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.

bring on the dancing horses, headless and alone

This is how I looked on 10-22-12:

blazer: H&M.....sweater: Target, gift from Rachel.....skirt: Banana Republic, thrifted

tights: Walmart.....shoes: Payless

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

teal boots, again

I wore my teal boots to a Sharks game. Even though they are a snug fit, I was able to walk comfortably in them.

This is how I looked on March 22.

I think I'm wearing a shirt and a skirt under the coat.

tights: Walmart

coat: H&M.....scarf: H&M

gloves: Walmart.....boots: Charlotte Russe Online

handbag: Dooney & Bourke.....car keys

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.

i'm love tornado struck. i don't know what to do.

Today marked the debut of this coat. It had been sitting in my closet, still with tags, since February 2007. What a shame! Seriously!

At work, I got so many compliments on this coat, that I didn't bother taking it off.

It's oh so retro!


That's okay. I felt a bit overdressed in this black sheath anyway.


coat: Proenza Schouler for Target.....dress: H&M
tights: Kohls.....Steve Madden shoes: DSW

Detail shot of the coat.
I quite like the white piping between the fabric and the lining.

And why not? A close-up of me the dress collar.

it's an automatic rainy day when i see you

sweater: Nordstrom.....secret tanktop: H&M.....skirt: Ross
tights: Kohls.....shoes: DSW

The hives have cleared up on my legs, but, because of the foul weather lately, I'm still wearing tights. It rained like crazy today.

There will be more pics of me standing next to this bookshelf because it's new and because I just think it's grand. It's the "Billy" shelf from Ikea.

stilettos and broken bottles. i'm spinning around in circles.

Calvin Klein Jeans sweater: Macy's.....Liz Claiborne skirt: Ross
tights: Kohls.....Hush Puppies shoes: DSW

One of the few skirts in my possession that isn't solid black.

I am such the bargain shopper. The sweater was on sale at Macy's. The skirt was scored for $7.00 at Ross. The shoes were in the clearance section at DSW. And I can't say enough about Kohls whenever tights are marked down.

I can put your pieces back together, while I take the rest of you apart.

sweater: Loehmann's.....dress: JC Penney
tights: Loehmann's.....Steve Madden shoes: DSW

The top half of this dress may never see the light of day because it's a few inches too loose on top. Or I'm just too flat-chested for it. Or something. That's fine by me. I only spent $14 on this clearance-rack dress, and I liked it only because of the hot pink and white flowers. So, I guess that makes this dress a "faux-skirt"?

behind the light, a shadow falls

sweater dress: Kohls.....slip: Target
tights: Loehmann's.....shoes: Wal-Mart

sweater: Nordstrom

It's spring, yet why am I wearing a baggy black sweater over a black sweater dress and black tights? Because spring has been funky here. Plus, my legs just needed to be covered up. I truly am relieved that the hives are clearing up, though.

I almost wore black shoes today. Almost. But I decided to rock this outfit with red shoes.

I've got a rocket. You're going on it. You're never coming back.

This is how I looked on March 19:


sweater: JC Penney.....top: H&M.....skirt: Ross
tights: JC Penney.....shoes: Payless
binder clip keeping sweater closed: work
circle scarf: American Apparel

Smurf legs!

Because Spring has sprung and the weather is now (mostly) warm, Friday the 19th was my last day of tights.I'm glad because this now affords me an extra five minutes each morning. Seriously!

We used to see in color. Now, it's only black and white.

This is how I looked on March 18:

sweater: H&M.....top: H&M.....skirt: Target
tights: JC Penney.....shoes: Aerosoles
circle scarf: American Apparel

There was nothing in sight but memories left abandoned.

This is how I looked on March 10:

sweater: H&M.....top: Kohls.....skirt: Ross
tights: Target.....shoes: Aerosoles
scarf: Downtown Disney, Orlando

I felt like I had to punch up this outfit with a bright blue scarf.

Nah, just kidding. I just needed an excuse to wear this scarf to work!

This is one of my most favourite souvenirs ever, especially because I bought it on my honeymoon.

I might be in the dark, but you know who you are.

This is how I looked on Feb. 18:

sweater: H&M.....tanktop: Wal-Mart
skirt: Ross.....tights: Payless
shoes: Payless

Oh. I'm tired. Oh. I'm wired.

This is how I looked on Feb. 17:

sweater: Nordstrom Rack.....tanktop: Wal-Mart
skirt: Ross....tights: JC Penney.....shoes: Payless
watch: Downtown Disney

It's all about the blueberry-coloured tights.

Haha. According to the link for these tights, the embroidery is supposed to go up the backs of the calves. This doesn't make sense to me because that would make the toe seam run perpendicular to my toes. Or maybe it's just my big calves skewing the tights. Oh wells!

I'm in a funk. I'm in deep.

I punched up a drab work outfit by wearing the brightest tights in my collection.

Dark grey sweater. Light grey top. Black skirt. BAM!, magenta tights! Black shoes.

I have been obsessed with this leather jacket this past week. It's at least six years old, and it's a shame I didn't wear it much when I first got it. But that's the beauty of leather -- it just lasts. It will hold up until you feel ready to wear it and will still hold up after you get tired of it. The two things I really love about this particular jacket is that the leather is soft and the shape is very flattering...even if I'm not able to zip it up comfortably right now.

sweater: PacSun.....tanktop: H&M
skirt: Torrid.....tights: JC Penney
shoes: Payless
jacket: Wilson's Leather

Maybe I'm an open book because I know you're mine.

This is how I looked on Saturday:

jacket: Wilson's Leather, a gift from Brian's mom.....dress: Charlotte Russe
tights: JC Penney.....booties: Payless

A close-up of the dress fabric. I bought this dress with the sole purpose of wearing it with my leather jacket. (Cough, Erin, cough, you inspired this!) I'm still surprised that a dress from Charlotte Russe actually fits me.

I wore bright purple tights with this dress. Totally random choice. I wasn't in the mood for my usual black tights.

What was the occasion? I celebrated my birthday in Las Vegas with Brian. And we went to Las Vegas for one reason: Sheena Easton. Omigah, I love her!! Seeing her live made my birthday so awesome.

I was too young to see Sheena when she first came out with her big hits. Obviously, I was way too young because I used to think "Sugar Walls" was about Hansel and Gretel and a house that was really made of sugar. Then, randomly in late 2009, I got really into her. I got all of her albums and was completely hooked! So, seeing Sheena at a show in Vegas was like making up for lost time.

Confession time: I totally cried when Sheena sang "For Your Eyes Only." It was pure magic.

By the way, I turned 32. :)

By the way, she did perform "Sugar Walls", and hearing those high notes live sent chills up and down my spine.

When you took away the fire, all you left me was the truth.

This morning, Brian and I had breakfast with Emily and Dave at the lovely Hayes Mansion in San Jose.

Here I am, standing in front of the mansion's reception facility.


sweater: JC Penney.....dress: H&M.....tights: Loehmann's
shoes: Payless.....right-hand ring: gift from the nephew!

What was the occasion? Dave proposed to Em the day before! We had breakfast to celebrate!

My nephew gave me this seed bead ring for Christmas.

Bonus indoors shots:

She only gets her kicks from 50,000 watts.

This is how I looked on January 15:

sweater: Nordstrom.....top: Kohls.....skirt: Ross
tights: JC Penney.....shoes: Payless

That night, Brian and I walked over to the Center of Performing Arts to see Avenue Q. We've had the soundtrack for several years, but this was our first time seeing a production of it. Avenue Q is raunchy, hilarious, so wrong, and friggen good all wrapped up in one! Seeing those puppets was quite the experience! The Bad Idea Bears were an awesome surprise.

Fave numbers, in order of performance:
"The Internet Is For P..."
"Everyone's A Little Bit Racist"
"There's A Fine, Fine Line"
"I Wish I Could Go Back To College"