The Uninvited Guest

Cardigan, J.Crew. Blouse, Tommy. Skirt, belt, and pumps, Banana Republic. Yellow necklace, thrifted. Pearl necklace, shady little shop in Paris.

News flash: I have a hidden talent. No, not the footfist thing, that's old hat. I can predict Oscar winners like it's Roger Ebert's business and last night was no different (what up, six years straight!). I can also stuff my face into a coma, complete with recurring nightmares, new nightmares, and a nightmarish bloat. The latter has decided to overstay its welcome and I am ruefully stuck indoors because nothing will (comfortably) fit at the moment. Does that happen to you? Well, it happens to me so often that I almost never wear pants (unforgiving), which usually gives people the wrong impression: that I'm fancy and overly girly. I guess it beats grumpy and gassy! I'll take it.

Creature of Comfort

Cardigan, Tommy Hilfiger. Shirt, RW & Co. Skirt, Banana Republic. Belt, Eddie Bauer. Tights, Hue. Pumps, Nine West.

I wore this bloat-friendly ensemble to a dinner out a few nights ago and as you can see from the first picture, I nibbled on my hair. Now you know how I stay so thin. I'm joking, of course! I haven't eaten (my) hair since the summer of '95. No, I actually had a wonderful dinner at La Brasserie, a sweet little bistro which I reviewed here. No photos this time around, just a delightful beet and goat cheese salad with half a dozen oysters on the half-shell (Buck-A-Shuck!) and a glass or two of Riesling. You know, basic comfort food. In like, Alsace.

Playful by nature

Jacket, Banana Republic. Dress, Toi Et Moi. Cardigan, J.Crew. Gloves, vintage macrame by my aunt. Tights, Hue. Pumps, Nine West.

These sweet gloves are remnants of my aunt's macrame phase. It was intense. She made everything, in a myriad of colors: shirts, dresses, sun hats, and the implied doilies. I've been through a few phases myself, though none have left me with anything quite as tangible. Solitaire, Freecell and Minesweeper have been on-again, off-again vices ever since Windows '96. Tetris? I don't like to talk about it. Catacomb Abyss, Bonkheads and Hercules were my only forays into more advanced graphics (like Amelie, I take pleasure in the simple things, and that includes technology). Sudoku and Crossword puzzles are the ones I use to trick people into thinking I'm smart (a sure deal, try it). Chinese jump rope kept me spry as a preteen (I still play it in my head sometimes, as I'm falling asleep). As for Scrabble, Boggle, Trivial Pursuit, and Taboo - I reserve those for parties and sometimes sad tables for one, please. 

So what have I gained from all this? A decent vocabulary, severe anxiety, sweet legs, and a highly addictive personality. I suppose I should be grateful I don't need glasses, despite all the ocular abuse. As for my current pursuits, I'm still trying to pick up a respectable addiction, like reading too much Proust, exercising too often, or being too kind to strangers (a recipe for a Dateline disaster!). I'm trying my best, but so far, nothing has stuck. Any suggestions?

Giving Thanks

Dress and cardigan, J.Crew. Scarf, Brooks Brothers. Belt, mom's vintage. Tights, Hue. Flats, Geox.

Not to get all geriatric on you guys, but the weather has been off the hook lately. Yesterday's snow and sleet melted upon landing and today looked like THIS. Ta-da! So thank you, temporary precipitation, for allowing me to change my geriatric ways and paint the town red. And turquoise. And elated!

West Vancouver, anyone?

Tequila Sunrise

Cardigan, J.Crew. Shirt and jeans, Banana Republic. Scarf, Icici. Wellies, Hunter.

Don't be fooled by the tree in bloom - we got snow and sleet today, which is why I'm all bundled up in my brightest brights. I'm gonna call this concoction... Tequila Sunrise, with the yellow blossoms and all. But I'm a glass half-full kind of gal, so you'd better believe I pranced in the sleet and rewarded myself with a stiff drink afterward. 

 

Office Wisdom

Trench coat, J.Crew. Hat, The Gap. Scarf, Macy's. Belt, Joe Fresh. Pumps, Banana Republic. 

You know how in the 2005 Dundies episode of The Office Pam polishes off other people's drinks and says " No, no, cause the ice melts, and then it's like second drink? " (source). That's kind of how I feel about outerwear every single day. Yes, I wore this yesterday on top of my farming ensemble and yes, I am counting it as a second outfit. Now, don't fret because I thought of it first. If you had my lazy bones, you too could justify pretty much anything. Vices, hobbies, vices disguised as hobbies... The sky's the limit.

Farmer Moi

Dress, H&M. Blouse, Banana Republic. Brooch, vintage. Belt, Joe Fresh. Flats, Ralph Lauren.

"You look like a farmer" - is what my photographer said today. Instead of taking offense, I started working on a new character, Farmer Moi - a snobby Francophile who says things like: "This rutabaga lacks a certain joie de vivre" or "My pygmy geese have been filled with ennui ever since last month's autosexing." Yeah, it's a work in progress. If Farmer Moi blooms into a real person with a believable background story, expect to see us during Open Mic at an organic coffee shop near you.