Heidi on "The Hills"

Have you guys seen this?!

So, I've been SUCKED back into "The Hills."  This past weekend, there was a FULL marathon on EACH episode of the show, and I was sucked in by Season 5 (the first with Kristin Cavallari - who I HATE!).

So, this season (season 6) is the last season ever, so I thought I should check it out.  SO, I had seen the tabloids and various articles discussing her transformation.  I didn't realize just what it meant to her lifestyle.  SO, during the show, her mom points out that she's talking softly.  Apparently, with getting your jaw redone, it meant that she couldn't speak loudly because her mouth wouldn't open wide enough.  This is why Indian people don't get surgeries wiring your jaw - we love to scream and yell and talk loudly. 

Also, halfway thru the show, they show Heidi having dinner with the Montag family.  Heidi orders a burger (WTF?! - RANDOM), and then can't eat it because her mouth won't open wide enough.  That's why I wouldn't do that silly surgery - I like my food, and I like to be able to take a full bite :)

This season shows TONS of drama (SURPRISE!) - Kristin on coke (who is called out by Lo - who we all know has her own issue), Adriana dating someone other than gross Justin Bobby, AND Speidi possibly getting a divorce.

Blooop...Blooop...Bloooop...there's sounds of my brain cells dying from other causes besides the juice.  Ah...The Hills.

Manicurious

During my 8 hour ordeal traveling to Memphis last weekend, I finished the book that I had packed for my trip (The Solitude of Prime Numbers - excellent). Anyway, I bought InStyle's "Best Beauty Buys 2010" issue to entertain myself on the way back and was intrigued by this nail polish:

I immediately bought it and am a big fan. It's a bit weird, but it's a cool taupe/gray/purple blend that I think works well for transition seasons. Plus, I love the fact that your nails don't have to be super short to wear it. Oh and nail polish is buy 2, get 1 free at ULTA this week!

The Thing R Needs...

The rain has returned to the bay area AGAIN.  Its CRAZY how unpredictable the weather has been.

My co-worker and I have been daydreaming over IM what we need to keep our sanity during this unpredictable season.  Here's the only think I need

1.  Need to be sitting somewhere like here, rather than in my cube

Outfit of the Day - April 26

YAY!  It was SO nice this weekend, and such a FUN weekend.  Coming to work today is something that I am not happy about, and I'm having SO much trouble focusing!

Top:  Martin + Osa (store is closing this summer!)

Pants:  Banana Republic

Watch:  Kenneth Cole via G's watch storage box

Bangles:  Gift

Black Bead Necklace:  Old Navy

Outfit of the Day - April 23

Man, this daily posting is harder than it looks.  Here is what I put together for Friday, April 23.

Top:  Tart via Nordstrom Rack

Jeans: Jo Jeans via Nordstroms

Long necklace:  Alameda Antique Fair

R necklace:  The Firm

R's Fashion Inspirations from Movie Characters

I like to think of my style as conservative with a trendy influence (sounds cool, right?).  Since I ran out the door without a photo, I'll take one of today's outfit and post tomorrow.

However, I'll take today to tell you of my fashion inspirations.  I've broken out into two categories, movie characters and celebrities.

Category One:  Movie Characters

1.  Kate Hudson in Bride Wars:  I looked for specific pictures of outfits I looooved in this meeting, but couldn't find any.  But I must say, I LOOOOVED her wedding dress, definitely something I could see myself choosing.

2.  Ella in Melrose Place:  She has the MOST awesome dresses and shoes to wear to work.  Granted, sometimes its a bit much, but for the most part - its AWESOME

 3.  Nico in Lipstick Jungle:  She had the MOST amazing Louboutin shoes that I was OBSESSED with!  And awesome clothes!  She aspired me to dress like a grown up at my job.

I'll post Category Two sometime this week.

Happy Monday!

Daily Outfit Post - April 16

YAY!  Its Friday, and I have the house to myself since G is off to a weekend in Vegas, where he hopefully will not be arrested.

Top:  H&M

Scarf:  New York and Company

Jeans:  Jo's Jeans

R Necklace:  The Firm

Gold Bangle:  Art Event at the W

Outfit of the Day - April 15

Since I feel safe in my grays / black / neutral tones, I'm also experimenting with colorful accessories to make me look fun.

I can't decide if this is cool...or if I look like I'm about to squirt water.  Thoughts?

Blazer:  Gap (almost 6 years ago!) - LOVE this thing

Cream Shell:  Banana Republic

Pants:  Banana Republic

Belt:  Anne Klein via TJMaxx

Flower:  Nordstrom Rack

Outfit of the Day - April 14

So, I'm a day late...at least I'm not a dollar short :)  I'm trying to experiment with prints and colors..however, I'm not brave enough to do prints yet.  I first had on:

But, I wasn't totally feeling this outfit...so then I walked out with this on...not sure I was 100% in love with this either...

Printed Cardigan: Gap

Blue Cardigan:  Martin & Osa

Skirt:  Brand Unknown via Nordstrom Rack

Tights:  Express

Necklace:  Forever21

Outfit of the Day - April 13

I'm not too excited about this outfit anymore, since last time I wore it G told me that I looked like I belonged at Hogworts...whatever :P

I should start taking better full legnth pictures...and start mixing up the stores that my clothes come from :)

 Cardigan:  Banana Republic

Button Down:  Banana Republic

Pants:  Banana Republic

Necklace:  Gift from MIL

Outfit of the Day - April 12, 2010

After a long fun weekend that ended with a 5 hour delay landing us in SF at 2:00 am and getting me in bed closer to 3:00 am, along with the monsoon that is happening outside = jeans day.

Long Sleeve Shirt: Old Navy

Black/Gray Tunic:  Express

Jeans:  Citizens of Humanity via Nordstroms

Socks:  Target

Earrings:  Gift

Take a Look, It's in a Book

Aw, remember Reading Rainbow? Fun stuff.

I'm trying to keep my Visual Bookshelf updated and thought I'd share some of my fave recent reads. I'm not including the more popular books that everyone has already read. If anyone out there has good book recommendations, I would looove them. A girl needs something to do while laying by the pool all summer.

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett: This is a pretty big book which I thought would last me awhile, but no. I couldn't put it down during my 7 hour flight to visit R. Even though it's about a serious topic (segregation in the South), it's really entertaining and heartwarming.

Moloka'i, by Alan Brennert: I felt a little ignorant when reading this because I had no idea how the US treated people with leprosy in Hawaii back in the day. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn't actually a depressing book. It was similar to reading any other novel that follows a girl throughout her life, except that this girl faced some extraordinary circumstances.

Love Walked In, by Marisa de los Santos: "Exquisite and stylish, Love Walked In proves that love in all of its forms - romantic, friendship, familial - is all around us." -Sarah Jessica Parker. I'll leave it at that.

The Toss of a Lemon, by Padma Viswanathan: This is an epic story that follows a family in Indian over more than 60 years. It can get confusing at times because there are so many characters, but it's worth it. There are lots of great little stories, both tragic and intriguing, contained in one large one.

The Palace of Illusions, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: I don't know much about the Mahabharata, and maybe this book would have been easier to follow if I did. Either way, I pushed through it because I wanted to read something different from my norm. It was magical and educational and features a super strong woman.

April 8 Random Recommendations

Lately, I've been wondering about gel eyeliner.  It is really intriguing to me (don't ask why, I'm random).  So yesterday, I was at Target and I purchased a Maybelline gel eyeliner in charcoal - and I must say...i LOVE it!  Its easier to put on than pencil or liquid, and it goes on SO smoothly.  I recommend trying it.  I can't speak for other brands, but will keep you posted as I try more :)

Do NOT buy the Vaseline Skin Firming lotion.  Also at target, I randomly bought it (I was confused and thought it was my normal Nivea lotion b/c the bottles are similar colors).  I got in the car, realized it was different but decided to try it out anyway.  I think it smells funny and its a really thin lotion.  My skin doesn't feel hydrated.  I think this may make it into a guest bathroom.

Ok - have a great day!

Outfit of the Day - April 8

YAY!  Its my Friday :)  I know its really Thursday, but I have PTO tomorrow :)  I'm also in a ridiculously good mood, which may explain my random excitement for this outfit.

Like I told N this morning, this outfit was inspired by her :)

Cardigan:  Banana Republic

Shell:  Forever21

Pants:  Banana Republic

Purse:  R/N 2009 Bday Gift - Kate Spade

R Necklace:  The Firm

Shoes:  Michael Korrs Ankle Strap Mary Janes (not pictured)

Bottles of Wine Under $30

I've been working on this post for quite some time, and I wanted to share some staples of wine that are in our wine fridge and are reasonably inexpensive (less than $30).  There are some that are in the low price range that G and I will open when we think we can't finish the bottle (HA!  Like that actually happens) :) 

I tend to remember wine by the labels, so I've included labels with my recommendations!  You'll notice that I tend to love California wines, so I've included those.  Enjoy and feel free to share your favorites!

1.  Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon Vitner's Blend

2.  7 Deadly Zins - Zinfandel

3.  2007 Ledson Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc
Price:  $22
Notes:  Perfect wine for a summer day.  Light and crisp, like biting into a pear.  You can only order this from the vineyard, but I TOTES recommend this.

4.  Cinnabar Mercury Rising: 
Price:  $20
Notes:  A great red blend.  Like all of their wines, allow it to open for about 15 minutes prior to tasting

5. Savannah Chanelle Syrah
Price:  $20
Notes:  A must have during my Friday night chinese take out.  Don't get me wrong, this is a fantastic wine with fancier foods, but I look forward to it with my mu shu pork :)

6.  Downhill Barbera
Notes:  FANTASTIC bottle of wine.  Truly, one of my favorites that I'm so excited to open when it is in our wine fridge.

7.  V. Sattui 2007 Alexander Valley Cabernet Franc
Price:  $30
Notes:  One sentence - "The zing to your pepperoni pizza" - How could you not love this?!

9.  2004 Ridge Genache
Price:  $24
Notes:  Aside from having amazing views and self proclaiming to be the "best winery in the WORLD," they do make pretty awesome wines :)

Outfit of the Day - April 7

Let me start off with: I'm having a pity party kind of day, and because you are reading this post, you have RSVP'd "yes" to my party and therefore have to hear me rant.

I feel whale-like...the scale at the gym continues to inflate my weight (let's be honest 3-4 pounds that's realistic, 10+ pounds - NO WAY!) and regardless of me rationalizing it does not work, it still makes me grumpy.

Anyway, this outfit makes me look wide, but oh well. You win some, you lose some.

Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft

Sheer Top: Forever21 (N got it for me!)

Cami under Sheer Top: Old Navy

Pants: Banana Republic (you now know that all my pants are from there)

Necklace: Forever21

Bangles: Gift

***********

OK, N here. I'm just adding onto R's post today for probably the only outfit of mine I will ever show. Do we see a pattern? :)

Bow Headband: Old Navy

Sheer Top: Forever21

Cami under Sheer Top: Forever21

Pants: I have no idea - they're old

Bracelet: Gift from Mom

Pumps: Target

April 6 Outfit Post

Its Tuesday (my Wednesday since I have Friday off, WOOOHOO).  I'm so ready for spring...just need this cooler weather to go away.

Dress:  Ann Taylor Outlet

Jacket:  Maxx Studio via TJMaxx in Alabama almost 4 years ago!

Tights:  Express

(I tried a flower with this...it didn't work for me.  Also, sorry for the random scenary changes between pics)

2010 Reunion-a-RoNi #1

Thursday: Texted R to tell her I missed my flight. The April Fool believed it and freaked out for a good couple of hours. Fun times. Reunited at SFO and met G at Cascal for tapas and sparkling sangria. Hunkered down at home with champagne, dark chocolate pomegranates, other goodies, and 90210.

Friday: Realized that, for me, old age + being awake for 24 hours + booze = pain. Laid around with more 90210 and The OC before the promise of food got us to roll off the couches. Ate, shopped, and returned to the couches because it's a rough life we lead. Went to a tasting event at Ridge with G for some awesome wines. Got a drink at the Four Seasons and dinner at Three Seasons with Gravy Train and P - the numbers game was R's brilliant idea, BTW. Consumed lychee martinis and ridiculous amounts of delish food. Went home to repeat the previous night, plus cupcakes. Obeyed the rule that splitting two cupcakes does not equal eating a whole one.

Saturday: Headed toward Point Reyes with G and Coop, stopping for some cheese at Cowgirl Creamery on the way. Had loud, inappropriate convos while walking around Point Reyes and saw lots of cows. Laughed at the sign warning that walking down and back up the 300+ stairs to the lighthouse (equivalent to a 30 story building) because we are young and oh-so-fit. Huffed and puffed our way to the end, hanging our heads in shame. Decided the gorgeous views were worth the effort. Went to see the elephant seals at chimney rock. Gorged on lunch at a cafe, then drove down Highway 1 for a bit. Marveled at the beautiful scenery and weather. Kudos to G for patiently driving around three loud, vogueing girls. Went to Gravy Train's, took a walk, busted open the bubbly and wine, and gorged some more. Returned home to repeat the previous night. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Sunday: Food, airport, exhaustion, and depression that the weekend was over.

April 5 Outfit Post

Mondays after a long fun weekend are always hard.  I dressed in some comfortable clothes in my closet (and mistakenly am dressed as G's twin...)

Sweater:  Banana Republic
Pants:  Banana Republic

Pashmina:  Gift

Scenary:  R's work washroom (since I was SO late this morning)

Outfit of the Day - April 1

YAY!  N's coming and tomorrow is a holiday and I had a great dance party in the car!  What's there to complain about today :)

Dress:  Calvin Klein via Rue La La

Cardigan:  Old Navy

Tights:  Hue via Nordstrom