Solely a Cure for the Blues

As I said, this has been a rough week. Along with the other trials & tribulations already mentioned, apparently it is also my "Flo time" and you know what that means. Yep, I've been raiding the refrigerator and pantry with reckless abandon, can't seem to get enough sugary, salty, starchy garbage into my already-bloated body. Yuck! Last night Beren and I met some friends for cocktails and I just had to have french fries with my light beer. Why? Why was this necessary? Because Flo said so, that's why! She is a nasty b**ch when you ignore her needs so I gave her what she wanted. Just to shut her up, of course.

This morning she woke me up demanding more white stuff. The fresh croissants on the counter will do quite nicely, or the biscuits my man was baking for his own breakfast. Or, hey, how about that pile of hash browns he's frying up? oooh, yeah, bring it on!

In an attempt to tune out her whines and complaints, I came to the computer, gazed out the window and did some pondering. Knowing that succumbing to the call for junk food wouldn't make me feel good in the long run, that it was just a temporary fix, immediate comfort that would be gone in seconds, leaving me guilt-ridden and craving more, I realized that I had to find a substitute for food. What else could cheer me up, make me smile and provide a longer lasting treat to myself? What do you think, girls?



Shoes! Oh, yes, lovely, lovely heels to adorn the one part of my body that doesn't change size! Aren't these the cutest things ever? Can't you just see them with a black sheath dress or (some day) pencil skirt? Swooon......I can't wait to stick my tootsies into these beauties!

Now, I'm not suggesting that every time we're tempted by something naughty that we should go shoe shopping...or, hey, why not?! *wink*



Have a Beauty-full Day,

Shoe Fetish

I need a show of hands, how many of you ladies out there love shoes? I mean, seriously, completely adore them to the point where you are nearly breathless when walking through a shoe store? And, if this describes you, how many pair do you own? Come on, I'll fess up if you do!

Here goes: at last count I had over 40 pairs of heels. Does that sound like a lot? I mean, not by Imelda's standards of course but as compared to the average woman? I apparently don't think so because I continue to add to my collection every chance I get. It's at the point now where Beren doesn't even try to fight my addiction, he actually directs me to shoes he thinks I'd like, lol!

For instance, just last weekend I found a pair of black patent leather Delicious pumps, shown here at the Hyde Park Restaurant at the Hilton Hotel where Beren took me for Valentines Day dinner. (yeah, I'm hamming it up with the Danica cut-out, I'm silly that way)



I paid $5.00 for these babies, purchased brand new from one of my favorite thrift stores in Daytona.

And how about these adorable polka dot peep toes that I wear all the time? These are also by Delicious, picked them up for a song on e-bay.



Then there are my red ankle-straps which I only wear now & then, usually as part of a costume:



And, oh my, I just love these gorgeous zebra-print beauties, also by Delicious. I think I paid $12.00 for them a couple of years ago:



As you can see, there is no heel high enough or thin enough for me! Being only 5'2", I have worn heels all my life and feel more comfortable in them than in flats any day.

Now, yesterday Beren took me to DSW for the first time. I know, I can't believe I've managed to avoid it all these years, but I honestly rarely spend more than $30 per pair and I believed this place was expensive. Well, yes, it can be but you've got to head straight back to the Clearance section, past the rows & rows of gorgeous-ness, and just maybe you'll happen upon something like this:



Regular price, $89.00 but I only paid $35.00 for these BCBG Paris platforms! Ooh, I simply can't wait to put my tooties into these lovelies! I think they'd be perfect for the fetish party Beren and I are planning to attend, but more about that another day. *wink*

Unmentionables

So, yesterday Beren and I took a little trip to St. Augustine for the express purpose of purchasing a new corset. For me, not Beren; yeah, he's a huge fan of Rocky Horror but not sure he could carry the look as well as Dr. Frankenfurter...



But, anyway, I digress...so we went to see our pirate friend, Tiger Lee, to actually exchange the corset I purchased last month. It seems that Tiger's wenches are not quite as adept at measuring because, as suspected, my corset was a full 4" too large! No worries, though, Tiger had me properly fitted and tightlaced within minutes, leaving me gasping for air yet feeling ever-so-special with my new hourglass figure! Sorry, I should have taken pictures but was too caught up in the moment and focused on simply breathing/walking/sitting/drinking through the streets of St. Augustine while being ogled by the tourists who had apparently never seen a woman wearing blue jeans & a corset! Here's a pic of my very corset from Tiger's website, though; you can just imagine my face on this wench's body. *wink*



Now, I've written briefly about corsets before but as time goes by I am thinking more & more seriously about getting a "real" one to be worn on a regular basis. I've done the research and know what I want, all I need now is to save up the money for a trip to Canada to be personally fitted at Lace Embrace. *swoon*



In the meantime, as I recently discussed with Ms. Bitchcakes, I am "practicing" by wearing some modern-day shapewear which really makes a difference in how clothes look and feel on me. My dresses fit more nicely, no lumps & bumps, and I just feel more "finished" and put-together. You know, women back in the 50's wore this stuff all the time and as much as I appreciate the feminist movement for some things, I also think we've lost some of our "ladylike" attributes and I'm sad for that.



Here in South Florida we are so casual, women don't even wear pantyhose anymore, ever, much less a slip or, according to my friends, even matching underwear/bras! It's a shame but I don't have to give in to the masses, I can wear whatever makes me feel pretty & feminine and that includes slips, stockings & garters, oh, my!

Santa Came Early!

I decided that I needed some new clothes for Christmas so instead of sitting around waiting for St Nick to decide if I've been naughty or nice (umm...both, actually) I logged onto Macy's and gifted myself!

Here's me in one of my new work dresses, I didn't think I could get away with a sheath dress much less a wide belt but I'm pleasantly surprised at how nicely it fits & feels! Of course I'd rather it be a smaller size than 12 but that's ok, I'm getting there, slowly but surely.



In other news, at the risk of revealing TMI, my little monthly visitor arrived with little fanfare yesterday, actually surprised me which is something that never happens. Apparently no sugar/low-carb/lean protein/lots of veggies is a perfect PMS cure. Huh. I'd heard the rumors but never believed that diet had that much impact on such things. Just one more thing to keep me motivated!

Off to work for me, hope you all have a Beauty-Full day!

Mad About Joan

Since discovering Mad Men (admittedly a bit late), I have been devouring the DVD's and immersing myself in the 1960's. Oh, how I love the fashion...swoon...and honey, don't we all wanna be Joan Holloway?! I'll take her curves any day! *wink*

Swimsuit Shopping...need I say more?

Dear South Florida Department Store Buyers:

Just a reminder, we live in the tropics where the temperature rarely drops below 70 degrees, thus the need for shorts & bathing suits year round! It is currently 95 degrees in the shade and will continue to be so for several months, what makes you think I want to look at sweaters and wool skirts..now or ever? Also, in case you've forgotten we have tourists here year 24/7 who might not bring appropriate clothing for our sweltering summers and therefore need to shop for said items. If they can't find summer garb in your stores, where are they gonna shop? Don't even think to mention the boutiques on the beach because unless your waistline (and your wallet) are the size of Kate Moss you're shit-outta-luck, baby! If you require a double digit I guess you're expected to don a mumu, sit on the sand and gaze longingly at the skinny beach babes frolicking in the ocean, perfectly cool & comfy because they were able to purchase cute swimsuits on the spur on the moment! And, um, some of us might be going on a cruise in a couple of days and happened to save the particular gruesome task of bikini-shopping for the very last minute!



Oh, and one more thing, do you think that you could provide separate dressing rooms for those of us non-skinny chics? 'cause it's bad enough to be standing naked under those horrific bright lights and three-way mirrors, struggling to squeeze my fat ass into a size Large only to hear from the other stall, "But look at how BIG this is and it is a size ZERO, now what am I going to dooooo?"

Really, there is just only so much torture one woman can stand before she's driven right out off your fancy store and straight to the nearest bar where she's going to down as many vodkas (2 POINTS each) as it takes to convince her that her old tattered swimsuit is just fine for the vacation and, in fact, it makes her look like a freakin' goddess!

Not that I did that or anything..I'm just saying..it could happen...

Hump Day History Lesson: Corsetry

Inspired by the Pin-Up Blog, I present you with a lesson in corsetry. I don't know that I'd want to be wear them every day but now & then...mmm...am thinking I'd love to be laced up! *wink*

Enjoy!



And the goddess Sophia..she certainly does that black corset justice!



And although not shown in it's entirety here, you must see the movie Possession for my favorite corset scene..swooon....forget the sex, the way he unties her corset is (almost) good enough for me!



Happy Hump Day!

Feline Finery

Beren has recently informed me that he'd like to take me on a little cruise for my birthday...3 weeks from now! Since he usually gifts me with a vaca for my special day, this is no big surprise to me but a cruise requires a tiny bit more planning than a weekend road trip, no?

Well, nevermind, I am a spontaneous kind of gal and can be ready to sail in a jiffy! One vintage suitcase full of stilettos, the other crammed with dresses & bathing suits and I'm good to go! However, there's that whole fancy dinner thing that comes with cruising..hmm...I really don't have a nice dress that fits well at the moment so I believe a bit shopping is required, don't you?

It only took one click of the mouse for me to find this stunning dress at Pin-Up Girl Clothing...swooon....I can already feel the silky fabric against my skin and just know the champagne color will complement my summer tan to say nothing of what that low neckline will do for my..umm...attributes. *wink* Hoping to lose a couple more pounds in all the right places before then, hmm...I daresay that donned in this glorious frock this particular lioness will be positively purring...meow!