Convertibles
I always imagined myself as a convertible kinda gal - the wind blowing through my hair as I drive around, sunglasses on, sexy hair, music blasting, etc. That’s the fantasy and not a particularly well written one either. Why, you may ask? Because I just came home from an hour plus drive in my husband’s convertible. It’s 9:15 PM. We live in New York. The temperature at the moment is 63′ and my hands are frozen. We were at a Bat Mitzvah. I was wearing a dress I adore - sexy and black. Short - mid thigh. And get this - my first pair of Jimmy Choo sandals. Yes, a huge huge splurge. I was really psyched to go visit with my college friends’ and share their daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. I even thought I looked … if not hot, then at least pretty darn good for a 40-something year old.
And then my husband decided to open the top for the ride home. I should be happy he didn’t do it for the ride there, because then I would have arrived with windblown hair standing on end. Not exactly the stuff of fantasies. So we drove home in 63 degrees NY weather, wind whipping around my head, my husband’s suit jacket over my shoulders and my bare legs shivering the entire way home. I’m also a headache girl which means loud noises and whipping wind WILL cause a headache. But he loves his convertible and I love him, and I want to be the girl of his dreams, you know? So we do the convertible thing and as much as there are parts of it I don’t love, I really DO love driving in the car with him.
And on the positive side, we blasted music and sang. Did you know Sirius Radio has a Neil Diamond Station? I didn’t. Now I do. So we listened to Neil. We sang. We had fun. Oh … I have Neil Diamond tickets at Madison Square Garden for August 13th. That’ll be a future blog! I hope he sings more best of Neil oldies, but we’ll see.
So back to convertibles. CAN they be the sexy ride we write about even in reality? Not sure. But every once in awhile, I like to pretend I belong in one.
I think riding in a convertible can be sexy when it’s sunny, 75 degrees outside, and you’re going about 30 miles an hour. Other than that, I picture looking like Renee Zellweger in “Bridget Jones’ Diary” - not a pretty sight. Still I think it’s sweet you let your dh have his fun.
Comment by Stacy ~ — May 5, 2008 @ 6:30 am
Yeah, in NY they are just not that practical are they? I used to have a Fiat convertible, nice little sports car. I usually kept the windows up and the heat on when the top was down. And drove it that way on sunny days in the dead of winter. Amazing what youth does to you.
I had a chance to buy advanced sale Neil Tix for the concert here on Friday, they go on sale today to the general public, and shocked my husband when I decided not to go see him. Again. Not thrilled with this years concert lineup so far. I hope Saratoga starts getting some decent things lined up soon.
I am trying to type with a kitten licking my fingers and chewing on them. He likes the bouncing icons.
Comment by ev — May 5, 2008 @ 6:43 am
Carly, you look beautiful and sexy and the shoes are gorgeous! Congratulations on your first pair of Jimmy Choos.
As far as the convertible, I think riding in a convertible can be sexy if you’re into riding in a convertible. I think it’s a mind set. I see women driving a convertible–usually blonde–they have a tan, cool shades–all I can think when I see them is just wait until you get home and try to brush your hair–oh the tangled web you weave.
Not to mention their need for some serious sun block.
Personally, I don’t like the wind blowing my hair. But hey, that’s just me. I’m too high maintenance I guess…
I had my picture taken at the conference I attended recently and when she was taking the pictures and showed them to me on the digital camera they looked, well, not too offensive. But when I got home, loaded the CD into my computer and took a look–EEEWWW!! Scary, scary stuff. The humidity there did a number on my hair not to mention the way my nose and mouth looked–Oh. My. God. I won’t go into the awful details. Again, problems with my hair.
We don’t have a convertible but my husband has a motorcycle–A Honda Shadow that he’s had quite a few years. It’s beautiful. And I love to ride it with him. The only thing I don’t like is that the helmet really flattens my hair. Again, I have hair issues. Other than that, it’s so relaxing. But if it’s in the sixties or even the seventies, without jeans and a jacket, I would freeze.
So, Carly, I can just see you shivering.
Have a terrific day all,
Cher
Comment by Cher — May 5, 2008 @ 7:57 am
No, Carly, 63 at night is not my type of convertible weather either. We have a Mustang Cobra convertible and 70 - in the sun - is my threshhold. In the summer, when it’s warmer at night, that’s a diffferent story…and I also keep a blanket in the trunk because kidlet riding in the backseat gets even colder, but he loves the top down.
My hair is almost to my butt and has absolutely no style.
So, it’s either straight, pulled back in a ponytail or braid, or pulled back in a barette. Even if I’m going someplace important, like to a wedding, I still drop the top. It gives me that sexy windblown look and I actually get more compliments on my hair after I’ve driven with the top down. 
Hubby originally wanted the car and now I’m the one who loves it and drives it most (well, even before he was put on driving restrictions). He’s talked about selling it a few times but so far my pouty lip has kept him from doing it.
It’s crazy but I do feel sexy when I drive it. And everywhere I go men stare. I know they’re looking at the car, they can hear it coming from blocks away and it’s a sharp car that gets attention, but it’s nice to pretend they’re looking at me sometimes. 
Comment by Jodie — May 5, 2008 @ 8:07 am
Love those Jimmy Choos….ev, I shocked hubby when I told him I couldn’t go to see Neil, also. It’s on a school night, at the beginning of the school year (not a good time for us)….we’ve seen him a lot, so I am not too sad…this summer is THE POLICE, though….very psyched about that!
Comment by katie — May 5, 2008 @ 8:40 am
Oh, I forgot, we are also seeing James Taylor (I’d do anything for his concerts).
Comment by katie — May 5, 2008 @ 8:40 am
I had a convertible right out of college and loved it. I had the top down almost all summer. My friends and I did ride around in it one day when it was pretty cool, and just about froze.
BTW, love the shoes and dress. I would love to have a pair of Jimmy Choo sandles, but I really can’t walk well in heals. Would hate to face plant while wearing such killer shoes.
Comment by Liza — May 5, 2008 @ 8:56 am
The shoes, while lovely, look uncomfortable. However, I tried on a pair of Choos a few years ago and they were actually very nice on the foot. Out of my price range, but very nice!
My best friend in high school had a convertible and we kept cute little ball caps in the glove compartment for when we put the top down so our scalps wouldn’t get sunburned (Florida, remember?) We got very adept at jumping in and out of the car without opening the doors. Our top-down weather was pretty limited to our few days of spring and at night–and of course, any day we went to the beach. We also had windows up and air conditioner blasting! I don’t think I’d want one now unless someone figured out how to make a convertible SUV, LOL!
Comment by Julie Leto — May 5, 2008 @ 9:17 am
I LOVE those shoes! They look so comfortable, and the leather looks like butter. (And great dress, too!)
My brothers and I have a Ford Falcon convertable that was our mothers when she was a teenager. I like tooling around in it in the city (it’s a really awesome looking car), but I’m with you, Carly, long drives on the open road in with the top down is a bit much for me!
Comment by Cas — May 5, 2008 @ 9:35 am
You definitely look hot, Carly!
Comment by Janelle — May 5, 2008 @ 10:32 am
Thanks, all! I have to say for heels which I’ve never really worn high ones before, these are pretty comfortable! I justified it. Every girl should own a pair at least once in her lifetime.
Comment by Carly — May 5, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Yes, to the Choos, even though I could never wear them, I’m 71, for heaven’s sake!
No, to the convertible. Like Cher, wind-blown hair is not my thing! Wouldn’t I look
hilarious!!
Pat Cochran
Comment by Pat Cochran — May 5, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
I’ve always considered myself a convertible kind of gal too. Red with a golden beige top. But at this rate, I’ll probably be retirement age by the time I get one. They don’t work too well for families of 5.
Love the Jimmy Choos. They look gorgeous and so do you. So I’d say it was a pretty good night, less the headache.
Comment by Patricia W — May 5, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Carly you look so good in your Jimmy Choos! I can’t wear heels, I want comfort but I haven’t always been that way!
When I was 19 I bought my first car a 1956 Ford convertible, it was red & white with a white top, power windows & brakes, an automatic (I didn’t know how to drive a stick). It was used & an awesome car. I usually had the top down & loved it, my hair was kept very short. Sometimes in winter we would put the top down, heater full blast, all bundled up & drive around town! Ah youth!!!!!
Having the top down when it is 63 sounds okay to me but it has been more years than I care to think about since I have done that! A car load of girls in a convertible does draw the attention of guys! How fun that you & hubby can enjoy the convertible together. Sounds great! 
Comment by Donna M — May 5, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
I love convertibles. And I have crazy, long curly hair, so it can really turn into a rat’s nest. I use a scarf tied over my head and tuck my hair into my collar or jacket for the ride. We blast the heat (if stuff wasn’t falling out of the sky, the top was down) to stay warm, but we would go top-down in any temp if it wasn’t raining/snowing.
Sigh. I miss our convertible. I think when the kids leave home we’ll get another one.
Comment by Amy Addison — May 5, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
I share the convertible fantasy. On a beautiful summer day, there is nothing better than driving with the top down.
Comment by flip — May 5, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
OH I think I have shoo envy!!
Isn’t it funny that a shoe can be so sexy? You looked great! 
Convertibles, In my opinion are sexy in theory only. Believe me when I say I’m not high maintance…really I’m not…but if I’m dressed up and looking hot
I don’t want the wind blown look.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — May 5, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
I live in Oregon and convertibles are just not practical here. You never know when it is going to rain.
Comment by Estella — May 5, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
Those shoes are
I have a convertible and they can be really sexy!! If its warm out and I don’t want to ruin my hair I have to drive with the windows up and a lot of times i wear a hat to keep the sun off my face, but there’s nothing better then driving around with the wind blowing through your hair and the music blasting. 
Comment by erin — May 5, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
You look great and I love the shoes!
Some of us can do the windblown look - unfortunately, I’d look like RZ in Bridge Jones Diary.
Comment by Yolanda — May 5, 2008 @ 10:02 pm