Bargain Shopping

I can't tell you how good it feels to have a sold out item suddenly show up as in stock on my Anthropologie wish list. It makes me feel like I am somehow cheating the system and finding a secret prize hidden just for me. Today I managed to score the Pondside Cardi in blue that I missed out on during its second markdown to $29.95 (originally $118.00). Yipeee!

Anthropologie may have some ridiculous prices but they are really good about marking things down 50% when they go on sale, and even further if the item sticks around past the first markdown. The only problem with their sale prices is that it makes me feel like I am required to buy things because otherwise I am missing out on such a great deal. There is also a "rush" I get from scoring something awesome at a huge discount or by finding something that was previously out of stock. Hmmm.. maybe there is more to this addiction than I'm acknowledging.

One Year Older & Possibly One Year Wiser

Today is my birthday, which I celebrated Friday since the super bowl is today. I had a nice dinner at Buca Di Beppo (first time ever in the pope room) with a small group of friends whom I adore and my wonderful family, followed by drinks at the Jackalope. Thank you Jason Burton for the birthday drink tokens and thank you Jasen for serving up those drinks! It was nice to have a low key birthday for once and this is the first one in years that I actually remember (I can't do shots on this current medication). I had a lovely evening!

Last night I was diving to Walgreens around 1:00 AM and a car drove past me with a girl in the passenger seat with her head hanging out the window and puke running down the side of the car. This gruesome sight made me realize that although aging has its downfalls (gravity, mobility, metabolism, etc), it is really nice to know that I am old enough now that I will most likely never be puking out the window of a moving vehicle.

This got me thinking about other things that my old age has taught me compared to who I was 15 years ago, 10 years ago, 5 years ago, hell even 2 years ago. Although I do miss my early 20's it is mostly my figure and health of those years that I miss. Sometimes I think that we should age backwards like Benjamin Button so that we have the most wisdom when our bodies are at their peak performance.

Turning 33 is not a milestone birthday but it has given me pause to reflect back on my life. I am not where I thought I would be when I was 23 looking forward 10 years, but considering what life has dished out to me over the past 2 years I think I'm doing pretty well despite it all. I have had many accomplishments and failures, many trials and tribulations and there are really only a couple of things that I would honestly do differently if I could go back and do them over again.

I have to remind myself not to think about the past too much. I still have a lot of wonderful things going for me and I would hate to look back in 10 years and wish that I had lived more in the moment at this age. My body might be planning a "coup de grace" against me with its multiple autoimmune diseases but it hasn't won just yet!

Sad Feet

Why does Anthropologie insist on making my feet sad with envy? I have rheumatoid arthritis and will never again be able to wear high heels, the pain is just unbearable. I can wear a low 2 inch heel for about an hour if I put in my own arch supports and gel cushions. It is a sad state of affairs indeed! But to add insult to injury, Anthropologie is constantly rubbing it in my face with their delectable shoes which are generally 3 inch heels or taller. Sometimes I still have to talk myself out of buying them even though I know I cannot wear them. I just want to buy them and display them as art and gaze at them lovingly. (Not that I could afford them anyway...)

Here are some lovelies that I am currently lusting after:


Wilhelm Booties

An ancient tale speaks of a pair of burnished leather boots. With slender laces and a crackled finish, its beauty is so enchanting that frogs turn into princes and mermaids rise from the sea.

Side zip
Leather upper, insole, sole
3.25" stacked leather heel
3.5"H
Portugal
style #940085
$149.95...was $300.00

Palm Shade Booties

Frond-shaped eyelets carve out the shadow and light of wavering island cover under the equatorial sun.

Back zip
Leather upper, insole
Synthetic sole
3" heel
4"H
Spain
style #043054
$240.00

Midnight Sky T-Straps

Fringy chrysanthemum petals drip from a deep, dark stretch of starless suede. By Chie Mihara.
Adjustable buckle

Leather upper, insole, sole
3.5" leather wrapped heel
Spain
style #943096
$395.00

To-The-Top Booties

It doesn't get any better than this stunning suede pair from Chie Mihara, crowned with three choice ties.

Tie closure
Leather upper, insole
Synthetic sole
3.75" leather wrapped heel
Spain
style #944139
$375.00

Wishbone Wedges

It's ok to pin your hopes on Lucky Penny's twined leather peep-toes. With such rich color and classic style, they're sure to come true with each wear.

Adjustable buckle
Leather upper, insole
Synthetic sole
3.5" stacked leather wedge
Brazil
style #940155
$148.00