Waists

Every summer, including this one, I look for dresses to wear in the heat. I've realised over the years that they need to be made of cotton or linen (silk and synthetics stick to the skin and are uncomfortable in the humidity), have short sleeves to prevent sunburn and need to be loose fitting, or A line at the least. This year, it turned out, was the summer of waists--not just peplums, but dresses fitted tight to the waist with big skirts or slim fitting all the way. With nothing to buy, it was easier to be frugal, and so I am just about to complete that rarest of all years--a summer where I didn't buy a single new dress.

Tocca Fall 2012

It's been a hectic month but now my book is in and hopefully needs no more revisions, I can turn my attention towards other matters.

I've been extremely frugal these last few months. Other than picking up some undies in Marks and Spencer, I didn't get any clothes while I was home, although I was tempted by a few pieces in COS and Topshop. Still, the idea of paying full price for fall 2012 clothes while it was still summer didn't grab me, and I left empty handed. I've found that the less I buy, the more difficult it is to make that next transaction. I have to say I'm pleased with myself.

I didn't even manage to buy any of the Tocca Spring collection on sale. Granted, it looks like the biggest discount was a paltry 30% and the sale merchandise has vanished from their website, so I don't think I missed out on too much. But if I was in the market for fall clothes right now, I think I'd be strongly tempted by their new collection. I love short box pleat skirts, print blouses, slim jackets and well designed knits as well as pretty dresses and it looks like Emma has produced a beautiful line this season along those ends--evidently inspired by English school uniforms (another weakness of mine). Fewer coats than usual, but that's as well as I'm well situated in that area. I do regret not getting her lovely oatmeal cardigan from last season but, along with coats, I'm not exactly struggling in that area.

All I can say is if I can fit into any of these by January when they go on sale, I'll probably pick up a few pieces.

Lots Happening

I am about to go to bed--it's a shade after 9 pm and there is something immensely reassuring about retiring when the day is still bright. It reminds me of being a kid. As I'm in my childhood room (the bed was long replaced with at least two new ones), the feeling is doubled. So far, I've seen my college friends, travelled home, gone to a conference in Glasgow--which was a feat given that tracks were washed away and my train cancelled, so I got in at 2am rather than 2 pm-and made it back home. The conference was great--I didn't hear a bad paper, I met lovely people and it made it easy to overlook my exhaustion. I was a tad antisocial on Saturday night, though, taking to my room with dinner, strawberries and the Guardian and Mirror, before having an early night. Since then, I've seen old college friends and celebrated my niece's birthday today. I met my high school friends for coffee this morning (hot chocolate and an apricot croissant for me), then went swimming, which exhausted me and I suspect that's one reason why I'm so tired now. So far, I've had some rest. But I received an email two hours ago from my editor. I need to do a few more revisions for my book, this time courtesy of the series editor. The good news is the feedback is really positive. The bad--or somewhat stressful and difficult--is that they want the book to go into production next week so I have to complete them remotely--and I only have my iPad with me. So I'm hoping I can borrow my brother's MacBook and get most of the work done this weekend. I was asked to submit a proposal for another book series this weekend--admittedly a shorter one, a monograph really--so best to keep on a tight schedule, or so I'm telling myself. It will be worth it if I get everything done--three books, a monograph and a few new essays should hold me in good stead if I can do it all over the next year or two. I just hope my tiredness abates soon. There are a lot of thing I have to do in the next 5 months or so before something really big arrives. Apologies if this entry appears as one large paragraph. For some reason blogger doesn't seem to respect the formatting when I try to publish.

Off Home

Tomorrow morning, bright and very early, I leave for England. I'm spending a few days with close University friends and their beautiful children, heading (briefly) home then off to Scotland for a conference (I have to cut five pages out of my paper on the flight or somewhere else in transit). Then it's time to relax, enjoy being with family and friends, do some research, visit museums, and meet my new niece (and see my slightly older one at a big family celebration later in July). I'm home for almost a month and cannot wait. Alas, I don't enjoy the early mornings and I'm not a huge fan of American's international service (couldn't get onto the BA morning flight), but if I get home safely, preferably in an aisle seat, I will be super happy.

Next updates will be from elsewhere--unless I post another cat picture tonight...

And here's another one

When I post pictures of my cats, I usually favour Peeps. Blue is a total sweetheart and a beauty (or, rather, handsome boy) and here's a picture of him in all his glory. This little guy does not like to wear clothes but he does like dairy, pastries and catnip.

My Girl

Images speak louder than words. Peeps likes her clothes.

IBKC Fundraiser

Sorry for the long, long silence. Much to report but I will get to all the news soon. In the meanwhile, I wanted to alert anybody who is interested to the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee Fundraiser for the cats and kittens at the Humane Society of Tacoma. You can read more about all the good that they are doing and be thrilled by the beautiful kittens and wonderful surprises involved in this really great event (it goes on for another 30 days). I donate every year in thanks for all the pleasure Laurie, her foster kittens and Charlene Butterbean give to the world and in support of all those other animals they help. If you are interested, head over to http://www.theittybittykittycommittee.com/ and squeal in delight at the new kittens working the telethon set...