The Closet Detox!

A few other blogs I read have brought up the subject of closets...dream closets, living up to one's closet, etc.  Lately, I've been having a strong urge to dump out my entire closet and start from scratch.  Not entirely reasonable, considering that I very recently frittered away a big ol' chunk of savings on a major vacation (worth every penny!!).  Nevertheless, I need a refresher.

For starters, I've got way too much Anthropologie going on!  I love the brand's aesthetic, but it's become too easy, too convenient.  For the past year or so the Anthro pieces have multiplied like rabbits in my closet, and if I don't cut myself off now (and get rid of some of it), it's going to look eerily similar to their Sale Room. 

Taking an Anthro break:  vintage cardi, Buffalo Exchange top & jeans, Urban Outfitters flats

Next, I've been hoarding pieces that seriously need to be retired.  Recycled plastic flats from 4 years ago?  Get ready to be re-recycled!  Michael Kors platform wedges with the nonexistent soles?  Red & black elf booties?  Sadly, your time has come.

I'm toying with the idea of selling anything that is still in good condition...haven't decided yet but I'll keep you posted!

In the next few weeks, I'll be working on clearing out the Unnecessaries, and carefully rebuilding my closet with vintage and Lisa-made pieces (and if needed, the occasional piece from a non-chain boutique).  Meaningful purchases only...can I do it?  Here goes--it's time for a closet cleanse!

Jet Lagged

I'm back...from the Philippines!  We were there for the past 10 days, visiting family in Cagayan and Bohol.  It was my husband's first time there and the first time since we lived there that my whole family (my parents, brother, & I) made the trip.

More later.  Still recovering from the jet lag, which means alternately sleeping and watching movies :P

Capes and Kung Fu

The Sunday after Christmas, my husband & I spent some quality time lounging around, eating chocolates and watching movies!  Kung fu films have become our lazy day go-to on Netflix streaming, and we came across Red Cliff:

This is an awesome movie by the way.  I don't know if it qualifies as "kung fu" necessarily but for once, I was totally engrossed in a war movie.  At times, it seemed to fall together too easily for the good guys...but it was beautiful to watch, especially the carefully devised battles.

I was also completely smitten with all the capes!!  Here are a couple more capey shots:

Now that I think about it, cape-y pieces have been on my radar (and my To Do list) for some time.  It may have started with this Marni dress from Spring 07:

from Style.com

And then there's this look from J Crew last year--

I mean...I pretty much have to make myself a cape now.  But what direction to take it in...any suggestions?

Pow Bang Flash

Happy New Year!

Blouse, Anthro; Belt, Urban Outfitters; vintage leather skirt courtesy of my aunt in Germany; basic nude heels, Nine West/DSW

Craig & I had a low-key NYE with friends.  As usual, I forgot to take any photos whatsoever.  Maybe that should be one of my resolutions this year :)

Usually, I make way more resolutions than are realistically achievable in one year.  However, I did manage to pull off the important ones, and I'm really proud of that!  In 2010 I managed to--
1. find a better paying job
2. spend less, and put more money in our emergency & travel funds
3. get back into sewing regularly

This year I think I will keep it simple:
1. Finish reading House of Leaves (Craig gave me a first edition for Christmas!)
2. Only buy hardback books from now on, as I mentioned previously
3. Be more social.  This year I have been a workaholic and a hermit, and I need to be better about making time for fun :)

I have other less likely plans (learn kung fu...huh?) but we'll just focus on these for now.  What are your resolutions for this year?

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

Merry Christmas friends!  Thanks so much for reading, I always love reading your comments :)  I haven't been very good about posting outfit pics lately, but "Santa" put one of those awesome bendy tripods in my stocking for Christmas...so more photos soon!  In the meantime, enjoy the bizarre Christmas photo we sent out in our Christmas cards this year...

My family had a relatively small, quiet holiday this year.  We've all been scrimping & saving for a giant family trip to the Philippines next year, so we agreed on a gift spending limit.  Admittedly, it was hard to feel Christmassy (?) while being so frugal.  Obviously it's not the gifts that matter, but when you're buying gifts for your loved ones, you want to give them everything.  We just had to keep telling ourselves that the trip is the real gift, and once we cross the Pacific we'll be glad we pinched our pennies!


Just wanted to share a couple photos from Christmas.  Enjoy, and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

Wandering around Town Lake with the fam

Nice

All I Want is You

via Free People

I never know how to answer the question "Where are you from?".  I know where I was born (California).  I know where I've lived (California, Indiana, the Philippines, Texas).  But it doesn't feel right to say I'm "from" any of those places, and I hate launching into a long explanation when people expect a one-word answer.  I would say I was most at home in the Philippines, despite my very poor grasp of Visaya, but I think I prefer not having a "from".  I'm more interested in "going to"!

I live in Texas now, but I am most definitely not from here.  Before I moved here for college I thought Texans either dressed like cowboys, or like they were on Dallas or Dynasty.  Sometimes, I actually don't think I'm that far off ;)

Sadly, these Jeffrey Campbell over-the-knee(!!) cowboy boots are no longer available (at least, not anywhere I've thought to look).  It's just as well, as I have no need for yet another pair of boots.  But if there were ever a reason to assimilate to this place I currently call "Home", this would be it.

Journeys Through Bookland

For Thanksgiving, my husband and I road-tripped our way to Phoenix to visit my family and stuff our faces.  My family is scattered all over the world, so it was really great to see some of them even if it was just for a few days.  My grandfather made the Thanksgiving dinner, and then we had a 2nd Thanksgiving of sorts on Friday, with a massive Filipino meal at my parents' house.

My grandpa let me take home some of the old books I used to read as a child, and I was so excited to sift through them all and relive those memories.  My grandparents used to live in a large, cozy house on a lake in Minnesota.  Whenever we visited, my brother and I would head for the basement and the "library" of treasured tomes in a tiny room under the stairs.  We would read, read, and read some more, and when we left for home, we were always encouraged to take some books with us.  Over the years I've slowly collected my favorite books...which were once favorites of my ancestors:

The Wizard of Oz books (I would guess that many people aren't aware this was a series!).

My great-grandmother's copies of Anne of Green Gables, & Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (first editions!!).  Also, this is Napoleon, the miniature falcon who has been known to kidnap small children!

The Patty Fairfield series, clearly a favorite of my great-aunt Barbara.

A book inscribed to my great-great-great Aunt Julia.

 When I compare these to my own modern day books, I wonder what of mine will survive 100 years from now.  What books from today will be considered classics?  And so many of my own books are paperback (because, well, they're cheaper), and will most likely crumble away before any great-great-grandchild gets her hands on them.  Which books will go the distance?

I think my project in the upcoming year will be to buy hardcover editions of the books that I really love...