Outfit Of The Day (and fun with Picnik):

It is a balmy 60 degrees here today with no snow on the ground, so I felt like cracking out my Lulus. Husband and I will be up in Breckenridge (with a high of only 17 degrees!) tomorrow, so don't feel jealous of me quite yet.

But I'm going to be in Breckenridge taking lots of pictures of the snow sculptures from the International Snow Sculpting Competition. If they haven't already melted and/or been covered in more snow, that is. Okay, you can be jealous again. Yay, mountains!

Have a good rest of the weekend, go puppehs, and I'll be back Monday.

Top: Heather Gray V-neck from American Eagle, BCBG Nubby Peplum Jacket
Jeans: AE skinnies
Belt: J. Crew Patent Belt in Dusty Rose
Shoes: J. Crew Metallic Lulu Peep toes
Bag: Andrea Brueckner Tierney City in Black/Black Patent

"I don't care what you think as long as it's about me...

...the best of us can find happiness in misery."
-Fall Out Boy


Aside from the fact that I quoted a trendy pop punk band (the song is catchy, okay? and the video is genius with Spencer Pratt at the end 'cuz he's totally in on it), I have something very important to discuss today:

Red hair dye.

And how to get it out of cream colored carpet.

So I had the genius idea to dye my hair again on Tuesday night. My new hair color has been fading faster than Bob Barker's spray tan. More and more blonde was coming through every time I washed it! I had to squish the blonde! Obliterate it! Kill it!

So I picked up some good hair dye from Sally's Beauty Supply (along with the 10 developer) to give it another go. I slapped my gloves on, mixed up the dye, and got to work.

Now here's the problem. I was pretty mild as a teenager. I didn't get into the usual hi-jinx of adolescence. No drinking, no smoking, no doing drugs. No getting weird piercings, no breaking the law, and no dying my hair unusual colors. Some might even say that I was a bit boring. I will kindly protest that, but you know, not everybody gets their kicks out of having their parents look at them with hopeful eyes and say, "Really honey, it's okay if you drink! Just know that you can call us at anytime to pick you up and we won't say anything! It's fine! Really! GOD DAMNIT JUST BE A NORMAL TEENAGER AND GO OUT AND GET REALLY DRUNK WITH YOUR FRIENDS."

Because what teenager doesn't do rebellious shit to test their parents? Me, that's who. My friends and I found our amusement in other avenues- going to concerts (like Less Than Jake, Catch 22, the Pietasters, and a band of grown men dressed in matching outfits of spandex and masks), drinking cheap Coca Cola slushies from the Texaco, and spelling naughty things out in the school's chain link fence with paper cups. You don't need alcohol, drugs, or bright green hair for that kind of fun!

(Shut up)

Back to what I'm trying to say- since I wasn't your average rebellious teenager, I never learned that YOU NEED TO PUT A TOWEL DOWN OVER THE CARPET WHEN DYEING YOUR HAIR BRIGHT RED. I am not sure why they don't teach that in school. But they don't, and since I am new to the dyeing-hair-at-home scene I stupidly dyed my hair bright red over our cream colored carpet on Tuesday night without putting a towel down first. It also seems like it would be common sense to put a towel down, but sometimes I lack that, and unfortunately I can no longer blame it on my blondeness.

I knew I was blonde for a reason. Sigh.

At first it didn't seem so bad. I had gotten a few (eleven?) blops of hair dye on the carpet; all light purple in hue. I immediately grabbed the Rug Doctor and sucked it up. Ta da! The carpet looked great, like nothing had happened. Problem solved. I wandered into the kitchen to let my hair dye develop for a bit longer.

About twenty minutes later I walked back into the bathroom and jesus CHRIST the color had developed, leaving the carpet mottled with deep crimson blotches. It looked like I had gotten all the dye on the carpet- it's a wonder I even had any on my head.

Turns out the Rug Doctor hadn't sucked it all up. It hadn't sucked any of it up, and it looked like I had bludgeoned something to death in the bathroom. Ohmygod! Seriously! Not good!

My stomach dropped. It was the main floor bathroom. Bright red splotches everywhere in the main floor bathroom! How was I going to fix this?! More importantly, how was I going to explain this to Husband, who would see it first thing when he woke up?! How was I going to explain this to our guests, that ohhhh no I hadn't killed something in the bathroom, I just skipped At Home Hair Dyeing 101 and forgot to put a towel down? Yeeeeah.

And let me tell you- the past few days I have used every god damn carpet cleaning solution known to man. If it's on the market, I have used it on those stains. The spots lightened a teensy bit sure- enough to make it look like I had killed something and then tried (and failed) to get the spots out. Way to go.

So I got online and did a search, and I decided as a last attempt to try "Color Oops" on it. I figured at the very best it would get the color out. At the very worst, it would leave our carpet spotted with bleach stains...which still has to be better than bright red splotches. Right? Right.

And it worked! The "Color Oops" worked. The carpet looks...um...as good as 20-year old carpet will ever look. It didn't even leave bleach stains! Sure, you can still see the spots if you get down on your hands and knees and squint really hard. But seriously, please don't ever get down on your hands and knees in a bathroom that is covered in carpet. It skeeves me out to think what's even in that carpet. Ew, gross. Ick, ew, gross!

Which brings me to my next point- I must admit that I was kinda hoping that I couldn't get the stains out. Husband and I have been talking about ripping the carpet out and putting in tile and hardwood floors, so maybe a few bright red stains would get him to move a little faster on the project!

But I know Husband, and even having bright red stains on carpet wouldn't get him to move any faster when it comes to home remodeling projects. And also that's what he told me- even though it looked like I had slaughtered a pig in our bathroom, it's still going to be awhile (at least summer) before we will have the time and manpower to work on the house. Boooooo.

Dyeing my hair (and the carpet) a lovely deep red color? Mission accomplished.

Getting rid of the gross carpet due to icky dye stains? FAIL.

Darndarndarndarndarn. Darn.

Feel Good Friday:

Two things today, for all of my nanimal lovers. You know, nanimals. Cute things that have existed since the disonaurs. And wow, I'm going to stop now. Ahem:

1. Kitty Cam. Not quite as cute as the puppy cam (the puppy cam had sound!) but still- any day that we can sit on our lazy butts and watch itteh bitteh kittehs play on the internetz is a very good day indeed.

2. The big game is this weekend- and I'm not talking about the stupid Super Bowl. It's Puppy Bowl V on Animal Planet, and you can meet the starting line up here. All of the pups are mixed breeds and from shelters and rescue groups, like Moose:

Ohmygosh, snarf.

Hello, My Pretty.

J. Crew added their New Arrivals for Spring to the website today. Not much caught my attention (which is a good thing because of this stupid ban thing and the I can't buy anything anyway thing) but I will say that I would definitely take the cardigan and the shoes:

Tissue Ruffle Cardigan in Tea Rose


Avignon Silk Peep Toes in Tropical Aqua

I'm really liking the subtle, muted, soft colors (aside from the shoes which are bright and bold and awesome), but I also feel like I have so much of that in my wardrobe already. It isn't that I don't like it; it's that I already have it. The price points still seem a bit high (the cardigan is $45, the shoes $258) so it will be interesting to see how it works for J. Crew given the current economy.

And have they adjusted their inventory? Will things sell out faster? I foolishly plunked down $250 for the metallic Lulus last season (although I will say they are worth every penny and my favorite shoes!) figuring they'd sell out quickly, but months later they were still in stock and marked down to under $100. Will the same happen with the Avignon Silk Peep toes?

And who the flippity fuck wants to plunk down $298 at J. Crew for a plain gold ring or nearly $500 for a locket? At a higher end jeweler, sure- but at J. Crew, I don't think so.

What are your guys' thoughts on J. Crew's new arrivals? Will you be buying? Waiting for sales?




PS. The totally wrong group got voted off of America's Best Dance Crew tonight. Grr!

Milk, Eggs, Vodka.

I have decided I'm going to edit all of my photos this way from now on. Thank you, 'Vignette' effect on Picnik, for making my life look way more cooler than it actually is. Yes, way more cooler.

Dress: Forever 21
Necklaces: Target, F21
Shoes: Go Jane Strappy Platforms

Wednesday Wants.

1. Nanette Lepore "Ferry Boat" Coat

It is pretty, so pretty. NANETTE LEPORE I LOVE YOU!!! *screams like a 13-year old girl*


2. To Be as White as a Ghost

Okay, well, not quite. But white made a big presence on the runway for spring and for once I'm excited. I am so excited! Back in my blonder days, any sort of neutral shade would make me look washed out and anemic. Not anymore! With my red hair, I'm feeling pretty confident that I'm going to kick white's ass. Suck it, white, you debatable color you! You're going down, bitch! I'm going to wear the freaking heck out of you this spring.

This red hair thing, man- it just keeps getting better.

3. Rod Blagojevich to shut his yapper
Or go on Judge Judy so she can be all, "Sir, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining." in her cute New York accent.


4. President Obama to pass a bill requiring Daniel Craig to only wear a speedo.

You know, while they're busy trying to pass the other stupid bills (see post below) why not pass one that's a bit more important and fruitful?

Something that will help raise morale during our current economic crisis? What? You want to just go ahead and print Daniel Craig's itsy-bitsy-swimsuit clad body on our currency? I know, I'm brilliant.

5. Olivia Palermo's eyelashes

I was going to say something about going to NYC, knocking her over, and ripping them off her eyelids...but I decided that wouldn't be very nice, and probably a bit painful. Then I read that she wears fake eyelashes, by Revlon no less....and bitch it's on.

Or I could probably avoid doing jailtime and just go to Walgreens to get a pair myself, considering they're under $10 a pop. Sa-weet.

HEY.

How long have I had two links to Pink Mascara in my "Places I Like To Shop" links?!! My goodness. It's like wandering around with spinach stuck in your teeth and no one says a darn thing.

Nobody ever tells me when my fly is down, either. Hmph.

Odille Esja Blouse (From Anthropologie)

I was stuck at home today because of the snow (for as pretty and as fast as my car is, over an inch of snow turns it into a slippery little snow plow), so I decided to be a little artsier with my pics and indulge in a change of scenery. I have no idea why I have been still standing in my messy closet for my pictures, now that I have both a tripod and wireless remote. Duh.

My Odille Esja blouse from Anthropologie arrived today. I adore Odille and have a few blouses by this label. They are always great investments because they transcend the typical trends and instead offer very classic shapes with little feminine accents and details. They are unique without being 'dated' and I wear them for years, like the corset pictured here. I've had that corset for almost three years now. Holy moly!

The ruffly Esja blouse runs small- I typically wear a 2 in Odille blouses (while a 0 in Nanette Lepore and J Crew, to give you an idea) but this is a size 4 and fits well. The waist tie also helps to get a more fitted effect. It's gorgeous!

Also, I haven't posted pictures here yet of the J. Crew Large tumbled-leather Odile bag I bought a few weeks back. I am quickly becoming a big fan of J. Crew bags. Not only are they cheap (when found on sale- I paid $150 for this one) but the leather is so buttery soft and smooshy! I am going to get lots of use out of this one come summer, oh yes I am. I have it in "Coral Reef", which is a perfect peachy pink color.

Picture time! I am dreaming of summer, enjoy:

It's 5 degrees out. I am freezing my ass off. Only for you, my darlings, only for you.

Top: Odille Esja Blouse
Jeans: Joe's Provocateur Jeans in Vincent
Necklaces: Target and Forever 21
Bag: J. Crew Large Odile bag in Coral Reef
Shoes: J. Crew Perfectly Patent Pumps in Dusty Rose

Color Shock Block

(wave mouse over pictures or click on picture for more information)

Happy Birthday, Barbie!

So apparently Barbie is turning 50 this year. Bitch is only 50? Who knew! For some reason I thought she was much older. Don't worry Babs- you don't look it. Man, what a little bit of plastic and cosmetic work over the years can do. I'm jealz.

Barbie has had quite the life, especially for only being 50. All of her careers! She's been a lawyer, a doctor, an astronaut, a teacher....even a Canadian Mountie (only in Canada though, those Mountie-hoggers). There's even an entire Wikipedia page devoted to listing all of Barbie's adventures in the working world.

My favorite career for Barbie was the McDonald's cashier. Yes, my Barbie doll(s) had big ambitions. Huge ambitions! She was going to make the best god damn fries in all of Barbie-ville:

and then speed back home in her hot silver corvette to her pink mansion. Only our Barbie mansion wasn't pink. It looked like this:

But was some sort of bizarre concoction of yellow and orange and missing half of its pieces because my mom bought it for $10 at a rummage sale. It looked much like this. We had to pretend it was pink, because ohmygod- Barbie does not live in a yellow and orange house. SHE LIVES IN A FREAKIN' PINK HOUSE. PINK!!!

I barely remember playing with the house itself- but I do remember crawling and stuffing myself inside of the top floor, much to my sister's dismay and cries of, "You're going to break it! YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK IT!!!"

See darlings? This is where the Body-Image-Issues-Later-In-Life-From-Barbie happen. It isn't 'cuz Barbie is too skinny; it's because our sisters think we're too fat to crawl into the top floor of Barbie's A-frame. Ha ha, I showed her!

(Yeah. I didn't fit.)

Barbie also had lots of boyfriends. Ken, Jordan from New Kids On The Block, Vanilla Ice....my Barbie wasn't about to settle down with just one man. No way. She also apparently had an affinity for goofy white men with bad hair.

I was going to draw a parallel to me also liking goofy white men with bad hair, but Husband has nice hair- very nice hair! Um, well, at least now he does. In his past he's had his hair braided, permed, cut into a hi-top fade a la Kids n' Play, dyed random colors, and other various things that would make his mother cry. And yes, she would cry and cry and cry. This was all way before my time, but I've heard the stories. So I guess I maintain: much like Barbie, I also like goofy white men with bad hair. I don't have legs that go up to my eyeballs or "MADE IN CHINA" tattooed on my neck, though. That's where our similarities end. Sigh.

It was a lot of hard work, serving cheeseburgers at McDonald's and driving a silver corvette and living in a ghetto fabulous yellow and orange A-frame and having lots of boyfriends, but that's Barbie. How did she do it?

And how does she continue to still do it? Happy Birthday, Barbie! It's time for your mid-life crisis, a hot pool boy, and a vacation home in Florida. Come on Mattel, get on that. Chop chop chop.








P.S. While trying to find pictures for this post I Googled the words "old" and "Barbie". Yeah. Don't do that. That is how I ended up with this and this. Gross! DON'T CLICK ON THOSE LINKS IF YOU'RE AT WORK. It isn't because the website shows anything bad per se, but because I'm pretty sure the rumors that start after people see you scoping out deranged jewelry made of dismantled Barbie parts aren't pretty. You've been warned.