What a whirlwind I’ve had over the past couple of weeks! I sometimes have to pinch myself because I get to do so many amazing things in my life! I went from Bald Head Island where I shot my fabulous new Boston Proper pieces to Los Angeles for a Mother’s Day event at Madison Maison and now I’m back at the beach. I’m home for a week or so and headed to Richmond to visit my little granddaughter Stella and then…back to California for a retreat and an event called Speak Your Soul with my friend Suzanne Adams (more on that later)! Whewwww…

I had so much fun on my trip to LA meeting friends that I felt I had known for years because of Instagram! It was such a strange and wonderful feeling meeting people that I felt as if I already knew, but for the first time! And…the best part was that they were all just as sweet and wonderful as I thought they would be! Even more so…

Even though I’m sharing pictures and details about my trip, what this post is really all about is friendship, stepping out of your box and growth! Keep reading!

If any of you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen me go live with D’Arcy Vandenberg! I don’t even remember how or when D’Arcy and I met virtually, but we’ve been going live together on Instagram for years and she feels more like a sister! I totally didn’t take enough pictures the first night we met, but it was the best! I was waiting for her outside of my hotel and when I saw her we just ran up and hugged and then started talking like we had know each other forever!

D’Arcy is a planner and had made reservations and gotten a group of girls together for us have dinner with that evening! The picture above is at an Italian restaurant called Lavo. I don’t even remember much about the food because we all had so much fun talking to each other but I’m sure it was delicious and the restaurant was beautiful!

When dinner was over, I was exhausted so she took me back to my hotel (I stayed at the SLS in Beverly Hills) where I fell into bed and slept so well!

Madison Maison Mother’s Day Event

The next day was the main event…The Mother’s Day Event at Madison Maison in Beverly Hills! I will admit that I was just a little nervous to meet the girls who were coming! Those little doubts crept in…am I good enough?, will they like me?, do I have on the right outfit?! But…let me stop here for a minute because I want to say that I think this is completely normal, and the point is…I stepped out of my box and flew to Los Angeles to meet people I had never met before…in spite of my doubts. This is something I wouldn’t have done probably even 5 years ago! What I found was that every single person I met was so lovely and gracious and we all had so much in common as women who have chosen to be influencers and also just as mid life women. I was overwhelmed at the generosity of everyone!

I truly believe that each time we take a chance and do something that is just a little frightening or different, we grow exponentially. Making connections with new people is such a gift and community doesn’t have to just be local! I gained confidence as a result of taking a chance and getting on that plane. The more women I meet, the more I realize that we are more alike than we are different.

These beautiful flowers as well as a glass of champagne greeted us as we walked in the door! They were spectacular!

Lisa Breckenridge and I have been talking on the phone and getting to know each other virtually for several years now and it was so exciting to meet her in person! Lisa is a former news anchor turned blogger (her blog is Happily Lisa) and influencer and one of the sweetest and most talented women I’ve ever met! We have interesting things in the works, so stay tuned for more from the two of us…we have so much in common and both love to cook!

David is the owner and creative genius behind Madison Maison and he surprised me with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for my birthday!

The shoes at Madison Maison are all handmade in Italy and the quality is exquisite! If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that will last a lifetime and never go out of style, Madison Maison is the place to shop! My first pair of shoes were the gold boots I’m wearing in the picture above…I love the cowboy boot style and the hand brushed distressed gold! I wear them year round and always get compliments!

If you want to be a little more understated and classic, look into the fabulous loafers! I got a pair of the prettiest light blue ones (these are identical but white) with a jewel on top and I also got a pair of black tweed kitten heel sling backs (so chic and they also come in pink)! I can’t wait to wear them and show them off!

Toasting my birthday with these stylish ladies was the best and if you aren’t following these ladies, please take a minute to go and follow them because you’ll love them all! They all have blogs, except for Tricia (on the right)…she is just getting started as an influencer and has great style as you can see!

Dear D’Arcy - D’Arcy Vandenberg

The Middle Page Blog - Cathy Williamson

The Grateful Gardenia - Janet Gunn

Happily Lisa - Lifestyle with Lisa Breckenridge

Some of my favorites from the day!

The brown boots with the pink toe are on my list! I think they’re so much fun…but I might need the white and black as well!

I love the look of the lace socks with these two tone gold and silver loafers…I got so many great styling ideas while I was in Beverly Hills!

A pair of these tall boots are on my list for fall (also love the shorter version)! They have a very Gucci feel, but I actually think they’re much prettier and less expensive!

Not only was I able to meet ladies I had been following on Instagram, I also met a few others who were friends of theirs…including Nina Oberfeld who invented The FootCloud Thin Gel Cushions! The FootCloud is a reusable thin gel cushion that you can put anywhere on your foot where you’re having pain and it allows you to wear your shoes pain free! I’ve been using FootCloud Gel Cushions for about a year now and love them!

The Beverly Hills Hotel

I probably shouldn’t start off with this, but I was so disappointed in my outfit for lunch at The Beverly Hills Hotel! I brought the cutest things to wear, but it was chilly out and knew I would be miserable so I wore this knowing I would enjoy myself more. It’s not that I don’t like this outfit, it’s just not what I had in mind but oh well…

I met D’Arcy and her mother and sister for lunch at the hotel and as sometimes happens in Los Angeles, they were delayed in traffic which was fine with me! We had a beautiful table with a great view for people watching, so I ordered a mimosa and some bread and happily sat and waited!

Such an iconic picture of the palm trees!

For lunch, I ordered Crab Louie and some french fries (of course) and then they brought birthday cake! I have decided once again to celebrate my birthday all month long and it definitely started with a bang!

Casa Madera Mexican Restaurant

On Sunday evening, Lisa Breckenridge and her boyfriend took me to the most wonderful Mexican restaurant called Casa Madera! It was lively to say the least because of Cinco de Mayo…there was live music and celebration and the view of the city was breathtaking! I got really caught up in just being there and didn’t take many pictures (which means I was having fun), but Lisa and I did get a few pictures together and of course, I got a picture of the delicious food! After we left, we went to the Hotel Bel Air for one more glass of wine and then back to the hotel! It was such a great evening and I felt spoiled and very happy even though I stayed up way past my bedtime! I don’t regret one minute of it!

My gold jacket from Madison Maison is beyond fabulous and definitely a wear forever piece! It’s perfect for chilly evenings and will be amazing for fall and going into the holidays! It has such great memories associated with it and every time I wear it I’ll think of this amazing trip!

The moral of this story is…if you really want to do something, but feel a little hesitant, go ahead and jump in with both feet because you’ll be better off for it! I’m so glad I went on this trip and can’t wait to go back again very soon! Thanks to all of my new friends for the great memories…that’s what life is all about!