Laundry

Biggest sign that it is time for me to buckle down and do some laundry?

I wore a sports bra to work today.  And I wore it under a shirt that definitely would have made it into the "donation" pile had I also gotten to the chore of cleaning out my closet this weekend.

Sharing a dirty little fashion secret

I am *almost* embarassed to fess up to this one.  But it really is too good not to share.

Like many women out there, I have a HORRIBLE time finding good jeans.  Mainly this is because I am not built like a leggy Victoria's Secret Model.  While not a total label whore, I do think that you really get what you pay for when it comes to denim, so I am not opposed to designer denim at all.  I've usually found that Joe's Jean Provocateur fit suits my freakishly-short diminutive stature quite well.  I usually don't end up paying full price for these, opting to pick them up when I see them at Nordstrom Rack or a sale on Hautelook or RueLaLa.  We even have a Joe's outlet not too far away in VA.

But I needed some new jeans for the recent San Fran vacation (that I promise I will write about soon!!) and was short on time.  So on a whim....I picked up a couple pairs of jeans from...

American-freaking-Eagle.  I made my purchase online because I don't even think anyone over the age of 15 is allowed to set foot in the store. They arrived at the apartment (in fairly non-descript packaging, thank god) and I gave a "here goes nothing" sigh and tried them on.

And....you guys....it was like some denim fairy godmother had dropped them off especially for me.  Great length (important since I am so short), not too low of a rise (important since no one over the age of 25 should wear low rise), solid dark wash that didn't look too chintzy.

But the best part????  The stretch.  The sweet, beautiful, I-could-downward-facing-dog-in-these-and-then-take-a-nap-in-them comfort of these jeans is UNbelievable.  Actually, it's kind of what I imagine Pajama Jeans must feel like without having to be a total loser and buy Pajama Jeans from the As Seen on TV Store and give them a try myself.

As with all dark washes, I washed before wearing, turning them inside out and washing in cold water with Woolite for Darks.  Placed on drying rack to air dry and then finished up with a couple spritzes of  Downey wrinkle release and tumbled on low heat for a few minutes just to soften them up.  (And yes....I realize I am quite particular about how I wash jeans.)

The other great part is how freaking cheap these jeans are -- rarely more than $40 a pair and they are always offering BOGO offers and other coupon codes.

So seriously friends, do yourself a favor and get some American Eagle SUPER STRETCH denim.  They have skinnies, bootcut, boyfriend....you name it.  Just as long as it says "super stretch" in the name, you are on the right track.  Just trust me on this one....you can come back and thank me later. 

So close...I can almost taste it...

By this time tomorrow, I will be on a plane.  I am leaving all my stresses and worries of late back here in DC.  Well, I am going to at least TRY to, anyway. 

Earlier this year, I realized MVP and I had never taken a true vacation together.  Yes, we've travelled together -- road trips, holidays, family get togethers.  And we did take a trip to Florida last summer, but it was a group vacation with lots of MVP's family. 

I gave it some thought and set my sights on a particular trip.  I asked MVP to check his schedule and see if he would be able to take vacation on that particular week.  He gave me the all clear and I booked the tickets.

And didn't tell him where we were going.  He HATES surprises.  And me?  I LOVE them.  I think after the 2011 Christmas Day of Adventure he trusts me a little more...but still a little anxious. 

There was no way I would be allowed to wait to tell him the destination.  But I still wanted some sort of surprise.  Stopped at the store on the way home to get a card to put the info in, and then had an even better idea. 

And of course Blogger keeps flipping the photo.....

I just emptied the box, put the tickets in and taped it back up.  Bonus that it was on sale for $0.99 so was also much cheaper than a greeting card.

Tomorrow MVP and I will be off to San Francisco for a week.  Have been quite a few times and is still one of my fave cities to visit.  We have a few things planned out and a few days that are a little more open/laid back -- we figured over scheduling a "vacation" was def not going to alleviate all of my stress. 

This pullover will also be coming with -- the Phillies are in San Fran next week.  Yes, they will probably lose, but I will enjoy getting to see them in such a nice ballpark. 

So for now, its deep breaths to try and get me through the home stretch today and then I am outta here!

And miles to go before I sleep....

Anyone know that feeling?  When the woods are so lovely, dark and deep.....but you have promises to keep and miles to go before you sleep.

I feel like that's the new normal in my life.

Sleep is something I have been craving.  Can feel how much I need it deep in my bones.  But it never seems to come and stay for very long.  This past weekend, up before 7 both days, even though there were late late nights.  This morning I was up at 4:30.  And it's nearing 11pm now....and all I want to do is shut my eyes and sleep.  I feel that -- almost truly wish that -- I could sleep for days.  Maybe sleepcation is the new staycation?

My mind is too full.  I feel like the little hamster is running a marathon on that wheel, and I just cant turn my brain off.  I had a moment yesterday where I just wanted to throw my hands up in the air and cry out for help.  From who, I don't really know.  But I had this overwhelming feeling of being...small. Incapable of doing everything that needed to be done.

Sometimes I will just use my extra awake time to watch Netflix.  Sometimes, like this morning, I will just get up and make the best use of time that I can.  Who doesn't love getting loads of laundry and dishes done and put away before even getting in the shower, right?

I want to just turn my mind off.  I wish there was a switch.  I'd love to have my own Freaky Friday and just switch places with someone, completely and totally.  Because as much as I need a vacation from my miserable job and a break from uppity, craptastic DC....I really feel like I want a vacation from me.  From worrying.  From feeling so much stress.  From trying so hard to do too much.  From trying to be everything I can to everyone.  From caring what anyone thinks.

All of it.

That's where I want to put my head down at night.  A place that is free from all that junk.  Where I can rest both my body and my mind.  Where sleep feels good because I am not already afraid of what might be around the corner tomorrow.  Where I savor my rest because it was earned by a day of living, and loving and laughing.

Must. Find. That. Place.