Only You

When I put my outfit on this morning:

Baggy, wrinkly linen dress and oversized, striped mesh-like cardigan,

Blue nails (China Glaze For Audrey) and excess gaudy jewelry,



I thought, "oh snap...I'm going to get hit on CONSTANTLY today." So I added these beauties to frump things up:

Authentic, orthopedic Swedish clogs. That ought to do it! Whew.

Heard this song for the first time in YEARS this week. Can't get it out of my head now. So beautiful.



To Our Love, Send a Dozen White Lilies

Dreams. Been having detailed, extravagant work dreams, where my job is kind of like living on a huge, stressful cruise ship where I can hide easily but still have responsibilities and pressures dogging me at every turn. And elevators. Lots of waiting on elevators, getting on the wrong elevators, not seeing the right buttons, trying to avoid talking to people. I Googled "elevator dreams" and found that they're quite common, but are usually more nightmarish, like with the elevator speeding up uncontrollably and shooting through the top of the building. I think my elevators are just indicators of stress. Also having dreams where I'm arguing with loved ones and searching desperately for people and questioning motives and...it's been exhausting, really.

Food. I lost about six pounds, then gained some back, and at this point have lost about 5.4 pounds total. But it seems like days and days go by where all I want to do is eat crackers and drink wine. Some days it's so easy to stay on track. I need more of those days. Any suggestions?

Music. All I want to listen to lately are 60s and 70s lady folk singers. This past Saturday I pulled out Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' The Boatman's Call for the first time in about 10 years and now I can't stop listening to it. It's such a deep plunge into the psyche. Just what I need right now.

Clothes. Trying to summon spring:

You Been on My Mind

Sitting in my brain recently:

Snappy blue polish (Essie Coat Azure)

Sappho for Spring reading (If Not, Winter)

1960s/1970s British lady folksingers (Bridget St. John)



Pretty pretty Spring dresses (Top: Rachel Roy Spring 2011; Bottom: Forever 21)

This video. (Simone White, Why is Your Raincoat Always Crying?)

And Loses Herself in Her Dreaming and Sleep

I don't know about this outfit, you guys. It's looking a little "Andie from Pretty in Pink goes on a job interview."

Still trying to figure out how to wear this dress. I think I really need to thread a ribbon through the belt loop. We shall see. It will probably get thrown to the wayside soon anyway because there's no way I'm wearing it without tights, and hopefully, spring is FINALLY on its way!

NOTD: Sally Hansen Tracy Reese Spring 2009 Night Hydrangea

I now have four polishes from this collection: Nasturtium, Beet Stain, Azalea and Night Hydrangea; I got them all on eBay. In real life, this one is much brighter with a subtle yet sparkly shimmer. I love it but it's really more of an evening polish for fingers; it'll be good for toes, though.

Happy Wednesday! I love you and too much. :)

Things I Accomplished This Week

1. Found a shop that carries Chanel nail polish within walking distance of my office. This might be dangerous. 
2. Suffered rips and runs in several pairs of tights. This means winter needs to be over. 
3. Did a full OPI Black Shatter mani. See below:
   

4. Discovered Lacquerista, thank goddess! Who doesn't need more internet time-wasters?
5. Bought this little number, to scrub my skin into submission. I think it's just going to make me want the $150 version, though.

6. Found the celebrated Borghese Stellare Notte at my local Rite-Aid. Think I might attempt a half-moon mani with it.
7. Started reading this:

8. Discovered that I have gained nearly 30 pounds since I stopped nursing my daughter almost two years ago. Joined WW tout suite. Wish me luck!

A Kind of Weird Dress. And Then, a Highly Anticipated Package Arrives.

Yesterday I mentioned the Kind of Weird Dress I found at Forever 21 this weekend. Here it is:

Kind of weird, right? It was marked down to $15.99 from $32.50 because it is missing its ribbon belt. Today I replaced the belt with a scarf that used to belong to my mother. 

Although the colors worked well, this was ultimately unsuccessful; the belt didn't stay in place. Next time I'll either use a black leather real belt or find some ribbon to thread through the inner loop tube. (I'm sure there's a name for the space that holds a ribbon belt, but I don't know what it is. Anyone?)

This dress is also shorter that what I usually wear. Yes, I know it's not That Short, but it's short for me. And of course the day I choose to wear it, the temp doesn't even hit 20 by 9:00 AM. Anyway, I like this Kind of Weird Dress; I love the color and I love that it's both weird and office-appropriate. Oh, also, it has pockets! I love a dress with pockets.

Trying to make A Face in the mirror.

Okay, but THEN! When I got home tonight, I was delighted to find a package from M Beauty Lounge in my mailbox. It contained these lovely little numbers: 

Yes, yes! It's mini bottles of the OPI Katy Perry collection. Two shimmers (one a duochrome) and two glitters. They're really mini--smaller than I thought, but I would never have used up entire bottles of colors like this, so that's okay. What I'm SUPER excited about, though, is this: 

Black Shatter. It "shatters" or cracks after you apply it. I'll be trying this out tonight. 

Closer shots of the minis: 

Also in the package was a little giftie for someone. One of my "resolutions" for 2011 is to...not necessarily buy things for people, but...I often see things or think of things that a person I know would like; or something that makes me think of the person, and I might say to myself, "Oh, so-and-so would love this, I should get it for her/him, but her/his birthday is eight months away," or "well, so-and-so would think it was weird if I gave this to her," and I leave the thing or the thought and then regret it later.  So now, when I see something someone would like, if it's possible, I plan to grab the thing for the person and either a) give it to them right away, or b) save it for the next gift-giving occasion. Related: I want to tell people, people I know or strangers I see, that I like their outfits/accessories/etcetera. I often think someone looks awesome and I want to tell them but I don't. But wouldn't you LOVE IT if someone came up to you (in a non-creepy way) and told you that she loved your outfit, your bag, your jewelry? I would! So that's another mission for this year. Okay. I'll report back on how this giftie is received. 

Today!

Today I'm wearing DIAMOND earrings:

And one of the biggest rings I own:

I have confidence! Or at least my jewelry does.

I love this outfit. Love, love, love.

Song of the day: Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush. Warning: this video is BANANAS.

Very excited about my day off tomorrow. Even though it looks like I'm going to spend a lot of it cleaning my house. Watch out, Friday, YOU ARE MINE!



Heartbreak Hotels

I'm back from a week-long trip to Orlando for work. I returned to a sweet toddler, a dirty house, and these little prezzies:

Two polishes from my Three Free order from Zoya, and my new glasses from Warby Parker. I ordered five more samples from WP a few weeks ago and ended up choosing these. Naturally, they were the ones I originally liked the best online but didn't order because I thought I wanted something "quirkier." First thought, best thought! 

Here's a close up of the bottles: 

Drew and Crystal. The third, Edyta, is on backorder. Crystal went on my toes last night and although it's not my usual style, I like it. Sparkly. I didn't do a mani this week because I got an OPI Axxium gel manicure last weekend before my trip!

Mine's the big mitt in the bottom left. I got You Don't Know Jacques! and it's still intact, although the growth space is bothering me. I also scuffed them a little while fishing entry forms out of our big rolly prize giveaway thing at the show. I highly recommend the Axxium if you're planning a trip or just want your nails to look nice for awhile. 

Overall the conference was...well, I'm still thinking about it. First of all, neither of my suit pants fit. I mean, they fit ON me but were too tight and I felt ridiculous. Total VPL. And it was really cold in Orlando almost the whole time I was there. Some things made me happy: 

Florals from home.

Sushi and wine with a dear friend. And then pizza. 

Spokescharacter sightings.

Drinks with umbrellas. 

Next year I hope to be lighter. 

Baby, Now That I've Found You

Ah, the thrill of the hunt. I stopped in a CVS a few blocks away from my usual one and found something I've been coveting for a while:

Milani Jewel FX in Gems. It was on a tiny display that was sitting randomly on top of something else, and it was the last bottle. Meant to be! I know, it's a bit much, but it's really gorgeous and just for special occasions...crazy occasions. Like my BIRTHDAY, for instance. Yes, I'm already planning my birthday mani. Oh the life I lead!

Last day in the office before I leave for our big annual trade show and conference. I'm starting to freak out a bit about leaving my two-year-old for a week. She's been needing a lot lately...more love, more patience, more attention, more behavior correcting...and I hate to think she'll be unhappy or confused by my absence. But I also know she'll have a lot of fun with her dad. And then there's also a side feeling of OMG SWEET FREEDOM!

I chose a comfy, cozy outfit today. I call it Man Repelling on the cheap:

Shapeless, baggy sweater, shapeless boots, dusty blue tights. Love it! PS my boss took this photo for me. He is the best!

Have a great Friday!

New Year Odds and Ends

First mani of 2011: Essie Demure Vixen. Soon to be replaced by Wet n Wild Morbid.

New shoes! I've had my eye on these beauties for a while and just happened to spy them at the Clarks outlet on our way out of town for New Year's.

I like their sort of witchy, English boarding school headmistress vibe. I'm wearing them with this:

Drapey watercolor dress, Ann Taylor LOFT. Superpower ring, Rachel Roy. Oh, and you can see the Essie on my thumb in this shot. 

Coming up soon: More unhinged nail follies. Back in 2010, I ordered a mini set of four colors from the OPI Katy Perry Collection and a full-size bottle of the Black Shatter that should arrive soon. I also took advantage of Zoya's Facebook giveaway today and just ordered three FREE bottles from them, only paying shipping. From now on, I'm on a strict NO BUY I swear! Oh, that is until I find Milani Jewel FX Gems in stock somewhere...

And hopefully tomorrow I'll have my Things I Want to Do in 2011 list ready to post.

Hmm, what else? Excited about trying the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart! And I went to the gym today! Not sure if I could be more "New Year's" cliche...

Lastly, dear reader, is it wrong for me to love this bag? Tell me true.

Happy New Year!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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?

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.