Inception: Are you an optimist?

The first attempt of seeing the movie Inception failed miserably at the opening night.  This time 3:00 in the afternoon 2 weeks after opening, space is ample.

Although there are multiple level of dreams, the movie is very easy to follow.  The scenes are so different that there is no mistake in figuring it out where you are.  Occationally, you will have that question of "Wait, Who's subconscious are we going through exactly?"  But it doesn't bother you because you can still follow the plot just fine without knowing the answer.  None of the long boring nonsense talk at the end of Matrix movie happens in this movie.  The movie introduces the concepts of the inception  cleverly as a teacher to a student will.  Just give one little bit of infomation at a time,  with reviews of the previous concepts through different character reiterating them in a seamlessly natural conversation.


After seeing the bad acting of the Last Air Bender, all the characters in this movie win their charm.  Some actor, because of their memorable roles before, still feel weird at first, such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays Tommy, in third rock from the Sun.  However, in the gradual development of the character, he starts to lose the shadow of Tommy, and start to become the calm, somewhat serious, but still humorous Arthur,  who apparently is as skilled in his profession as his partner, Cobb, starting Leonardo DiCaprio.

While I am never a fan of DiCaprio in his Titanic years,  he really has done many good serious movies over the years.  I am really surprised he hasn't win any Oscar yet.  Through out the movie, there is this desperation and constant pain written in his face, reflecting the turmoil inside.  Unlike other characters in the movie, Cobb, has a real motivation.  Others are just along for the ride.

 The movie does not fell short of special effects either.  There are plenty of explosion, building collapse and fighting, if you feel that is what gets your money worth to go see a movie in the theatre. I felt the visuals, however,  are more intellectual than thrilling, especially after you start to mess with gravity and dimension and visual illusion.  The movie, not only comes with a 3D Imax version, but also in some selected theater, there are D-Box seats that would let you experience the same falling as the characters taking the plunge.  I opt out on both due to the time constraint.  Children's are waiting at home for dinner.

However, this movie is more psychological .  The greatest danger facing the dream manipulator, whether they are doing inception or extraction, comes from the difficulty of losing itself in the dream.  What is reality and what is a dream.  This ever asking question dated back as early as 286 BC when the Great Chinese Philosopher Zhuang zi ask "I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man? " （原文：《庄子.蝶梦》:“昔者庄周梦为蝴蝶,栩栩然蝴蝶也,自喻适志与,不知周也。俄然觉,则戚戚然周也。不知周之梦为蝴蝶与,蝴蝶之梦为周与。） It hasn't been solve for 2000 some years, I doubt anyone can answer that now.

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So what is keeping our hero sane? His guilt.  The guilt of his wife's suicide might be from the idea that he plant inside her.  When he was able to finally confront his guilt and let it go,  is he saved and swim back to his reality, or did he lose his final defense and sunk into an even deeper dream that can never be woken.  Is the mission accomplished, or is it that part of the dream, or is the whole mission is some part of dream. When he finally say to the projection of his diseased wife "I have to let you go", did he instead let go of his final chance back to reality?   I could not help wonder if the entire premise of the story is from a coma patient in his dream with his wife's every failing attempts to revive him.  After all, having the father-in-law bring the children to him even though he was wanted for his wife murder is a much easier solution than taking up a whole dangerous mission to dive to people's subconscious, not to mention the whole team of talented people went along with him without a compelling motivation. There is simply no "elegant solution for keeping track of reality" when the director doesn't want to show you the totem.

It all depends on what you believe.  Are you optimistic enough to believe that everything is fine at the end?

I am not an optimist, as much as I wish for a good ending,  I felt unsettled and anxious at the end.   The uneasy feeling lingers long after the movie ends and I couldn't stop from searching back to my memory for the details that might give me some clue.

Vote: which shoe?

Endless's bing cashback is at 40% right now.  With such deal, I just couldn't resist.  I like gladiator shoes because a) they are flat, b) they are casual.  It has the same appeal as JCREW's embellish T-shirt.

Now the question is which one?

I was going to submit this outfit to Cat's work outfit post at anthrosdottir, but then Evelyn just glue to my leg after the ballet class so I have to include her.  Now I'm not sure if I should send this or not.

Top: Anthro Blueberry Peplum Blouse
Cami: Gap lace cami
Bottom: JCREW linen pants
Cardi: J CREW jackie cardi.  (yes, i wear it a lot )
Shoes: Born
Bag: Coach handbag and Lancome free bag (for carrying ballet shoes and change cloth and snack etc.)

End of 21 for 21

I'm so glad that the 21 for 21 challenge for me is finally over now.  Although I can still go on with the permutations of that 21 items, I am ready to wear something different.  At times I felt happy about how the 21 for 21 simplifies my life,  other times, I get so bored with it.  Especially at the end I didn't even felt like taking a picture any more.  So here is OOTD, still more or less of the same cardi and boots, but at least I get to wear some different color.

Dress: Anthro Burgeoning Latitudes Dress Cardi: LOFT wrap cardi Legging: DKNY legging, Shoes: Dansko military boots

I spent some time cleaning out the things that doesn't fit any more after redoing the closet.  I have always optimistically hoped that I will have a successful diet one day so I may fit back in to the old cloth.  Guess what,  it hasn't happen ever. Years after years, they sit in the closet takeing up valuable space and making finding the things I really need difficult.

There are several good deals going on right now. J CREW has an extra 30% off its final sale.  However I didn't see anything I am dying to get.  I am tempted to get one of those cashmere sweaters but on the other hand, I really don't need another sweater.  One thing I have learn from this 21 for 21 is to not buy just because it is on sale because there will always be another good deal down the block.  I'm also not very impressed with JCREW's new arrival for the fall either.  Maybe my taste has changed.

 My lust list mostly comes from the things I didn't get but had try on before.

Daily Gathering Dress  from Anthropologie:  I usually don't like summer dress that are black and I don't like jersey dress in general.  I used to have a jersey dress from Banan Republic and after a few wash, it retires to Pajamas because it lost its shape.  But I saw this one at Anthro for $29.99 and I had to try it on for such a bargin.  Turns out it is very flattering and the material is so silky smooth. I had splurge on a bailey 44 tank before and really love how flattering and comfortable they are.  Anyhow, after thinking I got a super deal, at the time of checkout, I was told that it is mis-tagged.  How disappointing is that? So I had to let go.  I have been missing it since.

Kenna-T Leather Military Jacket

The jacket although is leather, is actually very soft and thin.  My mom didn't even know it was leather when she see me try it on.  It has a more destructed look than the picture, so the black is not as black., but more of a faded black in real life.  The surface also have a crinkle feel to it.  I am always drawn to the biker looks.  I try it on and really love the feel of it and it fits perfectly in size S.  It is probably very versatile because it would work with skinny jeans and I happen to have the a skirt on when I try it and they went well together too.

Juicy Couture 'Feather Graphic' Scarf

This scarf come with 4 colors.  I like the gray and the blue.   I think the gray one will go well with the military jacket in early fall. The material has a jersey type of feel that a lot like the daily gathering dress.  They are rayon, which dislike by some as cheap material, but it doesn't bother me much.

Finds under $50

guirlande sandals original at Anthropologie for $68, now $29.99 at piperlime, I am not sure that qualifies for 25% bing cashback or not (bing keyword, gap cashback)

Kate Spade Dragon fly pendant necklace $46.90

I love all weddings

Friday night I was going to try on the dress and the accessories together for wedding next day.  Then I realize the strap is too long on the Tea and Sweet dress. I couldn't hide the Bra without tugging and I am sure if I have to take my daughter along this tugging is just not going to work.  So I took out some of my old cocktail dresses from the days when companies still give good Christmas parties.  Guess what,  I gain weight.  I can manage to squeeze into them, but I am afraid after that, something is going to be torn even with a simple sneeze.  Panic!!!!

The wedding ceremony is at 1:00 so I figure a floral dress might do the job anyway. Can you tell by the picture where the wedding is?

What am I wearing? 

Dress: Anthro Botanical Stroll Dress
Shoes: LOFT nude flat
Bag: Banana Republic Braid
Jewelry: J CREW beaded perl necklace.
I did bring a cardi along, but end up not needing it even inside the church.

My daughter really likes the dress when she went shopping with me at Anthro.  I had bought the dress twice, first time I bought it out of impulse, then I return it.   I even past it after it went on sale on line, but finally caved in after trying it on the second time in the store.  My daughter asked if she can wear mine when she grew up, so I bought her this similar one when it was on sale at Nordstrom.  When she see me putting on the Botanical stroll dress,  she decided she will wear her version of it.  I seriously think she looks better :-)

What is my daughter wearning:
Floral dress from nordstrom
Hello kitty Glitter Ballet flat from target
Legging from Hello Kitty
Begin to see a trend now? Yes, Hello Kitty rules, so does princess

The church is very beautiful with the painted window.  My daughter ask me about it and I am so bad at bible story, I end up telling her to ask Ms Apple when she goes to school.  Despite being beautiful, this church has a problem with its acoustic.  There is a ring to everything the priest said made it very hard to hear.

My daughter although behaved the whole time, doesn't really understand what was going on.  To be honest, neither do I because I can't hear anything clearly.   When the couple finally kissed each other, My daughter was sipping water from her water bottle.  Then she ask, "when are they going to get married?"  

The reception dinner is at 6:00, so we had sometime to take a nap.  I change to something darker for the night. Ritz at half moon bay is pretty cold.  But since it is mandated valet parking, I figure I will be inside most of the time.

Dress:  Anthro Asters Everywhere Dress Cardi: Anthro Cover in Cables Cardi Boots:  J-41 Ankle boots Necklace: Hibiscus Couplets Necklace (Anthro) Bag: Kate Spade "Claverly Maryanne" Bow Shopper

It was a beautiful reception.  My friend and her bride planned this for 9 month.  He has always been a perfectionist and always do everything with 100% effort and this wedding is no exception.  They put a lot of details into the reception to make the night special.  Like this ice sorbet in between the course.  The star ice sculpture is so beautiful and romantic.  

It is interesting to see people after all these years.  People on my table are from our high school.  I even did a dance with them in the school Chinese culture performance.   However, I don't remember them and they don't remember me either. Haha.  After some chatting, I started to recall their faces.  Two of my college classmates had just became proud new fathers.  It was the first time I meet their wives too since two years ago.

The girl next to me ask me how long I have been married.  I have to pause because I have lost count.  After telling her it has been 12 years, she ask me, what is the secret of long marriage.  Is 12 years really that long? It certainly doesn't feel that way. Our wedding day just seem only yesterday.

While waiting for the food, my daughter draw this card for the couple over the menu card.

She was eager for the bride to come visit our table, the same way she was waiting for the princess to arrive at Disney's Ariel's Grotto.  She want to give the bride this little card and had to check on it every how often.  We put it away for a while, because we were afraid she might smear food on it.  When the bride finally came over, she was too shy. She quickly gave the card to her and ran back to us before we can even snap a picture.  When she doesn't see the bride holding her card, she ask with great concern: "where is the card I gave to her".  I told her not to worry because the bride's brother was holding it.


The night ended with a ice-cream lollipop.  It is the first time I had this.  My daughter had the strawberry flavor and I had coconut.  The girl behind the stand dipped the lollipop into the dark chocolate we desire.  After that, my daughter has nuts on top,  and I had nuts on one side, chocolate chip on the other side.  Yum Yum, so good...

Day 15-17

My shopping ban is near the end.  I have a feeling that I will go into full rebound once the ban is lifted.  There are so many things I have been eyeing on.   If I do that, I will have to go into another ban.  This is almost like a bad diet, you refrain yourself only later to eat more.  I would also need to make an exception for Saturday not to wear the 21 items as I have a wedding to attend.  I had miscalculated the date.  Another mistake, I didt realize that the wedding ceremony and the reception was so far apart.  Wedding is at 1:00 pm but the reception is not till the evening.   Does that mean guest will get to change to evening appropriate outfit from the ceremony?

Day 15:  JCrew day
Top: JCrew  Coralie Cami  
Bottom: JCrew Watercolor floral pastiche pencil skirt
Shoes: JCrew Lily pump.  
My foot was so tired that I end up ripping everything off as soon as I got home and change to my PJ T-shirt and shorts. So no pictures for the day.

Day 16: Swing to the casual side.  I have to stand outside of my daughter's ballet class, no way I am wearing the pump no matter how comfortable it gets.
Top:Jcrew appliqué mum art tee  
Bottom: LOFT Linen Capri 
Cardigan: LOFT Wrap Cardigan 
Shoes: J-41


Day 17: So here is my last item of the remix replacing the destructed jeans.  I end up not choosing a dress as I originally planned.  The weather gets pretty cold in the morning and my feet are tired too.  So I end up with the short boots I often wear when I need to do a lot city walking.

Top: Anthro Brewed Bean Shell


Bottom: Anthro Embroidered skirt.  
Legging: Anthro Legging.  
Shoes: Dansko military boots
Carigan: JCREW Jackie Cardigan






Also my birthday gift from my mom came today.  What do you think? The picture is kind of weird angle. Does it remind you of a cask for a broken leg with the buckles?

And here is the half finished new closet! Hubby installed it today.  Still have not replace the old drawers yet, but I they are good enough so maybe we won't need the drawers.

Seattle

To be honest, Seattle was not #1 on my list of travel spot.  I do have to save a little after blowing up big money on the Maui trip this April.   My original thinking was taking the kids Hotel hopping in Las Vegas.  One of my friend brought up the concern of smoking so I changed my mind and another friend suggested Seattle.  My first reaction was "What is in in Seattle"?  In my mind, it is just like San Francisco.  After looking at the incredible pictures of Mt Rainier and San Juan Island, Seattle all the sudden became very attractive.  The time I book is too short, or I would love to go to Mt Olympia too.

Airfare is comparable to going to Vegas, and 4 star hotel downtown runs $164 for one of the day and then weekend is only $99, couldn't believe it.    However I couldn't find any place to stay on San Juan Island.  It seems to be a place full of bed and breakfast.  Having two kids and one of them having a very restricted diet, bed and breakfast just doesn't seem to be a good idea.  In fact most of these bed and breakfast place doesn't even welcome kids under 12. I end up calling all night and didn't find anything too ideal.

So I guess we will just have to stay in Seattle and make day trip then.  Ferry would be fun for the kids.  Who wouldn't like to ride on a big boat!

The good news, it looks like the hotel we book is 2 or 3 minute walk to Anthropologie at downtown Seattle. I will be sure to stop by the store there and check it out.  These days I am less and less likely to explore new stores.  Mabye because I am always so constraint with time, so I want to be fruitful when I do go shopping.

So after all the travel planning, I realize, hey, there is a Anthro sale today.  I didn't even thought of checking it out.  Oh, wait, but I am on a shopping ban.  Never mind.

10 things about me

Cat from Anthrosdottir pass this Sugar Doll Blogger Award along with a few other blogs.  What a sweet suprise! Haven't got any award since high school. I think you are supposed to share 10 thing about yourself.  Even though I hardly have any reader, I decide to follow the trend just for fun.  So here you go.

1) I am born in China, but the area I stayed longest is San Francisco Bay Area. I had attend 5 different elementary schools because my parents are constantly moving.

2) My first name in Chinese has 22 strokes, but in English, it is only 2 letters. In fact I have total 4 letters in my name. So when I spell out my name during a phone order, I often get the response "that is it?" or "How do you spell it"?

3) I love watching Japanese Animations. My favorite is Hunter vs Hunter. However, the series never ends because the author is notorious about finishing up his work.

4) I love all activities involve water but I cannot swim. I almost drawn in my honeymoon snorkeling.

5) I am an only child. I wish I have an older sister. I am born before the 1 child policy in China, so me being the only child is my parent's poor choice :-P That is why I have two kids. 1 boy and 1 girl.  Their personalities are day and night.

6) My favorite sitcom at the moment is the "Big Bang theory". Sheldon Copper reminds me of my son, who is also touched by "autism". Although my son is not as smart and verbal as Sheldon, they have the same quirkiness sweetness and innocence that was only appreciated by friends.

7) I am a pretty good cook according to hubby's standard and a picky eater. I'd rather starve than swallow something I don't like.   I think the two are related. I could not stand sameness either even something is really good.

8) On my flight to the States, the two drinks I know how to say are "Pepsi" and "tea", not even coke.  I really want some orange juice, but I don't know how to say juice in English at the time.

9) I am a good writer, but very bad at grammar. I mess up tense and plural and use run on sentence.  It comes from English being my second language. I had published a romance fiction in Taiwan (in Chinese of course), but I don't ever let my real life friends read it or even know about it because I was too embarrassed.

10) I'm allergic to raw stone fruits (peach, apricot, cherry, plum etc.) but love peaches. I have to take a risk every time when I eat the peaches. Once they reach certain ripeness, I am OK. But if they are still slightly crunchy, I will sneeze non-stop.

Day 11-14

Yay! 2/3 down, 1/3 to go.

I guess even taking pictures takes momentum.  Once you miss it once or twice, you don't mind missing it for the third time.  All these days I was wearing my J-41 shoes, not in the mood for  heels.

Friday was one time we actually got to go out for a movie and it turns out that the one we want to watch -- Inception -- sold out.   We end up watching the last air bender and was greatly let down.  The acting is just awful.  The characters, due to the constraint of the length of a movie, is never fully developed.  Missing the wanted movie also mean a long wait so by the time we got home, it was pretty late already.

For the record, this is Day 11:  Top: Graphic Art Tee from LOFT, Bottom: Anthro Embroidered skirt, Cardi: LOFT wrap Cardi.

This weekend is pretty hot (well, by some others, it might mean cool.  To be scientific, the weather is in the 80s, but hey, this is SF bay area, we get spoiled.) So I wear shorts for two consecutive days.

Day 12: Top: Anthropologie Bordurette Tank Bottom: JCREW shorts.

Day 13: Finally I remembered to take pictures.  Mostly it is because I just took a bunch of pictures at the kids's birthday party soI have the camera out Top: Ahthro Language Embroidered Tank, Bottom, JCREW shorts.  Necklace: Shell Circle necklace from LOFT.  I like the crisp sound this necklace made when you move around, it is as if you are wearing wind chime with you.

Day 14: This is very much a repeat from Day 9 with a different skirt.  Top: Anthro Bud and Bunches tank, Bottom JCREW Zafrina Skirt, Cardi: LOFT wrapper Cardi, Necklace: Anthro, forgot the name.

I have also realize so far I have not wear my destructed capri jeans, that means I get to change that.  Destructed jeans kind of limits itself to weekend only so it is not good for the remix.   I can either use that last quota to wear a dress, or get another pair of jeans.  At this point, I am leaning towards dress or a different shoe. hmm, this is so much like that last life line you got in the shows.

Day 10: blank

I did dress up today.   Reason being I had to go to DMV to renew my license.  I even put some make up on just for the photo in the morning.  When I ask hubby how I look, he said it doesn't matter, all DMV picture come out awful anyway.  However I don't want to wear a dress or high heel because DMV wait could be unpleasant.

DMV is full of people as usual.  I went up to the appointment window, and the lady said, what is your confirmation number?  What? I don't have it, I ask her,  you don't have a record of who you are expecting?  She roll her eyes and said she didn't print out the list.  Oh, well, sorry, I don't have the confirmation letter either.  Nothing on the DMV site says so.  So she gave me a priority number anyway. Maybe that is how you should try to fake your priority number next time.

The paperwork itself is fast, but the camera line is long. No more priority given to people having appointment any more.  Finally it is my turn, the lady click, click, click on her computer and didn't get ready for the shot for a long time.  My smile stiffen and my eyes get tired, so by the time she took the picture? I blinked. Let's do it again, she said, same thing happens.  Finally she said, "I am not going to tell you when I am taking the picture any more, every time I say you ready,  you blink".  I laughed, out of uneasiness.  Wonder how that came out, because she said:"OK, the real license will come in the mail in 2-4 weeks".  Hubby is right, when it is DMV picture, just don't give any hope.

Got home, erased my make up.  Glossy eye shadow might be OK for photo op, but not so appropriate when you are going to school arguing for your son's service next year.   The meeting didn't drag as long as I expected, but still exhausting. Change to pajama right away and WFH the rest of the noon.  Then I realize, I forgot to take a picture for today's outfit.  hmm....

For the record I had Anthro circle of adornment tank,  LOFT line pants and Jackie Cardi on For the day

day 9: the complete set

So by today, all the 21 for 21 items are exhausted.  From now on, it will be all remix.

Top: Anthro Bud and Bunches Tank
Bottom: Anthro Embroidered Skirt
Cardigan: LOFT warp cardigan
Shoes: J-41















Hubby had asked me what I want for my birthday for a while now.  Although I have many many many things in my lust list, I felt as a working girl, I will be able to get it myself one day when it is on SALE.  Plus guys just doesn't know any better when it comes to fashion so you end up returning them anyway.


On the other hand, I DO NOT want a iphone 4.  I know that is what he will get me if I don't block that idea. I don't like how IPHONE 4 looks.   It is too boxy for my taste and I want to wait for iphone become available on version as AT&T coverage is awful in the office building and our bedroom. I can finish one sentence before it gets cut off.

The current iphone is a birthday gift from hubby 2 years ago.  He wanted one but doesn't want to carry a big phone around.  There, women always have a purse to fit it in.  It is awful as a phone.  The battery life doesn't last a day and I am never that discipline to remember charging it.  It is too big to fit in the jean pocket, so whenever I am in the meeting, I am out of reach.  Believe me, at project end, I have a lot of meetings. I do however like certain convenience.  The two app I uses are good map and yelp.  it is very convenient during travel.  The princess dress up game also provided some relief when kids are bored at the restaurant, that is if I have any battery left after all the web looking up.

Now I had finally decided. I want him to fix up the closet in our bedroom.  The cheap rod from home depot is already very bend and I am afraid one day it is just going to give in and collapse.  It will be in major headache.  Also the high part of the shelf still has a lot of empty space, which could really store up some unseasonal stuff like heavy sweater.   So there, it is home improvement for me!  I wish my new closet will look like this, although I will not have the luxury to space out my garment like the photo.

Day 8: 1/3 down, going strong

I am actually liking this shopping ban now.  I can focus on the things I own more.  Also it forces me to plan ahead and try out the combination the night before instead of doing the last minute panic in the morning.  Also you have a limited set you can play with so the possibility for exploration is small.

Friday will  be tough because of Nordstrom's aniversary sale.  I normally buy a lot of my Christmas gift during this sale.  We have a lot of gifts to give these days with the therapists changing like a Chinese running lantern.  Accessories  are usually the easiest, and I am a big fan of different beautiful scarfs.  I guess buying for others shouldn't be including in the shopping ban.  As long as it is not for the others, it is OK, right?

Bought my mom a pair of Born shoes before the shopping ban and it finally arrived.  She is very happy.  According to her, "It is the kind of shoes I always wanted".   She had wanted something that would lift her height as she is very petite, on the other hand, she doesn't know how to wear heels.  She also have a very small feet so some of the more sophisticated shoes just doesn't exist in her size.  The patent leather provides a more refine look, but not too over the top so that she gets self-conscious. The other problem is that she can't wear the shoes that you have to hold on between your toes like my J-41 sandal, which was a gift from her from my birthday 2 years ago. As you can see, this pair fulfill all her requirements. I am so happy she likes it.  I don't know how many sweaters I get for her got returned or just sitting in her closet because they are too "Young" or dressy looking so she has no occasion that she will wear them.

In case you like them, they are still available for $59.90 at nordstrom. You can buy them here.  Note that the size run small.  My mom is size 5.5 and I am size 6. We both can wear it but I felt it is a little tight and fill up the shoes completely, for her it is the perfect fit.  Nordstrom has a very relax return policy and customer service is superb.  Returning only take a minute, they scan it, you sign it, end of story.  You don't even need to hand over your credit card.

Here is the OOTD:

Top: Anthro Language Embroidered tiered tank

Bottom: LOFT white jean capri  

Cardigan: JCREW Jackie Cardigan 

Necklace:  kate spade 'mother's day' seahorse pendant necklace 

Shoes: J-41

On the note of necklace, I really love this whole ocean themed Kate Spade custom jewelry.  My favorite is the coral reef bracelet, however, the $195 is too hefty.

 The slight different version is call the monterey, nordstrom has it for 33% off now, I am waiting for it to go down to 50% off

5-7/21

Saturday is hauling kids to class day. As a chauffeur to her royal princess, I need to dress up with dignity and yet be able to move around. Sunday is probably the most sloppy day of the whole week. I would have stayed on PJs if I don't go out that day.

Left: Top: J Crew Coralie cami(this one is on sale right now for $40.00 after the additional 20% off, I got it last time when it is additional 30% off) Bottom: LOFT linen silk carpi. Necklace: Anthro
Right;  Top Jcrew appliqué mum art tee, Bottom Jcrew navy shorts

Here is a blow up version of the necklace.  Hubby didn't like the necklace at first, saying it look like a bunch of junk fishing out of the water and got tangled on the fish web...He always have a way to drag me back to the ground when I am raising up with excitement.  Last season, he said the trench made me look like caterpillar.  Well,  this is the very few time that I just roll my eyes instead of doing the returns.

The shopping ban gets increasingly more difficult with the good sales that has been around.  J Crew has additional 20% off sale right now and I had always wanted to stock up on the jackie cardigan.  The piped and twisted pocket cardigan in navy is already gone and I imagine the nude probably would be gone too by the time I lift my shopping ban.  Then again, there is always another cardigan around that I will like.

Monday I usually dress up.  However today dressing up is a bad choice.  I have a 1:1 with my boss and we usually have our talk on our way walking to the Starbucks and come back.  Well, I show him the heels and ask him if we were to reschedule.  He had a load of stuff to do with his block needs major redesign so he is glad he didn't have to chit chat with me at the moment.

Top: Anthropologie Brewed bean shell

Bottom: J Crew watercolor floral pastiche pencil skirt

Cardigan: J Crew Jackie Cardigan

Shoes: J Crew Lily peep toe

4/21: casual friday

How casual can a Friday be at work? I am tempted to wear my destructed jeans but finally decided it might not be appropriate even with the casual environment we had. But I do want to dress comfortably as I have a dental appointment.

Top: Anthropologie Buds and Bunches tank

Bottom: J Crew Embroidered Zafrina skirt 

Cardigan: Banana republic beach cardigan

Belt: J Crew 

The dental appointment turned out to be a disaster.  I was stuck on 880 so I was late for 15 minutes.  I had a filling fall out and needs to be refilled.  Dr Peng, who has a 4 star review on yelp could't find the right place to numb me.  So after 3 shots, she asked, is it more numb on your right side? She pinch me really hard on both sides, and the supposed to be numbing right side hurts more.   "Your teeth is very difficult, have you had this problem happened before?"  No.  You are the first one.

I started to regret my visit.  "Should we wait for another time?" This is my lame attempt to bail. "but same thing is going to happen next time. We can have at most 15 shots and we are only at 3 right now, don't worry. " She reassure me, although doesn't sound very comforting to me. I couldnt really tell her I want to try with a different doctor next time, so 't we end up with the fourth shot.  She had to change the needle as it lose its sharpness after the previous three.  The pain still there when she clean up the old filling but somewhat bearable, although I have to stop her a few times.  

Then I got  home, I was more numb than ever.  It completely destroyed my taste buds.  My tongue cannot taste sweetness even till Saturday night, but my gum hurts.  

Time to switch dentist and pay my previous dentist big bucks.  You only see his value after some torture.  I had only seen Dr Peng twice, but both time my teeth hurts more after visiting her.  Not sure that is the norm, but it hasn't happen before.  

Is this dress OK for a wedding reception?

This is a evening reception at Ritz Calton half moon bay. The groom, who invited me is a high school/college friend of mine. He is probably the first few people I met after I came to US and still kept in touch.  Well, not really, we lost touch, then reconnected after bumping into him at a officemate's wedding.  My officemate happens to go to the graduate school with the groom.  Small world.

The guests I will know are all engineers and are normally very casual.  In fact I don't recall ever seeing them dress up other than interviews back 15 years ago.   The bride's side of guests are unknown.  I ask the groom what the dress code is and he said there is no dress code, but people might dress up just because it is Ritz. Oh, well, he is not much of help. The bride seems to really have a thing for Kate Spade.  Lot of Kate Spade frames on the gift registration list and they are $100-$200 and with almost no design on them. Why buy a boring traditional silver frame for more $100 these day when you can get a fancy digital frame for the same amount. Then again, I am not a very classy person.

So is it OK just go like this? Maybe I will change my usual necklace to something more sparkly? But I can't think of other idea at the moment to accessorize it.  Did the sweater made the dress even more casual?  What other things can I do to fancy it up? I really want this one to work....

Day 3/21: I feel fat

I had read somewhere that when you take a photo, if you feel beautiful, the photo will come out beautiful. Well, I felt fat, so the photo come out fat. Or is it the white jeans?

top: Anthropologie circled adornment 

bottom: LOFT white capri jeans

shoes: J-41 

cardigan: J CREW Jackie cardigan

J CREW has some colors of the Jackie cardigan for $39.99 right now.  If I am not in a shopping ban, I'd be tempted to stock with a few colors.   This is one of the most versatile cotton cardigan and very good quality.  One thing I like about J Crew is their rich color palette and they don't fate easily after wash, the navy still is a navy after all these years.  The weave is very fine and they don't sack like some of the cotton sweaters.  Old navy had made some look alike, but their blue fades out to a really old color.

At this point, the breakfasting dress in XS is gone.... *sob *sob but on the bright side, there is no more temptation.

J Crew Fall lookbook

The portrait are so beautiful
J Crew fall lookbook

Day 2/21:

I begin to think choosing the Lily peptone heel as one of the two shoes I am going to wear in this challenge is a bad idea. After standing outside of my daughter's ballet class for a hour, my feet start to feel the weight. I had clearly overestimated my heel wearing improvement.

Posting pictures of my own still feels weird. I am deeply scared by the notion of Sister Furong (芙蓉姐姐) who was once famous in Chinese internet. All she did was posting some pictures of herself and the way she can be so blindly absorbed by the self-claimed beauty of both inside and outside had made her the internet laughing stock. To be honest she is not ugly either. I think it is deeply buried in the culture that one should be conscious enough to know oneself.  That is why I don't want to let the original 30 for 30 blogger know that I am doing this.  This is mainly for my own entertainment and friends I felt comfortable with.  I don't mind random people came across it.  That is Yuan Fen（缘份）。

I got the anthro birthday discount card today in mail. It is a very delicate card with pressed cupcake design,  decorated with candle necklace.  I wished I had taken a picture of it before I gave the necklace candle to Evelyn.  She later told me the string of the necklace is very itchy. The discount card can only be used in store and is a one time used only. I have to really think about what do I want to apply it on.

Top: Anthropologie Bordurette Tank
Bottom: Anthro Pleated skirt
Shoes: J Crew Lily peep toe
Cardigan: J CREW Jackie cardigan

21 for 21, selection and Day 1

Choosing the remix turn out to be harder than I thought. Having it in a shorter day also means I have less of a pool to remix with.  I also try to mix the work wear with the weekend casual. Let's see how this goes.

Shoes (2)
J-41 black Sandal
J Crew Peep toe heel.
Can a girl really live with only 2 pair of shoes?

Top (7):
J Crew V-neck pink petal graphic t-shirt
LOFT beaded art t-shirt
Anthropologie Bordurette Tank
Anthropologie Brewed bean shell
Anthropologie circle adornments tank
Antrhopologie Language Embroidered tiered tank
Anthropologie Buds and Bunches Tank


Cardigan (3):
J Crew Jackie Cardigan
LOFT wrap Cardigan in Black
Banana republic summer beach cardigan

Skirt (4):
J Crew Embroidered Zafrina skirt
Anthropologie Pleated Skirt
Anthropologie embroider navy skirt
J Crew Water color pencil skirt

Pants (4):
LOFT blank linen Capri
LOFT white Capri jeans
Gap Capri Destructed Jeans
J Crew navy shorts

Here is the day spec for Day 1 mix

Shirt: LOFT Artist beaded Graphic Tee
Skirt: J Crew Embroidered Zafrina skirt
Cardigan: LOFT wrapped cardigan

The test of will power - Sale Favorites.

Tuesday is very tough.  Anthro almost inevitably have a sale on this day and this Tuesday is no exception. But here is my recommendations though i am sitting out the next three weeks.

Breadfasting Dress - I had bought this dress when I visited Chicago.  it was one of my wedding attending candidate.  It fits rather well with a XS amount the dresses that I had tried on.  I like the black assent at the waist.  However after reading the harsh review on line, I had decided this dress will be on sale eventually and return it. Most people felt the waffle material of this dress felt too much like a kitchen towel.  In fact my mom had the exact same color kitchen towel. So it was a big turn off for me, but for $70, it is very tempting.  However it came on sale at the time of a shopping ban, that is what the chinese call lack of "Yuan Fen".  By some remote chance if this is still around and I have earn enough credit through my exercise,  I might buy it. Then on the other hand, there are so many other things that looks interesting and the look of this dress is very similar to sweet and tea dress, so it might of just be a repeat.

Obscured Oleander Cardigan, this is the cardigan I own.  I actually pay the full priced for it.  Now it shows how patience would really pay off.  There are rare occasions I pay full price on Anthro item and this is one of them.  On the other hand, I had enjoy it in so many occasions so I shouldn't regret. The smoky color works on almost everything and for the office, it is not too showy.  My only complain is that it requires dry clean and I am not sure if I would risk just hand wash it or not as I had done it with my other sweaters.

21 for 21?

Hubby has been pushing me to get some exercise.  I have been putting that off with all sort of excuse.  oh, it is too late already, I have a migraine, or I have been standing outside of Evelyn's ballet class for a whole hour now that my feet are tired. The list goes on. Then I spend all the mindless hour in front of computer. On-line shopping has made the process of emptying my wallet so much easier.  I don't even get the benefit of walking around with my shopping addiction.

I came across this 30 for 30 challenge at Kendi Everyday.  It looks very interesting, however I don't' think I will be able to do that for 30 days.   My birthday is this month, I know I wouldn't be able to without the rule of no shopping for 30 days! If I do that, I am setting myself up for failure.  I also wanted to tight some incentive to the exercise I have been dreaming of doing.   So here is rule for the modified version of her challenge for myself.

1. Choose 21 items I will wear and remix. PJ, swimming ware doesn't count.
2. No shopping for 21 days
3. Each time I exercise for 30 minutes, I get $10 credit.  At the end of 21 days, I will use that to buy myself a nice birthday gift.
4. This will start on July 5

I know, you probably thinking that'll be too easy, but let's see how it goes...

Where is the Anthro Birthday discount card - Anthropologie Lust List

Last year around this time, I got a discount card from Anthropologie for 20% off anything.  Unfortunetly I lost it during our move.  I have been wishing for a birthday discount card because there are so many goodies right now.

Outdoor Cafe Cardigan $88

This is one of the basic wrap that pretty much would go with anything.  All color looks so good, but my favorite is this nude color.

Whipped Woolens Cardigan $78
I actually think the price is not too bad by Anthropologie standard. But then, it is $78....

Freckled Flounce Top $68

I have a feeling this top will sold out quickly.

Manor Gates Dress $188

This dress is so beautiful to look at, grand it  that I will have no occasion to wear it.

Grand Island Dress $98

The grand island while it is not pretty, is pretty cool looking and i think it works great with boots for the fall or gladiator shoes in the summer.  

Clinton Trench $188

I did not pay attention to this jacket at all till I see how good Kat look in it. I think she wears it better than the model in the picture from Anthro's catalog. 

Lost Time Skirt $188

This skirt is cute, but Hey, but does it really worth $188?

Rensselaer T-Straps

I normally have trouble with Anthro's shoes as they tend to be very stiff on the button.  There is not much cushioning at all.  So they end up sitting in the closet taking up space. Nothing is worse than your feet hurts at the end of the day, so for now as much as I droll over those pretty shoes,  I will stick with my comfort brand such as born, Clark, hush puppies, or J-41.

And then there is always this throw that I had been eyeing for a while.

Quirky Heirloom Throw