The complete wrong OOTD

Today at lunch, I sneaked out to take my husband shopping for a Christmas gift. For him, of course. Let me tell you, it is so difficult to think of a gift for guys, especially this one.  Either he doesn't want anything, or if he wants something, he would get it himself. There goes my great idea of Playstation "Move".  Then I suggested a wireless gamer headphone so he won't annoy me with the "Snake, you can't die!" scream from the game character every 5 mintues.  He refused.   "Why would I want to give up the surround sound for a uncomfortable restraining headphone?" He ask.  "Maybe you want to keep your dear wife sane?" I guess that thought never occurs to him.

Then I thought of a pair of running shoes might be nice since he started to run more.  All he has was a pair from Costco year ago.  If you are brought up in China before the 80s, people would laugh at you for paying $100+ for a pair of shoes.  There is a fundamental difference between the east and west for paying for expensive gears.  I think the Chinese believe, if you are that good, the gear doesn't matter. We all know that is not true in modern world after the new technology in swim suit beats Michel Phelps?

After consult with my co-worker, he suggested Running Revolution at Campbell.  While waiting for our pizza at the next door Pizza joint, we went in the store asking for a fitting.  Chris who is available at the time helped us.  He is knowledgeable and patient, really taking his time to help us.  They had a computer imaging system too to help mapping out the pressure on your foot so it can assist the decision making.  I was so please with him so I ask him if he would do a fitting for me to to figure out why I always felt the pain on ball of one foot while the other shin hurts.  Well turns out that I walk funny.... I roll my foot inward slightly and put more weight on the other foot. Since I said I mainly walk on a treadmill, he had me try the shoes he suggested using a treadmill instead of running outside at the sidewalk like my husband did.

Now comes back to the title why my outfit was entirely wrong for this shopping visit.  Here is what I wore to the store to try on running shoes on a treadmill... I was a bit tire of the black and grey I had been wearing last few days so I couldn't wait to wear this new sweater I got from JCREW last night. If I had know ahead of time I'd probably dress more appropriately.  I supposed I could come back in another day, but I was too lazy to make a separate trip.

Top: Anthropologie Vanilla Bean Blouse
Skirt: Anthropologie Painted night skirt
Cardigan: JCREW casher femme cardigan in deep coral (love the color, buy it here)
Shoes: JCREW Lily peep toe pump.

Get Shorty? - OOTD

Have you notice that a lot of Anthropologie's sweaters got the complain of being too short lately?

Solstice Festival Cardigan

Tied Trail Cardi

And the one that is on Sale Right now

I have a sweater from last year and had the similar problem with the length.  I had a feeling those sweater are somehow meant to be wear with skirts rather than jeans. Anyway, that is how I end up dealing with it.

Look back at the picture, I realize my winter wardroom has not been as colorful as the other 3 seasons.  I did add the necklace to pop some color, but it still looks kind of gloomy.

What am I wearing:

Top: Gap stripe supersoft turtleneck, Anthro Sweater (2009 winter, similar here) 

Bottom: Anthro Acting out skirt. (similar it here)

 Boots: Matisse Women's 'Holmes' Booties (buy it here)

Necklace: JCREW Got it for under $25 (buy it here)
Hat: LOFT Beret (similar here)

Is the economy really in a dump?

If the answer is yes, why some of those expensive things flying off the shelf in no time?  Like this sweater coat from Anthropologie,  I have not even make up my mind about whether I like it or not, it is already sold out! Part of me really love the details of the embroidery.  on the other hand, it feels too over the top that it is almost custom like.

Rag& Bone 'Northfield' Poncho with Genuine Shearling Lined Hood is another example. I was lusting over it when it came down to half price at $400 at Nordstrom's recent designer sales.  But even then it is too much for an not so practical item. I ask hubby for second opinion, he said, you would look like Robin Hood in it.

With the holiday season coming up, I guess everyone felt like splurging a little bit.  At least for me I felt I want to splurge on something, not just looking for deals.  On the other hand, it is hard to not be sway by the deals. I am torn between a good deal, a very SPECIAL piece, and something that can be use everyday.  I guess when all that 3 requirements come together, the intersection became null.

Winter Bloom -OOTD

I haven't wear my bloom lattice cardigan lately.  It was a piece that I thought it would be versatile enough to pay full price for.  But I have always thought of this piece as a spring(left) / summer (right) cardigan because it is cotton.  In the summer, I wear it all the time.  It was the right warmth to throw on for the cool office temperature.

In the winter, I am more likely to grab for skinny jeans and boots and thick wool sweater in the morning, but readers from Anthroholic had chosen the week to be the blooming lattice as the outfit week. It got me re-thinking how this cardigan could also be styled for the winter. So here is what I came up with.

Top: J CREW gather neck tee
Cami: Gap Lace Cami
Skirt: Banana Republic (very very old)
Tight: JCREW wool tight (very very very old)
Shoes: Rensselaer T-Straps
Cardigan: Blooming Lattice Cardigan
Headband: JCREW zipper headband (It gets too loose after a day's wear, wouldn't recommend it)

Home Goods

Some the home item are having their best price this holiday season.

Newegg has OXO Good Grips 10-Piece POP Container Set for $58.95 when you enter code EMCZNYN79 at checkout. Shipping is free. I got a set a while back at amazon and they are wonderful to store the snacks! But this price is even better. When I told hubby that I saw this great deal, he nervously asked "You didn't get another set, did you?"

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Macy's has Wusthof Classic Ikon Santoku Knife, 5" for $45 if you enter code MACYSFRIEND.  $99 purchase will get you freeshiping.  I love a good knife especially when trying to cut the beef paper thin.  A good tool is always worthwhile.

Anthropologie Surprise Sale

Did anyone notice the clinton trench went on sale for $99??? Were there any left? Really love this trench.  That and the bag are the only two things from Anthro I packed to our recent Disney trip. Somehow most Anthro piece are too fuzzy to bring on a trip.  They don't interchange and layer as well as JCREW.   If you are able to get the clinton trench in your size for this sale price, you are the lucky one.

The Brassica Dress went for second cut of $29.99. It seem to have very good reviews so it might be worth trying it out.

Did you score anything today? I liked some of the layering piece, but they were instantly gone.  For now, I will stick with gap for my basic tee's.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all had a good break.  I have notice the lack of new post in the blogger world.  Everyone is busy with their families I bet.

So did you score any deals from black Friday?  I was at Disney, so no getting up early to the store for me. We went with the family of my daughter's best friend and it was so much more fun than going by ourselves.    I happen to caught a cold and lose my voice.  Let me tell you, it is not easy to herd the overly exited girls without your voice.  I was worried sick that they would get lost in the crowd. We all trying to teach our daughters our phone number just in case they get lost.  We end up writing them down and put in their jacket after they repeatly missing a digit here and there :-)

I frankly didn't appreciate Disney after we have kids. We had always been the national park type. But after my son is born, we were so traumatize by the trip we had taken him at 1 year old that we didn't have any vacation till he is 5. The trip we took was to disneyland, thinking if it became too much for him we can just drive back right away.  To our suprise he enjoyed the trip.   We felt so liberated.  We finally felt that we can go somewhere and stop being the prisoner of our own home.  Disney had put a lot of thoughts in taking care of their guest and the service is impeccable.  From the clean bathroom to the volume control of the music,  everything is done with great attention in details.  I know how some people think it is over crowded and everything is fake, but I have to say the crowd is unavoidable, but they did their best to make their guests comfortable.  I appreciate how they use the techniques in the movie to give you the full sensory enjoyment rather than just the thrills of drop and turns.  For the crowd, they routed the long lines so kids felt there is progress, providing fast pass to the popular rides, open up special event such with the princess royal carnation ceremony so they accommodate a bunch of girls who wanted to see princess at the same time during holiday seasons.

My favorite at Disney had always been the firework.  The music and the firework is so in sync.  Other park's firework just pales in comparison.  Every time during firework,  I watch the children's face, with their expression so attentively and their eyes sparkles with the lights of firework.  It makes me want to cry.  Somehow it makes everything worthwhile.

Thanksgiving is not a traditional holiday for us, but the Chinese has a long tradition of "Following the tradition of the locals".  So the day at Disney, we got a Turkey leg for lunch.  Haha.  I am not a big fan of turkey, but I must say the turkey leg is pretty tasty. It is also darn cute to have little kid holding the gigantic drumstick and eat it too.

Naturally I miss the Anthro Sale last Tuesday.  But there isn't much I really wanted, other than the Pholox and Coral coat.  You can see my review here.

After we got back,  we went to a friend's house for their house warming party.  Ah, how I envy their gigantic master bath and the walk in closet and the ample room in the kitchen!  It is a gorgeous new house and functional too with the in-law cottage and workshops and balconies, all nicely architected. Normally I'd wear a skirt or dress to a party, but I was in too much of a rush that morning from waking up too late at 9:30.  Had to drive my daughter to Chinese class, drive back, make lamb bryani for my son's lunch, fearing there is nothing he can eat at the party due to his diet restriction, take a shower, run back to pick up my daughter, wrap the house warming gifts and feed my son ahead of time as he tents to get cranky on empty stomach, and yes, the party starts at noon so there is no telling when the lunch will be begin.  Good thing is my son love the bryani I made. I gave him some and he clean the plate as if it has been licked clean.  Not a single drop of rice left!

Top:  Anthro Wild Bunch Tank.

Cardi: Anthro 2010 don't remember the name. 

Pants: Arden B super skinny jeans (I don't like Arden B.  These jeans are from my experiment buy from this store and I won't buy from Arden B online again) 

Boots: UGG autstralia.  They are warm and they are water proof, best winter boots ever!