Obsession: Umbra

It all started with this:

I'm considering buy these because it'll match what started my obsession:

I desperately need an over the door rack with hooks for my bathroom to hang all of my towels. I love this:

But maybe in white instead. It'll look better on my door and it won't clash with brown, light blue and light green color scheme I have going on.

If I ever have a real bathtub again, I would definitely get a lot of use out of this It's on sale for $29,99!:

I've been trying to figure out what to put on my wall that my bed is against. I don't want to put any more art up because a) I already have a lot up and b) I need some white space to make my room feel not so tiny. I thought about shelves but I think it'd look awkward. I thought about a large mirror, I love mirrors, but it would overwhelm my room. Then I came across these:

I LOVE sparrows, so much that I have a tattoo of one. So my initial reaction was to get these. Plus my wall is longer than taller, so I could really spread them out. But then I saw these:

I like the play on the concept of mirrors and they would still look cool in a jagged line. I haven't decided yet. I'll keep mulling it over until I know for sure that's what I want to do.
If I had a fish (Bandit would LOVE that), it would live here:

This is a great and inexpensive gift:

I love to hang this on the wall in my living room:

All I Want Right Now

Is to be put my head down on my desk and fall asleep.

I am so tired.

On My Kindle: Fun and Games

I've read two young adult novels and a romantic comedy in the last couple of weeks, so I'm still in the mood for a fast and fun read. Fun and Games so far has not been disappointing.

I downloaded a sample chapter because it was a kindle daily deal and I wish I had bought it then because I bought it today full price. But I'm never going to regret putting money in an author's pocket.

I'm really enjoying it so far. Quirky plot, fast-paced and very enjoyable. It reminds me a lot of the James Patterson novels I've read before but that's a VERY good thing.

What if all of those overdoses and crazy celebrity deaths we've all heard about where actually orchestrated by a team of highly skilled hit people?

Here's the Amazon.com description:
Charlie Hardie, an ex-cop still reeling from the revenge killing of his former partner's entire family, fears one thing above all else: that he'll suffer the same fate.


Languishing in self-imposed exile, Hardie has become a glorified house sitter. His latest gig comes replete with an illegally squatting B-movie actress who rants about hit men who specialize in making deaths look like accidents. Unfortunately, it's the real deal. Hardie finds himself squared off against a small army of the most lethal men in the world: The Accident People.

It's nothing personal-the girl just happens to be the next name on their list. For Hardie, though, it's intensely personal. He's not about to let more innocent people die. Not on his watch.

**UPDATE: Finished it on my lunch break today (10/26/11) and it was so good that I pre-ordered the sequel, Hell and Gone. Best part - it comes out on the 1st so I don't have to wait long!

Keep or Return?

Like I've said before, I need more work clothes. I bought the below black skirt a couple of weeks ago and I can't decide whether or not to return it. I'm a babe on a budget so the price is right and it does fit high on my waist like the first photo. I love the the back detailing. The bow, the piping. It fits well. But it is really high up on my waist. Like maybe too much attention up top.

Do you think it's worth it? Should I keep it?

Cause right now I am stuck wear the same black skirt every week have only one black skirt that is perfect for work.

UPDATE: I kept it and I'm so, so happy with it. I wear it all the time and get tons of compliments on it.

Feeling At Home

I have a hard time feeling at home until things are really organized and everything has its place. Even more so until things are decorated and coordinated. Might be one of the many reasons why I didn't feel fully at home at my old place.

Usually this leads me to antsy and buy things that don't really fit well in my home/bedroom because I'm so anxious to have everything perfect. I did this at my condo in Seattle. I'm not very patient sometimes. So in my spare time I've been looking on IKEA/Target/Bed, Bath and Beyond to figure what is the best and most perfect dresser for me.

I thought it would be this:

But in person the drawers weren't very deep which I desperately need because I have a lot of clothes and a teeny, tiny Manhattan apartment. Then much to my surprise because I'm strictly a black wood furniture kind of girl and I like my furniture to match, I decided on this:

I don't even like white furniture. I loved the white wicked furniture I had when I was kid at my house I grew up in. But ya know, I decided on black wood furniture a few years ago. Probably because I love the color black. Anyhow, I'm shocked about how much I LOVE it. It's the perfect depth - on two counts a) the space I decided for it in my room and b) the drawers give me plenty room for all of my clothes, lightweight, sturdy for IKEA furniture and the biggest surprise - I LOVE the white. I thought it would just blend in with my white walls and it kind of does but well. I like it so much that when the time comes I might get the matching set:

I'm hoping that after I finally wash all of my piles of laundry, which is never ending, and get rid of some of my clothes that they might all fit in the first dresser but if not another IKEA trip to Brooklyn will be in my future.

On My Kindle: Making Waves

I've been in the mood for easy reads and since I'm such a fan of Tawna Fenske's blog I thought I'd check out her debut novel, Making Waves.

I haven't read a romance or a romantic comedy novel in a while but I wanted something fun and light. I downloaded a sample on my kindle and it reminded so much of Ms. Fenske's blog humor and narrative that I ended up buying it. Well worth my $$. I just finished it and it was exactly what I wanted to read.

It is an enchanting novel full of quick wit, humor and a great, easy, fast read not unlike Ms. Fenske's heroine.
Making Waves stars Juli and Alex who meet at a bar on an island and after 5 minutes of meeting each other they compete in a newlywed game. Our lovers share instant chemistry and have hidden secrets. Neither is whom they seem to be but are not what the other imagines. In a twist of events Juli stows away on Alex's boat and we get to know the supporting quirky crew - Jake, Cookie Cody and Phyllis. This romance ebbs and flows with predictable and unpredictable events. If you're in the mood for an unusual, fun, witty with some tantalizing sex scenes - go buy it. NOW. 

On My Kindle: The Son of Neptune

I was so excited for this book to come out. I've read all of the Percy Jackson books to date and the first one in this complementary series about Greek and Roman demigods left me hanging and I couldn't wait to pick up the next installment.

I was not disappointed.

I love Rick Riordan's books in the same way I love James Patterson novels. They are dependable yet intriguing reads. I wish Janet Evanovich would take a hint from them; it's how I used to feel about her Stephanie Plum series.

When I read a Rick Riordan novel I am never disappointed and I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. The Son of Neptune was no exception!

It picked up right where The Lost Hero did and I enjoyed it immensely. There were demigods, demons and gods left and right. Riordan did a nice job of incorporating the Roman and Greek versions of gods and the respective camps. Percy Jackson is also growing up nicely - the series reminds me a lot of Harry Potter in that way. I loved reading about Harry growing up. I got to the end of the book and it cut off at a great cliff hanger. I'm ready to pre-order the next installment already!

P.S. I bought the movie Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief and I've watched it a few times. I wish they'd make another movie.

What I Learned Today

Imagine holding hands with someone for 1500 years.

I can't wait to listen to this new single because I LOVE her.

I feel like Miss Piggy is the new Betty White - she's everywhere these days.

I want to buy this but I don't have a Blu-Ray but good info on the Harry Potter studio tours - I want to go!

This does NOT make me happy.

Yes, I can't afford this but I want it. Gorgeous, huh? I love the design and beading by the collarbone. It reminds me of 1920s and it's glamorous.

Why Men Are in Trouble.

It's Official

We have a ghost in our apartment that likes to break wine glasses. In the course of 2 months, every wine glass we had has been broken in a freaky sort of way.

Weird.

I'm So Spoiled

Beautiful flowers from a great guy.

Another Reason to Love NYC

I really need some new work clothes and I decided that H&M was the go to shop. So I was really EXCITED today to find out they are having a grand reopening with free drinks, a DJ and 25% off :). That makes my babe on a budget heart sing!

I love NYC because there are always deals to be had including free events, free booze, free music and discounts :). More info and RSVP here.

Updating My Work Wardrobe

I need more work clothes. As many of you have seen my closet or not - it comes down to one simple fact - I own A LOT of clothes. But ever since I worked post-collegiate I have worked at really casual offices. Not mention my last year here I had to wear skinny jeans or all black practically every day of my life.

Bottom line: I need more business casual clothes.
Big problem: I hate what I see at most places
Best solution: H&M

I would actually love to buy a few pieces that are a little more expensive because then they would last longer but everywhere I look the clothes are boring. So while browsing the internet I found some pieces that are inexpensive (yay!) and fit my style:

I love this skirt because it's bright, purple and pencil!

I am trying to stay away from dresses, I own A LOT
but this one I could wear to the office and a
friend's house warming party like say the one
that's happening this afternoon. Just sayin'.

Same skirt as the purple one but I wear my gray skirt
every week a lot so I think it's a safe bet I would
get my fair share of use out of it.

I own a lot of dresses so I'm trying to buy more separates so I can stop wearing the same two skirts every week mix it up.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Hate what I want to buy?

This is Fantastic

This photograph is one of the most fantastic (as in imaginative and of fantasy not as in "THAT'S SO GREAT") images I have ever seen. It reminds of something that could occur in one of my favorite books like Stardust or The Night Circus. A surreal idea captured.

I would love to capture a cloud.

I found this via Dooce and I would love to buy this and the price is right (only $25!) but I have too much shit already that I need to get rid of and not enough space for it because I live in Manhattan I am a babe on a budget these days.  

Something I'll Never Understand

What viagara and sailing have to with each other.

I Love My Boss

Because when a broker asked where his secretary was he responded, "We don't have secretaries here."

Crossed My Mug Off My Want List

I LOVE my mug.

Look how much tea it contains! Yay!!!!!

My (In My Dreams Never Going to Be Able to Afford It or Can't Justify It) Bendel Wish List

If I was rich, I would buy:

The Distrubed Stripe Wheelie Duffle - I l ove duffle bags
and the wheels are the perfect add on to making traveling that
much better and more chic.

The Disturbed Hat Box Wheelie - reminds me of a more
elegant and classic time than now. Like trains and steam trunks.

This trunk is my FAVORITE thing at HB.
There is nothing about it I don't love.
I'll never be able to rationalize buying it.

I love this train case because it, like so many of
HB travel pieces, is classic and timeless.

My (Affordable) Henri Bendel Wish List

I LOVE HENRI BENDEL.

Just ya know, I do. Before I even went into the store when I came to NYC years ago, I fell in love with it because of SMG's surreal love story movie, Simply Irresistible. Anyhow, it's been my favorite stores for years and I went in there on my lunch break as I often do to stimulate my senses and decided to publish my HB Wish List:

Girl About Town Mug - it's the perfect size - I love BIG mugs
and it has the HB store front which is one of my favorite parts
of the store.

2011 Special Edition Snow Globe - Lady with Dog.
Every winter HB designs a snow globe. I would
have 4 (including this one that I WILL buy) but
it broke when I was living in Seattle. One of
the only things I collect.

These will be my Christmas cards! I love the illustrations
HB has and it is highly possible my roommates and I
will look like this in a couple of months when we're picking
up our Christmas tree.

I'm super excited because my Mom and Dad sent me these!!!
Bendel Girl Wellies had been on my list for a long,
long time :). I can't wait to wear them.

It's pretty cool that you could win a trip to NYC and $2500 to shop at HB here. I'm entering as well. No clue if they'll award to someone living in NYC but I would LOVE to stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel and have thousands of dollars to spend at HB. It wouldn't be difficult for me to do!

On My Kindle: The Death Cure

I've actually been waiting The Death Cure as soon as I finished The Scorch Trials. The trilogy has been compared to The Hunger Games and rightfully so - dystopian society, rebellious main character - we get a hero instead of heroine, and it is action packed from the minute you finish the first in all three books.

I'm 67% of the way through and really enjoying the last campaign against WICKED with Thomas. I am glad I decided to pre-order it on Amazon because it was automatically delivered and I had been craving a great book since I finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.  

It's well written, fast-paced and James Dashner has built a world that you easily believe in and understand. I'm devouring it just like I did The Hunger Games.

Photo Walk With Emma