As I am walking from my car to The Apartment last night, shopping bags in hand, I hear from across the main quad in the complex, "How you doin'?" Think Joey Tribbiani, but not as endearing. There are, in the quad at the time, several people-- kids around the pool, a few people on the patio outside the gym, people sitting on their balconies, etc. I don't turn around, because I know that no one I know is around.
He shouts again, "Hey, Red, how you doin'?" My hair isn't red anymore, but I am wearing a red shirt, one that I received multiple compliments on while shopping (sidenote: how nice is it to get that random compliment when you're in the middle of a body-shame sprial?). I turn around to see who feels it appropriate to shout at me across the quad like a construction worker while I am just minding my own business-- of course, it is one of probably about five guys that live in a single apartment facing the quad. Sighing and rolling my eyes, I instinctively raise my middle finger and book it to my apartment.
Because I ain't no Hollaback Girl.
(Someday I will tell y'all the tale of how my mother divulged her knowledge of this phrase's meaning. It is hilarious.)
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
In which I shop, spontaneously and plentifully
Really, is there any other way? Hoping to find some great stuff for Mother's Day, I headed to the mall. I do not go as frequently as, say, high school-- when I used to go multiple times in a week, relishing the dual rewards of having a driver's license and a part-time job-- but I still enjoy the plethora of great stores there. Thanks, Westfield! I would say that I managed a good bit of restraint, but on the other hand, I did a fair amount of damage. I did talk myself out of things, though!
The haul is as follows...
Short bubble dress from Forever 21, to be paired with some black leggings, which are my first leggings since about third grade. I am late to the party, but still a bit hesitant about them. They will not, under any circumstances, be worn as pants. Also, in walking around various stores, I saw that there was a big Black and Pink Moment happening, which is nice because it's a color combo that I like, and was able to re-create for pretty cheap. I am worried that I'm getting too old to shop at Forever 21, and do have some sweatshop concerns...but my love of a comfy little dress outweighs these things. Does that make me a terrible person?
What can I say, I love a big-ass ring. Also, this thing was less than $3. I win! There are also some flat, cream-colored sandals, but you'll have to wait until they're a Shoe of the Day to see those...
I stopped into this Heritage 1981 store, and was perplexed. Is it the same thing as Forever 21, but a little more hipster? That they are near each other in my mall does not help matters any-- does anyone know what the heck this store is? I am also a little bummed that 1981 is now this crazy-in-the-past time. The kids working there were definitely born in the '90s, and that's just wrong.
Next was Papyrus, which was really the only stop I needed to make while I was there (everything else was just a bonus!), and I picked up cards for my grandma and GP's mom (from him...I know! I am a great girlfriend), as well as these cute pink and brown cards that were half off. I couldn't resist!
Ann Taylor was a bit of a bust-- I didn't end up even trying anything on, although I did see the polka dot dress that was in the last Shop It To Me email. Everything at Ann Taylor was blue or green, and I was just not in that mood today. Luckily, a few doors down, there was NY&Co., with its siren song of a sale. Buy one get another 50% off, it crooned. Who was I to argue?
I walked out with two tops, including this one...
(which I will not be pairing with my blue-and-white checked pants, thankyouverymuch), as well as another one that is sort of purple-y and black, with sequin detailing around the neck. (Upon seeing this shirt, GP remarked that I have a lot of clothes that make me look like a flapper. I am not sure that he knows what a flapper is.) I also made off with a trio of their new body products (so delicious-smelling! I got the gardenia and pomegranate ones) for $15 (!!!) and a cute pair of earrings. Oh, and this little number:
Memorial Day is almost here folks! Not that I pay much attention to that particular rule...
The haul is as follows...
Short bubble dress from Forever 21, to be paired with some black leggings, which are my first leggings since about third grade. I am late to the party, but still a bit hesitant about them. They will not, under any circumstances, be worn as pants. Also, in walking around various stores, I saw that there was a big Black and Pink Moment happening, which is nice because it's a color combo that I like, and was able to re-create for pretty cheap. I am worried that I'm getting too old to shop at Forever 21, and do have some sweatshop concerns...but my love of a comfy little dress outweighs these things. Does that make me a terrible person?
What can I say, I love a big-ass ring. Also, this thing was less than $3. I win! There are also some flat, cream-colored sandals, but you'll have to wait until they're a Shoe of the Day to see those...
I stopped into this Heritage 1981 store, and was perplexed. Is it the same thing as Forever 21, but a little more hipster? That they are near each other in my mall does not help matters any-- does anyone know what the heck this store is? I am also a little bummed that 1981 is now this crazy-in-the-past time. The kids working there were definitely born in the '90s, and that's just wrong.
Next was Papyrus, which was really the only stop I needed to make while I was there (everything else was just a bonus!), and I picked up cards for my grandma and GP's mom (from him...I know! I am a great girlfriend), as well as these cute pink and brown cards that were half off. I couldn't resist!
Ann Taylor was a bit of a bust-- I didn't end up even trying anything on, although I did see the polka dot dress that was in the last Shop It To Me email. Everything at Ann Taylor was blue or green, and I was just not in that mood today. Luckily, a few doors down, there was NY&Co., with its siren song of a sale. Buy one get another 50% off, it crooned. Who was I to argue?
I walked out with two tops, including this one...
(which I will not be pairing with my blue-and-white checked pants, thankyouverymuch), as well as another one that is sort of purple-y and black, with sequin detailing around the neck. (Upon seeing this shirt, GP remarked that I have a lot of clothes that make me look like a flapper. I am not sure that he knows what a flapper is.) I also made off with a trio of their new body products (so delicious-smelling! I got the gardenia and pomegranate ones) for $15 (!!!) and a cute pair of earrings. Oh, and this little number:
Memorial Day is almost here folks! Not that I pay much attention to that particular rule...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
DANGER!!!1!!
This is what our balcony looks like right now...
Cuidado, indeed. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't open the door-- there is a 2x4 wedged behind the slider, in a cruel reversal of the "security system" GP has devised that involves placing a level (yes, a level) behind the interior sliding door space.
Oh, and where is all the stuff that usually lives on the balcony?
Why, right in the living room, of course! Where else should we put the 12-foot tripod that elevates our DirecTV dish to a height where it's able to receive signal? I am shocked that I haven't stubbed any toes on this thing, shocked and grateful.
In addition to this business, there are currently many different Huge Piles of Dirt blocking random walkways throughout the complex, which make getting to one's car or fetching the mail a more challenging task than ever thought possible. There is, of course, also the accompaniment of numerous power tools, if your brain needed any more aggravation. Ah, apartment living...
Cuidado, indeed. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't open the door-- there is a 2x4 wedged behind the slider, in a cruel reversal of the "security system" GP has devised that involves placing a level (yes, a level) behind the interior sliding door space.
Oh, and where is all the stuff that usually lives on the balcony?
Why, right in the living room, of course! Where else should we put the 12-foot tripod that elevates our DirecTV dish to a height where it's able to receive signal? I am shocked that I haven't stubbed any toes on this thing, shocked and grateful.
In addition to this business, there are currently many different Huge Piles of Dirt blocking random walkways throughout the complex, which make getting to one's car or fetching the mail a more challenging task than ever thought possible. There is, of course, also the accompaniment of numerous power tools, if your brain needed any more aggravation. Ah, apartment living...
Shop It To Me...Wednesday
Yeah, I know, I got the email yesterday, and I really have no excuse other than my own laziness for not posting my favorite (on sale!) things that were in the Seis de Mayo SitM email. Better late than never, though, right?
I almost never love the tops that are in the email-- can't get as excited about them, for some reason-- but I really enjoy this DVF one:
Black and white! I am in love!
Now, the obligatory shoe: an adorable Steve Madden d'Orsay wedge.
Oh, and I couldn't resist The Shiny! Check out this patent Cole Haan clutch (seriously, the love affair continues):
Finally, Ann Taylor is batting a thousand right now, with some wonderful dresses (if, like me, you have about a trillion friends' weddings to go to in the coming months) and a comfy-looking pair of jeans (that I just might end up buying) from Ann Taylor Loft.
Coming up later today...what DANGER!!!1! looks like.
I almost never love the tops that are in the email-- can't get as excited about them, for some reason-- but I really enjoy this DVF one:
Black and white! I am in love!
Now, the obligatory shoe: an adorable Steve Madden d'Orsay wedge.
Oh, and I couldn't resist The Shiny! Check out this patent Cole Haan clutch (seriously, the love affair continues):
Finally, Ann Taylor is batting a thousand right now, with some wonderful dresses (if, like me, you have about a trillion friends' weddings to go to in the coming months) and a comfy-looking pair of jeans (that I just might end up buying) from Ann Taylor Loft.
Coming up later today...what DANGER!!!1! looks like.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
On returning from the apartment-complex gym...
Some questions:
1. High school-aged girls, can we please watch something other than "A Shot at Love 2"?
2. "A Shot at Love 2" producers, how hard was it to come up with so many synonyms for "whore"? Betcha that thesaurus came in handy!
1. High school-aged girls, can we please watch something other than "A Shot at Love 2"?
2. "A Shot at Love 2" producers, how hard was it to come up with so many synonyms for "whore"? Betcha that thesaurus came in handy!
Monday, May 5, 2008
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).
Coordinated
There will be a post later today about the Jesus-like sandals I am sporting today (seriously, you will see when I get around to it), but right now I have to talk about this Labor of Love weekend that I am arranging for Mother's Day. GP's parents will be here, so that means that I get to negotiate the potential in-law and my mom/stepdad situation, on a weekend that can tend to be a very "loaded" one.
Now, I will not pretend that GP's mom is in any way my mother-in-law, but the fact is that more likely than not, she will be eventually. I really enjoy her, and she has always been very sweet and generous with me, so I know I could be doing a lot worse in that department. My mom and I are also close; she and my stepdad live within 15 minutes of us, and we often have Sunday dinners with them. What I am worried about is the degree of competition that could erupt during this weekend between the two moms-- I am having to walk the line that says, "I appreciate you, [GP's mom], but mom, you are really the best," but in a way that doesn't pit them against each other in the Mother of the Year race. Because GP is much less "into" Mother's Day than I am, I will be putting together "Queen For a Day" weekend-y gift bags for both moms, complete with cards, wine-tasting itineraries, and assorted small gifts. True, we are paying for the brunch that we'll be having Sunday morning, but I think they will appreciate the bags and the sentiment behind them.
How do married women deal with this? I am sweating bullets in my air-conditioned office, trying to decide what separate-but-equal gifts I can put in these bags, and how to balance the Mother's Day merriment so that everyone has a good time. I may be overanalyzing and worrying too much-- after all, we will be wine tasting. How bad can it be?
If you have any advice about the two-mom/family Mother's Day juggling act (or just want to tell me to stop worrying or at least just shut up about it), leave it in the comments!
Now, I will not pretend that GP's mom is in any way my mother-in-law, but the fact is that more likely than not, she will be eventually. I really enjoy her, and she has always been very sweet and generous with me, so I know I could be doing a lot worse in that department. My mom and I are also close; she and my stepdad live within 15 minutes of us, and we often have Sunday dinners with them. What I am worried about is the degree of competition that could erupt during this weekend between the two moms-- I am having to walk the line that says, "I appreciate you, [GP's mom], but mom, you are really the best," but in a way that doesn't pit them against each other in the Mother of the Year race. Because GP is much less "into" Mother's Day than I am, I will be putting together "Queen For a Day" weekend-y gift bags for both moms, complete with cards, wine-tasting itineraries, and assorted small gifts. True, we are paying for the brunch that we'll be having Sunday morning, but I think they will appreciate the bags and the sentiment behind them.
How do married women deal with this? I am sweating bullets in my air-conditioned office, trying to decide what separate-but-equal gifts I can put in these bags, and how to balance the Mother's Day merriment so that everyone has a good time. I may be overanalyzing and worrying too much-- after all, we will be wine tasting. How bad can it be?
If you have any advice about the two-mom/family Mother's Day juggling act (or just want to tell me to stop worrying or at least just shut up about it), leave it in the comments!
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