We love you, Walker Best

Though I can think of a million other things I'd rather be talking about today, I am truly burdened by the only thing that I will write today. Walker Best, a great friend of mine since my freshman year at Texas A&M, passed away early this morning in an unexpected accident. Walker was an amazing, godly guy who will be sorely missed by all whom he met. All who knew and loved Walker will be fervently praying for his family and his girlfriend, Cara. And for those who did not know him, please pray for the Best familly.

A Runway Recap & A New Pledge of Allegiance

**The designers of Project Runway faced one of the biggest challenges this week when they were given not beautiful models to dress, but the mothers of other designers on the show: real American bodies.

**It's official. After just finishing the newest episode of Project Runway, I am OBSESSED with Michael. I want to buy everything that he makes and if he doesn't win, I'll just DIE!

**Jeffrey, you, your neck tats, and your cocky 'tude need to be voted off! I'm sorry, Robert. :-(

In honor of Project Runway, I bring you this fashionista Pledge of Allegiance which was brought to my attention (via facebook) by a Tri Delta sister, Megan Hayes. Of course, I had to post it tonight (due to the Michael Kors reference).

Our Father Michael Kors, Who Arts at Neiman Marcus, Hallowed be thy shoes...
Thy Prada come, Thy shopping be done, On Rodeo...As it is in Paris.
Give us this day, our Visa Gold, And forgive us our balance, As we forgive those who charge us interest.
Lead us not into Penney's But deliver us from Sears For thine is the Chanel, the Gucci and the Dior...
For Dolce and Gabbana Amex

The Cure for the Petrified

One more restless night to go before I awake as a new, totally resposible, totally OLD law student. Yes. Tomorrow I cross-over to the "other" side of legality: the side that is supposed to be in "the know" (but who, without legal resources to quickly reference, is mostly not). My apprehensions about the upcoming "first day" were slightly subsided after meeting several very encouraging, very hilarious 2L and 3L students. I am hoping that after the intensity of the first semester, I might also be able to enjoy the quarkiness of professors and laugh about "how hard it was at first." Until then, I stay completely petrified.

THE CURE FOR PETRIFICATION: the newest episode of Project Runway followed by my favorite lezzies on Workout (I love BRAVO), a glass of Franzia's (gotta love the box wine) White Zinfindel, and some L'Occitane lavender hand lotion. A slight obsession for lavender, I also have some lavender oil scent sticks which are supposed to give me a great calming sensation every time I enter my room. I'm not sure if I agree, but I do enjoy the smell. My roommate, Sarah, believes that this lavender might also cover the nauseating smell of formaldhylde which she REEKS of every day from working on the carcus of a cadavar affectionately known as "Rose." If someone tells you that a scent might hide the smell of formaldyhide, it's not necessarily a compliment, but for now, I don't care because I need all the promises of 'calm' that I can get.

THE ONLY CURE THAT'S MISSING: the best kept secret in Dallas - the amazing massage of the small, yet powerfully magic fingers of a certain Morgan Denson. I would pay ungodly amounts of money to have her talents in San Antonio. She cures all that is stressful.

Wish me luck!

"Top Ten Things You Need Right Now?" Here's How to Sport 'Em.

Neiman's also graciously writes a top ten called "Wearing the Proportion," which refers to the fact that proportionately, the new 'look' is larger on top (I've heard several times that smaller shoulder pads are in; I WON'T be wearing those, but I loved sleeping on Mom's shoulder in church when she wore them!) and smaller on bottom. Hence the tunic paired with skinny jeans. Here's what Fashion Director Ken Downing says about the 'new proportion:'

1. A big, bold, bubble-shaped coat is tops this season. Wear it over narrow pants.
2. Accentuate the positive! Start with a roomy tunic and cinch it with a wide belt and patent leather.
3. Cozy up to an oversize sweater paired with narrow jeans in black or gray.
4. Arm yourself in a tailored suit with puffy sleeves.
5. Get ready for your close-up via a dramatic portrait collar on a jacket or coat.
6. Don't skirt the issue - you need a dress with a bubble hem.
7. Bigger is better! Get your hands on an oversize black and gold handbag.
8. Maximize your look with multiple layers of bold gold chains.
9. Puff up your pout. A bright red lip looks sexy and fresh.
10.Elevate yourself via platform boots and booties. They're the perfect way to visually balance blouson shapes.

Neiman Marcus' "Ten Things You Need Right Now"

Today I am officially -belongings and all- a townhouse resident of San Antonio, Texas. Mom and Dad graciously lugged my furniture all the way from Granbury, TX and for the first time in week, I'll graduate from the couch and sleep in my own bed. YAY! This Sunday's events included finding a church (University United Methodist, which I now love!) and stocking my fridge, which naturally led me to the nearest Super Target. I just HAD to try on those patent leather stacked heels....which stood me a surprising 3 inches taller. I had no idea that they would be so high, and ultimately decided not to buy them (they're now on sale for $25.99). Since then, I have voted to buy them later this week and see how they feel after I walk around my house in them (Shall I vacuum in them, Rebecca?). P.S. They were super-cute.

Neiman Marcus had a new "Notebook" that came out about a week ago with all of the 'must-haves' for fall. Included was a removable bookmark listing the top "Ten Things You Need Right Now:"

1. Black/gold handbags
2. Red shoes
3. Belts
4. Tunics
5. White shirts
6. Narrow pants
7. Dresses
8. Bold gold necklaces
9. Black leggings
10. Boots and booties

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/template/catT7.jhtml;jsessionid=WPKPVNOV2UK5OCQAAKHBACA?itemId=cat11360745&parentId=cat00003&masterId=cat000001&cmCat=home2&icid=home2

And I love the look above - easy enough to put together, and if you really aren't comfortable sporting the skinny jean like the model, the tunic is the most important piece anyway. It hides all the "bad areas" with its flowy shape and black color. You could even add a red or gold belt at the waist for a slpash of color. Also, if you can't afford the Neiman's version, this look is easy to replicate at the Forever 21 near you. :-)

And now you are in The Know. If Neiman Marcus says it's hot, then it IS, Dahling.

Avoiding the Mall: The Unavoidable Dilemma

I finally finished painting my bathroom yesterday (a very beautiful "Toasted Cashew") and attempted to reattach towel racks and my toilet paper holder, but the toilet paper holder just wouldn't have any of it. Long story short, I have to go to Lowe's today to fix two holes in my drywall where both of the hinges were AND get a new toilet paper holder. The old one was hideous anyway. I REALLY wanted to go visit all the San Antonio missions today, but I think it's always sad to go touring alone and I probably wouldn't have as much fun anyway. Eric is in St. Louis until Monday, and though I've begged him more than once to come down here, he has some bachelor party to go to and can't make it.

Sitting around here all day reading what I can of the law books that I bought recently just hasn't been good for the psyche. My mind starts to wonder and I start to feel really insecure about things. Like, "How will I ever make it in law school?," and the more popular, "Eric probably doesn't really miss me." Geez!

My plan so far is to go see that Hilary and Haley (sp?) Duff movie that came out today. And I absolutely CANNOT let myself go to the mall. If I go, I know I'll buy those black pumps from Target (I wrote about them on 16th) and some really hot skinny jeans that I heard about from my new favorite, Tia Williams, on her blog, http://www.tiawilliams.net/blog/. She says that Urban Outfitters has the PERFECT pair of black skinny jeans for $49 (seen above) - BDG 5 Pocket Skinny Jean Black. Being such a fan of the cotton legging, I realize that I can't wear them everywhere because they just aren't dressy enough. I had originally passed on the idea of the skinny jean completely because all of the ones in the July and August Lucky mags are too expensive. Come in, cheap skinny jean! And of course then I'd have to get a great shirt to go with....

So now you know what I'll be doing for the rest of the day: avoiding the mall like it's the Plague. I hope it works.

"Runway" = the winner!

Just when I think that things can't get any tougher around here, Project Runway on Bravo and the season premiere of Laguna Beach are showing at the SAME time tonight! Gees! I'm practically exhausted from all of the channel switching.

Here's what I've gathered so far:

Project Runway:

Don't you just LOVE Heidi?!

-As always, I love this show. Not only do they have really tough challenges that render amazing (and not-so-amazing designs), there is also major designer drama.
-Don't tell the designers to make a dress out of garbage and then tell them that it looks like an arts and craft project.
-Heidi is SUPER hot.
-I love Michael's take on design - no matter WHAT he makes. When he walks in a room, you think he's some thug who wants to sew some sexy clubwear, but really, he's genius! He won the last challenge and I think he'll make it to the final 3.
-I also LOVE LOVE Michael Kors (duh.).
-I hate Jeff's dumb-looking tats on his neck (what was he thinking?), but his garbage made a nice dress.
-I can't believe that they cut Allison! I'll miss her cute bangs :-(.

Laguna Beach:

-Someone should tell the old cast of Laguna Beach that it's time to move on. Jessica, you probably won't ever find a nice guy in the L.B., and you might also want to quit macking on younger guys...on national television. So desperate....
-Does the entire girl cast of L.B. have the same hair stylist? Because I've never seen so many ephing extentions in my life...
-And where did they all get those huge boobs?
-I'm pretty sure that all of the younger Laguna Beachers have studied their older predecessors, because I don't really see noticeably different characters.
-Classic story-line: all the same girls fight over all the same type of guys - - who would rather golf, surf, and "hook-up" than be in a normal relationship. I guess even though the girls seem to be replicating their elders, they just haven't learned a THING.

Basically, I was unmoved by the "new" cast of Laguna Beach....but will probably end up watching at least a few more episodes.


RUNWAY WINS!!!!

All Hail Target

So I finally made it to San Antonio, got my law books (all $680 of them), my parking permit, and my student ID, making me a REAL student at St. Mary's School of Law for the fall. If I fail-out, I'm going to flee to NY, NY, live with my girl, Rebecca (for free, please?), and buy a cheap bookshelf on which to display all of my really fancy, really intimidating, really EXPENSIVE law books. If I can't actually BE impressive, I might as well LOOK impressive.

Which brings me to the real point at hand: looking impressive. Unfortunately, I have no need to look impressive for anyone except for my law profs (and they don't give 2 craps); but as I try to plan my very sophis., very cas., very I'm-here-to-learn student look at the age of 23 (blah!), I have been fantasizing about what smart outfit I would wear to a real job. Oh yes. Instead of cotton leggings, I might wear some black, knee-length trousers with black textured tights. Then I'd pair it with a fun (yet professional) button-down shirt. Should I wear a solid belt at my waist? Oh the options.... And for the finale - the actual !BAM! of it all - I would don my feet with some patent leather stacked-heel pumps.

Since I cannot actually buy one of these fab new outfits, I want YOU to buy one. Please. And since you are working all day, you may not have time to seek the best deal so I did all the leg work for you (you can thank me later). See, MaxStudio makes a really great shoe for $148 - a little too tough for most to swallow, but Target (oh, sweet Target) makes a hot-looking, cheaper version for only $29.00 shown above (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_31/602-6666495-7423050?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000FEO3S6). This shoe is great for work or for a night out if paired with some great jeans. They also carry a more conservative closed-toe style, and for a totally different look, there is a taupe Mossimo Domino Menswear heal for only $24.99. Basically, you can go to Target for your trendy needs and look JUST as good as your more highly-paid boss. Booya!

Bronze or Bust (a.k.a. Summer's Gone)

Due to a broken boat and a departed boat-driver, my fall face is finally setting in with no hope of return once classes begin in two short weeks. Even the normally unavoidable freckles have faded and I find myself (for the first time in my life) wishing that they (and everything 'summer' that they represent) would somehow reappear.

Friends are starting medical school tomorrow (yay for my pretty-in-pink, m.d. to be, Melanie!), have already been attending dental schools for this school year, will start masters programs in a few weeks, and finally - some will be starting jobs. Yes - things are permanently irreversible. In a matter of months, priorities have quickly changed from sorority functions to real, life-changing, "how will I pay the bills?" decision-making.

Yup. It seems like the only thing I can reverse here is my not-so-summer face....back to summer! So here, in attempt to at least conjure-up thoughts of summer, the perfect bronzer MUST be purchased PRONTO! Here's what I can't live without: Laura Mercier powder bronzer, which is amazing because it comes in 4 different shades. This is perfect for us fair-skinned gals because the lightest shades don't have an orangey color to them, and they blend in well with fair skin. I swear - I want it so bad right now that I'm going to sacrifice eating-out for a week to afford it. It's only $32, mind you, but I'm that poor. Check Laura out: www.lauramercier.com