Decisions are everywhere, they surround us at every moment.

Today, just a random Wednesday, our very nice handy-person (he's a guy, but I'm all about gender-equality) put his hammer and saw in his tool-belt and had plans that did not include being around the likes of us.

Disappointed?

Yep, because I am as impatient as my dog is when begging for a treat.

Daunted?

Nope, because we know how the world of handy-people is ever-shifting, and we get it.

Plus, in the blink of an eye, we were in sandals on the beach in Jupiter with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel -- a girl named, Reggie.

It was overcast, but deserted and the crashing waves were fierce.

Time for her to be off-leash and have a run or twelve. Time for me to video her beauty and grace in the sand.

The resulting clips were so lovely I set them to music. She is a dream. If you know CKCS, in general, they are all dreams.

The dog-friendly beach area is also a dream, and people with dogs behave (there are always exceptions, of course) responsibly.

If you live in the Palm Beaches like we do, you quickly realize, if you want to live the high-rise or condo lifestyle (and, we do), dog-friendly is not a shingle hanging at many of the buildings. If they claim to be dog-friendly, they really are not: Ridiculously low weight limits (under 15 pounds), small curbing areas and no designated waste disposal bags or containers. I get the need for caution in this area, but common sense is invisible.

Looking at places directly on the Atlantic Ocean, we were stymied.

Our dog is not negotiable, she is one of us, and when I see these videos of her running free, my heart fills with all the joy she brings.

Yes, we finally found a condo. 

​Still, the Palm Beaches have a long way to go to truly embrace the meaning of dog-friendly.

Sometimes your spawn can really come in handy.

Oh, yeah, I mean it.

Wait, I'm speaking grown-spawn.

Kid-spawn?

Total takers. Ignore them, completely. 

Grown-spawn, now they really know stuff, and they are not afraid to share it.

Take my spawn. 

No, don't. 

I would miss him, because he's pretty funny, and he hung out at a couple of higher-education places until he got some papers validating that he had really been there. 

So, I will keep him after he went to all that bother to make us proud and feel the successful-parents type of thing.

Here's the deal, and I am probably the last one to tap into this gem.

Because the grown-spawn hit my messages with the message that I should get the Amazon Fire app for my iPhone-I did just that.

Guess what?

It installed as quickly as wildfire (I had to say it) and really eases my levels of annoyance when trying to locate the actual Fire remote. Works great, with a few simple clicks, flicks and taps.

Have you seen that thing?

Seriously, that crappy little thing is the best they can do with all their dough?

Now, I'm off to install the Roku app. Not quite the big deal, because Roku bothered to cough-up a remote with substance!

​If there is anything I adore it's a classic movie from the 30's. 
If there is anything I adore more, it's a classy friend who really brings it, fashion-wise.

First, about those classic films. There is much to love. Take the art deco (my favorite era for design) set designs, the fabulous stars (who knew how to BE stars), and the stunning costumes.

Today, I want to yap about the costumes, and one article in particular. 

Why, you ask (you didn't, but I going to tell you anyway)?

Because, if there is anything else I adore, it's clothes. So, let's chat about this entire situation.

The other day my friend, Scoobie, sailed into our condo with the most drop-dead fabulous look I have seen in ages.

See, living on the Eastern coast of South Florida you see a whole lot of casual. When I say casual, I mean CASUAL. Interpret that as you wish.

Now, this brings me to Scoobie's amazing ensemble, and her pants in particular.  They were stylishly bright, fit perfectly, and she looked like a million bucks (which is fitting considering where we live).

So, let's focus on Palazzo pants, shall we? 

Although this style was wildly popular in the late 1960's into the 1970's, they were seen on avant garde women such as Greta Garbo and Katherine Hepburn as early as the 1930's. 

Guess what?

They are still, very much, in style today, especially when you live where it is warm-to-hot every month on the calendar.

In case you have forgotten, although these have wide-flaring legs, do not confuse Palazzo pants with the bellbottom or gaucho style. Huge difference.

First, the fabric is typically very comfy, cool and lightweight jersey, crepe or silk and they flare from the waist down (almost creating a skirt effect). Bellbottoms only flare from the knee down, and Gaucho -- well forget them altogether. Got it? Good.

The waist band is an especially interesting aspect, as it may be rolled up or down or in-between. A lady gets to set the tone...to show more or less, you see?

As a lover of old movies, AND fashion, I too have a pair of these dwelling within my closet. Why I don't wear them in the sub-tropical clime which I dwell within, I have no idea. Actually, I have a small idea, and it is not complicated. I shy away from printed pants, for the most part.

However, Palazzo pants are absolute perfection when living in South Florida. They are dressy, cool and versatile, and really make a statement.

So, spending a day with Scoobie gave me pause and inspiration. Was it time to break out MY lonely pair and give it a go?

As it turned out, there really was not time for me to ponder this for long, because in the blink of an eye (it took longer, but just go with me here), I found myself inside a small and very inviting and stylish boutique called, Oceans Allure. One step inside and there you have it -- tops, skirts, dresses and a wall of spectacular jewelry.

This place in Palm Beach Gardens was new to me, but the friendly and welcoming staff greeted Scoobie like an old friend. 

Guess what they had?

Yep. A colorful selection of Palazzo pants, on a little rack toward the back of the store. 

Guess what else?  

My friend thought they were just the ticket...for ME. 

With visions of my black and white pants hiding in my closet, I approached the rack with trepidation. Selecting a pair with hesitation, I held the hanger, stared and silently tried to envision myself strutting around in black and hot pink print Palazzo pants. The image was fuzzy.

Quick as a flash, Scoobie gave me an encouraging nudge and I slithered into a lovely (seriously, the dressing rooms are truly great) fitting room and slipped them on. Size-Medium. 

Oh, they felt great -- soft, cool and the fabric was really pretty. The length? Inches and yards (slight exaggeration) too long, and I'm not short. 

I'm no seamstress, (if I was meant to sew I would have been born named Singer) so hemming is not what I do and having these altered was not appealing.

Like a flash, there she was ... Scoobie. Smiling, she loved them on me (she is a generously kind person), and when I mentioned the length, gave me an incredulous look and said something like, "You just cut them off."

Huh?

Still in my uncomfortable zone, I replied with something profound like, "With scissors?"

I swear to you, I looked down to see if these were special Palazzo pants that came with little sections around the bottom you could just adjust. I mean, my three-year-old granddaughter has clothes that come with built-in adjustment gizmos, so why not these things? Alas, they were NOT adjustable. Shocker, am I right? No? Oh, well.

My friend, patiently gracious, gave me another smile and said, "Well, you could take them to someone." 

Yes, I sounded bumbling and moronic, but I accept that fact, plus I suddenly needed a cool glass of iced tea or hot cup of coffee -- I wasn't sure which.

Yes, I came home with the pants. They have not been touched because my scissors are worthless, and now I have to buy decent ones. Such pressure.

Hours later on the PP (Palazzo Pants) day, Scoobie gave me a shout-out on Facebook. She thinks I can wear these things and make it work. I love her confidence, but is my personality a fit for snappy Palazzo pants?

Are strangers prepared to have to SEE me in them?

It's a conumdrum, but, if Scoobie thinks I can pull it off, I choose to believe her.

Find out more at www.Oceanallure.com

Just read an article on one of my Facebook newsfeeds (don't ask which one because I have moved on, and have no idea) that expensive purses are called handbags, and less costly holders of lipstick and credit cards are refereed to as purses.

Is that so?

I have always called them handbags because that is what I grew up calling them. All the ladies around me used that term. It stuck.

The same article said if you go into Neiman Marcus and ask for the purse department, they don't have one, so move on to Macy's. Well, maybe not Macy's, but some other fashion institution. If you make such a faux paux, they proclaimed, the helper-outers at Neiman's will send you packing. Well, that was the general idea.

As a LONG time (NM was my first credit card, because they were the only ones generous and brave enough to take pity on a young person with no money, and no credit references) Neiman's shopper, let me tell you the ladies and gents of that mega-store will most definitely point you to the handbag section, no matter what verbiage used. They get customer service, they get people! 

All that nonsense aside, all the chatter about BAGS made me think of an orange one resting in my closet, amongst many.

Whether it is a purse or a handbag, it was carried back in the day by my big sister when the real Madmen were toiling on Madison Avenue -- smoking real cigarettes and having three (or more) martini lunches. 

Expensive?

Probably not, but I have no idea. I played with it when I could get away with it. My adored sister, Barbara, was good about my dallying in her personal possessions. She warned me off her stuff, but knew I would get into it when she was out-of-sight. She ignored it, tolerated it, and we had many laughs about it through the years. Funny, when you are the younger one by a few years, you somehow catch up as time goes on.

I lost her in July. I miss her.

But, this orange bag, still looking like new, makes me smile. She had excellent taste. I was fortunate enough to tag along and reap the benefits of the trail she blazed before me.

Style never goes out of style. Neither does her Circa-mid-60's purse/clutch/handbag!

​So glad I am a sentimental saver, sometimes.

Pam's Posthaste...just a quick look.

THE SCENE:
Deep Blu Seafood Grille/Wyndham Grand
Harborside Place

Our Mission:
To sample the drinks and bar bites at this cool- (looking in from the outside) looking establishment.

So, let's break-it-down.

We self-parked at an open space curbside, near Another Broken Egg.

A short walk later, we strolled into the destination we had been eyeing for a few weeks, Deep Blu Seafood Grille.

Stopping at the hostess station, we were warmly greeted by a smiling and welcoming individual. We appreciated her attitude.

The place was almost empty, and she offered up some seating options. Seats were available indoors or outdoors. Swiftly, we made our decision.

THE BAR:
First, let me say the stylish, circular place is intimate in size, with a giant dose of trendy New York or South Beach-ish flavor. The combination of whites and blues, the subdued lighting (our favorite) as well as the over-sized looping aquarium images overhead create a calm and utterly inviting ambience. All good with us.

The bar chairs (they are much too plush to be called stools) are heavy, beautifully upholstered and very comfortable.

Before bottoms were in seats, another smiling face, Erin, greeted us, and welcomed us in an engaging fashion.

With expert efficiency she provided pertinent details of drinks and menu items. She charmed us with her enthusiasm, and attention to detail, as this was our first visit.

We were impressed, and we had not even ordered.

DRINKS:
I ordered the Goldenrod. How can you go astray with a combination of Grey Goose La Poire, St. Germain, Fresh Lemon (it's the FRESH part that makes the drink) and Prosecco. $11.

Gerry opted for a Lemon Drop. You know about that one, I am sure. I sampled his and I approved.

Both were spot-on!

FOOD:
Blu Crab Nachos -- Blue Corn Tortillas, Jumbo Lump Crab, Pice de Gallo, and Pepper Jack Cheese Sauce.
So flavorful, these arrived in a bowl, with a generous amount of crab and sauce. We have a new favorite kind of nachos. 

Blackened Mahi-Mahi Tacos -- Cabbage Slaw, Pico de Gallo, Cilantro Sour Cream.

Like the nachos, the serving was generous and full of flavor. Gerry is not even a huge fan of cilantro as a rule, but he left not a morsel behind.

Can't wait to order both of these in the near future.

Both were $12.

Key Lime Gelee - We shared. A graham cracker crust, a mild and smooth filling was topped with mango caviar and Key Lime powder on the side. Beautiful presentation,  but wait for it...when the mango caviar springs forth on your tongue it is extraordinary. Maybe I'm just easy to please, but it was fun and delicious!

Bonus -- Brioche bread, piping hot from the oven. It really came in handy. The sauce from those incredible nachos in the bottom of the bowl was not going to jump out by itself.

MORE:
Blu Hour Menu-4:00-7:00
Regular Menu-4:00/10:00
Late Night Menu-10:00-12:00
Live Music-Wednesday & Saturday-6:30-9:00