Ciblek Mania

I'm on the verge of just renaming this one:  how many whacked out poses can he catch me in?  If I get time to post the outtakes over on FB prepare to pee your pants.

Where to begin, where to begin.  I realize I spend an incredible amount of time waxing on about Free People, but I honestly just can't help it.  There is rarely a time when I glance at their online shop or visit a store and don't find something that is truly unique and a blast from the past.  If you get their catalogues then you know firsthand how well they capture a moment, an item, and your wallet.  Which is exactly what happened when I saw their Extreme Vintage Flares.

Well girls today is the beginning of the White Denim in Winter Challenge and it would only figure that I'm seriously under the weather with a cold.  I spent Friday night trying to convince myself that I didn't have a sore throat, only to wake up on the couch Saturday morning barely able to swallow.  Tall tales to self continued well into the evening where reality set in:  someone else would be singing Maneater at a local hang out while I sipped hot tea through a straw.

There is no justice in this wicked world.

I am so looking forward to seeing how everyone styled their whites today.  I'll join in on Thursday as the whitest thing I have to offer right now is my dastardly pale skin.  Here's who's up:

• Daniela - D, Etc.
• Nicole - Frankie Hearts Fashion
• Shannan - Merci Blah Blah
• Lyddie - Chic on the Cheap
• Taylor - Curly in the City

Everyone posts at different times so you might need to visit more than once, but I've already seen Lyddie's and she sent me into tears.  Gorgeous!  Speaking of tears does anyone else cry when they're sick?  I spent Saturday night shivering and weeping away to The Holiday.  Oh Jude Law.  Oh Kate Winslet.  Oh romance.  

On that note I leave you with a glimpse into today's outing with the Chef.  Long live boyfriends who don't give a rip about the Super Bowl and running around with plastic cheese on their head while the neighbors get ripped out on pot, screaming and hollering their heads off, using baseball terminology to describe football.  True story.

Last week I was waxing on over twitter regarding my search for the perfect pair of high-waisted jeans to add to the closet for summer's upcoming return-to-70's style extravaganza.  Coming in for the rescue was Nikki pronouncing her love for Gap's new trouser jeans...and mentioning the high-waist alternative.  Cut to Thursday and there I was, mid-afternoon, dancing with glee in the fitting room of my neighborhood Gap store - adorned in their Pintucked Wide Leg Trouser Jeans.  Truth be told two of the employees were jumping up and down with me.  One had been a little skeptical, but I came prepared with my arsenal of shoes aka platform clogs - and once I strolled out with those pants skimming the floor it was game over for all three of us.

Were you fans of Three's Company?  Remember Janet and Chrissy wearing those ridic-fantastic high-waisted denim trousers??  Well all I have to say is 'Come and Knock On Our Door' (the theme song - for all you young people) because there's been a rebirth.  Up next - conquering Mrs. Roper's vibe...it's gonna be one amazing 70's-chic summer, ladies!

I realized something when I went out yesterday evening.  I don't get enough time outside.  I haven't walked briskly in the open air along the trail by the beach in months (I used to do this almost every day).  When was the last time I read a book cover to cover?  I cannot recall.  And how about Pilates?  (something I used to love and look forward to just for the sheer joy of stretching and relaxing) Honestly?  I can't remember the last time I did a full work out or Pilates session more than a day or two in a row.  It's been months.

My heart sunk as I stood in the open, breezy air as people walked by with their dogs and each other or alone.  All the things I'm neglecting are healthy for my heart and soul in the most intrinsic ways.  They make me who I am.  When I was thinking back on all the fun tourists I've met out on walks...oh the conversations I've had and stories I could tell.  And books?  Books are some of my best friends!  I have been robbing them of my time.  Truthfully?  I've been robbing myself.  Of just slowing down and pointedly taking time every day to focus on living and thinking, not doing.

Do you ever feel like this?  Like you're just going, going, going and you know things are slipping, but then one day the weight of it all bears down on you in a passing glance, a visit from a friend, or the wind in your hair?  Things have got to change.

I think the bloody heat has gotten to my mind.  Yesterday morning I woke up from a dream where I was begging my friend Amber to bring me a Pepsi Slurpee from 7-11.  It was the weirdest thing - right in the middle of the dream I remembered I don't even like those and started pleading for a glass of water.  Why I couldn't get my own is beyond me.  All I know is it was hot in that dream, and when my eyes opened it was hot in my house.  (But thankfully I had not sleep-dialed poor Amber! Can you imagine??). 

Do you ever have mornings where you wake up and just know you should stay in bed until the next day?  Like the gong show is just waiting to gong your life all day long?  Well I had that day yesterday.  First was the sweaty, drink-less dream. Then I rolled into my office after a shower where I could barely get cool water - only to discover my internet provider had lost service to at least a thousand customers in my area.  Isn't that special?  Not so much.  How, pray tell dear people, is a person to do their job sans internet?  Oh and never mind the fact that I pay my bills online and several needed to be paid by noon PST.  That's not happening!  I decide I'm going to be productive and do some laundry and clean-up...only to walk into my mudroom and find it filled with smoke from the new next door neighbor who sits in his yard and cigars it up all day and night while the breeze wafts over his fence and into my home.  Welcome neighbor!  When are you moving out again?!?

I could go on, but I'll stop and spare you the details.  Suffice it to say by 11:30am I was huddled under the bed with nothing but a peep hole to the tv where I could see that Victor Newman is being sued by his daughters.  (All I could do is hope the tv didn't go up in smoke like the time my blowdryer almost lit my hair on fire - true story).  Thankfully the Chef stopped by and rescued me from spontaneous combustion.  We strolled the streets and took in a new sushi restaurant before returning home late in the evening to realize My Generation starts at 8 and not 9pm.  Fitting, isn't it?

The morning that Tucker for Target was released was a bit of a nightmare (see here).  After finally finding availability at one store I opted to purchase several things knowing that only a few would stay with me and the rest be returned.  It's amazing how items can come together when they're hanging in the closet or splayed across my bed - far from the glaring fluorescent lights and pressure of making a purchase in the store.  Pieces I might not otherwise think of wearing together suddenly come to life and form the best outfits.  When I saw Gaby (Tucker's mastermind) at an event in Laguna Beach and later in LA the thing that struck me about her is how carefree and laid back she is - she mixes prints and patterns with ease - wearing different ones on top and bottom.  The Chef thought it was a little out there; I prefer the term "eclectic"...and very much free bird style.

On Sunday I threw this outfit on and giggled out loud when I turned to look in the mirror.  It had been forming in my mind since I first caught a preview of the line and turned out to be pure magique!  Don't you love when that happens?  I was feeling pretty good about myself until I noticed that the ad campaign totally put the same two pieces together - oh well, at least I can say I'm catching Gaby's flavor!!  For some reason I totally felt like Mrs. Roper (my hero!) when I was out and about in the outfit...anyone else catching that vibe?


Do you feel tense when you take outfit pictures?  I totally do!! Do you find the more unexpected or glam an outfit is, the less stress you feel?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  And stay tuned for a guest post within the week over at Jess's blog Cheap But Chic where I'll be doing an item comparison of my regular Tucker blouse with one from the Tucker by Target line.  I'll let you know once it's up - if you've been holding off purchasing a blouse that post might help you make your decision.

With the exception of Sunday morning, my weekend was pretty much perfect.  Fall has definitely arrived here at the beach and it was so nice to huddle under the covers, drink hot tea and take walks in oversized sweaters and leggings.  I went to bed on Saturday evening really excited to wake up on Sunday morning and check out the release of Tucker for Target at a local store.

Instead I walked in at 8:10AM and was greeted by a stampede of women who had been possessed by wild animals.  Within moments I witnessed an older woman, shopping for her daughter, have an item ripped from her grasp while she stood there stunned.  At that point I knew it was on.  I managed to find ONE item left in my size and entered the fitting room only to find a group of approximately 5 rabid hyenas who had literally stripped the entire Tucker section of almost every single item.  The Target girls were not prepared for this display of ill-behavior and were clearly mortified as several of us late by 10 minute arrivers requested only to try on an item or two, while the others flat out refused to share anything as they snickered holding a full size run of XS - XL in all but two items.  It was absolutely disgusting to see mid-20's through mid 40's women behave like that.  So much that I turned and walked out.

I ended up visiting a total of 5 Target stores where I eventually managed to find several items in my size and, thanks to my first couple of experiences, was particularly sensitive to leave a full size run on the racks for others!!!  (Are you reading this all of you in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach?? UGH!).  While the morning left me weary, I am pleased with the items I did find.  My most favorite by far is the Persian Bomber Jacket.  When we walked up the street to grab a bite tonight I seized the cool evening as my first opportunity to wear it.

Here I am live and reporting to you from the Prairies in Canada where one minute the sun is shining and the next you're in a full-scale downpour that is quickly followed by more sun and a light breeze.  It's a good thing I packed a wide range of attire including shorts, skirts, denim, leggings, light t-shirts, blouses, jackets and even some tights because, tights aside, I've had a chance to wear a little of everything and it's been great.  One of the things I miss most about living here is the ability to truly indulge in all the wonderful fashion that appears at fall.  In Southern California we really can't get into much of a deep relationship with wool, chunky knit sweaters, or rich tweed so, even though I love where I live, I do find myself a little heartsick at all the possibilities that get passed over due to the high likelihood of a heatwave in the fall.

Seizing the opportunity to get out and take in a glimpse, the Chef and I ventured into downtown Calgary the other day where we inevitably ended up at Holt Renfrew - Canada's Barneys and one of my favorite places to shop when visiting home.  Within moments we I was oohing and aahing over amazing brands that were perfectly merchandised and singing all too many of the sweet songs of fall into my ears.  Even as I type a particular leather vest adorned with leather studded shoulders remains locked in my mind.  I don't think I'll ever be the same.  Wallet fairies?  I still haven't given up on you...