Cattitude

This dress, covered in cats, EXISTS and it is on sale for only 500$.  Someone please hire me!  I seriously love this dress.

Silk and covered in cats.  BOING!

Had I known of this before my wedding it would have been my wedding dress.  Just kidding (maybe.)

Mad cat, hungry dog.

The original drawing/design by Swedish artist Miriam Ivanoff

If that's not really your style, how about this more reasonably priced frock?

Or if that's too fancy, something a little more earthy and casual...

And if cats aren't your thing, perhaps a comfortable dog tutu?

Lovely lace

I feel bad for anyone who doesn't like lace and/or stripes.  I went to the mall last week and these trends are on every store mannequin... but I'm not complaining.  I have at least 5 stripey items in my closet right now and am searching for the perfect lace top.

I'd like one that isn't see through, too tight, too boxy, or too 90s (Victoria Secret online has a lot of all 4 of these "styles").  I saw a pretty top in the new Nordstrom catalogue (the one in the casual date night panel below) that looked great in print and online but in the store it was a dull ivory, not the white I was hoping for.

Lacy bodysuit / mint clutch / golden necklace / coral flats / vintage picnic

Lace top / magenta nails / turquoise leather/ purple purse/ gingham shoes

leather card case/ tonal shoes / lace dress / onyx ring / coral purse

Sunny beaches and blue skies

It's pouring outside, I've arranged buckets in the back room to catch drips and now I am picturing myself on a sunny beach, preferably in the South of France.

Dress and swimsuit from anthropologie, royal blue bag from Marc Jacobs, shoes by Chie Mihara

oooh!

ahhhhh!

Almost two years ago (!) I was STRANDED in Nice for an extra day because of a train strike.  I stressed for a bit trying to get another hotel to stay in and re-book my train ticket but then enjoyed my extra day on the beach.

Train strike notice at the bus stop

Vive les chats!

I can't leave the country while my legal status change is being reviewed and that makes me itch to go somewhere even more.  Once I'm working again and we save some money, the plan is to go on a honeymoon somewhere beachy and warm.  Maybe Hawaii?  Neither of us have been.

Stay dry this weekend!  Tonight I'm making pizza for some lady friends and having some wine.  Cozy times.

Job hunting

There isn't anything much worse than job hunting and tailoring several cover letters to the job I'm applying for which basically say, "PLEASE CALL ME I'M THE BEST".

I applied for 5 jobs yesterday and am still waiting to (possibly, hopefully) hear something back from my old job, which was actually a really great place to work.  I had my own office with a door, a window, had speakers so I could listen to my own music and almost had art of my own choosing up on the wall (I had to leave because of my expired work permit right after they ordered my art prints) and my boss and supervisor were really great.

Ocean Park #10, Diebenkorn

I hope I get some calls for interviews.  I like to get something new for my interview outfit whenever I'm on the prowl for a paycheque.  It makes me feel a little more confident when I'm wearing something brand new.  I think a bright silk blouse might be nice with a tweed skirt and heels.

I am really into blouses right now.  I'm an old marm.

Flippity flop

Flip flops always feel too casual for me unless I'm at the beach or in the backyard.  My casual California lifestyle transformation is not quite complete.

.  

I like sandals that have a heel strap for summer bike rides and the ones I've worn for the past few summers are starting to fall apart.  I'd been browsing online for a new pair for a few months but then I got bad blisters from getting sand in my black flats at the beach last weekend and had to wear flip flops IN PUBLIC because I couldn't wear real shoes.  Now I am getting more serious about my search.

(Side note to husband and family members: I have also been spending equal time in my job search.)

All these styles look the same, I know.  I like them because they're secure but look a little dressier than flip flops.

Fossil makes shoes?  I like this neutral style but the ankle strap might be too thick.  I like the little lift in the heel.

I like this style and the variety of colours available in this sandal.  I think if I wait a little bit longer there will be something like this at the Rack soon.

I like the metallic and neon combo in these shoes but I'm not too sure about the heavy heel cover.  

Do you shop for shoes online?  When I do, I like to shop at zappos.  They ship for free both ways on their regular site and have free returns for up to a year.  You can also request a vip membership for free and get next day shipping.  I bought my silver wedding shoes from zappos a week before our wedding. (awww)

In other fashion news, I love, love LOVE this polka dot top from J.Crew.  88$ though?  For a cotton blouse?!  Please let nobody else love this so it goes on super sale.  This model has me rethinking coloured jeans.  Again.

I took a break from sewing the bird wraps for V last night to watch J.Simp on Fashion Star.  What a weird show.  All the designs are boring and kind of trashy.  Kind of like the show.  The winner of each (?) episode has their designs in either H&M, Macy's or Saks the next day.  It would be an interesting concept if the designs were better.

These were the days

My Mum knitted us those sweaters.  Aren't they great?

I wonder if those older women who walk around with glittery cat purses, and cat t-shirts used to wear things like this?  Or maybe they were deprived and that's why they're going overboard now.  

V bought a wall hanging like this to display at work for only 45 cents at a Vallejo thrift store.

Since I do still like actual cats I sometimes get cat-themed gifts.  I received a blanket once that had cats sleeping on a book-filled bookcase and each of the book names had been changed to incorporate the word cat.  Have you read Caterbury tales or Lord of the Fleas?  The blanket is at a Sacramento thrift store somewhere if you're interested.

Some cat themed gifts are actually pretty cute.  Like these.

1. Tiny cat pins 2. Pitcher 3. Toys 4. Cozy poster 5. Around the house top 6. Silkscreen cats 

This sad little cat hanky has an equally sad product description

No words, really.

Pins and needles

That would describe the weekend.  I did some more work on the wraps and had some crummy movies on in the background.  Side note: Quarantine 2 is so bad I had to turn it off.

Pinning and cutting 

You must be dying to know the status of my immigration paperwork.  My work permit came on Friday!  There is a scary looking black and white photo of me that looks like it's from the 1900s and one of my fingerprints on the front of the card.  My name and birthday are written like they're on a flag that's blowing in the wind, all squiggly like but there's no flag in the back.  It's a weird looking card. Maybe they could hire me as a designer.  Seriously, the jobs out there look bleak.

One of my friends (who is also going through the same process with her husband) on fb commented that my immigration paperwork was moving along very quickly.  I suppose based on some of the comments in the immigration forums out there that it is.  This morning I got another letter from the government.  Our interview is April 16th!  Submit your practice questions here and I will attempt to answer them.

And now, a  giant cat watching water drip in a bathtub.  It's all I've got today.