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Not entirely sure why I titled this post the way I did, but I enjoyed the way it rolled off the tongue, so let’s roll with it. ULTIMATE DISCLOSURE: This outfit was worn exactly one week ago, and just looking at it is making me long like mad for warmer weather. Of course more rain is headed our way, the loathsome weatherman says.

What gives, San Francisco? Why are you trying so hard to push me away? Is it because I love another place? Is it because I keep leaving you this year? Get over it. You’re being needy, clingy. It taxes me.

I love this simple cotton dress, purchased for a dollar or something like that at a thrift store weeks ago, and I love how pairing it with the cropped denim jacket makes it all look kind of soft and washed out. Practicality necessitated this recycled suede belt from H&M, which seemed all loved and worn when I bought it new recently, as well as my VERY well worn cowgirl boots. Throw in the oversized Lucite nugget necklace for a dash of fancy and that, my friends, is that. Just slap on some spurs and take me to the rodeo, already!

Remember how I promised make-up experiments and tell-alls? We’re going to discuss mascara and explore a few comparisons. GET READY, OK!? Here’s a teaser:

Confession: Well, my new sewing machine arrived this week, so I’ve stocked up on supplies and sewing books from the library. I started practicing on a bag of ratty t-shirts from the donation piles, but bored rather easily and grabbed several yards of fabric, dug up the vintage dress pattern I’ve been hoarding for years and promptly froze up, overwhelmed (perhaps I bid on several lots of vintage dress patterns, who can say?).

I’ve got a busy, busy weekend – we have an appointment to go see a flat in an hour! – but in between the roller derby, dancing my ass off at Club Gossip’s Adam Ant vs. The Pirates party tomorrow night, very luxe femme time at the The Claremont spa with my very best friend and fantastical Mother’s Day shenanigans, I do hope to knock out at least one dress, and butcher a few of M’s t-shirts into awesomely wearable tops for myself. If I manage it, I’ll document and post the results early next week! SUPER EXCITING! YAY!

When: Tuesday, Dec. 30th, 2008.

What: Over-the-knee black Italian leather boots from Lamica, by way of the wonderful Lori’s Designer Shoes in Chicago, IL. Most amazing romper with gold sequins and bronze leather earring by Brooklyn’s Idyllic4U Couture. Sequin headband and misc. bracelets from Glow on Lakeshore Ave. in Oakland, CA.

Scents: Pillow Of Flowers by Parfums d’Armando Martinez, an aldehyde, goes on smelling like fancy milled soap and bushels of lilac. It’s kind of exactly how you want your freshly made bed to smell right before you climb into it, squeaky clean, only to sully it right away with some raucous sexing. I want to dirty it up immediately. It stays consistent through the dry down, but the bouquet of white florals – tuberose, jasmine – gradually unfurls. It’s very lovely.

Annayake Pour Elle starts seductively, coquettish. It reminds me instantly of the tomboy chasing me around the pub table. Then, rather suddenly, it darkens and stays there, clinging all sullen and sharp to my wrist. The description is as follows: “The vivid, fresh notes reveal the peaceful plant world of Japan. They blend with soothing, comforting notes of tea and precious woods. For a fulfilled woman in perfect harmony with herself.” It barely softens over time.

Confession: This is the foundation of my This is what I’d wear if I had NYE plans outfit, i.e. How tragic is it to not be in the Brooklyn lezzie basement tomorrow night!? These are also my super brand new reasonable flat boots, which the tomboy helped me to find last week. They are pretty amazing: comfortable, they smell so good, they fit me perfectly and the wonderful folks at Lori’s gave me a whopping 25% off the asking price! I ? ? ? ? ? ? ?   them lots and look forward to wearing them with actual, you know, pants.

Someone should make bookends shaped like sexy gams. I’d buy ‘em.

When: Tuesday, August 19th, 2008.

What: Chiffon racerback floral tank from GO Int’l. Gray trousers from Glow on Lakeshore Ave. Pink snakeskin sandals by MaxStudio. All jewelry has been scooped up from this or that East Bay boutique!

Confession: I’ve only worked where I do for over a year. What can I say? I get bored rather easily at a rate of speed possibly faster than even Maxwell’s equations can manage. There is a lovely gem of nature just a stone’s throw from my workplace that I have not explored prior to this evening.

It makes the lush backdrop for today’s post, and I trust it will provide me with a fiery autumnal palette in coming months. (A reason, I suppose, to stay exactly where I am for at least a little while longer!) I hope you like the change of scenery!

First things first. Despite my best efforts NOT to procrastinate, things were all chaotic and rushed as the last hours before my flight whizzed by. I apologize for so rudely leaving the US proper and heading off to my lovely tropical paradise resort vacation in San Juan, Puerto Rico without first saying goodbye. The whole glorious trip was spent sans cell or laptop or other electronic device!

Alas, I missed it here at Fit For A Femme, and though this post is just a sadistic little teaser of all the Puerto Rican fabulousness to come, I hope it’ll do for now!

When: Wednesday, August 6th, 2008.

What: Black cotton H&M dress with pockets, brown leather and suede peep-toe oxfords by Elie Tahari, assorted bangles from boutiques in Old San Juan, thrift stores and Glow on Lakeshore, beaded glass necklace in lovely blacks, coppers and browns from Spoiled! on Broadway. M’s bao straw hat with grosgrain trim from Old San Juan by Scala. Sunny glow courtesy of the gorgeous Caribbean sunshine.

Confession: Do stay tuned. We took nearly 600 photos! I had a bare minimum of three wardrobe changes per day. There’s enough material to keep us all busy here for the entire month! I warn you now that it was a supertropicalhumidhotrainymess out there the entire time (in the most delicious way) and you’ll have to forgive my sweaty face, but some of my get-ups were too good not to share…

When: Thursday, July 24th, 2008.

What: Saucy little vintage hat with roses, bow and veil in copper satin and tulle. Silver ‘Hearts On Fire’ earrings from Kiss My Ring, solid onyx pendant with magnet closure from Glow. Embroidered cotton tunic with mirrors and wooden beading by Romeo & Juliet Couture, trousers by Elie Tahari. Bronze and dark green peep-toe heels from Carlos by Carlos Santana, by way of Macy’s.

Confession: Before we go any further, let me say that Besame’s Enchanting Lipstick in Chocolate Kiss is a perfect shade. In fact, all of their lipsticks are incredible. I highly recommend them. Yes, they’re tiny and yes, the packaging is fussy and delicate, but you’ll get many miles out of these small wonders, especially if you use a nifty little lip brush.

I managed to snag a lovely lip brush from Fresh for 75% off the original price of nearly $30 yesterday! Also, damn you, Fresh, because you make me want your Firebird mascara and I am already in love with your Sugar Lip Glosses!

Now, I didn’t really wear this hat to work, because the busybodies would have had conniption fits all up and down the hallways, but isn’t it gorgeous? Oh, and that’s a glass of Freixenet with a splash of Odwalla’s Pomagrand, by the by. Refreshing and healthy!

NEWS FLASH: ZOMG, are y’all ready for the weekend? Tomorrow night I’ll have a fancy DJ outfit on, and the night after that a pretty brunch ensemble AND another night-on-the-town get-up, because baby is going d-a-n-c-i-n-g!

When: Sunday, July 13th, 2008.

What: Elie Tahari ruffled yellow sundress with vintage belt from Down At Lulu’s. Carlos peep-toe pumps. Buttery leather clutch with green silk interior handmade by the lovely Jenna, beaded necklace also handmade by an old ya-ya friend and Oscar de la Renta sunglasses. Wanna see the necklace up close?

Confession: In these photos my hair is soaking wet and without product, the bangs twisted back into clips and the bulk twisted into a messy bun. Hangover hair. See, yesterday I spent the afternoon outdoor drinking with some friends new and old, which became indoor drinking at the Lexington, which became drinking-dancing at Cockblock until they booted us out at 2am. Much fun was had by all, but Franziskaner pitchers + Margarita pitchers + Ketel One cosmos + adorable pink cans of Sofia Coppola champs = Dirty dancing, and other things.

I don’t have a picture of that outfit, which consisted of skinny blue jeans from Zara tucked into cowboy boots and a completely backless top from Glow on Lakeshore Ave., but here is the prettiest part of the top (and my new plant, because she is so clearly high fashion):