Let's accessorize, shall we?

Now that we are within two months of the wedding (seriously, less than fifty days...let's freak out for a minute about that), just about all the Big Decisions are made. We have a lovely venue (with two coordinators whose heads I want to just knock together sometimes, they are so frustrating), an officiant, a florist, a (super-ninja) photographer, a DJ, clothing, attendants, the whole shebang. Since I have decided that I do not want to be making decisions about the wedding past, say, mid-September, we've begun planning some details. You'll be happy to know (you will, won't you?) that we have decided upon a first-dance song (point, Buble!), the ceremony is in a nearly-completed state, bridesmaid and maid-of-honor gifts have been purchased, and, oh yes, there are shoes!

And then, on a recent shopping trip to the Stanford Shopping Center (likely my new favorite mall, luckily--for my AmEx bill--too far away to visit regularly), mom bought these for me:

Cue a teary exit from Bloomingdales-- it seems so real when we're thinking of things like earrings, rather than, "What might be a good month for the wedding?" and "The dress-- white or ivory?"

Finally, and most excitingly (that's a word, right?), The Precious has a new friend:

They look cozy together, don't they. I'm not gonna lie, GP and I have been "practicing" wearing our rings. We sit around the living room and he says, "Look at me...I'm a married dude." My future husband, ladies and gentlemen...

How would Jebus celebrate Cinco?

Get is? Shots! P.S. Arielle, I am totally using that shot glass you sent!

Well, I like to think that he'd do it up in style, even though Cinco de Mayo is really not that big of a deal in Mexico-- just inflated in the US by beer companies, just like Valentine's Day was embellished by Hallmark. Be that as it may, tonight GP and I will be enjoying some (healthy! Made with ground turkey!) soft tacos, homemade guacamole, and some margaritas (in the interest of my figure, mine will be via Hungry Girl), and then maybe some of that sweet ranchero music that we get to enjoy on a fairly regular basis, thanks to our neighbors who have no sense that there is anyone else in the world who doesn't need to hear to their music. Ah, apartment life.

Oh, and as promised, here are the Jesus sandals-- the closest this girl will ever come to Birkenstocks (these were about $15 at Ross. I am not about to pay for actual Birkenstocks, nor am I willing to consistently sport that "crunchy" look).

Hell yes.

So, it's official: Arielle is a better bloggy-swap partner than I, as I received all of my sweet NYC stuff on the very day that the California paraphernalia was shipped off to the East Coast (P.S. It will be there Monday! Thanks, FedEx). Among the treasures are a pair of mesh mules, which I swear I owned in college, when I was even poorer than I am now.


This is kind of a cankle-y picture, I know, but I wanted to capture the true majesty of those sequins! Since work is notoriously lax about dress code, I may just sport these puppies to the office tomorrow...

There will, of course, be a full photo showcase of all the things I received today...but you know adorable shoes are the priority.

Shop It To Me Tuesday!

Don't worry, there are three more days of Tales From the South, but I had to squeeze in some lovelies that showed up in my inbox this morning. Basically, when you sign up for Shop It To Me, you input your size and brand preferences, and they send you things that are on sale from various online retailers. If nothing else, it is a great way to get some online window shopping done, plus they've already found your sizes! In short, everyone wins.

First, we have the shoes. Shoes generally come first, right? Some red Nine West d'Orsay pumps from Endless, for about $50 (although I am already the proud owner of a pair that look a lot like these, plus a bow, that I got from Le Target for about $25...)

Then there are the following purses...I am having a big Cole Haan love affair right now. For instance, with this:
Which is still about $320 on Zappos. Not now, Cole Haan, not now. Oh, and I want to get this bag into my life, too...

Now, the two skirts-- one from Vera Wang Lavender Label, and the other from our friend Marc Jacobs...


And, finally, the dress parade. I have few occasions at which it would be appropriate to wear these, but I like to fantasize about a grand life that enables me with the funds, body, and venues to show these off.
What do we think, is the bubble hem a yea or nay?
Faaaabulous!
Now, I suppose it wouldn't be inappropriate to own this, but I am trying to break into the world of "color" right now, and escape my black-and-white leanings.

I mean, come on...tomorrow is payday.

Running faster and jumping higher than ever before!

With these!



Actually, very little running and jumping was done today, but I like to think the pink stripes would enable a little extra physical prowess.

Nothing much of note today-- though I did try on my several dress options for the wedding we'll be going to in Charleston next weekend, narrowed down because there are a few that are fitting a little strangely. As in...not. Maybe it's time for the gym, in between glasses of wine and smears of goat cheese. Just maybe. The dress, in case you are wondering (and I know you are!), is a black Calvin Klein that I found at Marshall's for super-cheap, because that is how I roll. A bit of pleating in the front, with a modified halter neck, and the bonus is that I will get to wear a regular bra. Score! There will be gold shoes, of course.

Oh! Speaking of this upcoming vacation/trip/out-of-town-being, I was thinking of potentially having some guest bloggers do some posts, so that I don't have to be all anti-social while I am soaking up the charms of the South. Any volunteers? I may be able to sweeten the deal with some souvenirs...

Wild diva

First,


Got these in the Fashion District in downtown LA, which is a truly horrible and depressing place to be. Los Angeles is the only city I've been to in which the downtown area is seriously the least desirable part of it-- and that's saying something, for a place as never-ending and sprawly as LA. At any rate, these are flats, but have a funny little heel that slides around on slick floors (was the reason I almost fell down at a super-nice Napa restaurant when GP took me there for my birthday two years ago, so embarrassing), and makes an authoritative clacking sound when I walk anywhere that is uncarpeted. Also, the brand name? Wild Diva. Seriously. Probably the most awesome shoe brand name, ever. That's what $7 will buy you in downtown LA.

If I had a million dollars...

...I would probably buy most of the things listed in my bi-weekly Shop It To Me email. I'd start with these...

Givenchy, courtesy of zappos.com, a steal at $333.

Then, of course, this Calvin Klein number, which is under $200!



Somehow, I can't justify spending over $100 on a top, even this cute DVF one.



I am, however, now accepting opinions on the following "sweater." Come on, it's only $40! And don't worry, I will probably wear a shirt under it.



P.S. Today my shoes are boring. But here you go, anyway. I love that my job lets me get away with these. Screw you, business casual!



Note: black flipflops + black carpet = wtf shoes

Ordinary.

Had to get the Daily Shoe in at some point today...just plain old Converse All-Star low-tops (because what am I, 11? Seriously, I did have a sweet denim pair with the Tasmanian Devil on the side when I was about that age). A perfect Monday shoe, really, because you have to have something to build from, and when you're going to work in jeans and a North Face half-zip fleece pullover (see: Stuff White People Like), the Converse call out to you like a siren song from the closet.

Oh, and I am planning on jumping off the proverbial blogger bridge-- I'm working on a "love" list, somewhat inspired by the Converse. Other things I am loving right now include: Papaya Mango Salsa with tortilla chips from Trader Joe's, the fact that we now have a desk in our study, and that I currently have a job to which I can wear Converse, jeans, and a fleece pullover and not get fired.

What do you love today, internets?

Heat wave!

One day of warmth does not a heat wave make, but the temperature today is enough to warrant the miraculous rediscovery of the following footwear:


Yes, welcome to my toes, webosphere! I've decided you're ready, and it's not like this pedicure is going to get any better, right? I'll try not to subject you to any dirty-toe moments, if it can be helped. So, when I mentioned the "miraculous rediscovery," I was not kidding: I thought that this pair of flip-flops was lost and gone forever until I discovered one of them under the couch. Very suspicious, especially since I had no clue where the other one was-- it certainly was nowhere near its mate, since I had thoroughly searched the area. As I am a big believer in the principle of "out of sight, out of mind," I decided to shove that single sandal back under the couch, so that I didn't have to deal with the nagging worry of its presence in my closet (this, of course, was in no way a GP-sanctioned plan, but I am not sure he was aware of the single-shoe conundrum). Months go by, summer goes into fall goes into winter, and I am rarely in need of these flip-flops. I hardly notice when I see my little, lonely friend peeking out from under the couch; I just give it a little nudge with my toe, pushing it back under there where it can't haunt me with its solitariness.

But lo! Spring is officially back, and the weather is downright summery. I, of course, have dozens (I am not kidding, it's like a sickness, and the only cure is more footwear) of pairs of flip-flips, each a unique snowflake in its own way, but I have a hankering for this particular pair of Reefs. Way more expensive than any pair of shoes that are held onto ones foot through a between-the-toes thong and a couple "leather" straps should be, they found their way into my life one summer before returning to college from summer break, an item on the Official Sorority Recruitment Clothing List. (You guys, I am not kidding. There was a list, and there were clothing checks, as well as conversation workshops. But that's another post.) They represent the upper limit of the height range that I allow my sandal soles to be (because I am not a fan of the stumpy-leg look), and are responsible for a nasty spill due to their slippery soles and my overall clumsiness. At any rate, a miracle occurred today-- I found the mate! And you know where it was? Right there on the other end of the couch! This proves several things: first, I am an idiot. Additionally, I clearly did not go as thoroughly about my search as I previously thought. Ultimately, however, my idiocy is beside the point-- the point is, I get to clomp around in these babies for many summer weeks to come! Clearly, the day is mine!

Target: the aftermath

Hello again, lovelies! So, the Target trip went well-- I got out of there for under $100, which is a rare treat for me recently. I can't stop once I get started, but luckily the Target is now trying this thing with Dresses That Are Large and Should Fit Like a Dream, But Are Still Meant for the Skinny. It is, in short, not cool. Why, if there is all this extra fabric, is there still thigh clingage? I know I am not morbidly obese, so let's not give a girl a seizure right there in the dressing room, mmkay?

At any rate, here is what I ended up with:

You know, to wear to the disco and stuff. Also, I love my gold flats, and needed some extra-sassy strappy heels for this barrage of weddings that I'm having to attend in the next year or so. That, or I need something to fling next to my purse when my blisters have become too much to bear and I have had enough G&T's to consider going barefoot on a hotel dance floor. You know, either way.

Slightly more sensible, though I do have fantasies of traipsing around Paris in these. Would there be much laughter, do you think? They are much cuter on, than in this picture, if that helps matters; the bow is much more whimsical in person.



Now, I would not call myself a full-figured gal, not even voluptuous-- I am a size 8, perfectly normal, thankyouverymuch. But there are all these weddings! Where there will be cameras! And I don't wish to be remembered as That Girl With a Fat Ass Who Looked Slightly Pregnant. That is where the hilariously named "Assets" body shaper comes in. It will give me the silhouette that only regular exercise (or $20 at Target) could, and I won't have to give up cheese! Please note that I will not be wearing only this with red heels to any of the aforementioned weddings. Only GP will be lucky enough to see that hotness.


This, with jeans and the gold sandals? Super-hot, right? I am pretty in love with this top.

Oh, and finally-- this is what I didn't buy. It was very hard to put down, so I feel that some congratulations are in order:

I mean, come on! Would I not look adorable gallivanting about with this tucked under my arm? I would, of course, wear my too-big-for-my-face sunglasses, in an effort to appear as gamine as possible. Had I bought it, I would certainly be taking it with me when I go to the free-burrito festivities as they open a new Chipotle in town...! Because eating a delicious meal, all nicely arranged and wrapped in a warm tortilla for your very own eating pleasure? Is always in style. It's the food equivalent of layering, or something.

Zippy little shoes, so that I can run the eff around all the livelong day

Here are my red shoes, poised on the doormat before I took off for work this morning-- I figured it's less silly than taking repeated pictures of my feet/shoes while at work, right? I read a great quote about the color red years and years ago, possibly attributed to Bill Blass (how I remembered that, we'll never know), and I feel like there is a lot of truth to that sentiment. I will admit that I was feeling a bit doubtful this morning, and probably all week-- but I had no doubt that I would be able to scamper around the office in these red flats, that, despite their complete lack of heel, always make me walk a little taller. (P.S. Cheese? Yes, please!)

Have to make this quick, as I am actually doing work at work today, and as such am up to my elbows in a spreadsheet. Bleah. I am going to Target with a friend today, so I am expecting big things from Dollar Town there (you know, the area where all the stuff is even cheaper than regular-Target-cheap? So great). Oh, and I have to mention the bloggie friend swap that Rachel over at Confessions of a Jersey Girl is putting together-- you guys have got to get in on that, if only to receive a cool piece of local flava from an awesome blogger. Go! What are you still doing here? I will be back later to talk about more interesting things, I promise.

P.S. How much do I need one of these in my life? The answer is "a lot," but my ass disagrees.

Puttin' on the Big Girl Shoes

Yep, these are them. After the Emo Shoe Day Disaster of Aught-Eight, I needed some footwear that would pull me out of my work-funk, and decided that these would do the trick (it was either these or my fakey Uggs that I bought at some outlet place years ago, and are decidedly decrepit). What's not to love? A little peep-toe, heels I can still run around in, and the navy! Love! The shoes brought about a slight respite from the multiple-hour freakout that was yesterday, but I'd like to think that it was also my stellar job performance. Who can say, though?

I'm feeling a bit fried, so there may be a meme sometime later. I'll make it entertaining, though, I promise! Still love me!

Footnote

My apologies for the pun...if that even qualifies as one. I almost forgot...

Gap flats, a Christmas gift from dad. I only wish I had them in more colors!

Wah Waaaaah

No, I don't want to talk about the way the Bruins ended their season today. Needless to say, it was very similar to the previous two seasons, minus a loss to the hideous douchebag Joakim Noah and the nasty Florida Gators. Maybe this will convince K-Love to stay another year to get us a championship, though...? A girl can dream.

Other than basketball, today is a bit of a "nothing" day, with GP hanging out with a friend and me here, watching basketball (I promise I'll still watch, I'll just care a bit less because none of them is My Team) and listening to This American Life while I clean the apartment. Thrilling, I know.

In other news, I got a haircut today! There will be no pictures, however, because the highlight situation has yet to be addressed, and there is a bad root problem happening. Maybe when I get that done next week, I'll document it. I know you all can't wait. Oh, and last but not least...

Yes, I am a badass. A rhinestone-encrusted badass, who will recap SNL tonight because Christopher freaking Walken is hosting (yay)!

Shoes, day two

Today I am wearing these:

They are so beaten-up that it's probably a little shocking that I still wear them in public, much less to work. I can't seem to let them go, though! The toes are all torn up because sometimes I am less than the picture of grace that you all might imagine, and the heels are pretty worn down, mostly due to the fact that I wore the hell out of these when I worked in Unnamed Tutoring Center and had to be running to and fro all the time.

I decided to wear these to work today because we have clients in the office, and on Fridays I sometimes have a hard time getting it up for the office. Honestly, the enthusiasm wanes by the end of the week, so I feel like wearing something a little peppier will substitute for the positive attitude that disappeared around lunchtime on Wednesday. My efforts were rewarded when my coworkers called me pretty and awesome-- no, I am not kidding (I truly am adorable and modest), and I am aware that only one of these compliments may be shoe-related. The other may have had to do with my sweet Mac skillz.

Oh! And today was the Ethiopian food Fun Lunch day, which was, as you might infer, pretty fun. I work for a small company, and my bosses are nice enough to take us out to interesting lunch places on a monthly-or-more basis. All together, we were ten at the restaurant, and it was the vast majority of the people that work for the company (and mostly women, except for the one guy, so there!). Anyway. The food was really tasty and interesting, and not the "interesting" that means I was wanting to spit it into my napkin after every bite. We got two big veggie combos, two chicken dishes, and two beef dishes (there was lamb, but I think that we were feeling a bit more basic than that). You may have heard that there are no utensils in Ethiopian eating, and that is exactly right-- our veggie combos arrive atop enormous pancakes that were similar in composition to crepes, or regular pancakes, but were much spongier and a little lemonier than either of those two (I'm guessing that it's buckwheat flour rather than all-purpose, and that the batter is beaten a lot to aerate it-- it would definitely be interesting to watch the preparation), and we got a bunch of extra pancakes to help us pick up the beef and chicken. It's not the neatest meal in town, there will certainly be some dirtied fingertips, but daaaaamn it was delicious. Probably not the best first-date meal, but absolutely something that everyone (even the foreign-food xenophobes out there!) should try at least once!

Also, there was a sign for this beverage, which made the literature nerd in me smile:


Friday Fill-Ins are upcoming! Get excited!

Shoe gazer

...apparently is shorthand (well, to be technical, long-hand) for "emo", according to Urban Dictionary. While I don't have the proper disposition, jean fit, or hairstyle to qualify as a bona fide emo kid, I am more than happy to steal the phrase to introduce my Great New Blogging Idea. I am thinking that, on a sort-of-daily basis, I will post a picture of my shoes. Some people photograph what they eat, some have adorable dogs to show off, and there are some others that already do put their footwear on display for the internets to see. This last group, I have decided, are my brethren (sistren?).

Today, friends, I am sporting some sweet gold flats:

Got these at Target a couple years ago. Though I am not typically a fan of the gold, it is seriously like wearing a happy little party on my feet every time I slip them on. (Sorry, male readers. I realize this is a ridiculous thing to say)

So, there you have it-- shoes (sorry, I had to)! I cannot promise much in the way of photo quality, but I will make up for that with quantity and sparkling prose. With flip-flop weather approaching, you people are going to be seeing a ton of my feet...