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...)