Bring Back the 80's!!

Last Saturday I went to the Legwarmers concert – they're a local cover band that sings all 80’s classics. We dressed in our best 80’s get up, naturally. The concert was AMAZING. Somehow, they managed to sound exactly like the original singers. It’s nuts. On more than one occasion I screamed at the top of my lungs, “This is the best concert of my life!!!” I don’t really like rock concerts. But when you’re dressed in 80’s clothes, surrounded by 50 of your closest LDS single friends (somebody sent an email to somebody, who sent it to everyone) singing 80’s classics, you really set yourself up for success. And, not to toot my own horn, but my outfit was incredible. I got some mad shout-outs and HI-5’s from strangers complimenting me on my wardrobe. I should have taken more pictures but I was really into the concert.

Mark My Words

I will never never never ever NEVER EVER…

…sign up for Twitter.

No tweeting from this girly. No. Sir. E.

A Fall Day in Charlottesville

Last weekend we went down to Charlottesville and tested out my new camera. Loved my new camera and LOVED Charlottesville and Monticello! It was a perfect fall day with the best of company.

I told them to hold hands.

Maybe overexposed, but I like it.

I told them they can use these as their engagement photos, free of charge.

"V" as in Wahoo. (I don't get it either)

Mr. Jefferson wants to be remembered for three things: as author of the Declaration of Independence, founding of the University of Virginia and his responsibility for Virginia's Statute of Religious Freedom.

Monticello - TJ's home and retreat.

I'm glad we got there as the sun was setting.

The home of T. Jeff.

Project Runway Syndrome

Last week I had the swine flu. Seriously. I lay in bed for 4 days and watched a lot of television. I watched so many reruns of Project Runway, in fact, that I actually thought, “Hey, I think I could do that.” And for the first time in my entire life (save 7th and 8th grade home ec class) I sewed. I got out that handheld sewing kit my mom bought me when I started college and sewed up some holes on clothes I’d been meaning to give to my mom to fix. (Yes, that is correct, every time I go home I go with a handful of things I need fixed.)

I felt pretty good about myself so I decided to try something a little more challenging and attempted to shorten a dress slip. I got only so far as cutting a hole in it to realize I was too tired, unskilled and ill-equipped to continue.

In total, I fixed a skirt and pair of pants and destroyed a slip. Not bad for my first time.

I am glad I sort of overcame my fear of sewing, but I’m a little concerned it came at the beckoning of a reality television show. I think I’m more impressionable than I’d like to be. Like when I watched the finale of The Biggest Loser last year and actually wanted to go on a rigorous diet and exercise regime in hopes of dropping double digits each week. I understand that this is an unreasonable and delusional idea.

Oh and except for the throwing up, high fever, and inability to get out of bed for 4 days, the swine flu was not that bad.

A Throwback to Tube Socks and Bad Athletic Wear

For Halloween Paul and I were 70’s tennis stars. I sported my best Billie Jean King look and Paul portrayed Vitas Gerulaitis. What a dynamic duo.

I was slightly downtrodden to find out 2 hours before getting in costume that Billie Jean is now a lesbian. Not that I have a big problem with lesbians, I was just hoping for a little chemistry between Vitas and Bille Jean. At least I can still beat him in tennis, just like Billie Jean beat Bobby Riggs in 1973. It was a monumental win for women everywhere, and for that, I sincerely thank BJK.

Fallapalooza 2009

Over Columbus Day I trekked up to Franklin, NH via Boston, MA to join as a first time Fallapalooza attendee. 2009 marked Fallapalooza’s 8th annual trip to Webster Lake Inn, where East Coast single Mormons gathered and ate, kayaked, flag footballed, apple picked, and gamed almost to the point of head explosion. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Being single shouldn’t be this fun. Although we did make Fallapalooza history this year with Evan and Tamara’s ENGAGEMENT Monday morning. Huzzah! Check out Tamara’s blog here – it explains how they met. It’s wicked awesome (that’s my Boston impression).

I opted for football photographer, rather than participant.

Highlights:

My girl Kaeli came to play!

Best Fallapalooza picture:

…and Then I Hugged My Taxi Driver.

Why did my cab driver ask for a hug?

And why did I give him one?

The Facts:

The driver was an older African American man who spoke perfect English. He drove me from my office to the airport. We did not talk the entire 15 minute car ride. Literally. When I gave him a $20 and asked for $6 back, he asked for a hug. After saying “Are you serious?” with a bit of a smile and a whole lot of confusion, he wasn’t letting up, so I reached out, hoping he’d settle for a pat on the arm. But the man really wanted a hug. So I gave him one. Our embrace over the backseat lasted about three seconds. I don’t think he stole my wallet, slipped me drugs or copped a feel, but I walked into the airport feeling very perplexed.

Just Call Me a Crafty Bastard

Two weeks ago Paul and I went to the Crafty Bastards arts and crafts show in D.C. It was awesome. And we said “bastard” all day without any guilt. It’s a title, so it’s ok to swear when saying the title. Like saying “dam” in reference to a water dam. Or reading the word “hell” in the scriptures, and singing the word hell in church.

Anyway…

The show featured artists who make all handmade items and there were some incredible vendors. Although I must say, I think my mom could probably make everything that they were selling. She is the craftiest person I know. Too bad those skills aren’t just inherited.

I bought two things at the Crafty Bastard – both to be worn on the head. Which is ironic, considering I could count on one hand how many times I’ve worn a headband in the past 3 years. But for some crazy crafty reason I bought the Greata headband from The Candy Thief (pictured below) and this other adorable jeweled clip with feathers coming out of it from The Hand of Fatima Design (not pictured below). I know head wear is sort of trendy these days and I am not, but I still liked these. I don’t regret either purchase.

And now Paul is calling me an Autumn Princess with my leaf headdress. But don’t worry, he took his turn wearing the leafy eye mask too:

I took a bunch of business cards from the booths I thought were most fascinating – here are some links to their Web sites and Etsy shops in case you’re interested in seeing some of their goods. Hooray for handmade!

Click here for a link to all the booths that were there.

My favs:

My Ugly Kitty - kitty with a cleft palate

A Bardis - my roommate bought a hair button

Giant Dwarf -beautiful stuff

The Devil Made Me Do It – I like the beenies the best

Inedible Jewelry - I'll have seconds

Woolarina – WOOL!

My Paper Crane - WINNER of the Craftiest Bastard 2009 award

The Verdict on the Lepore

Last week Garrette informed me that my dress is ugly and that her boyfriend thinks it's ugly too. I promised her that it was just the lighting and my camera, and that the dress is really very beautiful in real life. She wasn't convinced, so I brought the dress to work to prove it to her. She now takes back what she said, and has joined in her voice of support for keeping the purchase.

I showed Paul my dress this weekend as a final stamp of approval. His only response was that it is way too low. Not sure when he turned into the Modesty Nazi, but he said it that it's too low three times. I insisted that I will pin it or wear a camisole under it, but when I said "camisole" he looked like he'd just taken a big wiff of bad fish. That is the face he makes when he is confused about something girly. He doesn't know what a camisole is, and I really shouldn't expect him to.

I'm keeping the dress. Thank you everyone for reminding me why it's nice to not share a bank account.

I Wouldn’t Call it So Much “Buyer’s Remorse” as “Buyer’s Confusion”

Last week I found a beautiful Nanette Lepore dress at TJ Maxx for a killer deal. (That doesn’t mean it was cheap.) I told myself I wouldn’t buy it – it really is too expensive for my taste and paycheck. But I carried it with me to the register anyway. My thought process was: I’ll just inquire about a discount. You know, see if the sales clerk could tell me possibly when the dress might get an additional discount.

Our conversation went something like this:

Me: “I’m just wondering, is this dress going to be marked down any more?”

Clerk: “I’m not sure, but I can ask a manager.”

(He walks away briefly, speaks with a manager and comes back)

Clerk: “This piece just came in so we’re not sure when it’ll be marked down.”

It doesn’t exactly sounds like a sales pitch, but the next thing I heard coming out of my mouth was “I’ll take it.”

Why did I do this? I clearly can’t be trusted to make conscious and rational decisions when faced with the prospect of never seeing a beautiful, perfectly fit, brand name yet seriously discounted dress again. So I have decided to solicit the help of my friends and readers.

Question: Should I return the dress? And if so, what should I do with the money?

I should probably SAVE it, but I’d like to hear your thoughts regardless.

Additional facts: Original price was $400, I paid $150. And it looks good on me (a relative statement, but see for yourself below). I have about 20 more days to return it. Also, I took these pictures late, hense the hat to hide the face - and to focus on the true issue at hand: the dress. Not my face at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday night.

Also, I contemplated texting Noelle for help, but figured it was too late in the moment, and also remembered that the other Noelle I know would be very proud of my Nanette Lepore purchase. That may or may not have been additional purchasing incentive.