It's All Over Now

Last day in the office in 2010. Fluffy pom-pom shoes.

I want the dress on this album cover. Birthing animal kingdom optional.

I've Lived My Whole Life in the Past

A few weeks ago, one of my "Sad Vagina Music" Pandora stations played the song "On Saturday Afternoons in 1963" by Rickie Lee Jones and it knocked me out. Just beautiful and heartbreaking and perfect. I don't know much about RLJ but most of the stuff I've heard of hers doesn't really move me. It's a little too jazzy or...something. But I heard another song from her recently on Pandora and I think I might have to do a more thorough investigation of her back catalog. This is slaying me right now: "Bonfires." I mean, really. Wow.

Things I Accomplished This Week

1. Downloaded Tetris to my phone and henceforth stopped paying attention to reality.
2. Became the owner of a bright red "vintage" (called vintage because that's the only word for "used" on etsy) Coach drawstring bucket backpack thanks to some surprise Christmas money (thanks, Mom!). I'm looking forward to "accidentally" hitting unsuspecting strangers with it when I toss it back onto my shoulder.
3. Ordered FOUR pairs of the same pants from Old Navy in four different sizes. Will return three. This means my tush size is fluctuating at an alarming rate.
4. Fantasized about exercising, detoxing, going vegan (see number 3 above).
5. Had a kick-ass Christmas with my wonderful family!
6. Ordered more sample eyeglass frames. None of the first five made the cut.
7. Made Martha Stewart's macaroni and cheese and felt my life shorten a little while eating it.

SRS BZNS

I am fairly certain that this ring will defeat my enemies.

We had an early Christmas celebration this weekend and this was my gift from my Secret Santa. I can't wait to wear it with something other than pajamas! 

(But HOLD ON, am I wearing it upside down? I think it looks weird if I put it on the way they show it here.)

True Love

For reals. I'm in love with this sweater.

It's warm, it's cozy, it's huge, it covers all manner of holiday overindulgence. And it was on clearance. It's perfect.

Glasses: Which ones? Any?

They arrived! On the same day I got the ship notification! Magic. Okay.

In general, I like them although I thought they'd all be a little bit bigger. However, I do have a ginormo face, so...

1. Webb crystal matte

2. Webb amber 

3. Miles amber

4. Japhy crystal matte

5. Colton whiskey tortoise 

Sorry about the glare; I don't know how to remedy it. 

What do you think? I have them for five days and will bring them to work tomorrow for feedback. Tell me which ones you like! If any! I do have some opinions already but I don't want to bias anyone. 

Thanks for your help!

Bangs of Sadness

I've had this song on repeat in my car the past few days. One of her best performances. She looks so beautiful in this video.

The Carpenters, "Superstar." (I wish I could figure out how to embed video...)

Photo from http://pandik.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/noise-makers/.

Winter's Dream of Spring

Floral dress, on super sale at Ann Taylor LOFT. Purple tights on top of brown sweater tights + clogs. Beige-y/gold cardigan with satin trim.

This I Accomplished This Week (ish)

I often feel like I don't do jack, ever, but making these lists makes me realize how productive and brilliant I truly am. Hence:

1. Discovered that I can drive in four-inch platform boots.
2. Downloaded the GLEE CHRISTMAS ALBUM! (Suck it, haters!)
3. Watched this Harry Nilsson documentary. It was tops.
4. Found and purchased my daughter's Christmas dress. Red corduroy with smocking, sigh.
5. Almost, nearly finished my Christmas shopping.
6. Made both apple AND zucchini muffins.
7. Found adorable pink cameo earrings on super clearance that will prob fall apart ASAP but will also look super cute next week with JEANS AT WORK! Yes, it's happening...a Christmas miracle, thanks to the volatile real estate market (both residential and commercial).
8. Got my mitts on some LE (that's limited edition, to you sane ones) cosmetics for super cheap. Including Revlon Demure, oh it's going to be a lovely Spring!
9. Rocked out to Kate Bush in my car almost every morning.
10. Ordered my Warby Parker sample frames. Look out for pics and even a chance to VOTE!

Damn! I really need to pace myself.

NOTD: Sally Hansen Tracy Reese Fall 2010 - Fedora

Yes, it's another taupe/mushroom/greige. I actually had on a black in between my previous taupe and this one--Midnight in NY, from the SH Tracy Reese Spring 2010 collection.* It was gorgeous but I find that darker shades dull more quickly so I wanted to try another light before indulging in a new plum or brown.

So here it is:

It has a subtle gold shimmer which isn't all that visible even in real life. Please excuse the sad state of my cuticles; it's quite frosty here and my poor hands are paying the price.

Clutching a copy of "The Four Seasons: Japanese Haiku Second Series." An ancient hardcover that calms my psyche when cubicle life gets too stimulating.

*But before Midnight in NY I had on Rescue Beauty Lounge Dead Calm...which SHOULD have been gorgeous but was applied by an old man during what shall forever be referred to as The Worst Manicure Of My Life. A story for another time.

Don't Worry, I'm With Friends this Christmas

I could be remembering this wrong, but I think my first listening of this song probably went something like this: sophomore year of high school, my best friend's older brother brought home the Erasure EP "Crackers International" and we listened to it on the stereo in his room, which was attached to their house but had its own separate entrance, making it our hip little hideaway. We would hang out in there listening to the latest 4AD releases and Sisters of Mercy 12-inch singles and figuring out what to wear to Pink Caddy.

This is a really sweet and underlooked song. Captures that wistful, wishing sadness and regret that Christmas can bring. I wish I'd been able to find a better video or live performance.

Listen to Erasure, "She Won't Be Home"

photo cred: amazon

Rock on, Ancient Queen

You guys. I got the boots.

Look, look! Are they not amazing? I mean, really.

As soon as I put them on, the opening strains of "Gold Dust Woman" start playing. Are they comfortable, you ask? Well. They're not uncomfortable. And they are the only boots I own that are super roomy around the leg. I could fit legwarmers in them. I just might.

I do feel slightly nuts wearing them, but it's worth it because they're so awesome. I was a bit wary the first day. I came out of the bedroom to ask my husband what he thought.

Me: "Uh...do I look insane?"
Him: (Looks at my outfit, up and down) "No. It looks like some 'What Would Stevie Nicks Wear to the Office' shit."
Me: (Walks up next to him) "Hey! I'm so tall!"
Him: "You sound insane."

Whatever! Added bonus: they really complement the carpet in my office:

Are you ready, boots?

Maybe I'll Clear My Junk, Maybe I'll Just Get Drunk

I am not one of those people who complains when she first starts hearing Christmas music in stores...I am a person who smiles when this happens. I LOVE Christmas music. I know it's mostly nostalgia for childhood memories and happy hopefulness for that mythical and elusive "Christmas feeling" but I have no problem with that!

Not all of my favorite Christmas songs are jolly and joyful, though. This one is very dear to me: Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton. I first heard this on her RCA greatest hits collection and I had no idea until recently that it was written by someone else for Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I guess the girls get together and sing it, which I suppose is fitting since it's a song about regrets and trying to move on, things I imagine working girls (especially those in a musical) ponder quite a bit.

"Maybe I'll dye my hair/ maybe I'll move somewhere/ maybe I'll get a car/ maybe I'll drive so far they'll all lose track/ me, I'll bounce right back." Yep, it's a Christmas song and I think its touchpoints are really accurate. Another year is coming to an end, you're thinking about all you've done and haven't done and how you could change everything. "I'm barely getting through tomorrow/ but still I won't let sorrow bring me way down."

This song really complements Dolly's "Light of a Clear Blue Morning." I think I have the album it appears on, 1977's New Harvest...First Gathering, on vinyl. Doesn't she look gorgeous on the cover? If you haven't heard either, you should indulge yourself in both.

30 for 30: Twelfth of Never Edition

So, I've been kind of off and on with the 30 for 30 Challenge. Hot and cold. Hit and miss. Today I think I'm wearing all 30 for 30 pieces.

This is a vintage beaded necklace with a bit of my pink office Christmas tree peeking out from the bottom of the frame.

My problem lately is that I have a lot of ideas for posts, and I start drafting them, then never come back. Oh what my blog could be! But I'll get to them. Soon.

Tune in tomorrow for the start of my Favorite Christmas Songs Countdown!

Lady of Leisure

My mom gets a lot of catalogs in the mail. One that I looked at while I was visiting for Thanksgiving was "Barbie Collector," which has all kinds of limited edition Barbies and Barbie gear. Most of it's pretty tacky but this picture stopped me mid-flip:

If this outfit was real, I would wear it. Every. Single. Day.

Thanksgiving in the Slower Lower

My first homemade rolls turned out great, my muffins were delish, my gravy was savory and my vegan Celebration Roast was yumsville. All in all, a great Thanksgiving! I have much to share, but I'll start with a few shots from a trip to Grandma's Attic, Laurel, Delaware's finest antique mall.

Little china girl.

I seriously considered buying this pink tin stove and making it a jewelry box or something.

Sweep your way out of servitude, little girls!

Wall of kitchen wonders.

Dream pink phone. Want this for my office.

Hello, handsome.

Swankiest razor I've ever seen.

A deal. 

Today's Necessary Purchase

Those boots! Kate, you little minx. 1978 must have been quite a year for you.

Magical

First day of a paid week off. Today I ran errands and picked up some things I need for my trip to see my folks for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow I have an eye appointment, then hope to spend most of the day cleaning and organizing my house. Wednesday I'll be making rolls, muffins, savory mushroom gravy and some other treats, and cooking my Celebration Roast. Soo...it'll be nothing but jeans and blah for the next few days. But I'll try to post some pictures just for fun. Plus hopefully a mani shot if I have time--even though my auntie and I are getting mani/pedis on Friday!

For now, I'd like to share what, right now, is extremely close to my dream outfit:

This is a shot of Rachel Roy in the December 2010 issue of Lucky. She's wearing everything I'm obsessed with right now: big chunky sweater, print dress, boots, big glasses. In my case, I'd probably go longer on the dress and slightly shorter on the sweater, as I am not as statuesque as Ms. Roy. But it's really close to perfect. Brava!

30 for 30 Day 12: Go USA!

I got these (footless) tights on clearance at Target. I thought the thready-things were all different colors, but when I put them on I realized they are actually just red, white and blue.

But I like them! Along with the tights, it's black dress, long gray cardi (I love this thing), boots and another one of my favorite pendants:

One guy's climbing on to the truck; one guy just fell off. What? Yeah, I don't know either.

This weekend and next week I have BIG PLANS to cook, bake, clean and reorganize. And nap. What are your plans?

This Taupe is Dope

Got my nails did last night.

This pic makes it look darker than it actually is; it's more of a mushroom. Milani Teddy Bare. I did an "accent nail" with a layer of China Glaze Nova. Eh. I think it might have looked better with Nubar 2010.

30 for 30 Day 12 post on the way...

30 for 30 Day 11: Spec-tacular

I wore my glasses today.

I don't love them, but I wanted to give my eyes a break from contacts. I'm thinking about getting a new pair.

Purple sparkle pants! And white turtleneck sweater.

Want to wear something flowy and comfy tomorrow, but have no idea what. Will definitely be changing my polish tonight.

I think one of my problems with the 30 for 30 project is that I didn't include enough separates. For instance, I only have one skirt and maybe three tops total? So the rest is mainly dresses. This is limiting my mix and match options. But I will carry on! Mostly!

30 for 30 Day 10: Old Faithful

This dress is such a friend.

It's a great background for accessories. It's comfortable and fits well. And I'm pretty sure I got it on clearance at Ross. Win, win, win win win. Long gray cardi, blue/gray tights, black peeptoes. Turquoise necklace, citrine ring.

Really need to do some laundry tonight if I want to stay on the 30 for 30 straight and narrow.

Excitement: New Google Fashion Site

I don't have time to play with it right now, but this looks like a lot of fun. It's got ALGORITHMS! And pretty pictures! I hope they eventually get some not-over-the-top-expensive stuff.

Good Hair Day (or Moment)

It happens so rarely, I had to share.

Total crazy eyes.

When the Rain Washes You Clean, You'll Know

It's a dreary, rainy day, a perfect setting for the earthy, witchy woman vibes I've been trying to capture in outfits lately.

The pendant is made up of pewter rose claws holding a glass marble orb with a little prism thing inside of it. A gift from my best friend ages ago. The ring is vintage; a fake amber oval surrounded by prismatic rhinestones. Nails: Sally Hansen Tracy Reese Fall 2010 Problem Child. Deep purple with shimmer and glass flecks.

Another 30 for 30 cheat day. I missed this dress.

Oh but this, this is incredible. I need some platform boots now. Stevie, I still want to be you when I grow up.

Today's soundtrack: Stevie, Heart, Florence and the Machine.

Cheat Cheat Never Beat

I managed to stick with 30 for 30 over the weekend (no pics, it was boring mommy weekend wear--jeans, sweaters etc.), but was ready to bust out of the list today. I have this dress that I want to love...I keep trying to make it work, accessorize it into stylishness, but I don't know if it's ever going to get there:

It's jade green with a white grid pattern. I think I got it on super clearance from Shade. It requires a belt or else it looks like a 1960's insane asylum uniform. Add some paper slippers and you're there. I used a pale blue/yellow/peachy-pink patterned vintage scarf for a belt, threw on my fave ginormous cap sleeve cardigan and a glitter butterfly necklace. But. I thought it might be too crazy for work. So I changed the dress to this:

And I regret it. This is an olive green cotton dress, also from Shade, and I don't like the length. It goes down past my knees. And I had to push the sleeves up to fit inside the cardigan. It's okay, but the first choice was so much more fun, and even if I felt a little crazy in it, it would have been worth it to try it out. Maybe later on. Remember people: first thought, best thought!

Sorry for the fuzzy iPhone shots. Yes, this is one of those blogs with crummy pictures. Deal with it. 



In other cheating news, I went back on my promise to not make any unnecessary purchases through the end of the year and bought a $10 contents-unseen packaged grab bag of Sally Hansen polishes and nail tools from Rite-Aid. I saw one on eBay that had TWO discontinued, limited-edition shades from the Tracy Reese Spring 2009 collection (Night Hydrangea and Azalea), and instead of buying that for $24.99 I thought I'd take a chance and buy one at Rite Aid to see if it it MIRACULOUSLY had the same or similar shades in it. It didn't, of course, but I think there are 3 (out of 5) wearable colors in it, plus a top coat, a cuticle pen and some other good tools in it. So, after that I really shouldn't get the one on eBay, right? No, of course not. That would be ridiculous? Right? Right. Totally not going to do it. But I might go look at the listing again...

Things I Accomplished Last Week

1. One full week of the 30 for 30 Challenge. I might have an off day tomorrow. Except I can't find the belt I need for the outfit I have in mind. Sigh.
2. Made another batch of zucchini muffins! 
3. Supervised while my husband and our nephews and niece raked the front and back yards.
4. Tried out my first RBL haul polish: Teal. It was gorgeous, applied like a dream, and I wish I could show you a picture but all the shots I took were terrible. I need a new camera. And also, photography skills.
5. Bought my Celebration Roast for Thanksgiving! Which involved driving to a tiny little place in a warehouse strip mall in Rockville and waiting while an adorable girl with "VEGAN" tatooed across her chest went in back to retrieve it from the freezer for me. Way to keep the faith, honey.

Random shots from 11/8 to 11/14:

Lesson learned: hippy gals like myself should not be photographed from below. Moving on...

Black sweater, brown tweedy skirt, tan skinny belt, black tights, super cute deep red patent t-strap shoes (not on my list, totally cheatsville), a gorgeous necklace that was a gift from my in-laws and kinda big hair that I kinda love. And a toddler in the background. ("Mama, feet cold? Slippers, Mama. Mama?")

First work week of 30 for 30 over. On to the weekend. I may cheat. I may not. I may wear pajamas all weekend.

Comfort Zone

30 for 30 Day 4: First of all, I really need to work on my poses.

I really was not trying to showcase the girls. I like the way this dress looks against a solid background, so I was trying to make that more apparent. Anyhoo...

Another day, another dress with another long cardigan and another pendant on a long chain. I know the point of the 30 for 30 exercise is to try out new combos and put things together that you normally wouldn't have thought of, and I know I'll do more of that. But I am actually really happy that I've found a "look" that I like and that I think flatters me. I'm 37 and I've spent too many years hating what's in my closet and how I look. It took me a long time--too long--to get into this comfort zone and I'm happy to be here.

No, that's not someone I know in the pendant. I got it at a jewelry show (The Gem Show, to my Tucson peeps) years ago. The ring is amber. And you can't tell, but on my nails is Rescue Beauty Lounge Teal.

Oh, and the tights are purple!

Substitute Art Teacher

30 for 30 rolls on: Day 3!

This is actually an outfit I wear all the time. Black cotton dress (with pockets!) and long colorblock cardigan, both from Shade, the now-defunct "modest" clothing purveyor. Black tights, black pumps. Gray pearl earrings, picture pendant. I go back to this outfit often because I love it.

30 for 30 Day 2

I'm still not sure about this one.

I love this cardigan but I think it looks better with dresses. I can't tell if I like it over long sleeves or not. The little brooch I got at a church sale last weekend; the black bangle was a gift from my best friend's mom, the shoes I LOVE are by Sofft via 6pm.com, which, if you didn't know already, is the Zappos clearance site. 

This is definitely a combo I never would have put together if I wasn't doing this project. I was ready to cheat this morning--I was running late and getting frustrated--but I'm glad I stuck with it!

A Necessary Purchase

Now that the chill in the air's getting chillier, and shaving one's legs is optional, I need tights and socks on a daily basis. I discovered this week that my stash of black tights has whittled itself down to a minimum with one slightly small, slightly runny pair, one intact but old and tired-looking pair and two textured pairs with holes that mostly don't show but sometimes do. So I convinced a friend to join me on a lunch-hour jaunt to Filene's Basement today where I snagged (ha!) these:

A two-pack of plain black tights, a two-pack of knee socks (one purple cable, one with purple/grey dotted hearts) and a super cute pair of Betsey Johnson over-the-knee socks that I fell in love with even though they were $9.99 for only one pair. But look! Big pink roses! Here's to warm legs and tootsies 'til spring.