here.

Have a bunny of a day!

Legend of the Fall

Riding is not a hobby for the faint-hearted.  I learned that lesson, once again, two weeks ago, when I had my first fall off Madison, and my first bad fall in about 15 years.  It always happens when you least expect it and this time was no different.

It was my first show of the season, since mid-November and I had taken Madison in a warm-up class to get the rust off.  I don't jump much at home so I had not jumped anything but single jumps since November. Our warm-up was decent (we were 4th in a professional division) and our first Adult class started out well enough.

Typically after the first jump the mare picks up a little steam (I don't jump her with spurs or carry a stick) but that didn't happen.  I had a very difficult time getting her up the first line and added a stride and she just had no gas. So coming around a left turn to an oxer just off the rail, we were right on it, or so I thought. I had a good distance and asked her to leave (and had a fair amount of impulsion to get her going) and she had other plans.  While I thought she'd take off when I asked her to, she did not and suddenly stopped and I went flying over her head and landed very hard, quite a ways from the back-side of the jump.  You always know when you have done something so I did not get up.  I was on my knees, head down, arms in front of me and it was my right shoulder.  I separated my shoulder, or have an AC joint separation.  It's a common sports injury and will heal on it's own in about 4 to 6 weeks. My shoulder is now somewhat deformed with a lump now on the top of it, hoping it will go away over time but maybe no strapless dresses this season.....

Here's what I have.  Type 2.

I can use my arm, but definitely no lifting for many more weeks. I definitely overdid it yesterday so back to being somewhat immobile this week so it can heal. At least I did this in February and not June or July!

If you are going to ride horses, be prepared to fall off at least every 10 years or so.  Sega and I had three falls in one year and that was it - I only fell off her that one year - but the third one sent me to the emergency room.

Hoping you have a safe week!  If you do ride, always wear a helmet. Be safe!  Happy Monday!

Preference for Pucci

Pucci has certainly proved to be timeless as his vintage dresses still sell for hundreds of dollars or more online and in consignment shops.  I own only a pair of Pucci rain boots but would love one of these vintage dresses.

(Vintage Dress)

But did you know that Pucci also made needlepoint?  This article from 1976 talks about three kits that were sold at Saks and other upscale stores for $25.  Would love to have one of those! 

Kate Dickerson makes Pucci-like needlepoint canvases and one of her belts on my "to do" list but not yet part of my massive stash.

She also makes a fabulous backgammon board.

You could take one of these patterns and easily turn it into a pillow.  Maybe one day in my spare time....

Look at this ad on Ebay for Pucci needlepoint pillows.....

Love this skirt.  Am tempted to buy it and have it altered to fit.

(Vintage Skirt)

(Vintage Scarf)

(Vintage Dress)

(Pucci Dress)

(Pucci Dish)

(Pucci Scarf)

(New Pucci Scarf)

Hope you have a Pucci Sunday!