By the way, I don't see this code advertised anywhere, but it still works - trust me!

Thanks Lissy, that is so sweet of you to think of me! I truly appreciate it!

Unfortunately, I went to the mall today with my BFF and came back with both the grey plaid Zara jacket I have been eying for a while and Express black pencil skirt with a ruffle, (b-day shopping), so I'm done with shopping for quite a while. If I hadn't done that I would have snapped the top. Well, if it was meant to be, my size will still be around by the time it goes on sale.

Did you find the Zara jacket in your size, Tanya?

Hi Ana, I found it in S. I thought that I might need XS but they did not have it, and S was fitting pretty well. I'll try to post a photo tomorrow, it is too dark to take one now. I'm soo excited about it :)

Yay! :D

Double yay ! That ruffle skirt from Express is AMAZING. It looks like it came from Barneys. You shall look radiant in it, Tanya.

Sort of pictured you in it too, Ana. Antje has the same skirt and she looks fabulous. I bought it too but returned it . I was going to wear it to Greg’s 40th but Antje preferred a skirt I already had, so I’m going to go with that one instead. There was no need to have two similar skirts! I’m going with a black, high-waisted brocade pencil with front inverted pleat detail instead. It's the best skirt I own and a favourite of Gregs, so I guess my decision was easy :-)

I'm glad you found other things you liked!

Oh that's right, Greg's birthday is coming up. Happy Birthday Greg! :D

I've seen the Express skirt in person and I really like it. I'm not sure where I would wear it though. I guess out to the movies? (That's a "big" date for Brendan and I). I was thinking about keeping an eye on it to see if it goes on sale (same with the tuxedo jacket I returned). Since both those items I would only wear *sometimes* I was hoping to get them on sale. Ooh, but I did find a cheetah print pencil skirt at Nordie's that I really like, and I think it would look cute with my new denim jacket. :D

Thanks for the compliment Angie! It seems like we shall be wearing our respective skirts on the same day, since I plan to wear mine for my b-day dinner :) I just have to figure out which top to wear tucked in. I almost bought this one from Express ( in purple) but decided to give it a bit more thought and go with something I already own. although I don't know what yet.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=13

Ana, the skirt would look great with your newly altered denim jacket and Swann flats. Good strategy to wait for the sale seeing as it's a date look. Is the Cheetah pencil by Michael Kors? It’s SO sweet. (Tanya and Greg share the same birthday and you’re 6 days later I think? Lots of YLF libras!)

Tanya, the cowl is very pretty. I’m sure you’ll be able to shop in your closet, though. It will be warm where you are, right? It’ll be warm where I’m going too. Keep me posted on your outfit! If you like I can tell you what I'll be wearing – it just got the "big OK" from my sweetie.

What are you guys doing for Greg's birthday? I definitely want to know what you two will be wearing! :D My birthday is on the 18th, only 13 more days! (I keep reminding Brendan every day, hee hee).

The skirt is by Michael Kors! I found it online, so I haven't seen it in person--good to know it's a good quality skirt. I'm altering my jacket and buying the cheetah skirt with my next allowance. I'm so excited! I think I might cut my hair for my birthday, too.

Angie - I am interested in what you'll wear! Happy birthday to Greg and Tanya and Ana.
(We went out for my DH's birthday on the weekend while Mum was down. You wouldn't have approved Angie. Wore that assymetrical top I posted recently with a stretchy ankle length with slits black skirt. The skirt is a favourite of DH)

Thank Angie! It always helps to be inspired by our amazing outfits ;)

Yep, it will be warm in NM. I will be definitely wearing my high heels -black suede peep-toe pumps. For the top, I am thinking of something silky, sleeveless, tucked into the skirt and without ruffles ( hence the Express top I was considering). I have inky blue sleeveless silk halter top with tie-neck which would work but I am sort of trying to avoid it since I did wear it for a couple of similar occasions in the past. Although my Bf does have horrible memory so it may not matter :) So, what kind of top will you be wearing with your fab skirt?

Ana, I'd also like to know what you will be wearing :) And I am cutting my hair too, although just a trim, nothing dramatic!

Thanks Anne, it's not my b-day yet ( there's one week left) but I appreciate the thought very much!

Tanya and Antje -- I am so jealous you got that Express skirt! I've eyed it several times but unfortunately I'm too short and don't think it'll be easy to hem... I can't wait to see pics of it!

Happy belated birthday to Anne’s DH! Glad you threw him a bone by wearing that skirt. When is your birthday, Anne?

Ana, we’re going back to Hong Kong with friends to catch up with old friends. Loads of 40th birthday bashing lies ahead. We’ll be away for just over a week. As always, we’re awfully excited. The most stylish city in the world awaits us! Tanya is going to NW to be with her sweetie. What are you planning for your birthday, Ana? Other than reminding Brendan :-)

(FWIW, I encourage drastic haircut changes. Often it’s the only way you’ll l know if something shorter looks better. And hair always grows back so have fun with your haircuts. Be daring if you can stand it.)

The MK cheetah skirt is gorgeous – seen it and had it on bodies. You shall not be disappointed.

Love the sound of your silky halter top and peep toe pumps, Tanya. What does BF like you in best?

My outfit:

o Black brocade, high-waisted pencil skirt ( just below the knee)
o AF white cotton organza button down shirt – tucked in, popped collar, turned back cuffs (top is at Greg’s request)
o Chanel black patent rose chain belt
o Fine black fishnets
o Red patent Kate Spade pumps
o One of my chunky pearl necklaces, black and white specs, and white watch
o Snake skin clutch
o And a huge grin

Angie - sounds great! Have a great trip to HK. My BD is 9 apr

Your outfit sounds amazing, Angie! I didn't know you were going to HK. Have a fun and safe trip! :D

I'm not sure yet what we're doing for my birthday.....probably just going out to dinner and then coming home and watching all the Tivo we've stored up over the week, hee hee. I'm not sure what I'll be wearing yet. Maybe my cheetah print skirt! I sent Brendan an assortment of things I wanted, so he can "surprise" me without having to worry that I might not like/wear what he picked out. We're keeping it low key this year, so I sent him a bunch of cocktail rings I like. I'll definitely post a photo when I get it figured out.

I think I might cut my hair like Anne Hathaway has hers:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....ors-Ap.jpg

I can't go *too* short. I've had my hair like Angie's before, and while it was blissfully freeing, it's not a really good look for me.

Wow, your outfit sounds incredible Angie! Super-fab! Quite an inspiration.

Anna, I think that haircut would look lovely on you, it would highlight your beautiful eyes.

My Bf and I will be going to a dinner to some pretty nice restaurant I am not familiar with. As for what he likes me in, well, hmm, it's in fairly revealing and form fitting stuff. I feel like putting some special effort into this outfit, so I'd actually like to wear a top that he would really like. But I do not own anything really low cut. I tried on my inky top, and looks nice, but fairly demure, not what I had in my mind.

So, this might be a very strange question, but can anyone recommend where to look for such a top? I do no want something completely tasteless though. It should be a real store, since I am leaving on Thursday morning so I won't have time to order things online. I've checked out Bebe and Arden B online, but found no good candidates. The ideal colors would be blue, purple, or cool red.

Thank you so much!

Thank you ladies *smiling*

Sounds like perfect birthday celebrations to me Tanya and Ana! I hope you both get spoilt rotten as is richly deserved. Such lovely lasses as yourselves should be treated like princesses.

Ana, that’s a great idea for a cut. Drastic enough for sure. I’m bleaching my hair on Tuesday – just for kicks.

Try BCBG, Tanya.

Thanks Angie! I'll try to swing by BCBG if I have time. I wouldn't mind looking for a top in a a sightly more affordable place though. Too bad holiday collections aren't out yet!

Thanks, Angie. Are you bleaching it white white blonde? Because isn't it already really blonde, or had you bleached it previously? Hopefully we'll get to see pictures before it grows out. :)

I was talking to Brendan, and showed him the Anne Hathaway cut, and he hated it as a style for me. :( He's always begged me to grow my hair long, so that's why it's long now (he doesn't really ask for much). It's getting to the point where I can't stand it though. I just pull it back all the time and it looks terrible, I feel completely unpolished. It frizzes in the heat, and goes flat in the winter. So I asked him why he liked it long and he said he liked when I pulled it back, he could see my neck and my ears. He said if I wanted to cut it short, that he would prefer it really short, like a pixie cut. I was shocked, I thought he wanted it at least a little longish. So, I think I might go even shorter than Anne Hathaway's cut. I'm thinking maybe like this:

http://gwynethpaltrowfan.com/g.....oors01.jpg

this,

http://www.hairfinder.com/hair.....ffure1.jpg

Or even this (although, it really scares me--but in kind of an excited way):

http://z.about.com/d/beauty/1/.....lliams.JPG

http://www.hairfinder.com/hair.....5/mat1.jpg

Brendan is actually kind of excited for me to cut my hair now (but still sad to see the length go). I've had my hair cut like Michelle Williams before when I was 19, and my boyfriend at the time said I looked like a boy. :( But I didn't wear any makeup or very feminine clothing back then either (just jeans and a t-shirt). I don't want to end up looking like a tomato though, with green leafy bits still attached to the top, he heh. :D

Ana, I've also been considering those short pixie cuts. And like you, I also had a very short cut at 19 (until I grew it out at 21). I didn't style it very well and it looked too masculine. I have more confidence now and I wouldn't mind to give it a try again. One of the things holding me back is that it's a pain to grow it out.

I currently have my hair slightly longer than that Anne Hathaway cut. I like it because I can pull it back and wear it up. And considering how much I wear it up, I could as well have a very short cut. Hmm. Something to think about. If I were to cut it, I would also get highlights again. And for now, I kind of like seeing my natural hair color (dark blonde).

Lena, my hair is dark blonde as well, and I get highlights. But winter is coming up, so a darker look is sort of in style right now.

I think I would probably still get highlights, since I like the lighter look. I would go all out and just dye it blonde, but I hate the way a ridge of dark roots looks and I don't want to make a trip to my stylist every 4 weeks to get it re-dyed (time consuming and expensive). I sort of feel the same way as you--I always pull it back anyway, so I might as well cut it short. Also, the thought of not having to spend 40 minutes blow drying my hair to make it look good is AWFULLY appealing.

Ana, men are so similar. Why do you think Greg loves my pixie cut - neck and ears! He requested it SUPER short the way it is now (like Michelle Williams). But I’ve had many, many, many short hair styles and I look best with short hair. I’m at my most confident with short hair too. And it’s SOOOOO easy. Got to love Brendan for speaking his mind! Tell him I approve wholeheartedly.

Hands down I like the last short style best for you. It will really frame your pretty moon face. Do that style first and then if you feel brave enough, go shorter later. Also, our faces become more defined as we get older, so having short hair 10 years ago and having short hair now is different.

The up keep of shorter, tinted hair is more expensive. You have to keep the tint though, Ana. Short hair MUST have texture and tint does just that. But you can tint every 10-12 weeks (every second cut). That’s what I do. I have my hair cut every 5-6 weeks. My hair takes 5 minutes to style and it’s good for the day and night. I simply love having super short hair. But I know it’s not for everyone. I’m fortunate that I can pull off a pixie cut.

I’ve never had my hair bleached, but I feel like being daring. I’m naturally quite light so my roots will grow out nicely. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Hair will grow back!

Ana, for what it's worth, I really like the way you look when your hair is put up - both from the front and the side.

:)

Thanks for the advice Angie! Right now I get my highlights updated every other cut too, and am on the same schedule for cuts as you are, so it's nice to know that wouldn't have to change, as my stylist is a 45 minute drive away. Plus, I guess it would cost the same (you're right, it is expensive, but that's my big thing I do since I do my own nails and don't go to spas and such). I would definitely keep up with the highlights. Yeah! I'm so excited now! I remember how nice and easy very short hair was (I have missed those days).

Brendan likes the Michelle Williams cut the best, he said he wouldn't mind the last one either, since it is essentially a slightly longer version of the same haircut. I'm calling and making an appointment tomorrow. Hopefully I can get it done before my birthday! (I'm doing my happy dance).

I also love your hair long, Ana. Don't get me wrong!

Thanks, Lena! Hopefully that will translate well into a short cut. :D Maybe I can be your guinea pig and if turns out well, you can give it a shot, too.

I told Brendan that when all the stars align, the weather is perfect, the clouds part and a beam of sunlight shines down while angels are singing, and my hair actually behaves and I do think it looks nice long, lol. But in reality, it just doesn't happen that often, especially in the climate we live in. So I'll probably miss those few moments, but I'm really, REALLY looking forward to a lower maintenance style, now. :D (I'm doing my happy dance again).

Edit: I didn't think that at all, Angie!

Ana, I think you are going to look amazing with the short cut ! And you are really brave to do it too!