New camera and OOTD

I had been using my Canon Digital Elph for some years.  I like the fact that it is so small and light so I can carry it in the pocket with me.  I do however get annoyed at the long shutter delay at the low light conditions.  It would mean I miss the most exiting part of my children's action.  I also want a camera that has a wide angle as I take more group pictures than long shots.  I also know that I won't be changing lens since our family already have a Digital SLR and I really don't want to carry anything overly bulky or heavy.  The show down happens between Panasonic Lumix L5 and Cannon Powershot S95,  I had decided to pull the trigger on the Panasonic Lumix L5.    You can find a pretty good comparison between the two on  dpireview website.

I bought the camera from Amazon for $389.00.  It is probably not the best deal but then with deal, it is hard to know when the bottom is.  The camera arrived within two days.  I couldn't wait till Christmas to open it because there were Christmas performance to attend.  It did a pretty good job with the group picture.  I didn't cut anyone off from my daughter's classroom. I also don't have to back away when my daughter came in to close range to show me the card she made.

The camera came with a lot of bell and whistles and I have been playing with them without knowing what I was doing...  Some came out a bit weird like these OOTD photos. No, I did not photoshop them.  I think I had tune the white balancing parameter to some weird mode.  I kind of like this washout effect though. 

Dress: JCREW Plaid Shirt dress (Similar here)

Bottom Madewell Denim Legging. (Buy it here)

Sweater: JCREW Dulphine open cardigan (Buy it here)
Coat: Anthropologie Rutledge Sweatercoat
Belt: Gap
Boots: UGG australia.

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.