Another pair of shoes that deserves to be owned in all 3 colors

Nordies strikes again:

Sitting at home, enjoying my new candle

I'm sitting on the couch and getting ready for Day1's workout recommended by Jillian Michael's Making the Cut, but I got distracted and had to share.

I'm so loving my new home fragrance (candle) and I really didn't expect to like it so much that now I'm torn between not lighting it in an effort to prolong its life and of course using it because it's so yummy. Perhaps it was the rest of the ambiance of my new favorite boutique, but my sister and I walked into Sugar two weeks ago and I immediately was drawn by the clean, warm, and inviting scent of their Grapefruit candle. It was the Grapefruit Tropical candle from MakesScents. Their website shows that they only sell wholesale :( so I hope you can find them at a local boutique.

At almost twice the price, I still wanted to share my other favorite candle scent. Tocca's Feu de Touch is the perfect combination of romance (sweet) and spa (relaxing). I'm the worst at describing scents or tastes, but trust me on this one it's fab!

However, if you're looking for something to last while providing a continuous lovely aroma, props go to my best friend C for getting me what is now my favorite, the Antica Farmacista Tuberose Home Diffuser. It took three other failed attempts at finding a diffuser that a.)worked as in provided any scent, b.) didn't need daily flipping of the reeds, and c.) didn't reek after a while. The diffuser lasted us a good 3 months, and I placed it near our entryway so as to be greeted with it's welcoming scent. Absolutely love and recommend this for everyone!

Some lovely clutches

Lauren Merkin Metallic Lambskin Louise Clutch (in gunmetal), BCBG Leather Clutch, Lauren Merkin Lambskin Louis Clutch (in black)

I'm not shopping, but if I was I would get...

Development Inverted Pleat Cami:


Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Crew Neck Blouse:


Theory Liza Short-sleeve Turtleneck:


Nanette Lepore San Michelle Top and Cappella Top:

Wine Tour!

I'm too tired and lazy to do a write-up right now, so click on the picture for Colleen's. We totally agree on all the winery evaluations :)

and the slideshow of course:

Work bag possibilities

(l to r: Rachel Nasvik Tabitha Tote, JCrew Luxe Leather Maddy Bag --I see a Miu Miu bow satchel inspiration--, Banana Republic Somerset Croc-embossed Large Satchel--very YSL Muse inspired--)

Another classy accessory for the wish list

I can dream right?

Helpful fashion video links from my favorite: The Today Show

‘The Little Black Book of Style’

‘Elle’ fashion director Nina Garcia helps you look and dress your best

Fall fashion essentials: Invest in chic staples

“Lucky” magazine on how to pair new trends with staples that will last

Style & Fashion Book Recommendations

I've really come across several great fashion/style reads in the past few months and I wanted to share because they've all rocked.

Style reads I enjoyed and reference often:

And new ones on pre-order:

Time to invest in experiences

I have more clothes than I know what to do with (well given my teeny closet and dresser space), and despite several trips to the donation bin in our neighborhood...I think that any more clothing purchases (or shoes) would just perpetuate the 80/20 phenomenon. I've read in several fashion books and blogs that we tend to wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. This is so true, we find our comfort zone and we fail to branch out...even in our closets! I actually get a chuckle out of how real that is. I've been challenging myself to wear items that are collecting dust, and it's really fun and the "strategery" almost gives me a headache (I think I lack a creative right brain entirely).

Anyway, with Fall looming and Winter around the corner (although I'm glad we'll be opting for 3 weeks of South American summer during that time), I'm focusing more on our travels and my health.

I've ordered the BodyBugg because I need to look fab and toned for our mid-winter beach vacation (just when I was getting used to packing on the annual winter flub to deal with the icy conditions around here). My issue has always been overeating, and while overeating celery and carrots is less catastrophic to the clothing-fit issue, JDogg has devastated my naive love for all healthy foods by bringing all that is tasty (junk) home for dinner and spoiling my healthy taste buds. I spent so many years eating food that was healthy and cardboard tasting, lol, that I forgot what I was missing out on...don't worry, I've been reminded. So in an effort to practice portion control, for maybe the first or second time in my life, I am hoping the BodyBugg can let me obsess a little less. Yes, I'm that lazy in some respects.

I am also of the mindset where I rather enjoy food and "pay" for it by running 10 miles, than starving myself and living a sedentary life. It's not a punish/reward system, but instead it suits what makes me happy (food, drinks, and exercise).

Additionally, I'll admit it...I miss school. I'm sick like that, and I miss the torture apparently. Starting in October, I'm going to try school for fun by taking a Digital Photography short course at the Corcoran. I enrolled this time, before the class filled up :) I'm so lucky to have such great resources within walking distance, and I really can't wait to start taking pictures where I know what I'm doing. Also, I should be mastering some post-processing editing.

And a picture of the beautiful Congrats roses I received from my family on Wednesday :)

I think I've released a shoe monster

I'm obsessed!

I think I need all three :P


Luckily I'm not that silly, and I pre-ordered the middle pair (biscuit). Patience will help me wait until the expected 10/12 shipping date =/

Classy

Lookout Chanel bag fund, Gucci Jackie O is inching up to the top of the wish list:

**all I need is for Saks to come up with a good double points or gift card promo

New cool stuffs

Ohoh, combine a gEEk and a fitness fanatic, show her the BodyBugg, and then try to keep her from regurgitating her memorized Amex # to get this delivered ASAP. Please?!?

Track your calorie intake and calories expended by wearing this nifty little band on your arm throughout the day. I wonder if you have to sleep with it on? Ouch, probably not. Actually, I hope so...that way I won't want to purchase this, haha. What I've gathered is that this device has received wonderful reviews from fitness professionals (wait, that's sorta me...how come I don't have one yet?) and it's an effective tool in tracking your general calorie count throughout the day. I have tried the fitness and eating logs, I've tried the Sparkpeople food trackers, I've probably tried all tracking efforts. In my experience, the more I obsess or think about fitness and diet or any type of food deprivation, it ends up backfiring and I pretty much binge in one fashion or another.

Since this has a rated 92% accuracy on tracking your calorie expenditure, it really works like that dream gadget I hoped would help me realize if I might in fact be hungry (due to a calorie deficit), bored, or engaging in emotionally eating. I like how the video on the BodyBugg website points out that by the end of your day and based on your caloric goals, you'll be clear on whether or not it's time for the 2nd helping of dinner or a jog around the neighborhood.

I'm an engineer. I find problems and I like to solve them. Knowing that I've had X number of calories when I should be grossing X makes this an easy equation for me (I don't diet, but I definitely enjoying eating healthy and a hard run or workout). I'm also very goal oriented, and so if I know where I stand en route to that finish line, I can manage the sprint to get me there. I've lost 5lbs (which isn't a ton, I realize...but I'm short and I don't carry extra poundage very well) and I'm really going to get rid of the rest of my post-college pudge. This might just be the enabler, something to think about in my dreams.


Goodnight :)

I will go to bed without buying this, I will go to bed without buying this, ay...that doesn't mean that this device won't make it into my world sooner than later. Patience patience, what to do.

Read the review on fitsugar by clicking here. Swoon!

I give this a 9.9 for style and function

I love the neat little gadget and gadget holders they have at SpoonSisters, here's an example of their chic geek stuff that I've added to my wish list.

You have 2 weeks before starting a new job and a shopping ban, so what do you do?

First you want to make sure you have all the basic staples--in this case, shoes--for a formal business setting (hello world of conservative).

• Black flats? check
  
• Black pumps? check (wore those to the interview, duh)
  
• Black mary-janes? check
  
• Tall black boots? check
• Brown flats? not check, but plenty of alternatives
• Brown mary-janes? check (thank you DSS)
• Tall brown boots? check
• Brown pumps?!? NOT CHECK

so this is what we are considering:


**using the handy little LUCKYBREAKS7 code for 25% off, plus the 20% rewards on shoes.com makes ordering all three a no-brainer; just to try them on, i'm only keeping 1 pair (SM tends to be painful anyway, but who knows about those Delmans)!


***UPDATED 9/23: the Delmans were very stiff (shocking!) and the SM's in the middle didn't fit my right foot at all? A little weird in my opinion, given that my left foot is the one that is slightly bigger =/

Another hot outlet find :)

I'm not big on sifting through shoe bins and other clearance racks at outlet and discount stores, I'm just not patient enough. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all about getting the real thing and trying to pay not-so-real prices any chance I get. I think the OCD in me just can't deal with the messiness and clutter that usually accompanies these discounters.

Well, we went into Off 5th to find some skinny jeans for Aunt P and when that failed we tried to find her some flat knee high boots. Lucky for me, I get bored easily and wandered over to my size. Stumbled upon these beauties, which I ordered from Piperlime twice in May and had my order canceled.

Finally mine, and the big giant discount is a perk too!

New Bedding!

Not really the fall muted tones I was going for initially, but I couldn't pass up a great deal on this set while at the outlets. I really think the cheery buttery/gold and gold quilt (my added touch) will make the upcoming cold months more bearable.

Fall Picks:

First, some pictures of my sample sale finds:

Mint Empire Colorblock Tank: Mint Beaded Dress:



Tory Burch Gerritt Shift Dress: 3.1 Philip Lim Band Collar Blouse (in ivory):


Mint minidress w/ foldup hem: Nanette Lepore Minuet Sleeveless Top:

Now for some lemmings:

Jamison Sleeveless Turtleneck Tunic: Milly Beaded Neckline Trim Dress:

Loeffler Randall Tie Jumper: Vince Shirred Blouse:


Vince Crimped Cowlneck Sweater (in Eggplant) Rebecca Taylor Swing Jacket (in Snow Leopard)



Banana Republic Somerset Vertical Tote (new job, duh!):