A Love Affair with Irregular Choice

I bought the most fabulous pair of shoes when I was a sophomore in high school. They were metallic purple leather kitten-heel sling-backs, made by Irregular Choice. I wore them with jeans, and I practically clicked my heels together in the hallways at school. I felt like a punk rock Cinderella in them, and loved them dearly and cared for them so well that they did not have a single nick on them.

Then, one day, I couldn't find the right shoe. I kept the left one for a month, hoping that it would turn up and I could wear the glorious shoes again. I found it in the back yard in the middle of August, the purple leather faded by the harsh southern sun into a dull silver. Tears began to form in the corner of my eyes, and then I bit my lower lip and tossed both of them.

Shoes and lingerie had disappeared quite frequently at that time, only to be found chewed up by our baby Boston Terrier, whom I affectionally named Coco out of her insatiable desire for the finer things in life. Thankfully, I have broken her of the shoe chewing habit, but the laundry room is off limits for her, because I never know when I will find a lime green lace thong behind the couch when company calls, but I will never forgive her for pilfering that right purple shoe. In honor of that shoe, I present 5 pairs of shoes (all under $100) that I am absolutely in love with.

Duchess by Irregular Choice ($70.88 at 6pm.com)

Courting by Irregular Choice ($81.00 at 6pm.com)
Baja by Irregular Choice ($70.20 at 6pm.com)Shanghai by Irregular Choice ($60.75 at 6pm.com)
Aemelia by Irregular Choice ($41.98 at Amazon)

In Search of the Perfect Little Black Dress

Chanel invented it. Audrey Hepburn was iconic in one. Even Tim Gunn says that it's a necessity that every stylish woman must own. But I don't own one. I have yet to find the perfect go-anywhere little black dress. At the moment, I'm looking...just window shopping.

Scoop-Neck Dress by Prada ($645.00 at Neiman Marcus)
Silk Madison Dress by L.A.M.B. ($269.00 at eLuxury)
Black Jersey Petal Appliqué V-Neck Dress by A.B.S. ($158.40 at Bluefly)
Off-the-Shoulder Dress by Lauren by Ralph Lauren ($144.00 at Macy's)

$15 off at bluefly.

I'm still playing the Designer ABC's Giveaway at Bluefly. Today they're giving away a Prada handbag, which I didn't win. Instead, I won a $15 off promotional code, which I am now giving to you. You can use the promo code, which is 9FB4VNJ to receive $15 off a purchase of $100 or more.

Happiness List

This blog is new, so I haven't quite raved about my favorite blogs yet. Today though, I have to say that I love Pink of Perfection. It has so many endearing quirks, such as the theme music in the video posts and Sarah's warm and charming writing style. What I love most though, is her POP projects, a monthly assignment for readers who have blogs. This month's project is to put together a list of things that make you happy so that "you remind yourself that you have all the makings of a fine little life."

"M"
my boyfriend
love letters (both given and received)
my niece's smile
my family
my big brother
red velvet cake ice cream (a Southern girl's dream!)
a clean house
iced tea on a sultry summer night
the smell of the jasmine in my garden in the mornings
that one outfit that makes me feel like I can do anything
my beautiful scarf
white Christmases
red leaves in the fall
the chimes in my university's clock towers
vintage dresses
my beautiful home
being alone without any noise
reading a novel outside on the weekend
the feeling of accomplishment
A's on tests
taking the goggles off after labs and walking out to feel the sunshine
a bowl of fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries)
Pad Thai and Misal's of India
having someone to catch me when i fall (I have weak ankles)
Audrey Hepburn films (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Funny Face)
old movies in general
Ringo ("Happiness is a warm puppy."-Charles Schulz)
knowing my life's purpose
picking a major and sticking with it
poetry
good times with even better friends

I really do have a fine little life. In fact, I believe it's glamourous.

Eiffel Tower give-away

Hello lovelies! It has been a while! At the moment, I'm very busy with chemistry, but I promise to find more goodies and ideas to post! While clicking through a few blogs, I found a new give-away that I would like to tell you about. D.Sharp is giving away three of her Eiffel Tower candy containers in honour of Bastille Day! As some of you may know, I collect Eiffel towers. I happen to think that this one is absolutely adorable, so enter to win it!

Chemistry Test + Desperate Need of Coffee

This is a quick post. As I was searching for definitions of Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases, I remembered this ring, which was on an Elastic Waist post back in April. I think I should buy it eventually because I'll be needing it for the next 4 years of Hell, also known as the College of Engineering, Also known as the number one recruiter of the College of Business.

Caffeine Ring, $180 by Muscovie Design

In the past, I've also boycotted Starbucks, but I think they've put crack into their coffee, because I'm addicted to it. It's also expensive to begin with, but they also charge you for each shot of syrup you put in, and the different types of milk, but I am an engineering student, and it's rough. I'm just tempted to start buying bagged coffee and just brew it myself now and limit myself to Starbucks only on test days. In the meantime, get a Starbucks card for yourself, customize it, and get free shots of syrup, soy milk, and 2 hours of internet access for no extra charge.

Only at Starbucks: my personal license to be high-maintenance.

C is for Christian Louboutin at Bluefly

Oh my! So I just haunted my favorite only-in-dreams website, Bluefly, and I found that they are giving away $1000 worth of stuff every single day! Today the give away is Christian Louboutin wedges, and sadly, I did not win them, but I did win a coupon for $30 off a purchase of $150 or more, so get to it now, before they're gone! The giveaway ends August 3, 2008 at 11:59 pm ET.

Glamourous Accessories, Bollywood Style

Raja Peace Dupata, Sir Alistair Rai $128
I love finding things in small boutiques in older sections of towns and cities, where the shops are a far cry from the cement strip malls that line the interstate. This scarf was found near the University, in a shop with a brick façade and black awnings. From the moment I saw it, I fell in love with it and looked at it every day online or in the boutique. This is usually the case for something that I feel as if I have to own, but when I actually own it, I have buyer's remorse. I knew from the moment I saw it that I wouldn't experience that letdown after I saw this scarf. On Saturday, my wonderful boyfriend bought it for me, and it has been one of the best presents I've ever received. I've barely taken it off since he bought it for me.

Peacock Feather & Crystal Necklace, Forever 21 $6.80

They usually have good costume jewelry, and this is no exception. It looks much better in person than it does online. It's a gold colored peacock feather attached to a loop with a teardrop faceted crystal.

New Beginnings Gold Dipped Necklace, Dogeared $102

I bought a similar lotus necklace at a boutique near the university for $45. It is a gold dipped lotus pendant on a delicate gold chain. The card said "bridesmaid," but I bought it for myself because the charm was so beautiful. I like this one as well.
Lover Embellished Gladiator, Blowfish $54.95

I bought these shoes about two weeks ago. My sister became green with envy when she saw them on my feet and interrogated me until I confessed and told her the name of the store where I bought the last pair. She then searched through the racks until she found the "Lane" embellished thongs and bought them instead.

The Glamourous Life

glam·or·ous

–adjective

1.	full of glamour; charmingly or fascinatingly attractive, esp. in a mysterious or magical way.

2.	full of excitement, adventure, and unusual activity: the glamorous job of a foreign correspondent.

Also, glam·our·ous.

I have one thing on my list of aspirations that encompasses everything; I want a glamourous life. I truly believe that complete happiness is not just in static equilibrium; it is excitingly dynamic and changes over time. And because of that, I find happiness bountiful. I simply do not see why I cannot have a wonderful life, surrounded by love and beauty, and that is the basis for a glamourous life.