But they were on sale!!!!!

I promise, these are the last ones I'll buy - this is what I said to the Other Half when he asks "Why Joy?! Why..."　

　

Ugh, why do I even spill these words out there when I ultimately and most probably will not be able to keep my word as I'm clearly unreliable when it comes to keeping promises where shoes, clothes, and bags are concerned?...　

　

Let's start from the beginning , shall we?　

　

1. I have OCD or should I say CDO to keep it neat? This mean that I've started packing a month away from our holidays just to make sure that we have everything we would need and ignored the Other Half's teasing that "the obsessive one hasn't gone on holiday yet" [see what I mean in point 8 on this link].　

　

2. Just after I started packing my things, I realized that I didn't have enough sandals! *insert cough here*. Ok, technically I do own two other pairs already but I've been wearing them all the time and whilst they do seem to be holding up alright for the minute, the chances of these pairs surviving the season aren't high (yes I did managed to convinced myself of this fact) --- So how could I make these pretty sandals last a little while longer?  By buying another pair duh! -- What a clever girl we have here :-)　

　

3. You know that feeling you have when you have to make a decision but just can't make up your mind? Ok, maybe you don't as you're probably not as indecisive as I can be...

Well, I had that feeling and after that moment I had "THE SIGN" in the form of my Mom (yes, shameless me has just blamed my Mom as the origin of my decision!).　

　

- So why am I bringing Mom in the story? Well, I had to go fetch something for her in the garden and I didn't have any shoes on, and that's when she handed me her sandals and we shall call it "the MAGICAL MOMENT" happened!

　

She handed me her Birkenstock sandals and just there " BAM !!!!", it was love at first sight. Butterflies in the stomach and everything else! Yes I can proudly say that my Mom has great fashion taste too!　

　

First, I tried to play it cool you know? Like when you notice this guy checking you up but you then pretend not to notice.　

　

But I knew the very second after I had put them on that I was hooked! That's when the dance seduction starts, and boy what a dance! I can't even describe the feeling unless I say: "Ugly yet so pretty and comfy"... The are so comfortable, I didn't want to give them back. That's when Mom told me the price and I almost had a heart attack. 　

　

4. But then I had to check online just in case you know price might have changed and that's when "THE SECOND SIGN" showed up! Imagine my utter joy ( seriously I really did squealed of sheer joy) when I found out that the infamous sandals were on sale! ON SALE GIRLS!!!!　

　

Why have I not seen this before?! For the record, I've had seen them before, I even remember they were quite nice. But at some point from thinking "they look alright" I've elevated the thought to "must have". 　

　

5. I am already ridiculously late to the party in realizing I have to have them. So what does a insomniac do at 2 AM? Buy the shoes of course! What these little voices in my head wouldn't shut up until I press the order button....

　

I am now counting the days until they are finally delivered. I can't wait to share with you some pics of me and these new found love of mine when I'll be on holiday!　

　

Here is a sneak peek just so you know what the fuss was all about:

　

　

　

　

　　

　

If they good enough for celebrities, I guess they'll be good on me too :-) - Letting my inner celebrity goddess shine for a while :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday thoughts...

This video really made my day :

I am done comparing myself to others… I am 31. I am a woman, a wife and a mom. I work hard. I do my best. This should be enough…. I am done making myself sick just to lose a few pounds.

My Other Half and my kids love me. I thank the Lord they are healthy and that we are blessed with more than we have asked for. That is all that matters…

  HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!!

I hope Santa has got Internet access...

I know I told the kids that you wouldn’t be coming by our house, but just in case, here is my letter to you:



Dear Mr. Claus,


I hope all is well with you and that you are not behind schedule preparing all the gifts for Christmas. I know you recently received many kids' very extensive and detailed list of demands, but I'm wondering: What about the parents? Don't we get to ask stuff? Listen, Santa (I hope you don't mind me calling you Santa?), my friends and I, we harbor desires no mere mortal could fulfill. You, however, are clearly no mere mortal. If anyone can do it, Santa, it's you! (Yes, I am kissing up to you and I’m sure You probably get that a lot.) So here you go.

All I would like is a joyful holiday for everyone, and a happy new year, and actually while you're at it could you eradicate all sadness?


Love and Merry Christmas to you too!


Joy

PS: I have been really good this year so if you have more time to go shopping (and this is where Internet access could help – you know shopping on-line is totally OK, you don’t need to go out for me to show you care), here a few things that have been on my Wish List.

Link can be found: HERE

(This would just go perfectly with my new sequin skirt :o)

Link for this one is HERE

(Well, because I'm simply not getting any younger! Can you believe I'll be turning 31 next year?!)

Link: HERE

(Yeay, this would be so Sex & The City!!!)

Link HERE

(Because one can't have too many shoes and these would be perfect for next season!)

Hopefully, I won't get this answer in my mail:

If you need something to cheer you up....

... Listen to this

Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining

Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me

And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change

Because you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are

Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she let me

Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy

She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Oh, you know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change

If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same

So, don't even bother asking if you look ok

You know I'll say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change

Because you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are

The way you are, the way you are

Girl you're amazing, just the way you are

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change

Because you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are. Yeah

Dear Santa Claus...

... hi there! How are you? I know, I know, it is still only September, but do you think you could bring my gift a little earlier this year? I know I’m being unreasonable, but I have been a really good girl, trust me! (Minus the way too-much-spent-shopping mishap at Zara, but sure what's new?!) It's sold by Asos, and I HEART this warm color! It would complete every outfit I have planned for the next few months! Of course I would need both the small and the big size.

Also, because it’s on the Asos website, you wouldn’t even have to go out. You could just go on Internet…

And just in case you feel really generous, I am madly in love with this bag too:

It’s the "HERMES Birkin 50 Crocodile Look Leather Dark Brown handbag”, and the great news is that it’s on sale!!!

From $1,398.00 it is now  $339.80!!! Isn’t this a bargain? See I’m even saving you some money…

Anyway, I hope you’ll give in to my request as I really, I really would be taking very good care of my gifts and I’ll promise I’ll behave well for the rest of the year.

Love, 

Joy

And if all the cupcakes looked like this...

In reference to a post earlier today…

... I wouldn’t resist indulging on these and would die stuffing myself… Oh, dear….

If The Shoe Fits…

Ok, Ok, mummy bought herself a new pair of boots but because mummy loves her kids and mostly because the kids are growing up too fast, I also went crazy on the shoes at Zara Kids for Arthur and Morgane…

Grey Ankle Boots  with Buckles for Morgane

And these Cool Brown Velcro Shoes for Arthur.

I wonder why my Other Half has decided to hide my bank card?....

If hamburgers looked like this…

… even I might have bite from time to time !...

I Love Autumn...

Autumn is my favorite season and soon we’ll be entering it… I love how fresh the air smells. How I get to snuggle up inside and enjoy an open fire or simply watch the rain fall heavy outside the window. I love autumn clothes - no wait! Scratch that! I ADORE THEM. I also indulge in hot cups of coffee. Marvel at the colors of nature surrounding us. and can't wait to jump through puddles and leaves with the kids. I love the crisp mornings. And the cool nights, when cuddling up under your duvet on the sofa seems like a perfectly OK thing to do. I love buying books and knowing I will have lots of evenings in to read them. I mean, really, what is not to love about autumn?!

I plan to curl up a lot this season and dive into stories and tales and be moved and inspired and amused.

 So as I am gearing up for the new season: meet my brand new boots!

From beginning of Autumn until the end of winter I spend most of my time in boots. So I don’t feel guilty at all buying these new ones, because I know they won’t be hiding in my closet. I’m already fantasizing on how I’m going to pair these lovely boots of mine with my clothes… Classic, cool, smart and the perfect height, I HEART them.

I also bought this beautiful square-shaped sweater at Zara. The advantage of being petite is that I can get clothes from Zara and Zara Kids and I’m not ashamed to say that this comes from Zara Kids! What?! A bargain is a bargain, and as I always says: “If it looks good, no matter where it comes from wear it!”

Add to this some comfy black leggings and I was off to go drop the kids at school and then to work….

Autumn, Oh how I’ve missed you!!!

Reality hurts sometimes…

I temporarily lost my mind during lunch today when I went into the "Mango" Shop. Who was I kidding? I think that store ought to be named "Hideously Unflattering to Everyone Over 21."
That's what you get when cheating on ZARA...

I swear I won't ask for anything else!!!!

Ok there are still:

277  Days

14  Hours

and

9  Minutes

before Christmas, but…

I REALLY NEED THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

And by this ---- I meant "THESE" !!! Yes the IPAD AND the Velcro!!!!

I’ll be good I promise….

Please, please, please

Better than candid camera!!!

So this morning, I had to go to an interview for a possible new job…

I was looking really great….cute black dress, beautiful 7cm black heels… I walked from the parking garage to the building where my appointment was thinking: "Today is your day"!  

So  I walked into the skyscraper office building feeling confident, I was sure I had a great pitch to give, and that I was ready to set the world on fire.

I stepped out of the elevator in my super high heels with my "I’m going to nail this" attitude. What I did not know is that my heels and the elevator had some kind of communication on how to totally screw me over because for the first time in my life and it had to be TODAY, my heel got stuck in the crack between the elevator and floor. Not just a little stuck, like REALLY stuck. And I pitched forward like a cookaloo woman. To the outside eye it looked like something from a very bad comedy show.

I took me a moment to find both my shoes that had fallen off at some point. The security guard was still standing directly in front of the elevator with his mouth hanging open when I stood up and walked very cautiously this time, and told him I was fine. I can tell you this much: this man will never look at a pair of heels the same way again.

And because the company for which I had an interview was behind glass doors to the right of where I had my "glorious moment", I did not have time to freshen up…  Three employees, a cackling receptionist were waiting for me. I think they never saw someone being as red as I was…The receptionist was actually on the phone saying: "you won’t believe what I just saw…." and trying to get her laughter in check when I walked in. That really helps a lot before an interview! B[ù?%µ]tch!

My interview went great, I was actually able to ignore the excruciating pain coming from my legs and get through it. Once I got back to my car, I started crying….of laughter. As embarrassing as this was, I’m so glad it happened because I laughed so hard I cried my makeup off. Who knows maybe I’ll get the job, but I swear if I do, the first thing I’ll do is curse the receptionist and wish her an involuntary envy of farting and diarrhea …Me? Vindictive? Never J

The perpertrators:

PS: I received a phone call when I got home, I'm in for the the second and last round of interview... Crossing my fingers and toes!

The one where I have a "Shoe-gasm" at Zara!

Let me tell you about the shoe-gasm I just experienced today at Zara J

It’s embarassing to admit but I have had a few and like any good thing, you keep on coming back for more! As many of you know, I’m a shoe addict. I’ve experimented with several different types of shoe, some of them designer even.

And today, oh yes friends, it happened again. And IT WAS FREAKING FABULOUS!!!!

It all started when I walked into Zara. I saw those beautiful black stilettos and I thought: what would they feel like on my feet? Would they be firm and confident? Or gentle and inviting?  There was no better way to know than to try them..

So I went and look for a place to seat my heart full of excitement at what was about to happen to my feet. I took off the pair I was wearing and slip my feet into the new ones and it felt good…
Oh….oh….oooohhhhhhh………
I could feel the softness of the leather caressing my feet……and then it happened.
YES! YES! OH YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

A bit like this:

I stood up on my shaky legs, checked myself in the mirror and just like that I decided these stilettos and I were never to separate…
I headed to the cashier, handed out my bank card and I swear to you at that very moment, the gates of heaven opened and the angels sang…
I felt like a born again woman again J I confidently took the shoes, and headed back to my car.
I do realize a lot of people will not get the hype here. It’s not just that these are the most comfortable shoes known to men (women in this case)… they’re literally sex on heels!

I am fashion!

So  as I always say : a little retail therapy always helps when you feel a bit down…

So what did I do today? I gave in to my nail poslish crave. Not any little nail polish, oh no, I went with the best of best: CHANEL!

Chanel is a leader when it comes to every trend including nail polish. This season they created the Black Pearl, a green-ish metallic color. My  mom’s antique silver hand-mirror comes to mind when viewing this color, it’s definitely an  IT nail color. This nail polish stands out in that it is not just grey, but because of  that bit of  green that makes you go "Oh, let me look at that again" kind of way.

You’ll only need 2 coats for this color, and I’m loving the texture!

Evidence n°1:

Cherry on the cake: I even got it at 10% off!!!

Evidence n°2:

Next on my wish list:

CHANEL Le Vernis n° 475 - DRAGON

Anyone feeling generous? Anyone? Come on don’t be shy J

Breath in and breath out....

Rise and shine! I feel perky and so rested. I got out of bed and made myself a cup of Nespresso. The kids slept peacefully as I hop in the shower, shave my legs, and moisturize my hair while I listening to the radio. I am so on top of current events! I apply my makeup and other half brings in a breakfast tray with buttered toast and fresh squeezed orange juice. As I slip into a wrinkle free "size 0" black pantsuit I found for 75 percent off at Zara, the kids come running in and hug me. Morgane’s hair tangle free, their eyes bright and bearing no eye boogers. Arthur has not only dressed himself, but has changed his sister’s diaper and gone so far as to color coordinate their outfits! They eat a nutritiously balanced breakfast at the dining table with other half while I watch the morning news because I have 15 minutes to spare. We pile into my clean and crumb free car and are merrily on our way to school. There is no traffic, the sun shines brightly, and I arrive at work five minutes early.

Reality? Wake up 15 minutes late because I forgot to set the alarm clock. Curse myself for oversleeping. Other half is snoring . Try to brush my teeth while sorting out the dirty laundry that needs to be taken care of, and my three-year-old comes bounding in professing her hunger. Hand her cereal straight from the box and set her butt in front of the Cartoon Channel.. Apply makeup in record time and put on an old black pants and brown wrinkled blouse (what’s that unidentified dried substance on the front?) Realize that I am seriously running late and therefore will have the cup of coffee at the office. Wrestle with the three-year-old as she giggles maniacally and runs through the house. Get both kids loaded into the car and dropped off at school. Make it half way to the office and realize I left the lunch I had packed the night before in the refrigerator.

Get stuck behind a blonde hair driving 15 kilometers below the speed limit. Arrive at office 20 minutes late and hope no one notices. Decide to take the stairs (for once!) and run into the President of the company. Make a stupid joke about "those darn kids". Grab a cup of fresh coffee in the break room and chat briefly with a co-worker who tells me I have lipstick on my teeth. Settle in at my desk to rest my brain for a good hour while pretending to intently check e-mail and voice mail. Find solace in the fact that it’s the other half’s day to pick the kids up from school and I have a surplus of frozen fish sticks in the fridge.

Mmmmm... This is the beginning of a beautiful week! Yup, It's coming! I can feel it!

So what...I'm still a ROCKSTAR...

I am a mom who’s hanging on to "milf" status with my dear life. I am not afraid to admit that I have spent half of my kids college budget on clothes, bags and 4 inch heels only to be worn 4 times in an entire year.

But this time, I do not have an inch of guilty feeling, because I fell in love:

- he's brown
- he's soft
- he's smell oh so good
- he embraces me the perfect way...

His name is Leather, Yes Leather Jacket :o)

Thanks to mom-in-law for this belated birthday gift :o) So in fact, I did not spend a dime for this!

YES YOU CAN!!

Guess what I did for lunch? I went to (drumbeat): Zara!!!

I went there because I needed a bit of retail therapy, I woke up this morning feeling grumpy for no reason, most of time I just ignore the dark cloud on top of my head, but this morning nothing seemed to work to make it go away… So I decided to do what I know always works for me: retail therapy!

Zara is like a little piece of heaven for me… Not only do I love the trendy clothes, shoes, and bags but I love the fact that it’s one of the only stores that is always super organized… Everything is always in place and well folded. Don’t you hate it when you feel like you’re picking after someone?! I mean, it’s one thing to do it home (and it’s already no fun) but in a shop! Come on ladies! Would you do that at home?!

So there I am just looking around when I found IT. The white skinny jean…  My self-destructive button turned on and I thought "I’m going to try this jean, see how bad it fits me and then I’ll go and get some comfort food". So I pick-up my size and head to the dressing room.

So there I was in the dressing room, I decided to turn my back to the mirror, you know so when I would look, it would be like that jumpy feeling you have when you’re not expecting something terrifying to jump in front of you? I put the skinny jeans on without difficulty and thought this is odd, I probably won’t be able to close the button of it, so I did just that and it slipped with no problem at all! I turn and what d’ya know! I looked great!!!  I screamed but not of horror of Joy!!!! I made it! I made it! I look great!

This damn diet I’ve been on for weeks is finally showing the results, I felt better the second I saw myself. I small step for me but a big one to all the mommies struggling to lose that last pooch! I’m telling you right now: “YES YOU CAN!!!”

Below picture of the brand new jean:

Now, I just need to find the perfect top and the perfect shoes to go with it :o)

Honestly I don’t think I’m that terrible…

Imelda Marcos had 3000 pairs of shoes, I ONLY have 42… :o)

Other half brought back all my shoes from our storage, it was like Christmas all over again! I totally went "Gaga" when I opened the box! Oh how I missed them! Now I just need to figure how I'm going to organise my shoe closet :o)

What can I say? 

A girl can never have too many pairs... Guilty as charged...

Exhibit 1: "THE" Box

Exhibit 2: The Shoes...

Exhibit 3: The Shoe Closet of my dreams (other half, if you are reading this, you know what to do!)

12 Steps Program ? Hum, let me think about it…

Hi. My name is JOY. I’m addicted to ZARA. It’s been 2 hours since my last shopping trip. I went to ZARA for a little top and leggings, but in didn’t end there alas. I just could not stop myself. I was just out of control. I also bought some earrings, I justified it by telling myself that I had no jewelry that would match my new top. But did I stop at this? Nope! Like a real addict, I went to take more. A new sweater because you know, the 15 others that I have in my closet were not exactly this type of black.

I think I really hit rock bottom when I stopped at the silky blouses and just started talking to them. All this beautiful fabrics got me all giddy. Shopping is a real treasure hunt for me!

ZARA, you lure me with all your trendy clothes and accessories, I always come back for more, I always need something from you and I never leave empty handed.

I guess admitting I have a problem is a first step. I’ll get to the other 11 some other time. I just remembered that Morgane needs a new coat and Arthur a new pair of pants.

What was I thinking ?!?!?

Like the usual shopaholic, I found myself every now and then itching to buy a few things for parties where other half and I have been invited.  The next one is supposed to be "chic", so that was the perfect excuse to go to Zara again :-)

I have been wanting to try a leather dress and I found the perfect shoes to wear with it. I headed to Zara during my lunch break and grabbed several items to try on while I was there. I had very limited time before I had to go back to the office, it was time to play "beat the clock"!

So I scanned the items that I took into the dressing room and settled a time efficiency strategy. I tried a striped navy blue and white top with some dark blue leggings. These were great and a definite "must buy".

I decided to try the leather dress last since it intimidated me for so long… I glanced at it and realized I had grabbed a size small. Because I’m some sort of stubborn shopaholic, I decided to try them any way…Not realizing this dress was made of some sort of skin sucking fabric hand-made by Satan’s slaves themselves!

I struggled to get the dress pass the boob part (Hell! I can hear my dear brother saying: "Really?! Did you inflate them overnight?") I knew I was screwed when I could barely pass the dress over my "almost" flat belly. This dress made me look like an S&M mistress gone wrong! So, so, so wrong… This dress was the equivalent of a girdle on steroids!

I felt like a leathered sharpei, all I need was the collar with spikes on it as an accessory! I managed to get the dress off me, but not without looking like a lobster trying to get out of a boiling pot! I still have super red marks all over my body. The phrase "One must suffer to be beautiful" takes all its meaning in this situation!  But this time, I will not take it in!

I believe the temptation of buying this dress is definitely gone, I had right reasons to be intimidated by it, I learned my lesson but not without suffering!

I did consider buying the dress but just to take pleasure on setting it on fire!