March roundup: farewell to foolishness

March's allotted funds: $30.
actually spent: $42.75 (so half of April's funds are spoken for!)
money left for April: $17.25.

1: petite trouser jeans, Macy's, $13.52.  My other trouser jeans were from Banana Republic, and didn't get worn much because I think I'm between sizes at BR -- I can barely squeeze into a 4 but end up swimming in a 6. Not to mention that the petite was still too long and dragged on the ground. These were the right price, fit better, and I'll make good use of them.
2: Charter Club tunic, Macy's, $16.24. Love the stitched hem detail, bright colors, and easy cut -- plan to pair this up with skinnies or white jeans.
3: green-and-white tee from stripedshirt.com, won in giveaway from Hayley of The Weekend File. My first giveaway win!   :D
4. tie-waist palazzo pants, Ross, $12.99. I tried them on here.
5. Calvin Klein double-zipper sheath, $39.99, Ross, not shown but seen here. ** Cost not included in this month's total because I'm considering it a gift to myself for passing my aikido test. And I did end up returning that lovely silk dress I bought at the same time.


     Like I've mentioned before, this $30-a-month business isn't really working. (I'm embarrassed to admit that I've spent my allotment for the next 3 months). While I'll be posting roundups and parceling items out over the next few months, I cut off the spending on Sunday, April 1 (when I bought a pair of turquoise jeggings). It's kind of fitting that I made the decision on April Fool's Day, considering the saying, "A fool and her money are easily parted" ...

Try-it-out Tuesday: daydream 0, reality 1

   Wandering through fields of gently waving grass and vivid wildflowers, enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea in a quaint shop while gazing out the window at a picturesque street scene ... that's what I think I should be doing while wearing this dress. Which perhaps explains why I haven't worn it since buying it more than a year ago.

 Maxi dress, Old Navy

   Love Change tank, Macy's

Carole agate necklace, Nordstrom Rack clearance, ($2.40!)

vintage mother-of-pearl ring, belonged to great-aunt

 
     The dress is rather low-cut, so I added a tank for coverage and to balance out the fanciness of the dress.

      I didn't do anything special in this dress -- it was the first day of classes after spring break. But I did feel pretty all afternoon long. And I think that always counts for something. :)

PINspiration: toughen up

   I was so excited to buy this skirt a while back, but I am still mystified as how to wear it. I think this is my favorite outfit yet, though. The tee and the belt toughen things up a little.

  Yoshitomo Nara tee (Y2K, old)

    Lush pleated midi skirt (Nordstrom Rack)

    brown belt (Ross?)

     I had this pin in mind:

 

                                                                                   Source: thesfstyle.com via Carrie on Pinterest

 
     I wore this to run a few errands and I added wedge heels for some much-needed height:

  Indigo by Clarks "Plover" sandal (Clarks Outlet, $29.99)

    And now I can enjoy that absurd feeling of accomplishment that comes from using or doing something I actually pinned. :)
   Happy Friday!

spring break: a late roundup

This spring break roundup is a bit late, given that it's Thursday (*sigh.* Where did the week go??) But here it is ...

 spring break = cookie break  :)

Reading:

• "Persuasion" by Jane Austen. I'd read "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma" quite a few years ago, but this is my first time reading "Persuasion." Every time I read Austen, I think, why don't I read her novels more often? She has such a wickedly sharp sense of humor and her characterizations of people are perfect. Added bonus: you can watch the film adaptation afterwards!

Also borrowed from the library: "Purple Cane Road" by James Lee Burke (mystery is not really a genre I read much, but he was highly recommended by a friend)  and "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness.

Hoping to watch (guess who hurried down to the university library at the last minute to snatch up some free DVDs before spring break?):

• Once
• Lust, Caution

Baking: 
Instead of frolicking on the beach and partying until the wee hours, I'm spending some quality time with my oven. :)

• peanut butter-oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (pictured above) from The Brown Eyed Baker. I've been a longtime reader, but this is the first recipe I've tried. I added a dash of cinnamon, and substituted a chopped-up dark chocolate bar and peanut butter cups for the chocolate chips. They came out pleasingly chewy around the edges and soft and tender in the middle. And since there's oatmeal in the dough, you can eat it for breakfast, right?
• I know that pumpkin is a flavor associated with autumn, but I'm hoping to bake a batch of pumpkin muffins before spring break is over ... :)

Try-it-out Tuesday: crazy pants

     Things I love about Ross: the variety and prices.
     Things I don't love about Ross: finding something great ... in the wrong size.
     Exhibit A: these possibly fantastic pants, which I could only find in a medium.

Polo?/Ralph Lauren? shirt (free from Mom)

Double Take tie-waist palazzo pants, (Ross, $12.99)

red lucite 6-strand necklace, eBay

    

     I spent quite a bit of time fussing with the ties to ensure that the excess fabric wasn't lumpy or bunched up. After I finally got it tied to my satisfaction, and put on the shirt, and necklace, and focused the camera ... the camera battery died. So I had to get undressed, put the battery in its charger, and kill some time. This would have made me a bit grumpy on most days, but I had freshly baked cookies to nibble on while I waited, so it was OK. :)

     These pants are as comfortable as pajamas, and they kind of remind me of the hakama I wear for aikido. (Yes, that is a strange reason to like an item of clothing). The only problem is that they're too big. I might consider checking the other Ross in town to see if I can find the right size. Or maybe there's a way to take in some of the extra fabric?
    Anyhow, I've decided that just as every woman needs a LBDD (little black dress with a difference), she should also own a pair of "crazy pants" -- statement-making bottoms. Do you own a pair?
    Happy Tuesday!

best. search. EVER.

Today this popped up in the list of searches that lead to my blog: 

beautiful women posing barefoot

Google, you know how to make my day. :)

Try-it-out Tuesday: style redemption

     Sunday marked four years since the Mr. and I went on our first date. We decided on a whim to go out for dinner. The Mr. is not particularly sentimental, so I was surprised that he wanted to go back to the same spot where we ate dinner four years ago. However, they were closed (which shows how often we venture out on Sunday nights).
     We ended up at a open-air bar in Waikiki, eating overpriced tacos, beans, rice, and chips out of styrofoam containers and drinking overpriced wine and beer. We watched the tourists strolling by below toting their shopping bags and snapping photos of each other. Then we went home but were too tired to open the bottle of pink sparkling wine I had got for the occasion, so we went to bed. Not quite the romantic night most folks dream of, but you know what? It was just right. :)
     I remember what I wore on that first date: a black V-neck top with a white camisole under it, jeans, wedge sandals, and not even a bit of makeup.
      I figured Sunday was time to redeem myself sartorially from that rather simple start. I knew this look was a hit with the Mr. when he grabbed my camera and started taking photos.

     

dress, Old Navy

D&Y scarf worn as belt, Ross

sandals, Target

22K gold ring, worn as necklace, India (gift)

green bangles, India

silver bangles, Amrita Singh on HauteLook

    P.S.: the scarf as obi belt is what qualifies this as a Try-it-out Tuesday post. Oh, and the fact that I straightened my hair, put on foundation and eye makeup, and tinted lip balm -- which all together made me feel pretty glamorous. :)
   Happy Tuesday!