The Dress

The time has finally come!! THE dress has arrived and I almost peed my pants a little in excitement. Then it hit me...crap...it's mid-pumpkin spice latte season and while I've always hit the gym a few days a week at least...I was nervous. I knew that when I ordered the dress, I was in peak training mode for the Spartan race, plus I'm about to embark on my own personal shark week and I'm retaining more water than the Titanic. The odds were against me. Should I call for an emergency lipo session? Register for a last minute marathon? HELP!

My appointment was on Sunday afternoon, and while I was nervous, I was still excited knowing that I would officially see MY dress and try it on for the very first time. I couldn't walk in the place fast enough. I NEEDED TO SEE MY DRESS! I was greeted by my consultant and we both jumped up and down in excitement over the dress and hugged. I walked into the dressing area and there it was on its hanger...veil and all. Now I do need to leave some details out so a certain someone doesn't know ANYTHING about the dress...but I hopped into my dress and as she was helping me in it...she was zipping it up...and then suddenly...I felt a little struggle...beads of sweat started to form...and then SHE GOT IT. Finally I could breathe....but wait...while I was holding my breath for so long...I...couldn't exhale it was so damn tight! It's okay...I can breathe through my nose? Anyway, when I walked out and got up on that pedestal...time seemed to stand still. Not to toot my own bridal horn or anything but I was thrilled with how my gorgeous gown looked on me. I couldn't breathe...but it looked gorgeous. Then came the talk of how they might "let it out" a little so I'm more comfortable...BAHAHA if I could draw in enough air to laugh I would have. Not going to happen. You don't alter Enzoani, you alter yourself. My deadline to lose an inch or two is in January....yes...right after the holidays where the average American gains 6-10lbs. The odds are already stacked against me...

             

Christmas Time Is Here!

My favorite time of year is finally here! I can't believe it's already December, and what's even more insane is that it was 60 degrees out today while my sister and I did some Christmas shopping downtown! It of course won't last long but we made the best of it. I'm definitely ahead of the game this year in regards to my Christmas shopping and I'm quite proud of myself. I just have a couple of people left to buy presents for and I am FINISHED. I took full advantage of Black Friday deals (online) and Cyber Monday and saved so much on presents that I couldn't help but to snag some things for myself to wear for the holidays.

I am going sequin/glitter crazy from head to toe for the holidays. I was in search for a great sequin top and for a decent price. My first stop was at Bloomingdale's and BAM I found a great sequin, sweater with statement batwing sleeves.

The next stop on my glitzy, holiday frenzy were shoes! I found the most amazing glitter, rose gold ballet flats at Ann Taylor for a fraction of the price.

While my mom and I were shopping we agreed that this fur-lined knit vest from my fav boutique would be the second half of my Christmas present. It is SO warm and cozy.

The first half of my present was my EXTREME phone upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S3. The quality of the camera to the way all of the apps run on it is just absolutely amazing! The screen is huge too and it's so light! (You can tell the comparison between photos. The previous photo is from my phone that's yesterday's news and the photos before that were taken from my new phone.) My phone was the absolute best deal that was cashed in on since the 32GB version of my phone costs an obscene amount at full-price and Best Buy had them for only around $120. I am sooooo very thankful that Best Buy saved the day since T-Mobile lied through their teeth about their Black Friday deals. My phone was not the only thing that came in the mail this week either. My cousin (a master knitter) knitted me some glittens in my wedding colors and I LOVE them. She also threw in a bar of homemade, lavender soap that she personally made.

My one and only got me my birthday present early too while I was out and about shopping with my sister. I found the best sweater dress in hues of purple and grey at one of the clothing boutiques downtown and he got it for me :). I have such a great man!

After receiving so much, I couldn't wait to get home, finish decorating and wrap all of my presents I got for my wonderful friends and family.

There are so many things I love about the Christmas season and one of them include the seasonal Christmas blend at Starbucks. It is SO delicious and I need to stock up on enough to last me even for after the holidays!

Other winter essentials are UGG boots and cozy sweater dresses. The Chicago winter season has finally hit with its frigid temperatures but we have yet to see snow. I'll allow it on Christmas but once it's over with...it can be on its way out asap. My commute to work is long enough without battling a snow storm. Unfortunately, my company isn't one of those who have "winter hours" and give their workers options to work at home although it would be easy for me to do so. *Sigh.

Shopping Therapy

Alright so I'm on week two of my training schedule for this fricken half marathon. Yesterday morning I threw my plan of getting up really early to run out the window and slept in a couple of extra hours...yeah that was a horrible mistake. Little did I know that doing so would have me running four miles in blistering hot and humid weather. My legs felt like lead and I thought I was going to collapse on the pavement iPod and all. My time was awful but I did it...so yes...lesson learned. If I don't want to run in the fiery pits of hell, I need to drag my ass out of bed bright and early whether I like it or not. I also bought some new running shoes since my other ones were pretty awful for running longer distances. I got Brooks Glycerin shoes and my feet cannot be thanking me more for making this purchase. They were not cheap by any means but if you run long distances on a regular basis, I personally recommend these shoes.

This past week was definitely a frustrating one too with the possibility of not being able to have an engagement party. A while back my parents said they'd help out with some of the cost but not that might not happen since my sister needs some financial help from them. Am I bitter? Yes....not going to lie. So instead of sitting at home and stewing about it I decided to do some shopping therapy. Nothing turns a frown upside down than some new outfits...or at least distract me temporarily. Some may say that's running away from your problem, I just find it easier face them looking fabulous.

I was beyond ecstatic when I FINALLY scored this teal maxi dress. I absolutely fell in love with this color for the summer and it's now hanging in my closet and ready to be worn to my cousin's bridal shower next weekend. It came with a black belt but I'm planning on pairing it with a white or brown belt.

 

After I scored the cute dress for the bridal shower, I bought some cute tops to celebrate the remainder of the summer. The first was a striped, over-sized yellow top that I coupled with a white tank underneath. Normally, a top like this usually makes me look sickly and pale...but I'm currently rocking an awesome tan so I felt like I could ignore my "no yellow" rule. 

Next, I got this really cute silky white and navy blue top that had little tie details on the straps. I always try to aim for versatility when shopping so I figured this top would work for both a nice summer night out or at work with a blazer.

I snagged this midnight blue bow tie blouse that I thought was fabulous for work or for some other event that requires something other than a T-shirt and shorts.

Last weekend I also spotted this whole display of area rugs on the side of the road that I had to check out. I've watched too much HGTV in my day so for me to pass by a great opportunity to spice up a room...yeah not happening. I stopped to see the prices and the initial asking price was right around $200 for an 8X5 that I had my eye on. The second he told me the initial price though he nudged me and said, "for you though...$170"....it was then when I knew that I could get this awesome rug for a steal. He was not very subtle that he was attracted to blondes...even asked my age and commented that my pedicure was "sexy"...thank goodness I was sporting some sunglasses because there was some serious eye rolling involved. I talked my way into getting the rug for half the price he initially offered. I remember seeing a rug identical to this one for over $300 in a gallery too so I left feeling quite victorious...and made sure to pay in cash. The last thing I need is to leave any kind of paper trail leading to me. Total creeper to the max. But hey, thanks dude for the awesome rug!

Service With A Smile

Alright so I've been searching for a dress for my cousin's outdoor wedding at the end of July. It's in Bay Lake, Minnesota, a place that holds many childhood memories for my mom's side of the fam. Since it'll be the end of July, I'm anticipating the weather to be crazy humid and hot so a full length dress is pretty much out of the question. I surprisingly do not own many short dresses SO this gave me an excuse to go dress shopping. First, my mom and I went out to brunch to Benedict's La Strata and looked over some wedding magazines of my own to discuss some ideas I've been coming up with. The waitress spotted the wedding magazines and gave me many congratulations. I really can't get enough of them. I've been waiting to say "oh yes, I'm engaged" for quite some time now so I'm soaking it up! Keeping my wedding figure in mind, I opted for their famous veggie white omelet that is to DIE for. There was a table behind us too full of older couples and found out that one of them was celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. SO adorable.

After we ate, we went to a boutique that I frequent quite often....sans the usual good customer service. Now I know people are entitled to bad days and working retail...I can only imagine what that's like...BUT if I am nothing but nice to you, I expect at least some fake niceness despite a possible hard-to-deal-with customer or maybe the stick that was apparently shoved up her ass. I spend quite a few $$$ there and that place is NOT cheap so yes, I expect decent service. Despite the bitchy attitude, I still tried on some dresses.

The first dress was okay I suppose but I wasn't sold on the pattern or the cinched waist and it would just look better on a shorter person. I did like the one-shoulder detail but I felt too leggy for this dress...it's a tall person issue I face quite often when going dress shopping. While these dresses may be a decent length for a shorter person, I end up looking like a skank working a side job on a street corner. If it ends up being a windy day, I would have been in big trouble.

Onto the next one...I was really excited about this dress. It was a silky material, but yet again I knew it would be crazy short on me. I was tempted to buy it but whenever I walked it shifted weird...and if I sat down...some people may be getting a show....not something I really want to happen at my cousin's wedding.

The third dress I tried on was a really cute strapless, maxi dress with a trible-like pattern. I wanted to try it one even though it was a full-length dress. I definitely loved it and ALMOST bought it but that stupid voice in my head was all like "oh hey remember you have a wedding and a house to save for and still need to buy a dress you NEED for the wedding?" I for once listened to that voice...

The last dress I attemped to try on I knew was the one it was a blue and white striped batwing dress by Esley. Unfortunately some ignorant dumbass who decided to force the zipper up and thereby splitting it....left me unable to purchase it :( . To top it off, I brought this to the attention to the wonderful associate who had a hot poker up her ass and she looked at me as if I was the one who jacked up the garment. UGH. Sure I should have checked it before I sent it to the dressing room but COME ON. If I were the one who really ruined it I would have had no problem buying it. She didn't even offer to see if their second location had it in stock since that was the only dress left in my size. I left totally crushed and dressless. BUT WAIT. I don't give up easily. I hurried home and Googled the label on the dress (I knew it would be tough since most of the clothes at the boutique come from private labels.) To my surprise I found it at a couple websites!! I continued to face the "sold out" disclaimer until I came across a website for a place called Annaleas Boutique. When I saw that my size was still available I couldn't run for my debit card fast enough. It was also significantly cheaper through this boutique as well even with shipping costs.

The navy blue and white stripes were so cute with the style of this dress and very unique. The sleeves are so flowy and cute. Love it. I'm thinking of pairing it with similar wedges only in navy blue and a big, floppy sun hat. :)