Goodbye Old Friend

Truth be told, I have been waiting 6 years this day to come. I knew that at some point, I would be in a car accident in the state Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was just a matter of time. Thankfully, I walked away without a single scratch (just a few bruises). And no one else was hurt in the accident. 

My day came on January 16, 2013. As always, I went to bed wishing for a snow day (who doesn't?). The morning news reported terrible road conditions. I was tempted to play the "I'm from the PNW and I don't know how to drive in the snow" card, but when I looked out the window, all  the roads were plowed. Plus, I figured that I probably couldn't play the card after all, this is my 7th winter. The roads were pretty clear for most of my drive. 

About 5 miles from work, I became over confident. While belting out "Girl on Fire", I hit a patch of slick snowy-slush.  The ass end of my car started to drift into the on-coming lane (this is a one lane, each way back road). As soon as I saw the cars in the other lane, I panicked, jerked the steering wheel and oversteered, hit my breaks, basically EVERYTHING you are not supposed to do in this situation. This girl was not on fire. Luckily, for whatever reason, the cars in the other lane were stopped (maybe the head car was trying to make a left hand turn?). My car drifted back into my lane, but I had lost complete control of my car by then. I was began to spin, I'd say I got about 135 degrees around, when I realized that I was headed straight for a telephone pole. I thought the pole was going to hit about the middle of the drivers side door (I have 3' gap in my depth perception). Just before impact, I threw my arms up to protect my face in case my window shattered. It was a total "Jesus, take the Wheel" moment. 

BANG! POP! 

I hit the telephone pole, the car behind me swerved to avoid me and hit a sign instead, and my passenger side airbag deployed. I've had a faulty sensor for years. The excuse came in handy when I didn't want to play chauffer. I felt like Wile E. Coyote bouncing off a cliff wall (or something like that). I was so disoriented right after the car stopped spinning. Too bad there wasn't video of me trying to get out of my car. I bet that was pretty funny.

Telephone pole - 1, Car - 0.  

Car go bye-bye. See the tilted sign to the left of the pole? That's the sign the guy behind me ran into.

Before the end of the day, my insurance agency had already asked me to clean out my car. Booo. Cleaning out my car was a very sad moment for me. It only got worse as I drove away; tears flowing. My car and I have been through a lot in the past 13 years. It was really to accept that it wouldn't be around anymore. It was almost as if I was losing a limb. Dramatic, much?

It doesn't look that bad right? That white thing on the dash is the airbag. 

That's fixable, right, no big deal? What are the odds that I hit it in the same exact spot as a previous incident (rust spot on quarter panel)?

Ouch!

Maybe I should have gotten that SRS light fixed, maybe my car wouldn't have been totaled?

A week and a half later, my car was officially ruled as "totaled."

Flo is a creeper.

Signing my title over. *sad face*

*All photos taken with HTC Droid Incredible*

Hi

Oh my, I've been neglecting this blog. Things have been REALLY CRAZY with my day job (11 hour days and skipping lunch!) for the last month (although it seems like forever). The last thing I want to do after getting home is sit in front of my computer. I guess having a busted laptop doesn't help the situation either, right? I've had issues with my Ultrabook for awhile, it is finally at the point where I have to send it in. Boooo.

Anyways, get ready for an influx of posts. Has anyone counted the number of times I've said that? We'll see if I keep my word.

The to-do list on my chalkboard has been there since last March.
Instagram @hungc

My Closet: Something Bleu Bow-Topped Slingbacks

The latest addition to my collection are a pair of jaw dropping-gorgeous heels that I first laid eyes on way back when Anthropologie launched it's sister store, BHLDN. I would have bought them in an instant for the wedding had them come in either black or red. Probably a good thing they didn't since they were quite spendy and I probably would have ruined them with all the tromping around outdoors like we did for photos.

I count my lucky stars, for once, holding out on this purchase meant being able to pick them up at a fraction of the price; 73% off!!

Something Bleu Bow-Topped Slingbacks

(BHLDN)

Details:

• Silk satin upper
• Leather sole
• 4" silk wrapped heel
• 0.5" covered platform
• Adjustable buckle
• Handmade in Italy

My notes:

• Purchased in a size 7. I was in between sizes. The 7 is a touch too long, but the toe box is comfy. The 6.5 was too short and too tight.
• My left shoe pinches in one section. I notice that it has just a smidge more material in the area than on the right shoe. But I expect subtle differences in handmade shoes.
• The color is called fuchsia, but is more of a plum.
• The bow is a little flatter on the left shoe. I sent my first pair back because I thought the bow was defective. The second pair arrived the same, I think it's an artifact of how the shoe is stored in the box.
• Embedded blue jewel on the bottom of the arch.

Other:

• Purchased from: BHLDN
• Year: 2013
• Number of times worn: Brand new

Instagram @hungc

My Closet: Coconuts Holdenborn Sandal

Ugh, I'm so over winter. If only I had a tropical vacation to look forward to. So instead, let's move into my beach worthy collections.

Coconuts Holdenborn Sandal

(DSW)

Details:

• Faux lether metallic upper
• Crystal embellished rings
• Synthetic sole
• Imported

My notes:

• Runs long. Purchased in a size 6. The reviews said it ran short so I ordered it in both a 6 and 7. I probably could have gone down to a 5, but I ordered it just days before hopping on a plane for India.
• Has a very East Indian vibe; I had many compliments on my choice of footwear.
• Very comfy. I danced into the wee morning of New Years with no blisters the next day.
• The prongs holding the crystals do have a tendency to catch fabric. One of my sari's may have a few snags in it. 

Other:

• Purchased from: DSW
• Year: 2012
• Number of times worn: 3 (and all while in India!)

Sorry, no personal photos. I doubt you want to see my unpedicured toes or my pasty-white legs.

My Closet: Nike ACG Valenka 2 Boots

Blizzard last weekend, snow again this weekend. Guess it's only fitting to share my second pair of snow boots. Funny story, I think I purchased these only a few weeks after finally pulling the trigger on my Uggs.

Nike ACG Valenka 2 Boots

I have no idea what the inside is, but it is super soft.

Details:

• Wool upper
• Phylon midsole
• Recycled green rubber sole with waffle lug pattern for traction and durability
• "Puddle-proof"
• Lightweight and flexible construction

My notes:

• Purchased in a size 7
• Very comfy
• Super warm
• Lightweight
• Great for tromping around snow, slush, and puddles.
• Super cute button detail. (the reason I really got these)

Other:

• Purchased from: Nike Outlet (Wrentham), on ridiculous clearance
• Year: 2008/2009
• Number of times worn: Handful. I always seem to forget that I have these in addition to my Uggs.
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My Closet: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneakers

I LOVE my Chucks. I'd still be wearing them if a) I hadn't worn through the soles, b) it wasn't for all this damned snow, and c) they might be a *tad* dusty/dirty from trekking around India.

Project Find a Replacement Pair has been in the works for a long time now, but I haven't been able to decide on a color and/or pattern for my next pair.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneakers

DSW

Details:

• Canvas upper with original Chuck Taylor® patch logo
• Accent foxing strip that ties back to the color of the shoe
• Vulcanized rubber outsole for increased traction and flexibility
• Made in China

My notes:

• Purchased in 6
• Color - Gothic Grape
• I found them to be extremely comfortable even though they offer zero arch support. 
• At the suggestion of my physical therapist, I stopped wearing them for a couple of months last year after I bruised my foot and didn't let it heel properly.

Other:

• Purchased from: DSW
• Year: 2011
• Number of times worn: Pretty much daily since 2011.

Rockin' my Chucks over the GMT.

Chucks on the cricket field at the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club.

Again, I was far too lazy and FREEZING to take my own pictures this week. 

Day 11: Versailles

I never thought that I would be back in Paris after my [first] visit in 2005. It was a whirlwind of a trip. In 2 or 3 days, I saw practically everything listed in the guidebooks: Mona Lisa in the Louvre  walked down Champs Elysees, took in Notre Dame, walked along the Seine, saw the Eiffel Tower, saw the Arc deTriomphe, etc. (I say saw, because that's what I did. I was too dumb at the time to realize that you could go up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe!) Anyways, seeing as how Jake has already been, I took this opportunity to go back with one very specific goal in mind. To visit the Palace of Versailles!

I woke up to see the Po-Po downstairs. Lovely! Instagram @hungc

So before we get on with the photos, you have to check out the map of the estate. It is pretty ridiculous. I covered quite a bit of it, but could have easily spent my entire day there if it hadn't been for the cold wind. 

Palace of Versailles.

An empty hall inside the palace. If only the rest of my tour was like this.

The Hall of Mirrors and a shit ton of tourists. Not shown, the hoards of school children and overseas tourist groups.

Floor to ceiling windows opposite the wall of mirrors. Also a selfie to prove that I was there. 

Can you imagine waking up to this? View from Marie-Antoinette's room. 

Marie-Antoinette's bedroom. Either the lower half of the room was behind a wall or I choose to shoot above the hoards of people.
(I was seriously hiding in the corner by the window listening to my audio guide.)

The ridiculous gardens: Latone Fountain (closest), Apollo Fountain (middle), and the Grand Canal.

Somewhere in the gardens and groves.

Making my way across the estate to the Grand Trianon with a ham sandwich (ham on baguette) in hand. 

Grand Trianon (the summer palace): hall that echos the Hall of Mirrors, without all the mirrors. 

Pretty pink marble pillars.

Queen's Hamlet: The Marlborough Tower

The Queen's Hamlet: The Farm

The Queen's Hamlet: The Farm

Tree somewhere on the estate, probably close to the Petit Trianon. (Sorry, no pictures of the Petit Trianon, I got lazy.)

My number 2 goal on this trip was to get myself some Laduree macrons. There just happened to be a boutique at the palace. Funny story, there were 6 college aged girls (either American or Canadian) in front of me. They were trying to pool their money together and make a purchase. After much discussion, they agreed to split a box of 18. I ordered the same box, the Bonaparte assortment (and also the last one!). That's right, I had all 18 to myself. Mission accomplished. I am very proud to say that I was able to order it completely in French without hesitation or stuttering. 

Laduree Bonaparte assortment.   

Latone Fountain

Orangery and Swiss Lake.

The South Wing of the Palace.

Dinner - take out from Sushi Shop, I think this was a spicy salmon roll.

Sashimi!

Previously:
Day 10: Edinburgh/Paris
Day 9: Edinburgh
Day 8: London/Edinburgh
Day 7: London
Day 6: London
Day 5: London/Greenwich
Day 4: London
Day 3: London
Day 2: Cambridge/London
Day 1: London
Day 1: London - prefunc

*All photos taken by me with Nikon D7000 unless noted.