CORNCOB!!!

I was taking my doggies on a nice walk around our neighborhood yesterday, enjoying the lovely weather and sunshine. As we turned a corner, I saw this teenage girl in the distance walking around yelling something. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but from the whistling that accompanied the shouting, I assumed she was calling a dog. Once we got closer, I strained to hear what exactly she was saying. To the best of my judgement, I thought she was saying, "CORNCOB!" I thought, "Wow, what a horrible name for a dog!" *haha* And I swear, every time she yelled it I was more and more sure that it was Corncob. 

Quite a while later, this car pulled up and stopped beside us. Sitting in the passenger seat was the girl, looking sweaty and annoyed. "Excuse me," she said, "have you seen a small dog running around here anywhere?" I told her I hadn't, but asked for a description in case I did see him. "He's a bright red little tiny chihuahua." Bright red? Really? Wow, that I'd like to see! I asked her where she lived in case I DID happen to find him (and somehow managed to wrangle him without my own three dogs getting away...or eating him...) I could be the hero and bring him home.

Before she drove off I said, "Oh wait! What's his name?" 

"Schwarzkopf." (If that's not spelled right, blame Google.)

I choked back a chuckle, but I wanted to tell her, "Lady, the reason your little dog isn't coming to you is because it SOUNDS like you're calling someone named CORNCOB!"

I never did see the little dog, although I really did keep my eyes peeled. For one, I felt terrible that they'd lost the poor thing and I know I'd be panicked if my babies were loose. But I was also a little worried about a crazed, hyper chihuahua tearing around the corner and starting a dogfight with my crew. I mean, I've seen Dog Whisperer...the chihuahuas are the scariest cases!! *haha* 

In other news, I got some new shoes! I got them at Wally World for 8 bucks! Wow whadda bargain! :) They're slingbacks with cute little bows on the toes. Check'em out.

On my feet...

...and my attempt at being photographically creative. :)

Extreme Makeover: Sarah edition

I am in desperate need of a hair makeover.  I haven't done anything with it (except trim it occasionally) for over a year. No color, no style, no nothing. It seems like whenever we have had the extra money that I could have invested in a hairdo, I've decided to spend it on something else. I'm starting to feel a little frumpy and blah, though, and I know it's time for a change. But I really have no idea WHAT to do with it.  

I've been very, very Marilyn Monroe blonde before, but I don't want to go back to something that needs that kind of upkeep (since obviously I'm not great about getting myself to a salon.) My hair is normally about shoulder length (although it's gotten quite a bit longer than that, now). I've always wanted to do something kinda short and spunky, but I'm afraid it will make my face look fat. I've considered bangs since I seem to have a never ending amount of hair growth at the front of my scalp *grrr*, but I just don't know. What to do? What to do?

So I found this site called Taaz.It's one of those things where you upload a photo of yourself and so you can see what different hairstyles would look like on you.  Let me tell you, more than anything else it scared me to death to get my hair cut! So many UNFLATTERING styles out there! Yikes! In the end I just started playing around and having fun with it. Ok, here's my starting photo:

Me, with my hair pulled back, on Super Bowl Sunday (Livvie took this picture, btw. Impressive, yes?)

First, let's try one of these short styles on for size:

Um, oh my. See what I mean about a fat face? Maybe it's just me. I actually do like that color, though.

Now let's try some bangs:

And a really, really unnatural color. Eek! (But actually, I don't mind this cut. It could work.)

So did I mention you can also play around with virtual makeup and stuff? It's FUN! And you can change your eye color. So let's see what I would have looked like with my sister's (and her beautiful children's) signature "ice blue" eyes:

Um, a little scary. Almost "undead." Fair skin + ice blue eyes = nah-so-purdy. :(

Ok, here I am sportin' my best 70's news anchor/30 year old Mommy 'do:

It's so sexy and you know it.

So by now you're ready to really see what this baby can do, right? Ok, let's take the whole darn package: eyelashes, foundation, blush, lipstick,flowing blonde locks, teeth whitening. This is really gonna be GOOD! 

Ooooh! Can we say Texas Pageant Queen?? Holy false eyelashes, Batman! 

In conclusion: If you are looking for a serious way to discover your best new look...don't try this. BUT, if you have too much time on your hands and are looking for a way to make yourself giggle all alone in an empty room? This is a winner. 

(P.S. I think it would be an absolute blast if all of YOU played with this online toy and shared/blogged your results! It's really, super easy to do.)

I left my $$$ at JC Penny

I know you've all been DYING to find out how my shopping adventure went yesterday. Right? Well to my joyful amazement, I struck gold!!

I decided to go to Towne East since my Dad's firm is working on the remodel there and I was curious how it's coming along. (It's looking really nice! It's amazing how much brighter it looks already.) I was lucky to even see the rest of the mall, however, since I spent over three hours in JC Penny alone! *yikes* They were having some fantastic sales. Every item I bought was at least 40% off, some were 60%! They were also doing one of those "Buy one-get one for 88¢" specials and those always seem especially cool for some reason. "88¢?!? I get this jacket for only 88¢?!? WOW!!" Bargains just excite me, period. :) Especially when they're bargains that FIT! Glory hallelujah!

I got a pair of brown slacks and a pair of khakis. Then I got some blazer/jacket type things, one of which was only 88¢! *haha* One of them is denim, one is like a light tan pinstripe and the other one is soft green. They're casual, so I don't feel like I'm posing as Ally McBeal or something. (Wow, random 90's reference. Not sure why I thought of her.) Then I got a couple of button-up tops...again, one was just 88¢. So exciting. Then I also got this super cute brown suede jacket with some neat detailing around the collar. Not something I would typically be drawn to, it was one of the 60% bargains so I couldn't pass it up. Besides, it makes me feel kinda cool. :)

I embraced Fall as far as the color scheme goes. I look better in those colors, anyway. (Browns, oranges, greens, teals, etc.) Though I'm drawn to brighter colors, they aren't always the best choice for my skin tone. And there weren't many to be found, anyway.

Couldn't leave the mall without stopping at Payless for some BOGO fun! I needed some "dressy" shoes to go with my slacks, but I certainly wasn't going to give up comfort! I love Payless....they cater to my wide feet. So I found these classy little loafers:

And then since it's BOGO I needed to find another pair to get for half off, so I bought these:

I figured they would be a good casual alternative to my regular pink&white tennies. They're really comfy AND they're Velcro, which amuses me. :)

So by the end of the day, I'd dropped some big bucks. (Well, compared to what I normally spend on myself.) I was feeling pretty guilty about it but then I thought: #1 When was the last time I actually bought myself clothes?? It's been a long time. #2 When was the last time I found things that FIT?

Then I went to Von Maur to use their spotless restroom facilities and saw a cute sweater while walking through. Checked the price tag...yeah, that ONE sweater cost as much as ALL OF MY PURCHASES COMBINED! So then I really shed that guilt I had been feeling. I was a very smart shopper and got a ton for my money. Plus the things I got are versatile and mix&matchable. And I followed all of Stacey and Clinton's rules so even THEY would be proud of me. :)