Opportunity presented

I finally got the opportunity (and guts) to wear my sexy, or scandalous according to my mom, bathing suit. I had been looking for a cut-out suit forever, but all the suits I found in that design were way too pricey or just not exactly right. I finally found the perfect one on some random website last year and purchased it at a very reasonable price. After trying it on, it sat in my dresser drawer for a year! I found it way too sexy to pull off at the local pool; However a trip to the Bahamas would be the perfect opportunity. Here I am finally wearing it!

The Bachelor season 223

The show is really in its 13th season, but The Bachelor seems to be going on forever and with only two happy couples to show for it. Last night hot bachelor Jason Mesnick made his choice and boy did some drama go down afterwards, but lets start with his journey. I posted about his experience on last season's show where it came down to bachelorette DeAnna choosing Jason or Jesse. Everyone was so touched when Jason got down on his knee to propose to DeAnna only to hear from her "no, I can't". I was literally in tears and felt so bad for him. To no ones surprise ABC made Jason this season's bachelor and why not: he's incredibly hot, so sweet, and seems to have the best personality. They brought about 25 women as usual and from the beginning you could tell who he was going to give the chance to. The four women whose family he chose to meet were Melissa, Molly, Jillian, and Naomi. I knew he was not truly into Naomi from their dynamics and interaction (not to mention her weirdo family), there was no surprise that he let her go. After the romantic get-away to New Zealand he discovered that Jillian was not the one for him, and I say about time. She was annoying in my opinion and Jason could definitely do better. Now it's down to Melissa and Molly. The chemistry and his affection for Melissa were undeniable from the very beginning. Throughout the process I could feel the genuine love Melissa had for Jason and it looked to be reciprocated. Then came the meeting of his family including his son Ty. It was at that moment that I could see and tell that Jason was more in love with Molly than Melissa and boy was I disappointed, but you can just see Jason light up when he is with Molly. By this point both women have professed their love for him, but there was something about Melissa that I felt would be the better choice for Jason. Melissa and Molly both had one last date and used that time to reiterate their strong genuine feelings for Jason, and again it was clear on camera to me that he was more in love with Molly.

It's proposal day and guess who shows up at Jason's door? That stupid dumb dumper DeAnna! She has broken up with her first choice Jesse and came to tell Jason she made a mistake. She told him she chose the fun wildcard in Jesse and not the sure safe bet in Jason. Jason admits that the two women he is choosing between have similar dynamics in that one is everything he thought he wanted in Melissa and the other woman is the more challenging one in Molly. Then that stupid dumb dumper DeAnna told Jason that she's there because he hasn't proposed yet and to give them another chance. Luckily Jason saw right through it and told her to get to steppin, that he's going to choose Melissa or Molly, not her! DeAnna tells Jason to be smart and to look further than the "wildcard". What?! Don't tell him who to choose you stupid dumb dumper!

At this point I really don't know who he is going to choose. Throughout the season I was positive that he would choose Melissa, but I truly don't know now! Then Molly's limo is the first to pull up - you know what that means: he's not choosing Molly! Wow, I was shocked and surprisingly sad because he seemed to be more in love with Molly. Then he had me in tears, literally! After dumping Molly he completely broke down sobbing like I've never seen a man sob before. Then he pulls himself together and proposes to Melissa, only I was left to wonder why. I hope it works out.

On the After The Final Rose show there was no audience or screaming girls as normal, it was just host Chris, a billion candles, and a couch. Jason comes out alone to eerie silence to tell host Chris and the cameras that he and Melissa are not right for each other and that he can't stop thinking about Molly. WHAT?!! Melissa later comes out to join Jason and host Chris only to get dumped on television. It was very dramatic and humiliating. She called Jason "such a bastard" and gave him back the ring. Was it only me who felt so awkward that host Chris was just sitting there listening to the break-up as if he was their counselor?! He finally excused himself towards the end of Jason's dumping of Melissa then she was able to let loose on Jason and told him not to call or text her ever again. It was a sad sight and I felt sorry that they had to handle that on television. After Melissa leaves to get into a limo by herself, Molly sits down alone with host Chris to express that she is still in love with Jason and still has a lot of questions for him not knowing that Jason is about to ask her back. Jason joins them on the couch and she immediately starts asking him her questions. Jason confesses to Molly that he just dumped Melissa because he cannot stop thinking about her. He commences to ask her back but to take it slow. Molly is obviously confused and asks, "what about Melissa?" He tells Molly it's over and he loves her and wants to see where it goes. Molly's priceless expression says it all and confesses that she's been dreaming of this moment. She agrees to give him another chance but conversations need to take place. They kiss and hug and I guess they're going to pick up where they left off. Molly was right when she told him he would regret letting her go on proposal day. All I can say is wow and I wish them the best, but the odds are against them. Oh and poor Melissa.

Scarf trend

I did it... I gave in to the triangle-tie scarf trend. You know, the trend where the kids are now tying their scarves like cowboys only it must have a cool pattern and it must be surrounded by fringe. The trend started last fall/winter so I'm a little late, but I typically take a lot of time in considering whether to join 'em or ignore 'em when it comes to trends. For our new spring line our store got in some fabulous scarves and I couldn't help myself when I saw them. I was going out and needed a cool accessory. When I tried it on I felt like I was wearing a bib or was offending Middle Eastern culture, but my coworker convinced me that it looked great on me. Have you given in to this trend?

Chick Flick released

When the relationship advice book He's Just Not That Into You released in 2005 it was one of the most in-demand items to hit pop culture. The authors even appeared on the Oprah show. There is no surprise they'd make a movie out of it. This weekend the anticipated movie has finally released with an all-star cast. Since I'm interested in relationships and advising my friends on theirs, I for one cannot wait to see the movie and how they will depict dating in the 21st century. Out of curiosity though I checked out some professional reviews about the film and guess what, they're not too good. Rolling Stone called it "a woman-bashing tract disguised as a chick flick". The LATimes called it "a bit like a weightless swirl of cotton candy with a mere second of sweetness..." I never expected Oscar nominations out of this film, just a few good laughs and two hours of entertainment. Let's hope the viewers get that. Let me know what you think of the movie.

Walk (sit) tall

Finally I found an occasion to wear my five inch heels. A pair of chocolate Anne Klein booties that I bought a year ago and have been staring at ever since, until now. My girlfriend had a birthday dinner where afterwards we would lounge it up and chill with the birthday girl. I thought, what a perfect opportunity to wear a pair of heels that in no way could I stand in for long periods of time, and in no way are meant to be danced in! These are strictly a very hot dinner shoe. At one point I got upset with myself for wasting steps when I walked the wrong way from my parked car to the lounge. With heels this tall every steps counts! Needless to say I was the tallest girl in the room, which meant lots of attention.

Shopaholics or just plain crazy

Today my town had a snow storm. We got over four inches of snow and the county issued a weather advisory emergency, which means do not go out and drive unless absolutely necessary. So why the heck were there so many people shopping in my store today?! If I had my choice there was no way I was driving into work to presumably stare into space, but people braved the storm, came in and looked around and bought stuff! I really shouldn't be complaining as it is always good for the store to make money, but I was so annoyed this morning by having to scrape snow off my car and stomp through slush that I was in no mood to deal with customers. Luckily our mall decided to close down entirely four hours early, which my coworker and I were beyond excited about. But crazy shopaholics were in our boutique until the last possible moment trying on the whole store! I suppose it could have been worse, the mall authorities could have decided not to shut down early and make us drive on the slippery streets after sunset, and the store could have made zero money today. Okay my gripe is over now!

Manly sweet scent

My manfriend is in the market for a new fragrance so we skedaddled over to Nordstroms to check out their lineup. He was infatuated with Issey Miyake which smells great, but I found a scent that made me crazy... John Varvatos! I have never noticed this scent before but once I inhaled it I begged my manfriend to choose that one. It's a combination of robustness and sweetness all in one. I wanted to eat it right off him. Okay too much information, but you get my drift! This John Varvatos fragrance is to die for in my opinion and a nice thought for Valentine's Day ladies.

Hot boys of reality TV

I have been counting down to the return of the bachelor and it's finally here. For those of you who know me or read my blog, you know that I was more than obsessed with Jason Mesnick - husband pursuant on last season's The Bachelorette. If you didn't watch the show last season you should be thankful because you spared yourself a whole lot of tears on Jason's behalf. The Bachelor is back this season and I am more than pumped up for it. I should have just entered myself, but I knew Jason would be looking for a DeAnna replacement. Anyway he will be one of the few heartthrobs of reality TV I'll make a spot in my heart and my calendar for.

Another reality heartthrob I just can't get enough of: Brody Jenner! I know I know MTV, the Hills, crap TV, but he is just amazing to look at. Those gorgeous eyes, his supple skin, and that body - hold on I need to catch my breath! His show is called Bromance and airs on MTV on ironically Monday nights, the same night as the Bachelor.

Last but not least is Mario Lopez. He hasn't aged a bit from playing the corny jock on Saved By the Bell, but he definitely has aged for the better. Man he's hot. He'll be hosting the popular dance show on MTV Randy Jackson Presents America's Favorite Dance Crew. Aside from the dancing crews I look forward to seeing what tight t-shirt Mario will be gracing us with!

Coat update

I bought it!! The Banana Republic coat that I've been obsessing over and stalking is finally mine. It went from $225, to $119.99, to $94.99 to $75.99. I came to terms with that price, and not risk waiting for it to drop lower for fear that my size would no longer be available. I'm happy with the final price I purchased it at, and it looks great on me!

Downgrade?

I went home for the holidays. It was good to see family and friends, and to have a home cooked meal. It was also good to go shopping with my sister like old times. While shopping in my old stomping grounds I discovered that my old city has added a Tiffany & Co. and a West Elm to the mall! OMG are you kidding me?!!! We don't have those stores in my new city, did I totally just downgrade when I left home?! Obvioulsy we went in both showrooms and gushed over the layout, selection, and history of the stores. I had to buy something from West Elm just to say I did. The blue box will come to me via gift someday (hopefully).

New sale price

My (hopefully soon to be) Banana Republic coat is now marked down to $94.99 from $119.99 from $225.00. I know I said I'd buy it at under $100 but, I think it will get marked down even lower so I'm gonna jepordize losing it and continue to hold out. There's only one XS size left in the store so I'm being awfully risky with this item. I'll keep you posted!

Commission anyone?

You would think in this economy that if a customer is wanting to purchase something from your store you as the sales associate would jump all over it. Not the case at Macy's. My sister gave me a gift card for my birthday to Macy's and I have been waiting for just the right pair of shoes to catch my eye to use the gift card on. I found them!... The Jessica Simpson Cornelia ankle boot in brown. This is just the style I've been searching all over for. They are ruched around the ankle in the perfect location for skinny pants and tights. They are the perfect round toe and short heel for someone on their feet for eight straight hours. So of course I enthusiastically take them off the table to the sales person to inquiry about the shoe and ask to try on my size. The shoe had absolutely no information on it. Tag missing, completely identity-less. I asked the sales person, "how much are these boots and can I try a size nine?" She goes on to notice that there is no tag identifying the shoe and says there was nothing she could do. According to her it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I couldn't believe my ears so I literally just stared at her, waiting for her to say, "but I'll see what I can do". Nope nothing like that, she pretty much gave them back to me to put them where I found them! So empty handed I leave Macy's in disgust with the customer service. Looks like these people aren't on commission. I found the boots on piperlime.com for $109.99 but I really want to use my gift card; what's a girl to do?

Sales still not helping

Are the holiday retail sales getting you out of the house to go buy buy buy? According to this year's numbers consumers continue not to spend money on items they deem as unnecessary saving for articles such as food, gas, etc. We rarely ever have sales in my store to avoid being classified as discount, but this season alone we've had two in an effort to get people in the door to spend. This week in my city Banana Republic had a 40% off of everything in the store for one day only sale. I've lumped myself in the group of folks who are hanging on to their every dime, but 40% off of everything I had to check it out! A lot of their items were already marked down and the catch to this new sale was that the 40% would only apply to regular priced items. I only found one thing that I felt I couldn't live without and it was a coat already marked down from $225 to $119.99 My friend accompanying me talked me out of the purchase but as soon as it's marked under $100 it's mine. Aldo shoes announced a one-day sale for this weekend only in my city that includes additional markdowns. The desperation on retail's face is depressing, and my store's numbers are even more depressing.

Smart AND gorgeous

Surprisingly my new obsession has nothing to do with clothes... In fact it's the exact opposite. Twenty-five year old millionaire Gurbaksh Chahal first caught my attention on Oprah. He launched a technology business at the age of 16 when he couldn't get a job in the not-so-blind United States. His business is thriving and now the technology entrepreneur has written a book and is creating a reality TV show about humanity. Not even 26 years old yet he's now worth over $100 million, but it was his supple skin and gorgeous face that initially caught my eye. I mean this man is gorgeous! When I googled him to see what else I could find out about him, this picture came up... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I didn't expect to find this under the Armani suit. Chahal is brilliant, charming, and looks like a dream. He says he's single and having fun. Yeah I'll bet you are, wow!

Complimentary evening

I woke up this morning still thinking about my outfit! What I mean is, I finally wore my little black wool BCBG skirt. My friend JH and I went to the symphony last night and I thought, what a perfect place to go and put on ready-to-wear BCBG. I have to declare that we looked great! I wore the skirt with a very light-blue (nearly white) sleeveless cotton ruffle shirt and I put a fitted steal gray merino wool cardigan over it - both from Banana Republic; Black opaque tights and black patent booties that are only two inches in height. My date wore a pale pink button-down with a dark pink (striped with white) tie; Heather gray Yves Saint Laurent trousers and a navy corduroy two-button blazer accessorized with a brown belt and brown round-toe shoes. I mean does that not sound like the perfect pair or what?! We had an excellent time drinking, people-watching, and of course listening to the music. JH even got to shake the lead cellist's hand. The night was so much fun. And I have to mention that I've never seen so much fur (well except in Chicago) in my life! Now where else can we go to don our ready-to-wear pieces?...