Cap Ou Pas Cap

From Belgium, Via Australia

2012-01-31T22:17:00.001-06:00

I've had a bit of a stressful day {including such lovely events as missing files from the research I've been conducting for the past year, and back-and-forth e-mails with our wedding venue which, though exciting, is proving to be extremely time consuming and a very effective test of my patience}

So you can imagine how absolutely thrilled I was when I opened the mailbox and saw a package addressed to me, from Australia - and even more so, when I opened it to find it was a beautiful notebook picked for me by Lisa in Belgium, whose blog I discovered a while back and have since bonded with over a mutual obsession with all things beautiful and, of course, French.

Merci mille fois, Lisa, for brightening my day!! I'll have to think of a special use for the notebook, it's almost too beautiful to write in!

Days like these are reminders of how amazing blogging is - when I showed my fiance the package, he said: "It's amazing that someone you have never met in real life took the time to get to know you, to pick out something for you, and to spend their time and energy towards sending you this".

Little does he know, Lisa and I have plans to meet, someday....in Paris, of course!! ;)

Pied-A-Terre

2012-01-24T22:28:00.000-06:00

I love living with my man. Waking up next to him every morning, the cuddles, the little romantic moments amidst the everyday routine.

But (this is an inconsequential "but", not to worry!), living with a man means a change in decor, a merging of two aesthetics - of the masculine and feminine.

Sometimes, I dream of a completely feminine pied-a-terre. A getaway for afternoon tea with the girlfriends, slumber parties and at-home spa days.

It would look, I imagine, something like this.....

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Regardez-Moi...

2012-01-23T01:19:00.002-06:00

Amazing how a little photo editing can change the way a person looks (I promise I'm not really the evil woman in #2) Speaking of photo-editing, I'm sure you've heard that the editing website Picnik will be closing in April....very sad news but, there is a silver lining! They are offering their Premium services free to all members until their close on April 19th. I'm taking advantage by editing the hundreds (most likely thousands) of photos I've had lying around my desktop for ages.

I think I'll make several photobooks (via Shutterfly...they make truly great quality photobooks, for those who are interested) of various travels, memories, etc. Photographs are meant to be admired and cherished, not lost amidst a plethora of disorganized desktop files.

Hope you had a cozy weekend!

I'm leaving you with Carla Bruni's velvety voice singing "Regardez-Moi/Le Plus Beau Du Quartier". Happy Monday!

Five Things {That Brighten These Winter Days}

2012-01-19T19:26:00.004-06:00

{1} The beautiful postcard that came with the calendar I ordered from the Manchiks , and which reminded me of home.

{2} A collection of new books with beautiful titles that promise delicious content.

{3} Gold sequins tend to make any day better.

{4} New scarves in bright colors and soft wool.

{5} Not even winter can keep me from my addiction to frozen yogurt!

Thank you so very much for your comments on yesterday's post. You all are the best, truly!

A Very Long Engagement

2012-01-17T19:54:00.005-06:00

It seems we (my fiance and I, that is) are starting the New Year by breaking a resolution already...perhaps the most important one - to get married this year.

After much thought and planning, we've decided to move the wedding to June/July 2013.

In France.

Outside Paris.

In a castle.

In light of these facts, I think waiting a year will be entirely worth it :)

We have so many plans for this year - I'll be traveling to Latvia sometime in the Spring, then in the summer we'll be apartment hunting, attending a wedding of my close friend for whom I"ll be a MOH, in the fall we hope to travel to Armenia, and in December we'll be in Australia for my cousin's wedding.

Planning our wedding in the midst of everything seemed harried, rash and financially unsound. The more we talked about it, the more we stressed, until we realized this whole process should be one that we enjoy.

And now that we've made the decision to wait, the weight is lifted off our shoulders and we are enjoying researching venues (we've found the one, waiting to finalize it!), finding photographers, and just discussing what our dream day will be like.

I'm really looking forward to this year of adventures and planning, and to sharing the journey with you!

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The Difference A Day Makes

2012-01-12T19:29:00.005-06:00

The first photo was taken yesterday afternoon when it was a balmy 54 degrees (F) and we opened the windows to air out the apartment and, the next one this morning with the first real snowfall of the season.

The second one almost seems like a black and white version of the first, doesn't it?

(notice the window is firmly shut. brrr)

Now that Christmas has past (and thus any occasion for which snow could be considered charming and apropos) I much prefer to have the first view out the window.

This winter weather has been so indecisive -first the uncharacteristic warmth, now, finally, the snow, and in the next few days it's expected to warm up again. Make up your mind, Mother Nature (but for goodness sake please don't prolong winter through April!).

I've survived the first week of the term, even if I did run around like a headless chicken all day today. Tomorrow is the "old" New Year (the Orthodox one), so we'll be celebrating with a bottle of champagne and a cozy night at home (I'll start "celebrating" early by cleaning the apartment....must come into the new year with a clean home!). Sunday my parents will be over for some wedding talk (I'll divulge the details next week!).

Next week I plan on being fully back into the swing of things, meaning catching up on your blogs, replying to e-mails, and posting more here (I've got lots to share!).

Have a great Friday, a Happy Old New Year, and a lovely weekend!

Another Beginning

2012-01-04T19:56:00.005-06:00

I intended this post to be a recap of our NYE but, the new Blogger interface refuses to publish my photos right side up. Only this shot of the beautiful and equally delicious fleur-de-lys cake (chocolate mousse with hazelnut and fruits) survived. It was a wonderful evening spent with my fiance and close friends, good food, bountiful drink, a roaring fireplace and all the anticipation of a new beginning.

My fiance's family has been staying with us since Christmas. They will be leaving Friday, and my fiance and I will have a much anticipated night alone. Then, Saturday, we'll drive to the lake house to spend the weekend with them.

Life will return back to normal on Monday, when my spring term starts and all the craziness associated with it.

Next weekend we'll have my parent's over for dinner to discuss wedding plans...which means we have a week to make some very, very important decisions. Stay tuned!

All in all, I can already tell that 2012 will be busy. The kind of busy where I'll want to bang my head against the wall occasionally. But it will also be full of many adventures, travels, and accomplishments. And, of course, there are always the moments that we can never plan-- good and bad times that come up along the way. I'm looking forward to the good, and know that we can overcome any bad.

I hope your year has been off to a great start!

2012

2011-12-30T21:36:00.002-06:00

Another year has almost gone by, and what a year it was! Each New Years Eve I make a list of goals for the new year - looking over those for 2011, there are many I accomplished, while some remain unfulfilled.

But that is the beauty of life. We are given the chance to dream big and, God willing, each December 31st, we are able to reflect on and be proud of what we have accomplished and given another new year to strive for all that we have not.

In 2012, I will

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And, best of all, I will

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Wishing you all a warm and enthralling NYE. And for 2012, the courage to dream big, the perseverance to chase those dreams, and wonderful friends and family to share your accomplishments with.

Anait

Joyeux Noël!

2011-12-23T12:06:00.001-06:00

Presents are wrapped, the tree is lit and the apartment decorated. All that's left is some cleaning and baking before Christmas arrives. How the time has flown!

I wish you all a happy, happy Christmas!!

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Bath time

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

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Today I'm heading to the suburbs to do some Christmas shopping with my mother - I can't wait to get out of the house and spend some time with my family!

And when I come back home in the evening, I plan on indulging in a long, hot, bubbly, candlelit bath.

I have a feeling today will be wonderful.

Winter Break To-Do's

2011-12-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

Finally, I've finished with paper-writing for the term and now I've got until the middle of January to relax and sink into the holiday spirit. I've got so many great things planned - a visit from my cousin in a week, a cookie exchange party, sleepovers with my best friend and lots of quality time with my fiance and family.

I made a list of to-do's for this month long vacation--time goes by so quickly, I don't want to miss anything this magical season has to offer.

What's on your holiday to-do list?

7 December, 1988

2011-12-07T13:41:00.004-06:00

On a day when most of the world remembers Pearl Harbor, I am remembering the December 7, 1988 earthquake which devastated northwestern Armenia, completely wiping out the town of Spitak and leaving Leninakan (now known as Gyumri) in ruins. My grandparents' village, the town where my father was born and where I have spent the best summers of my life.

It was an earthquake which left more than 25,000 dead and countless more injured, orphaned and scarred. One I am lucky to only hear about through the stories of my parents and relatives who experienced the unimaginable pain for themselves.

An earthquake that demonstrated the resilience of our people, and one which, today, reminds me of the importance of family and makes my heart ache for all those that are far away.

The End of the Semester Looks Like This

2011-12-06T10:24:00.002-06:00

Overflowing books, papers, empty tea mugs, cookie crumbles...these are signs of the last week of the semester. Especially the books - they're everywhere--strewn about the table, on the floor, consuming the window sill.

I've got one paper to submit today by 3:30pm (which begs the question, why am I blogging? See: Procrastination), another one due Thursday, and the last one (plus a large research proposal) due Monday.

I suppose this is the price to pay for the otherwise wonderful graduate-student life (flexible classes, researching topics that actually interest me, coffee outings with classmates, long intellectual chats, etc. etc.).

After this semester I will be done with all the coursework required for my PhD (though I'll still take classes that interest me), and the hard part will begin: studying for preliminary exams, formulating a thesis proposal, research, research, and more research and, finally...writing my thesis.

It is all very daunting, to say the least. But, I've learned quite well that nothing good comes easily......and no one said the path towards dreams is paved in gold...or even paved at all.

But boy, am I looking forward to Monday night. To sleeping in the next morning. To strolling the Christmas market downtown, to meeting with friends for hot cocoa and cookie exchanges.

Because the best part of being a graduate student might just be having a month-long winter break (and, of course, a four month summer break, too).

Gift Guide - For the Travel Addict

2011-12-01T22:02:00.001-06:00

Otherwise titled, "Give me, Give me, Give me"

{1}Leather Luggage Tag - I've got a bit of an obsession with luggage...(as do most avid travelers, I think). This luggage tag is perfect - sturdy, classic, inspiring (you can choose from a variety of quotes).

{2}Gypset Style - For the gypsy at heart. Travel + beautiful interiors + fashion = drool worthy reading

{3}Quincy Coin Purse, by Jess LC - I love the simplicity and colors of these little coin purses. I always use a coin purse in lieu of a wallet when I travel as it's less bulky.

{4}Scratch World Map - I've been lusting after this map for ages. Next year, when fiance and I have our own place, I'm buying this map and framing it. It serves as a fun reminder of all the travels you've had....and any travel addict knows, reminiscing is almost as good as traveling itself.

{5}Moleskine City Notebook - These are available for almost every major city. A journal, map, and guide-book all in one. But the best part? You personalize it yourself, with the restaurants you discovered, secret passageways, great shopping finds. It becomes your personal guidebook. I have one of these for Paris, which I used the first time I went. Leafing through it and re-living those memories makes my heart happy, every time.

{6}Voluspa Decorative Tin Candle - I always take a small candle when traveling, and I make sure to pick out a new scent. Later, when I return home, a whiff of that scent reminds me of the trip (I do this with perfume as well)

{7} Glass Glitter Globe Ornament - Because every Christmas tree needs an ornament that reflects your passion (which is why I currently have 10 Eiffel Tower ornaments. Overkill? I think not.)

p.s. Don't forget to enter the Soap Hope Giveaway!!

Soap Hope GIVEAWAY !

2011-11-30T19:31:00.002-06:00

You may remember the post I wrote about Soap Hope after having the opportunity to review several of their products. If you do, then you'll need to read no further to get excited about the giveaway they are offering Cap ou Pas Cap readers! (Unfortunately, this giveaway is only for domestic (U.S.) readers).

Soap Hope is a company that truly gives back to the community, and the international one, at that! Their products range from laundry detergent, to makeup, to body products, to baby care, and everything in between. All their products are 100% natural. Most importantly, Soap Hope invests 100% of their profits, interest free, for one year into anti-poverty initiatives.

To enter to win a {$25 gift certificate to Soap Hope} :

1. Click here to go to the giveaway page on Soap Hope's website

2. Fill out your name and e-mail address on their form

3. Submit (and keep your fingers crossed!)

A winner will be chosen on December 15th.

While you wait for the good news, enjoy 10% off everything in the store using coupon code: BLOG10

Place Settings.

2011-11-27T21:22:00.009-06:00

Ever since I moved in with my fiance, I've developed an extreme case of nesting. I am powerless against the "home goods" section of any store, and a beautiful tablecloth or china pattern will make me drool almost as much as a macaron or a fresh baguette with French butter (more on that later).

As we are currently living with my fiance's brother and making use of his abundant kitchenware, we don't need anything and so I've been abstaining from any large or extravagant purchases. But i'm compiling a long wishlist of household items for next year, when we'll have our own place.

Currently, I'm lusting over these beautiful, dramatic, and elegant place settings. I'll take one of each please (in sets of six, of course). I especially love the last settings in black and gold.

Go here for the original images and to read about the stylists and designers behind these gorgeous settings.

Advent Sunday

2011-11-27T14:18:00.002-06:00

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Today I start the countdown until Christmas - 27 days! Also, today is Advent Sunday. My mother makes the most beautiful wreaths for this occasion and, now that I'm living with my fiance and his brother, I've decided to continue this tradition for the three of us.

So I'm off to shop for candles and decorations...and perhaps a new tablecloth to match the season.

Happy Sunday!

Scenes from Thanksgiving {Food Overload}

2011-11-25T19:29:00.003-06:00

I'll let the photos do the speaking....I'm busy digesting! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

(Somehow I neglected to photograph the TWO turkeys....you'll have to take my word that they were both beautifully done and delicious!)

Thankful {Have a Happy Thanksgiving}

2011-11-23T13:18:00.003-06:00

Last week, my younger sister (I have another, youngest, one) spent the day and night with me in the city. She is five years younger than me and it seems that we spent most of our lives in battle. When my parents first brought her home from the hospital, any feelings of joy were quickly overtaken by hostility at this new creature who had, with such speed, stolen my parents from me and, to add salt to the wound, cried ceaselessly. I cherished her nap time.

As she grew older, we exchanged not so loving words over her inability to keep her mess contained to her side of the room. Later, as we moved from an apartment to a house and we each had our own rooms, our disputes centered around her stealing clothes and things from my room.

By the time I was in college and she in high school, my parents were ready to tear their hair out. My mother is an only child and my dad has an older brother but, spent most of his childhood traveling and then his young adult life in other cities for school and university. So, neither was able to fully grasp the concept of sibling rivalry. The arguments I've described above were petty, but there were others - arguments and differences which threatened our relationship to the core.

Then, miraculously, in the past few years, our relationship took a turn for the better. We stopped fighting and we became friends. Not just friends, but best friends. And I've finally realized what my parents have been trying to tell me all along - a sister is an amazing gift (or any family member, for that matter), because she understands me, she knows me - completely and unconditionally. And now that the battles are behind us, we can sit for hours at a coffee shop and laugh over the times dad embarassed us or the silly things our youngest sister does, or our own reckless childhood mistakes.

And my favorite thing? We can talk about our relationships, about our dreams, about our futures. She doesn't judge me, she simply understands me, and I her.

I cannot wait until we all have families and can gather together for Thanksgiving. Our husbands will gather around the bonfire, drinks in hand, while the children run around, laughing and screaming to their heart's content. And the three of us, we'll look on, knowing how far we've come.

And so, this Thanksgiving, I am so, so grateful for my sisters. They may have been little brats growing up ( I was the perfect older child, of course), but I couldn't live without them, now.

Tomorrow we will be spending the holiday at my in-law's house by the lake. I've got a beautiful black lace dress to wear, though I'm not so sure how beautiful it will look once I lose the ability to hold my stomach in after ingesting loads of food.

Enjoy the holiday, and be thankful for your brothers, sisters, and family! xx

Scenes from the {coziest} November Weekend

2011-11-22T00:41:00.004-06:00

{early morning breakfast with a best friend at favorite cafe}

{newly discovered leg warmers and slipper socks...so warm and cozy!}

{dinner dates with my handsome fiancee...these have been hard to come by as of late with our busy schedules}

{hookah nights...all natural and herbal, no tobacco for those who may be concerned}

{twilight strolls}

{a fun manicure makes endless typing somewhat more bearable}

{I'm obsessed with pumpkin white chocolate chip cookies...see recipe below. Fiancee literally shoved these into his mouth, one after another. Okay...I did, too. Don't say you weren't warned}

Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

15 ounce can pumpkin

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 - 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp cloves

2 cups white chocolate (you can use chips or simple grate white chocolate of your preference)

* Preheat oven to 350F

*Butter + sugar, then pumpkin + egg + vanilla

*In a separate bowl mix flour + baking soda + baking powder + spices

* Add dry ingredients to wet, then mix in chocolate

* Drop onto baking sheet by the spoonfulls, bake until edges are golden

Also, several of you requested the recipe for the pumpkin soup I mentioned a few posts ago. You can find it here. Enjoy!

Words and String

2011-11-19T15:59:00.002-06:00

I posted this little passage from Nicole Krauss's History of Love ( a book which you must read, if you haven't already) in my early blogging days. Today seemed the perfect day to resurrect it.

"When will you learn that there isn't a word for everything?"

So many words get lost. They leave the mouth and lose their courage, wandering aimlessly until they are swept into the gutter like dead leaves. On rainy days, you can hear their chorus rushing past: IwasabeautifulgirlPleasedon’tgoItoobelievemybodyismadeofglass-I’veneverlovedanyoneIthinkofmyselfasfunnyForgiveme….

There was a time when it wasn’t uncommon to use a piece of string to guide words that otherwise might falter on the way to their destinations. Shy people carried a little bunch of string in their pockets, but people considered loudmouths had no less need for it, since those used to being overheard by everyone were often at a loss for how to make themselves heard by someone. The physical distance between two people using a string was often small; sometimes the smaller the distance, the greater the need for the string.

The practice of attaching cups to the ends of string came much later. Some say it is related to the irrepressible urge to press shells to our ears, to hear the still-surviving echo of the world’s first expression. Others say it was started by a man who held the end of a string that was unraveled across the ocean by a girl who left for America.

When the world grew bigger, and there wasn’t enough string to keep the things people wanted to say from disappearing into the vastness, the telephone was invented.

Sometimes no length of string is long enough to say the thing that needs to be said. In such cases all the string can do, in whatever its form, is conduct a person’s silence.

Snob Diet

2011-11-14T17:50:00.005-06:00

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I read an article in last month's Glamour which I think every woman should read; and, so, I am quoting parts of it here. Enjoy!

"You invest in nice shoes. You don't use just any old shampoo. And you probably own at least one pair of jeans that costs more than anything made of denim should. But are you as discerning about what you put in your body as you are about what you put on it? 'I see so many young women who eat whatever's easy and available, and many subsist on processed, low-fat foods in an effort to control their weight,' says Cynthian Sass, nutritionist.....'We've been programmed to believe that's how you do it, but these subpar foods don't satisfy you the way real, high quality ones do.' So here's a novel idea:

Ditch the fat free pudding and go for a scoop of premium ice cream instead. Nibble on an amazing wedge of Camembert, not 'low-fat cheese food.' Eat the good stuff, turn your nose up at anything else and--nutritionists swear it will happen--watch yourself lose weight.

Such is the premise of the Snob Diet. (Gwyneth Paltrow basically declared herself an ally when she said, 'I'd rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a can.')

Celebrity dietitian Ashley Koff, R.D., has seen similar results in women she counsels: 'I'm a qualitarian, and I encourage all my clients to be as well. It's the dietary - and nutritional - equivalent of trading up from a cubic zirconia to a diamond'.

--------------

Rules of the Snob Diet:

1. Choose the highest quality foods possible

2. Enjoy that food

3. Don't deny your cravings (in moderation, of course)

4. But if it's not truly delicious, don't eat it.

---------

my note: I loathe the term "diet", and though Glamour calls this the Snob Diet, I think it should be a way of life. Only take in the best, and your body will be its best. In Europe this is standard, and made easier by fresh markets and local products. However, with a slightly larger monetary investment and a bit of time to browse grocery aisles more closely, it can certainly be done - and it is worth it.

Some Magic For Your Friday

2011-11-11T00:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday, lovely readers!

Today is 11.11.11. I'd like to think it is a special day - it does come around only once every hundred years. In the spirit of all things magical and extraordinary, I give you Tim Walker photography.

I stumbled upon his work via Pinterest and discovered he is the photographer behind some of my most favorite images.

Take a break from reality and imagine yourself in one of these worlds:

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Navy Pier, Day to Night

2011-11-09T18:00:00.002-06:00

Back in September a friend and I stayed at the Swissotel (which I absolutely do not recommend) and though the hotel had few redeeming qualities, the view was enough to satisfy. Navy Pier was built in 1916 and designed by Daniel Burnham, who also designed the Flatiron building in New York and Union Station in Washington D.C. Before it became a Chicago tourism landmark, the Pier served as a university campus (the university I attend now!), docking space for passenger excursion steamers and, in the era before air conditioning, the outermost points of the Pier were designed to provide entertainment and cooler temperatures.

I am really hoping to manage another stroll around the Pier before the winter winds make it inhospitable.

And now I'm off to the kitchen to make pumpkin soup and roasted eggplant bruschetta.

How is your week going?

Step Into My Office

2011-11-05T14:27:00.006-05:00

I've been absent from the blogging world for the past week (Bloglovin currently reads 781 posts to catch up on), spending long days on campus working on research, meeting with professors and planning departmental events.

So it seems only fitting to give you a glimpse into my little campus office. Since I spend so much time there, I've tried to make it as cozy as possible. It's my area of respite from school craziness. Some days, I turn off the harsh overhead light (planning on buying a much softer floor lap for next semester), light a few candles (I'm certain having candles in the office is a no-no...I'm such a rebel), and type away by candlelight.

Unfortunately, I didn't realize that making my office so cozy {relatively speaking...I realize the grey bricks and fluorescent lights are still reminiscent of a prison} would only encourage other graduate students to leave their bare offices and come spend a majority of their time in mine.

Enjoy the tour...

My side of the office ( there is another desk/bookshelf on the other side)

(this water boiler has made me the envy of many of my fellow classmates...hehe)

(candles, a love note from my fiancee, and a photo of Paris keep me calm on hectic days)

(my sister made the above european landscape collage from journal clippings. She's pretty amazing).

(tea/coffee/hot chocolate stash....necessary for sanity)

(my inspiration board)

Hope you are all having an indulgent weekend!

On Eating Healthy + Working Out

2011-10-27T23:35:00.003-05:00

It is almost the end of Week 3 of my exercising/healthy eating endeavor (a lifetime one, I hope). I've cut down on sweets (my weakness) and carbohydrates, but although it feels like a diet to me, I am sure for most people it is a regular way of eating....called healthy eating. And I feel great.

Most day, I feel like this:

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But then, there are other days when I feel like this:

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I've learned, when I do eat sweets,etc., to truly enjoy them...and so I've revised my grocery shopping to consist of delicious, organic products so I can be sure that when I do indulge, I'm treating myself to the best.

But more on that next week!

The journey

2011-10-24T23:08:00.004-05:00

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I've been dreaming lately - rather, let's be honest...I'm always dreaming - of airports and airplanes, of vintage suitcases and sophisticated travel wear.

For me, travel is at least as much about the journey as the destination. When I was little, I'd start packing the minute I found out about the next family vacation. And though I tend to pack at the last minute these days, the process is still pure joy.

I love being at the airport...enjoying a pre-flight cappuccino whilst watching people from all over the world rushing by. I imagine their lives, their destinations.

I relish my existence within that energy, that time between the departure and arrival when, suspended between two dots on the map, anything is possible. I don't just love traveling, I really love it. All of it. Delays and train strikes, lost luggage, misguided directions. I'll take the good and the bad, and with a smile on my face.

I may be the only person who purposefully chooses flights with the greatest number of stopovers, only for the chance to experience a new city, no matter how briefly.

Because I am a gypsy at heart. And traveling, experiencing both the journey and the destination, is as vital as the air I breath.

For a great post about investing in quality luggage, read this.

And check out this post for a beautiful constructed packing list.

Where are you itching to travel?

Five Things {that are making me happy}

2011-10-22T13:04:00.002-05:00

1. Enjoying the sunshine, with a Pumpkin Spice Latte and lake views.

2. Catching up with my sister over lunch in Greektown (delicious tomato basil soup)

3. Looking up while walking. I worked on this street for a year, and must have passed this building hundreds of times, yet I never noticed that the street names were beautifully carved into the brick. Next time you take a walk in your city, look up. I guarantee you'll see something you hadn't noticed before

4. Lollia Relax Handcreme. I spotted this while browsing at Anthropologie yesterday and couldn't leave the store without a travel-sized tube. I'm already planning on returning for the full-size.

5. This Hamilton Beach slow cooker just arrived yesterday and I've already got a large stack of recipes I'm eager to test. First up - chilli !

Have a beautiful weekend!

Rain, rain

2011-10-19T15:39:00.002-05:00

Source: weheartit.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: fridgedoor.com via RoseBelle on Pinterest

Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Paula on Pinterest

Such a gloomy day today. The wind is ruffling the orange colored leaves and the rain makes a plunk-plunk-plunk sound as it is blown against the windows.

Today is a day for a sentimental movie, a mug of warm apple cider and a large knitted blanket. Or rather, it would be such a day were it not for the paper which is due tomorrow and which I've put off until the last possible minute. Typical.

So in the spirit of learning how to dance in the rain, I'm off to make myself some warm apple cider and cozy up to my computer and good ol' Microsoft Word.

Scenes from the {first fall} Weekend

2011-10-17T17:10:00.004-05:00

1. Taking out the cozy sweaters (my very favorite pieces of clothing) + scented drawer liners

2. Lighting candles all around the house - apple crisp makes the entire kitchen smell delicious

3. Oladi (russian pancakes) with jam = Sunday indulgence

4. Running errands on a rainy day

5. Salted caramel gelato - a perfect end to a perfectly lazy weekend, and a delicious start to what will be a long, hectic week.

How was your weekend?

p.s. Several of you commented on the quinoa casserole mentioned in the previous post. You can find the recipe here . Note: I omitted the sage because I dislike the way it tastes.

Kitchen Goddess

2011-10-13T19:08:00.006-05:00

The title of this post may be slightly misrepresentative of my abilities in the kitchen, but I am definitely improving! Since moving in with my fiancee and his brother, I've been cooking for three instead of..well...simply eating whatever my mother made for dinner.

And once I went through my tried-and-true recipes (lasagna, stuffed red peppers, kotleti), I realized I had to expand my repertoire (fear not, in the baking arena I am more than capable. Much to the dismay of my waistline.). And so I have.

Proof:

(Italian sausage with peppers)

(Quinoa + spinach + gruyere casserole)

(Strawberry spinach salad + sauce)

(deviled eggs, grilled chicken and asparagus (okay, the fiancee grilled), roasted crimini mushrooms and french beans)

Tomato quiche with olives and Brie (recipe via)

And I've discovered that I really like cooking (just not the clean-up afterwards). Pinterest has helped fuel this, as I'm a sucker for beautifully presented things, and food is no exception.

My favorite time to cook? Towards the end of the afternoon when the sun is slowly setting and the kitchen is filled with a beautiful, almost translucent glow.

Of course, I'm certainly not a saint - after a few days spent laboring in the kitchen, I tend to give the fiancee the "if-I-have-to-spend-one-more-day-in-the-kitchen-......" look. Thankfully he knows me well, and both him and his brother are amazing cooks.

Working Out

2011-10-10T22:46:00.004-05:00

It is official - today I began my "getting fit" regimen. And this time I'm in it for the long haul. With the fiancee as my trainer/nutritionist, I'm guaranteed results....if only I can get out of my own way!

Obstacles: a debilitating sweet tooth and the urge to pick cuddling over any form of exercise.

Motivation: See below

Source: tumblr.com via Anait on Pinterest

Source: livinfitlife.tumblr.com via Anait on Pinterest

Source: losing30lbsincollege.tumblr.com via Anait on Pinterest

Source: believe-toachieve.tumblr.com via Anait on Pinterest

What are your favorite ways to work out?

2011-10-06T07:40:00.000-05:00

But more than that, no unloving words were ever spoken, and everything was held up as another small piece of proof that it can be this way, it doesn't have to be that way; if there is no love in the world, we will make a new world, and we will give it heavy walls, and we will furnish it with soft red interiors, from the inside out, and give it a knocker that resonates like a diamond falling to a jeweler's felt so that we should never hear it. Love me, because love doesn't exist, and I have tried everything that does.

(Everything is Illuminated - J.S.Foer)

Wind

2011-10-04T12:20:00.004-05:00

The past few weeks have been so hectic...and the trend continues this week! So, for now, I leave you with these beautiful images I found via Pinterest (somehow the amount of time I spend on Pinterest does not seem to depend on how much other work I have to do....and is growing into a dangerous addiction, I'm afraid).

Source: thewildfleur.com via Anait on Pinterest

p.s. you can find me on Pinterest, here

Have a wonderful weekend!

2011-09-30T18:42:00.004-05:00

Source: burger-queen-francais.tumblr.com via Anait on Pinterest

The fiancee is coming home any minute now after a week long trip away. I've baked his favorite muffins, changed out of my sweats, put on a bit of mascara and blush, and lit a few candles. I can't wait for that moment when he walks through the door and I can jump into his arms.

Hope your weekend is lovely!!

Scenes from a Birthday Week/Weekend

2011-09-27T09:52:00.004-05:00

1. Birthday cake deliciousness

2.Balloons!

3. A beautifully wrapped present from my love.

4. And a wax-sealed card.

5. Birthday ice cream.

6. One of my favorite dishes: chicken marsala.

7. A beautiful sky.

8. Pay-Attention-To-Me-It's-My-Birthday Nails ;)

9. This german chocolate cake was left on my desk, along with a sweet note, by my amazing office-mate. Put a huge smile on my face when I saw it as soon as I walked into my office.

10. My yearly birthday gift from Sephora...a heavenly way to start a birthday...or any day, for that matter!

And last but not least, I cannot thank all of you enough for your kind birthday wishes and comments! You truly added another layer of decadence to my day....merci!

p.s. I'm a bit behind on reading all your lovely blogs (and sending out some long-ago promised e-mails). I'll be back on task tomorrow, promise!

25

2011-09-22T01:00:00.001-05:00

I was thinking all week of something insightful I could write today, but to be honest it has been an exhausting week and between paper writing, errands, meetups with friends, etc. my insightfulness was at a low.

And then I thought - isn't that what life is about? About making the most out of every moment, every second, even if it means spreading yourself thin sometimes. It is invigorating to be busy....in moderation, of course.

Because life is meant to be lived. Really lived.

And to think that I'm celebrating a quarter of a century...well, it is humbling, and reminder to be grateful.

Grateful for my good health, for the love that surrounds me everyday, for all that I've already experienced.

And excited. Excited for another couple quarters full of unforgettable memories and all the people who make my life amazing.

Now, I'm off to make a wish.

Soap Hope

2011-09-18T23:16:00.005-05:00

(Please excuse the sideways photos...for some reason Blogger has decided to flip my photos regardless of how I download them....any suggestions on how to fix this??)

I received a lovely package from Soap Hope on Friday full of product samples, and proceeded to indulge myself to several "beauty treatments" over the weekend.

Soap Hoap is a company which carries a wide range of products - from laundry detergent, to makeup, to body products, to baby care, they have it all. And the best part? All their products are 100% natural. Also, Soap Hope invests 100% of their profits, interest free, for one year into anti-poverty initiatives.

As an owner of a non-profit that aims at reducing poverty in Uganda, I really appreciate companies such as Soap Hope who make it their goal to make a difference in the world.

They carry products which I had already heard of (Pangea Organics), and others which I was not familiar with (Zum). My favorite sample was the Pangea Organics Facial Mask - it smells heavenly and left my skin feeling soft and replenished.

The Mahya Missing You eyeshadow is a beautiful translucent shade, perfect for daytime wear (although I'm eager to try it with some eyeliner for a night out).

The Soap Bars smell heavenly, and are also soothing on the skin. I am not too keen on lavender smells, but I did enjoy the Patchouli Mint.

Take a look for yourself. If Soap Hope's variety of products doesn't impress you, their mission certainly will.

Though I received these samples courtesy of Soap Hope, I was not otherwise compensated and the above are my genuine thoughts.

Bath by Candlelight

2011-09-14T23:58:00.005-05:00

My love drew me a steaming bath and filled the bathroom with candles. I think I'll keep him around.

This week has felt like a long one, but at the same time it's invigorating to be busy. I'm looking forward to a trip to IKEA at the end of the week (the fiancee has never been....I am bribing him with Swedish meatballs and lingonberry jam).

Hope you're having a lovely week, I'm off to bed!

Scenes from a Weekend Walk

2011-09-12T23:56:00.003-05:00

On Saturday afternoon my love and I went to the suburbs to visit my parents for a few hours - it is so nice to go back to their house now that I no longer live there. I don't mean that I hated living there - far from it, I have the most amazing parents ever. But having lived on my own prior to moving back in for my first year of graduate school, it was a transition - a rocky one at times.

But living with my love and being our own little family makes me appreciate them in ways I couldn't before. Though I am glad to be out of the nest permanently, I miss them. A lot.

I suppose that is one unfortunate reality of life - that we often don't realize the good until we are separated from it.

And I don't think this applies only to me but to my parents as well. I can feel that our relationship improved - it is as if the distance acts as a balm for any previous hurts. I think the fact that I'm engaged to a man they absolutely love (as do I!) doesn't hurt either.

I've grown up.....and now the fact that I've moved out has helped them accept it.

And my sisters are ecstatic that they have once again a place to escape to from THEIR squabbles with the parents ;)

Saturday Brunch

2011-09-10T15:06:00.006-05:00

A colorful and scrumptious brunch to start the weekend off - cranberry scones, mochas, salmon, peaches and grenki (the russian version of french toast).

In the plans for today: homework, a bit of house cleaning and, should the weather hold, a movie in the park.

Happy weekend friends!

Wishlist

2011-09-06T00:59:00.001-05:00

My birthday isn't until the 22nd of this month, but it's never too early to have a wishlist....n'est pas? Besides, a new season calls for new cravings (and some recurring ones).

Now, excuse me while I go water my money tree ;)

What's on your fall wishlist?

Eight Fears

2011-08-31T20:01:00.003-05:00

1. That I won't accomplish/reach my goals and dreams. Even though I know this fear to be unfounded (because I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make my dreams a reality), the fear of failure still creeps up sometimes.

2. Not existing. I hope I'll make peace with this one day. But right now, it still terrifies me.

3. Spiders. Ever since I read that the average human swallows 4 spiders in their sleep, I check all corners of the ceiling before falling asleep.

4. Being alone at home after dark. Now that I live in an apartment, I don't mind being home by myself. But when I lived with my parents in their big house, I'd turn on all the lights and cringe at every creak of the floors. I blame my obsession with serial killers...I've read so many stories and watched so many movies that any dark corner evokes a small fear.

5. Skydiving. This is something my man has been asking me to do with him for quite some time. And I just can't bring myself to say yes. What if the parachute doesn't open?? Then we're at #2.

6. Not being able to see my grandparents again before they pass away. Although it gives me good reason to travel, I hate that my family (other than my immediate family) is all in Europe (Armenia and Latvia, for the most part). I don't see them nearly enough. It is so hard to see them for only two weeks at a time, after two years apart. The distance makes the time go by so much faster, and it seems every time I visit they age more. I pray everyday for their good health, and for the chance to see them many more times.

7. Not seeing all of the world. There is so much I want to see, so many cities I have yet to see, so much history tucked into every crevice of the world....the thought that we have ONE lifetime to see it all is almost anxiety inducing. And a great incentive (as if I need one) to travel as often as possible.

8. That after reading these eight fears you'll think I am completely paranoid/a scaredy cat. I'm not, I promise. But it is scary to put my fears out there.

What are your fears?

Happiness, via the Lake House

2011-08-24T12:41:00.002-05:00

Last weekend was spent at the lake house with my love's family. I always love being there...not only for the calming scenery, but for the people, especially. I am so lucky to have such wonderful people as part of my "in-law" family....though they have felt like an extension of my own parents and siblings from the very beginning.

We spent the weekend grilling over a fire pit, roasting s'mores, and indulging in scrumptious meals.

Sitting on the patio, a glass of wine in hand -- illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns -- I listened to the laughter and conversation flowing freely around the table and I realized, that is happiness. Having loved ones near, gathering around a table, no matter how elegant or simple, and forming shared memories.

Though I have the most important things in life, I sometimes catch myself placing too much importance on those that I don't yet have.

The lake house serves as a reminder that happiness is not an apartment in Paris, or a high-paying job. Happiness is having friends and family to share the apartment with, and a passion that drives ambition.

Happiness is wherever we choose to find it, and we must look for it in the present.

Nine Loves

2011-08-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

1. Airports. Because I know when I'm in one, I'm going somewhere. The exception was when my love was living in New York, and airports were the site of tearful goodbyes.

2. Tea. Particularly of the mint variety. And especially Moroccan Mint Tea.

3. Painting. I used to paint quite often and now, when I convince myself to sit in front of the easel and take out my oils, I can get lost for an entire day.

4. Macaroons. Need I say more?

5. The line where the sea/ocean/any body of water meets the horizon. Absolute magic.

6. Autumn. I love crisp, cool breezes, the changing colors, mugs of warm coffee and tea.

7. Cuddling. There are days when I'll attach myself to my love and I won't let go. We'll walk from one room to another, attached to each other......thankfully, he finds it endearing. And somehow my body just melds perfectly into his.

8. Candles. There is no easier way to add warmth, sensuality and romance to a room. Have you every tried a candle lit shower? You'll be amazed at how soothing it is. Have one in the middle of the day to recharge.

9. Brown paper packages tied up with string. I ordered a huge roll of brown wrapping paper and have been obsessed with wrapping things. Combine this with my love of buying and giving gifts...and you'll see why my bank account is in peril.

And now, I'm off to cuddle. Hope you had a lovely weekend!

(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9)

On Life and Blogging

2011-08-15T13:09:00.005-05:00

Blogs are such a subjective look into a persons world. We write about inspiration, about our loves, our desires, our travels. But what we write is not who we are, it is simply a small glimpse.

When I write, I write for myself but, also, for my readers. And because of this, I tend to write lightly, joyfully, sensuously. I try to avoid writing when I'm in a foul mood, and I don't often divulge the problems in my life, or the frustrations.

Lately, I've read a few posts that discuss this dichotimy - the life we portray in blogs, and that which we live, everyday. And I've come to the conclusion that us bloggers aren't required to divulge the details of our lives, we have no obligation to our readers to explain who we are.

I've read quite a few blogs that began intimately, and then became more and more "commercialized" as the readership has grown. And while I believe every blogger is entitled to his/her style, I hope to keep this blog intimate. Because when I look back on almost three years (!!) of posts, it still feels as if I'm reading my personal diary, with the added bonus of your amazing comments.

I'm not sure what I"m trying to say here - just musing, I suppose. And for anyone who feels judged by anonymous commentators, or the pressure from the "blog world" to gain readers and monetize blogging, stay true to who you are, and always keep your blog as a reflection of YOUR ambitions and desires.

In other news, I'm spending the next two days at the lake house with my love and my {future} in-laws. Elaborate breakfasts, lake-side walks, starry night skies.....I love being here.

Happy Monday!

Indulge Me

2011-08-11T12:35:00.005-05:00

I can't stop staring at my ring. It catches the light so beautifully, and rests so naturally on my finger. It has quickly become my favorite photography subject. I couldn't resist showing it off --please indulge this moment of vanity!

My love said the ring-finding/designing-process gave him grey hairs. Well, it all worked out because I LOVE the ring, and I LOVE a man with salt & pepper hair ;) Specifically, the man that put this ring on my finger.

In other news, the Beauty Giveaway Winner is lovely Allison!!

(All you bloggers who have done giveaways, how do you copy the winner's comment and the number generated into a post? I've tried to do it but it looks so messy!)

Congrats, girl! Keep an eye on your inbox, I'll be e-mailing you! Thank you, everyone, for entering. There will be another one soon!

He Asked....

2011-08-09T20:38:00.000-05:00

.....and I answered, YES.

To a lifetime together, to butterfly kisses, to a shoulder to rest, cry, and lean on.

To decades and decades of future memories, to making a family together.

YES to having a hand to hold when skipping over the bumps in the road.

To silly nicknames, tickle fests and cooking mishaps.

YES to falling asleep next to each other every night, and waking up to indulge in a new day together.

To sunrises and sunsets and everything in between.

He asked, would I be his wife? I answered, YES.

Picnicking

2011-08-04T07:56:00.002-05:00

Meet Julik (short for Julien). He is my friend's dog, and lived with us when we were roommates (and only cemented my conviction never to have a pet in the house). I love his little fat wrinkles.

The other day, a friend and I stopped by the farmer's market to pick up some organic dog food for Julik and dinner for us. One of the vendors was an older man from Nice, France. We overheard him speaking English and caught his accent right away. Of course, we had no choice but to creepishly make our way to his stall and pretend to be interested in olives while he finished helping his customer.

He turned on the charm immediately, as French men tend to do. Although in this one case, it was a bit much. He began by comparing my friend to his ex-wife (she looks exactly like her, apparently). He told her she was "a tiny, skinny, little thing, just like my wife"....and then he glanced my way as if to say "but YOU,mademoiselle, are not" In my defense, I'm 5'9 and I've got curves -- and my friend is 5'4 and petite. Then he proceeded to say what a shame it was that he couldn't take us to dinner afterwards as he had another farmer's market to attend.

Something tells me we would have declined, anyhow.

We did end up buying a container of Nicoise olives....and they were delicious. As was the home-made apple cider. I wish Farmers Markets could be around year-round.

Torn

2011-08-03T00:56:00.002-05:00

(via)

I want to hear raucous music, to see faces, to brush against bodies, to drink fiery Benedictine. Beautiful women and handsome men arouse fierce desires in me. I want to dance. I want drugs. I want to know perverse people, to be intimate with them. I never look at naive faces. I want to bite into life, and to be torn by it.

Henry and June by Anais Nin

It never ceases to amaze me what a way with words she had. Her unapologetic passion for life in all its excess is simply amazing.

Live the language - Paris

2011-08-02T09:26:00.000-05:00

I'm sure many of you have already seen this. I have, too, but I just had to re-post it. I'm in love.

P.S. If you haven't already, don't forget to enter the Giveaway!

Beauty Talk + Giveaway

2011-07-28T23:04:00.004-05:00

I'm no beauty expert but, I do have a few products that I am absolutely in love with. And since I love when other bloggers post their beauty tips, I thought - why not post mine? Here are a few of my favorites:

(1) Clinique Trio (#2 for Dry/Combination Skin) : This is a set of facial soap, toner and moisturizer. My mom taught me when I was very little that moisturizing your skin is an absolute MUST. I never had a specific brand that I used for my face, until I went for a consultation at a Clinique counter and the old lady berated me for not using a toner. She suggested the Clinique 3 step program and, for the past few months, my skin is literally glowing. Clinique may or may no be the brand for you (but I highly recommend it), but what is important is to have a routine, to use the same products in conjunction.

I always thought toner was for really oily skin, but I learned that toner is important for all skin types because it removes the impurities on the surface of your skin, opens up you pores and then allows for the moisturizer to really penetrate your skin. Otherwise, you're simply slathering moisturizer onto the very top layer of your skin and it isn't really feeding into the pores (aka not doing its job). Also, don't forget to cleanse and moisturize your neck! Along with your hands, it is one of the first places where your skin starts to age.

(2) Essie Deep Conditioning Cuticle Oil: I love, love, love this. The title is self-explanatory, and it really does its job well. I also love the Sally Hanson Salon effects nail polishes, they go on so smoothly and they have a lot of great nude colors which are perfect for hiding nail imperfections between manicures!

(3) Moroccan Oil and Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray: I discovered these two a month ago and I can't imagine how I survived before them! They are perfection in a bottle. I use the Moroccan oil when I want to straighten my hair - it gives it great shine, smoothness and smells divine. The surf spray is amazing. For the past month, my hair routine has been : wash, towel dry, spray surf spray, and go. I have naturally curly hair that gets unruly and frizzy in the summer humidity, and this spray tames it, giving me soft beachy waves that never dissapoint. These two products are both slightly pricey, but they are definitely worth the investment. And if you buy the Surf Spray at Sephora (online or at the store), they give you a coupon for a free blow-dry and style and participating salons.

(4) I stopped by the Benefit counter the other day, hoping to find a good under-eye concealer, was sucked in by their clever packaging and then convinced when I saw that they really worked! These cosmetics are pricey (I'm used to buying drugstore brands), but I found a few products that I'll definitely splurge on.

Brows-A-Go-Go kit. This kit comes with tweezers,an eye liner, brow shadow and gel, an application brush, a brow highlighter and brightening cream. I always thought that only old Russian ladies {I'm Russian, so I can stereotype! :oP } filled in their brows (or those too eager with the tweezers), but after the woman at the counter filled in mine, I was hooked! I don't do it everyday, but every once in a while I apply a little bit of the brow powder and gel to hold it in place, and the result are more even, slightly thicker looking brows. The highlighting powder goes on so smoothly under the brow, and I also dab a little in the inner corner of me eyes to brighten and make me look more awake.

Finding Mr. Bright: This kit contains Erase Paste (a concealer), High Beam and Pearl ( highlighters) and Posie Tint (a berry colored tint that can be used on face or cheeks). The Erase Paste works wonders but, it is slightly too thick to use everyday in the summer (at least for my skin). I use it for evenings out when I know the sun won't melt away my makeup. It covers really well, and doesn't crease. High Beam is my favorite - it is a shimmery highlighting gel that I use on the apples of my cheeks. It stays on all day and gives off a subtle glow....and it photographs really well!

Now that I've shown you some of my favorite products, time for a little Beauty Giveaway! I previously wrote about Birchbox here (the photo above is of the most recent one), and so I've decided to make a Birchbox of my own, filled with samples of my favorite products, including Philosophy, Marc Jacobs perfume, L'occitane and Fresh, among many others. I'll also include four vignette notecards and a small Italian notebook, perfect for notes-on-the-go.

One lucky reader (domestic or international!) will win this goody-filled "birchbox"!

To enter (1) please leave a comment below (I'd love to hear your beauty favorites!) with your e-mail address and (2) please be a follower of Cap Ou Pas Cap.

I will choose a winner next Monday, August 8.

Bonne chance and Happy Weekend!

My Life, Recently

2011-07-27T23:19:00.005-05:00

{weekend spent at the lake house. divine.}

{deliciously sweet wine from a local winery}

{birthday cake made entirely from scratch by my love's wonderful mama}

{an improvised version of birthday cake}

{thai food never disappoints}

{dining al fresco before temperatures hit the 100s}

{avocado popsicles. seriously delicious. but don't take my word for it}

{wedding dress shopping for my best friend}

{being a tourist in my own city}

{daily reminder of the important things in life}

Summer is going by so quickly. In just a few short weeks, fall semester will start and with it, a whirlwind of papers, research and the usual mayhem. Though I know I'll miss these lazy days, I can't wait for fall and, truth be told, for {slightly} colder weather.

{I know I promised a giveaway this week....hold tight, it is coming Friday!}

Ten Secrets

2011-07-22T17:24:00.006-05:00

I found this 10 Day challenge at Miyan's awesome blog and decided to tag along. I have a habit of starting challenges and not finishing them, but I'm making it a point to see this one through....though I can't promise it will be exactly 10 days.

Here we go....ten secrets.

(via)

(1) I didn't have my first kiss until I was eighteen, a freshman in college. I was so scared I would be terrible at it that I pretended I had a cold for three weeks until one day, my then boyfriend couldn't take it anymore and kissed me as I was mid-sentence. I've received only compliments on my kissing abilities since then ;)

(via)

(2) I can spend the entire day at a bookstore. I'm constantly reading. Most nights I can't fall asleep without reading at least a few pages of a book, a magazine, the back of a shampoo bottle...it's a disease I am not willing to cure!

(via)

(3) I've had an obsession with Katherine Hepburn since I was thirteen years old. I'm not sure how it started, but I've read all her biographies and autobiographies. Strangely, I've never seen a single one of her movies.

(via)

(4) I can drink Sangria like it's water. It reminds me of summer nights in Barcelona.

(via)

(5) When I was little, I was terrified of thunder and storms. I would lie in bed at night, with my fingers in my ears and my eyes tightly shut, imagining lightning striking the house. Now I love thunderstorms, especially on lazy weekends.

(via)

(6) I've never felt comfortable in a bikini, even though I wear them. I'm working on changing that, not only physically (with healthy food and 6am runs by the lake), but mentally as well. It's all about confidence, right?

(via)

(7) Mmmmm......gelato. I could eat this every day for a year and not get tired of it. Pistachio and lemon are my favorites.

(via)

(8) I've always wanted to be a blonde...for a while. My mother has told me I am blonde enough already without having the hair color to prove it. chuckle, chuckle. (no offense all you gorgeous blondes! In truth, I would love to try it, but I'm afraid it will wash out my complexion and my green eyes)

(via)

(9) When I was fifteen, I was {very} afraid of wasps (still am). My mother and I were driving in the car when I saw one flying around right next to my leg. I freaked out and jumped into the front passenger seat. My mom turned to see what the commotion was about and, as a result, hit a car that was just coming around the corner. Thankfully it was only a minor accident, with minor damage. But the mortifying part was that it wasn't a wasp at all, just a lightning bug.

(via)

(10) I speak four languages fluently (French, Russian, Armenian, and English) and have dabbled in Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, and I'm always encouraging others to learn a new language, even the basic vocabulary. I cannot stress enough how many opportunities these languages have afforded me, and I'll always be thankful to my parents for having the foresight to encourage me to learn more when I was young.

Join in with me, I'd love to read your secrets ;)

Happy Friday

p.s. Thank you all for your amazingly sweet comments on the birthday post. He was very touched, as was I. Birthday week/weekend recap coming up Monday, plus my first giveaway!

The Day Our Love Story Started

2011-07-20T00:00:00.003-05:00

On July 20, 2979 an accident happened. Rather, the fruit of an accident came into this world...the accident had happened 9 months earlier. That accident was a little boy.

But though his parents thought him to be an accident, in reality, he was planned, put on Earth for a purpose.

Thirty two years later, that boy, that accident, is the best thing in my life. He IS my life. It never ceases to amaze me how our paths linked together, despite all the improbabilities and complexities of life.

I will always think of July 20, 1979 as the day our love story started. Because when I look at us together now, when I FEEL how strong our love is, how unbreakable our bond, when I sink into his arms after a long day, when he kisses my forehead and whispers he loves me, when I feel my heart tug the minute we are apart, even if only in different rooms, I believe with every fiber of my being that we were made for each other.

Somewhere, in the far reaches of the Universe where the fates and destinies of mortals are formed, where threads are linked and futures woven, our threads were tied together.

Somewhere, it was written that on July 20, 1979 a boy would be born. And seven years later, on a cool fall evening, a girl would be born. And that boy and girl were destined for each other.

How lucky I am to be that girl.

Happy Birthday to the man who makes my heart beat faster, always.

What I've Been Doing In July

2011-07-16T13:03:00.003-05:00

There have been so many things to celebrate this month, and so many more to come, including my love's birthday this Wednesday. And sometimes, no occasion is needed...gorgeous weather and beautiful friends are reasons enough to have a drink and toast the good life.

This week I'll be staying with my love in the city (!!!). Seven whole days together, without him having to drive me home at night. Pure bliss. Our plans include: lazy afternoons at the beach, movie nights, birthday cake, and running. Yes, running. I HAVE to get myself into shape...I've been feeling blah lately and I know it is because I can't remember the last time I put on sneakers. And lucky for me, the bf is a boxer and personal trainer....so he knows just how to get me into the best shape ever. Although I'm hoping he won't be completely immune to a bat of the eyelashes when I am out of breath and begging for a break ;)

But what I am most looking forward to is simply falling asleep and waking up next to each other.

Happy weekend!

Le Quatorze Juillet

2011-07-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

I didn't write a post for the Fourth of July, but I waited all day for midnight to arrive so I could publish this Bastille Day post. If you've read this blog for any period of time, you shouldn't be surprised :)

Oh Paris, how I miss you. Your cobblestone streets, quarters full of mirth and amusement, hidden streets, cafes. Your people - the street vendors, the bouquinistes along the Seines, the bakers, the waiters, the charming cafe owners who prolong bringing the check because "c'est dommage de laisser partir une si jolie fille".

Believe it or not, each time I've been to Paris I haven't taken many photos. The minute I step out into the city, I feel....at home. I don't have a compulsive need to photograph everything, but rather, to feel the moment, to absorb the city, to feel it flow through my veins like the wine I drink sitting on the sidewalk's edge along the Seine.

But one of the things I miss the most is the language. I miss speaking French, hearing it around me. I miss grabbing a Madame Figaro at the newstand, or reading Le Figaro at breakfast like a good Parisian.

I cannot wait for the day that I can take my love to Paris. My two favorites in life....I'm afraid I'll have to "lose" my passport and stay forever.

Soon, soon...I'll be back, Paris.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

2011-07-03T14:16:00.004-05:00

I've never been to a baseball game, despite the fact that I live in a city that is home to two rival baseball teams.

For me, baseball is under the category of "utterly uninteresting American sports", along with football and basketball (no offense JB and Sarah! ). Give me a good futbol or tennis game, anyday!

However, last week my French student gave me two tickets to a Cubs game. And since neither my love nor I had ever been to a baseball game, we decided we had to take advantage and see what we were missing.

We had a great time at the game, though it had everything to do with the beautiful skyline, delicious hot dogs and just being together, and absolutely nothing with the actual game itself (what are innings? how many more left? oh, did they start the game already?)

We left no more in love with the game than when we came in, but rather with a greater appreciation for each other, and a wonderful memory of a shared "first".....and for that, I thank you, baseball.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend! xx

Scenes From The Weekend

2011-06-27T21:22:00.006-05:00

I spent the weekend at my love's flat in the city, and it was an amazing weekend. It always is, when I'm with him. On Friday we went to Nine Muses restaurant in Greektown (this place is my favorite restaurant in Chicago...in fact, for the past few years, all important occasions have been celebrated there), then hopped across the street to Artopolis for dessert.

Saturday we went Kayaking on Lake Michigan (or, rather, he kayaked and I sat up front and enjoyed the view...). The cloudy sky worked to our advantage as the weather was cooler and we avoided overheating. The water was crystal clear...so clear that in shallow areas we could see the sand at the bottom.

And the best part? We were told to Kayak to a certain point on the lake where we were able to see a shipwreck under the water. As it turns out, Lake Michigan apparently has thousands of wrecks that are well preserved because of the lake's cold freshwater.

How was your weekend?

{rice pudding....yum}

{colorful flowers}

{beautiful sunsets}

{I love this man}

{shipwreck}

For Desire

2011-06-20T12:19:00.000-05:00

Give me the strongest cheese, the one that stinks best;
and I want the good wine, the swirl in crystal
surrendering the bruised scent of blackberries,
or cherries, the rich spurt in the back
of the throat, the holding it there before swallowing.
Give me the love who yanks open the door
of his house and presses me to the wall
in the dim hallway, and keeps me there until I'm drenched
and shaking, whose kisses arrive by the boatload
and begin their delicious diaspora
through the cities and small towns of my body.
To hell with the saints, with martyrs
of my childhood meant to instruct me
in the power of endurance and faith,
to hell with the next world and its pallid angels
swooning and sighing like Victorian girls.
I want this world. I want to walk into
the ocean and feel it trying to drag me along
like I'm nothing but a broken bit of scratched glass,
and I want to resist it. I want to go
staggering and flailing my way
through the bars and back rooms,
through the gleaming hotels and weedy
lots of abandoned sunflowers and the parks
where dogs are left off their leashes
in spite of the signs, where they sniff each
other and roll together in the grass, I want to
lie down somewhere and suffer for love until
it nearly kills me, and then I want to get up again
and put on that little black dress and wait
for you, yes you, to come over here
and get down on your knees and tell me
just how fucking good I look

Kim Addonizio

Birchbox

2011-06-09T13:29:00.003-05:00

I read about Birchbox last month in a magazine, and signed up right away. Birchbox is an online retailer of luxury beauty products and they offer a subscription service that sends you a box of luxe beauty samples monthly, for only $10/month. You can cancel at any time, as you pay month-by-month. And, if you really like any of the samples you receive, you can buy the full size through Birchbox at a discounted rate.

I was slightly hesitant as I waited for my first "beauty box", but, it arrived yesterday and I was more than pleasantly surprised. The packaging was well done (I'm a sucker for pretty packaging!) and the samples were themed.

"We've got a case of wanderlust --we're dreaming of tropical isles with deserted white sand beaches and exotic cities filled with colorful bazaars. Is it any surprise that this month's box is all about travel? We're excited to share our favorite vacation-ready products and jetsetter tips..."

Could they have picked a better theme to hook this customer? Wanderlust, tropical isles, beaches, exotic cities, bazaars.....I loved it before I even looked at the contents!

In my box this month:

Archipelago Pomegranate Soap (smells heavenly)

Kate Spade Twirl Perfume Sample (A little to floral for my taste, but my sister loved it)

Laura Geller Baked Blush N' Brighten (This actually came in the FULL size...a $30 product. I used it last night and received a few compliments on my glowing skin)

Sircuit Cosmeceuticals Molecular Mist (An Evian-like face mist. It did a good job hydrating but the vanilla scent was too overpowering for something that goes on my face)

Deborah Lippmann Stripper to Go Nail Lacquer Removers (Love these. They smell great and are so handy for travel)

It is so much fun to receive a little box of beauty samples in the mail -- it balances out the not so pleasant bills and such :)

If I've convinced you to give it a try, you can sign up here.

sometimes i feel things that refuse to offer words

2011-06-05T11:49:00.000-05:00

sometimes my hands want to weave the feelings from my head, tie them into ultra-violet ribbons for you to unwrap and knot again. sometimes these thoughts crack and start to leak, i pretend they melted and made the sky. they lose their pink breath inside my body, start to swell before they rise, start to float before i can swallow them with hands or tongue. sometimes what i’ve got to say is best when i don’t say it. and when i feel you, i feel you all over. it goes past my words and sinks into a soft swollen secret. it slips from my reaches, it hums on the outskirts of my thoughts. six am and my head was filled with red and blue popping stars. the sun was peeking from our shadows and i wanted to steal your watery eyes as a reminder, wanted to pour and hang in the air like i could freeze the liquid of the moment and study it’s parts. sometimes when what i’ve got to say can’t fit into the slow symbols of a word or dangle from the ribcage of some golden knitted sentence, it’s best when i don’t say it. when i scribble the thoughts and they can’t pour the way they fall inside my head like heavy hot rain, it’s best when i don’t say it. we were coming down, spheres of lights waited on the otherside like an audience, can you still feel it? we stood on a dividing line, a speck of temporary beneath the sea of infinite. squinted our eyes and pretended to pluck it’s pieces, hid them in baskets made from our shirts. the universe was sinking into the wet and sandy palms of our hands, for the moment we grabbed it. and for the rest of my life, i’ll never give it back.

[I can't find the original source of this....it has been saved in my inspiration folder for quite a while....if you know who wrote it, please let me know!]

Roma

2011-06-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Rome is effortless - its antiquidated charm, colorful stucco walls, vibrant neighborhoods, lively locals and cafes that beckon from every laundry silhouetted alley make for a city that is easy to explore, easy on the eyes and, most importantly, easy on the soul.

To me, Rome is carelessness - not the raucous kind, but one that allows you to step outside your front door, and embrace whatever the day may bring with arms wide open, blissful and unabashed.

In Rome, we explored ruins, piazzas, small pizzerias where we watched futbol matches with over-zealous fans. We hopped in and out of boutiques, acquiring a silky dress in one, a flowing scarf in another.

We maneuvered around speeding vespas and old mercedes. At night, we crossed the bridge to Trastevere where a tree lined street hid many lively clubs where we danced until our feet hurt and drank until we could no longer feel the pain.

We participated in street performances, joined a massive demonstration and wandered cobblestone streets until the wee hours of the morning.

In short, we lived every single moment.

Rome Cavalieri Hilton

2011-05-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

A while back, I started reviewing some of the more memorable hotels I've stayed at during my travels....and now that I'm craving travel, I'm resuming my reviews!

Whilst in Rome, we stayed at the Cavalieri Hilton. We didn't really research its location, otherwise we would most likely have picked a different location as this one required rather lengthy (and expensive) cab rides to anyplace in Rome and the Vatican.

However, our gorgeous room, the service and the beauty of the grounds more than made up for an inconveniences. The beds were the. most. comfortable. ever! Sheets so soft, and pillows so fluffy, I literally melted into my bed each night....and even the thought of exploring glorious Rome was barely enough to entice me to leave that bed.

When I am rich, I will buy my sheets and pillows (do they sell mattresses, too?) from the Hilton.

Scenes from the Weekend

2011-05-29T22:02:00.004-05:00

All but two of these photos are of food. Well, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem....isn't it?

In my defense, it was all part of a bachelorette weekend for one of my closest friends (more photos in another post).

How was your weekend?

Free E-Books

2011-05-27T15:53:00.004-05:00

Although I (still) refuse to get on board the nook/kindle train, I won't say no to free books. I found a website where you can download free PDF versions of books to read on your PC (or on your Kindle, etc.). They have thousands of books in different languages, covering every imaginable topic. The downloading process is a bit tedious, but worth it, especially since most of the books they have retail for around $20 on amazon in their paperback/hardcover form.

I downloaded quite a few books last night - seeing as how I'm travel obsessed (have you noticed?) I went straight to the travel section and kept downloading until I ran out of patience.

Below are the ones I've downloaded - if you would like a copy of any of them and want to avoid the time consuming downloading process, leave your e-mail in the comments ( I will keep them private) and I will send you a PDF copy!

Babycakes Covers the Classics: Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes From Donuts to Snickerdoodles

Frommers 2010 Travel Guides to:

Alaska

Beijing

Switzerland

Grand Canyon

Seattle

500 Places for Food and Wine Lovers

Boston

Hawaii

Panama

South Africa

Scotland

New Orleans

Montreal and Quebec

Bahamas

Paris

Moscow & St. Petersburg

South Korea

New York

Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyards

Washington DC

Provence & the Riviera

New York Memorable Walks

Eastern Europe

Edinburgh & Glasgow

The Rough Guide to Portugal

Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides - Madeira, Portugal

The Best Travel Writing of 2010

According to Amazon prices, the above would have cost me around $600. That's enough for a plane ticket, people!

First Day At The Beach of 2011

2011-05-26T19:53:00.004-05:00

Monday afternoon my love (who just came back from NY, having sold his house(hooray!), and who I hadn't seen in nearly two months) and I decided to have an impromptu picnic at the beach. It turned out to be one of our best afternoons ever. The weather was perfect, warm but not stifling. The water was cool but after walking up and down the coastline we quickly acclimated.

It was one of those dream like afternoons you wish would never end. The water was transparent, the sky was a bright blue, dotted with clouds in all kinds of animal shapes. I couldn't stop taking photos, hence the photo overload!

She's A Dreamer

2011-05-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

(via)

She's a dreamer, this girl I know. Constantly wishing, imagining. In her head, fantasies dance like fairies in an enchanted forest. They swoop up and down, around and around, until reality blurs with possibility, until she is sitting one morning with a cup of coffee and in an instant she is transported to a garden in Versailles, with a blank journal and a cafe creme.

But dreaming, she tells me, is not all fun and games. You see, not all dreams can come true at once. And sometimes, you feel guilty for constantly dreaming, and wanting more, more, more, when reality is already filled with so many wonderful things come true.

Can her life include all her dreams? Sometimes, she ponders the possibility that some fantasies will remain locked away in the depths of her soul, never to see the light of day. And the thought makes her heart hurt.

But that's the beauty, or curse, of being a dreamer - nothing can stop the ceaseless tumble of hopes and dreams. They bounce against the edges of everyday life. One day, she thinks, maybe one day, they will break through.

Poetry

2011-05-21T22:25:00.000-05:00

(via)

What everyone forgets is that passion is not merely a heightened sensual fusion, but a way of life which produces, as in the mystics, an ecstatic awareness of the whole of life, that it is in this way that poetry becomes the greatest truth, by intensification, condensation of experience. While poetry is considered by most as illusion or delusion, it is the only reality, the moment when we are completely alive.

Anais Nin

(is there anything she wrote that isn't genius?)

Life As A Grad Student

2011-05-13T23:21:00.003-05:00

Found in an abandoned drawer in the office: a paper draft + bottle of Jameson.

Graduate school in a nutshell.

My first year as a graduate student has come to a close, and I can wholeheartedly say that it was a good one. After three years in the big, bad corporate world, it has been so enriching to be back in an atmosphere where ideas are encouraged, like-minded students meet to discuss life and philosophy over coffee, and my efforts are appreciated.

And now, after weeks of sleepless nights and frenzied paper writing, I can rest my brain from principles of economics, civil wars, genocide, conflict resolution and the like.

Happy Weekend!

Mortal

2011-05-09T14:58:00.000-05:00

I’ll tell you a secret. Something they don’t teach you in your temple. The Gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed.
Troy

Mama

2011-05-08T11:02:00.002-05:00

The older I get, the more I realise how much my mother sacrificed for me in life. And sometimes, it terrifies me that I won't live up to her standards. I want her to look at her life, at her children and feel that all the sacrifices she made were worth it.

Because the closer I get to being a mother myself (not for a few years, yet!), the enormity of it all begins to dawn on me.

She sacrificed her world so that mine would be larger.

When I have children, I will do some things differently than my mother. Our parents aren't perfect, after all.

But when it comes to teaching them to be good, honest, kind people, to put family first, to appreciate good friendships, to set goals and achieve them, I will look to my mother's example. And hope that I can do all she did, and still keep my sanity.

Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely mothers! You deserve more than just one day.

Lazy Lovers

2011-05-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Devendra Banhart at the Rainbow House - Director's Cut from Oliver Peoples on Vimeo.

(found here, an incredible blog I discovered recently)

I love this short video. Those glasses, that sunlight, lingering kisses, bubble baths for two, cat-eyes, a slow Portuguese melody......perfection.

Happy Weekend!

Drunk.....On Life

2011-05-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

(via)

You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it—it’s the only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk.

But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk.

And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or gone, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying, everything that is groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything that is speaking…ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: “It is time to be drunk! So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk! On wine, on poetry or on virtue as you wish.

(Charles Baudelaire)

Soup at the Hull House

2011-05-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Jane Adams Hull House, as many of you may know, is located here in Chicago and, in fact, on my university campus.

Every Tuesday during the academic year they provide free soup (in hearty portions) and a lecture. Themes this year have included immigration, genocide, civil war and economic policy.

Though the lectures have been fascinating, for this last soup day I opted to sit outside and enjoy the lentil soup in the courtyard - a little oasis from the city and a welcome break from the stress of finals week.

p.s. Thank you all for your oh-so-sweet comments yesterday. I was writing a paper from morning to night and your comments throughout the day were little sparks of glitter in an exhausting day :)

Scenes from the Weekend

2011-05-03T17:56:00.002-05:00

1. Window shopping in a newly-discovered (and oh-so-charming) neighborhood

2. Spring in bloom

3. New makeup + (awkward) self-portraits (NYX cosmetics, where have you been all my life?)

4. Amateur photography, around the house

5. Study sessions with tea(with milk, of course) and cookies

Love Is....You and I

2011-04-27T20:27:00.002-05:00

Love is the scars on your knees, the leftover food in the refrigerator, the song the birds sing, the pain you inflict, the sweet nothingness which flutters from your lover’s mouth, a half complete cigarette, diet coke which fizzles on your tongue, the rainbow sprinkles on your cupcake, the battered package you received in the mail the other day, the sound of wind escaping through a small gap in your window, the dampness in your hair, the chipped red varnish on your finger-nails, your grandmother’s musical box, the ballet shoes you’ve since you were five, the music playing on your car stereo, the flaky paint on your walls, the bubblegum stuck under desks, the tooth-fairy, your hands and the things you can make with them, the kisses you blow, the clothes you wear, 5-am morning, you sensitive teeth, the tingly feeling you get, the tangles in your lover’s hair, sleepless nights, overdosing on painkillers, undeserved success and recognition, telling lies and not getting caught, blacking out from consuming too much alcohol, being desired by multiple parties, solving mathematical problem, watching the people around you, watching the people fucking up around you, screaming out of your window in the middle of the night, flaming your lover’s ex, smudged mascara, disheveled hair and smeared lipstick, star-bucks mango passion fruit, little children, silence, recyclable materials, trees, photosynthesis, growth, development

No. Love is you, I, and a careless mixture of everything else we worry about.

(text and photo)

Gemstones

2011-04-14T21:42:00.002-05:00

(via)

"Once the initial madness of desire has passed and we are faced with each other as dimwitted mortal fools, how is it that any of us find the ability to love and forgive each other at all, much less enduringly?

Felipe didn't answer for a long time. Then he said, "When I used to go down to Brazil to buy gemstones, I would often buy something they call 'a parcel.' A parcel is this random collection of gems that the miner or wholesaler or whoever is bullshitting you puts together. A typical parcel would contain, I don't know, maybe twenty or thirty aquamarines at once. Supposedly, you get a better deal that way - buying them all in a bunch - but you would have to be careful, because of course the guy is trying to rip you off. He's trying to unload his bad gemstones on you by packaging them together with a few really good ones.

" So when I first started in the jewelry business," Felipe went on, "I used to get in trouble because I'd get too excited about the one or two perfect aquamarines in the parcel, and I wouldn't pay as much attention to the junk they threw in there. After I got burned enough times, I finally got wise and learned this: You have to ignore the perfect gemstones. Don't even look at them twice because they are blinding. Just put them away and have a careful look at the really bad stones. Look at them for a long time, and then ask yourself honestly, 'Can I work with these? Can I make something out of this?' Otherwise, you've just spent a whole lot of money on one or two gorgeous aquamarines buried inside a big heap of worthless crap.

"It's the same with relationships, I think. People always fall in love with the most perfect of each other's personalities. Who wouldn't? Anyone can love the most wonderful parts of another person. But that's not the clever trick. The really clever trick is this: Can you accept the flaws? Can you look at you partner's faults honestly and say, 'I can work around that. I can make something out of that'? Because the good stuff is always going to be there, and it's always going to be pretty and sparkly, but the crap underneath can ruin you."

"What I'm trying to say, darling, is that I've been watching you carefully for a long time already, and I believe I can accept the whole parcel."

- From Commiteed, by Elizabeth Gilbert ( a book every. single. one. of you, committed or not, should read)

Naps

2011-04-13T16:41:00.003-05:00

Or, How to Motivate Yourself to Write Papers When Sick.

(via)

"I'll write three more pages and then I can take a nap"

"Just one more page and I'll go downstairs for a (20th) cup of tea"

And when just the thought of drinking one more cup of tea, taking one more nap, and writing one more page make your throat ache more, you decide to get some fresh air. Only to realize that walking up and down stairs makes you feel like you've run a marathon.

Back to napping.

I Am Alive, I Believe in Everything

2011-04-10T18:25:00.000-05:00

Self. Brotherhood. God. Zeus. Communism.
Capitalism. Buddha. Vinyl records.
Baseball. Ink. Trees. Cures for disease.
Saltwater. Literature. Walking. Waking.
Arguments. Decisions. Ambiguity. Absolutes.
Presence. Absence. Positive and Negative.
Empathy. Apathy. Sympathy and entropy.
Verbs are necessary. So are nouns.
Empty skies. Dark vacuums of night.
Visions. Revisions. Innocence.
I've seen All the empty spaces yet to be filled.
I've heard All of the sounds that will collect
at the end of the world.
And the silence that follows.

I'm alive, I believe in everything
I'm alive, I believe in it all.

Waves lapping on the shore.
Skies on fire at sunset.
Old men dancing on the streets.
Paradox and possibility.
Sense and sensibility.
Cold logic and half truth.
Final steps and first impressions.
Fools and fine intelligence.
Chaos and clean horizons.
Vague notions and concrete certainty.
Optimism in the face of adversity.

I'm alive, I believe in everything
I'm alive, I believe in it all.

(by Lesley Choyce)

Central Park

2011-04-09T10:29:00.005-05:00

Our day in central park started with chilly winds and cloudy skies, but the sky soon opened up and the warm sunshine encouraged us to rent a rowboat and explore the park by lake. The colors almost look like Fall, don't they?

NYC Surprise

2011-04-07T22:24:00.003-05:00

My second day in NYC started bright and early with a "day-trip" to Rutgers University in Newark, NJ for my first conference. I was so impressed with the trains to and from Penn Station -- clean, spacious and efficient (at least by Chicago standards). I was less impressed with Newark. At the risk of offending any Newark residents reading this blog, the part of the city I saw can be summarized in two words: garbage and graffiti. The conference, however, was incredible, and I managed to capture a few glimpses of charm amongst the trash that littered the sidewalks.

After the conference, I head back to Manhattan for the best part of the trip - my love, waiting for me at the Paramount Hotel. He never fails to surprise me (love you, baby!). Right in the middle of Times Square, the hotel is majestic, the interior beautiful and the customer service stellar. We were initially in a small room with a King bed. It was a beautiful room, but a few technical difficulties and a call to the hotel manager later, we were upgraded to a suite with a separate bedroom, two bathrooms and a living room.

After settling into the room, we headed out to B.B. King's to watch some live boxing. It was exhilirating (also, a tip: single ladies, head to a boxing match...it is 99% men) and afterwards we headed to a nearby restaurant and indulged in huge portions (both of food and drinks!).

The best part of the day was walking to our hotel after dinner, knowing that the night, and the next day, were ours.

NYC, First Impressions

2011-04-06T13:06:00.004-05:00

I left Chicago early in the morning, literally flying into the sunrise. A few hours later, I was flying over sunny New York (air travel never ceases to amaze me).

I caught a fleeting glimpse of Times Square as I made my way to my cousin and her fiancée's temporary apartment (conveniently located right off Times Square...it pays to work for a big corporation!).

They had only two short weeks to find a permanent apartment, so I dropped off my bags and off we went to explore the neighborhoods of NYC and find them the apartment of their dreams.

Spring was in full bloom, ivy crawling up stucco walls, flowers stalls on every corner and little buds reaching for the sky. Unfortunately, though spring was everywhere, the dream apartment was nowhere to be found.

Lesson of the Day: A price range that would afford a penthouse apartment in the middle of downtown here in Chicago will get you a box in Manhattan. Literally, a box. We were shocked and appalled by all the places we saw - eight flights of haphazard stairs, open electric wiring above front doors, minuscule bathrooms I could not even squeeze my hips into, the list goes on and on. It was a rude awakening for all of us.

Eventually, they did find an apartment with both space (relatively speaking) and a reasonable price range, but the apartment hunting experience made me realize that I would rather visit NYC than live there (if I am going to pay exorbitant amounts of money for a small space, I will do it in Paris!). This made the rest of the trip much more pleasant, since I was thinking less about how much I hate Chicago and love NYC (which is what happens with most places I go), and more about how wonderful both NYC and Chicago are. Am I making sense?

After a full day of strolling through the East Village, Gramercy Park (my favorite) and all the "Sides", we dragged our tired feet home (note to self, wear FLAT boots next time) and quickly fell asleep.

Snowdrop

2011-04-04T18:15:00.003-05:00

Henceforth, the only acceptable use of the word "snow" is to refer to these delicate flowers.

In other news, I am back from a whirlwind trip to NYC, full of good friends, lovely places, amazing surprises and delicious food. More in the next posts!

7 Things

2011-03-22T10:47:00.002-05:00

Two lovely ladies who inspire me daily - Gillian and Magdalena - shared a blog award with me. So, here are 7 things about me...

1. When I was little we lived for a brief time in Oklahoma. One day, we went to the state fair and my dad convinced me to go on my first roller coaster. I was beyond terrified and started crying the minute the harness lowered over my lap. After a traumatic two minute ride, I vowed never to go on a roller coaster again. The next day, on the news, there was a feature about the same roller coaster, which had fallen off the rails and injured/killed several people. Needless to say, I've kept my vow and haven't been on a roller coaster since.

2. My biggest fear is dying. If I let myself think about it, it can take over my thoughts for an hour, a day, a week, even a month. When I was younger, I went through a period where I was terrified of dying in my sleep, so i would stay awake for nights on end.

3. I am obsessed with snail mail. I love sending and receiving mail. I love stationary, have an obsession with gel pens and cute stamps. Anyone want to be pen-pals?

4. I speak a few languages (Armenian and Russian are my native tongues, I learned English and French when we lived in Montreal, Spanish in high school, and I've dabbled in Italian and Portuguese, though I don't speak them fluently).

5. I am a voracious reader. I am that Girl Who Reads. My two favorites are Anna Karenina and Wuthering Heights, though I will read anything that is not science fiction. I will never buy an e-reader - reading is an experience - the smell of old pages, book bindings, special bookmarks to save a spot. Add a cup of tea and you've lost me for a few hours!

6. I love both tea and coffee, though neither has an effect on me in terms of caffeine. I can drink a double shot espresso and fall asleep immediately afterwards.

7. I have vivid memories from when I was very young, younger than 4 years old. I remember my grandfather's sloppy kisses, the park in front of our first apartment, being dropped off at daycare.....but more than that, I remember how I felt at a particular moment. If I close my eyes, I remember a warm spring day, skipping behind my mother and her friend as they waked me to school, feeling grown-up and trying to listen-in on their conversation. It is mind boggling to think that that little girl is me, now. And how, deep inside, I haven't changed all that much.

Now, time to pass on the award.

Here’s what you do with the award:

You link and thank the blogger who awarded you
Copy-and-paste (or download and upload) the award into your own blog post–a teacup of roses!
Share Seven Things about yourself
Nominate up to fifteen other great bloggers
Comment on their blogs to let them know to come pick up their prize

It Feels Like...

2011-03-17T14:31:00.002-05:00

...Spring!

I stepped outside to check the mail and was hit with a warm gust of air. I ran back inside to check the thermometer....66 degrees! Could it be? Is spring finally here?

Can I bring out my flats, airy dresses and trench-coat?

Will I be picking flowers from the garden soon?

I love that short time in between winter and spring, when the air blows warm yet slightly cool through open windows, when birds sing, the days are longer and everything is imbued with an incredible lightness.

My love is driving back from NY as I write this, on his way to me. This is going to be a perfect spring, I can feel it.