good bye 2009…what a year (more reflections to come)…

hello 2010…i’m excited for what you’ll bring…

done with work for today…off to run errands, and then lunch and manicures w/ ali : )


happy new years xoxo

Daily Desire

I wish more people would send letters. Love letters, thank you notes, hello letters, anything. Stationary is such a fun thing, and there are so many varieties available, I guarantee everyone can find a style for themselves! Aren’t these just the cutest!!??

holiday weeks are fun

I returned to my new office job today, and while it was insanely hectic and overwhelming, it was fabulous! I have faith in myself; once I learn everything and get into the swing of things, (which I know will take a long time and I must be hardworking yet patient) I’m going to do so well. I can tell this is something I can be successful at and I’m excited and eager to prove myself. But until then, oh goly, I need energy, intelligence and strength!

And it’s not a bad deal when you enter the office to find a bottle of champagne with your name on it either ; )

One more full day of work this week, half day Thursday and a long weekend…of New Year’s fun and festivities!

Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor,
Reachin for the phone cause I can’t fight it anymore,
And I wonder if I ever crossed your mind,
For me it happens all the time

It’s a quarter after one, I’m all alone and I need you now,
Said I wouldn’t call but I lost all control and I need you now,
And I don’t know how I can do without,
I just need you now

Another shot of whiskey can’t stop looking at the door,
Wishing you’d come sweeping in the way you did before,
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind,
To me it happens all the time

It’s a quarter after one, I’m a little drunk and I need you now,
Said I wouldn’t call but I lost all control and I need you now,
And I don’t know how I can do without,
I just need you now

Guess I’d rather hurt than feel nothin at all

It’s a quarter after one I’m all alone and I need you now

And I said I wouldn’t call but I’m a little drunk and I need you now

And I don’t know how I can do without

I just need you now

I just need you now

Ooo, baby, I need you now

New Year's Resolutions

I need ideas.

Pronto.

last night home

I’m headed back to Beantown tomorrow afternoon. I have lots of mixed emotions, as I always do when I leave home. But then again, where really is home anymore for me?

I’m looking forward to returning tomorrow, to get organized, unpack, get going in my usual/new work routine. And New Years is just a few days away, so I still have some holiday fun before really getting down to business.

But I still get sad, super sad, leaving the family. Tonight’s dinner just made me wish I lived closer to home, to meet up with Mom for lunch, to come home and watch movies with Dad and the sis. I wish I lived closer to my uncle and to go watch my little cousin’s field hockey games. It just sucks.

Not sure how to solve this sad dilemma. We try to plan the next visit but is that all I can do? Does the feeling of homesickness ever really go away?

Off to Grandma's house we go

Off to celebrate Christmas with Dad’s side of the family, which can only mean one thing: chaos. Children running, screaming, crying, food being shoved down your throat (though it’ll be delicious), smelling like garlic and onions, presents (my bets are on QVC jewelry) and dinner done in about 25 minutes.

Classic.

And yet, as much as it holds the possibility to deliver quite the headache, I love it and wouldn’t expect or want anything different.

And there are going to be amazing sweet potatoes.

My baby

Winter Wonderland

The weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Daily Desire

Perfect for my new desk : )

Pottery Barn Crush

This morning at Carousal Mall with Mom, we stopped by Pottery Barn and I fell in love with their holiday decor. Imagine hosting Christmas dinner with a spread like this.

Home Sweet Home

Reasons I love Wegmans: getting lunch (below) is so fun and full of options (Mom picked Chinese, I got a variety, shrimp bisque, mozz & tomatoes, couscous with feta and some tortellini), the food is simply, amazing (those muffins!?), Wegmans has EVERYTHINGGGGG (Luna bars, baking & decorating supplies, bulk candy & more!)…and my new discovery…an immense O.P.I. display! I’m obsessed with O.P.I. aka the best nail polish available. I know it’s the holidays and we should be buying for others but I just couldn’t resist…I had to pick up a new color, and I chose Siberian Nights, a gorgeous rich purple. A couple hours at Wegmans…not much beats that, not even you Target.

What would Audrey do...

I’m currently in the middle of “What Would Audrey Do?” an adorable and informative book…super cute and the more I read, the more I love.

Last night I finished a couple chapters on Audrey’s home style and then on how she traveled. Some great ideas…if only I had a mansion on Paris to decorate or Ralph Lauren’s private jet to fly around the world on!

Next chapter: Audrey’s fashion! Now, if only I had that teeny, tiny waist!

Are you there Target!?

Stopped by Target today, and while it didn’t necessarily let me down, I wasn’t fully 100% satisfied.

I was able to pick up some adorable grey sweater leggings and a MUCH NEEDED new purse (black with buckle, lots of dividers/organizers, not gorgeous, but super functional)! And a cute black “banded-style” tunic sweater. But overall, no Ah-Ha moment within those red walls.

True, it’s 3 days before Christmas, but there were hardly any shoes left! Where’s the happiness and joy that usually radiates from this mecca!? I could have/should have gone searching for it more, instead of rushing out the door with my quick purchases, but still, Target, you gave me 70%, and when I’m used to 110, it’s just sad.

12 days later...I am alive...

I know I should get way better at this blogging thing…but in all honesty, it has been one of the craziest weeks ever! Take a look at what has been going on in the past 12 days:

1. I went to NYC. Saw the filming of “Gossip Girl” right in front of Suzy’s apt. Saw my uncle. Saw the Rockerfeller Xmas Tree. Partied with Santa Hats = had a blast.

2. Started at my new job all day Monday and Friday.

3. Finished at the store Tues, Wed, and Thurs.

4. Had “before the holidays” dinners with several lovely ladies.

5. Trivia night for a sanity booster.

6. Cleaned up apt, packed up to go home.

7. Christmas dinner at the Chart House in downtown Boston with the boy. Delicious baked stuffed flounder mmmm

8. Braved a northeast snow storm to sit for 6 hrs at the airport, several flight changes, tears as I sat at the Legal Test Kitchen bar in the airport terminal with clam chowder and salad…to finally make it home in good ole CNY a little after 8 pm Sunday night.

Can you blame me for having no time to fiddle away and blog about some cute purses I saw flipping leisurely through a magazine!?

So I’m home with the family. I’m trying to relax and breathe. But also, I’m still busy…

Got the swine flu shot (phew!) and got $300 worth of groceries with Mom. Writing away, trying to get 5 freelance assignments done before Christmas and more family. 3 are done so far (not bad, eh!?) Tomorrow morning it’s off to the mall, hopefully home by noon. Last minute errands and some “new work clothes” for me ; )

But I’m back blogging this week.

Promise.

UES XOXO

I’ll be in the Upper East Side of Manhattan til Sunday afternoon.

S & B, watch out.

XOXO

So many movies emerging! But first and foremost...

George Clooney is gorgeous. Delightful. One hot fox. So it’s obvious I’d like to see almost any of his movies. But this one looks really interesting as well. As a recent frequent flyer, I appreciate any film about travel and airports (they really are lively, fascinatingly fun places!). So please, who will go with me to see Mr. Gorge Clooney and this 4-star film ASAP? Because, before we know it, 3 more movies are being released come Christmas…

Daily Desire

It’s no secret my love for Anthropologie.

Check out these necklaces.

ON SALE.

So pretty. Sparkly.

I want an initial necklace and this one is unique, cheap, and fun : )

And this dress caught my eye immediately.

It’s worthy of dreams.

A whole week

It’s been a week since I’ve posted and SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!

I GOT A NEW FULL-TIME JOB!!

While it isn’t with the company that I’ve been telling you about…I was really disappointed actually about that, but it’s interesting how things play out, and as cliche as it sounds, when a door closes, another window sure does fly open!

So within a week, after 2 interviews, I have a new job. A real, adult-like, Monday thru Friday job. Salary. Benefits. I’m so excited!! But since it happened so fast and it’s a job that is different from what I had really ever imagined, it took me awhile to just wrap my head around it. But after some baking (I’m totally serious) and thinking and getting some crying out with all the sudden emotions, I’m embracing this awesome opportunity! I’ll be doing administrative work, as well as writing/editorial work and planning events! I really think this is a fabulous job for me; it’s a unique combination of my skills and experiences; almost weirdly fitting for me!

So, yes, it’s been a busy week! And now, off to NYC for my best friend’s holiday party! This really is the busiest time of year! I have something going on literally every single day til I fly home for a week! But I’m going to try not to flake on posting : )

Not Tiffany’s, but I’m loving the newest Chanel ads…featuring the ever-impressive/ever-evolving/ever-fascinating Lily Allen. Word is she captured Karl’s eye…well, she’s captured mine with these chic, retro, stylish ads!!

I had to include one of these…..just couldn’t resist!!

So cute!!

“Blue is the Color of Dreams”

So true  ; )

I’ve always been obsessed with Tiffany’s ads. I especially fell in love with this line of advertisements.

As I looked these up, I became consumed!!

Daily Desire

We’re currently selling this line, KEP Designs, at the boutique I work at…and I keep trying these necklaces on!

Very similar to Van Cleef…but actually affordable! Only $130!

I love it…especially worn single layered, really long. But black or navy!!??

I'm becoming a piece of garlic!

The gentleman made me a delish Italian dinner last night…complete with cloves of roasted garlic! I loveeee garlic, but even myself, a garlic aficionado, was in awe of the garlic level last night! Our chicken parm dinner was incredibly tasty but I think the garlic was leaking out of my pores! But I must say, the leftovers were pretty great tonight as well!!

It is December. And today was 69 degrees. I live in the northeast. I LOVE GLOBAL WARMING! haha It was surreal! I’m not complaining in any way, but it was quite difficult to get into my holiday mood when I was sweating in my winter coat.

Time to paint my nails…

Daily Desire

I love Madewell. Love, love, love it.

Their little emails are great in letting you know about cute products…and even more fun parties they hold once a month! (free cupcakes!)

And when I received this today, I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS NECKLACE!!

Strands & strands of sparkle…a perfect holiday treat!!

Turkey Detoxing

It’s been a week since I’ve last blogged…here’s a bit of an update:

Thanksgiving was great back home in CNY. I was only home for 2 days, but it was just super great to chill with the family…and of course, eat lots of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce from a can and more : )

Back in Boston and working a lot at the store this week…eagerly awaiting to hear back from the writing interview, hoping to get a second interview…and staying busying, eating well, exercising, organizing my apt, decorating for Xmas and listening to some fantastic Xmas music!

I’m currently watching the Victoria’s Secret fashion show on TV, hoping it encourages me to get in amazing shape (laugh, cough). It might be working; I’m planning on awaking early tomorrow to fit in a quick workout…and I’m sipping my yucky detox tea…

But wow, what I’d do for some stuffing…sucks not having leftovers at your own place!!