tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168776332011-12-07T01:44:33.797-08:00Life is expensive enough as it is. Why pay more?Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.comBlogger5151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-24596693513533091072011-09-01T21:11:00.000-07:002011-09-01T21:20:38.952-07:00

News flash--two posts in two days during crunchtime! But I can't help myself. Since I needed a simple but tasty dinner tonight, I finally got around to trying a cucumber and scallop salad from the New York Times. I think it's worth while to watch this video for the instructions. If you don't have the time, here is the recipe. A mandolin slicer, which I don't currently have, would have really

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-40937850487358917722011-08-31T18:06:00.000-07:002011-08-31T20:43:09.215-07:00

This summer has been a busy one! I've been juggling multiple cases heading to trial at the same time on a shortened schedule. Sadly, this means far fewer opportunities to cook, and during meals out with the trial team, sometimes I end up bringing home leftovers that I'm not even home long enough to consume. I'm ashamed to say that I've had to throw out some leftovers. The good thing about

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-83946049732010219592011-06-26T18:01:00.000-07:002011-06-26T18:09:05.266-07:00

Yesterday was a very social day. During the early afternoon, I went to a bridal shower at a Ritz-Carlton. In the evening, I had a raucous time with a group of friends over Korean BBQ. I wanted to wear something that would be classy for the first event, but not risk getting ruined by oil and smoke that night.So what did I do? I wore an H&M dress to the Ritz-Carlton. Oh yes, I did.[H&M dress,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-3622787908013082842011-06-22T19:48:00.001-07:002011-06-22T20:03:10.726-07:00

I haven't had the time or space to entertain for quite some time. Finally, I found a window of opportunity to just do it. It was so much fun.I invited the girls over for a clothing swap and brunch. At first I was a bit apprehensive about how I was going to cook all that food and make the place look nice for my esteemed guests, especially because I overslept, but things all turned out quite well.

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-42914306605153743292011-06-12T17:34:00.000-07:002011-06-22T20:04:18.369-07:00

Helloooooo my pretties! Sorry I've been gone for far too long. Life in the past year has been crazy to say the least--lots of changes, lots of responsibilities, and not enough time for everything. Now that daylight lasts longer, I'm far less restricted in terms of when I can take pictures.June Gloom is a very Californian phenomena. One would think that June is a summer month, but oftentimes

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-60382997297506274252010-12-12T16:41:00.000-08:002010-12-19T20:27:41.229-08:00

As life got crazy and daylight became scarce, photo projects do not fit into my schedule very well. This weekend opened just enough of a window for something fun.Since it is Winter after all, the temperatures have been understandably low. This week and weekend was unseasonably warm such that we had 70-80 degree weather. Although I have much work to do, a chance to take in a little sun was too

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-38690399031149281152010-10-31T15:27:00.000-07:002010-10-31T15:46:33.648-07:00

Happy Halloween! Since All Hallow's Eve lands on a Sunday this year, much of the festivities took place last night. As usual, my costume consisted of regular clothing plus some props that I either buy or make. I picked a tough assignment for myself this year. A couple of the props were easy to get, but the clothing part was a bit more challenging. I tried to find a cheap tuxedo jacket with

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-50945686784494273662010-10-24T22:31:00.000-07:002010-10-29T19:04:54.295-07:00

Just when I thought the rain stopped for good, it starts up again. Fortunately, before the rains resumed, I spent much of yesterday out and about and soaked in some sun along the Pacific Coast Highway.I managed to hit two birds with one stone yesterday. Before heading up the coast to a friend's party, I decided to pay a visit to the LF Warehouse Sale, which I've heard about many times but never

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-58774700873104001052010-10-10T12:36:00.000-07:002010-10-10T14:10:49.784-07:00

"Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dearAnd it shows them pearly whiteJust a jackknife has old MacHeath, babeAnd he keeps it … ah … out of sight."Roughly-cut edges of drapey pieces are fun to play with--they add great dimension to everyday pieces. Overlaping drapery is even more fun.The Marciano drapey sweater that I found at the Marciano outlet during the summer has been in the rotation quite

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-1929280994614664322010-09-13T22:09:00.000-07:002010-09-13T22:50:02.119-07:00

It was time for me to get a haircut again. When it gets colder, maybe I'll let it grow out, but while it can still get hot during the day, I'd rather keep my hair as light in terms of weight as possible (black hair absorbs so much heat sometimes).Right now is the best time for me to play around with Fall outfits involving shorts and boots. The temperature cools down quite a bit in the evening,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-61207592297988910482010-09-09T22:29:00.000-07:002010-09-09T23:15:56.666-07:00

Life, with its ups and downs, is a continuing struggle. We won't ever learn how to get up if we don't fall down first. We won't toughen up if we don't take a few hits first. Sometimes we won't know what's really harmful to us, or know how to heal from the resulting wounds, without getting hurt first. It's all a learning experience. One thing is for sure--we do not remain fallen for long. After a

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-85576067212851988782010-08-07T20:43:00.000-07:002010-08-07T20:53:28.531-07:00

My dear readers,I've travelled both near and far to 2 different countries within 30 days. Who would have thunk that? I would have posted more pictures of my travels, but unfortunately I'm in a rather busy and rough patch of life right now. I just need to take some time away get my groove back, and then I'll be able to get back to doing what I do best--take pictures and tell stories. Be well!

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-46685701613544843242010-07-10T01:41:00.001-07:002010-09-13T22:59:40.729-07:00

What better way to unwind than to watch the sunset with a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos (con limon) and a drink carried in a traditional men's basket? (Yes, you heard right--a man's basket. Kinda like a man bag, but way cooler and culturally-significant.)Stay tuned for more scenes and stories of the island of Yap in Micronesia. Although brief, it was by far the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-29340719175403442762010-06-04T02:20:00.000-07:002010-06-04T02:24:18.079-07:00

In the month of June, I'll be pulling a disappearing act again. With 3 trial dates in as many months, and 2 brief trips out of the country in that same span of time, I'm gonna be pretty busy. I have no idea if I'll do any June posts, and if I do, whether it'll be at all relevant to the general subject matter of this blog, but one thing's for sure--you'll be seeing pictures of an exotic location

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-77488816554866510562010-05-27T20:04:00.000-07:002010-05-27T21:28:21.690-07:00

Although the Internet offers wonderful possibilities for staying in touch, there is no substitute for the human voice. Emoticons just don't always do the trick, and it's hard to get irony/sarcasm across through words on a page. There's just something warm and fuzzy about hearing laughter, varying tones, softness, and depth.When the person you are trying to connect with is half a world away,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-75572843429447568022010-05-05T19:53:00.000-07:002010-05-05T20:48:38.163-07:00

The weather in LA was on a mood swing in the past month. One day it's cold and rainy, the next day it's 80 degrees. Now that May is here, the warmer weather appears to be here to stay. Time to bust out the lighter layers and go with the shorter haircuts.It has been in my habit to test the boundaries of work outfits, but I really pushed the envelop this time with an element that is very

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-17275288020041501982010-04-25T15:11:00.000-07:002010-05-05T20:57:22.003-07:00

Thank you so much for your comments! I'm so happy that you enjoy reading the blog, and I'm certainly happy to be back. I've been rather dressed up for the last couple of Fridays, so it's nice to go with a more casual outfit this time. The town where I work now is far more populated by business attire, so I have to look a little more refined (even on casual days) to fit in. Given the fact that

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-86994409376911302232010-04-19T21:21:00.000-07:002010-04-19T21:43:15.260-07:00

Hi Everyone! The next to the last time you heard from me, I was trying to decide the fate of this blog. A lot was going on in my life at that time, and a lot more was expected to go on in the ensuing months, so I decided to take a break.As you can surmise from the title, I decided that I will keep blogging.A lot did actually happen in the last few months, some fairly significant life changes,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-36377617142663887872010-02-20T16:48:00.000-08:002010-02-20T16:59:31.528-08:00

I'm still trying to process the sadness and shock that came when I found out that one of my favorite bloggers, Yulanda of Little Thoughts, has left us. She was only 28 when she lost her battle with cancer.I first became acquainted with Yulanda through StyleDiary. I was hooked on her style--a mix of feminine, interesting pieces with great use of colors and patterns. When I learned that she

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-5098649927372386812010-02-02T23:52:00.000-08:002010-02-03T00:07:55.636-08:00

I think this is the longest period of time that I've gone without posting ever since this blog started. I'm still around! There's been a lot going on in my life--some good, some bad, others somewhere in between. I still have plenty of material to post about, but it's hard to find the time to take pictures and write about it. Quality control matters to me (even if the blog is just for fun),

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-82607208514221683442010-01-09T10:42:00.001-08:002010-01-09T11:02:17.202-08:00

I haven't done outfit posts for a while...my GorillaPod kinda broke and I have yet to buy a new one. Not to mention I've been coming home at the end of the day with no energy to speak of. Hopefully I'll pick up the pace soon.I've never been into wearing anything approved by Jolly Roger (I find them a bit macabre for my tastes), but the scientist in me just couldn't let go of this find from the

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-62318142048088698232010-01-01T10:15:00.000-08:002010-01-01T12:03:53.929-08:00

Happy 2010! May a new decade bring positive changes and strengthen lasting bonds. I still can't believe that it is now Year 2010; it seems like one of those years in science fictions from long ago that would never arrive. We still use roads, fossil fuels, and don't around Jetson-style in pods yet, but technology has been developing on an exponential curve, so the fictional visions of the

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-80527005196116554152009-12-29T21:40:00.000-08:002009-12-31T15:24:41.201-08:00

Since there are 12 days of Christmas (according to the song, at least), I figured I'm not too late with Christmas greetings. I hope everyone had a great time on December 25. My Christmas season was rather hectic up to Christmas Day, when I actually left some gifts at home and had to run back and get it. Normally, I would have shopped all year round and got all the presents with plenty of time

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-87170848096907669702009-12-14T21:02:00.000-08:002009-12-31T15:28:21.567-08:00

"Busy" is an understatement when it comes to describing my life right now. I don't have time to do the fashion-oriented shoots at the moment, but there are other topics of conversation. I took hundreds of pictures when I was in Hong Kong. What good are those pictures if they're not shared? Here's another installment in the series; hope you'll enjoy it.Because Hong Kong is such a tiny place, there

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-43203503420377004292009-12-06T21:51:00.000-08:002009-12-06T22:22:17.983-08:00

The first week back in the States after travelling overseas felt awkward. I thought that by thinking, "Jet lag, what's that?", I'd be able to ignore the issue and feel completely settled in. Alas, that was not to be. I felt completely upside down all week. I've been busy trying to get caught up with the hundreds of emails (work and personal) and stacks of papers that piled up in my absence,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-33225057375521079822009-11-29T18:31:00.001-08:002009-11-29T18:47:24.202-08:00

Well, I'm physically here, but I'm mentally not. I thought I was over jet lag yesterday, but I practically slept all day today and am now in great need of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Having ate so much delicious foods in Hong Kong and Mainland China, I kinda miss the culinary delights right now...although there are great restaurants around me, it's just not the same, and I'm too lazy to drive

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-1491558981591769142009-11-15T11:18:00.000-08:002009-11-16T23:07:05.656-08:00

[Edit: I was a law review editor, but I can't even edit my own blog posts. Shame on me...duly corrected. My brain is already on vacation even though I'm not there yet.]When I was a kid, my mom used to make soup noodles with a can of Campbell's vegetable soup. I used to love taking my soup and fishing out the alphabets. The concept of alphabet-shaped letters pasta were was very fascinating to a

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-77586023868450945232009-11-07T09:57:00.000-08:002009-11-07T10:45:14.825-08:00

My work style for the past several weeks had been rather woeful. I didn't really have much time to think about what to wear--just throw on something black or gray and face the long day ahead. This week I finally got back on track, and it's quite fun to make work outfits interesting again. It also helps that the heat waves have finally come to an end, and I can work with layers.Although I tend to

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-3099600310483671272009-11-01T14:36:00.000-08:002009-11-01T14:59:10.209-08:00

My Halloween costume this year is not quite as flashy as last year's, but it deserves an award for the effort I've put in to put it together. I only had 4 hours before the party to get everything I needed--namely the skirt, vest, and gloves. The gloves were the easiest to find--I knew that there were a few places that would have them. I've always wanted a pair of long leather gloves, so I'm

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-45713756225825017252009-10-31T10:28:00.000-07:002009-10-31T10:57:30.244-07:00

I usually don't care for half the junk mail that come through the email inbox associated with this blog, but one got my attention. I got an email about Bluefly's America's Most Stylish Blogger challenge. The challenge of the week happens to be the boyfriend vest. As gimmicky as the challenge seems (it is, after all, used to promote the products they're selling), I have to admit that it's

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-14602745710684536952009-10-31T09:29:00.000-07:002009-10-31T10:50:42.194-07:00

Autumn has finally hit Southern California with a vengeance. I'm getting quite a bit of use of my wool suits now. I only have one wool suit and one wool-blend jacket, which doesn't quite do the trick...will have to look for more.On cold days when I have to suit up, but not need to be quite as formal, I turn to my trusty Diane von Furstenburg blue wool-blend shift dress. After wearing it so

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-40809598542421851112009-10-25T11:02:00.000-07:002009-10-25T16:49:35.254-07:00

As I have less and less free time to do things, I lament the diminishing variety of topics on my blog. There used to be more than just fashion--I used to write more about such things as the joys of cooking and cheap/freebie cultural events, but these days I haven't had much time to experience much of either. I'll try to mix things up as time permits.A few weeks ago, my roommate asked me if I

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-24025942784721467162009-10-18T09:51:00.000-07:002009-10-18T10:13:04.826-07:00

"A wide double-buckled stretchy belt that fits" is a fairly specific accessory, perhaps too much so--it has been oh-so elusive. Because my waist is fairly small, it has been all but impossible to find a stretchy belt that doesn't slide down to my hips.Fortunately, I finally found one at Forever 21. The stretchy portion is constructed of a raffia-like material instead of the obvious elastic. Cheap

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-69681216742248662662009-10-18T01:06:00.000-07:002009-10-18T19:06:38.591-07:00

I've been insanely busy with work and battling the flu at the same time. After finally getting the chance catch adequate sleep in the past 36 hours, I'm now wide awake in the middle of the night and feeling closer to normal, so I may as well get a little bit of blogging in before my schedule descends into chaos once more. I've managed to avoid the flu for quite a number of years until now; I

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-31865864754295432362009-10-04T16:45:00.000-07:002009-10-04T17:20:25.845-07:00

After having zero energy for weeks, I'm feeling much better this weekend. I still haven't figured out what exactly is making me so tired--could be allergies, could be not eating well because I have no time to cook lately, or it could be (ironically) too much caffeine--but I'm trying to get back to living a healthier lifestyle. The hardest part is motivating myself to take the time to rest, cook,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-73752814621955910812009-09-27T17:34:00.001-07:002009-09-27T18:52:22.230-07:00

The "no white after Labor Day" "rule" simply cannot apply to Southern California. While it is now officially Autumn, the temperature is still hovering around 90-100 degrees.Yesterday was one of those hot days. I woke up late in the morning to a phone call inviting me to visit my friends' newborn. I had to put together an outfit in a hurry. It was already 90 degrees at that point, so it made

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-2836642773341045042009-09-24T23:53:00.000-07:002009-09-25T00:19:46.657-07:00

Blogging will probably slow to a crawl for the next month or two. Unfortunately, I don't have much time or energy to do much of anything these days; I don't think I have been this exhausted for quite some time, and I can't quite figure out why even after accounting for work. I'm just gonna take it easy for a few weeks.In other news, I finally got the frickin' amazing grayscale colorblock tights

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-45381764880761186942009-09-13T17:01:00.000-07:002009-09-13T17:56:22.904-07:00

Getting my car washed is like pulling teeth. I used to be able to hose down the car and give it a good rub-a-dub, but no more. My car now gets its rest in an underground garage, where a garden hose is not readily available. Even if a garden hose is available, I could not use it liberally--with an ongoing drought in California comes water use restrictions and/or higher rates for high water use.

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-68187920960087200412009-09-13T11:59:00.000-07:002009-09-13T12:11:12.304-07:00

It feels like I haven't blogged for ages. Life just got rather busy, with weddings, visiting friends and family, and mundane everyday chores in general. I'm still around, though, and posting will go on until the day I decide to quit doing this for good.Based on what I've seen on street-style blogs, a popular trend that has existed for some time is the cuffing of the pant leg. Little things like

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-38240857563515915372009-08-31T23:21:00.000-07:002009-08-31T23:49:40.577-07:00

While I like flowy tops and outerwear, loose dresses usually do not suit my body type very well. It creates the illusion of a huge midsection. Somehow, Stella McCartney's signature loose look works for me. I feel like can move around freely, and even throw in a silly twirl or two. This is pretty important on busy workdays--after all, all work and no play turns Jane into one dull lass.A casual

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-39297354559647536482009-08-30T11:16:00.000-07:002009-08-30T12:09:50.311-07:00

It is hard to work to really, really long hours. It is even harder to motivate oneself to dress up for it. However, I do believe that making a little bit of effort to look good does somewhat translate to feeling a little better and adopting a more serious demeanor to face the challenges of the day. My workwear this past week consisted of a mix of loose, flowing dresses to fitted but stretchy

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-43294974556097773242009-08-24T18:46:00.000-07:002009-08-24T18:46:00.185-07:00

When I was a student, I believed that I needed to start building a wardrobe of dress shirts for my impending entry into the professional world, even though I never liked wearing them. However, I overestimated the true need for these shirts, and most of them have been banished to the very corner of the closet. I've come to realize that I've been behaving somewhat like a kid who does not want to

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-7054195105578101132009-08-23T11:01:00.000-07:002009-08-23T21:05:19.667-07:00

Last night/this early morning was boisterously fun, a kind of fun that I haven't had in a long time. My friends and I hopped from one party to another, but it's not the kind of party-hopping that would have happened in the earlier years. We're all grown up now, have complex and demanding jobs, and some starting families, so it's a lot different these days. Still, we put away our Blackberries (

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-31745012360605103292009-08-22T10:08:00.000-07:002009-08-22T11:35:17.755-07:00

The Barney's Warehouse Sale has moved from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica out to the LA Convention Center. A lot of people don't like the move, with the parking situation being the main complaint. To be sure, the parking is no longer free, since parking rates anywhere in Downtown LA do not come cheap...unless you know the area well and can find a spot gratis on a safe side street. However,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-26988223899654728792009-08-16T21:06:00.000-07:002009-08-17T00:28:11.587-07:00

It's hard to believe that we're already halfway through August; it seems like Summer had just begun. The daytime is still very hot, but the air rapidly cools down once the sun starts to set, enough for me to want to put on another layer. The question, of course, is which layer to choose. Knits and hoodies are too warm, and the very sheer pieces are a bit too light. What is just right?I've never

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-18966006710979600032009-08-10T02:01:00.000-07:002009-08-11T23:31:52.492-07:00

I try to distinguish myself in a suit-and-tie world by dressing a little less corporate, but no less professional. I just hate fussing with collared shirts. The dress shirts are saved for my suit days; I try to avoid them on days when I don't need a suit.It might surprise some people to learn that a large percentage of tops I wear to work are well-fitted t-shirts. It makes perfect sense to me,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-44657395042927251462009-08-02T10:46:00.000-07:002009-08-03T23:32:07.005-07:00

I spent much of the last week in hot weather, both at home and on the road. I had an unexpectedly long stay in Arizona, where it was 115 degrees every day. Looking professional and staying cool was something of a wardrobe challenge, especially when I expected only to be there one day and ended up staying for three.By now, I've gotten pretty good at packing very few clothing items that could be

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-67356302339682550002009-07-26T02:48:00.000-07:002009-10-31T10:51:23.888-07:00

Many people associate shiny fabrics strictly with evening wear, and woe to those "fashion victims" who wear "too much" bling during the day. That kind of mentality is really a shame, since it seriously limits the number of times the shiny fabrics could be worn.Functionally speaking, too much shine during the day can be a bad thing because it is literally glaring; one should not have to wear

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-15817246115060662692009-07-25T10:30:00.000-07:002009-07-26T03:21:54.722-07:00

A couple of months ago, my roommate and I hosted a clothing swap. We put out a bunch of snacks (plus more contributions from the guests), a mirror, and some music on the stereo, and the rest took care of themselves. Playing dress-up had never been more fun.At the end of the day, we all had an impressive haul. My roommate's new collection consists of a lot of my old clothes; she looks even better

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-91797943412681564062009-07-19T01:16:00.000-07:002009-07-19T02:25:18.915-07:00

If I look at things logically, I ought to have outgrown glitter and stars. However, sometimes I just can't help it.I've been ooohing and awwwing over a pair of shoes with a martini heel and a pave-laden star on it, but the price was just prohibitive for a pair of shoes that better suits someone younger than I. After months of waiting, the price at DSW finally dropped to about 80% off retail, and

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-56046196292233920962009-07-06T00:03:00.000-07:002009-07-06T20:27:55.397-07:00

I wore this a while back, and thought it would make a great Fourth of July outfit...[H&M jacket ($15 on clearance), Old Navy camisole ($3), dagger necklace made by me, Gap striped shorts, Pour La Victoire faux snake skin sandals]...but the weather would not permit the jacket on the actual holiday. Time for Plan B. I resorted to something that was light and captured the spirit without the obvious

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-90132876567196624742009-07-04T21:02:00.000-07:002009-07-04T21:44:45.929-07:00

It's pretty nice to spend my Fourth of July with my family, and I especially appreciate some quality Mother-Daughter time with my mom. We lunched, discussed plans for the upcoming trip (i.e. what to bring, what to wear, what to gift), and did a bit of shopping for things that my mom needed. Unfortunately, we came away empty-handed and quite disappointed for a couple of reasons.Murphy's Law is

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-64044046463887218322009-07-04T01:04:00.000-07:002009-07-04T01:38:24.233-07:00

The beauty of a good public radio station is that the programming is intellectual, eclectic, and fun at the same time. I get my morning news on my drive to work. What comes on my car radio on the second half of the day depends on when I drive home. If I leave the office during Rush Hour, I get another dose of news along with the intriguing type of human interest stories that you can only get

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-24378893746379618282009-07-03T13:38:00.000-07:002009-07-04T21:00:24.040-07:00

I hope everyone will have an enjoyable and safe 4th of July weekend! My office is closed today, so I'm trying to take some time off relaxing before fitting in some work in between the festivities throughout the weekend. I haven't fleshed out my weekend plans yet, but just getting caught up with sleep would be fine by me.I'll be travelling overseas for a wedding in November. It'll be my first

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-5564841417943604442009-06-28T14:57:00.001-07:002009-06-30T00:32:08.638-07:00

I'm not one to throw a big party to commemorate another year of existence; something simple would do. Good food and conversation with friends is a great way to spend the evening, and that is enough to keep me happy. Getting some awesome gifts is the icing on the cake (or whipped cream on a pie...I'm more of a pie person).Figuring out what to wear for this year's shindig was pretty easy. Usually I

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-67589702404134937082009-06-21T19:21:00.001-07:002009-06-21T19:39:17.121-07:00

Yesterday was a day of fairly big decisions. I came to accept that my planned trip in the Fall to the East Coast is probably not going to happen--I wanted to go there when it's not too hot, and not too cold. Since my schedule is too hectic to fit it in, I think it is better to wait until the Spring, when I can actually enjoy my time there.Then came another decision to ponder about. My brother

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-11122692092716835882009-06-21T01:43:00.000-07:002009-06-21T12:28:12.308-07:00

As you may have noticed, I gave the blog a fresh coat of paint and a new banner. Somehow I have been blogging for close to 5 full years (come September) and didn't even know it. Other than putting up a new banner during the second year of the blog's existence, I pretty much left everything else alone. However, as time went by, my tastes changed somewhat, and the blog no longer looked as

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-12732168685818403872009-06-20T09:10:00.000-07:002009-06-21T13:23:21.912-07:00

My work trip to the middle of nowhere ended up getting scrubbed at the last minute. While I miss the chance to visit places like that, where I would have never gone on my own initiative, I definitely do not miss the 100-degree heat, because it would have kept me from wearing a new dress that I have come to love.For months, I've heard about a collaboration between GAP and various designers to

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-88612329323969344462009-06-17T19:25:00.000-07:002009-06-17T20:02:03.413-07:00

Straighten up and fly right,Straighten up and stay right,Straight up and fly right,Cool down, Pappa, don't you blow your top.-Nat King Cole, "Straighten Up and Fly Right"By this time tomorrow, I would probably be driving off to another remote location for work, a place where the address is a highway mile marker (that's a first). Even though business travel can be awfully tiring, I do like to take

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-36993870817499007832009-06-16T01:18:00.000-07:002009-06-16T01:46:33.748-07:00

There are lots of stories of college students surviving on ramen, but I was not one of them. After moving out of the dorms, I had to figure out the cooking situation. Sure, I've done a little bit of cooking before, but they were simple things and not quite a full meal. However, I was pretty excited about living out on my own and was determined to be a good cook. After all, if I could cook up

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-7100022792579673342009-06-14T16:20:00.000-07:002009-06-14T22:56:09.597-07:00

I've avoided the shopping mecca on Melrose partly because parking is a mess, and largely because the prices are often out of reach (except when there is a sale). Then I read a post about the Marc Jacobs special items, and I became intrigued. I checked out the website and found a couple of things I could use, but I did not know when I would find time to go.This morning, my friend invited me over

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-89121686675038062682009-06-13T00:39:00.000-07:002009-06-13T09:04:10.493-07:00

When I had to stay that extra night in Phoenix, I had to go out an get another shirt to sleep in because whatever I brought with me was just too warm. Luckily, a local had given some shopping advice. I headed over to Chandler Fashion Center in Chandler, AZ to get that shirt and some dinner.I could have just bought a cheap t-shirt, since I just needed something to sleep in, but I didn't want to

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-17913740963781132242009-06-12T00:48:00.001-07:002009-06-12T01:24:01.462-07:00

Just got back from another work trip, this time from Phoenix, AZ. It was quite a challege, both professionally and sartorially. Deciding what to pack was rather difficult, since the weather of the two places I shuttled between could not be more different--it's in the 60s in LA, while the rental car's thermometer measured 95-97 in Phoenix (and I was actually told that is actually "nice weather"

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-60532220585099250212009-06-07T18:56:00.000-07:002009-06-13T09:03:37.428-07:00

The decoration and arrangement of personal space has always been a work in progress. I've never been able to afford redoing an entire room at a time, nor did I want to. Shelves, furniture, and other knicknacks were acquired piecemeal and swapped out over time. I have not done any major overhauls until now.Over the last few weekends, I have been on a mission to make more efficient use of my space.

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-21244807609711038362009-05-31T19:25:00.001-07:002009-06-02T21:42:11.760-07:00

As you can tell, I love wearing high heels, and I wear them quite frequently. They just make my work outfits look a lot sharper. I am generally pretty good about buying shoes that I can walk comfortably in, but let's face it, heels stop becoming comfortable after a few hours of constant walking or standing. The balls of my feet would eventually hurt from having to bear my entire body weight, and

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-72472817992111838992009-05-28T20:30:00.000-07:002009-05-28T21:40:59.601-07:00

Is it a boot? Is it a sandal? How about both?[This was what I wore for a Memorial Day barbecue. When it came time to play Rock Band, I was dressed for the part. Blake t-shirt with side ties (from Loehmann's), White by Development corduroy mini ($5 from a blowout sale), Maison Martin Margiela cutout sandal/bootie.]Some people are drawn by Jimmy Choos, others love Louboutins, but I'm mesmerized by

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-37987894657138909472009-05-22T20:26:00.000-07:002009-05-27T22:13:52.571-07:00

[UPDATED 5/27/09--The whole thing came crashing down on a mistrial, which means both sides have to start the trial process all over again. In my personal opinion, I think the odds are slim for a second trial to go all the way to verdict, if it gets tried at all. Then again, people thought it wouldn't have gotten tried in the first place...]Trademark and Copyright are definitely on the list of

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-84299656624808067462009-05-19T23:24:00.000-07:002009-05-19T23:53:59.818-07:00

Yes, I wore a cape to work today. Imagine that.Before you think I have gone completely bonkers, let me explain. I do realize that this is not typical workwear. I can see myself bringing this along with me come Summer, when it is hot during the day and cool at night. I think it will be great with a casual tank top and jeans. However, I wanted to wear my favorite shirt today with my current

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-69943351611142228772009-05-14T22:35:00.000-07:002009-05-17T15:46:52.177-07:00

It's been a while since I did a food post. After a long day of work, it is hard to get motivated to make a nice meal. Sometimes the cooking part isn't hard, but the cleanup can be very daunting. These days, the economy is a driving force toward cooking more and eating out less, or toward eating cheaper foods. Fast food burgers are quick and cheap, but they aren't always tasty and definitely

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-65848464321212564512009-05-10T10:20:00.000-07:002009-05-10T10:58:35.445-07:00

Today happens to be Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, and also to those of you who are celebrating it with your moms. I hope you'll all have a great time. My mom decided to celebrate it a little earlier in order to avoid the crowds--smart move by a very smart woman.Summer is fast approaching, and I have been rearranging things in my closet to make weather-appropriate pieces

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-71233320985407596482009-05-03T18:11:00.001-07:002009-05-03T20:58:21.821-07:00

The last 2 items I got from my big thrifting haul finally came back from the dry cleaner's. The first is going to be a good transitional staple. The second is definitely weekend-only material, and boy is it fun.The oversized brocade coat looks handmade--it was not lined, and there were no labels. I'm a very tactile-oriented person, and the texture of the patterns is certainly interesting. I was

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-7245910414625609982009-05-03T09:55:00.000-07:002009-05-03T10:01:58.394-07:00

When I'm back visiting my family and want to, say, watch TV or be the first to get online that day, I have to turn on a couple of power strips. When I'm done, my dad makes me turn them off, or I'd hear him grousing about it the next day. I thought it was going overboard and was a bit dismissive of the power strip thing, since it's such a hassle and it couldn't possibly make that much of a

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-42772375583997549522009-04-29T20:11:00.000-07:002009-05-02T00:31:31.984-07:00

My professional wardrobe has undergone a lot of transformations within the past year. When I first started out, I used to wear one brightly colored item swathed in darker tones. I wanted to use colors to reflect a sense of youthfulness without looking juvenile or, heaven forbid, unprofessional. Nowadays, the color palette is far more subdued; some would even say muted. Maybe my clothing choices

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-88806418736005868582009-04-26T18:12:00.001-07:002009-04-26T19:25:42.456-07:00

As promised, here are pics of the dresses I got from the Goodwill last weekend. Given the crazy changes in the weather, I managed to wear almost all of them this week. Lately, I have been in a mood for very feminine dresses, and I have been wearing dresses or skirts whenever practicable.The first one that caught my attention has the most interesting print--lush green background with columns of

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-68181329158498739752009-04-18T21:17:00.000-07:002009-04-18T21:28:26.232-07:00

Today I finally hauled my old prehistoric TV (the one with practically no AV inputs/outputs to speak of), an old vacuum cleaner, and a bunch of old clothes and shoes to the Goodwill. I couldn't do it before because I had no time to speak of, and I could not possibly haul the big ol' telly down to my car by myself, especially when the elevator wasn't working half the time. Luckily, my roommate

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-46789638341014029432009-04-18T11:31:00.000-07:002009-04-18T11:49:46.942-07:00

I know I probably have waaaay too many striped tops in my closet, but I love them all. Stripes are merely a simple arrangement of lines upon a canvas, but each color combination evokes a different feeling. Dark stripes on a white shirt lend a nautical feel; bright stripes on a darker background feels a little bit seafaring, but a lot more of something else.I picked up this

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-39107366313069993672009-04-12T15:37:00.000-07:002009-04-12T15:54:10.255-07:00

When the leggings trend started initially, I couldn't stand them. There's nothing wrong with wearing them as pants under clothes--I wore jeans under dresses all the time. However, I've seen way too many people wearing them in lieu of pants. That was not a pretty sight.However, given the creative ways that I've seen leggings be reworked (namely, in cool colors, fabrics, and patterns), I decided to

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-36263794879364551982009-04-05T17:19:00.000-07:002009-04-05T17:42:56.322-07:00

It has taken me a very, very long time to find a fedora that fits my small head and my budget. I bought a cheap black one from Express years ago, but it was simply too big and had the propensity of nearly being gone with the wind. There are plenty of hats around, but none of them seemed to look right on me.About 6 months ago, I found the perfect fedora at Urban Outfitters. The woven straw

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-37526930968951854592009-03-26T01:23:00.000-07:002009-03-26T01:40:50.685-07:00

This is it...or is it?Mike & Chris had been holding several sample sales in rapid succession, and I missed all of them. The one scheduled for this Saturday has been billed as the "Going Out of Business" sale. That was a little surprising, given a recent interview I read recently of the Mike half of the duo about upcoming collections. On one hand, the rock-bottom pricing sounds like a BK

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-53458090790124218642009-03-22T23:05:00.000-07:002009-03-22T23:17:40.916-07:00

One thing I dislike about travel is having to eat out. Trying out new restaurants may seem fun at first, but after a few meals, I'm sick of the grease, even from the "healthier" options. Worst of all, eating out is just plain expensive. In the past, I have cut down on breakfast costs by a) eating the free breakfasts at hotels, or b) stocking up on bagel, buns, and granola bars where the free

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-88630624744347082232009-03-20T22:55:00.000-07:002009-03-20T23:11:17.677-07:00

Ah, the first day of Spring. Being a city girl, such a day would have been like any other, since I wouldn't have been able to see the signs of change. I just knew that the weather would be nice, so I wanted to wear something more suitable for the Spring/Summer season. A new seersucker striped top that I picked up recently from the BCBG outlet seems to do the trick--light and carefree, but dresses

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-4280691233428702872009-03-18T21:08:00.000-07:002009-03-22T22:33:13.207-07:00

I am incorrigibly attracted to stripes. I just can't help it--stripes are so simple, but they add pizzazz and they're just so easy to wear. When I went to a local boutique last weekend, I was drawn to yet another striped piece on the half-off racks--a dress with black, gray, and hot pink stripes. Stripes again?!? At least the stripes are vertical!This dress is obviously fun and very comfortable

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-46878702127089289472009-03-07T20:20:00.000-08:002009-03-09T19:27:18.732-07:00

The brain needed a break, so I obliged. I decided to do something a bit creative and a bit irreverent.What little girl doesn't want a pair of Cinderella's magical glass slippers? I was fascinated by the eponymous fairy tale as a wee lass, long before I had any remote interest in fashion. The sense of wonder surrounding Cinderella's shoes lingers, though I have adopted a rather darkly comedic view

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-36548769474568089102009-03-04T18:46:00.000-08:002009-03-04T18:52:36.762-08:00

There probably won't be a post for a while. I'm absent, but not entirely gone. It's just that I am really, really busy at the moment. In the meantime, take care, and may the economy take a turn back to the bright side.

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-49395451508149970952009-02-22T22:44:00.000-08:002009-03-08T01:41:14.147-08:00

During Loehmann's recent clearance sales, I found some really great deals. One of them was something arguably less practical, but it's what I've always wanted to have on hand.Once in a long while, my friends and I would attend performances at the theater. I haven't been to the opera yet, but it is something I have in mind for the near future. Although I have various shorter-length dresses, I've

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-26343232334650004872009-02-18T23:28:00.000-08:002009-02-19T00:57:45.253-08:00

Over the years, I've become quite a makeup junkie. Although makeup is not a part of my daily routine, I do have fun experimenting with colors and techniques, in the same way I do with clothing.Getting my "art supplies" together is a rather interesting exercise. As much as I love my visits to Sephora, I certainly can't afford to shop there often. Besides, pricier makeup isn't necessarily "better"-

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-9330526653709381952009-02-16T23:24:00.000-08:002009-02-18T23:28:08.423-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day/Presidents' Day weekend! I had a blast of a weekend in Mammoth Lakes, CA on the slopes. The very cold atmospheric conditions and a few minor injuries/illnesses had put a small damper on things, but the snow was absolutely wonderful. Here are a few scenes heading to, skiing at, and returning from Winter Wonderland:[What I wore for the trip home: Gap

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-62619162747379872972009-02-13T01:38:00.000-08:002009-02-13T01:52:38.432-08:00

I don't know if this is the harbinger of what is to come, but Mike & Chris is having a huge liquidation sale on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 5 at their warehouse (4900 Zambrano St., Commerce), with a number of items expected to be 70-90% off. Here is one illustration of the anticipated rock bottom pricing.I've been waiting for a long, long time for the leather jackets to fall to this price.

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-24084921339573400762009-02-08T18:30:00.000-08:002009-02-08T22:07:35.314-08:00

I have always been a fan of subtly unusual clothing--that is, something that looks perfectly staid, but with a detail that really stands out. I rarely buy a piece that completely screams out for attention; given the large amount of time I tend to spend in a professional setting, it is simply not prudent. However, I recently came across a dress that overcame my logical approach.A New York-based

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-69071729602107490162009-02-05T20:29:00.000-08:002009-02-05T20:54:19.368-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming up, and people everywhere are making plans. It might mean flowers and chocolate for some, a getaway or nice dinner for others, or just something plain and simple but meaningful. However, the holiday might be a source of consternation, especially in this economic environment. Love really can't be bought (if it was the purchased kind, then there's a problem), and it is a

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-65435469418079703282009-01-28T01:05:00.000-08:002009-01-28T01:43:53.987-08:00

A while ago, I made fun of trends in which one color turns into another color for the sake of trends and marketing. Well, green is ever the chameleon, and it has done it again:The popularity of "being green" is great (I'm all for conservation), but the trendiness of it all is rather suspect. Are people being green because they're truly altruistic, or are they just doing it to look cool? Or is it

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-78957779258336106862009-01-19T17:41:00.000-08:002009-01-20T22:55:38.391-08:00

I had a great museum trip with a group of friends and their friends today. Part of the fun of seeing an exhibit is discussing it with other people (I highly recommend a visit to the Broad Contemporary section). The other part is taking silly pictures with the artwork. There was also an unexpected bonus: a freebie notebook featuring quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King. It is quite a fitting way to

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-12208865099329258942009-01-18T12:04:00.000-08:002009-01-18T12:17:48.669-08:00

When I have to stay up late but still want to catch a few hours of sleep, I use a good chai latte as my midnight oil instead of coffee. However, very few places make it exactly the way I want it. Thus, after I get off the freeway from work, I'm willing to drive out to Mani's Bakery to get my large chai latte, and occasionally, a delicious organic baked treat. While I can't afford the cakes and

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-6335509688229595092009-01-18T10:39:00.000-08:002009-01-18T11:05:46.407-08:00

There are many holidays that I would deride as "Hallmark Holidays," which retailers take advantage of in an effort to sell more stuff. I'm not sure if there is an "offical" Art Appreciation Day yet. In any event, I think it is important to have one sometime in our lives, whether it is on a fixed day or not, on an annual basis or once every few years.Ever the pragmatist, I used to somewhat

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-68164251898842352732009-01-17T14:27:00.001-08:002009-01-18T10:39:40.561-08:00

This morning, I woke up remarkably early for a Saturday. I've been waking up fairly early lately for work assignments, so I suppose I got used to it. My day started off with a very big breakfast with a group of friends at the Griddle Cafe in West Hollywood. I didn't bring my camera, so I couldn't fully capture the enormity of my breakfast (the dinner plate-sized pancakes were even bigger), but to

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-52826606540140348782009-01-17T13:20:00.000-08:002009-01-17T13:33:59.832-08:00

After I did my first post on the Weekday/Weekend series, I realized that I forgot to address an issue unique to bulky rolled sleeves: what to do when it gets a little colder.A jacket with wide sleeves ought to do it. I found this jacket from Forever 21 last spring, and it has been extraordinarily versatile. It looks great when paired with a t-shirt or a turtleneck, and the wide sleeves perfectly

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-51894983549215315302009-01-11T19:59:00.000-08:002009-01-18T10:32:59.795-08:00

It may be the best of times for many bargain hunters, it is arguably the worst of times for retailers. In any event, it would be wise for retailers to treat those shoppers right. Unfortunately, I have witnessed some incredulously foolish customer service antics; in one case, it was enough to change my purchasing decision.This morning I met up with some dear friends for breakfast. On my way home,

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-70094901687764891762009-01-08T19:48:00.001-08:002009-01-08T20:31:34.246-08:00

Shopping is supposed to be fun, but it can be quite agonizing for many professional women. Committing to buy anything for "play" is never easy, particularly because spending money on something that won't be worn much (due to the lack of "play" time) is never a good thing.I decided to start a new semi-regular feature called Weekday Weekend as a way to challenge myself to make as much use of all my

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-79896305637035253902009-01-05T17:43:00.000-08:002009-01-07T20:58:52.247-08:00

Plaid is quite popular nowadays, and its use in modern fashion has arguably drifted far away from the original significance (or bastardized, if you will). Nonetheless, I find it rather fascinating that something so historic retains it classic nature while lending itself to be reinvented in so many ways. During my New Year's Day shopping trip with a visiting friend (gosh, that was fun and a long

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16877633.post-74481415361892611362009-01-04T01:21:00.000-08:002009-01-04T01:36:11.512-08:00

I know that it must be infuriating sometimes for you to squint to see the details in some pictures. I know I have been, but I didn't know how to fix the problem until now.For months, I couldn't figure out why clicking on the pictures on the posts do not result in a pop-up of the full-size image the way it used to. I finally have some time to research the issue. Apparently rearranging pictures by

Sales Rack Raiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13536371997251124417noreply@blogger.com4