A Little Pam and BAM!

It has been sofa king hot in LA. Which means it has been 5 degrees hotter IN my apartment. Gotta love the lack of AC.

We've been making due by opening all the windows and running the fan (which sputters and seems to be on its last leg) nonstop. But at about 7 pm last night, I realized that I could not shut the sliding glass door. This is a problem since the door runs the length of our living room. Leaving it open would be exactly the same as letting our front door hang open while we were sleeping.

I waited for the roomie to come home and explained the problem. The two of us tried ganging up and both pulling as hard as we could, but the door would not budge.

Normally at this point, I would give up and call maintenance and go back to the internets. Except maintenance = our 65 year-old land lady who weighs 80 pounds. I was skeptical of how much help she could provide.

"Why don't you ask the guys across the way?"
"But we've never talked to them! What am I supposed to say? 'Hi. I noticed you're male...' I think it's off the track. I just don't know how to get it on. Do we have WD-40?"

Of course we don't have WD-40! But I could see a shiny part of metal had been exposed on the top of the track that should obviously needed to be popped back into place.

Hey, I may not fix things on a regular basis, but I do cook. WD-40 is oil right? Pam spray is oil right? How could spraying Pam on my sliding glass door possibly go wrong?

3 seconds after I tried, I was seriously regretting it. I had yellow goop racing down a glass door. Sigh.

So, I hit it. Really hard. And it popped back onto the track! Smooth as buttah.

And that's how you fix a door, bish.



Listening to: Katy Perry, One of the Boys

Personal Growth and Exploration

Now, I've ended up on some weird mailing lists... but this one might take the cake.

I'm really not sure what I did to end up on the Pyramid Collection's catalog list. It probably had something to do with donating to some obscure environmental group. Regardless of the reason, I've been lucky enough to flip through "A Catalog of Personal Growth and Exploration," and I feel the need to share the love. The designs and copywriting really speak for themselves, but even the page layouts in the catalog are amazing, so I may have to scan some at a later date to give you the full experience.

Without further ado... The Pyramid Collection! (Descriptions follow each image)




Spirit of Flight Tank Dress: Imagination is limitless-as demonstrated by fantasy artist Josephine Wall, whose silkscreened Spirit of Flight animates the front of this spectacular tank dress. Side slits.




White Crystal Dress: This charming, versatile, frothy creation alters its look to suit the activity. That's because it falls in soft folds that tie from beneath into a gathered, shortened hem and untie to fall to straight, full length.




Wench Dress: Barmaid. Jade. Pirate Queen: Pick your fantasy! Trailing long, flirty ribbons, this frothy peasant blouse and velvet-corset combination attracts second glances (and the occasional tip!). Cross-ribboned bodice assures fit. Crinkle-edged sleeves and neckline, with deep, back-zip closure. Flouncy, lacy, matched apron and bustle.




Nomad Necklace Bracele: From the steppes of Russia to the frozen wastes of Lapland, our nomadic ancestors made use of every part of the animals they herded-starting with the hides. Saluting the craft of those restless peoples, this simple band is cut from a piece of soft leather, fixed with a simple buckle of hammer-finished, silverplated pewter, to wear as a necklace or, doubled, around the wrist. Handcrafted in Turkey. For men and women.




Embroidered Love Jacket: There's a touch of Tom Jones in our romantic coat, from the tendrils of embroidered vines and blossoms adorning the fabric, front and back, to the satiny lining, itself embroidered with the sentiment, "Where there is love, there is life!" Note the turn-down collar, faux-pocket flaps, and a trio of antiqued-brass buttons.


AND for lolz:



Super Kegel Tm Exerciser: It's fantastic! Use it just minutes a day to tighten thighs, buttocks, and abdominal muscles, and relieve lower back pain. Strengthens pelvic floor muscles, too (for improved bladder control). Recommended by doctors, the Super Kegel Exerciser is very easy to use (instructions included). The results are amazing! Made of comfortable, rubber-coated steel with adjustable tension.



This is just a small taste. And, you're welcome.



Listening to: Weezer, The Red Album. Everybody get dangerous, everybody get dangerous.

There Goes My Bag Money...

Eff!
Eff!
EFF!

Argh, I am so mad at the mechanic right now!

I wish I knew more about cars... but all I really know is that when mine breaks down, it's going to cost a lot of money. There are always so many hidden costs that no one is ever upfront about.

Whatever, I'm almost over it. Almost.

So I got ripped off and have to spend my money on something practical instead of shiny new accessories. Fine. My feminine upbringing may have put me at a disadvantage when it comes to auto repair, but bish you better believe I know how to use a phone. I'll be calling the Better Business Bureau tomorrow.



kloveyoubyes.

All Dressed Up, Nowhere to Go

When I'm shopping, I'm always most drawn to pretty frocks.

I wish that dresses didn't have such a formal reputation. Even and easy cotton shift will prompt people to ask "Ooooh, where are YOU going?"

Dresses do not have to equal dressed up. In fact, I save summer dresses for the days when I'm feeling particularly lazy... it's a single piece and an entire outfit! It doesn't get any easier.

BUT every girl needs a little va-va-voom in her wardrobe, which is why I love this Tracy Reese Plenty frock. The cut is perfect for showing off major curves. I could do without the stripes, but the bow detail is a lovely touch. My next LBD will be this cut-- lemme know if you find it before I do!







Lilian Dress ($108, orig $270)

I'm Back, Bish

Ok, so the blog-free time was nice for awhile, but I'm over it. Besides, I think spending more than 3 waking hours offline every day is a little unhealthy.

I'm back and I'm saving up for some brand new bags. Just don't tell my mother, or she'll never send me my rebate check.

Purse pics coming soon...



Because if Neekoh can use it to distract, so can I.

Happiness

This song makes me feel like jumping for joy.



Goldfrapp- Happiness

Springtime Singing

Tonight is Spring Sing, a UCLA tradition. In honor of what promises to be an incredibly awkward night (ugh, long story), I thought I would share a little diddy by a UCLA alum.

Sara Bareilles- Love Song:




Stuck. in. my. head.

Zip It

Well, hello there Matt & Nat! My favorite vegan handbag line has totally revamped their website. I've been infatuated with this line since my days in the bay. While nothing is screaming at me this season, I love what they're trying with zip details.

Like the vertical zips on this Moz laptop bag:



Or this white hot Bjork shoulder bag:



And check out the curves on the Soze Large bag:



Finally, the stripes on this Zebrano bag:


Like I said, nothing was love at first sight, but I'm sensing some potential.

And The List Goes On

I'd like to dedicate this next one to Neekoh, for tagging me! Also, I want to thank the economy for the terrible job market- without you I wouldn't have the time to fill this out!

8 Things I am Passionate About
1) Words
2) Experiences
3) Eco-consciousness
4) Love
5) The interwebs
6) San Diego
7) Relgions (plural! Faith fascinates me)
8) Dive bars

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die
1) Live in another country
2) Write a book
3) Make the perfect cup of coffee
4) Get a PhD in Media Studies
5) Raise some kickass human beings
6) Meditate
7) Figure out what I'm looking for.
8) Find it. Love it.

8 Things I Say Often
1) Yeah, no
2) whatEVER
3) obvs
4) for serious
5) Are you kidding me?
6) Room for cream
7) Duuuude.
8) I have a boyfriend.

8 Books I Have Read Lately
1) Bell Canto
2) Writers Guide
3) How to Lose Friends and Alienate Peopl
4) That Extra Half Inch
5) The Lovely Bones
6) The Year of Magical Thinking
7) The Beautiful Fall
8) Everything is Illuminated

8 Songs I Could Listen To Over and Over
1) Blondie - Call Me
2) Jack Johnson - Gone Going
3) Matt Costa - Cold December
4) Kate Nash - Mariella
5) Regina Spektor - Hotel Song
6) Feist - I Feel It All
7) Rihanna - Breakin' Dishes
8) Coconut Records - West Coast

8 Things That Attract Me to My Best Friends
1) Their totally hot bods
2) Their totally hot minds
3) They let me tell the same story more than once
4) They think my jokes are good enough for Hollywood Street.
5) Their unconditional love, acceptance and support.
6) Their low alcohol tolerance- cheap dates!
7) They hold my purse when I need to chug beer with a potential employer.
8) They still speak to me after I drag them on stage to meet the bachelor.

TAG! You're it.

Pop Goes the Bubble!

I had to quit (had to? so dramatic, this one) yesterday when my boss called me to tell me not to bother coming in. They had sold the office chairs, so there would be nowhere to sit to work.

Are you kidding me?

They're in the process of moving to a new office because they can't afford rent on their beachfront property any longer. When they started liquidating the company furniture, I was a little worried. When they didn't transfer my phone extension to the new office? I was a lot worried.

I quit via email. I had some reservations about doing this because it seemed about equivalent to a text message breakup. But, I was informed that you are allowed to text message breakup with a "lame ass boyfriend." Besides, what else was I supposed to do? Show up at an abandoned office and slip my resignation letter under the door?

I got an email back thanking me for being so straightforward (i.e. "we were going to fire you anyways because there's no money to pay you"), and assuring me that they really really liked me. Aww! I love being loved!

But love won't pay the bills!

... Or will it?

Excuse me, I have something I need to work on.

Lit Lust

OMG! Did you see the book on that guy? It was huge!

[NYT]

Sunny Days

Go bold or go home.

Moving Time

I'm still not entirely sure why I'm going back, but it's time to start packing.

And I Said No, No, No!

I decided to spend the day doing what I do best- shopping! And hallelujah, what do I find but a gorgeous black and white print DVF wrap dress with bell sleeves on sale for $30. $30! That's probably less that the material cost to make the dress. Alas, 15 minutes in the dressing room trying desperately to make it fit, I realized it was a lost cause. Regardless of how beautiful the dress was, a bad fit would never do it justice.

I walked out of the store in defeat.

Now, I stopped drinking soda at the start of the new year, but this was clearly a special situation. I headed into the nearest 7-11 and beelined for the drinks.

What's this? A new flavor? I've been out of the game for far too long. Limited Edition Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry Chocolate? Cherries? Chocolate? Zero calories? $1 off coupon? Sold!



I cracked that bad boy open and took a swig. A swig of cherry cough syrup with not-so-subtle hints of chocolate scratch-n-sniff stickers.




Aye-aye says, "FAIL!"

Yellow Fever

Wrong:


Right:

Steal of the Day!

These are on sale?!? 60% off!!? You've got to be kidding me! Who wouldn't want to pay $780.00 for these beauties?

Because everyone deserves a little Thursday pick-me-up, I bring you the Olivia Morris EXCLUSIVE Floral Print Pumps for the low low price of $312.00 [net-a-porter]

Old Navy Couture

Are you for serious? Once again, "Couture" in the brand name, does not a fashion statement make.

Wear at your own risk.

Juicy Couture Lucille Flip-Flops — $88 [net-a-porter]

Watch Out LA!

You can take the girl out of So Cal... But she'll just go back.

The words I swore I would never say have already been repeated over and over: I'm moving back to LA.

I've been told by the least judgmental girl I know that she better not catch me simultaneously checking my BlackBerry AND cell phone while some how balancing my Starbucks and giant purse in tottering high heels.

Oh, please! I would never dream of it. High heels are so 2007 anyways. I already have my outfit picked out for the first day of work.



So ca-yute!

Like I Said

First Born. Jack.