I’m a sucker for packaging

Have you heard about Swirl? It’s Daily Candy’s sample sale site. They email you info about limited time sales from various designers.  They have had some really cute stuff with a great selection, and it doesn’t all seem to sell out as quickly as the other sites (I’m looking at you Idelli).  Anyway, a few weeks ago I ordered a fantastic pair of jeans, not only are they really cute, they were disturbingly cheap (60 bucks, orginally 180. Seriously. I don’t remember the last time I’ve purchased a pair of jeans that fit properly for less than 100 bucks.  Reason 101 it sucks to be nearly 5’10).

I do a lot of online shopping. While I love it,  I like the small touches you get from shopping.  The instant gratification, the fun bags,  the ability to try things on.  But Swirl has managed to bring a little charm to the otherwise sterile online shopping experience. Look at how cute their packaging is:

Okay, so the packaging isn’t the only awesome part. The jeans are super cute too. Check out these buttons:

 

So Little Time and So Much Laziness

Clearly I haven’t been posting much lately. I blame laziness and an unusually packed schedule.  Work, friends in town, shopping for an upcoming trip and life in generally have kept me away from the computer.

Now, the shopping.  I’m headed to the beach so I needed to pick up a few things.  In picking up a “few things” I’ve realized I have too much crap!  It’s weird to think that seven months ago I arrived out here with 14 boxes and felt like I had given up/sold/thrown out the majority of my possessions.  But somehow the stuff seems to have mutlitiplied, especially the clothing.  It’s everywhere! It’s pouring out of my drawers closet and wardrobe.

While crusing the library a few days ago I found what I think might help.

“It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan For Living A Richer Life With Less Stuff” by Peter Walsh.

While I’m not really the self help type, I’m also not the organized type so I’m willing to take the plunge.

So far, so good.  I’ve only gotten as far as my clothing, but that’s the major problem.  I’m taking his suggestions to heart.  If it hasn’t been worn in 6 months (and is in season) it’s outta here. So far I’ve filled up a bag for goodwill and one for the garbage  from my winter clothing.  Next up: cosmetics and accessories. After that, kitchen organization. The idea of it makes me cringe a bit.  Despite the total purge that my move forced me to make, I’m not good at giving things up.  I’m always afraid that I’ll need it, or want to wear it, or it has some sort of memory attached.  This book is making me brutal.  I’m cutting to the chase.  If in doubt I’m throwing it out.

The new rule? For every clothing item that comes in, one needs to come out.

I’m hating it.

But I’m loving the fact that my drawers will close.

Pete (yeah, I’m calling him Pete. I figure if I make him seem like a buddy I’ll hate what he is saying less) has debunked all of my excuses, so I guess I’ll have to take his motto to heart: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”.  While I do think all of my clothing is beautiful, and my lip gloss and millions of lotions and potions are superb, I’ve got to thin the herd.

I have a feeling I’ll end up hating Pete, but loving the results.  Clutter be gone!!

 

I need More Accessories Like a Hole in the Head

The color purple + peacock feathers = the most unique and beautiful (and expensive) wedding invitation that I’ve seen in quite some time. As a result I’ve had peacock feathers on the brain.   So I ordered these earrings.

While they are a little large, I think they are fun and gorgeous. I’m now in a no buy zone for earrings as well as lip gloss, as my collection is getting a little out of hand considering 95% of the time I wear diamond studs. They are perfect as I can sleep and shower in them.  But I like to mix it up with fun things and I think these certainly fit the bill. Oh, did I mention I got them on Etsy? I need to block that site on my browser, I can’t go without putting at least one thing in my basket.

 

Bring On the Butter!

Damn it! I accidentally bought another cookbook! It jumped in my amazon cart and followed me home. I blame it on the dreary months and slightly chilly weather. That’s correct, I’ve been craving comfort food. So one must follow the recipes of those who do comfort food best: The southerners. And one southerner seems to do it better than anyone else. Yes, Paula Deen will be on my shelves when I get home.

It probably didn’t help that I just finished her biography “It Ain’t All About The Cookin“. One can only hear about fried chicken, and baked spaghetti, and all other manner of delish sounding heart attack inducing fried foods, before you want to be able to make them yourself. She certainly has lived an interesting life and the book is worth reading, but beware, I don’t see how you couldn’t order a cookbook upon completion.

I have a new bookclub tonight! I’m hoping that this group of ladies is as interesting as they seem to be!

 

All for the Price of a Stamp

I could be the last person on the planet who gets excited by the prospect of mail. Like real honest-to-god mail in the mailbox mail. Not bills (of course), or email, or the stupid fliers from the grocery store, but something that someone has taken the time to write and put in an envelope and send to me.

I adore getting holiday cards. Religious, funny, ugly, whatever, I love getting them. And the holidays are pretty much the only time that it happens. The occasional thank you note will arrive, but certainly not regularly.

Which is another topic, whatever happened to the thank you note? From the age of about 4 it was drilled into my head that you should write one for just about everything. I guess people just aren’t that into them anymore. It might be the mid-westerner in me, but I just think that nothing can replace a nice handwritten thank you. It takes about a minute out of your day and is truly gracious. An email just doesn’t show the same level of thoughtfulness, in my opinion. Wow, I just realized how Ms. Manners that sounded, so I just spit on the sidewalk and pushed an old lady. Equilibrium restored.

And as long as I’m headed down this road, what is it with people sending out Holiday cards with absolutely NO PERSONAL TOUCH? I mean, if you can’t even bother to actually SIGN a card to me, or write just a quick little sentence to personalize it, please don’t bother. I don’t really need to be part of your envelope stuffing campaign. Wow! From Ms. Manners to crotchety old lady, all in one post.

Circling back around, outside of the thank you note I’ve never been much of a note writer. I’ve decided that perhaps the key to RECEIVING mail is to send it. So I’m making a conscious effort to be one of those people who remembers birthdays, special occasions, or just because, with a card or a note. I’m not going to single handily turn around the woes of the post office, but I’m planning  on doing my part. And honestly, with all the cute stationary and notecards out there, I don’t think it should be a problem. I’ve ordered some really cute notecards, and some personalized correspondence cards.

My pretty new notecards!

Now to fill up some mail boxes!

 

At Least I Can Move My Fingers

Allow me to let you in on a little secret. I hate running. Actually, I hate running outside. I don’t like the fact that I have no idea how far I’ve gone, or what my pace is. It’s especially not fun in this city which is kind of known for it’s hills. This wouldn’t be such a big deal if I A.) Had the motivation/time/money and ability to work out at a set time, to join a gym and B.) Hadn’t decided that 2010 would be the year that I would run twice a week.

But that’s where I got sneaky. I only vowed to RUN twice a week. No mention was made of distance in said vow. So I’ve literally been running my errands. Movie to return to blockbuster? Run there. Need a passport photo? Run to Costco (though I don’t recommend this one, the picture looked awful). Sure it’s a little bit irritating to run back with stuff, but two birds one stone, and I’m already irritated that I’m running in the first place.

Saturday I needed a book for book club (You have no idea how annoyed I was that it wasn’t available for my Kindle), so it was time to run to Borders. Once I picked up my book I certainly wasn’t in much of a hurry to run back home, so I began to leisurely peruse the aisles. Borders LOVES to put crap I don’t need but have to at least examine on tables towards the front of the store. They also love to make said crap super cheap so that I end up buying a calendar three months into the year or a Christmas reading lamp in July.

They really got me with this months theme. It was clearly all about new years resolutions. Books about weight-loss, books about being a better you, skinny cookbooks, stop smoking, learn a new hobby. It was all spread out on the table to make everyone coming through the door feel bad about the fact that it’s the middle of January and they haven’t improved themselves a bit.

And then I saw it…….Jillian Michaels! She is my favorite trainer from the biggest loser, which I enjoy watching/crying along with the contestants with a nice order of Chinese takeout. Her workout videos (and her books) were laying innocently with all the other weight-loss material on the table. Did I mention they were buy one get one half off? I immediately snapped up two of them. This would be the answer. I might hate running and I might be feeling a little bit guilty that I’m not EXACTLY committing myself to my resolution, but if I did her video, voila! I’d be in shape and wouldn’t have to feel as bad about running to buy a bottle of wine or pick up cheese.

The answer to my guilt only cost me 21 bucks. For that I got the 30 Day Shred and No More Trouble Zones. That way I would be in killer shape when I counted a run to grab coffee as one of my weekly runs. The whole run home I was feeling very satisfied with myself.

There is a reason her contestants are always crying on the show. I’m only on level one of the 30 day shred video. It’s supposed to be the easy level and it’s only 20 mins. The morning after my second session It killed to go down the stairs. She makes you sweat like a pig.  Don’t even ask about how hard the routines to get rid of “trouble zones” are. My Abs hurt so badly that laughing makes me want to cry.

The women might be the devil. She is constantly encouraging me, saying things like “Pain is fear leaving the body”. Well thanks Jillian, I didn’t realize how much fear I was carrying around.

The only part of my body that doesn’t hurt is my fingertips.

The scariest part? I’m finding myself loving it. Clearly I need help.