The Name of the Game: What I Wore & Tailgating/Football Adventures

So the final ruling on Friday night's tailgating/football festivities is as follows:

1) I don't mind tailgating.

2) I still hate football.

Husband did a relatively good job putting together our tailgating group last evening. The plan was to meet at a local supermarket and ride over together. Ultimately one of the groups was running late so we ended up in two separate tailgates a few rows apart. Unfortunately, the late group brought all the condiments forcing us to invent the "spinach and artichoke dip hot dog" which was surprisingly delicious!

It was cold. Like seriously cold. I wore two layers of running clothes, a sweatshirt, and my down jacket. I even wore my CW-X running tights underneath my jeans! And even with all those layers, I ended up alternating between doing the running man and the Roger Rabbit dances to keep warm!

Long sleeved technical tee, Dick's Sporting Goods

Short sleeved technical tee, Race t-shirt

Sweatshirt, College graduation gift

Calvin Klein Jacket, Macy's

CW-X tights, Running Warehouse (available here and reviewed here)

Skinny Jeans, Banana Republic

Ugg Boots, Nordstrom

Bright Bulb Posts, Anthropologie (on sale here)

My biggest concern, the bathroom situation, turned out to be not so bad. There were facilities available throughout the parking lot and they were in shockingly clean condition. I'm used to these facilities from races and they are, as a rule, completely horrible. Shockingly drunk football fans manage to keep things much tidier than nervous race runners. Interesting...

Once we got into the stadium, I remembered that even though we had been there nearly three hours, we still had a football game to watch.

Ugh!

Our seats were really close to the field, which provided me with some amusement. Immediately we caught the eye of the opposing team's mascot, who was a good sport and posed for a picture.

Then we spent most of the rest of the game taking photos of ourselves with him in the background.

This is the picture that started all of our antics. Don't I look a bit like a giant compared to how tiny he is?

"I'm crushing your head. Crushing your head!" Kids in the Hall, anyone?

We were trying to line the picture up so it looked like he was standing on my hand, but he kept moving!

This is my one photographic contribution of the lot and frankly I think it might be the best photo ever taken!

My biggest problem with football is that the game is too long. We got into the stadium about 5 minutes into the first quarter. Then we watched the second quarter and halftime and that was fine. By the third quarter, I was getting a little antsy, but could deal with it. However, once the fourth quarter started, I just wanted to leave: my back hurt because we were on benches, not seats; I was tired from getting up so early that morning; my contact lenses were making my eyes hurt; and it was getting colder by the minute.

Husband agreed that we could leave with 8 minutes left in the game. I was thrilled because it was already past 11:30pm and I wanted to avoid traffic trying to get out of the stadium. As we drove home, we listened to the game on the radio and our team ended up winning in overtime.

Whoops!

Because he's a nice guy, Husband has not commented on us missing the dramatic end of the game. I'm sure though that last evening ensures that I will never be invited to another football game again.

I'm fine with that!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Queen Anniversary: Bohemian Rhapsody

The song Bohemian Rhapsody was released as a single 35 years ago today!

Video courtesy of Frozentoast.

I often get the impression that people forget that there was a time when this amazing song had yet to be written. The elements of the song are so unusual that it's hard to believe that an actual person came up with it: that the song didn't just always exist.

In fact, I feel this way sometimes too! I just can't even imagine a world without this song! But now, thanks to Rock Band 3, I can play along to it (and folks, let me tell you, even on a plastic drum kit, this song is tricky!)

Click here for my lengthy discussion of Bohemian Rhapsody.

When the band first selected the song as a single, the record company thought it was too long. At 5 minutes and 55 seconds, the executives couldn't imagine a radio station playing the full version. Those execs were wrong and not only did radio stations play the song in its entirety in 1975 (sending it to the top of the U.K. charts for 9 straight weeks), but to this day it's played in full on radio stations all over the world.

Happy Anniversary Bohemian Rhapsody! I'll celebrate with Rock Band 3 and Queen: Rock Montreal later this afternoon!

You Give Love a Bad Name: What I Wore

I'm sure you are all aware by now of my obsession with time travel (click here and here if you aren't).

So clearly I was excited when I saw news reports earlier in the week about potential evidence of an actual time traveler (click here)!

Basically some previously unreleased footage from an old Charlie Chaplin film shows a woman holding what appears to be a cell phone, leading some to speculate that she may in fact be a time traveler who has traveled into the past.

All I can say to this is: seriously, people?

This is just giving time traveling enthusiasts a bad name. First of all, having a cell phone is one thing, but talking on the cell phone as people suggested this person was requires several things that didn't exist in the 1920s. Namely cell phone towers.

Second, the footage is so blurry, why on earth would anyone automatically assume that something being held up to the ear is a cell phone? Have we become so narcissistic as a society that we forget that hundreds of millions of people lived and died before we came along with all our modern conveniences?

As a related-aside, it always infuriates me when a list of, for example, the Top Songs of All Time is compiled and something like Basket Case by Green Day is #1. Really, people? Do we really not have memories capable of remembering further than 20 years into the past? So annoying!

Not surprisingly, it turns out that the "cell phone" was in fact a hearing aid (click here).

Hopefully in the future (pun intended) people will use a little more common sense before they start making wild accusations about time traveling because stunts like this only accomplish two things: making those of us who hope for the possibility of time travel seem a little nutty and getting up the hopes of a silly young lawyer who reads the headline and immediately starts daydreaming about where she intends to time travel to first only to have her hopes dashed when she reads the completely ridiculous story.

Not cool.

Sugar-Coated Shirtdress, Anthropologie

Dr. Scholl's Flats, DSW

Necklace, Banana Republic

Earrings, QVC (available here)

Inch of Gold Bracelets, Cruise ship purchases

If I do end up going back in time, I can totally wear this dress in the 50s or the 60s or probably in the 70s too! So versatile! And I also wanted to take advantage of the last day warm enough to have bare legs. I briefly flirted with the idea of open-toed shoes too, but ultimately decided that was a little ridiculous, it being November next week and all!

When the dress hit sale, I tracked it down in New Jersey. I'd tried on a size 8 which was a little snug so I asked the NJ sales associate to ship me a size 10 and a size 12 for comparison purposes. The 10 fit, but the 12 left a bit more room for pie so that's what I decided to keep.

As I returned the size 10, I was reminded of that scene from Steel Magnolias between Truvy (Dolly Parton) and Clairee (Olympia Dukakis):

Truvy: In a good shoe, I wear a size six, but a seven feels so good that I buy a size eight.

Clairee: They're a size nine.

Truvy: Perfect!

Tonight's the night of the big football game! It's supposed to be rather chilly so I'll be bundling up in boots and a winter jacket. Fear not, though, I still intend to be stylish even as I freeze my geezer off in a parking lot standing around a gas grill before going into a stadium to watch four hours of a sport which I hate.

*Remembers that Husband can take away Rock Band 3 and the accompanying key-tar at any moment.*

I mean, it's going to be awesome!

Happy Friday!

Queen Song of the Week: Flash's Theme

Last week I put a call out for suggestions on what album or concert I should feature next for my Queen Song of the Week series. I received one response: the Milton Keynes 1982 show which became the album release Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl.

Since I know where my bread is buttered, I'm going to use that suggestion lest I lose the one Queen reader that I have!

There are a few repeats on this concert album, but since Queen is considered such an amazing live act, I think it will be interesting to post some of the live versions of previous discussed songs.

So let's start at the beginning: Flash's Theme was written by Dr. May. It appeared on the band's 1980 album Flash Gordon. It was released as a single and peaked at #10 on the U.K. charts and at #42 on the U.S. charts. Rather surprisingly, this single was one of the band's most popular, outselling both Under Pressure (reviewed here) and The Show Must Go On (reviewed here).

(Warning: There's one shot in this video that might not be appropriate for work or children.)

Video courtesy of queenofficial.

At this concert, played a recording of the opening lines of Flash's Theme before entering the stage playing The Hero (discussed here). To hear the full version of Flash's Theme, click here to see the official music video.

Dr. May played piano on this track, using a rather interesting technique (he claimed last year on his official website), but sadly the music video does not show the method used. The song contains Queen's recognizable harmonies and vocal layering and has been widely used in pop culture (even here in the States). Click here to see Flash's Theme used on The Family Guy and here to see it in Blades of Glory.

Flash Gordon, the movie, is practically unwatchable, but the one saving grace is the Queen soundtrack. It's hard not to smile when you hear the telltale signs of Dr. May's guitar or Freddie Mercury's voice regardless of what nonsense is going on in the film.

Happy Listening!

Hey Soul Sister: What I Wore

Today is my younger sister's birthday!

She's 23.

Ack, no she's not. She's 27!

Since I moved away from home (11 years ago!), in my mind my sister has stopped aging.

For years, I pictured her at 16.

Then finally I accepted the fact that she might have turned 20 at some point.

Now I'm just ready to admit that she's in her early twenties and I realize that she's 27. And married! Living in her own house! With two puppy children!

When did my sister grow up? (And even worse, when did I start getting old? Thirty is just around the corner these days! Eeek!)

Happy Birthday, Suzanne!

Tank, Kohls

Blouse, Ann Taylor

Cardigan, Banana Republic

Modern Fit Trousers, Ann Taylor

Boot Socks, Target

Boots, Nine West

Earrings, Honora for QVC

Necklace, Esposito for QVC

Stretch pearl bracelets

Yesterday was another rainy day, but it was also in the 70s! I knew I wanted to wear my non-leather Nine West boots, but then I put the rest of this outfit together not realizing how warm and muggy it was outside! Needless to say, the cardigan spent most of the afternoon draped across the chair in my office.

This blouse always reminds me of my friend Liz because I bought it for her bridal shower back in 2007. Her birthday is also this week so Happy Birthday Lizzie! In her honor, I'm making my "magnum" face in the first photograph. In the seven years that I've known Liz, she has made this face in every photograph ever taken of her. It's funny because it's completely involuntary on her part!

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday (although I do need to get my act together and choose a Queen Song of the Week and, oh yeah, then there's the football game.)

Happy Birthday Liz and Suzanne (click here to check out her great blog The Square Root of Style)!

Happy Thursday to everyone else!

Games People Play: What I Wore

On Friday night, Husband is taking me to a football game.

Yesterday afternoon, I would have written that Husband is making me go to a football game, but since that time, I have been suitably bribed with Rock Band 3 and a key-tar so I figure I should hold my tongue lest my new toys be taken away.

During my recent giveaway, melissamolasses asked, "From which school did you receive your undergraduate degree?"

The answer to this question is highly relevant to Friday's activities. In 2003 I graduated from New York University with a B.A. in politics.

What that has to do with football is this: NYU does not have a football team. In fact, for a brief period during my junior year, an economics class began selling, "NYU Football" t-shirts, launching the entire student body into a period of complete confusion, "Wait? We have a football team?"

No, we didn't. Which is probably just as well because our mascot was the Violets. Seriously, the Violets.

Not having attended a college with a football team, the entire concept of tailgating is completely lost on me. When I first met Husband, I tried to impress him by attending a UConn football game. I called my sister Suzanne a few days before the game and told her that I was going to the stadium early to tailgate.

Suzanne: You? Tailgate? Really?

Kathleen: Yes, what does that mean exactly?

Suzanne: I think it means you are going to stand in a parking lot at 8am and drink beer.

Kathleen: ... Why on earth would I want to do that?

Needless to say that first tailgating experience was also my last...until Friday. We're going to the game with a group of about 20 friends. Husband says that if I'm ever going to have fun tailgating, it will be this time. And if I don't have fun, he'll never make me go again.

At this point, though, I have the ability to play Bohemian Rhapsody on the key-tar so I figure I can suck it up and deal with one measly little football game.

It had better not go into overtime...

Turtleneck, Ann Taylor

Skirt, Ann Taylor

Hue Tights, Macy's

Sofft Fiorella Pumps, Nordstrom (available here)

Earrings, Kohls

Necklaces, Kohls

Bracelets, Kohls

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this skirt. Sometimes I put it on and feel great and other days I think to myself, "Eeek you can't leave the house looking like that!" Luckily for the skirt, this time it was the former.

My grey tights continue to baffle me and photograph green. This wouldn't be so bad because colored tights are everywhere this season (click here to read goldenmeans' post about branching out to colored tights), but I'm also wearing purple shoes, which makes the whole bottom of my outfit feel a bit funky.

And I don't mean funky in "the key-tar is funky" way, I mean it in the "why is that girl dressing as if the bottom half of her body is a flower?" way.

I should just splurge and buy these: everyone will still probably think I'm weird, but at least I'll be wearing really pretty tights in the process!

Happy Wednesday!

I Wanna Rock: What I Wore

Last night I was standing in the kitchen discussion something with Husband. As we talked, I suddenly heard Bohemian Rhapsody playing on the television in our living room.

An internal debate ensued:

Polite Kathleen: We're talking to Husband. We can't just wander out of the room to investigate something Queen-related.

Queen Kathleen: But it's Queen...on television! And I'm pretty sure the television isn't on a music channel. We have to find out what it is!

Polite Kathleen: Yes, but Husband hears the music too. If we just leave the room, he'll laugh at us for not being able to carry on an adult conversation when Queen music is being played within earshot.

Queen Kathleen: Oooh, you're right. Okay, I'm making my move: the conversation is winding down, the song is drawing to a close, I'll casually walk into the living room.

Which I did, just in time to see "Rock Band 3" on the screen.

Thankfully we have DVR so I rewound it to watch the commercial in its entirety.

I seriously could not be any more excited about Rock Band 3 which is released today: a key-tar? songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News, and Space Oddity by David Bowie; and "pro-mode" which I'm sure will even further convince me that I need to abandon the practice of law and go on tour full-time as a Rock Band drummer.

The commercial boasts 2000 songs, including the ability to import all songs from all the prior versions of Rock Band!

And yet, of those 2000 songs, which one do they select to base an entire commercial around? Which one have they been hyping for the last several months since news of a key-tar instrument broke back in June (click here for my response)?

Bohemian Rhapsody, of course.

But wait, Americans don't like Queen. At least that's the nasty rumor that's constantly spread across the pond. Click here and here and here for my rants about that.

But here is another example of not only Americans liking Queen, but of Americans liking Queen a lot!

Queen: Greatest Hits is #6 on Billboard's Top Selling Albums Chart (released December 2009).

We Will Rock You was the most played song at NFL, NHL, and MLB games last season (2009).

The Hard Rock Cafe is running advertisements stating "We Will We Will Feed You," (now where did they get that idea?).

And now Harmonix, the creators of Rock Band, one of the most popular video games in America, is promoting it's highly anticipated December release of Rock Band 3 with a Queen song.

Dr. May? RT? I think Americans like Queen just fine!

Hopefully that will light a bit of a fire underneath the boys and prompt them to bring We Will Rock You to Broadway and include the U.S. in any tour dates which are rumored for 2011 in honor of Queen's 40th anniversary.

I'm working from home today (and for the record that decision was completely unrelated to the release of Rock Band 3!), but I wore this outfit a few weeks back when we visited some friends in NYC.

Reverie Top, Anthropologie

Shall Cardigan, Ann Taylor

Skinny Jeans, Banana Republic

Calvin Klein Lillian Flats, Nordstrom (available here)

kate spade handbag, kate spade

Rings and Things Necklace, Anthropologie

Earrings, Kohls

Pandora Bracelet

Bracelet from Husband

The skinny jeans that I got on sale last winter are turning out to be a great purchase. I'd never worn them with flats before, but decided to give it a try in NYC and I have to say, I think the experiment was a success. The jeans are just the right length to bunch up ever so slightly at the ankle, which I like a lot. I''m also looking forward to wearing these jeans with my 900 new pairs of boots in the coming months!

Happy Tuesday!

If You're Wondering If I Want You To (I Want You To): What I Wore

I got up really early this morning.

I left the house at 7am to sit in 45 minutes of traffic then I turned right back around and sat in another hour of traffic to get to my first courthouse of the day.

By 10am I was en route back to my office for my second court appearance at 11am, which ended up being continued due to a trial.

Then I had to work through lunch because there was a monthly meeting with one of the judges!

I am sitting at my desk right now, fighting desperately to keep my eyes open!

And it's only Monday!

The only thing keeping me going is the thought that my Sugar Coated Shirtdress is at home in my closet and if I die before tomorrow, I'll never get to wear it.

I'd better wear it tomorrow, just in case!

Vagabond Dress, Anthropologie

Halogen Blazer, Nordstrom

Hue Tights, Macy's

Rampage Oxfords, Endless.com

Rings and Things Necklace, Anthropologie

Earrings, Kohls

Bracelet, Kohls

Remember that I'm still waiting for the winner of Princess of Taylor's Spook-tacular My Favorite Things Giveaway to contact me. Tami, you have until 12 noon on Thursday to email me at princessoftaylor@gmail.com and claim your prize!

Now, as promised, I'll answer the question that Tami asked me in her winning entry.

Tami's question was two-fold. First, she echoed xine's question of How did you develop the ability to get up early enough to put together a cute outfit (why, thank you!) AND exercise every day? Then, she added her own question of what are my favorite workout tunes.

First, getting up early to run: to be completely honest, I only get up early to run during the summertime. And I motivate myself to do that because getting up early to run is less miserable than running in the afternoon heat and humidity of New England. Every year I get a little lazy at the start of the summer and think to myself, "Oh I'll run this afternoon." It usually only takes a few days of that for me to get my act together and set the alarm for an hour earlier. In the winter, it's dark when I wake up and dark when I get home so I usually do my runs after work on the treadmill. I'll get an outdoor run in on the weekend and I appreciate it so much more after the week in treadmill-city!

For putting together outfits, each day I tend to fixate on one particular item that I want to wear. I'll think, "Oh I really want to wear my new skirt or those boots or whatever," and then I build an outfit around that. Usually I start thinking about my outfit the night before so by the time I'm standing in front of my closet, I have a good idea of what items I'm going to wear. I also have a bunch of "go to" looks: I know that a particular necklace looks nice with the neckline on that sweater; and that I like to wear untucked tops with this skirt. With those parameters as a jumping off point, I can put together an outfit pretty quickly.

My favorite workout tunes, I'm afraid, won't be very helpful to anyone on the planet, but me. You see, I don't run to songs that pump me up or get me energized. Rather, I like to run to songs that I love, but that blend into the background of my run. When all is said and done, I can rarely name any of the songs I've listened to during the run. Right now, my playlist is limited to Queen, Dr. May and RT solo songs, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, and one Weezer song (see post title). There are a few songs in 6/8 time (discussed here) that mimic the rhythm of my pace. And Man on Fire by RT (reviewed here) and If You're Wondering If I Want You To (I Want You To) always put a spring in my step, but other than that, the songs just provide some white noise to which I can enjoy the scenery of my run. (Although treadmill running is a whole different story: we have a television set up by the treadmill and I refuse to run on it unless Family Guy or How I Met Your Mother is on!)

I'll answer more questions over the next few weeks!

Happy Monday!

NEW Winner of Princess of Taylor's Spook-tacular My Favorite Things Giveaway

Well, readers, I'm sad to report that I did not hear from ADG, the winner of Princess of Taylor's Spook-tacular My Favorite Things Giveaway by 12 noon today. I felt so bad that I even tried to track down an email address where I could reach ADG, but had no luck.

So I'm left with no option but to select a second winner.

The new winner of Princess of Taylor's My Favorite Things Giveaway is Tami!

Tami, please contact me at princessoftaylor@gmail.com by Thursday October 28, 2010 at 12 noon to claim your prize! And ADG, if you send me an email by then, I'll come up with a consolation prize for you! I feel so bad that you missed the deadline and that I couldn't contact you!

I'll be back later today with my What I Wore post and to answer Tami's question!

Anthropologie Fitting Room Reviews (Phlox & Coral Coat, Peppered & Striped Skirt, & Mystery Sweater Jacket Situation)

Time is running out for ADG to contact me and claim her prize! Be sure to email me at princessoftaylor@gmail.com before Monday at noon or else I'll have to select another winner!

Here are some more fitting room reviews from 1938. Shockingly many of these items are actually still available for purchase!

Phlox & Coral Coat ($228), Size 12

This is a coat that I could totally see myself buying, but then getting all freaked out and intimidated and never actually wearing it.  I love the coral details, but the floral pattern itself reads a bit like a sofa from the 1970s. The 12 fit fine and left plenty of room for layering underneath. Rather than being winter weight, this coat is more of a fall coat or a topper. You'd definitely need to wear more than this coat to get through a New England winter day and for the price, that's just not enough wear.

Peppered & Striped Skirt ($128), Size 12

I was not one of those bloggers that instantly fell in love with this skirt, but when I saw my sister try it on here, I saw it in a new light and began to appreciate it. Then I tried it on and don't remember being crazy about it, but now that I'm looking back at the pictures, I really like it! Unfortunately my indifferent-love-indifferent-love relationship with this skirt took so long that it's now sold out in my size online and no longer available in my store. I wouldn't pay full price for it, but I'll definitely try to track it down come sale time!

Sweater Jacket that I know I've seen online, but has now disappeared since I did these reviews like a month ago. Seriously, a month ago, but it's still in my store so it might be in yours too. Size Large

This sweater/jacket was a bit odd. I spotted it and initially thought it was just a blazer which I liked a lot. Then I realized it was sweater material and thought, "Okay, that could be interesting." I had forgotten to bring a shirt into the fitting room with me on this particular day so I'm not wearing anything underneath it. Obviously I wouldn't do that in real life, but I'm not entirely sure what I'd wear underneath. I wish that the neckline was a bit higher so you could wear a cami for modesty and comfort, but it wouldn't really be visible. The neckline also threw me a bit: there's a shall part that I initially put my arms through incorrectly. Once I figured it out, the whole thing made sense, but there was a good few minutes spent in the fitting room going, "huh?" I liked the length on this and the color - I think if there had been a tad more structure to it (e.g. not sweater material), I'd wishlist it, but as it is, I'm passing.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I've got some more reviews coming that I'll post in the next week or so!

Happy Saturday!

Magical Mystery Tour: What I Wore

I still haven't heard from ADG, the winner of Princess of Taylor's Spook-tacular My Favorite Things Giveaway. Remember to email me at princessoftaylor@gmail.com to claim your prize before 12:00 noon on Monday October 25, 2010 or I'll select another winner!

Today's outfit is totally copying Kim of Anthroholic who here was taking the advice of her reader E. Hayes. I spotted Kim rocking her flat boots with a dress sans tights and thought to myself, "I have new flat boots that I'm just itching to wear. And I have a cute dress. And I have sans tights."

Actually, Kim was wearing totally adorable lacy knee socks with her flat boots/dress combo.

Sadly, I don't have lacy knee socks. I do have grey knee socks. And while wearing this outfit, I went to Target and purchased three additional pairs of cute knee socks (none of which have lace which positively broke my heart!)

I'll find those lacy knee socks though and I'll be ready to look positively adorable next time!

Here I am with the cauldron filled with the prizes from Princess of Taylor's Spook-tacular My Favorite Things Giveaway! What could be inside?

Secret Treasure Dress, Anthropologie

Wish You Were Here, Anthropologie

Franco Sarto Panko Boots, Macys (available here)

Boot socks, Banana Republic

Necklace, Kohls

Earrings, Kohls

Bracelet, Pandora

Bracelet, Gift from Husband

First, from Anthropologie, we have the Bright Bulb Posts in mint. I purchased these little beauties in peach on the day I met Dr. May so they'll always have a special place in my heart! Prior to these earrings, I had never really been a fan of stud earrings, but boy oh boy did these babies change my mind! I love them and I'm sure the lucky winner will too!

 

 

Second, from QVC beauty, is Mally Volumizing Mascara. My lashes are already really dark and relatively long so I never wore mascara. All that changed nine months ago, when I ordered a Mally Beauty Starter Kit from QVC (reviewed here). This mascara is amazing. Seriously. It never clumps or gets in my eyes (which are uber-sensitive). In fact, I've gone on runs wearing this mascara, sweat like nobody's business, and still looked pretty darn good (in the eyelash department at least) afterwards.

Finally, the Queen-related item, is Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Rider's second CD Red Light Fever! This item is Queen-related because it features Dr. May on guitar and vocals for two songs and RT on vocals for one song. Taylor Hawkins is a huge Queen fan and even convinced the boys to appear with his band at a show in London (click here to read about it). Sadly I missed the London show, but I did manage to catch Taylor in Boston a few weeks prior (click here). The show was incredible: Taylor sings and drums throughout and sounds great! I had bought the album beforehand so I'd at least know a few of the songs and loved it right away.

There may also be a special Halloween-themed goody in the prize package!

Thanks again to everyone for entering! I really love hosting giveaways (I'm one of those girls that loves giving gifts at Christmas more than receiving them!) so I'm already thinking about my next one!

Happy Friday!

And the Winner of Princess of Taylor's Spook-tacular My Favorite Things Giveaway is...

Congratulations to ADG!

You have until Monday October 25, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. E.S.T. to email me at princessoftaylor@gmail.com and claim your prize. If you don't contact me by then, I'll select another winner.

ADG's question was: What single Anthropologie item do I plan on getting myself as a Christmas present?

What a timely question! Just this week I've officially begun my Christmas shopping and yesterday I wrote an entire post about the items that I'm currently drooling over!

Since referring to yesterday's post probably constitutes a bit of a cop out in the question-answering department, the one item that I had intended to write about yesterday, but ran out of time are the Muccia Platforms.

I first spotted these pretties when Jacquelyn wrote about them here. I've been hunting for a pair of brown-based quirky heels and these totally fit the bill. And at $138 they are totally not unreasonably priced! I've never purchased a pair of shoes from Anthropologie before, but these may be enough to convince me to bite the bullet!

For everyone who's interesting in what the mystery prizes were, be sure to read my What I Wore post later tonight for the big reveal!

Thanks to everyone who entered, welcome to all my new readers, and stay tuned as I'm already thinking about my next giveaway!

Queen Song of the Week: Good Company

We made it, readers! This is the last song from Queen's 1975 release A Night at the Opera. Next week I'm going to have to think of another Queen or solo album or concert to feature. Any suggestions?

Before I jump into the song, I want to say a quick word about the suspension of DavidRFuller's Youtube account.

Some of you may recall me mentioning Mr. Fuller and his absolutely beautiful Queen video's before. He goes above and beyond posting the original music videos and compiles his own videos of photographs and video of the band over the past 40 years. This week, Mr. Fuller's account was suspended for copyright violation due to (fans suspect) the band's new contract with Universal, a particularily litigious company.

Personally, I think Universal (or whoever is behind the suspension) is missing the point of Mr. Fuller's videos. They didn't take anything away from Queen or their songs; rather his videos allowed fans and non-fans alike to appreciate Queen's songs in a way they never had before. It was Mr. Fuller's video for '39 (another song on A Night at the Opera) that encouraged me to begin listening to the Queen songs featuring Dr. May and RT on lead vocals.

The more optimistic fans hope that Mr. Fuller's videos set to rare and unreleased songs were the problem and that those songs are due to appear on expanded rereleases or boxed sets in the new year. Less optimistic fans have their doubts that will happen.

All I can hope is that Mr. Fuller figures out a way to repost his videos in a way that is satisfactory to Universal and/or Queen Productions Ltd. because they truly are wonderful to watch.

Alright onto the song: Good Company was written by Dr. May and is the tenth track on A Night at the Opera. This song is nearly 100% Dr. May with Freddie Mercury not appearing on the track at all and Deaky and RT appearing only to play bass and drums, respectively.

Video courtesy of spaccapassa.

The most surprising thing about this song is that Dr. May used a guitar to record the "horn" parts. He explained to On the Record in 1982: Yeah, that's four different kind of guitars. I was very keen in those days on recreating that sort of atmosphere. I mainly got the sound with small amplifiers. I used John Deacon's little amplifier and a volume pedal. For the trombone and trumpet sounds. I would record every note individually: Do it and then drop in. Incredibly painstaking! It took ages and ages. I listened to a lot of traditional jazz music when I was young, so I tried to get the phrasing as it would be if it were played by that instrument.

Dr. May also played a ukelele on the song and recorded all the lead and backing vocals. In the Making of A Night at the Opera, Dr. May discusses recording the track and demonstrates playing a small ukelele similar to the one his father first taught him to play as a child (click here to watch the bit).

Happy Listening!

What's New, Pussycat?: What I Wore

In addition to the rather pleasing sale at Anthropologie this past Tuesday, I've noticed many new arrivals also popping up on the website. Initially my reaction to Anthro's fall collection has been, "Eeek, now I remember why Anthropologie always scared me a bit!" Lots of layering and wacky patterns is enough to freak out this little princess.

But this newest batch of new arrivals is rather promising indeed.

I'm totally crushing on the Easy-As-Pie Dress: not only does the name of the dress evoke one of my favorite foods (mmm...pie), but the pattern on the skirt is bright and pretty. My first thought was how I wished this dress were a skirt as I find the top a bit boring, but I'm sure I could think of ways to jazz it up! And cute would this look with my 300 new pairs of boots? Very cute, I think. This pretty won't show up in my store fast enough!

And the Cassonade Coat is making me wish super hard for cold winter days to arrive. The color vaguely reminds me of the beige Cream Confection Jacket, which I sadly did not fall in love with until it ceased to exist anywhere on the planet. But I think I prefer the cut of this jacket: 3/4 length, slight bell sleeves, and a nipped in empire waist. *dies* Mark my words, I will own this coat.

I also spotted the Nonpareil Bracelet at my local store over the weekend. This technically may not qualify as a new arrival, but I kind of fell in love with it. There was a good five minutes that I spent prancing around the store, this beauty on my wrist, taking quick glances of approval of myself in the mirror. I suspected the price tag was going to be high and $58 really makes my wallet cry. I'll be doing some serious sale dancing for this one!

True to form, Anthro still has some rather crazy new releases. I laughed out loud when I first spotted the Time To Gather Sweater. A sweater with a big ole squirrel eating an acorn? It looks like a kindergarten teacher's sweater on acid. And the price? $148? I think the Anthro buyers may have been on acid too. Completely ridiculous.

Of course, being the total hypocrite that I am, slap the same pattern on a children's sweater and I can't stand the adorableness of the situation. Husband and I don't have kids, but I told him we may need to have a child immediately just so I can dress him up in the Mr. Fox Sweater. Or the Monkey Business Coat. Pretty much the entire kid's line needs to find its way into my closet to be worn by children to be named later.

Cashmere Sweater, Ann Taylor

Skirt, Banana Republic

Hue Tights, Macys

AK Anne Klein Pumps, DSW

Rosy-Posy Posts, Anthropologie

Necklace, Honora for QVC

Nothing too exciting about my outfit today. I am wearing my brand new tights that are reminiscent of Anthro's Berry Bush Tights from last fall. Lately I've been getting crazy compliments about my tights and footwear. Should I be offended or flattered that everyone is apparently looking at my legs all the time?

Remember my giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 E.S.T. I'm so excited to pick a winner tomorrow so don't forget to enter here!

Happy Thursday!

Photograph: What I Wore

I had a few comments about my hair and the quality of yesterday's photos: well folks, I haven't done anything different, I'm just slowly learning how to take better outfit photos (and for everyone's information because there are apparently nine different songs of the same name, my post title today refers to Def Leppard's song Photograph)!

Yesterday I dabbled in Picasa for photo editing for the first time (rather than just using Microsoft Paint) and today, I realized that if I use the flash then I don't need to have any other lights in the room on!

Is it sad that I'm nearly thirty years old and am just now learning the basics in computer software and photography?

My last nemesis seems to be the odd shadow that always appears around my head. You know how sometimes "halos" of light appear in people's photographs? Should I be concerned that the converse is the case in my pictures?

Dress, Ann Taylor Loft

Hue Herringbone Tights

Rockport Barbarella High Boot Gore, Shoebuy (available here)

Earrings, QVC (available here)

Artist's Palette Necklace (on sale here)

Bracelet, Pandora

I debuted my second boot purchase yesterday and they, too, were a hit. The heel is high, but chunky so I didn't feel like I was teetering around all day. However, by the time I got home, took the boots off and ran 3.5 miles on my treadmill, my feet were killing me!

I casually mentioned to Husband how my feet were hurting and rather than offering to give me a foot rub, he chastised me for wearing new boots all day long!

How rude!

One nasty side effect I discovered of wearing tights with boots is that crossing my legs can result in ripping the poor tights to shreds! Luckily, the herringbone tights were sturdy and I realized the situation before I did any real damage, but this is going to be problematic as the weather gets colder!

Less than two days left to enter my giveaway. I'm having so much fun reading all your questions. On Friday when I announce the winner, I'll answer her question and then I'll answer a few every day until we get through the lot so stay tuned!

Happy Wednesday!

Bootylicious: What I Wore

I've turned into a bit of a boot fiend lately.

As of last Monday, I owned two pairs of boots: my black Nine West ankle boots (seen peeking out from under my pants here) and my black suede Matisse Penny Slouch Boots (seen here).

As of this Monday, I own five pairs of boots. Eeek!

In my defense, all said boots were purchased on sale (so much so that the per pair total is under $150). And since they are all 100% leather, they should last a long time.

This is the pair I hemmed and hawed the most about keeping.

Thrifty Kathleen: Do I really need another pair of tall black boots?

Regular Kathleen: But my old pair is suede boots.

Thriftier Kathleen: But would you wear the leather boots with anything that you wouldn't be able to wear with the suede boots? 

Regular Kathleen: But the leather ones have a lower heel. And they don't slouch!

Thriftier Kathleen: They're black boots though. Wouldn't your money be better spent on a pair of, for example, flat brown boots or quirky brown heels?

In the end, I sought the advice of my fellow enablers...er...mother and sister. They both independently agreed that the black boots were dissimilar enough that I should keep them.

Then we all three independently agreed with my thriftier self that my money would be well spent on a pair of brown flat boots, which I also purchased and hope to debut later in the week.

Oh I'm sorry, thriftier self, is that not what you meant? Well, perhaps you'll be more clear with your advice next time. You've learned a valuable lesson here today.

Tuxedo Blouse, Ann Taylor

Dress, Ann Taylor Loft

Hue Tights

Rockport Pierce Place Boots, Endless (available here)

Necklace, Banana Republic

Earrings, Kohls

I spotted these tights in Macy's over the weekend. My love/hate relationship with Macy's continues due to their refusal to let me use coupons online and their horrific decision to take away free shipping from Platinum card members.

Thriftier Kathleen: *Harumph*

But when these tights caught my eye I knew all was forgiven... at least this week.

My first thought was: Oh how adorable! Polka dotted tights!

My second thought was: Hm will polka dotted tights look like leprosy or the bubonic plague when stretched out over my entire leg?

I ultimately decided that the tights wouldn't be too "plaguey" since only a few inches of the tights are visible between my boots and my hemline. And it turns out, I was right: I got several compliments on these tights at work yesterday!

Wheeee for fashion successes!

I expect another fashion success to arrive on my doorstep soon.

This morning I tracked down the marked down Sugar-Coated Shirtdress at an Anthropologie in New Jersey. I had tried on the 8 here and, as expected, it was a bit snug in the bust. The store I called had both a 10 and a 12 so they are en route as we speak! This dress should look amazing with all my recent boot and tight purchases!

Did anyone else snag anything awesome at today's sale? I hope so!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here! I'll announce the winner on Friday!

Happy Tuesday!

I'm Not in Love: What I Wore

This is my outfit from last Friday and I must confess: I'm really much of a fan.

You know how some days, it's cold and rainy and you don't even want to leave the house let alone put on something cute? That was last Friday.

Originally my big big boss was scheduled to visit our office, but late Thursday afternoon he cancelled. I didn't have any other court or meetings and the weather was just miserable so this is what I came up with.

Blouse, Banana Republic

Cashmere Sweater, Charter Club for Macy's

Corduroy Pants, Ann Taylor Loft

Flats, Bandolino

Mathilde Drops, Anthropologie

Necklaces, Kohls

In retrospect, the blouse was a mistake. I thought it might look cute peaking out at the collar and hem of the sweater, but the blue is too close to the color of the sweater to make a statement and when you do notice the blouse, it comes off as rather messy.

As a result, I spent the majority of the day, alternating between pulling down the sweater and pulling down the blouse. Annoying!

Abbie, must have sensed my outfitual disappointment because she decided to exhibit a rare showing of affection midway through my photo shoot. This dog will seriously get up and leave the room if I walk into it so for her to approach me on her own is pretty impressive.

And I swear once she heard the flash going off, she started hamming it up even more.

Attention whore.

Photo courtesy of Associated Press.

Not to be confused with Abbie, Dr. May has been in the public eye recently for actually doing some good! He's due to receive a special award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare for his Save Me campaign! Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW, said: “We are delighted to be able to reward Brian’s dedication to protecting animals over many years with our Campaigner of the Year Award.” (Click here to visit Dr. May's website and see the official press release).

Dr. May will receive his award tomorrow at IFAW’s prestigious Animal Action Awards ceremony, hosted by Baroness Gale, at the House of Lords. Congratulations, Dr. May!

In the future, Abbie, you'd do well to try to get your publicity in a more positive way, like Dr. May, rather than just crashing your mother's photo shoots. That is all.

Happy Monday!

Anthropologie Fitting Room Reviews (Tria Sweater Skirt, Barometer Top, Loose Lines Cardi)

Remember like 200 years ago when I used to do Anthropologie Fitting Room Reviews?

This business of alternating releasing items in stores and online does not lend itself to the blogger attempting to do fitting room reviews. I tried on a ton of stuff several weeks ago, but none of it was online. Then it showed up online, but I had forgotten I even tried it on! I found these pictures on my computer and thought, "Yikes, I'd better run some fitting room reviews before Anthro comes out with it's Spring line!"

Tria Sweater Skirt ($128), Size Large

Anthro has a ton of sweater skirts out this season and thus far I've been unimpressed with most of their offerings. A sweater skirt is a tricky thing - you want it slim fitting enough to not appear bulky, but loose enough to skim curves rather than holding them hostage. This skirt comes closer to a sweater skirt that I'd actually buy than any other sweater skirt I've tried on this fall.

I grabbed this skirt because I thought the trim at the hem was just adorable: stick lace or ruffles on something and you've peaked my interest. Stick lacy ruffles on something like on this skirt? Ooh la la - come to mama! The skirt fit well and I was surprised that the Large left enough room that I was comfortable. I'd say this runs true to size to perhaps a bit big. The price really threw me for a loop though - $128? Ex-squeeze me? Baking powder? Even on sale, that's pretty ridiculous. I'm second-cut sale dancing for this one.

Barometer Top ($68), Size Medium

This top was my attempt to fulfill my desire to have a horizontal striped shirt without actually looking like I'm trying to dress up like RT from Queen's Wembley Stadium show in 1986. A purple striped shirt is a good start and this cowl/cape situation definitely adds some interest to the shirt. I liked this one a lot: it was comfortable, fit well, and, despite being a bit busy, somehow the cut managed to be rather flattering. This one would be tough to layer with the whole collar situation so in my mind it feels more like a summer piece. I'll consider it on sale, but even then it would like just sit in my closet until April.

Loose Lines Cardi (now $59.95), Size Large

I think this was a reader request...like 400 years ago. Sorry, I took so long.

I'll be honest: in 1000 years I would have never picked up this cardigan. It's more horizontal stripes, which I'm warming towards, but in yellow? Eeek. The detailing on the front also strikes me as a bit odd. I sized up to a Large because the cardigan looked rather cropped and that turned out to be a good idea. Once I got this sweater on, it grew on me a bit more. It's nice and soft; not at all see through; and the sleeves were long enough (which rarely happens). I still am not a big fan of the yellow, which makes me look a little glow in the dark. If you've been eyeing this one, I'd say go for it, but I'm going to pass.

So I've got two more sets of reviews that I'll post at some point in the future (seriously, this time!)

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Do You Want to Know a Secret: What I Wore

Technically this is a denim skirt...

and I wore it to two different courthouses today!

When I first spotted this skirt in Ann Taylor Loft back in July, I really did think it was a charcoal grey pencil skirt. The material does not feel like denim and the color reads more grey than blue. I ended up not buying it until recently (when it went on sale and Ann Taylor Loft ran a 40% off sale promo so I scored it for $23!)

I decided that it looked dressy enough that I could totally get away with it, not only at work, but at court.

And guess what?

I was right!

Cami, Kohls

Neapolitan Cardigan, J.Crew

Slim Denim Skirt, Ann Taylor Loft

Hue Tights

Shoes, Rampage

Necklace, Ann Taylor Loft

Bright Bulb Posts, Anthropologie (on sale here)

Inch of Gold Bracelets, Cruise Ship Purchases

I sat directly next to my boss at lunch and she didn't say a word about inappropriate courtroom attire! 

One situation that was caused by this skirt is that because it's unlined, the material occasionally bunched up against my tights. Luckily it never crept up to an indecently short length, but by the end of the day, the skirt was a wrinkled mess! That's an easy fix though: my tailor can line it for $12 and I've still only paid $35 for the skirt! Not too shabby!

Husband has been out of town the past three days and boy if he didn't pick the worst time to leave me alone: the batteries on our video camera are slowly dying. Yesterday while uploading pictures, it just shut off completely! He told me where the charger was and I plugged the darn thing in all night, but this morning it was still dead as a doornail!

Saboteur!

He's getting home tonight at 8pm so I'm going to have to stay all dressed up and adorable until then or else today's outfit will be a total wash!

Thankfully I'm wearing something comfortable on account of the weather. Originally I had planned on busting out my new Rockport Barbarella Dark Brown Boots, but in torrential downpours? I think not! When the weather clears up, I'll debut them next week (potentially along with my recently ordered Rockport Pierce Place Black Boots. Real leather boots for $110? Holla!)

Happy Friday!