The Last Day of 2010

For most people in the world, it's already 2011. For those of us on the West Coast of the US, though, it's still 2010 and will be for another hour and 13 minutes. With that thought, I now will take a quick look back on this past year. True to my blog title, there was quite a bit of drama. Some good, some bad. Some of it has been blogged about in previous entries. Here's a rundown, in no particular order:
1) I went on a Catholic pilgrimage with my mother, taking us to Spain, France, and Portugal. During this trip, I bathed in the holy water bath in Lourdes, France. I discovered that after doing this (and ingesting some of the water, too), my cold symptoms I experienced before the bath got reduced dramatically.
2) I saw a Jason Derulo concert for my 32nd birthday. I got to treat my true friends and discovered that there were some that weren't true, distinguished by their behavior at this event.
3) I didn't find a husband, but I decided that I'd rather not have one than settle for one who treats me like anything less than a "pr1nc355" ;)
4) I lost and gained a couple of friends: my angel T. moved to France, I. and I haven't spoken in a while, and R. returned!
5) Unexpected weight loss that enabled me to fit into my PDC ripper jeans, which I haven't worn in years!

What 2011 will bring me hopefully, again in no particular order (no resolutions, just a couple of non-specific goals; besides, resolutions never work):
1) more weight loss, which will allow me to wear even more of my old clothes
2) reinforced friendships with the people I really can trust
3) more payoff of my student loan debt

OK, as I'm typing this sentence, it's now T-31 minutes to 2011 here on the West Coast. I'm probably not gonna be awake during the moment the clock strikes midnight, so I'm going to now wish everyone reading this a HAPPY NEW YEAR and a wonderful 2011!

Christmas Day 2010

I opened my presents early this morning. Then, it was a pretty relaxing day with my family. We went to church, then out to brunch (really good food, including prime rib and smoked salmon), then watched the Lakers lose to the Miami heat (on TV, of course, and I'm now soooo glad I didn't spring for the inflated cost of tickets to this game--oh, well, the Lakers are NOT out of the running for a 3rd straight championship--I have confidence my boys will get the job done!). I got some really good presents, including jewelry from my parents and homemade goodies from my coworkers. My little sister, who couldn't afford to buy gifts for several years, due to being in dental school and working on paying her debts, gave me a generous check and more jewelry. I was pleasantly surprised.

Christmas: a time for angels, and I'm so lucky to have one who understands my shoe fetish and feeds into it (thank you soooo much!). Now onto the very special present pictured in my last post. These traveled several thousand miles to get to me and are a really rare treat. They were sold only in the platform 150 mm version here in the USA, and those sold quickly. I was bummed I missed out on them. Because I'm trying to be more financially conservative (not easy for a Christian Louboutin fan!), I just couldn't justify the $1195 plus tax price tag for them. Then my shoe angel stepped in at just the right time. Here they are, my Christian Louboutin Clou Noeud spiked slingback in nude kid leather, with a 120 mm heel:

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas, and for those of you in the US, enjoy what's left of your Christmas Day!

"Soon It Will Be Christmas Day"

This line from the classic Christmas carol, "Silver Bells" has been going through my mind since about 4:30 this afternoon, driving after my 2nd trip to a Target store in 1 day (little nephews in town, I think parents reading this would understand). It's true, though. Christmas Day is coming in less than 1 hour!


I got an early Christmas present. It came much sooner than expected. In a few hours, I will unwrap this package and we will see what's inside. Those of you who follow my posts on tpf already know what it is. So do I, but I treat every single one of these like a special gift, and since it's Christmas, I may as well contribute to the occasion.


Until then...

12/11/10: A Memorable Date...

...for various reasons.

1) The date itself. How often do 3 consecutive numbers appear in accurate reverse order? Of course, I realize that if I lived in Europe, the date would be 11/12/10. This historical date would have occurred on November 12, 2010, last month. Well, come to think of it, I was in Europe on November 12, 2010 (in Spain, traveling from Zaragoza to Madrid). So I'm celebrating this special date for the 2nd time!

2) On this date last year, I was in the hospital. My father had an operation that had the potential to save his life. One year later, he's still alive, feisty as always. My mother had an operation, too, 3 days after my father did. My sisters and I were literally in the hospital with both our parents checked in (Mom was getting her operation, a lumpectomy, and Dad was recovering from his). Seriously, that was a pretty scary time. Dad's alive today, so the operation likely worked. And Mom is free of cancer. Whew!

3) Back to #1...here are the pictures from my dream trip. Finally! From top to bottom, here are the descriptions: the Tower of Belem (Lisbon, Portugal); the Christian Louboutin boutique (Madrid, Spain); the square in front of the Basilica (Fatima, Portugal); a sign on a bus (Zaragoza, Spain), which roughly translates to "Eat rabbit meat. It's safe."; a sign near the border between Spain and Portugal; a bull-fighting arena (Lisbon, Portugal); a castle once owned by a Duke, now a museum (Lourdes, France); a cork tree (Fatima, Portugal)-Portugal is the leading exporter of cork in the world, a material found in some Christian Louboutin collections-LOL; my souvenir, nude Bianca pumps, purchased from the Christian Louboutin boutique in Madrid

I Bid You, My Readers and Followers, Adieu for Now...

...and I bid the unnecessary drama Adieu forever! I love drama like a true drama queen does, but even I have my limits.

Hello, everyone! Big shout out to my followers! I have a new one...yessssss!

I have been incredibly busy, getting ready for my trip. I can't believe I allowed myself to get into some online drama on a public forum I once again decline to name. Why is it that it that the people who are hell-bent on convincing others that they don't care about you talk about you the most? Some people just need to have the last word, no matter what. You write them off and tell them they're written off, and they continue to run their mouth. There is no place for those people in my life. I'm way too busy to even figure out how they find the time. Life's too short to get into drama with people you'll never even meet in real life.

Oh, well. I will bottle up this drama and throw the bottle into the recyclables bin. It's over.

xoxo to all my followers and readers. As of the end of this paragraph, I will be going offline for the next 10 days. Tomorrow, I will be flying to Europe and taking on new adventures, seeing places that I would otherwise only dream of.

Speaking of dreams, I wish every one of you sweet ones tonight and every night.

My (Early) Birthday Celebration 2010

My birthday isn't until 10/31, but due to the scheduling of this particular event, I celebrated it early. Because a relative hooked me up big time, I was able to attend this event with some friends from work. The event was last night, and it was a concert at the House of Blues Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, starring R&B singer Jason Derulo. His music has been featured in a couple of episodes of "Gossip Girl". On the show, Jason Derulo's 1st hit, "Whadja Say?" was played during the feuding Thanksgiving dinner scene last year.

Before the concert, we ate at The Stinking Rose, an Italian restaurant that serves food heavy on the garlic, in Beverly Hills. I eat at this place every year for my birthday. It's perfect because it's vampire-themed, and my birthday's on Halloween. Plus I love Twilight! I realize now that I've been there with several different groups. It's sad, kinda, I don't have consistent friends, but I'm also one who grows and evolves all the time, and sometimes that involves new friends. I was so nervous I barely touched my 40-clove garlic chicken and mashed potatoes or the yummy garlic bread. However, I did get my leftovers to go and drain my glass of Sauvignon Blanc. And the serving staff gave me a free garlic ice cream for my birthday. It's not as gross as it sounds. In fact, I really like it.

Then, we headed out to the Sunset Strip for the concert. We sat on the balcony, perfect for watching the show while getting to sit when you're tired. We danced, sang along, and screamed (and drank again, of course). I haven't had so much fun in a long time. There's something so liberating for me about being at a concert. I get into it and really don't care about what other people think. Jason Derulo is quite a performer. He sang all his hits, danced beautifully, and even did a tribute number to the late great Michael Jackson with his rendition of "Billie Jean". As pictures of the show were prohibited, I will post only the picture of me with the promo poster, taken in the ladies' room (tee-hee). I didn't end up wearing the Leifsdottir dress, as I felt it was too formal for a club. However, I did rock my new-again Paper Denim & Cloth Ripper jeans and Ya-Ya halter top.

Learn to Let Go...and Good Things Will Happen (Part I)

10/10/10: I just had to have an entry today. For the sake of the date, plus other things that have happened for me lately. Read below.

Imagine my surprise when I stepped onto the scale yesterday morning, after several days of not stepping on it. My eyes couldn't believe it. I was about 5 pounds lighter than I was the last time I stepped on it. Sometime within the last year (or maybe 2), I decided that I would accept my shape as it is. I'm a curvy gal, with boobs and a butt, and I'll never be Nicole Richie. I stopped caring, and now I'm the lightest I've been in about 5 years.

For the last 5 years or so, I haven't been able to wear my Paper Denim & Cloth Ripper jeans. I bought my first pair about 6 or 7 years ago and loved them so much I bought another pair. They were my favorite jeans, and I wore them everywhere until I sadly realized that I couldn't fit into them anymore. I normally sell or give away clothes I can't fit into, but a little voice told me to hold onto these 2 pairs.

Well, I'm glad I did! Not only is this style being discontinued, but as of yesterday, I can fit into them again! And it wasn't like I even shimmied to get into them-they glided easily over my hips! I was even able to stick my thumb inside the waistband! I was soooo ecstatic! I can't wait to wear them with a pair of Christian Louboutins (I'll have to, they're so long!).

And to think it all happened after I decided to let go and just let things happen. I think this is how I'll approach all the obstacles that come my way. Recently, I connected with A, a guy I'd met before and am interested in. I told my pal, J, while we were getting manis and pedis to let him know I was interested, so she did and gave him my phone #. He hasn't called, and it's been 4 days. I'm a little disappointed, but I'm going to just let it go. A is free to call or not, and I won't let this stop me. A may not be meant for me, but someone else out there will be, and I need to just let it happen.

I called this entry "Learn to Let Go...and Good Things Will Happen" (Part I) because I plan to make this something I do more often than just once.

Also, my mani/pedi I raved about in my last entry is still going strong! 11 days and counting!

Par-tay Dress!

I know I shouldn't be buying anything before my trip to Europe, but Neiman Marcus had a
special promotion this weekend, so I decided to purchase a party dress for my upcoming birthday (October 31, yes it's on Halloween!). After trying on several, I decided on a black lace number by Leifsdottir, a fuchsia vintage-print Diane von Furstenburg, and a purple/gray silk Alice & Olivia. I wavered back and forth among the 3. They were all about the same price, and I nearly tossed out the Leifsdottir because it was above the knee, which I don't do because my legs are not my favorite feature. In the end, though, I decided that I wanted a party dress, not one that was suitable for brunch with the family, which the other 2 were. I was thrilled that I was able to fit into the size 6 (it's been a looooong struggle), but alas, it was a litle too snug for my liking. The lovely SA scanned the tag and told me that there was a size 8 in the store, so she fetched it from the back for me, and I tried it on. There was more breathing room, which was good because that means that I don't have to don Spanx for it! And I'm so thrilled that lace is in this season! However, I'll be wearing black opaque tights with it so that my not-so-best feature will not be on display. I had to include a close-up pic of the lace detailing on the neckline 'cuz it's soooooo pretty!

Now, I just need to confirm my birthday plans, which should be done within the next couple of weeks. Oh well, even if they're not confirmed, I'm sure to wear this dress somewhere.

And part of the promo included $50 off purchase and a free leather handbag by Joie, which I no longer have because I gave it to my younger sister. Some little goodies were also inside the bag, which included a bracelet by Alice & Olivia and an evening clutch. So I broke my ban. It's cool, though, because at least I didn't splurge on a pair of Christian Louboutins! In fact, I spent half of what I'd spend on a pair of CLs, plus I got some free stuff, too!

My Thoughts on The Real Housewives of New Jersey

the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey-(Jacqueline, Theresa, Danielle, Dina, and Caroline)-obtained from the Star Ledger New Jersey website

Season #2 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey just wrapped. I know just because I've seen the commercials. I haven't actually watched the show in several weeks. Why? What's worth seeing? It's a bunch of trashy women who think they're so great, but they're not.

Since this is my blog, I'm going to freely write my opinion, though I know it's not a popular one. I don't have a favorite New Jersey (NJ) housewife, but if I had to pick one, it's Danielle. Yes, I know that other bloggers are labeling her a drama queen, criminal, liar, or all 3. But at least she didn't pretend to be some rich noblewoman like the other 4 did. She acknowledged her painful past and admitted to being broke.

Unlike Theresa Giudice, who owes $11 million to various creditors. There were so many scenes where she'd walk into the store, pick gaudy items out, then leave after spending thousands of dollars. It was later revealed in a magazine article that she was opening lines of credit in her parents' names, and even after she was exposed, she continues to shop at those same boutiques. Seriously, did she believe that having those items made her look classy? She still looks like trash to me. And her dumbass hubby confessed that they were spending money they didn't have because that's what the show's viewers wanted to see. They blame the economy for their money woes. They're idiots...don't they realize there are real victims of this gloom economy who actually deserve the sympathy?!

Caroline Manzo...I didn't find her interesting enough to follow, but she should've kept silent about Danielle. She would go on and on, but Caroline would just make herself look like a blundering idiot. The money spent on her Range Rover should've been put toward a college education for herself. She shouldn't be analyzing Danielle's personality on the air because those of us who are educated can tell she doesn't know what she's talking about! And she's no saint, either.

The worst offender has to be Jacqueline Laurita. Ugh...no one disgusted me more than her! Her daughter's a spoiled brat, but it's totally Jacqueline's fault. Jacqueline should've spent her time raising her right rather than showing off her fake boobs while searching for a rich hubby and partying with her gal pals as if they're 18-year-old sorority girls. When her daughter, Ashley, pulled Danielle's hair at the country club, Jacqueline and her idiot hubby Chris told Ashley that she shouldn't have done it because Danielle's crazy. If Jacqueline and Chris were decent people, they'd be more concerned that Ashley was causing physical harm to someone, even if that someone was Danielle. Newsflash: it's NEVER OK to harm a human being, no matter who they are. My mom taught me that, and other decent moms tell their kids the same thing. Ashley deserves the maximum sentence. If her own parents can't teach her common sense, then the law should. Also, Ashley stated that she pulled Danielle's hair in defense of her mother. Another example of bad parenting: why's she even involved in their conflicts? To this day, at 31 years of age, I STILL don't know if my mom hates or has ever hated anyone. I know people have hurt her, but my mom's such a gracious women that I couldn't tell if she even did so much as dislike them. She wants me to believe people are generally good and to not have the negative energy required for hating people.

While searching online, I found out that Bravo announced that Danielle was leaving the show. You go, girl! Go find something better for yourself and your daughters. The Real Housewives of NJ will be a boring show without you. So much air time was dedicated to the other cast members talking shit about Danielle, so now what'll they do?! Their lives aren't interesting enough to yield material for the show now that Danielle won't be starring in it. And if you don't believe me, go to the Bravo network website. Danielle's blogs have many more hits and comments than the others. She's still the most talked-about NJ housewife, and she will be for years to come (though I doubt the show will last more than 2 without her).

Labor Day Weekend 2010

Yay! 3-day weekend...just too bad that it's over. But then again, that means it's only a 4-day work week! For my international readers, today was Labor Day in the US, which is a federal holiday and a holiday for almost everyone in the private sector. For us Americans, it symbolizes the end of the summer season (although I know that, according to the Roman calendar, it's not actually until late September). For those still in school or those who work in the educational sector, this means going back to work. People tend to put vacations off from now until June-ish next year (after Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer season). However, for those of us no longer in school, not working in the educational sector, and childless (me included in this category), it simply means a slightly longer commute to work. Sigh...that 15 minutes of extra sleep was awful nice.

Oh, well...here we go with another weekend update. I did get to spend it with some fine male company, but don't get too excited. The males in question are ages 1 and 3. I'm talking about my little nephews, adorable as can be. My lovely sister, age 39, finally found the man of her dreams and is going to marry him this winter. She decided that she wanted our family to be introduced to his this weekend, so my entire immediate family joined in the festivities.

My family and I also had a celebrity sighting. We met Legacy Perez, a contestant from the TV show, So You Think You Can Dance? Now I've met several celebrities in my life, and sadly, only some of them are nice. Legacy is one of them...and then some. Not only was he nice, he seemed genuinely flattered we recognized and spoke to him. He asked where my mom was from, and when she said that she was from the Philippines, he spoke a little Tagalog to her and appeared to be flattered that she was thrilled. We also met his family, who were also very nice. He also took a pic with us, then his family and my sister's family took one together. I wish Legacy the best in his career. He's a truly talented dancer and a nice guy, and he deserves lasting success.

Ay! My High-Heel Wearing Days Are Catching Up with Me!

One telltale sign you're getting older: aches and pains. You think of stuff you used to do for hours on end without consequences, but then things change. For me, "stuff" included wearing high heels. It's now to the point where 5" heels are actually very comfy for me. This is supposed to be good, right? Stilettos are sexy, after all.

No, it's not good. I'm now suffering the consequences of my behavior. One day a couple of weeks ago, I woke up with a huge pain in my right foot. It lingered for a while, the pain waxing and waning. I decided to ask my friend JA about it. He's a physical therapist and athletic trainer. He rubbed on the bottom of my foot, and I felt like smacking him! This used to feel good whenever it was done at the nail salon, but it didn't this time. Then he asked me to move my ankles, and boy did that hurt! Then he said something I knew all along, and it suddenly made sense. He said, "The gastroc inserts right here. You probably have a sprain in there". He pointed to the back of my leg, right where my Achilles tendon was.




picture of the gastrocnemius muscle to the right taken from wikipedia.com


JA was referring to the gastrocnemius muscle, that big beefy one in the back of your leg. The gastroc's job is to bend your foot so that your toes are on the ground, but your heel comes off it. What is that you do that causes this to happen? Put on a pair of high heels. The higher your heel, the more your gastroc has to work. And if you're wearing them for hours and hours, your gastroc works overtime and revolts by becoming inflamed. And if you're wearing heels day after day for hours at a time, you may get to a point where this position becomes comfy for you, more so than standing with your entire foot on the ground. It's not a good thing. That means you've got major contractions, and when you do need to have your foot on the ground, you'll find it hard to put it there because the tibialis anterior muscle, responsible for bringing the back of your foot onto the ground, is so overpowered by the gastrocnemius. This is what happened to me. Due to the nature of my work, I wear sneakers, but that was getting painful for me. Even though I was actually spending more time in flat shoes than heels, the heel-above-the-ground position is not mechanically correct, so the ratio of time spent in heels to time spent with the entire foot on the ground should be REALLY small. So even wearing heels for a few hours each weekend can become a real problem.

I knew all that. I just didn't think I'd have to worry about it so early in my
life. Sigh...

calf stretches, pic taken from the Mayo Clinic website








Does that mean I'll stop wearing heels? Hell no! At least not right now. Maybe in a couple of decades. I'll just be sure to not wear them anywhere where I won't have a chance to sit and kick off my shoes after a half hour. And of course, I'll do my calf stretches.

Gaga-Ooh La La

During the afternoon last Thursday, 8/12/10, I got a frantic phone call from my sister. Was I available that night to attend the Lady Gaga concert with her? Of course I was! I hung up with her, sat through a conference call for 1 1/2 hours, then bolted home, as my shift was over at that time. I showered, tried to take a 45-minute nap (it didn't happen-I was too excited), and then it was time to get dressed. I knew what clothes I wanted to wear, just a simple T-shirt and jeans, but what shoes?

I didn't have much time, so I just grabbed what stood out to me: my Christian Louboutin zebra-print ponyhair Tigresse wedge sandals (bought on sale, pictured left)! The bold print just seemed so appropriate for Lady Gaga.

I zipped to my sister's house (after scarfing down a McDonald's happy meal in the car), then off we went to Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. As we took our seats, we spotted Gwen Stefani sitting not too far from where we sat (my hairdresser, whom I saw yesterday, said a couple of other celebrities were there, too: a soap star and Britney Spears). Fans went crazy even before the show started, especially the ones in "the pit", the standing-room only section right in front of the stage. Honestly, I love Gaga, but I wouldn't get in line hours before the show just to stand for hours more, especially after a long day of work.

Then the show started, and it was fantastic! Nothing less is to be expected from the ultimate performer that Lady Gaga is. She truly loves her fans, and even if you're not one of them, you'd probably agree that she puts on one hell of a show (if you're lucky enough to see one). I can't get into too much detail about it, but needless to say, I was so bummed I left before it was over. I just don't think I would've been able to work the next day if I stayed for the whole show, plus waited an hour to get out of the parking garage.

I did, however, get a couple of souvenirs, which my sister bought for me (I owe her big!):

Lady Gaga "Monster Ball Tour" T-shirt and program

My Movie-Filled Weekend (Spoiler Alert for those of You Who Haven't Seen Eclipse)!

Another weekend update...

I'll begin with the pre-weekend festivities yet again. Those of you who know me know that I actually prefer to stay home on weekend nights, so the actual bar/restaurant thing usually happens during the daytime on weekends or weeknights.

Thursday, 7/22: After lunch, I made my way from the parking lot into my building. I was dressed pretty plainly, in a James Perse V-neck, jeans, and flipflops. A patient in a wheelchair was passing by, then he looked at me and said, "Miss?". I responded, "Yes?". Then, he said, "Wow! You're so beautiful!". I couldn't believe it, so I just laughed and said thanks, of course. Hah, J! Guess what else I was wearing? My big sunglasses (by Chanel)! J. had earlier told me that guys assume that girls who wear big sunglasses have something to hide, so their "hotness" score drops by 2 points (I'll explain to those of you who ask). Anyway, I went with some gals to Gyu-Kaku for a happy hour meal. It's sooo not worth it. You have to spend a minimum of $15/person to be charged the happy hour prices (which is about half the regular price), so unless you eat a lot, you may as well just go with the regular menu. But the company (and the kalbi beef with lettuce) was good. I'm so glad I stuck to my "diet". I'm not really on one, just trying to cut calories and carbs. It's working, as my clothes are feeling looser these days =)

Friday, 7/23: Pay day. I also watched an Argentine film, Los Secrets de Sus Ojos (The Secrets of Their Eyes). It's a great film about a detective who writes a novel about a rape/murder case that's on his mind for 25 years. Kinda scary, but I tend to like darker films. I went with a group I met online. So nice to meet new people.

Saturday, 7/24: I met up with my friend TC who helped me score some shoes from Asia! They were shoes I wanted for some time, and they turned out to be on sale! I was sooo excited! Oh, and we also went to Barneys to try on some shoes. He scored a very unique pair of men's Louboutins, but I refrained from making a purchase (other than my sale score). I need to stay focused. It's just a week before Vegas and 3 months before Spain! To tide me over, I bought some goodies from Famous Cupcakes (owned by the Kardashians) and Millions of Milkshakes (a celebrity-themed sweet shack, which no celebrity actually enters, unless they're promoting their own drink named after themselves).

from Asia: Christian Louboutin lavender Poseidons (I waited months for you)!









Sunday, 7/25: I went from seeing no movies for a year to seeing one every couple of months to seeing 2 in one weekend. I decided to catch Eclipse, the 3rd movie of the Twilight series. It came out a month ago, but none of my friends or family wanted to see it, so I gave up and went to see it alone. This is the 2nd time I've gone to a movie alone, and you know what? It's not that bad. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I heard that there are a lot of people who actually prefer to see movies alone. I agree with the critics. It's the best one of all 3, very romantic and action-packed, with cool special effects. And I had a change of heart as a result of this 3rd movie. I was rooting for Edward since the 1st movie. In fact, Robert Pattinson is on my wallpaper on my computer. After learning that Bella would have to completely change herself and leave her family behind to be with Edward but wouldn't have to with Jacob, I think Jacob's the better choice. Jacob proved his love to her by putting his life on the line, even though he knew there was a big chance she'd still choose Edward (and did). And yes, that warm and hot bod add to his case, too!

Chanel Nail Polish, the Ultimate Filler During My Self-Imposed Ban

After a shoe purchase made for me via a friend who traveled to Asia (arriving this weekend!), I decided to refrain from buying any big ticket items for 3 months, starting 8/4/10. Technically, I could make as many of those purchases as I want this week, but decided to start early (unless something really catches my eye in Las Vegas, where I'll be from 8/1/10 to 8/4/10).

What to do in the meantime? Find a worthy splurge. There are so many, but one I particularly enjoy buying is Chanel nail polish. I picked up Nouvelle Vague a few weeks ago and loved it--it's too bad they were sold out by the time I caught on. I got the last bottle from Neiman Marcus Topanga.

Yesterday, as I was reading Allure, I came across an article in the magazine devoted to the cult following of Chanel nail polish, which is where I learned about Paradoxal (see pic above and to the right-sorry it's sideways, I don't know how to fix it). It's a gorgeous dark purple, featured in the new campaign. So after work today, I went back to Neiman Marcus Topanga and saw that it was gone. I hurried across the mall to Macy's, where they had 3 bottles remaining. I snatched up 2 and was talked into also buying Inimitable mascara. It's actually the answer to my problems-long lashes that just need to be separated! No wonder my friend MK loves it!

How to Preserve Your Christian Louboutin Trademark Red Soles

What is it about Christian Louboutin shoes that I love so much? Let me count the ways...I could go on forever, but I won't. One of them, however, is that extra boost of confidence I get from donning them. I actually don't mind the stares when I wear them. I love flashing the trademark red sole, and I'm fascinated whenever I see that sole flashing on a TV screen or on the streets. I'd get giddy with excitement every single second I'd be wearing a pair...then I would go home, take them off, and say "ugh" when I look at the sole (particuarly after the first wear), scratched up and dirty. Well, they are shoes, and they do touch the ground and carry a person's entire body weight. I had no choice but to sigh and come to that realization. However, that doesn't happen anymore...

Why not? What did I do? I got red rubber soles to put over the scratched and dirty part! Sounds easy? It's really not. Number one, you have to find a cobbler that'll actually have them and will actually put them on. Either that, or buy them yourself (from trusted sellers on ebay, from the manufacturers themselves, or elsewhere). Second, you gotta trust them. 2, maybe 3, steps. But step #2 (or #3) isn't easy at all. I thought I found one with Shoe Lab in the Topanga Plaza, but they turned out to be absolutely no good! I'd taken some shoes to them previously to have the red rubber soles put on. They did a decent job for about 3 pairs I took in, for the hefty price of $45/pair (but they did them in an hour and a half each, so I didn't mind at the time). Then they f___ked up a pair by doing only the center and leaving the edges untouched, leaving my (signed!) red lizard Simple pumps to be scratched up at the parts not soled! I stupidly gave them another chance, and they got paint on my poor perle Poseidon sequins! I was so devastated and couldn't bear to look at them that I sold them at a loss. What to do about all the other pairs that still had scratched-up and dirty soles?

Then, after searching on The Purse Forum, I found Eddie. He saved 5 pairs of my Christian Louboutins that I scratched up. He added red soles (by Vibram) and replaced the heel tips...for $36/pair! And he even secured the beautiful brooch on my now-rare-yet-much-coveted purple Fiorellino sandals...for free (pictured left)! It's been just over a week that I started a "relationship" with him, but I'm in love with him (not literally, of course, LOL).

And guess what?...I'm visiting the Christian Louboutin boutique in Las Vegas during the first week of August! And it gets even better!! Why? Because...I'm going to Europe again...this fall!!! I'll be visiting Spain, Portugal, and France! Unfortunately, I won't be going to Paris =(...but I'll be in Madrid, for sure...the city in which the newest Christian Louboutin store opened!

Memorial Day Weekend, 2010

Hi, everyone! I know that there are quite a few of you who read my blog to find out how I'm doing, so I thought I'd use this entry to update you.

Just like almost every other Memorial Day weekend in the past, I stayed home. I don't do the Vegas trip, like most Angelenos do. If I ever do get away for these 3-day weekends, it's to visit my nephews in the Bay Area (San Franciso, San Jose, etc.).

Even though the weekend technically started (for me) last Friday (5/28/10) at 4:30 pm, I actually "partied" the day before. A co-worker invited some of us to Copa d'Oro, a bar in Santa Monica: http://www.copadoro.com/gallery.php, in celebration of her birthday. I nearly decided not to go, as those of you who know me already know that I'm very shy. I am NOT fond of the bar scene, and I don't hang out in big groups. I like to go to events where I'm pretty anonymous (hence the boutique cocktail parties and the Lakers games) or to intimate dinners (with 1-4 people). I thought, Why not step out of my comfort zone and hang out with a big group of people...in a bar?! I'm glad I went, as I found that I have some pretty cool co-workers, but I ended up leaving after about 30 min. (I was also 2 hours late!), as I started to feel uncomfortable, and about half the group was leaving, anyway. Oh, well, I did step out of my comfort zone!

Friday the 28th was forgettable, just another workday.

Saturday the 29th was an UGH morning. I got another ticket, this time for running a stop sign. Great...I am OK with paying the fine, but since this is my 2nd one in 1 year (I got the last one exactly 1 year before...to the date...I swear I need to NOT drive on May 29 every year), I may not be eligible for traffic school, and my insurance rates will probably go up. Yikes...Well, Sat. night was much better. I had dinner with my oldest and younger sisters, tacos and red velvet cupcakes! Then we saw Sex and the City 2 at LA Live. I loved the fashion, but the storyline could've been better. And...the Lakers won! They're the NBA Western Conference champions once again!

Sunday the 30th was also forgettable.

I had Monday the 31st off, the actual Memorial Day holiday. I actually did something exciting, for me anyway. I cooked! I'm trying to be healthy, and buying and preparing your own food is the only way. Wow! Me, finally being domestic...who'da thought?!

my Memorial Day dinner: salad with Catalina dressing, steak, asparagus sauteed in olive oil and butter, roasted red potatoes (yum!)

Party at Hermes, 5/19/10

Last Wednesday, May 19, I went with my friends T. and G. to a party at the Hermes boutique in Beverly Hills. In addition to being a promotion to special customers of Hermes, it was also a fundraiser for the charity Save the Beaches (who provided the awesome gift bags). A specially-designed towel was for sale at this event, and an art auction was also part of the festivities. One piece of art sold for $40K! Wowee! They served champagne and delicious snacks, including tiny cones with butter pecan ice cream and macarons. It turned out that I was one of the very few women NOT wearing black (lol).

Of course, T., G., and I drooled over the bags that were in the glass display cases. We saw a blue jean shoulder Birkin with palladium hardware. I'm soooo glad I already have a blue jean Birkin, as I would've been tempted to purchase the shoulder version that night if I didn't. We also got to meet the new boutique craftsman. He had an adorable French accent and is so handsome! I look forward to the day I have to bring a bag in for cleaning =)

As far as celebrity spotting goes, it's inevitable at these things. Rob Lowe was hosting, but he had left before we got there. Brent Bolthouse was the DJ (he made a few appearances on the MTV reality show, "The Hills"), and Shenae Grimes from the new version of the TV show "Beverly Hills 90210" was also there. She looked fabulous in a fur wrap and black heels. I was able to get a not-so-great pic of her chatting with Brent (on the left) and another one with her male friend (unclear if he was her boyfriend or not), but that pic was even worse.

my outfit for the party: a floral Kate Spade dress (originally bought to wear to the ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia last year, but it rained that night, and I didn't feel like wearing it) with my red lizard Christian Louboutin Simple pumps (autographed by him on 4/28/10!)

the gift bag from the party, provided by Save the Beaches with the famous trademark orange Hermes shopping bag: a Save the Beaches T-shirt (love the graphics!), a white bracelet, and a pencil

Fantasy Shoe Purchase: Christian Louboutin Nude Satin Youplis

The girls on The Purse Forum call their most coveted shoe or bag their Ultimate Holy Grail (or UHG, for short). I'm hesitant to use this term because, being a proud Catholic, I don't feel comfortable using "holy" in reference to a non-religious object. It's not that I think less of anyone who does this, it's just that I personally don't want to. Instead of calling my most coveted shoe/bag my UHG, I'll call it my fantasy purchase.

I made my fantasy bag purchase back in August 2007, a 30 cm Hermes Birkin bag in blue jean togo leather with gold hardware. It was specially made for me as a podium order (not a special order; there's a difference), and I waited 6 months for it (a very short wait time, relatively speaking, believe it or not). I'd go into more detail, but I feel as if it deserves its own blog entry.

I made my fantasy shoe purchase today! It's the Christian Louboutin nude satin Youpli shoe. This style was originally created for special-order only, but the boutiques decided to sell them to customers. Only 49 pairs of each color (only 3 in the US) were made for purchase. I got nude pair #6! This purchase was a long time coming. I originally tried the fuchsia, but it wasn't meant to be mine at the time. I was sad that I didn't get those, but I came across these a couple of weeks ago at the West Hollywood boutique. I nearly leapt at the chance to buy them at that time, but being the good girl I want to be (since I'm saving for a house), I wanted to pay for them with cash and only after I'd put aside some money in my savings and paid all my bills. I waited for another paycheck and sold my Maggie pumps (for almost as much as I paid for them) and came into some newfound cash, so that wiped away the guilt.

Today, I woke up around 10 am, immediately got dressed, bought some coffee, ran a few errands, then headed south to Hollywood. I had some second thoughts about these prior to today, thinking that their pale color and satin material would make them worry-inducing. However, after I tried them on again and strutted around the boutique in them, the exhilarating feeling I got confirmed they'd be coming home with me...and they did!

Here's also a video on how they're made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wfHreuIRpI&feature=player_embedded This video (almost totally) convinces me the hefty price tag is justified. This, and the rarity of the style (and now I have it! Yay!).

I Met Christian Louboutin...for the 3rd Time!

Christian Louboutin at his Beverly Hills boutique during an appearance on 4/28/10

On 4/28/10, I met Christian Louboutin for the 3rd time. I met him for the first time at the South Coast Plaza boutique in Feb. 2009, then for the 2nd time in Oct. 2009 at Neiman Marcus in McLean, Virginia (I had earned a free flight to anywhere within the continental US from Southwest Airlines, and it was the weekend right before my birthday, so I figured, why not?).

This time, I went with my friend IC. She was meeting him for the first time. We wanted to make sure we wouldn't wait hours in line, so we pre-purchased pairs before the event so that we'd be able to get into the "priority" line. I bought some red lizard Simple pumps...so pretty!

We waited about 1 1/2 hours, then it was our turn. She went first, and I took her picture. Then it was my turn. I told him that it was our 3rd time and that I met him in Virginia (in a town that was a suburb of Washington, DC). He then talked about how much he loved DC. I liked it there, too. He signed my red lizard Simple pump, then my leopard Tigresse wedge. Then my friend IC and I posed for a pic with him! As I gathered my things to leave, I caught his eye and waved goodbye, then he winked!

I was happy I got to meet him 3 times, but I was a little bummed that this time I didn't get to talk with him and get as close to him as I did during the DC signing (I actually sat in his chair with him, and we had a nice lengthy conversation-I was the first in line at that signing). It seemed a little rushed this time. I did see that it got crazy as I left, though, so I can understand why. So glad I went early! However, he's still a total gentleman, and I'll continue to support his brand, if for no other reason than he makes the most beautiful shoes.

my signed shoes representing each time I met Christian Louboutin

And yes, this is crazy, but I have 2 pairs of shoes that I don't wear and don't ever plan to wear. I have my left gray Declic signed from the 1st time I met him, then my right gray Declic signed from the 2nd time, then my left leopard Tigresse from the 3rd. My 4th will be signed when I meet him again! When I buy a nice big home, I'll build myself a "princess" closet and will have a glass display case just for those signed shoes.

I also have one of my red lizard Simples signed by him, but those shoes are too beautiful (and comfortable) to not wear!

RIP, Alexander McQueen

Ever since I became interested in high fashion, I've been fascinated by Alexander McQueen's designs. I always thought they were too outlandish for me, but nevertheless, I admired his talent. Of all the fashion houses that have 5-digit price tags attached to their pieces, I thought that the house of Alexander McQueen was one of the few that was actually able to justify those prices (Just look at the tailoring, construction, and uniqueness!). I would constantly tell myself that, someday, when I had more money, I'd buy myself some pieces by Alexander McQueen, possibly as a sign that I'd truly made it. A dream of mine was to own an evening gown designed by him.

When I read about the sad sad news of his death on Feb. 11 this year, I didn't even think of going out to buy his merchandise, like so many other people did. I was just thinking of how sad it was for the world to lose such a creative genius who didn't even get to celebrate his 41st birthday. Weeks later, I decided it was time to purchase an Alexander McQueen piece. Alas, an evening gown was not in the cards at the time, nor is it now. But something told me that I wouldn't be without a memento of this fashion genius for long.

Today, I was at Neiman Marcus (there I go again, shouting out to NM!) with my friend, IC. I had a $50 gift card that was sent to me in the mail last weekend, and I was planning on stocking up on skin care products with it, but decided on Hermes twillies instead (we had walked by some glass display cases of them, and I was inspired). We walked down to the accessories counter of the Beverly Hills store to check out the Hermes merchandise, but all they had were some of the larger scarves, cotton shawls, and twillies of only 2 designs. Then I saw it in one of the drawers: the infamous skull scarf! I'm not big on skulls, but the timing was too perfect! And the price wasn't too bad! I'd get to have a memento of Alexander McQueen's genius after all! We spent a few minutes debating on colors. I thought the black/white silk was classic and would match more clothing, but IC said she liked the blue more. Then the sales associate told us that the blue was the last in the store, possibly in the company. She added that, the day after Alexander McQueen died, people were crazily snapping up the scarves. I also looked at the gray/black and navy/orange, but they were made of cotton and cost the same as the silk. So after a couple more minutes, I decided on the blue/white silk.

This scarf is iconic Alexander McQueen, as pointed out by IC. She's totally right, even http://www.wikipedia.com/ mentions it in his biography!

RIP, Mr. McQueen. I'll never forget you and my dream of owning one of your gowns someday, and I'll continue to work hard so that it'll definitely happen =)

The Drama Queen Travels South...to Ensenada, Mexico

Something you may know about me already, but in case you didn't: I love to travel. I love it as much as I love to shop...seriously! So when the opportunity to travel to a location to which I'd never been for not that much money came my way, I jumped at it.

On March 12, I boarded the Carnival Paradise cruise ship in Long Beach with some friends from work. Other than my friends, there was a good mixture of bachelor-partygoers; bachelorette-partygoers; couples; older people who just wanted to be on a ship; families with kids; and working stiffs who just wanted to get away for the weekend (like me). It seemed several of us had the same thing in common, which was that we wanted to enjoy the ship atmosphere for a weekend without sinking our hard-earned dollars into the usual getaway destination for Angelenos: Las Vegas (where you can very easily lose a couple thousand and not remember how you did it).

We docked in Ensenada, Mexico (located in the Mexican state of Baja California) the following morning. Instead of drinking ourselves silly at the local bars with the frat boys or sleeping in (which some of my friends did), I went with a couple of my friends on a shore excursion called the "Blowhole and Winery Tour".

The 1st stop was the blowhole. In Ensenada, the blowhole's proper name is La Bufadora. During the bus ride on our way there, we saw some beautiful ocean and mountain scenery:

There are only 4 blowholes in the entire world (the other ones are in Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia). According to http://www.wikipedia.com/, La Bufadora is the 2nd largest one in the world. A blowhole is a marine geyser

that spouts up when air and water get trapped in an underwater cave and explode, causing the water to shoot up toward the sky. My friends and I got to witness this firsthand, and we also saw that each time there was an explosion, it would leave behind a pretty rainbow!

After watching a bunch of explosions, I walked with my friend J. to the street marketplace, which consisted of 125 vendors! All I bought was a magnet (good girl, R.). There wasn't much I really wanted to take home from there because I wanted to spend time just staring at the gorgeous scenery. Below, here's a pic of me taken by J. in front of that scenery:

Then we left La Bufadora to drive for a half hour to our next stop:

inside the winery (I was amazed at all the barrels!)

There were several contraptions, but this one caught my eye the most. It's a labeling machine.

shelves inside the winery shop (the tour guide said that wine produced in Ensenada tends to be saltier, due to its location right on the Pacific Ocean)

Below is a pic of a building that we drove by twice, the 1st time on our way to La Bufadora, and the 2nd time on our way to the winery. It used to be a glamorous casino in the early 20th century (forgot what the tour guide says it is now):

After the winery tour, my friends and I decided to stay in downtown Ensenada for a couple of hours. We ended up eating lunch at a restaurant called Mango Mango. We were joined by lots of college-age kids (How old am I getting? That was me about 10 years ago!) , who were joined by a guy with a whistle who went around the tables, searching for victims. Each time the guy found a victim, he blew the whistle. Then, the victims were force-fed alcoholic drinks (with their permission, of course), then spun around and around. One guy was beet-red and looked completely out of it after he was victimized! Being that this was Mexico, we HAD to try some tequila. The host at Mango Mango directed us to a clerk at a liquor store down the street, who allowed us to sample some of his best. We tried some and fell in love with the pomegranate tequila, of which we all took home one bottle each.

To the special dinner on the ship that night, I wore my black Catherine Malandrino dress that I got at the sample sale...and my Christian Louboutin aqua Poseidons (how appropriate I wear the shoe named after the Greek god of the sea after all the gorgeous waters we saw earlier that day)!

In the pic on the right are my souvenirs (left to right): port wine from the Santo Tomas Winery, white wine (Colombar) from the Santo Tomas Winery, and the pomegranate tequila from the liquor store in downtown Ensenada.

Not bad...overall, all I spent on souvenirs was about $40! Luckily, I'm not a big drinker (I know, hard to believe me, since I took home 3 bottles of booze, but I plan to not drink the tequila for a while, and I gave the 2 wines to my parents), so my room charge tab was really low. Good girl, R!

My Night with Cojo, the Hiltons, and Christian Louboutins

I was lucky enough to receive an invite to a party held this evening at the Christian Louboutin boutique in West Hollywood. The event was held in celebration of the special-edition Christian Louboutin Barbie doll. The doll was given to customers as a free gift with purchase, and the proceeds went to a very worthy charity.

Unfortunately, the shoe for which I am currently waiting to purchase hadn't arrived yet, so I was unable to purchase it at this event. There were other shoes I wanted, but this purchase for which I'm waiting is a big one, and since I just plunked down a few hundred bucks for a cruise and still want to save for retirement and emergencies, it was very unwise for me to purchase something today. So...no Barbie for me...but that's OK because the evening was pretty magical, regardless of that.

I arrived with my friend, T., who brought his friend, H., who was visiting from San Francisco. We sipped champagne and ate little snacks and sat around while basking in the glow of the glamorous ladies trying on sexy shoes and the celebrities. The first celebrity we spotted was Nicky Hilton, who was rocking a pair of studded Very Prives. I ended up telling her I loved her shoes and that I had a pair of my own. She smiled at me and politely said, "Thank you". Her family was also in attendance: mom Kathy, dad Rick, her cousins and aunts. Sister Paris showed up near the end, dressed in a black lace dress, fur bolero, and a pair of black patent Lady Page pumps. It was Paris's 29th birthday, which I realized after I overheard Kathy Hilton tell one of the sales associates, "I gave birth today. 29 years ago!". The Hilton family gathered with actress Lori Loughlin, who looked just as stunning as she did on the long-running 1980s TV show, "Full House".

The real highlight of the night for me was meeting fashion critic and TV personality Steven "Cojo" Cojocaru. I saw him talking with a couple of ladies and watched him the entire time. I knew I had to talk with him because my younger sister and I are fans of his. I was getting a little antsy because of the excitement of seeing him and briefly considered approaching him, but I didn't want to be rude and interrupt his conversations with the ladies. He finished, then started walking up the stairs, right in front of me! I opened my mouth, and before I knew it, the following words came out: "I just have to tell you that my sister and I are big fans of yours!". He seemed genuinely pleased to hear this and introduced himself. When I asked, he replied that he prefers to be called "Cojo" and joked that he felt like Madonna, being known by one name. He asked me my name and asked if my sister was there. I said no, sadly. We chatted a little, then I asked if I could take a picture with him, and he said yes! Aaaaaahhhh! I never ask celebrities to have a picture taken with me (I'm always too shy), but I took the leap, and it paid off! Afterward, he gave me a little advice: "Buy a pair of shoes. It's better than rent or eating!"...LOL...I'm telling you, in this city, you never know who you'll run into. I really wouldn't have thought I'd run into Cojo, even in my wildest dreams! Oh, and if any haters make any nasty comments about my new friend on my blog, they will be deleted immediately...and with a vengeance!

Just as I promised him, I checked out his website and bookmarked it (see my list of favorite sites on the side). I find it to be very entertaining and myself to be in agreeement with his comments, just like when I would watch him on "Entertainment Tonight".

Highlights from My Super Bowl Weekend (Which Doesn't Involve the Super Bowl at All)

Ah, Super Bowl 2010. Many Americans would call this the ultimate sporting event of the year. This weekend is generally full of hype hype hype, leading up to the Big Game on Sunday (which would be today). Not for me. I'm not into football, so to me, it's just another weekend to be grateful for.

My Friday night, during which I made an important decision (and blogged about it in the entry just preceding this one), ended with a bloody orange caipirinha and yummy appetizers and deserts (which ultimately blended into one meal) at Firefly. Firefly is a lounge/bar/restaurant in the very upscale and hip town of Studio City. Many "yuppie LA" types hang out here, and they were out in full force on Friday, despite the heavy rain. A friend/coworker of mine and I dined on crispy green beans, beef stroganoff, a Spanish cheese plate, and baked Alaska. The bill came out to almost $100, and I felt a little bad, since for a lot of people, that's quite pricey and I picked the place. My friend didn't make a fuss of it. In fact, she said the food was good and didn't mind. It's dark in this place, and I was so engrossed in conversation with my friend that I didn't take any pictures, but I promise to next time I visit.

My Saturday was quite uneventful. I went for my monthly waxing maintenance, which, lately, hasn't been monthly. I've had way too much to do and on my mind to even think of it. Seriously, when your parents are having a host of health problems, you have a full-time hectic job, and you're trying to make a social life for yourself, the last thing you think of is your stray eyebrow hairs. But, being the girly girl I am, I eventually came to, so there I was. Very near to the salon was a cupcake bakery called Susie Cakes. Soooo good! The cupcake bakery is pretty popular here in LA, and there are a few of them that are famous (one is actually named Famous Cupcakes, owned by the Kardashians). Darnit-I forgot to take pics again! Oh well, another reason to go back ;)

My Sunday (today) was more eventful than my Saturday. Yesterday, I received a $50 gift card from Neiman Marcus for in-store dining. They have pretty good food, healthy and tasty. I've gotten several of these gift cards, simply for shopping there. I don't care what people say about NM (it's been written that they cater to stuffy old women and that their staff is snobby), they really do take care of their customers (more on that on Wednesday). So I had lunch at the Fresh Market cafe inside the Beverly Hills store, and I still have enough left over for 2 more free meals! I did notice that there were a small number of people in the store, compared to other Sundays that I've been there, and most of the customers were women (of course, the men were probably at home, at a friend's home, or at a sports bar watching The Big Game). On my way to Chinatown to pick up dinner (special request from my younger sister), I decided to stop by the Christian Louboutin boutique in West Hollywood. I had gotten a call from my sales associate there, telling me that the perle Poseidon shoe had arrived. It wasn't what I had originally wanted, so I passed, but was invited to try it on, anyway. I did try it on, but in a 1/2 size bigger than my true size (which was OK, but just a tiny bit loose; my true size in that style was already sold out). And the color is NOTHING like the one posted on tpf. The color appears to be a sort of dusty gold in the sunlight and a silvery color at other times. Well, like I posted before, this being LA, you never know who you'll run into once you leave home. This time, I ran into Rose McGowan! If you don't know who she is, here's some info: http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=rose+mcgowan She came into the store, and again, I got the feeling that I knew who she was, but didn't know the name at first. Then I noticed her pale face, brownish red hair, and bright-colored lips, and I thought, Is that Rose McGowan? Then my sales associate, with whom I was speaking, called out to another sales associate, "You know Rose, right? Could you show her upstairs?". Aha! So it was her (this was further confirmed when she wrote her info down, as requested by her sales associate so that he may locate a shoe for her. I actually saw her write "Rose McGowan" on the top). She was quite friendly and funny. I did speak to her, when I apologized after I moved my Chanel Coco Cabas bag, which was brushing against her arm as she wrote. She glanced to see what was going on and said, "That's OK". So she's a Loubie fan, too! Not suprising, though, as so many Hollywood actresses are also fans.

I ended up back at home after a run to Chinatown. It was so hard to find parking, but worth it, as I got some really great food for dinner for me and my sis. And I found a cheap boba place, too!

I've Decided It's Not OK...

...to accept behavior that makes me feel bad about myself. I decided, today, that I would cut myself off from a "friend" who had hurt me quite a few times. I had trusted him with quite a bit, and since it's so hard for me to trust people, I considered him and I to be very close, and I didn't want to let go of our friendship. He stood me up a few times, and each time, he would tell me it wasn't a big deal and that I was expecting too much from him. He did other things, but I won't write about them here. He didn't return many of my texts or calls, but he would occasionally come to see me, and I'd forgive him, only to re-start the cycle. It's hard to explain, but he has kind of this hold over me. In the beginning of our friendship, he made me feel good about myself. But then he became controlling and aloof. Today, I texted him to tell him that I had something very important to tell him, and he didn't text or call me back. Driving home from work in the rain, it hit me. Another friend, in whom I confided by telling her of my situation with this "friend", told me that it's all about us being free. He's free to not take my calls, and I'm free to either feel hurt or not. I decided that I was free to not feel hurt, but I chose to do so for several months before today.

It's not OK anymore. I will stop taking his texts or calls (on the few occasions he answers them), and if he wants to talk about it, I will tell him I want nothing to do with him anymore. I'm sick and tired of feeling hurt and hearing his b.s. My life was not better by him being in it, so what am I really losing by losing him?!

I got the opportunity to meet up with a girlfriend today after work. I hadn't needed a drink in so long, and the minute I sat down, I ordered a caipirinha. It was so good! It was a mini-celebration for me. Before, when I did think about cutting off this "friend", I'd erase the thought quickly, thinking that I still want him in my life. But that thought didn't come to me this time. Cutting him off just seemed so right. This time, there was no alternative. It actually felt quite liberating. Half the battle has been won. I just need a bit of willpower to not take his calls and tell myself, should I encounter a moment of weakness, that I don't need him.

I Spotted My Teenage Crush

When I was in high school, the girls were crushing on the guys from the cast of "Beverly Hills 90210". Not me. I had a crush on Reggie Miller, the legendary basketball player who spent his 18-year NBA career with the Indiana Pacers. The crush lasted for about a year or so, then I moved on. I would see Reggie during basketball games on TV, mostly when his team played against the Lakers. Then he became a TNT commentator after his retirement in 2005, and to this day, I still see him on TNT.

Well, being that this is LA, you never know who you'll run into once you leave the confines of your home. When I was out and about running errands yesterday, Neiman Marcus happened to be very close by (yes, bad bad; even worse, I have a potential purchase on hold), so I stopped in to talk with my favorite NM sales associate. On my behalf, he called the store manager. As he was on the phone with the manager, I stood next to him and suddenly noticed a blonde woman trailed by a very tall lanky African-American man wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a baseball cap. Again, being that this is LA, it's not unusual to see someone from TV or the movies around. Often, I think to myself, "I know that person. He or she looks very familiar", but unless the celebrity is on the A-list or in all the magazines, I don't know who they are in the flesh. But this time, I knew exactly who it was! The man looked up to see my sales associate, who said, "What's up, Reggie?". I knew it! Reggie Miller in the flesh! I debated stepping in to speak with him for a second, but realized that celebrities, when out shopping, generally like to be left alone. The couple looked over the Christian Louboutin shoes briefly, and I noticed Reggie hold up the nude Bananas to his female companion, in a manner depicting he was suggesting she try them. She must have said no because Reggie put them back down.

As I was about to leave, I confirmed with my sales associate that the man was indeed Reggie Miller. He also informed me that he assisted Reggie in the past, as well as his female companion.

I was just a tiny bit excited to see him, but nowhere near as much as I would have been if this were 15 years ago (OMG...it's really been that long since I was in high school!).

"I Decided I Was Beautiful"

The February 2010 issue of Harper's Bazaar features an article on Gabourey Sidibe, the actress who stars in the movie Precious. This movie is about a teenager who has been sexually abused by her father. The movie got great reviews, but besides that, what much of the media has focused on is the fact that Sidibe is overweight.

So this article talked about how confident she was, despite her weight and the fact that in Hollywood, there is so much pressure to be thin. One of the things she said in the article was that people often ask her how she can be so confident. She answers by saying that the confidence came from within, and that it started when she just one day decided that she was beautiful. So instead of moaning about her weight, she wore makeup and clothes that made her feel pretty.

Today, I decided to do as Sidibe does. Instead of wearing my usual scrubs, I put on my black V-neck James Perse T-shirt and new Joe's jeans. The T-shirt's neckline is flattering, and it's also sooooo comfy. The jeans are of the perfect blue wash, and I had them hemmed to my specifications. And the outfit was completed with my Christian Louboutin studded Very Prives :) Though the T-shirt wasn't revealing, it was form-fitting enough that everyone could see my real shape, which is sort of on the curvy side. For just a second, I thought that I shouldn't have worn it. But I decided quickly to take a cue from Sidibe and just embrace it. Living in LA, it seems like every woman but me wears a size 0, and I feel huge standing next to these women in line at Coffee Bean or at the next table in restaurants (particularly in Hollywood or Beverly Hills).

It's great to be healthy, but why waste time wishing for someone else's body? Where is it written that you have to weigh 80 lb to be happy? I can't wear mini-skirts, but so what? My legs aren't my best feature, but my boobs are pretty fantastic ;) I can wear a T-shirt and jeans and still be sexy (and I truly believe I was today).

The Louboutin Manicure

When I saw the Louboutin manicure mentioned on The Purse Forum, I decided that I wanted to try it. Here's a description of it: http://www.fashionista.com/2007/04/louboutin_gets_nailed.php. It's basically a manicure with a twist: red nail polish underneath the nail plates. I am a fan of Christian Louboutin, love having manicured nails, and am actually able to grow long nails, so why not?!

I had several bottles of red nail polish in my medicine cabinet, so I was set on that. However, I had just one bottle of black nail polish, OPI Lincoln Park After Dark. Since I hadn't used it in some time, I brushed a couple of nails with it and decided it was too purple. I had been wanting Chanel Black Satin for some time and just got a $100 Neiman Marcus InCircle gift card (their reward for me spending too much money there!), so I headed to my nearest Neiman Marcus (which is only a 10-minute drive from my house--extremely dangerous!). I picked up Black Satin (after browing the shoe department and talking with my favorite Neiman Marcus sales associate, of course) and headed home.

I brushed Essie Fishnet Stockings underneath my nail plates, then brushed Black Satin on the tops of my nail plates. I didn't want to have polish going into my nail beds, so I just did the very tips.

The results are shown here, along with my studded Very Prive shoe. Now, I'm not a beautician by any means. It might've turned out better if I used a different red or a different black. Also, if I grew my nails out longer or got acrylics, it might've looked better. But that's a no can-do for me. I can't have acrylics at work, plus I think they'd be too overwhelming for my little hands (not to mention the potential for fungus and infections, yuck!). My creation didn't turn out exactly like the picture or what I thought it'd look, but at least I tried.