How's the weather? How's your husband?

You watch Sex and the City, right? (If you just said “No”, immediately hit up Netflix. Or come on over, I have all the DVDs.)  Anyway, remember the episode in season 3-ish, when the girls are at an engagement party? Someone asks Miranda if she’s seeing anyone special, and she jokes about seeing “unspecial” guys.

I felt like I had to do that the other day. Actually, all week! Maybe it’s because Sweetest Day, the lamest holiday EVER, is today, but all week people have been asking me about a husband. Talking about relationships is the new talking about the weather.  People don’t care if it’s going to rain anymore, what matters is do you have a diamond on your finger!

It started when I was telling someone about moving. I said I was excited to go, but really scared. I’m leaving my home, the place I’m comfortable with, and the friends I love. Her response was an enthusiastic, “Maybe you’ll meet your future husband there!”

See? That really did happen. 

Two days later, I had a similar conversation with someone else. This time I was freaking out a little more about moving (I don’t like change!), and she said, “Who knows, maybe the man of your dreams will be there.” 

I can't make this up.

I think about three other people said pretty much the exact same thing. “Maybe your husband is there!” 

………And if he’s not? Does that mean this move will be a waste of time? Is meeting a husband the only good thing that could happen there?  Forget advancing my career, or discovering a new hobby, or making great new friends.  Nope, I must find the love of my life.

Thankfully I have my male friends too, who remind me of the important things (like the big football team in this town… ugh).

Just yesterday I was on the phone catching up with an old friend I haven’t talked to in years. After updating me on her kids’ progress, she asked, “So, do you have a man?”  No honey, I have Sex and the City.  Sometimes without the city.  

Get your boobs felt up this month!

Is it October already?! No flipping way. Someone wake up Green Day! (Is that overused yet? Yeah? Okay, moving on…)

In case you haven’t seen the cover of any women’s magazine lately, it’s also Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  Companies give you many options to raise awareness – buy their pink nail polish, buy their pink watches, buy their pink whatever-they-happen-to-specialize-in, etc.  You can get all the pink streaks in your hair you want (and I kind of want to do that), but you know the best thing you can do this month?  Get a mammogram. 

I know what you’re thinking: “Ummm hellooooo I’m not 40 yet!”  You know who doesn’t care? Breast cancer.  I really don’t know why they say you don’t need a mammogram until you’re 40.  Does cancer have some sort of clock? As soon as you turn 40, its alarm goes off saying it’s time to invade your body? Not that I’m aware of. 

My mom and me on Thanksgiving 1998

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 34.  She had no family history, no factors that statistics say cause it (like waiting to have kids), no reason to believe she was at a higher risk of breast cancer. She just got it.  Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to 40. She didn’t even make it to 38. 

So why are doctors/insurance companies saying wait until 40? I got my first one last year.  I had to fight with my insurance company to cover it, but I got it.  It’s really easy – you just go in there, they flatten your boobs like a pancake (seriously didn’t know it flattened that much), take a few quick pictures, and you’re done!  It doesn’t hurt –okay, it’s not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it’s not painful. And it’s so relieving when you get that letter saying, “There is no mammographic evidence of malignancy.” BAM! I’m cancer-free! Until next year.

So this month, instead of buying all things pink (well, you can do that too), take an afternoon off and get a mammogram. You can make it easier like I did and make a day of it with your best friend! She went with me, then we had margaritas with lunch to celebrate!

Then, when that lovely little letter comes in, jump up and down for joy. Then straighten out your pink-streaked hair and get on with your cancer-free life. 

Is this EVER okay in an interview??

Today during my semi-routine trip to Starbucks, I was lucky enough to sit next to a job interview - I promptly put my headphones on, pretending not to eavesdrop.

Not only did I learn this guy (who's kinda hot, not gonna lie) would be working part time for close to minimum wage at some software company and that the interviewer wants to know where he sees himself in two years, but that also he made a very big fashion no-no:

He. Wore. Shorts.

Okay, I get it. It's hot outside.  The interview seems casual (I mean it's taking place at Starbucks for latte's sake), and the interviewer is wearing jeans.  But he's also wearing nice jeans that reach all the way to his ankles, and paired them with a button down shirt.

And the guy wanting the job is wearing shorts. And twitching his leg.

Is this EVER okay?? Tweet me! @KaciKruz

Lipstick and Bananas

Bananas are so hard to buy.  If you get the green ones, you have to wait a few days to eat them (and I have no patience when it comes to food). If you get the yellow ones, you have a day to eat ALL of them before they're a brown disgusting mush.  So the bought to eaten ratio of bananas ends up being 5:1.

That's how I am with lipstick. Lipstick, lip gloss, lip stain... I always end up hating whatever I get.  When will I learn that no matter how many different brands and colors I try, I hate the feel of lipstick and will stick to my traditional strawberry Chapstick?

Not yet, apparently. I FINALLY found a lipstick that I actually like! The color I picked is not too pink, not too red, and it doesn't make me look like a hooker.  It doesn't dry out my lips or feel sticky or clump at the side of my mouth.  And the best part?? It was $1.99 at Walgreens.  BAM!

Score one point for Wet N Wild!  They also carry my favorite nail polish, also $1.99.  

Have you found any favorite beauty products lately? Tweet me! @KaciKruz 

Best friends tell you you're fat.

Ever watch that show where the super rich kid is addicted to shopping, and daddy finally takes away the credit card while the football player boyfriend sits her down in a shopping intervention? She cries and cries, sells her beloved name brands to Plato's Closet, then hates her parents and boyfriend for ruining her life?  I don't remember the name of it, but I should be on it.  Minus the super rich part. And daddy's credit card. And football player boyfriend. 

Every now and then, I need my friends to tell me NOT to buy something!  If I didn't have them acting as my willpower, my closet would be overflowing with items I wore once, and my bank account would be emptier than the Walmart toy aisle the day after Christmas.  

So yesterday, during my semi-weekly treasure hunt at TJ Maxx, I found this dress: 

I was looking for something mixed with leather, and this Michael Kors dress has leather sleeves. It's $60 (down from $195), and I'm in LOVE!  But I had that gut feeling that this wasn't a good purchase, and I needed to be talked out of it.  So I texted my best friend Jaime the picture, and this is what she said: 

She was right, I WAS just in the mood to buy something. But look how pretty it is!!!!  A few hours later, I realized how much I miss the dress and needed more discipline: 

Sometimes you just need your best friend to tell you that yes, it DOES make your ass/stomach/arms/legs/earlobes look fat!  Even if it doesn't.  Besides, I'm waiting anxiously for these pants to come to Target Sept. 9: 

That'll curb my leather craving for a little while.  Until I go shopping in Chicago with my aunt over Thanksgiving, anyway. ;)  

Crazy Dog Lady Meets a Crazy Man With a Dog

A few days ago was an emotional one in crazy dog lady world.  If you have a dog (or any pet), tell me what you think of all this: 

First, I was reading a story in Vogue about a woman who recently had to put her dog down.  The whole story made me sad; the way she was close with her dog reminded me of Zoe, and the days leading up to her dog's final vet visit made me think of my childhood dog who was put down a few months ago.  

Then, at the end of the story, she describes how she got the dog in the first place: She basically stole him from a deaf child!  There was a girl at a park trying to give the dog away, and this woman said she wanted him, but was on her way to a restaurant.  She told the girl she'd be back right after lunch. By the time she got back, the girl was gone, but she had given the dog to a deaf child.  The woman lied to the deaf child's mom, saying that was already her dog! The mom explained that her daughter really wanted the dog, but the woman said she was taking him, and took him from the poor child's arms!  This woman is now evil.  

Later that day, I took Zoe to the dog park (I felt guilt over the dog in the story dying).  We were the only ones there, so she just walked and sniffed around.  I think I have the only dog who gets bored at a dog park.  Anyway, a few minutes later a man walked in with his giant dog.  I don't know what kind it was, but it was one of those big scary looking dogs.  Zoe went crazy and started barking, so I walked up to leash her, and the guy takes his giant dog - who was also barking at Zoe - off his leash and he jumped on her right away!  Not in a dog-humping way, in a "I'm going to eat you" kind of way!  I was the one to grab his dog and take him off Zoe, since the owner didn't do a damn thing. Then the dog went back at Zoe, so I'm trying to fight off this dog while the owner just stands there.  Finally, he grabbed his dog and put the leash back on (after listening to Zoe yelping several times... poor thing!).  He apologized to me, then said, "I just got this piece of s***, and I'm gonna kill him! I'm gonna break his neck when we get home!" :( Okay, so your dog sucks because he tried attacking my dog, but train your dog better!  

Some people shouldn't procreate (*ahem* Snooki), and some people shouldn't own animals.  This guy shouldn't do either.  

Zoe was soooo over that park.

At least it was a pretty day!

Two books everyone should read (according to me)

You may or may not know this, but I'm a huge book nerd.  I carry one around with me at all times, even if I'm going somewhere it's impossible to sit down and read... like the grocery store. (I'm awesome, I know.)

I'm reading these two books right now, and the further I get into them, the more I think everyone needs to read them.

The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect by Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel 

     I bought this book in 2007 for a college class, and to be honest, I never read it in college.  I'm pretty sure I was too busy on the phone with my then-long distance boyfriend.  Anywho, I started reading it a couple months ago.  It's not necessarily the most fun read; I'm just now halfway through the book.  But I'm finding it more and more important, especially with the way journalism has changed in the last few years.  If you have facebook, twitter, a blog, or any other form of social media, you're a journalist. If you read TMZ, Perez Hilton, or any magazine, you're a consumer of journalism.  The book explains what you should expect from these sources and how to tell if what you're reading is true or otherwise.  It also talks about how if you have a blog, you too have an obligation to your audience.  The book was published 5 years ago, so it doesn't get into the "rules" of facebook or twitter, but these elements apply to those as well. It's definitely an interesting, and I think essential, read if you share information with others. 

Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed 

     Trust me on this one. Go to Target right now, spend $12.65 on this book (and $55 on other magical gems you didn't know you needed until you got there), and hole yourself up in your apartment for the weekend.  It's collections of letters from an online advice column, and responses you'll swear were written just for you.  You'll laugh, you'll cry your eyes out, you'll text your best friend saying "This is so us!" and cry again. Seriously, I'm just over halfway through and I've bawled my eyes out about 12 times. Not because I'm an emotional girl (though I don't claim to not be), it's because every response Cheryl writes in her "Dear Sugar" column is relatable.  Trust me, you'll want to tweet about 15 quotes just in the first chapter.  

If you do read either book, let me know what you think!  Or if there's a book you're reading you think is better, tweet me!  @KaciKruz  Let's be book nerds together, walking through the grocery store with 3 novels in our purse.  

Denim on denim CAN work! Here's proof:

Yesterday we talked about whether or not denim-on-denim works, after seeing a whole section on it in Elle magazine. I think the way they modeled it was just wrong - you can't have THAT much denim, especially when it's all the same color!

But local artist Kylie Hinze has proven me wrong.  Look how great she did pulling off this look!

How cute are those jeans?? I love how she uses two different denim shades (the only way to even attempt this look).  Plus, the sleeveless vest ensures she isn't drowning in it.  I also love how she broke it up with a belt and white shirt, and finished off the look with SUPER cute heels I need to borrow! 

Have you tried denim-on-denim? Tweet me! @KaciKruz 

PS - See more on Kylie Hinze HERE! 

Is this fashion faux pas actually back?

Remember when Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake wore matching denim outfits? (See it HERE if you blocked it from your memory.) The denim-on-denim look, I thought, was locked in a vault with feathered bangs, khaki, and brown-on-black.  

But here I am flipping through the August issue of Elle magazine, and there's a whole section on this look!  What do you think?  Would you try it again, or keep it locked up with fanny packs? 

PS - I love her hair!  That's the best part of this ensemble.

Do you like me? YES / NO / MAYBE

One of the best friends to have is the one you met in elementary school and somehow managed to survive the playground, puberty, and high school cliques together.  

Jaime and I met in third grade, when our assigned desks were next to each other and she asked if I wanted to work on my poster on the floor with her. We've had our fights, of course, and there were some times when middle school drama caused us not to talk for a few school years.  But we made it through that, plus everything else life has thrown at us.  As kids, we helped each other deal with cute boys who wouldn't talk to us, period mishaps at school (trial & error taught us to bring spare tampons in our backpacks...), and that super hard chemistry test.  Now that we're adults, we've gone through painful breakups, family deaths, and learning to juggle finances together.  

We moved to Milwaukee at the same time (we grew up just outside the city), but I've since moved out of Wisconsin.  I'm SO glad there's texting, video chats, and of course Facebook to keep us in touch!  It's hard to talk on the phone and multitask, so I don't know how we'd stay this close without technology.  

But the other night, we decided to go old school - literally.  We each popped open a bottle of wine, dug up our "Boy Box", and called each other.  We spent two hours on the phone going through old notes we wrote each other, letters to boys, pictures of our boyfriends, and our high school diaries.  It was amazing to read about our day, the way my crush waved to me in the hall, the "ridiculous" amounts of homework (THREE worksheets to read in ONE night?! How could they??), and where we saw ourselves in the future.  I love having a box of memories to look back on, no matter how technology changes.  

Then I had a sad thought: What will today's kids look at in 10, 20, or 50 years?  Texting has taken the place of passing notes, and when you get a new phone, you lose those messages.  How are they going to call their lifelong best friend and laugh about previous crushes or the creepy study hall monitor?  Technology is great for keeping in touch now, but I hope when my kids are in school, they'll sneak notes to their friends in the hall the way we did. 

This high school diary has some magical gems... most of which I'm too embarrassed to share!
Have texting and social media replaced this keepsake? 

Since the technology is there... might as well follow me on Twitter! @KaciKruz 

Southwood at Wild Wing Cafe!

Okay seriously, if you haven't seen Southwood yet, do it!  Immediately, if not sooner.  They're out of Charleston, and sound like if Kings of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Black Keys had a sexy threesome and somehow made a musical baby from it.  (Moment to think of Caleb Followill and Dan Auerbach in bed...separately, of course.... *sigh*....)

Anywho, I feel bad even making that comparison, because it probably doesn't accurately describe how amazing these guys are.  Check out some pictures of them at Wild Wing Cafe 8/4!

See more pictures HERE!

Proper etiquette for buying this product...

Serious question: What’s the verdict on testing out nail polish before buying it? Is that acceptable? 

I was at Walgreens the other day looking for the perfect shade to exchange another bottle with (see this post). I think colors look completely different on the nail than in the bottle, so clearly I had to try them out! When I got to the counter, she asked if I used the bottle I was returning, because if so she had to damage it out. I told her I did, while hiding my left hand with a rainbow of colors, hoping she suddenly forgot watching me try all those shades.

I guess if you have some gross nail fungus, then you shouldn’t try the nail polish. But how else are you supposed to know? Do you paint a nail or two in the store? Tweet me and let me know! @KaciKruz

PS – There’s a difference between trying the color on one nail, and giving yourself a full on manicure in the middle of the aisle. Don’t do that. 

This cosmetics myth: TRUE! 💅

I thought it was just a myth - like when they said you can't wear white after Labor Day. The words on the page can't possibly be true! But ladies, you can in fact return used cosmetics to Walgreens.

I saw that in a magazine a few months ago, but why would they accept broken eyeshadow or mascara with goop on the screw? I don't know, but today I walked in with nail polish I used this morning and lipstick I didn't like, and left with a brand new bottle of nail polish! (One that looks amazing on my fingers, if I do say so myself.)

So next time your new eyeshadow accidentally makes you look like a hooker or that foundation like Snooki, bring your receipt and get your money back!

I fell in love at the Urban Outfitters window

That will be the name of my folksy/country song, by the way.  Anyway, I was walking to a coffee shop this morning and passed Urban Outfitters (wow, hipster much?), and immediately saw about 8 things I NEED to have. I refuse to go in there, because I just know I'll spend way too much money.

So if you'd like to get me a very belated birthday present, I want these leggings:

How would you wear these? I have a few ideas, but I need more. Tweet me! @KaciKruz

I also want every single camera they carry, plus a pink old school boombox. 

I may be suffering from shopping withdrawals.  I want to buy EVERYTHING I see! 

New York, New York!

I've been lusting after New York City for YEARS, and I finally had the chance to go for a few days!  I definitely need to live there one day. The whole atmosphere is intoxicating and addicting, and I can't wait to go back.  

World Trade Center building

View of the city from Central Park

NYC from the Empire State Building

Pier 17

From the Empire State Building

Times Square

The "Friends" building!!!

OMG, shoes!  At Prada

I'm Carrie Bradshaw!

The best part is I went with my best friend, who made it an amazing vacation.  I can't wait to come back!

My advice to you: Don't take anyone's advice

I'm such a girl.

When you have a problem, even if it's the tiniest issue, how many people do you call about it?  Maybe you start with your sister, then call your best friend, then call your other best friend, then your circle of close friends, and then consult your therapist before finally deciding how you feel about the situation and what to do.

I don't know why we do that; maybe we just need to talk about it enough to get over it. Or we need to take all our friends' advice and pick the best one to use.  But I realized something as I listened to one of the friends on my Call List give me what I thought was bad advice: Nobody knows the situation better than you do.

My friend meant well, and I can see why she said what she did.  If the issue was a generic one, her advice would've been great.  But it's not; I was telling her about people she doesn't know, so how could she know what to say?  I listened, but told her that's not the way to deal with it. We decided to agree to disagree, and moved on to another topic.

I thought about it after we hung up.  Why did I even have to ask what she thought?  I always think my friends know me better than I do (and a lot of times, they do), but they don't know everyone in my life. Sometimes, you have to just figure things out on your own. Realize that only you know exactly what happened and how you feel.

Put on your big girl panties and deal with it! And while you should listen to close friends' opinions, don't take anyone's advice but your own. And mine.

Sometimes I have to consult Cosmo and Glamour. 

TJ Maxx Shopping Miracle!

In case you don't know, a Shopping Miracle is when you're looking for something so specific, you think you'll never find it. Then you do, and maybe it's even on sale!

I think the TJ Maxx in Gainesville, Fl is the HOME of shopping miracles! (A few months ago, I found the EXACT pair of shoes I was looking for, and they cost $5 less than what I wanted to spend! Woo!)  Today I went there looking for a bag for my upcoming trip and a pair of sunglasses I lost a while ago.

My sister and I at the Jack White show in Asheville, NC. Those sunglasses never made it out of the Orange Peel. 

Every time I go to TJ Maxx (where I got the sunglasses originally), I look for a pair as similar as possible to replace them. But since I bought them months ago, I assumed they were long gone. Then I went to the TJ Maxx by my dad's... I FOUND THEM!!!! 

I also needed a cross-body bag for NYC, and I found this perfect one that will go with everything for just $15!! 

My two shopping miracles were just $26 combined, it's a good day. 

Find any great deals lately? Tweet me! @KaciKruz

Christian. Louboutin. Princess. Shoes.

With the Blu-Ray release of Cinderella this fall, Christian Louboutin was asked to make a modern "Cinderella shoe" - and I'm in LOVE!  Cinderella was the origin of my shoe-obsession, and I've always wanted glass slippers! But since they're not entirely practical, these 5" heels will do. (Because 5" heels are completely practical!)

Click HERE to see! Would you wear them? (assuming money was no object!)

Christina Perri shops WHERE?!

I knew Christina Perri and I were BFFs!

First, she has this amazing song called "Distance", about being in love with someone and not telling them. Who hasn't been through that?

Then, she wears a dress very similar to one I have in the video for "Distance".

THEN, I found out, thanks to InStyle, that the dress is from H&M!!! My favorite store!  I love that she explains how she wanted to be herself in the video.  (Click HERE for the full article!)

See? I told you we're BFFs. 

My dress that's similar to hers. Keep scrolling to watch the video! 

Christina Perri feat. Jason Mraz "Distance" 

Funfetti Dip: Easy, delicious, and low-fat!

This is the best thing to happen since Starbucks' birthday cake pops: Funfetti Dip.  A friend found it on Pinterest and made it for a party, and ooooh my god......  It's funfetti cake mix, plain yogurt, and cool whip.  If you use low fat everything, it's also not horrible for you!  Dip animal crackers in it, or hell, just grab a spoon and go to town.

Official Pinterest recipe

1 box of Funfetti cake mix

2 cups plain yogurt

1 cup cool whip 

Stir together. Refrigerate. Love. 

What have you found on Pinterest? Tweet me! @KaciKruz

This is why I don't sleep with strangers.

Want to know something super personal? Kay. I'm not big on one night stands. Sure, they happen. But I will never be the type of person who can meet someone in a bar, be instantly attracted, and go home with them that night.  It's not a moral thing, it's not an STD thing (though I like to avoid those too).

It's a space issue thing. Unless I know you very well and you have proven that I can feel comfortable around you, don't touch me. Don't get within 3 feet of me. Wait, make that 5 feet. I don't want someone I just met casually touching my arm, let alone getting all up in my girly business.

So you can imagine my thrill that right now, as I'm sitting at Starbucks, someone decided to sit at my table. Not the empty tables next to me, not the empty tables ALL OVER the coffee shop. He sat at mine. He didn't even get coffee, he just came in with a friend and sat here. The friend is at the table next to me. Neither of them are talking, they're just sitting there. At my table. Within my space bubble.

This really just happened. I thought it might be rude to take a picture and post it online, but so is sitting at my table. So we're even. 

"..but you gotta keep your head up!"

Sometimes, life sucks. People can say "it'll all work out!" all they want, but do you ever really believe it until it does?

I sure don't. I say words that start with "F" a lot until things start turning out.

*Side note: I just thought in my head, "All my Apple products failed me in one day!" I guess my problems could be worse....

So I guess it's cliche, but true: No matter what your problems are, no matter how bad your day is, somebody's is always worse.

Whatever, I still want a cookie. 

My first true love...

Lately, I've become a bit of a bag snob.  I'm not really into designers and labels (though I love looking at the pretty things...), but with bags, I don't like them to be made cheaply.  I carry a lot of s*%!, I need a sturdy bag!

After months upon months of searching, I found the PERFECT one. It's a beautiful Michael Kors (satchel? Is that the right word here?), at TJ Maxx for $199. It's usually $480, so that's a great deal!

Here's why I love it:  It's the exact color I was looking for.  Something that would go with both brown and black, and every other color.  Plus, you can add fun scarves to change it up.  It's big enough to use as a carry on, but small enough to use as a regular purse when you arrive. It's zippered, and the opening is big enough to dig under 3 magazines and a book for my keys.

Sadly, I ended up not buying it. I figured I need that $200 for something more important, like my upcoming NYC trip.  So really I'm just taunting myself by dedicating a whole blog to my love.

Anyone want to give me $200?

I'm looking at it as finding the man I'll marry - when it's right, I'll know it and won't think twice about purchasing it!  Until then, My Lovely Michael Kors Bag, I'll always remember you fondly as The One That Got Away.  Katy Perry style.

Why red jeans? Why not?

A couple months ago, I bought a pair of red jeans. They're my favorite things in the world.  I'm pretty sure that, paired with the right shoes, I could run for president and easily win. They're my go-to jeans, because they match (or perfectly mismatch) EVERYTHING!

And that's what I want this blog to be: your go-to for everything.  Whether it's fashion, music, politics (did you see how cute Michelle Obama looked the other day??), or cute pictures of my dog (sorry, it'll happen), you'll find it here!

What else should I write about? What do you like to see on blogs? Tell me!  I just put this together literally 10 minutes ago, so I'm still planning it all.  Tweet me @KaciKruz, or email kacikruz@gmail.com!

PS - I've only washed my red jeans once since I bought them. I'm so nervous the color will fade. How gross is that....?