L'oiseau que tu croyais surprendre battit de l'aile et s'envola.

This is how I looked on Aug. 25:

sweater: Nordstrom Rack.....tanktop: H&M.....skirt: Target
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: Zappos

I am smitten. I am in deep smit.

This is how I looked on Aug. 24:


sweater: Target.....t-shirt: Marshalls.....skirt: Macy's
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: Zappos

circle in the sand, round and round

This is another post for Em.

I'll always remember July 9 of this year. Emily and I went to the Anthro in SF, where I actually bought stuff! Then, we had a divine dinner at Zuni Cafe and saw the magnificent Idina Menzel in concert.

This is the dress I purchased at Anthro that really lifted up my self-esteem:

Polka Peppered Dress by Maeve, $39.95

And why did this dress make me feel good? I tried on a size 8, and it fit. I definitely had to buy it!

This is how I looked in this dress on Aug. 21:

Even though the dress fits fine on the chest, I really do prefer to wear it with the straps.

And what I'm most proud of is the fact that I'm not holding in my tummy. I love it!

honey, leave a light on for me

This post is for Em.

Em had asked a while back for me to take photos of me in my bridesmaid dress. Hey, I'm a bridesmaid in her wedding, go figure.

So, here's a shot from April 15, two days after it arrived via UPS:

Whoa, check out that smirk on my face. Yeah.

Back in April, I had lost enough weight to squeeze into this size 10P dress. I remember being frustrated that I still struggled to zip it up. The dress was tight across my stomach and my chest. I hurriedly took it off and hid it in the closet.

( I could have purchased a size 12P, but that size was a little loose.)

Fast forward. I hung out with Em earlier this month, and she asked me to take another photo in the dress, since it had been a while.

So, here are a couple of shots from yesterday:

It fits way better now.

left, right, left, we all fall down

Brian and I walked around DT SJ for the heck of it. We eventually ended up at Loves Cupcakes, which I've been meaning to try since, oh, forever.

But, before I show off the cupcakes, let's see what I'm wearing today.

t-shirt: Hot Topic.....jeans: Steve & Barry's
socks: Target.....sneakers: Kohls
belt: I should have worn one.

Hold on.
I need to have a facial expression that's in the spirit of my bad-ass shirt.

So, Loves Cupcakes. I loooove this place, and I love that it's in DT SJ. I had a delicious mini black & white cupcake, which was filled with cheese cake and topped with a drizzle of chocolate ganache, and a regular-size of my all-time fave flavour, red velvet. Their red velvet cupcake tastes better than the ones I make (and I make some damn good ones). The cake itself was very moist, and, more importantly, it had cream cheese frosting.

I can't wait to go back to try the other flavours!

The goodies!

love is a mystery. there are no rules for the heart.

This is how I looked on Aug. 19:


sweater: Nordstrom.....t-shirt: Marshalls.....skirt: Ross
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: DSW

When I saw this skirt at Ross, I fell so much in love with the print and the price of this skirt that I bought it, even though it didn't fit. Just from looking at it on the rack, I could tell that it was too small for me. This skirt is a size 8, and, at the time, I so was not that size. What the heck was I thinking? Yeah.

This random purchase was done in August of last year. And it hung in the closet until May 24, 2010. I love this skirt to pieces.

l'amour est un oiseau rebelle que nul ne peut apprivoiser

This is how I looked on Aug. 18, my mom's birthday:


sweater: Anthropologie.....tanktop: Marshalls.....dress: SJP Bitten, Steve & Barry's
mini-socks: Payless.....Nine West shoes: Zappos

The tiers of ruffles are made of awesome.

I have no idea what's with the sourpuss expression.

It's been hard facing the harsh reality that flats just aren't good for my feet and ankles, so I bought 1-inch wedges from Zappos.

I picked this style because of the buckle detail.

I really like the combo of this black dress with a random tanktop. I may buy another colour or two to wear with this dress.

this feeling's so strong inside. i won't let you go.

This is how I looked on Aug. 14:


hoody: Roots.....secret tanktop: Mervyn's.....jeans: Charlotte Russe
socks: Target.....Vans sneakers: PacSun

This detail shot was taken last year. I'm just that lazy.

I can count on one hand the times I've worn this hoody. It's a crying shame that I don't wear it much because it's my favourite souvenir from Toronto and because it's so nice.

trusted you true in the beginning

Last Saturday, I went to the big Salvation Army on Taylor Street in San Jose. I was on a mission to find something to wear to Rachel's birthday party. My BFF is throwing herself an 80s party celebrate the big 3-0.

So, with an open heart and an open mind full of 80s movie memories, I perused the store...and came away with a dress, a jumpsuit(?!?!), and a belt for $11.85. Mind you, I didn't bother trying the clothes on in the store because I could tell just by looking at them that they would fit. And it kinda grossed me out to try on musty clothes.

After washing them and hanging them to dry, I tried on the clothes, and they did fit!

This is how I look in the dress:


dress: $6.70.....belt: $2.00

What sold me on this dress was the teal and black print. Even the buttons are covered in the print. And did I already mention that it's teal? It was my lucky day!

And thanks to the clothing label, I have "Promises, Promises" by Naked Eyes stuck in my head.

This is how I look in the jumpsuit:


jumpsuit: $3.15.....same belt as before

Bwahahahahahaha!

I can't believe that I actually LOVE this jumpsuit. I purchased this outfit only because it made me laugh when I came upon it. And, even though it's going to be a major pain to undo this outfit just to go to the bathroom, I'd wear it to Rachel's party!!

I showed the jumpsuit pics to Maria, and she said it made her think of Pat Benatar. Success!

Chris said that if I got the dress hemmed a few inches, I could wear the dress on a normal basis. Success!

So, now, my next mission is to buy shoes and accessories to go with these outfits.

play up on the roof and forget about your day

This is how I looked on Aug. 13:


sweater: Loehmann's.....dress: Tulle
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: DSW

At work, I had received a handful of compliments for this "skirt," but I didn't have the heart to tell people that I was actually sporting a dress. The top half of the dress is way too loose on me, so I wore a cardi to hide it.

The black sweater is too severe of a contrast with this dress. So, next time, I'll pair it with a grey sweater or something that goes with the dress's colour scheme.

everybody moves to a different beat in the city

This is how I looked on Aug. 12:

sweater: Macy's.....slacks: Marshalls
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: Aerosoles

I haven't been excited about seeing new movies this year (the exception being Salt), but I have been excited about Flashback Thursdays at the UA Berkeley 7. Last week was Flashdance, and this week was Spaceballs. I could not pass up Spaceballs!

So, I met up with my coworkers Chris and Regina for dinner at Amanda's, where the food is both fast and healthy. I had a cheeseburger, baked sweet potato fries, and a freshly made cola---and the calorie count total for all three items came out to 645 calories. Say what? So I didn't feel a single bit guilty for having such a filling meal. Regina fared better because she had avocado on her burger and she had an iced tea sweetened with Splenda. Even with the baked sweet potato fries, her meal was 545 calories. Crazy! Chris said that he could have devoured two more burgers, but he also said this restaurant made him think about eating his food more slowly.

Ah! Berkeley!

Well, Spaceballs will always be funny no matter what, but the packed house made the experience even better. So many people simultaneously shouted out, "What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? Chicken?!?!" Omigah, hilarious! The only downer was the previews weren't as good as last time. But, oh well, Spaceballs rules.

You know what also rules? Hanging out with such awesome coworkers, that's what!

warm nights in the city, someone's playing latin in the park

This is how I looked on Aug. 10:

sweater: Loehmann's.....top: Sears.....skirt: Target
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: DSW

I didn't feel like wearing the usual black tanktop, so I wore a brown one instead. Does that make any sense? Kinda.

my honey wears his heart on his sleeve

Last Sunday, I met up with Em in SF for an all-day outing.

Our first stop was the beautiful Columbarium. The personalised niches brought tears to our eyes, especially the niches of couples. We spent a moment at the memorium for Harvey Milk, and I placed a penny on his niche's ledge. As tempting as it was, I didn't take any pictures of the niches out of respect.

Lunch was at Pot de Pho. This was my first time eating restaurant pho, and I was not disappointed! We both had medium bowls of pho with rare steak, but I had well-done shank added to mine. I ate the meat first, so I could savour the noodles at the end. Em did the exact opposite.

Then, we did some shopping. We tried on armfuls of clothes at Anthropologie and at Jeremy's. I ended up purchasing a skirt at each store. Em scored a Yoana Baraschi dress at Jeremy's for $24!

By the way, this is how I looked in my regular clothes in a fitting room at Anthro:


sweater: Target.....tanktop: H&M.....jeans: Charlotte Russe
socks: Target.....Vans shoes: PacSun
coat: Gap Outlet.....messenger bag: Volcom Stone

By the way, I purchased the Nathalie Lété Paris cream and green skirt that's hanging behind me on the right-hand side of the picture.

Em gave me two tops and a dress, which are now too big for her. While at Anthro, I changed out of my trusty teal cardi into a cool hand-me-down burgundy Deletta top, which fit like a glove.

This is how I looked wearing a size XS top that's too big for Em in a fitting room at Jeremy's:

Yeah, if it fits me fine, then it's definitely baggy on Em!

Oh, I purchased the Edme & Esyllte cream and green skirt that's hanging behind me on the right-hand side of the picture.

Yep, I purchased two cream and green skirts!

(I took a lot of fitting room pics that day, so I uploaded them to a Flickr set, fitting room pics.)

Somewhere along the way, we had tacos at Mijita. I indulged in a cadillac margarita made with Siete Leguas.

We browsed Macy's Union Square mostly to gawk at ugly handbags, then we met up with Em's fiance Dave at Burger Bar. That place makes the best veggie burger I've ever had!

step by step, heart to heart

This is how I looked the afternoon of Aug. 6:



sweater: Target.....tanktop: Nordstrom Rack.....skirt: Ross
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: DSW

Then, I dressed down because Brian and I went on another date! Martinis and appetizers at The Grill On The Alley, dinner at Baja Fresh, and Despicable Me at Camera 12 Cinemas.

So, this is how I looked the evening of Aug. 6:

sweater: Old Navy.....tanktop: Nordstrom Rack.....leggings: Target
socks: Target.....boots: Bakers Shoes.....crossbody: Dooney & Bourke

Standing between two pieces of public art in DT SJ.

all alone i have cried silent tears full of pride

This is what I saw on Aug. 5:

a special mylar made for the occasion!

It was Flashback Thursday at the UA Berkeley 7 on Shattuck Ave., and that night's showing was Flashdance. There was no way in heck I was going to miss out on finally seeing Flashdance on the big screen! When that movie first came out in 1983, I was way too young to see it in the theatre. But I grew up watching it on cable, and I have it on VHS and DVD. For me, that movie was all about the music and Jennifer Beals.

I met up with my coworkers Chris and Gina at the theatre, and we walked across the street to have a before-movie dinner at Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen. Chris had the sampler platter of ribs, sausage, and shrimp, and Gina had the deep-fried catfish strips and hushpuppies. I had the wild mushroom jambalaya. Such delicious cajun food!

We got to the theatre auditorium a bit early, and there was a trivia contest. The questions were about movies that Jennifer Beals had starred in and movies that Adrian Lyne had directed. Thank goodness I was obsessed with Jennifer Beals back in the 80s because I answered a question correctly about a Jennifer Beals movie (The Bride) and won a Coraline bag with Coraline tie-in swag.

What made that night's showing even better was the fact that they showed 80s movie trailers before the movie started. The trailers were: Pink Cadillac (WTF?!, Clint Eastwood, WTF?!), Do The Right Thing, The Fabulous Baker Boys (whoaaa, Michelle Pfeiffer, whoaaaa!), and the kicker? Weekend at Bernie's!!! That last trailer was so bad, I was convulsing with laughter.

It was Chris's first time watching Flashdance and the first time Gina watched the entire movie in one sitting. Chris didn't understand the point of Mawby's Bar. Like, why would a whole bunch of men watch these dancers put on these strange art piece dance numbers??? But we all agreed that the soundtrack was friggen awesome! That song "Manhunt" is stuck in our heads.

Next Thursday is Spaceballs, so all three of us will be hanging out again. I so can't wait!

ruby lips in the mirror, black heels on the floor

This is how I looked the evening of Aug. 4:

sweater: JC Penney.....tanktop: Nordstrom Rack.....skirt: Banana Republic
socks: Target.....boots: Bakers Shoes
crossbody: Dooney & Bourke

It was date night for Brian and me.

We had martinis and spinach dip at The Grill On The Alley. That place is officially our place for drinks. Happy Hour is the best time to go.

Stolichnaya blackberry cosmopolitan

Afterward, we had dinner and dessert at Ruffled Feathers Eatery. This place is new, and I hope it sticks around because of the rotisserie chicken and the strawberry brioche bread pudding.

strawberry brioche bread pudding + vanilla ice cream = love

And after that, we watched Salt at Camera 12 Cinemas. I loved Salt! Thank goodness Tom Cruise turned down this movie because I wouldn't have even thought of watching it if the movie's protagonist was male. Angelina Jolie made this movie work. Just wow. Wow! I'll definitely watch this movie again before it leaves theatres. What can I say? I love female lone wolf action storylines, which are very rare these days.

women have been hunted. now, they're hunting around.

This is how I looked the afternoon of Aug. 4:



sweater: Obscured Oleander cardi, Anthropologie.....tanktop: Nordstrom Rack
skirt: Banana Republic
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: DSW

This cardi was purchased back on July 9, when Em and I decided to step into Anthro instead of Ross to kill time before our reservation at Zuni Cafe in SF. I made the mistake of only looking for items in the size L area of the sale room. Em, being the awesome person that she is, kept an eye out for items for me to try on as well as for her to try on in the size S and XS sections. She found this cardi and asked me to try it on. I looked at the tag in disbelief. Size S??

"Just try it on. It's going to be baggy on me, but it will fit you," she said.

And I tried it on.

And I loved it!

To celebrate this Anthro cardi, I paired it with a skirt that I haven't worn since 2003. Why, hello there, Banana Republic skirt found on the clearance rack, marked down to $12.95! Oh, how much I've missed you!

i said, "stand and deliver or the devil, he may take you."

This is how I looked on Aug. 2:


sweater: Macy's.....skirt: Wal-Mart
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: Payless

***
I present to you a "before and after" montage.

The 155 number is a rough estimate. Back then, I wasn't doing much stepping on scales, other than doctor's office visits.

The skirt tag states that it's a size 8, but it fits more like a size 10. And judging from the before pic, the life was being squeezed out of me. And in the after pic? I'm swimming in it.

It truly is fascinating to look back through previous blog pics and see how far I've come.