bargain hunter:TOMS

Truthfully, I resisted for a LONG time against getting TOMS. Everyone had them, they weren't that cute...etc. I just found reasons to not like them. But like a lot of trends and popular things, there really are reasons why they are so popular and continue to be a high craze.

Since I finally bought my first pair and have broken them in, they are SOOO comfortable. But the price was still a little much to swallow. So when I heard from a friend at work that she found someone who buys TOMS straight from the factory in bulk and then sells them for $25 a pair, I was like 'Sign me up!'

She gave me the contact info, I dropped by this nice lady's house today after school and bought two pair for me, and two pair for a friend.

They had everything from the classic toms, to a couple patterns, to the glitter toms, to the wedges. All under $35 a pair! So truthfully, I feel a lot better about these TOMS that I just got, then my first pair from Nordstrom.

But I guess it took me actually finding a pair that I liked the look of to be open about the brand in general.

Is everyone else like me where they resist the popular movements, or do you jump on the bandwagon quickly? I think I can attribute it to my stubborn nature. :)

Yay for TOMS!

-M

p.s. if you live in Utah and thus would like her contact info...I may be inclined to give it to you. If you ask nicely :) 

OCD much?

So along with the 2.3% of the U.S. population who have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I can proudly say that I have it as well. It runs in the family, and truthfully if I didn't have it, I think I'd be the weird one in my family. Both my parents have their own forms of it, as do I. Of course mine takes a more hilarious, and yet aggravating (for Jared) form. I'm not a germaphobe OCD nor am I a neat freak. On most days that is.

My form is more of environmental control habits. Like on any music or volume setting it can only be on evens or numbers divisible by five or else it bugs me until I change it. i.e. the first place setting cannot by a 1, 3, 7, or 9. And the toilet paper has to be placed so that the paper comes from the top and not the back. And yes, I change it to that in all of my friends houses if I use their bathroom. Weird right?

Other random things that bothers me is when our DVD's aren't alphabetical, my jeans aren't all folded the same way, and if doors (specifically closet doors) are left open. Likewise, glasses all have to be stacked the same way in the cupboard, the keys have to be hung on their key ring, and if there is spare change or dollar bills in my wallet, I have to organize and file it by value.

Truthfully, the list just goes on and on, but some of it is so insignificant I don't notice it is something that bothers me until it isn't the way it should be. Normally I don't notice my odd behavior until Jared gives me that 'are you serious?' look and says something.

I don't know how to better describe it other than its like this itch that if I don't fix whatever it if that is bugging me, it will bother me even when physically I am not aware of it. Like after I've left the bathroom, or once the volume indicator goes away. And then I have to change it anyways.

Most people I guess would consider a lot of these things an inconvenience, and although for some people OCD is a major inconvenience (for ex. Howie Mandel), for me it has just become a routine part of life. I don't know how life would be without those impulses, and I'm actually grateful I have them since it makes my house cleaner (in my eyes). So there really is a method to the madness.

Does anybody else have those little quirks they just can't help but do? 

Happy Tuesday

-Melissa

want it...need it?

Ok bargainistas, is this something I should jump on immediately?

J. Crew Asymmetrical Ruched Bandeau Tank

org. 88.00 sale 49.00

I LOVE this swimsuit, but its still quite a chunk of change...ah I just know how hard it is to find cute swimwear especially when its swim season. And we now live somewhere that has an easily accessible pool until late Sept. and opens early May. So I need another swimsuit right?

I am resisting spending the money, but the color and cut is so cute!

advice?

Adi poochi

This is the second update in a row that is solely for Adi. Can you tell we love her much? I really feel like my mother side has come out because of her. But of course, that doesn't stop me from having fun photographing her.

This is my favorite shot for the month of August...I had some free time, found a fun location that wasn't to hot for her, and shot away.

Of course this picture came from a whole grouping of photos that I happened to take right after I got my 50 mm f1.8 canon lens. But I just really love this shot because it just shows how calm and what an at ease personality she has. And of course how wonderfully fluffy as well! Doesn't she just look soft in this shot?

But as our friends Katie and Rob pointed out today, the picture I've put up do not do her any justice as to her actual size. She is now at least three feet tall when standing on her hind legs, and weighed in at 42.5 lbs this morning. Crazy how fast my adorable little baby has grown into a teen puppy!

oh poop. literally.

So yesterday when Jared left for work, and before I got home from work Adi spent approximately six hours in her pen. By pen I mean a gold ten foot square dog run. It has a little door thats opened by lifting the handle and then pushing on the door. Well apparently Adi is smarter than I thought. She opened it sometime yesterday while neither of us were home...and I came home to house disaster.

You see, Adi has this thing that when she's alone she finds whatever is moderately edible and rips it to shreds. Specifically paper. But she also has a hankering for power cords.

And there were two trash cans, and two tissue boxes within reach. Plus Jer's computer charging cord. Needless to say, we'll make sure that its completely latched and this time has an extra lock so that even if she gets the door handle up, she won't be able to push it open.

But plus that she had a little accident in the midst of all the shredded paper. Business one and two. And although it wasn't a big deal to clean it up, I'm afraid that she has gotten confused as to where the potty is. This morning I sent her out to go to the bathroom, and she came back as if she was done. I went into the bathroom, came out and then caught her in the act. Of course I freaked out and made sure she knew that was bad and took her outside again to go there.

Ah, what do I do? I was just so glad to have gotten past the puppy potty stage. We hadn't had an accident for at least a month and a half. And this is the first one in this new apartment. I'm just so frustrated, because I thought I had her trained and then one little accident and she is untrained?

Advice? tips?

-M

p.s. who thinks the word poop is funny?
p.p.s. does talking about poop make you feel awkward?

fashion alert concern

So, I've basically become victim to DSW's email trend alerts and I hate to admit....that marketing scheme of sending me pictures of really cute shoes via email...is working. Big time. Three new pairs of shoes in almost a month? I mean come on. I am normally really good about not buying that many shoes...ok that's a lie. But I try.

And truthfully, I fell in love with these first ones. But the second ones are what caught my eye at first...but I'm worried that the entire color blocking shoes is going to be this decades version of the big clod shopper shoes from the 70's that they wear in the new Mamma Mia movie during their performance...I mean, does anybody think that they're popularity will last more than a season or two? Seriously, do you? Still I love them. Advice? Opinions? Something people.

OR

which do you prefer? Think will last (stylewise) longer?

I dunno. Now I'm thinking I don't like either...ugh. I am such a woman.

HELP!

newsdate

Sorry I spaced out for a couple days. Life happens. Ya know?

But seriously how happy is everyone right now?! Seriously, you the people of the world are probably sleeping right now. But I have big news. So just act happy when you read this, mmk?! If you're not happy when you read this...go eat chocolate, pet a puppy or kitty, kiss someone and be happy so you can be happy with me.

Anyways....

Quite basically, my friend Moni (Monica) from HS days let me in on a little awesomeness of hers and I got lucky enough to share in the reward!

Are you ready?

.......

the tension should be building.....

(is this annoying or what? Hey, its 1AM it just goes with the mood)

...so quite basically all my dreams and hopes (short term of course) for my photography have come true in that I (with Moni) get to internship with a photography studio and one amazing photographer in particular. Jaron Horrocks with Saans Photography. Hello. Oh yes.

Let the splendor and beauty of that statement just wash over you.

I am just so excited to learn hands on with people who are professionals, and not just in it for the money. They want to make art. And that's what I want to do. I will get to learn every aspect of their business from the marketing, lighting, posing, to equipment, etc. etc. And maybe if we get good enough, and work really hard (and stay with them for a really long time) we might even have an opportunity to be assistant photographers. Isn't that just the best news you've heard all day?!?

Just nod. Smile. Say 'yes' to yourself. Something along the lines of 'Go Melissa' wouldn't be bad either. But you don't have to. Only if you feel the urge. But you should feel the urge.

So basically, I'm somewhere between floating on air and KBD. And if you don't know what KBD is, then you aren't one. Was that harsh? Ok, now I feel bad. If you want to know what KBD is...comment and I will email you or facebook you or just post it in my next post. But you should know what it is. Just sayin.

Maybe I should go to bed now...yep, I should- NEED- to go to bed.

-M

p.s. this is me hyper...you can obviously tell why my husband likes it when I go to bed before I reach this stage...personally I think its fun.

:)