this one goes out to the one i love. fire.

This is how I looked on Dec. 21:

cardigan: Nordstrom Rack.....dress: KensieGirl

tights: Walmart.....boots: Payless

Whitney and Rhasan threw an end of the world party, which they named "It's the end of the world as we know it, and I look fine." I didn't know the story behind the title of the party, but, of course, it reminded me of the R.E.M. song, "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)." I was a huge fan of R.E.M. back in the 90s.  

With R.E.M. in mind, I dressed up in a 90s-inspired outfit. If the world was going to end, I wanted to be dressed comfortably in the era I truly loved.

This was the second 90s outfit I've worn this year. Both times were for parties. I will never get tired of a floral dress worn with tights and combat boots. I feel I've finally found a style I'm super comfortable in, besides the jeans and hoodies.

she floats like a swan, grace on the water

This is how I looked on Dec. 9:

jacket: Anthropologie, gift from Emily.....dress: JC Penney.....cardigan: Nordstrom Rack

tights: Kohls.....boots: Madden Girl

Becca and I went to the SJ Ballet production of 'The Nutcracker.' 

It was a magical experience.

covergirl, put the bass in your walk

Brian and I went to a wedding on June 3rd.

The beautiful couple, Rhasan and Whitney.

blazer: H&M.....dress: I Heart Ronson, JC Penney

pantyhose.....flats: Steve Madden Girl, DSW

handbag: Dooney & Bourke
necklace: Tiffany & Co. 

The favours were hand-made pinwheels by Whitney.

come on now and give me some fire.

March 30 - I got to attend the San Jose Fire Department badge-pinning ceremony. It was held at the historic Hayes Mansion. 

I am so proud of my husband. <3

dress: Olsenboye at JC Penney.....sweater: H&M

tights: Kohls.....shoes: Steve Madden, DSW

handbag: Dooney & Bourke

gloria, you're always on the run now

There were two nights on the Disney Cruise when we got to dress up.

Golden Mickeys night. 

The special theatre show that night was the Golden Mickeys, featuring Broadway-style re-enactments from Disney movies.

dress: Liz Claiborne online.....tights: Walmart.....shoes: Nine West

handbag: Dooney & Bourke

necklace and bracelet: my wedding

Fine dining at Palo, the only adults-only restaurant onboard.

dress: Olsenboye at JC Penney.....tights: Walmart.....Steve Madden shows: DSW

leave them hanging on the line, calling gloria

I love karaoke.

One of the adults-only events on the Disney Cruise that I thoroughly enjoy is Karaoke Night.

Here I am, singing Laura Branigan's "Gloria." Loooooove that song!

hoody: Old Navy.....dress: Target.....shorts (not seen): cut-up leggings

mini-socks: Walmart.....black Chucks: Foot Locker

On the veranda of our suite.

Nothing beats the suite life.

sweater: H&M.....dress: Tulle.....leggings: Target

mini-socks: Walmart.....black Chucks: Foot Locker

crossbody: Dooney & Bourke

you played through my mind like a symphony.

July 25, 2011 - This was my attempt to look a bit more polished for work:


sweater: Ross.....dress: Ross
mini-socks: Target.....shoes: Nine West

Rachel and I had gone to Ross the week before. The dress was $6.49. The sweater was $12.99. Before the insane CA sales tax, the outfit's total was $19.48. I can't pass up a deal like that.

i can't disguise the pounding of my heart. it beats so strong.

This is how I looked on May 19:


sweater: JC Penney.....dress: Forever 21......leggings: JC Penney
socks: Target.....boots: Macys.com

I dressed for ultra-comfort for the Prince concert at The Shark Tank. That was truly one unforgettable experience! Prince danced around like a twenty-something and can still wail like no-one's business. I am in awe of his guitar talent. Sheila E. performed "Glamorous Life." Amazing.

A song that I loved hearing live was "Take Me With U." Thanks to youtube, I've become obsessed with women singing covers of that song.

Duke Spirit


Texas


Sharon Jones & Dap-Kings

come ride with me through the veins of history

Brian's birthday was last Sunday. And I made sure to wear loose-fitting clothing because we were celebrating by having dinner at Los Cubanos. We went with three of our closest friends, and we shared two pitchers of their delicious sangria!

This is how I looked after dinner:


sweater: JC Penney.....dress: Tulle
leggings: Target.....socks: Payless
boots: Rocket Dog, Macy's Online
Asian glow: three glasses of sangria

I love these boots.
And I love that I paid $22.14 (clearance + coupon code)
+ shipping for them on macys.com...with a giftcard.

he's got savoir faire. you can feel it in the air.

This may be my most fave outfit for work:


sweater: Anthropologie.....dress: Tulle
socks: Target.....boots: Aerosoles

My coworker Raul kept describing this dress as "legit." I have no idea what he meant by that, but it must be good!

to satisfy the curiosity, you take a bite out of all the candies.

This is how I looked on Oct. 7:



sweater: Target.....dress: JC Penney
tights: JC Penney.....shoes: DSW

I actually made an effort to pick a sweater and a pair of tights that weren't black for this outfit. The magenta tights are actually brighter than they let on, and I can't believe this is the first time I've worn my fave purple sweater with this dress.

By the way, I still can't get over how I purchased this dress for a mere $15.00 on clearance last year. Nah, I just can't. Also, it's a size M, and, at the time, I so wasn't a size M. It was the only one left at the Southland JC Penney, so I bought it anyway. When I wore it to a cousin's wedding in January of this year, a sweater hid the half-zipped back.

no matter where you're going, you'll always be a stranger

This is how I looked on Oct. 6:


sweater: Nordstrom Rack.....dress: Ross
tights: JC Penney.....shoes: DSW

I picked this particular baggy sweater to wear with this dress because the sweater's sleeves were big enough to fit over the dress's puffy sleeves.

Someone at work said that she could picture me wearing this dress with flip-flops and hanging out at a beach. And I agreed with her. This dress is way more suitable for summer, but I was trying something different.

I wear my sunglasses at night.

This is how I looked on Sept. 25 for Rachel's 80s-themed 30th birthday party!!!:

dress: Salvation Army.....belt: Salvation Army
socks: Target.....boots: Avenue.com
80s beaded necklace and pink earrings: courtesy of my sister!
vintage bangles on right arm: eBay
studded faux leather cuff on left wrist: Hot Topic
beaded stretch bracelet on left wrist: thrift store
handbag: Dooney & Bourke

me with Rach the birthday girl.


Em and me. (and Jaimie's legs in the background.)


The jewelry!



Rach's party was the most fun birthday party I've ever been to.
Great music, great food, and fun outfits! :)

so much to believe in. we were lost in time.

This is how I looked on Sept. 15:

location: Centre Bell, home of les Canadiens de Montreal~!


location: somewhere on the waterfront


location: Vieux-Montreal

dress: kensiegirl via Shop Idee's Closet.....tanktop: H&M.....leggings: Target
socks: Target.....boots: Avenue
coat: Gap Outlet.....handbag: Dooney & Bourke
sunglasses: LensCrafters

The dress.

I love the contrast of the zipper against the floral print.

it keeps me guessing day and night, putting visions in my head

We drove out of Boston on Monday, Sept. 13, and arrived in Montreal that night.

This is how I looked the morning of Sept. 14:

top: gift from Em.....skirt: New York & Co.
not shown - socks: Target.....boots: Avenue

This is what I snacked on while we washed clothes at a laundromat on Rue Ste-Catherine:

I always have to get my ketchup chips fix whenever I'm in Canada!

This is how I looked when we went to dinner at Au Pied de Cochon that night:

dress: Ross
mini-socks: Payless.....shoes: DSW

This was my appetizer:

Foie gras poutine!
The fries were cooked in duckfat, the gravy had foie gras,
and then it was topped with a slab of foie gras. So decadent.

i never died for sweet romance and sleeping beauties.

Last weekend, I went to Sacramento to hang out with Rachel and go to a couple of shows.

The highlight of the weekend was meeting her sweet beagle, Sally.


Hi, Rachel! Hi, Sally!

This is how I looked after the Baby Grand show on Aug. 27:

sweater: Nordstrom.....tanktop under dress: H&M.....dress: Old Navy
leggings: Target.....socks: Target.....boots: Avenue
photo: Rachel

This is how I looked before seeing The Skirts on Aug. 28:


sweater: Anthropologie.....tanktop: H&M.....denim leggings: JC Penney
socks: Target.....boots: Avenue
full belly: a cocktail and the pork cellantani dish at Paesanos
photos: Rachel

And why not? A video I took of The Skirts performing my second fave song of theirs, "Seesaw".


Rachel! Thanks for having me! And scratch Sally's neck for me!

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!

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.