Weekend Re-Cap

Well, so sad to admit it, but the weekend is almost over (boo!). I have really enjoyed it, as my aunt has been in-town (from Utah)...and we did a bunch of shopping (my favorite thing to do!). However, my only purchases: La Mer tonic, and Kate Spade pumps (these were actually gifts from my mom, whom I adore).

As for my health update, it turns out I have an additional issue: diet coke. At my dentist appointment Saturday morning, I was told that my love for the soda has caused 3 small cavities, and discoloration (I had been drinking it much more often in the past 6 mos). So, tonight Mike and I hit the grocery store and stocked up on healthy alternatives (see the photo below!).

I haven't been able to work out the past two days, as my leg is acting up and now I need to go back to the doctor :( however I am doing my best at healthy eating and even added a new vitamin into the mix...

What do you think of my new alternative to diet coke? Spring water with fresh berries and/or lemon :)

And the Winner Is.....

True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 9 Result: 9


GIGI's GONE SHOPPING!!!!


Send me your addy and I will send you the loot ;) And for those that didn't win, no worries, I have many giveaways planned (they are fun!).

Love,

Lula Mae

Progress Update and Giveaway Reminder!

Well, today didn't go as planned. I rolled out of bed late for work (bad Lula Mae!) and then began a very stressful day at work. At our office, we are short counselors, and I have a few major deadlines that I may not meet, so I was beyond tired by 5PM. I then ran to my brow appointment (yay! it had been 4 weeks, I felt like a bushy man!), dinner with Mike (no, my diet wasn't 100% for dinner!) and then shopping for that upcoming Indian wedding next month (yes, I got something for myself too).

So here is the random breakdown for the day:


1= the BEAUTIFUL sterling silver Tiffany & Co key chain Mike bought me this evening---it is a Taxi cab, what better to remind me of my time back east
1.5=number of pieces of toast I ate for breakfast
2= the pair of Hampton candlesticks I bought from Tiffany for the wedding :)
2.5= number of "stress relief" pills I had to take in order to survive the day
5= the number of pounds I will have to lose to fit into that new, and final dress I needed for the wedding
8=time I woke up for work (with no minute to spare)
30=the amount of time I then spent in the gym
200=number of calories for lunch, which included 1/2 a turkey and basil sandwich and 1/4 an orange with diet Pepsi
1,500+= the amount of calories in my dinner from Wolfgang's Cafe which included wild mushroom brushetta, glazed salmon with mashed potatoes, pink wine (hey, I know it is rose, but pink sounds more fun!) and a banana split (hey, I did split it!)

ALSO FINAL REMINDER: If you haven't signed up for the giveaway, please do (the post is found if you scroll down!). I look forward to seeing who the winner is (although, all of you should win!)

30 mins a Day; And Throwing the Cookies Away!

As an attempt to loose some weight, I have decided to work out 30 mins a day. There is no excuse NOT to work out these 30 mins. I live ACROSS the path from our complex gym (which is really nice!). Secondly, 15 mins on a bike, and 15 mins doing weights ISN'T going to kill me (even with a banged up leg, and heart problem, this little bit of exercise is manageable!).

Now, there is also very little need to have cake, and cookies, all around my place (today I finished two slices of delicious cake!). Also, pizza for breakfast is not sufficient. I have decided to try and curtail my eating habits, into healthy ones...


So, here is my stats, I am posting them for all to see, and each week I will give an update on my progress...

Height: 5'0
Weight: 125lbs
STATUS: NOT BIKINI READY (note: I have that Fairmont Hawaii trip coming up the first week of JULY!)

In addition to my stats, I am posting a profile view of me in my cute Lilly bikini. I know the pic is NOT very flattering. That is the point. Every month, I will post a new picture, until I get to my goal weight: 105lbs (which, I used to be, until a few years ago...this suit looked much better then!).

In Honor of the Fallen

All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
~Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899

It is easy to forget, that during this extra day of additional sales, promotions, and relaxation and parties, that elsewhere in the country, others are mourning losses we might not be able to imagine.

Moon River and Me Blog Giveaway!!!

So, since I won JGIWC's giveaway, I decided to host my own. And I purchased two items that relate to my favorite things...

1) J. Crew bracelet with tags and box
2) Breakfast at Tiffany's new DVD!

To enter, you must be a blog "follower", and respond to this post with suggestions on how to improve my blog (i.e. likes, and dislikes!). The winner will be chosen by Random.org

I will end the ability to enter on May 29th at 5PM PST. So, you have 1 week!

Happy, Happy, Happy!

Okay, I feel guilty I wrote a not-so-nice blog about my beloved J.Crew...

Last night, when I was in a fit on mini-rage over my new and now newly destroyed sweater, I wrote CEO Mickey Drexler. I read on JCA and other forums that he handles complaints well...and for the first time in over 4 years of SERIOUS devoted shopping, I earned the right to voice my opinion. I included pictures and the order number (to prove that, as I mentioned, I literally had the sweater for less than a day!) He responded within 5 hours. And then, I received a few contacts from various other members of the J.Crew team.

I explained that I was aware from other customers that this "pilling" problem is not new, but that I wanted to add my name to the list of disappointed shoppers. I wasn't expecting anything...but tomorrow, according to J.Crew, I am kindly receiving a gift card, J.Crew cashmere care kit, and additional yarn for my sweater...I will take pics when I receive the said items...

I love J.Crew, but now, I am in-love with them.

Mad, Mad, Mad!!!

A few weeks ago I ordered the most adorable J.Crew argyle sweater. I wore it for the first time today. Less than 1/2 a day of wear, and it had a hole and pilling everywhere...why?! Is there anything I can do??!

Confessions

When I was 7 most of my friends stopped believing in magic. That's when I first started. They were beautiful, they were happy. They didn't even need any money, they had magic cards. -Rebecca Bloomwood

Okay, fortunately for me, I don't use my "magic cards" all that often. But I have decided (note: if you are a long-time reader, you will recall similar posts...) for the FINAL time, that I MUST.STOP.SHOPPING. There has got to be more to life than having fantastic clothes (although honestly, it is hard to imagine what is more fun than a trip to Tiffany, Bloomingdale's or J.Crew!). Even when on sale, $69.99 per cashmere sweater adds up! And how many more pieces of Tiffany jewelry do I really need (it all sits in a tub with the label "Tiffany" in my closet; and this is a rather LARGE tub). When buying them, I did get that euphoric feeling...but it does wear off...


This evening, I decided to spend my time browsing my closets, and finding things that don't belong (aka items that haven't seen the light of day, and still have tags on them!) and plastering them on EBay. Sorta like Rebecca Bloomwood did, minus the fantastic auction or "sale"...



Wish me luck!!!!

Hobbies

“When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby.”-Jewish Proverb

Today, after work and a nice dinner with Mike and mom, I immediately went home and started to shop online...it is what I do nearly every free moment I have now. I shop (either online or at a B&M store), and read blogs, and then shop a little more. It would be a perfectly suitable hobby, if I had money to support it. But the honest truth is, I don't.

So, I am in search of a new hobby, one that perhaps takes a little less cash. And I really need a hobby because even the New York Times has published articles about the benefits (did you know hobbies can release endorphins?).

Optional Hobbies:

1) Reading (the last book I read was the Twilight series---no laughs!)
2) Learning another language (I may be the only Ivy League grad that doesn't speak two languages fluently); I could take a course at a community college, or use an online self-help system!
3) Yoga (still haven't joined core-power yet). I would have to wait a few more weeks to start, due to my injuries.
4) Write a book (always wanted to do, and even have the subject ready to go)

Thoughts?!

p.s. am I the only one heartbroken Gossip Girl and Grey's is over for the season :(?

Tiffany & Co's Newest Additions

Introducing the Tiffany Bezet Engagement and Wedding Band Collection...

Yes, you heard it right, "Bezet" aka bezel-set. A modern collection of ring set in platinum which somewhat resemble the Etoile collection...but, how do I say this...uglier? However, the prices (for some reason or another) of these styled-rings are considerably less expensive than their traditional e-rings.

Maybe it is because I love either antique or more classic styles, but when I saw these I nearly cringed...not my style at all...although they do sit nice and low-so they are very "wearable".

And then, I find out...Tiffany is now offering the Elsa Peretti "Diamond by the Yard" collection in sterling silver...starting at $195. Is this a sign of the economy? And do you think that catering to a now newer clientèle will hurt the brand (personally, I think so...).

WHY THE NEW ADDITIONS TIFFANY? WHY?!

Wedding Outfit Progress

So, it has been a somewhat dramatic week (hence my lack of substantial posts...). However, this evening I enjoyed dinner with my parents and Mike and a quick shopping trip to my beloved Loehmanns where I occasionally score designer duds for pretty cheap...

This was the perfect location to find dresses to the upcoming June wedding of my oldest friend who is Indian and having a Hindu wedding. It turns out that I actually need not one, but THREE dresses. One for a Friday night cocktail and dinner-type event. Another for the Saturday morning wedding and lunch, and then a gown for the evening band, dinner, reception-thing...which apparently is fairly formal. Allison (NYRecessionista) gave great help, but I am just waiting for the suggested dress to go on a little bit of a bigger sale, or to find a similar one (since I doubt I will wear the dresses again, considering I am lover of all things BLACK! I don't own a single colored dress...).

Loehmann's had a few good options for steals (trust me, they look a bunch better on me, than on the hanger!):

1) Nicole Miller Signature Evening Gown (originally $890.00-I paid $110)
2) Tory Burch Dress (originally $380-I paid $115)

These are not as good of steals as JGIWC got, but not bad either...and I have a few accessories to jazz them up...and bought bangles and larger earrings too. And alterations will help!

Happy Birthday Cartier in America

For those who already know, pardon my post. However, for those who are unaware and will be in NYC from now until May 21,2009, a great and free historical treat is available. I forgot to post about it, but I had received an e-mail a while ago discussing Cartier celebrating 100 years of the "red box" in America. Cartier is giving free guided tours of gems that have graced many iconic people, including Grace Kelly.

Tours are 11AM Monday through Saturday, ending on Thursday May 21st. If you go, please let me know how it was!!! As a lover of jewelry, I wish I could go :(

Smart or Silly?

It all started a few nights ago when I attempted to actually catch up on my magazine reading...and finally sat down to speed through the article in March 2009's Harper's Bazaar discussing Cost Per Wear (or more commonly known as CPW, just like Central Park West). The article discussed the current economic climate, and the shifts in consumer purchases- from buying a bunch of trendy pieces and only wearing them a few times, towards purchasing more classic staples, that you can wear for years. It mentioned the fact that if we were to transport someone like Audrey Hepburn from the 70s, to 2009, she would still "look relevant". Her crisp white shirts, cable-knit sweaters, ballet flats, her pearls, and classic bags were, and more importantly still are in style. I, of course, took this as a hint to start "stocking up" on said "classic staples". So, I immediately went to Wells Fargo, and pulled out a bunch of money from checking, to get that BEAUTIFUL TREVI HANDBAG I had been dying for. It is a classic bag no? And Audrey was known to love her LV Speedy!

I drove to Costa Mesa (nearest LV). But, just before that perfect handbag was in my hand (and it was there, so very close) something unique happened... I realized, I couldn't part with my hard-earned money. The cash just seemed like TOO much to spend on one thing, regardless of how many times I would wear (or in this case, carry) it.

I am not saying purchases such as these are not good. But for me, I realized that while my J.Crew Jaime bag ISN'T as classic as the Trevi, I believe it is close enough for the time-being. Plus, if I can learn to shop as well as JGIWC, perhaps someday some super nice designer duds are in my future too!

p.s. this isn't to say I do not like to spend on high-ticket items...and if I were a millionaire, I would have no issue buying the bag for $1650 plus tax...but note the post below titled "Cookies at Tiffany?", my weakness above handbags and clothes, has always been diamonds :), and in particular, diamonds from Tiffany.

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all mothers a wonderful and relaxing day. Especially my amazing and selfless mom, wonderful aunts...and sending a prayer to my most beloved Baba.

My Preppy Gift Picks

Well, one of my good friend's is having her 31st birthday today, and I am late getting her a gift. I know, I am a bad friend! During my internet search to find the perfect gift this evening (while multitasking with watching a movie, eating Goldenspoon with gummy bears and icing my legs---which still suffer) I came across items I already own, which I fully recommend, or items I have seen, and am thinking of getting her. So, I thought I would share :) Each item is under $100!!!!



My favorites are actually the books, "What Would Jackie Do?", "What Would Audrey Do?" and the most fantastic book on Audrey Hepburn...."The Audrey Treasures" (which contains actual documents such as letters, birth certificates, scripts, photos). I own each of them, and thoroughly enjoy reading them over and over.

Other fun options include the chic and preppy J.Crew totes (which are now $39.99!!!)...or my all-time favorite Tiffany Pure perfume!

For my friend though, I think I might go with that super cute Kate Spade bead necklace (or perhaps the snail one!)...and of course a Pineapple (yummy, and her all-time favorite from her homeland of Hawaii!).

Thank You JGIWC!!!!

After a long day of work, I came home to find a package in my mailbox (keep in mind, I almost never get mail!). Of course, it was my lovely gift from JGIWC due to her giveaway...

The gifts (a stylish address/phone book and note card set) came with a classic monogrammed stationary note. I wouldn't except anything less from Miss JGIWC. And I wanted to give her a shout out to let her know how excited and truly thankful I am to win the items. Nothing is better than a little preppy Lilly to brighten a day.

What NOT to Wear?!

Well, I may be going to my old childhood friend's Hindu wedding in 7 weeks. Never been to one before, and now face the HORRIFYING decision of what to
wear...unfortunately, my two possible options are really WHAT NOT TO WEAR (i.e. black, or strapless, etc).

Any suggestions? I NEED HELP. I want to be comfortable in my choice, but am aware I may look a little out of place...I am not sure what to wear because the colors are supposed to be "bright" and "cheerful", and lets face it, I LOVE THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS.

OOPS....

When there's an oops...and I fall, my family and now Mike catch me!

Mike is pretty helpful...beyond such.

Mike and I have been together for nearly 8 years now, so it is safe to say we have been through almost all of it. But on Thursday, he got a new test. Your's truly fell down an entire flight of cement stairs, landing on the pavement. No, I do not know what caused the fall (although, my Isaac Mizrahi pumps from Saks are possibly to blame). All I know, is for a brief second, I thought I was going to die. My head pounded, my legs couldn't move, and my afterthought was "oh my God, my clothes! my watch!, my SHOES!". My Mom, who witnessed the crash, took me to the emergency room. And after a day long debacle, it turns out I left with a few beautiful new accessories, braces, wraps and CRUTCHES and a wheelchair.

My parents lovingly cared for me until Mike was able---and he has done an exceptional job. Carrying me around (to and from the car, down AND up the stairs), bathing me, dressing me, shopping for me, etc.

While I look forward to (and am fortunate to have!) a recovery in sight, I am cherishing these moments where I see just how much he really loves me ;)