I Am Addicted to Sunglasses!

I'll admit it. I have a problem. I am obsessed with sunglasses. I suppose it started in high school. The summer before my junior year (1990), my parents took me with them on a trip to Vienna. The trip started out as a cultural event. I climbed the hill that Richard the Lionheart climbed to claim his crown. I hiked up the steps of St. Stephens cathedral. We saw more art than I can even begin to say.

One of my mom's good friends was with us, too. After oh, the eleventy-millionth Rubens museum, she blurted out in all her Texan glory, "I'm tired of museums! If you've seen one fat butt, you've seen 'em all. Let's go shopping." And since everyone but my dad agreed, off we went!

I came home with a Louis Vuitton wallet that I still carry today. And a new pair of sunglasses. Kenzo sunglasses. The lens glass was etched just so that if you fogged them up with your breath, you could see their signature "K" very faintly.

I loved those sunglasses and wore the hell outta them for several years.

My obsession continued into college. I went to a party at a fraternity house. And I found a pair of Georgio Armani aviators. They were not in great shape, but hey! Armani! I asked around and no one claimed them, so I took them home with me, lovingly restored them, and wore them for a summer. They are still in my drawer. I still have all my sunglasses, actually. My collection has grown as my tastes have changed. Lately, though, I've been averaging one new pair a year. What I learned early on, was that if you were label-conscious, or lived in a place that was, sunglasses were the easiest and most inexpensive way to "wear" a designer. They still are!

In my top dresser drawer, you will find my Kenzos, the Armanis, two pair of Guccis, two pair of Ralph Lauren, Chanel, D&G, and Prada. Being the bargain-hunter that I am, I have only paid full retail on three pair.

And now, I've set my sights on the latest pair I must have... These Ed Hardy bad boys:

New Shoes! And a new book, too!

So, it's been a while since I've updated this baby. So it seems fitting that I tell you all about the goodies I just purchased with an amazon.com gift card my brother gave me for my birthday (two months ago)...

Above are the last pair of size 10 Aldo Condezza sandals. I have no idea if I will be able to walk in them, but aren't they adorable? I have a couple of pairs of jeans that are very long and these will look great peeking out from underneath. I hope they are comfortable...

These are the Steve Madden "Afrodite" Black wedges. I bought one of 5 pair in my size that they had left in stock. As with the above shoes, I hope they fit, aren't too terribly high, and are fairly comfortable. I already have outfits planned around them.

Finally, I preordered Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich. I have read every single one of her books. Each one has been a rip-roarin' page turner and I expect this one to be the same. The "Stephanie Plum" novels (like this one) also throw in a good deal of suspense and danger for good measure. I cannot recommend enough that everyone read these!

Happy Summer Y'all!

Skin Care

I have troubled skin. It's not a secret. It is also not a secret that I am open to suggestions and to trying something new. The one thing I've been completely opposed to, though, is La Mer. I can't really explain the "why" of it all, just that I've spent quite a good bit of time opposed to the stuff.

Recently my stress levels increased exponentially, and the stress, combined with my hormonal breakout patterns, plus my complete inability to keep my hands off my face turned my skin into a big ole mess.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. Two days before I left for Cancun, I stopped by my local Neiman Marcus as it was right next to the restaurant where I was meeting my family for dinner. I was early. I wandered over to the La Mer counter.

The wonderful consultant gave me this:

La Mer "The Concentrate." She made me a two week sample to try. Well guess what? My self-inflicted red marks faded! My fine lines were reduced! And my face wasn't peeling with a massive intensity like it does with Retin-A!

So I've saved my money. And tomorrow, during the Neiman Marcus "InCircle" event, I will spend $350 for a bottle of this. (and get All this cool stuff for free, too!)

I know it is insanely expensive. But it works.