Friday Shoe Day: Gladiator's Unite!

Do gladiator's unite? I don't know, it sounded powerful so I went with it.

So, as long as you've been paying attention you are aware that gladiator sandals are "all the rage" this spring and you are aware that I respect the trend, although some styles are clinically insane and of no use to a human foot but some are more subtle and sleek. I of course prefer the latter. Some of the crazier styles of gladiator will be tolerated because it's a big step to go with a trend and try and rock it. I guarantee if I saw a girl downtown rocking a semi-extreme style of gladiator I would give her major props.

You can go flat and you can go high, you can go with a hint of the trend and you can go trendtastic (I made that word up...genius, I know). I of course being the kind and gentle soul that I am will give you a shoe reflecting each. Onward:

A flat gladiator simple: This is by N.Y.L.A. and her name is "Hassan" awww, how ethnic and not racist at all (please, you wasps can't come up with something better than Hassan?). I love the metallics for this style, I think it gives the trend a lighter feeling, I think the darker leathers in this style are very...costume-ish. This would be great with, bermudas, sundress, straight leg jeans and shorter skirts...may as well show of those gams with these attention grabbing shoes.$64.95

Jessica Simpson. To be honest, who really knows if she designs these shoes or has any part of anything besides slapping her name on it before it goes to stores. But I really like this style, I think it's simple, sweet and has the trendy edge. I of course am into the gold, I've embraced it...some still don't like gold but gold is just as popular as silver ever was back in the 90's. Gold does look better on more olive skin tones...or tanerxic's. Either way, I really like this version, her name is "Zahara" and she runs $68.95.

Next up is a little bit more trendtastic with "Gilda" from Sam Edelman. This is a black and white python embossed leather and has much more of an actual gladiator feel. $84.95

WARNING EXTREME FLAT: Hello, going overboard with a trend and you look like an idiot, nice to meet you, I'm a SANE PERSON. These are just too good for words. If you bought these I loathe you. You are dumb and obviously have no fashion sense, you just think you do by buying expensive things that someone said is trendy and you have no personal style..at all. Stuart Weitzman, how could you? You are known for your gorgeous bridal shoes among other things, but really? These? Seriously? I hope you took somewhat of a financial hit to teach you a lesson. These went from $255 to $127.99 fast on Amazon. There's no way I would pay that kind of money for people to make fun of me in public...I'm pretty sure I could pull that off for free.

Gladiator heels: I will again, start with the subtle and go up from there and of course end with a gladiator heel that will leave tears of laughter in your eyes.

Now these are a slight nod to the gladiator and honestly I'm mostly impressed with what they are made out of; natural cork punctuated with perforation and nail-head details, there's also a metal trim around the open toe box. Really creative and beautiful, I love seeing everyday things created into something beautiful. Donald J. Pliner created this sandal called "Naiya" ans she's $290.

Next up is a creation by Gwen Stefani from L.A.M.B. This little number is called "Goldy" aww, at least it's not Muhammad. I really love the buckles on both sides, it gives it that trend feel and I love metallic leather for this season...I realize I already said that once. Of course, I don't really know what you would wear the gladiator heel with besides a dress of some sort, I think it would look weird with a skirt. Hmm, skinny or straight leg jeans would look amazing too. $295.

This sandal is starting to branch out into the...too much of a good thing area. This shoe has what three different colors...four if you count the lining. The buckles are bulky and in your face along with the contrasting of the straps on the black. Not to mention the 1" platform with the 4" wooden heel. A bit too much Chie Mahara especially for a cool $395.
WARNING EXTREME HEEL:This my friends is truly laughable. Unless you like to play gladiator games in the bedroom (if you know what I mean) these shall not be purchased by anyone who is not a stripper, the end, no further discussion. And if you are a stripper you should be able to afford these for a mere $89.

Well, I hope you became a little more comfy with gladiators, I think with the right choice for you, you could totally rock this trend this spring and summer, I'm eyeing the Jessica Simpson's myself.

*Also, I'm thinking about changing Fantasy Friday up a bit, perhaps not just shoes, lets be honest, I'm a girl, I desire many, many things I can't afford, namely, shoes, clothes and purses. I have a few ideas and I think I will start trying them out. I'll put a poll up for some feedback and feel free to leave comments with suggestions and things you've been wanting to see. Also if you're ever trying to find one of these shoes, leave me a comment and I can get back to you with the best place to buy them.*

Happy Weekend!

If I were rich...skinny...and it was 65 degrees out...

this is what I would be wearing:

Adorable Chloe blouse, front and back pin tucking with lace and eyelet detail. Plus it has the bib design on front and I am a huge fan of the bib, I think it is very chic. Chloe top: $435.

Nothing says warmer weather approaching like a classic khaki colored skirt. This of course is not khaki, it's a silk blend and the color is stone. It has inverted pleats and has a subtle sheen and great texture. This skirt is by Lida Baday and is $665

Last but certainly not least is this great Betsey Johnson shoe, Felicia! She is bright and beautiful! Of course when you're wearing an outfit of neutrals you HAVE to wear a signature shoe, something that screams, oh yes, I can pull of neutrals and still be a fashionista! This is 4" of height and there's a small rhinestones embellishment on the peep toe! Loves it...$150.

Well of course this is a fantasy, I am obviously not rich...or skinny...and it is certainly not 65 degrees outside. But in my minds eye, I am as skinny as I was back in '00 and I can afford anything...and it is already spring. I encourage you to come up with your, rich-skinny-spring outfit...seriously it makes you feel better, not worse, plus it is soooooo fun.

FYI my little outfit would run me $1250. If only.

La Galleria de Art a la Eva

Like how I used 3 different languages there...I am smart, contrary to hall rumor.

These are Eva's photographs that she's taken recently. I gave her my little digital and she took over 200 pictures...I of course deleted about 80% of those and then chose her best pieces.

On with the show:

I was watching Steel Magnolias on TV.

And then Eva got a shot of me crying...yes that is a tear and yes I cry when I watch pretty much any show on TV...go ahead, ask me I bet I cried.

Elle digging for anything she can get her hands on...it appears to be a phone this time.

Eva's second love, Harry Potter, her first is Jack Sparrow.

Yes, I am nursing Elle, this is live action folks...and yes I edited it for controversial content (milk booby).

Another of Eva's growing loves, Spiderman.

I actually really love this pic, it's my favorite. This is under our playpin.

Self portrait, as is the first pic up top.

The diaper pail...very intriguing.

A wedding pillow someone made us...for when we got married.

Portrait of daddy, so cute.

A tribute to Spiderman.

And our garbage can. Niiiice.

If you're interested in any of these pieces for purchase, let me know, I'm also Eva's agent...got to love a stage mom.

I love Jeremy...

...and not just because he buys me things. He wants to buy me things because he knows it makes me happy...although it may be materialistic...lets face it, that's the kind of girl that I am. I've come to grips with it, I'm ok with it, so I like to buy things, is that so wrong? I don't think so. I know the importance and value of non-materialistic things but that doesn't mean that I can't want nice things. Just wait till you see what Jeremy bought me...by me I technically mean all of us because Jeremy wanted it just as bad as I did:

Isn't it devine? I've been wanting an armoire for out TV for the past month now. I've seen the value of having something that closes off the TV, that makes it harder for little crawlers to get into things they shouldn't be getting into. Plus our old entertainment center took up most of our living room with it's insane hugeness. This is my new entertainment center, it hardly takes up a corner! I love it! Thank you Jeremy, you work so hard for our family and I can't thank you enough...well I guess I could go do the dishes.

Jeremy also bought me an oversized clock...which I've been wanting for like a year now. I saw it last week when I was at Target and I loved it but it was mucho dinero $$ and we just happen to walk by it when we were buying our new armoire and the clock was on sale!! It's a Christmas Miracle!!

Beautiful. I can not wait to get everything all set up and decorated with my new furniture. Of course I will post those pics when everything is all hung up and set right, until then...well you can't see any pics until then. Goodbye!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elle is now a true Corvallis girl

She had her first slice of Woodstock's pizza, she selected Bacon and Olive on whole wheat (by her I mean Eva, when Elle is old enough to speak and have an actual opinion, she can order whatever she wants). Of course the next stop in becoming a certified Corvallis girl...American Dream pizza.









Do you think she's enjoying it?

For those of you who are not familiar with Corvallis, Oregon the top two pizza places here are Woodstock's and American Dream, they are "all the rage" with the hippie's out here. Personally I have to be in the mood for this type of pizza and if you're in the mood it's amazingly good. These pizza places are like the heart of Oregon, they remind me a lot of Oregon and Corvallis and they have a flavor that's just about being au natural. Wow, that sounds really gay. Good thing I'm not a hippy or I would have just totally offended myself.

Just in case you were wondering Jeremy and I had the Mediterranean: whole wheat, pesto, spinach, sun dried tomato's, feta, peperoncinni's and artichoke, yum!

Swim Lessons

We decided to have Eva take swim lessons mostly because she needed something to do, since we had to take her out of preschool (yes we are that poor...we do live in Corvallis, one of the most expensive places, ever) she needed some sort of outlet for all of her energy. She loves the water she thinks she knows how to swim (no matter how much I tell her being in a bath tub and laying on your back is not swimming) so actually lessons would be great.

#1 She hates being splashed in the face...her teacher informed me that they splash each other in the face ON PURPOSE to get use to the water...that's stupid. That's like the first thing we yell at our kids not to do, whatever.

#2 Her teacher also informed me that she's not comfortable dunking her head underwater or a "bob" as they call it...umm, no duh, that's why I brought her here, aren't you supposed to teach her how to be comfortable?!

#3 On the FIRST day of class, Eva was brave enough to jump into her new teachers arms, Eva thought she was in shallow water...she was not in shallow water. She went under and was not expecting it AT ALL, she didn't cry but she was on the verge...I told her, "It's ok, you did good!" and gave her non-stop thumbs up so she wouldn't cry. Since this day Eva will not jump in and she has about...well lets be honest, she has zero trust in her teacher.

But besides that, she's come a long way in the past few weeks, she will now do a "bob." We bought her some goggles today and she loves them and that helps with the water getting in her eyes (which she hates). And even though she still does not trust her teacher, she is much more comfortable with the water.

p.s. these pics aren't that great, taking pics inside the aquatic center wasn't that great...as you can tell.

She's going down for a "bob!" Eva's the one under the water they're all looking at...in case you didn't get that.

And up from her "bob" she's so proud!

Showing off her sweet tat.

That's her new swimsuit we got today...princess, yikes!

Well I guess she sort of trusts her teacher, I'm sure by next week when lessons are over they will be best friends.

Parking for Swim Lessons

Apparently I have a hard time finding a parking spot when it comes time for Eva's swim lessons. Apparently I have been doing well when it comes to explaining to Eva that she can pray about anything, at anytime because Heavenly Father is always ready to hear her prayers.
How do I know? By this series of events this afternoon while driving to swim lessons, I'll set up the scene for you:
Pulling into the parking lot I found a very good parking spot right away, this almost never happens:
Me: Yes, I got a parking spot!
Eva: Thank you God for getting us a parking spot!
Me: Aww, thanks Eva, that was a really nice prayer...Amen, sister!

~Photos to come from swim lessons today~