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You all may be surprised by the title of this post--it has nothing to do with fashion but instead is a techy post! Blasphemy! But think about it: all your fab ladies out there, you've worked hard to look that good, you've spent years polishing up your wardrobe to its current state. Why ruin your everyday look with something as boring as a black laptop bag, or even worse, the Timbuk2 disaster that's spreading croc-like across the nation? Besides, wearing heels is hard enough on our back without the added stress of a heavy laptop in a heavy (ugly) bag! So what is the solution that doesn't cost over a grand?

[MSI X-slim X320. $599. Amazon]

No, this is not a plug for Amazon I swear (though my employee discount comes in pretty handy when I need to get this). This is the laptop of laptops--it has a 13.4" screen, weights a mere 2.86bs (about the same as the Macbook Air), fits in a manila envelope, has bluetooth 2.0, 2GB memory, and comes with a webcam. It can handle RAM and memory upgrades but even without it's better than an average "home use" laptop and much, much thinner. Finally! Affordable, stylish, and practical too. You can practically write it off as a medical expense for not hurting your back (I don't recommend trying to do that on your tax return though). While you're at it...how about a Kindle too? No, I'm just kidding :)

Remember when UGG's used to be "ugly" in everyone's eyes? Oh, how the times have changed. As psychologists say, repeated exposure to the same thing actually changes your preferences to the point you make like whatever you're seeing. How true how true. UGG's are rampaging across campuses and no one bothers to criticize how ugly they are anymore.

Well, I decided to return my chestnut UGG's because UGGs can cause back problems. As if my back needs any more help on hurting itself with fencing and my heavy backpack. I also just had a fashion epiphany where I realized tacking designer symbols on yourself does not make you cutting edge--it makes you look insecure, confused, and possibly like a fashion victim. Ensue flurry of returning my Coach purses, my burberry boots, my D&B clutches, my UGG's, and my designer jeans.

Anyway, I poked around to find a replacement for my UGG's: something comfy, with arch support, a similar color, and easy to slip on when I'm running late to class. Behold--my new boot of choice.

[Mantona. Aldo Shoes. Price varies by color.]

No worries, it comes in a nice taupe color too. And size 35. Look at that nice traction on the sole, the simple leather, and almond toe, and the slouchy easiness of it. This would be the doctor-recommended version of UGGs. I can just see myself pull these on, Starbucks in hand, and fly out the door.

Gosh do I remember reading my boyfriend's post about new Outlier pants that were not just waterproof but everything-proof. Being a fencer myself, the concept of "proofed" up clothes barely excites me (our FIE gear will withstand almost any sharp things coming our way...some vendor told me it was bulletproof) yet I was still glad when I saw a tidbit about (fashionable) waterproof denim in the latest Lucky. I do hate it when my hems get soaked in the Seattle downpour. Check it out:

"Devious"

[Kasil Jeans. Cotton/Waterproof Lycra. $202.]

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"Storm Denim"

[Alexander Wang x Cotton Incorporated. $375.]

Alexander Wang's denim has been out for a while, with blogs about it dating back to summer '08 when he first released the news. Quite the planner that man is. Did you know he was a former Teen Vogue intern? Yeah, hmm! I'm not too much of a fan of the (very) risque zipper. There is a front AND back complete zipper, which pulls the two legs of the jean totally apart. Strange. For me, I'd like waterproof denim when I'm tromping around going to class--and Wang's jeans make me like I'm going clubbing.

I haven't seen/heard much about Kasil but I'm liking the comfy, faded wash reminding me of my favorite Seven's I always throw on when it's a rainy day outside. Now that's practically applied fashion!

 

I swear fashion mags are boggled by numerous footsie padding ads--some smell nice, some keep your toesies warm, some are shaped like flowers. I have a lot of back, ankle, shin, AND foot problems so I've always been keen about cushioning ALL my shoes. I rarely wear high heels unless it's for special occassions, and you'll never see me with flats on without insoles. Through the years I've bought many a pack of insoles; I've tried pretty much every pair of Dr. Scholl's insoles available in the market. I've whittled through the massaging gel kind, the "pretty" kind for women, the shock obsorbing kind, and even the "back pain relief" kind. Now, I finally found the one that actually works--not just for flats and my fab new boots but also for my day-today sneakers AND my fencing shoes. I now present you with...

This babies work like a dream. They are easy to slip on (nothing to peel and stick) so you can move them from shoe to shoe when in a crunch. They never lose their padding and they have fantastic arch support that is flexible and not too hard (I hate insoles with very stiff arch support...it hurts more than it helps!). They virtually fit any type of shoe and any size of feet. They rarely get very smelly (if they do, just sit them in baking soda for a night) even though I wear them sock-less all the time. They are rubbery at the bottom so they don't curl up as you're walking--a huge pet peeve of mine. I have these in all my pairs of flats (including my very uncomfortable Franco Sarto's) as well as my Steve by Steve Madden boots which has a 1-inch wedge heel. When I stick these insoles in, I feel like I'm walking in sneakers. No pains at all. That's what I call miraculous.

I'm a young girl with a 60 year old body. My back aches, my shoulder aches, my feet hurt, my knees throb, my thighs hurt, etc. Most of it is fencing related, I admit, but that's something I won't stop doing. What I can do is to be super careful about eating well and not putting too much strain on my body. I'm all for gummyvites in the morning,  padded backpack shoulders, and a lot of hydration throughout the day. If Italy taught me anything, it's to keep water with you at all times. But who wants to carry a bulky SIGG bottle in their purse? Plastic bottles will get you many a frown, so what's a girl to do?

Luckily, I found a water bottle that not only eases weight on your shoulders but ALSO is eco-friendly. I present to you...

THE PLATYPUS

This water bottle is BPA free (remember the scandal with Nalgene bottles?), can be frozen and handle boiling liquids, is flexible in size, can roll up if needed, and comes in 3 different sizes. I love the Platypus because it takes up very little room in my purse, doesn't weigh anything by itself, and is pretty cool lookin'. I have the 1L one, which I usually finish in about a day. The only gripes I have with the water bottle is 1) it tastes like plastic the first few times when it's new 2) the sports-cap is really annoying and a couple times the twisty bottom cap came loose and water owned my purse and 3) you can't drink it without two hands (ie biking). Other than that, it's easily the niftiest thing I've got in my handbag. Get one cheap on Amazon today!