Fate Expectations: We Didn't Start the Pyre

 Desert Diva Necklace

Purple top: Pink Republic, Kohl's

Print top: Marshalls

Skirt: Mudd, Kohl's

Shoes: Guess, DSW

Bag: Luv Betsey, Boscov's

Jelly bracelets: So, Kohl's

Braided bracelet: Amrita Singh, Zulily

Belts: Izod, Marshalls

Barrettes: The Tote Trove

Polly Parrot Necklace

Top: a new day, Target

Skirt: Tinseltown, Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Marshalls

Mint bangle: Decree, JCPenney

Yellow and blue bangles: B Fabulous

Striped bangle: Mixit, JCPenney

Belt: Belt is Cool, Amazon

Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target

Top: JCPenney
Skirt: Tinseltown, Kohl's
Shoes: Ami Clubwear
Bag: B&B
Barrettes: The Tote Trove

 Top to bottom: Mudd, Kohl's; Macy's; Mudd, Kohl's

Top to bottom: Tinseltown, Kohl's; Arizona Jeans, JCPenney; Tinseltown, Kohl's

I was recently listening to Fastball's "Fire Escape" (on CD, of course) when I realized why I like it so much.  It's because it's about smashing expectations.

"Well, I don't wanna be President, Superman or, Clark Kent   

I don't wanna walk around in their shoes

'Cause I don't know whose side I'm on

I don't know my right from wrong

I don't know where I'm going to

I don't know about you."

Of course, it's also about being a bit of an asshole boyfriend.

"I don't wanna make you mad

I don't wanna meet your dad

I don't wanna be your dream come true."

But I'm willing to rationalize that as collateral damage.  Also, I can't help but wonder if "Out of My Head" is this dude's apology.

Anyway, living up to others' expectations can be toxic and has been so since the beginning of time.  Look at Pip -- we all know what happened to him.  Dealing with others' demands is certainly something that I've struggled with, which is why this nineties (1990s?  I never know which one to go with) tune resonates so strongly with me.  It makes me think of speeding, carefree, through the desert (Fastball hails from Texas), cavalierly throwing caution -- both figuratively and literally -- to the wind.  Of saying no thanks to convention, no matter the consequences.  Maybe that's why I lassoed the Desert Diva Necklace into this post.  

On a related note, (some of) this week's outfits have an, ahem, ember of the girlier side of nineties style (butterflies and neon and leopard, oh my).  And embers make me think of Ethan Embry and nineties classics Empire Records and Vegas Vacation.  Ethan seems like the kind of guy who would want to meet your dad and, yes, make a good boyfriend (Gwar obsession notwithstanding).  

Fire Escape man . . . is not Ethan Embry.  But he seems to be doing his best. 

"I'll be the rain falling on your fire escape

And I may not be the man you want me to

I can be myself, how 'bout you?"

He'll be the rain.  Falling on her fire escape.  Maybe he's the rain on a bright, sunny day, spoiling her alfresco breakfast.  Or maybe he's the rain putting out a George Foreman grill fire.  But either way, he's genuine.    

Which is to say, not such a bad beau after all.  

May Flower Power

Fabulous Felt Tulips Barrette

Top: Marshalls
Skirt: Amazon
Shoes: Penny Loves Kenny, DSW
Bag: Bisou Bisou, J. C. Penney's
Belt: Belt is Cool, Amazon

Groovy Girl Charm Bracelet

Top: One Clothing, Marshalls

Skirt: Celebrity Pink, Marshalls

Boots: 2 Lips Too, DSW

Bag: Arizona Jeans, J. C. Penney's

Belt: Sheplers

You know what they say about April showers -- they bring May flowers.  And May flowers remind me of the Mayflower, which isn't nearly as whimsical, unless you're into big belt buckles -- or butts -- and diphtheria.  None of which, luckily, were at the Borgata, where I snapped these gorgeous glass flowers.  Scratch that.  I probably did see some big butts there, buffets -- and their groupies -- being in abundance at any casino.  But you can trust me about the diphtheria. 

Anyhoo, I've always loved casinos.  Not for the gambling or even the grub, but for the so-bad-it's-good decor.  Not like in the movie Casino, mind you, or any other such drab, shoot 'em up narrative.  More like in Vegas Vacation, with cartoonish lights and head-to-toe rhinestones and everyone driving home in a new car.  And the aforesaid bold blooms are bursting with that aesthetic.  Far more exotic than anything that ever grew on Plymouth Rock, they whisper of far-flung escapes and enchanting encounters.  Which is maybe, now that I think of it, why they're in the Borgata lobby in the first place.  They're supposed to say, hey, fresh-off-the-bus-sequin-track-suit lady.  Give us your grocery money and never ride the Greyhound next to Gassy Gert again!  Hit the jackpot and jet to Aruba!  Beat blackjack and book Bora Bora!  And if by some slim chance you don't sashay away with a bucket of tokens?  No worries.  A tropical getaway is still within your reach -- in the form of comped coconut shrimp.  Which will come in mighty handy now that you've gambled away your groceries.

So . . . maybe forget the glass garden.  And hang with the tulips and daisies.  'Cause Grandma would want it that way.

Unless, of course, she's pawning her pearls and making a beeline for the baccarat table.

Make and Tell Challenge, Day 117: Another Gift Tote, Bold Bracelets, and a Few Flicks

Today I finally got around to beginning the bf's sister's tote. She's a nurse, and the bf thought it would be good to run with that. Next I finished decoupaging yesterday's bangle, then started another. I went over the first bangle with an overall coat of Mod Podge (that's in addition to the layer I applied to each candy wrapper) but still think the whole thing can stand another type of sealer. Maybe Elmer's glue. While working I watched bits of National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation and The Ex. Vegas is always a little unsettling -- yet still strangely entertaining. As for The Ex, I wish I could have seen it in its entirety, because it seemed interesting. Jason Bateman always plays such a weirdo. Speaking of which, the bf and I went to see Up in the Air tonight. I was a little disappointed. Not because it was bad, exactly, but maybe because there was so much hype. It wasn't the absence of plot that bothered me -- I like indie flicks and novels that center on character -- there just seemed to be something missing. There was a character that reminded me of myself, though. It was George Clooney's character's trainee, this young, uptight, overachieving girl who seems cold but is really this emotional mess of a person always trying to get everything right. I hated that she reminded me of me, but on the way out the bf mentioned it before I did, so it must be true. So much for my illusions of being a free-wheeling artist.