And I Can't Get "Sequin Shoes" Out of My Mind

Leave it to Dorothy Gale of my new town, Liberal, Kansas to inspire this post.  Dorothy will always be known for Ruby Red Slippers.  Well, Dorothy red is great and all but I think it might be a little to "lady of the night" for my taste. Here's the deal I'll wear sequins on my feet but more along the lines of silver, gold and black colors.  Check these out. 

1. Kansas born Kate Spade knows her roots with these sequin, satin and bow, 3 inch Sling back heels. {Carly} A steep $375
2. I'll take some {Sequin Ribbon Booties} from Charlotte Russe.  At $29.99 I think these are perfect for a little night out on the town. 
3. Not in the mood for a sparkly bootie, then {Peep Toe Sequin Heels} from Windsor might be your style.  Apparently these sequins change from silver to black.  Priced at $34.90. 
4. Jones New York {My Hero Sequined Flat} comes with a mixture of silver and gold.  Therefore no worries on matching your jewelry.  Priced at $49.99 on DSW.com.
   

{Stay Tuned} I'll let you know if I get a sparkly pair of new shoes.

P.S. Photo above from inside Dorothy's house. That would be Dorothy's bedroom and notice her rudy red slippers. 

And I Can't Get "Chain Strap Handbags" Out of My Mind

Oh la la....I love these!

I cannot get the chain styled handbag strap out of my mine!  I have been seeing it everywhere and from every designer to every Mall styled store.  But here are my six picks!

1. Who doesn't love a little color? Obviously not Michael Kors and his Jamesport Small Shoulder Bag in Marigold Yellow.  Priced at $174. 
2. Animal print anyone?  New York and Company have created this City Style Chain Strap Zebra Satchel at $39.50.
3. Tory Burch knows how to make a bag to go out on the town with and in real leather.  Check out this Leather Reva Clutch at a steep $350 from Sak's but the leather is super soft and has Tory's traditional trademark symbol on the front flap. 
4. For those who like a lot of color in their handbags take a look at the MAXX New York Small Chain Shoulder Bag from Nordstrom at $43.90. 
5. BCBG did it with not only a chain like style shoulder strap but with a braided style also.  This BCBGeneration Shoulder Bag is available on Overstock.Com for $34.99.
6. There are handbags and then there are Kate's handbags.  I love this Kate Spade Bon Vivant Lilia Patent Leather Tote from Sak's at $425. It might be the color, the size, the shinny patent leather or maybe the sweet little bow that ties it all together. 
7. I see this as the ultimate club bag this fall.  The shoulder strap can go across the body...great for dancing.  And it is ultra cool and you can tell all your friends it was made from recycled leather jackets! Leave it to Urban Outfitters to be that cool.  Urban Renewal Leather Chain Strap Bag at $38. 
8. For those that want a bag they can carry all the time then take a look at Nine West Ranya Medium Satchel at $61.99.  It comes in black, tan and a nice light blue.  The shape is very classic and has nice side compartments. 

(Stay Tuned)

And I Can't Get "Blog Contest" Out of My Mind

Last Thursday, I was delighted to know I had won my first ever Blog Contest!  It was on the{Lucky Me! Blog} of Lucky Designs. The Prize was a $50 gift card to {Moments of Elegance}.  That may or may not be a wedding favor website but hey, it was worth a shot at entering. What are the odds?

Then I saw this...

I won!  It was a comment contest where I just left a comment on the Lucky Me! Moments of Elegance post. So simple and yet, I walked away with a $50 gift card.  So what did a girl get that happens to not be getting married any time soon?

Well, I got a cashmere scarf with my initial on it and four glass grape place holders!  Perfect for a wine and cheese party! I just have to host one sometime soon. I just wanted to thank Erin of Lucky Me! again for the contest and the prize.  But this brings me to my point of my post! You can win too!  Below is a list of contest you can enter and win too!

1. {Stuff Under 20} Giveaway from Brooklyn Thread. Love the jewelry. 
2. {Practically Perfect} Giveaway that includes Mary Poppins DVD, Korres Sugar Crystal Antioxidant, Sebastian Hair Care and Crabtree and Evelyn Candelas. What a prize pack. 

I can't think of other ones going on right now but I'll add comments though out this weekend if anything comes to mind. 

{Stay Tuned}

And I Can't Get "Ingrid Michaelson" Out of My Mind

On Tuesday, Ingrid Michaelson's newest CD, Everybody,  hit iTunes and music stores. 

I am a huge fan!  I have loved Ingrid since the Old Navy commercial of Fall 07 in which she offered to share a sweater.  Since that day, I have all her CD's, listen to her "Little Romance" song on the Sex and the City Soundtrack, waited patiently for one of her songs to be played on Grey's Anatomy and have seen her in concert twice. 

I even won tickets on the radio to see her this past November in Kentucky.  Let's just say I am one of her biggest fans and have gotten quite a few of my friends on the Ingrid band wagon.   

I invite you to check out her Everybody CD and it was $7.99 on iTunes this past Tuesday.  So worth it! Or if your not sure if your going to like her I suggest the Ingrid Pandora station.  Great mix and you'll get to hear some of my favorite Ingrid.  Also, Ingrid's website is offering free downloads with a little email info from you. 

Also if you ever get the chance to see her in concert, do! She is fantastic, funny and so talented.  I always tell people this but at an Ingrid show it is a variety of ages young and old and she leaves everyone laughing. She is coming to Cincinnati at the end of October and I'll be there.  (That is unless I get a great job offer and move away. In which, I will check out her tour dates {here} and reroute to another show.}

{Stay Tuned}

And I Can't Get "She & Him" Out of My Mind

I don't claim to know a lot about music.  I have been lucky enough to be a {Pandora} listener for quite some time and that has lead me to finding some great musical acts.  I also have some great music loving friends that have helped me along the way to create the "ultimate random ipod pink mini". Plus, my love for movie soundtracks has helped a lot too.  

I wouldn't take credit for finding {She & Him}.  

During my last week in Chapel Hill a friend suggested we listen to their new CD on the way to the movies.  It was quite disappointing for her and I, when I said, "My car only has a cassette player." 

But I remembered what she said.  This is the band that {Zooey Deschanel}, the actress from 500 Days of Summer, is the lead singer.  

It took me till last week during a trailer for 500 Days of Summer that I remembered I wanted to check out this band, {She & Him}.  Well, I am sure glad I did.  

iTunes described, {She & Him} as a alternative group.  I would say it's music is sweet 60's inspired lyrics with flair in musical accompaniment.  Think a little folksy and country. Deschanel wrote eight of the tracks and co-wrote one other.  Who would of thought?  The lyrics are about love, heartbreak, smiling and are upbeat.  Perfect for singing along.  

My favorite track picks are Why do You Let me Stay Here?, Take it Back, Black Hole and You Really Got a Hold on Me. Of course, I really have enjoyed listing to the entire CD and that's why "I can't get it out of my mind".  Check it out.

{Stay Tuned}. 

And I Can't Get "Brandy J Handbags" Out of My Mind

I've been wanting to blog about this for weeks!  I recently stumbled upon this handbag collection by a wedding photographer {Brandy J}.  I had followed Brandy J's blog to check out great weddings in my last career but I didn't even know about her "other" career till recently.  

As a handbag lover, I instantly checkout her {website} and fell in love with the bags. My favorite is above and called "On Holiday".  That's what I am thinking!  Perfect for the airport as a carry on or for a weekend getaway.  Best part, $130.  But if you aren't into big bags, check out her wristlet for $20.  Either way, check out her bags.  You'll love them!

At this time, Brandy J Handbags are not available to buy online but she has a zip code search to find stores in your area that carry her line.  Cincinnati has about 6 stores.  Maybe your area is similar.  

{Stay Lovely and Stay Tuned}

And I Can't Get "Flower Jewelry" Out of My Mind

Don’t get me wrong! I am not all about the flower power or anything but one trend I have loved this past Winter, Spring and now, into Fall is flower jewelry.

I have been known to sport two rings I purchased at {Forever 21} and even though when I take them off I have that ugly green ring skin thing left…you can’t see it while I wear it. I also have two earrings from {Forever 21} with the flower look that purchased this spring and love.  I always get a lot of compliments on my flower jewelry. I think it is very chic and lovely.

These are my four picks of flower jewelry right now.  However, I have noticed this look is in quite a lot of stores and you can’t go wrong wither you want a ring, earrings or even a necklace with the look. 

Large Left Photo: The Tanzanite Bloom from {Fuss Jewelry} at $224.  Splurge but beautiful. The top right and bottom right from Urban Outfitters. The top {Wild Flower Post Earrings} are $14 and come in a yellow and a pink.  The {Metal Rose Studs} are $16 for those that don't want the color or pair with Fall tones.  Middle photo: The feature item on Forever 21's website.  Love this one - {Neon Petal Flower Ring} at $5.80. That's one price that can't be beat. 

{Stay Classy and Stay Tuned}

And I Can't Get "Today" Out of My Mind

Today was filled with some high's and some low's.  But it wouldn't be the life of a boomerang lady without it. 

As an unemployed person my schedule is as following: wake up (9 A.M.), feed cat, drink coffee while reading the newspaper, crack open Mac PowerBook, answer emails, send emails, check social media sites, apply for jobs and then plan the rest of my day.  Well, today went as according to plan until I received an upsetting email from my former employer.  Another promise broken. 

While in recover from it, I jammed out a cover letter for a perspective job.  With an "I'll show her {former boss} attitude", I hit my keyboard keys hard thinking I can get a job, I can get a career and people will love me thorough out the process.  I am somebody.  

It was during this time that my cell phone rang.

As soon as I saw the number I knew.  

Like the old ladies at church always say, "When one door closes, God opens another."

I recently had a phone interview for a reporter position in Virginia. The interview went splendid. I was so at ease and was able answer all the questions perfectly.  Everything the hiring manager shared with me was what I wanted.  Community reporter, reporting on a variety of tasks, covering town meetings, uploading stories to the web and more.  The location was great for a small town.  Beautiful scenery, 20 minutes away from a ACC university, in the South and more.  I also knew I was what they were looking for.  Young, cheap labor, good clips, just the right experience, friendly and hungry for a position.  

It was that editor from this weeks earlier phone interview.  He wants to meet me in person for a formal interview.  He liked my clips.  He thinks I'm a good fit.  He might just hire me.  

It was just want I need to here.  It was just what I've been wanting.  

I spent the new few hours planning my next few days with an interview on Saturday.  How to get there? Where to stay?  Would I have to give up on family vacation in Florida where my parents had rented a condo starting Saturday?

Thanks to the modern world wide web with sites like {Google Maps}, {Travelation}, {Avis}, {Hotels.Com}, and more.  I got it worked out.  Drive to West Virginia on Friday night.  Wake up Saturday morning finish the trip to Virginia.  Make it to interview at 1:30 P.M. Then drive back to Ohio.  Sunday make morning flight from Cincinnati to Florida.  By Florida afternoon be laying on beach with sunscreen on, August's InStyle Magazine and a Blue Moon in hand.  

I have a long way to go till Sunday afternoon.  But I am sure it will make a great tale from the Boomerang Lady.  As I keep my fingers cross this entire weekend that all goes according to plan and that the next phone call I get from Virginia is something along the lines of "we need you to pass a drug test and lets pick a date for you to start", I have to take a second to breath.  

At one point today, I wanted to scream.  I was emotional and my blood was boiling.  But within an hour, I was jumping for joy and making things happen for myself.  "Yes, I can be in Virginia on Saturday".  Isn't it crazy what can happen in a manner of moments?

All my friends, my parents, former co-workers and more keep saying things like, "something will work out", "you'll get a job soon enough" and more. I believe them.  I know I have to be patient, open and place a lot of energy into the job search. But I always keep thinking that good things happen to good people.  Just one I live on specifically.  

I really need this positive impact in my job search today.

I am a good person.  I have been patient.  And I am ready to rock out an interview.  {Stay tuned} as I tackle a big weekend ahead!

And I Can't Get "The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale" Out of My Mind

What I can't get out of my mind this week is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!  I love Nordstrom's for many reasons; the shoe department, the A-List Service, Kate Spade Galore, B.P. and the awesome labels they carry.  

But the best time to shop at Nordstrom's is during the Anniversary Sale, where prices are marked down on their upcoming fall line.  

Cincinnati doesn't have a Nordstrom's.  (I know. Seriously, what? However, they are getting one on September 25th of this year).  But growing up, my mom use to take my sister and I up to Columbus and we would shop away.  Well, thank heavens I am not in Cincinnati, yet.  I am still in Chapel Hill and will be going to my local Durham Nordstrom's tomorrow for the first day of the sale (The sale runs July 17 - August 3).  

On the agenda to shop for ... (you know when you have no income coming in you have to only shop for what you need)...a dress for the August wedding of my first friend to get married and I really want some leather riding boots for the Fall.  But here we go with the want.  

Anyways {stay tuned and I might share my purchase(s)}.