the birthday dress

It is my birthday today, and I just love birthdays. No, not because of the cake and the gifts and the general merrymaking (though I do quite enjoy that too), but because it's like a celebration of evading the clutches of death for one more year.

I mean, I see a lot of those "humorous" (in ironic quotes because these purportedly funny cards are typically not very funny) birthday cards that treat birthdays as if it's an occasion celebrated solely because you're one step closer to the grave. But I disagree. I'd like to see more cards treating birthdays as a celebration of the sheer luck that you've made it to another year. I know that sounds incredibly morbid, but isn't that more of a reason to celebrate? You've survived.

You didn't perish from embarrassment when you discovered your skirt was tucked into your underpants for the past hour. That ill-advised experiment of the fork in the toaster did not end up as disastrously as it could have. You've managed to escape all of Wile. E. Coyote's attempts to flatten you with an anvil (that guy's a jerk, by the way). CONGRATULATIONS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Doesn't that seem fitting? Maybe it's just me.

I should have Bear Grylls on my birthday cake, despite the whole controversy of "did he or did he not sleep in a hotel when he was supposed to be sleeping in the Siberian wasteland?" And that whole getting fired from Discovery thing, but whatever. That dude is crazy.

dress, h&m

jacket, american eagle (dyed)

belt, j.crew

ring, novica

necklace, larkinandlarkin via etsy

dun dun dun DUNNNN

GUYS. Some days when it feels like all the joints in my hands ache, and today is one of those days. BLAAAARGH. It's no bueno for someone who types all day long for a living, and I'm pretty certain it's affecting my ability to string together coherent thoughts. Some of my articles are beginning to sound like this:

"U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo recently announced that they are now offering college students the chance to take out a fixed-rate private student loan, which is great for those lucky students who do not suffer from INCREDIBLY IRRITATING hand pain ARGH SO ANNOYING WHY WHY WHYYYYY SAHFDAIUFYCNBACA21U3RFN8WCENA#$#"

That last bit is me thrashing my hands around on the keyboard like I'm playing an especially passionate rendition of Beethoven's 5th. Stirring.

I keep popping my fingers in an effort to alleviate the pain (even though it never works, but I don't learn, do I?) and I know that if Chloe (of The Conspiracy) were here in the office with me, she'd start a mutiny and call for my immediate banishment. Sorry, Chloe.

But stupid hands aside, here's an outfit.

crochet bib cami, h&m
jacket, diane von furstenberg
long and lean jeans, gap
wedge sandals, lauren by ralph lauren
men's belt, american eagle
ring, f21
gold bangle, kate spade

Now before I leave you lovely readers for the weekend, here's some more of Beethoven's 5th for you:

CLVJWQEGnP4YHGQNVIRNSWGOINW SJRG94W TU93Q9RFINCOWN#tyt@$#qe

Thank you, and yes, I am classically trained in Keyboard Rage.

Sometimes I seriously can't believe that you actually read the nonsense I post here. I LOVE YOU GUYS.

big big world

I got this dress from H&M during my trip to Boston last month, but it only now warmed up enough for me to consider donning something so summery. I love the little ruffle trim, and the tassel tie belt. You see, I love ruffles and tassels, so it all just works for me!

P.S. Did you know that H&M now has some of their stuff online for sale? I had no idea until Kim told me! Where have I been?!

dress, h&m

infinity cardigan, j.crew

village sandals, mia

stone bracelet, lucky brand

gold bangle, kate spade

skull ring, ebay

I'll be gone for all of next week on a business trip to Seattle (my very first one!), so there won't be a new post until I get back in June. I'll most likely still be on Twitter, though, so keep up with me there if you're not already!

And now, today's installment for the 30 Day Song Challenge --

Day 6: A Song That Reminds You of Somewhere

Back in 1999, my family and a few family friends went to Hong Kong together. This song was everywhere. It seemed like every shop had it playing, and every radio station interrupted their Chinese tunes with this little number on a regular basis. Now whenever I hear it, I get zapped back to bustling streets slicked with afternoon rain, the smell of deep-fried street food, the sound of shopkeepers haggling with customers, and an electric feeling that I'm convinced is found on that island and nowhere else.

Do any of you have a song that reminds you of a place?

Have a great weekend + Memorial Day!