Current Obsession: Spring's Banana Republic Dresses

I hardly stray from my Go-To formula that is all-j.crew-all-the-time, but I'm finding myself drawn to Banana Republic's dresses from their Spring rollout. Ladylike-infused dresses are everywhere! Usually I scan Banana's site, see perhaps one thing I like, and leave, knowing that I didn't really like it enough to flirt with it, let alone "date" the thing by putting it in my cart. (Ladies, you know what I mean). But this season I find myself loving every $150 dress I see. The colors are great - it's a nice palette of neutral tones that are perfect for the office and ladylike at the same time. Muted tones, if you will. Definitely not pastel. A demure palette for demure dressing.

I love the casually elegant air the dresses here lend. They'd transition nicely for me living in Okinawa. A lighter jacket or cardigan in the office for now, and alone as the spring/summer weather starts.

My only concern is the fabrics. Lo and behold, J.crew has totally spoiled me and I've come to expect this extreme high level material. I'm not impressed with the rayon blends of the dresses here, so full price may not be an option for me. Alas, I'll wait until the sale on these starts. Though I see that for some, sizes are going fast. **Sigh** I love them all!

Current Obsession: The J.Crew Classic Peacoat

*Sigh*... How I am so in love with this peacoat from J.Crew.  It's currently on Final Sale for $169.99 + a promotional 20% off in addition to the sale price!  Ugh.  It's gorgeous.  My senses are immediately attracted to the vibrant plum hue.  Such a nice pop of color amidst the doldrums of January weather.  Okinawa really isn't too cold.  I think our lows are around 50 degrees farenheit at this time of year.  Hardly enough to warrant the need for a $170 + 20% off pea coat, for sure.  But I am envisioning the pea coat with black leggings and flat riding boots.  Or skinny denim and a cute black tee.  & I just can't take my eyes off the color. If you know J.Crew, then the quality is not even an issue and the coat would totally be worth the price.  But my recent shopping habits are precluding me from purchasing this gorgeous coat.  Classic american styling and vibrant color = fabulous.  I am in need.  Anyone want to buy it for my birthday?

First on the agenda... The houses in my life.

I'm seriously obsessed right now with houses.  I've lived on Lester since I set foot on this island almost three years ago.  We live here by force and not by choice.  I.e., we were told we were going to like it whether we really did or not.  & I haven't complained... too much.  There isn't that much to say.  Lester is simple, clean and adequate for our needs.  & let's not forget there's no costs out of our pockets for it and we live here with ample a/c, running water, trash pick up, minimal recycling separation duties, etc., and have done so happily for some time.  My all time favorite reason for this place?  Typhoon season.  When a Cat V typhoon comes tearing through this place, I can rest easy because I know I'm safe in my little concrete bunker.  

But there are times when I just want to cringe.  I like things to look nice and enjoy making my interior attractive.  But you just can't do that here.  The place is old, for one.  The only real interior style you can implement here is shabby chic, so as to coordinate with one's 1940's-esque kitchen's pale yellow cabinets, floors, and 4x4 tiled walls.  The old school institutional tiled floors are not particularly my bag, either.  

& then there is the issue of inconsiderate neighbors, crazy kids running around, cardboard boxes in my front yard, and the school district we're in.  All of it is a recipe for us to move off base.  

Off base!!  Oh how the words are so beautiful.  But yet the path is not so easy, either.  There's the deposit on the new place, the new costs out of pocket, the language barrier (I speak only a smidgin' of the nihon-go), and everything else.  & on top of it all, you need to find a house you like, that you can afford, in an area that "speaks" to your sensibilities. 

 

Well, I think I found mine.  

I'm obsessed with a certain street in Yomitan about 5 minutes from Torii Station.  The street is very short, runs along a gorgeous beach, and butts up to a park with a playground.  There are maybe 6 or 7 houses on the street, all different in style, but with a certain je-ne-sais-quois that combines that fabulous japanese-modern aesthetic with relaxed beach living.  The house is small - 1100 sq ft, but has 3 bedrooms, 1 & 1/2 baths, all wood floors, a tatami room, 2 upstairs decks off the bedrooms with dramatic ocean views, and a simply divine back yard just begging for some bbq, wine and friends.  My head is dizzy with the ideas I have for this place.  The price is right and I am so worried someone will take it.  It's my slice of heaven... If we're able to get it!  We're waiting for it to pass the american inspection all off-base houses need to go through in order to be rented by Americans.  

I really want this house!  It's all I can think of!

Wish us luck!

& so it begins...

Ta da!  I have a blog.  I am a blogger.  A writer.  Someone with something to say.  Important things!  & right about here is where the ideas start to dry up...