Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Bake Sales

At NYU, they're really popular with the clubs. I really have no idea why, since I rarely see people buy anything from them...I certainly never do. Odds are, I have made/could easily make what they're selling, plus I just don't really eat sweets. However, NYC banning homemade goods is ridiculous. So what if you can't know the exact calorie count? Schools now can only sell things like Doritos. Really, NYC? Really? That sounds totally healthy, much better than banana bread or oatmeal raisin cookies.
Thankfully,  NYU hasn't gotten that weird-yet. So last night I was roped into baking cookies for Tisch New Theatre's bake sale today. I used to be on the board, but for a myriad of reasons I am no longer involved. But several of my friends are, hence my baking for them. Except wait! The bake sale was moved from campus to one of the acting studios. And they wanted me to bring my cookies there. Ummm no. I don't have an extra 45 minutes to do that. I though my favor was done with the baking. Apparently not. I did actually put my foot down about it (yay not being a doormat!) so I now have about 3 dozen coconut chocolate chip cookies. Come and get 'em!
On a completely unrelated note, it's finally stopped raining! I am so excited, even if it's not actually sunny... :)
xoxoxo

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Giveaway...gone away

Roxy, of the fantastic Effortless Anthropologie, is was hosting a scavenger hunt giveaway. It was super fun until people were so passionate about winning the $250 gift card that they were calling every Anthro number in existence. Good lord. So it's closing tonight...but it was fun while it lasted! Anyway, you should check out her blog anyway, cause she's full of info and super cute outfits. So much fun to be had!
Whereas in my world right now...there are papers to be written and laundry to be done. So go have fun looking at pretty pictures and learning more about a pretty awesome store :)
Ok, I gotta give you one pretty picture, right?
There's just something about wildflowers as opposed to orderly gardens that is so appealing...
xoxoxo

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Yes, I am a liberal.

Very much so, especially socially. No, that does not mean I am a Socialist. Or a Communist. It does mean that I am quite pleased with Obama signing the health care bill today. It wasn't exactly as I'd hoped or imagined-especially that damn anti-choice amendment-but it's a step forward. If you're disappointed that it's not as radical, as I am, just think-with how difficult it was to get this passed, a bill that really made all the changes I'd like to see wouldn't stand a chance.
On that note, I read "An Absence of Class" by Bob Herbert today. It was a great piece, saying a lot of what I wish people would have courage to say more loudly and in more mixed settings, politically speaking. It seemed a lot of commenters agreed, and many of those who didn't...well, I would encourage you to read their posts for entertainment value, as long as you promise not to find them and shake them until they agree to inform themselves. (Yes, this was a struggle for me too.) I'd be interested to hear y'all's take on it...
xoxoxo
P.S. See, I don't just shop and eat and read silly novels :)

Monday, March 22, 2010

I'm back!

I had spring break last week, which I'm totally using as an excuse for being the least productive person ever. I went back home very early Monday morning and just hung out with the fam and a couple friends. I worked a bit too-but that work was taking care of super adorable dogs and cats, so it barely counts. I got to see my friend Megan for St. Patrick's Day (we ate Guinness brownies and talked for hours) and my friend and summer coworker Caroline for a great lunch in downtown Ann Arbor. I had forgotten how insane University of Michigan students can be on this holiest of days...I was somewhat afraid one would stumble in front of my car. No joke, I heard a girl say "I don't even know where I am". At 11:45am. Very amusing, but it makes me feel like an old lady-I could never do that, not even at night...I like to be asleep around midnight because I'm a granny. It's ok, I've come to terms with it.
Then I got back to NYC Thursday night (very very late) and worked Friday-Saturday-Sunday, so I missed all the sunshine here by being cooped up inside. Now, of course, it's raining again. At least I got rainboots while I was in A2! :)
I love these. Mommy dearest bought them for me at DSW as a belated Christmas present and they made me so happy today. No more wet feet for me!
I also bought myself a little treat to use my $10 coupon for being a member of their rewards program (before it expired).
the Steve Madden Diablo boot...but mine are black.
My brother immediately deemed these my "swashbuckler" boots, despite them being labeled as Western. I have to say, for once I think I agree with him. Hey, does this mean Johnny Depp and I can be BFFs now? Please? :)
I also bought a pretty awesome pair of sunnies, since I left mine in NYC. My brother told me it was supposed to be pretty grey when I was in town, and silly me, I believed him. I bought them at Marshall's for $13...I had no idea they were $55 at Nordstrom! I feel like such an intelligent shopper now, ha.

Hopefully the sun will return soon so I can wear them again!
xoxoxo

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Rain, rain go away

I'm pretty sure it's a monsoon outside. I almost blew away while out and about today-so when I got back around 5 I decided I was not leaving the apartment again.
I decided to treat myself to a good brunch for surviving midterms, so of course I went to Alice's Tea Cup. It's one of my fave places in NYC. Usually I get scones, a sandwich, or soup, but today I decided to go for something on their brunch menu-Alice's Curious French Toast. So much deliciousness. Peach brandy tea-soaked bread with all the usual yumminess as well. Fantastic. Well, apart from the old lady sitting at the next table who leaned over and said, "Well that looks like a good diet food..." Not in the "oh that looks good" way...the "should you really be eating that" way. Sure didn't stop me from enjoying it, though, along with my Indian Chai tea :)
While I was up that way, I stopped at the J.Crew at Columbus Circle. It's been ages since I've been there. I found a pair of shorts I loved but I'm waiting to see if they'll go on sale or maybe a good deal will come up soon-$50 is still kind of a lot to me.
I think these will be super cute on their own or with tights underneath...transition piece? Maybe I can justify it to myself...
I did score a couple bangles and a headband though! It's funny how I won't hesitate to drop $10 or under on an item, even if I definitely don't need it. But I do have a deep and abiding love for headbands. I have some sparkly ones from H&M in Berlin that I love, as well as my favorite one ever-it's blue satin with a peacock feather from the Young Designers' Market. Even if my buddy constantly makes fun of it...so I decided it needed a fun new friend, hence the flowery one that I will definitely be rockin' tomorrow.
Please forgive the inexpert fashion pics...I'm still learning how to do all this online stuff, although I think ShopStyle is working-you should be able to click on the pics to link to J.Crew (via ShopStyle).
I also stopped by my new fave chocolaterie, Varsano's, for some treats to take back to MI with me. I had the owner fill a small box with all his faves, plus of course I had to buy a piece to eat this evening. Dark chocolate almond toffee...so delish. Good thing they wrapped the box and even tied it up with ribbon, otherwise it could be in serious trouble! :)
Mmmmm...I think it might be time for one of those shortbread cookies I made the other day...
xoxoxo

Friday, March 12, 2010

It's offically spring break!

And yes, I'm spending the first night of it watching Casablanca and tooling around on the internet. For some reason I was pooped at the end of work tonight!
Yesterday I made some chai shortbread cookies with chocolate decoration. They're based on this recipe...all I did was add some chai spices (until...it seemed right? I'm so precise, I know) and then melted chocolate in a makeshift pastry bag (ie ziploc baggie with a corner cut off). I'm basically obsessed with chai in every form-straight tea, lattes, anything chai-flavored. So last year when I found chai spice, I decided it would be in everything I make...a goal I've been quite successful in. Now, decorating...not so much. I think I need more practice...
Mmm chai. I might actually eat some of these instead of giving them all away, ha.
That's all for me, folks. I'm going to continue avoiding this nasty, rainy night by curling up in my bed watching movies. Oh how I love spring break :)
xoxoxo

Thursday, March 11, 2010

I made it!

Midterms are over, thank goodness. My Music History went maybe a little better than expected, but since I had very low expectations to start with...hey, at least it's done. And now I just have to get through 1 more class and 2 days of work before I go to Ann Arbor to see the fam! This also means I get to continue working my way through LOST, since I had to take a break over the last couple weeks. I've just started Season 3.
I also get to browse Etsy again, yay! I've discovered I have to have a definite theme to look for, otherwise I just don't know where to start. Today it's elephants...Mommy dearest loves them, so this one's for her...
this one's a cutie, definitely more my mom's style-simplicity at its finest

I want this guy for myself! So whimisical, yet sophisticated.

Y'all know I love lockets. And the swallow in the chain is perfect.
Jewelry isn't the only option...Mom and I share a love of stationary.
These might be for kids but I would totally use them.

Adorable and not as girly. Sometimes you just gotta give up pink. Crazy, I know.

Here's a big kid card! Sometimes I like to pretend I'm an adult, and this would be perfect for that grown-up correspondence.
Oh Etsy, how you tempt me.
Oh! And now that midterms are over, maybe I'll have time to read a book or two and even review it. Maybe? I hope so!
xoxoxo

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

One more to go...

I had my Personality midterm today...let's just pretend that didn't happen. Tomorrow is Music History...yeah that one might be repressed as well. Papers I'm good with and don't mind writing...exams, on the other hand, not so much. I literally can't memorize as much as I need to, especially with all the dates necessary for history along with being able to aurally recognize pieces. I really need to train my ear.
On the plus side of life, my order from Eddie Bauer finally came. I don't normally shop there, but Mom called me a week or so ago and told me to check out their clearance section since they had an anniversary sale going on as well...and things have changed for the better over there, for sure. Still a bit too much velour, but there will always be too much velour in the world. Anyway, I got some adorable red patent buckle-toe flats and a black cotton/cashmere blend boyfriend cardi...for less than $60, including shipping! That is a good deal in my book! I think both items cost around that originally, so I was super excited :) I wore the flats today, and they definitely need some breaking in, and I've got the blisters to prove it. Oh well, so cute they're totally worth it, and I really should have expected it what with all the walking I do. I'm looking forward to wearing the cardi...I tried it on last night (of course) and it fits well and the material is very soft. Well worth the price, even if I do now own 3 black cardis...
 image                       image
Sorry about the tiny pics (and incorrectly colored cardi). Someday I will use my camera to take pictures of things other than food, I swear. 
Speaking of food, I'm going to bake cookies tomorrow. I'll need it after the disaster that is midterms...any suggestions as to what kind? 
And now I have got to get back to studying. Now. See you on the flip side!
e.t.a: This is how I feel about what I need to have memorized:
xoxoxo

Monday, March 8, 2010

Pretty pretty jewelry!

Amber of Amber's Notebook and Claire of Feronia Jewelry (and other Etsy shops, as well!) are hosting a fab giveaway. Must win! Amber has fantastic style and Claire makes super adorable jewelry...of course something co-hosted by these ladies would be great :)
Pretty neck (one of my faves!)
xoxoxo

Sunday, March 7, 2010

I'm blaming it on midterms

My lack of posting, that is. What with work, writing papers, studying, and trying to maintain a social life...very little time online remains. I don't know how y'all do it!
That last sentence about sums up my recent days...although I did stop by a pet store and play with a Cavalier puppy today. I miss my dog, Caspian...so it was so nice to get to play with a tiny version of him! Since I have nothing interesting to write about, here are some adorable puppies for your viewing pleasure! :)

Grrr, angry puppy (this is how I feel about midterms)


This is my adorable dog, and my wonderful mommy!
Oh how I love puppy therapy!
xoxoxo