Timbuk2 Bag Sale!

A larger version than my pink bag, but look at all the stuff you can put in it!

You may have noticed in my trip recap photos thus far that I am always carrying a pink Timbuk2 bag.  Purchased at REI several years ago, this bag has literally been all over the world with me.  Yes, it's more granola than Gucci, but it's tough as hell and full of pockets and all sorts of other neat organizational features that kept my stuff organized and safe the whole trip.  I had bottle holders for my water bottle and a secret inside pocket where I kept my wallet and passport.  The positioning of this pocket made it IMPOSSIBLE for me to get pick pocketed so I was able to cruise around in comfort with my mind at ease.  At night I brought a small shoulder bag to take to dinner when I wanted to look a bit dressier.

I don't think they make my model any more, but I would buy this or any other bag from them 100 times over and they're having a sale that ends today! 

I would like to extend to you, an invitation to the Pants Party.

Are you trying to say there's a party in your pants and I'm invited?

This weekend I did a little shopping at Old Navy and tried on the Perfect Trousers in white (above photo is similar, but I couldn't find the exact style on the website).  As impractical as white pants are for me, Stainey McGee and unflattering (white just makes everything look bigger and let's face it, I'm a pear shape) as they are, I find myself on a perpetual quest for the perfect pair of white pants and or jeans.  These actually made my butt look HOT.  Hooray!  BUT, the only problem I have with wearing white pants or shorts is the pockets.  You can always see the outline of the pockets when I'm coming and going.  What am I doing wrong here?  Should I automatically buy them a size bigger, will that help?  Not a fan of that idea because I liked the way they hugged the curves of my boo-tay. 

I'm not worried about concealing my underwear, I tried these on in red underpants and they didn't show through.  But the pockets did!  (And if you're wondering, I suggest a nude Hanky Panky thong or some thigh length SPANX for appropriate undergarments with these).  I've considered cutting out the pockets, but that seems lame.  What do you guys do?  ::shaking fist at the sky::  I want white pants this summer!

New Swimsuit for Summer!

Is it weird that I dream of a one piece swimsuit?  Growing up all I wanted was a bikini.  Now that I'm grown, I wouldn't mind throwing a one piece in the mix....not to hide my figure per se, I just think it might be a nice change.  Suit is from JCrew.

How hot is this suit?  I actually bought it and the hubs made me return it.  It was at a time when I was a bit heavier, yes and the thought of wearing a two piece made me want to die.  But we were going to Mexico and I didn't know anyone there anyways.  Suit is from Victoria's Secret.

 Here's another sweet option from JCrew...

But alas, this is probably what I'll invest in for this summer.  I've always wanted a black suit and I suppose so long as I only have one ass instead of two, I should embrace the years that I can reasonably wear a two piece.  I am doing that redic situp challenge.  If it actually impacts my abs, it would be a shame for people to not see that....which reminds me, I should totally do an ab post....I'm very picky about them.....coming soon to a blog near you, Kelly judges other people she doesn't know's abs!

Weekend Recap

A tad bit too late, but nonetheless, here it is:

Friday
Left work around 5, stopped at the liquor store for dry vermouth and blue cheese stuffed olives, mixed a Tanqueray No. 10 martini, popped open the laptop for another couple hours.  Ruminated on feelings about my work week that were soon drowned in gin.  Consumed leftovers.  Darryl came home from work around 8 to get weekend provisions.  Darryl attempted to make a Mexican martini with said provisions (and failed), I mixed a Bombay Saphire martini and we sat around the house until my parents arrived and joined us in cocktail hour.  Let me just say, working late on a Friday is kinda lame.  Having martini hour with your spouse on a Friday night at home rather than fighting crowds at resteraunts and bars = awesome.  Try it this weekend.  Thank me later.

Saturday
For breakfast I mixed up these babies for breakfast for the fam and then my dad, Darryl, and Christine and I headed up to Liberty Hill where we got to do all sorts of exotic things like judge a BBQ cookoff, and learn to rope goats, and drink Crown on tap.

Saturday night was a combination yard work/meat coma/tummy ache, as you could have guessed.

Sunday

We all went to brunch at Taverna and had yummy beignets, which reminds me, need to get the hubs down to New Orleans some time soon.  Haven't been in ten years!  I NEED some Cafe Du Monde.  Also the many drunk texts from friends at Jazz Fest helped to enhance that nostalgia, but I digress.  Sunday I picked up a couple things for our trip, such as this snappy fedora at the Gap:

And these sandals:

And these sunglasses at Old Navy

 

And these white bermuda shorts...which for me is a bold choice (light color on the bottom half of a pair shape, fear of sitting in something that stains them, white pockets that show through, do I need to keep going?) but I have a super cute flowy orange tank top to pair them with and I think if I cut the pockets out they'll be fine.  I also snagged a super cute sun dress and t-shirt.  Gap is really good for accessories right now, but not so much clothes.  Old Navy is BANGIN'.  Check out their summer collection.  Thank me later :).

The Bathing Suit Cometh

My new spring bathing suit came in the mail today from Victoria's Secret.  I got two and let the husband decide on the winner.  I was procrastinating on the bikini readiness plan, but starting next week we'll be t-minus 6 weeks until our Belize trip.  Training for the Cap 10k certainly isn't hurting, but I have been eating like a linebacker, which isn't helping.  Here's what I had today: 2 chocolate glazed donuts, 2 deli sandwiches, 2 pickles, 2 bags of chips (and not the baked kind).  Yeah.  And all that was before 3 PM, it was like I was eating for 2 people (do not read into that statement, I am not).

So Sunday we start the Belize Bikini Rediness Program.  It will consist of this:

March 14- April 14:  WW counting points at maintenence level, no cheating!
April 15-28th: Low Carb blitz to make sure the midsection is in optimal conditon for romping under a palm tree.

April 29th-May 3: Aquire tan on a beach in Central America that will be the envy of all my friends back home.  Above is a photo from the one of the resorts we'll be staying at...Can't wait!

Lust

Here are the latest objects of my affection from the JCrew website.  The PJs above would be perfect for Darryl's first trip to visit my family this summer in New England.  The sequined tank would be perfect for a casual dinner on the beach on San Pedro for our 1st Anniversary trip.

The topsiders would be perfect for strolling around Boston with Darryl in July.  The bracelet would be good with the above tank.

This tunic would be fab to wear as we walk through the sandy streets of Caye Caulker following a diving expedition.

::sigh:: I live for summer.  Hurry up and get here!

Santa Baby

While this is widely accepted as the most materialistic Christmas song, it's by far my favorite. I know, I know, but it's so perfect. "Santa Baby come trim my tree, with decorations bought at Tiffany's..." It's a perfect reflection of all the things I came to wish Santa would bring me as a grown woman.

But I digress... I give you my 2009 wish list, which consists mostly of clothes. When you're a newlywed, the last thing you really need is more housewares and I'm really enjoying all the pretty clothes that are around right now, might as well get some new duds?

From Anthropologie, above and below, I put the black top and red skystone necklace on my list for my sister-in-law (we draw names in Darryl's family).

From my parents, I asked for this Francis Heart cami from JCrew and for the In a Moment dress from Anthro below. Kate brought this adorable number to my attention in her blog. I can't pull off yellow, but I found it in purple in the store and it's quite adorable.

From Darryl I asked for the dress above from Banana and the wind-rippled tee below from Antrhro. I love the dress and want to wear it with a red skinny belt and hopefully my new red necklace. Notice the lumpyness around the hip area. Isn't trying on clothes without the proper undergarments a bitch? I'm thinking a pair of Spanx Tight End tights will clean these lines up. It's a little tighter than I'd normally wear, so industrial strength foundation garments are going to be a must. Not feeling optimistic about the blouse below, sounded like D had some trouble finding my size....or is he just trying to throw me off....

New Music Monday

Before I start on my newest music finds, a fashion anecdote. Went to lunch with coworkers and the belt on my cardigan spontaneously fell off while I was moving a chair, onto the floor. Cue awkward reaching down to rebelt. FML.

In other news I recently bought the Glee soundtrack. Good listening at my desk. Here's a list of my latest iPod downloads:

Anya Marina's Whatever You Like, very mellow, picked it up off Gossip Girl

The Plastiscines Bitch, another GG find

Ke$sha TiK ToK, been on the radio a lot

Owl City Vanilla Twilight, love Fireflies, so I gave this song a try

Tim McGraw Southern Voice, because this man can do no wrong, so sexy

Happy Listening!

In Case You Were Wondering....

In case you were wondering how the sweater issue played out, here it is. I am officially a person who puts their outfit on their blog. Now, you may detect a bit of judgyness in that last statement, but also know this; if you people didn't show me how to dress, I don't know what I'd do. It's seriously useful people, keep them coming. I'm still riding the short bus to fashion school.

In any event, here's my look for casual Friday last week:
-Sweater: Old Navy
-Jeans: Flirt Boot Cut, Old Navy
-Shoes: Wannabe Topsiders that I got at Walmart (and I get a ton of compliments on these shoes, Walmart for shoes, who knew?)
Underneath I had a blue and white striped V neck from the Gap

To Keep or Not to Keep?

I bought this sweater from Old Navy in red and cannot for the life of me decide if I should keep it. On one hand, the style is good, the price is right, but I just can't decide. What do you guys think?

Also, I recently discovered leave in conditioner and a round brush. I know that I'm slow to the blowout curve (like 10 years slow) but this week I decided to try and master it and I must say that today was my best hair day in a good long while. First I washed my hair, then I took a dime sized amount of Bumble & Bumble's leave in conditioner and mixed with a pea sized amount of shine serum and ran it through my damp hair, combing it through. I also used a tiny amount of ghd fat hair lotion at the roots to give it some oomph.

Next I flipped my hair and dried it by 85%, next I divided my hair in sections and started using the round brush (I confess, I had to google a few videos on YouTube to figure out how to do this), Finally, I set my hair in about 8 velcro rollers all over to help give some movement and volume.

It feels so soft and looked shiny and great all day. Very happy with these new products/skill set.

Devastation Station

Allow me to introduce you to what used to be my favorite heels. I got them in 2007 at the outlet mall. They were Nine West, nautical, nice and tall and plenty comfortable, a rare combination. So I wore them today with my fab Banana wrap dress. Lately, I've really been into the neutral colored shoe to elongate the legs, I cannot tell you how much I loved these shoes. Yes, it was a little late in the year for nautical shoes (could be too summery) but it's still plenty hot here and they were cute.


I made the mistake of kicking them off by the back door and then falling asleep after work. Guess what I found in Petey's bed...

Since the stack heel is damaged, I'm pretty sure these can't be repaired, I'll try I suppose, but it doesn't look good. Anyone have experience with this sort of shoe repair? Can anyone recommend another fabulous neutral pair of pumps that are under $120 to fill this void in my shoe rack? So devastated, that I went to OldNavy.com and bought tons of stuff. At least it was all on sale, we'll see if I don't return most of it when I'm in a better mood. So depressed.

Purple Rain, Purple Rain

Don't you just hate it when you put a fabulous outfit together and it completely is lost on the people around you? In honor of the new season of Gossip Girl, which ironically I missed tonight, I put together the most Blair Waldorf ensemble ever. I don't have a photo because I don't have a great mirror to take these photos in, but let me describe the parts. First I combined my purple blazer with black slacks and this top from Banana, plus my JCrew rosette headband. Yes, I thought it was throwing a lot of fashion at the office on a Monday, but I felt like I'd been building up to it and was prepared to work it and take some risks.

The men in my life would believe differently...

First, I get compared to Dave Chapelle's portrayal of Prince when he played Charlie Murphey in basketball by a male coworker. I was quick to point out to my coworker that Prince did not have a fabulous rosette in their hair. "Oh, is that what that thing on your head is? A flower?" I was called Purple Rain for the rest of the day.

So I take off my outfit and go to the gym, leaving the jacket on the bed. When I get home, my husband says, "you know what that jacket reminds me of? (I am bracing myself for Prince, since my hubs is a huge Chapelle Show Fan) Willie Wonka." And inexplicably, my fashion nightmare gets worse.
So now I have an open address to the men of the world. You know what? My outfit was so much more fabulous than the $5 Old Navy khakis that you pulled off your bedroom floor and paired with the same tired polo shirt you wore last week. I was wearing a fabulous jacket produced by a fabulous luxury brand. Willie Wonka and Prince wish their jackets were so impeccably draped. Sorry you couldn't appreciate it. Where's a good gay man when you need him?

Rounding out the Fall Shopping

After my LASIK on Friday Christine and I did some shopping. I am really not a huge shopper, I swear, but both Christine and I have lost so much weight lately, we feel like all our work clothes are baggy and sloppy. I'm slowly trying to rebuild my wardrobe with a few fabulous pieces, but trying not to throw myself in it too fully because honestly, I'm scared about being able to keep the weight off.

I originally set out to buy this blazer at JCrew in orange (orange is always in style in Austin, as long as I live here, I consider orange pieces to be timeless), but Christine convinced me that the Iris was a much more flattering/classic color. Dark purple has always been my best color. I cracked myself up completely when trying this on, I came out of the dressing room across from Christine wearing this jacket, with the cream colored ruffle cami under it and had a crack-myself-up-because-I-look-ridiculously-close-to-Austin-Powers-in-this-getup moment. If they'd had it in blue I would have had to go dancing through the store, AP movie intro style. So the cami went back, but I got the jacket.

Since I was suddenly without my orange jacket, I had to get this skirt. This plus my new Banana camisole or perhaps a cream colored sweater set says "I'm a Classy Lady Longhorn Alumnae and this skirt is a subtle reminder of that fact."

Finally, I did cave and buy one ruffle shirt, which will NEVER be worn with the velvet blazer. I justified it because it's light enough that I can wear it in the near future despite the high temperatures (my office is an icebox) to work or on weekends. Same with the blazer.

I think that's all I'm going to do in the way of fall shopping, maybe one more sweater set because I have a 40% off coupon at Banana, but that's it. No more shoppy shoppy until late October which will be to augment my winter wardrobe, and in Texas, we all know how non-essential the winter wardrobe is since it only really can be worn 2 months out of the year.

BUSTED

A week or so ago I came to terms with the waning contents of viable work apparel in my closet (things tend to get stained, worn out, stretched, etc) and decided to purchase a few new items. Given that I barely have time for anything these days (much less being a good blogger, sorry friends) I decided to do a little shopping online, ordering packages from my favorite fashion trinity, Banana, JCrew, and Antrho in a half experiment in seeing who could get their goodies to my doorstep the fastest. The verdict, Antro, mostly because our UPS men are mildly retarded. I scurried home from work on Friday after anxiously tracking my booty, knowing it would be waiting for me on my door step, ready for me to shuffle to the back of my closet, out of my husband's watchful and budget conscious eye. So I arrive home and gleefully try on the transitional sweater (see above) from Antrho, I was pretty happy with it, it'll be a great weekend/casual friday/wear-with-jeans-occasionally-on-a-Thursday-when-I-feel-like-sticking-it-to-the-man-day. Now if only it would just drop out of the tripple digits, I could justify wrapping myself in a sweater....

The hubs stopped off at a friend's house for a beer after work, which was perfect, bought me more time to anxiously peek out the window for the UPS man. Then he comes home and I think, dangit, well I guess my packages will come tomorrow. So we're lying on the bed, talking about our week, when the doorbell rings. I tell him, "oh no need to get that honey, it's just the UPS man, I'm expecting a package, he'll just slip it under the mat." Much to my dismay, it is NOT the UPS man, but our next door neighbor, arms full of packages conspicuously labeled JCrew and Banana Republic. Busted. Effing hell, UPS man, this is the second time (granted at a different address) that you have FAILED to deliver my package to the correct address. One time when I was living in an apartment some lady found my Banana package lying in the middle of a building 2 buildings over from mine. AND the UPS man put it down as "delivered". I called UPS and had words with them, but obviously, they still continue to retain a less than spectacular work force.

Part of my insanity in hiding this stuff from my husband is not because he's totally unreasonable, it's that when I shop online I buy a crap ton of stuff in multiple sizes and colors so I can sort through it all in the privacy of my own home. I usually end up keeping only about 20% of the stuff I order. But to an uninitiated observer, it definitely looked like I just decimated half a pay check, so I cautiously explained this to him and I think he understood.

In the top photo, I got a wrap dress from Banana, first time a wrap dress actually looked good on me! Do you think I can get away with pairing it with my zebra print peep toes with red detailing at the office? Or is that too wild? I also got the blue Jackie cardigan (and the shell, which got vetoed) and the ruffle blouse which will be returned because A) it was too big, B) it was too ruffly, not sure if I can pull it off, and C) I liked the Banana version of this shirt better (which was also too big and will be exchanged for a smaller size and re-attempted). Phew. That's all for now friends. Happy shopping!

WW Wednesday, Skinny Bitch Edition

I am proud to announce that I hit my goal weight this week. With extra to spare! I'm done, in your face fat! I did a happy dance and drank champagne and bout a pair of victory black stilettos. I'm going to knock Darryl's socks off at the wedding we're going to this weekend. AND he gets back from China tomorrow night, his plane is already in the air! Here's to being unfat!

Wanted: One Black Strapless Bra

Ugh, I'm going to a wedding this weekend, I found the perfect strapless little black dress and now I can't seem to find my black strapless push up bra, GRRRRR! It's like, how do I lose a bra? I'm not out whoring it up, my bra only comes off at home and in the locker room at the pool and I'm typically there on work days, thus not wearing black strapless push up bras to work and I think I'd notice returning to work sans bra.

I've looked under the bed to see if one of the dogs made off with it, I checked my drawers, my closet, my laundry basket. WHERE ARE YOU WHEN I NEED YOU! I refuse to wear my nude one because if that dress starts to shimmy south it's Exposed Bra City. I'm going to do a sweep every night until Friday, then I'm going to buy a new one. Suck.

Austin Fashion Week Sale at JCrew

So I totally didn't plan this, but today after work I managed to stumble into Austin Fashion Week at JCrew. They had a nice spread of snacks and beverages and I got 10% off my total purchase plus a free gift. And they tried to give me a cupcake from Hey Cupcake at the register. BEST. SHOPPING. TRIP. EVER!

Here's why I declined the cupcake, because I bought these pants in 2 sizes smaller than I used to wear, yay diet and exercise! They were originally $118 and I got them for $36. See husband, I'm thrifty.

Also had to slip down to a size small on this shirt, I was swimming in the medium. It was originally $65, I got it for $29.

And this was a bit of a splurge but it was a PERFECT color for football games (and even though it was a new arrival, I still got the 10% off). I was weak because I miss my beloved Longhorn Football. And I rounded out my trip by going back to Old Navy and buy a new, smaller pair of jeans. Yay!

Bathing Suit-FAIL

I gleefully arrived home to these purchases waiting on my doorstep. I put on the bathing suit first, the bottom fit like a charm. Then I went to put the top on and while trying to open the clasp it completely broke in my hand. What a cheap piece of crap, do not buy this bathing suit! Instead I ordered this number in slate from JCrew.

On one hand it's 2X as expensive, on the other, hopefully it won't self destruct in the first 30 seconds I touch it. I guess you get what you pay for.

Scandalous

I'm not going to lie, I blushed a little when I saw this fab photo Carli posted. I was like, "OMG my dad can't see this". Then I remembered I'm married. Deal with it.

Thought this one was just cute.

Also, while we're talking marriage, don't tell my husband I bought these things. We haven't merged bank accounts yet, so the less he knows the better.
I needed a black swimsuit, I needed a bandeau to even out my tan lines, and I have a stomach bug (which I initially diagnosed online as malaria) which is pretty much keeping me from eating and will hopefully help me drop that last 5 pounds (that and re-signing with a personal trainer). See, buying this suit was like making lemonade from lemons. And the lemons were on sale. And I survived malaria. Bitch, don't judge.

I got this tissue tee that Kate blogged about, I really wanted it in white but it's back ordered until August. August! As in the summer is almost over. Well, not really in Texas, but I will have forgotten about you in August, shirt. Unless you are as fabulous as everyone makes you out to be.

And finally, my greatest splurge, but perhaps the most justifiable piece, this shirt (paired with the most ghastly pants known to man, WTF?) . I am a sucker for a nice button down. It's good for work, it's good for weekends, it's light enough to wear during the summer. Now I'm going to go eat some asparagus and a Diet Coke and try not to pass out from lack of food or throw up from ingestion of food. Yay.