Tags
accessories, Bandolino\, Bellevue Mall, Betty Boop, Cable and Gauge, Cerebral Palsy, crutches, Jessica Simpson, Nashville, Not Rated, Palsy, Robert Herrick, roses, Shi by Journeys, shopping, Spashionista, style, Visible Monday, wheelchair
“While ye may
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.”
The first stanza of Robert Herrick’s poem “To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time” tells us to live in the moment. Appreciate what you have while you have it because nothing lasts forever.
The first red rose to bloom in my garden. I took a picture of it because in a few weeks it will start to wither and eventually die. Just like the backdrop for this week’s photos.
Behind me is what remains of the Bellevue Mall. Years ago, when enclosed malls were all the rage, it was a busy, thriving place of business. Then the stores began to close and were eventually replaced with flea market-like clearance and secondhand booths. About five years ago the property was purchased and plans were approved by the city to turn the area into a “lifestyle shopping area” with an outdoor strip mall, bike path, courtyard park, and restaurants. Then the economy soured, plans were abandoned, and the mall became a dried out, empty husk of its former glory.
This is a very dressed-down day. I’m in errand running mode here so this is my version of “slob”. Rosey red Bandolino jeans, Cable and Gauge black polka-dotted top, and Jessica Simpson bag. The Not Rated Get Shorty black oxfords from Shi are making their inaugural appearance. My rope twist silver and gold bracelet is at least 25 years old but the style is back with a vengeance. The watch is last year’s genuine Betty Boop light-up model I picked up for a song.
Even if you’re tired, harried and just want to run out the door, get what you need, and hurry home to collapse into your couch you can still look rosier than you feel.
Thanks once again to Patti for hosting all of us divas for Visible Monday and Jill for Monday Mingle.
I know, it is santo watch formerly robust areas of our towns just wither away. New businesses do come, but it is a struggle for so many. You look great in your red jeans and cool shoes; thanks for sharing with Vis Monday!
It’s just a reminder to enjoy what you have while you have it. Thanks for the compliment, Patti!
So jealous. You have roses. It still hasn’t quite gotten to be spring here yet. Apparently we might be giving it a miss this season.
I have roses but half of them burnt up from frost last night LOL. Glad I took the picture. I am unfamiliar with Scottish seasons but I hope your thermostat hits the sweet spot soon 😉
Thanks for close-up of the shoes, love the lace, love the florals, love the detail!
Thank you, Nicole! The pattern on these shoes is a bit of a departure for me so I’m glad you like them.
I love your outfit, especially the red jeans! The rose is beautiful. It’s so sad to see once thriving buildings become so desolate looking. Great post, Alicia!
Thanks for the compliments, Alexa! It’s especially hard to see an area die when there are new strip malls being built within 2-3 miles of it. But hopefully someone else will buy the property and revamp it.
I want your shoes!! The whole outfit is super cute and I love the jeans….isn’t it sad when we watch places we love have to close down…the good news is…we haven’t closed down!! Keep smiling!
Thank you, Pam, for reminding me that we carry on, and for your sweet compliments!
Your version of “dressed down” is very put-together. Brava! Those shoes are so fun, and really unite the whole outfit.
Thanks, Susan! The great part about paying attention to how the clothes you buy look on you is you can literally throw something on and still look okay.
The red jeans really stand out and I love your shoes! Great look for a busy casual day! Change can be a good thing, a new shopping center can hold new experiences…
I was nervous about the shoes, Tracey, but I’ve come to love them! Thanks for your compliments.
I’m learning to not despise change – at least not all change LOL
Great outfit and I love your shoes! Your red pants are lovely and your top reflects the pattern on your shoes beautifully.
blue hue wonderland
Why thank you, Ann! I adore polka dots so you will see more of them in the future.
Are you kidding me, this is your version of ‘dress down, run errand, slob mode”? Because in my opinion, this is a fashionably fun yet stylish mode if I ever saw one. The shoes alone make this outstanding. So glad you made us all feel a bit rosier.
I try, Trina – thank you! 😉
That is hardly “slob” style! Very cute and casual for errands.
I’m glad you like it, Dawn – thank you!
Slob? Are you kidding? You should see my slob days!
I’m going to “steal” one of these photos and post it on my Sublime Mercies FB wall (with your blog name, of course.)
Thanks, Charlotte. That’s very sweet of you!
P.S. Of course you know that that poem is just a ploy to get a woman in bed, right? Basically, it’s saying, “You’re going to be old and ugly soon and no-one will want to sleep with you so get it while you can.” Not the most charming of seductions but kind of funny.
I know, Charlotte, but I prefer to interpret it in the manner in which I presented it LOL! I think “old and ugly” came far sooner during Herrick’s time than it does now. 😉
Starting with melancholic note, this week Alicia 😉 Roses are still blooming here, not sure until when though.. I too prefer simple tee and jeans for errand, easy no frill outfit is best for this!
GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/
A little melancholic, yes. I hate to see good shopping areas wither and die. But that’s part of the cycle just as the rose blooms and then withers.
I am in love with the shoes!! UBER-COOL!! Your whole outfit is amazing!1 Why go out looking like a slob when you’re doing errands when you can look fabulous??
We have a mall like this locally–it’s rather sad!
Thank you so much, Tamera! The shoes are pretty cool and looking fabulous is always my goal 😉
Love the red pants & polka dots! You’re brightening up the sad abandoned mall for sure! How about them cool shoes!
Thank you, Jeannie. I try to brighten up every place I go 😉
If this is “slob dressing” I wish more people would do it. Love the rosebud, and your slob attire: blogger basic red jeans, dotted top and floral kicks. And the fact that your crutches are festooned with polka dots, ah there’s nothing slobby about you!
Well it’s my “slob dressing”, Bella, and I think you just made my point for me. It doesn’t take any extra effort to throw this together than it does sweats or any others jean-tee combination. I will add that in my rural neighborhood this counts as being overdessed LOL.
No flowers here yet but soon i hope!
You should see our garden, i can’t wait, it’s our piece of heaven
Too bad for the mall, it happens i guess
I love your shoes, they are cool,so are you, nothing stops a true fashionista!
Love and hugs
Ariane xxxx
You should call this your Cutie Patootie outfit. Adorable for just running errands … all is lovely, but your little shoes are just IT! The Boop would be proud of this sassy little outfit. Like your flower, it’s a good thing you captured this little outfit before it disappeared.
We have a similar ex-Mall that has recently been completely razed after a bunch of attempted resuscitations. In this case, Fort Smith expanded eastward as there was no room to go west.
You are the best rose for any garden, and I am glad to have you in mine.
XXXXXXXXXXX
RIP Bellevue mall 😦 it makes me so sad bc that was such a nice mall when I was younger