So Long, Farewell

The clock is ticking on 2010, and I can't help but think of the wonderful year that has passed...and wonder about the one approaching.  In 2010 I got engaged, turned 30, became an Auntie, became a wife, changed my name, and paid off my student loans.  I traveled to Hawaii, Denver, Albuquerque, and Bali.  I discovered some great music, went to several amazing concerts, and started going on the social bike ride on Thursday nights.  I tried yoga for the first time, ran the fewest miles ever in a year (since 2003), but finished strong by running the most miles ever in a December.

All this makes me think of 2011...of what's to come.  A year ago I had no idea where the next 365 days would take me.  I'm excited about next year.  I'm excited about this "secondhand challenge."  If anything, I'm doing this for the adventure...to see if I can change one thing in my life for a period of time and see where that takes me. 

And because I've fallen in love with Bat for Lashes over and over again this year, and can't seem to get her music out of my mind...a beautiful picture to end this year's blog, like a farewell kiss:

Love you all

May 2011 bring mystery, adventure, love, and knowledge.  May our time be spent with family and friends, in good health and spirit.  To all that the coming year will bring...may the moments not be passed without notice.

Goodwill Good Luck

Thrift store shopping is always more fun when you go with a friend.  For me, it's been good luck, especially when I take Ginny with me.  :)  She always finds the best stuff!  And...we're not the same size, so there's no fighting over who spotted the cute dress first.  The last time we paid a visit to the Gucci Goodwill, she found this amazing vintage skirt -->

I love the bright colored plaid and the shape of this skirt.  If only it were my size!  She also bought the most adorable little strawberry ring, and is the person responsible for finding the 2 dresses that I purchased that day.  Needless to say, I'll be taking her along on as many thrift store journeys as possible during my year of secondhand shopping.

She's great at sifting through all the junk to find the good stuff, and won't hesitate to tell you that "you look like a garanimal in that dress," if you're about to make a regretful purchase.

So, I wore the black and white Calvin Klein dress today for the first time, and I've received so many compliments on it.  Sorry my head is cut off in the picture, but it's all I had to work with.  Anyway...for only $12.99 it's a great dress...super comfy and versatile...it doesn't wrinkle...and it doesn't require dry cleaning!  This dress was a total score...thanks for finding it, Ginny!

 

The People

Travelling during the holidays has its perks.  I had to take a quick trip for work this week, which put me right in the middle of Christmas Holiday travel.  While crowded and mostly miserable, it did make for some great people watching.  Like the girl sporting the pink Moon Boots in 80 degree weather as I passed through the Dallas airport.  These things seriously reminded me of a soft cast you would wear if you were recovering from a broken foot. Really, I'm not sure how she walked around without tripping over her own shoes...in 80 degree weather!  I guess you can get away with most anything while in college.

Then, there was the middle aged woman, with furrowed brow creases, reading the book When Our Grown Kids Disappoint Us: Letting Go of Their Problems, Loving Them Anyway, and Getting on with Our Lives in the middle of the airport...en route to visit her adult children for the holidays?  At least she didn't forget a family member at the security check point, as did one mother in Austin on my way out.  It's 6:30 in the morning, and over the intercom comes the message "Mrs. Smith, please come back to gate 15...for your son."  Whoops!  Then, there was the adorable little girl...hair still disheveled from sleep...walking slowly through the airport, still in her foot pajamas, pulling her rolling carry on.  So cute! 

But the best thing of all...observing the Holiday spirit.  I left my iPod touch in the seat back on my 2nd flight out.  When I arrived in OKC, I thought it was gone for good.  I called Southwest to file a lost and found report, without much hope...and they actually called me back!  Someone turned in the iPod in Dallas, so I picked it up the following day on my way back home.  I guess there are still good people in the world!  There was also the gentleman in line for lunch at Schlotzsky's in the OKC airport, who bought lunch for the complete stranger who was next in line.  It's these small acts of kindness and decency that really give me hope.  So, until next time...I hope you all are enjoying your holiday, and making the most of the small things this season.

Best Music of 2010: My Favorite 15

I'm definitely not an expert on the subject, but I do LOVE music.  Every year, I make a list of the albums that I really enjoyed, and this year, I'm sharing with you. 

My favorite albums of 2010 (in no particular order):

1.  Yeasayer - Odd Blood .  I have to admit, it took me a little while to get into this album.  I had it for several months before I really listened to it, but once I did, I couldn't get enough.  I love putting this on when I'm working out or riding my bike.  Madder Red, I Remember, Love Me Girl, and O.N.E. are my favorites.
2. Matt and Kim - Sidewalks .  I saw Matt and Kim perform at the ACL Music Festival this year, and they were so much fun!  For only 2 people, they put out a great sound, with lots of energy.  I was looking forward to the release of Sidewalks, and I might even love it more than Grand.  Block After Block and Cameras are my favorites.
3. Broken Bells - Broken Bells.  In this album, Danger Mouse teams up with the vocalist for the Shins.  I knew that I would love this album before I heard it.  I only wish I could have caught their free show during SXSW, where they played in a parking garage...I heard the acoustics made for one sweet show.  It's really tough to pick favorite tracks on this album, because it's all really great, but I'd say Vaporize might top my list.
4. Surfer Blood - Astro Coast.  I really love this album, and can't wait to see what SB comes up with next.  I was really bummed that I wasn't able to attend any of the many shows they played during SXSW, but will be looking for opportunities to catch them live in the future.  Anchorage is definitely my favorite track on the album, but there are others like Floating Vibes and Swim that are super, as well.
5. glasser - Ring.  I've only had this album for a couple weeks, but I'm in love with it!  The sound is so creative and new.  I love Apply - it's a song that will stick in your head for hours...interesting sounds with the vocals in this one.
6. Phantogram - Eyelid Movies.  This is an album that I bought on a whim when it was Amazon listed it for $1.99 in a daily deal.  I'm so glad I purchased this one!  Every time I play a song from it, people ask "who's that?"  Favorite songs from this album: Mouthful of Diamonds, Bloody Palms, Futuristic Casket, and When I'm Small.
7. Sleigh Bells - Treats.  The first time I heard this, it really got on my nerves.  It was just so loud and in your face.  But then I listened again during a workout, and it really helped to get me going.  Since then, it's included in most of my playlists.  I've really grown to love this album.  I don't think it's something that I'll go back to year after year...but it's really great right now.  Plus, I love the album art.

8. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs.  Another brilliant album from one of my favorite bands.  I listened to this on repeat while driving through the desert in a rented convertible on my way to Albuquerque.  Every time I hear it, I think of watching the sunset over the mountains.  Favorite tracks: Rococo, City With No Children, Suburban War. 
9. Beach House - Teen Dream.  LOVE. THIS. ALBUM.  Listened to it so much over the summer while lounging by the pool.  They put on a great show at ACL Festival, too...it was one of my favorite performances this year.  It's hard to pick favorites because I really enjoy every song, but here are a few that stand out: Lover of Mine, Norway, Real Love.
10. The Morning Benders - Big Echo.  This is another album that I listened to so much this year.  Excuses is one of my favorites, as well as Promises and All Day Light.
11. Local Natives - Gorilla Manor.  This is one of those bands that I thought went from good to great after seeing them play live.  I saw them at ACL Festival, and they put on a really great show.  I love the cover art for this album, as well.  Wide Eyes is definitely one of my favorite tracks this year, along with Sun Hands, Shape Shifter, Warning Sign, Who Knows Who Cares...oh hell, the whole f*ing thing is great...if you don't have it, go now.
12. Azure Ray - Drawing Down the Moon.  It's been awhile since their self titled album, and I have to say I am so happy they are back.  Simply put, Azure Ray is beautiful music that evokes so much emotion.  Don't Leave My Mind is one of my favorite songs of the year.
13. M.I.A. - Maya [Explicit].  M.I.A. is a badass, and this album will melt your face off.  It's such a unique and interesting album, and might take a couple of listens to really appreciate.  Xxxo, It Takes a Muscle, and Born Free are among my favorites on this album.
14. Rogue Wave - Permalight. I got to see these guys perform a free show at Mellow Johnny's during SXSW last year.  It was a great show, with lots of free swag. :)  This album was on heavy rotation in my workout playlist this year.  Here's a photo I took at the show --->
15. Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager [Explicit].  This is another album that I've only had for a few weeks, but I'm addicted!  Forget about the new Kanye West album...get this one instead!  I especially love the song Maniac, where he samples from St. Vincent's song The Strangers.  Which...makes me remember the great show that St. Vincent put on at Mohawk.  We were right up front:

I also listened to the following albums a lot this year, even though they were released prior to 2010: Bat For Lashes: Two Suns [+digital booklet], Miike Snow Miike Snow, Cut Copy In Ghost Colours, and Foals Antidotes.  So, that's the year in music.  I'm looking forward to what 2011 brings.

Wedding Story - A Tale of 2 Dresses

Looking back on our October wedding, I can laugh a little about this story...although, at the time it wasn't so funny.  About 3 weeks before the big day, I went to the tailor for my final dress fitting, and as I was standing there, checking the hem line in the mirror, a thought occured to me...I don't feel my most beautiful in this dress.  I hate this dress!  I started to panick.  Those of you who have ever ordered a wedding gown (or even a bridesmaid dress) know that it takes MONTHS for them to come in.  So...being 3 weeks away from my wedding and having a meltdown about the dress was not a comfortable place for me.  But, something had to be done. 

So, I got on my computer and immediately started browsing wedding gowns on the J.Crew website.  I chatted with a sales associate, who informed me that wedding dresses are shipped the same as a normal order...about a week.  The only problem...there was nowhere to try them on before ordering (unless I had the means to fly to New York).  I started thinking about the dresses I owned that I felt were the most flattering, and here's what I came up with:  scoop neckline, fitted waist, a-line skirt.  There were two dresses online that fit this description.  So, I made my way to the J.Crew store to have my measurements taken, and ordered the dresses.  Two days later, they arrived at the condo, and I'm sure Jason was wondering what the hell I was doing when I locked myself in the bedroom after 2 huge J.Crew boxes were delivered. 

The first new dress I tried on was the one I really wanted...and it fit perfectly!  I only had to have the hem line taken up a couple inches...no other alterations necessary.  The next day, I dropped the dress off at the tailor (a different one, so my first lady wouldn't think I was absolutely insane...even though I was starting to feel that way).  The alterations only took 4 days.  So, there I was, 2 weeks away from the wedding, with a completely different dress than what I had originally started out with.  But, I felt happy...this was THE DRESS.

Beautiful detail in the back.

Simple.  Elegant.  Effortless.

With just the right amount of train.

And my accessories?  Everything but one piece would have fit into the not-quite-new year challenge.  I'm not sure that this is enough to offset the fact I bought TWO WEDDING DRESSES.  But, it's a start.  The necklace is a vintage piece from Room Service Vintage , the blue bangle and rose earrings were borrowed from Ms. Margaret, and the navy clutch is a vintage find from Ebay.

I'll be listing the first wedding gown purchase on Ebay soon.  Hopefully, it'll be someone else's perfect dress for their perfect day.  Oh, and remember those vintage milk glass vases I bought for the wedding? 

They turned out so cute!  (More about that, to come). 

Wedding photography by Francis Joseph Photography . 



Hand Me Down, Please

I'm the only girl in my family, so growing up, I never really had to wear second hand, or hand-me-down clothes from my siblings.  Sure, there was the occasional dress I would borrow from a friend, but overall, if I wanted something new...I'd bargain with my Mom until she caved and took me to the mall. 

Flash forward into my 30s, and I'm still more likely to buy something new for every special (or not so special) occasion than I am to borrow from a friend.  Over the weekend, I started thinking about the year to come...and, I must admit...the thought of going through an entire year without being able to order new clothes from J.Crew or hit the sale section of Anthropologie set me into a bit of a panic.  What would I do if I needed something special to wear to an after hours work function or party?  I started having doubts about my ability to pull this off.  Then, I thought about all the fashionable friends I have and considered how fun it would be to bring them into the challenge...if only to help me out by passing along their unwanted items throughout the year.  We could have swap parties where we bring all our unwanted clothes and play dress up while drinking a few glasses of wine.  This made me feel better, and I started to regain some excitement about my not-quite-new year.  I'll have the chance to live like I have sisters...with all the hand-me-downs I can stand.  :)

Here's a lovely J.Crew wool blend sweater that I got from a friend over a year ago.  She ordered it online and it didn't fit...so she passed it along to me.  It's something that I wear quite frequently in the cooler months...and a bit of inspiration for next year.  And...I think of lovely Stef every time I wear it.  Free fashion from a friend...what could be better than that?  

Testing the Waters

So the goal for 2011 is this...to see if I can go the entire year without buying anything new (with the exception of consumable goods like food, of course).  If I succeed, I would basically spend the year buying all clothing, gifts, and housewares from thrift stores, garage sales, or Ebay.  Nothing new...only used.  I don't really know why I want to do this.  I've reached a point in my life where things are finally approaching a level of financial stability...so it's not about saving money.  I think maybe it's this...plain and simple, I think I buy too much stuff.  Stuff I don't need...stuff I just pick off the rack without even thinking twice about it...because I "deserve" it.  I'm sick of myself and my shopaholic ways.  So...I'm going to challenge myself to go a year without...and see where that leads me. 

On Friday I went on a trial run to see what I could find at the "Gucci Goodwill," which is basically just the Goodwill that is located in the really nice part of town.  I stopped by on my lunch break...and totally scored!  I found 2 dresses and a birthday gift for a friend...and walked out of there spending less than $40.

This is going to be a challenge...but I think an adventure as well.  We throw away so many lovely things in this country because we're so impatient and so insatiable.  I want to see if I can take a break from all that.  The challenge officially starts on January 1, 2011.  Wish me luck!

Here's a picture of one of the dresses I bought at Goodwill last week.  Only $12 for a piece that is sure to be a wardrobe staple (by Anne Klein).  Sure, it's a little "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - ish...but I dig it!