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

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

lilly pulitzer spring 2011...i. DIE!!

oh lordy...

officially cannot wait for summer.  

blossom dress printed, $178

dolly dress embroidered, $268

emma dress eyelet, $268

jacqueline dress embroidered, $268

jacqueline dress novelty lace, $268

keetan dress printed, $198

shauna dress embroidered, $278

teresa dress eyelet, $398

tiernan dress printed, $298

I KNOW.  you don't have to tell me, you're dying, too.  

it may be february, but i'm quickly approaching spring fever!

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!

Lilly FURNITURE!! ...and stupid halloween candy

one fun-sized snickers has 72 calories.  seventy. two. 

that doesn't sound so fun anymore, does it?

looking forward to fall and winter now - going on a cruise on friday, las vegas for thanksgiving, and skiing with the family (and trip!) for christmas.  i *WISH* i could show you girls all the new Lilly things for resort - they. are. amazing.  first shipment is on the 25th!

instead i leave you with these images of the new Lilly Pulitzer FURNITURE line from the Sophie Pyle Style Blog...SO excited!

Sooo...OBSSESSED with that kitchen table and the bed!  The green and white striped couch is UBER cute as well...and the inside of that media display?  I die...

It's all a little like the amazing Coastal Living furniture, and probably at the same price point :-/

I will probably be starting a Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Valley blog for the store soon, with updates and news flashes and getting to know you's and opportunities for people to participate by sending in photos of you loving your Lilly!  So psyched!

jessica simpson, no0o0o0o0o... + lilly pulitzer fall

i know, i've been MIA for entirely too long.  way too much vacation + new job at public affairs + less income = less blogging.  but fear not, y'all, cause trip is leaving for pakistan and i am going to have entirely too much time on my hands very soon. 

first things first:

jessica simpson?

photo credit: http://www.wwtdd.com/

why??  and yes, i understand the other photos in the article do show off that her legs are still very toned, but that dress? with her curves?  i don't think i've seen a worse fashion misstep since...lady gaga's meat dress: 

sick.

i'm sorry i did that to your eyes.  to make up for it, i offer you my personal, full, must-buy recommendation from lilly pulitzer fall:

the adalie wrap dress.

if they made this dress in one million prints, i would buy every. single. one.  and at only $148,  i wouldn't even be in serious debt!  i am not lying, this FLEW out of our store so quickly that some of the girls that work there didn't get one!  i have worn this to an interview, to a rehearsal dinner, AND to a hail and farewell...talk about versatile! 

i also picked up this adorable (and very reasonably priced) shift:

but this is what i'm really excited for:

the shauna tunic engineered...i just looove dresses with sleeves for winter, and this one is still really fun.  we're not getting it at fashion valley, so we'll have to see if my dedication leads me to order it from another store...

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!