Truth

Today is a new day, fresh. . .with no mistakes.

Random. . .

'Caring is Creepy' is my FAVORITE song by The Shins. After singing it both loudly and shamelessly for more than 5 years, I just discovered only moments ago, that the chorus is NOT
"All these fucking birds won't quit" rather it's
"All these s q u a w k i n g birds won't quit"
*Still Laughing*

Ntrigued. . .

Blame it on transient circumstance, peppered with delirium and insomnia (my plight as of late), but I came across these booties during an aimless Google search and in a matter of seconds I managed to conjure a lemming; the "booties and bubble-hem baby doll dresses - paired with textured, patterned and opaque tights" lemming. I don't think I'm ready to jump on the booties coaster just yet, but love 'em or hate 'em, these lovelies are almost sold out nationwide.

For Celeste. . .

"I advocate glamour. Every day. Every minute. Glamour. Sweatpants (at least spiritually) chafe me."

-Dita Von Teese

Currently Coveting. . .

1. Cobalt Blue; dresses, bags, shoes
2. Paringa Sparkling Shiraz
3. Sir Alistair Rai Scarves

???

So, I get the tongue-in-cheek commentary on the rampant epidemics of the fashion industry, but somehow I'm still not amused.

The Good China

There is a collective sense of apathy, with respect to our personal appearance, that is reverberating across mirrors and throughout closets worldwide.

Save the obligatory sneaker and occasional flip flop, some of us have simply given up and given in to the slippery slope between the yoga pant in private and the pyjama bottom in public.

It's unfortunate and ironic that although we are taught not to care what others think of us, in every moment, we are unwittingly authorizing perceptions of ourselves that are inevitably affecting the regard to which our peers hold us, and the extent to which we are willing to go to perpetuate our best selves.

Giving care and consideration to the images we are projecting in our outward appearance is imperative because the compound effect of negligence and apathy, over time, could hinder our professional growth and the personal goals we've set for our lives.

Please consider this message a friendly reminder to put your best foot forward; wear your beautiful things with pride, and remember that your freedom, your health, your life today IS the special occasion.

*Illustration Courtesy of Renie*

Confession. . .

I've been hoarding nuts and I'm too far gone to be saved, so I've decided to start enabling others in the hopes that my addiction will appear less so alongside theirs.

It's called The Planters Energy Mix and it's pure evil genius in a can; salty, sweet, crunchy, compact, and relatively nutritious. . .though probably not in bucket-sized servings. Do yourself a favor and forgo the vending machine this week in exchange for these. You'll either love me or hate me for it.

Cheers!

At home, preparing a Skinny Bitch, about to toast myself to a haul well done.

To everyone who braved opening day of the NAS: Hope you scored everything you were after!

Public Service Announcement for those ordering by phone:
Nordstrom will waive the shipping charges when you provide the ID/Source Code located on the back cover of your catalog.
*$25 Minimum Purchase Required*

The Doors Open at 7:00AM

Complimentary Valet Parking, courtesy of Nordstrom, is one of the many perks you can expect to receive if you plan to be present on the dawn of the biggest shopping event of the year.

The Anniversary Sale is a two-week period during which Nordstrom unveils their new fall/winter merchandise, and offers the public an opportunity to preview and purchase it at a discount. When the event is over, the remaining stock is returned to its original retail price.

Tomorrow is day 1 of the 14-day extravaganza. . .

With less than 12 hours to go, veteran Anniversary Sale participants are likely organizing their carpools, memorizing their credit card numbers, flagging their catalogs, stretching, hydrating, and setting their alarms. If you're unfamiliar with the above, but are feeling the tingle of intrigue, please be advised. . .this event is NOT for the faint of heart!

If. . .you can't make a run for it or dive under a rounder at a moments notice, Do Not Attempt This!

If. . .you suffer from high blood pressure, dizziness, shortness of breath or nausea, Do Not Attempt This!

If. . .you're sporting fingernails longer than 1/4 inch, you're a hazard to other shoppers, Do Not Attempt This!

If. . .you're claustrophobic, narcoleptic, agoraphobic or nihilistic, Do Not Attempt This!

Still want to go?

• This is a "two hands required" event, leave kids at home!
• Make haste! Grab now, decide later. If you delay, it's gone.
• Wear underwear! (For the health and safety of all shoppers, there should always be something between yourself and the garment)
• If you're nearsighted, bring your glasses.
• If you're farsighted, bring your glasses.
• If you're carrying a handbag, backpack, or briefcase that's larger than a clutch, leave it at home.
• If the fitting rooms are locked, crawl under the door.
• If the shoe counter is unattended, raid the stockroom.
• If you see a girl with an armload of cashmere, dragging a rack of dresses, smile and wave. . . it's me! Good Luck!

Why Kate is Great. . .

Poor customer service is an epidemic that's making it increasingly less and less desirable to shop in traditional brick and mortar stores.

Personally, I can't begin to count the number of times that I've opted out of a purchase, mid-transaction, because I was so disgusted by the snarky behavior of the Sales Associates.

The level of service you are extended as a consumer, should in no way be commensurate with your appearance nor the amount of money you do or do not plan to spend. That having been said. . .

I want to send a GIANT e-hug to Kate, a Sales Associate at Saks Fifth Avenue, for her exemplary customer service and stellar disposition. She extended herself, out of gratitude for my business, and I feel compelled to ensure that the favor is satisfied in kind.

So if you're ever passing through the Saks in San Antonio, be sure to head over to the shoe department and say hello to Kate. I can assure that you'll be so enamored of her demeanor, you won't be able to restrain your wallet. She is truly one of a kind!

Hidden Item

Good Morning Everyone!

It appears there are a couple of pieces in the Libertine collection that are hidden on the Target site. Since the French Cream and Violet Striped Shirtdress seems to be the most sought after, though not yet available in stores, I'll offer help with it first and try to figure out the other pieces later.

If you ordered the dress on Sunday and need another size, you should be able to locate it again by going to "My Account". Select "Track Your Package", then "View Order". Once there, click on the item description and then click on the dress to the left of the screen. Both the dress and the drop down menu for size selection should appear.

Failing that, this should work for everyone *fingers crossed*

Libertine French Cream/Violet Striped Shirtdress

Happy Shopping!!

Currently Coveting. . .

1. Diorshow Black Out Mascara
2. The Scent of Bergamot in any form; candle, soap, or shampoo
3. Heidi Klum's Clover Hoop Earrings; Think. . .Van Cleef & Arpels sans the $3,000 price tag

Love for Libertine

In a phrase: Preppy-Nautical with a splash of Punk

GO-line groupies, like myself, remember the utter pandemonium surrounding past collaborations with designers; Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, Behnaz Sarafpour, and Proenza Schouler to name a few, and we expect Libertine will be no different.

If you have no clue what I'm describing, then you must have missed the slew of embroidered whales and skulls that invaded the women's clothing department, front and center, at your local Target store on the morning of July 15th.

Libertine, the seventh designer to be featured in the GO-International line, will be on display for 90 days and as always, each piece in the collection is a limited-edition.

Maybe a silk scarf to add to the infamous palm-print kimono dress, owl tote, and medallion-print shift dress?

If you plan to check it out, make sure you wander into the accessories department while you're there. Devi Kroell has recently joined the ranks of Rafe and Perlina, designing a line of bags exclusively for Target. I'm 99.9% sure you can fit a toddler in the tote, but the clutches are lovely.

Note: Please do not hoard the lines! It is in extremely poor taste, not to mention very uncool to do so. No one needs 8 whale embroidered bucket hats! Besides, it's really unfair to those that are true fans and just want a piece to add to their collection. They shouldn't have to buy it on eBay for 300% above retail just because some random shopper has decided to use the GO-lines to put their kid through college. End Rant

The Vernice Chic Bandwagon

A little help for those still chasing the Miu Miu Mary Janes:

Barney's New York

(212) 833-2141

Item No. 156265275 (Black)

Item No. 156265276 (Light Blue)

Currently $215

Neiman Marcus

(888) 888-4757

Item No. NMOS7_X02RG (All Colors)

Currently $215

Net-A-Porter.com

Currently $430

Nordstrom

(201) 843-1122

Style No. 429373601292

Currently $250

Saks Fifth Avenue

(877) 551-7257

Style No. 5P5135 (All Colors)

Currently $415

Of the above, Net-A-Porter and Saks Fifth Avenue have the shoe in-stock, priced at Original Retail. The other retailers have reduced the price by 50% or more and have likely sold out as a result, BUT there could still be a few pairs out there. It will take some time to track them down since sporadic customer returns and unclaimed store transfers (rare) are the only possibilities of a return-to-stock, but if you're losing sleep, it's worth the trouble. Failing that, it appears another brand has recently been "inspired" by the genius that is Miu Miu, Boutique 9 "Gossip" Good Luck!

*Photo: Miu Miu Ad featuring Lindsay Lohan wearing Vernice Chic Mary Janes in Light Blue*

Easily Amused?

I am! $0.89 is a small price to pay for a chuckle and a nosh. Happy Friday!!

Just Cheeky

I had long thought that the plight of the fitting room was limited to the process of declaring garments.

You know, your "first round" selections of the trove paralyzing the crook of your arm. Some allow 5, others 7. The side-effects of parting with the balance, even in the knowledge that you'll be rotating for them shortly, are enough to make you break a sweat or throw a tantrum depending on who you are.

But I digress. . .turns out there's a hazard that trumps garment declaration.

I wear a thong and I had six garments.

I declared, I broke a sweat, I took my number, I hung it, I pulled the curtain, I disrobed, someone asked if I needed anything, I answered, I heard someone being directed to ROOM six, I felt a draft

There is really only one thing worse than having a curtain pulled on your bare butt and that is having a curtain pulled on your bare butt in front of purse-sitting boyfriends and husbands all perched on a cluster of ottomans.

Woe to the curtained fitting room and to the fellow shopper who mistakingly pulls your curtain, apologizes profusely, and then lingers.

The Fairest of Them All

When I die, I want to go to double strap mary jane heaven. A place where the innocence of the girl and the glamour of the woman coexist in the form of patent leather, four-inch heels, and two delicate straps that compliment the vamp.

I strolled into Nordstrom Rack today, hunting for the ever elusive Miu Miu's, ruler of all mary janes. I wandered through the shoe aisles, straining my neck to make absolute certain that my eyes wouldn't miss a single one; high, low, or hidden. I was easing into a sort of hypnotic trance until I found myself inches away from almost taking an elbow to the forehead. Yikes! Thirty minutes and three "excuse me's" later, I finally came face to foot with my beloveds. $39 a pair, 70% off retail. . . 'nuff said - I snapped them up in red too!!!

I tell ya, this is the stuff wardrobe dreams are made of.

**Steven by Steve Madden "Playfuls"**

Apropos

This doesn't necessarily qualify as biting my tongue with respect to my politics. Suffice it to say, I agree.

Lady Luxe

After three weeks, a couple of live-chats, and no sign of a restock, I had all but given up on finding this bag. One more week, one last try. . .and there it was. A return? Possibly.

This one goes right up there with checking the fitting rooms when you don't find your size on the rack. Don't give up. People change their minds about purchases often. I would even venture a guess and say that returns are more common to E-tailers than to B&M stores. In any case, it can sometimes take awhile for a return to reappear in inventory so be patient.

*Anxiously awaits the mail carrier*

Saw Transformers, ate bad Mexican, and drank good wine today, in that order.
Transformers was fun!! If I was a robot, I'd have a crush on Optimus Prime. I'd go with Shia LaBeouf, but I hear Alexis Bledel's already got dibs.

Mexican food is hard to mess up, but someone managed. There's NOTHING worse than a disappointing meal that you have to pay for.

The wine bar that I've been waiting for all summer has finally opened! It's off the beaten path, comfortable, and reasonably priced. I don't normally yield to recs at wine bars, but I couldn't resist the owners enthusiastic push of a wine that seems to be all the rage in Australia now; Sparkling Reds. Yes. Now... I like my wine red and bold but I never thought I'd care for it red, bold, and cold. Turns out, it was a winner to the tune of two glasses in-house and a bottle to go. It's obvious that the owners have done their homework and in some round about way, they also managed to take the sting off the miserable lunch I'd had.

Sick. The End.