I did not really come home with new stuff. I got a cool bag, which is my new gym bag. But I bought it because I needed a carry on to carry the stuff I bought for others.

This is fine. I am starting work in a little while, and I need a LOT of stuff, and I'm going to get a LOT of stuff. Expensive stuff. Suits. Watches (perhaps singular, but doubtful), jewelry, manicures, etc.

But Beloved .... he isn't about to start a new job.

Let's also say that last summer, I had a fun job that paid me obnoxious amounts of money, and I bought a lot of stuff. Clothes. Jewelry. Well, not really lots, but compared to Beloved, who had an "internship" for the summer ... lots. I think I likely treated him to goodies, and I know we enjoyed weekend (and longer) trips galore, and many dinners out. But I don't remember buying him clothes like I bought myself.

On this trip?

Beloved got outfitted.

Shirts, Pants, and a new wedding band.

Remember, I recently wrecked my wedding band, and had to get a new one? I have just loved it. I think that when the income starts, and we are into our new routines, and lifestyle, I may actually see what I can do to get a new one made in Platinum or Titanium, I love it so much.

The center of the ring (click on the link above to see a photo) is a spinning inset. The flowers SPIN. It seemed very unique to me, but I have since learned that, really, it's not so special. Spinning rings exist. Not only on my finger.

But I love mine.

When we were in Paris, in some area with fun shops on the way to the Picasso Museum (which I believe means we were near to, if not in, the Bastille?), we came across what I call an "indian shop" (as in India), but I think that's a narrow categorization. Men's rings were displayed in the window, and we entered.

Beloved found a ring:

Beloved bought the ring. Beloved wears the ring. Guess what?

The ring spins!!

It's his new wedding band.

Later, in Amsterdam, I bought a hippy-girl shirt at a flea market. It was 5 Euros (so I guess I did get something). Beloved later thought, "it would be fun to buy clothes here - perhaps clothes I don't typically wear" (because despite our California origins, we're relatively conservative peoples).

The hunt began.

In Haarlem, a small village outside of Amsterdam, we found low prices on European clothing.

Beloved bought 5 shirts.

Then, back in Amsterdam, where prices weren't too much higher, we found some ... well, shorts? capris? Which look so great on him! They are long shorts. One pair is normal cargo shorts that go just past the knee. The other is a very cool (just conservative enough) plaid (!!!) which is a little longer, but looks so great on him.

This required a second carry-on bag purchase, but it doesn't hurt for Beloved to have a gym bag, too ....

Right?

Who cares. He looks hot.

Labels: beloved, clothes, europe

posted by Zuska @ 10:05 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

My new obsession - travel wear

I am spending my revived internet connection on checking into what to wear in Paris and Amsterdam. I had been a little nervous, b/c I read that Paris was a dressy city, and that Amsterdam is not. So I thought, "crap, I'll have to pack two wardrobes" -- but now I think I'm okay.

I do worry about my feet.

In November of 2002, I stumbled down the steps of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. I had on Dansko clogs, and my foot twisted onto its side in a way that [i think] pulled every single muscle and tendon in my foot. It hurt so much, I could barely walk for a week. I went to the doctor and had x-rays taken, thinking it was broken, but there were no breaks.

It's bothered me ever since.

I have changed my shoe-buying habits since then. I often go for brands that are known for their sturdiness rather than for their fashion-quota ... although I try to bridge the two. I still wear Danskos, but not that same heel, b/c I do occasionally turn my foot in them, and when I do, it sparks every bit of pain that I had on that day of the fall. I hear from many of my friends that they also turn their feet in those shoes, so then I don't think I'm that clumsy.

Now that we're going to Europe, I am not sure what to wear on my stupid feet. I wore my Clark's slides yesterday (they're kind of like this ... but not really), and my foot is still killing me.

So Beloved and I are going shopping for Born's on Saturday. I'm thinking of either these, or these. They're a little clunky for the skirts I'm planning to bring (like this one) but I just can't wear a strappy little slide and still have the ability to walk the next day.

A friend of mine told me about these shoes that are supposed to work on all the pressure points of your foot. The ones that I am finding, though, just aren't me, and the ones that are look too much like sneakers. I could not find more websites that say loud and clear DO NOT WEAR SNEAKERS IN EUROPE! Not to mention, Beloved wouldn't be caught dead with me, I don't think.

Sneakers and Shorts = the two no-no's in Europe. Which why I'm leaning toward skirts all around, with a pair of capris or 2 thrown in for travel days. I have 2 skirts I know I'm bringing (the one I linked to above, and one which is sort of similar in length and dressiness), and that I think are less "mix and match" pieces, and more of a piece of a set outfit. Then I have 2 long linen skirts - they're straight and ankle-length, super comfortable, and easy to dress up or down. I think I'm going to bring them, even though I think they're less stylish. They look good, they're just not "in style." And that's it! Not too hard.

Beloved is a little jealous. I think it is harder for men. Especially once you have the "no shorts" rule. He is a shorts guy. He would not, however, wear shorts in Europe. I suggested linen pants, and we're on a hunt. If anyone knows of a place to get nice men's linen pants for under $100, let me know.

Any feed back on my plans thus far from those seasoned Paris and Amsterdam travelers?

Labels: amsterdam, clothes, europe, fashion, paris

posted by Zuska @ 11:36 AM 2 comments

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Joy and Rapture

I went to a fundraiser tonight. I had a great time. I went with 2 other women, and met up with two other friends there, as well as several others. Dinner was served, but very little was in line with my newfound "eating habits" (i.e., healthy foods people, healthy foods!) which brings up the joy and the rapture ...

I came home from a movie that I'd brought the kids to (but somehow lost them along the way home - at a park, with a friend, who took them to her house, and then to ice cream) in order to try on clothes for tonight, wondering if I'd be happy enough with anything in the closet, or if I'd have to find my way to a store ....

I put on the pants I thought I'd wear -- nice charcoal gray pants. They fell down. They were so saggy-baggy, they looked silly.

I'd just worn them relatively comfortably during my entire winter co-op. They were looser than in the summer, but not by too much - not so much that I couldn't wear them.

Tonight, I couldn't wear them.

So I pulled a slim skirt out of my closet - from up on a shelf where I was "storing it until I could fit into it" and tried it on.

It fit -- with room to spare.

I went to another skirt, in another closet, this one a size smaller. I tried it on.

It fit.

With room to spare!!

Yee ha!!

I ended up wearing some chocolate pants that used to look pretty horrendous (and therefore kept hanging in the closet), and this time looked pleasantly loose, with a nice blouse.

I felt great.

I was also very happy to never feel alone in a crowded room. I felt good, and connected.

I also bought a necklace in the silent auction. It's verra verra pretty, and I spent well under $100. A sneaky lady had tried to up me by $5 at the last minute, but she made the mistake of turning her back. Ha ha! No siree, no can do! Zuska has learned from her sneaky husband just how to win an auction. Older ladies in flower print shirts cannot grab pretty necklaces from Zuska!!

But the biggest joys and biggest raptures were the result of the pants and the skirts.

They are my friends.

And I believe they will provide me with enough motivation to wake tomorrow (Sunday!!) at some time b/t 7 and 8 a.m. in order to ride my bike to the gym, and work myself into even the NEXT size down.

Because I have proven that I can.

So ha.

Labels: clothes, community, exercise, friendship

posted by Zuska @ 11:45 PM 0 comments

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