Posts from — December 2011

Remember how my weekend was ruined after a minor car accident and an earring down the drain? Well have no fear. My lovely father drove down to Boston this afternoon to unplug the PVC trap. Mister fix it came, unscrewed, and saved the day.

And the first thing he said after removing the earring? “Well geez, that sure is a small earring.” Yea Dad, I never said it was big! C’mon!

I was driving downtown, minding my own business, staying in my lane, and not speeding, when all of a sudden a cab driver swung his door open and whack. Off went my passenger side mirror. I received an estimate for $300. Only problem is that we have a $500 deductible so I have to pay it up front. The cab company’s insurance may cover it, so long as the driver doesn’t contest my story. Great.

$300 out the door. Literally.

Another day, same shit. I was standing in the bathroom, getting ready to shower. I followed my usual routine. I placed my phone on the counter top, took the elastic out of my hair and placed it on top of my phone. Then I took of my necklace and laid it inside of my elastic. Next come the earrings. Only problem is that as I took off one earring, it slipped through my fingers and went plop. Right down the drain. I don’t own very many expensive earrings. I have a couple of fancy rings, a handful of expensive necklaces. I own dozens, and dozens of cheap, cheap earrings. Only one pair of real pearl earrings and one pair of diamond earrings. Of course I was wearing my diamonds. Down it went.

$300 right down the drain. Literally.

It was not a good weekend. It was an even worse Monday. I spent countless phone calls talking to insurance people, my insurance people, his insurance people, his cab company, his boss. Then came the calls with my dad. Calls about the accident, calls about repair costs, calls about autobody shops, calls about insurance policies. Calls about pipes, calls about tools, calls about why I decided to take off my earrings standing over the sink.

I spent a considerable amount of time crying on Monday night. Angry at myself. Annoyed by my mistakes. Exhausted from trying to fix things. Sad because I was disappointing my dad. Not once, not twice, heck I can’t even count the number of times this weekend. For getting in an accident. For not getting the right information from the cab driver at the time of the accident. For not filing a police report. For doing something as stupid as taking off my most expensive pair of earrings while standing over the sink. For using pliers, and not a pipe wrench to try and remove the plug.

But the thing about my dad is… Growing up I always expected him to get mad, angry, to yell. He had a temper, he’s stubborn, and he was endlessly frustrated by my sister’s and my mistakes.

Well my dad often surprises me. He’s calm when I expect him to be mad, sensitive when I expect anger. And most importantly during a weekend like this, he’s understanding when I expect him to be frustrated.

I have the best father ever. I’m pretty sure I’d still be in bed crying over spilled milk if it weren’t for him and his willingness to help me resolve this weekend’s mishaps. So cheers to a better day tomorrow, and to finding a new about-to-get-in-the-shower routine. One that doesn’t involve taking off my jewelry while standing over the sink.

Casual, stressed out Sunday: striped t-shirt, striped scarf, striped iPhone case.

Every Thursday my boyfriend works from home, and every Thursday I wake up jealous and bitter. I love working from home so it’s hard for me to wake up and rush to get ready while watching him leisurely lounge, watch the news, eat his breakfast. I’m sure he knows this, and every once in a while he’ll do something sweet for me on a Thursday morning. A simple gesture that makes a morning not quite as unpleasant as others.

Like this one time, when I got out of the shower, stressed and still sleepy and found a bowl of yogurt, diced bananas and a hot cup of hazelnut coffee. Made and ready for me.

This weekend the boyfriend and I went home to Maine to attend three parties. His annual family holiday party, an ugly Christmas sweater party, and a football ‘party’ that consisted of the boyfriend and me heading to my sister and brother-in-laws for food and hangin’ all day long. Glorious.

The holiday party was a hoot, as always. I donned black lace and red lipstick, which I never, ever do, and there were more sparkles and sequins in the house than I’ve ever seen. We left the party early to head over to the 4th annual ugly Christmas sweater party which was, well ugly. And the following day with my sis and her hubby was so, so nice. Although we see each other a lot, I can’t remember the last time we spent a whole day just lounging, eating, drinking and of course: painting my nails.

“If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel— as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them— wherever you go.” – Anthony Bourdain

I saw this quote on Tumblr today, and my heart sank. My mind flooded, filled with bittersweet emotions. My gut turned, my throat choked up. Nostalgia overwhelmed me. Regret got the best of me. I sat still, with a heavy, heavy heart as my mind raced to my days of travel. To the unforgettable lessons I learned. The people, places, the sounds and smells. My time abroad was far too short, and I blame myself for not taking to the foreign roads more frequently.

Everyone tells me. Travel. Go. Do it. Now. And I don’t. I listen but I don’t go. Instead I sit at my 9-5 job in the same city I’ve lived in for 7 years, traveling to my hometown every weekend I can. What am I doing? Why am I so content with sitting still? Staying put? Here I am, careless and free in 2007, gallivanting around Europe.

By the way, my butt is not that big. Not sure what’s going on with angles here, people!

One of my favorite traditions during the Christmas season is attending my boyfriend’s family’s holiday party. The annual party, held at his parents’ or aunt’s house includes a dance floor, a DJ, a working, twirling, sparkling disco ball and endless karaoke. Not to mention the options at the bar. Needless to say, it ain’t your average “family holiday party.” The crowd is fun, wild in the best way possible, and the ladies always arrive dressed to the nines. We’re not talking ball gowns, but glitter and sequins have never been looked down upon.

So this year I wore a new black lace top from Old Navy, a large, white necklace from Francesca’s Collection, and had gold glitter nail polish. Skinny jeans and black suede booties. Red, red, lipstick and a whole lot of curls.

Tonight after work, I returned home to find a large package with my name on it in the foyer. For about 30 seconds I was in panic mode, as I could not for the life of me remember purchasing anything online. But as soon as I read the return label, my panic subsided and a smile spread from ear to ear. The package was from L.L. Bean. I certainly haven’t purchase anything from there (no offense to Bean lovers), but then it hit me.

Every December (since I was a freshman in college), my grandmother has a holiday centerpiece shipped to my dorm or apartment. A simple way for her to make me feel at home. My mother even reminded me a few weeks ago, hoping that I would keep an eye out for the package, but how quickly I forget.

Anyways, the centerpiece is beautiful. In years past the gift, although incredibly thoughtful, has been a bit of a nuisance. College dorm rooms are small, very small, and I never had desk space to spare, let alone an empty dining room table. And more recently, when I did have an apartment of my own, well holiday decorations weren’t exactly on the top of my to-do list. But this year, well this year my apartment is special because it’s no longer just my apartment but our apartment. And we’ve put a lot of work into making it a home.

So it was a great pleasure setting up this year’s holiday centerpiece, sent with love from my Gram.

And what do you know? This year’s holiday centerpiece isn’t decked out in plaid ribbon like years past. This year it’s decked out in gold. Perfect, classy gold to match my fabulously gold Christmas tree.

I’m way ahead of the game this year when it comes to selecting Christmas gifts for my mom, Christmas gifts for my dad and Christmas gifts for my sister.  But in case you’re still racking your brain for the perfect gift for a loved one, here’s a great idea: Instagram canvas art from Canvas Pop.

I know canvas prints aren’t that novel of an idea, but Canvas Pop prints Instagram photos! And y’all know how much I love Instagram. You can select from either a 12×12 or 20×20 canvas, and their “picture perfect” technology ensures that your prints won’t be pixel-y.

If you like the idea, act fast. You need to order by tomorrow, December 8th to ensure delivery by Christmas. Another reason to jump on the idea of Instagram canvas art? Prices are seriously discounted right now. Canvaspop is currently offering the 12×12 canvas print for just $29.95 (marked down from a whopping $79!)!

So seriously. Buy this for your artsy, hipster parents, siblings or significant other. And buy me one while you’re at it!

I recently mentioned my high hopes for decorating our first Christmas tree with all gold ornaments. Well this weekend the boyfriend’s parents paid us a visit and during their stay they purchased said tree! We bought our first Christmas tree across the street at a small store and carried it down Beacon St. to our apartment. When the family was here we wrapped the little tree in lights and placed the gold star on the tippity top. But we saved the ornaments for when we were alone.

Sunday I added my arrangement of gold ornaments to the tree and I just love, love, love it.