Rules for March

1. champagne is a breakfast drink when mixed with orange juice
2. putting cheese on bread removes all of the carbohydrates
3. it is not considered being late if you left on time but decided to walk the long way
4. saying no just because you simply don't feel like it is totally acceptable
5. any unreturned emails that have been sitting in your in-box for longer than a week no longer exist.
6. no more cover up on pimples. you know it isn't working anyway.
7. no money will be spent on other people's weddings until you have bought yourself something very fabulous, and very unnecessary.

kisses.. spring is almost here!
me

The Satorialist Comes to DC

The Sartorialist takes the most amazing photos on earth. And now his exhibit is moving from NYC to DC.

Here's the scoop:
The Satorialist
March 15th - April 26th, 2008
Adamson Gallery
1515 14th Street

See you there... actually something tells me I will be there a few times.

If You Don't Like It, Don't Do It

Surrounding myself by fashion, you would think that I'd be used to bitchy people by now. But what I have actually noticed is that the people that claim to hate everything fashion stands for, even though they chose to be here, are actually the worst. What, with their anti-this and anti-that. Ugh, enough already. At least the divas in their Gucci's and Prada prance around with pride.

Just saying...

(was that bitchy? I totally didn't mean to be.)

Diamonds and Cardio

I love a good accessory. Usually several good accessories all thrown together. EXCEPT when I am working out. This evening at the tail-end of my run I looked down at my hand and realized that I was still wearing the ruby and diamond ring that I had inherited from my grandma. Considering that we weren't allowed in the house if we even referred to her basement as anything other than the "great room", I don't think she would have been pleased at me sweating all over her jewels. What's next... yoga in my mom's wedding dress?

Florence in Black and White

So I walk right up to you
And you walk right up to me
And I ask you what you want
And you tell me what you need

Desperately Seeking Kira

I have been obsessing over this red Pinko dress for the past two weeks. So much, in fact, that I'm having the Florence store call all over Italy trying to find my size. It isn't cheap, but it fits perfectly, shows the right amount of skin and masks that alcohol bloat you get after drinking your way through a wedding reception.

You can imagine my surprise when today I discovered that new design phenom Kira Plastinina has almost the exact same one in her collection. The only difference is that hers costs about a quarter of the price... and that is before you convert euros to dollars! The only question is where do I find her and how do I get one, STAT!

Science for Big Kids

Last night I decided to test the theory and see if vodka does in fact kill a cold. And while I still woke up with the sniffles and sneezing, I wasn't the least bit headachy or groggy. So now I am thinking that maybe a cold kills the hangover. Which I totally buy, but where does the olive tie into all of this?

What a Million is Worth

I saw this on SFist.com and thought it was worth stealing. Pretty interesting, huh?

Converstions Part 5: Me and My Tea

I rolled over, lifted my head from my pillow and groaned as my aching head reminded me why that last bottle of wine was in fact a bad idea. For the past few days I had been fighting back little whisps of wanting to cry, and so I got over it the only way I knew how... filling up the hours of my day. A picnic, errands, dinner, drinks.

Part of me just wanted to stay in bed all day. Hide from the sunshine and cold that was calling from outside. Instead I did some yoga and went to meet friends. Coffee turned into sitting in the sunshine along the Arno. Sitting turned into window shopping. And window shopping turned into gelato and hot chocolate. Walking home, I looked around and got a wave of sadness, because I knew something really great was about to end. Something I would never get back. I remember feeling that way right before I left DC. Then I remembered why it was my least favorite feeling.

After dinner I crawled into bed and started watching TV. With my tea in one hand and remote in the other I felt the tears creep up. And so this time I let them come. Not because I was sad. Not because I was lonely. Just, because...

Saturdays in the Sun

Come on let's go to where it's fun
I want a slice of L.A. sun
So come along and pay the price
This ain't New York this tasty slice

You are Such a Lush

If there is one product line I can't say enough about it is Lush. You literally haven't taken a bath until you have tried one of their bubble bars or bath bombs (today I used the Sex Bomb!). My hairdresser for me hooked a few years ago and today my roommate surprised me with a Lush goody bag (yes, they have a Lush in Florence!) The best part is that their products are all handmade and smell super yummy.
Trust me, this is one case where it is good to be a lush!

Buon San Valentino

Late Night Texting

11:43 pm
To: SaucySister
From: me
Yesterday I was in Rome, tonight I am watching a Danish band play. Can I not keep this up a little longer?

12:07 am
To: SaucySister
From: me
Shaking my booty to the Ravonettes. I had forgotten how happy live music makes me.

12:16am
To:SaucySister
From: me
It is v day here. Eat chocolate for me.

Typical Everyday Conversation

me: how did your date go last week?

littleboyblue: really well. she was engaged to a woman at one point which I found fascinating

me: omg! are you serious?

littleboyblue: yeah

littleboyblue: BTW you cannot appreciate what a miserable day it is outside

me: oh it is freezing here! and I am fat. stt

littleboyblue: well put on a sweater and lose weight

Who's That Girl?

It literally took me a few moments to figure out who the two girls on this cover were.Then I read the big orange letters and it clicked!

The Mystery (shopping) Continues

Today I went to Rome to do the last of my mystery shopping for school. I got sad when we were leaving because I realized that I wouldn't be back for a long time.

Covered in Hearts

Today I went mystery shopping for my project and ended up coming home with a bag full of pretty little underthings for myself. I mean, I may not have anyone to dress up cute for this Valentine's Day, but that doesn't mean I can't still look cute.

Soup for Dinner

It's cold and I am hungry, so I decided to try out a new soup recipe today. Aside from my entire apt. smelling like curry, it turned out great. I think foodnetwork.com is my new best friend.

Curried Carrot Soup
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 pounds packaged baby carrots, from produce section
6 cups chicken stock, available on soup aisle
1 tablespoon mild curry paste or 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Coarse salt
1 cup sour cream
Preheat medium pot over medium high heat. Add olive oil, butter, onions and carrots and saute 5 minutes. Add 4 cups chicken stock, curry and cayenne, and about 1 teaspoon salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover and cook until carrots are very tender, about 15 minutes. Place pot on a trivet next to food processor. Process soup in 2 or 3 small batches until soup is smooth and carrots are fully pureed. Transfer processed soup into a large bowl as you work to make room for more soup in the food processor. Return completed soup to the soup pot and place back over low heat. If the soup is too thick, add remaining stock, up to 2 cups, to achieve desired consistency. Adjust seasonings.

But be careful... it comes out VERY spicy! I actually added some plain yogurt to cut it down a bit.

mmmmmmmmmm, enjoy!

3 Things I Realized on My Way to School:

1. I was the one who put that box of cereal in my bed last night
2. it is ok to rock out to Good Charlotte and not be ashamed
3. biking in heels never stops being fun

A Public Service Announcement

Wear your seatbelts kiddies.
ALWAYS.

Listen to mommy on this one.

safety covered kisses!

A Little Spring in Your Step

It is going to be almost 60 degrees here today and I woke up with the urge (which I am going to try to repress) to shop. While I try not to spend too much, you can check out my Top 5 Trends for Spring here.

I am also going to try to find the person who thought it was a good idea to bring colored denim back and personally hit them over the head. Red jeans only look good on two people in this world. You and I are not one of them.

Get Down, Get Down

i came here to make you dance tonight
i don't care if I'm a guilty pleasure for you
shut up cause we won't stop
and we're getting down till the sun's coming up

T'is the Season

Wedding season is right around the corner and I am way more excited about getting to buy new party dresses than I am at the prospect of facing the inevitable +1 that accompanies invitations in the mail. Lately my dating life has felt a little more 'You'll Do' rather than 'I Do'. Though I guess that can be expected when you have to sneak a peek at a guy's ID while he is out of the room just to verify what his name is. (Yes, it was our third time out. Yes, I really did that. No, I still am not sure of his name.)

So back to those dresses...

It's Fashion Week!

It's New York Fashion Week and the closest I am getting to the action is regular updates on Style.com.
So far, it looks like florals are going to be huge (time to dust off that Laura Ashley dress?). Still no sign of strawberries in any of the collections, but I have a feeling they will be making an appearance before all is said and done.

Snap, Snap, Click, Click

There are certain things that I think I am better at than I really am. Telling a joke, singing, sewing, replying to emails. And taking pictures. I always have the setting wrong or a shadow in the way, or something.
Except for this picture. I randomly snapped it on the street and am sort of in love with it now!

Moving on Up

Here are pics of the new place...our teeny, tiny kitchen
the front entryway
this is where all the magic happens
and by magic, I mean I light the candles in the fireplace, dim the lights and watch CSI.

kisses,
me

Time to Go Vintage

Last week, recovering my some real serious food poisoning, I finally ventured out of my apt. to check out the vintage fair. Here's what I thought...
-loved all of the camo and military inspired menswear. Very G.I. Joe
-really loved the 50's style prom dresses. Unfortunately they were just a tad too much to wear to any of my summer weddings.
-really, really loved the amazing clutches. Good thing I left my credit card at home.

But really, it all felt a lot like shopping in my Nana's closet, which was stocked with Chanel, fur and other pieces of fabulosity. The only difference were that her things didn't come with an outrageous price tag. When did vintage become code for 'let's charge way too much'?

Fur in the City

I can only imagine the conversation between these two women...

Lady 1: "Hey, hey, are you wearing your fur jacket today?"
Lady 2: "The brown one? Heck yeah, that thing was expensive. I am totally rocking it, even though it isn't that cold out. You should totally wear yours too Ethel, then we can be twinsies!"
Lady 1: "Ooh, I love it! Do you think it will be too much? I mean, there are like 15-20 dead animals between us. I don't want to stand out TOO much."
Lady 2: "Stand out, no way! We will look classy and luxurious and everyone will be jealous. Plus, we will be TWINSIES!"
Lady 1: "Ok, I am in! Think we can get our husbands to wear those matching fur jackets we bought them too?"

Let the Music Play

Everyone has a song that lives on repeat on their ipod. Mine is 9 Crimes by Damien Rice. I can't get enough of it. Last night I was watching Shrek 3 and the song came on in the middle of the movie. I yelped. Who knew ogers had such good taste in music.