What to Hairdo for NYE

Today the question that plagues me is what to do with my hair on New Year's Eve. I'm attending a party with my husband where I'm sure to know few people. This relative anonymity will allow me substantial latitude when crafting my party going outfit. Will it be a vintage dress in rich brocade or a simple black number with a chunky choker? As always my fashion decision begins with my hairstyle. I'm thinking of heading to Ulta and getting a set of hot rollers or a giant curling iron. Big wavy hair would be an excellent accessory for the evening and I could contrast the mane with a very simple dress. However, my hair is rather thick and straight and uniquely resistant to curling. On the other hand, an up do would be so elegant with a long gown and satin heels. But, the amount of pins and spray will undoubtedly give me a headache before I leave the house. Maybe I'll just mess it up for that "bed head" look and wear a slip dress. However, I'd rather not suffer for beauty and shiver, underdressed, in the cold. So many choices, so little time... The only thing I want to avoid is overspending on an outfit for one party. Nothing's worse than spending a lot on something you'll only wear once. (I guess the garnet red taffeta dress is out).

UPS and Online Shopping: A Winter Romance

So, last week, after combing the internet for vacation clothes, I ordered a couple of swimsuits and a pair of shorts from J.Crew. (Hurray!) The confirmation page said that my order would arrive via UPS in 4-7 days (standard shipping). I figured, given the holiday, my new duds wouldn't show up until next year. Well, what do you know! Last night I found a UPS note on my door. My vacation wardrobe has arrived in Chicago already! The note said they would try to deliver it tomorrow at the same time, or I could contact UPS and they could send the package to an alternate address of my choice. Aha! When I got to the office I went to the UPS website and a few clicks later, UPS agreed to bring my package to me at work tomorrow!! Will wonders never cease?! I'm going to search for sarongs next.



Good Luck and Good Shopping!

The Good, the Bad and the Yogurt

Okay, I've always heard that yogurt is supposed to be really good for your stomach and intestines. Exactly how, I'm not sure, but it has something to do with staffing your stomach with "good bacteria". Luckily, I already enjoy a nice cup of vanilla yogurt now and then. In fact, I was planning on stepping up my yogurt intake in preparation for my trip to Mexico (a friend told me the "good bacteria" in yogurt quells the rage of Montezuma’s revenge). Today there's an article in the NYT about "functional foods" or "nutraceuticals", i.e. groceries that are super-charged with doses of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes tailored to attack all that ails you. There's a yogurt to make you regular, a sport drink for joint flexibility, and a soda with calcium for bone building. If they could just put something good in coffee, I'd be a tri athlete.



Good Luck and Good Shopping

Quiet Train Ride

The ride to work was very low key today. No one had to shoe-horn themselves onto the train and wedge themselves against the door. It was a very civilized ride. I even got a seat! Most people seem to be taking the week off (except for my office-grrr). There was plenty of room to scan the rows for Christmas booty (no, not that kind, I mean definition 3. A valuable prize, award or gain). It seemed like a lot of people were sporting new hats and scarves. I also saw someone in a gorgeous new grey alpaca overcoat. Very nice. The woman next to me was carrying a beautiful shiny leather handbag in a deep chocolate. Wow. I can't wait to hit the post-holiday sales. Too bad payday isn't till Friday.

Post-Holiday Recovery

Crawling back to work today after a weekend full of family fun and general merriment was no small task. (I've made two trips to Starbucks and I may need to shotgun a Coke in order to get home.) What a perfect time to introduce my exciting and biting new blog about shopping.

Shopping is a great hobby of mine. I enjoy all kinds of browsing for all kinds of things. On my lunch hour I might stroll over to Borders to check out what's new on the shelves or even make an excursion to the Bentley Dealership to see how the other half (or rather 1/10) lives. When the stores were closed over the weekend, I browsed online for a sarong to take on my vacation next month. (I really should tell my boss about that trip, though I doubt he'll miss me.)

I'm always surprised by what people sell and what people buy. (Like the inexplicable set of stained glass Christmas lights I got from my aunt this year.) As I am rather bossy by nature, I also enjoy telling people what to buy and what not to buy (Though, fessing up to my aunt might be difficult.)

Stay tuned, because tomorrow I'll give you my report on post-holiday shopping and how annoyed I get when trying to exchange some slippers at Marshall Field's.


Good Luck and Good Shopping!