"Can I help you?"

Someone found my blog through the Google search "salesgirl + stockings."

I hope he wasn't disappointed to find no salesgirls in no stockings. But hey, Bubba... let's do a trade. I will send you a picture of my calves in some fishnets I picked up from Anthropologie, if you promise to send a picture of yourself in stockings or something even more devilishly humiliating.

I promise* that I won't post it.

(*Okay, I probably will just forward it via e-mail. Or post it on Facebook. And probably post it on my blog too... The star means it's my legal disclaimer in fine print!)

Boys get everything!

Of course, I find the perfect Drum Major jacket for F/W 09-10... and it's part of D & G's men's line.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't kick Balmain's rhinestoned band jacket out of bed for eating crackers... but the whole "sold out" and $11,000 price tag make the opportunity unlikely.

But damn... the jacket's made of tweed, so there's no doubt that it's supposed to look like a marching band jacket without looking like you're wearing yours from your nerdy marching band days.

Pair it up with a simple v-neck tee and some distressed fitted denim, and the look is 110% sexy Rockstar. No fair that boys get everything good! I want my equality, dammit!

Non-Hippie environmentalists rejoice!

Don't get me wrong, Hippie girls... but y'all ain't known for cute fashion. Birks and dip-dyed batik skirts sold at outdoor festivals are fine if you're high... there's no way I would be caught in that sober!

But that doesn't mean that fashion has to be anti-environmentalism either. I openly admit that I love getting press releases from designers that are trying to do something really cool... and Malorie, representing Foxy Originals jewelry line, sent me an email about their new recycling program.

Basically, you can send them your pre-loved Foxy Originals jewelry and in return, you will receive 10% off your next purchase with them. They'll melt it down for their new collection lines and you can wear your new jewelry with Earth-lovin' pride. Win-win.

I checked out the site and they have some pretty cute pieces... everything is gold, silver or bronze plated and under $75... Crazy!

Time to slow my roll.

I spent some time in Nashville this week, while Ball And Chain's been studying for finals.

His birthday is tomorrow, so I was trying to find a gift for him... I ended up buying makeup, a high waisted pleated mini- tulip shaped skirt by Plastic Island, a very short satin mini-dress, some Kate Spade stationary, and some random stuff (though he did get his favorite Dunken Donuts coffee...) Oh my god, and I bought my plane tickets to D.C.... I have to slow my roll on the shopping until at least my birthday.

Justin and I decided that this year we are going to share a Rosetta Stone program and learn a business language, either Mandarin or Japanese. He's decided that he wants both a J.D. and an M.B.A. and would like to go into business... given our global economy, it would be stupid to not learn an Eastern language since, well... they basically own us. I work luxury retail and it is a very valuable skill to be able to communicate with tourists with money to spend, so whatever program he decides would be best I'll follow too!

We made a pact: when he lands a job (a real jobby job, within his desired salary range), we're going to reward ourselves with a trip to the country we'll be able to communicate in. I'm totally motivated since we'll be able to practice with each other and at home too.

Bitch, you blind.

Came back from shopping at the Green Hills Mall in Nashville...

So, I was super excited about Betsey Johnson's 40% off sale which ends today (in-store only) since we don't have a BJ in Saint Louis... and I'm HERE for five days.

I make a bee-line to the store. I see this dress, a mock-up of Alice's blue dress with a bib and white pockets (so, it's borderline), and I decided I might want to buy it. I grabbed the size 2 and then the sales girl suggested I bring the size 4 in the fitting room... I'm changing, and she also went ahead and put the size 6 in there.

Um, really?! She didn't really check up on me in the fitting room either... she just talked to her friend about this band she's putting together (eye roll). Hopefully, her hearing is better than her eyesight. Me? A size 6?! Bitch be BLIND.

Maybe I'm weird...

I love polishing my silver jewelry myself.

It reminds me of when I would polish my silver flute in the sixth grade. Oh yes, yours truly was a band nerd...

My band uniforms were crimes against humanity... I present the evidence to the Fashion Court:

Exhibit A: A royal blue oversized golf polo with MLK Band embroidered on the front, tucked into black dress pants...

Exhibit B: For "evening wear", the girls were required to wear giant black polyester potato sacks for evening concerts with black stockings, black shoes and pearls. Each one of us looked like Sponge Bob Square Pants in drag and heading to a funeral.

Exhibit C: My marching band uniform that required white polyester pants that were pleated and creased down the leg. When I tried ironing them, they melted. Literally melted.

...Uh yeah, why do I like polishing silver again?!

P S A

From my friend Mica:

"Can you put out some kind of public service announcement regarding how lack of make-up as you near 30 is less 'fresh face' and more 'that' lady interviewed on the local news channel?

Thanks!"

For those of the same opinion, Sephora is doing a Friends & Family 15% off promotion with the discount code "BD2T9CB5".

French ELLE, kicks ass!

Ladies, head to Border's for the latest celebration in a woman's natural beauty:


French ELLE magazine is featuring an editorial this month of famous stars such as Monica Bellucci and Eva Herzigova without makeup.

Granted, they have the best lighting and photographers to catch and celebrate their moment... but it's so much better for our collective esteem than the cellulite- at - the- beach shots the tabloids are so fond of.

Is it just me?

Or does anyone else think this hat is really creepy looking? It seems like the eyes just follow you...

Recent Math...

+ Got a manicure AND a spa pedicure yesterday (gift certificate from Carol)
- My nails are already chipping

Totally bummer about my chipped nails. I guess I'll paint them a non-red color (since I don't own the color on my toes) before I go to Nashville this weekend.

My friend Sally is trying to convince me to go to the Gold Cup with her in D.C. If my travel plans coincide, I guess I will have to buy a really b-i-g hat. And cute shoes that can get trashed. I guess I will order a pair of those awesome $10 Newport News t-strap sandals... I used to have a couple of pairs in silver and gold, they really are great. They only cost $10 so if they get trashed, no biggie... and they look a lot nicer than $10.

I'm lovin' it.

Finally! I got my hair the rich, bright red hue I've been hoping for!

Actually, I got it done last week... picture was taken when I was stuck in traffic on my way back from the Tan Co.

Today I got a manicure and pedicure since I had a day off... of course, my manicure will chip off before my trip and when I left the salon wobbling in my flip flops, it was raining... but a girl's only got so much free time. I got a very bright red on my fingers and toes... lovin' that too!

That "Made in the USA" label...

I've always been conscious about what kind of products I buy. While my friends joke that I shop all the time, in reality I really don't shop more than the next girl. I just buy more expensive things because I am a nutcase for well produced, crafted items. Does it really matter to have supima cotton or sterling silver hardware or handsewn back pockets or sequins hand sewn by Oompa Loompas? YES.

The big reason I spend more on clothing than the next gal is I am very adamant about not buying goods produced in Chinese/Eastern Asia factories. In my opinion, you can't bitch about how America doesn't produce anything and that there's no manufacturing jobs here when you send all your hard-earned cash to China. They didn't rise as the world's economic power within the last 20 years by accident.

I am disheartened to realize some of my favorite brands now produce in the far east. Botkier used to be made in New York City, and now their bags are made in Indonesia. The shoes I bought are for sure made in Italy, so that's something. (As is my Marc Jacobs Collection bag, made in Italy.) Hayden-Hartnett is no longer made in Brooklyn--- now produced in China. Coach and Kate Spade are also made in China.

I did discover that Jenny Yuen is made in the USA still. Believe it or not, there's a selection of Louis Vuitton bags made in the USA too... Though most people desire that "Made in France" label. AG Adriano Goldschmied, American Apparel, LA Made, Park Vogel and Splendid are made in Los Angeles, CA. Since my style is pretty casual... these brands are pretty much all I wear!

I'm still pressed to find great shoes made in the USA. That's the problem though... lately, I've been making a point to only buy shoes made in Italy. Italians really make the best shoes and even American brands produce their shoes there for the higher quality. My Tory Burch, Botkier, Hollywould, Rocco P, and J. Crew boots were all produced in Italy. I'd love to add some Spanish made shoes to my collection, say some Pedro Garcia... Or eventually some French-made Christian Louboutins... Realistically, for a somewhat reasonable pair of shoes (*note under $500, retail) Brazilian shoes are supposed to be great quality. One brand that's made in Brazil that I like is Pour la Victoire. There's also what I live in, Havianas. Some people think it's pointless to spend $20 on rubber flip flops, but Havianas' patented rubber is one of the miracles of man. They are the most comfortable shoes ever... I work in them all summer!

I need to research American produced skin care and cosmetics, if anyone has any American made brands they like or produce please drop me an email.