New Kids on the blog . . .

By now everybody knows that New Kids on the Block, 98 degrees and Boys II Men are going on tour together!!!  You can read it here.  I am truly excited about this.  I was in 6th grade and I remember belting out the words to "I'll make love to you" every time the song played on the radio.  I'm glad my parents speak English as a second language or else I would have been banned from listening to the radio for life!  When I was 8 years old I watched the NKOTB cartoon religiously (and ate tuna fish sandwiches) . The memories are all coming back! Music is relatable.  Music is influential.  Music is life.  Music is art.

I remember being really sad when my high school boyfriend and I broke up and every time I heard Truly, Madly, Deeply I'd go into a crying frenzy.  I realize what a big role music plays in all our lives and therefore decided to blog about the songs that would be featured in My Life: the first 30 years.  My Life the movie.

This soundtrack would be split into 3 main volumes.

Volume 1: The Early years 1982-1992
Happy, care free, naive, first crushes
1. CCR: Proud Mary
2. Any Topo Gigio song
3. NKOTB: You got it (the right stuff)
4. MC Hammer: Can't touch this
5. Fito Olivares: La Gallinita
6. Selena: Bidi bidi bom bom
7. Bruno Mars: The Lazy song
8. Natasha Bedingfield: Pocket full of sunshine


Volume 2: Growing Pains 1992 - 2002
Death, Hip-hop, boys, religion, heartbreak, fun, life decisions
1. Bone Thugs and Harmony: Crossroads
2. Warren G: Regulator
3. Simon and Garfunkel: The Sound of Silence
3. Chayanne: Tiempo de Vals - I celebrated my Quinceanera and transitioned into womanhood!
4. Lauryn Hill: Ex-Factor
5. Kylie Minogue: Can't get you out of my head
6. Cyndi Lauper: Girls just want to have fun 
7. Kanye West: Jesus Walks
8. Five For Fighting: 100 years


Volume 3: Life as we know it 2002-2012
Sadness, happiness, struggles, love, marriage, future
1. India Arie: Strength, Courage and Wisdom
2. Frank Sinatra: My Way
3. Deanna Carter: Strawberry Wine
4. Jeff Buckley: Hallelujah
5. Bon Jovi: Living on a prayer
6. Elvis: Fools fall in love
7. Alicia Keys: Brand new me
8. Frank Sinatra: The best is yet to come
Bonus Track. Eric Clapton: Wonderful tonight

Do you have a life soundtrack . . . What is it?

courtesy of people.com

Bag lady

I truly feel like those "What's in my bag?" features in magazines are completely staged. No one's bag can be that organized . . . or maybe I'm just in denial over my own messy bag.  They have to be staged right? They are just too perfect. So . . . I decided to "stage" my own What's in my bag?

Let's take a look.

The bag . . .


Balenciaga Arena Classic City



The staging of the contents . . . 

THIS IS WHAT I WISH MY BAG LOOKED LIKE

Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis card holder, David Yurman sunglasses no longer availble but similar style found here, stila stay all day liquid lipstick, Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion, Strawberry cupcake cream purchased at the Ketano in NYC, mini Chloe and Versace Bright Crystal, Snickers bar, iPhone 4S


THIS IS WHAT IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE: ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS OLD RECEIPTS, A CPR BOOKLET, MY CHECKBOOK (YES, I MAY BE THE ONLY ONE WHO STILL WRITES CHECKS), PEN, 1 WALLET, 1 COIN PURSE, 1 BUSINESS CARD HOLDER . . . etc. etc.

What's in your bag/wallet?

Check out Paula Abdul's bag here.  I found hers to be the most interesting out of all the one listed in UsWeekly, maybe because of the little bear neck pillow and the vitamin powder. 

 

My hump . . . my lovely lady lumps

Thanks Fergie! I wish this blog post was about my lovely lady lumps but it's not.  I realized that my biggest fear, aside from dying a young, premature, painful death, is having a gut bigger than my behind. When I gain weight it's not the way normal people do. I can deal with the rolls and muffin tops. When I gain weight my tummy looks like a beer belly. No doubt. I feel so gross.  I've accepted the fact that I'm never going to be bobble head skinny. You know when you're so skinny your head looks bigger than your body?  So I work out as often as a can and eat as well as I can. It's hard sometimes because I love cheese! I've stopped eating cheese however because aged cheese triggers my migraine. I can't have Brie without a terrible migraine to follow. Anyway, I'm not one of those who can follow a strict workout plan. I usually just wing it. I run for about 45 minutes or the equivalent of 3 miles. Then I do a whole bunch of crunches. Then I make my rounds through the machines. I follow V around and he spots me. All 20 lbs of it. So this year I've decided to try a more structured plan.  Here's a few of the plans I found via Facebook, Instagram and general internet searches.  I'm going to try them.  Join me!  I'm not an expert or a fitness guru but I think this will be a good start!  What do you think?

Sexy Leg Workout: 2-3 sets 3 times a week
20 squats
30 lunges
40 calf raises
50 second wall sit
100 jumping jacks
50 second wall sit
40 sumo squats
30 leg raises
20 squats

Sexy Arm Workout Courtesy of Women's Health Magazine
Use 5 to 8 lb weights.  Do 15 - 20 reps of each exercise and go from one move to the other without rest in between.  Do this three times a week (2-3 sets).  Pictures courtesy of Women's Health Magazine (online).

Move 1:Reverse Fly                        Move 2:Biceps curl             Move 3:Dumbbell cross jab
  

Move 4: Lying triceps extension

Sexy Ab Workout 2x every other day   

10 crunches                                                                 

15 bicycles                                                                  

30 second plank                                                             

20 second side plank                                                  

10 crunches                                                 

20 bicycles

20 second side plank

10 crunches

30 second plank

20 leg lifts                      

                                              This back workout is courtesy of Julie Michaelson                           

Growing Wings Back Workout
Back Workout
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Wide Grip Pull Up	5	8 to 10
Wide Grip Lat Pull Down	4	10
Hammer Strength Unilateral High Row	4	10
Seated Cable Row - Narrow Grip	4	12
One Arm Dumbbell Row	3	12
Straight Arm Lat Pull Down	3	15 *Chart courtesy of muscle and fitness (online), click on exercise for demo video

I'm also taking cardio classes at the gym.  Here's a little motivation . . . I bought a pair of Cut25 trousers that are a size 0!!! I kind of fit in them now but I think they could fit a little better. Let's do this!! Oh and don't forget: abs are made in the kitchen! 

My friend is a paleo enthusiast and you can find yummy recipes on his blog: Paleo in the streets or you can follow my friend  @ilefitness for healthy, non-paleo recipes! :0

My motivation: size 0 cut25 trousers.  Let's hope this works out.  

Cut25 trousers

Repeat offender

Let me tell you a little story. When I was 12 years old my favorite outfit was a pair of skinny jeans, a black leotard and black flats.  I probably wore this outfit about once a week, if not more.  One day my tactful father approached me and asked: Do I not buy you enough clothes for you to not wear that same outfit over and over?
Since then I vowed I would never, ever, ever wear the same outfit again within a three month period.  I used to write down my outfits on a calendar just to make sure I didn't repeat them.  Even now if I'm pictured in something I refuse to wear it again.  Blame it on my roots.
Well, all that has changed since I bought the most amazing blazer that goes with everything! All my dreams have come true.  I don't need any more pieces in my wardrobe.  I can breathe again! And I don't even think my dad has noticed I've worn it three times in the last two weeks.

What do you think?

Patterson J. Kincaid tuxedo blazer.  Similar style found here

Winter grays

Today's post is strictly an outfit post. I wore my "reinvented" (semi home made) dress yesterday. It was 39 degrees in Houston so I had to warm it up. I was at Last Call Studio and the sales woman said she loved my outfit. I almost told her about my blog but I was embarrassed. Besides, I like being in the trenches. Remember when O.A.R. almost became mainstream? The horror!  Oh snap! Almost famous. Me.

I felt so very Blair Waldorf-ish. What did you guys think of the finale by the way? It was last month. I know. I'm late.

I wanted to pair the dress with sheer black tights and red suede booties but I don't have a pair.  Maybe I should get a pair.

And now the pics . . .

 

I posed for half these pictures outside but it was too cold so the rest were taken in my parents family room/living room.  There's no place like home.

OOTD details: J. Crew classic white boy shirt, Reinvented DIY dress by yours truly, Hue tights no longer available but similar found here, Christian Louboutin booties no longer available.  Similar style found here and  here. Persol eye glasses. Balenciaga Arena Classic City. Betsey Johnson Caplet

DIY: Reinventing a dress

Hello! Here's my latest DIY project.

I have this super cute wool dress. It's over 5 years old and about 3 years ago I washed it and it shrunk! Who washes 100% wool? Ahhh, the agony. Imagine my horror when I took it out of the dryer (oh yeah, I accidentally dried it too) and it was 6 inches shorter!

What to do? What to do? At first I paired it with a longer dress underneath but then I had the best idea! Why not make it longer? So I added faux leather to the hem. I sewed it myself. I purchased the fabric at JoAnn's.

This Miu Miu dress was my inspiration.  I love the different textures within the dress.

I only bought a yard of fabric.

1. Measure the width of the dress (the bottom) multiply by two. Add 5 inches to it and cut this amount of fabric. The width was 19 inches *2 = 38 + 3 inches for pleats + 2 extra inches for sewing.  So I cut a total of 43 inches of fabric wide and 7 inches long.  I wanted to add 6 extra inches to the length of the dress.

2. Hem the fabric. Then add the pleats. I added 2 pleats in the front and 2 in the back.  Here's a video on how to make a hem.  Here's another for pleats.

3. Sew the trim to the bottom of the dress.

4. Voila!

It took me 45 minutes to complete the project. Very easy! Next time instead of throwing or donating your garments just reinvent them!

What do you think?

I know I always say I'll post pictures of me wearing my DIYs and I always forget but I'm wearing this dress today so I'll share tomorrow.

Shrunken dress

Materials

Measuring bottom portion of dress

Cut fabric

Sewing the hem

Hem

Marking the pleats

Sewing the pleats

Pleats

Lining up hem to dress

Sewing new portion of the dress onto the dress

Final product

Any DIY links welcome!

28 days . . . later

We've been in Houston 30 days but 28 days seemed like a catchier title. Am I the only one who always confused 28 days with 28 days later? One's with Sandra Bullock.  She goes to rehab for 28 days.  28 days later is a scary one. I found that out the hard way.  I was watching 28 days later wondering when Sandra Bullock was going to show up! She never did!


I don't really miss DC that much. I miss my friends and in laws but that's about it. I think DC probably misses me more. Let's be honest I'm the best thing that happened to DC since Bill Clinton.

(not my pic, taken from the web)

So what have I been doing since I've been back? Well, I went on three job interviews and received three job offers. I accepted one, then declined it and then accepted another. It took me a total of 6 days to find a job. So am I working? No. I'm not sure when I start. I am meeting with my future boss this morning. I don't even know how much I'll be getting paid but I'm sure it'll be enough.

I haven't heard a single honk since I've been in Texas. People are friendly and patient. I befriended a nice sales associate at Neiman's, Randi. She's sweet and helps me with my handbag purchases. So things aren't bad on my end. Pretty good.

V likes Houston but he's having difficulty adjusting to working from home. His company was nice enough to allow him to work remotely from Houston for the time being. He sits at his desk for 8 hours straight. So far I've seen him only get up for breakfast and lunch and two restroom breaks. I'm in the living room watching telenovelas with my mom and he's working his little butt off. I kind of feel bad but not really.  A lot of people would love to work from home!

(Not my pic, taken from the web) Houston skyline

That's our little update so far.  Our life is a little slower than it was back in the DMV but we're not complaining.  We are very happy.

Which movie do you want to see? 28 days or 28 days later? Mwahahahaha.

 

Unrequited love

What's up with Keira Knightley and ALL her period movies?  Will I ever see her in a normal C rated movie?  Anyway, I love you Keira! One of my favorite Keira Knightley movies has to be Love Actually.  I absolutely love that movie.

My favorite scene:

Unrequited love *sigh*.  A syndrome we all suffer from at one point in life.  I remember spending a great deal of my 20s longing for the admiration of "Mr. Wrong."  Looking back he was kind of gross but my enamored soul was in denial.  I remember S telling me numerous times: "He doesn't like you, he doesn't want to be with you". It may sound harsh but it really wasn't.  I should have listened to her instead of spending countless hours hoping and praying he would fall in love with me.  He never did.  It was heartbreaking.  How could I, a logical person, fall for the "wrong guy"?  I was friendly, funny,smart, witty . . . what was I missing?  Nothing.  I wasn't missing anything.  Mr. Wrong just wasn't the guy for me.  Obviously or we'd be together.  But how could my 20 something year old soul realize that?  There's no logic or reason behind our feelings.  If we could logically sort through our feelings we'd never suffer heartbreak or love for that matter.  I finally accepted the fact that "He just wasn't into me" and gave myself time to grieve and finally moved on.  Time heals all wounds doesn't it?  It sure does.  If waiting it out isn't your thing here's a helpful guide: How to get over unrequited love in 10 easy steps.  

Looking back I am thankful nothing ever happened.  I went on to marry a great and caring man who loves me unconditionally.  So for all those loving souls out there don't forget that things always happen for a reason.  You may not know it yet but soon you'll see.

Years later when I was engaged "he" made contact.  All of a sudden I'd become the woman he wanted me to be.  A little too late.  All I ever wanted was a declaration of love and when I finally received it, it didn't matter anymore.  

Eyes, eyes baby . . .

Did you know that the eye is the only organ in the body whose vasculature (blood vessels) you can see without having to cut it open?! That's amazing.

Now that I've given you an awesome piece of trivia that is sure to impress all your friends I'll give you Louboutin. One of my favorite shoe designers.

          

How cute! It's an eye shoe. Next I give you the DIY version. This is the easiest one ever.  My sister made them and gave them to me as a Christmas gift.

1. Get a black pair of shoes.
2. Glue on wiggle eyes with a hot glue gun.  My sister found wiggle eyes at the dollar store.
3. Done

If you don't have a black shoe you can purchase any color shoe and spray paint it with black paint. My sister originally bought a coral pair from Forever 21.  Just make sure to tape the areas that you don't want to paint.

Shoe before the makeover

Shoe after makeover

What do you think? Check out my other shoe DIY here

Happy New Year

May this new year bring everyone happiness, love, success and peace!

xoxo

Zara jumpsuit available in stores.  Similar style found here.  Patterson J. Kincaid tuxedo blazer available at Neiman Marcus stores. Similar style found here.  

I spent the weekend and NYE in Austin, TX and it was a blast! Hope everyone had a safe holiday season.  Let's make 2013 the best it can be!!! 

Next time you're in Austin check out these places:

Magnolia cafe

Bar Chi

Uchiko (gluten free)

Sugar Circus (bakery vegan options)

Allens Boots

SoCo is a cool area and downtown Austin is bumpin'.