Neglected My Life

So while I'm procrastinating, I thought I'd share an update. My life is in utter chaos right now. I'm taking 16 hours of really difficult classes on the main campus, and trying to finish a 3 hour calculus in independent study. My major is now chemical engineering/biomedical engineering/pre-med. I'm also going to get a minor in Arabic. I'm taking my bellydance class, and have now moved up from introductory level to beginner level, which means that I will begin to perform at festivals and restaurants sometime in the spring, maybe March. More on that will come later.

In short, I really don't have much time to peruse stores in search of the perfect shoe or dress. Maybe I'll see something in the window at Shoetopia while I'm on my way to Starbucks to get my desperately needed caffeine fix (which will no longer happen, since I realized that my diet sucks), but in general I'm terribly busy.

But I will try to update this more often, and in lieu of an entry with a ton of shoes, I offer you my go-to shoe for instant it-girl status:

Impereal by Steve Madden ($90 at Piperlime)

Wildly Plush Bank Account

That's it. I've just woken up with a wildly plush bank account. What do I do with it, Sarah wants to know. I experienced this on a small scale last week, and I did about three things.

1. I bought the new MacBook Air. Yes darlings, I got the new MacBook Air. Yes you read that right. I bought the thinnest laptop in the world.
2. I added Beginning Arabic I to my schedule.
3. I bought a pair of dance shoes so I no longer have to bellydance barefoot.

Wildly Plush:

1. I would have founded my own University that didn't just raise billions of dollars from private donors to just build new buildings while hiking up tuition 10% per year.
2. UNICEF: they help kids all over the world combat poverty, hunger, violence, AIDS/HIV, and illiteracy.
3. Central Asia Institute: If you haven't read Three Cups of Tea, do so now!
4. Save Darfur
5. Kiva: Users give entrepreneurs all over the world loans starting at $25.
6. Pay off my student loans.
7. Move out of my mom's house.
8. Have a homes in Paris and New York.
9. Make sure that every home I own has its own library.
10. Set up college funds for my niece and nephews.
11. Travel to France, Spain, Israel, Italy, and Egypt.
12. Make sure that my parents are taken care of as they get older.
13. A closet of nice clothing, some designer, some not, but I definitely would want to be treated to a private viewing and fitting of Christian Lacroix couture like in What Not to Wear.
14. One of those Artisan Kitchen-Aid Mixers
15. A Bottle of Dom Perignon for my 21st birthday so I can make a toast to my fabulous self.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

If you are about my age, you remember that annoying commercial from Staples that epitomized every child's worst nightmare and every parent's dream. It's time to go back to school. When I was little, going back to school meant that I wore a pair of white tights, a red plaid skirt, and black boots that went up to my calves. There was always the kitten sweater and the French braids to anticipate.

Now that I'm in college, I don't know what I'm going to wear. Clothes do not seem nearly important as they were. My focus is now on waking up in the morning and getting ready as fast as possible without any kind of hassle, leaving the house early enough to sit in my car as I impatiently wait for a parking space. I've gotten to the point where I do my make up at long stoplights, keeping one eye on the red light. Usually I arrive at school, looking somewhat put together.

For most college students, this is usually the case. We do not care what we look like, and beauty is on the back burner. Late nights of studying and drinking take their toll on skin, and there isn't enough time to properly apply makeup. I've come up with a list of three things that you can use to achieve a pretty, natural look in very little time.

Secret #1All-Over Face Color in Clear Radiance by bareMinerals ($18.00 at Ulta)

Even if I've stayed up all night studying, I still look as if I've had a full 7 hours of sleep if I wear this. I assume it would also be good to combat the hungover look. I just swipe this all over my face after applying powder and concealer and it gives me back the beautiful skin that college sabotaged.

Secret #2

Diorshow Mascara in Black by Dior ($24 at Nordstrom)

I skip caffeine and use this instead to create a wide-awake look. It's probably now a classic or at least a cult-favorite, and I can definitely see why. After using this, I never want to use another mascara ever again. You get bonus points for taking 10 seconds to use an eyelash curler.

Secret #3

Minted Rose Lip Balm by Rosebud Perfume Co. ($7 at Sephora)

My sister first introduced me to the original Rosebud Salve when I was 15 years old. She gave it as part of a gift bag full of goodies for her bridesmaids, and I loved it instantly. The original has a light rose scent that I love, but I recently ordered the Minted Rose Lip Balm with my Quotidian Dress from Anthropologie because the original was out of stock. I love this one even more than the original! It's easy to use and gives my lips a rosy tinge.

Sadie

Out, damned spot!

I have to say that this week, I had one of those awful, Vesuvius-sized pimples that comes around when I'm catching the crimson wave. So, I went to Origins, which helped with my outbreak of acne in middle school when no dermatologist that I saw could reduce it. The salesgirl pointed me toward Spot Remover. She applied a very small amount with a Q-tip and the next morning, the pimple was flat and had dried up. I could then apply concealer to the spot and cover up what little redness remained without anyone noticing it was there. I recommend this. It's one of the few things that I've seen that actually works.Spot Remover by Origins ($12 at Origins)

Oh, Joy! My New Shoes Arrived!

Aren't they divine?

Please excuse my mottled pale feet. There is a reason why I am not a foot model, and that reason would be my feet. But aren't the shoes lovely? They make me stand taller and stand up perfectly straight. You can always tell when a woman feels good in her clothes by the way she walks. The same should be truer for shoes!

Vintage Pretty

I don't believe that I can quite express how much I dislike weddings. The creamy parchment, the spidery handwriting, and finally the dark embossed print on a sheet of vellum terrifies me as I open an invitation. The honour of my presence is requested. Immediately I begin to feel as if I should send them a blender and get it over with, but go I must. Really my biggest problem with weddings is that I always end up overdressed or underdressed and can never tell the dress code by the invitation.

My mother, however, always knows exactly what to wear to weddings and various social events because her mother taught her proper etiquette for everything. She always looked flawless for weddings, so I thought I'd look at photos of her back in the day and figure out what is proper for a Sunday morning wedding at a country club in Texas.my mother at age 19

I think for a morning wedding, it should be somewhat conservative and it should definitely be pastel-colored. It'll be quite warm in September, so I don't want anything heavy or long-sleeved. I found this silk dress from Anthropologie, and fell in love with it. I can wear it again too, because this is the kind of dress I would wear to meet his mother. It's polite and sweet with a whisper of innocence.

Quotidian Dress by Fleurwood ($168 at Anthropologie)

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.