eager for some solid caffeine

I never thought I’d say this, but I can taste the difference in coffee. And I want good coffee from now on. 

When my parents would comment on coffee when I was younger, “oh my, this is so strong,” “ugh, so weak,” “what is this crap,” I wouldn’t get it, I didn’t understand how they could tell a difference from one cup of joe to another.  Wasn’t coffee, coffee? 

But then again, I was just sipping my Dunkachino….

It’s similar to when my Mom would be disappointed that a particular fruit or vegetable was out of season: “the produce just isn’t’ fresh anymore” she’d lament. I would wonder if the taste difference was really that noticeable. 

But once you live on your own, once you purchase and prepare your own produce, you notice.  Tomatoes don’t taste like delicious juicy tomatoes in the winter, they are pale and watery.  Strawberries are white in the center, not ripe, beautiful red.

And my plain jane, cheap grocery store brand coffee, brewed in my simple Mr. Coffee machine, tastes like crap. I follow the directions precisely, but the coffee is either burnt or watery.  I can taste the flavor differences from coffee shop to coffee shop. Some taste  watered down to me, others are too sweet. 

Maybe I just like strong coffee. Starbucks does it for me. It’s smooth and rich and dependable. But I can’t afford to go to Starbucks every day, so I need to recreate this in my own living space. And while I’ll give their bagged ground beans a shot with my simple coffee maker, I have a feeling I may need a nicer appliance.

And while investing in an espresso machine of sorts makes my wallet wince, I like that my taste buds are maturing. I’m growing up and my flavors are catching up with me.  

So here I am, being an adult, living on my own, and demanding good coffee and fresh fruit.

being a “good american?"

tonight is the vice presidential debates.

i should be a good american and watch them.

i am not.

i watched the first round of presidential candidates debate last week, and was unimpressed. the name-calling, the trash talk started early it seemed with this election, and i’ve personally come to the conclusion that it is all a pile of lies, and everyone twists and turns the “facts” however they choose.

i like to think that there are some, or at least one, candidate who is honest. who i can trust. believe in. and maybe there is.

but until i really know, i’m going to make my vote based on various factors that are important to me, and the candidates specific stances on them.

but tonight i am not going to watch the vice presidents debate. people will tear it apart and i won’t even know who said what, who meant what.

instead i sit here,glass of wine in hand, and watch the PBS documentary i DRV’d earlier this week “half the sky” about oppressed women around the world and those that are actually doing work to help.

i sit here inspired, remembering my favorite column to ever run in glamour magazine: the interviews that Mariane Pearl, wife of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, conducted, profiling women who suffered and rose above. to this day, i remember those columns.

with those reminders and this documentary, i sit here, feeling inspired, motivated, eager to help in some way.

i think this is a better use of my time than that debate.

six months

What a difference six months can make…

Six months ago in April my parents came to visit for Easter. 

It was wonderful to see them and spend time together, but I was on edge

the whole weekend.

As I sat down to dinner on the night they got into town, 

my Mom commented on how upset and tired I looked, 

having arrived late, running from the office, 

eager to escape.

Sunday brunch, I collapsed into tears at the table, 

unable to hold in the stress and tension any more, 

releasing everything to my family.

I couldn’t take my 24/7 assistant job anymore.

It was taking a physical, mental and emotional toll.

While I loved the industry I was in, 

the position was no longer one I wanted to be a part of, 

the environment one that I no longer believe in.

I tried “just letting things go,”

I tried “getting a thicker skin,”

but unless you’ve been in my shoes, it’s hard to understand, 

and when overall health and happiness are gone, 

no job is worth it anymore.

And as I sat there, tears streaming down my face, 

I let some of the stress go.

Decision was made, 

I was going to look for a new job, 

and my parents supported me with their love.

I don’t know if it was the tears, the hugs, 

the amazing chocolate croissants and coffee, 

or a little of it all, 

but I left brunch with a little weight off my shoulders that spring day.

And now, six months later, 

I am in a completely different place, a very different person.

Much more myself.

I found that new job, and I left the old one, 

never looking back, taking some lessons learned

and running with them.

I was actually able to enjoy my summer this year, 

full of weddings and beach trips

and weekends with people I love.

I moved out of the city, 

and in with the boy.

I’m rediscovering myself, my interests, 

finally having that little bit of extra time in the day

that allows one to read a great book, 

devour my pile of magazines, 

bake some apple bread with newly picked Macintoshes.

And write. It’s been shaky, 

trying to refine my new schedule, with all the changes in the recent months:

new job, new apartment, new roommate, new car, new time.

But I’m eager and excited to write more consistently, 

post more inspiration, 

and reintroduce myself to the world of words.

It really is amazing what a difference six months can make.

It’s actually pretty awesome.

i found my season

“That country where it is always turning late in the year. That country where the hills are fog and the rivers are mist; where noons go quickly, dusks and twilights linger, and midnights stay…That country whose people are autumn people, thinking only autumn thoughts. Whose people passing at night on the empty walks sound like rain.”

- Ray Bradbury

quote discovered via Meg, the Wily Brunette

It’s only been a couple days into the month of October, and today was depressing: cloudy, drizzly, damp…legging, sweater and scarf weather.

And yet, my love for October doesn’t waiver.

I love fall. The change from summer to fall is refreshing, revitalizing. I’ve been out of school for many years and yet autumn makes me want to reorganize, gather up some new notebooks and start fresh again.

I love pulling out my cardigans, ballet flats and scarfs.

I love all the cliches, the pumpkin lattes, the apple picking, the candy corn.

I love the new smells, the feeling of crispness that surrounds you.

It’s a month to let go of so many summertime superficials, the lack of seriousness…those days have passed for a little while. It’s time to gather around a stronger meal, with friends and family. It’s time to come home and sit on the couch under a fantastic blanket and let yourself watch a great movie or read a book, with no the-sun-is-still-out guilt.

Lots of people love summer. I do too, but it’s not my season soulmate.

Give me some cider and cheers to fall.

I’m one of the autumn people.

“A girl can’t read that sort of thing without her lipstick.”

- Holly Golightly, (on receiving a breakup note), in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

My Type of Sunday Funday

It was a very calm weekend overall… and that is fine by me!

I am someone who needs a weekend like this.

I love my crazy, fun weekends, but having one that allows me to catch up on life, every now and then, makes the busy weekends so much more manageable.

I went for a couple runs, rented a movie, got that haircut I needed so badly, caught up with most of my magazine pile, and lots more fun organization. It was great.

This afternoon, I let myself take a break from the to-do list crossing off mission I was on, and sat out for an hour, on the greenway in front of the North End and just soaked up the sun (sunscreen on though of course).

I’m letting myself fully embrace summer and the simple joys that accompany it. New England is so beautiful, but our summers go too quickly, and even though I didn’t get every little thing done that I wanted to, I’m so glad that I achieved a nice combination of productivity & relaxation today.

why did it take me so long...

to discover the limitless glory of BaubleBar!!??

Since discovering this little gem a few weeks ago, I have been achingggg to make a purchase. But what to attack first?

Their neon collection?! My adoration of neons has grown exponentially over the past couple weeks (thus, my purchase of a neon pink shirtdress and several neon studded earrings at the local SoWa market this past weekend).

Or since I tend to rely all too heavily on my stud earrings, maybe I should venture into BaubleBar’s boho danglers?!

But no, I must go back and go through the collection that had me from the beginning: their personalized pieces.

I fell in love with the classic Monogram Pendant Necklaces awhile back, and their steady appearance on Atlantic-Pacific makes my heart flutter all too often.

But now that that decision has been made…

gold or silver?? 

simple & cool joys of summer

Today brought the first official day of summer…and with it, 95 degree weather. It was a hot one.

And while I had an opportunity to attend a business-oriented cocktail party, I decided instead to do something that I knew would make me much happier…

Heading home to my little apartment, cranking the air conditioner, catching up on my current DVR favorites (aka The Conversation), and giving myself a bright new manicure (thank you “Watermelon” by essie).

And while I didn’t sip and mingle with anyone worth knowing, I had an absolutely lovely evening…cool, comfortable, soaking up the words of wisdom from the ladies interviewed on The Conversation. I am climbing into bed, refreshed and ready to take on the rest of this sweaty week. 

The late night treat of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food Frozen Yogurt didn’t hurt either…

Happy Hump Day all :)

i spy with my little eye...

a new handbag i must have by fall. 

it’s fate. 

my name is in its name.

i’m in love. 

ms. spade, you sure do know how to make a girl swoon.

I'm back~can we be friends again!?

I’ve been meaning to post this entry, bringing everyone (or at least bringing my blog) up to speed on all the changes that have occurred over the past couple months, and am finally getting around to it. I’m finally getting around to having time to cook actual meals, to fit in exercise, to tidy up my apartment and tidy up my life, time to actually breathe.

And it is fantastic. This time. Finally having it.

Long story short, I made a professional change and haven’t looked back since.

I left the crazy 24/7 world of events and joined a small PR firm, with a focus on food and wine. A lot of factors played a part in my decision but I am incredibly happy with my choice and excited about this summer and beyond. Positivity has entered my life and it’s contagious.

Not only has my work schedule become more relaxed and enjoyable, but I hope this also allows me to finally focus on my blogging and freelance writing aspirations.

This is an incredibly abbreviated version of the happenings, decisions and emotions over the past few months, but I don’t feel like re-living and transcribing it all. I am in a new place, looking forward, moving forward, and taking care of myself. I have a lot going on, with the new job, looking for a new apartment for the fall and lots of fun professional and personal summer parties, trips and events.

I have ideas for this blog/Tumblr and look forward to jumping back in once again, full throttle, over the next couple weeks. I’m thinking of having a designer help me make my blog look more like “me”-if I’m going to do this with my whole heart in it, might as well do it big! Go big or go home! (Any blog/graphic designer recommendations-send my way!!)

I’m so excited to be back in the fantastically wonderful blogging community-cheers!

Today is definitely an iced kind of coffee day…

What happens when things you start imaging… start coming true?!

I see the light at the end of the tunnel, or at least I sense it’s presence. 

I made a decision and finalized it at work. And then I flew home for the weekend to celebrate my sister’s college graduation, and to soak up some much needed family laughter. 

Over this weekend, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm, of pure relief.  Of a hint of thick, genuine happiness and joy that had been hiding for a while. 

Just a couple weeks from now, I will have a new feast in front of me, and I am getting eager and excited to dig in and sample it all. 

Until then I am teased by the smell of it all and doing my best to prepare properly and follow the recipe so that the end result will be as good as it can be. 

i kept falling over i kept looking backwards i went broke believing that the simple should be hard

Being your genuine self will take you further than identifying yourself as a "southern belle", "prep", or whatever label you strive to attain.

bourbonpearlsandwildcats:

Jeez.

God made only one of you for a reason! Stop trying to make yourself fit into a label. 

THE Met Gala

thank you people.com for supplying me with all of the following photos-

the Met Gala is always my favorite event each year for the best dress & celeb spotting. 

i was a bit disappointed with the majority of the looks i saw, but here are my favorites (be sure to click on the photos for a full body shot & captions)-

it’s interesting to go through almost 100 photos and select your personal favorite looks…and then realize that so many of them have similarities. i think i’m slowly discovering my own personal style~

TGIF

time is love.

rainydaysandblankets:

i wholeheartedly believe this. the thing that touches me most in this world is when someone spends time with me. they could be anywhere in the world and they chose to be with me. how amazing is that?

“Five Things I’m Loving This Month…

Emily Thorne’s wardrobe on Revenge. Classic, elegant, with just the right tinge of steely menace. She’s like Grace Kelly…if Grace Kelly were a vindictive socialite murderer.”

- from March 2012 Glamour’s Obsessed editor Emma Rosenblum

Tell me...

Writing was always a source of reassurance, confidence, pleasure, and contentment…I need to get back into it.  Now, just the need for proper inspiration…where and how do you find inspiration?