Thursday, August 28, 2008

Must Shop: The Leather Jacket

I've been wanting a leather jacket for FOREVER now, but simply cannot find the "one." I was actually willing a year or so ago (when I wasn't trying to be so darn responsible) to spend a couple or few hundred on an "investment" piece, but just never found anything I liked.

I actually really like this one I found at Urban Outfitters:

Silence & Noise Motorcycle Jacket - $128

The price isn't bad either. I'll have to check it out in person. I'm sure real-leather would be better, but my wallet would appreciate this deal more.

I haven't found any good middle-ground options, but if you're wanting to go "all-out", here's a gorge leather jacket by who else by D&G:

D&G Dolce & Gabbana - Fitted Leather Jacket - $1495 (ouch)

Have you found any good leather jacket options this season?

NOTE: images by urbanoutfitters.com and neimanmarcus.com, respectively

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Must Shop: Old Navy's Self-Proclaimed Flirty Top

I love the look of this breezy top - it is perfect for enjoying the last weeks of warm weather. I don't think the below picture does the top justice - it looks much better on the model they feature on the Women's Homepage, but here goes:


Women's Ruffle Chiffon Tanks - $26.50

This top would be great for anything from hanging out w/ girlfriends to going on a sweet date. I also like the other available color for this top - pink!

NOTE: Image oldnavy.com

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Wisdom Teeth Removal Over...Thank Goodness!

Thanks again to everyone who commented on my previous post about wisdom teeth removal. No shopping spree for me...I took the IV sedation. I had to - I was a nervous wreck yesterday. Here's how it went down...

I tossed and turned the entire night before the surgery. I woke up super tired and starving b/c they said I couldn't eat anything 8 hrs before the surgery. At this point, I still hadn't decided 100% which anesthesia method to choose. I was trying to talk myself into doing just the local anesthesia, but it was pretty obvious to myself just how nervous I was. I got ready, said some prayers, and around 9:15am, we got in the car and headed to the surgeon's office. I considered telling my hubby to turn around the entire ride over. "Do I really need to get these wisdom teeth out?" I pondered. We arrived at the office park and saw a girl getting wheeled out to her mother's car with gauze in her mouth...I figured she must have just finished up getting her teeth done. Lucky! 

The office park had one main entrance and about 20 offices inside.  When we walked through the main entrance, I was surprised to see it had this really nice inside garden area that I found slightly relaxing. Lots of pretty greenery and a quiet ambiance.  We found the office of my surgeon, and I signed in. Another girl came in the door about five minutes after me with (who I guessed to be) her mother and grandmother. I noticed she looked extremely nervous, too, and when she said to her fam, "I'm having second thoughts," I wanted to tell her, "Hey, let's get out of here...we don't need to get wisdom teeth out, right?" But, I kept my mouth shut and gave her a nervous smile. Minutes later, I was called back by the nurse or surgeon's assistant or whoever he was. He was very nice and tried to joke with me so I would laugh and wouldn't be so nervous. He took me to the room where they would do the procedure. It was very stark and empty - just a gray chair, white walls, and some silver trays and tools. The room freaked me out, to be honest. It was about then I realized that I would absolutely have to be sedated. I asked the nurse if most people were sedated and he said yes. He went on to explain that it's easier for the patient and surgeon if the patient is asleep b/c otherwise, they are (without intending to) fighting against each other and also how there are things you hear and see that the surgeon is used to, but may frighten the patient. 

He didn't have to talk me into it any more...I was ready for the IV sedation. He started by hooking me up to the heart monitor with three sticky pads that had little wires connected to them. The monitor beeped quite quickly showing the nurse and me just how nervous I was. He even commented that it sounded like I had just run three miles!  lol  It was then I knew that I made the right decision to be sedated. The nurse covered me up to my shoulders with a blanket (which I found to be a bit more comforting) and put the finger-monitor on my right arm's pointer finger. He then put an oxygen-thingy in my nose. Shortly thereafter, the surgeon came in all jolly like a grandpa (which was one of my favorite things about him - it helped me feel a bit more relaxed). He made small talk with me for a bit, asking about my job and what not and then said, "This will hurt just a little bit" as he put the first needle in my arm. I had read before that Versed worked quickly, but when roughly 30 seconds after receiving the dose, I felt really, really, really drowsy, I remarked, "Hey, this stuff does work fast!" That's the last thing I remember before waking up with gauze in my mouth. It was perfect - I don't know how some of you guys could be awake for your wisdom teeth removal (you guys are brave!), but I am so glad I chose the IV sedation. I think if I were younger, I could have handled it better. I mean, I had four teeth pulled when I was a teen without hardly blinking, but I guess the older I get, the more I overthink things or something.

Anywho, just wanted to check in to say that everything went well and I'm just going to be recovering over the next week or so.  I've got lots of yogurt, pudding, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and other soft foods to chow down on.  So far, so good, but man, could I use a burger!?  lol :)

For anyone else who just had their wisdom teeth out, I found these sites to be pretty helpful:
Wisdom Teeth Removal/Extraction Aftercare: Foods to Eat and Avoid
After Wisdom Teeth Removal


Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and kind words!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Must Shop: Target's Jrs Xhila Cap Slv Open Cardigan

I saw this adorable cardigan online and knew I wanted to try to find it in store today. I also wanted to swing by Target to see if I could pick up any more work-friendly clothes and some layering, white tees. I, of course, found too much stuff I liked and had a hard time putting things back. I always have a hard time putting items back from a potential purchase collection (that stack of clothes heavily draped over your arm as you walk around a store) whenever they look good on, have a good price, and are versatile items that I think will get lots of use. Something's gotta give, though, so I managed to put a few items back.

I did end up finding this cardigan:

Jrs Xhila Cap Slv Open Cardigan - $17.99

It must have been a popular item - the rack with this item was nearly empty and only had a handful of XL and XXL. I normally wear a S-M, but figured I'd try one on anyways, seeing as how layers seem to be so loose this fall. The L and XL actually fit pretty well - nice and loose - a great compliment to a tank, tee, or even dress. I love layers! I ended up picking this cardi up in brown and black. I think they'll work nicely from casual to dressy and even to work!

NOTE: image target.com

Goodbye Blog Friends

No, I'm not leaving. Things are crazy, and it's hard to find time to blog sometimes (and mod comments - sorry if it takes a couple days before I approve), but I love my blogs and cannot bear to part with them just yet. Nooooot yet!

I'm talking about my other blog friends. Today, I had to delete a handful of links from my blogrolling list. I knew they hadn't been posting for awhile, but I just couldn't bring myself to remove them. Today, I checked on some of my old blog friends and found many that hadn't posted in over a year. I know people check other blogger's blogrolls to find other great blogs and it just doesn't seem fair to leave links up to blogs that will never be updated. So, farewell dear blog friends. We had a good time commenting back and forth....sharing shopping & fashion inspirations...and just making new friends. Until we meet again, thanks for the fun.

Fashionably Yours,

:) D

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Sale Alert: Take an Extra 30% off J Crew Sale Through Monday

Listen up ladies...J Crew is offering an extra 30% off J Crew Sale items online & in-store through Monday. I ended up stopping by the mall today to check things out. I've been looking for some cute shorts, but they didn't have any good ones left. I went to the "popular" mall in town - people hit those sale racks up hard core!

I'm pretty happy with today's shopping. You guys know I've been working on keeping my shopping in check, which is always a challenge, especially when there's a good sale (things were an extra 40% off at the store I went to). I managed to hold myself back from buying a couple tank tops and some comfy khakis, and only got one thing - this madras skirt:


Baja patchwork madras mini - $49.99 (from $68 - plus an extra 40% off the sale price)

Click here to shop J Crew Sale

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Must Shop: J Crew Fleur suede peep-toe heels

I fell in love with these beautiful pumps as soon as I saw them in my new J Crew catalog:


J Crew Fleur suede peep-toe heels - $195

Don't the little rosettes make these shoes look so sweet? These would look great with all the ruffles that are supposed to be so popular this fall...or with a pretty floral dress? Yum!

NOTE: image by jcrew.com

Monday, August 11, 2008

Must Shop: Floral Dresses

I really, really, really want a floral dress. One of those dresses I can rock out now and pair with tights and sweaters to transition to cooler weather. Perhaps if the teeth-thing works out and I gift myself $100 to play with, I'll get one? Here are some of my faves:


Kimchi Blue Botanical Dress - $68


Kimchi Blue Redwood Dress - $58


Aubrieta Dress - $158

What are you looking forward to getting for fall?

NOTE: Images by urbanoutfitters.com and anthropologie.com, respectively

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Incentive: Wisdom Teeth Removal...Yuck!

This is a bit off topic from my regular posts, but read on if you're curious...

So, I have to get my wisdom teeth out. I fully expected to have to have all four out, but would you know it...I had a consultation a week or so ago and found out that I only need to get two out and they are not impacted. Supposedly, per the doc, he can "easily" take these two teeth out in 10 minutes by, basically, pulling them out. He said I could choose to do local anesthesia (novocain shots...ick!) or IV sedation. Now, I know I'll sound like a big baby here, but I'm just not sure I can handle someone digging around in my mouth for 10-15 minutes with sharp, pointy tools, so originally, I was leaning towards the IV sedation. I talked to the insurance lady who is supposed to give me a quote in a week or two for how much I should owe after insurance and she said she didn't think insurance would cover the IV sedation for "2 easy extractions" (funny how everyone keeps calling this "easy"). So, I find out that the IV sedation is roughly $350. $350?! I'm thinking that I could do some serious shopping damage with that much!

I haven't decided what to do yet. The thought of being conscious during this "easy" procedure freaks me out. I mean, I've had fillings, but this seems different and much more scary somehow. But, then, the $350 price tag isn't sounding so hot either, not to mention there is that 1 in a million chance of dying (I know...I'm super paranoid...it's so silly). So...long story short...I'm thinking I need to offer myself some incentive to take the novocain shots. What do you think? Is sitting through the procedure worth a $100 shopping spree? I recently got a really expensive bill from the car people, so I don't really have $350 to spend at all, but I figure it's better to spend $100 I don't have than $350 I don't have, right? I mean, I'm practically saving myself money here, right?! lol

Do any of you guys have any other ideas for incentives or would you just pay the money to be out during the procedure?

Must Shop: Mystique Jeweled Sandals

Shopaholic Sweetie, Stacy, emailed me about some fab sandals by Mystique. I wish I would have found these earlier in the summer, but figured I'd share them with you guys so anyone interested can get some to wear for the last summer weeks. Here are some of my faves:


Mystique Orange Cabochon


Mystique Bejeweled Clear Gold


Mystique Triple Coral Cabochon

Perhaps I'll score a pair next spring? I'm a wee bit out of spending money at the moment...shoot! lol

Click here to see more Mystique Jewelry Sandals

NOTE: Image sandalworld.com

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Must Shop: Bakers Buckled Boots

I've been loving buckled boots ever since seeing Jessica Alba's way back when. I got a pair that were similar in style, but still not quite what I was looking for. I am really loving this pair, called Sadie, I found recently at Bakers Shoes:


They come in black...


...and gray

They come in a few more colors, but these are my fave. I am strongly considering purchasing these, even with my limited budget. These Sadie boots are priced at $139.95, which I think is pretty fair for boots. We'll see...there are so many things I'd like to get right now! lol

NOTE: Images by bakersshoes.com