Obsession...

I am uber-obsessed with these Chloe boots. The wedge is perfect...tall enough to elongate the legs, not let the jeans drag on the ground, and just comfy enough to make it from the bus terminal to work (and probably not a step more!).

Do you think Citimortgage would mind if I skipped a payment this month in order to make this $995 +tax purchase? Yeah...me neither...bummer...*le sigh*

Ending strong...

So, October 1st officially marks 7 weeks since the "gettin'-dumped-over-the-phone-by-your-serious-boyfriend" fiasco of '09. (BTW, when a guy says "this relationship isn't serving either of us", what does that actually mean? Whatevs...)

In any case, October 1st also marks the beginning of the end of 2009, and I can only hope that all the struggles both at work and at home are behind me now. Life has been throwing me some curveballs of late, and though I feel kinda beat down, I'm determined to go out on top this year! Time to make some goals for Q409 and make 'em happen! I need accomplishments under my belt. So here goes:

• Still left with ONE item on my list of '09 goals set in January: run a 10k. Ack. I know, I've said it a million times - I hate to run. Running just doesn't work with a short-legged, big-chested, lazy girl. But, I'm determined. There are quite a few races going on in CA in December, but I think I've settled on the Angels 12k run in Tiburon on December 12th. No guarantees...but I'm gonna go for it...shoot...what's 7.5 miles, right? (LORD HELP ME!!!)

• Lose 10 lbs. I think I can do this...in 3 mos...not a problem, right? Ok P90X-still-in-the-box...time to do this thing.

• Go to the doctor for a full physical. I've been meaning to do this...for like 3 years now. But, its time. I want blood work done. I want everything tested. I want a clean bill of health or I want to know what ailments I need to tackle. I'm not getting any younger.

• Adopt a dog. I wanted to this past weekend, but it didn't work out. And I'm determined...1)because I know I'd be a great dog owner and there are so many out there that need good homes, 2)because my house is too big for just me...it needs another resident, and 3)I need a companion and an excuse to get off my butt and run (er, walk) around the neighborhood.

• Date. Yuck. Yes. I must. I don't want to. I actually hate dating. But, I'm going to do it. I don't know how many or how often, but I'm gonna take down the "do not approach me" sign and try to force a welcoming smile. We'll see what happens.

Yup, looking over the list, I'm feeling confident...all of it will take some effort, be a bit of a challenge, but that's what makes the accomplishment feel that much greater and more satisfying.

As always, I'll keep you posted...

PS - There was a great piece on one of the NFL shows this past Sunday on how Mike Singletary brought in this hill to the 49'ers training camp to use to help w/ their conditioning. He used to do hill training w/ Walter Payton back in the day. Ladainian Tomlinson also is known for hill conditioning. Q409 is my hill...and I'm charging at it, conquering it, and being stronger in the end for it. Woot!

Suggestions welcome...

I'm struggling to find the perfect wall decor for my house...more specifically, my Living Room and Master Bedroom. Any favorite artists or any wall pieces you've seen that might work to complete my look(s)? I need that last little pinch-o-salt, the cherry for my sundae...the exclamation point at the end of my sentence! HELP!

Living room: Picture 1 is so that you can get a feel for what I'm going for. Picture 2 shows the empty space waiting to be adorned!

Master Bedroom: Picture 1 shows the opposite side of the room...already have a large mirror there. Picture 2 shows the void waiting to be filled.

No college-dorm-room/bachelor-pad-posters of Bob Marley or Endless Summer please. I'm a classy broad, ya know! :)

Hooray...

Not gonna lie, this week has chewed me up and spit me out, yo. So, I'm super excited for the weekend. Looking forward to celebrating Katie's birthday at Cigar Bar tonight and then spending some great outdoor time at Angel Island w/ 1-part Cogan on Saturday. I've also secured a zipcar to go and see about a dog! (Fingers-crossed and Mozart will be mine! I have to fight 2 other interested parties, but I'm scrappy...I can take 'em!) Sunday will be all about football, yard work, and hopefully getting my new dog accustomed to his home! I think its all just the remedy for getting over a rough week...

(Angel Island from Mt Livermore)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hell yeah, I can...

The problem with buying a 100 year old home that needs work and then relying on a boyfriend who was a former carpenter to help you only to have him dump you over the phone: you now have a lot of stuff to do on your own. So, I'm super excited to be attending this tonight.


Go Home Depot - for all the pain you cause me, you still have been my "go-to" with this house and we owe you a lot. "Do-It-Herself" workshops...brilliant.

Mr's Oh-So-Wrong...

I've had a lifetime of them. But just recently seems to be taking the cake.

Dear "The Ex": you had my heart for a bit. but whoever told you breaking up from a serious relationship over the phone was ok, steered you all kinds of wrong. Not interested in "meeting for a beer to catch up". Sorry.

Dear super-cute photographer who's totally not my type: I'm certain I can't get over the fact that 1) you're leaving for Brazil in 2 weeks, 2) you might be much too young even for consideration, and 3) you don't get my humor and that's just unacceptable (and you're kinda on the short side, sorry)

Dear "you've always been the one": man, even 10 years later, I still have a crush on you. and though it was nice catching up again, finding out you're married with 2 children doesn't bode well for your chances. and shame on you for reaching out to me...douche.

Dear bartender at my new favorite neighborhood joint: I like your style. Witty. Football fan. Cute. But, I've been the bartender. And I've dated the bartender. One thing I know: bartenders can not be trusted.

Dear fellow drinker at my new favorite neighborhood joint: its great being regulars together. but the fact that you went to your first concert the same year I was born makes me see you more as an uncle-figure. And the fact that you hang out at my new favorite neighborhood joint so often that they've deemed you "the mayor" is of concern. but thanks for buying me drinks. See you next time!

Seriously, life, universe, God...where the heck are the Mr. Rights?

6 months from now...

...after I've sold all my assets, worked a 2nd and 3rd job, and picked 3 of the 6 winning lotto numbers in the Mega Millions, THIS is the closet of clothes I will own...

Introducing, Susan's hand-picked, ready-to-wear for Spring/Summer 2010, courtesy of New York Fashion Week...for work, for play, for every day!

(Clockwise from top left: Max Azria, Behnaz Sarafpour, Carlos Miele, Cesar Galindo, Christian Siriano, DKNY, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Narcisso Rodriguez, Thakoon, Donna Karen, Jason Wu)

PS - Phillip Lim and Nanette Lepore, Marchessa and Oscar all showed today so they clearly have yet to be represented! :)

Things I love about September...

1. Start of NFL...and the best 17+ weeks of the year
2. NY Fashion Week...I DIE!
3. Only month when you get the real combo of sunny days and then rainy days...
4. Kids are back in school...(how this effects me, I don't know...just like it...)
5. Last normal month before holiday craziness is upon us
6. My figs are ripening like crazy, making everyone around me happy to receive them!
7. Pumpkin spiced lattes are back! And while we're at it, pumpkin scones!
8. The network shows and the new Fall season return!
9. Oprah's on
10. Baseball is almost over...thank God.

I'll take this one...

I want this dress from Max Azria's collection that he just showed at New York Fashion Week! Can't wait to look through all the designers to see what else was to-die-for!

Giddy as a schoolgirl...

...not quite sure what that term means, exactly (its not some naughty thing is it?)...

In any case, this is quite possibly the BEST WEEK EVER for 2009! Why?

NFL AND NY Fashion Week start! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

In honor of both, I would like to present you with 1)my Fantasy Football League 2009 team (after a grueling 4 hour online draft last night) AND 2)what would be my Fantasy Fashion League 2009 team (if such a thing existed...)

Let's start with football:

Player I'm most giddy about having: Larry Fitzgerald (he's my boo)
Best looking: Matt Hasselback (Kris Brown close second)

Now on to NY Fashion Week:

I'll take a simple 6-designer team...guaranteed to show great work, get much press, have celebrities in the audience, have celebrities photog'd in their clothing, and most likely for me to blow a year's salary on for a new wardrobe. (note: not everyone shows at NY Fashion Week...clearly missing are the Alexander's (McQueen & Wang)

Designer I'm most giddy about having: Marc Jacobs (who is also my boo)
Best Looking Designer: Marc Jacobs (hands down)

Love, love, love this week!

Etsy Vintage...

When my friend Annie posted about the stunning red dress she bought from Brownbagvintage's Etsy shop, I, of course, HAD to check out what else was available. I bought this cute, freeflowing little number! Its a nice pop of color to my otherwise black-obsessed wardrobe. Now, if only I could find those booties in the picture too! Please warm-weather...hold on for just awhile longer...

Who needs a man...

...when you've got your own power tools? (ok, is an electric drill/driver considered a power tool? yes, right? Well...at least I have that!)

I'm an independent, single woman. (roar!) I've gotten by just fine on my own for a very long time. I've lived in a number of different places and taken care of myself splendidly. So, why then, when my recently departed ex-contractor ex-boyfriend was out of the picture, did I feel like I was stranded without any ability to take care of things around my house?! FORGET THAT!

This weekend, I found myself tackling all those little projects that I'd done on my own in the past, but had been leaving for "him" to do most recently...and honestly, being out-of-practice in this whole taking-care-of-yourself thing made me a little trepidatious and even a little scared! But, I'm tired of being afraid. Period. I need to snap out of it! Nothing that the whizzing burr of a drill won't solve!

Ok, so I didn't tear down a wall or build an addition...a towel bar here, a tp holder there, and even a sconce or two...but still, it felt good. And...I felt in control again. And, I felt strong. And, for the first time since the breakup...I felt ok...really, really ok...(roar!)

Weekender...

The parentals were up visiting from San Diego this week. It was the first time they got to see my new house...their youngest daughter - a homeowner! It was pretty momentous and I loved having them here! We ate Korean food, took in the sites of my new 'hood, laughed and laughed about life, and I felt...loved. :)

Morning walk around the Berkeley Marina

Traditional Korean meal...basically a Korean lettuce wrap...yummmm...

Know what else we did...tackled my backyard. I have to admit that my backyard was becoming frighteningly overgrown and I didn't want to touch it. I was scared of it. Didn't like the overgrown trees, brush, bugs, shadows... But, my parents just started grabbing weeds and going to TOWN! So, basically, for 3 days straight, we cleaned, pruned, planted, and cleaned some more. And the end product: a nice little veggie/herb garden, some flowering foliage planted, my fruit trees pared back, and a backyard to be proud of!

My backyard: after the Lee's were done with it!

Kale, red leaf lettuce, rosemary, sage...

I even made an apple tart made out of apples from my own tree (unfortunately, we ended up pruning that one back the most...it had grown sideways and was covering half my outdoor space!) PS - the trick to a great apple tart: rum... :)

What a blast! A weekend to remember...

Fashion abounds...

How cute is this Adidas TENNIS DRESS worn by Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open this weekend? Tennis attire has come a LONG way since I played competitively. Back in the day, personal style was shown through lace-y tennis panties and the color scrunchie you wore in your hair. Cute little outfits like I'm seeing at the Open this year are motivating me to play again! Heck, I'd wear this little number out and about during the summer (after I lose 15 lbs...)

Its tradition...

Just like after the last time I had my heart broken when I went and got these hot "break up boots", I've decided to make it a tradition (not the breaking up part...if I can help it...)

Break-up boots v2.0...and I love them! Banana Republic's new accessories store ("Edition") in the Westfield mall is pretty amazing. And it was there that I fell in love...*j'adore*...

...and I deserve them, damnit! :)