.san diEGo!. and newest spring obsessions!

i found out on monday that my next tour will be in san diego, so...2-3 more years of boys, booze and bikinis. 

 i greet this with mixed emotions, oddly; my first choice(s, okay, my first 6 choices) were for washington, d.c. area jobs.  i was excited to get back to my 'hometown' (or at least where my parents live) and maybe take that next step - settle down, get a 'real job' (not the military), have some kids and kind of fall into the mold i felt that i'd worked hard for my life to fit.  

all of that changed when i saw my CO's email on monday citing my new job here in sunny san diego.  i know what this job is - it's really easy hours, a fat paycheck and a short commute.  dream job, right?  the problem is that it doesn't help me grow at all as an employee or as a leader, so it's basically three wasted years that i could use to better myself, not just party around san diego (and believe me, there is something awesome to do *every* weekend).  i already have my master's degree timeline covered: once i've completed 3 years

the art of elise francesca / francesca joy  'cherry blossom blues' washington, d.c. tote

beyond my obligated service (two years from now), i get 100% of my GI bill and will be able to take a year off after the military and get paid to get my degree.  SO, i don't need to worry about working on it for the next few years, which is great because it's hard to watch my friends struggle through early morning gym, long day of work and then long evening of classes....with maybe a date or two thrown in.  yuck!

so while i won't be able to get this:

I will, thrillingly, be able to spend my next few springs wearing things like this:

lulu's rooftop garden dress in mint and lavender

Lest this become more like a diary than a shopping blog (because it really is a shopping blog, let's be honest), i'd like to point out the gorgeous hand-painted handiwork in that first photo.  i've been following (stalking) francesca joy / the art of elise francesca since their inception, not long ago.  if you love lilly (and who doesn't?) and you love your sorority (and who doesn't?) you will be SO excited to see their stunning sorority line, due out this spring.  to shop their current product, check out their etsy shop, and to covet their newest creations, feel free to drool over this adorable kappa print:

so, stalking all of this francesca joy business of course led me to the adorable frat collection site.  while they do seem to be a little smug with themselves and their generosity/general success in life (shocker, they're southern frat boys), the little pockets are too precious and i think once my tax return shows up i may buy a sweatshirt or three (perfect for tossing on when the sun goes down with a pair of shorty lace shorts!)...

 xx, 

a

p.s. self, don't forget to write your next post about your newest obsession: cwonder

DUMPED: top 2 tues, best dresses EVER and texts from last night...

first, go enter my gorgeous earrings giveaway!  
now:
i seriously just dumped my lulu's shopping cart.  

emptied it out and closed the tab.  

why, you ask? because i'm having a mother freaking love affair.  

courtesy of my bff from HS, emma, comes...

where are all of these GORGEOUS gorgeous dresses from?

you will absolutely never guess.

abercrombie and fitch.

not lying.

what? you couldn't read that? that little acknowledgment of me still adoring the place i shopped in HIGH SCHOOL? six years ago?! what's wrong with me?! fine! i will admit it! 

ABERCROMBIE AND EFFING FITCH HAS STOLEN MY HEART AND WOULDN'T GIVE IT BACK FOR LESS THAN [A LOT LOT LOT] OF MONEY!  

ahem.  before i go and feel too badly for myself, look at this text from last night (www.textsfromlastnight.com) that my friend sent me:  (860): You are possibly the most enthusiastic, likable bad influence I've ever met.  i know, so cute that you die, i die, rachel zoe dies...what a fan-freaking-tastic post this has been!! haha only 45 days until i'm back being a bad influence in san diego all over again!

oh almost forgot, top two tuesday a la:

 

tv shows!

1) anything real housewives...yes, it's trashy, but they are SO GOOD! my fav is real housewives of atlanta :D

2) MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER

and can i have a cheat?

3) addicted to beauty [thank you undomestic chica for the save - i can't believe i put the name wrong! ...you know you've been away from reality TV too long when...] - LOVE gary!! love this catty, plastic surgery obsessed, la jolla based tv show! i think it's on oxygen, and if you haven't gotten a chance to watch it, PLEASE do...if you love trashy, non-sex based reality tv (still very vapid), this is the show for you!!

finally, check out this delish looking Uncle Bob's BBQ Sauce Giveaway @ Jimmy Choos and A Baby, Too!
a store i hadn't heard of (sadly!) until now - CSN Stores $50 gift card giveaway @ Fashion Nicotine!
AND via one of my very very very favorite bloggers, Mrs. Stoneking @ Meet the Stonekings:

!!whew!!

happy half birthday to meeee

happy half birthday to me!

happy half birthday to me-e-e-e

happy half birthday to me!!

...ahem, and check out/enter my beautiful earring giveaway if you haven't had a chance!

so in honor of my half birthday i went shopping on lulu's...i like to fill up my shopping cart with beautiful dresses, but i still haven't ordered anything because their return policy stipulates it must be returned within 30 days, and lord knows it takes 30 days to even GET anything out on this ship, much less return it!  without further ado, i give you my half birthday wishlist:

i can't wait to get back and wear beautiful teenie little dresses all the time!!! from first to last, these are:

buttercup baby dress

coast is clear dress (also love in purple)

lemon meringue

little sparkler

printed matters

most likely to succeed (front and back)

and although i love my giveaway the best (what can i say? i'm understandably biased), here are some other superfab prizes you can win:

KAG's Huephoria Wine Glass Giveaway

Kitchen Belleicious' Lisa Leonard Jewelry Giveaway

Shopaholic in Alabama's A. Tierney Cuff Giveaway
Everything is Better Pink's All Modern Tote Giveaway
Sarah Elizabeth's The Pretty Pearl Monogrammed Hangar Giveaway
Little Miss Southern's Rival Fondue Pot Set Giveaway

 and i can't weigh myself because we're rocking so much - good thing = i don't want to eat because i'm seasick, bad thing is i won't know what i weigh until we pull in to our next port!  i can't handle not knowing!!!