Cooler weather brings out the love...

And because I haven't done one of these lists since the spring (not that I didn't love anything during the summer, but it was HOT, y'all, and I never did find a sunscreen that didn't taste like shit). Since I recently dug the sweaters out of the back of the closet and threw an extra blanket on the bed, j'adore:

Sleeping with the windows open (see extra blanket on the bed); boot weather - the UGGS are back, plus I found two new great pairs super cheap...one at Marshall's ($20 for slouchy black leather boots when the only pair left was in my size? The Universe wanted me to have them) and these grey suede lovelies from DSW (way less than retail); I haven't caved in to the jeggings trend yet but I do live in leggings, boots, and tunics/sweaters/mini-dresses in the winter; now that it's cooler at night, Miss Kitty loves being warm more than she hates the dog, so get to curl up at night with both of my furbabies; this is what the skyline in Austin looks like at night (and I don't mind that it gets dark earlier); post-summer in Austin, people emerge like they do up north after being snowed in and it's fun and free to people-watch (which can be really interesting here...check out one of my favorite Austin photography sites); I finally watched Whip It, which was filmed in Austin, and it was not only cool to see local landmarks like this one:

But it also (sort of) made me want to sign up for one of the teams here (yes, in Charleston we had one, flat track, in Austin there are many and leagues and bank tracks and teams and really tough chicks); one of my favorite fashion web sites (no, it isn't Prada) inspired me to add "thrifting" to my "things to do" list and I'm planning on browsing some of the great thrift stores in Austin this weekend, including Buffalo Exchange; taking the dog for long walks in the morning and coming back to a house that smells like strong coffee (and then having a cup on the back deck); that I'm brave enough to cut my own hair (bangs!); having free time to write; creative inspiration; and just living, living, living.

Taking full advantage of tax-free weekend...

The new job is keeping me busy, which means I haven't done laundry or shopped for groceries in a couple of weeks. But I made the best possible use of our tax-free weekend by hitting Best Buy yesterday afternoon and getting the new laptop I've been coveting. I spent the better part of today at Target and a few other places to stock up on essentials, like a new pair of Converse shoes (they had the cutest ballet flats at Target), sunglasses (I broke my favorite pair last week), cat food (guilt from taking her to the vet means I've been giving her real tuna for about a week now), and Choxie dark chocolate with chipotle pepper. Also shampoo so I won't have to shake out the dregs of hotel and sample-size stash, a lovely bag for my new laptop, and deodorant to replace the bottle I mysteriously misplaced on Friday.

I love to shop. I love to check things off my list even more. Call this one a good weekend.

Tax free weekend rocks...

I shopped a lot this weekend. I didn't think I was going to because tax-free weekend is usually worse than holiday shopping. I avoided the mall and hit the outlets instead. I bought shoes and pants and jeans and shirts and panties and more shoes. Then I bought some skin care products and makeup and a digital camera and more shoes. Besides being tax-free weekend, I also had two "friends and family" cards from Old Navy and Gap from my sister (good for outlets too) and got 30% off at The Gap and 20% off at Old Navy.This is my favorite pair out of the lot. They're BCBG and I am in love with them.

I added everything up (retail cost versus what I spent) and I saved $278 this weekend. I'm not going to tell you what I spent, because it's what I saved that really matters, right?