The Swing of Things

There I go, being a horrible blogger and not updating in forever again...

Work has been especially busy since we've been short staffed, but I don't want to talk about work on my blog, so that's as far as I'm going to take that excuse.  Even if I weren't camera-less once again, I've been too wiped out from overtime, etc. to put as much thought into putting together outfits anyway.  I'm ashamed!

I had a shocking realization yesterday, the 15th: Christmas is in 10 days!  Aaahh! I feel like there are so many things left to do.  I put up my Christmas tree last night while watching Roman Holiday, but I fell asleep before the tree or the movie were finished.  With Christmas now nine days away, this also means that my parents will be here in less than a week.  I've already got a to-do list forming in my head, oy vey.

 What I'm Wearing:

Flutter Tank: Candie's (Kohls)

Open Front Cardigan: Mossimo (Target)

Houndstooth Pencil Skirt: The Limited

Black Pantyhose: Who knows?

Buckle Pumps: Christian Siriano for Payless

I'm sad to report that I've worn these shoes to work everyday this week.  Not that I dislike them, but it tells me I'm lacking creativity in my clothing choices when the same pair of shoes matches every outfit for four days straight.  I think another pair of black shoes are on my shopping list for after Christmas, when my credit card balance isn't quite so scary, or today, you never know. Haha.  The Writer's mom recently sent me Confessions of a Shopaholic to read.  I hope she was just passing it on after enjoying it herself, which I'm sure is the case, rather than trying to tell me something, haha.

Speaking of my dear Writer, he's graduating from college tonight!  I'm so excited for him, especially since he found out a few days that he got a better grade than he expected in his most difficult class.  This day seemed so far away when we first started dating.  I'm glad its finally here and all his hard work (and he has worked very hard) has paid off.  I'm so proud!

Twiggy would be Jealous

Oh, how I wish I were allowed to wear open-toed shoes to work!  Corporate dress code be darned, I may just have to sneak these pretties in under their noses with some knee socks or opaque tights.  They remind me so much of sixties mod that I've been perusing Etsy for some Blair Waldorf-y tailored dresses.  I've worn them with bootcut jeans and a black boatneck sweater that reminds me of Audrey Hepburn and love them!

One of the many things I love about these shoes is the price. Seriously, I'm teased so much for my shoe collection, but when I pay <$10 for some of them, who can blame me for having so many? Haha.  I had my eyes on these for a while, but held out, knowing they'd go on sale the way everything at Kohl's goes on sale eventually.  They started out at almost $65.00, which is more than I'll usually pay for a pair of shoes that I don't have a specific purpose for in mind.  This is probably why I've been without brown flats for several months, I have a hard time investing in casual shoes.  Anyways, they are marked down on Kohl's website to $25.99, but they are cheaper in stores if you can find them.  Add one of Kohl's 30% off coupons and I got myself a pretty good deal, a happy resolution to months of drooling over unnecessary wedges.

Brown & Black

The weather's been so rainy here that all I want to do is curl up in between my flannel sheets and never come out.  Of course, whenever I feel that way, my schedule does it's best to sever my relationship with my sheets.  All I want to wear are sweaters.  Or blankets. Whatever, as long as its cozy.  

Regardless of what I want to be wearing, I can't wear the same thing every day, so today I tried something new.  Inspired by a colleague's black and brown striped sweater, I decided to play with the combination for work.  

 What I'm Wearing:

Button-down Shirt: H&M

Skirt: The Limited

Argyle Tights: Hanes Silk Reflections - Outlet find!

Buckle Pumps: Christian Siriano for Payless

Nail Color: Essie Bobbing for Baubles & Sephora by OPI Already Famous

I wish the argyle pattern had come out better in the photos.  The tights are much more sheet in person, so the outfit isn't so head-to-toe solid. I'll definitely have to try them with some other combinations, since they're really comfortable (and possibly a little too big).

Wine for My Face! Cheers!

A while back, I started my search for a good night cream.  My skin is slightly blemish-prone and can get oily, so I have to be careful in my choice of moisturizers.  I'd found a good day lotion towards the end of the summer, but it wasn't cutting it as the weather became cooler. Plus, I didn't like the idea of wearing SPF at night.

I'd heard good things about Caudalie, mostly from customers of my former employer - a retailer that carried the line once-upon-a-time.  These women would come in, swearing by Caudalie's products and allowing my to guess their ages.  I'd usually be off by about 20 years, as in, they were 20 years older than they looked.  Now that's a club I want to be a part of!  Not only did I have visual proof that these were some great anti-aging products, they are almost all listed as paraben, synthetic dye and sulphate-free on Sephora's website.  Caudalie's products are derived from grapes and wine and somehow, what red wine is for your heart, Caudalie is for your face.

 The Writer and I spent the day shopping yesterday, during which I picked up the "Beauty Essentials from the Vine" Caudalie starter kit.  The full-size products can be pricey, so I wanted to be sure I liked them before investing. Oh, the wonder of minis! The set includes: Cleansing Water, Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correction, Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream, and Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-Creme.

I'm loving the Quenching Sorbet-Creme!  Its like a mousse, so it doesn't get greasy, but is definitely hydrating.  I'm pretty sure the eye cream and serum will end up on my list of most loved products, although it hasn't been long enough to really see their effects.  The only one I'm not sure about is the Cleansing Water.  Its a cleanser that you aren't supposed to rinse off, just swipe across your face with a cotton ball.  I used it last night and, while it took off my foundation and lipstick, I didn't feel like my face was completely clean.  It may work better as an AM cleanser, when I don't have as much to wash off of my face.

At the very least, I'm glad to not have a dry, flaky face anymore! Cheers!

Last Friday Night

Last Friday night went a little differently than I'd planned.  It was The Writer's mom's last day in town before flying back to Florida, so they were hanging out and I'd planned on putting my feet up and relaxing after a long day at work.  As I was walking in from my car, I noticed that my garage door was open.  This was unusual, since I'd had a padlock on it since I'd moved in.  After further inspection, I discovered that whoever had cut the lock from the door had also take both mine and The Writer's mountain bikes.  I was so shocked. I thought I lived in a really safe area and had nothing to worry about, though I kept my doors locked anyway.  I filed a police report, but I have a feeling our bicycles are gone for good.

It would be a little silly to run out and get a new bike now, or even ask for one for Christmas, since Ohio will be covered in snow sooner rather than later.  I've been searching around, nonetheless, to see what's out there.  My parents got me my mountain bike when I was ten years old, maybe.  It was great for riding around camp, but since I'm not much for camping anymore, I think I may look into more of a casual, cruising-type bike, if there is such a thing.  Something maybe like this:

source

Or maybe one in mint:

source

How cute are these saddlebags?! And in Va-Voom red? Oo La!

source