Summer Bucket List

Thanks to Leslie for setting this up. Check her list out at her lovely blog and see what everyone else is going to do by going to the bottom of this post to click on their links.

I have to admit I didn't finish my Spring Bucket List, but I did do more than half in some way!

Plan a Spring trip to N California to include a night or 2 in Napa to check it out as a possible new hometown 
- We are went on May 2nd for a long weekend and will checked out the Pleasant Hill area instead of Napa. Took it off our list of possibilities. Onward.

Have friends over for drinks and nibbles 
- This turned into going out with friends instead, but I've done that at at least six times.

Have family over for brunch 
- This turned into going over to both of Hubby's aunt's homes for meals. Both are 91 and one cooked us dinner!  Today we are going to an Easter egg decorating party at our older son's which will be lots of fun. Tomorrow we are bring dinner to Hubby's 92 year old great-aunt so we will have hit the aunt trifecta this month LOL. We also had our son and DIL over for Father's Day lunch.

Go to the Farmer's Market several times and buy a different prepared food
- Bought some delicious rye bread

Make a picture frame with Hubby so we can hang his Dad's painting
- We researched directions and materials and decided to have it professionally framed instead. In process now.

Didn't happen: 

Visit Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks to enjoy Spring greenery and flowers

Go to the Farmer's Market several times and buy a new vegetable or fruit, flowers, a gift, something to wear

So let's try to be very realistic about Summer.

First is the biggie:

- Decide if the Sacramento or Davis areas are ones we want to pursue for relocation and (hopefully) set a timetable. 

The rest seem easy compared to that:

Playtime

- Plan out my 70th birthday adventure list and do them

- Go to a movie 3 times and a play or concert 2 times 

Physical Health

- Walk the dog early every morning when it is coolest.  If it is cool enough after dinner, do it again.

- Lift weights or swim 2x a week

- Stretch/yoga 3x a week

Since it is summer I'm going to leave the rest up to spur of the moment inspiration!

What's on your Summer bucket list?

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Almost Summer Wardrobe Time

It is going to warm up here by the end of the week although we have plenty of cooler days left. Summer doesn't really get started here until late June/early July and lasts pretty late into September or even early October. Layers are still needed all summer but the warmth will get here especially when we spend time further inland.

My friend Liz may already have had 100 degree says in the SE but I'm looking out the window at another June Gloom morning, a predicted high of 69, and running the heat to stay comfy indoors this morning, I'm going to chat about my Summer Wardrobe anyway!

I think I have the clothes to get me through the summer weather already sorted out. Why? I'm getting better at following a process to create a "right for me" capsule wardrobe for the seasons and thus shopping better.

What is that process? My friend Liz Klebba in her Closet Play Image blog lays it out beautifully for  her own summer capsule planning. Here is my version!

What kind of look do I want? How do I want to feel?

Thanks to Imogen Lamport's 7 Steps to Style Program and great blog I am pretty clear about the look I want - I call it Boss Lady, Retired as a shorthand and it is bold, vibrant and modern. Sort of a Relaxed Modern Chic for a height challenged retiree! It is good to have aspirations LOL.

I want to feel like I do when I am having lots of laughs playing croquet with my cousins at their annual July picnic, having dinner with friends outside, or walking by the ocean on a hot summer day. The clothes that fit this feeling, my body and lifestyle are:

- Slightly fitted outfits in comfy fabrics

- Pretty and comfy flats and sandals plus a pair of white tennis shoes

- Dusters, light cardigans, loose pullovers, scarves and zip jackets for layering

- Clothes that work well for being active, walking by the ocean or dining outside

- Pockets, cross body purses and a great summer tote

- Fun earrings, necklaces and bracelets 

Using pictures for inspiration helps to set a mood and helps me with slogging through shopping successfully! Don't get hung up on trying to recreate exact outfits as that can be very frustrating and they may not suit you at all. Colors, silhouettes, mood, accessory use - all are helpful though.

Then it helps to have a color palette that your are working towards. I've picked 4 colors and 4 neutrals from my my own palette for this Summer to use the clothes I have and to carefully add some new items to make this capsule (hopefully) work well for weather, lifestyle and appearance.

What do I already have?  How much do I need? What level of refinement will be best?

In checking what I had from last Summer and will carry over from this Spring's wardrobe, I found that 2 of my 3 summer dresses were past their use date and no longer fit well. I also had to let some sandals go due to foot problems and wanted to add a lightweight cross body purse that would work with everything. Dark navy crops and shorts also got released as they were worn out and too dark.

I know that in Summer my Project 333 capsule needs to take into account more frequent laundering needs. By the way, I don't include hats, sunglasses, belts, jewelry, exercise wear or sleep wear in that count.

I have also pretty much settled into our S. Cal retiree lifestyle and don't need to buy clothes that are dressy as long as I can dress up what I have on the rare occasion that is needed. My life is a mix of smart casual outings, casual activities and dog walking/staying home very casual days.

What do I need? How much do I need?

I've already done this work for this Summer and ended up buying 2 new dresses making sure they would work with the duster from last summer. To there are 2 of my summer colors.

I also bought 2 pairs of sandals (one of which I have on in the photos) and a cross body purse. I'm still thinking about a tote purchase, but will most likely use one I already have as I'm really ready for a clothes shopping hiatus. The exception I may have to make is to buy some exercise clothes for hot weather and to replace items that are wearing out.

I'm ready for Summer weather to get here and to just be able to reach into my closet for an outfit I like to wear and then forget about it the rest of the time! My focus then can be on adding more activities of interest to my days instead of on shopping or spending time figuring out what to wear.

Has summer weather already arrived where you are or are you waiting for it to make an appearance?

Do you go through a process before shopping for the season?

A Summer Bucket List

I'm joining in with the summer bucket list challenge! Please share your summer plans - I love getting ideas from others.

Family & Friends
1. See and play with my baby granddaughter for the weekend at least twice - once at her house in Berkeley and once at our house.
2. See my local son, DIL & FIL at least 3 times each plus make the aunt, uncle, cousin rounds
3. Plan and hold a "next generation cousins" get together for my sons' generation of family.
4. Invite new neighbors/acquaintances out or over.
Added:
* Schedule visits with 2 long term local friends/couples
* Become a pen pal for a cousin as requested.

Exercise
5. Use the pool in my community each week! Swim, do water aerobics or just float around.
6. Go to the community based yoga class at twice a week when I am in town. 
7. Take the dog for a long walk each day we are in town to help her relax in her new surroundings. Her constant vigilance is not a good state for her or us.
8. Take a hike on a trail nearby.

Food
9. Try three new to us restaurants in our new hometown.
10. Try 3 recipes in my new cookbook, "America's Test Kitchen: The Best Mexican Recipes".
11. Eat at the beach!
12. Go to the local Farmer's Market each Saturday we are in town.
13. Test and decide on 3 large group dishes/menus for future entertaining. 
Added:
* Try a new cocktail to make at home.
* Try 3 new summer main dish salads.
* Eat on our patio. 

Fun & Exploration
14. Celebrate my 68th birthday! Been a few trips around the sun since this one.

15. Go to the nearest art museum and one or more galleries. 
16. Go to a local event, fun store or attraction each month.
Added:
* See a summer blockbuster movie.
* Have a pedicure with a fun color polish.
* Read at least 5 books from The Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Summer Reading Guide

Settling In
17. Volunteer for a role in at least one group. I'm considering Emergency Coordinator for my street.
18. Regularly attend one social and/or service group.
19. Finish furnishing and decorating our new home. We need den furniture and shelves for displaying decorative items and/or photos. 
20. Finish repairs on home inspection punch list.
21. Finish creating earthquake/emergency supply stockpile. 
Added:
* Create a planter succulent garden for the patio.
* Figure out how to have music playing in our home (TV, computer, buy a new CD player?)

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