Good Jeans?

I recently went through a jeans crisis. I decided that I hated all of my jeans and that they didn't fit me and I was sick to death of feeling fat and fighting the "muffin top." All of my jeans were low cut and leg hugging. I started seeing trouser jeans on people and decided to investigate. I went to several department stores and tried on every pair I could get my hands on. Then I went to Anthropologie and The Gap. Here are the results:

These are the Throwback Trouser by Level 99. They fit higher on the waist and have a wide leg with a flair. I am keeping these jeans long so that I can wear them with heels. I can dress casually for work, so these pants work for a meeting or a nice dinner.

These are Faye by Citizen of Humanity. These are my new favorite jeans in the whole world. They sit a little higher on the waist, but barely, and they have a wider leg while still giving your leg a nice shape. I had these shortened so I could wear them with flats and sneakers. I wear flats a lot, so these will also work for meetings or dining out.

And the last pair that I bought was from The Gap. I tried them on and thought I liked them, but I was so put off by the high waist on these that I worried I was buying "Mom Jeans." So I brought my sister back and she agreed that they were flattering and didn't make it seem as if I was giving up on fashion all together. I have not bought jeans from The Gap in a long time and couldn't stop giggling as I handed over my credit card. They were less than $70! They have some very cute stuff on their website, so I might have to go and check it out.
As happy as I am with my jean purchases, there is a problem. I am losing weight! It's a nice problem to have (at least for me), but my new jeans might not fit me for too much longer. I guess then I will sell them on Ebay and head back out shopping.

Anniversary and Such

Our anniversary was quite nice. We spent a few pleasant days in Cambria, with a bit of wine tasting in Paso Robles and a drive up the coast to hike in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. All scheduled around the Red Sox games, of course. Then we were back and I flew off to meet my friends for the weekend.
And now I am going to post some pics from my wedding because it was fantastic!:

First Open House

I decided to drive by one of the houses that I'd seen for sale on the MLS the other day and it turned out that they were having an open house. I wasn't sure if I could go in, or if it was just for realtors, so I parked in front of the house next door and staked out the joint for a while. Eventually I decided it was safe for me to go in.
The house was adorable. It is a California bungalow in the craftsman style, but it had been very lovingly renovated and is in great shape. I loved it. It has beautiful hard wood floors, lots of windows, a great kitchen and an enormous back yard. It even has a hot tub and an outdoor shower - which I couldn't care less about, but to B that is heavenly. It is only two bedrooms, but it has two full bathrooms, which is a bonus. We'd be giving up space, we have much more in our apartment, but we'd have a yard! Would you rather have a dining room or a yard? I do like to entertain, but most of my friends have moved away and we always do holidays at my sister's since she has a nice house already. Plus, with the huge lot, you could add on to the house, or you could build up and add a second story.
I know we won't be buying this house. B is still just entertaining the idea that we can actually afford to buy a house, but it was nice to walk into a house that is in our presumed price range and think, "Wow, this is lovely, I could totally live here."

Doings

Over the weekend we went to see "My Kid Could Paint That." It is about a child who, at three-years-old, started painting and was declared a prodigy by some people and her work started selling for thousands of dollars. Then "60 Minutes" came on the scene and declared it all a hoax. I have to say that I fall into the disbeliever camp, but I don't feel too bad about it because people got over the scandal and the child is still selling art. I would recommend this documentary.
We watched "The Dead Girl" the other night because Netflix sent it to us. I didn't really like it. Some parts were ok, but I just can't stand Brittany Murphy these days (though I loved her in "Girl, Interrupted") and she was in the final part and that just left a bad taste. I saw a photo of her and her husband the other day online and was reminded of all of the crap that he is accused of by ex girlfriends. What kind of crazy is that?
I really wish that we knew a lot less about actors these days. I don't want to know anything about their personal life. I want to enjoy the fantasy. The other day a girlfriend told me some unsavory things about Milo whatever from "Heroes" and I was just depressed. I don't watch "Heroes", but I loved him on "The Gilmore Girls," and I think he is extremely handsome. I want to be able to look at him and not think of him as an abusive boyfriend or creepy 30-year-old dating an 18-year-old.
I enjoyed seeing Rose Byrne from "Damages" in "The Dead Girl." We've been watching "Damages" and I can't decide if I actually like it or not. I find Glen Close's character a little hard to take. I find it hard to look at her face without wondering what exactly has been done to it. Anyway, I am interested in seeing where the story ends up. This week's episode was pretty good.
I managed to go to The Container Store in Pasadena yesterday, even with only 25 cents on me - which gave me 12 minutes to rush to the store from my parking spot and purchase two containers to combat clutter in my bathroom and on my bedside table. The one for the bathroom is really a file folder, but it was the only box tall enough and thin enough to fit on the back of my toilet and hold lotion bottles. Next I am going to buy this and my bathroom redesign will be complete. I know that it is super trendy, but with my anxiety issues it really appeals to me. I want it badly.

Almost Anniversary

Victoria Beach Resort Hoi An

Next Sunday I will have been married to B for one year. Wow, it does not seem as if it has been a year already. That's a good sign, right? It's been a happy year.

I really, really, really wish that we were leaving for our honeymoon again on Monday. Vietnam was incredible. I was picturing myself back at the Victoria Resort outside of Hoi An earlier today, it was a lovely daydream. Our honeymoon was fantastic. We wanted something different, a place that neither of us had been, where we could find adventure and relaxation. Vietnam was perfect and we had the most fabulous trip:

Hanoi

Sapa

Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Phan Thiet

B's anniversary gift from me came today. I hope he likes it. I'll have to try it on later and make sure that it fits. I won't give it to him until we are off on our mini break next week. It's two pieces and it's lovely and it's got my name, so I had to buy it. I got it from Eberjey, which is a great shop for more demure girls like me.

He gave me an advance gift last night, which was a total surprise. He is sending me off on a ladies weekend with some friends. An excellent surprise, but the control freak in me immediately thought, "What?! Did you check my calendar, do I need to reschedule anything?" Turns out all was clear.
We made this Whole Wheat Pasta with Pecorino and Pepper last night and it was so good. I used the Barilla Plus pasta instead of whole wheat, which worked out just fine.