shopping small and supportively!

i am a SUCKER for daily shopping emails...so badly that i have to blog about them and unsubscribe so i stop buying something every day! without further ado:

Bourbon & Boots features locally hand crafted, small business goodies - everything from gently loved cowboy boots to delicious bourbon marshmallows and amazing license plate koozies.  they send daily/weekly/whatever emails to let you see their newest additions and they're all sooo wallet tempting!

Daily Grommet is also super cute, except i've fortunately only found it to be cute in theory.  still haven't found anything i want to buy there. 

unfortunately, i've found wayyy too much lifeguard press lilly stuff...i already have a fun-brella (lilly) a work umbrella (black) and i live in san diego.  three reasons why i DON't need this:

but i really want it!! i love the chiquita bonita print!! i already have the market tote and it is SO cute! 

so, weighed in at 153.8 again this morning...so disheartening :p but if i'm honest with myself, i've been following wheat belly to the letter of the law in that way where you know you're following it but you're not quite following the heart of it...long story short: i had cookies and ice cream for dinner last night.  but it was all wheat/gluten/rice/oat/etc. free!  totally within the boundaries!!  POUNDS WHY AREN'T YOU MELTING OFF?!!?!

xx,

a

workout clothes, diet fails and scale triumphs!

so, i figured i'd check back in to update...myself, evidently.  my weight yesterday morning was 153.8  i am neither surprised nor unsurprised, disappointed nor pleased...i pretty much look the same but am always hoping for a freak ten pound weight loss, so here we are. 
the scale triumph is a small one, but a triumph nonetheless: it has nothing to do with my weight and everything to do with my discovery that my new scale weighs 2-3 lbs higher than my old scale!  BF got on one and got on the other (cause i wasn't about to weigh myself in front of HIM!) and went back and forth and one scale consistently weighed 3lbs higher than the other!  he did it again the next day and there was a 2.6 lb difference! who knows what it is, but it's definitely important to consider that there may be a discrepancy when purchasing a scale.
the GREAT news is i had one little butt cellulite dimple and it is GONE due to bootycamp! if anyone else has that problem where they get fat underneath their butt but it's not a slope butt but it's still bigger around their thighs, go. to. bootycamp! i go 2-3x/week and i have been SO pleased with my soreness and progress!  

i've also picked up the book "wheat belly" and have consequently been cutting wheat, rice flour, rice, corn and potato based foods out of my diet.  good news: as all of the reviews say, i am actually really full all the time! bad news: i have not lost any weight and have been pretty groggy.  it's only been two days, though!  if i'm going to be completely honest (and why not?!), i haven't actually cracked this book open. at all. instead, i went to the website and read the quick and dirty tips and i've been following those!  i put the book down somewhere (i'm assuming in my house) and i haven't picked it up since haha :) oops!

the worst part about the book is definitely the delicious looking bagels on the cover...whose idea was that!?

somewhere in all of this research, i was also lead to the amazing healthy home economist ... so many tips on healthy foods that aren't really healthy, how to read nutrition labels, etc.! talk about a great resource!

i've also been on the constant quest for more adorable work out clothes and i'm ECSTATIC to show what i found at nordstrom rack:

adorable built in sports bra tops that look like this one and have a little give around the waist!! just what i want while i'm working to get rid of my 'wheat belly'!  they're only $24.95 at the rack and they're still available on the marika site for $52!

finally, cause we all know i can't go a whole post without truly buying something indulgent, i'm OBSESSED with say hay gifts on etsy!  look at all of her cute lilly stuff!!!

maxi dress obsession and victoria's secret binge

so, as per usual, i've been shopping.  i've also been thinking about my weight - par for the course.  unfortunately, i think i've finally reached the opposite side of the dreaded fence: my body confidence is too high!  i've spent too much time reading pro-body love articles, loving on my thighs and thinking that my curves are kim kardashian like, not just kind of squishy and not really proportionate.  the fact is, i have thin limbs and a not particularly large frame.  i could definitely support being 20 pounds thinner, but my goal is currently to lose 14 pounds.  i had a very indulgent week last week and weighed in at a whopping 155.6.  I haven't been that high since late last year (when i met my boyfriend) which doesn't help - he met me at 158 and liked me then, so he's not pulling a scott disick to kourtney kardashian:

Scott: "Last time around you tried to watch what you were eating, after you had Mason... at least you were losing weight."
Kourtney: "You are so crazy. I'm trying to do it the healthy way."
Scott: "Just do it faster...If I would have fell in love with you a couple of pounds overweight, this would be my ideal weight, but I fell in love with you when you were super skinny."

 fortunately, my boyfriend is no scott disick.  unfortunately, the below still holds true and while my weight is yucky to me, if i'm honest to myself it's my size that bothers me more.  i'm a big fan of showing off skin, but i've felt jigglier and yuckier since i was at my comfortable weight of 142.  besides, if this isn't initiative, what is???:

on what i'd like to think is an unrelated note, i've been super into maxi-dresses this year.  i used to think they were dumb-why wear that much fabric? now i love them, probably because as my boobs have "grown" it's become less cute and more hoochie mama to wear a tiny top and short shorts!  i'm super excited for this gorgeous dress to come in the mail - i ordered a medium in the longer, 39" hem length so i'll let you know if it's a good length for 5'8 curvy girls ;)

victoria's secret maxi bra top dress, $69.50 sale: $55.60! i picked carbon; i think it will look so pretty with a tan!

lest i hide out in maxi dresses all summer and avoid my weight loss goals, i also picked up an adorable bikini - I ordered the top in a Large and the bottom in a Medium; i'll post to update how it fits: 

Victoria's Secret bikini: $33 and $16

i'll take a before pic sometime this week after a weigh in and then i'll make sure to update my blog as i continue on my never-ending weight loss journey!

xx,

a

kate spade sale = retail therapy!

sooo, my dad called me the other day and had a talk with me about my spending (keep in mind i am 100% financially independent - they are just extremely good with money and want me to be responsible).  obviously, this pressure drove me straight to...retail therapy.  new additions:

"toutes les filles sont folles" kate spade idiom bangle (perfect salmon-y/coral color for spring and summer!)

"arm candy" kate spade idiom bangle (um...naturally)

"terry" kate spade canvas tote (how could i resist this, especially with summer coming? and my kate spade purchases were all sale purchases, with an extra 25% off cause of the "sale25" code - good till tomorrow!)

vera wang lavender royce peep toe booties...originally $350, currently selling on hautelook for $175...i got them at nordstrom rack for $75.  

see! how could my parents claim i'm irresponsible with money!?!?

...oops ;)

xx,

a

ugh, brocade blows...fall style should be fun!

sooo, i know that brocade is supposed to be *it* this fall...thick, heavy, ornamental fabrics that add inches to every aspect of your body sound like they're cute and flattering on everyone, right? vom. 

OMP is about feeling better about myself, loving the skin i'm in and really taking advantage of my youth and freedom.  brocade screams "i'm a grandma, or at least Olivia Palermo/MK&A Olsen, or at least a really skinny awkwardly wealthy person trapped in what could be a young adorable body but instead trying to hide it under layers of fabric."

there's one brocade thing [one!] i've seen so far that i actually like:

erin by erin fetherston brocade parka, $725, neiman marcus (obvs discovered in my Lucky mag since i don't browse neiman marcus.com on my military paycheck): 

i actually think this is gorgeous but it is a) impractical (i obviously just spent a weekend with my mother so this again becomes a concern unfortunately) and b) not necessarily flattering, unless you have extraordinarily thin legs as our model does.  i don't. even with OMP in full swing (and it's not, it's more like playing putt putt), i wouldn't want my legs to be that thin. REGARDLESS, this is the only brocade i accept.  i prefer to just extend the summer of lace shorts :)

FORTUNATELY there is one fall trend i have been trying to embrace, but with the aforementioned shapely legs i had no luck.  i REALLY wanted colored denim/pants during the summer in a pastel or bright, but couldn't find something flattering (since obviously they must be worn skinny, which doesn't really work for people with delightfully sexy hips like myself (note the positive OMP self-talk oozing from that statement)).  THEN, while shopping this weekend with my mother, i discovered these sexy and well-priced b!tches:

ann taylor loft tall modern super skinny corduroys, $69.50

how much do you LOVE this color? i was trying it on with an orange silk blouse-y tank and they looked awesome, i pulled on an italian yarn blend sweater from banana that i may or may not have purchased in every color besides raspberry (alright, i did buy it in every color-why? because i am a freaking sale GENIUS those suckers were only $21.99 marked down from $80 and i need more sweaters now that i have a busti-er bust!) and the pants looked gorgeous and glamorous.  i'm obsessed.  only legit problem is they didn't have tall in store, but i love instant gratification so i am going to have to just always wear them with pumps and order a new pair in talls if i want to wear them with flats.  which is totally doable given that they also come in a fab rich purple color.

other than that, i lost six pounds during the week we were out to sea and only managed to gain two of them back during my weekend with my mom and grandfather! fab OMP i believe!! now i am off to the gym post-yoga, because my hot yoga practice has not reached the point where i can flow enough that i really feel like i'm burning calories-i'm always super tired and sore the next few days but hell, the same thing happens after a little sexytime, and lord knows that doesn't cancel out the ben and jerry's i keep finding myself devouring. 

peace out betches - on the elliptical today i will be reading this article from the atlantic november 2011, discovered at my grandfather's and pushed on me by my mother (i feel like this is very pro-OMP): 

all the single ladies

xx,

alanna

diamonds and do-goods

so, OMP is supposed to be about success and fulfillment - meeting God's plan and working to my actual maximum potential, right?

paying off all my bills really seemed like a great start (keep in mind, in the interest of full disclosure, that i still have credit-card debt and a gigantic mortgage).  unfortunately, i may or may not have been a little too enthusiastic in my leap into stress-less living.  since september 1, i have spent over $2600 paying off bills - the same ones for which i paid over $580 in late fees.  this means that right now, i'm dipping into my rainy day fund and using my credit cards again, all in the interest of living a someone normal [social] life.  seems counterproductive, right?  

not quite.

i feel like the money i've been spending since this life decision has been productive money.  not on late fees, not on parking tickets, but on nice, good things that are reasonably priced and further my life/career/OMP.  for example, i just got these adorable Steve Maddens for less than $30 at Nordstrom Rack (thank goodness for having big [huge] feet and always having a great selection).  obviously no one sent them the memo that it's endless summer in SD and cork is always in style. 

these would be a poor decision if they were like any other shoe in my closet, (i own multiple pairs of the same classic nude pumps, black peeptoes and sam edelman flats for fear of destroying them before i don't like the style anymore), but they aren't.  i don't wear a lot of red so these will be easy to match with black and nudes and will add a punch to my outfit, and at a literal quarter of their original price, they're not only a steal but an investment.

at least that's what i'm telling myself.

another investment i've made since going on a budget? tickets to the stayclassy awards. for only $49, the privilege/opportunity of being surrounded by philanthropy's best and brightest:

"The red-carpet CLASSY Awards Ceremony is the most impactful and inspirational event in the country, bringing together philanthropic celebrities, social leaders and the next generation of philanthropists to celebrate as the 16 National CLASSY Awards Winners are announced live on stage. The CLASSY Awards provides a platform to celebrate and share the success stories of thousands of nonprofit organizations, raising awareness that materializes in increased donations, volunteer recruitment and support."

how cool is that?  eventually i'll be getting out of the military, looking for a 'real' job and continuing to try to make a positive impact on the world.  what better way to pay forward the blessings God has given me than to become involved with non-profits and charities?

oh, and did i mention there's OMP-approved shopping involved? after all, it's black-tie optional ;)

xx,

alanna

you know that lace is sex incarnate, right?

battenburg lace is what any southern girl with good intentions and poor execution needs to redeem herself after a successful friday/saturday/tuesday night full of embarassing random flirt sessions/wearing last night's makeup to brunch/meeting your boyfriend's mom with only a dry shampoo shower.

my reward for the first step in operation maximum potential?
 

battenburg lace everything, courtesy of abercrombie summer sale 2012 

(yes, i know i'm 26 and too old to be wearing abercrombie, but face it - if you recognize where any of this is from when it's on, it's because you were shopping the a&f summer sale too).

it whispers quietly (and we all know that sometimes works better than screaming), 'i'm so delicate, youthful and pretty - i can plan a dinner party for twenty at a moment's notice and wouldn't think of leaving the house without my hair and makeup done and i would absolutely never make out with someone i just met...treat me like a china doll and buy me drinks and look past my foul mouth and penchant for dirty jokes.'

are these not some of the most beautiful things you've ever seen?  i only hope they look as innocently sexy on as they do in my plans.  

so what did i do to deserve this wealth of generosity from myself to myself?  i moved my laptop off my bed and onto my desk.  you don't think it's a big deal?  i live in my bed when i'm at home.  first thing i used to do when i got home was prep something for dinner, turn my laptop on and sit on my bed.  i ate dinner, screwed around on the computer for an hour or two, ate something else (all sitting in bed), and thought about being productive.  usually i'd think about it for long enough that i'd decide to eat a good night snack and then eventually, finally, try to fall asleep, hours after i originally could have.

no more. 

now, if i want to use my computer, i have to be out of my bed, and at my desk - double whammy, because in order to make room on my desk, i had to clean it off and go through even more old mail, which was finally easy to do because i knew that the revolting stack of envelopes sitting there obscenely mocking my fear of finance no longer held any weight.  similarly, i would have nothing to do if i sat on my bed eating dinner - i don't have cable so if i'm not actively watching a show on my Roku, mindless snacking isn't really appealing.  

the power of habit strikes again, except now my cue (to relax because i'm burned out from a long day at work) will be followed by a routine that is not food/laptop focused.  and either way, a few hours later, the reward of being wound down enough to fall asleep will be well within my grasp!!

certainly a legitimate reason to spend $350, right?

fine. maybe i'll focus on finance next.

xx,

alanna

25% off Stella + Dot? It IS a Happy Thanksgiving!

happy thanksgiving, my little turkeys!

so glad to be able to offer you guys this opportunity - just visit www.stelladot.com/alannastrei 

order whatever strikes your fancy,

and the most expensive item will be 25% off!

xx,

seasonally appropriate indian princess alanna

p.s. what i'm thankful for?
my fellow service-members, underway, overseas and standing duty!

kate spade, letterpress, and lilly

first things first, i'm still fat.  seriously tyra banks style, "dear diary, i'm fat. sparkles!".

that being said, i am starting to realize that while i have these great diet plans i'm REALLY not following them, especially when i drink.  [cue taco bell fourth meal on sunday night.  really? i'm surprised i'm not losing weight? really?] other problem, of course, is that i don't actually hate the way (i just typed weigh...this is definitely on my mind) i look, i just hate the numbers on the scale - i know, i could stop weighing myself, but that's how i get into these gradual weight gain messes.  ANYWAYS, it's June 15th and i live in San Diego.  i'm going to have to stop avoiding bikini season sometime, so i think ten pounds by Independence Day is reasonable, non?

okay, all that is out of the way (have i ever posted NOT regarding weight? i don't think so)...

i'm so excited because i've decided to get my own little one bedroom apartment!  this means not only will i be spending buckets of money on clothing (because obviously i'll lose those ten pounds now that i've given myself a timeline, right? ha.) i'll be spending money on HOME GOODS!! i can't wait to share! 

speaking of which, i've been looking at some art for my little apartment and i'm really fixated on letterpress things off Etsy...check these out:

(1) la vie en rose by sycamorestreetpress

(2) champagne by dearcolleen

(3) sunshine by inkpetals

the problem is, of course, that they're all so distinctly different and with such unique styles, and my color palette is definitely seaglass blues and greens, not pinks and yellows.  if anything my kitchen palette has the brightest colors but i just don't think the sunshine and the champagne print belong on the same wall, and with so few walls i'd hate to pick one over the other!  obviously this will take serious contemplation and the purchase of multiple other images i like "almost" as much until i finally suck it up, buy both of them and figure out how to make them work.  

don't worry girls, i'll get that lilly answer on the sororities (i know delta delta delta is another one, i remember that one because it's my best friend emma's sorority) as soon as we get back from this ammunition offload we're doing (should be this weekend) - can't wait to tell y'all and sneak you some early pics if i get any!

outfits i haven't been able to resist (since you know i haven't been buying dresses..fortunately skirts and tops don't count).  i wore the avery skirt smaller, tighter and shorter over a white tank top and chunky wood Michael Kors heels and i wore the roe top over white ankle length capris with spaghetti strap mckims:

and yes, i bought both of them in white do the wave...definitely one of my favorite prints for the summer.

and lastly, i started cleaning out the cupboards in preparation for my big move and remembered i had these cans of soup and snack bars:

review?  campbell's select harvest full cans are only 100 calories!  i don't know about you but an entire can of soup for 100 calories is such a pleasant surprise.  the soups are totally delicious and filling (i've done the southwestern style vegetable and the italian vegetable).  

fullbars, on the other hand...

seriously, they taste like cardboard.  and i LIKE things that taste like styrofoam (Pirate's Booty, anyone?) but these things genuinely taste like chewy cardboard.  the problem?  they work.  i had one at 1130 because i was starting to get hungry and had a bottle of water (they recommend 8 oz., i went with 24...God bless you, camelbak water bottle) at the same time, and i seriously did not THINK about food until twenty minutes ago (about 230), when i decided to eat my soup.  

so unfortunately, given their TERRIBLE grade for mouth feel, i think these may become a new staple. 

don't forget to check out the kate spade sample sale, btw!  not as good as last time jewelry wise, in my opinion, but there are quite a few bags.

i am booking my brazilian blowout for next week - can't wait to show you before and after pictures!

HOME FROM DEPLOYMENT!

so after seven. entire. months. [literally. we left in mid september] of this:

i got to see my amazing and adorable family, who met me in Hawaii for less than forty-eight hours of shopping (of course, right?  i'll show you pics when i wear them, y'all will die...strapless, ruffles, mini, nautical...i got them all!! I EVEN GOT A ROMPER!), dining and drinking.  

amaze, right?  ya...except that, tomorrow morning, i get to see THIS:

 san diego!

i know, y'all are just as excited as i am!  finally, no more boring posts about deployment, right?

and hopefully no more embarassing online shopping posts.  speaking of which, my debit card and i may or may not have had a last hurrah on the vickie's website...i will soon be the proud owner of this adorable dress:

in navy, bright melon, beach blue, diamond blue, tropical turquoise, white, black and tropical pink!

they were only $29 each...so economical, right?  and inevitably i'll return a couple if they're too close in color (those blues all looked pretty similar)...haha those colors look hideous in the text format!  

and i wanted to thank sweet College Prepster...i won her Kiel James Patrick giveaway, and y'all know how i love me some KJP!

and thank you to Desperately Seeking Seersucker, who gave me the awesome love your blog award:

Rules: post 10 things you love and share with 10 people!

i love...

1. sparkles

2. dresses (all types, although i'm totes partial to sundresses)

3. flirting

4. shimmer (as opposed to sparkles, obviously)

5. meeting new people

6. cocktails!

7. heels

8. being happy

9. compliments (giving and getting)

10. giveaways!! [especially winning them, but that's neither here nor there]
ten of my MANY happy blog girlies:
in this wonderful life, her southern charm, college prepster, smart and sassy with sprinkles, dreams do come true, fashion meets food, mrs. in training, shopaholic in alabama, summer in newport, and think classy

...sooo, speaking of giveaways, you HAVE to check out shopaholic in alabama...she's doing ten days of mother's day giveaways, featuring: 

A Lilly Pulitzer Large Agenda

Kiel James Patrick

At the Blue Barn 

Lilly Pulitzer Headbands

Social Climbers

PeaceLoveLipgloss

i'm sorry i've been such a poor commenter recently - as i always complain, right before we pull into a port is one of my busiest times! i can't wait to catch up with y'all, and don't forget to enter those giveaways!  i can't wait to update you guys with the embaaaaarassing debauchery i manage to put myself through during my first few days back in San Diego!

summer steals, pop tarts, peanuts and doublebooking...

i slept for sixteen hours last night.  i'd worry that there was something wrong with me, but it was AMAZING!  and i drank four four diet cokes in the last six hours, so i am EXCITED about all of that sleep! haha given how awake i'm feeling now i'll never be able to sleep again, though...which means i went on a mad commenting spree, so check all of your blogs and old posts because i have been sitting at the computer for oh...five straight hours now? hence having eaten only peanuts and pop tarts today.  while thinking about working out (thinking counts, right?)

SO i've decided to center my blog around Texts From Last Night...i know, this site is a little much for most of my preppy blog friends, but i LOVE it!  

(704): Wearing these hooker shoes was a mistake

 Nordstrom BP Lacie Pump

SO CUTE, right? and it's like $34.90 or something ridiculous like that!  please note that the sides are actually lacie!  why am i even looking at nordstrom.com right now when i get home in less then a month?  because i have a problem. everyone knows that, so whatever. and besides, it's TRIPLE REWARDS POINTS TIME!! until the 21st!  

i mean...i could just try it all on and return it, couldn't i?

 1) echo stripe one shoulder dress in turquoise 

2) lush empire waist dress in black ($19.90)

3) lush empire waist dress in charcoal ($19.90)

(305): I like waking up with a slight hangover cause I'm dehydrated and it makes me feel thinner.

ty to tori from tori and chad for the best part of waking up award!

The guidelines are: "The best part of waking up..." award is awarded to the 5 bloggers that you're most excited to see have posted when you log into your dashboard/google reader/ whatever. Yes, only 5! If you're always checking someone's blog to see if they've posted, they deserve this award!"

ohmygosh, this is too difficult and i'm too amped to be decisive right now.  basically, if i comment on your posts psychotically, it's either because a) you post WAY too much and are always at the top of my dashboard (ha!..kind of) or 2) you and i are basically long lost sisters and kindred spirits (the majority of y'all, and especially tori...she knows because i go NUTS on her blog and comment on everything....wayyy too much).  so steal the award if you like and put it on your blog - without you guys and your posts i wouldn't have anything else to distract me at work!

(847): Women are like Alzheimer's patients. You can compliment them a million times in a day, but the next day is always a wash, you have to start all over.

true.  hence the problem of a 'fat day'.  you can't actually be that much fatter then you were the day before, but Lord it feels like it.  which is why i've decided to adopt Fashion Meets Food's rule: 

.no more eating in front of tv or computer.

so if you think i'm snacking while i comment on your post? you'd better message me ASAP and tell me to stop! i need accountability, people! (uhhh the pop tarts and peanuts??)

and btw, she's doing an AMAZE giveaway for her birthday, so check out her blog - she's also very cute and funny!

(517): On my way home from Vegas. Just realized my pants are inside out

oops. so our return date got pushed back by five days, meaning i'd return the wednesday before my trip to las vegas with becky and christina.  [have i mentioned it yet? ummm, lazy river @ mandalay bay for three days? yeah...]

BUT it turns out my family had made plans to stay for five days after meeting me at the pier!  that was their original plan, but when got pushed back, i figured there was no way we could do it.  unfortunately, they thought that i was well aware they were committed to spending five extra day with me no matter what the US Navy had to say about it!  so i am ecstatic they'll be staying with me - i haven't seen any of them in seven months, my baby sis is about to go to college, and my little brothers are growing up like crazy.  and really?  

i need someone to help move my things from my storage unit.

shameless, shameless, shameless.  bahaha did i mention free dinners?

of course this is a joke, there's nothing i can't wait for more then a hug from my mommy (and a 'good job' from my daddy...and air kisses from my besties...) so becky and christina were sweet enough to understandingly resched our trip.  thank you!! and i get to see my family in less then 30 days!! 

(773): so I'm never txting u again after today...
(248): y?
(773): cuz i don't wanna see it on blogspot :)
(248): ha...too late

finalllllllly, check out these blog contests:

taylor @ the undomestic momma is having a stella & dot giveaway - as a stella and dot independent stylist myself, i'm always a fan of supporting other stella and dot girls!

southern momma is having a 100th post giveaway

proof that it's worth entering all of these contest?  i won the jade earrings!  

thank you to amy @ our journey...together... 

eta: NO thanks to shopaholic in alabama, i just bought this ADORABLE bracelet from kjp . . . which i'd never heard of but am currently obsessed with (doesn't help that the designer is gorgeous.  probably gay, but still gorgeous):

 with the $5 off coupon code you get for signing up for the email list? only $30! and i got to personalize it - my size, with my own pink button! yay!

www.kieljamespatrick.com