Wardrobe and Music Favorites Of The Week:

Bonjour Loves, 

Today I'm exhausted (I swear this time change has messed with my head somehow) so I'm going to try to re-energize by listing my favorite fall wardrobe additions and new music favorites! 

WARDROBE PICKS:

-Coach Riding Boots. I'm obsessed with them. They're SO comfy, and they make everything look better, they just do. 

-Vintage cream colored 3/4 sleeve coat I found. Total miracle of the cloth. It's got lovely buttons down the front and a round neck, it looks spectacular on, and it's the perfect weight for the not so frigid winters down South. 

 

it kinda looks like this, but no collar, and more winter white.

-New Nanette Lepore black wool sweater dress with big sequins! It's so adorable, and looks like this Nanette Lepore dress that was apparently on some TV show I've never heard about:

-Cole Haan Suede/Patent woven Hobo. It's HUGE, it's beautiful, it's just perfection. I highly recommend it. 

- My new vintage fur vest. I wore it for Halloween, but I'll totally wear it again. There's a picture below!

MUSIC PICKS:

- I'm currently in love with a band called "The Rescues" they're super upbeat, but the lyrics are great as well. I highly highly recommend them! I've got a ton of their music listed in previous posts. 

-The Pierces. A funky new group I'm loving. Download, "It Was You" "Boring" "Secret" and anything else that tickles your fancy. They're definitely a new favorite. 

-I used to be anti-Lilly Allen, but I've heard a few songs of hers that make me laugh, and laughing is always fun!

-Jem. This woman is amazing. She got her start promoting music and scouting bands, randomly decided to cut an album, and VOILA...perfection! Some favorites include: "Missing You" "Falling For You" "They" "24" "Come on Closer"

-Ingrid Michaelson. I love her. Period. Download it all. She's got such a pretty voice, and I love her lyrics. 

-"Brandy Alexander" and "Honey Honey" by Feist. She's got some great music!

-Definitely try out "The Gotan Project" they've got smooth rhythms and beats that will relax you, but still make you want to shake it a little...and who doesn't love to shake it?

-"Sour Cherry" by The Kills. Great song.

-Bitter:Sweet. These two are amazing! They both had their own gigs, and met over an online ad, and magic has ensued! Download "Dirty Laundry" "Don't Forget to Breathe" and "The Mating Game". A lot of the re-mixes are good too.

-"The Show" by Lenka. This is a cute little girly song. Just because.

-"Be Careful What You Tell the Sky" by January. This song is really cool, I just discovered it!

-I can never get enough of Ray Lamontagne or Damien Rice. They're both a-mazing songwriters who happen to have vocal talents that are just plain out of this world. Both are soul-shakingly amazing vocalists. Download. All of it. Now.

-If you've never heard of Citizen Cope,  well now you have. This man is a true talent. He's also got some amazing pipes, but he's also able to create his sound through so many genres, he will rock your socks off. promise. 

-Vampire Weekend. Another great new-ish band that makes me smile, I love their stuff. 

-If you don't know what the Hotel Costes is, please go find out, stat. I'm a huge fan in particular of Vol. X. It's a music staple. 

-"Creator" by Santigold. Good fun. Beware of extreme funkiness and crazy beats. 

-Bloc Party.  I became a huge fan about 4 years back when they first kind of came out. They've got great variety and I promise you will love.

That's all for now, I've still got lots to recommend, but I want to keep you coming back for more! Stay tuned, and have an amazing Tuesday.

The Tale of the "Trial" Skinny Jeans...

It's been a bit since my last Tale From the Hanger, so I figured I'd indulge you with this one. It's an oldie, but a goodie. 

January 2008: Nashville, TN. 

Skinny jeans had become a big trend, but I was definitely not too eager to jump on them quite yet. Over Christmas break, I decided to try them out, a "trial" pair. I'm only 5'4, and playing volleyball for years doesn't make me have birdlike legs...so I was terrified of looking shorter and squatty...So I decided to buy a mid-range brand of skinny jeans to see how much I liked them. Well, in case you're wondering, I now own about 10 pair of skinny pants...the "trial" pair worked!

These "trial" skinnies were super dark wash denim, perfect for going out. Nashville in January is FRIGID, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones and never seems to go away no matter how many layers you stack on.

This particular story begins with one frigid night, and a pub crawl. I don't know what it is about the cold weather, but it seems to make people drink more...This night was one of those "drink more to stay warm" nights, and me and the girls were on a mission to stay warm. I paired the "trial" skinnies with some gorgeous gorgeous bone colored heels, and a matching bone colored cashmere v-neck, a warm scarf, and no jacket (I hate schlepping jackets around bars).  We went to our favorite Irish bar, and began the festivities. A good friend of mine from Texas was out, and he is really such a nice young man. "George" came with us to the next few bars, being his normal nice self. Then things got hazy...and much warmer...

Seems to me that the "warming effect" was also taking hold of dear Georgie, and me, being so focused on keeping the libations flowing, was oblivious to this. Finally, the closing bell rang, and we all shuffled outside to the night which was magically warmer. My friend Sophie had become enamored with a new prospect, and he had offered to drive us home. George also offered a ride, but I declined, saying that I would have to be Sophie's chaperone to make sure her new love wasn't a murderer/psycho. George said he was having an after party at his house, and I told him he could get a pledge to come pick me up at my apartment and I'd come join the party as soon as potential psycho dropped us off. 

We got into potential psycho's car, and here is where it gets funny. I feel the need to protect my girl friends as if they were my own family. I actually really get into it sometimes. To the point of hilarity, some would say.

So, once we buckled up, the interrogations began. Keep in mind, I had been ingesting copious amounts "magic warming juice", so my questions were a bit more probing than I would usually venture to ask. Turns out, Sophie was actually going to go home with the chap and "watch a movie" so I felt the need to ask as many questions as possible should I have to be a witness in a murder/kidnapping case, or call the police. I had already told him I memorized his license plate number (pshhh...yeah right), I asked him for his social security number, I checked his name against his ID, a credit card, and asked to see his major league baseball card (he was a pro baseball player), I also asked several questions regarding any potential criminal record, threatened his life several times, and told him I had "people" in the FBI and CIA (all completely untrue). Once I realized that there was no way Sophie was going to stay with me, I gave up and gave him a menacing glare as they drove off...Sophie later told me that the poor guy (who she actually ended up dating for a while!) was kind of terrified of me...I play "mean cop" really well...

George had sent a pledge to pick me up, and BY CAR the drive is only about 3-5 minutes down one street. George lived off the main street in Nashville, comparable to a "Main Street" if you will. It's always very busy, and there are always many police officers scouting for DUI's, speeding etc. etc. I lived off the same street, only about 2 miles down. The pledge dropped me off, and I was suddenly very perplexed. I didn't hear "party" noises. I shuffled up to the front door, made sure I was at the right house, and meekly knocked. It was FRIGID, and I started pounding...soon enough, George opened up....to a pitch black house. 

"Um...George, I thought you were having a party? Where are your roommates? Where's the party?"

"Oh...well, I guess no one ended up showing up...it's just the two of us..""

OH.DEAR.GOD.

I had been tricked. trapped. ensnared. George had lured me into his mantrap, and I needed to escape. He inched closer, and closer, and I panicked. I spastically jerked around him, and locked myself in the bathroom. Great. Brilliant. It's 3 am....I start dialing numbers. I call every girlfriend and roommate in my phone, no answer. Of course. I unlock the bathroom door, peek my head out, and am once again accosted by George. I was starting to get annoyed. I needed a way out. I had no idea the "trial" skinnies would be so alluring. 

I asked George to please drive me home. He said he couldn't because he was too drunk. Strike One. 

I asked George to call the pledge and tell him to come pick me up and drive me home. He said pledges were off duty after 3 am. Strike Two. 

George suggests I take a cab. Morsel of Knowledge: I despise cabs. Especially when I've been drinking, I don't know why, but I refuse to take cabs by myself late at night. Maybe because Nashville was notorious for rapist cab drivers and crazy cab drivers in general. After you've been pulled over for 2 hours because your cabbie is illegally in the country, then you'll understand. 

I tell George I hate cabs, plus I don't have cash anymore so I'm not about to take a cab. Strike Three. 

I ask George to give me a coat. He looks confused, but I'm out of creative ways to get home short of conjuring up a magic carpet. He hands me the coat, looking puzzled, and I BOLT. QUICKLY. I slammed the front door behind me, leaving behind a very confused George, and I tear down the sidewalk in my skinnies. The sidewalk down to the main street had a couple stairs, which I flew down, but I didn't notice the half-covered man-hole. And then....

I fell into the man-hole. Hard. Extremely un-gracefully.  I had one leg in the man-hole, up to my waist (thank the sweet sweet Lord it wasn't full of sewage) and the other leg was half in, half twisted above the man-hole. I was face-down on concrete. What did I do? I FLEW up, and RAN. Don't ask me how I got out, or how I got up, but I did, and I ran...two miles... in the freezing wee hours of the morning...in heels...with a large man-coat. I don't understand how a cop didn't see me, but it must have been the light speed I was sprinting at. 

I text messaged about 10 friends saying this (this is literally what I wrote) "FELL IN A DITCH...LURKS REAL BAD" translation: fell in a ditch, hurts real bad. 

I flew into my building, tore into my apartment, stood in the hallway, and tore my skinnies off...just as my roommate's "man-friend" "Billy" walked out of her room. I'm standing in my undies and a sweater, freezing. Poor "Billy" had the deer in headlights look, and then he looked down at my ankle...which was bleeding...profusely. Cora, my roommate came out in a robe, screeched at my ankle, and told me I needed to get help. I told her I was fine... I was actually laughing about it somehow, but she forced me into the shower where she poured peroxide and I laughed and told her she was "being silly". I clambered into bed in my undies and sweater to pass out. 

9 am. I wake up, feeling great! (This was back when I didn't know what a hangover was...yeah I was one of those lucky folk who never got hangovers...till a year ago) I bounce out of bed and SCREAM BLOODY MURDER. WHY was I in blinding pain, and WHY was my ankle the size of a ripe orange??? Oh wait, why did I have a huge scrape across my chest? Why did I have a GASH across my right ankle? It all came back...slowly and painfully. George and his wily trick to lure me back had caused me to look like I had been tossed off the back of an 18 wheeler into oncoming traffic. 

Sidenote: I'm terrified of doctors and needles, so unless I'm about to lose an appendage or near death, I refuse to see a doctor. 

So, instead of going to the doctor and getting a tetanus shot (thank goodness I didn't end up NEEDING to have one) and stitches, I laid in agony on the couch all day. My mother screamed at me after I sent her a picture over the phone, and told me to go to the doctor immediately. I refused. The swelling finally came down about 2 days later, but I still have a scar on my ankle, and the skinnies have a hole in the ankle where my heel went through them...so both of us experienced the terror of nearly falling completely into a man-hole/sewer. 

We'll definitely never be the same, we've got the scars to prove it. 

Moral of the Story: Beware of sneaky, wily "Georges", when in need, GO TO THE DOCTOR, and never strip down into your underwear until you're positive there are no randoms in the vicinity. 

Monday Thoughts...

Bonjour Bloggies!

I hope you all had a safe and perfect Halloween! Mine was quite the eventful weekend, I went to  some fun soirees and explained my costume approximately 4598986987479834120398 times! The explaining was mostly to males, since I don't think they watch BRAVO often, but of course guys with girlfriends knew who I was...here are some interesting quotes from people who aren't cool enough to watch BRAVO...

"OMG, I love your costume!"

"Haha, thanks, I love Rachel Zoe.."

"Oh...I thought you were just supposed to be like really rich or something..."

"Hey J.Lo!!"
"(no words from me...only an EVIL glare in their direction"

"Ohmygod, which Olsen Twin are you!?"

"(again, no words...only an evil stare)"

So, my friends, overall, Halloween was a great success, here is a picture of my costume for your entertainment...

You can't see the shoes, but they were fantastically platformed and black suede.

Fall seems to be sticking in Houston, so I'm elated because now I don't have to worry about flip-flopping my clothes on a daily basis from hot to cold! Later today, I will be adding a delicious Tale from the Hanger because, let's face it, it's been awhile!

Musique Du Jour: 

One of Those Days- Joshua Radin

Bright Neon Payphone- Cut Copy

Fireworks- The Whitest Boy Alive

Polar Opposites- Modest Mouse

One Sweet Love- Sarah Bareilles

Ladies of Cambridge- Vampire Weekend

Unlike Me- Kate Havnevik

Snail- Smashing Pumpkins

Pedestal- Portishead

My Costume is BUH-NANAS.....

Bonjour!

I'm extrememly high on caffeine right now, so if I ramble, please forgive. I'm a huge tea drinker, but this morning I was feeling adventurous and made a pot of coffee...needless to say, I'm literally bouncing off the freaking walls. I've taken the dog on a long walk, cleaned (swept, mopped, organized, re-shelved, stacked, folded, and stored),  cleaned out 4 purses (which is a task in itself, I have HUGE purses that are bottomless)...SO, I'm taking a break to tell you how proud I am of my Halloween costume!!

I'M NOT GONNA BE A SLUT!!!! WOOOOOOOO! I was shopping yesterday, looking everywhere with disdain...I had my head hung low, realizing that I was going to have to give in and be a skanky Snow White..I picked up the plastic bag the costume came in with a look of defeat and walked towards the dressing room. I thought all had been lost, but no my friends, I had a brilliant epiphany. 

I was wandering through my favorite re-sale and vintage stores, when I saw it. A white fur/mink vest. And then it came to me. Who's my favorite BRAVO queen?? Who is the person who has one of my dream jobs??  The answer is RACHEL ZOE. So, my dears, this year, I will be the one and only Rachel Zoe. No, I am not teeny tiny like she is, and I'm not blonde, but I have light brown hair that curls like hers, and my costume is PRICELESS. I have some skinny leggings, a hot black top, the crucial fur vest, a Venti Starbucks cup, HUGE "sunnies", HUGE black suede platforms, and a HUGE gorgeous black Cole Haan Hobo...it's BUH-NANAS...I DIE...lit-rilly. I'm now scouting for anyone to be Taylor, Brad or Rodger, because I KNOW I'm going to have to explain myself hundreds of times, but I don't care, I escaped the slut kingdom! 

This is the costume:

(I'll post real pics later)

I had to include one with the huge sunnies. Mine look pretty much exactly like that, I got SO lucky finding exact components of her wardrobe! It was meant to be....

So, I hope you all had wonderful luck with your costumes! Have fun, be safe, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

ps. I don't dislike people who wear slutty costumes, I've been a skanky princess before, it's just that I'm weird and I take Halloween too seriously because it's probably one of my favorite holidays, so don't feel like I'm hatin' on the slutty costumes, they're great if you can pull it off!! 

Start Your Engines....

So, I'll be writing more later on, but I just wanted to let you know:

• I'm about to brave the streets and look for a Halloween costume
• I'm not excited about this.
• I wish I was a kid again so my Mom could concoct my costume.

I'll let you know how it goes.....ahhhhh

Why Not Wednesday

Bonjour!

So Houston has AGAIN thrown a weather curve-ball. It's 80 degrees...double-you-tee-eff Space City? I'm getting annoyed at the fact that I'm having to go back and forth between warm and cold weather outfits! I'm trying to stay true to fall, but it's hard when the sun is beating down and the humidity is OOC (outta control).

Some Random Morning Occurrences:

• I burned my mouth while sipping my daily Earl Grey in the morning...I hate that feeling. You're so excited for that first taste of morning goodness, then OUCH...no good.

• My throat is still feeling weird. It's like my body is warning me to get sleep or else...

• Last night, in an attempt to wind down, I watched "I'm Not There" a film that kind of chronicles the life of Bob Dylan through six different actors, it was pretty interesting. Random Sidenote: Cate Blanchett plays a young Dylan...she did an amazing job! I ended up feeling very "wound-down" but I think that may have to do with the Merlot...Hey, whatever works!

• To The Girl Walking and Texting Today: WATCH WHERE YOU ARE WALKING...I swear, this girl was completely oblivious to the fact that she was about to walk STRAIGHT into me, and I, being the stubborn individual that I am (sometimes), stayed on my path. I was walking normally, I deserved my piece of sidewalk, reckless texter girl DID NOT. So, I let her experience the embarrassment of tripping over her ugly furry boots once she realized she almost had a head on collision with someone (me) carrying hot tea (disaster in the making...she probably would've tried to sue me for burning her...ugh people these days).

• Tomorrow is the day. The day I have to finalize my Halloween costume. I'm not happy about it. I'd much rather go shopping for something other than what will undoubtedly wind up being a "slutty" version of some Disney princess. I love Disney, but as I've said in previous posts....I appreciate more creativity. Last minute suggestions are very much welcome!

Later today, I will be indulging you with the Tale of the Trial Skinny Jeans....this story has left me scarred...literally, just take a look at my right ankle...it will haunt me forever!

Musique Du Jour:

Forever Young- Jay-Z

You Got Yr Cherry Bomb- Spoon

Steady, As She Goes- The Raconteurs

Umbrella- Marie Digby

Montserrat- Gotan Project

African Pirates- Nightmares on Wax

Dream Machine- Mark Farina on Hotel Costes Vol.8... I like the downtempo mix

Photobooth- Death Cab for Cutie

Giving Up- Ingrid Michaelson

Flightless Bird- Iron&Wine

Just Because...

My friend and I are google-chatting and shopping online....so I figured I'd show you some of my favorite looks/fashion wish list items, since today is a "wish-list" kind of day. They're all linked, for smoother browsing, just right click over the link, and choose "open link in new tab"! Hope you love!

• this
• this ....this is my ABSOLUTE DREAM OUTFIT
• this
• this
• this
• this
• this
• this
• this

A Menagerie of Things...

Bonjour Mes Amis!

I'm halfway coming down with a cold, but I'm fighting it as hard as I can! I know it's because I spent 94% of my day in soaking wet pants (see yesterday's post about the Monsoon rains we had) and as long as I get enough sleep tonight, hopefully this awkward itchy, scratchy throat/nose business will go away. Anywho, today is reasonably "fall-like" so I'm happy I get to wear some of the fall wardrobe, it's been much too long. Outfit: DKNY Jeans Dark Wash denim Shirt/Dress, black leggings, Steve Madden metallic flats (light silvery/gold), black pashmina, light patterned leopard headband (matches the shoes!)

Random Tidbit....

Usually, I'm really bad about timing my Christmas shopping. I love doing it, but I usually wait a liiiiiittle too long to get started. So, being the compulsive list maker that I am, I started my Christmas list early this year. Really, you should see my blackberry, I have approximately 20-25 lists of random things....it's a bit much, but it keeps me sane. The reason I made my personal list so early this year is because I usually have NO wish list, and wind up realizing what I wanted AFTER Christmas...well that doesn't do me much good now does it? So here goes....

• 80 gig Ipod, because my Nano is FULL, and although I use it for running/workouts (I made my old 32 gig die because you're not supposed to work out with it frequently due to "moving parts"), and in the car, I've decided to cave in and go for the big enchilada. A practical gift, since my music library is ginormously large.
• This Burberry jacket. I can wear it forever, and it's the perfect weight for Houston weather.
• This Laptop. I need something light and portable, this is practical, tiny, and useful!
• Bracelets. It's kind of my trademark, I've always worn lots of bangles/bracelets at once, I've acquired the nickname "windchimes" from jingling so much sometimes! Bracelets like this, this, this , this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this and this work!
• This watch. I need a big man watch, I have a classic Tag, but I want something fresh.
• These speakers for my pod. My current speakers are dying a slow death...so sad, because they're so amazing.

OK, so that's a LOT, and obviously I will not be receiving all, or any of that, that's why it's called a WISH list.... I'm usually satisfied with some delicious new sleepwear and of course, a new bathrobe/robe to add to the collection! Some of those items are long term wishes, but a girl can dream right?

In other news, I STILL haven't decided what to wear on Halloween....grrrr. I wanted to find two brunette friends and be the Kardashians, but everyone else has their costume selections finalized...sad.

Music Du Jour:

Talk Show Host- Radiohead

Weekend Wars- MGMT

The Persuaded- Faded Paper Figure

January Rain- David Gray

My Heart With You- The Rescues

Lay It On Me- The Rescues

Dogs- Damien Rice

Young Folks- Peter Bjorn and John

Bad Things- Jace Everett (this is the "True Blood" theme song)

L.E.S. Artistes- Santigold

Normandie- Shout out Louds

Gravity- Sarah Bareilles

Courtship Dating- Crystal Castles

Shadows- Au Revoir Simone

Stormy Weather

Hello Loves,

I'm writing to you from what feels like Antarctica, but is just my office...oh and the fact that my pants are COMPLETELY soaked...drenched doesn't help me feel much warmer. Houston decided that after a lovely weekend, it would unleash hurricane/monsoon-like rain upon us this morning, leaving me looking like a sewer rat...it's attractive...I mean I had on Wellies, a raincoat, and a golf umbrella and STILL managed to get completely soaked.

Yesterday was the most amazing productive day! I took the puppy to the dog park, where hilarity ensued...

I'm afraid my puppy is a snob. She loves humans, but could care less about her fellow canines. Dogs of all shapes and sizes would run up for the normal "sniff", and Sushi would primly sit, and literally turn her nose up in the air, thus leading the "sniffer" to pad off in shame. Another priceless reaction was when they would go in for the "sniff", and she'd spastically jerk, give the offender a "who the hell do you think you are" death stare, and trot away, once again, nose pointed high in the air. However, we still had an amazing time driving around the city with the windows down, running many errands I've been behind on, washing the car, cleaning it, organizing winter clothes (yay!) and making a pile of clothes to give away/sell.

Now, onto more important things...In the Spirit of Halloween, allow me to share this:

I'm a scaredy cat. You know when they say, "oh, she's afraid of her own shadow"? That's me. As much as I try to act like I'm tough and can handle anything thrown my way, when it comes to spooky sounds, shapes, movies, etc, I'm a complete wuss. For example, I can't watch scary movies. The "Gremlins", a movie that was released like a million years ago, haunts me to this day, and I haven't even seen it. How am I still so scared of a movie I've never even seen? Ask my first grade teacher. Being the avid bookworm that I've always been, I was perusing the bookshelf in our 1st grade classroom seeing if there were any books I haven't read already. So, I see "Gremlins" written on the spine of a book, pull it out, and see furry little creatures on the front. No biggie. I love animals. So then, I open the book....I drop the book. I run away.quickly.heart is racing. What did I see my friends? THIS:

Terrified does not even begin to describe it. I'm still horrified by this miniature demon, so imagine my terror at age SEVEN. I think I'm even nervous just having this image on my blog, but I'm trying to face my fears. Literally, to this day, I am TERRIFIED of anything and everything "Gremlin" related. Even the "Furby" pets that came out a few years ago petrify me. I know guys love watching scary movies with girls, because they feel strong and mighty while the girl is squeezing on his arm for dear life, but for a guy watching a scary movie with ME is a different experience (although it could pan out in their favor, but they have to prove themselves mighty enough to protect me from forces of evil)... I literally hide my face for most of the movie, and after it's over, I usually cannot go ANYWHERE alone, especially if it's after sundown. I have to sleep with someone who can kick some ghoul/gremlin/possessed person/zombie ass, I'm being dead serious. However, one time, I had watched the movie "Seven" (which I will admit, is actually pretty good), and I was convinced that my boyfriend was going to turn on me and kill me....this is not a joke. Finally, after about 30 minutes of him laughing hysterically at me, I calmed down and realized it was...a movie.

In other news, I still have no clue what to be or what to do for Halloween this year, I have several options, but I can't decide. I'm running out of time and creativity, so I might have to break my cardinal rule and go buy a stupid costume. I'm thinking Snow White....trust me, I 'm not happy about this either.

Music Du Jour:

PDA- Interpol

Crazy Ever After- The Rescues

Almost Lover- A Fine Frenzy

Never Bloom Again- The Perishers

Taylor- Jack Johnson

Fool- Marie Digby

I hope you all stay reasonably dry today! Happy Monday! (is that an oxymoron?)

FINALLY!

It's HERE! IT'S HERE!!!! What is it you ask? FALL WEATHER!!! It has FINALLY arrived my dear friends, and I am about to burst with excitement! The weather in Nashville was such a tease last weekend, and my fall wardrobe has been chomping at the bit, waiting for its chance to come out and wow the world with all of its textured, colorful, soft, warm, shiny, sleek, deep rich toned beauty!

So, in honor of this GORGEOUS weather that will allow me to wear my fall clothes this evening, I'd like to share with you a Tale From The Hanger that involves a beautiful item from my fall wardrobe...

The Tale of the Keith Urban Concert and the Grey Boots....

I own these miraculous boots. They are a light grey suede that hit just below the knee. Round toe, with a subdued yet perfectly conspicuous metallic leather accent stripe that runs up the outer seam. A 3.5 inch heel, and a tiny platform make for the perfect height. They're gorgeous, AND comfortable, what more could a girl ask for in a winter boot?

I was living in Nashville at the time, and me and a few girlfriends were itching for some excitement in our lives. I knew that Keith Urban was touring, and he was putting on a show in Nashville in the near future. We called to inquire about tickets, and it turned out that a guy friend of ours was ordering some, so we asked if he could order ours along with his order, just to save time and ensure that we got seats. He asked if we didn't mind getting "cheaper" seats, and we agreed that dishing the cash for front row pit seats wasn't going to jive with our college sized budgets. Little did we know what "cheaper seats" meant....

The night of the concert rolled around, and here we were, so excited to see Mr. Urban live and in person. The weather was insanely amazing, perfect late fall weather, perfect for pairing my gorgeous boots with a teal sweater dress. A few glasses of wine later, the girls were ready to rock!

We arrive at the "Sommet Center" in Nashville for the concert, flash our tickets, and are ushered in. The venue is also a sporting venue, so imagine a basketball court seating arrangement, with a pit in the middle for those brave enough to be trampled by psycho fans surrounding the stage. So, we begin our ascent....higher....higher....ok really? HIGHER?! Ladies and gentlemen, we had found our seats....the last row. THE.LAST.ROW. We literally could've changed the light bulbs if it tickled our fancy. I was livid....and then a familiar feeling washed over me. oh.no.

You see, dear readers, I have a nasty little case of something we call vertigo when extremely high up. So as we sit in our seats, I am overcome with extreme dizziness, so much so that I immediately turn to the group and murmur "this isn't gonna work for me ladies...."

So what's a girl to do? I had gotten dressed up, promising my boots some heel tapping action, and I literally could NOT sit in the "cheap seats".....So I work my magic.....

Readers: Please promise me that if you read any further, you will NOT steal my tactics. I actually DO have vertigo, and was only trying to enjoy the show from the comfort of a seat where I wouldn't feel like fainting. Ok, so on with my tale.

I wobble over to the ticket-booth just as the crowds are thinning out and everyone has taken their respective seats. The girls are calling and texting me, wondering where I've run off to, and I reassure them that I'll be fine. Emma had come down with me to make sure I didn't pass out on anyone or fall down a rafter.....fun times I know.

An elderly woman was working the ticket booth, and I smiled, explained my situation, and asked if there was ANY way we could move to some empty seats that hadn't been claimed, since my vertigo was so bad I wouldn't be able to sit in our original seats. The woman must've taken an enormous liking to me, because she launched into a terribly long story about how her friend Mildred suffered from terrible vertigo and couldn't ride airplanes. I grinned and sympathized, saying, "Well, the concert's about to start, so I guess I'll take a cab home and the girls can just stay in our seats....such as shame..." when she said the magic words...

"Let me see what I can do honey...."

BINGO. The kind woman shuffled back into the depths of the ticketing booth, turned back to ask "how many of you are there" to which is sweetly responded "oh, just five!", and prayed the ticket gods would do me right. She shuffled back, holding an envelope in her hand, and said, "Well sweetheart, this is all I could find, but I hope it's better than what you've got!" I thanked her profusely and called the girls down from the highest layer of the stratosphere back down to oxygen producing levels of the earth. They clambered down minutes later looking fuzzy from the wine, and probably a bit oxygen deprived to be honest. I was sporting my best Cheshire Cat grin as I looked at them and said...

"Ladies....prepare to be floored....literally"....When little miss ticket booth had said "this is the best I can do sweetheart" she literally meant...."this is the best", because she had given us 5 tickets, IN.THE.FRONT.ROW.DIRECTLY.OFF.THE.FLOOR.

We literally had the best seats in the house. We directly faced the stage, first row off the floor, so we were spared the hysterical mob of fans running amock in the pit area. We realized that the seats we were given were worth close to 300 dollars or more....and we paid "cheap seat" prices. So we sat in our amazing seats, and I tapped my beautiful boots to the lovely sound of Mr. Keith Urban.

Thanks to my "condition" we enjoyed the concert from a bird's eye view. My boots had gotten the dancing they deserved, and 5 friends made some amazing memories at an amazing show. I wish I could bake that sweet little old woman a cake, because what started as a disaster, ended in absolute perfection....just ask the boots, 2.5 hours of dancing said it all.

Happy Friday Loves! Enjoy the weekend and the AMAZING weather!

I Can't NOT Tell You This...

Ok, so consider this a "semi" Tale From The Hanger, a compilation of "Morsels of Knowledge", "Tidbits", and random occurrences.

As you probably don't know, I'm in graduate school. This is my last year, and as far as I'm concerned, graduate school is where fun and dreams go to DIE. My program has literally been draining me mentally and creatively, so my graduation in May CANNOT come any sooner. My real passion is writing. My dream would be to have a column, and do some fashion edits/styling. With graduation somewhat quickly approaching, I've been slowly trying to cultivate this dream. However, writing term papers and studying for midterms while trying to maintain sanity has impeded my job search and made me just a little bitter. Nevertheless, I am trying to stay positive and tell myself that in the end, it will work itself out.

Now, to my story. I love to shop vintage stores. I also like to shop around consignment stores for the rare treats one may find. Houston has some true gems when it comes to vintage/consignment stores, but it's all about patience and the hunt. Vintage/consignment shopping is a true art, because among the fashion atrocities and disgusting pit stains you see, there is usually some true miracle of the cloth waiting to be picked up and loved again. This rare moment happened to me a few weeks ago. As I've mentioned before, I love coats. All shapes, colors and sizes; they make me weak in the knees. Bear this in mind.

So I'm on the "hunt" through one of these aforementioned establishments, looking through some winter options.

Then I see it. Peeking out among a rack of ungodly winter disasters. A flawless diamond in the rough.

Could it be? Could it REALLY be? Is this the Holy Grail of coats that has found its way into my arms? YES. and YES. I had found the coat of coats, the most delicious miracle of the cloth yet, it even beats my beautiful bright orange Michael Kors knee length wool coat.....this, my friends, is one of those rare moments in fashion, where you KNOW that this article of clothing was made for YOU, and that its previous owner must have been beckoned by some higher power to put this miracle of the cloth back into the universe for you to find each other. Well, it happened that day.

Let me tell you about this beauty. It's a winter white (not quite cream, not quite white) cashmere/wool blend mid-thigh coat. It's the softest, smoothest thing you've even seen/felt. Wait...it gets better. It has a tie/sash in the middle (which, knowing about my love of robes, you can clearly see why I love this coat even more), and THEN the cake-topper. It's got gorgeous white rabbit cuffs, and a regal looking white rabbit collar that when turned up, literally gives me goosebumps. In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I DIE."

So, dear readers, I then try the coat on, wondering if it could really be.....and yes. It fit. LIKE.A.GLOVE.

Now, I'm really terrified, because I have to look at the price tag. The sales woman is literally fawning over me in this coat, so I KNOW it has to be a pricey one. I take the tag between my fingers, hold my breath, close my eyes praying I don't pass out, and..... I GASP.

There is NO way. NONE. The fashion gods MUST know that I'm a graduate student and that my funds are not exactly what they have been in the past, because, ladies and gentlemen, this coat was MEANT to be mine. I honestly have NO idea how this coat was still in the store...It just goes to prove that some things are meant for each other. And me and my gorgeous white coat are just that. Meant to be.

When I got home, I tried it on....didn't take it off.....we're in love.

Now if only the weather would cooperate and get COLD! However, I do have a free flight to use, and I'm seriously considering taking a trip to the mountains this Christmas to finally give the coat of my dreams the proper wearing it deserves!

Moral of the Story: Never lose hope in fashion. If you think that "clothes just don't fit me right", or "I'll never be able to pull that off", don't speak too soon, because moments like the one me and the white coat had DO exist, and when they happen....it's inevitable, indescribable and perfect.

Songs Du Jour: ENJOY

Fiery Crash- Andrew Bird

I Will Follow You Into the Dark- Deathcab for Cutie

Close to Me- The Getup Kids

Midnight Runner- Cut Copy

Impossible (Studio Version)- Shout Out Loud

Up Against the Wall- Peter Bjorn and John

To Kingdom Come- Passion Pit

Mansard Roof- Vampire Weekend

Sad Song- Au Revoir Simone

This Modern Love- Bloc Party

West Coast- Coconut Records

The Funeral- Band of Horses

Closer- Kings of Leon

anything by Rodrigo & Gabriela

This coat doesn't even begin to come close...but it's the same color as mine. This coat is by Kevin Allwood, it's beautiful, but just imagine cuffs in fur, and no buttons down the front. The collar is pretty much the same. BE-A-U-TI-FUL.

I Have to Vent

We all have our pet peeves, I have a few, but those select few annoy me to no end.

I just got back from fetching myself a Diet Coke on campus, and was affronted by just about every pet peeve I could think of. I also have a pounding headache, so that helps...not.

First of all, who dyes a fountain RED? I know it's school spirit, but it looks like a scene out of a gory horror movie, and it really grosses me out and scares me; especially when they don't turn the fountain on, which leaves it to be a standing pool of dark red water...that's disgusting/creepy/I don't care how close it is to Halloween.

at least this fountain is ON....imagine it OFF...that's GROSS

List of Pet Peeves I Just Experienced:

1.) The awkward elevator talker. I was on the elevator in the library, and not only did this gentleman stand as close as possible to me (we were the only people in the elevator), but he proceeded to make awkward conversation which I did not find amusing, especially when the elevator squealed, made a grinding noise, and literally DROPPED us down the chute. (Plus, the library didn't have the book I needed, even though the online catalogue SAID SO..)

2.) The close walker. You know when someone is hot on your heels, and they step on the back of your shoe? That just happened to me. Mind you, I've been told by many people that I'm an extremely fast walker, so I don't know who the hell was walking faster than me, but they stepped on the back of my shoe, almost launching me facefirst into the sidewalk, and they didn't even apologize. and they smelled. ew.

3.) The cologne dousers. Ok men: I love cologne. There are a few brands of men's cologne that literally make me swoon; HOWEVER this does not mean that because you think it smells good (or you're trying to mask the fact that you haven't showered) you should BATHE yourself in it. I literally walk through CLOUDS of nasty cologne every day. And it's not good cologne, it's the kind you see in the drugstore "If you like Polo Sport, you'll like 'Nolo Athletic'"...disgusting...blech

4.) The awkward starers. I was in line, ordering my Diet Coke, and my wallet has a clear space for my ID to peek out. I see this random dude STARING at my driver's license...that's creepy. I don't know how else to describe it other than I feel like I might have to change my name/number/address...immediately...creep

In other news, I now have PROOF that I'm an animal whisperer. While on my miserable trip to the library/to get a Diet Coke, there was a girl with a baby Beagle.(This momentarily made me very happy) She clearly is awkward with animals and shouldn't own a pet. The poor thing was choking on its collar, and she was letting it continue to choke itself (your pet's windpipe can actually collapse from doing this, especially with baby puppies)...so I'm walking towards her, and the dog LEAPS forward, pawing at my leg trying to climb up and love me. I know, it's amazing, you're jealous. I can't help it that animals love me :)

I am so.so.so. excited

Good morning loves,

FALL is here!!! Well...kinda. Houston has this thing, it loves to tease its residents by showing us the beautiful weather it's capable of, and then snatching it back and throwing some nasty humidity and heat back in our hopeful faces. Another Morsel of Knowledge: I love fall. I love.love.love.fall. I love the clothes, the crisp air, the fact that I can now drink my hot tea and not feel gross carrying it in the heat, I love Halloween (but you already knew that because you read the Sarah Palin Tale from the Hanger) and I love the leaves turning. Granted, leaves don't really "turn" in Houston, but in my mind they do. I have to work with what I have here!

So I want to share a list of my Fall Favorites, they're in no particular order:

• chocolate chip pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
• wassail (if you don't know what it is, find out. immediately.)
• SCARVES...I own more than I know what to do with and I can't WAIT to buy more!
• Coats. I live in Houston. I own approximately 8-12 WINTER coats...my excuse? I lived in Nashville for 4 years so I needed the warmth...
• Snuggling (well this is good in any season, but especially in the Fall)
• Bonfires
• Really good mood music ( I will soon be releasing some more playlists for your enjoyment)
• Homemade cranberry sauce (I might be nice and share my recipe, it's TO DIE for)
• Walking the puppy in the park and not worrying about her dying of heat-stroke
• That "fall" feeling in the air, you know what it is, and it's AMAZING

So there you have a few of my favorite fall highlights, oh, I forgot to add making a Christmas list! Anything I missed?

I'm getting desperate because I have NO idea what I'm going to be for Halloween and it's getting close to D-day, so if anyone has any CREATIVE suggestions, please send them my way! Also, please go download the following songs immediately, you won't be sorry.

"Stay Over" - The Rescues

"Moth's Wings" -Passion Pit

"Winter Song" - Ingrid Michaelson & Sarah Bareilles

"Break Me Out" - The Rescues

I'm back and better (?) than ever...

Hello Friends,

I'm happy to say that I made it back in one piece from Homecoming weekend in Nashville! I took my own advice and didn't try to party like I was 21, thank goodness. However, I must say, three nights of marathon dancing, laughing till you cry, running around, and continuous drinking are quite exhausting! BUT, I got to wear some delicious fall outifts and see my best girlfriends from college (which is totally worth being completely fried). My abs are literally sore from laughing so hard, so often. I'm afraid we wreaked havoc on Nashville once again!

There are a fresh crop of "Tales from the Hanger" from the weekend that are thoroughly enjoyable. I'll tell you a quick one.....

The Tale of the Winter White Laundry Skirt:

It was our second night in Nashville, and we were ready to party. "Sharkie", "Gaga", "Hannibal" and I got dolled up and decided we needed a photo shoot. Hannibal's apartment building is downtown, and the 31st floor has an amazing party/lounge area with a spectacular view. When the 4 of us get together, there is NEVER a dull moment. All weekend, we joked around that we were the 4 women from "Sex and the City", but no one wanted to be Miranda....so the whole trip we kept saying "wow, you sound just like Miranda" or "man, that outfit looks like something Miranda would wear", so naturally, on our way to the photoshoot on the roof, we make raunchy Miranda jokes and I defended myself against being called Samantha Jones. I was wearing a black cashmere/wool top with adorable chiffon ruffles and a winter white Laundry skirt that has a black belt (it's super cute) with black suede platform heels. I was definitely not giving off the "Miranda" vibe.

When we arrived upstairs, there was a gentleman sitting on the couch with his back to us watching "Deadliest Catch" on the plasma TV. He had very short salt and pepper hair, was wearing baggy jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers and had his feet propped up on the table in front of him. The girls prompted me to ask him to take our picture so I wouldn't have to set the automatic timer on my camera, so I walk over and start trying to get the man's attention. His back was to me, so I just said,

"Sir?"

"Sir?.....excuse me? Sir!?"

"Sir......SIR.....excuse me....Sir!!?"

no answer.

I look back at the girls, make a "What the hell!?" face, and walk closer to the potentially deaf man. "EXCUSE ME, SIR?!"

SHE turned around and gave me the meanest look. SHE.woman.female.NOT a man. NOT a "sir".

"Can I help you?" she growled as she turned to face me.....yep...it was definitely not a man.

Mind you, the only people in the lounge were the girls, the she-man, and me. I wish I had this on camera. I have never experienced more of a "deer in headlights" moment in my life. I stuttered profusely, looked at the woman and squeaked. literally. Then, in an effort to recover my dignity, I asked if she would take our picture. She obliged, gave me another evil look, and took our picture. All four of us were trying so hard not to burst out in hysterical laughter that the picture in our "photo shoot" looks incredibly awkward. I'm stifling laughter/awkwardness and everyone else is doing the exact same. She took our picture, and we promply RAN out of the lounge, cutting our photo shoot short and unleashed the laughter in the elevator. This led to another weekend long joke, of calling women "sir", and men, "ma'am".

Stay tuned to hear about how "Hannibal" got her name this weekend, how we managed to convince two rednecks that we all spoke Swedish, "the sheet" story, the stolen guest list/clipboard story, "peanut boy", the "Hannibal body checks Julie into a cab story", the "Sharkie puts blush all over her face because she thinks its powder story", "Julie makes best friends with every cab driver in Nashville", and "Julie deflects men's advances by giving the MOST EVIL one liners" story and many more. Have a delicious Monday!

Tidbits...

Morsel of Knowledge: I secretly love surveys. Which is why I'm opening the doors of my soul here for your reading pleasure.

Are you a morning or night person? Both.

Which do you prefer, sweet or salty foods? Depends. What category do chocolate covered pretzels fall under?

Ninjas or pirates? This is a toughie. Ninjas because they're nimble and stealthy, Pirates because they're PIRATES..I mean come on!

Are you a collector of anything? Books, certain art work, prints, silver bracelets.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? Snow Leopard.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Sookie Stackhouse's ability to read minds or flying.

What is usually your first thought when you wake up? I'd love more sleep.

What do you usually think about right before falling asleep? I can't wait to be asleep.

What's your favorite color? Turquoise/varying shades of blue/aqua.

What's your favorite animal? To interact with: Dogs. To look at: dangerous ones like cheetahs.

Do you believe in extraterrestrials or life on other planets? No, only because if I allow myself to, I'll be terrified and will lose sleep.

Do you believe in ghosts? Yes. This alone scares me plenty.

Have any bad habits? Over-shopping.

Which bad habits, if any, drive you crazy? Over-shopping and still having "nothing to wear"

Any tattoos or piercings? Ears. No tats.

What's the first thing you notice in the opposite sex? Eyes, smile, sense of humor. OK that was three.

What personality traits do you look for in a partner? Honesty is the best policy.

What personality traits do you dislike in other people? Lying, and general annoying-ness

Are you mostly a clean or messy person? clean.clean.clean.

Ever been kissed in the rain? Yes.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Paris.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Today I think I'll say New Zealand.

Name 1 thing you miss about being a kid: No responsibility!

Name 1 thing you love about being an adult: Doing whatever I want, whenever I want. (more or less)

What's your favorite song of the moment? "The Weight of Us" Sanders Bohlke

What's your favorite song of all time? wow. no way I'm going to be able to answer that. Maybe Tom Petty "Last Dance with Mary Jane", but I'm not fully committed to that answer.

What's your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night? Depends. Usually going out with friends.

What's your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Go to the park.

Have any hidden talents? Well, I like to keep them hidden.

What would be your dream job? Writing/styling/fashion editor/columnist/zookeeper

Name 1 thing not many people know about you: I can't watch scary movies unless I know someone strong and intimidating is going to share a bed with me for the 2 weeks following.

If you HAD to change your name, what would you change it to? NO idea. At bars, I frequently use "Daisie" (with an i-e of course and a thick country accent) "Candy", "Marion", and when the mood strikes..."Misty"...but that's to make people go away.