Hesitating Only Hurts

This could be a really emo post about how I missed out on the love of my life, by hesitating, but really, I am just saddened that Nordstrom sold out of - or I can't find it anyway - that sweater I liked. Luckily, UO has a very similar one (that costs a little more), so I won't have to go without. But guess what! Today is deals day part deux. $30 and under:

Urban Outfitters
There are a lot of tunics on sale, but since I am not really sure how to wear them, I didn't pick one. I think they are the things that girls wear with tights and look stupid in, so going with that assumption, we are skipping tunics. I was going to go with the wrap dress since I watched Weeds last night and saw MLP sexily peel off a wrap dress and I want everyone to try that sometime, but they only had small and extra small, so I went with someone that has more variety (of size and color).
Lux Tank Dress - $24.99



Old Navy
I went to Old Navy the other day and got the cutest shirt for $5 (!), but a lot of the stuff was ugly, so I am on a quest to find you something cute and cheap so you don't have to waste your time. Okay. I know everyone loves the new sweater collection, but I think it is ugly. But I did manage to find two, matching, cute items for less than $30. It will be chilly at night soon and imagine how cute you'll look sipping your hot chocolate.
Top - $14.50
Bottoms - $14.50

Nordstrom
I loved so much stuff on here that picking one thing became really difficult, but I picked the cutest with the widest availability (as usual). This dress is so cute, so cheap, and can certainly be transitioned into the coming months. Tights and sweaters are all you need to make the cutest summer clothes fall and winter ready. Seriously.
Frenchi Knit Babydoll Dress - $13.90


Anthropologie
Now watch me solve your problems. Cute. Cheap. You can buy 2! I really could have probably made this like $25 and under. Maybe I will find something awesome for $29.99 before we finish. But seriously, tights. I have 3 pair (black, blue, gray) and I plan to grab another pair or two (brown and something else). I am desperate to wear my tights. Every day I think about it, but it takes forever to get cold in Florida.
Color Palette Tights - $11


Bus Stop Shop
I am still madly in love with this place. I think since Nordstrom doesn't have my sweater, I'm just going to buy myself the dress and sweater from here. They are, of course, too much for this list, but I did find something I love (and that there are a lot of sizes left in). I love Nick & Mo clothing.
Long Sleeve Barb Henley - $25


Stars and Infinite Darkness
You must get yourself a cute wallet with a bike on it. You must. I don't even ride a bike and I know bikes are cute as all get out.
randL: The O.G. - $26


American Eagle
I hate that AE, like Abercrombie, puts their logo on everything. There are a lot of cute hoodies and such that say "AE" on them and thus make me not want them. I do like some stuff from these (I buy almost all my jeans there) and I think these shoes are kind of cute, but I'd probably look at them in person before buying.
AE Slingback Flat - $14.95

Active Endeavors
Man, I know this place is like hyper-fashionable (OMG Cory Kennedy links to it), but most of it is relatively unattractive and really expensive. I keep looking because I am in love with some of those dresses and I swear when they are less than $100, I will buy one. Some of the coats are cute too. But for today, I am breaking my rule and showing you a cute, basic, reasonably priced shirt, but it is only available in large.
2nd Skin 3/4 Skin Scoop - $22

A few notes: Nordstrom always does $5 flat shipping, but this week Urban Outfitters is going $6 flat rate so take advantage if there is something you have been wanting to buy (for example sexy as hell black lace flats or the cutest fucking wall hanging in the world).

How would it be if I did a weekly round-up of sales at select stores? Not like every sale item, but whatever special there is (free shipping, $10 off $75, etc)? I think it would be awesome just for my own use, but I worry that this will become solely a fashion blog and I love music and movies and books too!

As always, which I often forget to mention, all the pictures belong to the sites I link to.

Deals of the Weekend - $20 and under

I am stuck inside watching football with my boyfriend so I am shopping online and finding some kickass deals:

JCrew
Final sale item. No returns. No exchanges so pick the size wisely. You can always give them to someone you love as a gift. I absolutely love these. You cannot beat the price and they are long enough to not look really youthful or skanky. It is on its way to being too cold for these, but they are timeless so you can wear them next year!
5" Chino Shorts - $14.99


Bus Stop Shop
Only medium size left. I know, I know. It isn't tank top time, but really you need to think about layering. Layers look so nice especially compared to a bulky jacket. And the length and design of this will look great under all the cute stuff you will buy in the coming months. Also, it is just really cute.
Minx Tank - $19


Stars and Infinite Darkness Thanks for nothing. Stars and Infinite Darkness gave me quick the task finding somehting under $20. There was another tee but it was ugly, plus I liked this one. I think it is a nice, comfortable and affordable shirt and everyone needs some of those. Plus, it is classy. There is Spanish on it! Nothing is classier than Spanish, except maybe French.
"Gracias Por Nada" T-shirt - $20


American Eagle
Multiple colors. This, again, will look so cute layered. Plus, I really like lace. And if you pair it with some of the cute lace panties from the Gap Body collection, you can seduce the man (or woman) of your dreams because you will look sexy and innocent in that outfit. Seriously.
Lacy Tank - $14.95


Active Endeavors
Only Medium left. Down from $48. Listen, it was hard to find anything that was reasonably priced on that website. I thought this seemed like a good price for a tank in general, not just from this place. And since it was originally $48, it should be one high quality tank.
Generra Rib Tank - $14


Urban Outfitters
Multiple sizes and colors and it just a cute looking dress. I think it is just adorable. The red is definitely my favorite. It would look so cute with some tights and one of the cute, nicely cut jackets that are so popular right now.
Lux Tieback Strappy Dress - $19.99


Anthropologie
Sizes 8-14 available. I know it is after Labor Day and white is a no-no, but I have been actively ignoring that rule my entire life. Plus, this is an adorable skirt, it is from Anthropologie AND it is a cut that will be flatterint to almost anyone.
Daylily Skirt - $19.95


Nordstrom
I figured I should include some shoes and these are so cute. I know they are really summer-y and next year the shoe styles might not be the same, but of man, the polka dots and the bow just drove me crazy. They are so freaking cute. I say grab them, wear them for the next month (or more if you live in Florida) and then hide them in the closet and hope they are cool next year. If not, they were less than $20.
Volatile "Hotspot" Espadrille - $19.90

I hate when sites do $20 and under and then everything is close to $20, but I realized it is hard to find stuff lower. And like I would see tanks for $9, but then I would see something away better for $19 and I would pick that thing that was the better deal. Rumor has it that markdown day is Wednesday so Wednesday I will post another list (probably $30 and under) and then Friday (pay day!) I will do $50 and under.

I would also like to throw out there that Rack Room Shoes is doing buy one get one 50% off and since I am not a Jimmy Choo kind of girl, I took advantage and got knee high boots (brown) for $40 and then with the deal, I got cute red flats for $10. I am pretty happy. Plus, if I ruin them I won't be sad.

I've been shopping

This morning, in my mind, I spend $300 on clothes. Luckily, I have not yet done it in real life. What I want:

Nordstrom: I feel like I could find shoes I like more for less money. I love the skirt and top though, but there is only one color of skirt left and only two sizes so shouldn't it be one sale? I am going to check in over the next few days and hope there is a price drop.

Bus Stop Shop: I love both these items. I found this site kind of randomly, but I like it. The cardigan is $74 which I am finding is within the price range of cardigans that I would want. It seems expensive, but I don't think it is. The dress on the other hand is just adorable and under $50 and on sale. I don't know what to do. I don't have any money and I can't really justify the expense. I spent $250 at Anthropologie like a month ago.

Books! Books!

So far this week, I have finished 3 books. They were all very good, but very different.

I finally finished Saboteurs: The Nazi Raid on America by Michael Dobbs. I heard about the book from an episode of This American Life and the book combined two of my greatest interests: Nazi and the death penalty. The book started off kind of weak and honestly, if I hadn't already heard the story on TAL, I probably would have quit reading it, but I am so glad I didn't. The book turned out so well. The amount of research Dobbs must have done for this book absolutely blew my mind. The end, even though I knew what was coming, still made me really sad.

The second I finished that book I started The Whore's Child and Other Stories by Richard Russo. The first story in the book, The Whore's Child, made me enormously sad. This on top of the ending of the Nazi book were just too much and put me in quite the mood for the rest of the day. The story was fantastic and the best in the collection, but all the stories were good and you can really see how his novels incorporated the short stories.

Just about an hour ago, I finished Manic Magee by Jerry Spinelli. It is a Newberry award winning book, but I had never read it before. I absolutely loved it sometimes and other times I didn't like it at all. His writing style was amazing and engaging and varied and I really appreciated that from young adult literature, but sometimes I felt almost manipulated and the story felt too contrived. Those moments were few and far between and since the book is less than 200 pages it wasn't so bad. The ending was perfect. Probably one of the best book endings I have ever read. I honestly don't know if this book would have meant as much to be had I read it when I was at that reading level.
I am starting No One Belongs Here More than You by Miranda July and I have been anxiously awaiting this book for what seems like forever.

Follow Up #2

The people protesting the UPD in support of Andrew Meyer were annoying but relatively innocuous. I thought they were being stupid, but to each his own. Until this morning. The Alligator led with this story. This angered me so much that I would be willing to inflict physical harm on the people that did it. That officer was hit by a drunk driver while protected students celebrating a national championship victory. And no one will claim that the UPD (and GPD) didn't do a great job during those celebration. There were very few arrest and mainly they spent their time making sure drunk people didn't get themselves killed by falling off things. The UPD (and GPD) really shined during all three of those celebrations. When Officer Dahlem was killed, the entire university felt terrible. Defacing his memorial was sick and disgusting.

**GPD added since Officer Dahlem was a GPD officer, not a UPD officer thus making the graffiti even crueler.

Follow Up

This event has led me to write a letter, something I never do:
I am a UF alum and current staff member. When I originally saw the video of what happened to Mr. Meyer, I was aghast. Looking further into the incident, I felt that mistakes were made on both sides. Meyer shouldn't have resisted arrest and the officer shouldn't have used the Taser on him. After spending the day learning more and more about the incident and listening to people's outlandish reactions, I have come to believe that the UPD was, while not entirely correct, trying to handle the situation appropriately. I do not think the entire department should have to endure anger and harassment from the community because of the overreaction of one officer. I am very liberal and a strong supporter of free speech, but I don't see this as even a remotely political issue and I am sorry to see this devolve into such a debate. If someone is flailing while running at a sitting US Senator, then he should be removed and possibly detained. I would just like to say that I hope the charges are not dropped against Meyer as he clearly broke the law and his action was premeditated.

The Darjeeling Limited trailer

I am very much looking forward to this movie.

News News

A student was Tased by University Police officers at a John Kerry event last night. The video is all over the place. People at my job (the admissions office) are getting calls and being yelled at over this incident.

The video of course is too short to show the whole story which includes that he was told previously not to cause a disturbance or he would be asked to leave. He was told no more questions then allowed one question. Not only did he ask more than one question, but he didn't ask in a calm respectful manner. He tried to start problems and he was escorted out. Then he resisted arrest.
In my opinion, I don't think he should have been Tased, but he isn't some innocent guy. He has been in trouble before. He was warned. He was clearly trying to make a scene. I don't think the cops were right, but everyone is jumping on his side and even protesting to get the officers in trouble and Tasers banned from campus (which clearly isn't thought through. What do they want then? Billy clubs and mace?).
Something Awful has a thread about it which is where I first heard (last night). I think it is good to read because it gives you a number of viewpoints and more of the story.
It is some crazy shit and I hope it blows over because I am sick of looking like a fascist for not immediately jumping on the side of the student. I feel really fucking bad for him. I felt physically ill when I heard him cry out. I really did. But I try not to let momentary emotions cloud my judgment. Bad things happen when you do that. The officer overreacted, but overreacting in response does not make it equal.
My favorite post from the SA thread:
" Name which right of his was being violated at this private function that he was trespassing.

Excuse me but I think you're forgetting about the "right to resist arrest if you don't agree with the reason you are being arrested." I think that's either the 3rd or 4th amendment. One of the low ones."
Edit:
His blog: http://www.theandrewmeyer.com/

I'm Still Not Caught Up

This is just the cutest thing in the world.

Since everyone else is doing it

It is the six year anniversary of Sept. 11th. I have a lot of political opinions about the whole situation (from the US response to New York's handling of ground zero), but that isn't for here. A lot of great fictions has come out of the events and since I love books, it is what is being addressed today.
The Zero by Jess Walters. I already talked about this book because it is so good and so engrossing that thinking about anything else while you are reading it is impossible. It is entirely disjointed. Reading the book makes you feel like I imagine you would have felt had you been at the World Trade Center that day. It is unclear who is a hero and who is a coward, who is lying and who is trustworthy, what is going on and why. The book is just amazing and deeply effective.
Falling Man by Don Delillo. To be fair, I haven't read this book, but I plan to and it is going to be fantastic. Not only is Delillo incredibly talented, but he has an astounding grasp of the human condition.
I was going to post the image of the Falling Man, but I can't bring myself to, as I still find the picture overwhelming and I don't think it is fair to surprise people with it.
And to end on a cheery note:
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Sept. 11th
Sept. 11th who?
You said you'd never forget!

Have a good Patriot Day. Be nice to people.

[image from Amazon.com]

Mc Chris

1) is coming to Gainesville in November. I will be there. No joke. Not like this Andrew Bird crap.
2) said this:
"last night i watched the vma's and i was so bored, i flew through it on my tivo. if i was reading they'd call it skimming. i dunno. everyone looked fat and rich and boring. nothing awesome and desperate, hungry about it. no connection to the people. it's my belief that the people in the club arent the people. the people like they say in it's a wonderful life, do the living and dying, salt of the earth, blue collar whatever you wanna call it. i think of pissed off surbanite teens as the people, the hobo kids, the squatters, the msi goths. i dont know where this club that mtv thinks we all wanna be in is. dancing with a mixed drink in one hand, placed strategically in the audience like a town hall meeting with the president. it all seemed played out and stupid. next. maybe be[ing] famous isnt cool anymore."
And maybe it isn't.

Football Kickoff Weekend

I had a really good time watching football this weekend. I never really like Pro Football before, but with a fantasy team, I am now pretty into it. I changed some stuff around. I picked up Ronald Curry (of Oakland) and Indy defense (TWENTY fantasy points) to compliment Seattle (which did a very good job with 16 points). Calvin Johnson will certainly be playing for me next week.
I also found out I can't go to Andrew Bird (in ATL) on Thursday so I am trying to sell my tickets if you want to buy them!

September Outfits from Anthropologie

I got an email today from Anthropologie telling me to check out the September outfits, and since I do whatever my email tells me, I went right over.
My favorites:

From this outfit:
I loved this one right away. I mean, look how sweet that model looks. She is just so pretty. But I love the way that jacket fits and I really like that it is shorter and the sleeves of the dress peek out. I'm not totally sure about the boots, but I adore the scarf. I don't usually like things like that (and I can never wear one, living in Florida). It is just well-executed. I wonder though how it would look without the jacket or with the jacket unbuttoned. I feel like it would lose the nice shape. That dress seems like it would just hang down shapelessly without the jacket. I do like the navy coat and black shoes. I am always nervous about doing that, but she looks great.
AND

From this outfit:
I love the blazer/hoodie thing. It is casual and comfortable looking while still being dressy and nice. I also think the skirt is really cute. I HATE the shoes, but otherwise it is very nice.

I meant to post this the other day

I thought maybe it would alienate people, but if you are as in love with Richard Feynman as the rest of the science-loving world is, then you will find this to be awesomely amusing. If you don't know him, I have a book you should read.

Oh. My. God.

Please buy me one. They are all so cute.

Count Your Sheep is staying cute

It is making me really happy. I love the mom so much. (Laurie, I think? I am terrible with even fictional names)

I hear tell

that skinny jeans are out.

Let's celebrate the end of girls looking like shit in unflattering pants.

Day off= SA Day

= funny shit I find posted there reposted here

Bella

Awhile back I recommended "No One Will Know" by Bella. They have now put it up in their Myspace. Have a listen. I'm still very much enjoying the song.

I love Fall

With the month of September comes show premiers (though I am unsure what to watch this season) and college football (Gators!) and pro football, something I don't usually follow BUT this year I am playing fantasy football with James and his co-worker and his worker's friends (so loads of people I don't know). The draft was today and I don't mind saying that I kicked ass.

I'm also looking forward to the cooler weather and cute clothes.
But yeah, feel free to comment on how fucking awesome my fantasy team is. Is that Frank Gore? Why, yes! Yes, it is. Oh and I have another defense. It is pending or some shit (I know none of the terminology) but soon the Vikings will be my other defense.