No Expectations

Sometimes the best things in life are the most unexpected.  Maybe because you go in with zero expectations, you can't be let down.  Maybe because it's fate that blindsides you leaving you giddy with excitement.

Of course this usually happens on a grander scale like a chance meeting with someone special or a dream job, but it happened for me this weekend when I met a dress.

Yes, I said a dress.

You don't understand.

I try to form friendships with more dresses. REALLY I DO. But they're all usually so boring. Or expensive. Or both. And those expensive dresses are so snooty.  They don't really want to come and hang out with me at the flea market or the beach or some hole in the wall restaurant we're testing. They want to go to da club. And I haven't seen the inside of da club in a looooong time. Not long enough as far as I'm concerned.

So anyway.  There I was on Friday: still kinda woozy from being sick most of the week, remnants of a headache lingering in the background, when suddenly I decide maybe a little fresh air is in order. Next thing you know I'm in the Free People dressing room lying down on the little sofa wondering why I decided to leave the house again listening to throngs of girls go on and on and on about they neeeeed this or that item because they're on their way to Coa-chel-la so 7 to 10 day delivery won't work for them. They're on their way now don't you know?? zzzzzzzzzzzz

I'm trapped. I can't leave. I'm lightheaded.

Despite the fact that we are in the midst of a torrential rainstorm complete with thunder and lightning, tank tops and skimpy shorts, bandeaus and bandonts are being tossed around like rag dolls. It's 48 degrees! What are these people thinking? Why is that girl's mother paying for a pile of what appears to be bras for her 15 year old daughter to wear to Coachella? How is that girl getting there?  She needs a JACKET. I've turned into my mother.

Somehow I manage to wait out the mob. You know, by holding up a fitting room for 30 minutes while the shopgirl laughs maniacally every time she slides open the curtain to see if I'm still alive. Thank goodness for being a regular customer or mall security might have been helping me to my car.  

As I'm making my way to the exit I peer into H&M: people people everywhere. Nope. Can't do it.

I glance across at Zara:  clothing lying all over the floor and lines reminiscent of Holiday. Uh-uh.

Just as I'm about to admit defeat, I see it.

After telling myself repeatedly: there is nothing in there for you, there it is hanging in the Madewell window:  the striped dress. I'm not even really on the stripe wagon, but something about these stripes is different. 

And my friend is working there now?  It's a sign.  

She tosses me into a room with the dress and a denim shirt  (a good friend always knows)...

Cut to scene and I've made a new friend. I want to hang out with it every day. And by hang out I mean wear it from sun up until sun down.  I love it so much I might need two.  Kismet.

~Details: Madewell-Dress & Denim Shirt, Brandy & Melville-Fringe Bag (similar), Joie-Booties~

~Vanessa Mooney-Necklace, Bluma Project (similar), Motif 56 and PANYC-Bracelets~

All I got was Instagram because I parked it on the couch for most of the weekend. I look forward to committing the ultimate blogging offense and wearing the dress on here again.  Perhaps even a couple more times. *gasp*

New Day/New Way

It's become increasingly obvious that if I want to get any outfit pictures done for this blog I'm going to have to be prepared at all times.  That's like telling a 4 year old on a roadtrip to 'hold it' until the next rest stop.  Uh, yeah--probably not going to happen so have to plan in advance for accidents.  There I was on Saturday morning fresh off a night of Dateline, 20/20 and Nancy Grace Casey Anthony updates...sheer bliss.  The last thing I wanted to do was hop out of bed and coordinate for a picture.  The only thing on my mind was sleeeeeeeeep.  You know, in order to avoid having to purge my closet any further.

Enjoying the silence I began mentally planning posts for the upcoming week when it hit me:  I had none.  Up out of the bed I hopped.  After glancing out the window to see miracle of all miracles - the SUN shining (seriously it's been in the 60's for a month) - I popped the closet open and stared down a skirt I've been hankering to wear ever since spring supposedly sprung.  At approximately a half past I'm not quite ready yet the Chef rang me to say he was ready.  Cut to scene and there I was zipping off down PCH in hot pursuit of wherever he was--ever tried coordinating locations by cell phone?  Um, I don't advise.

Me:  'You're where?'
Him:  'Well where are you?
Me:  'Who cares where I am? I'm driving toward you, aren't I?!"
Him:  'I'm parked on the side of the road at xyz'
Me:  'I have no clue where that is, ya know.'
Him:  'Where are you?'
Me: 'Haven't we already been over this?  Fine.  I'm at ab and cd.'
Him:  'Look up the road and to your right.  I'm on the side of the road'

....he says as I zip on by, surrounded by traffic, unable to stop.  Oy vey people.

Fortunately we were able to find some open field thing that looked like the middle of nowhere.  Totally reminded me of the desert.  Palm Springs?  Is that you calling?  Hope to see you soon.  Love, Carrie.

~Jacket--Forever21 (10yrs ago), Tanks--Gap, Skirt--Mes Demoiselles, Shoes--Matt Bernson, 

Necklace--Melinda Maria, Sunnies--Anthro, Bag--Brandy & Melville~

Note the No Stopping Any Time sign.  As an avid nerd and follower of the law, signs like this

breed fear and guilt in me.  If the sign says NO then why are we stopping here??

What if the Poliiiiiice come?? *cue carrie breaking into a sweat*

Look into my eyes.  What do you see?  You see him calmly taking a photo while I nervously

glance down the road to see if the black and whites are coming to haul us to the clanker.

Serious moment:  skirt.  

Skirt, skirt, skirt infinity.  

Total score at 75% off at Calypso.  *tears*

Do you check their sales?? Must.do.

~Bracelets (from top to bottom):  Motif 56, PANYC studded leather wrap, Bluma Project blue~

Here I am on the verge of a breakdown waiting for some authority figure to jump out and holler 

that he's got us on tape and we're going down.  Who's gonna make the food then, huh Chef?!?

hehe. little dramatic over here at the bird sometimes.

Anyway this was Saturday complete with disheveled hair and a side of wind.  I've got a confession:  I hit the jackpot so hard at the flea market on Sunday.  $8 pants.  EIGHT DOLLAR PANTS.  Now if I can only find someone to take a picture of me wearing them...