Small reminder

I wanted a custom piece to give me a constant reminder of my Pop. I got this from Metal Pressions.
on Etsy.
I chose a sterling silver bangle for $60 that you could have anything you want stamped on it. I went with the lower case font and had pop put on the outside with a little shamrock. (Pop wore a shamrock necklace.)

I asked her to put a message on the inside too for an additional $12. Pop's favorite song.

I chose her store because I loved the hand made quality. I could have anything engraved at any random store but I loved the delicate way her stamps were just a bit off. You could "see the hand" as they would say back in art school. I also really loved the all lowercase font. I tend to write in only lowercase. I also ordered it MONDAY AFTERNOON and it was in my mailbox by noon on Wednesday. How is that for service? For an extra little slice of kismet it was $78 total. The year I met my pop.

I highly recommend Metal Pressions. It as at my door in under 48 hours from initial order. It was beautifully wrapped in a box and even came with a small silver cleaning cloth.

I got sunshine on a cloudy day

ORANGE corduroy dress Anthropologie (2008?)
Kenneth Cole boots Filene's going out of business sale (2006)
Brown tights Target


I am trying to trick the weather. It is doom and gloom so I am wearing the dress that requires it's own power supply. I am wearing my silver bracelets too. I forgot to take a picture. I should because Dave got me a shamrock to add to my Pandora in honor of pop.

I ended up going home early yesterday. I just crawled into bed and went to sleep. Waffle nuzzled up under the covers next to me. Then she started chewing my leg. Brat. Dave came home a little early and made dinner and corn bread.

How is your week shaping up? What is for dinner?
It is Wagamama Wednesday in our house. So chicken katsu and edamame for me. Chicken Itame soup for Dave.

Unconventional collectibles I'm blue da ba dee

Not totally unconventional but it made for a good title. Tiny apartment (300 sq ft) living makes you collect things that don't take up much space.

I collect blue nail polish. That collection slowly morphed to me collecting blue greens, then on to the greens. I still actively remember my first bottle of powder blue nail polish. It was the early 90's and my mom and I bought that and a lilac at a Claire's type store. For the past few years I have been on the hunt for the perfect light blue polish and the perfect teal or as I like to call it mermaid blue.




Lately I have been gravitating to the greens.


Some are great some I should honestly pitch. This one for example.

As with all my photos, someone tried to help.

What is your favorite nail color?
Deep dark colors or blue is mine. I don't think unconventional colors aren't work appropriate if you dress in a neat and tidy manner. I also wouldn't walk around with large chips. I think part of what makes it work OK is keeping it looking nice. Tiny chips are one thing, I mean the ones that are half your nail. I don't know if I would wear it to an interview though, I might...

Grey day

This pose was all dave. Put your right foot on the step. Pick your head up. Smile like you mean it.


This was how I was posing.


Then I ripped off the headband because I felt like a damn fool.


Puff sleeve coat Banana Republic (2008)
Black top Ann Taylor Loft (2008)
Denim trousers Gap (2010)
Shoes Aldo (2009)

Here are the lemon shoes.

It is cold and raining and I just don't care what I look like. This is Kasmira's lazy girl updo. I love it because I literally don't have to brush my hair. I just put it in pony and twist with the stick. Done.

I am trying to not be Debbie Downer on here. I am more trying to celebrate and remember him. This is the last photo I can think of us together in.

We had just gone to my Uncle Paul's funeral. I buried Pop in that suit. I thought he looked so damn handsome in it. I paired it with a light blue shirt and blue and grey striped tie. We talked about putting a hat on him because he was known for his hats. More than one person said "where is his hat?"

The sun needs to come out. This rain is making everyone in a very foul mood.

Bag flair

This post had been languishing in my cue and I just remembered it.

There has been lots of blog talk about collections and multiples lately. I don't collect a lot of things but one thing I have been collecting the past few years is tiny Hello Kitty charms. I have collected Hello Kitty since 1985 and I finally admitted to myself that a lot of things were going unused so I have started collecting more practical and usable things or tiny things. I love collecting these little charms. I try to get them when I travel when I can find them as a reminder of a place I visit. I like to wear them on my purse as my "bag bling" or as I prefer to say my "flair" it helps me feel a bit more personalized than all the other thousands who have the same purse. I got my first charm like this in Las Vegas in 2003. That one is a little Hello Kitty riding a lion.

These are the current two in my rotation.

This Alice in Wonderland one in L.A. in 2008. I was in mad love with her the second I saw her. I actually made Dave a picture with it when I bought it. She lives on my little pouch I keep my migraine meds, blotting papers and pocket knife in. My mom has a matching pouch. How much you want to bet she will want a charm too once she sees this?


This one I ordered from Japan from Strapya. I honestly got it because I thought it looked like me (hoped?) This one lives on the outside of my purse.


If you come across a fun one you think I will love drop me a line! byhillary AT gmail DOT com

I also collect little blind box toys, lipgloss, blue nail polish, red shoes and Marc Jacobs.

Toe in the water.

I don't know that I am ready. I honestly haven't had the breakdown yet. But I thrive on schedules and routines and I am hoping it will help my head. Pop would want me to do what I love too. I had just told him I had been writing articles.

I bought this shirt from the Liberty of London line from Target after Ally showed it to me.
Denim trousers Gap
Suede flats LL Bean Read more about them here
Sweater Ann Taylor
Tank H&M


I bought these shoes at LL Bean the day before Pop died. We stopped at his house on the way home from the store. I didn't know then it would be the last time. He would of liked these shoes. He appreciated good shoes.

Sitting at work now is the first time I have been without family in a week. It is weird. I see people's true colors today though.

And in another effort to be normal.

How was your weekend? Do anything fun? Have any good meals?
Well we had the funeral and it was really beautiful. Seeing over a hundred people cry for my Pop was just. I don't even know how to put words to it. The man in the Navy uniform playing Taps was one of the most beautiful things you'd ever see. We brought my mom to the airport on Saturday and Saturday night my inlaws came into Boston and took me and Dave out to eat and gave us bags of groceries which was nice we didn't have any food in the house. Yesterday dave made Monte Cristos. It was one of the first meals I had really eaten in a week and it tasted so wonderful . My mom met Waffle for the first time too. She already called to say she missed her. My friend Caroline was a saint and came and took care of the girls while we were gone.

Where I've been

Thanks to the people who contacted me wondering where I went. My pop died. I will be around when I'm good and will leave when I'm not. My pop was my world (remember just a few weeks ago his fashion no's I told you about)
My pop helped raise me. He was more a father to me than a grandfather. I am his only girl in the family too. I was his sweetheart. I had randomly stopped by his house the day before and he lives an hour and a half away. He said thank you for coming I love you sweetheart. It breaks my heart I'm the only one who got a goodbye. He wasn't sick. He had never been sick a single day in his life. He didn't have heart problems, high blood pressure, nothing. He had a massive heart attack and died sweeping the garage. That's my pop, always tidying up.

Here is the obit I wrote.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fosters/obituary.aspx?n=robert-cullen&pid=141112954

Spring flats

I have needed some new flats for awhile now. I got rid of a couple pairs that had basically self imploded recently and desperately needed something to wear to run around in and feel cute. I have a problem of not feeling as pretty in flats. I just feel more confidant in a heel. It forces me to stand up straighter and pay attention when I walk. We have cobblestone sidewalks where I live so I usually wear flats to run errands and to go to and from work. Zooey D is wearing little black flats in her new video and she looks so insanely cute so I decided I was going to wear them and I was gonna feel confidant!

I hadn't intended on finding shoes this weekend. I wasn't even actively looking and I ended up with 3 pairs!

The first pair Dave found while standing around waiting for me at Target.

Lavender suede flats by Merona. They were $19.99. Dave has this thing for picking out purple items for me which is funny because I never gravitated to purple. Purple was my mom's color. Things have changed though and I now appreciate how lovely purple is. They are comfy but I think they need a little insole just to give me some extra support if I am going to wear them all day.

The next pair we got at Clarks. I was trying to get Dave to pick out new shoes but his foot is still hurting him really bad so he wouldn't even look. So I did a quick run through and these pewter beauties jumped out at me.

Book Pumps in Pewter by Clarks. They retail for $60 and they are totally worth every penny. I paid $35 because I had a frequent buyer punch card filled up and ready to turn in. I have no idea why they call them pumps. Zappos says they have a 3/8 inch heel. Clearly they are more accurately described as flats. These are insanely comfortable. They say Soft on the inside, they aren't foolin. I have been wearing them around the house in my pajamas. I have a weakness for all thing silver leather. I see them as a neutral as it looks equally as good with brown or black.

The last pair came from a road trip up to L.L.Bean in Freeport Maine.

Bean's Suede Skimmers in Chocolate Brown. They retail for $64. While it is a bit more than I would want to spend remember they are guaranteed for LIFE. They are also insanely comfortable and again Dave picked them out. He is also sucker for a bow. (On me. Not for himself. ha) I was looking at the flip flops with cherries or lobsters on them and he spied these. They run a bit big. I normally wear a 7 in most stores and I have some 7.5 in shoes with no give. I had to get these in a 6.5.

I got all three pairs of $109 which while is not my cheapest finds by far but I have two top qualities pairs they are COMFORTABLE and supportive and one fun pair I don't expect to last more than a year. (I mean they are lavender suede...)

Leaf Him at the Alter Sephora by OPI REVIEW

This past weekend Dave and I went to Sephora. It is always much more fun when I bring him because he finds things I never would. This time because it was above my eye level!



Leaf Him at the Alter from the OPI for Sephora line. This color was featured in one of their mailers a month or two ago. I had actually been on the hunt of a green shimmer polish since I saw it. I bought a shimmer green from CVS last week that ended up being awful once I had it on. It was such a pretty color in the bottle and once I had it on Dave even agreed it just wasn't nice on. I promptly took it off. This color on the other hand is PERFECT. I feel a bit vain saying this but it is the color of my eyes. I took this photo two days after painting them. I almost always have chips within two days. No chips and no wear yet. It goes to show sometimes it doesn't pay to try and find something cheaper, just get the one you really want!

Telling you what I did on a Saturday

Shirt Target yesterday! It is brown cotton button up with ruffle along front. I think I need more of it.
Jeans and earrings H&M 2008
Born Sandals 2009
Men's Tank Target 2008?
Purse Coach 2010

Old shoe photo with my RHONJ pedicure. I have to say I still kinda love it in that tracky-tastic way. I love ridiculous nails. I had never had it except that one time. I just wanted to TRY IT.

It was an absolutely amazing weather day here. The sun was shining it was 70 and just a twing of a cool breeze off the ocean. Totally not normal March New England weather. It was my toe's first outing of the year. (Well except for the one time I got a pedicure and walked home in flipflops. But that was only for about 2 minutes as I basically ran home.)

We rented a sleek new Subaru last night and got cupcakes and pizza and went to Target to check out the Liberty of London stuff. I bought a present for a friend's baby and myself a wallet and plastic box. I also got this shirt and some lilac suede flats with cutouts that fulfilled the "purple shoes" and "comfy flats" fashion wish list items. I totally plan to wear this shirt with a high waisted skirt and flats.

I am in mad love with my purse. This is it's blog debut. I got it a few weeks ago with Dave's 25% off coupon. It filled my "cross shoulder bag" and "black bag" wish list items. I really need to put more things in life on my wish list because I have noticed when I extremely specific and write it down on my list I end up finding it. (The whole realization thing I guess) It has a shorter strap to tuck it under your arm too. Thank you mister tax man. I ended up giving the gray bag to my mom for her birthday that is quickly approaching. She knows I carried it for 4 days and it is gently loved. Long story but she will appreciate it much more than I ever would.

Today we went to lunch and spent two Christmas gift cards, one for PF Changs and one for Barnes and Noble. If it had been my Barnes and Noble gift card it would of been spent on December 26th. My boy he is not a reader. We are also such thrifty eaters we have enough on the card from one and a half more meals there! (Our most expensive meal we have ever had was $59. and that included dessert. As a Celiac we just find it hard to spend money on a meal that could make him sick)

Do you write down physical wish lists?
I have a fashion one. It has things like Nude Pumps, Black waterproof fancy trench that isn't stiff and hot, Brown high waist full skirt, Silver leather belt...etc. I am very picky so these items tend to be hard to please me.

Just like a dream you are not what you seem

Shirt Ann Taylor Loft (2008)
Tank Men's dept Target (2009)
Belt Target (2009)
Stirrup tights Target (2008)
Shoes Aldo (2009)
Skirt Kohls (2009)
Earrings H&M (2004)
Ring gift (2007?)

I changed out of the stirrup tights into black lacey ones.

I wanted to do something a bit Zooey D. All week I have worn brown, peach and pink eyeshadow instead of my normal brights and I kinda dig it. I have never really liked that subtle makeup look.
In the top pic I hadn't put lipstick or accessories on. I had to run out before dave had to leave for work. See below for lips. It is a soft goopy pink


My first spinning picture of the season. I have hundreds of me spinning over the years. I have one I want to track down of me that is a black and white picture of spinning in my antiprom dress in dave's driveway at his childhood home.


What are your plans for this weekend?
Dave and I took Monday off. He doesn't have school next week but he does have an insane project. They don't believe in having a week of no homework apparently instead they give him triple. But we are going to have a lovely 3 day weekend this weekend and I am uber excited because it should be 70 and sunny tomorrow. A normal high this time of year is low 40's.

Another question is How do sales people treat you in general?
For example sales people love my mom. They fawn over her. She and I look alike and act very alike BUT... I have always been the one they ignore and run and hide when I actually want help. or in the case of H&M get shoved by. Which pisses me off because I am no pushover, lordy I am not. It isn't in my head people who have shopped with me have seen it. I try and act like I am rich or I act friendly, etc. nothing seems to change it. If 3 people walk in with me all 3 will get a greeting and I don't. I know some people would say it is how I behave but my husband has witnessed it with me acting all sorts of ways. I just really want to "fix" it because it is kinda annoying. Especially when you go in wanting help with something. Now I have a few places where I go and have great service I am more generalizing my experiences over all. I went to MAC counter last night, not my usual one where they know me. The woman seemed actively BORED by me. She was looking anywhere but at me while she was standing there. I asked her true opinion and I feel like she was telling me what I wanted to hear. (Unlike my normal MAC on Newbury where they tell it to you straight) I have worked the retail, sales, door to door sales etc industry. I always tried to walk the line of helpful without being annoying.

On the other end in the library industry (ha) people always have liked me and been helpful. What does that say about me. (that is rhetorical)



EDITED TO ADD *WARNING CHEAP PLOY FOR VOTES TO WIN CONTESTS BELOW*
I am being greedy pants again but I am allowed. It's my space.

Are you on Facebook? Want to help me win a trip to NYC? YOU DO? awww so sweet.
Lucky and H&M are having a contest here.
http://apps.facebook.com/styleeye
Click the Gallery to see mine and vote on it.
This is me So is this (this is my favorite) and this
So if you would be so kind as to vote for me I would totally vote for you as well.

OK that is not all. I am just getting uber greedy now. If your bored and a Lucky Style Spotter member already (cough*whenyoujoinedlastyeartovoteforme*cough) could you vote for me to win a Loft card? Hilly need some new dresses. (My body has shifted some. grr)
My entry is here.

Thank you! I feel greedy asking but dude I want to win! I don't make much money! (no really I am not just saying that I REALLY don't!)

LL Bean my hat is off

DUDE! Have you seen L.L. Bean Signature yet? I just got the email and I am GAGA over it. I have always loved LL Bean because they are just such a great company.

1. They are based out of New England.
2. Their store is open 24 hours.
3. They are top quality.
4. Their products are guaranteed for life!!!
5. When you call you ALWAYS get someone on the phone instantly. They answer, your finger is hovering to dial 0 or what have you and there is a person, live, talking to you.

But they aren't the most fashionable company. Well until today apparently!
I need some of this stuff. LIKE BAD. But we have a friend of the family who has had the same LLBean boots for 30 plus years and every year they resoled them for him.

Isn't this outfit so Zooey D with the full A-line skirt. And hello on those stacked heels!

Or how about this dress?!

Man of man I love those. Both can be found here.

Oh and then men's stuff???

I think Dave needs that outfit. Check out the whole line here.


This is not a sponsored post. This is just me going nuts over their new line.
All images are from LL.Bean.

And then she ranted.

It just isn't doing it for me. A week ago it was in the 30's here. Today rumor is it will be 70. I didn't plan an outfit last night. I threw this together. I am not pleased.
Shirt and tights and Necklace Ann Taylor Loft (2010)
Skirt Ann Taylor Loft (2009)
Wrap sweater mark by AVON (2008)
Shoes Gap (2009)
Earrings Dominique Cohen (2008)

Shirt detail


Makeup detail


Hair detail


urg. argh. It needs a belt for starters. No tights, different shoes. OK just a whole new outfit. I need more comfy go with anything shoes. I can't run around the city all day in heels as much as I'd like to my body can't take it.

I added white swirls to yesterday's manicure for Konad nails attempt 21


What did you wear on your last job interview? What do you think is appropriate interview attire?'

Last night Dave and I were discussing interview attire. Dave works for a prestigious company and they are also VERY old. One of the oldest in the country. He was telling me about two girls who came in to interview. One wore a corset the other wore a completely backless shirt. Both were applying for Junior Architect positions. Now I know you should be yourself BLAH BLAH BLAH but there is also a time and a place for being appropriate and backless shirts are not office attire. How did she think that was OK? She is still talked about in the office. I always wore suits to interviews. Except two times. One went horrible and one went well. To my most current job (4 years ago) I wore a blouse, sweater vest and dress pants. I had gained some weight and it was middle of winter. Up until then I'd always been very stodgy. This time I was a bit more ME and it worked out well they liked me.

Dave dressed up for his presentation yesterday and people gave him crap at the office all day.

He teased that he had a job interview to shut them up. Why do people think it is OK to openly ridicule others on their clothing attire? You can dislike it all you want by why do you feel you need to tell the person? Especially when they are CURRENTLY wearing the item. I was so mad at his coworkers.

The other day someone commented about my sweater being like a bodily function and I was LIVID. To be fair I don't think they meant anything by it and that they were being witty. But honestly why would you say that? Not OK. I sat there for the next 12 hours EMBARRASSED by what I had on. Mind you I am not talking constructive criticism I am talking just plain ol rude comments for no reason. If you say "I think that color isn't the most flattering for you skin color" is one thing. "You look like vomit" is another.

Before you say something to people about their outfit. Think for a second, would I say this to my mom or my little sister. Would I want someone to say it to them? If not you might want to keep it to yourself or if you are so compelled to say it, do it in a constructive way. I mean I want to know if something isn't good on me. I just don't want you to be a jerk about it.

FYI if my outfit ever reminds you of a bodily function again... Lets just say you can stick it in a sack. (my coworker says "stick your sorrys in a sack all the time and it just is absolutly hilarious to hear)

Please vote for me? :D

Are you on Facebook? Want to help me win a trip to NYC? YOU DO? awww so sweet.
Hey it is my blog. I can ask you to vote for me.
Lucky and H&M are having a contest here.

http://apps.facebook.com/styleeye

Click the Gallery to see mine and vote on it.
This is me
So is this (this is my favorite)
and this
I always have such issues about what I should or shouldn't enter and add the wrong ones. Luckily they let you add a few. So if you would be so kind as to vote for me I would totally vote for you as well.


That is all.


EDITED TO ADD

OK that is not all. I am just getting greedy now. If your bored and a Lucky Style Spotter member already (cough*whenyoujoinedlastyeartovoteforme*cough) could you vote for me to win a Loft card? Hilly need some new dresses. (My body has shifted some. grr)
My entry is here.

Thank you! I feel greedy asking but dude I want to win! I don't make much money! (no really I am not just saying that I REALLY don't!)

St. Hillary Day

Hey I deserve a holiday too you know!
I don't know why but I am making a face in every picture this morning. I thought this was "smiling" I look like I am about to burst.


I liked this one better but I cut my head off. Does that bother people? It was an immediate disqualification in my mind.


But you can see that it is black eyelet with white under it better here.


Dress Gift from the amazing Beckdress
Sweater New York and Co.(2009) Last time I wore it I complained how I accidentally dried it and the sleeves were too short. My friend Emily said how she shrinks her sleeves on purpose! I was shocked. I hate short sleeves because to be frank they make me feel like a fat kid squeezing into too small clothes. But if Emily did it on purpose then I could rock it. So I took her suggestion and cuffed them to exaggerate the shortness.
Bracelet gift (2002)
Watch (2007) store in my neighborhood. It is a costume jewelry place. This was a Chanel "inspired" piece.
Earrings I made
Shoes Charlotte Russe (2007)



My skin has been terrible lately but I think I found my combo.

I was using a ton of concealer and it just wasn't working out. So I tried adding foundation something I like to skip because of my freckles and it makes me look fake. The past few days I have been doing the old mositurizer and foundation mixed on my hand and put on with a sponge trick THEN applying concealer where I need it. I think it worked out great because you can't really tell where I am broken out.
Because my rosacea has been acting up some I changed to peach and mocha blush the last few days and it is agreeing with me more than my usual pinks. I was looking splotchy.

I can tell you now. Dave is at right this moment giving a presentation to Harvard's board of directors. EEEEEEEEEEEEEE. My fancy boy. He gave a talk at the Architecture graduate school in 2008. He looked so cute in his new shirt and tie I bought for him today. His suits weren't fitting right. He never wears them so today he is wearing his wedding suit. Which I found a bit hard to swallow. I mean I am not going to pull out my wedding dress from it's sealed box. But it really looks nice on him and it is just a suit.


What are your plans for today? Are you wearing green?
I have no St.Patrick's Day plans. Living where I do it is a bit crazy. I have no tolerance for drunks. NONE. I will be home and in my pjs and hopefully nomming on a shamrock shake and Japanese food.