francophile

I love France. I love studying French, French culture, French geography, French history, French fashion. I fantasize about visiting France on a daily basis. I must have gotten the French bug from my dad, who lived in France for a couple years and will practice speaking with me (although I stopped studying the language 2 years ago, and I am sadly very rusty). My love has been reignited because I have been watching Le Tour, another interest I inherited from Dad. He has cycled for forever, and I grew up watching the Tour every year with him, even pre-Lance. It is just such a beautiful sport and the whole country is passionate about it. I love watching the peloton glide through the gorgeous scenery.




Today two French women came into my work, and I was so tempted to speak to them, even just a friendly "bonjour" or "merci beaucoup", but I am too scared that my accent is horrible and I would sound like I'm trying too hard. I need to make a plan about how I can keep studying French...and how I can get there! I am realizing that if I want to go anytime soon, I just can't buy anything at all, and I must save all the money I can. I am torn between my love of clothes and my need to travel! For now, to satisfy both, I will just have to browse the archives of dans Paris. Le sigh.

oy.

Pardon the interruption, as drama has temporarily replaced all the fashion in my life. One handsome roommate in a car wreck (everyone is ok), one crumpled up car, too many hours of searching for a new car, too many sleazy car salesmen, and 10-hour workdays have gotten the best of me. Just as soon as I feel like I'm on top of things, something comes along to screw it up. I know I have it so much better than many people, but it just seems the harder I work, the more frustrating that my life becomes.

So, the good news is that my sister was in town for a few days, and it gave me a much-needed excuse to go shopping (what better way do sisters bond?). I am finally in possession of some buttery soft jazz oxfords, which I plan on wearing everywhere (as soon as I can manage a day off!)

Here's hoping to make it through one week without a major disaster! I must go self treat my stress by browsing the newest lookbooks!

happy 4th

Happy Independence Day to all of us in America! Let's all take one day and forget the horrible things that our leadership has done recently (*cough*LIBBY*cough) and celebrate the good things about our country. I hope everyone has a great holiday today, filled with parades, root beer and fireworks of course. I have to work tonight, but my job is right in the midst of a huge celebration so it should still feel festive.

Hopefully everyone else has the day off...go to the beach in my honor!

justified

I had some time to waste today in the mall while I waited out a huge rainstorm. I wandered into Old Navy, because their window displays had some cute sweaters. I was surprised to see they already had a lot of their fall collection in the store. I headed straight to the trench coat that got me so excited from their tv commercial. It really is nice, it looks even better in person.



It is very soft, well-fit, and a great color. The problem is, do I need it? No. I just couldn't justify buying it right now. It is going to be 90 degrees + for the next 4 months or so, and I don't have any trips planned in the near future. But it is such a classic piece, should I just buy it and save it until someday that I happen to need it? Should it sit in my closet until I take that trip to Paris, who knows when? Luckily, since this is Florida in the middle of summer, the trench probably won't be snatched up immediately and I'll have time to consider it.

This brings up a question: should you ever buy clothes that you don't have an immediate need for? Should we just save our money and know that something similar, or better, is sure to come along? Since I am trying to drastically reform my closet and style, my answers should surely be "no" and "yes"!

bang-up job

Tonight saw quite the excitement around here. I gave myself my first ever self made haircut, but just on my bangs.

They're quite squiggly from being out in the rain, but overall I'm surprised that I didn't butcher them! Wow, bad angle for my roots. This is the most bangs I've had since grade 7, and I am slowly inching my way back to wanting a full forehead of them. Also still debating whether to go dark. I am craving change!

The excitement continued when, in a total geek-out moment, I decided to drag my handsome housemate out to see the 7-11 down the road that was remade as a Kwik E Mart for the Simpsons movie promo.

It was cute and gave us yet another sugar cereal to try. We are addicted to any & all sugary breakfast food!

Maybe tomorrow will be a bit more fashionable.
xx

love this look...

...but could never pull it off! I have seen this girl all over the (blog) place lately and I love her look.





The red hair, the knee socks, the babydoll dresses. Unfortunately, my legs don't look quite as fetching in knee-highs. I do have similar glasses, when I'm not wearing my contacts, but that's probably as close as I'll get!

images from dans paris, facehunter, and the sartorialist

weekend of the purge

I have been reading (and getting very inspired by) retail recovery and her other sites, 34 pieces and a perfectly small wardrobe. I have said before that I hope to build a wardrobe with a few interchangeable high-quality pieces rather than a bunch of disposable crap. This weekend I finally took a step in the right direction and got rid of a ton of clothes. I was able to sell some of my newer items to a consignment shop, and the rest went to Goodwill. My closet is looking better already! I am excited to start focusing on quality and fit instead of "is it on sale?" or "is it trendy?"

My trip to Goodwill also gave me a sweet surprise: a new couch for $20!! I know what you're thinking, that couches from Goodwill are disgusting and $20 for a reason. This one is such an exception though, and I'm so excited about it. I will give it it's own post later!