NEW PURCHASE

I had some free time on my hands this afternoon so I made a quick trip to the mall and took a stroll around (or a limp) to be more precise:-) Usually this type of trip is dangerous because I didn't really have a purpose for being there and so often times I will buy things that I don't really need in this sort of scenario.

I almost made it out unscathed, lol but I saw this neck accessory - I don't really know what to call it - a chain? a necklace? - as I was in the last store that I planned on stopping in and I just couldn't resist. It's a little bit different for me, a little extravagant as I was told;-) but I know one of these days I'm gonna put it to good use, maybe even this weekend as I have a party to go to.

Anyway, here are a couple pics of it. It looks a little bit Indian, a little bit heavy and it's pretty bold but every once in a while you gotta step outta the box right and change it up!

THE SHOW MUST GO ON......

The shoe show, that is. So those of you who know me and those of you who've followed my blog long enough, know that I'm nothing if not an avid shoe shopper. More of a shoe-aholic, truth be told. I even wrote a blog about it a few months ago.

Well, I'd have to say that one of the major drawbacks of having a bum foot is the fact that I cannot wear most of my favorite shoes because I can't wear heels. I'm just barely walking properly barefooted much less. I still have a slight limp, but I'm getting better and better every day:-)

Anyway, back to the shoe situation....I've not been able to buy any new shoes because I've either not been able to put a shoe on my right foot at all because of swelling or even now that I can wear shoes, I have to wear something flat, ie sandals, flip flops or tennis shoes. So all of my lovely shoes are sitting collecting dust:-(

The fact is, I don't have that many pairs of flat shoes that I can wear "out", if you know what I mean. So today, with not too much coercion from my roommate Erica, we headed down the street to DSW. That place is a danger zone for me!! But what's a girl to do? I NEEDED some flat shoes!!

Of course I ended up buying two pairs of shoes instead of one. One gold pair, one black. They're both sandal-ish and look a lot better in person actually when you can see my outfit/legs and the shoes together. The shoes by themselves look a little odd I think. The gold pair are outside the box for me - a little different
and the black ones
are super comfortable and casual and will get a lot of use. So that's it. My afternoon is complete. And the shoe-drought is over:-)

NAME BRAND

Ok, so before I even begin this post, let me just acknowledge that I know I am probably going to be in the minority on this one. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'll proceed. I am not and never have been, as all of my friends will attest to, into anything "name brand". I am not into the latest Prada shoes, or Gucci bag or Fendi this and Burberry that. Now that is not to say that I don't have eyes and that I can't see the beauty in these things. I see you in the Seven jeans that fit oh so well, and I see your Chanel sunglasses and think that they look nice on you and I see how your Louis Vuitton bag is looking really cute with that outfit but in spite of my awareness of that, I am not moved.

I am not motivated to buy it, sport it, flaunt it, save for it....none of that. I am probably one of the most low maintenance girls around. I would say it's because I grew up in the Islands but that's not it, because almost all of my girlfriends from home have something from just about every designer there is. Truth is, I think it's just me.

I've had one facial in my life and that was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000 and to be honest, I didn't like it that much. I've had 2 pedicures, one manicure....don't get me wrong on this one though, because I keep my hands and feet in check!!! Most definitely!! I just do it myself. I RARELY go to the hairdresser...maybe once a year if at all. I'm pretty good at taking care of my own hair. Just give me a box of Optimum Care Regular perm and a pair of scissors and I can perm and trim hair with the best of them!! OK...I'm straying off the topic a bit, but I think it's all kinda related.

My thing is I like to get dressed up and I like nice things but I think the whole label thing is just not my cup of tea. Now, if one of these people were to sponsor me....lets say Christian Louboutin...oh be guaranteed, that I would be rocking a pair of red soled shoes with the best of them but until such time, thanks but no thanks. I'm not going to be spending upwards of $500 on a pair of shoes to have some person's name sprawled across my chest, foot, whatever!!

A good friend of mine, who has the latest and best of everything, shoes, sunglasses, jewelry, jeans tells me when I ask him about it that everyone just has their own likes and priorities. He says that he couldn't afford these things when he was younger and so now that he can, he'll buy the best of whatever he wants. In addition to the fact that he actually likes the stuff anyway. I'm not mad at him. Truth is, I'm not sure what I spend my money on. I have a house in Austin, TX. I just bought a new car a month ago. Living in LA costs a lot just for no good reason so that takes up a lot of money. And I do like to shop so don't get it twisted. I think my taste for things is just different, but to each his own.

It's funny because often times my "name brand" friends will see me wearing something and ask me where I got it and I have to do a little chuckle because I know and they probably know that it's not in the same types of stores that they frequent:), but it still looks nice!

All of this, to say that since I have been training down here in Orlando with my dear friend Joice, something shocking has happened. Joice is definitely into her designer items...not overly so, but she has a few choice pieces. Go 'head Ms. Thing!! The other day we were out shopping at the Outlet Stores and she was going into the Coach store and I told her I would just wait at the door. I don't think I've ever even been in a Coach store. She somehow convinced me to go inside and "browse" around the sales that were going on throughout the store. Why did I end up buying this Coach wrist purse? It's brown and it's kinda cute actually!!

So here we have it, I have been forever changed:)) My first foray into the world of Designer goods. Then to top it off, she ended convincing me to buy a pair of Miss Sixty jeans that really do fit well/better than any of my other jeans that I have....hmmmm. Maybe there's something to this. LOL!! Just kidding! Trust me - I know myself well enough to know that this little taste, while fun and different will not change my flavor completely, if it all, but it sure was fun, for just one day!!