Personality Purchases
August 29, 2009
What were your last three online purchases?
What do these items reflect about you? The investments could possibly suggest an eccentric taste in film, a secret interest in paleontology or a tea cup fetish.
My last three online purchases:
Bathtub Crayons
Book: How to Raise a Millipede
A Jump Rope of Speed
I think best in the shower, and my memory mirrors that of a fly. I need to transfer thoughts on the tile while shaving the legs.
Also, crayon messages are an excellent way to doodle friendly notes for the roommates: “We need more toilet paper … have a good day!”
I’m still waiting for a millipede. Possibly a friend or sibling will get the hint and deliver it this Christmas.
I’m preparing for a winter hibernation, and I refuse to let the cold hinder my exercise regimen. I will jump rope in my TV room. Measurements were taken, and there are a few inches of space to spare.
I shared my latest splurges. What are yours?
Crops Replace Coach Clutch
July 21, 2009
That’s right, label-lovers, Coach Clutches are officially out. The colossal bags were replaced by citrus, bananas, and kiwi as of yesteryear. Fruit is in. Originality and debranding at its best (note: scrape off the sticky label on your apple).
Divulge the healthy new you.
Eat the fruit. Or don’t. Flash the green apple around your face like it’s the latest Tiffany’s wand. You will hypnotize. More importantly, you’ll promote well-being over well-I-paid-too-much-for-this-necklace.
Summer is for color and creativity. Mix and match the crops, and take a bite out of the latest accessory.
If you spy this trend, snap a photo and send to me.
Every ankle needs a raptor
July 2, 2009
my ankle (photo credit: T. Thuks)
I relish vacation. Day 1 = Dinosaurs
“I heard that Jesus had a pet dinosaur. Evolution must be a myth then.”
-John Bacon
Babies need to share mobiles.
June 15, 2009
Credit: Hanging Mobile Concepts, LLC
On our second birthday, we lose our mobile. It is ripped from the crib. After all, there is no place for it in the big kid’s room.
I was sneaky today. I bought it back.
I stumbled upon a delightful mobile at my new favorite vintage toy store, Alphaville. Silver airplanes are flying in my sky. And the winged shadows create a new art design on the ceiling.
I firmly believe that as soon as every home has a hanging mobile, the level of playfulness and merriment, in our lives, will soar.
I found the pregnant-lady-mobile here. This is not my subliminal way of telling my family that I’m pregnant. But if I was … I’d buy this mobile in a heartbeat.
The truth is I never stopped wanting that mobile above my bed. I just accepted it’s disappearance. But if you want to bring a little playtime back into your day, find a dangly mobile in your style.
Let it hang.
Copycat heels = Completely unique
May 22, 2009
This trend works for me. Paint your own style. (Credit: Cocopunkz on Etsy.com)
I like to paint. But it’s been a while since I’ve touched a brush. Change is needed, my friend. Good thing I’ve dedicated this Memorial Day Weekend to myself.
… and U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.
But mostly myself. Pure selfishness at its best. I’m aware of the fact that some family members may wonder what makes this weekend different than the rest…
No schedules. No running late. No text messages or emails. Nada.*
I will paint. In fact, I’ll start with my room. Orange and mellow yellow. After my room, watch out shoes! I may as well copy the trend spreading around Etsy and add my own bristly touch to some vintage heels. It might be a beautiful disaster. My own disaster.
Big question – What will I paint? Trolls. Millipedes. Zebra Stripes. Infinite possibilities.
T.B.D.
* Dear Friends: I will be at brunch this Sunday – on time. I’ll text you if I’m running late. Cordially, Kira
My dream shoes. (Credit: ParadoxArtistry on Etsy.com)
Like your galoshes, Love your umbrella
May 16, 2009
Love my paisley 'brella from my dad. He pegged my style.
We should start an umbrellution. Pitch your bleak and broken, eye-threatening umbrellas and invest a lil’ love in a vibrant ‘brella with some tang. Transform the sidewalk into a crusty canvas.
Brighten the canopy. Play in puddles. Prance around the park. You get the idea.
Sounds like bliss. How do we do it?
Let the wise Spokes speak.
Spoke One: Spread the flare via gift-giving. The average person would rather purchase 2 Blue Moons before ever swiping the AMEX for our dear ‘brella.
But a gift. A gift is special. The recipient may seem indifferent towards the umbrella, but deep down they know they are part of a bigger plan – the ‘lution.
Spoke Two: Well spoken. … overkill??
Support other ‘brella folk with a simple head-nod. A smile, perhaps. If you’re really feeling bold, compliment the most dazzling design of the day. We’re encouraging excellence here.
Spoke Three is unavailable due to assault and battery charges of a pedestrian. Both parties involved did not exercise Umbrella Etiquette, unfortunately.
If you have a quirky umbrella photo, please send for a post!
A gift for my mom (Credit: Pylones-USA)
High-Heel Challenge: Day 40
April 4, 2009
I’ve picked up speed. I may be a mellow yellow Pisces, and I certainly never exhibit road rage, but when it comes to walking, I’m aggressive.
On average, I can whiz past 3 pedestrians per city block. In heels. Sporty heels. And I always pass on the left. Cutting-off is prohibited.
Adaptation is my new focus this month.
A scarecrow zoomed past me yesterday wearing some swanky sneakers. I couldn’t keep up with him. But it won’t happen again – I’ll trot if need be. I sound like a horse anyway. It’s the good ol’ competitive runner in me. That stuff just doesn’t fade easily.
I want it all. In the simplest form.
And I can have heels, height, and a hustle.
High-Heel Challenge: Day 28
March 25, 2009
Day 28 was a boisterous one – filled with my magical birthday boots (below), bubble blowing, bacon beer, and my new favorite spot: Barcade in Williamsburg, NYC. Who wouldn’t want to spend a day playing Gauntlet, Super Mario Bros, Frogger, and Tetris while burning through some high caliber Coney Island amber beer?
I’ve almost graduated from my month long high-heel challenge, but for some reason, even on day 28, I did not feel close to the finale. Perhaps summer school is needed before I toss the graduation cap in the air and receive my stiletto.
I’ll be honest, I might need more time in this challenge because I cheated a little. It was a dark day in February. It snowed. My feet found their way into sneakers. It didn’t mean anything, I swear. Thankfully, my roommate called me out on my bad behavior, and I took off the running shoes immediately.
I suggest that you get a friend, foe, or family member to be your bully during the challenge. It helps. Believe me.
But it’s spring now, and my excuses are finito. I’ve grown surprisingly comfortable wearing any heel up to 2″ which is a huge improvement. Once I get above the 2″ mark, I’m still a bit skiddish. I’ve completely worn out a few of my reliable work heels. You can do a lot of damage in 28 days!
Let me be frank. I’m still figuring out what I want to accomplish with these extra inches. I don’t know exactly what I want to feel, but I’ve felt really comfortable recently – it’s odd how the confidence level seems to rise with the foot pain. I’m slightly concerned about long-term damage to my feet. For now, I’m okay. This show will continue.
Holy Highwaters!
February 25, 2009
I get the fact that cropped pants go in and out of style, but I don’t agree with it. Here’s a little inside information I bet you didn’t know from our friend, About.com:
Definition: Floods are cropped pants that walk the fine line between “high waters” and “capris.” They usually hit anywhere from right above the ankle to lower calf and are surprisingly flattering. They look great with everything from ballet slippers to flip flops.
Pronunciation: fluds
Listen. Floods are disasters that occur in Nebraska and cause significant damage to our homes. I don’t like them in nature, and I sure don’t like them in fashion. Flattering? No way.
Highwaters (the dorkier, more socially awkward older cousin of Floods) give me the willies. I’ve walked the fine line of an acceptable pant length and an unacceptable one, leaning towards the latter. I’ve done that walk of shame solely because it can be impossible to find a nice pair of 36″ inseams that flatter the behind.
Even J.Crew recently failed me when they did not carry LONG olive corduroys (or any longs for that matter) in their store, but only online. Can’t a girl try on some jeans in a store and get a look at the caboose in the tri-fold mirror? I can’t get the right butt angle online or in my shoebox apartment.
Thank God for Limited’s selection. I no longer have to walk around my work office looking like Urkel.
I’ve done the whole denial act too. I denied the fact that people were staring at the extra 2 inches of sock running up my leg that should normally not be visible. You would think I would start matching my socks due to the added attention, but I still firmly believe that all argyles are born equal and match regardless of checker size, texture, and color.
There’s a point to this story of mine. I know there are millions of women out there that crave inseams longer than 32″. What is your secret? Where do you shop? And I know that our petite friends have a challenging time finding lengths ideal for shorter legs. My 5’2″ sister struggles just as much as I do to find a solid pant length for her frame. Share your secrets and store locations.
Help end the Highwater Hell now and forever.
The High-Heel Challenge: Day 1
February 23, 2009
The pump of the evening
I had originally planned to wait until Monday to start this month-long disaster of a challenge. But as I dressed myself up for a friend’s birthday celebration, and I made my hair as big as possible, I decided that there was absolutely no reason to avoid my new best friend, the high-heel. Big hair, Big heels, Big night. Right?
I jumped into my 3-inch gold pumps which i had worn only once before in December. Immediately, as I left my apartment and walked towards the subway, I remembered how awkward I walk in heels. I’m a very fast walker, normally, and I was very frustrated as the pumps slowed me down. It made me wonder if women that wear heels usually just take taxi cabs everywhere in the city. I’ll start paying more attention to the shoes women are wearing in the subway system. Homework.
I attacked the bar scene with my 6’2″ frame. Well, I don’t know if I attacked it, but that was the goal. Most of my friends were encouraging, and I even received a text message from my brother after I sent him, “Randy, I look like I just learned how to walk for the first time”. His words of wisdom made me chuckle: “Be Strong”.
Other than the physical pain of standing in the heels, I enjoyed the added attention. And there was definitely more attention compared to the usual night; I was glad my hair was extra big and wavy with lots of hairspray. I was not as comfortable with my height as I would like to be, though. I think I would be more confident if I felt more natural walking around. I have some things to work on this month. It will be an interesting experience.
