Spring Time

After a long blistery winter in Boston, nothing makes me happier than signs of Spring...Does this mean I can dry clean my wool sweaters?  please say yes, please say yes.

(photo of cherry blossom trees in the Boston Common found here)

Art is in the eye of the beholder?

After a week of trying to do everything BUT find a job, write papers, plan my life, etc., I had this urge to make the apartment over.  I won't go into details of all the things I would want to change in our apartment, but let's just say that my other half thinks this poster constitutes as artwork.  I'll also add that this is attached to our bedroom wall with athletic tape underneath a New York Yankee sign made by a child 20 years ago.  (Don't judge, I have to choose my battles wisely, okay?)

(image found on this educational site, not an ARTWORK site)

The hubs loves maps and we both love traveling, so we have not one, but TWO world maps in our 900 square foot apartment.  One map is nicely framed, the other is shoddily taped to a Crate and Barrel mirror with more athletic tape.  Hubs had a great idea to mark each of the spots we've been to on this second map, but I'd like to take this idea and make it a more legitimate piece of art in our space.

I stumbled upon this map on Etsy, and I think it's genius and chic all at the same time.  The challenge will be for two of the un-handiest people to get this on the wall properly.  

(image found here)

Sunday Funday

I packed my bags for NYC in a bit of a rush, and I just realized that I forgot my dress for Easter Sunday.  It wasn't a new dress, but I wanted to wear a dress to church and to a family gathering.  I'm sure I'll see people dressed in jeans at church and at my in-laws, but my mom drilled it into my head to be dressed up for holidays. I can't say that I disagree.  I distinctly remember getting a new dress for every holiday.  I liked the tradition more when someone else was paying for it!

I discovered this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G website a few months ago, and I had to stop visiting it because it was such a time sucker!  Daydreaming for an Easter outfit for this Sunday, I put together this outfit on Polyvore.

It's going to be 60 degrees on Sunday which means it will be warm enough to rock a frock sans tights.  And since this dress is sleeveless, I decided to pair it with this military-inspired cropped sweater.  

The dress and cardigan are from Forever 21, where I'll surely wear 4 sizes bigger than normal since their clothes are cut sooo tiny.  I own the patent black flats (in at least 4 different styles because one can't have too many black flats).  Sadly, I don't own the Chanel quilted bag...one can dream, right?

I mean it, rain. Go away.

Yet another rainy day in Boston.  With no surprise, my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) broke and I've got a million and twenty things to attend to today, all of which require going out in the rain.

Every girl's rainy day wardrobe should contain three essential items:

1.  A classic belted trench

2.  Knee high wellies

3.  A makes-me-smile-even-though-it's-raining-cats-and-dogs umbrella

After all, your clothes have to make you look cute even when your hair looks like wet dog and your smeared mascara makes you look like a panda.

Although I'm not the biggest fan of Burberry RTW fashion, I do love their modern, girly spin on the trench coat.  I'm a sucker for pleats, what can I say?

...and the fun doesn't stop there.  Look at the pleats in the back!

Next stop, rain boots.  Knee high wellingtons are the most flattering, and these Hunter rain boots will never go out of style.  Therefore, they are worth the $115 investment.

Lastly, you need an umbrella.  I've bought $50 ones that I lose in a cab within two days of purchase, $5 ones that I've bought at a NYC deli that have lasted 5 years, and $15 ones that are cute, but can't stand up to the wind.  That said, my choice below is chosen purely on aesthetics.  Don't blame me if it turns inside out the minute you walk outside.

(and it's masculine enough that the boy in your life won't be ashamed to carry it when he's surely forgotten/lost his own).

Empire State of Mind

Yesterday marked the two month countdown until we pack our car with my belongings and drive south and west to New York City for one last time.  When I left for Boston back in the Fall of 2008, I was happy, relieved, and excited to leave The Big Apple for the smaller city of Boston.  

I've started to compile a list of things I want to do once I move back.  I guess the silver lining to the distinct possibility of being jobless on my return to the Upper East Side is that I can cross stuff off this list relatively quickly.  

1.  I can't count how many times I've ran in Central Park, but regardless of what's going on in life, the loop around the reservoir provides a sense of calm in a city of craziness.  I can't wait to resume my daily runs in the greatest park in the world.  

 

2.  Catch several games at Yankee Stadium.  As a daughter, sister, and wife of passionate maniacal Yankee fans, going to Yankee games has been a staple to my summer for many years.  

3.  Catch up with old friends at the Olive Garden.  Don't be judgey:  I've already explained my penchant for chain restaurants.  If you're judging me, you're not alone because I have other friends that like going to real NYC restaurants.  My favorite place in the city isn't really known for its food (quite frankly, it sucks), but I love it for the memories and scenery.  

4.  Until I land a job and can afford to buy myself an iPad (this name still reminds me of brands such as Kotex or Always) or an Amazon Kindle, I want to go to the New York Public Library to get books.  We live in a Manhattan rental apartment, where space is at a premium.  I don't want to buy more books that just end up collecting dust on an overstuffed bookcase.  Plus, my heroine Carrie Bradshaw *almost* got married here. 

I never thought I'd miss you, NYC.  Don't let me down when I move back!

Long Time, No Nothing

Yes, that's right. I'm 2 months shy of receiving my MBA and I used a double negative. I can do a mean Five Forces and SWOT analysis, but don't ask me to write or talk good. (just kidding!)The last time I wrote on my little blog was well over a year ago.

Really desperate to procrastinate, I've researched a few places I'd like to visit in the near future. Surely, all of these places will be free and totally conducive to my yearly personal income of $-60,000.

We've always talked about going to the Galapagos Islands. This place looks totally awesome and perfect to celebrate graduation (and my joblessness). The hubby's motto is "Go big or go home" (that's what she said?), so I'd like to stay in the Royal Suite. (photo found here)

We went on the most amazing honeymoon here and here, but my first choice was to go to Mauritius. And to go along with my rapper/Jay-Z/Beyonce-type budget, I'd like to stay here.