Bermeja Tunic Dress

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You would think a girl whose favorite novel being entitled, “Name of the Wind”, would be more interested in names than I am. Blame it on having the most popular name of my generation. A common name. And you will start to see the reasoning behind my conditioning. A name might be what is given to you, but the words you have earned by which your name is described to others, are your own.

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Lately, I have become more intrigued by the names of things. I think it also has to do with naming blog title posts each and every day. Do I give the post a funny name? A punny name? One that makes me smile? Or do I stick to what the search engines want and keep it boring and simple? I try to do both.

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This dress has the name Bermeja Tunic Dress. I decided to look the word “Bermeja” up. Imagine my surprise in discovering that the name of this dress is controversial. Historical. Quite interesting.

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Bermeja is a tiny island in the Gulf of Mexico. Or was a tiny island in the Gulf of Mexico. Or might or might not have been a tiny island in the Gulf of Mexico. Nobody knows. Because either it disappeared or it simply never existed.

There are many theories about the island. I found my information on Lonely Planet. You can click there if you wish to learn more.

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The reason this is even more interesting to me is because on the day these pictures were taken, I wore my Holy Holey Girdle. Yes, you read that right. I will have to do a post on it sometime.

Well, this dress ended up being shorter than expected and we ended up having to edit Holy Holey Girdle out of two pictures. This led me to feel many mixed emotions. I have never edited a picture before by erasing a flaw in it. I want to be true to myself. But I also don’t want Holy Holey Girdle to get all of the attention.

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It is kind of addicting. This fixing of one’s flaws. I am not going to say this will be the last time I do that. In fact, I will say, that will definitely not be the last time I do that. But in an effort to be real, I will share an unedited picture on tomorrow’s Keepin’ It Real” post, complete with a glimpse of Holy Holey Girdle.

‘Cause if it is about names. The truth in names. Then I want my name to be a real island. Of truth. Even if the truth can get ugly. At least it won’t sink with the weight of lies.

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Paired with the dress, are my new Tarara Gladiator Sandals from Anthropologie (they are almost all sold out, but other stores have them. Bloomingdale’s has them here). Tarara is a small town in Cuba. In New Zealand, Tarara means fast talker (source: Wikipedia).

These sandal boots were made for talkin’…

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Had you ever heard of Bermeja before? What are your thoughts on names?

*The bracelets and necklaces are a mish mash of older pieces (similar bracelet here) and Forever 21’s Globetrotter Beaded Cuffs. The turquoise necklace is from Simply Livly on Etsy and the other necklaces are old layering necklaces from Anthropologie (similar here).

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

These Boots Three

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At the beginning of the season, I saved some boots to my wishlist at Anthropologie. I ignored the pretty dresses. The flowy tops. The treasure I was seeking was more sturdy than that. I do not have a lot of shoes. I do not really care that much about them (I know! What kind of girl am I?). But I do love boots. And this year, I was determined to get one or two new pairs on sale. I watched in panic as the boots I liked began to sell out in my size. Was I doing the right thing waiting for sale?

I was thinking probably not, but I knew I had a budget to stretch. I could afford one pair of boots full price. And not the super expensive boots, either. Reasonably priced boots.

But even though they were reasonably priced, that did not mean I thought it was reasonable to pay that amount.

I thought if I could be a patient girl then perhaps I could pick up two pairs when they hit sale, instead of one.

I have never been a patient girl.

But greedy girl?

Oh, yes. And greedy girl beats out patient girl every single time. Meaning, I had to be patient in order to get more.

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First, the Tara Saddle Boots went on sale from Anthropologie for almost half off. I snatched them up. I handed them over to my husband to wrap for Christmas.

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And I waited. The Seychelles Woven Trail Booties also went on sale. But I was a careful stalker. There were three colors in these. I was not picky. I liked them all. Inevitably I felt this would result in a popback (when an item sells out, but then someone return it. It “pops back”).

All of the colors sold out. I moved on.

Then one day, my size popped back in the white color. And I ended up paying $30 for them instead of $140. Score!

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There was one more victim pair I coveted. The Joyfele Faye Boots at Anthropologie. At their first cut price they were still too much money for me to pay. Then they got cut again to 64% off.

I ordered them. They came. I handed them over to be wrapped.

All in all, I paid $18 less for all three pairs of my new boots than what I would have paid full retail price for just the Joyfele Faye Boots.

Greedy girl is grinning.

Patient girl is proud.

Who is going to tell them they both got beat out by Sensible?

Not me.

Or I.

Or she.

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Did you pick up any shoes this winter? She Me I have to admit that while I like my new boots, I still don’t have the passion. What are your thoughts? Do you love shoes?

It’s The Little Things: Rain Boots

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For the last two years I have wanted a pair of Hunter Tall Rain Boots. Never mind that it rarely rains where I live. Never mind that when it does rain, I hardly ever leave the house. I wanted them. The fun colors. The squeaky soles. I loved the idea of them. I imagined myself stomping in puddles and squealing with delight. I’ll let you know if that ever happens.

Last year, I saw Hunter Rain Boots for $75 at Nordstrom Rack and I did not buy them. And, yes, I am still bruised where I kicked myself. I have been on the hunt ever since.

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Two days ago I was at Costco and they had rain boots. They looked almost exactly like my Hunter Tall Rain Boots. On closer inspection, I realized they were Chooka brand. But they were a pretty color (dark green) and only $30. I bought one pair for myself and one pair for my daughter. I scanned the sky for rain clouds. Nothin’. But I am prepared now (Saturday, I’m talking to you). I suggest if you want these rain boots you buy them soon. Our Costco was down to approximately ten pairs of assorted sizes in mixed colors (black, green, and bright pink).

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While doing some research online I found that this is a really good deal for these boots. However, I found something more.

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Costco has Hunter Tall Rain Boots online for $80 (shipping included). $80! The average retail price is $140. You must be a Costco member to purchase from their store. The colors available are black, navy, dark olive, and red. That sound you hear is me hyperventilating.

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Thirty dollars or eighty dollars? Oh, how I love the Hunter logo on the front of those rain boots. If I had not known about my thirty dollar pair, there would be no hesitation. With the holidays here, I am choosing practicality. I found a unique review on Hunter Rain Boots on this blog. It kind of made my decision easier. However, if I lived in a wetter climate, I might choose differently. They are just so perty. But I don’t. So, I won’t. Good bye my sweet Hunter Rain Boots. Maybe one day we will be together. Hello cheaper but still really cute green ones.

I wanted to let you guys know about these fun options.

It’s the little things: toasty toes kept dry from the rain in fun discounted colors. What more could a girl want?

Do you own a pair of rain boots? Do you dance in the puddles?

* The Hunter Boots photos are from the Costco website.

** Yes, I am a dork for posing with my umbrella. Gotta love a prop! ; )

If you would like to see more pictures of these boots and a story about me being an even bigger dork. You can click here.