New Love

Did stores trying to create a hype  or something? Some of those things sold out so fast.  I realized I have a thing for polka dots.

From Ann Taylor

Oversized Dot Cashmere Scarf - sold out....

Ann Taylor Loft

JCREW






Madewell

Betty Tea dress -- sold out

Unexpected Gift

An unexpected package came today.  It is from buy.com addressing to my hubby.

"Did you buy another PS3 move controller?  It is here." 

Then to my surprise, it is not.  It is a GIFT for me.  and Guess what is it?

A MOUSE! A computer mouse, again!!!!

I am utterly speechless.....

Last year hubby got me a mouse for Christmas.  It was a Microsoft Arc mouse.  It is white and futuristic looking.  I enjoyed it while it lasted.  Before the holiday season ended, it disappeared in the house.  We checked here, there, and everywhere, and it was no place to be found.  We don't know if kids had been mess around with it, but then we had checked many obscure place such as my daughter's closet. I think it might turn up one day if we move one day, but then it is going to be a long time before we move again.

Conveniently, for Valentines day, he got me another mouse...from apple.  I had a gotten a refresh computer and I had chosen to go with a Mac.   He really thought it would be the most perfect gift...After some testing, I find the mouse lacking.  If it is a mac mouse from apple,  I expect it at least can do all the fancy moves the build in touch pad has, right? It doesn't.  It does a subset.  And the feel and touch are awkward and the price is unreasonable high.  I told him, I do love the disappeared Microsoft mouse.   Maybe we can exchange for the same one?

But that model sold out at the time, or maybe the deal is gone?  So a bluetooth mouse came instead.  LogicTech this time.  It is nice because it doesn't take up one of the two USB port.  I need one to connect to the monitor at work and another one I have to share between the mouse and the iphone sync cable.  Now with a bluetooth mouse, I didn't have that kind of competition any more.  However, it stinks once a while, after coming from hibernation, the mouse would not sync up with the computer so I end up having to reboot.  Granted that Mac is better in terms of boot up time comparing to a PC, it is still a pain.  Whenever that happens, I complain.

I must had complained a lot!  So this latest arrival is a Kensington baby.  Boy, it is tiny, even for my small hand.  Well, at least there is no sync problem any more since it is a USB mouse.  "I just couldn't resist it.  It is only $15." Hubby confessed.  Just like a girl couldn't resist a good clothing sale, A guy couldn't resist anything techie on sale.... even it is just a mouse.

They said, it is the thought that counts. Somehow I am wishing the thoughts goes to things more traditional, such as jewelry, handbag, clothing, or perfume type of girly thingy.

Here is an OOTD

Dress: Anthro Grand Island Dress (Never really figure out what to do with the collar, but I still like it)
Cardigan: Anthro City Garden Cardigan
Belt: Gap
Legging: Anthro

Anthropologie SALE items review: Set the course Cardigan and Molded and Melded Tee

There is a big sale today at Anthropologie.  A lot of my wishlist item went on sale.  Oh, boy, what is a girl to do?

While most of the items I can't say because I only lust over the pictures, such as the 1952 skirt, here are some I did  own or try before so I would put in my thoughts in case you are interested.

Set the course cardigan $49.99. 

To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to this sweater to begin with. I think that is probably why all the size are still left.  It is just not eye catching like some of the other cardigans such as best of the bunches cardigan. I bought it out of curiosity because it was recommended by the beautiful Chole from The Chole Conspiracy.

  

It is a slim fit as you can see from the picture.  The ruffle adds interesting texture, however doesn't overwhelm you because of the dark color.  It is very warm with the majority wool blend.  According to the spec, it is hand washable, which is a major plus for me.  The cable on this sweater doesn't add volume to the body like some sweater, instead it gives some room to stretch so it fits snuggly without feeling uncomfortably tight.  The length is perfect, hits right at hip bone.  It can go with both skirt and jeans.  I got the green color although the camera twisted to more of a black.

Next is the Molded and Melded Tee. $29.99.  This soft and sweet little tee comes in variety of colors.  I originally bought it in XS and had to return it because it was bulging in the wrong place, namely the tummy.  Then I try a S on my birthday and love it but decided to wait till sale since there are so many colors. Some color bound to left, right? I'm not picky :-)  I like the fact the detail flowers are so call "puckers" instead of ruffles like some of J-CREW tee.  J-CREW's ruffle cotton tee has been a nightmare to iron after the wash that it became essentially unwearable.  But puckers are sew in place so I hope it won't be a mess.  The material is soft and hand washable.  I didn't try out the white, but the brown was not too sheer.

Outdoor Cafe Cardigan $49.99

OK, I sort of regretted that I got the blue one.  The gold one and the beige went on sale today.  This is a very comfortable cardigan and can be throw on casually.  It is cotton linen blend but the thread are thick so it is more for a mild fall day like the ones we have here in bay area.  Quality wise I can't say it is the top quality because the weave is a bit loose and it stretches out easily but the fit and color are superb and it is very comfortable. Another down side is that this sweater is dry clean.  It didn't say dry clean only, but still... However with the sale price I think it is worth it.

So did u score anything at today's Sale?

Fall

First of all, Lori from Lori Speak is giving away a lace necklace she made herself.  She is so creative.  I just found her blog lately and she is almost my body double except she is a inch taller.  I wish I had that extra inch to pull me out of the petite status :-)

Fall finally came to bay area.  Tempature 50-70s. Today's highest, 64.

A friend of mine moved out of bay area with her 1 year old baby, leaving her husband behind after staying here one year.  Her reason? lack of season changes.  I guess my first reaction when she told me her leaving was "are you OK with your husband?" She laughed hard because everyone ask her that question. The answer is that they are fine although he try to talk her out of moving.   But she was so bored of the seasons here that she felt suffocated.   I felt like spanking her for the lack of appreciation of good weather ;-)  If she complain about housing price I can understand.  But complain of a good weather? Not to mention she has to face a new job and take care of the baby by herself.  I have to say, I admire her independence and courage, but felt bad for the father and the kid.

Anyway, I like the weather here, not too hot, not too cold, just right.  I think I will grow old and die here.  I have been moving all my life and this is the place I felt most like home. To this area's defense, it does have fall. No winter maybe, but you can get snow if you just drive 4 hours away.  The trees in our neighborhood block turned to shades of yellow and red last year like a colorful oil painting.   This year it hasn't started yet.  Some of my camellia starts to bloom already.  First time after they were put in by our gardener this summer.  It is a single  type.  I would have preferred double formal or the peony type, but they are more expensive.  Still, a blooming flower is always beautiful no matter how simple it looks.

And of course, fall cloth is always exiting!  My 4 year old ask me this morning, could you let me know the weather is cool enough so I can wear tights?  I don't know where she got the idea of socks doesn't match dress.  But just like how she is looking forward to wear thigts, I am looking forward to wear the winter sweaters and boots.  So here is finally some fall like outfit.

Top: J CREW sequence ruffle tank,
Cardi: Anthro Set the course cardi
Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft
Skirt: Anthro Lost time skirt

Happy Friday!

It was a hot week.  It is as if the summer was delayed.  My hair and face got extra oily because of the heat. I felt fat, I felt hot, I felt ugly, and I was in a restless mood. Another reason I had been a bit more agitated than usual is because of this book I checked out from the library -  My Hollywood by Mona Simpson.

It is what they called a domestic novel, discussing the relationship between a working mother, Claire and a immigrant nanny Lola.  I thought it would be a good read since I can relate to it -- I am a working mother and an immigrant.  It turns out that I can related it, only a little too much.  The struggle of the characters stresses me out.  The working mother Clarie, the musician seems to suffer some kind of depression.  She was unhappy, and unproductive.  Despite of having a nanny, she still does not get much work done.   Her marriage is almost non-existent, with her husband busy working without ever making it to dinner table.  Being a clueless mother who rather starves her kid than feeding him formula, I was on the similar and road before.  Till this day I still blame myself not insist on breast feeding on my son after his nipple confusion, wondering if my son's apraxia has any part to do with drinking formula.  I felt I was reliving some of the painful moments and was sinking again with her unhappiness.

The book switches between Clarie and Lola's point of view.  To make it more realistic, Lola narrates with a broken English.  It is very tiring to read.  Although a capable and loving nanny to the child, Lola remains a stranger to Claire.  There is certain coldness to it.  It reminds me my painful relationship with my previous live-in nanny and how she took advantage of our desperation.  It further makes me sad because Lola is probably the best nanny you can find and yet she would never be part of the family.  The book tediously describes how Lola describe in first person point of view, kept her distance, claiming money to send home is all that drives her.  She declines Claire's invitation to eat dinner with the family.  Like what she saids, "the Americans don't know what they want".  Lola is very wise.  She knows even though Claire invite her with all the sincerity,  Claire will be bother by the lack of privacy down the road.  It is that kind of truth about this mother-nanny relationship agitates me.  Despite they live in such closeness,  they are on the opposite end of a river that is too deep to cross.  There is no warm and fuzzy feeling about human relationship and only be reminded that it is impossible for the two women to be real friends, despite both are in need for a bit more love and care,  because the underline connection between the two women are money.

So I am going to abandon the book before it further rotten my mood.  I want something that will lighten up the day!  Maybe it is time to read the Twilight Saga my friend had tried getting me to read.

Here is a dress of the day.  I was thinking about returning this camellia dress because I bought it on sale out of impulse after seeing how wonderful Cindi looks in it.  I end up wearing it to change me out of the rotten mood.

Leifsdottir Deal

With summer comes to the end, a lot of good sales are going on.  Remember that beautiful yellow dotted skirt on the cover of Anthropologie spring issue?  

The blue version came down to $49.95 on Leifsdottir's website.  I honestly doesn't know whether Leifsdottir's cloth is worth $198 for a cotton skirt as the price normally deter me from even trying it on. But at $50, it is a bit tempting.

Acadiana Ruffle Skirt $198 $49.95 Leifsdottir

Crepe Myrtle Cardigan $158 $39.95 Leifsdottir

Evelet Petticoat Shorts $188 $49.95 Leifsdottir

When the brainless action become art - weekend DVD recommendation

Happy Friday! If you are like me, tied in with the kids,  or just want to get cozy staying at home, here are some recommendations for some brainless action movies to check out.

District 13 and District 13 Ultimatum

I honestly couldn't decide which one of those two leads are cuter.  Leito is the escape artist.  If you think the beginning of the Quantum Menace's escape sequence is fancy, wait till you check out those sequence pulled by Leito. He is as nimble as Jackie Chan when Jackie Chan is young.   Some of the stuns are almost too funny.  For instance when Daimen gets in a robbed car when he escapes from jail,  he jumped so high with both feet closed together and no knee bend, sticking into the front door of the car like someone throw a piece of wood log.  Hard to visualize that, I know, that is why you have to see the movie yourself.


Equilibrium

This is a relatively old movie. The reason I checked it out is because Christian Bale's voice dubbing at Howel's moving castle had completely transform Howell's wimpy character into a charming gentlemen.  It turns out to be a very entertaining movie.  The setting of the movie reminds me of Orwell's book 1984.  In this movie, the society polices and suppress any human desires and feeling as the root of war.  The idea is not entirely novel, but still interesting and philosophical enough.  The fighting scene resembles the style of Jet Li in First of Legend, which is also one to many in close combat.

Finally, this is the outfit I was going to submit to Cat for her weekly anthro at work, but right after I upload the pictures from my card, I notice she has already post the anthro at work for this week.  Maybe she can take it for next week?

It is the first time I wore the Acting out skirt since I bought it in July with my birthday discount card.  I rarely pay full price on Anthro items.  This one is an exception.  I felt it kind of matches every top I tried in the fitting room so it can be very versatile.  Pencil skirt is usually not very forgiving if you have a tummy to hide like me and this one somehow works.

Top: Anthro Flowing Tiers Tank
Cardigan: JCREW long V-neck Cardi
Skirt: Anthro Acting out skirt
Necklace: Ann Taylor ($20, Yay!)