The Deluxe Grrl is going to be making the rounds in beautiful Chi-town August 3 - 5, tentatively. Tentatively meaning that I don’t know if those will be the dates just yet, which is why you haven’t seen the flyer I’m making *grin*

I am actually thrilled about the trip — plenty of time to shop, eat, laugh, take pictures, and meet some groovy friends in the process. I am just loving life right now.

I still have some purchases to make, but they’re on the back burner for various reasons. To those that I have said I’d purchase something, trust me on that one. If I pick up something from your store, I will undoubtedly let the readers know about it.

Tomorrow I’m actually going to be “casual” for Casual Friday at work — I told a co-worker I’d actually casual myself…so I will

I am here, I swear. I didn’t realize that so much time had passed since the Maybelline rant. I try to post when the mood hits me, rather than do the whole future-post thang.

So if you’re a Chicagoian and you’d like to meet up for drinks (preferably the non-alcoholic kind, I’m a youngin!) and conversation, or even the once-in-a-lifetime shopping trip (haha my taste would probably bore you though!) together, hit me up! Interested parties can contact me through the usual email channel (deluxegrrl at gmail dot com, figure it out) and we’ll move on from there.

There’s also an Atlanta trip in the works, but it hasn’t been solidified yet!

Sweet, sweet, Maybelline. My first love, before Lancome lured me away, golden roses and all (though, MAC has become an unexpected suitor for my makeup loving heart). Oh, how I long to scoop you up again — I love having a backup makeup when I don’t feel like getting into the good stuffs (like a blind date you aren’t sure of — do you REALLY wanna use $70 eyeshadow on him?).

However, I am totally not feeling the new-ish (I think it’s new, anyway) Maybelline SuperStay lipstick. At first, I was thrilled — 2 in 1 applicator, lip stain on one end, and shiny clear balm on the other.

Application proved my joy to be a little premature. Five minutes later, that crap started beading up on my lips! It looked kinda like when the kids put glue on their fingers or hands, and then pull it off, how it leaves that thin little webbing? Yeah, that’s exactly how it looked.

Horrific.

Thankfully, Rimmel saved the day. Maybe I really do need to get the London look after all, huh?

Shame on you, Maybelline. Maybe I’ll try again someday, but I think you and I just need to have some distance.

So I have a new job (part of the reason why I’ve been a little silent lately), new boyfriend (who lives three hours away, and my car takes premium gas. Hello!?), and new waistline (dropped from a size 28 to a 22 the gradual way — this is a project of mine that’s taken me months to achieve!). So now I wonder what I ought to wear to work.

You see, I work in a call center. My co-workers wear jeans. I own maybe 2 pairs of jeans (with one of them being wayyy too big for me to wear now! Part of me wants to autograph them and sell ‘em, but that’s my ego talkin )

I wear lots of blouse + slacks combos, because the slacks are flattering and they do give me a professional edge. However, I don’t want to stick out THAT much, but I don’t want to wear jeans.

I’m thinking maybe a softer look, like khakis or chinos or those cute pants from yester-fashion-year — you remember the black, brown and grey short pants…lordy I can’t remember what they’re called and they were a MAJOR fashion must-have last year…my pair are black, with a tab waist…they go a few inches below the knee, and are pants with a silky polyester material. What they’re called is on the tip of my tongeu, but I can’t think of it.

When I wash them, I’ll take a pic and see if anyone knows what I’m talking about.

And yes, I’m back. I will try, try, try to post at least 2x a week. Oh, and if you’re contacting me for any reason, do realize there is a severe email backlog — so if you’ve emailed me in the last couple of months and haven’t heard from me, send me another email.

It’s not feeling like Spring here in the Ozarks — the rain makes everything feel colder than it should be. I know, I know, April Showers bring May Flowers. But now it’s May, so I want my flowers!

I’ll take a Mexican Dress as a consolation prize, though. Check out The Mexican Dress Lady’s amazingly-simple-looking-yet-beautiful dress creation!

I love the way it looks — so long and flowy, yet very feminine looking. I’m holding back on sewing until I get a better place to do it in, but if you’re wondering how to put that old Singer to work, this is a great “try-me” pattern.

I strongly recommend this cute little dress, and it’s not because The Mexican Dress Lady enticed me with magical chiles…

…OK, a couple. I couldn’t resist. Kidding, kidding. Seriously, this is probably one of the best purchases you can make for 5 bucks. Not quite free, but unlawfully cheap. C’mon, fashionistas, get crafty