My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

Yay!  T surprised me with a Kindle for our 6 month anniversary!  He’s either incredibly sweet…or incredibly tired of me whining about how much I wanted one.  =)  I have been wanting a Kindle forever but have been too cheap to buy one for myself.  As much as we’re trying to be practical about money, I can’t return an anniversary gift, so I guess I HAVE to keep it.

I love the idea of having virtually any book I want to read at my disposal at all times.  And not clogging up my bookshelf with books I bought for a short plane ride and never plan to read again.  And being able to read the NY Times in bed.  Best gift ever.

LOL.  Yeah, I’m all sorts of dorky.

Speaking of things I covet, I love this t-shirt design and totally want one.  So cute!

How pretty are these pendants?  I spotted them on the NY Times website.  They’re sold through the NY Times store.

The first pendant contains a quote from a letter the Marquis de Lafayette wrote to his wife (“O! if you knew how much I sigh to see you”) and the second contains a quote from a letter Alexander Hamilton wrote to his wife (“I meet you in every dream”).

Not that I’m making any frivolous purchases anytime soon. (Although I so want a Kindle.)  All this dire economic news has me hoarding my cash and preparing for the worse, which apparently only adds to the problem.

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged about shoes. Mostly because I haven’t bought anything interesting in ages. Most of my shoe purchases in the last year or so have been very practical. Maybe it’s the realization that I have several pairs of extremely adorable shoes in my closet which never see the light of day because they are so excruciatingly painful to wear. Although I occasionally feel brave and slip them on my feet, I usually realize as soon as I get to my car that my feet are already in pain and have to hobble back to the house and change shoes.

However, I’ve been looking for wedding shoes recently and am finding that my burgeoning practicality is tempered by my desire to look good in my wedding pictures. Since I am very short and T is very tall, this requires some high heels.

As some of you may remember, I’m considering these red ones. They’re comfortable enough, at least in short bursts, and are absolutely adorable. (Squeeeee. I LOVE these.) But the heels won’t stand up well in the grass (pun intended!) and they’re not quite tall enough.

I also bought these (in silver) because they’re higher than the red ones (to better offset the huge height difference between T and I), have a thicker heal (might not sink into the grass as much), and have a thick platform in front (so hopefully I won’t feel all 4″ of the heel). My sister hates them and calls them my hooker heels.

Since I’m worried about marching around our grass laden venue, I’ve also been hunting for wedges. Specifically, tall, comfortable, cute, inexpensive wedges with a platform to offset the height. I recently bought these, which, although not nearly as cute as my red shoes, fit a lot of my criteria and are surprisingly comfortable (or seemed to be for the minute I wore them anyways).

And then, for no particular reason, I bought these ivory heels. I don’t love them as much as my red shoes and they don’t have any of the good points of the silver ones or the wedges, so I don’t really know why I bought them (especially since they weren’t even on sale, unlike the other three). They are pretty cute though, aren’t they?

So yes, until I decide which ones, if any, to return, I have four entirely different shoes for a five hour wedding. (Hmm. . . do you think I should also buy some flip-flops? Because, regardless of what shoes I decide on, I’m sure my feet will start protesting at some point.)

How cute is this dress? If I had $400 to spare and an occasion to wear it to, I’d be all over it! =)

How cute is this dress from BR?  Sadly, they’re out of my size online and it doesn’t seem to be available in any nearby stores.

Even though I should be saving my money for our first property tax payment, I’ve been doing a bit of online shopping lately. Nothing very expensive but it’s starting to add up. I really need to stop . . . although some of the shopping has been FOR the condo, so it’s practically like I’m saving money for property taxes, right? For example, I bought these prints from Etsy. They’re so cute and bright and colorful. I can’t wait to put them up!

I also finally bought some new clothes for work: a herringbone wrap dress, a silk shirt (in plum), and two skirts. Nothing horribly exciting, but they’re all functional and most were on sale. I particularly love the pencil skirts and am hoping they are short enough that I won’t develop the dreaded stumpiness KQ mentioned.

I’ve been running semi-consistently lately so hopefully the clothes will still fit when they arrive in the mail in a couple of weeks! I’ve found that my weight is pretty steady as long as I run at least 15-20 miles a week (the fact that I’m not actually losing any weight running this much is a testament to my love of food). Although I love running, I’m beginning to sense that my knees are not so thrilled with it so I’ve started taking glucosamine supplements and trying to work in more elliptical training. I’ve also been avoiding high heels in the hopes that my feet will convey the message to my knees that at least I’m trying. Fortunately, I’ve been oddly uninterested in shoes of late . . . although my friend recently bought this pair, which I have been enviously eyeing.

My Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Guide arrived in the mail last week. Remember, I’d ordered it in a fit of delusional thinking? New condo, new leaf and all that? Well, that lasted until I got through the first 20 pages of the tome…and realized I’ve been living in filth my entire life. Apparently everything has to be cleaned all the time and some things have to be additionally, super, thoroughly cleaned every week/month/year. If I followed her suggestions, I’d be doing nothing else. In fact, I’d be so busy cleaning I don’t know when I’d have time to make the mess to begin with! So I’ve opted to continue living in ignorant filth. I’m just glad I bought the book used so I don’t feel quite so guilty about spending money on it.

Speaking of which, I’ve been really good about not shopping lately and trying to save money for the condo. The only real frivolous purchase I’ve made this month was this dress, although it was incredibly cheap to start with and then went on sale so it doesn’t really count. I think I’ll wear it to one of my weddings in August. It’s from the Junior’s section though so I had to take a shot in the dark regarding the size. Hope I guessed right because if I didn’t, this dress will be falling off me (doubtful) or there will be some very unflattering bulging, if I manage to zip it up at all (sadly, much more likely)!

Also, for no particular reason, here are some random cute shoes I like at the moment.

Have a great weekend all! I’ll be heading to Fresno. Hope I manage to get in a good run this weekend!

I am absolutely drooling over this dress!

It’s not as expensive as it could be (what kind of sad justification is that?), but I have absolutely no occasion to wear it. I think I could have used a friend’s upcoming bachelorette bash in Vegas as an excuse, but unfortunately, the bash is Saturday and the dress won’t arrive until next week even if if I order it right this very minute.

Won’t you please find invite me to some cool cocktail party that mandates an appropriately cool dress? =) Pretty please?

Been feeling blah all week.  Partly because it’s abnormally cold here right now (seriously, how in the world did I survive three years in Boston?), partly because I’ve actually caught a cold (T has taken to calling me the Germinator), and partly because work’s been really busy (ack). 

To make myself feel better, I caved and bought this dress (in blue) during my lunch break today.  It’s amazing what a new outfit can do for your mood!   

For those interested, I had a nice, relaxing three-day break this past weekend. 

On Friday, I left work early so I could make it to downtown LA for a friend’s birthday party.  It was a fun, casual get together at an Irish pub, topped off by the most amazing banana cream cheesecake ever, made by the birthday girl herself.   

Motivated by the aforementioned amazing cake, I dragged myself out of bed at 6am on Saturday morning to do a 12 mile run with my running group.  It was one of the most miserable runs I’ve been on, mostly because I was freezing cold the entire time, despite my long pants, long sleeves, gloves and hood.  Also, my new waterbelt was chaffing the small of my back.  Oh, and because my contact lenses have been bothering me lately, I wasn’t wearing them and consequently couldn’t see anything.  Woe is me.  Fortunately, I survived (barely).  Spent the rest of the day recovering and preparing for a small dinner party we were throwing later that night.  And by “preparing” and “throwing,” I mean “not really doing anything” since my wonderful little sister B did all the cooking (panini’s, spinach and artichoke dip, and tiramisu).  

I was sinfully lazy on Sunday and did absolutely nothing, unless you count watching Battlestar Galactica all day as something. 

Monday found me slightly more productive.  Tried a new dim sum place with Roomie, T and T’s brother and then saw Pan’s Labyrinth (good, but definitely not my usual light-hearted fare).  Bemoaned having to go back to work the next day for the remainder of the night. 

Since I’m still trying to stick to my new year’s resolutions (well, at least one of them – I haven’t started doing weights yet and my diet went to h*ll and back the first day) here are some things I really, really, really want to buy but am not going to.  Really.  No, seriously.  I mean it this time… 

I love this top.  Yes, it’ll make me look stunted and stubby, but it’s oh so pretty.

Also, how cool is this dress?  It’s more fall than spring, but still, so cute.  If my office were just a tad cooler, I might be able to get away with wearing it to work, but alas, we’re still technically “business” and not even “business casual.”

The color’s all wrong for me but I love the design of this top.  If only I was 6’5″ (instead of 5’2″) and could actually carry this look off!

I love cowl-neck sweaters.  They’re just so comfy.  The bigger the neck, the better for hidding in.  You could be lost for days in this sweater.

I just ordered these (which I first spotted on this site).  Aren’t they gorgeous?  Won’t they look great with t-shirt and jeans or a black pencil skirt and cardigan?  I ordered these despite the fact that all the reviews I read on Zappos indicated they are horribly uncomfortable.  And despite the fact that I actually own another pair of canvas peep toes which are indeed horribly uncomfortable.  So much for being rational.  They were just too pretty to resist!  Plus, I have to work today, so I totally deserve them…right? 

I LOVE this shirt.

I love David & Goliath’s stuff in general.  They do cute-sarcastic well.

I had decided awhile back that I really needed to empty out my closet and donate all the items that I don’t wear anymore, even if I’m CONVINCED I will one day wear them again.  This has subsequently left a large vacuum in my closet which must be filled with new summer clothes. 

Being a reasonably diligent person, I promptly set about filling the vacuum.  =)  I’d already posted about the pick me up dress.  With some perserverance, I managed to track down that tank top I loved at an actual, physical store (there’s an alternative to online shopping?).  I also purchased a few basic items from Banana Republic.  Oh, and this cornflower blue dress, this jade halter top, and this striped halter top. 

The good news is everything was on sale.  The bad news is “sale” doesn’t mean “free.”   

Astonishing display of social ineptitude on my part at a party yesterday.  You know those people you watch and wince in sympathy for because they’re so painfully awkward in a social setting?  Yeah, that was me last night. 

To make myself feel better, I bought this dress this morning:

I’m feeling moderately better already.  Thank god for retail therapy.

I think this top would cure me entirely.  If only they had my size…or anything reasonably resembling my size.  I’d be willing to gain a few extra pounds (oh, the sacrifice!) to fit into it.  =)

Groan.  Ate too much and did too little this weekend.  Planned a hike.  Didn’t make it.  Planned a long run.  Didn’t make it.  Planned to go into the office.  Didn’t make it.   You get the idea.  Should have planned a nap so at least I could have checked something off the list.

Saw Cars.  Super cute.  May have teared up a bit.  Stay for the closing credits.  Best closing credits ever.   

Bought a new summer dress.  Much cuter (and more slimming) than pictured. 

Did I mention I ate a lot?  I did.  A lot.  Groan.

To start, I love this dress (slip?) by Luisa Beccaria.  I have no idea how one would actually get away with wearing it, but it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Also, while I was (very briefly and primarily window) shopping yesterday, a woman behind me exclaimed, “Wow, what a great bag!”  Hoping she was talking to me, I turned around.  Turns out she was a bag designer and loved the bag I was carrying!  She even asked to take a picture of it.  I love random compliments from strangers on my purses.  =) 

As T noted, it could very well have been the highlight of my day… had it not been for the super fantastic birthday dinner I had with some amazing people later that night.  Thanks again all.  And special thanks to the Frog for suggesting and organizing it.  I’ve amassed (stolen?) a fantastic group of friends in LA.  They’re a kind, generous, hilarious, gregarious, witty and wonderful bunch of people.  I love you guys.  Despite the pain that is turning 28, it’s been a really good year and I’m looking forward to the next one. 

And to all my non-LA located friends (who are equally stellar), I missed you and wish you all could have been there.  I love you all too. 

Purchased a neat purple top from Stars & Infinite Darkness, which sells clothing by independent designers.   

I’d surfed the site after seeing a reference to it on b is for bunnyshop, but held off on purchasing anything until recently.  The top arrived in the mail yesterday however and I’m happy to report it’s super cute and very soft.  Can’t wait to wear it! 

Yes, yes, I know – I’m supposed to be saving money…but there was a 15% discount…and I don’t have very many purple tops…and I’m supporting independent designers…and [insert justification here]… 

I’m off to Cabo tomorrow (where I will be sporting said new top) for my Second Annual Memorial Day Cabo Trip with the Wombat, the Frog, and BDP (who is sadly blogless) .  Have a great weekend all!

Sorry about the lack of updates recently.  I keep sitting down to write something, but end up doing more online shopping.  Latest purchase?  These incredibly cute, but horribly impractical wedges:

Yes, they’re teal, and seude, and too high to be comfortable, but aren’t they adorable?

Aside from the distraction that is online shopping (speaking of which, now that Roomie’s no longer home to sign for things, I’m getting an embarassing amount of clothing/shoes/purses shipped to my work address), I’ve just been having an “eh” couple of weeks.  I’m in the midst of reassessing some things, which is making me a bit cranky.  I’m very bad at reassessment / introspection.  I’m much better at shopping.

I’ve also been suffering through, as the Frog so aptly stated, some Awkward Body Days (“ABD”).  I’ve found that there’s no rhyme or reason behind when ABD’s hit.  Sometimes, you just wake up to discover that overnight, your body’s been replaced by someone else’s.  And unfortunately, that other person’s body doesn’t quite fit right, that other person has bad hair, is breaking out, is pudgier than you are, and can’t seem to dress in anything flattering.  I don’t know if this situation is unique to girls, but I’m happy to report that the stranger has vacated (for now) and I’m back.

I think I’m going to celebrate my return by going to Disneyland this weekend! =) 

Realized today that I just don’t have enough clutches. For all my purses, I only have one clutch. Sure, I rarely use the one I have, but that’s just because it’s a beautiful bronzy snake skin print that isn’t horribly practical. I’m CONVINCED that if I had a more subdued one, I’d use it all the time, so I’ve taken the plunge and bought a second clutch for my collection.

Now to be invited to clutch appropriate occasions. Also need to go to the beach and on more picnics so I can use my new purse. Hmm, I think what I really need is to acquire an appropriately fun lifestyle to match my purse collection. Where does one go to buy one of those? And can I get it in a size that’ll fit the three hours a week that I’m not working or sleeping? =)