CHEERS! To a Fun Day Out

Strolling down memory lane .....

This past Saturday, my family and friends attended the 2016 Lodi Ca. Zinfest, ( read more about it HERE ) to sample the 40 plus wineries participating, the various food demos and just enjoy the day in a beautiful location. I of course, had to have just the right outfit and have a special custom brooch made up for the event. If you are a wine lover and ever get a chance to visit Lodi and attend Zinfest I highly recommend doing so. It is a great way to spend the day, or even the weekend as the festivities and special events continue onto Sunday, but book your hotel early if you are from out of town it is a very popular event.

A few tips: there is free parking and shuttle, but if you don't want to deal with that there is a cute taco stand right across the street from the park Zinfest is always held at, and for 20.00 you can park there....yes it is pricey, but hey it is supporting small business right? PLUS, though there is food booths and food/cooking demos inside, you could eat really good tacos before going in! Once you are inside scope out the water trucks, so you can stay hydrated,  and the baskets full of complimentary bread.Scope out the bathrooms too...you know cause you will be drinking tons of water and then there is the wine, so you know..... The other thing you will want to do is find out what time the food /cooking demos are and plan to attend, you get free small servings of food, really good food, and they will poor wine too so you could just sit and eat and drink most of the day! Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat is always a nice idea. There is food booths that you buy tickets for, but it is not super budget friendly, so eating a large breakfast/brunch or at the Taco stand and then at the cooking demos,  along with the bread is in my mind is the way to go.OH!! And buy yourself a wine glass "sling" , you can find them on Amazon. So those are my tips, simple, but useful.

Apparently hubby and myself bring the cool factor !

The earrings are 1950's vintage grape clusters , and the brooch is from my company Housewife Chic! 

A closer look

A nice place to just stand and sip is near the lakes edge 

Hat.... have owned for years

Sweater .... thrifted

skirt.... Kitschy Kitty's Clothing Shop ( Ruby's Musings Approved)

Shoes....Amazon "retro sandals" 

Purse...Ross Dress For Less

Earrings ....Vintage 

Brooch.... Housewife Chic by Ruby 

Ruby's Musings on Tour ....Las Vegas ~ Part Three

No worries I will be back one day

So, as the third day dawned upon Mr. Musings and myself, ( visit part one HERE and part two HERE) and I stretched comfortably in our bed at the Mandalay Bay, laying upon those scrumptious pillows, I thought of the full day that lay ahead; a busy one and of course the flight home at the end.  We had arranged to take a very late fight out so that we would have plenty of time to visit with some of my online friends/fans that lived in the area over brunch, which as it was planned would also be at The Peppermill, but this time within the restaurant portion.   We were to meet at 11 ish for brunch and our check out was also to be by 11, so we made sure to be up, ready and checked out earlier than the prescribed time. With a bit of extra time on our hands between check out and our brunch date, we decided to walk through another old school establishment, Circus, Circus. I had never been and I thought it might be quite a lot of fun to watch the circus acts and walk the midway, sadly once we figured out how to get into the parking lot, found out where the door was from there and found the midway, we saw a sign that stated it did not open until 11 itself, so we turned about face and repeated the process in reverse. and headed right across the street to The Peppermill. We did not have long to wait until my lovely friends arrived.

I fully enjoyed the Mandalay, and I will miss those pillows.. a lot!!

Once the ladies showed up and we put our names in to get seated, we stood outside in the warm sunshine of the late morning, snapping selfies, chatting and to our delight and humor posed for photos taken by a local cab driver who wished to inspire his girlfriend and along side a tourist who apparently thought we were quite the attraction and asked to have a photo taken with the three of us... we of course obliged. Once inside, it was time to have a feast! 

The Peppermill, unbeknownst to us, has VERY large servings, and though the food was very good, tasty indeed, you definitely get your monies worth, only my hubby seemed to be able to finish his meal, well for the most part! I fully recommend going and sharing food if you ever visit Vegas. It's old school and right on the strip, so close to everything. 

Us gals being cheeky...L to R, Michelle aka Bouquet Betty, myself,
and Becky aka Cherries Sunshine 

Us that could drink, Michelle being 6 months with child had to pass,
ordered the sunset mimosa, I ordered the fruit platter with a side of
banana bread and marshmallow sauce....I am sure you can tell it
was meant to share ! My hubby got the french toast with fruit and
whip cream....he did not have a problem eating his meal...go figure. 

After we ate what we could, and finished our drinks, we decided we would head back out to main Street and Rockin Bettie, which I shared with you in part two, and to meet up with another lovely , Jess W. who I also mentioned in part two, who happened to be working there taking photos for Amy of Rockin Bettie, as well as to snap a few more photos of course. So in a mini caravan of two cars the four of us made the quick trip over from The Peppermill. 

Could not resist another photo with Amy, the owner behind
Rockin Betty on S. Main St. 

Selfie time with the beautiful Jess W. the talented photographer behind Jess W Photography 

I was so very sad to part ways with the ladies that Becky named her "Vixens" , it was so wonderful to for if just a short time have girlfriends to chat and laugh and bond with. I miss having that in my life and never before, have I had ladies who were interested in the very same thing as myself. I have missed them each and every day since leaving. However part our ways we had to do, as I had been requested to meet back up with Dorrie and Jodi of Senior Style Bible for a mini photo shoot as we had not had a chance to do a proper one the night before.  So off we went. 

Took a moment while we waited for Dorrie and Jodi
I had hubby take a test shot,  at the Palazzo Hotel

Hubby did not quite get the concept that we should look
into the same camera at the same time ....

...but I wanted to share how sharp he was looking!

Once our photo shoot was over and hugs were given, and once again we parted ways with friends, we headed to the Venetian Hotel to meet up with my cousin who just happens to work at the Canyon Ranch Spa as one of the boss ladies and have a way too short visit after not seeing each other for way too many years....way too many. We still had quite a bit of time left before needing to go the airport, so it was off to Planet Hollywood to visit that location of Tatyana Boutique, and to have a bite to eat before returning our rental car and flying home....it had been a wonderful trip, full of adventures, new discoveries, and connecting with friends and making new ones. A very successful Ruby's Musings Tour! 

No filters, very exhausted and as it turned out,
coming down with a bad cold,  at the Las Vegas 
airport, waiting for our 10 p.m flight. Ready for home...
but leaving a piece of myself with Vegas. 


Bonus shots...
My shopping haul...

So many great goodies!

Remember there is a new episode of 

At Home with Ruby's Musings 

and "Dear Ruby" on the 

Ruby's Musings YouTube Channel 

Flipping Over Flipsville

The logo does not even reflect how flipping cute Amanda from Flipsville is
*logo is property of Flipsville

Instagram, which I now have been on just over a year is a wonderful way to find new connections that one might never make on Facebook, tho I LOVE my FB fans, I have been privileged to "meet" some real dolls on Instagram. Recently the rabbit trail lead me to connect with a young woman by the name of Amanda, who goes by "Flipsville" and recently she started a small clothing company by the same name. Each and every piece that I had seen so far, I desire (!) so I was thrilled when I asked Amanda if I could do a profile blog about her and she said yes. So let's get right to it!!! 

Amanda, thanks so much for doing this , so tell my readers a bit of your journey into being a vintage type of gal....

"I always had an affinity for anything older, vintage or just different from what most people liked or wore. Growing up, I was definitely exposed to, and had the influence of past years, as my parents always played music from the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, Roy Orbison etc. I am certain it was the music that sparked my love for older generations at a young age!"

The Harlequin print ...a Flipsville Orginal 

Sounds like a familiar story I hear from a lot of the vintage/retrophiles/pinups I have chatted to, do continue...

"During elementary and high school, I always marched to the beat of my own drum and peers definitely saw me as ‘different’, ‘odd’ and even ‘weird’ and I can certainly see why considering I brought my lunch to school in an old tin Elvis lunch box everyday… I didn’t try to fit in, and even if I did I wouldn’t even know where to start! I was not always stuck in the 50s-60s, I tried on many eras even up until today. I went through a period where I thought I belonged in the 80s, and I wore leg warmers, big sweaters, and danced to Pat Benatar in my bedroom, and that phase lasted longer than I am willing to admit! I tried on the 70s for a while when I first moved on my own to Toronto, I hung beaded necklaces and crocheted vests on my orange walls so I could easily pluck them whenever I wanted to pair them with my bell bottom jeans. This was short-lived as I am happy to say, the 70s looks amazing on many people, but not on me. I seemed to be content in the 60s, and had fluorescent pink vintage dresses, a pixie cut, I made a pink and green mod coat, and Frankensteined striped long sleeves onto black dresses to resemble Peggy Moffitt. And let just not mention my all-black-wearing grunge phase, because that should have never seen anyones eyes. I love costume and wanted to work in theater, I designed and sewed my high schools costumes for their productions, so a theatrical element was always underlying in my outfits. Throughout all my times of experimenting with different eras, I always found myself flipping back through vintage magazines from the 50s and early 60s, and collecting mid-century images and felt I the style really did fit who I was."

Musical circle skirt, a Flipsville original
cardigan is by miss ladybug

So it is safe to say you are an old soul, and a kindred spirit,  and that your life and lifestyle was meant to be, and a life long passion....

"Throughout my years of experimentation (I am not done experimenting with fashion but I think I can say the worst is over), I began sewing when I received a pink sewing machine for my 15th Birthday after years of convincing my parents it wasn’t a just phase, and I really, truly wanted to learn. I was, and still am a very petite person, I am only 4’11 so finding clothing that fit was a huge issue, not to mention clothing that fit within my imagination and style demands. I thought if I could learn to sew I could make anything my heart desired, and that’s where I found my passion! Sewing really helped me get through each of my style phases and phases in life in general, I was a teenager who wanted to go fabric shopping, stay at in my room and sew and listen to old tunes, instead of meeting new friends, going to high school parties and awkwardly dating. I was a little jealous of other kids and the fun they were experiencing, but I knew I had time to do that in the future if I ever wanted to, and was very happy with the small group of friends I did have!" 

Amanda seen here in her original Sewing Machine wrap top and her
Bernie Dexter jeans

"After I graduated high school I wasn’t ready to go to college, so I moved with my parents from Canada to Alabama for one year for my dad’s job to take part-time costume design classes - and that was definitely an experience! I was struck suffering from an awful eating disorder, which had been in the makes for years - that is a story for another time, but it was definitely relevant to my journey. I was horribly secluding myself from friends and family, but I was definitely on a creative streak to improving my style and sewing and art skills, and perusing flea markets for inspiration. As many negative things happened that year and many years to follow with my health, I am finally in a good place to look back and see many positive defining moments from those times that lead me to who I am today! " 

"I moved to Toronto to go to school for Fashion design, unfortunately having to quit school due to health reasons, also realizing the current fashion industry wasn’t for me. I met my husband who is a talented musician and photographer, shortly after when were worked together at a retail store just after he graduated college for Photography and was granted permanent residence in Canada. We went through more style phases together, but we found ourselves in love with the '50s and early '60s after we started watching Mad Men, went to local Rockabilly shows, and collecting records. We got engaged only a year after we started dating, and when my parents heard, they reminded me that when I visited Memphis Tennessee to tour Graceland when I was 10 years old, I announced at the time “When I get married one day, I want to get married here!” so my parents booked our wedding - a small venue at Graceland in Memphis Tennessee and we got married April 10th 2015. It was by then our love and style was for that era was full blown."

That's fantastic that you found each other and it sounds like a perfect match. Tell us more about Flipsville, both the blog and now your new clothing venture....

"I started my blog Flipsville earlier in March 2015, as I used to blog when I was younger and wanted to give it another go. It’s been such a great experience and helps me further explore styles and eras and meet other amazing bloggers such as yourself,  for inspiration! I blog about my vintage style, and to me that means true vintage clothing, reproduction clothing, and vintage inspired clothing I make, all of which I add a unique or whimsical touch, and I can’t help but add hints from other eras that I have explored throughout my life. I made Mamoru and I matching outfits to attend events, and got noticed by many people saying how unique it was, and for business cards! Thus I took the plunge and started Flipsville Originals, my small clothing line of Men’s and Women’s Rockabilly clothes I hand-make here in Toronto, that couples can wear together, or individuals can wear too! "

I hope one day to own one of your creations, both something for myself and my husband...and I am sure many others after this are hoping for the same thing. Thank you so very much for doing this Amanda! 

"I wanted to thank you again for thinking of me, and featuring me on your blog! I couldn’t be more delighted. Your posts are always so great! " 

I am so flattered, thank you for that, and I was honored you allowed me to do a profile blog about you and Flipsville/Flipsville orginals. 

To all my readers out there, please go show Amanda some love, you can find her blog with links to her shop and her social connections HERE!  I want to thank Amanda's husband Mamoru for all the wonderful photos, if you wish to find out more about him and his work, click HERE . You can always of course fine ME on FB, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and now on YouTube!! So I hope you will all stay in touch! Let me know what you think in the comments below, spread the word and always know how much I love and appreciate all of you!! 

Till next week....*cheers* 

A Rainbow of Possibilities ~ The Container Store

Organization is key to running a successful
household!

A few weeks ago while scrolling through my FB feed, I saw a post from The Container Store, that was putting out a notice to Sacramento area bloggers to attend a preview event to their soon to be open store in the area, I don't even follow them on FB, so it was just pure luck and also as luck would have it, they are to be opening the mentioned store only about three miles away from me! I never and I mean never go to blogger gatherings, I do not drive much, and I suffer from anxiety something terrible, but something made me email in and bite the bullet. I have been to a Container Store years ago and remember it being a great place, full of possibilities for this O.C.D housewife! I was excited to know one was opening up, and so close by too! So when I got the email back saying I was "in" and that I was also invited to the private party that evening as well, it was exciting and stomach churning all at the same time...but I put the date in my calendar.

After a bit of trouble with my makeup, I was ready to go.

Yesterday was the big day, of course as my life always seems like a scene from the I Love Lucy show,  even with getting up early and working on getting ready in plenty of time, I screwed up my makeup in the final step, and had to 100% redo it, and in less than 30 minutes, get dressed and make it there....I somehow managed the make up, and quite pleased I had a couple of minutes to spare, I left. The drive was a quick one, but even tho I did make it there without much of an issue, or so I thought, it turns out all the drive ways and ways to get in were blocked off, construction. I had to go back out onto the main road, and make a U turn...red light. I go up to the left hand turn to the shopping center, blocked off. I drove to the next intersection, no turns two or so miles later I found a place to turn around, and get on the right side of the street...I missed the first drive and lucky me there was another drive, and it was open, otherwise I would have been doing it all over again!! I was directed where to park and I headed in. Once in, it was a kid in a candy store moment...I can see why they call it a " a grown up's Disneyland", 25,000 sq. feet of glorious organizational goodies! I found my way to the seating, signed in, grabbed a complimentary lunch box ( tasty sandwiches, with pasta salad, chips, a cookie and even a "cutie" ) , my bottle of water, the promotional folder and a lucite gift box with a gift card in it, and took a seat. I was one of the few ladies who did not already know each other. The front row was all from one interior firm that also has a blog, the row behind me all knew each other, and the two ladies to the side of me came together as well. The hostess for the gathering, Sonya Oliver, the marketing manager and event specialist for the area introduced herself, and then had each of us do the same....time for the nerves and shakes to kick in, but I got through it; I am getting better and faking it till you make it. Sonya was a bright and bubbly gal and she proceeded to go over the history of the coming about of The Container Store ( really very interesting, you should look them up and read up!) , as well as their mission statement for employees and the store, and their successes...then it was tour time....let the eye candy begin!!!

Sonya, our hostess was quite the
joyful and jubilant lady...putting us at ease,
was hard to get a photo of her, she was so animated!

Now, I only have my little old android phone to shoot with, and thus can not even do this bright, open and beautiful store justice, and as we were all trying to take photo's and keep up with the tour, it was not possible to photograph everything, if I had it would be enough for a months worth of blogs! So instead I decided quickly to pick a theme...I at first was going to go for the girly aspect, concentrating on everything for the closet, from hat boxes to purse fillers, and of course racks and bins and hangers to jewelry organizers, even little boxes for your patterned stockings. Instead, I decided to just photograph all the wonderful, bright, cherry and smile worthy products....hence the title of my blog today. So sit back and gaze up the indoor rainbow that is The Container Store...I will go grab a cup of tea and meet you back here in just a bit.  

Have you caught your breath yet?? I know right? The Container Store is not just about containers,  or even organization, it is about making your life, every area of it, easier.  There is not just containers for everything, and I do mean everything, there is "tools" needed to do your chores, there is tools for your kitchen, your laundry room and bathroom, mudroom and more. There is even the wrapping paper and bows to wrap it all up in if you want to make someone else's life easier, and more organized, and then the shipping materials to package it all up in if that someone lives out of town. No area of life has been ignored. I could easily spend hours and thousands of dollars there. The only real draw back, the only negative I can say about The Container Store is that coming home, looking at what I thought was a reasonably organized home, is anything but. I wish I could hire someone from there to come and make over each and every part of my home here....maybe one day! This is not the end of the story however, there was still the private party to attend! 

When Sonya mentioned the amount of people that had r.s.v.p'd , approx. 1400, I felt my stomach rise to my throat, and I felt very green! I thought of backing out and mentioned not coming out loud, but I decided once again to fight against the urge to stay home, and of course my husband who these type things does not bother, would be by my side. The event was to have valet parking, catered food, free alcohol and live music with dancing.... and it was a reason ( as if I need one) to get all dolled up and hubby promised we would not stay too long and would go for a quiet dinner to celebrate our 32nd dating anniversary ( yep we celebrate dating and wedding anniversaries)  so I drank chamomile tea all afternoon and got all dressed up, RE-did my make up ( that is a whole other story for another day...maybe on my new YouTube videos), and we left for the party....it was not any easier getting to the front door, the traffic was horrible, and so after a few tricks and turn abouts and merging in, we made it to the valet parking and headed in.  We were greeted warmly, again by Sonya, given our name tags and headed in where we quickly received our complimentary bubbly, chatted with a couple of bloggers from earlier in the day and  went off to explore and sample the food and enjoy the entertainment....it was a big shindig for sure, even the local news and local city magazine was there, they even took our photo...which felt like a really big deal! 

After we had made the rounds, and sampled a bite to eat, we said our goodbyes, and it was off to a nice quiet dinner ( after a brief stop at home to once again touch up my eye makeup..I tell you it was the worst day for that...normally I can go all day and into the night and my face looks flawless...not my day!) at Melting Pot to celebrate our 32 years as a couple, before heading home and falling into bed...exhausted, but glad for the experiences of the day...except the makeup snafoos.