What I Wore: The Dirty Mirror Edition

Yowzers, sorry for the gunk all over the mirror. Next week there will be a clearer picture...I think. So this is another outfit I wore to work during a crazy heat wave we are having here in California.

Tank Top: Victoria's Secret

Pencil Skirt: JCPenny

Shoes: Anne Klein

Watch: Spiegel

Baby Got Back (Problems)

The other day I told you guys that I had some back issues whilst we were in Tahoe. Well if you have been reading this blog for any stretch of time you might know that I have a history of chronic back problems (arthritis and three torn discs to be specific). Well this weekend the combination of a super soft mattress and picking up a pine cone resulted in me not being able to stand up. Really. I couldn't stand up, or sit down, or walk, you get the idea.

I went to an acupuncturist in Tahoe and she stuck me in my feet, elbows, back and stomach. Some of the stuff she did I have never even heard of...but it worked! For instance, she stuck needles in my lower abdomen and then twisted the needles. She said that the purpose of this was to release my back pain through the front of my body (?) Which resulted in the worst cramp like pain of my life. I felt like I was being exorcised! She also put little seeds, yes seeds, covered with surgical tape on pressure points on my ears.

This week has been a little rough as far as carrying on like I am not in pain. But I am feeling much better today and when I do feel pain I press the little seeds in my ears or just stand up. Oddly enough laying down and sitting cause me the most pain. I am hoping this whole ordeal doesn't last much longer because I have some heels that want to be worn in this pretty summer like weather. how are you all doing today?

Roughing It

Last Wednesday night Jon, Frank and myself headed to Tahoe for one last trip into the great outdoors before it got too cold. Well it was lovely weather during the day but at night and in the mornings it was downright frigid. So cold in fact that Frank got a little shivery so I put one of my t-shirts on him.

Is it just me or does he look like he is a Broadway hopeful going on an audition? See what I mean?

Our first day was spent hanging out at the beach and looking around Tahoe for a dog boutique so we could find Frank a sweater for the chilly nights. (Don't bother telling me, I know this is first world problem to the nth degree). I give you yuppie puppy:

The rest of the day we just hung out; oh and Jon made a "anti-bear stick", seen here:

The next day the vacation gods frowned upon us when Jon woke up with a nasty cold and then later that day I threw out my back whilst picking up a pine cone. This is a whole other post entirely-just know it hurt so very very much.

Thanks to one of the best acupuncturists I have ever experienced I was feeling much better the next day; its a good thing too because Jon and I were off to go visit Emily (formerly of the blog Emily Pie) and her husband Brandon and of course their adorable pups Finn and Thor.

Their adorable house/great company was the saving grace of this whole vacation. I am not even being silly when I say that. We had hilarious conversations, great food and even the pups got along. Check out this pic that Emily took on her phone.

And in true crazy dog lady fashion we only got pictures of the dogs and none of ourselves. But here is a picture of Frank practicing his boudoir moves in Emily's guest room/office.

(Frank wants me to mention that this photo is meant for his girlfriend Abbie).

As Jon and I drove away he mentioned how delicious the tri-tip was that Emily and Brandon served for dinner the previous night (seriously though he wouldn't stop talking about it) but he also said how interesting it is that if not for Emily and I finding each others blogs we would never know the other existed and totally miss out on fun times like that weekend. Hmm funny how the world/internet works huh?

What I Wore: Gettin Comfy

There are some days where I just cannot wait to get into more comfortable clothing. Today was one of those days. Comfy clothes are sometimes the perfect ending to a looong day. It doesn't hurt if you have a squishy, cuddly baby boy dog to love on.

Sweatshirt: Express Men

Leggings: Target (The picture on the website for these leggings is so not flattering)

Frank: Shasta Bulldogs (haha!)

Finger Painting

My mom introduced me to the wonderful world of manicures and pedicures when I was about 8 years old. Let me be honest with you, ever since then I have been hooked. There is something so giddy making about waking up and seeing a fun color on your nails or typing and glancing down to see 10 pretty nails. I know, I might be waxing a little too poetically about my nails but, I really do love painting/having my nails painted.

Last night I gave myself the manicure/pedicure equivalent of a mullet; business color on the hands, party color on the toes.

The color on my toes is Essie's Turquoise and Caicos. The color on my fingers is OPI's William Tell Me All About It. The only thing that bothers me about my new nail color is that, well I will let you see for yourself. One of these things is not like the other.
I sort of have an OPI collection and it made me cringe to buy a non-OPI product. I am an odd duck, I know.

What I Wore: Why So Serious?!

My mom encouraged me to buy some more adult, yet still sassy, dresses for work. I am so glad she did, I am loving them. This particular dress is so flippin comfortable you guys!! But apparently my new dress didn't come with a smile so I guess I am mafia sass in these pictures. Doesn't my expression say "I know a guy that knows a guy"?

Dress: AGB Dress from Macy's This dress is seriously a steal, looking for new work dresses? Scoop this one up asap!

Shoes: Charlotte Russe from somewhere around 3-4 years ago.

The Smart, Sassy Shopper

When I go grocery shopping my two goals are:

1. Food on the cheap

2. This food should also be nutritious

Combining these two goals is quite difficult. You see, eating healthy can sometimes have a hefty price tag attached (see: Whole Foods). I try to make grocery shopping a little competition with myself, as cheap as can be while still being super healthy. Well tonight I think I combined those two criteria exceptionally well (ifIdosaysomyself).

Check it out:

-2 Tuna Steaks from Trader Joe's ($4.14)

-1 Head of Cauliflower which made "Mashed Potatoes" Recipe here ($2.19...or something like that)

-One large tomato cut into slices with balsamic vinegar sprinkled on top ($uhhh let's say maybe .50 cents max)

Give or take the grand total was around $7. Which means each of our meals was only $3.50! I know it seems like it wasn't that much to eat but we were both so full after dinner.

Holllla!

Any cheap/nutritious recipes you would like to share with me?

Orange Blossoms...or Not

See that lovely "French Liquid Soap"? Ok, so I got it at Trader Joe's, allegedly it smells like Orange Blossoms. I love orange blossoms! If I made a perfume orange blossoms would most definitely be involved. They remind me of summers in my Nani and Papa's backyard when I was a wee sass. That being said when I saw the soap at Trader Joe's I snapped it up!

The first time I used it I immediately smelled my hands and, well, it didn't smell bad...but it didn't smell like orange blossoms by any stretch. But oh well, que sera sera right? I asked Jon if he liked the soap here is what he said:

Me: What do you think of the new soap?

Jon: I like it, it's nice

Me: It doesn't smell like orange blossoms though, that bums me out.

Jon: yeah, it kinda smells like barf.

Me: I thought you just said you liked it?!

Jon: Well it only smells like barf if you breathe it in deeply. So if you just smell it lightly your safe.

Uh ok Jon...ok.

Celebrity Ghost Stories

Does anyone besides me watch this? I sure hope so because if this gem of a show gets cancelled I will be all sorts of cranky. (We all know that I have bad luck when it comes to tv shows) Anyway, back to the show. I love a good ghost story, the creepier the better. But what makes a ghost story good? Well half the time it has to do with the person that is telling the ghost story. Are they convincing? Are they into their own story?

When I wanted a good ghost story fix I was left with "World's Scariest Destinations" on the travel channel, which for a while, was sufficient. That was until I had seen all of those episodes a couple of times. So when I saw a preview for Celebrity Ghost Stories I was in; real celebrities telling their own ghost stories! The coolest part of the show is that in a weird way you feel familiar with the celebrities so you are all the more invested in their story. This show has everyone from Sammy Hagar to Debbie Gibson, Scott Baio to Joan Rivers. They all can't be winners but for the most part they leave you with an eerie feeling and a great story to re-tell, "Did you know Debbie Gibson has Liberace as her guardian angel?" See, I told you, interesting stories!

My personal favorites are when life long skeptics tell their ghostly experiences. I think I like it when the skeptics tell their stories because they are shocked by their encounter and somehow that makes it more believable. Next Saturday is the season finale of Celebrity Ghost Stories and I hope big time that it comes back for another season.

Have you heard of this show?

Check out some episodes here.

What I Wore: BBQ Edition

Shrug: Charlotte Russe

Tank Top: Target

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny

Sassy Sidenote: Gonch Ginch Gonch

This past Monday Jon and I went to our local Marshall's. We found some great buys. But uh, we found these gems. They were large enough for a large man to fit into them. They disturbed me.

And on that note what does Gonch Ginch Gonch mean?

Long Weekend

This long weekend was action packed in the best way possible. This Friday my dad and I went indoor skydiving. As you may recall I have gone before. I decided to take my dad for father's day and this past Friday we were finally able to go. My dad ended up loving it, I mean how could he not? It is so much fun! (But wow that jump suit is not flattering)

Afterwards my dad and I met up with nani and papa and my mom to have a "goodbye lunch" for my brother Richard. I haven't written about it here but my bro Richard is moving to Oregon for school. This is a very new experience for my family since I didn't go away for school. I am so excited and nervous all at once for him.

That Saturday Jon and I went to a birthday party BBQ for a friend from grad school. It was so nice just to relax in the sunshine with friends. The fun doesn't stop there either. Sunday morning Jon and I woke up bright and early to head to half moon bay to go kayaking! I had never been kayaking before so I was a bit nervous. We got out on the water and I loved it! There were tons of beautiful birds, 6 seals poking their heads up out of the water and beautiful starfish. And get this, they allow dogs to go on the kayaks!!! Frank will for sure be going next time I can tell you that much! (oh and at lunch we saw the girl from Myth Busters).

It was such a relaxing weekend. Now let's take on this four day week!

How was your weekend?

Heat Wave

I have long had this theory that the seasons have cashed in whatever they have left of their 401k and retired to Boca Raton. For the last couple of years I don't feel like the seasons shown up on time for work. We get a little winter in the middle of spring, some fall at the end of summer. The seasons are so over it you guys, so over it.

This summer was un-characteristically cool for my little slice of California which is more than a little disappointing to me. I love it. I hold on to whatever semblance of sanity I have through the winter months just so I can enjoy summer heat. Now here we are in September and guess who decides to show up? Summer. Better late than never I guess? Well temperatures have sporadically catapulted up into the upper nineties and low hundreds and I couldn't be happier.

The other day Nani and I were hanging out in her backyard watching Frank swim when I said:

"Nani I love this heat, it makes me feel so alive!"

Nani: Oh really Sass? Cause it makes me feel like I am dying

Papa: (from inside the house) THAT NEEDS TO GO ON THE BLOG! PUT THAT ON THE BLOG!

What I Wore: Whole Lotta Yellow

Occasion: Window shopping with my bestie Erin.

Shirt: J. Crew Embroidered Spray Art Tee

Skirt: Old Navy Women's Double Weave Bell Skirt

Shoes: Old Navy Women's Faux Snake-Skin Peep Toes

Earrings: Target

Nail Polish: OPI Need Sunglasses?

As I walked out of the house I looked at my shirt paired with my nails and I was like "whoa there banana girl!" But eh whatever.