awards and dress hunting

[1] I was given the "Brillante Weblog Premio 2008" award by two wonderful bloggers: Kara at Inspired Kara and Leah from Marital Bless. I'm not sure how this award originated or what it really means, but who am I to question an award? Props across the blogosphere are always a good thing in my book.

Part of the deal is nominating more blogs with links for you readers to explore. Since I am crazy and have almost 150 blogs on my Google Reader this is a perfect opportunity to share the wealth, no?

Jen from Maybe If You Just Relax-I promised myself I'd stop reading infertility blogs because it only fuels my irrational fear that this will happen to me, too. But this girl is too funny and one of the most clever writers out there. She's pretty hard core in that she blogs for actual websites and such, but with her fabulous sarcasm it's no wonder she is a hired woman. Bonus: she is a success story because she is now preggo!

Erin at This Is Life-not just another mommy blog, this one is freaking hilarious. A few of the Milwaukee girls read this blog [I think some may actually know her in real life] and they got me hooked. She just had a baby girl and reading about new motherhood is both terrifying and intriguing, all mixed together with some old fashioned humor. I enjoy the candid honesty Erin provides---just reading about a colicky baby stresses me out, but she has a knack for writing and I'm a sucker for her sarcasm.

Now I must admit: I lurk on these two blogs and I've never commented on either. Therefore, I feel that I should not have to comment now to let them know about the award. Maybe I'm just being lazy, but it makes sense to me.

[2] We will be attending three weddings in the next three months and mama needs a new dress [or two]. Yes, I have many perfectly fine dresses in my possession right now but want/need a new one because I'm nuts like that. Who wants to be photographed wearing the same dress from wedding to wedding? Not me, my friends.

Since I am feeling rather stingy lately [my inner tight wad is freaking out!] I feel that Ebay is my best option---after all, I have a little money in my J.Lorene fund and I might as well spend it on something fun like this, right? I had a lot of luck with Ebay for dresses last year for the honeymoon and showers, so I might as well saddle up again.

Let's review our choices:

A. J.Crew's Lydia dress: originally $250, on sale at J.Crew for $179, and up for grabs on
Ebay for $49.99 at the starting bid.

I watched a whole bunch of these beauties slip through my hands last week while I contemplated the purchase and now there is only ONE in my size listed right now. It is black, which would be okay since I need a nice LBD, but it's so hard for me to commit to boring old black. I know it's classic and all that but I'm a colorful girl and buying a black dress is no fun at all.

B. J.Crew's Janey: originally $275, on sale at the Crew for $189.99. No thanks, JC, I don't find that to be a deal at all. I found this baby on Ebay for $39.99 in chocolate and $89.99 in black.
Again, last week they had all kinds of pinks, reds, yellows, etc on Ebay....and now just the basics. But in reality, some of these weddings string into October and I'm sure black or brown would be more practical for that time of year.

C. J.Crew Claudine tank dress: originally $275, JC has it for $139.99 and my beloved Ebay is failing me right now on this one.

I watched this one sell last week and now I'm totally kicking myself for not acting on it. This is SUCH a me dress [well all of them are since they have straps. I don't look the best in strapless, I swear]. I suppose $140 from J.Crew isn't awful but I really wanted to spend less than $100. I'm stalking Ebay each day for a new listing.

4. BCBG's Mahogony silk taffeta dress: originally $240, starting bid on Ebay is $80, and Buy It Now is for $130.
Again, could there BE a dress more my style? I'm just not sure about taffeta--it makes me think of a bad 80's prom dress.

So what are your thoughts? Do you like one more than the other, or think one is a better bargain? I have a dress [from Ebay!] to wear this weekend at the first wedding so these potentials are for the September and October weddings. Such difficult decisions in life, you know?