A Happy Girl...

A suspicious package arrived at the office for me this afternoon. It was wrapped in festive, striped paper, and it made little clinking noises when the receptionist handed it to me. Immediately I was on guard...who is sending me a package I don't know about?

I looked at the label right away, and it was from Brooke (who regretfully does not live in Chicago, otherwise we'd get in trouble all the time). Sneaky, I thought. Brooke and I email constantly, especially when things are slow at work. She didn't say anything about any package coming my way. Being that the box was indeed wrapped in festive paper, I felt compelled to rip it open. It was kind of exciting, cause that's something the hubby does at Christmas. Me, I get a little paper cutter, and cut the edges where things are taped. But what the hey, it's Hump Day.

So the box is open, and there is a cutely decorated envelope where the picture is colored inside the lines and everything. And in the envelope is a sassy card that says, "Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go everywhere." So true, so true. Anyway, there's a note from Brooke about my 30th birthday, which is coming at a rapid pace. She says I'm going to enjoy it and all that good stuff, and gives me some hints about what she has sent me. In the box, amidst all the fun curly cues and crinkling gift wrap, there is a small clear corked bottle with some colorful mini shells and a piece of paper all rolled up inside. I decork said bottle and reach in to pull the paper out. No luck. Apparently I am fallangially challenged. More reaching w/ my skinniest finger. I email Brooke a big thank you, but that I am having problems.

Minutes go by, more reaching... Then I break out the scissors at my desk to fish the paper out. Nada. So then I just start assaulting this bottle w/ the scissors, to try and puncture a hole in the body. Again, nothing. This is what happens when you start child-safety proofing everything. Finally, after a few more attempts, I go to the office kitchen and dig out the cake knife cut the bottle open. Success!! Who says violence doesn't solve problems?

I unroll the thick pieces of paper...2 tickets to the New Kids on the Block show at the end of October. Joy!!! Or to quote Dionne from Clueless, "I am totally cavelling!" Given how much crap I got from Brooke for sending out a group email asking if anyone was interested in reliving part of my childhood with me a few months ago, this a big surprise. I like how she teed me up for this a few days earlier, with an email link about the Kids' shows in Canada (http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/30/music.new.kids.ap/index.html), then made fun of me some more for saying that I was jealous that Marina was going to tag along with one of her friends this Saturday. I also like how my hubby was in on this secret, telling me that we had plans for the 24th, but wouldn't say what. I have been harassing him for days! So I call Christian right away and tell him I know where I am going to be that evening, and he says that while he is more than happy to be my wingman, he would not be offended in the slightest if I wanted to take another friend instead of him. Translation: please put me out of my misery and find someone else to torture!

Anyway, this gift was wonderful and it is a sign of a true friend to set aside her personal beliefs about boybands to get me tickets to the show. I am super excited to see Jordan, and may have to go home and listen to some old tunes on the iPod.

Love you Brooke!

The thrill of a past season hunt

In the art of shopping, there's buyer's remorse and then there is missed opportunity. The former is something that I don't feel often because I prefer to make educated choices when making a fairly big ticket purchase. The latter is something I hope not to experience and usually don't because of what I consider "ignorant bliss" or something flying below my retail radar. How would you know you missed out on something if you didn't know about it to begin with?

Such as how I feel about the Tory Burch Burch tote. It was a feature bag from Fall 2007, along with the Jordana tote, which I blogged about as a GTS item.

Tory Burch Fall 2007 "Burch", $350.

Clearly the style didn't register with me at the time because I chose a different tote to write about.  Last Friday, I saw a woman at my gym wearing a black shift dress, Tory Burch Amy heels, carrying the Burch tote. I immediately fell in love.

After my workout, I went home and googled this bag. Of course being a past-season item, the item is no longer being carried in a classic black (but hot pink is on sale on-line), and has been reincarnated for Fall 2008 as the Bombe Burch tote. The Bombe Burch features the same style but in a glazed, slightly distressed leather and instead of the perforated decoration, the logo is embossed on the front. The updated style is probably more practical and won't show the wear and tear as much as the original Burch, but the patent style is sleeker and more dressy.

Fortunately, I found one listing of this style in black and brand new on eBay (a go-to place for anything you could possibly ever want to find). After a few minutes of decisive bidding at the end, I won the auction and felt much satisfaction doing so. I'm already thinking of outfits to match this bag to.  Ultimately it is a great staple purchase for work and going out, and I'm looking forward to getting this piece of mail!

Some time on my hands...

The recent negative news regarding the economy has impacted businesses across the board. That being the case, I now have much more time to write about various musings I have, not to mention give this place some kind of facelift.

Looking forward to posting new things soon!

Drum roll please...

No, this is not the beginning to Will Smith's "Summertime".

I am waiting with slight anticipation for a newly acquired Chloe Betty Hobo circa 2006. I have been working on this transaction for the last 2 weeks, and the package hopefully will arrive Friday or Monday. I can't describe what the color is yet, because I don't really know. Lighting in photographs can cause the color to look totally different. I am hoping that the bag is everything I thought it would be, since I would be getting it at 28% of it's original retail value. This is all a part of my on-going plan to downsize my handbag collection to the bare essentials and loading it with classic and timeless pieces.

I'll post the pic as an update when it arrives. Cross your fingers for me!

Bag Check: What's in my make-up bag?

Currently carrying: Jemma Kidd Make-up School's Must Have Cosmetics Bag, $30.00


Jemma Kidd Make-up School (only available for purchase at select Neimans, Bergdorf Goodmans, and their websites)
Color Match Concealer Duo, Light
Soft Touch Creme Foundation, Light
Lip Line Duo Tailored Color, Neutral/Pink

Stila Cosmetics
Illuminating Powder Foundation, 40 Watts

Chanel
Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner, Espresso
Inimitable Multi-Dimentionnel Mascara, Black

LORAC
Blush, Soul

Bobbi Brown
Bronzing Powder, Light
Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Champagne & Chocolate

NARS Cosmetics
Lip Gloss, Striptease

Confession Time

Here's where I confess something about myself that I don't feel that bad about. I'm snickering a little on the inside just thinking about it.

I was married in Puerto Vallarta in December of 2006. My wedding dress was purchased at Saks for a slightly stupid amount of money. Being a pretty organized person, you would think that I returned from my honeymoon and sent my dress straight to the special occassions dry cleaner to have it cleaned and archived.

Nope. It is tucked in a big Saks/Neimans shopping bag, sitting in my loft as I type this blog entry. My ridiculously long 9 foot plus veil? It is actually balled up on a closet shelf in my old room at my parents house.

So the other night my friend Sue and I were talking about the wedding and laughing about the shenanigans that our guests got into in the week-long celebration in Mexico. Somehow my dress came up and I disclosed its current location, which sent her into a frenzy. Personally, I figure since my plan was to dye it a dark color anyway (ie. a ruby red or chocolate brown), does it really matter if it's a little dusty on the edges? It really didn't get dirtied much. I wore it for a few hours and promptly shed it post reception in exchange for a jean skirt and halter top.

Why isn't it pressed and archived? Cause I'm just lazy. Plus it'll cost me $600 or something crazy like that, and I don't feel like it right now. It's kind of funny really. I feel kind of defiant actually.

Check me out!

I've been playing with ShopStyle.com, where you can create a profile and put together outfits from pieces available on the internet.

To see my profile, click here.

Super Deal, X2

When you find an amazing deal, my advice is: Take 2.

I was at Macy's shopping nervously on Friday afternoon for a birthday gift for my MIL (that's Mother-In-Law to you Singles out there). Now, whenever shopping for someone else, I always do a quick tally of potential gifts or items for myself - not necessarily an immediate purchase, but maybe one for a later date. I'm a believer that you never know when you may come across a steal on something fabulous.

On the 3rd floor Contemporaries area, I came across several racks with the "additional % off" signs; 2 long racks of which were in in denim (squee! for designer denim). I don't usually like the denim sale racks as they are often littered with the obnoxiously trendy styles that didn't do well during the course of the season OR sizes only pre-pubescent girls can squeeze into -- and reduced by a mere 35-40%. But once in awhile, you might find a sweet pair in a seasonal wash or a cut you don't have that is worth acquiring at a discount (ie. my Paige Premium Denim Robertson wide leg in Sunlight from Dr. Mojoe). The labels on this rack consisted of 7FAM, Citizens of Humanity, Joe's, Hudson, French Connection (blech), Rich & Skinny, and Anlo. The last label, Anlo, caught my attention as it has received some decent press since its debut. It's a line that seeks to be the middle ground between basic and the ultra-trendy.


Anlo "Roth" wide leg trouser jeans in Pacific wash, $198.

I quickly picked out a few pairs of different styled Anlo jeans to try on. The wide leg trouser jeans were really flattering. Then I noted the price tag, expecting to see something like $99. It was labeled at $49.50. I figured the additional mark down made these jeans a whopping $34.65 -- approximately 17.5% of its original retail price. Sold! I beat a quick trail back to the sale racks and found another pair 1 size up to take home as well.

Now, this is one of the only time I would advise anyone to buy more than one of the same jeans in 2 different sizes. (I do often buy multiple pairs of the exact same shoe when they are priced at their lowest.) We all have days where we would like our nice denim to have some give and this is when you can make that happen. To put into perspective, you can't buy jeans from the freaking Gap for $34.65, much less designer ones. So you get on that deal and pay quickly.

Spring Cleaning at Chloe

Just read that Paulo Melim Andersson is leaving Chloe, and a new creative director has been selected. This new individual was a part of the fabulous Phoebe Philo's design team when she was in charge at Chloe.

The Chloe brand has been influenced by a few talented designers, first the prolific and influential Karl Lagerfeld, then the minimalist Stella McCartney, but it was under Phoebe Philo's direction that Chloe hit the big leagues with its trademark hipness and femininity. Phoebe was responsible for producing, most memorably, the Paddington, Silverado, Betty, and Edith handbags in her tenure. She decided to retire after the Spring 2006 collection to be a full-time mother. An interim team was in place for 1 year (producing the successful Bay bag) and then Andersson was brought on from Marni. It was then Chloe became less feminine and more edgy/eclectic (like Marni!). Handbags Andersson will be credited for are the Heloise and the Anouska.

As a fan of the brand, I'm still working on getting a few pieces of the "it bags" from the Phoebe years. Can't wait to see what's next!

Check out the current collection and the new perfume at Chloe's website.

Recent wines ingested.

Le Sardine, March 8:

A Côte-Rôtie Syrah, vintage 2001
Appellation: Côte Rôtie Controlée
Location: North part of Rhone around Vienne city, on the right bank of the river
Places: Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône, Ampuis and Tupin-Semons
Soil: Granite, Clay or sand
Size: 200 ha (500 acres)
Production: 1.1 million bottles
Wine Type: Full-body Red
Varietal: Syrah (up to 20% Viognier)
Age: 8 to 15 years
Aromas in Côte Rôtie: Raspberry, Spice, Vanilla
Notes: One of the oldest vineyards in France, first established by the Romans. The slopes are distinguished as either Cote Blonde (which produce wines for early drinking) or Cote Brune (associated with firmer, more durable all-Syrah wines). Harsh and dark when they are young those wines become softer and develop with age an excellent bouquet. Two grape-varieties dominate the production, Viognier and Syrah. The finest Cote Rotie is meant to be a blend of the two. Syrah is trained on the vine in a distinctive way on these slopes.

2000 Château Gruaud Larose
Appellation: 11 Grands Crus Classés, Appellation Saint Julien Controlée, Crus Bourgeois
Location: At the center of Haut-Médoc
Places: Saint Julien Beychevelle
Soil: Gravels
Size: 900 ha (2,200 acres)
Vineyards: 26 vineyards
Production: 6.5 million bottles
Wine Type: Red Bordeaux
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Age: 10 to 15 years
Aromas: Black currant, Cocoa, Cedar box
Notes: The wines from the Saint-Julien appellation may be recognized by their unparalleled bouquet, particularly harmonious and mild. They have a fine deep colour and combine the finesse of their aromas and a solid constitution. They have body, are very rich in flavour and have a delicious and delicate bouquet.
Production conditions: (Decree dated November 14, 1936) In order to have the right to the Saint-Julien appellation of controlled origin, red wines must: come from the commune of Saint-Julien and from precisely defined parcels in the communes of Cussac, and Saint-Laurent, "excluding the parcels situated on recent alluvium and sand on impermeable subsoils", - satisfy precise production conditions: grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare).

Information courtesy of Cellar Tracker and Wikipedia.

Snippy housewives in NYC

Saturday mornings are really enjoyable to me as hubby and I make a nice breakfast together. Then we check out what is on the TV since we don't get to see much during the week. Today we happened upon 2 episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo. I had been casually watching the first 2 seasons of the Orange County set, and just couldn't connect with the West Coast lifestyle. The perpetual blonde hair color was numbing my brain. Since I love New York, I believed that the NYC set had to be more interesting, at the very least, a little more substantial than the OC.

The ladies of New York did not disappoint! The women had all different hair colors (even if very similar styles, according to Hubby), and while wealthy, were more "real" -- as in, less plastic and done up. They didn't all know each other well, which is nice, and a catfight was brewing in the 2nd episode that will carry through the season. Throw in some New York hotspots, overly mature children who clearly need therapy at age 12, and some fabulous clothing and accessories, and you have a perfect formula for an interesting show.

The Real Housewives of New York City airs every Tuesday at 9pm CST on Bravo.

Facelift!

I finally found a suitable backdrop for this blog...hope you enjoy!

Back to Blog

Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English defines blog as: “to author an online diary or chronology of thoughts.”

If this is the case, I haven’t done a very good job of journaling lately.

Ahem, I said journaling. “Journaling” is what grown ups do; “diary” makes me feel like I’m 14 and lying in a Hello Kitty decorated bedroom somewhere in suburbia, doodling about my latest crush and which teacher is evil and gives out too much homework.

So anyway, I used to journal constantly. It was all angsty and filled with hangovers and guy dramas. Hey, what do you expect from a single girl working for the Company, living in a high rise in the great city that is Chicago? There was all sorts of trouble to be had, and I liked to have it on a regular basis, kind of like your daily multi-vitamin.

In any case, after a brief hiatus due to a mad dash towards the end of the year for work and otherwise, I am back and rejuvenated about my blogging endeavors. In fact, one of my resolutions this year was to use the blog as a tool to keep in touch with friends.

In the event you do like Hello Kitty, you can find all sorts of paraphrenalia at Sanrio