Recently....

Just thought I would check in and let you all know how I've been lately with the new job and such!

Needless to say, working from 8 am to 5 or 6 pm has been pretty exhausting.  I've had to get up and leave by 7 am in the sometimes 5 degree weather and I usually don't get home until 7ish in the evening.

Downtown on a snowy morning

That's my only complaint though because I'm really starting to feel comfortable at the job and getting along well with my co-workers.  I'm definitely learning a lot every day and only hope to learn more so I can be as efficient as everyone else.

Getting up so early has turned me into an old lady though and I've been falling asleep by 10 o'clock pretty routinely.  I can't even make it through movies anymore, although we watched Life of Pi the other day (at a reasonable hour) and it was really good!  I read the book and really enjoyed it, and I have to say they did a great job with the film.  It was very emotional and captivating and very well done.

Today was my first full day off in a while since I've also been working at Urban on the weekends, and it was really enjoyable.  Guillermo and I went to MIT for a workshop he has been taking part in, and while he was there I killed time at the MIT book store and found a new book with a pretty cover.

I also walked around campus a bit; I never miss a chance to see some famous architecture.

Gehry's STATA Center

When he got out, we took the bus up to Harvard and walked around campus and the surrounding shopping area.  I found Anthropologie and pointed out a few things I've had my eye on for a while.  Maybe one day I will break down and buy them.  I absolutely love this vase and this candle; I think my love of candles is coming back from when I was in middle school and high school.  I've started collecting them here and there since my mom sent me one for Christmas, and Capri Blue candles seem to be everywhere lately.  I've only heard great things about them and I'm addicted to all things glass so I want one in every color!

It was a wonderful, relaxing day and now I'm curled up with tea and a movie.  Hope you all enjoyed your day as much as I did!

Weekly Update

I've decided that since I really don't have that much to talk about, I am going to switch back to writing less frequently.  I'm going to shoot for once a week, and I think with the new job taking up a lot of my time now this will work out a lot better for me.  Hope none of you mind.

This past week was a big one for me.  I worked two jobs, and found out I am going to be a bridesmaid in another wedding!  My friend Sonia from school has been engaged for a year, and she is starting to get down to business when it comes to planning now that they have a date ironed out.  I'm so very excited and so very honored she thought of me, and now I get to take part in the big day! She has already gotten her Pinterest on, and has set up boards for general ideas and bridesmaid dresses.  I thought that was pretty smart of her, considering all us 'maids live in different areas.  Plus it's fun to pin away everything I think would be great for them.

Aside from that wonderful news, last week was my first somewhat full week at my new job!  It was an exhausting week because I was working two jobs, semi-full time.  My first few days at Sleeping Dog were kinda hectic, considering I had a lot to learn, but now that my first week is over I can safely say I feel very comfortable there.  Everyone is young (although I still think I'm the youngest) and they are already giving me a hard time in a friendly-older-sibling kind of way.  Today has been my first day of a full-time week and we will see how I can take it.

I'll check back in in about a week!

New Year, New Lifestyle

Hey all!  How was everyone's holiday?  I can only hope it was as enjoyable as mine.  Here's a peek at what I've been up to...

Christmas dinner was a success!!

Couldn't be happier for my newly-wed friends. <3 

Shenanigans with my high school buddies

My cutie cousin Lilah.

I really enjoyed my time at home visiting all my loved ones and celebrating the season with them.  I came back just in time to ring in the new year with Guillermo; he picked me up from the airport and we had a lovely dinner together and had a relaxing evening watching The Incredibles up until midnight.  

This year, I decided that my New Year's resolution should be to start forcing myself into a routine schedule of waking up early and being productive.  Now...I am not what you would call a morning person so this was truly going to be a struggle, especially on the days I don't have to work until the afternoon.

But that all changes this week, because...

I GOT A REAL GROWN-UP JOB!!!

On the 4th, I had an interview at a firm called Sleeping Dog Properties and they offered on the spot to hire me for a 30 day trial-run with possible (and hopefully) full-time employment after that!  It seems like exactly the kind of place I have talked about working at; it's a small firm that does mostly small-scale residential and some commercial renovations.  The company is owned by two brothers who have a construction background so they do a lot of construction management as well.  I am super excited to start on Tuesday and finally get my career rolling.

Wish me luck!

Preparations

With Christmas just around the corner, Guillermo and I have decided to spend it with some of his new friends from school.  Three people will be coming over on Tuesday; a Chinese girl, Turkish guy, and Israeli guy.  We are going to have a very multi-cultural day, and I have to say that excites me a lot.  I love making friends with people from other countries and I love learning about their cultures and hearing their stories.  We may be lucky enough to taste food from some of those cultures, but I doubt it on Christmas day.  Guillermo and I are going to cover the ham and one side (the others are covering other sides and drinks), and I'm thinking twice-baked potatoes.  My mom always made them for Christmas and they are just so indulgent and delicious.

I'm still trying to come up with an idea for dessert, too.  Something tasty, but not too tricky. This is my first Christmas as a grown-up that I will be hosting and I want everyone to leave full of food and happiness. 

Deck the Hall

This weekend, I took some time to do at least a little bit of Christmas decorating in our apartment.  Now, I don't have too much space and I had a budget of about $0, but I think it looks kinda festive.  I'm proud!

The first thing I started working on was a paper and twine garland for the hall.  I had paper, paint, and twine laying around so all I did was paint the paper green, cut out leaf shapes, then tie them together along the twine.  Here's what it looks like!

All I did to tie them together was tie a loose knot around the center of the two leaves so the paper didn't tear.  I spaced them out by eye, so they aren't perfect, but that's ok with me.

The other thing I did was decorate the Peace Lilly that my mom got me for my birthday (and I haven't killed yet!!) with some teeny-tiny ornaments.  I got a package of 25 3/4" diameter balls for only $5 from Urban Outfitters and tied them to the leaves of the plant with thin wire.  

The little balls of color are so cheerful. :)

And finally, the small bookshelf we have in the hall is now where we display all of the Christmas cards we have been receiving in the mail.  Family and friends have been sending us cards and its so comforting to see them every day on the way into the apartment.

The ornaments that didn't make it onto the Peace Lilly are sitting in a glass jar from an old, used-up candle on the top shelf for a little extra fun.

Thankful for Friday

Well, Friday is finally here!  This week I'm thankful for friends and family.  We have been getting Christmas cards from our loved ones (and Fitzgerald motors...?) over the past week or so, and even a present already!  Although this year is going to be very different for me, I am sure it is still going to be wonderful-my family is going to be sure of it.  Guillermo and I are thinking about having some of his classmates over for Christmas dinner, since they wont be going back to their homes in other countries this year.  I'm hoping this works out because it would be nice to celebrate with some new friends, so cheers to new traditions!

Here's our Christmas Peace-Lilly

Happy Hump Day!

How was everyone's Wednesday?  Mine was wonderful because I had the day off.  I know I took off this whole past weekend, but because I was so busy the whole time it really didn't feel like a break from work.  Today I got to lounge, start a few projects I've had in mind, and meet up with some friends at a small church group.

Remember a few weeks ago I mentioned I went to church with my friend RJ?  Well every Wednesday night they have a small group for 20-somethings.  I have wanted to go since I went to church, but always seemed to work on Wednesday nights and never seemed to have the opportunity......until now.  It was a nice gathering and I even recognized a few people I had met previously.  We sang Christmas carols, ate snacks, and read through a bit of Matthew.

All in all, it was a great day off and a wonderful way to spend my evening.  I hope you all can say the same about your day!  And don't worry-the weekend is almost here!

Confession

For a few years now, I have been feeling like a 40-something year old trapped in a 20-something year old's body.  I know that sounds odd and women usually wish its the other way around, so let me explain.

I've never really been one to go out and party it up and go wild.  I've never smoked a cigarette (or anything else), I've never gotten black-out drunk and stupid, I've never "hooked up" with anyone at a party, or anything else young-adult like.  I've always acted more mature than my age, but recently its kicked into high gear.

Don't get me wrong-that doesn't mean that I'm not happy with my life the way it is.  I absolutely love where I am in life and I'm so excited to see what will happen before I am 40-something, but sometimes I wish I could fast-forward.

I want kids.
I want to decorate for the holidays.
I want an apartment large enough to be able to decorate.
I want to craft.
I want to cook and bake all day.
I want to throw dinner parties and brunches, and do all the decorating and cute name-tagging and labeling that goes along with them.
I want to host family for the holidays.
I don't mind doing dishes or laundry.
Sometimes, I even wish I lived in the suburbs so that I could run errands in the car.

The problem with most of those things is that they require a stable income, which I haven't quite figured out yet.

And as I said, I am in love with my life right now.  I just can't help looking forward to the latter part of life.

Do any of you guys feel like you should be a different age?  Am I super weird for feeling this way?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Bad Blogger!

I know, I know-I forgot to post on Monday!  I apologize from the depths of my heart and I hope all of you will forgive me!

As for today.....I have a recap of my Thanksgiving to share!  I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays as much as I enjoyed mine because let me tell you-I had a great time.

Guillermo and I had two flights on our way down and back, and both times we flew right over NYC.  I got a pretty nice shot on the way down, but on the way back it was night and too hard to take a photo.  (Although equally as beautiful)

Well,

I don't really have too much to say today because:

1. I'm broke and can't work on any projects.
2. ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS LEAVING FOR NORTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY!!!!!

Can you tell I'm really excited to see my family?  I can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, and today I bought something little for the trip.

It's a little book full of questions for your Dad to answer.  (they also have them for Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa)  I've always loved listening to my Dad's stories about how he is was a trouble maker and this will be a great way to immortalize those stories.  I figured I will give it to him now, and then he can give it back to me all completed for Christmas.  One present already done for him.


I won't be able to post again until next week because I leave Wednesday and I don't plan on taking my laptop on my trip.  I'll be sure to fill you all in when I get back though!  Happy Thanksgiving!!

In One Week..

...I will be in North Carolina with my family for Thanksgiving!  I am soooo very excited to be able to go to my Dad's new house and see his whole side of the family.  All my aunts, uncles, and (most of my) cousins will be there for the holiday-Grandma is even coming up from Florida! Yay!

The last time we were all together was in 2005, for Christmas.  That was before my Grandpap passed away and before more babies were brought into the family and before my brother even hit puberty.  Here's a quick flashback:

My oh-so-handsome Dad

Most of the cousins with Grandma & Grandpap

Matching sunglasses at Gap

My adorable Grandpap and his favorite bread

We all had a wonderful time together then, and I'm sure we are all bound to have a great time together now.  I'm counting down the days!

'Tis The Season

...to start panicking about what to get people for Christmas!  With the weather turning cold (it's actually been snowing here all afternoon!) I have been thinking a lot about how to prepare for the holiday season.

Of course I would like to attempt at decorating our apartment, just a little bit.  There is no room for a tree at all, but I may snatch up one of the small fake ones we sell at Urban and try to make it...not so ugly.  Some crafty, handmade ornaments and some spray paint may be all I need to make it cheap-chic.  Aside from that, we don't really have a mantle or anything to decorate so I'm kinda drawing a blank on what to do, but I want to do SOMETHING.  Any ideas would be a great help.

When it comes to gifts I really only have one idea for my step-dad, and that's only because he blatantly pointed it out while he was here a few weeks back.  He found a pair of pint glasses he likes a lot and I plan on doing a little beer tree for him to go along with the glasses.  The tree would be like this (except it would be Bud Light, of course):

Aside from that, I'm clueless for gift ideas!!  I definitely want to start buying gifts ASAP so I don't drop a huge amount of money at once.  Just need to figure out what to buy.....

Hurricanes and Halloween

Happy Halloween, everyone!!!  I hope everyone is enjoying the not-so-rainy weather after the few days we have all had to endure.  I had to work today and planned on dressing up as a make-shift Troy Palomalu, but lost the incentive to make a white-t into a jersey when it was 1 am last night and I still hadn't done anything about it.  Oh well.

Living on my own now I kinda wish we got trick-or-treaters, but I know not to expect any since we live in a mid-size apartment building.  Doubt we will get any kiddies...not to mention I already ate all of our candy.  (oops!)

On a nother note...

Sunday Funday

Like I said Monday, this past Sunday with my ‘rents was absolutely stunning.  Chip had the genius idea to drive up north to get some fresh lobster for lunch, but then he decided it would be even better if we went out on a fishing boat and caught our own lobsters, that we would then eat for lunch.  So, that’s what we did!

We arrived at the harbor in Gloucester at 10 am and immediately hopped onto Captain Kevin's boat.  Once we got out into the water, he explained all the safety procedures to us and we suited up.

Weekend Recap

Well, I must say this weekend was a blast!  If you don’t remember, my parents decided to come visit me for a long weekend and we managed to squeeze in a lot of stuff while still finding time to relax and enjoy being together.  

To pick up where I left off, Friday we made an attempt to do a grand walking tour of Boston and the surrounding area.  Of course, we got a late start after meeting at Starbucks and having a nice hot latte, but we managed to see a lot of the city.

Look for Less?

It turns out that Topshop now has a line at Nordstrom-which is great because the only shop in the US is in New York and, well, I just moved out of the Big Apple.  But now…I can order from Nordstrom whenever I like!

While I was browsing their site online, I was noticing a lot of items that look very similar to items that we carry at Urban!  Now, I don’t know if one is copying the other or vice versa, but I just thought it would be fun to compare the prices of some similar pieces…

New Series

Recently Guillermo has been spending a lot more time at school, which leaves me with a lot of time to myself.

What have I been doing with my time you ask? (other than watching Food Network on Hulu)

Housekeeping

This past weekend I had Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off so I used the time to get some housekeeping done-both literally and digitally.

Now, the literal sense is not really that exciting: laundry, groceries (I made a bangin’ Shepherd’s Pie), and general cleaning.  The digital housekeeping is what I think you all will appreciate.  I’ve taken the time to go back and add tags to all of my posts (not sure why I didn’t just add them in the first place) so that I could create the fancy little pages you guys see on the right side of the blog!  This will make it much easier to navigate to a certain topic in the future, or pull together everything under one subject.  It also just makes me feel fancy.

Another thing I did is photograph all the jewelry I have made for sale.  

I have an Etsy Shop but I’ve never sold anything through it and quite frankly, I hate the Post Office so I secretly don’t want to sell anything though it.  I’m trying to find a local shop here in Boston that may be able to carry some of my stuff for sale.  I’ve done that in the past back at home in MD and it worked well, so hopefully I can get something similar going up here because we all know I could use a little extra cash.  (if any of you guys would like something made-please email me!)

I also wrote a few posts that I have been meaning to write recently but since my computer was away, I couldn’t.  I’ve been doing a lot of blogging homework (and by that I mean reading other people’s blogs) and I’ve decided I am going to try to post more regularly.  Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is my goal.  I’m going to stick with the Thankful for Friday’s series, so that covers my Fridays, but I’m going to try to challenge myself on Monday and Wednesday.  I have a couple stored up now to at least get me through the first week.  We will see how it goes.

I’m also considering transitioning over to a blogspot account.  They seem to be a little bit fancier and a little more grown-up.  What do you guys think?

Feeling Like Fall...

Looking forward to the cooler weather because that means sweaters and hats, jeans and layers.

Then comes the snow, which is OK with me because I fell in love in the winter.

The OTHER Wedding

Some of you may remember that I said Labor Day weekend was going to be crazy because I was attending 2 (two!) weddings, back to back.  Well, here is the post about the other one!

The wedding was one of Guillermo’s cousins, Cindy, and her fiance (now-husband), John.  It was absolutely stunning.  The ceremony was at the Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Mott Street in Soho, which I had only been to before for the Young Designers Market, but that was in the rec-center type room, not the actual cathedral.

Anyways, the ceremony was beautiful.  It was a Catholic ceremony so I was a little lost, but overall it was smooth and lovely.