Blessing in Disguise

I was in a car accident nearly a month ago. Don't worry, I'm OK. That's not the reason why I haven't posted a new blog in the last three weeks. I have no excuse for not writing.

But the point of this blog isn't why I've been such a slacker, but the blessing that came out of the car accident.

The accident happened on the Garden State Parkway. Phillip and I (we were in separate cars) had just entered the Parkway, an expressway where the cars are easily driven 80 mph. A couple of minutes after getting on the highway, the car in front of me started breaking, so I started breaking. I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed the car behind me wasn't slowing down. I thought "I'm going to be in a car accident," and then WHAM! I was in a car accident.

The car behind me slammed into me, causing me to run into the car in front of me. This caused the woman I hit to run into the car in front of her. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I had a cut on my bottom lip, but refused medical attention at the scene. However, a couple of hours after the accident, my right hand and wrist were bruised and the entire right side of my body was sore. So, Phillip took me to the ER, where we spent four hours to learn that nothing was broken or sprained.

If you're waiting for the blessing, one is that I survived a four-car accident on a busy highway, and two is that because of the accident I'm going to go from a $500 a month car note to no car note at all!

My 2008 BMW 328i was only eight months old when I had to put her down. Because she was so young, my insurance company valued my car at nearly what I paid for it. So, after State Farm cut BMW Financial a check, I walked away with a nice amount. It probably also helped that I put down a sizable down payment (see my June 30, 2008 blog).

Anyway, because of the leftover money, I am buying a 2008 BMW 328i candy apple red coupe tomorrow IN CASH! We got a great deal because it's an '08 with 9,000 miles. And what's weird is that before I purchased the '08 sedan in June, I looked at a 2008 red coupe, but couldn't afford it. Now, I'm finally getting what I want  - the car and no car note!

Blessings come in the strangest forms.

Things a Woman Should Know about Style

I just read "Things a Woman Should Know about Style" by Karen Homer. 

I bought it for three reasons: I think I have style sometimes, but strive to have it all of the time; for the picture of Audrey Hepburn on the cover (she's definitely a style icon) and it was $7.99 at Anthropologie.

I highlighted statements throughout the book that I either agreed with or thought were funny. 

Here they are: 

• It is the flagrant lack of practicality that makes high-heeled shoes so fascinating.
  

I thought this quote made so much sense that I tacked it to the top of my blog about how much high-heeled shoes hurt. High-heeled shoes hurt like heck, but they are so beautiful, which is why I continue to wear them.

• Accessories are to girls what DIY gadgets are to boys. Gratifying for a while, but you always want a newer model.

I couldn't agree with this more. My husband, however, doesn't think there's a correlation. I love bracelets, necklaces and rings. He loves his CSI 2120 dual channel vibration analyzer and his Panametrics AT868 ultrasonic flow meter, whatever those are! I'm always looking for that next great piece of jewelry and Phillip, well...

• You are never too fat for your accessories. 

I loved this so much that it was my facebook status yesterday. I have fat days more than I'd like to admit, but on some of those fat days, I still want to go shopping. Hence the previous item. While my pants size may go up and down, my shoe size and ring size will always be a six.

• The most enduring accessory of all is jewelry. Jewelry should be acquired over a lifetime of inheritance, extravagance and self-indulgence. Buy carefully or cheaply. Preferably don't buy for yourself at all.

Self explanatory. 

• Diamonds really are a girl's best friend. Especially big ones.
  

Again, self explanatory.

• Don't just buy because it's cheap.

How many times have you bought something that was either too small (and you thought you'd lose weight to fit into it) or just wasn't that great because it was cheap? Don't.

• (When looking for a style icon) never copy a woman who has had breast implants.

I have nothing against breast implants, I just thought this was random and funny because it was the only time Homer mentioned implants in the book. Homer suggests Nicole Kidman or Halle Berry as icons.

• Carry yourself well. Walk tall and proud.

Your back will thank you.

• At parties leave your bag at home. Make your boyfriend carry your lipstick in his pocket.

...and your keys, blackberry and business cards, etc.

• Don't buy designer rip-offs. So what if no one else knows. You do...Think of a bag as an investment.

I've been guilty of hitting Canal Street to buy designer knock-offs, but after I bought my first real designer bag about two years ago, I just can't bring myself to buy a fake bag. There's something about carrying a real designer bag that makes you feel good. And if you buy the right one, it will be timeless.

• You will always need more than one handbag. In fact, you can justify an almost limitless number. Like shoes, handbags are something a girl can always do with more of.

Something else that just makes sense.

• Fur coats are unsuitable for women under 40 years of age or 5'5''.

What? I'm 33 and have wanted a fur for years. And I don't think I'm going to wait until I'm 40 to get one. I'm not sure where Homer is going with this. She explains the height factor: "Short, round women in fur look like Mrs. Tiggwinkle," she wrote, but doesn't address the age issue.

• And lastly, style comes from the inside, so until you are happy in your own skin, you won't look good in anyone's else's.
  

I couldn't agree more!

Now, go and be stylish!