getting together information on a numberog fashion designers for a presentation i will give at the art institute here in tucson in september.i will present clothes from my family's collection of couture gowns,clothes and accessories.included will be a chanel taffeta and velvet gown,a helen rose vintage chiffon and crepe gown and a vintage halston beaded dress.more info to comeon this blog!

been awhile

hopefully we will get he same room in Madrid ..photo behind blog title...great place in centro...hotel del las letras on the gran via .
now making plans for the san sebastian journey..anyone konw much about this delightful place?we will be staying near la playa la concha in a villa...daytrips for sure along with beach time.
italian final...bouna fortuna!

bakeries in europe

Living abroad for many years i can admit the many atops at the local boulangerie in geneva,lausanne and paris...yummy treats and marvelous breads.the gouter, an afternoon snack for youngsters on up is a tradition.favoring dark chocolate and crsp french bread as a kid then moving towards pastries as i grew up the tastes and smells always drive me wild.
Imagine the goverment limiting what you could consume in europe?food for thought to those who want to propose limitations on school lunches,portions and such.it is up to parents to control the intake of food not a governing body!That said, those who live in glass houses with derrrieres speading like a monday wash should shut up!

the joys of pets continues to amaze us.with a houseful of four legged creaturethe days are filled with their antics and craziness. that fits in so well in our household.last night , one of the cats ,Sinbad, a black rescue about 3 years old...decided to scale the christmas tree and capture a bird ornament...so far 3 have been ripped to pieces.cannot wait to fill their stockings with toys and treats!

black friday why name it that?$$$$

i am off to pick up some framed protraits of us...to hang upstairs in hallway.tony moved all the Gruau's downstairs hallway.then do some shopping at Encantada,take a couole of the dogs to the Jeferson park then gym and meet tony for dinner at Kingfisher.
lucky us..Tony wants a turkey dinner so he can make sandwiches next week...so will pick one up and prep tomorrow and he can roast it!Guess the meal yesterday wasn't enuf...we joined friends at their restaurant and a good time was had by all.
WE saw"Burlesque" yesterday..real fun ...Cher belted a few songs,Christina was delicious,lots of dancing..gotta get the soundtrack asap...maybe I am crazy, but there is something so alluring about Stanley Tucci...always have liked himn but really noticed him in Midsummer Night's Dream with Rupert ,etc.Nore to self..find his other films on Netflix!

carnival cruise

best said ...we have always avoided a mexican riviera cruise...now i know why.one note on cruise ships: when first boarding avoid conversation with too many///they will hunt you down and you can't shake them!

quickly wanted to mention the wonderful character of the Italians...i found almost everyone terrific and reall nice...maybe the shop salespeople have issues but i usually win them over with a smile.my landlord,allessandro,(will use one of his larger apts.next trip) looks like my friend greg...anyway he met me on the street and took me up...helping with the heavy luggage..why i take so much???..and i was a small apt in the torre (tower) on via da benci..adequate as i move around a lot during the day and night in florence...i did mention i needed an duvet and t.v. which he brought over the next day.great guy.
plus the folks i met around town and i did win over the salesmen at dolce gabbanna...trying to find something to fit my chest and shoulders..heck i am not that big....they all looked cute in denim white shirts and black ties.made it to womenwear and saw the most beautiful woll coat with a floral pattern w grosgrain belt!