It's no secret that, despite these luscious Colorado summers, no matter where I am in the world Fall speaks to my heart. The cool nights and mornings that require the extra blanket; anything that smells like spice, pumpkin, or baked apples; sweaters (!); and changing leaves, mums in the ground, the darker blue of the sky.
As I walked past the neighbor's new mums last night I had a flashback to late August last year when Fall nostalgia got to me just a little as I took off for Italy just before Pumpkin Spice Latte season was underway at Starbuck's. I can honestly say it's been 2 years since a Pumpkin Spice indulgence has met my lips - and I missed them terribly last year - remember this hormonal snivel fest? Therefore, despite falling out of a once fiendish ardor for lattes, I fully intend on snuggling up with at least one before I leave in a few weeks. It is just what must be done. In honor of Fall.
Amidst early-Autumn reveling, you can bet there is still packing theatricals, although scaled down a little from last year. Remember this drama? Several factors come into play this year, however.
1) Am only going to be gone a few months. One suitcase, sister. One.
2) I was blessed to be able to stash winter coats, sweaters, boots with a friend (along with beloved Moka Pot and Brunello glasses, as good wine glasses - even in rental flats - are a must.)
3) Lessons learned on all the things packed last time that were never (ever) ever used. Stiletto heels.
4) Lessons learned on packing too many things that could have easily been purchased at the other end. Toothpaste.
5) Cobblestones streets + much walking = footwear conundrum. Fashion must meet comfort. And no, the Gel Kayanos are not an option for trolling the city streets, shops, and wine bars. Shoe selection is a science for ladies here. That said, DO pack the running shoes for early morning jogs outside the city ... especially good for taking in the best views:
[See, if Pirlo would just slow down a little more ... I might catch him?]
(AP Photo)
6) Finally these new bras are so big there is no room in the luggage for the matching panties.
Of course I'm kidding - this was a joke I made to the ladies at Dillards yesterday. It was all an effort to make myself feel better after a mission failure to Victoria's Secret to outfit the newly re-sized assets. I waltzed in there so proud of my new "D status" (Brick House!) and was quite sure they would even ask me to participate in their fall runway show this year (which I'd have to decline, as I'll be in Europe stuffing pork products down my neck).
Instead, I was informed we "little big girls" who have numbers like '32' in front of that prestigious 'D' will no longer be able to shop at the secret - as those sizes will be discontinued, at least in this store. As I resisted covering the girls with my hands so they wouldn't hear (common decency regarding grabbing myself in public prevailed) sales girl proceeded to explain "We are a specialty store and don't sell enough in that size. You can still get some on-line."
You know, that feeling was like finally being tall enough to ride the roller coaster only to have it torn down that year, because not enough kids were riding it. I felt more like a Brick Fixer-Upper than a Brick House and went straight to the department store for some retail lacy Wacoal therapy.
So here we are. Fall fever combined with packing acrobatics, which could very well become, like the Pumpkin Spice latte, an annual event. (Oh, lucky readers, you!) The dry runs of packing, repacking, taking out one item and stuffing two more in have already begun.
While it's true you can't have it all in life, I'm finding that change, trade-offs, and irony are sweetest when trying to live between the two worlds I love so much.
As I walked past the neighbor's new mums last night I had a flashback to late August last year when Fall nostalgia got to me just a little as I took off for Italy just before Pumpkin Spice Latte season was underway at Starbuck's. I can honestly say it's been 2 years since a Pumpkin Spice indulgence has met my lips - and I missed them terribly last year - remember this hormonal snivel fest? Therefore, despite falling out of a once fiendish ardor for lattes, I fully intend on snuggling up with at least one before I leave in a few weeks. It is just what must be done. In honor of Fall.
Amidst early-Autumn reveling, you can bet there is still packing theatricals, although scaled down a little from last year. Remember this drama? Several factors come into play this year, however.
1) Am only going to be gone a few months. One suitcase, sister. One.
2) I was blessed to be able to stash winter coats, sweaters, boots with a friend (along with beloved Moka Pot and Brunello glasses, as good wine glasses - even in rental flats - are a must.)
3) Lessons learned on all the things packed last time that were never (ever) ever used. Stiletto heels.
4) Lessons learned on packing too many things that could have easily been purchased at the other end. Toothpaste.
5) Cobblestones streets + much walking = footwear conundrum. Fashion must meet comfort. And no, the Gel Kayanos are not an option for trolling the city streets, shops, and wine bars. Shoe selection is a science for ladies here. That said, DO pack the running shoes for early morning jogs outside the city ... especially good for taking in the best views:
[See, if Pirlo would just slow down a little more ... I might catch him?]
(AP Photo)
6) Finally these new bras are so big there is no room in the luggage for the matching panties.
Of course I'm kidding - this was a joke I made to the ladies at Dillards yesterday. It was all an effort to make myself feel better after a mission failure to Victoria's Secret to outfit the newly re-sized assets. I waltzed in there so proud of my new "D status" (Brick House!) and was quite sure they would even ask me to participate in their fall runway show this year (which I'd have to decline, as I'll be in Europe stuffing pork products down my neck).
Instead, I was informed we "little big girls" who have numbers like '32' in front of that prestigious 'D' will no longer be able to shop at the secret - as those sizes will be discontinued, at least in this store. As I resisted covering the girls with my hands so they wouldn't hear (common decency regarding grabbing myself in public prevailed) sales girl proceeded to explain "We are a specialty store and don't sell enough in that size. You can still get some on-line."
You know, that feeling was like finally being tall enough to ride the roller coaster only to have it torn down that year, because not enough kids were riding it. I felt more like a Brick Fixer-Upper than a Brick House and went straight to the department store for some retail lacy Wacoal therapy.
So here we are. Fall fever combined with packing acrobatics, which could very well become, like the Pumpkin Spice latte, an annual event. (Oh, lucky readers, you!) The dry runs of packing, repacking, taking out one item and stuffing two more in have already begun.
While it's true you can't have it all in life, I'm finding that change, trade-offs, and irony are sweetest when trying to live between the two worlds I love so much.
How the hell can VS discontinue 32D?! They're a lingerie shop for christ sake!
ReplyDeleteOh and what I wouldn't give for a pumpkin spice latte. As Xmas approaches, I'll be all about my gingerbread latte and I won't care how far I have to travel to get one!
That's what I said when she said ALL 32s. All of them. She gave me that "specialty" store line and I deduced they're "specializing" sizes now? When I think of all the money I used to spend there when I was just a one room brick shack...
ReplyDeleteFeeling you on the yen for Pumpkin Spice - nothing screams "Faaaallll" quite like it.