Fierce 50 Fun In the June Gloom

It was fun despite the lack of sun. 

Day after simulation of my attire, including the hat and goodie bag c/o Chico's.
The "Matadors" muumuu has a good back story that I told in this old post.

About 30 women from the Fierce 50 Facebook group convened under the Hermosa Pier on Saturday.

There was a drone, and lots of InstaHusbands taking photos.

We didn't let the gloomy marine layer get us down.

Can you tell we all got into the 4th of July spirit with our red, white, and blue attire?

Rena's and my red toes in the cold, cold sand

What came in the goodie bag?

"Hello Beautiful" pouch with Madison Reed hair care samples

Arctic Cool cooling towel -- so awesome!

Mom Energy, by Ashley Koff and Kathy Kaehler

Dermalogica lip treatment -- LOVE!

Belt from Manna Dabholkar [hidden]

Lylo [Love Yourself Love Others] rubber bracelet

Tote (similar) and hat from Chico's

Big shoutout to Catherine Grace O'Conner and Jodie Filogomo for organizing this weekend series of events.
It was a super fun time, meeting all these fellow over-fifty Fiercies.

Ladies, are you 50+ and interested in joining the revolution? 
Find us on Facebook and Instagram @the fierce50revolution

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Judith's Hat Attack (finally wearing a hat in a post!)
Cherie's Shoe and Tell
Rena's Fine-Whatever

December Over-40 Blogger Meetup -- Only 4.5 months Away!

December 2-4, 2016 
Santa Monica, CA 
Big Over-40 Blogger Weekend! 

OK, so I haven't said very much about this, nor have I updated the page with the email signup.
Bad hostess, SpyGirl, bad.
I HAVE been contemplating it, never fear.
Twelve of you have even signed up for the email list! Thank you ladies!

Connie, Jean, Patti,
Suzanne, Melanie, Pao,
Senora, and [didn't sign up but hope they are still interested] Glenda, Heather

Yes, I AM able to count. Seven of the twelve have already been SpyGirled.
Lisa, Rena, Jodie, Autumn, SJ -- you're next (if you wish).

The meetup coincides with my exhibition of Fashion Sketches titled Fashion Rainbow to be held at TAG Gallery, Santa Monica, November 22-December 17.

I've been busy working procrastinating on it and am slowly filling in my rainbow grid:

[click on image to see bigger]

Many slots yet to fill!

Meetup Event Ideas

Friday, Dec 2
Daytime could be adventure time, with groups going to various shopping meccas, guided by local experts (Heather and Glenda hopefully).
7-8pm I'm thinking of having a special private VIP reception for my collectors and muses.
YOU are the muses (and some are collectors too. I thank you)!
8:30 Dinner somewhere in Santa Monica.

Saturday, Dec 3
AM, meet for breakfast? (I might have to teach 9-noon).
Daytime, more touring?
5-8pm is the Artists' Reception that is open to the public. I'll have to be there, you can find your own trouble!
8:30 Dinner somewhere in Santa Monica. It's really sad to go home solo after a reception. Let's eat!

Sunday, Dec 4
10am-? Perhaps a continental breakfast and garment swap at the gallery?

Lodging
I suggest staying in Santa Monica.
There is a new Metro train that is 2 stops away from the gallery.
(Severo and I just rode it to downtown LA last night and it was fine -- dare I say, fun.)
Pao found some sweet air/lodging deals on Expedia and I'll send out the details in the first newsletter, sometime this week.

Transportation
I suggest a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to get from LAX to the hotel.
If you rent a car, use the major rental agencies (Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, etc). Be advised that a parking fee will probably be added to your hotel bill. Free street parking in Santa Monica is nearly impossible to find. SM Parking Enforcement is super vigilant, you don't want a parking ticket.
For shopping expeditions, Uber, Lyft, or public transportation (will take longer) are the best options.
Parking is difficult (or expensive) everywhere.

Feeling interested? Excited?
Please join the A list! Adding yourself to the list increases the odds of a SpyGirl portrait!

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See you in December?

52 Pick-me-up: International Women's Day, Week

LINKS/ PURCHASED/ PURLOINED/ GIFTED/  

So what could be a better way to celebrate International Women's Day (today, March 8) than booking my room in Vancouver, BC for a blogger meet-up this summer?

Our hostess Suzanne Carillo is putting together a meet-up of INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS!
I will finally meet some of my muses (Melanie, Sue, Trina, Tami, Sheila, Pat, Ally, Charlotte -- I'm looking at you) and reconvene with Patti, Bella, Val, and Natalia. (Bella and Val -- would it help you decide if you had a ride up there? I might just drive it! I promise to refrain from taking photos while driving if you are passengers).

Here is the list so far (lifted from Suzanne's page):

Melanie – Bag and a Beret 
Sue – A Colourful Canvas
Patti – Not Dead Yet
Sylvia – 40+Style
Bella – The Citizen Rosebud (t)
Greetje – No Fear of Fashion
Trina – Tea Time With Trina
Dawn – Fashion Should Be Fun
Tami – Thrift Shop Commando
Sheila – Ephemera
Pat – Project Minima 
Natalia – In The Writer’s Closet
Val – Muse Fondue (t)
Ally – Shybiker
Lana – Two Teens and Their Mama
Jennifer – A Well Styled Life
Charlotte – Sublime Mercies
Mrs. C – Mrs. Jack of all Trades (t)
Louisa – Damselfly’s Delights
Gaylen – G Marie
Anne – Spy Girl
Shawna – The Director Of Awesome
Tiina -Elegance Revisited
Jodi – Day 2 Day Wear

Oh the fun we shall have!

In lieu of lots of gifts (but how can we resist???) we will be doing a clothing swap.
Since I'm half-heartedly culling my closet, I've already pulled some potential gems:

[Late add]
The meeting of SpyGirl and Citizen Rosebud, May 20, 2014:

We got the Pattern Max memo

It's a Visible Monday week chez Patti, you'll see me there!

Have anything special in mind for celebrating Int'l Women's Day/ Week/ Month?

Link and tell!

The Story of Bola de Nieve

PRESS SAMPLE*/ LINKS/ 

Bola de Nieve was a cute piñata that unfortunately crossed paths with the Two Point Oh! LA witches bloggers group.
It was time for the 4th annual Snowball, and Kelsi devised a clever method of distributing the gifts.

Chapter I

Our protagonist, Bola de Nieve

The coven gals dance in a circle while Bola de Nieve watches

Strung up

Oh noooooooo

Decapitated!

Suffering indignities courtesy of Erik and Andy

Trophy head and broken bat

 Chapter II

Strung up a second time, headless

Meet Stephanie and Scott, Snowball Prom Queen and King
(Stephanie designed and sewed her gown, btw)

Stephanie wields her stick

Scott winds up for the coup de grâce

RIP Bola de Nieve!

The witches bloggers scramble for treasure

Only candy remains

The dancing continues, with Bola de Nieve left in a ragged heap

There were Rules

Here's what I snagged:

*c/o Neutrogena Shine Control Primer

Those witches girls were fast at grabbing the goodies! My item was seriously trampled upon.

Linked with: