I am realizing that I have had an eventful 8 days! LOL! This past Saturday, my sister Sheri, her friend and I went to see Les Miserable at the Kimmel Performing Arts Center Academy of Music in Philadelphia. You see, during our trip to Mexico last summer, we were talking about favorite musicals and I said Les Miserables. I saw it three times between my junior year in high school and senior year in college and loved it so much that I bought the soundtrack to the production many years ago. And, I listen to it relatively often … sometimes tearing up in my car or even bawling (if it’s one of those kind of days) as I sing along. Well, Sheri’s other friend loved it as well, but Sheri had never seen it. So, long before we knew the movie was coming to theaters, we bought tickets to the Philadelphia production.

So, on Saturday, we headed out to Philly a little early to have brunch at a nice French restaurant called Parc. I had French toast with apples and walnut butter.

Then we headed over to the theater. After some confusion with our balcony box seats … yeah, a young kid was sitting in one and said his mom was in the bathroom with the tickets — when she returned, they were in the wrong seats … we were seated and ready for the show.

Now … as to the musical … ummm. Now, remember, Les Mis is my favorite musical. I’ve seen it three times and listen to the soundtrack regularly. Well, this production was just “alright.” It was definitely a disappointment to me as I felt it didn’t have the emotional depth of the productions I’ve seen in the past. It felt too rushed and I thought some songs were not sung with the vulnerability and misery that draws the audience into the pain of the characters. Everyone sang very well, especially Jean valJean and Javert. Eponine was extremely lacking in my opinion. She did not speak with the hackney that is expected of her low class character and she actually sang “On My Own” with a harsh belligerence!!! I was looking around like, “What the frick is this?!?!” Overall, I just felt several of the characters didn’t “bring it.” I remember BAWLING at it the three times I saw it previously. I barely teared up once at this production. At the end of the day, Les Miserable wasn’t that … well, miserable. I’m gonna have to listen to the soundtrack to get a good cry. *lol*

Alright, now really quickly, just had to share my OOTD! On Friday, I decided to hit Marshall’s to find something to wear. I’d exhausted my wardrobe in the last month of so and worn everything that fit me. So, I decided to see if I could find a dress that would accommodate my “generous” posterior and hips now, but would still fit me when I lose this dang weight! That’s why I love dresses!!

Anywho, I scored big time with this great silk print Anne Klein dress!!

This dress retails for $450 according to the slip, was originally $179.99 at Marshall’s and I got it on clearance for … drum roll please … $39!!!

Woot Woot!! I love that this dress is sleeveless and lightweight as it makes it great for layering in the winter and wearing alone in the summer!! I ended up layering it with a few old items in my closet: an orange cardigan from J.Crew and a deep plum corduroy blazer from Old Navy. It was so nice out on Saturday, that all I needed out was my Christmas gift from Wei, one of those lovely and dramatic chain rope scarves from LuluandLoie that I shared with you guys here.

Finally, I accessorized with a necklace and earring set that I bought from a cousin at a family reunion a few years ago and a pair of Jessica Simpson boots that I picked up at a Marshall’s a couple of years ago.

Oh, and finally, my hair was a refreshed braid-out with a new product that I’ll have to tell you about later.

But today, it’s back to the bun!!

Happy Monday ladies!!

(p.s. If you missed it and are interested, I updated The Katie Show Experience post with screen shots from the aired episode! You can check them out here!)

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What did you do this weekend?!