dammit

In the midst of growing my hair out, of course, which is going very well, surprisingly, this happens:




And now I want a mohawk again :(

another lonely day

Another day of being alone in the office.  Having the whole floor to myself is nice, but also weird.  It's too quiet.  Maybe it's time for a dance party.

Today I'm reading and researching assessing cultural competency in health care.  Sortof a "pet topic" of mine.  Really fascinating stuff, and extremely eye-opening.  More people in the medical world need to be thinking about this kind of thing, and working on it.  Some interesting places to start can be found here and here.

awareness, education

I read this on Wednesday, but forgot to post here...

Please read this week's issue of Philly Weekly.  It's really, really important.

the writing's on the wall

SEE!??  I blogged about not blogging about the Phillies and they lost 368-1 to a bunch of donkeys!

very superstitious

I'm not going to write, blog, talk or think (too much) about the Phillies.  They play way better when I'm watching them play every night and pretending not to care!!

bruises

I got the silk skirt (that I already have in green) in navy this week, because it was 65% off with free shipping. I also got a really fun 1-shoulder bathing suit in royal purple.... and I think this officially turns me into my mother.

But there will be no more clothes shopping for a while, as my husband is about to be unemployed (by choice).  Gotta curb the spending for a couple months.  He's taking the summer "off" to re-do (sand, paint, etc.) the exterior of our house and remodel our bathroom.  YAY!  I think it works out best for both of us if I'm the corporate shill career woman, providing money and benefits and all that fun stuff, because I'm good at it and thrive in that environment; while he does consulting work from home and other random projects that keep him busy, amused, outdoors, relaxed, away from academic or corporate environs, and so on.

Other fun news - I'm starting in a post-grad certificate program in the fall.  My work is paying for me to go through the program in one year, starting in September.  I'm really excited about it.  I wouldn't otherwise be interested in going back to school, but they are paying for it, it goes toward my professional development staff training/education goals, and the program itself sounds super interesting and right up my alley.  I think I feel more well-adjusted when I'm in school.

Growing my hair out, it's going well.  Should be past my shoulders by the fall!

reflections of a diet coke office lady

There were window-washers doing the exterior windows of my office building last week - two guys in harnesses systematically washing and squeegeeing (?) every window in the whole building, which is three wings of 6-10 stories each.  This week they are doing the interior windows.  Now, this is a LOT of windows (our offices are huge and each floor has a minimum of two walls of nothing but glass).  And I think what happens is they finish the exterior, move on to the interior, and then when that is done, they start over on the exterior again.

What a sweet gig - talk about interesting and regular work.  They get to (literally) hang out all day outside, not work in bad weather, be rather voyeuristic, wear whatever they want, and basically come and go as they please. And I bet it doesn't pay too bad either.  Seems like a strong career choice to me.

eternal summer

Went to CVS yesterday to get a bunch of fun stuff for an 18-year old girl's high school graduation gift (those cool patterned fingernail stickers, lip gloss, gift cards, etc.) and found this gem for myself:

Revlon's Creme Shadow palette in "Eternal Summer".  The pale yellow and orange are the shades I've been looking for forever - not too bright, neutral but interesting, etc.  I think I'm going to have to get another one for my purse.

I'm also currently loving the CVS brand cocoa butter dry oil spray. The texture/consistency is great for the summer, I don't feel like my pores are being clogged by a heavy cream on my skin all day (while outside gardening, walking, etc.)  Plus it makes you smell like an Almond Joy.  I mean, really!!! How could you go wrong?

(un)happiness

Been reading a bit about happiness recently - there was an article in the NY Times last month, with a follow-up in NewsWorks, and then this stunning article from the most recent Atlantic, that I tore through today and was unbelievably impressed and enlightened by.

The Atlantic article gets at so many things I experience everyday.  I think my own generation, but most certainly those generations younger than mine, don't understand basic tenets of LIFE.  And this is being passed down to the children they are now raising.  I see this with people in their early 20s, who have been raised to believe they are special snowflakes (with no real rationalization behind it) and have never heard the word "no" or experienced failure.  Which is so unbelievably unrealistic, I can't even wrap my head around it.  How can parents be so short-sighted, to think that protecting your kids from "real life" until they're 18 years old is a good idea? Because... how are they going to continue to be protected from real life, and WHO is going to do that for them, when they get there?

A lot of people seem to think that they can actually "have it all" and that life doesn't involve sacrifices, or hard decisions.  This confounds me.  Unless you are wildly wealthy, there is no way to "have it all".  And honestly, I think that for those who do seem to have it all, it doesn't make them happy (hence the rich, educated folks in the Atlantic article who feel empty inside).  

For example, I don't have children and I probably never will.  This is a decision my husband and I have made, based on what is best for us and our lives, and stemming from our personal goals. So I won't know what it feels like to be a mother.  But I don't focus on that as something I'm "missing out on" because I'm not someone who thinks I need to have everything life could potentially offer me.  I know, logically and truthfully, that if I were to have a child, I would be giving up a great deal of other things that I enjoy immensely about my life, and even more things to come for me.  I have a wonderful new job at an organization that is practically drowning in resources and opportunity.  I am going to get to do a great deal of both business and personal travel.  I am probably going to start working toward (another) Masters degree, or maybe even a PhD, in 2012.  I have money and free time, flexibility and mobility, lots of sleep and lots of parties, a fantastic marriage with the kindest, smartest, most loving and gifted man on earth, a little side business, a love of music and baking and gardening and fashion, and that's my life.  And I adore it.

There are things I won't have - a big family, lots of nieces and nephews and kids growing up around me.  I'm never going to have a "showcase" home (4 cats and a husband who prefers canoeing and geocaching to golf, and uses the dining room table to store power tools, precludes that).  I won't live in the suburbs (arguably a "better" place than where I currently live, but that depends on your metrics). I probably (just being realistic) won't ever have a published novel, or some great collection of creative output to show for myself.

But I'm really happy.  I don't expect my life to be perfect and I don't expect to excel at everything. My parents taught me to accept limitations and be realistic about life.  I didn't come from a lot of money or unlimited resources.  I was never good at math, and I suck at sports. I am just an OK singer, I could never be a programmer or engineer, and I can't draw or paint for shit.  These are just realities, and I'm fine with them.  

I guess the way I gauge my own happiness is not from the gestalt of life, but from the minutiae.  The little everyday things: the sun on my face, a snuggly cat, a really good pear, kneading bread, getting good feedback at work.  I try to pay attention to those things and through the course of a day or week or month or year, they add up into what I define as happiness.

I guess I've never before realized what a valuable, and enviable, skill that is.

art as apparel

LOVE this.

I would seriously wear the shit out of a Lichtenstein suit and don't even get me started on a Van Gogh dress.


Too amazing!

weekend warriors

Friday night we made burgers with sliced avocado, cheddar cheese and lump crab meat, with a summer vegetable salad on the side.  So good!  Also started season 3 of Breaking Bad - finally got to see and enjoy the infamous "pizza tossing" scene.  Love it.

Saturday we went downtown in the early afternoon, checked into the Palomar Hotel, drank champagne + Chambord cocktails, ordered room service (deconstructed Caesar salad, crispy calamari, and gnocchi with bacon and Parmesan cream sauce), watched the Phillies win, took a long hot bath, walked around Rittenhouse Square, had a sushi dinner, walked around some more, went to sleep.

This morning we woke up, ordered room service again (bagel with herb cream cheese and smoked salmon, a spinach and goat cheese omelette, and fresh-squeezed orange juice), went shopping and walked around downtown some more.  Headed home, now we're sipping bourbon and watching the Phillies try to come back in the 4th inning.

This week looks to be much more mellow than last, so I'm hoping to catch up on some reading and writing, and get to a Phillies-Marlins game too.  I'm so happy it's summer!

summertime

Did some summer shopping at Zara today.

Gorgeous striped shift

Blocky striped blouse

Die-cut asymmetric tank (I adore this color)

Bird-print kimono top

As usual, there were about 45000000000 other things in the store I wanted, so I think I'll go back later in the month to stock up on tanks and tees (and hopefully find another of their shift dresses that fit so flatteringly).  They have a lot of great light/summery fabrics right now, but more than anything the colors are mind-blowing.  Reminds me of late 80s Benetton.  Bright greens, royal blues and purples, teal, yellow, fuchsia and orange.  Ever since I broke through with the emerald green silk skirt, I've become way more open to mixing and matching primary colors. 

I love the way my closet looks now when I open it.

new shoes

Finally broke down and bought the shoes I've wanted since March.

I shouldn't have waited, or tried to find anything cheaper.  They are perfect - comfy, cute, and go with everything.

thoughts

My poor husband has been working almost continuously since Sunday on a big issue at his job. Luckily he can do this work from home, but he is running on fumes right now.  I had a pretty busy/stressy day at work myself, but how rude is it to complain about a busy day to someone who's racked up 40 straight hours of work?! [I have a huge 2-day committee meeting at work starting tomorrow, two presentations to prepare and give (no pressure), materials for another huge event to prepare, and the grant I'm running is really ramping up - we have a deadline on July 1. I can't wait for this week to be over!]

So I'm doing everything around the house, like a boss, and it's making me realize how prima-donna-y I can be.  He definitely does a lot around here - today I'm cleaning, taking care of all of the cats (food, ice water, litter), watering plants, fixing dinner, laundry, cat hair removal, various cooling techniques, trash and recycling, etc.  Whew! Perspective and gratitude are pretty humbling things.

something bit me

Last night before I fell asleep, I noticed that the back of my legs were really itchy and thought that my skin was just dry. But when I woke up this morning, I had two HUGE bites on the back of my left leg, and another (smaller) one on the front.  I know they're not mosquito bites (I'm very used to them), nor bedbugs (because I googled that shit, believe me), so I'm drawing the conclusion that it was a spider.

I am directly blaming my husband and his pro-spider stance.  He refuses to kill one (though it's a massacre when he's not looking, so ha!) and I swear, there must be one living in our bedroom.  He better prepare for the Raid-fest that's going on in there tonight.

ho-ho-hoagiefest is back

I was in line around noon at Wawa yesterday, and was approximately 30 people away from the cashier.  It was a mob scene in there!  The Philly cop in front of me turned around and said "I've never seen a Wawa so crowded."  My response was: "Dude, it's Hoagiefest."  He burst out laughing.

He was buying a salad and trail mix, so maybe he just isn't as interested in hoagies as everyone else.

Another point - Wawa has packets of Texas Pete at the deli counter.  SCORE!

my toys are retro, i am old

I have been saying for YEARS that Fashion Plates should come back.  In 2008, I brought my childhood set back to Philly from my parents house, and have been scouring eBay for a (non-bankruptcy-level) version of the elusive "cowgirl" set.

However, upon looking through eBay I see that there was both a Barbie/Bratz version AND a NKOTB version of the toy. How unpleasant.

It was seriously 100% my favorite of childhood, and the clothes in it are surprisingly hip now.  I guess I'll keep looking for the full cowgirl set and keep myself happy with the 1982 version...

weekend, so far

Friday:

• left work early
• headed downtown, late lunch at Caribou (Elderflower champagne martini, gravlax/endive salad, mussels, frites, Etienne DuPont cider)
• hat shopping @ I. Goldberg
• home for Phillies game, a good win

Saturday:

• lunch @ Manayunk Brewing Co, walk along the canal
• got paid for my 24 vacation days at Penn- insane windfall
• cats dangling
• home-made margaritas, tuna steaks seared on the grill, CSA salad
• creme brulee for dessert
• another great Phillies win

Today:

• gardening
• a little bit of work (writing presentations, fun)
• reading Orlando and loving it
• cats stretching
• Phillies at 1pm
• BBQ at the in-law's

pchhshhschchhhchhtttt

OH LAWDY, I WILL DIE OF LAUGHTER FOREVER.

Though I'm not a fan of the use of the word "vaginally" there.  Bad syntax, nonsensical, poor choice of wording AND misogynistic!  I guess that goes well with the whole Jayson Werth scene though.  Ugh.

chasing skylines

My office looks out of the 7th floor of a building facing east, meaning my view is of Center City, Philadelphia. It is a stunning view:

But I'm a little biased, because I love city skylines. The fact that my view for the last eight years was of a bike rack makes this even more exciting.  A couple things I've noticed in particular, with this new birds-eye view of the world:

• There are a lot of people who spend time on roofs.  Nearly every time I look out the window, there is someone somewhere on a roof.  Sometimes there are large groups of people.  Most of these people are construction workers, HVAC folks, or window-washers, and almost none of them have safety equipment (well, the window washers do.)  Without having had this experience, I would never know that there were so many people on rooftops all the time.
• The skyline is almost always in flux. This morning there is a new crane near the apartment building at 24th and Locust - a looming orange and black thing that looks and moves like a praying mantis.  Cranes are actually being erected and dismantled with shocking frequency - I guess there's a lot of development going on in the city that I didn't know about.
• The International House is a monstrosity.  It blocks my view of almost all of U City South and the stadiums, which I really do not appreciate.
• Bees can fly very high - upwards of ten stories and more!
• There are falcons in U City. They are gorgeous, and very fun to watch.

memorial day coupon clearinghouse

From salebite.com - everything from ASOS to Forever 21.

30-50% off at my aforementioned new favorite, Talbot's

Elie Tahari at the Philadelphia Outlets (the swankiest outlet store ever - gorgeous, unusual prints and classic dresses and tops)

Need Supply, sale items and free shipping

mother may i

I have officially turned into my mother: I am shopping almost exclusively at TALBOT'S, whatttttttt?

I don't like many of their prints, and I'm not sure why EVERY shirt or cardigan has to have ruffles or some fluttery flower on it.  But their skirts, dresses and pants are TO DIE FOR, and their hosiery is the best I've ever bought - $9 a pair (but usually on sale) in a huge selection of colors to match every skin tone, plus black (and soft black, the best hose color ever), ash gray, navy, etc. etc. They also have outstanding neutral tees and tanks (I bought 2 soft cotton v-necks yesterday for $18 each) in a trillion awesome colors that don't fade in the wash or get pilly.

Yesterday, after three trips to the store hoping it would go on sale to no avail, I purchased this green raw silk skirt (with pockets), which is the single best skirt I have ever put on.  The wide elastic waistband is so comfy, and it is the perfect length - to the knee but not below. The older I get, the less I like short skirts (I have decent-looking legs and don't mind showing them, but for some reason, despite me not being a mom, I am starting to think like mine - short skirts on anyone over a certain age starts to look weird.)

I ended up getting a size smaller than I'm wearing there, just so the waist would be a bit more cinched-looking.  It is the BEST, BEST I say!! And they have it in navy too, which I will probably also end up getting.

I also bought this plaid sundress, which looks odd on me here (I also ended up getting this a size smaller than is shown in the picture to cut down on excess fabric at the waist) but is very cute and well-made.

And I plan on wearing a different belt with it (wide cream-colored canvas).

We are going to a Memorial Day party at a lovely 1700s farm house (complete with barn and meadows), so I think this will have to be the dress for that occasion.

o solo mio

I think I am the only person in my department who is working in the office today!  Time to catch up on what's happening in the world - this job has sounded the knell to my e-death.  I can't keep up with anything online anymore!  I actually have a lot of work to do (not one but two huge committee meetings coming up, and I'm starting to work on my first pilot project - wheee!) so it won't be too much slacking.  But being able to look at facebook between the hours of 8:30am and 6:00pm will be novel indeed!

Expect multiple blog entries today :)

love and marriage

There are times when relationships are tough. Being with someone for 12 years can be simultaneously boring, excruciating, and scary. Sometimes you pick fights, sometimes the mere sight of their face can make you fume. Sometimes there's no patience, no understanding, no empathy. Sometimes they're a stranger.

But when things are overall good and right, it's also a great deal of fun, interest, and challenge.  You can make each other laugh or you can sit in a perfect, comfortable silence. And there's a simple, loving acceptance of every one of their flaws and shortcomings. To the point where you no longer see them as flaws or shortcomings.

And even after a couple bad, stony-quiet days or petulant weeks, there are nights that you crawl into bed, get under the heavy, clean covers and align your body with theirs, feel their warm heat and familiar smell, and know that this companionship, this love and total comprehension of another person is so utterly worth it, that you'll never feel boredom or irritation again.  And you believe it, and it might even be true.

good tidings.

If you're going to send an angry email to someone, make sure the last line is "You people suck and I wish you nothing but the worst."


I think that's going on my tombstone.

CSA goodness.

Used up a bunch of CSA yums for dinner tonight: spring mix, red leaf romaine, radishes (white, red and purple), purple scallions, mushrooms, broccoli, roma tomatoes.

There was enough for lunch tomorrow too!

Charlie gets an ipod.

Just....This.

Oh my God.  Funniest shit ever.  Philly sports blogs, I mean bolgs, make me die sometimes.  Sports fans in this city need a good sense of humor, I suppose.

i'm a terrible blogger.

Read this interesting article this week and now I want to show it to my mom as proof that I wasn't a lazy teenager, I just really needed 9+ hours of sleep a night.  I still do.  Similar to the folks in the studies discussed, I start to go downhill after only one or two nights of 6 hours of sleep.

The reason this is really relevant right now is that I'm not getting much sleep recently.  Been up/out late many nights over the last week or so and I think I'm averaging 7 hours.  It's really getting to me!  I actually took a nap yesterday before heading out to see Lykke Li - I NEVER take naps (I normally wake up sleepier and way cranky) but that 20-30 minutes I got yesterday after work was a lifesaver.

Well, it's 9pm and the Phillies game is only in the 4th inning, so I guess I'm screwed again.

time enough at last

Or not!

I used to have so much time to read interesting or lovely or inspiring blogs.  I just got home from the conference I was attending and my google reader was at 505 blog postings. I'm so distressed! I'm going to miss something great! But I really don't have time to keep up anymore!

Woe!

Balmer

Great day today.

• Went to the office from 8am-12pm, then got a ride to 30th Street Station
• Took Amtrak from Philly to Baltimore
• Checked into the hotel, rested and started a new book (Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan)
• Walked all over the inner harbor for about an hour, enjoyed the weather thoroughly
• Sat on the waterfront at Phillips and had Coronas and crabcakes
• Walked around a bunch more, watched a really awesome street performer
• Shopped with gift cards at Body Shop and Victoria's Secret
• Window-shopped at a 5-story (!!) mall and saw lots of clothes I liked but didn't buy
• Bought a gorgeous painting of a bird from the TAG kiosk
• Walked around for another 45 minutes or so
• Stopped to eat Haagen-Dazs by a fountain as the sun set

Now I'm back in my hotel room, getting ready for tomorrow, watching Golden Girls and more resting/reading. Nice!

in the Saturday sun

Mani/Pedi party!  Essie's "allure" on my fingers, Opi's "midnight in moscow" on my toes.

Late lunch at the Chestnut Grill, with wine and the Derby.

The sexiest selection of stockings at Talbot's.

Now back home for Phillies and reisling.

Tomorrow - mothers, flowers and kirs.

Saturday sits

By 1pm today, I had:

• cleaned out/organized my dresser and closet
• put away winter clothes, brought out summer (!)
• mopped the hardwoods on the first floor
• cleaned the kitchen
• exercised
• planted sunflowers in the front yard

This afternoon and evening I will:

• get a manicure
• shop for stockings
• drink champagne and bourbon because I will...
• watch the Kentucky Derby
• watch the Phillies bounce back from last night
• finish my book club reading
• make a delicious dinner

And of course... thoroughly enjoy this gorgeous weather!!

futureworld

Back at the end of April, I existed (seriously!) for nearly two weeks with no cell phone. And life was pretty OK, actually.  It was certainly nice to not be tethered to constant communication at a very busy and stressful time in my life (transitioning to a new job.)  [I did miss listening to all of the music I had on my Blackberry, though!]
On April 23, I got an HTC Thunderbolt, and the thing has changed my life.  In some good ways, some bad (the syncing of home and work email and calendars has made me feel a little too tied to my job, but there is no expectation for me to work when I'm not in the office, so that is something I just have to get over.)  But it has a lovely camera (and video camera!), good earphones/sound, 34 gigs of space, and tons of other bells and whistles that make me feel utterly futuristic (even though other people have been doing this stuff for years.)

The app that has blown my mind today is the barcode scanner, because I was able to scan my amazon cloud code and download all of my cloud music to my phone in about 26 seconds.  Happiness.

Also, it's Friday!

bowl cut!

Growing my hair out from practically a crew-cut... decided to get heavy bangs cut yesterday. Loving it!

When I really comb them down, they have a very Chrissy Hynde-ish look. :)

OH JA DIE HOLLE!

Outdoor biergarten opening in two weeks!

"We've got word that Tuesday, May 17 will mark the unveiling of Frankford Hall (1210 Frankford Ave.), the Fishtown bierhall from Stephen Starr. Accommodating 400 inside and out (160 within, 240 in the outdoor gravel courtyard), the Hall's nine-tap system will be mostly Teutonic, with choices like Bitburger Pils, Radeberger, Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold. (Three bars total here, one inside and two out.) Food will be distributed via a walk-up counter — expect satisfying, beer-drinker-friendly fare like Bavarian bread dumplings, pretzels, schnitzels, rotisserie chicken and a selection of German sausages. Frankford Hall will be open weekdays from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on weekends from noon to 2 a.m."

autism's first child

Another fantastic link from The Atlantic - Donald, the first person ever diagnosed with autism.

Been reading a lot about autism and Asperger's this week.  Soaking it all in.

you go girl

I really like the last paragraph of this book review from yesterday's Atlantic.

things i like, this week's edition

• Malbec
• Bass sandals (total mom shoes, but they're like walking on fluffy bunnies, and for only $39!)
• The name "Vance Worley"
• This t-shirt
• The titles of Twilight Zone (original series) episodes.  So lovely. I think "I Shot An Arrow into the Air" might have to get tattooed on me.
• Bite-sized Butterfingers
• Fried green tomatoes
• Azaleas

busytown

I now have the kind of job where you come home and are very tired, and very satisfied.  I love it.  My office has a huge garden, and I love that too.

I'm traveling (already!) in early May for a project, and reading a ton, and learning a ton, and trying to soak it all in and also be productive and helpful, because I don't have time for a "learning curve" adjustment period. I need to know it, and start contributing, now.  This I also love.

Also, this happened:

And tomorrow I'm taking a solo day-trip to NYC for lots of walking around, looking at stuff, taking pictures, and getting tattooed.

I think I might be getting this "life" stuff figured out after all.

:)

New life started today.

you need this.

Thank me later.

Positively Dickensian

I finished Great Expectations this week, and am happy to say I reveled in every word.  It made me wonder why we force writers like Dickens and Shakespeare on 15- and 16-year olds.  I read Dickens in high school, but found nothing anywhere near as gorgeous, timeless, universal and perfect in it as when I read it this month.  I suppose exposing kids to something that they then, twenty years later, decide to revisit on a whim, is a good thing.  But reading passages so beautifully (and satisfyingly and painfully) wrought is far more pleasing as an adult than as a teenager. My favorite quotes are below.

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold - when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

"... and went to work again with an air of refreshment upon them as if they had just had lunch."

"I found I was walking arm in arm with the right twin, and that the wrong twin had evaporated into the evening air."

"I know my name to be Magwitch, christened Abel. How did I know it? Much as I know'd the birds' names in the hedges to be chaffinch, sparrer, thrush."

"I promised myself that I would do something for them one of these days, and formed a plan in outline for bestowing a dinner of roast beef and plum pudding, a pint of ale, and a gallon of condescension upon everyone in the village."

"I saw speckled-leg spiders with blotchy bodies running home... and running out of it, as if some circumstance of the greatest public importance had just transpired in the spider community."

"I wondered when I peeped... and saw the tied-up brown paper packets inside, whether the flower-seeds and bulbs ever wanted of a fine day to break out of those jails, and bloom."

bobby soxer

I love this outfit.

saturday night pizza party (for 2)

Made pizza dough and sauce tonight, added mozzarella and pecorino-romano cheeses, sweet apple sausage, onions and black olives.  Probably the best pizza I've ever had.

see-through body parts

Crappy week.  Hate the rainy weather, my cell phone DIED and any way to rectify it is going to cost me $$$, bad stuff happening to friends, allergies in overdrive, busy, etc.

Last night a friend and I waltzed into a bar we'd never been in before and brought the science to their weekly trivia night, coming in first place and making all of the people who go there every week angry. HA! Now we have a nice sum in the form of a gift card to go back and spend on beer.  Which we will do next Wednesday night for trivia night; repeat until millionaire.

Best headline today: "Roy Halladay completes games, me"
That's how I feel too.
BASEBALL !

spring fashion show

Some looks I've put together for spring... did this really quick in the hallway, so no hair or makeup obvs.

Loft dress, Ann Taylor belt, UO canvas wedges

Ann Taylor pocketed cotton dress, f21 tank, Tahari heels

Lucky Brand linen embroidered dress, UO wedges.  The embroidery on this goes all the way around, it's stunning.

Charlotte Russe crochet dress, Tahari heels.  This is one of my favorites, so flattering and surprisingly well-made.

Erin Fetherston dress, Blowfish gladiator wedges.  This dress needs to be taken out a tick (or two) to properly fit my boobs, but it's too gorgeous not to invest in.

Modcloth pocketed "light denim" dress, Blowfish wedges.  MOST COMFORTABLE EVER.  I like this pic cuz I caught Rocky's tail.

The Ann Taylor dress I left behind and had to go back to get.  SO perfect, SO lovely.  Especially with these heels.

Threw on my most favorite spring jacket ever over the Ann Taylor dress... "denim" linen from Talbot's.  A-line swing with wooden buttons and the cutest bow.

weekenders

Another weekend spent as shopper (since I have a new job and all) and personal organizer.  Watching the Phillies (mostly) win and wishing I had some time to make bread and pizza dough.

Gardening HAS to get done in the next few days - the BackYards are officially open for "the season" and there's a ton of weeding, cleaning, clearing and raking to do.  I'm too tired today though... it can get done tomorrow afternoon since it's supposed to be super warm and sunny.

SUPER WARM AND SUNNY!!!

dress shopping

Elie Tahari today, like, oh my god.

I'm not huge on florals, but this was so nice.

Then I put this on and nearly died.

And then I spent my whole spring wardrobe budget on this dress, which is the most gorgeous and flattering thing I've ever put on, along with the (very practical) 4" black patent scalloped heels.
SENSIBLE!

not much to say these days except

today

Soundtrack: Destroyer
Outfit: classic white button-up blouse, linen pants, brown oxfords w/ribbon laces
Lunch: Chipotle soft tacos, a long walk with Megs
Dinner: Amish BBQ, birthday ice cream cake
Nightly Entertainment: Phillies game
Reading: Great Expectations
Purchased: new shower curtains
Prepping: for weekend shopping and organizing gigs
Need: haircut and manicure

NOTY 2011!!

YESSSSSSS

CLUTCH

Yesterday I (luckily) caught the end (innings 7-9) of the Phillies opening day game, and it was so awesome that I died, and now I am a baseball ghost.  Watching tonight with friends, watching tomorrow with my husband, and will continue watching baseball forever and ever ... as a ghost.

Tomorrow my tennis camp starts (tennis camp), for which I have gotten my adorable racket (with black and white polka-dotted case) together, along with an adorable (albeit somewhat goofily layered) black and white outfit.  TENNIS!

It's sunny and warm today.  Plants are going outside for the summer today.  And we got 2 free trees today, from the Penn/Fairmount Park "Creating Canopy" initiative... one per household for Penn employees, so we got one for our place and one for our next-door neighbors, with whom we share the BackYards.  Two trees!  And they are great - flowering in the spring, red/orange/bronze foliage in the fall, and grow to 15-20 feet.  I am SUPER PSYCHED, and also ready for spring and summer gardening time.  The daffodils are blooming, and that means I'm a happy individual when I look out my back door.

Life has been very very good and very very busy recently.  I have a good/satisfying/lucrative organizing gig right now, a personal shopping gig next weekend, and a new "full-time gig" too (eeeeeeeeeeee!) which I am not going to really talk about until after I start (April 25) lest I tempt fate and ruin it.  Let's just say it is perfect in a number of ways: I'm going to be researching, writing, traveling and organizing pilot projects for a great non-profit!

Breakneck speed, so many opportunities, non-stop ideas, the greatest people on earth, a whole new life opening up.

the world just ended

The official Pitchfork 2011 line-up was announced today.
I died after reading it, and then came back to life to post this, and then died again.

The Radio Dept. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Gang Gang Dance (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Neko Case and GBV on the same night
Fleet Foxes
Twin Sister (!!!!!!!!!!!)
Destroyer
James Blake
Cut Copy
No Age
Ariel Pink


WHAT


WHAT

some updates

• bad allergies this week, I even lost my voice
• started watching Dexter, am enjoying it
• made bread today (honey mustard oat), going to make more tomorrow
• reading more Dickens, Dickens 4 lyfe
• business ideas come every other second, I have no follow-through and therefore thoroughly suck
• I love bourbon... to death
• growing my hair out, and it's coming along nicely
• never-ending winter drools, non-existent spring rules
• have other life-changing, ground-breaking, earth-shattering news, but will wait for a more sassy reveal

My Other Current Favorite Song

One of My Current Favorite Songs

CSA Happiness

Signed up for our CSA today - May through October of veggies, fruit and flowers! Delivered less than 2 blocks from our house! Yay!

downswing

I haven't seen any clothing/shoes/new fashion I like in a long time.  So I'm going to take a Fashion Break.  Nothing is exciting or interesting me right now.

I did buy 2 tennis skirts (built-in shorts, pockets!) for my upcoming tennis camp (starts 2 weeks from today!)  I've been working out/cardio-ing my face off for weeks now in preparation... I think I'm ready.

My husband is canoeing today; I'm reading, writing, baking bread and preparing myself for the next week of my life, which is going to be utterly insane.  I think I'm ready for that too :\

success!

The dress I've been lusting after for weeks has gone on sale and so I bought it.

So springy, so gorgeous!

Forever 21 and Charity

All sales on Forever 21's site today are going to Japan for earthquake and tsunami relief.

tonight, tonight

Crystal Castles @ the TLA.  Really excited about the show after reading this review from Chicago.

Painted my nails black, and picking out my gothiest outfit (ha).

After the show: beers and Lorenzo's.  Tomorrow: have the day off with my husband, sleeping in and probably eating more pizza.

uck.

Been battling a stomach virus for a couple days now.  Made cornbread this afternoon, it's the only thing I can handle looking at, smelling, or eating.

But the Phillies are on TV, and that helps.

regrets

I hate coming back from a shopping trip with regrets.  I was trying to save a little dough, but now I wish I'd just bought the damn dress.  Hopefully this can be rectified.

In other news, I'm an amazing personal shopper.  Seriously.  Hire me.

whew!

Been so busy recently, and lots of exciting stuff is on the horizon (I booked not one but TWO vacations on Thursday, for starters).  Made bread today, read three books this week, got a haircut, and went to see Tennis and La Sera last night.  Good show, I felt like I was seeing something special in the early stages - Tennis is so utterly adorable it hurts to look at them.  She looks straight out of a "Don't Copy That Floppy" ad from 1986, and he has James Spader down to a T, sockless penny loafers and all.  I sang along and drank three cans of Sofia, the most perfect drink ever created for shows: small portion, in a can, with a bendy straw.  So conducive to dancing your face off.

Tonight is the Dum Dum Girls, in about 90 minutes.  It feels good to go out two nights in a row.
And tomorrow is a personal shopping gig :)

aviary

Sweet lord in heaven.

When will spring come!?

ASOS sale

ASOS is having a decent sale right now: 20% off the ASOS collection, and free shipping.

I think I'll get that horse tunic I've been eying.

cabin fever sale

The things I bought on Modcloth's cabin fever sale:

Simple chambray dress with bow belt

Black/tweed dress for work

Ballerina tutu skirt

holy moly

Modcloth is having a HUGE sale right now.  Check it out - there are still lots of bargains on dresses, skirts, tops and jackets to be had.

big love

Love everything about this, Ginnifer Goodwin is eternally amazing.

wheat bread

I had an anxiety-inducing medical test done today, so I took the day off and did some stuff to help myself relax.  Exercised, did some writing, and made two loaves of wheat bread.  It turned out PERFECTLY.  This bread thing has really become a form of inspiration, satisfaction, and meditation for me.

x___x

Fendi's tights/shoes combinations for Fall have caused me to have multiple simultaneous strokes in my brain.

Every single one is perfect.

Phillies tee for the win

My new Phillies tee-shirt should arrive today or tomorrow.

So perfect.

Gucci Fall 2011

Thanks, Gucci, for reminding me about this fabulous color.

I cleaned out my closet Monday night and found a pair of 3" patent-leather wedges in this exact hue and made a pact to myself that I would wear them weekly once the weather turns warm.

baseball.

August 2011 will be my 5-year wedding anniversary with Mr. Wonderful.  In honor of this, I have purchased two tickets to see the Phillies play the Giants in San Francisco on August 5.  I guess that means we're going to  San Francisco in August.  Sitting right underneath that neon Coke bottle.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !

making me die 1000000 times

I think I'm just going to leave this here and never update again.  Most perfect.
From The Sartorialist, of course.

BDG denim legging

I got these on sale last week (in black) and have worn them pretty much every day since.  Going back to get the dark denim (below) tomorrow.  Super comfy, perfect with everything (flats, ankle boots, Chuck Taylors; tank top, long knit tunic, AA tee...) and extremely flattering (long, lean legs, low elastic waist).

spring 2011

Some things that have caught my eye for spring:

Cole Haan's vintage valise Kendra tote bag.  I am very much NOT a handbag person, but this is about as perfect as I think a bag can get.

Jimmy Choo parfum.  Spicy, woodsy, a little powdery.  I have never smelled so good folding laundry.

The Essie Spring 2011 nail color collection.  Love every single one.  And you can get all six in a boxed set on Amazon.com:

Etro's stunning print dresses.

As U Wish sequin prom dresses from the Juniors section.