New dresses

I've got a couple events coming up that I needed new outfits for and wanted to show one of the dresses I got today.  I would never have tried this dress on if it weren't for What Not to Wear on TLC...this seems like something Stacy and Clinton would like:

I still can't decide if I think this is interview-appropriate or if it's more "already have the job"-wear.

The other dress I got today is a bright kelly green dress with flutter sleeves, and for the life of me I can't find a picture anywhere online!  Bollocks!

The perfect accessory to the black-and-turquoise dress?  The pumps I got at Target last monthish:

Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain

I hate lipstick.

I've got big ol' lips that make me look like a little girl snooping in mom's makeup bag when I wear caked-on out-of-the-tube lipstick.

So that's why I'm semi-obsessed with the idea of lip stain and have tried quite a few over the years, the best of those being from higher-end cosmetic lines which are more of a gamble (hard to find, expensive to buy).  So when I saw an ad about this new stuff from Covergirl, I squealed.  It's like a magic marker, but it's socially appropriate to smear all over your lips!

I've had to put on a couple coats to keep the color going, but for what I was looking for, it works just fine.

The first one I got was a safe pinkish-mauve which, upon close inspection, doesn't have the name listed on the tube.  FAIL.  They all have cute little names on the display in the store!  Anywho, I went back last night and got a darker red for when I'm feeling fab.  I'm going to a wine tasting on Friday and can't wait to try it!

Repurposed bowling bag

Let's not pay attention to how long I've been away.  ;o)

When I was in undergrad, I lived in a dorm right next to our University's bowling alley, and my then-boyfriend and I would go bowling every Friday afternoon when the rates were at their cheapest.  For one birthday or Christmas, I bought him this kickass bowling ball....it was clear and the inner core was painted to look like a Budweiser bottle.  I wish I had been able to keep that in the "divorce." 

I digress.

We really liked bowling and were planning to do a lot more of it, thinking of maybe even joining a league.  One day while bargain-hunting at Goodwill, I came across this bowling bag and paid no more than $5 for it:

I didn't have a ball at that time, but who could pass up such a cute deal?  Well, we moved out of the dorms and got away from our hobby, but I couldn't bear to part with the bag.  It's a good size with an all-around zipper and a metal cage inside to hold the ball, so I couldn't use it for a purse or traincase.  So it sat around and collected dust for a few years.

Fast foward to now...I got a Wii for grad school graduation and found myself putting it in soft tote bags when I wanted to take it places.  I had forgotten about my purple bowling bag and stumbled upon it one day only to realize it'd be perfect for my Wii!  The wire frame inside is perfect to slide my console under, thus protecting it, a

nd there's lots more room for cords, nunchucks, and games!

Imagine my shock when I found out that Brunswick is selling a Wii case disguised as a bowling bag for 50 bucks...

I like my authentic vintage bag more...plus, it's bigger!

Ostrich Feathers

I'm mildly obsessed with feathers lately, mostly of the ostrich and peacock persuasions. I'm going to use them in my bedroom in lieu of a floral arrangement...don't feathers just scream "boudoir"? I'm not sure I would want them in my wedding...I love them for weddings, but I don't know if I want mine to be so over-the-top. I guess we'll see when/if we get there though!

Here's an arrangement for a wedding:














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And here's a photo I took at Hobby Lobby of some dyed ostrich feathers...I would totally rock one or two in a little bud vase. Instead of sitting here blogging, maybe I should be looking for a job so I can get some money to blow on feathers...hmm....

Mounted Coral and New Stuff at Target

I like design elements that are modern-y and simple, but I like accents that are a little organic and soft too. In my old apartment, I had two big bookcases that flanked my TV, and on them I kept books (naw, really?), DVDs, and a bunch of accent pieces. I've been wanting a piece of white coral to put on these bookcases but didn't find a good one while I still lived by myself. Once I move out again (please, for the love of GOD let it be soon), I plan to start the search again! Have you guys seen the new home decor stuff at Target? I literally gasped when I saw one thing in particular, but I'm getting ahead of myself. In one of their bathroom collections, they have reddish-orange coral and light robin's egg blue as their main colors. You know I was all over that stuff! I had high hopes they'd have white coral, but all they had was the reddish-orange.

This picture gives an idea of what I'm looking for...I wouldn't be sad if it was a bit more "twiggy" and a little less thick.













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This is the thing that made me gasp! I guess this also follows along with my modern-and-simple-yet-organic thought process. This picture doesn't do the color justice...it's more like my favorite dusty robin's egg blue.



















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Pier 1 Bird Figurines

I wanted these for Christmas, but Santa couldn't find any that weren't broken. They're made of resin and felt like delicate porcelain the one time I saw them in person...no wonder they didn't stay whole for long. I'd put them in my bedroom and drape jewelry across them. I'm still on the hunt for them or something like them!

Subway Tiles

I subscribe to a number of design blogs, and subway tiles seem like the "in" thing now. Forgive me if they've been popular for a long time, but I've just recently taken notice of them. I love this design because of how simple and classic it looks. It's modern-industrial but makes a great soft palette for a kitchen or bathroom. If I had my own house you can bet it'd feature subway tiles (in white or off-white)















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