Its called a "budget"...

...how 'bout you learn to stick to it?

I went a little nuts at Target...but damn, I got some cute boots...(yes, cute boots at Target! If you haven't caught on yet, you can find quite the fashion finds there!) PS - my total: $110 and free shipping. Not bad, not bad at all...


I saw these black booties on Nina Garcia's "Frugalista" segments on Target's Facebook page. Love them. I think the ruching makes them look expensive. Cost: $29.99. GET OUT!


I wanted some super-casual rugged boots. I love these. Don't they look like Frye's? Seriously. And its this dark gray color, not black. Kinda loving that. Cost: $39.99. BANANAS!


Awww...these I *j'adore*. How gorgeous! You can't really see the trim up the side, but its basically grommets. And this chocolate color is beautiful. Perfect heel height too. Cost: $39.99. I DIE!

Dear finance gods, I promise that I will get such great use out of these boots this Winter and even into Spring. Please have mercy on me and let me miraculously still have money for food and shelter and maybe a happy hour or two. Much appreciated.

Time to check under the sofa cushions for loose change...

Me and Jessica Simpson...

Hey Jess,

Gosh, I need to be honest with you...I really am NOT a fan. I think you're annoying and not the brightest girl ever and you even got me to root against Tony Romo just because I didn't want anything good to happen to you. And now, I feel kinda bad.

You see, I too, just lost a boyfriend. And, I too, just lost a dog (not to a coyote, though. I just didn't get to adopt the dog I wanted. Still...) And, I too, have put on a few pounds of late. So, I guess we're not as different as I thought. (Except for the fact that you're dumb as a rock)

With that being said, my boycott of your sometimes-cute-and-tempting products may be lifted. Not just because I think these boots are amazing, but because I feel a commonality with you. So, I may just buy these boots...for you, not for me...

(PS, readers, I know, I know...I don't have the money to buy these boots...unless I go another couple weeks without fresh food and sustain on Lean Cuisine frozen dinners 5 for $10 at Safeway)...just a thought...

***For more Love Letters to Things, check out http://loveletterstothings.blogspot.com/

I've lost my mind...

...no really. I should NOT be frivolously spending money on things I don't need. And trust me, the last thing I need right now is a new spring dress...and definitely not 3 of them. But I did it. Momentary lapse of judgment. And now, I pay...well, I technically already paid...but now, I am SERIOUSLY putting myself on a budget...lest I lose my home.

But...they're so pretty...

Thanks, Lorick and Gilt Groupe...

Perfect wardrobe for when I lose my home and live on the streets... :)

Ok, enough regretting. Cereal, pb&j, or ramen anyone?

Stuart...my love...

I have a more-than-mild-obsession with the genius known as "Broke-Ass Stuart". His book, "Broke-Ass Stuart's Guide to Living Cheaply in San Francisco", not only CRACKS me up, but it really is a handy little reference to all-things frugal in SF.


Now, by happenchance, I've stumbled upon not only his twitter feed, but also his website/blog (oh, and I also follow him on Yelp as well...ok, yeah, maybe I am a stalker) and come to find, he's pretty pro when it comes to Berkeley!




I've been obsessively taking notes over his entries: "How to Make a Garden in Berkeley for Free (Parts 1 and 2)" as well as "The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse". And there are others...many, many more...!!!

Now THIS...this is the kind of guy I'm looking for...

Hey Stuart...call me...

:)

Are you a major or minor leaguer?...

I may have thrown this question out to the blogosphere before, but...

Do you believe in leagues? Meaning, men and women should fall in some kind of "unspoken but understood" level themselves and they should date within that same level? You know how people say "He's/She's out of my league"? Do you feel that one statement is just an honest assessment on one's part or is it a sign of insecurity and fear of rejection?

It feels so juvenile. Yet, I'm finding that it is actually almost too easy to fall into the practice of dismissing someone because you've determined that they are below or above your league-line...without even realizing it. Like its just been programmed into your mind for years or something.

Equal opportunity, I say! (But, can I walk the walk?)

Just wondering...

Just asking...

Fig-tastic...

My much-adored partner-in-crime at work is moving on to greener pastures. Super sad to see one of my staff go...and freaking out more-than-a-little about what to do without her. Not only was she a strong worker, the girl could down figs like no other! And since my tree was producing at a rate faster than I could give away, she would get dozens of figs a day and gobble them all up! What will I do without my little human compost bin?

In any case, I decided to treat my girl to some yummy fig delights. I made a fig-balsamic-honey tart and a fig-goat cheese-prosciutto tart. I was pretty impressed with the outcome. I have a newfound delight in figs.


In any case, BEST OF LUCK MISS BERNARD! You will be missed!

Discouraged, not defeated...

Wish the ground would stabilize so I can stop feeling so out-of-control.


Yeah, I know...its not the ground...

I'm not an alarmist, a doomist, a glass-is-half-empty'ist...

I'm an overcomer.

"Life is a challenge. Meet it." - Mother Theresa

Well said.

Building a home bar...

If anyone broke into my home, I say take the laptop, take the tv, please do not take my Louboutins and please don't touch the bar! :) My home bar is my joy. (That makes me sound a bit like a lush...its more that I like to entertain!) As a "retired" bartender, I like to have options in what I mix up for guests and even for myself depending on my mood.

My home bar in my study...

There's an appropriate cocktail for all occasions...and on the flip side, there are times when your "go to drink" is not appropriate. Think scotch neat on a 100 degree day...yuck. And since alcohol can get expensive, its important you build your bar with the right base and go from there. (PS - never ok to just have a bar stocked with hotel mini's of all kinds. Good for you, bad for your image).

So, if you had to build on a budget, here's where I'd start (in no particular order, and I do want to say that in no means do I think these are the BEST spirits out there, just a good start to a home bar, understood?):

Bacardi Light Rum ($10.99) - inevitably, your friends will want a mojito or a mai tai on a hot day. This is a go-to rum that works well in all tropical mixed drinks and allows more flexibility than if you were to get a flavored rum like, say, Malibu. If you want to spend money on a rum that is too good to be mixed with anything, try Oronoco

Maker's Mark Bourbon ($19.99) - I am fully aware that this choice will have bourbon lovers up in arms. Yes, there are much better bourbons out there. However, you'll be amazed how many of your guests will ask for a "jack and coke". And since Makers actually tastes better than Jack Daniels with mixers, I'd go with Makers. If you want to spend money on a good bourbon that is too good to be mixed with anything, try Basil Hayden

Absolut Vodka ($15.99) - You have to have a cheap vodka on hand for screwdrivers and bloody mary's. Absolut is the cheapest of the what I call "respectables" (Stoli, Skyy, Ketel) but not in the bottom-feeders (Smirnoff & other "well" brands). If you want to spend money on a good vodka that is too good to be mixed with anything, try Stoli Elit (soooo good)

Chopin Vodka ($27.99) - Chopin is my favorite vodka to go with soda, tonic, or in a martini. Its smooth and easy to drink. Don't waste your time on Grey Goose...please. Its not worth it.

Gin is a tough one for me since I really, really don't like it. But, enough of your friends will want a gin and tonic or gin martini. Don't have a lot of knowledge about the stuff, so I'd just say go with the everyday man's gin. Either Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire. And since Tanq ($18.99) is cheaper, sold.

Cazadores Reposado Tequila ($30.99) - Tequila is also a really tricky one since there is a real noticeable difference when it comes to taste and price from quality to junk. Plus, there are so many kinds (blanco, resposado, anejo) that people can become quite picky about it. I chose the Cazadores because its great in margaritas and respectable enough to take as a shot...and you won't die from it, as is the risk w/ some of your junkier tequilas out there. Though the most recognizable one is, of course, Patron Silver. Eh.

Lastly, you'll want to start your bar with a good sipping scotch. I'd like to recommend a Macallan 18, but since that's $150 a bottle, let's lower our eyes to one that's at least affordable yet drinkable. I like Oban 14 ($62.99). Smooth and buttery, it definitely makes a heart warm, without destroying the pipes along the way. If you're not a scotch drinker, you may be able to get away with a cheaper 12 yr like Glenlivet. Again, eh.

So there you have it, a perfectly respectable starter bar for $170. Of course, you'll want to stock some wines, beers, mixers, and a bottle of champagne as well...and some decent glassware...and bar tools. And as you keep building, add some seasonal "trendy" spirits like sweet tea vodka in the summer and a nice brandy in the winter. Maybe add some flavored vodkas to the collection. But, at least with these recommendations, you're on your way! Good luck!

Cheers!