Stuff I Would Kiss On the Mouf: Foley + Corinna

Uh, have you SEEN F+C's new fall stuff? Fuggedabout their new stuff, have you seen their old stuff? I'd take any of it (that secret message is to YOU, F+C people who may have stumbled across this blog and want to hand out any free stuff). I'll even make it easier for you. Here's my wish list:

Paisley Paillette Dress? Hells. Yes.

Leather Sleeve Blazer? Who the F@#$K do you think you are?

Bali Hobo Bag????? Get in mah belly.

Woven Circle Crossbody with Fringe:

Listen here, crossbody - I don't care if that is a craptastic photo of you. I will have some fringe in my closet for fall. Oh yes, I WILL.

Mid City Tote: I have coveted this ever since this little lady wore one when I had the good fortune to meet her in Laguna the last time we were there.

Perhaps Hugh Grant sums it up best: Sorry, sorry. I just, ehm, well, this is a very stupid question and... , particularly in view of our recent shopping excursion, but I just wondered, by any chance, ehm, eh, I mean obviously not because I guess I've only slept with 9 people, but-but I-I just wondered... ehh. I really feel, ehh, in short, to recap it in a slightly clearer version, eh, the words of David Cassidy in fact, eh, while he was still with the Partridge family, eh, "I think I love you," and eh, I-I just wondered by any chance you wouldn't like to... Eh... Eh... No, no, no of course not... I'm an idiot, he's not... Excellent, excellent, fantastic, eh, I was gonna say lovely to see you, sorry to disturb... Better get on... 

F+C People - I THINK YOU CATCH MY DRIFT.

Merci!
Shannan

WWD: Work. It. Out.

I have been so excited about working out every day since first hearing about the bodyrock site that in an UNPRECEDENTED move (in the merciblahblah household) I have actually worked out for the past 8 days in a row. Unfortch for me, it has resulted in a slight injury. I tweaked my shoulder Monday when working out, but went ahead and did the workout posted at the bottom on Tuesday, and now - DUH - it hurts worse.

First of all, I say unprecedented because in the past I could ALWAYS come up with an excuse not to work out, even when I have been more motivated to do so. Since finding bodyrock though, I realized that if I can't find 15 - 20 minutes to get my ass kicked, I've got bigger problems than not working out. I actually look forward to doing it everyday, possibly because every routine is different (and I am a person who gets bored with a workout quickly), but even more so because they are short (yet I'm still dripping sweat at the end).

I have still been forgoing the more twisty-turney moves, or anything really focused on the core until I go back to the doc on Monday to HOPEFULLY get his blessing to get back to turbokick and boot camp classes (though I feel like bodyrock is as intense as boot camp).

What has also kept me coming back is that I feel like I can already see differences in various body parts, even after just 2 weeks doing this.

Of course, YOU can't see them, what with those body parts being underneath a giant maxi skirt and slouchy tank, but they're there, and firmer. Trust. Sorry if I keep talking about the workouts, but I am really motivated at the moment, so until I get to the point where I am unmotivated, you'll keep hearing about them. And if anyone out there decides to bodyrock along wif me, let me know - we can motivate each other. See how that works?

So that's MY story - what's YOURS?

Tank, Sandals, Belt (that you can hardly see): Target
Skirt, Earrings: F21
Necklace: Urban Outfitters


WOWM: Work Out With Me
Get thee hence and JUST DO IT.

Merci!
Shan

WWD: The Real WHAT of NYC?

Good. Gawd. I just sat through part one of the Real Housewives of NYC reunion, and I don't know how Andy Cohen does it. That was a big fucking bowl of crazy.

I don't know how this is possible, but the two I liked the most were Sonja (duh) and Ramoner. WHAT? I know. That whole left couch need ta build a bridge and get over themselves. What was up with NO ONE letting Alex speak? They talk to her like she is lower than low. She's not my favorite by any stretch, but she does seem intelligent. What is their problem with her turning red when she is stressed (as if she can control that)?
 

After this season, I can't believe I ever liked Jill ZAAAArin. That woman is a bitch on wheels. I would even go so far as to say she's a C U Next Tuesday. That's how much I dislike her.

As much as the show drove me crazy, will I watch part two? Hells yes, but for the love of Bethanny Frankel, bring back the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Mr. Cohen!! I also thought it was interesting that they are STILL talking about Bethanny, and that Jill is  saying Ramoner was trying to keep she and Bethanny apart in one breath, and that she "ambushed" her in trying to get the two together to talk, in the next breath. Ugh.
 

Now I'm all hopped up on Housewives, and I need to go to bed, cuz it is WAY past my bedtime. Shit on a shingle, I'm going to be tossing and turning for an hour trying to wind down from the craziness.

And CLEARLY, their crazy has affected my language. If ONLY I had the manners of the Countess (who's smarmy, smirky face I wanted to slap a few times in the course of the show). Don't even get me started on Kelly Killoooopy Bensimone.

Did anyone else watch The Crazy? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments, peeps. Who'd ya like? Hate? Secretly love? SPILL.

Tank: Sears
Dress as skirt: Target
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Garage Sale
Earrings: F21

WOWM: Work Out With Me

Meet me behind the gym, homeslice.

Merci!
Shan

TSAR*: Good vs. Bad

Since I have a 7 a.m. dental appointment, this is going to be a quick and dirty TSAR (That Sh!t Ain't Right) Post. Go.

Good:

Of course Sea of Shoes has these boots, which she found in Austin. Of COURSE she does.

BAD:

The Slimcado LITE. Uh oh. I bought one of these this weekend, and have yet to taste it, but based on this hilarious review, which calls it the SlimcaDON'T, it may as well be referred to by its other name "That Sh!t Ain't Right."

And finally - the other TSAR Bad for today? A 7 frigging a.m. dental appointment. Hope your day starts out better than mine!

WOWM: Work Out With Me
Here's today's workout, kids.

Merci!
Shan

WWD: B-Fast

I hate a letdown breakfast. On paper, it's everything a b-fast should be: fruit, protein, grains, but IRL, not so great.

The grapefruit looked good - not too firm, not too soft, but cut open, and it was dry and almost a little reedy or stringy or something. Just not right, not even with a little orange blossom honey and cinnamon. Phooey.

And the egg over easy? Hmmmm...I must not have paid enough attention to it, even cooking it on med-low, because the bottom was a little tooooo brown and rubbery, and the white on top was not quiiite cooked through. Gag a maggot.

Dammit - I KNEW I should've just poached it.

At least the coffee and toast was okay. I mean, if I'd screwed that up, we would have a REAL problem.

Ah well, tomorrow is another b-fast, right?

If you want to see some cooking done right, ch-ch-check out this little lady. She funny.




WOWM: Work Out With Me
Here's today's workout...

Tee: Target
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bracelet: Charming Charlie's
Belt: ???
Urrings: Gift from Amy Bo Bamy


Merci,
Shan

Stuff We Would Kiss On the Mouf: A Good Sale

ASOS, for these sales we are about to receive, we thank thee. If you're anything like me, you get to the middle of a season and start thinking about clothing for the NEXT season, but like Miss South Carolina says, "I personally belieeeve that here in the Americas, you can buy clothing for one season and let it carry you through to the next." Okay, maybe Miss South Carolina wasn't quite that coherent, but I DO believe these little numbers CAN carry you right on through. Stay with me here.

Red Palazzo Pants:

Pair these babies with nautical stripes, a fitted blazer, and a scarf, et voila!

Floral Print Festival Vest

I'm seeing this with a little leatha, some skinny cargos, a long sleeve tee, and funky jurreys. Duh - always funky jurreys.

Swing dress with necklace
Pair this with tights, boots, a military jacket, and you're good ta go.

Vila Maxi Skirt

Hmmmm, I think a tank, chunky sweater, and some Frye's, and this is POYFECT for those, "brrrr, it's COLD here on the beach evenings."

...and just in case you've forgotten exactly just how eloquent Miss South Carolina is, I present her to you here for your viewing pleasure. Don't blame me if you lose a few brain cells, such as.



WOWM: Work Out With Me. 
After yesterday's hellish workout, I thought I'd take it easy today with this one.

Merci!
Shan

WWD: Too Damn Hot

When the temperature gauge in my car reads 105 degrees almost every afternoon, I cannot be bothered to wear much more than tanks and skirts or pants to work. I knew I wanted to recreate this look from SJP that I saw back in the days of yore (about 2 months ago):

And I think my outfit is a pretty good interpretation:

Alllllso, I have been loving the hot pink lip that I'm seeing all over tarnation, and saw a color that I j'adored right here, so I het up Target and picked up a tube-a-lube.

(nice brawr strap...)

And while I was there, I maaaay have spotted the belt I'm wearing (around my waist, my bracelet is actually a belt wrapped twelvity-five times around my wrist), so I picked that up too.

Funny story. Today at work, I was on my way to the restroom to do a little bathroom dancing (and by "bathroom dancing," I mean exactly that. Sometimes I like to go in the restroom and dance, you know, just to let off a little steam. ANYHOOOOOOZLE, on my way, I ran into a lady who works on the other side of the building, and she said, "You're so short!" and I laughed, because she typically sees me wearing my J Simpson Dany platforms, which are literally 5-inch plats. Today I had on flats (not plats, just flats). And I said, I can always tell a difference when I wear my flats, cuz I have to stand on tiptoe to reach the copier, and when I go across the street to get my afternoon coffee I can't see over the counter. 

Okay, maybe that story isn't FUNNY funny, but just trivial funny. Or maybe it's not funny at all. Whatever. Way to end this post on a bang!

Tank: Wal Mart

Pants: Zara

Shoes: Target

Belts (around waist and wrist): Target

Earrings: Gift from Amy Bo Bamy (LOVES)

Ring: Charming Charlies

Necklace: F21

WOWM: Work Out With Me
Wish me luck. I'm going to try this one today...

Merci!
Shan

WWD: Story

I would be remiss if I did not tell you about the eh-heh-xxxcellent restaurant The Hubs and I hit up last weekend: Story, in Prairie Village (for those of you playing in the metro area). I read about it in a local mag, checked out the reviews on Yelp, and decided it was the next place we were going when we scored a night out. The hype? Was SO worth it.

Kicked things off with a pineapple mojito. Helloooo, luvah.... Then moved on to an app of fois gras terrine with almonds, BACON FRIGGING HONEY, and brioche. It wasn't QUITE as good as bluestem's fois gras, and it wasn't the best thing I ever put in my mouth (HEY HEY HEY - get yo mind out the guttah), but it was verrrry tasty nonetheless. The Hubs' smoked duck empenadas weren't too shabby either.

Dinner was lamb crepinette with artichokes, zucchini, and olive falafel, but I had MAJAH order envy over The Hubs' plate of short ribs with the best. mashed. potatoes. EVAH, and for dessert?

Chocolate mousse with feuilletine crust (whatever THAT is) port cherries, and coffee ice cream. Um, YUM.

All in all, the service was great, even though we didn't have reservations and had to sit at a high-top table (not my favorite thing in the world), but for Saturday night, it wasn't bad.

Definitely worth a trip back to get a load of their doughnuts with vanilla pastry cream, salted caramel and passion fruit something or other.

 

Tank: Wal Mart

Skirt: F21

Shoes: J Simpson Dany's

Bracelets: F21, Macy's

Belt: Target

Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Merci!

Shan

WOWM: Stronger & Hotter

Merci!
Shannan

Ho Hum

I'm not feeling very picture-takery this week. After a shitastic weekend that started when I was stopped by a cop for having expired tags on my car AND a broken tail light - which would have been $95 for each (and can I say THANK YOU, Officer, for taking pity on me and letting me off with a warning), I ended Sunday night safe in the knowledge that I was NOT going to win Mother Of the Year. DAYUM if parenting hasn't suddenly become the most frigging difficult thing ever. I just feel brittle, like if someone bumps against me, some outer shell will flake off like I'm made of sedimentary rock. Like I am never fully recovering from battle before the next one starts, so for the past several days I have been on EDGE. The slightest thing sets me off, and Gavin, my sweet precious Gavin, is pushing my effing buttons. My kids are my heart, so how do I come to terms with the fact that since the end of last week, I feel like I want to just get in my car and....drive...

Spending my days feeling like I'm yelling at my kids more often than not, going to bed each night feeling like a shit is taking its toll. Sunday was the kicker. For the first time in a long time, while The Hubs was out, I really felt like I might snap. Like I just could not do it by myself for one minute. I called my mom to come over RIGHT NOW, sat on the couch folding laundry waiting for her to get there, while The Trips "helped," and bawled. They thought it was a game, until I looked up and they saw my face, with mascara running down it, and said, "Mommy's face is dirty," and I felt like the biggest loser in the world. I pulled it together after a while, long enough to fix dinner, which we ate after The Hubs got home (and mom left), and in the middle of dinner, I did it again. Broke down. Couldn't stop crying. Thank GOD for The Hubs, who told me not to worry, that he would clean up, to leave, get in the car and get out of the house, and that he would put the kids to bed. Thank GOD for him hugging me, telling me he understood, that it was difficult for him too, that he was there to help me when I couldn't do it myself. I am lucky.

So forgive me if I am not quite myself this week. This too shall pass, I tell myself, and I know it will. I just have to wallow in it, muck about, be dirty in it, before I can absolve myself of the guilt I feel constantly. No one ever told me that being a mother was synonymous with guilt. Constant guilt.

This too shall pass. This too shall pass. Please God, let this pass.

Stuff I Think I Need In My Life (i.e. Thanks a LOT, Urban Outfitters)

Dear Urban Outfitters,
If you are googling yourself and come across this blog, I would LOVE to have any and all of the below items. Or a gift card for a few thousand dollars, in case I change my mind on any of the below. Thank you kindly.

Leather Butterfly Chair

Skull Cookie Jar

At Marquee Light

Phrenology Poster

Skeleton Poster

Palmograph Poster

Watercolor Rug

Sincerely,

The Management

MerciBlahBlah



WOWM: Sexy Pain Train

Here it is...

Merci!
Shan

Work Out With Me (WOWM): Marine Corps Workout

Oy. Vey.



Good luck with this one - it's brutal.
Merci!
Shan

Work Out With Me

New feature I thought I would start posting on the days that I work out, in part to keep me motivated and honest, and in part to continue to share the AWESOME site Bodyrock.tv.

Here's the link to the workout I just completed, and I am about to die. Keep in mind that I am still recovering from ye olde tummy tuck, so I'm staying away from any core work for the time being, so I am having to modify or remove some of the exercises from the routine (in this one, I did not include the twist with the broom move). However, I can attest that leaving that one out did not in any way affect the amount of stank that I worked up.

This makes the fifth bodyrock workout I have completed this week, along with this, this, this (I left out the sandbag sit ups because of the core work and the diagonal knee raises because I did not have the dip station), and this. I will reiterate what I said earlier this week - these workouts are short but INTENSE. I am not a huge sweat-er (my Special Gift is that when I'm working out I turn red as a beet, then dangerously purple, with relatively little sweat), but I have to say, with these I did both. Lovely.


Anyhoo, moving forward I'm not going to write about each workout, but just post a link to the one I did on that particular day if you want to join me. If you DO, let me know what you think!!


Happy Sweating!
Merci,
Shannan

Cat Watch 2011

I have been remiss in not posting Cat Watch 2011 until now. Cat - Mz. Deeley if you're nasty - FINALLY got nominated for an Emmy for her fantabulous job at hosting one of the best shows around, So You Think You Can Dance. It's about damn time. Let's catch up with her crazy bananas wardrobe, shall we?

One of my favorite looks so far. I dig the rock chick fabulous ensemble - the crazy hair, the short and sparkly, and that d-o-p-e belt.

I was surprised this Tom Ford wasn't vintage redux when I first saw it. Lubs.

Cat in Cat(herine) Malandrino. Come ON. A short, sweet, strapless with pockets AND killer shoes? WHO'S winning? It ain't Charlie Sheen - it's this dress.

Jenny Packham flapper-esque dress with faux bob? Purr-fec-tion.

Unchain my heart - a  Susana Monaco black chainmail dress.

Hot pink Zara dress AND hot pink lips? Two, two, two times the fun.

Fire engine red Lanvin dress inspired by Diana Ross. Discolicious.

Merci!
Shannan