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.