Gorgeous dress: Kyumi Bib Dress

**updated 8/31: oh no she didn't, you know it...i snagged the last charcoal version of this dress (in addition to getting the black one yesterday). a girl has got to have her choice on colors, duh :P didn't you learn that about me w/ the sequin sheath? ;)

I love online sample sales :)

Pretty home decor...and I think a serious contender for the bedroom update :)

Fall is approaching, time to start wearing boots again...

but ugh, the serious pain I get in my foot has caused me to pay extra special attention to this product recommendation. In a nutshell, Yoga Toes are a soft and flexible foot stretcher. These are supposed to strengthen and help align your toes after being cramped in fancy heels and boots all day long.

The reason I'm particularly sold on the idea is that after my bunion (ewwwwwwwww and very painful) surgeries in high school--due to my genetic predisposition to have those bony wide toe knuckles--I was confined to these awesome ::insert sarcasm here:: shoe-boot thingeys with bandaging in between all my toes to align my foot while healing. My sister had it even worse, yuck!, but the bottom line is that post-surgery we felt so much better. Well ya, that was a major foot structure issue being repaired during the surgery but the aligning process post-chopup felt so good (in a weird way) and I really think that there's something to this aligning effort that can help my short wide feet.

So keep your 4" heels and boots in your fashion rotation, but be sure to let those tootsies have a break. Now should I order pink or green?

Before, During and After



Often, shoes are the primary cause
of many foot problems



YogaToes stretch and exercise your toes



A healthy, strong foot after
regular use of YogaToes

Using code LABORDAY, score these at half off ($25 off the $50 regular price) :)

Exercising self-restraint

Bobbi Brown has done it again! The new fall metallics just came out this week and are starting to hit the beauty counters. Always noted for sticking to the mature neutral tones, Bobbi has delivered on her promise to provide pigment and shine for this Fall's collection. Swoon, I think I'm in lurve but I'm going to try to sit this lemming out until post-DSS.

Foxy

Been on my wishlist for 9 months now, hmmm...time to take the plunge since only MY SIZE is in stock? Sigh, no sale.

***updated 8/29: I had to order both colors to try on at home, you know...just in case one of them washes me out ;)

****updated 9/20: they both went back :( this dress is pretty fab but not accommodating to the non-flat chested, don't say i didn't warn you

10-piece Smashbox set is calling my name :)

and I'm such a dork watching this on TV but I just had to order the auto-delivery feature because I honestly just lurve this photo finish primer so much (especially since I'm running out) and the price just couldn't be beat. So I'll be receiving my 3 new blushes, lip gloss, primer, 3 cream eyeliners, brow tech, eyeshadow trio, lipstick, and 2 eye brushes next week :)

Rumor has it that the BE final auto-delivery set is also shipping next week! Eeeek! All this make-up at once, I may have to eBay some of this away and take advantage of the discounted listing fees going on.

Book I Want to Read: How Luxury Lost Its Luster

As featured in the New York Times' Books of the Times:
How Luxury Lost Its Luster
and an article on the topic

The Devil Wears Hermès (He Bought It at the Caesars Palace Mall in Las Vegas)

By MICHIKO KAKUTANI

Published: August 21, 2007

Dana Thomas has written a crisp, witty social history that’s as entertaining as it is informative.


and on a side note, Pinkberry knockoff (SweetGreen in Georgetown) was deliciously amazing. Probably the only type of knockoff I allow in my life, but I definitely enjoyed the real yogurt flavor with blackberries, strawberries, and lady finger cookies on top :) Mmmmmm :)

Pinkberry (DC) knockoff, and I can't wait

Thanks to DCfabulous for pointing out that Georgetown's SweetGreen finally opened up!

Somewhat like the story of Jamba Juice (go CalPoly!), SweetGreen is the story of 4 Georgetown grads that put their heads together to create a pretty cool and different (healthy) place to catch some grub.



DCfabulous' review convinced us to check it out for dessert tonight :)
Here's a little excerpt:
"I was there for the fake Pinkberry, not salad. I ordered the small, which included up to 3 toppings. I went the fresh fruit route and topped my fake Pinkberry with blackberries, strawberries, and mango.
First bite. Delicious. Second bite. Delicious. Third bite. Delicious. Fourth bite. Almost finished. I am all for portion control. But their sizes are ridiculous, especially when it costs $4. Sweetgreen's small is about a quarter the same size as Pinkberry, for the same price. Next time, I will order the large, but for $6, it is a little ridiculous."

FUGLY!

Built-in socks, for real! Ewww

and more ugly shoes can be found here at shoewawa.com.
Hilarious!

Photography wishlist: Adobe LightRoom

I wonder if my dad has this, hmmmm. Photographers of the family must unite.

Anyway, I saw a little bit of what this program can do to RAW images and I really think this might provide some serious help to us beginners.


and a pretty cool blog that shows tips to using this program: LightRoom Killer Tips

Beyootiful emerald green bag

And if you're seriously interested, you can pre-order this (for 9/30 delivery) at Lunaboston.com and use code GRECHEN for 20% off your purchase :)

**Updated 8/21: But for a limited time you can use LUCKYBREAKS3 for 25% off :)

25% off at CoutureCandy.com

Just enter "goclothing" at CoutureCandy.com (a Santa Barbara based boutique) and get 25% off your total! :) Or you can use "gofriends3" for $50 off $150+ order. Watch out revolveclothing, looks like the denim prices at CoutureCandy + the code make it pretty tough to compete.

But...revolve had these on clearance + a code for $33!
Red Engine Super Skinny in Ink jeans:

***updated 8/29: So the two pairs of jeans from CoutureCandy didn't quite provide the slimming and toning effect that they did to the models (oh wait maybe they're not supposed to), so back they went. Returns are kinda fun actually :P All the joy of filling the online cart, actually checking out, and getting a package, and then to go back and undo it w/ free shipping both ways...not bad.

Haven't shopped here in years but worth sharing, Express coupon

If I don't spend all my $$ at the sample sale...

I'd love to get some formal photography training before the rest of our travels. I figure some Basic formal training is a good start. I'm amped about the Corcoran College of Art's course offerings:

Frenzy...and some price matching. I hope these aren't fug

$143 riding boots for $30 after some price adjustments, I'll take em. I bought some boots intended for skinny jeans...and the skinny jeans last fall, but I chickened out and returned them all. Now I'm going for round 2. We'll see if these work out.











Updated 8/29: These were FUG! I just couldn't make them work. They were stiff and police man boot looking, just not the look I'm going after...so back they went.

Stuff I can only hope I'll find at the sample sale...

Now these two would be just too awesome. Watch as the wishlist grows over these next 4 weeks :P

Restaurant Review: Vapiano

What an awesome place! (Click on the image/link above to get the fancy lowdown from the Washington Post.)

The story from this enginerd's mouth is that this place is an awesome happy hour, too loud to hear yourself think, tasty woodfired, LOCAL, new concept eatery/bar. When you walk in, a greeter hands you this credit card looking deal that you then use as you order at the pasta, salad, pizza, or wine-o bar and it keeps tab of your purchases throughout the night. Awww just like the good ole days of the Social Center in St. Charles :)

The simple pizzas are somewhere around $6-7 and the fancy ones are $9-10...but they're plenty to serve 2 piggies. We shared the Caprese woodfired pizza and man was it good. You could've told me it came from the likes of Al Tiramisu or Tomate and I'd believe you---that yummy! Then the house wine was pretty tasty, and the Peroni on tap is $2.50 during happy hour :) I think our kegerator may feel obselete on Thursday nights :P Worth going back to, for sure!

Aunt P and Summy's cousin, Jack, are coming to DC!

I love stumbling upon new boutiques

Check out Tobi (based back in SF). Courtesy of some Vince sales, I scored these:

and I'm thinking about price matching these Miss Sixty Bliss boots at shoes.com with the awesome deal on the Miss Sixty website


and this is en route thanks to Nordie's awesome price matching, got it 70% off! :)


***Guess the DVF didn't work out =/ It's a little toight and a bit too scandalous for work, not quite my clubbing gear either. That frees up some funds for the sample sale...VIP ticket?--I think so:)

Missing Aruba already...

I'm back...and how's this for good stuff?

I can't wait! We had so much fun at the last one, I hope my wallet is ready for the challenge.


Also, the Purse Store in Bethesda called me today because a big fat sale starts this Thursday-Saturday! Yahoo!

Apparently his book didn't offer enough entertainment

Shotgunning a Balashi, KLASSY!


Friday night recap: Amazing dinner at our favorite Salt & Pepper. Maria made Jeremy sad by reminding him what a dodo he was about le cell phone. Hans (our Dutch bartender friend) kept handing Jeremy the Polar to make him feel better. Hence the beginning of a long long stoooopid night.

We missed the last bus back to the hotel (no cabs as we are trying to be frugal), so somehow we made it back to a CASINO.

Checked out the new RIU Palace, noticed we couldn't even afford water there. Went back to the Renaissance Casino, stayed until the pit boss said the Casino was closed, turned a few $5 bets into $40 :), and rode back to our timeshare with our new Aruban friends. Typical Aruban adventures.

No sleep last night, even teddy was tired

We're here, and my blogger is in dutch :0