scritch-scratch

So. *coughs* Where have I been since? Well, I was out the week before last on a business trip in Seattle (beautiful city!). Then last week, I intended to post, I really did. Honestly!

But then, THIS HAPPENED.



I went to the pool the weekend before last and got some color on my skin (I put on sunscreen, folks!). But my midsection, thanks to my very adorable one-piece swimsuit from J.Crew, was left pale as ever due to lack of exposure. I decided to try Neutrogena's Build-a-Tan lotion on my stomach, chest, and back to even things out sans UV rays. It was working great the first day -- perfect coloring and no streaks! -- so I put it on again the next day. And then a huge, itchy rash bloomed across my entire torso. AUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH.

Now, to clarify, I'm pretty sure I was just allergic to something in the lotion, so I don't think this is a normal reaction. It was just my own sensitive skin's inane, overblown reaction to what it perceived to be an irritant.

So that's why there are no pictures and no OOTDs. Because I spent the rest of last week and weekend holed up in my apartment, wearing comically oversized T-shirts and baggy pajama bottoms, rubbing Gold Bond all over my blotchy, pixelated-looking body and shoving ice packs under my shirt in an attempt to put out that raging rash inferno.

Lovely story, isn't it?

Well, I'm on the mend now thanks to some prescription medication, but things still aren't looking (or feeling) pretty. I'll most likely be wearing some very humdrum outfits for the next few weeks, consisting of comfortable tees and blah-blah-blah jeans, as I heal up. *snores*

To wit:

men in uniform tee, f21

denim, j.crew outlet

snakeskin sandals, aldo

scarf, gap (in store only?)

polish, 'green 11' urban outfitters

Hello, Spider-Man! Fancy seeing you here. A nice summer scarf hides the scarring on my neck (yeah, it was really bad).

But to make up for this less than exhilarating OOTD, here are some random vignettes in my entertainment center --

Check out my tiny record collection, with a wooden stegosaurus puzzle!


And my ever-expanding book collection. I know this is paltry compared to some of the incredible bookshelves I've seen from other bookworms *cough*ROSEMARY*cough*, but I'm going to need to take over another shelf soon.


Finally, I got something that really cheered me up after a busy work day of adult responsibilities and itching --


Super sweet Angela from Notes From the Dressing Room sent me an adorable card and a $50 gift card to J.Crew as a thank you for creating her blog header! Angela, seriously, you told me you were just sending me a thank you card, you rascal! ;)

I love it, and she even included a picture of the lovely striped dress I covet from J.Crew! So thank YOU, Angela! You're a doll, and it seriously made my day! Not just the gift card (though that is admittedly nice, I'm not one to lie, haha!), but just knowing the amount of thought you put into the card made me misty-eyed... I am such a softie!