I am officially old

OK, can we talk about me being an old lady? I was doing lunges last night and every time I did one, I could hear my knees and ankles crack.

Ho ho ho!

So with last week being Christmas and all I didn't get a chance to post anything. I went home to Florida and came back yesterday. I was there for an entire week. I was especially excited about being off of work for such an extended period of time. I had fun but it went by too quickly. I saw three movies while I was home. Nights in Rodanthe--does Nicholas Sparks know the meaning of a happy ending?! Marley and Me--cried my eyes out and rushed home to cuddle my dog afterwards (see the cuteness that is Bella above). Eagle Eye--Shia is such a cute kid and it was a pretty good action flick. But I don't buy that chick as a love interest. He's like 12 and she's 30. I also spent lots of time with the fam and we played some board games. I love me some board games. I killed at both dominoes and Scrabble. I also made time to see several friends. Each one either had a kid (that they brought along) or was pregnant. What’s with all of my friends being knocked up or having kids? Is someone trying to send me a sign? Honestly, I think I’m one of like three girls from my high school class that isn’t married with a kid or one on the way.
Christmas Day we went over to my cousin’s house. He and his wife have a big Christmas party every year. We played Dirty Santa and had a ton of food. It was fun. But I got stuck with a lame gift—an emergency hammer. WTF? Will a regular, non emergency hammer not do the trick?! I wanted to return it for a store credit but I couldn't figure out where in the heck it came from. I even tried looking online, but no such luck. I'll probably end up taking it to next year's party. Haha!
Overall, it was a pretty good Christmas. Especially compared to last year. I'm in a much better place mentally. Last year, I was pretty miserable because I had been laid off from my dream job(I'll have to write an entry on that whole debacle later). This year, I am gainfully employed and was elated to be able to buy Christmas gifts for friends and family. While I was home I got six inches of my hair chopped off and it felt so good! It felt symbolic and cathartic. Is that corny? It was like I was cutting away drama and bad stuff. It felt good. But I don't know how I feel about the actual cut yet!

Home for the holidays

So I leave tomorrow morning to go home to Florida for Christmas. I'm in a total packing quandary. Every time I'm packing to travel I have a difficult time determining what shoes to take. There's only so much room in my suitcase! Invariably, I'll get wherever I'm going and wish I had a certain pair of shoes with me. But alas, they're back at home in the closet. I know I should be sensible and just take a black pair and a brown pair that can be worn with most of my ensembles but that's so boring. I have so many colorful, unique pairs that I want to showcase. Hopefully, I can keep it to a five pair max as I pack tonight.

'Tis the season for boots

I love me some boots. They look cute with dresses or with jeans tucked into them. I am really digging these two pairs.

Helping those less fortunate

So I realized I haven't shared my adventures in volunteering. I joined a team through Hands On Atlanta this fall and we picked service projects to complete. The most recent project involved doing yardwork and light painting for a senior woman. She signed up through a senior center as needing help (due to the fact that she's a senior and unable to do the yardwork herself or pay someone to do it for her). Well, imagine my surprise when I arrived at this woman's house to find her a spry 60 something driving a blinging brand new Lexus SUV. Those of us that are actually cool (there's one chick in particular who's a real Debbie Downer) found this hysterical and joked about it. "Maybe after we finish up with the yardwork, we can detail her Lexus," one of us cracked. Oh, well--I still felt good doing something for someone else. Besides, the real entertainment of the day came when a car passed by and the driver screamed out, "F*@# white people" as we were raking our little hears out.

Where have you been all my life?

So I've been desiring rain boots for some time now. I was browsing online just now and came across this amazing pair. I love me anything peacock. Perhaps I'll purchase them after Christmas. I am not spending any money on myself from this point forward as I still have Christmas gifts to purchase. Until then, peacock rain boots.....

Things I'm loving at the moment!

Colored opaque tights with skirts or dresses (but not as pants!)

The song Hot ‘N Cold by Katy Perry

Leighton Meester’s style—both as herself and as Blair Waldorf

Shoe booties

New shoes

So against Amy's wishes I purchased a new pair of shoes (she forbade me to purchase shoes in order to save for a trip to visit her in NYC). But prior to this purchase, I hadn't bought any in a really, really, really long time. I honestly can't even remember the last time I bought a pair of shoes. It's been at least four months. Anyway, so I was in DSW this past weekend and tried on these amazing Naughty Monkey shoes. But they were more than I was willing to pay. So yesterday at work, I searched for them on eBay and lo and behold there was one brand new pair in my size. It was a sign from the shoe gods! The auction didn't end for like 19 days but I had to have them and didn't want to get into a bidding war with some hussy who wouldn't appreciate them the way I would. Well, I noticed there was something about the seller taking the best offer. I submitted an offer of $24 (a total bargain) and held my breath. Minutes later, I received an e-mail notifying me that he'd accepted my offer. Hallelujah! I've posted a picture. How ridiculously cute are they?! You should know in the picture the trim appears to be a navy blue but in reality they're a gorge teal color. I think they'll look fierce with a simple brown top and jeans. They're just a small Christmas gift to myself.

P.S.--When I tried them on in DSW my mom was in attendance and she said they look like hooker shoes. I don't agree.

Tights are not pants

Paging the fashion police! I just saw a girl wearing tights as pants. Even more egregious is the fact that she is wearing a very short top with them. At least wear a tunic! This girl has potential (she has cute bags and edgy hair) but she lost my fashion respect today.

I wear these shoes when I want to brighten my mood or add some color to an otherwise bland ensemble (I'm wearing all black today). In addition to being adorable, they are very comfortable. I also own them in green and blue.

P.S.--I debated on whether or not to post this picture because of the toe cleavage.