I'm thirsty too and have buyer's remorse

 Seeing as how I can't actually acknowledge yet that I'm one year older than 31 now, I prefer to refer to my age as my husband calls it "Thirsty too".

With the new number, I figure it's time to refocus a little and get back to blogging about all aspects of life. The sales are over which means no more senseless spending on "great bargains" because no matter how good the savings are, after a while it starts to add up. My blog has become a bit of a fashion-focused pin board and I'm a little ashamed that I've been so influenced by all these big name bloggers who have a new pair of designer shoes every day and passing all their time promoting shopping. Really I think that these expectations are unrealistic and watching them flaunt their million dollar shoe collections only makes me feel completely unworthy. I can never compete with that so why hold the expectation on myself? It's not like I'm being stalked by the paparazzi. I blame Dallas. That´s right, my hometown ranks as #5 in the U.S. for the biggest ¨Shopoholic¨ city. It´s no coincidence that so many of today´s most fashionable ladies are from there. http://fashionista.com/2011/11/here-are-the-top-ten-shopaholic-cities-in-the-us-the-results-are-going-to-surprise-you/

We had a debate in french class today and the subject was Publicity. I chose to argue against it and there were so many more reasons to be annoyed by advertising than I thought of originally. For example,  I recently purchased an American Elle magazine and paid 5.5 Euros (about 8 dollars)  for it. After thumbing through it on the plane I handed it to my husband to see what he thought about the current fashions. The first thing he said was I'm already on page 38 and there has been nothing but ads. It's true, where is the meat and potatoes these days? We used to read magazines because they were informative and interesting not just a space for companies to seduce their target audience.

There is so much more to me and to life than that. I'm tired of my e-mail inbox being flooded with companies offering their tantalizing products every day. So I say enough is enough and it's back to the real world where I like to talk about cooking, traveling and my French and Spanish experiences. Let's not forget the reason I started my fashion blogging in the first place, my love of designing and sewing clothes for myself and friends. I started my own clothing website over a month ago which I've yet to release because I want to continue building the collection first. Somewhere along the way, I got burned out and distracted and now it's time to regain control. I felt more accomplished when I wore a dress and could tell everyone that I made it myself. It's not the prettiest thing that I own, but it's the most valuable thing to me because I made it. I just read this article about hat designer Robyn Coles and her first collection, she says:
My career change came last year when I felt that I wanted to make my own creative contribution to the world of fashion. It is so rewarding to make something with your own hands and scary to be on the other side of the fence with regards to fashion selection.
http://fashionista.com/2012/02/milliner-robyn-coles-showed-her-first-hat-collection-on-naked-models-nsfw/

(I´m modeling a reversible cape I made for my sister-in-law.)

There will always be a new line of clothing at my favorite stores, there will always be a fashion editor who tells me that I have to have a $300 pair of sneakers or a high-end bag if you want to make it through the day alive. Forget that, there is no one with enough money or closet space that could keep up with all the fast-changing trends that are going around these days. I used to not care about what brands people were wearing, what happened to me? The trends that need to be followed are the ones that make us and the people around us feel good. A new outfit my make us feel good about ourselves for a couple of hours but does it really make your husband or your best friend love you more?  I know how my husband would answer.

Starting today I resolve to start venturing out again, trying new things like a tap class or cooking course. I'll even go so far as to promise the following:

Enough with the stores, enough with the shoes, I'm going to swear here publicly that until April 1st no more needless purchases starting right now. 

two little barcelona birthday gifts

Bring it on Spring!

Furry "Masculine" tenni's from bimba y lola & a shoulder bag from Custo Barcelona

Diaz's do - I did. Pics to follow tomorrow....

 

I've been gradually hacking away at my beyond shoulder length hair since New Year's eve and I'm kinda addicted to shortness. After perusing the Oscar photos, I am in love with Cameron Diaz's hair. It hasn't changed that much from her signature style but for some reason it looks soooo good. Stay tuned, tomorrow I just might take the plunge.....

Canarias trip: 5 dresses 1 jacket

We arrived Saturday night to the Carnaval parade going full blast on the street next to our hotel. We put our things in the room and took to the streets. Today is my birthday and my sisters-in-law gave me this lovely new scarf. It´s cold and we had to figure out a way to layer, my legs aren´t really this white (albeit I´m in need of a tan).  I´ve been saving these white tight for the spring. This is a dress from Top Shop circa 2008.

In Trianna(Las Palmas) next to the Christopher Columbus museum. I like how the colors pop in this neighborhood. Wearing a new Zara dress from my previous post. 

Exploring the Dunes on Monday.  

Puerto de Moga, Finger of God in the background.

 

A close-up of this dress with one of the little guys from our lunch. I thought he resembled the birdies on this french connection dress. As a matter of fact, I think he looks like he´s part of my necklace. 

 Waiting for the parade to arrive to the beach for the end of Carnaval.   Luckily I brought several pairs of tights to wear with this Zara dress and I added an orange chiffon long-sleeved shirt from American Apparel. I don´t think I would have survived the cold winds without this little Caslon jacket from Nordstroms.

I just realized these shoes are very similar to the one Taylor Tomasi is sporting in the left. I bet she didn't snag those at New Look for just 6 Euros. 

(Side note: Love her legs!)

Back to the party.

Finally, the fireworks!

(EM) Resevoir

She´s a newbie and I think her first collection will make a big impact. I really enjoy the deep colors and that we can wear light shoes next fall.

Erin Murphy 
http://em-reservoir.tumblr.com/

It´s my Birthday and I´ll fly if I want to

We´re off to the Canary Islands in just a few hours. It´s Carnaval time!

Why I love Zara during the ¨Soldes¨

Twice a year France has a period of sales in which all stores are required to discount their stock with only the exception of the brand-new collections. The first day of the ¨Soldes¨are chaos, I mean I´ve lost people in the mass of crowds that swarm the local stores. Some stores like Comptoir de Cottoniers offer modest mark-downs on their clothing but not really enough to entice bargain hunters. The real deals are in the shops like Mango, Zara, Naf Naf and so on. I attempted the first couple days of soldes but there are so many people that it makes shopping not enjoyable and many of the clothes become dirty and ruined from so much handling by desperate consumers.

However, I ventured back out on Wednesday with a friend and the rack have mostly become full again with new garments and the sales are limited to select tables and corners. After having some success with a few new things I looked again Friday and uncovered some more unclaimed treasures at unbelievable prices. Here´s the stock: The dresses were all priced at just 9.99 Euros (orig. between 40 - 60) The jacket was 29.99 (orig 60) and the purse was 15 (orig. 30). Totaling just 75 Euros!

My lovely blue fuzzy soft coat that I call Muzzy. 

Anna Sui Fall 2012

As you probably know, I'm a huge Anna Sui fan and have been waiting to see what she would come up with next. From what I've seen so far, it's not so different from her Spring Collection other than the colors. However with the exception of the long dresses. They are gorgeous. 

Just as I was dismissing the see-through fad, I stumbled across this lovely bag by Paul and Joe. It's part of their sister line and comes in various sizes and various prints. It's perfect for the summer, especially the beach but at about 100 Euros a pop. 

maybe a potential DIY?

Diy'd Valentines shirt

My friend Jenna from Ahbon.ca forwarded me this wonderful (easy) DIY project from A Beautiful Mess.
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/02/make-your-own-heart-sweater.html
Might I just add, this is like the best blog ever. I almost can't go to her sight because sparks start flying from the right side of my brain and my ADD is overwhelmed by all the beautiful things she creates, designs, photographs. How will I ever catch up???

My goal is one project a time. At the moment I have about 100 things going at the same time, no wonder I'm a mess.

Since yesterday was the day of Love I felt inclined to take on the heart shirt project. Luckily I didn't even have to leave the house for supplies. I did however make it a double-layered heart just for a little extra soemthing. I used an oh-so comfy men's XS Gap long-sleeved shirt that I snagged of the clearance rack during the "Soldes" last week. It's really warm and soft and I love it as a Yoga top during the winter.

Final result: What do you think?

Jeans of the Rainbow

Fashion right now is in a state where almost anything goes: mix and match colors, textures, patterns, structured clothing against shapeless garments. The possibilities are endless and the bolder the better.

That´s why I wanted to mention Cimarron. In a world where unless you´re going denim all the way, jeans just aren´t making a big enough statement right now.  This company boasts 70 COLORS in their jeans, and all available online. 

http://www.cimarronjeans.com/

The Emperor's new clothes

My husband never really comments on my shoes, but the other day he said that I've really gotten my money out of Melissa's  Vivienne Westwood Anglomania grey ankle boot  that I bought about a month ago. At first he thought they were a little strange and thought that I would tire of them quickly. 

I proved him wrong becuase I've been wearing these bad boys out in the weather probably 5 days of the week without a sign of wear or tear. They will be a staple in my closet throughout the Spring as well. Aren't they just adorbs?

Now that we've got our first trip of the year planned to the (fingers crossed) Sunny Canary Islands next week, I'm Jonesin' for some girly sandals, in bright colors of course. These are the new Peace sandals from the Melissa collection. By the way, the plastic smells like candy and they don't get scratches. I'm partial to the blue and yellow. 

What do we think of these designed by Gautier?

Kinda sexy, and I think that "invisible" clothing is going to be HUGE!  Even Oscar de la Renta and LV are hitting up the trend. I just can't help think of high school days when some schools required clear bags so they could monitor for dangerous weapons.  Let's not forget the lesson of the Emperor's new clothes! 

These bags from Lowe will only set you back $1400. At that price, there won't be much $$$ left to put in them anyways. 

I think the designer's having a joke at the fashion victims' expense. 

My Chie Miharas need a new home

One of the downfalls of ordering online is not getting the best fit. I fell in love with the Chie Mihara's in a store in Barcelona but didn't get them at the time. After I couldn't stop thinking about them, I went on a desperate search to find some in France. Well, at last I found those precious babies online, and ordered them. At first, I thought they would work because I'm usually a 7.5 /8 in women's but these 38s are just too big in the heel. This happens to me frequently and that's why much of my heel collection has an ankle strap. I noticed now that the Carinyo is now offered in a Mary Jane style. Tant pis!  After wearing them the first time to class one morning, I had to take off my ankle hose because my foot would not stay in the shoe. Since then I've tried wearing them a bit around the house hoping they would mold to my foot and I even put in some Dr. Sholl's inserts, but it's just not happening. Sadly, I have to find them a new home.





http://www.ebay.com/itm/230745938728?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1202

Ana Locking

Anna Rhodes - artistic director

These girls and their red hair...I've been thinking about doing that since like High School.

Paloma Faith - Smoke and Mirrors from James Copeman on Vimeo.


The Do - Slippery Slope from thatgo on Vimeo.



Miles Kane- 'Come Closer' (Dir. Dan Sully) from Dan Sully on Vimeo.

He looks like Paul McCartney.


http://www.eatcake.co.uk/

Wedding like a fine Wine

As I am sitting here on pins and needles waiting to see some good shots from New York Fashion Week, I decided to go back through the 2000 shots from our July wedding in Barcelona. Thesse are the photos that keep on giving because of all the beauty and love that was shared that day. It's not possible to stay current with all the latest trends and always have perfect outfits but it is possible to have someone who loves you unconditionally no matter what.

My dress came from a French dressmaker. My shoes are Ivanka Trump which I loved more than all the Jimmy choos and Liboutins that I tried. So comfy. 

On my way to the church

Tous earrings and bracelet were the first gifts given to me by my hubby. 

A glimpse of my feathery BCBG clutch. This will get plenty of use, definitely made for a princess. 

My hubby before the wedding and the family dog Tram.

It's a classic that will make my heart melt always. 

The ceremony started 45 minutes late because that day Barcelona had their biggest storm in years. Everything was wet and it didn't take long for my dress to get dirty. After the ceremony, the sun came out. 

I love this unposed shot taken when we arrived at Miramar Hotel just before greeting the guests.