Loo-hoo-hoo-serrrrr.

I'm about halfway through my Fine in '09 Campaign, weight-wise. Sadly enough, we're about halfway through '09, as well. I didn't intend for this to be a year long effort, title notwithstanding. I act like I've had to power through thousands of pounds of weight loss. Really, the entire effort totals about 20 pounds and I'm just a big baby. But, the last ten pounds have been crazy hard - I was losing like a half a pound a week! Those of us that are awesome at math recognize that when a train leaves the East station at that rate, it will be a good 643 years before it loses its big fat ass. Since I'm only able to run about twice a week - only on Saturdays and Sundays and only when the temperature is below 90 and therefore, only in January and November - I picked up a workout video to fill in the rest of the week. Actually, I picked up a workout video earlier this year too - something about Latin Dancing and cardio - and I've done it once. And when I say done it I mean watched it. From the couch. But, this new one is pretty good! It's from that Biggest Loser show and it's called Boot Camp. At first, watching the Biggest Loser peeps misstepping and getting confused all over the place is hilarious. But, since you're doing the same thing, after a while it's just kind of comforting. It really seems to be a pretty good allover workout. The very best thing about the video, though, HANDS DOWN is the ability to customize it. From the menu, you can pick which workouts you want to do - there's a warm up, 3 different main sessions and a cool down - and it plays whatever you choose in succession. The music sucks, but I just mute it and fire up the iPod and my workout playlist. I've been doing this 5 - 6 times a week and YOU GUYS, I've lost 2 or more pounds a week for the last three weeks. Of course, I keep moving the goal posts. So, about 7 pounds later, I still have 10 pounds to go. LOL. Oh well. Now, I'll admit that I've also been on a fairly drastic diet during this time period. But, 2 pounds a week you guys!!!

Please ring twice, Mr. Postman.

I just bought these. They haven't even shown up in the mail yet and I already love them more than is healthy or rational.

They said there was only one pair left, then I bought them and they said they're unavailable. I guess there really was only one pair left. I didn't even really believe them and it still swayed my decision. Lol. Orange? One pair left? In my size? SOLD.

Some stuff I hate and other stuff that I love.

I believe I have previously mentioned the extremely stupid clause embedded in my Fine in '09 Campaign. The one where I decided not to buy any new clothes until I hit my goal weight...? Stupid. I amended the clause a few weeks back and now get to buy one new thing for every pound I lose in a given week - no rounding up, no carry overs. This week I get to buy two things. Yay! So, I hit the mall. I knew it was a bad idea before I did it. But, that never stops me. I fugging hate the mall in this godforsaken town. HATE. IT. The first problem is that it is geared toward a hip hop crowd - ManAlive and Journey's and Basix galore. Two Journey's in fact. I don't really do Apple Bottoms and Baby Phat and the like, so that leaves me the other half of the mall. Toss Penneys and Sears and we're down to a third of the mall. Even the Macy's sucks. The Macy's! I ♥ Macy's. But, this Macy's sucks. I walked in and got smacked across the face with 8 - NO JOKE. 8. - giant Ed Hardy displays for the new Christian Audigier perfume. Ed Hardy. Macy's. WTF. So, now I've got the last little quarter of the mall. They ripped out my Gap. Just ripped it out and stuffed a cheap azz hooker rag shop in it's place. Like the other 647 cheap azz hooker rag shops in the mall weren't enough. You guys, there is nothing left for me. I even broke down and walked in to a Forever 21 today. I can speak of this no longer lest I spiral into a deep fashion depression. I thank you for enduring this horrific tale of woe - the spiritual cleanse does me good. Oh! Wait! Not all was doom and gloom. I did find a lovely Michael Kors dolman sleeve blouse after I finally fled the mall. Yay for that! Ok, let's look at some things that I love. From Donna Karan's Fall RTW show, I adore this dress. Just love it from all angles and want it. Source: Style.com

Source: Donnakaran.com

And, I adore shoes with beautiful detail in the heel. One of my favorite shoes of all time is this Spuntate Raso Peep Toe from Prada's Spring 08 Resort Collection. They were impossibly hard to get a hold of when out and I've long since given up hope, thereby saving me a cool $600. Luck!

Source: Neimanmarcus.com

While I can't say that I love, love, love these shoes from Bally's Fall collection, I do have a passionate appreciation for the gold filagree detail.

I love the carpet bag looking fabric on these mary janes, too. Just don't like the platform. Without it, I would heatedly heart these.

Source for all: Bally.com

Tell me this isn't the most beautiful dress you've ever seen.

From Style.com, Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Fall 2009, Paris Fashion Week.

Unfortunately, I don't believe it could drive me to work in the morning, though it likely costs more than my car.

Things I see that I love.

I don't even like ankle boots, but something about this pair is far enough removed to make me ♥. I can't say that I usually care for Fendi's handbag collections - far too much focus on F-E-N-D-I all over the place. I prefer not to volunteer as a walking billboard. This is not to say that were they to deemphasize the logolove, I would have the means to run out and stock my closet with their Fall line. But, I have standards even in my own imagination. I do love this clutch. (Don't love the picture or the angle, but it's the best I could find. I really love the oversized gem detail, which is repeated on this clutch from the same collection.

I wish I could say that I'm not usually a dress person, just to continue the theme but I so am. I love strappy summery sundresses and this embroidered cotton Zadig & Voltaire is right in my sweet spot. The strappy ties in the back are just adorable.

I love this site.

Artists post illustrations of tweets. Make that sketches of tweets. Twetches.

I for one cannot name one other song about rainbows (besides Rainbow In The Dark by Ronnie James Dio). @popeofnashville.

That line always makes me try to think of other rainbow songs! Unsuccessfully.

Remember we are all water in the same ocean. @yokoono