The great thing about having a mom who reads your blog (besides the fact that supportive moms are the best EVER), is that they kind of already know what you want for Christmas. Selfish Wish List posts are like public letters to Santa!

I posted this query for flat boots and reader Tamu really came through with suggestions. I got these comfy Calvin Klein boots for Christmas!

After expressing my obsession with non-ugly camera bags, I found this Epiphanie bag under the Christmas tree. I LOVE this purse-bag! It works perfectly with the little gift I bought myself…

…A “used” new-in-box Nikon 18-55 VR lens to replace an old lens that was broken in a freak parking lot incident (the camera crashed to the ground and I swear I stood there with tears in my eyes willing time to move backwards for a good five minutes).

Yay for grown-up toys! Did you get anything good?

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YOU GUYS. You won’t believe this, but I finally got around to doing another video blog! It’s only been, what, a year since the last one?

So, recently I hit my new favorite thrift store intending to pick up one or two items. Riiiight. Being me, I managed to leave with TEN items–including two pairs of shoes, a dress, two blouses, and several pairs of pants–all for under 30 bucks. Watch and learn…

*Note: I recorded in portrait orientation because I’m not that bright sometimes, but have been too lazy busy to re-record. Lesson learned.

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Despite hot weather-laziness setting in (you know when it’s so hot it just makes you TIRED?), I managed to get the couch and enjoy the weekend!

T-Shirt Fest

Friday evening, I headed to Fountain Square to check out T-Shirt Fest. In my deluded mind, I always feel like I don’t have enough casual tees for trips to Kings Island and hanging out on weekends. This is not actually true–I have plenty of t-shirts– but that’s how I FEEL. I am an emotionally complex creature.

Washington Park

On Saturday, 3CDC offered area bloggers a tour of the almost-but-not-quite-completed City Homes, and still-under-construction Washington Park. Yes, my head fits into a hard hat. Barely.

I don’t always agree with 3CDC, but it sounds like Washington Park is going to be pretty dope when finished. There was talk of a playground slide I really feel like I NEED to test out at least once. It’s technically for the bebehs, but believe me, I will push a kid. I can take ‘em.

Cincinnati Boutique Sale

Later, I stopped by the Cincinnati Boutique Sale with plans to find a black top and/or silver earrings. Failing that, I immediately switched to Plan B (in which “B” stands for “Buy Something I Clearly Don’t Need”) and got these cute little espadrille mini-wedges from Morrison & Me. Mission accomplished.

The Best Commercially Sanctioned And Therefore Not Really a Holiday Day Ever

Sunday was National Ice Cream Day, so as a proud Amurrican, I headed to Graeter’s for a specially priced scoop. Hey, I’m nothing if not patriotic.

How was your weekend?

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So, I have a “problem.” I’m suffering from shoe withdrawal. I haven’t bought a pair of shoes–any shoes–in over 6 months, and I’m starting to feel it. My left eye is twitching.

Add to that the fact that in the last two weeks, not one but TWO pairs of my favorite walking flats have developed holes in the soles. I know shoes can often be re-soled, but, really, where’s the fun in that? Shopping is much more satisfying! I was thinking about…

Cafe noir wedges; Topshop animal print sandals; Marci crisscross sandal

I prefer shoes with an ankle strap (support & adds visual weight to chicken legs) and a slight wedge (helps me walk), but I really just need something cute, walk-able, and under $100. What do you think?

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Plastic Island dress; vintage shoes; hand-crocheted clutch made by a friend; Forever21 ring

I’m not usually one for bright colors (even though I’m trying, I swear!), but a pop of hot pink does wonders for even the most sedate color schemes. Apparently, my girl Barbie still wields a fair amount of influence over my sartorial choices.

Have a great weekend!

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I’m not sure how I first came across shoe designer Anita Moser‘s designs, but I know it was love at first sight.

Really, how could you not love fluorescent yellow peep-toes and slouchy purple leather boots?

And the production process? Amazing.

Dip-dyed shoes! Almost makes me want to take a cobbling class. And the toe on those brogues is PERFECT. Check out the rest of the collection here.

Sidenote: Even though I’m no longer publishing the magazine, I still seem to feel the need to editorialize everything. I have a spreadsheet bursting with designers, illustrators, entrepreneurs, etc.,  so y’all might be subjected to the fallout every now and then while I get all the “editor” out of my system. I hope that’s okay!

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I’ve never been good at New Year’s Resolutions. I have a serious sweet tooth, so for a long time I made the standard “Eat healthier” resolution. It always failed because I just crossed my fingers and hoped that I would wake up on January 1st WANTING to eat only raw broccoli with lemon zest for the rest of my life. That cookie/cake/pint of Haagen Dazs Dulce de Leche calling my name in the freezer wouldn’t seem appetizing at all! Unsurprisingly, that bit of post-holiday magic never happened.

So, this year, I’m trying something more realistic that makes sense for me:

I’m not saying it won’t be difficult, but this one? This one I think I can tough out for one measly year. Do you have any realistic resolutions for 2011?

Also, earlier this week I posted that I’m pulling a Carine and Style Sample magazine is shutting its doors. It’s been an amazing ride and I’ve learned more than I could’ve imagined–which is one of the reasons I started it in the first place. I’m still drawn to the idea of publishing a magazine, so who knows what the future holds?

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