tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040608892261625092024-03-13T11:14:32.128-07:00{un}Retail TherapyAn attempt to curb my shopping and focus, hopefully, on other (random) musings...here's to success!Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.comBlogger252125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-89970407476725259372015-04-07T17:38:00.000-07:002015-04-07T17:38:20.496-07:00Buddy ReadsWith work going a thousand miles a minute, a book blog that I'm trying to get going, a bachelorette party for baby sis that I'm trying to work on, house chores that are just piling up, blah, blah blah... there really isn't enough time in a day sometimes, but hey, there always is, or should I say, there always should be, for things that give <strike>you</strike> me pleasure. Riiight??? Riiight!!!...<br />
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Ever since I joined <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank"><i>Goodreads</i></a>, I had the pleasure of joining a group within the website. And within this group, we regularly buddy-read books.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVH1bdWEDFvFvZpkQG4rVNCFn6NF65twdjEveuKHMgHR5Iq6yaXsszi6Yw4JzAlnyPUGDsC16WaSdfpw4yxmQPjaHaQ1mmXxd97jPBKOH81hdkxwhqyRCCd77o5YjMZwoMmrvUSfDcO0/s1600/Book-Club.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVH1bdWEDFvFvZpkQG4rVNCFn6NF65twdjEveuKHMgHR5Iq6yaXsszi6Yw4JzAlnyPUGDsC16WaSdfpw4yxmQPjaHaQ1mmXxd97jPBKOH81hdkxwhqyRCCd77o5YjMZwoMmrvUSfDcO0/s1600/Book-Club.png" height="345" width="600" /></a></div>
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The mechanics is quite simple. There is a start date. Once you start reading, you post what percentage,or page, you're at. You can talk about a particular scene, or what you're feeling at that point, or anything you think noteworthy. You use spoiler tags if you think what you're about to write may spoil the experience for those who haven't reached that point. And when you're done, you write about how you feel about it. Opinions can differ, obviously, but that is the beauty of it. And the whole process is quite organic, I thought. Because depending on what's being posted, the discussion can veer off the book itself but I think it just enhances the experience.<br />
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When friends outside my online world ask what it is, I always say it's the online equivalent of a book club. But I think it's much more than that. Book club meetings tend to happen once a book is read. Buddy reads happen from the time you pick up the book to the time you finish reading and possibly even past that. And the beauty of it is you can talk about the book right from the start. If there's a part you're not understanding, you have your "buddies" to ask for clarification. If you're struggling with certain parts, your "buddies" can hold your hand, so to speak, to get you through it or at least help to make sense of things. If you're feeling particularly sad about a certain scene, you know you're not alone. And whether you enjoyed it or not, there is an immediacy to the response as there's always someone online.<br />
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Best part of all, you're not limited by geography. The buddy reads I've joined tend to have readers from North America and Europe, for the most part. Can't get any cooler than that, no?...<br />
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... Like I said, things that can give <strike>you</strike> me pleasure... Riiight??? Riiight!!!<br />
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<i>Have you ever done buddy reads? Do you like it?</i>Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-38808231325736364762015-02-23T20:47:00.000-08:002015-02-23T20:47:48.351-08:00Well, Hello There!Holy cow! It's been almost a year since my last post, how about that! 10 days to a year to be exact! Crikey!!!<br />
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Clearly, I'm still around, and yup, this is what happens when real life takes over. Or should I say, when another blog takes over my non-work life...<br />
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Let's just say that this has kinda' taken over my waking hours, much to my hubby's chagrin *sheepish smile*...<br />
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My trusted Kobo reader, and my fairly new other toy... I've burned thru an android tablet last year and by happenstance, and I swear, pure happenstance, my rubber arms got twisted and ended up with the iPad Mini over Christmas *chuckles*.<br />
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And can't forget about my phone too. Seriously, I'm pretty sure if hubby can chuck them all, he would, considering the amount of time spent on those gadgets. Hah!<br />
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Anyhoot, they're mostly for reading my gazillion e-books (I wish I'm kidding when I say gazillion O.o), which pretty much translates, as a consequence, to copious amount of time spent on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank"><i>Goodreads</i></a> to kvetch with my kindred bookworms; which then led me, crazily enough, to creating a book blog, imagine that! No, not gonna say which one, as I'm not prepared yet to mix this world and that... What? Me, hide something? Nevah!<br />
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So as much as I want to say that something super dramatic occurred in the last year which would explain my absence, no, not really... Unless you count the roller coaster of a ride I've been having at work as well. And by roller coaster ride, I don't mean the fun one. It's more like the scary gargantuan one. Seriously, I just want to make sure I don't lose my grip, in case I get flung around by accident. Just saying...<br />
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And on that note, I thought I'd end this with something representative of my handle name, the latest addition to my collection. Ok, it was bought over Christmas, but I'm still waiting for the right weather to wear them >.< {Un}Retail therapy or not, as far as I'm concerned, it's always, after all, about the...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r3ntNsXTL-b4cEAA1drJHv1m_TiCsoHtWSe03E4fiVwcw51s-qc94LDJABclrLLDv5fJRS0aYN1Bk7Bm_k9_IF6isqhqddyiLVZOOmu4VGttil5Q9bzDLSkRsCnuX-TmJ3GlP8kMJ2I/s1600/IMG_20150223_194736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r3ntNsXTL-b4cEAA1drJHv1m_TiCsoHtWSe03E4fiVwcw51s-qc94LDJABclrLLDv5fJRS0aYN1Bk7Bm_k9_IF6isqhqddyiLVZOOmu4VGttil5Q9bzDLSkRsCnuX-TmJ3GlP8kMJ2I/s1600/IMG_20150223_194736.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tory Burch ballet flats</i></td></tr>
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Riiight?!? Riiight!!!<br />
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Happy Day y'all!Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-19019253261273939202014-03-03T09:53:00.000-08:002014-03-03T09:53:45.622-08:00Lately...... I've been liking-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmtR-7vVFBX2t61LdfvZGk6hEyQe50CSo8AA1JARYWXG_UKwyDUTrpcrifk0q8rVw7ZVjjMhPLmOTnCEe29MrIZl0hynzpRHMmKnaYK7T75P_bznVpsIFtPTQWOkl9bL1GyFYWoBTzSQ/s1600/Batiste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmtR-7vVFBX2t61LdfvZGk6hEyQe50CSo8AA1JARYWXG_UKwyDUTrpcrifk0q8rVw7ZVjjMhPLmOTnCEe29MrIZl0hynzpRHMmKnaYK7T75P_bznVpsIFtPTQWOkl9bL1GyFYWoBTzSQ/s1600/Batiste.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Batiste Dry Shampoo</i></td></tr>
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I've tried a number of them out there, and this is a fave, so far. The scent is mild, it doesn't weigh my hair down, and the spray doesn't clog (yes, that's important lol).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNXoEBUn_4aBXrV8Y43CasptfdABSW5Q9_yklFf1DJreqrPVDGd8bfleBX4u0fspYHMOQAXRQUGPigqTUevfIklgsPGEk0eUV_Ej2Zk4a1PQR-vkY9Gnppgp4b4v-jw9f-p5pdkz8P6I/s1600/BnB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNXoEBUn_4aBXrV8Y43CasptfdABSW5Q9_yklFf1DJreqrPVDGd8bfleBX4u0fspYHMOQAXRQUGPigqTUevfIklgsPGEk0eUV_Ej2Zk4a1PQR-vkY9Gnppgp4b4v-jw9f-p5pdkz8P6I/s1600/BnB.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bath and Body Super Softening Hand Lotion</i></td></tr>
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I like em thick and this one sure is (that didn't come out right, did it? O.o)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jEim8tLsR4BT4cTkP0mIJDlCsmPjFydksqoc4lDl42HWRyohgryO0eKPUF6YiB7UuGS6KQFk8QcOOhnu2-TJjyRWEix_TpCFeRIEhJzEXscG6RLJAguQkSA-r2o154XXfp-cXwOuass/s1600/bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jEim8tLsR4BT4cTkP0mIJDlCsmPjFydksqoc4lDl42HWRyohgryO0eKPUF6YiB7UuGS6KQFk8QcOOhnu2-TJjyRWEix_TpCFeRIEhJzEXscG6RLJAguQkSA-r2o154XXfp-cXwOuass/s1600/bracelet.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>BCBG "Fearless" bracelet (Hudson Bay)</i></td></tr>
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This is a purchase from the last holiday season. Bold accessory + awesome message = win-win.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3YzCLr85tQHm7XUyPjflpMwKWusQKjFzuCoEiLMg3XYRMmZLUPBtWziSLt86QRuX2ws5kPDeFamu4DyvfYMJj_iWw8Mtv58sjwr_uShQFFceM3l1lbDiacEwH69fq7LIjz0kq8CMrrs/s1600/claw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3YzCLr85tQHm7XUyPjflpMwKWusQKjFzuCoEiLMg3XYRMmZLUPBtWziSLt86QRuX2ws5kPDeFamu4DyvfYMJj_iWw8Mtv58sjwr_uShQFFceM3l1lbDiacEwH69fq7LIjz0kq8CMrrs/s1600/claw.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Claw</i></td></tr>
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I love this dollar store purchase! Mom has it, sis has it, in-laws have it, I gotta have it too! HAHA... Doesn't it just make you...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPovOAdnq3UxgYMOn_OLiHkw6V3U-JJpkH9ZuPErFgliXJk3JTQPje45tc3ObHigmX_80HT4XD8ezpuru9mXhuUnknjyICQkkJe3a7AJtz_VMWrVqQ-BcBi6ggFTvH1OvtQIYgFmOCoWc/s640/299802_10200691696163956_1669602544_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPovOAdnq3UxgYMOn_OLiHkw6V3U-JJpkH9ZuPErFgliXJk3JTQPje45tc3ObHigmX_80HT4XD8ezpuru9mXhuUnknjyICQkkJe3a7AJtz_VMWrVqQ-BcBi6ggFTvH1OvtQIYgFmOCoWc/s640/299802_10200691696163956_1669602544_n.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(via Google images)</i></td></tr>
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*giggles*<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRoOxYEenuhTsFA3OLkdoT-em6dOWR3PwVgRVKjejyCcZRlMS01DA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRoOxYEenuhTsFA3OLkdoT-em6dOWR3PwVgRVKjejyCcZRlMS01DA" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.whatsapp.com/" target="_blank">Whatsapp</a></i></td></tr>
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Some close friends are on Whatsapp so it's become one of the most convenient way to keep in touch. For me, it's like the BBM for the masses. Because apparently, I may be the last holdout on Blackberry >.<<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDl44-B72t32TJtKvNI3xyI1WmKAozP1u-G0MD_eThy9_OkKAM6N6tzbmDoxsazj9vcQQK9ZOGHuvr4xwBI3MgES8LESO24-1XgnJ5_FePnP2CRhO_uTzQqcI_vcn9XT5Jsy23oC0XlY/s1600/lobster+macncheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDl44-B72t32TJtKvNI3xyI1WmKAozP1u-G0MD_eThy9_OkKAM6N6tzbmDoxsazj9vcQQK9ZOGHuvr4xwBI3MgES8LESO24-1XgnJ5_FePnP2CRhO_uTzQqcI_vcn9XT5Jsy23oC0XlY/s1600/lobster+macncheese.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lobster Mac and Cheese from <a href="http://www.roguewetbar.com/" target="_blank">Rogue</a></i></td></tr>
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Ok, not that I'm liking this continuously, I wish I can. Unless I want to weigh 500 lbs, I suppose...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl3ye_-D5hxiCGuz6Cr7g84ljg5M02a4cTScvIMT4pADoZUc58YClSbNao8uXpTp2TclKI3DKQmI9784EE0u_n8yoBbCSCb_xbnMJnWPb3tbDlVl6kZcl7JvtsDjoi5pBQzFO_wiFXRU/s1600/Rogue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl3ye_-D5hxiCGuz6Cr7g84ljg5M02a4cTScvIMT4pADoZUc58YClSbNao8uXpTp2TclKI3DKQmI9784EE0u_n8yoBbCSCb_xbnMJnWPb3tbDlVl6kZcl7JvtsDjoi5pBQzFO_wiFXRU/s1600/Rogue.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Outing with friends... ok, not that I'm only liking this lately. Heck, how can you not like the idea at any time, no?<br />
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And of course, last but certainly not least...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>T25 program (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FocusT25" target="_blank">via</a>)</i></td></tr>
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My T25 program! Week 5 and counting! Alpha phase done, moving on to Beta phase. 5 more weeks! Wheee!!!<br />
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(I should thank my sis for this idea. Stole this from her blog hehe)<br />
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<i>So what have you been enjoying lately?</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-41420224061039937562014-02-17T13:55:00.000-08:002014-02-17T13:55:32.216-08:00This One's For YouSo Valentine's Day has come and gone, and as I may have mentioned in the <a href="http://unretailtherapy.blogspot.ca/2012/02/valentines-day.html" target="_blank"><i>past</i></a>, Valentine's Day has taken on a new meaning 8 years ago. I'ts just one of those things...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68C33BFOoLm2DHv9AhC2h4zIwv5ShTDlFoyPbNEvz6b5-trg68OcDE89ZvCw851TIapuJCqhLkN7vz5yXaZbLWvaxCgYcOG9Em2xA8zfYFwV_lrJNAewbV0-79MplutjFfYF4GErvpiE/s1600/TayTie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68C33BFOoLm2DHv9AhC2h4zIwv5ShTDlFoyPbNEvz6b5-trg68OcDE89ZvCw851TIapuJCqhLkN7vz5yXaZbLWvaxCgYcOG9Em2xA8zfYFwV_lrJNAewbV0-79MplutjFfYF4GErvpiE/s1600/TayTie.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was one of my Dad's ties, one of my fave, as a matter of fact, that I've hold on to now for 8 years. And without any planning really on my part, it's something that's now part of my wardrobe once a year ever since. Call it silly, call it whatever, I call it my ritual, my tribute, my celebration, my connection...<br />
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Missing as always...<br />
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<i>Is it just me, or do you have the same rituals?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-18157251763981904212014-02-10T11:58:00.000-08:002014-02-10T11:58:58.614-08:00New Year's ResolutionYes, yes, I know it's already February. I've yet to pick up my momentum to blog as regularly as I used to, not sure why. Oh, I know why. It's totally reflective of my real life, I admit. At times, it takes me a bit of time to work my way towards something I've been meaning to do. Call it lazy, call it procrastinating, call it whatever, but the way I've always seen it, I figure I'll get there eventually, no? O.o<br />
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Anyways, I can't even recall anymore the last time I made a New Year's resolution list. I must have been a child. Seriously, it's been that long. If it's still not clear, it was because I never really put any effort into it. By Jan 2, my resolution, whatever it was, has usually fizzled out. Hah!<br />
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This year though, not really sure what happened, I've decided to take on things and really do something about it. Very top of my list is to lose weight. Surprise, surprise! (ok, you have no context so perhaps not, but at the same time, this is usually on most people's list, right?)<br />
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When I started out with this thought, I knew I have to do something but didn't really know what. Enter one of my staff who casually asked if I will work out with her if she buys the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FocusT25" target="_blank">T25 program</a>. Without hesitation, I said yes. Talk about perfect timing, eh?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via T25 Facebook page</td></tr>
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So finally, her order has arrived, and on Jan 27th, we got started. And oh boy, talk about brutal when we first got started! Thank god there's a bunch of us doing this, coz really, if I started out with just myself, who knows, I may have stopped by day 3 (hehe). And here we are, here I am, 2 weeks later, 1/2"-1" smaller all around, and still on it, big yay! And this is without even sticking to a diet, really. Not bad, right? 2 weeks down, 8 to go. To me, that sounds daunting, but hey, hopefully, my co-workers will continue to call me out on it, or even I will call myself out by writing it here, right? One day at a time...<br />
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So what else is on that resolution list? Like I said, I have an idea, but I still haven't quite hashed out the details yet. What did I tell ya? I figure I'll get there eventually, no? haha<br />
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<i>So how are you doing with your New Year's resolution so far this year, if you have one? What finally pushes you to stick to A plan? How do you maintain your resolve? What motivates you?</i>Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-87347959645222959532013-12-30T09:38:00.000-08:002013-12-30T09:38:00.441-08:00Might As Well...<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">*WARNING: Picture heavy</span></em><br />
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Oh by gosh, by golly... (is that right?)<br />
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Well, here I am, 6 months or so later, resurfacing, once again. *waves hello* Such has been my social media life, of late, I found, popping in and out, when I do find the energy to do so.<br />
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Anyhoot, thought I'd post one more time before the year ends and might as well end my blog post for the year with a bang, doing the very antithesis of my goal all this time... SHOPPING! *maniacal laugh*<br />
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Hey, I'm with the family for the holidays, and one tradition that me and my sisters have been observing the last 4 years is <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/boxing-day" target="_blank"><em>Boxing Day</em></a> shopping! *grins* Like youngest sis said, this is probably the only day ever that none of us mind waking up at 5 in the morning. Oh shopping gods, that's gotta' count for something, eh?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TeStgPZ3NbkmQiXtn3gBdwKuIKLINTzo9G6RxypZ3pyFxoNYS-8XZzBDOdgdvjzb36GDaMaocpj4tupSpByfJ-6R-mwCDSrKvFmMBliC0cyS5MpFCcWpKa6hZGpYztGZ6uzBXoc3d_U/s1600/boxing+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TeStgPZ3NbkmQiXtn3gBdwKuIKLINTzo9G6RxypZ3pyFxoNYS-8XZzBDOdgdvjzb36GDaMaocpj4tupSpByfJ-6R-mwCDSrKvFmMBliC0cyS5MpFCcWpKa6hZGpYztGZ6uzBXoc3d_U/s1600/boxing+day.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Come<strike> rain</strike> snow or shine...</em></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshP-QH2o3lPcAT0ctJWWJCyd4EcuzEwIsENgyzi0L5SIiHamdjYTpkmPH4jshheUsffnvLD5YIEObOzQZwo0Ttc4-vIm7cS9rBkukLfVk3gw_eUifxpiO_VwmfP9YG9aj_22-NDXUFzQ/s1600/aldo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshP-QH2o3lPcAT0ctJWWJCyd4EcuzEwIsENgyzi0L5SIiHamdjYTpkmPH4jshheUsffnvLD5YIEObOzQZwo0Ttc4-vIm7cS9rBkukLfVk3gw_eUifxpiO_VwmfP9YG9aj_22-NDXUFzQ/s1600/aldo.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aldo Huesca smoking slippers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xhw8BIxw1ze1L4ehVFQxfGcFGsndATpIwX62p1d95qExbXioVgIv7QBymQZ0cTN23O_b6nUSS1PFRmuk2CNERt_tHpEuVGURjWDshiZ6G0Cult3rs-sVDyhiiaa0nY9HdSEPSHX34jo/s1600/blondo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xhw8BIxw1ze1L4ehVFQxfGcFGsndATpIwX62p1d95qExbXioVgIv7QBymQZ0cTN23O_b6nUSS1PFRmuk2CNERt_tHpEuVGURjWDshiZ6G0Cult3rs-sVDyhiiaa0nY9HdSEPSHX34jo/s1600/blondo.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blondo Nikki boots, at Naturalizer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3emM1q-xJv61WGL33bo_-DzADiMMj5ETNgTbnyt_mhk7CAx-J4y6SLh6X1qKtQ1ZIltuuRB0-yRxGFzPiX5Ek1HYXGQdaGofJE_dUoRsW7YYrEmQ7sOB0jZne1VJAjKvyOv73nCesbg/s1600/j+cre+purch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3emM1q-xJv61WGL33bo_-DzADiMMj5ETNgTbnyt_mhk7CAx-J4y6SLh6X1qKtQ1ZIltuuRB0-yRxGFzPiX5Ek1HYXGQdaGofJE_dUoRsW7YYrEmQ7sOB0jZne1VJAjKvyOv73nCesbg/s1600/j+cre+purch.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J Crew Outlet cardi and toque</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGyZHfFQJsBblYjl9bhYpMgizwMJbhPAyziDKKLQlxAHAiAdXykmqPDendL2UTLSSV7ppBGoWGM55xECUuf9AZFR0IVlZcLZ0SlsKSUmL5PAzKLNE2vxLFuGLDB9jN6dNP1ElTDD8PcU/s1600/j+crew+flats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGyZHfFQJsBblYjl9bhYpMgizwMJbhPAyziDKKLQlxAHAiAdXykmqPDendL2UTLSSV7ppBGoWGM55xECUuf9AZFR0IVlZcLZ0SlsKSUmL5PAzKLNE2vxLFuGLDB9jN6dNP1ElTDD8PcU/s1600/j+crew+flats.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J Crew Outlet Suede Studded Classic Ballet Flat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpG3nHIB9D_7VuPERbOn0WkSaIrJSqJ7uVQlHfe8-fkO14e4HYOENi3CXRgih9WPpRljV-KS_bCo0DbtbixTLRYUJ0nkZObKvj7ZOX6phDTAKc3xTddEAxgJyd-Au0gkIm9NzkK2R1bdU/s1600/sam+edelman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpG3nHIB9D_7VuPERbOn0WkSaIrJSqJ7uVQlHfe8-fkO14e4HYOENi3CXRgih9WPpRljV-KS_bCo0DbtbixTLRYUJ0nkZObKvj7ZOX6phDTAKc3xTddEAxgJyd-Au0gkIm9NzkK2R1bdU/s1600/sam+edelman.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Edelman Putnam Saddlered Sud, at Holt Renfrew Outlet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpWouk04paC7-mQPRHsuLq13PsQJCqS7fOVZUyNMkpcFq0fBBN0_kJ04SOHfxOn9CnyRG6OHnxQTgtWAp3GhMlxAXRMTXaJxS5OiJciXvCxI6x5mwh3KE0RHTzUem6ug-y_fFWnnBOM/s1600/the+loft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpWouk04paC7-mQPRHsuLq13PsQJCqS7fOVZUyNMkpcFq0fBBN0_kJ04SOHfxOn9CnyRG6OHnxQTgtWAp3GhMlxAXRMTXaJxS5OiJciXvCxI6x5mwh3KE0RHTzUem6ug-y_fFWnnBOM/s1600/the+loft.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Loft </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMdXVQFwE1HBRCgylaBJ-JG409C79Cjf4JI-h7Ym3nPzF1oHKWhl57ADrrwABF-BpNLE2UCIjxj0EYR_Ql2VjzBYMk7JvGgKFRRk3x6R5O8J0Y2q1tk0ttWoceSkcH6p7qY3Tghn_bSw/s1600/boxing+day+crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMdXVQFwE1HBRCgylaBJ-JG409C79Cjf4JI-h7Ym3nPzF1oHKWhl57ADrrwABF-BpNLE2UCIjxj0EYR_Ql2VjzBYMk7JvGgKFRRk3x6R5O8J0Y2q1tk0ttWoceSkcH6p7qY3Tghn_bSw/s1600/boxing+day+crowd.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>... all while jostling thru' this crowd, eeep...</em></td></tr>
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So there you have it, folks, my holiday <strike>un-</strike>retail therapy! *sheepish smile*</div>
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And before I end this post, thought I'd share some pics that show the impact of the recent <em><a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/12/22/toronto-ice-storm-2013-photos-from-the-gtas-winter-nightmare/" target="_blank">ice storm</a></em> that hit part of the east coast. Fortunately, I missed it, so it was almost back to norm by the time I arrived.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4iH12tGrVK8Je6_eBEjlut_dzCdHEZxDaWB5qoafxJ2k3Y3QcIDSCdTbK6AHN6XsqrChCo0L5ygLB0B4NIhQSCDLlrZfbzN-oBjTA4G1AOrU2rsGR1BpCaI54kY9CXm0G-L1cqFBysM/s1600/frozen+bouquet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4iH12tGrVK8Je6_eBEjlut_dzCdHEZxDaWB5qoafxJ2k3Y3QcIDSCdTbK6AHN6XsqrChCo0L5ygLB0B4NIhQSCDLlrZfbzN-oBjTA4G1AOrU2rsGR1BpCaI54kY9CXm0G-L1cqFBysM/s1600/frozen+bouquet.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH17oG2HFDeCKDFPJPJwP8M9uAfn_3DYx_J7xe0iPY-5HvcHZlV-hRSGVzI6ssYK70QqHKwbNPh8IbvPys55bljiFgC98nb7YF4vCXR-BiMmM20SON4Pd1sKckB_-HQ57RSkSAAiKBK0A/s1600/ice+shrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH17oG2HFDeCKDFPJPJwP8M9uAfn_3DYx_J7xe0iPY-5HvcHZlV-hRSGVzI6ssYK70QqHKwbNPh8IbvPys55bljiFgC98nb7YF4vCXR-BiMmM20SON4Pd1sKckB_-HQ57RSkSAAiKBK0A/s1600/ice+shrub.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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On that note, I hope Santa has been good to you this year and that you enjoyed Christmas surrounded with your loved ones. I also wish you nothing but all kinds of good stuff for the coming year. Here's to a new year full of possibilities with new beginnings, new chances, new resolve. Here's to our happiness, health and wealth, always! Cheers!<br />
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!<br />
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Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-15687155545339744812013-07-28T14:05:00.002-07:002013-07-28T14:05:31.306-07:00Hot Time in the CityIt's been a really wonderful summer so far, weather-wise. Hubby and I didn't really have any trip planned for the summer. Doesn't mean that I still can't enjoy it, just by being out and about in the city...<br />
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<b>Hope you're having just as wonderful a summer!</b><br />
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<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-37950347130274156222013-07-21T23:05:00.001-07:002013-07-21T23:05:17.365-07:00How To Fangirl Properly<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #212121; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="vk_ans vk_bk" style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><br />fangirl</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></i><br />
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<table class="ts" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding: 0px;"><i>A fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something (or someone). Fans of a particular thing (person)...</i></td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I was told I'm too cynical to know how to "fangirl" properly. Ok, just by my sister (hehe). No, I say I'm not... (maybe I'm too old?) And even if I am, I say a cynical gal can still fangirl. How, you ask?</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Take everything at face value. Whatever the person says/writes/quotes, let that be THE word. No questions asked. Which means that once in a while, you may have to put aside your own opinions, overlook typos, whatever, because let's face it, the person has more knowledge than you and must have a legitimate reason for everything (yes, including the typos).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Never ever ask the person difficult questions; questions that may actually need to be handled by the person's PR team. Stick with simple ones <i>(eg. "How do you take care of your lovely skin?")</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Always gush on your posts/tweets, about everything concerning the person! <i>(eg. "I love how you look sipping coffee in that pap picture, perfection!")</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Show support to whatever the person supports, let the person know about it, AND announce it to the world. Virtual world, that is. Real world doesn't count 'cause the person's not in it anyway.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Get on the fansite bandwagon, and agree with all the other fans.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Post on the person's FB page, or tweet the person, at least once every day, or twice (maybe not thrice or more, as that may just appear stalker-ish).</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://isatv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/fangirl_face_by_evilmusman-d5eyg1l.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://isatv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/fangirl_face_by_evilmusman-d5eyg1l.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(via Google images, courtesy of isatv.com)</i></td></tr>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">HAHAHA... </span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Ok, I'm just being facetious. </span><i style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">*grins* </i><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">(see above image)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Actually, I fangirl quite a bit over certain people, that's for sure. And I have no shame admitting it. </span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I have no qualms letting people know out there how much I adore them AND their work. I don't expect any response unless I have a specific question (mind you, it makes my day, that's for sure, when I get a reply regardless). And believe me, people who knows me know when I'm fangirl-ing over somebody.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Perhaps I should apologize if I sound offensive and I just want to clarify that what I don't get is the way some women fangirl without substance... hmmm, but is that the point of fangirling?... hmmm, am I confused about what fangirling is all about?... hmmm, maybe I don't know how to fangirl after all... hmmm... or do I?... hmmm...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Hey, to each their own, no?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>(Don't mind me. With work keeping me busy, I'm just trying to enjoy summer, and not over-exert my brain with too much thinking. Clearly, not necessarily the best results, but hey it is what is:p)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
</h3>
Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-12606118328751010762013-07-06T19:57:00.000-07:002013-07-06T19:57:07.083-07:00The Making Of... #2... Oven-roasted pulled pork:)<br />
<br />
This was inspired by <i><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/oven-roasted-pulled-pork-sandwiches-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a></i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0bO539FMBnrJAPw_NFUfPBu1Q_MFAbKdwRSAYq0Flc9NQZTlevNhXsPGivjuaDZM5RrbkRUnCwLmoSh5jP9DcuJ-cxci4sNJtb5te9wZxV9kLn1Zml-HGYoV95xHvCyJP0-OW1ENLO0/s1024/IMG_6030a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0bO539FMBnrJAPw_NFUfPBu1Q_MFAbKdwRSAYq0Flc9NQZTlevNhXsPGivjuaDZM5RrbkRUnCwLmoSh5jP9DcuJ-cxci4sNJtb5te9wZxV9kLn1Zml-HGYoV95xHvCyJP0-OW1ENLO0/s400/IMG_6030a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From this...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgnWplJ0BujjXGKZVgp6Z72scKuoCzdkilfflHcZqUnmM-rSkJ4o-jOOwWzzkkVQMApG03iD-AQOiHG2TNEnf0XE1GoNpfpGFDcjVutgk1rve6laeCB9EqcImTTWgynjDebL4ew0noak/s1024/IMG_6034a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgnWplJ0BujjXGKZVgp6Z72scKuoCzdkilfflHcZqUnmM-rSkJ4o-jOOwWzzkkVQMApG03iD-AQOiHG2TNEnf0XE1GoNpfpGFDcjVutgk1rve6laeCB9EqcImTTWgynjDebL4ew0noak/s400/IMG_6034a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... to this</td></tr>
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I added ground coffee for the dry rub. I also used a bit of liquid smoke.<br />
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I didn't quite follow the barbeque sauce, so I kinda' played with my own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3wZ4oOvyscNzBXqobObmYoLq4_Zst73n8f5EhzUphmUAihyphenhyphenhJ9FCoQZp7ukqh69ZRRJgC9kknFVu3C29uYg3HG5k7ztj8RXzyAZC2lwg3zo4FO0Ld6gQD4mb4FyVpxgmys0JHdkzC4Q/s1024/IMG_6029a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3wZ4oOvyscNzBXqobObmYoLq4_Zst73n8f5EhzUphmUAihyphenhyphenhJ9FCoQZp7ukqh69ZRRJgC9kknFVu3C29uYg3HG5k7ztj8RXzyAZC2lwg3zo4FO0Ld6gQD4mb4FyVpxgmys0JHdkzC4Q/s400/IMG_6029a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Barbeque sauce</i>:<br />
onion & garlic, pureed<br />
ketchup<br />
red wine<br />
red wine vinegar<br />
soy sauce<br />
coffee<br />
peanut butter<br />
garlic powder<br />
dry mustard powder<br />
honey<br />
celery salt<br />
salt & pepper<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvULxQ_JvLIcEJ3-eW9aRHVdIta9XBbK23qsgXYOzyn9KRTY3rflN8pPahZvqPwhaiyg45apchZKkvy6mHEaBPCpsIIYHyxXTl4qCVcVvn15Oect_x44ijbDzYjsioYUipqCGPIRSZRQ/s1024/IMG_6032a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvULxQ_JvLIcEJ3-eW9aRHVdIta9XBbK23qsgXYOzyn9KRTY3rflN8pPahZvqPwhaiyg45apchZKkvy6mHEaBPCpsIIYHyxXTl4qCVcVvn15Oect_x44ijbDzYjsioYUipqCGPIRSZRQ/s400/IMG_6032a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Slaw dressing</i>:<br />
Dijon mustard<br />
Mayo<br />
Renee's Caesar Salad dressing<br />
honey, a touch<br />
salt & pepper<br />
<br />
... et voila!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC3mgpJIwMUYqFsbaBKsaC2rAyi5LKCAdVNQp4om2DT7F3fBNrcquI7lI2dnZ7Eom4P1YJsU_73lolXPbZmL3zBS4feid7IVhJravN5qkVlJ8eVyYVLQe47qRL-uP8D-dhqhITrbTtTY/s1024/IMG_6035a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC3mgpJIwMUYqFsbaBKsaC2rAyi5LKCAdVNQp4om2DT7F3fBNrcquI7lI2dnZ7Eom4P1YJsU_73lolXPbZmL3zBS4feid7IVhJravN5qkVlJ8eVyYVLQe47qRL-uP8D-dhqhITrbTtTY/s400/IMG_6035a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3md10QeacGj8vZUXAIWrkjMWhpKNCLeA7cxmi_7S2QhDBXksh0PFryiRAPrtWCfuEfF1XNktxdypHh7aa7bq4srRtgJ734ihCKMv65e8Wewb7XtiXfNIWDjM_V4hz0mZY6SU4UiDf8G8/s1024/IMG_6036a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3md10QeacGj8vZUXAIWrkjMWhpKNCLeA7cxmi_7S2QhDBXksh0PFryiRAPrtWCfuEfF1XNktxdypHh7aa7bq4srRtgJ734ihCKMv65e8Wewb7XtiXfNIWDjM_V4hz0mZY6SU4UiDf8G8/s400/IMG_6036a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hubby and I may just be imagining things, but I thought it turned out pretty dang good, mmmm...<br />
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<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-66799337990863354212013-07-03T10:24:00.001-07:002013-07-03T10:24:22.699-07:00I Think I May Have Spoken Too SoonNot sure what happened but I've decided all of a sudden to get on the mint green skinny jeans bandwagon. I didn't feel like it when it actually first came out, what, like last summer, so why now? Hmmm... Mind you, I think what may have triggered it is the fact that I'm still seeing them in some stores. All kinds of pants in different material & cut, but alas, not the one I'm wanting. All while <strike>supposedly</strike> "trying" not to shop, yes.<br />
<br />
So thanks to my mint green skinnies obsession, I think the shopping dry spell has officially ceased (oh noes!) and look what I found...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOs5zgFnw2uhhExzeXgQRDkzI4sSo2BKisNJDZQ4gjN4S5qaJFxirbHwO_ziKiQLrjOxy8640W3B3KiduiRdsfpmRy4FvsZsmRwsxJgxo2FNDrL77Ci11-rpj1lgy7Riuu6UoCS_SP44/s1024/IMG_6040a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOs5zgFnw2uhhExzeXgQRDkzI4sSo2BKisNJDZQ4gjN4S5qaJFxirbHwO_ziKiQLrjOxy8640W3B3KiduiRdsfpmRy4FvsZsmRwsxJgxo2FNDrL77Ci11-rpj1lgy7Riuu6UoCS_SP44/s400/IMG_6040a.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(American Eagle: top)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mwuneAr4HkocRg8hin5ZD2U1wryye4VxfYmFx-VaXnF31KK5AmUTpptJ1YytiL06ZOpNvmjP0iDB4_-lDt2XCge_XFA_En2gG4OkdoiqDcQtFh5eBnEVlK-GnP0dAHyPa00e13xVByM/s1024/IMG_6045a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mwuneAr4HkocRg8hin5ZD2U1wryye4VxfYmFx-VaXnF31KK5AmUTpptJ1YytiL06ZOpNvmjP0iDB4_-lDt2XCge_XFA_En2gG4OkdoiqDcQtFh5eBnEVlK-GnP0dAHyPa00e13xVByM/s400/IMG_6045a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(American Eagle: jegging)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZJMAxKSt9iDeG0r0t43g1rreEWt2l9Dnkr5OyARBcFic-15lEzxq2T52BUz72K3Idz5eZYV4wFppNTlge4L3o0ShUj2N_3r2hF3yuWeevYGo6sf67H1q1chUwySUwB0ZDP_xsAvPH9E/s1024/IMG_6039a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZJMAxKSt9iDeG0r0t43g1rreEWt2l9Dnkr5OyARBcFic-15lEzxq2T52BUz72K3Idz5eZYV4wFppNTlge4L3o0ShUj2N_3r2hF3yuWeevYGo6sf67H1q1chUwySUwB0ZDP_xsAvPH9E/s400/IMG_6039a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Gap: neon belt)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPCrkf74lpBzccF9yFjyUZ9xY7bL5g5tRVAhdiS-BwLRW-RQpwWZzC5ZsLkVzcq7xOPzske-510zlRV1fWc_jMTkjRHS19n86VSxBDWFa0hAjsDv9yl0mAG69evfqRMGiEKwLSVgSK5Q/s1024/IMG_6051a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPCrkf74lpBzccF9yFjyUZ9xY7bL5g5tRVAhdiS-BwLRW-RQpwWZzC5ZsLkVzcq7xOPzske-510zlRV1fWc_jMTkjRHS19n86VSxBDWFa0hAjsDv9yl0mAG69evfqRMGiEKwLSVgSK5Q/s400/IMG_6051a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Old Navy: tube maxi dress, tank tops, $1 flip-flop; Jacob: bracelet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I should tell you the side story about my Old Navy haul. The day after I bought these items, I received an Old Navy email alert that says 30% off total purchase for 2 days only. You have no idea the "agony" I put myself thru deciding whether to return the current haul, and re-purchase them at the new price, or just leave it be and just take advantage of the new sale with <strike>more</strike> a different purchase. CRAY CRAY, I know!!! O.o<br />
<br />
Anyhoot, where's the mint green anything, you ask?!?!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj3MFOSTeQXbQdLWrh4VijpFCvFSUd6Ar9XUblw-k7VoQduF2ELMB50C7Bpw7WBvnZYx46XHUbRuvzv1KnT-Ey9onNtOwJ_quzxx7lmSbwM8xNoODrlXONmt1J1-kMAAt-uP7gTsKzgQ/s1024/ON+purch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj3MFOSTeQXbQdLWrh4VijpFCvFSUd6Ar9XUblw-k7VoQduF2ELMB50C7Bpw7WBvnZYx46XHUbRuvzv1KnT-Ey9onNtOwJ_quzxx7lmSbwM8xNoODrlXONmt1J1-kMAAt-uP7gTsKzgQ/s640/ON+purch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(online purch)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Yes, I did end up using the Old Navy special. Aiyah!!... Well, I did end finding my mint green skinnies, ok?! Obsession satisfied... <i>*sigh*</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Do you succumb to these summer sales like I do? Please say yes... <i>hehe</i>... What's your summer sale shopping been like so far?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-61810310066737686802013-07-01T07:31:00.000-07:002013-07-01T07:31:53.545-07:00Back "Home"I'm a child of an immigrant family. We've been living in our adoptive country, our "new home" for close to a quarter of a century now, which for me translates to pretty much more than half my life. So when people ask me if or when I'm going back home, that simple question becomes a moment of reflection. All the time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/646x430/o_r/philippines_cnt_9nov09_istock_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/646x430/o_r/philippines_cnt_9nov09_istock_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(via Google image, courtesy of cntraveller.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1l2UaGBUUZFxeuPUWogctI6HLgtOQJNJfM7dKuqkU0_1F45NqBcGEHd-Y6F-tnZKWBXyfBYkBl0C9jyoNS5-ZRAW3eS6shaSe4lee6EW10sP8fd5ttHF02CKyPuTI88Q3BSjVuTOLy4/s1024/IMG_0961a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1l2UaGBUUZFxeuPUWogctI6HLgtOQJNJfM7dKuqkU0_1F45NqBcGEHd-Y6F-tnZKWBXyfBYkBl0C9jyoNS5-ZRAW3eS6shaSe4lee6EW10sP8fd5ttHF02CKyPuTI88Q3BSjVuTOLy4/s400/IMG_0961a.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
To add to that, after getting married, hubby and I moved and now live on the opposite coast, and this is not counting the time we spent living in the US.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVisJEnJOi9BE-KDMMFcGiPXhKHP0Y2C9K3T9H7sLonLkESR1zSgH7K7ePSMi7Rvj2noZ1j3WIxhO5VXAnaim8QE3fc_goIEsgT1nFHLSSmI2qFw3sLHwRAGQ-ooIizDirr9d9HW0uHI/s800/IMG01205-20120815-1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVisJEnJOi9BE-KDMMFcGiPXhKHP0Y2C9K3T9H7sLonLkESR1zSgH7K7ePSMi7Rvj2noZ1j3WIxhO5VXAnaim8QE3fc_goIEsgT1nFHLSSmI2qFw3sLHwRAGQ-ooIizDirr9d9HW0uHI/s400/IMG01205-20120815-1737.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So in my head, it shouldn't come as a surprise then that I don't necessarily think of the country that I was born in immediately as home, nor the city that our family first moved to (which the rest of the family still calls "home"), nor the city where we currently live in. And I guess what I'm trying to say is as cliche as it may sound, home, really, is where the heart is, which makes it 3 different places, in my case. And for me, that's ok.<br />
<br />
My native country will always hold fond memories of my childhood. My adoptive country, my new native country if I can call it that, makes a chunk of my past now and has shaped me as an adult. My current city represents my present. And as for the future, who knows!<br />
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On that note, wishing all Canucks out there a "Happy Canada Day!" :)<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-50832730906902385432013-06-24T09:56:00.000-07:002013-06-24T09:56:43.627-07:00I Think I May Be Getting Better At ThisFor me, summer is not just about the weather, it's also about end of season sale. Surprise, surprise! As we head towards July long weekend (Canada Day for us, 4th for US), my inbox is getting flooded with all kinds of sale alerts.<br />
<br />
So over the weekend, I thought I'd check out what's "out there". I know, I know, I don't have to, but I thought, why not. I wasn't overly concerned that I would go crazy all of a sudden after months (yes, as in months) of not shopping. And hey, you know what, I was right, in a way.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPsSmWwt3fcEJRHoKmExWh-PMHsaN3IuUxPz0SNPMRwQUDcC0Zv-B9w9A6XMPmeNj5olQ0mj-xIAnxE5DeyCSM1rwVi30j7vOyTuz4UmV20Ik6ozXvqUJpOU2zxd6XJUlKrbXBgMSu20/s1600/IMG01609-20130623-1732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPsSmWwt3fcEJRHoKmExWh-PMHsaN3IuUxPz0SNPMRwQUDcC0Zv-B9w9A6XMPmeNj5olQ0mj-xIAnxE5DeyCSM1rwVi30j7vOyTuz4UmV20Ik6ozXvqUJpOU2zxd6XJUlKrbXBgMSu20/s400/IMG01609-20130623-1732.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath & Body hand soaps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yup, I did buy something but those were it. So hey, I think I may be getting better at this, after all, no?<br />
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<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-12817251504415646732013-06-15T23:53:00.000-07:002013-06-15T23:53:20.976-07:00To DadsTo the new dads just discovering the joy of fatherhood...<br />
<br />
To the old dads who continue to be there for their children, whether they're 4 or 40...<br />
<br />
To the future dads looking forward to a future with their children...<br />
<br />
But most of all, to MY dad...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Father's Day!</span><br />
<br />
Miss you more and more everyday...<br />
<br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wmDxJrggie8" width="459"></iframe>Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-35184971677721137282013-06-11T22:36:00.001-07:002013-06-11T22:36:28.401-07:00Closet...... <b><i>Blogger</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Still? Yes. To this day, still not too many of my friends know that I blog. I started sharing this fact with a few when I first started, but as it turns out, most of my friends are not so keen on blogging, whether reading or writing one, let alone finding out about my inner thoughts. Well, duh, I guess they hear enough from me in person or FB (ok, not so much there either lately), and now I expect them to read about it too? As it also turns out, some, if not most, are keen on keeping their privacy and think blogs negate that. Hey, so am, and do, I! Yes, seriously! Perhaps my major reason to begin with about being in the closet with my blogging. Oxymoron-ic, I know (is that even a word?).<br />
<br />
... <b><i>Tweet-er</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Again, I learned that my friends are not that big fans of Twitter. Solid FB users, thru and thru, but the love doesn't quite extend to Twitter. What's not to love, I'm not sure. I can be succinct or cryptic as I can be in 140 characters or less to no one in general.<br />
<br />
... <b><i>Tumblr-er(?)</i></b><br />
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Ok, I don't really use my Tumblr account.<br />
<br />
... <b><i>Goodreads member</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>If you're an avid reader and haven't been to <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank"><i>this site</i></a>, you have to check it out. Maybe it's just me, but it's addictive! I can get lost in this site for hours just discovering new books and reading what people think about various books. And I think because I was reading so many reviews, I had this brilliant idea that I can do the same <i>*raises an eyebrow*</i> I thought if I cared enough about what some random people feel about a book, without knowing anything about those people, then perhaps some other random people will feel the same way about what I write... <i>*sigh*</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.syra-arts.com/site/Portals/0/Artists/Marwa_Adel/Collection/Hiding-%20Photography%20&%20Digital%20Graphics%20-%2039.3''x39.3'%20-%202011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.syra-arts.com/site/Portals/0/Artists/Marwa_Adel/Collection/Hiding-%20Photography%20&%20Digital%20Graphics%20-%2039.3''x39.3'%20-%202011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(via Google images, courtesy of syra-arts.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So there you have it! My virtual self, all (mostly) compartmentalized in tiny digital boxes. <i>*grins*</i> You may, or may not, get a sense of (a part of) who I am...<br />
<br />
When you blog/tweet/post, what goes thru your head when you hit that publish/tweet/post button? How reflective of your real self is your virtual self? Do you ever think of possible consequences, or if there are any at all?<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-79383595883395243152013-06-09T13:13:00.000-07:002013-06-09T13:13:09.683-07:00Things That Keep Me Up At NightHow am I going to find time the time to read my bajillion books?<br />
<br />
What book should I read next?<br />
<br />
Why is my e-reader not syncing properly?<br />
<br />
How can some e-books be more expensive than their paperback version?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When are they going to put that pair of shoes on sale?<br />
<br />
What restaurant should we try next?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What if I miss {insert name}'s tweets?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Generic ketchup or not?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How can she wear the same top from yesterday?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How can they end <i>The Following</i> that way?<br />
<br />
Why am I keeping all these episodes of {insert title}in our PVR?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why is {insert title} so popular? What am I missing?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Did s/he just really write that? What is s/he thinking?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Did I use the right tense in that sentence? Was my grammar correct?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why did she take that character in that direction?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Did s/he see my tweet? Why is s/he not responding?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why can't I delete this activity from my timeline?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
**********<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
... ok, not really... {hashtag} first world problem...</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BMC5JNDCEAAE6fT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BMC5JNDCEAAE6fT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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HAHA!<br />
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Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-54707184266469667722013-06-04T23:02:00.000-07:002013-06-04T23:02:27.405-07:00Not So Guilty Pleasure AnymoreHi, my name is... and I'm a closet romance reader...<br />
<br />
There! I'm finally admitting it, I love romance novels! <i>*shrieks*</i><i> </i><br />
<br />
I haven't really read romance novels since my early teens. I used to devour them like crazy, starting from the teenybopper Sweet Dreams right up to the steamier ones like Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Loveswept (hey, what can I say, I'm a Gen X-er after all). That is, until I reached a point (a year or so later) when I just got tired of the formulaic stories, the weak female heroines and the same alpha heroes with more money than god. I turned my back on them and moved on to other books that I thought will feed my brain better.<br />
<br />
But a certain book got on my radar last year (it that shall not be named HAH!) and next thing I knew, my fascination with romance novels has been re-kindled. The funny part is that particular book was not even really the best written one out there and will <strike>probably</strike> not win any literary awards but one thing it did do is it hooked me right back in. <i>*sigh* </i>(whodathunk!)<br />
<br />
As a result, what I did discover as well is that the new romance novels have now developed a new formula, so to speak. The better written ones have the right amount of angst to evoke enough emotion, the characters have more texture to them, the heroines have finally developed some spine and the alpha heroes, although some of them still with more money than god, have become, let's just say, more varied in their occupation. And boy have they gotten a whole lot steamier too, oh my! (as in <b>NSFW</b>... or young 'uns for that matter... you've been warned!)<br />
<br />
And these days, one of my fave, if not THE most fave, in this genre has got to be <a href="http://www.sylviaday.com/" target="_blank"><i>Sylvia Day</i></a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BKJsZChCAAEdnOk.png:large" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BKJsZChCAAEdnOk.png:large" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24px;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Crossfire</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24px;"> series follows the emotional and romantic journey taken by Gideon Cross and Eva Tramell</span></i></span></blockquote>
Sylvia Day, as far as I'm concerned, has got this corner covered. Not sure how she does it, but dang, she does! Here's a series with characters that are well developed, a heroine with so much fight in her, a hero <i>*major swoon*</i> who you can't help but fall in love with (just ask all the Sylvia Day fans), and it covers a whole gamut of emotions, that you really can't help but get immersed in it. Just saying...<br />
<br />
As we speak, the 3rd book in this series, Entwined With You, has just released, and it could not have come fast enough! Love this series! Love the characters and their story! Care to take a guess what I'll be doing this weekend? <i>heehee</i>...<br />
<i><br /></i>
In the meantime, I wonder, do you think that romance novels have just been getting a bad rep all this time? Just because it's a "fluffy" form of escapism, does that make it less of a written art? A well written story is a well written story, is it not? And if it gets people reading, hasn't it achieved its purpose in the end?<br />
<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-10135201435228915412013-06-02T17:57:00.002-07:002013-06-02T17:57:54.734-07:00Hoorah to Social Media! Death to Social Media!I recently had an email interaction with a public personality, who I <strike>was</strike> am(?) a big fan of, about an interview that the person did. It was an interview that I really enjoyed but there was a portion of the interview, about social media of all things, that didn't sit quite well with me and I thought I'd let the person know how I felt about it in the hopes that the person can address it. (Address it? Who do I think I am? <i>*raises eyebrow*</i>)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.gemalto.com/enterprise/files/2011/09/Hidden-identity-160x160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://blog.gemalto.com/enterprise/files/2011/09/Hidden-identity-160x160.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(courtesy of blog.gemalto.com, via Google images)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Let's just say that it didn't go down very nicely. Had I not been secure with my views and taken the entire content of the response I received personally, let's just say I probably would have been curled up in a ball after reading it, huddled in a corner and just started questioning my beliefs (ok, I'm exaggerating). I think that was the intent of the response anyway. I guess the person felt personally attacked so the person responded in a similar fashion. But I didn't take it personally (how can I when I only "know" OF the person?), and just looked at it as objectively as possible. In retrospect, I still didn't think I've said anything demeaning, I thought I was merely making a point. Unfortunately, from the person's perspective, that wasn't the case, as I've regrettably learned (What do I know? I'm just a fan, after all, right? <i>*insert googly eyes*</i>). Real shame...<br />
<br />
Regardless, what it did to me though is it saddened me. It revealed a side of this personality that I wasn't prepared to see at all (I should have just been happy, I suppose, "adoring" this person like a regular fan, is that it?) and it just further confirmed what I already know, that image is not necessarily everything. Shoulda' known better... <i>*sniff, sniff*</i><br />
<br />
The only other thing I'm gonna say about this experience is that social media has indeed become a game changer. For everybody. These are the (digital) times we're living in... fortunately, or unfortunately... depending I guess on which end you're at...<br />
<br />
O well... C'est la vie...<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-36965964534339983022013-05-30T22:56:00.001-07:002013-05-30T22:56:09.129-07:00Tell Us of a Time...I haven't really decided if the direction of this blog is changing. Hmmm, did I have a direction to begin with? And do I really need to have a direction? These are my random musings after all, are they not? Hmmm...<br />
<br />
Anyhoot, since my random musings lately have gotten more random, thought I'd just talk about the job interview I recently had. The job interview that's led to all these changes lately, to begin with. So, I've been doing this position since beginning of May, officially, that is. Unofficially, I've been doing it for almost a year, although at a different office. And the funny thing was for me to be in that position officially, even though I've been doing the same task already, I had to interview for the position just like everybody else...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"So, tell us of a time when you..."</i></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/980481900_1363969577.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/980481900_1363969577.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(courtesy of bubblews.com, via Google images)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
Don't you love that question?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One thing that most of us already know when it comes to behavioural interviewing is the STAR method. Whatever your response is, it should follow this format: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>S</b>ituation </div>
<div>
<b>T</b>ask </div>
<div>
<b>A</b>ction </div>
<div>
<b>R</b>esult</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But what did I really learn out of this experience, and from the people who were instrumental in my preparation for it?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Because I had back-to-back interviews, I had to really prepare. As in prepare! A LOT! I spent weeknights and some weekends just to prep my notes.</li>
<li>Practice, practice, practice. So practice I did. And in front of a mirror, just to make it a little bit more uncomfortable. HAH!</li>
<li>In this situation, I learnt it was all about me. It's what I did and accomplished. "I did this... I led that... I presented this... (you get the gist)"</li>
<li>And because this was an interview where I know the people on the other side of the interview desk, the best advice I probably received was to pretend that I didn't know those people. The devil was in the details, whether they know about it or not. After all, whether they are fully aware of my accomplishments or not, at the end of the day, they cannot rate me on something they know but I didn't say.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm just glad that the result was a happy one... </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-74259308621683034682013-05-28T21:46:00.003-07:002013-05-28T21:46:39.338-07:00The Beginning of SummerOver the Memorial Day weekend, not that we celebrate it since we don't live in the US, I ended up making a a classic American eat to mark what people usually associate Memorial Day with, the start of summer, in addition of course to honoring the fallen soldiers, that is. So I suppose we inadvertently kinda' did anyway...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzHNyjHcVb56Lk1f9BKAXLXAfgW5D6m4TWK7QySTakF0LNFBIckzul-8Hmx1Yj69lA3xSi8Yl-rtvygDD_g8_wV_Fk2F2j67YARbOz5viv_gnCmDCCYRZ5IH_N_qjHPQbm_ICSlSu8Jk/s1600/IMG_6023a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzHNyjHcVb56Lk1f9BKAXLXAfgW5D6m4TWK7QySTakF0LNFBIckzul-8Hmx1Yj69lA3xSi8Yl-rtvygDD_g8_wV_Fk2F2j67YARbOz5viv_gnCmDCCYRZ5IH_N_qjHPQbm_ICSlSu8Jk/s400/IMG_6023a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... the beginning of a juicy bacon cheese burger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcvVyhvUgbKkob1MBin1SXV_lYpIHv1i9BuKSGBrVNFCn2t4XccU0G2wAmi9hOFCPwrp5375K3d5acP4Atz2X1zURkcXEBj5Bo66W6CcduBmh1hmv4HY1lj6o0sch0Y5rdHbsNOMp2Ns/s1600/IMG_6024a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcvVyhvUgbKkob1MBin1SXV_lYpIHv1i9BuKSGBrVNFCn2t4XccU0G2wAmi9hOFCPwrp5375K3d5acP4Atz2X1zURkcXEBj5Bo66W6CcduBmh1hmv4HY1lj6o0sch0Y5rdHbsNOMp2Ns/s400/IMG_6024a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And I guess you can't have burgers without...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXzRw2ryLb_QV2Vn_W2mz8ldgJLyMDuqEM8vuWt-3OXM_FX9Su2JcQwJoNYqevKgtikSHgINo1DqZ2iZNRkavfkMkltMzkM3rP1Mm6pj6O4zC1FlPAKioqG8GFne8WaHcDKyZ5TMuGTk/s1600/IMG_6021a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXzRw2ryLb_QV2Vn_W2mz8ldgJLyMDuqEM8vuWt-3OXM_FX9Su2JcQwJoNYqevKgtikSHgINo1DqZ2iZNRkavfkMkltMzkM3rP1Mm6pj6O4zC1FlPAKioqG8GFne8WaHcDKyZ5TMuGTk/s400/IMG_6021a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Garlic) Baked French Fries, my version of</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Garlic Flavoring</b>:<br />
Extra-virgin olive oil<br />
Butter (just a tad)<br />
Garlic, crushed<br />
Parmesan cheese<br />
Parsley<br />
<br />
(I tossed the fries right into the mixture straight from the oven, then I put it back into the oven for few more minutes to marry the flavor)<br />
<br />
The meal did taste like summer. Now if only I can say the same about the weather...<br />
<br />
Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-45992626714666824062013-05-26T19:17:00.004-07:002013-05-26T19:17:30.778-07:00Fashion InspirationAs I'm getting older, the more I'm certain that I'm not really that girly-girl kinda' gal. Granted I wear dresses now more than ever but I've always felt at my most confident in menswear-inspired clothing, or I should say, clothes with some masculine touch to them. Oh wait, same diff, right?<br />
<br />
Here are some of the women who then inspires me as I think they epitomize what I mean above.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(all images via Google images)</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Emmanuelle Alt</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/fashion/lookbooks/emmanuelle-alt/14.o.jpg/a_4x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/fashion/lookbooks/emmanuelle-alt/14.o.jpg/a_4x.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(courtesy of nymag)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Gwyneth Paltrow</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/pub/21publish/f/fashion/Gwyneth-Paltrow-Lindex-orange-pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/pub/21publish/f/fashion/Gwyneth-Paltrow-Lindex-orange-pants.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(courtesy of graziadaily.co.uk)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Jackie O</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.writingsofthegoddess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jackie-O-Fashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://blog.writingsofthegoddess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jackie-O-Fashion.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(courtesy of writingsofthegoddess.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Marlene Dietrich</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/2762879/Marlene+Dietrich+tie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/2762879/Marlene+Dietrich+tie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(courtesy of last.fm)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Katherine Hepburn</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c9884742743fa55f5282e193d4e3a0cb/tumblr_mgj8rwohd11qdcfioo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c9884742743fa55f5282e193d4e3a0cb/tumblr_mgj8rwohd11qdcfioo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(courtesy of suecarterflinn.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<i><br /></i>
To me, these women represent(ed) strong, confident, and feminine all at once. Do you agree? Who inspires you sartorially?<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-36232367868460587882013-05-21T20:57:00.001-07:002013-05-21T20:57:11.496-07:00The Making Of...... a Fish Taco:)<br />
<br />
This was inspired by <i><a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/fish-tacos-mango-pico-de-gallo-and-napa-slaw" target="_blank">this recipe</a> </i>that I stumbled upon on Twitter, of all sites...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQM8irNjVvY7NvmASE_Ky-vTSkpCBjL7Efv0qXGNN5FoAfSay3jaceT0hrbSEElLa4AtbyIyfaEMqQ67sqRlbuoteJEPbQPHMOA8Rnmlz2leBLarbf1i2FhOV128Zj0pPyLG2HVbL6UY/s1600/IMG_6009a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQM8irNjVvY7NvmASE_Ky-vTSkpCBjL7Efv0qXGNN5FoAfSay3jaceT0hrbSEElLa4AtbyIyfaEMqQ67sqRlbuoteJEPbQPHMOA8Rnmlz2leBLarbf1i2FhOV128Zj0pPyLG2HVbL6UY/s400/IMG_6009a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mango salsa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I made the mango salsa a tad chunkier.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqlk4G5Bf4DKo4LUBsqwb0aUWwaBYATmiFYEGfUY0N7RaPjaCSz5nG3OtsAdVpVna4EGm2yUTyB5ougALkqSVKFEmEQyro7qvH6qxcNBkflnUnDIXU_VL4Q8Mhw5FTlHSawPfD_nqkEI/s1600/IMG_6011a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqlk4G5Bf4DKo4LUBsqwb0aUWwaBYATmiFYEGfUY0N7RaPjaCSz5nG3OtsAdVpVna4EGm2yUTyB5ougALkqSVKFEmEQyro7qvH6qxcNBkflnUnDIXU_VL4Q8Mhw5FTlHSawPfD_nqkEI/s400/IMG_6011a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Broccoli Slaw</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The dish called for just a regular slaw but I didn't like how the napa cabbage looked at the market and found this broccoli slaw instead.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PBjFuvc2FVjRnofJfpU8NJRTMo3U_IV_6GCM7fHls83NS3DafnlUuvhZhwx2fodZ7mletNgKIih0SyX_JK31OkbSZym0c8M-h7umeEZB2zXyDxh91-HDcUA6B_t0eBBWtu3RvTdozYg/s1600/IMG_6010a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PBjFuvc2FVjRnofJfpU8NJRTMo3U_IV_6GCM7fHls83NS3DafnlUuvhZhwx2fodZ7mletNgKIih0SyX_JK31OkbSZym0c8M-h7umeEZB2zXyDxh91-HDcUA6B_t0eBBWtu3RvTdozYg/s400/IMG_6010a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cilantro dressing</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There was no dressing called for in the recipe but it sounded a bit dry when I was trying to imagine the dish and since I pretty much have all the recipe already, I thought I'd just add this. I used this dressing to dress the slaw and also added a bit more when I assembled the dish.<br />
<br />
<i>Cilantro dressing</i>:<br />
Sour cream<br />
Cilantro<br />
Garlic<br />
Lime juice<br />
Extra-virgin olive oil<br />
Salt & pepper, to taste<br />
Sugar, a pinch (or agave syrup, if you have, for healthier version)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL66zVrSp13vNbKkYVn9LNBhueJc7KBChRKysF-OaKA5YT4ZhAWY01aBfCRDofoGlGaULpF23YdTn6teWfObyBKvHY8TpqwD9sZOdlSAfDDGkypg_xxtXY53ZPa3gUxui9eIXVDq3kstU/s1600/IMG_6015a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL66zVrSp13vNbKkYVn9LNBhueJc7KBChRKysF-OaKA5YT4ZhAWY01aBfCRDofoGlGaULpF23YdTn6teWfObyBKvHY8TpqwD9sZOdlSAfDDGkypg_xxtXY53ZPa3gUxui9eIXVDq3kstU/s400/IMG_6015a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rock fillets</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The batter called for seltzer. I used club soda instead...<br />
<br />
And voila!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzHyj0jhVR4IXzWs3PQxLE6nNuCEnz3hilk7Zgu9Q785tcNZvILZaOLQju5lpmf7smrcuOwwDNzZmQfI8Gb-TyDsNMHRp9g0j6lo5nmqaa4L774uEcz_-d6zfBVUp9N5X96iUC2iuR-I/s1600/IMG_6017a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzHyj0jhVR4IXzWs3PQxLE6nNuCEnz3hilk7Zgu9Q785tcNZvILZaOLQju5lpmf7smrcuOwwDNzZmQfI8Gb-TyDsNMHRp9g0j6lo5nmqaa4L774uEcz_-d6zfBVUp9N5X96iUC2iuR-I/s400/IMG_6017a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Delish!!!<br />
<br />
Even hubby, who's a picky eater, loved it. And so easy to make too!<br />
<br />
As you can see, you can make so much variation to the dish, which is really good, especially for someone like me who doesn't like following recipes.<br />
<br />
Anyhoot, a dish worth repeating for sure... mmm, mmm, mmm...<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-88923357915291505122013-05-19T13:14:00.000-07:002013-05-19T13:16:47.134-07:00A New Kind of Retail Therapy (eeep!)Like I mentioned previously, I have not been doing any "real" shopping lately, which is really good. Ever since I got my e-reader as a Christmas gift from my sisters, let's just say, I've been preoccupied <i>hehe</i><br />
<br />
I've resisted e-books for the longest time as I felt there is something nostalgic and comforting about the feel of a hardbound or paperback book. I love being able to flip thru the pages, and on few occasions, even skim thru the last few pages to kinda' give me an idea about the ending <i>*sheepish grin</i>* But months leading up to my receiving my gift, I've been known to have started reading books on my home PC, which was kinda' sad, I know, so I guess my sisters finally took pity on me, hence the gift...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1306253903l/10950924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1306253903l/10950924.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10950924-the-dovekeepers" target="_blank">goodreads</a></i></td></tr>
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This is a story of 4 women during a very specific time in Jewish history. I don't have any knowledge about this particular time of history but it didn't take away any pleasure from my reading experience at all. The story is also infused with practical magic which added a different dimension to the story, I thought. Each of the women's story describes a pivotal time in their lives that made them who they are, including loves found and lost. I admit I shed a tear or 2 over the ending. I knew it was coming and all I could do was brace myself for it. It wasn't an easy read, that's for sure, but for me, it was worth it. Ms. Hoffman can definitely write.<br />
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... The thing about e-books is, like what most women have discovered, you can pretty much fill it with anything with no one the wiser and unfortunately, I am no exception <i>*raises eyebrows* </i>So now, the sky has certainly become the limits. HAH!<br />
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(One of these days, I may even be brave enough to write about some of those books...maybe... <i>hehe</i>)<br />
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<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-14644080463062409572013-05-16T23:01:00.000-07:002013-05-16T23:01:33.272-07:00...It's A New Day, It's A New Life...... ok not really...<br />
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I realize being away for a week from the blogosphere is like a month in real life, so imagine being AWOL for a month, let lone 5 months! A blogger might as well be gone for years, no? I guess that's just what happens when the blog world in particular has the attention of a goldfish... Not that it really makes a difference, does it?<br />
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It's been ages even I feel awkward, sheesh! What's up with that?!... Not really sure what happened. It just did, whatever it was.<br />
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Regardless, here I am, 5 months later. Reminds me of the time I used to have a journal when I was younger. Before I knew it, I'd just stop, then I'd be back a year later. It's quite an interesting read actually, only for me of course. It felt a little jarring since there would be such long gaps, but it also felt like no time has gone by, and there I was back again.<br />
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Christmas came and went, a fun time spent with family. Winter... Easter... Spring... And now here we are, here I am, and it's almost summer. Work has been really crazy busy, a major contributor to my absence here, that's for sure, but fortunately, with really happy result. I'm now in a different office, after what felt like almost a whole year of bouncing from one office to another, one task to another, one project to another, one position to another.<br />
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And I'm happy to report that my {un}retail therapy is kinda' sorta' working <i>*insert googly eyes*</i> Well, a tad... Since Christmas, I've been really good, I thought, up until a week ago. But hey, that's like almost 5 months! That should count for something, no?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkkJpu4C-wRsZATDsLmGvwwDJGtYE-umaNmdI43bQpZeO8qofsnnN9OJR4KVYSBT5ULkcrUGL_9QG6yZRt8DlSigXM4FDTn0nHnnIUv5_JVE8g3Ejj0KQtOTb4VPDaLesvK-BtSAL4i0/s1600/IMG01573-20130507-1733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkkJpu4C-wRsZATDsLmGvwwDJGtYE-umaNmdI43bQpZeO8qofsnnN9OJR4KVYSBT5ULkcrUGL_9QG6yZRt8DlSigXM4FDTn0nHnnIUv5_JVE8g3Ejj0KQtOTb4VPDaLesvK-BtSAL4i0/s400/IMG01573-20130507-1733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cynthia Rowley blouse (Winners)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9VN_4QQs2VjNuPavqA4lyvFJ908XjI1ZIVXkg_4Tt_V2poTGPajjPJz7I90cxsxP3VJvcgUlZSg3poP4Tm2tNTWIvIeA5eE9heuxVyi5En2HKry0NAmQSiIritGcZQcmNYh5v0N-i18/s1600/IMG01585-20130510-0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9VN_4QQs2VjNuPavqA4lyvFJ908XjI1ZIVXkg_4Tt_V2poTGPajjPJz7I90cxsxP3VJvcgUlZSg3poP4Tm2tNTWIvIeA5eE9heuxVyi5En2HKry0NAmQSiIritGcZQcmNYh5v0N-i18/s400/IMG01585-20130510-0813.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gap ballet flats</i></td></tr>
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That's it, I swear... Although... (dum-duh-dum-dum) I must say yes, I have not been shopping per se, but I may have inadvertently found a new kind of retail therapy <i>*eeep*</i>...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6n5hSGYawKCTJiR_pvcd58-n3SBZ-vCgYZYrPiXMGGODTJdKPC4EKGatPCOabv6tIXtJE0hYJJAmw_0xEtQJaeaI1c4uKv7QBLJoKdJ-THcNLhPtxGxsR96B_wPTxr5hL-wHwZUaQmo/s1600/IMG_5961a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6n5hSGYawKCTJiR_pvcd58-n3SBZ-vCgYZYrPiXMGGODTJdKPC4EKGatPCOabv6tIXtJE0hYJJAmw_0xEtQJaeaI1c4uKv7QBLJoKdJ-THcNLhPtxGxsR96B_wPTxr5hL-wHwZUaQmo/s400/IMG_5961a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kobo Touch e-reader (Christmas gift from sisters)</i></td></tr>
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... in the form of e-books! <i>*gasp</i>* Well, at least I'm feeding my brain, right?<br />
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On that note, will just leave you with these lovely thoughts I happen to stumble upon on my way home from work one day...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ghSW4e06iDmcO7VXhkxUW7WTn2IKjJHMPFfefNGlvdLYRUAyD4zgGrVgCvntmXLNGynOu_N4r1srcpewF2eMqZJvCb5t1FiJLf_wq8RiBbyNueVDIBj0CBXk9mgpxZwayh2QuG_Fog8/s1600/IMG01567-20130506-1709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ghSW4e06iDmcO7VXhkxUW7WTn2IKjJHMPFfefNGlvdLYRUAyD4zgGrVgCvntmXLNGynOu_N4r1srcpewF2eMqZJvCb5t1FiJLf_wq8RiBbyNueVDIBj0CBXk9mgpxZwayh2QuG_Fog8/s400/IMG01567-20130506-1709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Who knows when I'd be back here again <i>hehe</i>... sooner rather than later, I hope...<br />
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<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-12677448156075632072012-12-11T21:16:00.001-08:002012-12-11T21:16:44.391-08:00Matte EffectSince I seem to be on this dark nail kick lately, I gravitated towards another fave color.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliAaakJNO0kuiPbNGBVleK-MsUdR1Mr6RmX9evJx8gVGf2cHjFHYkC6I6cc3_NCDHwHX4P0J1Tu3mvW0qa_MGoVIJ3lV0UEiuMC_Ywa5o-YVW3_KXFqQMKgPIx5RSLfn0iXEHWRf4pIY/s1600/IMG_5768a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliAaakJNO0kuiPbNGBVleK-MsUdR1Mr6RmX9evJx8gVGf2cHjFHYkC6I6cc3_NCDHwHX4P0J1Tu3mvW0qa_MGoVIJ3lV0UEiuMC_Ywa5o-YVW3_KXFqQMKgPIx5RSLfn0iXEHWRf4pIY/s400/IMG_5768a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>NARS Chinatown</i></td></tr>
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But I thought I'd do something different.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiM_HCP2BsjHUkVD13ZK0_NdJwuTlA4aVR0w71mvshHzZctyAzXZ8nVw-NTvID6baQfDvYzVFGbGhJXE_xEyQFtWDsniTechyphenhyphenGdn4-2S-Zv_fsoi1Wpcn3kOzVD0OmXXUm_FgH5XXyqU/s1600/IMG_5770a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiM_HCP2BsjHUkVD13ZK0_NdJwuTlA4aVR0w71mvshHzZctyAzXZ8nVw-NTvID6baQfDvYzVFGbGhJXE_xEyQFtWDsniTechyphenhyphenGdn4-2S-Zv_fsoi1Wpcn3kOzVD0OmXXUm_FgH5XXyqU/s400/IMG_5770a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(with Sephora by OPI Matte topcoat)</i></td></tr>
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Not sure why I wanted to have the matte effect, but the more I thought about it, with the matte effect somehow muting the color, I suppose it's almost reflective of my mood lately towards the coming holiday season. Not sure why, but everything seems to have this muted tone to it.<br />
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Doesn't mean that I'm not enjoying the build-up to the holiday season, that's for sure...<br />
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A nice bowl of wonton soup on a cold day...<br />
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Mulled wine to keep the insides (and hands) warm while walking around listening to Christmas music and enjoying Christmas wares...<br />
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... and to help wash down the authentic wurst (with lots of sauerkraut and mustard)...<br />
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I'ts beginning to look a lot like Christmas...<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704060889226162509.post-25458501837988537382012-12-04T20:17:00.000-08:002012-12-04T20:17:46.024-08:00What's the Skinny?Thanks to a recent email alert from Old Navy, I dragged myself to the mall over the weekend to check out the merchandise. Was that a good decision, you think? Of course not!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_VWYZFphjGns33xmJQh-SdIOv56xEHiwnPi42fsH7vxwEuMdYEnAcwKl7owzPgAesljwuqEODNCkVhWc1TAljutuylSYt7-GDj-cS6_wUGU2OV2X1iwqMtudbKk5_StzhefFTjtZzZw/s1600/IMG_5762a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_VWYZFphjGns33xmJQh-SdIOv56xEHiwnPi42fsH7vxwEuMdYEnAcwKl7owzPgAesljwuqEODNCkVhWc1TAljutuylSYt7-GDj-cS6_wUGU2OV2X1iwqMtudbKk5_StzhefFTjtZzZw/s400/IMG_5762a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Old Navy Rockstar pop pants (Super Skinny)</i></td></tr>
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The most ironic part is that the discount I got on the email did not apply to my purchase. MUST always read fine print! {Un}Fortunately, I love these pants so much, extra discount or not, I figured I might as well get them since they were already way discounted to begin with. The way I saw it, I've spent twice the amount for just 1 pair in the past(!), that these were definitely still smart buys.<br />
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I seriously don't even know how I started accumulating so many of these skinny jeans, be it colored, patterned, whatever...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfLM4V3s1LmWd3rPCmiQXc22Ne3rH8rI3F3RvXcrYc1eUJo75uqn0qVdGK4gy6heTH7XToRQ5jYjzoBxQZWgE0bzD8HaBqOrOEKXF4F0uaOh5aqfrfO6uIi3gn5Rowd1CbGoQHVZfn7c/s1600/IMG_4518a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfLM4V3s1LmWd3rPCmiQXc22Ne3rH8rI3F3RvXcrYc1eUJo75uqn0qVdGK4gy6heTH7XToRQ5jYjzoBxQZWgE0bzD8HaBqOrOEKXF4F0uaOh5aqfrfO6uIi3gn5Rowd1CbGoQHVZfn7c/s640/IMG_4518a.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gap Always Skinny</i></td></tr>
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Got that some 2 or 3 years back. My first colored skinny jeans. And it continues to be one of my fave.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioTXTTLorNvV064CgHrA0-PDdQuP27O_sTXG8qXU9SDHe8bWzXkotVAwuI0GD4fjJfeXG3Igp1RVd8HVrueJyiekHlHHZJHV0DYTkiSKAEgoWM3M9CZ3ANddWiLdAwlOr-UXzehNVAho/s1600/IMG_2975a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioTXTTLorNvV064CgHrA0-PDdQuP27O_sTXG8qXU9SDHe8bWzXkotVAwuI0GD4fjJfeXG3Igp1RVd8HVrueJyiekHlHHZJHV0DYTkiSKAEgoWM3M9CZ3ANddWiLdAwlOr-UXzehNVAho/s400/IMG_2975a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>American Eagle jeggings</i></td></tr>
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Then somehow, last year, I got obsessed with that cobalt blue one that I just had to get it. I suppose that was the end of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG262uu5eDkG9SAPQRSfd1HHKoWcwtUCSf1K4Xjq2tVXowjwn1OOAxrbWA2PBbYQfIZOskSvmaLf9QdruGkkg74KOj7aU73Uzc7fwMgTpGnuoY3kjex2V11ddZ3xnTciyaHkkT3w-KoE/s1600/IMG_4061a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG262uu5eDkG9SAPQRSfd1HHKoWcwtUCSf1K4Xjq2tVXowjwn1OOAxrbWA2PBbYQfIZOskSvmaLf9QdruGkkg74KOj7aU73Uzc7fwMgTpGnuoY3kjex2V11ddZ3xnTciyaHkkT3w-KoE/s640/IMG_4061a.JPG" width="344" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>American Eagle jeggings<br />... what's with the awkward pose?</i></td></tr>
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And so it goes...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMerAiY9Zqfpd6s3eXIcm2wX2xN9oFUSGbkukqZC1cX3_QQEVnLhdCueKZK6A1q6PQ_S0qUCmj4JJqakadsYC79vwunhpt6AbyCUPo7gs4VHngJXi4V0lEnRiYGmI1hmIymDMmNzoAqs/s1600/IMG00561-20111218-1906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMerAiY9Zqfpd6s3eXIcm2wX2xN9oFUSGbkukqZC1cX3_QQEVnLhdCueKZK6A1q6PQ_S0qUCmj4JJqakadsYC79vwunhpt6AbyCUPo7gs4VHngJXi4V0lEnRiYGmI1hmIymDMmNzoAqs/s400/IMG00561-20111218-1906.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gap Legging Jeans in cords </i></td></tr>
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... on and...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOXXUTlYFMhbZoZce4bGNLihvyOZOrVbqoGKTLw2w6BzaPpSo7DvCdl3i4xM2qcAQD_azjh4fbzYWlc3A1WG7a1-iQiTfteZnvvM3qeGDm8yymI-32k3ZCmyPP3dJo_W7Ddgc9alcPMM/s1600/IMG_4523a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOXXUTlYFMhbZoZce4bGNLihvyOZOrVbqoGKTLw2w6BzaPpSo7DvCdl3i4xM2qcAQD_azjh4fbzYWlc3A1WG7a1-iQiTfteZnvvM3qeGDm8yymI-32k3ZCmyPP3dJo_W7Ddgc9alcPMM/s400/IMG_4523a.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>J Crew Skinny Cord <br />... doesn't look too skinny, does it?</i></td></tr>
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... on and...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUVKAzE7_RNljFaMCqFFAZPXVDh2uzfPvQeylWeHYeiR3by6A17TVYmPKaBK9rEtOzQUsx2eXXDsx7A5b33z5O1fIbWxkvySM4hML7Xc6TFoqFFyEKiHeH5vUglss0bsTaKs8JFFeK1E/s1600/IMG_5074a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUVKAzE7_RNljFaMCqFFAZPXVDh2uzfPvQeylWeHYeiR3by6A17TVYmPKaBK9rEtOzQUsx2eXXDsx7A5b33z5O1fIbWxkvySM4hML7Xc6TFoqFFyEKiHeH5vUglss0bsTaKs8JFFeK1E/s640/IMG_5074a.JPG" width="334" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gap Legging Jeans</i></td></tr>
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... on and...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1CUSDRV2_LoozFi5DK70G7Ym8tpECQCyJ78WtrKfTaPYLwBIbGjE7y-Hgzf55E4WSSqoQXXsUcwkJ3_2ixWOK1hLFqlNRovFsLMk1wqQrkqIXw36D5Geqho0I0sxPipFCXMym1Bp6Ng/s1600/IMG_5476a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1CUSDRV2_LoozFi5DK70G7Ym8tpECQCyJ78WtrKfTaPYLwBIbGjE7y-Hgzf55E4WSSqoQXXsUcwkJ3_2ixWOK1hLFqlNRovFsLMk1wqQrkqIXw36D5Geqho0I0sxPipFCXMym1Bp6Ng/s400/IMG_5476a.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Old Navy Rockstar jeans (Skinny)</i></td></tr>
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... on and...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiONO888jp7jlj0RW5FIJbCkHe6KsCPaGbyM8ALMStN6Ps3kxG03mhlGHIfUJu4IgMqhUDoAzRTBZMFxVKwvwa3OOb9Tc5c0rbpEAJhvBKtRe-_LT4x-_I7W_XR_6JUGiCYMAaYJEC7cn7/s1600/IMG_5668a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiONO888jp7jlj0RW5FIJbCkHe6KsCPaGbyM8ALMStN6Ps3kxG03mhlGHIfUJu4IgMqhUDoAzRTBZMFxVKwvwa3OOb9Tc5c0rbpEAJhvBKtRe-_LT4x-_I7W_XR_6JUGiCYMAaYJEC7cn7/s640/IMG_5668a.JPG" width="354" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>American Eagle jeggings</i></td></tr>
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MAJOR sigh... and I have not even included the regular ones, as in regular denim in blue and black. Again, MAJOR sigh. And please don't bother shaking your head. Between me and hubby, especially hubby, there's enough shaking head to last me a lifetime.<br />
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The best part about this is I don't even really know if they suit my body type. They must since I haven't heard a scathing remark as yet. All I know is I like them (reallly?!?) They're so convenient, and comfortable. I wear them with flats in the summer. I tuck them in my boots in the winter. So I guess regardless whether they suit me or not, those are good enough reasons in my book. Besides, I've got them now, don't I?<br />
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HAH!<br />
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(On 3 now... *<i>shake head</i>*)<br />
<br />Shoe Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954824084942559280noreply@blogger.com4