Wild on Wednesday: Fall Edition

I haven't done a Wild On Wednesday (aka Favorite Things) in a while, so this will be pretty random!

A year after admitting defeat with a gorgeous but painful pair of calf-hair Alfani leopard pumps, I needed (yes NEEDED) a replacement pair. So I ordered these Mix No. 6 Barbie pumps in leopard from DSW, and they've hardly left my feet since! Compared to what I'm used to, they're low heels and very comfortable, and even though they're printed satin, they don't look cheap. I've already worn them to work, church, and a wedding. I might get more colors/prints in this style!

Organix hair products were recently on sale at Kroger, so I decided to try this Moroccan Argan Oil deep treatment I'd been curious about. It's fantastic! I use it weekly and see a big difference in my hair the next day.

I'm obsessed with eyeliners that have a sponge on the other end for smudging. Apparently they've been around for years, but I just discovered them. Related story: I was recently using a brand new eyeliner of this type, and Gandalf (who likes to sit on the dresser near me while I put on makeup) batted it right out of my hand, and I still haven't found it. I've looked everywhere. With a flashlight. It's like he knocked it into another dimension - maybe the same one where all the lost socks go.

 

What I'm drinking: International Delight Cinnabon in my coffee, and Crystal Light Mojito! (Not at the same time. Yuck.)

The fall fragrances I can't get enough of in my home: Airwick Apple Cinnamon and Yankee Candle Autumn Leaves. Having burned through the last of my Autumn Leaves (ha ha), I went to Bed Bath & Beyond to stock up, but they didn't have it! They had all the other fall candles, on sale, but no Autumn Leaves. Crisis! If I still can't find it in the next couple of weeks, I'll order it direct from Yankee Candle, because it makes me that happy.

Oh, and switching from an original model Droid Eris to an iPhone 5 is like going from a Ford Taurus to a Ferrari. I didn't expect the difference to be so pronounced. My Droid took forever to do anything, but the iPhone responds instantaneously. The Droid needed to be charged constantly, but the iPhone holds a charge for two days! Such luxury.

Wild on Wednesday: Summer Fashion MVPs

Today's Wild on Wednesday is even girlier than usual. Here are my Summer Fashion MVPs - things I've worn the heck out of this summer!

I can't remember the last time I wore a heel higher than about an inch. I KNOW! My office has gone to casual attire the past two summers, and this year that's translated to fully embracing flats and wedges. Most days you can find me in (left to right): Chinese Laundry wedges, Report Tia sandals, Unisa wedges, or Anne Klein bejeweled flats. I got the first three pairs at DSW, and the Anne Klein pair at Ross for $15 two years ago. Sadly, my CL wedges are falling apart from so much wear, and there's nothing I or the shoe repair guy can do except keep gluing them back together. I haven't seen any others like them, and they go with everything.

The nail colors I've reached for again and again: Party In My Cabana, Miami Beet, Privacy Please, and Bright Lights Big Color. I have a mini pack of a few South Beach colors (of course), but loved Miami Beet so much that I got a full size bottle. OPI is the best.

I've been all about the semi-floofy skirt this summer. I now have the Loft eyelet skirt in three colors, because when something really works, I get several. But I've also gotten a lot of mileage out of this purple patterned skirt (a no-name brand that I happened upon at Half Off Half), and this embroidered Gap skirt that I picked up in Evansville last year. I often wear these skirts with the Merona tees and tanks from Target that have some ruching at the neckline. I usually prefer Mossimo tees at Target because they're more fitted, but Merona ones work really well tucked in to a skirt. Yes, despite visions of Steve Urkel dancing in my head, I'm daring to tuck some things in for the first time since 1997. Having that option is already revolutionizing my wardrobe!

It took me a while to establish my "uniform" for summer, but I'm really enjoying the comfort and breeziness of it. Soon enough I'll be back in structured clothes and stilettos. Maybe by then I'll feel ready.

Wild on Wednesday

Happy August - my birthday month! Here are the things I'm wild about right now (besides my new car):

Bunheads on ABC Family. I am CRAZY for this show about a dancer and former Vegas showgirl who finds herself helping to run a dance studio in small-town California. I still haven't seen Gilmore Girls, but I'm told the dialogue and main components of Bunheads are just like it. This is the only series on TV right now that I look forward to watching regularly. My favorite scene so far involved a long conversation about layaway at Contempo Casuals.

Loft Eyelet Hem Skirt. I scored one of these (in black) for $15 before my NYC trip. I ended up not even taking it to New York, but it's quickly becoming my favorite skirt at home. I wear it at least once a week. It's cute, cool, and comfortable. I want to get another one while the getting is good!

 
The Olympics, of course.  I love the excitement, the surprises, the focus on sports that you don't hear about at any other time, and cheering on Team USA and my other randomly-chosen favorite countries. :) The Olympics are basically an extended good cry for me. Every night I sit weeping quietly at all the medal ceremonies, even if I have no personal attachment to the competitors. The high concentration of people's lifelong dreams coming true is just too much for me. I'm not kidding, I even got choked up typing that.

Last weekend I saw Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D with my friend Elizabeth. We were each other's only friends who wanted to see it. :) I've felt a growing kinship with Katy since her divorce from Russell Brand, and this documentary/concert film sealed the deal. Like me, she grew up Pentecostal (there's an old clip of her singing Crystal Lewis's song "I Now Live," which I listened to constantly as a teenager). Like me, she's one of three kids and is close to her sister and younger brother, and considers herself a writer. Like me, she deeply loved a man who wasn't equally invested in the relationship, and fought unsuccessfully to save her marriage. From what I've seen and heard over the years, I think she's the real deal. I refuse to write her off as many other Christians have. It's clear to me that she has a very loving heart, a God-given talent, and an amazing work ethic. Even if you don't agree, the movie is great and surprisingly moving (in between fun songs).

Wild On Wednesday 5/9

I'll tell you who I'm wild about at the moment: Florence + The Machine.

I love "Dog Days Are Over" - it was one of my 2010 anthems - but I wasn't really that into Florence until recently. Then I started hearing songs from Ceremonials everywhere, downloaded the album, and basically became a superfan overnight. Florence Welch has the melodrama of Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries, infused with the spirit and courage of Eowyn from Lord of the Rings (who, as we all know, is my hero). Her songs are equally full of heartbreak and hope, mystical references and rallying cries. This is Gryffindor music, people.

I braved Beale Street Music Fest last Friday night to see Florence (and Needtobreathe, who played before her!). I remembered pretty quickly why I don't go to Music Fest anymore - I'm too short to see much, I feel claustrophobic and icky when hundreds of strangers are touching me, etc. But the show was totally worth it. Florence was a spitfire on stage, and the instrumentation was amazing. I mean, how many popular acts tour with a harp?

I can't embed any of the official videos, but my current favorite tracks are "Rabbit Heart," "Shake It Out" and "No Light, No Light." It's hard to choose though. I think I'll go listen to them now!

Wild on Wednesday

It's Wednesday - time to mention some things I'm currently wild about!

Every spring, I look for a cute sandal comfortable enough for a lot of walking. I always end up in flip-flops at summer events downtown (Sunset Symphony, fireworks, Redbirds games, etc.) and get blisters and sore ankles. This year, I won't have that problem thanks to these Report Tia sandals. I ordered them in pewter and can't believe how comfortable they are. I'll probably get a second pair, but can't decide on a color!

I've mentioned before that I drink Crystal Light every day at work, but right now I can't get enough of this blueberry acai flavor. Wal-Mart's generic drink mixes and flavors are consistently good. Thankfully, there's a Neighborhood Market near my house, so I can stock up without the misery of going to a full-fledged Wal-Mart.
 



"Too Close" by Alex Clare is the song from the current Microsoft commercial. It definitely grabbed my attention - I can't stop listening to it! It was MADE for a dramatic routine on So You Think You Can Dance. I can practically see the choreography in my head. I only wish the song had been out last season, because Melanie and Marko would have danced the ish out of it.

Finally, I don't have a visual aid for this, but my latest favorite nighttime snack is a whole wheat Bagel Thin spread with Laughing Cow cheese and topped with cherry preserves. It sounds weird, but meets my needs for salty and sweet, and is substantial enough to satisfy me without too many calories. I pretend I'm eating Brie on a baguette with fresh fruit. :P

Wild On Wednesday

As I often post on Wednesdays, here are a few things I'm currently wild about:

(source)

Tarragon vinegar. It's the best salad-dressing vinegar ever. Trust me.

 

These skirts (from Banana Republic and J. Crew). I'll probably try to find similar patterns - all Butterick patterns are a dollar at Hancock this week. I really wish I had more time for sewing.

Karmin. If you haven't heard of them, they're an adorable couple who make fun, clean party music. Their album comes out in just a few weeks! I love the singles they've released so far, and of course, their impressive rap covers. This one is still my favorite:

Aaaand.... the finale of One Tree Hill airs tonight! I discovered OTH in reruns on SoapNet a few years ago and was instantly hooked. I've seen the first four seasons multiple times, but haven't kept up as well with the later seasons - though I've stayed current since January since I knew this was the last season. In terms of major plotlines, the show has never been realistic: teen marriage, teens in trouble with the mob, teens going on concert tours, a group of college-aged friends all becoming millionaires and running business empires, heart transplants derailed by stray dogs, evil men and evil nannies wreaking havoc, multiple kidnappings, repeated near-fatal car accidents, and PTSD severe enough to make a man forget he has a son... just to name a few. But under all the ridiculousness, I love the heart of the show. I love the depth and complicated quality of the relationships. Over time, OTH has inspired me as a writer in a way I can't really put into words. I hope it gets a worthy ending!

Wild on Wednesday: Miscellaneous

Here are some things I'm currently wild about:

I've gotten some good mail over the last week or so! My friend AJ, who lives in Belgium, sent me this bright scarf that happened to match the shirt I was wearing that day:

She also knitted me a little rabbit! It's actually the second one she's sent me - the first still lives on my nightstand. Now he has a friend.

Last February I visited Jessica in Oregon for a women's conference. I couldn't go this year, which was a bummer because Carolyn Custis James was the keynote speaker. But Jessica sent me a surprise copy of the latest book, Half the Church, signed by the author herself!

She even included a picture of CCJ signing the book. How thoughtful is that? :)

In other news, I found the perfect orange bag at TJ Maxx!

It's roomy but not too large, structured but not too fussy, well-made, and has a TON of pockets. But what pushed me over the edge was the matching umbrella in a special pocket at the bottom of the purse. I've been getting by with one falling-apart umbrella for several months, so since I needed a new umbrella anyway, why not get a bag too? ;)

I haven't found any orange or yellow flats, not even at DSW, but this dose of orange ought to satiate me for a while.

Finally, my cats were especially cute last weekend:

 

 
On Sunday afternoon I realized I hadn't seen Gandalf in a while, so I went looking for him and found this:

 What an adorable weirdo.

Wild on Wednesday: Shoes and Bags

All of a sudden I'm obsessed with shoes! I'm sure you're asking yourself, "When is Brenda NOT obsessed with shoes?" But in fact, I haven't bought any new shoes since September (other than a recent sneaker purchase, which doesn't count). Now spring is almost here and I have a sudden craving for bright, happy shoes.

 

I'd love some orange or yellow flats to hold me over until sandal season. My metallic flats from Target are great, but sometimes I want more of a punch. The yellow ones with flowers are Bandolino, but can anyone identify the other brands so I can look for them?

 

Orange and yellow heels - Ruche on the left, unknown brand on the right.

 

Three colors of Steve Madden P-Rada... an impossible decision.

Madden Girl Lyons. It comes in a few colors too, but the beige and white is ladylike without being boring.

I also love bright bags, and am on the lookout for a structured orange one! I really liked one at TJ Maxx, but am still waffling on whether to get it (I cringe to pay full price even at TJ). These are similar:

On the more neutral side of things, I like ruffly gray bags. When I saw this one on Pinterest (of course), it reminded me of a V-neck T-shirt. Then the light bulb went on: bag from a thrifted V-neck T-shirt. I'll run some tests in the sewing lab and share if I come up with anything. :)

PS- Thanks for the nice comments on yesterday's post! :)

Wild On Wednesday: New Vacuum

I've used an old school Electrolux vacuum for many years. It's well-made, but it's almost as old as I am and has no features, not even an on-off switch. Last week it finally broke down. My dad examined it and confirmed that it was a wiring problem. I could spend about $150 to have it fixed, or I could buy a bagless, HEPA-filter vacuum made in this century. It wasn't a hard decision.

What was difficult was deciding whether to buy a regular model or spring for a Dyson Animal (the Holy Grail of vacuums). After reading a LOT of reviews and talking to friends and family, I bought a Hoover Wind Tunnel Pet Rewind. It seemed comparable to the Dyson for less than half the price (and believe it or not, there are some bad reviews out there for the Dyson). After one use, I'm VERY pleased with the Hoover. The carpet looks great - I had to empty the container twice, which I took as a good (if yucky) sign. All the attachments are conveniently mounted on the vacuum, so I can sweep over the couches as I go by. But it took a long time to vacuum because I had to stop and adjust the floor settings a lot. And change outlets a lot, because the cord is kind of short (but it automatically retracts!). We'll see how it does over time, but I'm happy with my purchase.

Sorry to write an entire post about a vacuum, but this is me:




(Of course I haven't been compensated in any way to write about this. If I was getting paid to write on a regular basis, believe me, you would know. :))

Wild on Wednesday: Sequins

As soon as Thanksgiving was over last year, I was suddenly obsessed with sparkly, sequiny holiday clothing. I'm mostly over it now, which is for the best. Major sequins during the holidays is festive; major sequins in mid-January is Tina Turner. Then again, I think Tina Turner is pretty awesome.

I only bought two sequin tanks, and don't have photos of myself wearing either. But I know I'll want more sparkle when next winter rolls around, so here are some of the items I was longing for:

Old Navy

Express



One friend accurately described this
as a "Taylor Swift dress"

Business on the top, party on the bottom! :)

J. Crew

Madden Girl. Still regret not buying these at TJ Maxx.

Next year, my sewing skills should be developed enough to make myself a sequin skirt!