Regency Shop

Ok, this is the BEST, and when I say best, I mean smokin' hot completely awesomest price I have seen for this lovely specimen of leather and steel. Go HERE and buy this for $345 - and no, I did not forget a zero. Barcelona, Ibiza, same diff.

Santa, are you reading this???

Bougainvillea

Today is cold and snowy and all I can think about is being someplace warm, sitting on a patio with an iced coffee, surrounded by Bougainvillea.

Pieces

Here is a kick-ass home decor site that sells a bunch of awesome stuff that I can't afford. Enjoy!

Distractions

Prada Sequined Peep-Toe Pumps, Saks, $850



Because I need one today.

So True

Buy this and other beautiful things HERE.

31% OFF

Diane Von Furstenberg, Red Rose Bush Heerlen Dress, $345

Lee Angel, Gold Beaded Necklace, $253

Karen Zambos, Polka Dot Natalie Top, $320

Alexis Bittar, Retro Hinge Bracelet, $545

Kors, Red Missy Trench, $195

Loeffler Randall, Charcoal Yvette Cutout Pootie (pootie? as in shoplifting the pooty?) $575

Alexis Bittar, Knotted Flower Necklace, $1,495

Just a few of my favorites at Chickdowntown.com.

Acquisitions

Enamel Graphic Ring, Banana Republic, $39

Angora Beret with Flower Applique, H&M, $5.90

Sam Edelman Whitley Bootie, Macy's, $89.99 (reg $135)

While I was getting fatter, my wallet was getting skinnier. What can say?

Warning

Blog-cations make you fat.

It has been one month since my last post. I just sort of lost my groove and had nothing too exciting going on, plus work was super busy, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, I'm back in the swing now, oh yeah and with about 7 lbs more of me to love. So sad. But I am back on the sauce, and by sauce I mean salads everyday for lunch. And those evil chocolate chip cookies at the bakery in my office building, those are banned, damn it! (not counting the one I ate today, it was a gift from the nice Peruvian dude that cleans the tables, so it would have been rude not to accept) I can justify anything...

Back to fun topics like shoes and fashion and maybe some low fat, healthy recipes to help my cause, you know, the important things in life!

Image found here.

Gorgeous

Oscar de la Renta

Badgley Mischka

Badgley Mischka

Oscar de la Renta

All from Fashion Week. Images from Style.com.

Coco Chanel The Movie

Tonight on Lifetime. Be there or be square.

Best Packaging Ever

The cheese is pretty good too. Found at Super-Target. It was used to make this insanely good recipe with my awesome new Panini press. I made mine with peaches, it was too good for words.

Too Much?

D&G Dolce & Gabbana Ocelot Print Pencil Skirt, Saks $365

I really love it. It will last forever. But $365?

Just the other day, my Mom reminded me about a shopping rule that I used to have. I would not buy anything over $20. This was a long time ago when I was young and always broke, so it was a very practical rule. I think this is how I became such a great bargain hunter, because I had to. But when I started making a little more money, I started upping my limit. For my 30th birthday, I bought myself my first Louis Vuitton handbag. That was a year ago, and sometimes I find myself thinking "what's next?".

I think I might need to go back to the old limit system, but maybe I'll make it a little more than 20 bucks this time...

I'm curious, where do YOU draw the line?

The Fall Runway - Finishing Touches

When it comes to jewelry this Fall, the bigger the better. Large, chunky and bold. All metals are in; silver, gold and gunmetal. Look for fun pieces that really make a statement, none of that dainty, petite jewelry. Large cuffs, bangles and rings are great ways to punch up an outfit.

As far as nails go, keep them clean and neutral. Buff pinks, light metallics, and black will look the part. One color that would really be amazing would be a super pale grey, but I cannot find one anywhere, so if anyone sees it, give me a shout!

The Fall Runway - Accessories

When choosing belts, shoes, and bags, pick items with a little edge and a little attitude. Black is back (again, thank God!) and no more "chocolate" brown everything. Grey is HOT. Belt everything - thank you Sex and the City. Anything croco, quilted, or studded will give your look that little something extra it needs.

Booties are everywhere, especially with skirts. The good news is when that trend is over, you can still wear them with pants and they will look great.

My favorite look this season is hard vs. soft. An example would be a cream silk ruffled top worn with a black leather (leatha for you Project Runway fans) studded belt or bag. Perfection.





Tomorrow: Finishing Touches...

The Fall Runway - Translated Part 2

The next trends were inspired by Blumarine and Chanel. Blumarine is showing major femininity with heaps of ruffles and flowing fabrics and Chanel is classic and perfect as always, with an emphasis on the color grey (and black, but that's a no brainer).

Here are some examples of ways to incorporate these beautiful elements into your own wardrobe. Think ruffles, pleats, tucks, rosettes and detail. Neutral colors keep it clean and from looking costume-y or overdone.

Grey is easy. You most likely already have grey basics in your closet, so bust them out and wear them proud! All shades from light heather greys, to deep charcoals will look great - even together.

Next up, accessories...

The Fall Runway - Translated

There are so many gorgeous trends on the Fall runways this year, and they have me looking forward to Fall fashion. Don't get me wrong, I would happily skip all of the other seasons if it meant having warm Summer weather year round, but I live in Colorado and I have to face reality. Fall is right around the corner.

For my fellow Summer lovers, I don't mean for this to be a downer. I am simply giving you a heads up on some fun items to add to your wardrobe in the next few months.


We will start off with a little gift from my favorite gay Italian designers, Domenico and Stefano, aka Dolce & Gabbana. I.LOVE.THEM.

Basically, the D&G runway looks like attack of the tartans; very plaid, and very red. Since I don't wear ball gowns very often (never), I found some examples of how to participate in this trend in real life, without looking like I should be carrying a bagpipe (well, kinda).


This trend in particular should of course be used sparingly, meaning DO NOT wear a plaid pencil skirt with a plaid blazer or blouse. A little plaid, goes a long way. I know this warning does not apply to 99% of you, but there is always that one woman who will inevitably go ape-shit on a trend - you know the one.


Here is a collage to illustrate my point of view.





More to come tomorrow...

Perfect Summer Lunch

Grilled Squash with Garlic
Organic Mixed Baby Greens
Caprese Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Roma Tomatoes, EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar
Garlic Breadsticks

A Night on the Town

This outfit makes me happy.

Remember The Jetsons?

Remember that awesome food machine where they would just push a button and in seconds have like a T-bone steak and garlic mashed potatoes? I wish I had one of those machines for clothes. Wouldn't that rock? Birkin Bag, presto! Perfect black pencil skirt, coming right up!

If I had a Jetsons clothes machine, I would be wearing this to work tomorrow.

Asparagus Pee?

I literally ate one spear of asparagus at dinner, and had asparagus pee. I have had this conversation with my friends and it seems that some people get this and some people have no clue what I am talking about. So, to cure my curiosity, lets do a poll:

Do you get asparagus pee? (poll results)

Every time I eat it 10 (76%)

Nope, not me 3 (23%)

I don't know what that is 0 (0%)

Interesting... And very scientific.

So...

Abstract *TUNIC*, Forever 21 $22.80


It turns out that my new "minidress" is actually a shirt. Who knew? I was so excited to wear my new "minidress" because I never wear skirts or dresses cut above the knee, so I was really venturing out of my fashion comfort zone with this one. I went online to get a picture of the dress to show my girlfriend, and found it listed under the "Tops" category, not the "Dresses" category. What a dork.


I'm rockin it anyway.

Wii Likey

Nintendo Wii

I do realize that this post is neither sneaky, nor chic, and probably classifies me as a nerd. However, for those of you who have not played the Nintendo Wii, you are totally missing out. Trust me, I AM NOT a video game person. In fact, I hate video games. But the Wii is so much different. It gets you off of your ass and you even get to create a little character in your likeness called a Mii. That is so cute! Thanks to my friend Melanie and her adorable daughter Lauren, I had the opportunity to play (and get spanked by a 4th grader). We played Tennis, Bowling and Boxing. I also read online that there is a Wii Yoga too - I have got to try that! Now I finally understand all the hype.

If I Had...

Black and Crystal Earrings, LUC KIEFFER $242



an extra $242 just laying around, I would SO buy these. But, I don't. And even though they are completely awesome, I just could not pay that amount of money for plastic and rhinestones.

J'Adore Dior

Christian Dior Extreme Cutout Sandal, Neiman Marcus $780

That's all.

Meow!

Julie Haus Tranquility Zazel Dress, chickdowntown.com, $403
Rachel Leigh Studded Belt, $150


Have you seen those super annoying commercials on TV for chickdowntown.com? Well, they are really lame and don't even show cute outfits, but the theme song was stuck in my head all day yesterday, so I guess the commercial was successful. I went to check out the site and found this gorgeous dress and some awesome accessories. The belt was inspired by Carrie's vintage studded belt in the Sex and the City movie. Me-ow!

Chair Lust

So, one of my current obsessions is a white or cream Barcelona Chair. I really want one (actually two). That chair is just plain awesome. Clean lines, timeless style, a little leather, a little chrome, modern and classic all at the same time, I love it.

I recently posted about my design dilemma here. I am trying to re-vamp my living room that was done by HGTV. I got so many great ideas from the blog world (THANK YOU!). I have been making small changes since then, but now I need chairs. Should I do two of the same, or two different? I kind of lean towards two of the same because I normally prefer symmetry.

Here are some that I like, including the gorgeous Barcelona chair that haunts my dreams. If anyone has a source for a good deal on these, let me know!


Barcelona Chair, DWR $5,027

Abigail Slipper Chair, William-Sonoma Home $995

Beatrice Slipper Chair, Madeline Stuart $ if I have to ask, I can't afford it

Louis XV Bodine Arm Chair, frenchdressing.com $895



I know I have a few different styles going on here, but that's how I roll. I have DMPD design multiple personality disorder. Deal.

Home Sweet Home

My bed.

Vacations were fabulous, but there is NOTHING on this earth better than coming home and sleeping in my own bed! You know what I'm sayin?

The Riu Resort in Puerto Vallarta was great. The grounds were very clean and well maintained. The staff was awesome and really took care of us. If you are a big drinker, then this is the place for you. In addition to being all-inclusive including alcohol, each room has a mini bar stocked daily with sodas, beer, water, tonic and club soda. Why would you need tonic and club soda you ask? Because right above the fridge is a liquor cabinet with Vodka, Gin, Rum, and of course, Tequila - all free. Crazy.

The food was good, not spectacular, but definitely better than I expected- and lots of options. We ate at the Brazilian style restaurant one night and that was really tasty and entertaining.

I was very careful and used bottled water for everything, but I still managed to get sick. Really sick. The kind of sick I am not even going to elaborate on because it is so foul. Unfortunately, I had to travel to our second destination in this condition. Ick.

Riu Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Pretty sunset, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The Dominican Republic was wonderful as always. It was fun to visit my husband's family, whom I love and adore. His class reunion was really nice. I was the only spouse there for the first half until a really nice guy called his wife and told her to come and hang out with me. I guess we didn't get the memo. I was happy to see my husband's face and the excitement in his eyes as he got reacquainted with people that he had not seen in 25 years. That was cool.

First wedding anniversary, June 22, 2008 Dominican Republic

All in all, Montezuma's revenge aside, we had two great trips. Now I have to go tend to my kitty, who at the moment hates my guts for leaving her for 3 weeks. This will require about three full days of ass kissing, petting and brushing before she is back to normal and will let us sleep through the night. God bless the little fur ball!

Coco, my very furry and codependent kitty