Clothing Swap...an idea in the making

Fashion in Vietnam

I am currently preparing for my mission trip to Vietnam. At the same time I am trying to get all my necessary paperwork for 4th year completed or off to a good start.
But as I think about Vietnam----way past the service to others, and how to avoid traveler's diarrhea----I think about all my labels which say "Made in Vietnam". I wonder if I can get these for cheap while there? We shall see.

Bitter is the New Black

While on vacation I had the chance to delve into some non-medical related reading. My book of choice...Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster.
I had no idea what this book was about, except for the cover. It sat on my nightstand for months after I either bought it for really cheap or got it free with other purchases at a garage sale (go figure). I would totally pay MSRP for this book though because it was amazing! I definitely recommend it---Jen you are amazing! (notice how I use her first name as if we were school buddies- geez I need friends like this)

This week in shoes is a double hitter--sassy and workable

This Week In Shoes... My top pick is:

Jessica Simpson
Ankle bootie
Dark red imported leather. 4 inch heel with mini hidden platform

...and if you worry about how to wear an ankle boot-check out a word from our sponsors---haha we have no sponsors but check it out anyway

http://stylebakery.com/ask-us/how_to_wear_ankle_boots.html

A little hygiene never hurt the fashion

A friend of mine gave me a few bars of this soap and told me to try them out. "This is the best soap there is, one bar will last you 6 weeks" he said, "they have been around for hundreds of years" he continued. Free soap? Sure I will try it. So I took this soap home with a sales mailer that read: Caswell-Massey Apothecary Winter Soap Sale 2009. I had two large bars of the almond cold cream and two more bars of the oatmeal. I tried the almond cold cream first. Wow, what an amazing scent! And once you lather the soap you can feel the immediate moisture potential from the infused oils. But, after about 20 showers I was on to the next bar...hmmm, 6 weeks? I don't think so. Maybe for you, but not the kid. And with my obsession with showers and hygiene at $7-8.00 per bar (or 12 for $60) I think I will stick with my Olay Moisturizing Body Bar at 6 for about $6.00.

The Perfect Fit

It has always been hard for me to find the perfect pair of pants. One pair is too long, while another fits my hips but not my waist, and yet another has an extremely long crotch- I mean really, do any of these pants fit anyone right? This has been an ongoing struggle for me until now. I have found a few places that give me the perfect fit...well, almost- I am short, so a pant leg hem is never out of the ordinary.
I recently ordered a new pair of Victoria's Secret pants...btw they are having a great sale on their slacks...and I absolutely love their fit. On one pair I ordered the size 2 short and with heels I don't have to get the pant leg altered, they fall perfectly--I am very pleased. Now I have a few other pair and I love the fit but the only thing that bothers me is the quality. I doubt they will still be in my closet in two years as they are thin and produce "lint/rub balls" very easily. Only time will tell, but these are definitely not your Limited or Banana Republic quality pants so be careful and buy when these puppies are on sale.
I am an absolute BR fan and Limited pants are a close second, so BR, you get my vote for the Perfect fit in slacks and I will continue to add these lovely pants to my wardrobe...on sale of course.

Price Stalking

Do you have a cutoff price for certain items? You know, a price above which you will not pay for certain items? Well, I do. But I will occasionally veto if the gain exceeds the price. I have been looking at this blouse for several months now. Watching and waiting for this sweet potato silk pleated blouse to enter into my shirt price range. Almost like the minimum bid on eBay.

I have given this ritual the term 'price stalking'. There is a dress at Dillard's that is currently on my price stalking radar. I watch my item like a hawk...search for it online...visit the store weekly....watch and wait for the lovely day when my item goes on sale and then I buy like a wild beast hunting its prey. This blouse however has been a struggle. I first saw it in October 2008--price too high. Watched it, waited...then they had the audacity (and not the audacity of hope) to remove it from the website. Dern! Then it magically reappeared...same price, too high. Next it went on sale...$10 off the original price, still too high.

Now I am faced with a dilemma: do I buy it or wait for the perfect price and risk them not having my size? Ahh, the toils of a price stalker.

Today, the internet welcomes me to the blog world

I love shoes! I often buy them with no outfit in mind, no place to wear them, and sometimes oddly with no intent to wear them. And yet, I continue in my quest for yet another- strappy, jeweled heel, elegant ribbon, leather upper, manmade sole, peep toe, buckle flat, pointed toe, animal print, sexy pump, suede knee high ugg boot....I love shoes! Ahh the obsession of searching my arsenal of sites...the anxiety before I enter my credit card number...the rush when I see my invoice. Psychiatrists, does this sound familiar? So now let me try to pair these 'beauties below the ankle' with suitable fashion matches and we shall see if I do the pair justice. I invite you to share in, comment on, help with, and increase my fashion awareness--to infinity and beyond!