Greetings from another world

Long time no speak, huh?

Well, we're back from Maine; spending time with my grandfather was lovely. He's such a sweet man. Unfortunately, the food I cooked didn't come out quite as I would have hoped, so I didn't snap any shots. You probably wouldn't want to hear about it anyway, since everything had to be made with plenty of FAT! (My grandfather needs to gain weight, so we had to sneak it in everywhere.)

We had a lovely time, but it's good to be home. I missed the kitties and our bed and all that.

So, tell me what you think of today's outfit:

I think the white shirt is sort of weird, but I think I'll stay with it. Maybe once I wrap a scarf around and throw on a jacket, things will be better. But tell me, is the white weird? Anyway, you've seen everything before, except for the black knit vest, which is Ralph Lauren, purchased at TJ's for $19.99.

Well, I can't seem to think of anything else that's new at the moment. I've been really lame and boring lately, not to mention horrible at emailing! To everyone to whom I owe a reply, bear with me -- I haven't forgotten about you, I just really need to get my stuff together:0)

Happy Thursday, all. See you tomorrow<3

Wow, how lame have I been?

Hello, all:

I'm just writing to say a quick hello, and to let you all know that after class this morning, I'm off to Maine to stay with my grandfather until Wednesday. Nate and I are going to take care of him for a few while my dad's back in Michigan packing up g-pa's old apartment. I'll bring my camera, since I'll be cooking a lot (have to make him three meals a day!), and Maine is rather beautiful in the fall, so there's that.

I'm so sorry for being MIA this past week; things are just...hard...right now.

Anyway, I've got to fly! We're running late this morning!!!

<3

Off to Class, 11-2-09

My, my, my, can you believe it's November already? I sure can't. Soon it'll be 2010...that is absolutely bonkers to me; I feel like the Y2K craze was just seconds ago. Where does the time go?

Anyway, how was your weekend? I haven't written since Wednesday I think, so it has been a while! I've been doing not much else but working; I worked three doubles in a row this weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; it was pretty tough. I did manage to cook and do all the laundry, though, so that's good. Today, I'm going to clean the apartment and hopefully make some inari, or maybe curry rice or poached salmon...we'll see.

Oh, and guess what? I got a 95% on my Joyce paper! Woo!

So, I don't know if I've told you about Mondays at all, but lately, I've been getting rides home from a friend I made in class. She has class for an hour after ours ends, so I've just been waiting around for her. Once, I made it to the gym and peddled on the upright bike for a good thirty minutes, but it was uncomfortably crunched as far as timing goes, what with changing and walking there and dropping off my bag and what not. So this morning, I decided that on Mondays, I'm going to wear my workout clothing to save time, so that's why I'm dressed this way today. The pants are "jazz" pants I got in high school (they were all the rage amongst the theater crowd), you've seen the sweater, and the tank is Dimensione Danza via yoox.com for around twenty.

Now all I have to do is change my shoes, and afterward, drop off my bag; much time saved!

Alright, time to jet; happy Monday, all. Oh, and for those of you in the states, how about that daylight savings, heh? I love the "fall back" because it helps me wake up and get to bed earlier without even trying. Love<3

Foreshadowing

I was sure when I awoke this morning that today would be another throw-away sort. Surprisingly, however, so far, things are coming together nicely. I very much enjoy today's outfit; I needed something drapey, something that flows away from the mid-section and hides any bloating or general waist-increase (it's still increasing, to be honest, and I've just about had it), and I've always loved this Ellen Tracy blouse I got at TJ's for under twenty: It's got just the right amount of chic in the boat neck and pleating to balance out the pirate sleeves and shoulders. Love!

Paired with my trusty black H&M skinnies and some buttery camel slouchy boots, topped off with a gold chain and a knit skull-cap, I think this outfit is pretty okay.

*Please check out the rest of my wardrobe, here.

In other news, today I find out how I did on my Joyce paper. I'm pretty nervous; it could really go either way. I've also got therapy today (thank god!), and I'm planning to spend some quality time on the stationary bike flipping through the copies of Mina and Non-No I picked up yesterday from Cherry Mart. YES! THEY CAME!!! Not all of them, but Mina and Non-No arrived, complete with a new pair of fuzzy socks as a gift (I love it when they put socks in!), so I'm really excited to just chill out on the bike and get inspired. Last week, I spent two hours just biking at a leisurely pace and reading; it was over before I knew it!

I think the trick for me and working out is to just take it slllllllllllow, don't kill myself, accomplish the burn of a twenty or thirty-minute run over a longer period doing something I like, like biking. I'm pretty sure my main issues with working out are getting gross and sweaty and not being able to breath well, so taking it easy and just dedicating more time works for me.

As far as food goes, you don't even want to know what I've been eating lately, it's that bad, so I'm not going to go into it. I do apologize for the lack of culinary delights around here lately; hopefully soon I'll get back into the kitchen. We bought some brussels sprouts the other day, so maybe those will turn into something lovely.

Also, I'm sorry I haven't been reading all of your blogs lately! I feel as though I've barely had time to write my own posts, and I'm totally behind on emails and catching up with you guys. I hope this afternoon, I'll have some free time to chill out on the interwebs and say hello.

Anyway, speaking of no time, I've got to run! Later<3

Just a quick "hello!"

Haven't really been posting on Tuesdays, but I figured I'd stop in to say hi and to show you what I'm wearing today. This outfit looks better in person; I'm actually upset with this photo, but I'm too lazy to take another one, so it'll have to do.

The sweatshirt is new from TJMaxx; it's French Connection and I got it for twenty bucks. The rest you know about already.

Well, we're off to the movies today! We're going to see "Where the Wild Things Are," maybe do some shopping, and check out a consignment store in Natick; I've got a bunch of clothing that I need to get out of the apartment, but a lot of it is really nice, so I'd like to try to sell it instead of just giving it away. I wanted to do eBay, but I'm too scared! I'd also like to find a used book store today, and maybe even spend some quality time at a coffee shop writing. What's on the agenda for your day?

See you all tomorrow; hopefully I'll have some food to share with you<3

Yikes. Monday.

Another Monday. I'm exhausted still...I don't think I'm getting enough REM-sleep, deep sleep. I was out before nine yesterday, and even waking up as early as I do, I still get my eight hours, but I still feel so tired. I was debating not showing my outfit today and just writing a throw-away post, but I convinced myself to just do it and buck up.

Here's a familiar spring/summer dress that I've paired with a basic, long-sleeved tee and textured tights for cold weather. This is one of the easiest and best ways to stretch your wardrobe; no more putting away those flirty summer frocks -- just layer, layer, layer!

You've seen all of these items before, except for the tights, which are DKNY via TJMaxx, $4.99.

Unfortunately, that's all I've got for right now, since alls I did this weekend was work, work, work, and a bit of homework. Oh, I think today I might find out how I did on my Joyce paper, which is exciting and terrifying all at once. Wish me luck!

Here's a little senses experiment that I did with my therapist. I really liked doing this; it gets you in the moment and totally aware: Right now it smells very much like burnt toast; the edge of the desk on which my forearm rests is unpleasantly digging into my skin -- I'll probably have a mark there; I can hear cars whirring past my apartment, on their way to work or to drop the kids off at early-morning sports practice, or just driving aimlessly as some do; I can see the words forming on my computer screen, and if I adjust my eyes just slightly to the left, I can look out of a window onto the brick of the building across the street from mine -- there are also bay windows, edged in cream trim; I taste the remnant of toothpaste and purified water, and soon, I'll have a vinegar drink, some cheese, and an apple.

Have a pleasant Monday, all.

Off to Work, 10-23-09

Just a quick note on this beautiful Friday morning. I'm off to work at eleven, but first, I've got some errands to run, and I'd like to spend some quality time at L'Aroma Cafe writing in the journal before then, too.

Here's the outfit:

T-shirt dress from Hurley (random, I know!) via Hootenanny for around twenty dollars (I bought this years ago), tights, Ellen Tracy via TJMaxx, $4.99, and my trusty old lace-up patent flats, you know about very well.

I think my coworkers might lovingly question my decision to wear a short dress to work, but I contest. This is probably one of the most comfortable things I own, which is why I've kept it for such a long time, and the tights are so incredibly soft, it's a pleasure to wear them. Plus, I still get to look cute doing my job. So there. It's win/win, really.

Anyway, here's to a wonderful Friday, and an even better weekend. I'll be working mostly, but I'll hopefully have time to get into town and have a coffee shop / enjoy the autumn day like I used to; I really miss those days: You know, you've got a dreamy cup of dark coffee and superfluous amounts of scarf wrapped about your neck, and a lovely light jacket and gloves with finger holes and some fantastic leather boots and sunburst leaves scattering at your feet and a crispy sky above and as you look around the simple act of noticing heightens all of your other senses and you feel totally and utterly alive and as though nothing in the world could ever be as bad as you've made it out to be in the past so long as you keep walking along and your coffee stays nice and hot with your scarf and boots and jacket and gloves. Wouldn't it be lovely?

Off to Class, 10-22-09

Wow, can you believe it's already the end of October? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!

My Japanese fashion mags will be in ANY DAY at the Cherry Mart...ooooooh I'm so looking forward to that call. It'll go something like this:

Me: Hello?

Cherry Mart Guy: Hi, is this Alisa?

Me: Oh, HAI HAI HAI!!!!

CMG: [Awkward silence] Heh...heh...hi. Just wanted to let you know that your magazines have arrived.

Me: OMIGOD THANK YOU! I'LL BE RIGHT IN TO PICK THEM UP I'M SO EXCITED YOU HAVE NO IDEA I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!

CMG: Okay, yes, well, see you then.

Me: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU BAAAAIIIIIIIIII!<3333333

Oh yes, he will be able to feel my love palpably through the phone. That's how great it will be.

Okay, so the title of this post implies an outfit, so I'd better get on that.

Leggings again! I am becoming more daring with my use of leggings. Maybe one day, I'll feel confident enough to wear them with flats...although, I've got to tell you, my legs look so disproportionate when I try. But anyway, leggings from Uniqlo for just under ten bucks, white leather jacket from Guess, a hundred, black hoodie (with sequined hood, which unfortunately, you can't see!), Mimilee M from Japan, cannot remember how much I paid for this -- it was back in like, 2004 or something! -- and beaded tee LaRok via TJMaxx, twenty dollars. Boots are remixed, scarf Vivienne Westwood via eBay for thirty, and that should be that.

Psst! See my other outfits, here!

So in other news, today I'm going to start with Zoloft. I think I'll take it with a bit of cheese to minimize any chance of stomach upset. You're supposed to do that, right? Normally that's what they say with most medications: Take it with food so your stomach won't hurt. Right?

At any rate, we'll see how things go.

OOOH! and...I got a 96% on my Short Stories Mid-Term! Woo! I feel proud. Nate wants to hang it on the fridge:0)

Alright, ya'll, I've got to motor. Catch you on the flip side<3

Here and There and Everywhere

Good morning, All.

Happy Wednesday, and I hope your weeks are going well.

Here's today's outfit:

Dress is BCBG Max Azria via TJMaxx, a steal at only $25.00. Tights are Ellen Tracy from TJ's, $4.99, and the boots are from Aldo last season, for a cool hundred (overpriced? yes. but I really needed their warmth...so incredibly helpful!) I might change the boots to my over-the-knees, but I'm not sure. I'll have to pose in the mirror a bit more with one of both on each foot.

Today is my therapy day. Yes, every Wednesday at two, to be exact. I am very much looking forward to today's session. I ended up filling the prescription for Zoloft, but haven't taken any yet. I'm going to bring it in today and see what my therapist thinks, although I'm pretty certain he'll tell me to start taking it. But I think discussing it with him would be good, at least for my own piece of mind.

I hope you guys don't mind if I don't talk about that stuff all the time now. I mean, I'll share if/when something changes or something exciting/horrible happens, but for the most part, I don't think I'll refer to it, or at least the specifics of my mood, all the time. Thanks for understanding.

Anyway, time to get going. Still have a bit more reading to do before class this morning (yes, I know it would have been better had I finished it yesterday, but I so loved being lazy with Nate that I didn't want to ruin it with work!). Take care, everyone. See you tomorrow<3

Outfits and Other

Good Monday, beloveds.

Here, as promised, is my apparel for the day. It's not going to be so, so cold today, so I figure I can get away with not wearing a sweater on top. Here's hoping! I used so many pictures today because honestly, I cannot decide which one I like, so I just figured, why not use all of them. Please click to enlarge, and if you'd like, check out my other outfits, here.

Everything's remixed, except for the leggings which are "leather-look" and new from TJMaxx. They're some ridiculous junior's label, not worth noting, and they only cost ten dollars, which is about as much as I want to spend on something so trendy anyway. What do you think about the leather-look leggings happening right now? O how I wish I could afford some real, leather skinnies, but alas, I am neither monetarily able, nor are my thighs slight enough to pull them off. I think these are okay, though, so long as you don't look at them up really close; they sort of pull away and expose their spandex a little, sort of like the way the picture on an old graphic tee starts to whisker. The green leather bag is reversible (!) and it's Marc by Marc Jacobs.

So how were your weekends? Do anything fun?

Man, I worked two doubles in a row, Saturday and Sunday, and I'm still exhausted. My legs are even sore from running around for ten hours straight. But tips were good, and at least I kept myself busy.

Saturday, like I said before, we went over to my brother and Toni's place. While my brother, Suniel and Nate smoked hookah and listened to music, Toni and I watched the Vogue documentary, The September Issue. She has this file-sharing program that enabled her to download it; they're always doing that with new movies...it's crazy! Anyway, the movie was pretty excellent; I nearly died during all the tight shots of the clothing and runways and, O! So glorious! How I wish I could afford!!! If you're interested in fashion, watch this film; The Devil Wears Prada was modeled after Vogue's EiC Anna Wintour.

In other news, I successfully finished my Joyce paper in little under two hours last night. I can't say I'm completely proud of it, but it's all I can do for right now. If I think about that book any longer, I think my head will explode. I need some distance. Seriously, I sometimes don't get how professors ask for publishing-quality essays when they only give us a few weeks to write them; how long do you think Joyce scholars spend on each of their essays? Probably a very long time. So this piece of mine will just have to suffice.

Well, I'm off to school now, then I've got the whole day to laze about and read and write in my journal and maybe even lurk a coffee shop or two. We'll see. I'd like to make dinner tonight as well, but that's still in the cards...we really need to go grocery shopping!

Take care, Loves<3