The Christmas List

Okay... So I'm making this because Dr Pop is insisting... Aside from the items on my "wish lists" below, I have a few more trinkets that I wouldn't mind calling my own. ;-)

From Sak's:
These bracelets

This purse

These makeup brushes

Or this tunic

From Nordstrom's:
These cashmere lounge pants

This Vera Wang chemise

This sweater jacket

Those are some ideas, but what I keep telling him, and what I really, truly mean with all my heart is that I will treasure ANY gift he chooses for me as long as it is something that comes directly from his heart.

And that's the truth. It's not what you get from people this season in terms of "stuff," but rather what you give of yourself. The more joy you can spread, at any time of year, not just Christmas, the more joy you will receive.

Wish List, continued...

So, let's say I win the lottery and go on the below shopping spree... I'm going to need something pretty to haul the purchases home... What better than the Porsche Cayenne S Titanium Edition? That's what I thought. As an added bonus, it's RED!

A girl can dream... Which reminds me, I need to buy a lottery ticket today.

Wish List...

If I won the lottery, after sectioning a large chunk off into savings/investments, buying a house, and giving rather substantial gifts to my family and friends, but before the vacation, I would go on a shopping spree and buy the following items:

The tote bag.

Cartier Pasha C Unisex watch with the pink face. The better to tell time with, my dear.

Christopher Blue jeans. They seem to have such a flattering fit!

This outfit by "Just Cavalli" or something similar.

These need no explanation.

The Jimmy Choo boots I so covet.

Dressing up for the holidays

Yeah, yeah, I know. What, in fact, DO I know about fashion? Not a thing except what I like and what is tacky.

Folks, we know it's Christmas. We see it everywhere, we hear it everywhere, and there are currently TWO radio stations in the Greater Austin Area playing Christmas music 24/7. That being said, when you are interested in showing your holiday spirit, it is truly not necessary to do so by wearing the Santa earrings, Christmas tree watch, and reindeer sweater.

If you are headed to an event this holiday season, there are ways to look festive without wearing ornaments from your tree. Ladies, a pair of black velvet pants or a black velvet skirt, paired with either a metallic or deep burgundy or emerald blouse or sweater is always a classic. Not feeling quite festive enough? Well, you can always try a sparkling and dangling crystal earring. So much more classic. Use your imagination and be creative. There are more ways to spell festive than simply going with the cheesy aspect of it all.

Samsung Blackjack

Coolest. Phone. Ever.

I actually blogged last night from a bar with this phone. I want one. Maybe. I'm torn between this, the LG Chocolate Bar phone, and the Krazr. This thing, though, isn't much bigger than Dr Pop's old Razr phone.

You know, I remember when my brother and I got our own phone line in our house and it was the biggest deal ever. My, how things have changed.

Posture, Posture, Posture!!!

One of my biggest pet peeves dates back to my 7th grade year... My friend, A, wore a pair of "high" heeled pumps to school (I say "high" because I think the heel was only an inch and a half or so, but still...). She walked the same awkward walk all day: Shoulders hunched forward, the top half of her body leaning forward at a slight angle, knees perpetually bent. From that moment on, I cringe at the way certain women walk in heels...

Look, it is never necessary for a girl to wear high heels, no matter how tall or short one may be. There are benefits to wearing a nice, high-heeled shoe, however, and the main one is that it lenghthens the leg and causes the calves to contract in such a way that the shoes can make anyone's legs look stunning.

The caveat here is that you MUST stand up straight and walk normally. It is not NORMAL for a perfectly healthy human being to walk around like the Hunchback of Notre Dame! If you are unwilling to stand up tall and be proud and show off your legs (even when wearing pants), then retire your heels. You aren't showing yourself off to your best advantage.

And here are a few posture-improving tips:

• Take a ballet class (there are tons of beginner adult classes available all over the place and many of them offer a "pay as you go" alternative so that you are not locked into a several-month commitment.
• Take a modeling class (see above).
• In lieu of either of the above two options, practice. Use the old book-balance routine. Shoulders back, head up, and center your core (you should imagine your back is up against a pole running straight up and down).

Thongs

I recently went to Old Navy and purchased some new thongs. They were on sale for 5 for $15. I absolutely, positively HATE thongs, but hey, for $15, I thought I'd try these.

Now, these are actually MORE comfortable than any others I've tried (and believe me, I've tried many different varieties from department store brands, to Victoria's Secret, to Fredrick's of Hollywood), but they are NOT 100% comfortable.

It is my contention that any woman who says that she actually prefers thongs to regular underwear is lying. I've had women tell me the following about thongs:

• I love thongs!
• I wouldn't wear anything else.
• I don't even feel uncomfortable.
• You forget that it's there.

And the list goes on and on and on and I call them LIARS! It is not natural to have a slim piece of lace or fabric wedged up one's ass. It just isn't. And it ISN'T comfortable. So far, all morning long, I've wanted to reach in there and pull out the wedgie.

In my quest for a better way to not have panty lines, I've tried many things. I've tried boy shorts. I've tried lace boy shorts with no seams. I've tried seamless panties. I've even been lied to by Jockey's No Panty Line Promise. No panty line, my ass! (pun intended).

I will continue my endeavor to find the perfect underwear solution, because right now there is not a win out there to have comfort and no panty lines. Help!

Looking to get me a gift for Christmas?

Yeah, I didn't think so...

But in case you were wondering, anything from here (or maybe a gift card) would do nicely.

Tights, pantyhose, leggings, and stockings, and seasonal dressing...

Do me a favor, please...

1. Don't wear tights or pantyhose with open-toed shoes. It's ugly.
2. Don't wear leggings with a long top if you look in the mirror and see that you don't look good in it (since the only people who ACTUALLY look good in leggings are anorexic models, trust me, you DON'T look good).
3. If you wear stockings, please don't wear a skirt short enough to show off their tops. Unless you are a stripper... And at work.
4. Unless you live in Miami, LA, or south of the equator, it is NOT appropriate to wear your summer clothes in November. Seriously. It may be 75 degrees outside (like it has been here in Central Texas), but again, it is NOVEMBER. And tights don't make an outfit winter-ready.

Please use common sense when getting dressed. Don't use whatever fad of the second celebutantes are wearing as your guide. :)

Foundation update...

I mentioned Here that I really loved Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra foundation. I still do. But being lazy, cheap, and not one to turn my nose up at free stuff, I rummaged through some of the samples my mother brought me at the same time and found this:



On my hairdresser's suggestion, I had purchased IsaDora bronzing powder ages ago and it is still a staple in my daily routine. The sample of the "Sheer to Cover" foundation that my mom brought over was the right shade as well, so I decided to give it a whirl.

It goes on as smoothly as the Lancome and stays all freaking day (just like the Lancome). I will be purchasing this for myself.

How to look better in clothes...

Rule #1: Stand up straight with your head held high.
Rule #2: Wear clothes that fit. Seriously? Squeezing yourself into a size smaller just to say you're wearing that size doesn't do anyone ANY favors!

A slave to mass marketing...

If a commercial tells me that I absolutely HAVE to have something to make my skin clearer, wrinkles less noticable, abs tighter, hair softer, cleaning simpler, well you get the picture, I really decide that I must buy it.

I typically don't buy it. But it's oh-so-hard to resist.

My parents own enough items of work out equipment to warrant their own home gym. Literally. My dad built a 16 x 20 standalone workout center out behind their house. With air-conditioning and cable. They can't resist a good infomercial!

Me? I am proud to say that I have only made one purchase from an infomercial and it's something that even if I don't ever use it again (don't worry Dr Pop! I'll use it again, I promise!) I'll have gotten my money's worth. But that's not to say that the lovely in-store displays don't draw me in like the Pied Piper.

New Makup Goodies...

My mom brought me the Jane Iredale PurePressed Base yesterday. Love it! http://www.janeiredale.com/products/bases.html

I went to Sephora yesterday and purchased the following items:

Tarte Cheek Stain in "Blushing Bride"

Smashbox Eyeshadow Trio in "Shutterspeed"

Plus, the lovely people who work there gave me TONS of free samples when I asked. I got a Cosmedicine eye cream that I'm trying out, plus some Dr Brandt Vitamin C gel, and tons of Cosmedicine moisturizers. Hooray! I love samples!