The Scene
Suffered a big meltdown this morning. Big. We're talking audibly weeping, feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, the works.

It was partly PMS. But it was mostly the last week of events finally adding up - turning 31, the earthquake scare, my friend's sister dying, my mom feeling ill.

Plus I got some disheartening news from beloved former coworkers last night. News that makes me doubt if it's possible to ever feel fulfilled professionally. News that makes me think every dream job eventually devolves into a kinda of nightmare. Ugh.

And,well, since I'm keeping it real, you should know August is always rough for me and my mom. It's the month my stepdad died. This year marks the 15th anniversary. Can't believe it.

All of that heaped onto my pervasive professional malaise equaled a full blown, good old fashion pity party of one today. Mr. Diabolina talked me through it. Thank god for him.

He convinced me to get out of the house and eat something (you know it's bad when I'm not even a hungry hippo.) Then we strolled through a farmer's market, enjoyed the sunshine, sampled peaches, bought gerbers and pined for puppies.


In a genius effort to cheer me up, he even lead me over to peep in the window of the new Carolina Herrara store. He knows Jean Bean is considering one of her dresses for her nuptials. We talked about all the things we have to look forward to, made plans, shoved the heavy stuff under the surface again.



Then like a good little American, I shopped my blues away. First stop - Target. Mr. Diabolina headed over to the BBQ grill section while I perused the new Richard Chai for Target.


Like most frugal fashionistas I've been awaiting the lastest Go International line with bated breath.



Love all the purple and the mix and match feel of the separates.








The flowery prints are so Marc I could poop.




And this tunic might possibly be the definition of chic simplicity.








The line definitely did not disappoint in person. Loved the fit of every top I tried on. Especially this button down.



The color palette, buttons, ruffles and piping were all even more Marc in the dressing room. In fact, Chai worked for Marc before reviving knitwear giant TSE.






The signature top in all the ads is a delight in person. It has exquisite, almost eyelet detailing that you can't really appreciate in pictures. Its cut a bit roomy though. I tried on the small. The other tops were a medium and a large.


This top is a real steal at $30. Amanda Peet must be pissed she paid hundreds more. Not sure I want to wear what's in all the ads though...






The dress in the ad did not work with my curves unfortunately. The tie in the middle was just odd. Wah. It's quite uniquely lovely thanks to the crinkly wrinkly fabric more typically found at Sports Chalet. Perfect for someone slighter and with a more defined waist than I. NEXT!



However, the print dress with the delish neckline and exposed zipper fit like a glove. All the sizing was as topsy turvy as ever. The color block dress was an 11, the poppy print a 9. Random and yet still depressing.


In the end I didn't get any of the pieces. Decided they don't fill any burning need in my closet. I did buy a pair of cream Rogan shorts mostly because they were on sale for $6 and I NEEDED TO BUY SOMETHING.

Not quite sure what's come over me lately. Don't know where all the shopping restraint is coming from but I'm kinda proud of myself.

Maybe it's the loooming threat of a Great Depression. I've asked Sable Crow to let me know when I have to resort to selling my purses. Sigh.

Next I checked in on my mom (she's doing much better!) and then stopped in at Phillip Lim. Fell in love with this oddly slouchy green dress with the best pockets I've ever experienced!!! What do you think? I went down a size so it's even more fitted at the nipped in waist than this picture.


The spring stuff is about to go on sale next week (it's not going on the floor, you have to ask for it.) So I may be able to get more with my credit if I lay in wait. Though seeing Leighton Meister in a similar dress tonight at the Teen Choice Awards makes me think that green dress is the way to go. Maybe I'll bust out a poll...



Ended the day with a delish tri tip and corn courtesy of Mr. Diabolina's new grill. He's wanted a big fancy one forever. We've been waiting til we have more room but today he decided just to get a smaller one at Tarjay. Enjoy the dog days of summer with some BBQ.

Think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Talking about my stomach and the grill, not Mr. D and the grill.


The Outfit
Armani Exchange tie halter

The Accessories
Me&Ro pendant
Marc Jacobs hobo
Stuart Weitzman sandals
Forever 21 sunglasses and bracelet

The Grade
Pass


The Commentary
Didn't really think when I grabbed this dress. Was too lost in my own delusions. Just wanted to be flowy, feel unrestricted. The heat and my thoughts were oppresive enough. Also wanted to show off the new necklace and the bit of color I got yesterday at the beach.


Added the bracelet because it's fun and I so desperately wanted to be fun today. Wanted to be breezy and playful, not drowning in all my thoughts.



Today I also returned a present I had gotten from my mom for my birthday. Almost got this DVF dress on sale instead. I've had my eye on it for weeks. Decided to refrain because the colors are so similar to today's dress.

Seriously, this self control is getting worrisome.





Also tried on some chain mail type necklaces at Forever 21 BEFORE I got this WWWD email. God, I'm good. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HIRE ME TO BE A TRENDSPOTTER!

But decided if I am going to buy a necklace like this for Fall it needs to be high end. Everything was looking too cheapie cheap. Especially compared with the new Me&Ro. Humph, says the bougie pig ;)

p.s. Jean Bean is back from a whirlwind trip to Russia with her momma. YAYAYAYA! Have missed her. She sent me this breaking news about the Richard Chai line:

I bought 5 Richard Chai pieces today in a hot panic because of all the greedy fashionistas swarming around, but now I plan to return 3 of the dresses. Keeping just one navy dress and a leather vest.

The fits weren't working for me. Arm holes were so high, I had to go big in the rest of the body. The vest was a splurge but I figure it can be the one trendy thing to carry me into fall.

p.p.s. Also check out Fashion Trend Guide reporting straight from the Tarjay dressing room. Her Go International roundups are among the most detailed I've seen out there ;)

The Scene
Mr. Diabolina loves volleyball.




I love costumes.






And we both have been known to appreciate a scantily clad body or two...





So the Manhattan Beach "Six Man" volleyball tournament has turned into a "must" the past few summers. If you've never been to Six Man, picture Mardi Gras...on the beach.





I guess TECHNICALLY teams of six compete in an amateur volleyball tournament.





But mostly its an excuse for masses of hotties to imbibe and dress in ridiculous outfits. My kinda scene.


Oh and sometimes there are bag pipes strolling through the debauchery.





And sharks in sunglasses.


And boys in old bitty drag. LOVE LOVE LOVE the randomness of it all. Very Lynchian. Anything goes and no one bats an eye.




Ugh that means there are also loads of guys with fancy zoom lens cameras.


It really is a perv's dream come true.




For the past few years, MChu and Fancypants have competed with college teammates so we come and cheer them on.

This year Fancypants' team were jaunty gondoliers and MChu's were salty sailors. Very similar costumes.
JINX!




Mr. Roboto - ever the supportive fiancee - dressed the gondoleir part. This is how he signaled us over upon our arrival. Very John Cusack meets Italian stallion.

He also managed to carry this makeshift gondola from court to court. Amazing feat after strong strong cocktails in the hot hot sun.





Lauragami was also on hand playing on MChu's team. Ugh, she is a six foot tall goddess amongst mere mortals.

Briefly ran into Styleminded with her girlies too. We missed each other at last year's event. It can be quite the zoo.




Fun fun day at the beach. Had half a dozen invites to keep the party train going in the evening but drinking in the sun tuckers us out like nothing else.


These old drunken sailors were in bed by 10 p.m.




The Outfit
Forever 21 halter
Gap white skirt

The Accessories
Gucci sunglasses
Forever 21 bangle
Marc by Marc Jacobs tote
J Crew flip flops
Louis Vuitton earrings

The Grade
B+


The Commentary
I can think of two places you shouldn't wear a wig. One is a reception where the President of your university is presenting you with a prestigious award. Two is the beach in the middle of the summer. This naughty wig has violated both those rules.

Look, my hair was a damn mess both mornings and I just couldn't deal. So I clipped in this fall and prayed for the best.


And let me tell you, the wig works like a charm. USC's President Steven Sample and Mr. Roboto were none the wiser. I think the key is acting nonchalant about the fake hair on your noggin. I've noticed it's actually quite the guy magnet. Told Mr. Diabolina I think it reminds men of JLo. Or their favorite exotic dancer. Same difference?


I figured if there was ever a day you could wear a wig to the beach today was it. NO ONE was looking at my head. Everyone was too busy staring at all the tushies everywhere.


Girl tushies and boy tushies.







Fur covered tushies.



And polo player tushies.





And Cleopatra tushies.



And lushness tushies.






Lauragami wins the "hottest tushie I actually knew" award.



Her tan abs weren't half bad either. Ugh. Could she BE any more delish??? I really need her to train my unmotivated, jiggly ass.





My favorite costumes of the day were the hot dog on a stick girls.


Followed by the Care Bears. See their care bear staring stomachs?



And the gold diggers. Love double entendres. They were fierce competitors and had the tiniest, shiniest tushies I saw all day. Excellent combination.


Love that my nautical top and blue/white accessories worked so well with both the gondolier and the sailor theme. And this tote bag always makes me laugh. Love when Marc tells me jokes.

The Scene
Had to take the day off work today. My mom isn't prone to headaches at all but got a massive one this morning. It was so bad she couldn't drive herself home from breakfast with a friend. She called me panicked. Poor tiny tiny thing.

Picked her up and spent the whole day with her. She was groggy and nauseous for about 8 hours straight. She had oral surgery this week so her doctor thinks she was having a bad reaction to the antibiotics he prescribed. Ugh, Western medicine.

Was so hard to see her so fragile today. My mom is such a strong woman, the very definition of a survivor. In my mind's eye, she is larger than life.

Today the role reversal - me taking care of her - felt so strange. As I watched her walk around gingerly or nap in the afternoon, I had to admit that the years are taking their toll.

It's hard for me to accept that next year she'll be 60. In fact, whenever I rush her or walk too fast, she always reminds me that she's not 40 anymore. She is just so vibrant, so beautiful, so timeless. I haven't even begun to face the fact that someday she won't be there.

Today was tough but it was also a gift. A random Friday I got to spend with my mother at home without interruption. Talking and crying and occasionally even laughing. A moment in time we will share for always.



The Outfit
Image ikat jersey dress and fuchsia sweater

The Accessories
Me&Ro necklaces and earrings
Forever 21 feather headband
Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch
J Crew thongs

The Grade
B+




The Commentary
So today was supposed to be a hilarious post not a maudlin reverie. Funny how life works out not funny.

You see, today was The Office's annual beach party. A double decker bus was going to arrive at 11 and take us to a remote beach for volleyball games and prizes and even a dance contest.

Oh and I've been told people get wasted and wear bikinis and hook up. Can you say H-O-R-R-O-R! My mom actually saved MY life today.

The beach day explains the super casual footwear and dress. Wore this dress with some slightly different accessories a few Saturdays ago. Today made it a little more punchy with a technicolor rainbow of accessories.

I opted for the $15 flip flops to pick up the yellow in the dress, the clutch to pick up the hints of turquoise and the headband to pick up the purple. My three favorite colors all in one dress - what a homerun!




Still loving all the ikat prints everywhere this summer. Well, except as worn by Lo. Tough to pull off this Madonna-inspired lingerie as outerwear look. MAYBE if the bra was black...




Currently digging this little tank on shopbop. Adoring the sweetheart neckline and nipped in waist. Too rich for my blood though. $161. Quite alot for a trendy piece by a relatively unknown designer. Call me a label whore but I don't even pay that much for Marc Jacobs.



I like this flowier, more budget friendly alternative at Forever. Just $22. Reminiscent of some recent pre-fall DVF prints.





For dinner, I decided to debut my Me&Ro necklaces. Start the weekend off right. Sparkle a little after a draining day.



Beautiful pairing - just like my momma and me.