BIGFOOT

OK. so not quite...but how can something that provides such warmth, comfort and just pleasure make my feet look so ugly????????

.

.

LOL.

quite random...yes I know but I bought these boots on a whim, partly because I was seeking for something comfortable and warm (not necessarily stylish) and of course, inexpensive! these were about $15 bucks on ebay and shipping to Canada was another $10ish so that ended up being very reasonable...especially considering most online stores want me to pay more than $20 for shipping to Canada. so not cool.

I won't be giving these babies up anytime soon, even though they make my feet look like its the size of Shaquille O'Neil. My friend and I were giggling uncontrollably because her first response after cooing over how comfy they were- was "BigFoot"!!!

.

Note: these are NOT UGGS. These are a very cheaply made imitation and I've already seen where the bottom is wearing off quickly. I dont' know what's going to be left and how long its going to last, but I won't be too hurt if they don't last past this winter...it will give me an incentive to actually invest next fall and get a more sturdy pair of warm comfy boots!

I'm out! smooches

Not quite done with shopping!

So remember how I mentioned that I didn't do as well on my previous two assignments...well apparently, I was missing the holy grail of research papers/journal writeups and its this blue book! It's not always been blue...I had one (or shared one with my roomie) when I did this grad school thing 5+ years ago and it was black and not quite as important then as it is now...You see I'm in an APA/CPA (American/Canadian Psychological Association) approved program thus the APA manual is way more useful now... makes sense right? Not sure why I didn't purchase it from the beginning of the semester...

This little bad boy...my new backpack. I searched long and hard for the perfect backpack and although I haven't seen it yet (in real life)- I know I'll be happy. It's a long story behind this purchase but lets just say- I happened to use a backpack this past week and ended up with no shoulder/back pains after walking from school. All along, I've been using regular one shoulder totes to carry my books and have been plagued with body aches. So this is my new "padded straps, multi-compartment with organizer and mesh side pockets for water" backpack that cost a whopping $10 ($20.50 with shipping). Original price- $82!

my boots!!!!!!!! yea, I was like..poo-poo on payless after I started browsing ebay and saw the great selection for much cheaper. Now these probably aren't as functional as the payless pair but they are UBER cute and reasonable ($25 +$8 shipping) so I can live with this. I don't anticipate there being a lot of snow before I leave on the 17th for Christmas break considering the roughest part of winter is usually in January so I'm thinking I should be fine. I will be on the lookout during my travels over the breaks for another pair of boots--one that's more functional (and hopefully just as cute) that withstand walking in slush and ice. I expect it will cost way more cause I'll need real leather, waterproof with some kind of threading/grips on the bottom and I'm hoping that if I wait for after-Christmas I may be able to catch a good sale...If I'm even more lucky, the sidewalks will all be cleared and salted whenever I have to walk to and from school! I do crack myself up..but what's life without some crazy faith!

.

For good measure, I did throw in one pair of the jeans from Forever 21 that I mentioned in the last post...I only got one since the book took the money I had for the 2nd pair.

All this occurred this late last night and this morning...fun times right?

.

Happy Sunday!

smooches

Great Deals!

I mentioned earlier in the week that I actually found some good deals when I went shopping. I spent about $200 and walked away with a jacket, 2 sweaters, pair of boots, and a couple shirts for layering. Those were the 'necessities'- I also managed to sneak in some products from Bath & Body Works and couple other odds'n'ends from sale racks in Old Navy.

Columbia Insulated All-Weather Jacket...paid $48 (orig price- $180ish)

mine is a bit different than this one

Old Navy Sweater (I got 2 in different colors) for $15ish..original price was $25.50 (I think)

Sketchers greay suede boots with wedge heel (orig- $80ish; I paid $50)

As usual, I never walk away from a shopping trip without finding something else to buy at the next occasion...here are my two remaining 'must haves' for the winter!

Skinny Jeans from Forever 21 for $12.50

I found these when I was wasting time and window shopping 2 weeks ago during my layover in Ft Lauderdale. I bought a pair then and love them..and now I've found another 3 colors that I must have. I'm thinking serious about ordering online just to make sure I can secure my size at this awesome price! :)

and somehow I still haven't managed to secure these...I'm thinking these will be my winter boots. got nice traction on the bottom, lil 'fur' on the inside and were comfy! leaning toward also purchasing online and just paying for shipping...although I'm waiting to see if the price will decrease by the end of the month!

smooches!

On my way...

back to Canada...

It's amazing how discrepant I feel. On one hand, my heart is literally aching because I'm leaving my husband and won't see, touch or feel his touch again for literally another 6 weeks! However, I enrolled in this doctoral program because I have a goal to reach and I'm seriously ready to be back and get in with classes. So I'm actually kinda sorta looking forward to being back and getting in the swing of things...Of course the bridge to join both is the sooner I get back in class, the sooner I can start crossing off weeks that are completed bringing me closer to my ultimate goal of December 17th!!!!!!

I seriously am just trying to roll with the punches and think/be positive. There is a lot I've got to do between now and graduation..whenever the hec that will be (2014 ish), but I'm seriously excited about being in Canada and in this program. I just began to type "my only regret is..." but can one have regrets about a situation if it involves an aspect that's beyond my control? I don't think so. :shrugs:

But if I may- my only regret is that somehow I couldn't make the world respond to my snap and thus provide my husband with an awesome job that he can enjoy and also grow in while paying him something that can make him feel like "the man"! ;)

Oh well...I'll continue to take it one day at a time. Onto a happier note, I have a classmate, who is slowly becoming a friend, who is picking me up and will allow me to crash at her place overnight because she will take me winter-clothes shopping tommorrow! whooo-hoooooooooooooo!

Nothing like some new clothes...and more importantly new shoes to get my spirits up a little bit. So I'm broke and will be trying to buy a million things with a dollar but it's been done before and I promise to return with evidence that I will do it again!

Now its a pity that I have to actually go "winter clothes shopping" when Autumn has barely just begun but apparently I'm a sucker for extremes because I am born and call home to a country that sits in paradise where we enjoy 90 degree weather possibly all year round....and now I've just temporarily set up house in another country that apparently is boasting low 40 degree temps today and proudly maintains such awful temperatures for about 6 months out of the year! I will count my blessings that the snow has not yet made its appearance in my neck of the woods.

Well, its the weekend again...although its almost over, but I encourage you to enjoy the last minutes of it..hec, my new goal is to just try and enjoy everyday...weekend or workday!

smooches!

Welcome to the family!

Two cool additions to the Jones' life:

my new 'neighbor'....this little thing just sat and made noises and stared at me as if I was in his 'space'. :)

from my wish list: my beloved stationary bike...although this is more of an elliptical than bike. i snagged it on clearance for $130 (orig: $370). I haven't consistently been on it though...between the walking to/from school and just being plain ole tired (and sick), my energy level has been really low.

and because I'm vain...here I am trying out a wrap...I have it thicker and more 'ethnic' looking..at least that's what I thought. I'm sure if I was home, I would have had more than one reference to being someone's African Queen...

we did go shopping on Thursday and I managed to snag myself a couple blouses and jeans on clearance at Old Navy, a pair of sneakers and 2 other comfy shoes and a couple scarves (even one for my head!)

of course, no shopping event is complete without finding something else to purchase (at the next designated time)...so here's what's new to my wish list..

I'm not sure how I'm gonna pull this one off...its $45 in the States...however in Canada its $75. Now you feel my pain! I walked through the mall and literally only came home with those 7 items mentioned above. Totally unlike me.
smooches!