Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas is here!



Wow! I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away! Aaron and I leave tomorrow night to head back to Chicago. Good thing we didn't leave earlier- we might have been snowed in! We got a lot of snow on Saturday, as you can see below. Here I am in front of our new car (not that you can see it). I had to buy one to get to my new job. The car is growing on me I guess, but I still see myself as a non-car person, and hope to get rid of it as soon as I can. I'm wearing Aaron's mom's old Finnish fur cap. It's dramatic yes, but very warm. I even got a compliment on the street!

I've been wrapping away in preparation for Christmas. Ikea had such great nordic inspired decorations this year. I think it's my favorite paper yet!

Oh, and here's Aaron below in the White Mountains. Pretty huh?

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Saturday in Battery Park


Me and Mayumi off to see the Statue of Liberty!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

the brick house


I came across this amazing mid-century renovation blog called, The Brick House. Such inspiration! Such envy! Such Taste!

busy month!

The past month has been so busy for me. I interviewed for jobs, decided to accept a position, went on a car search to be able to get to the new job, traveled to Chicago for Thanksgiving, participated in a good friend's wedding, hosted(ing) a Brazilian friend and took a weekend trip to NYC. I even went to a bunny fair! Whew! So much to blog about and no time to blog. But the holidays get me in the blogging spirit, and I start my new job tomorrow, so I hope to have more time to settle into home life. I also feel the urge to knit. I'm thinking red marled wool. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!


Monday, November 16, 2009

cat-attack

say hello to the kitties




Saturday, November 14, 2009

shoe covet


Oh man I really want these right now. But can't afford them. I'll just have to covet from afar.

Friday, November 13, 2009

welcome to the revolution

whole foods guy: do you want a bag?
aaron: um, no thanks
whole foods guy: welcome to the revolution
aaron: thanks?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

slat bench

apartment update. (well, not really update since its about 2 months over due).
I found a slat bench! craigslist WILL work out... you just have to wait for it. This bench is exactly what I wanted. I knew I could make it work somewhere, and was happy it worked as a coffee table. I was afraid the room would look too crowded, but I think its just right. Now we just need a t.v. I'm getting a little tired of hunching over the tv stand to do anything on the computer. And we have an office just sitting there. This helps explain my pitiful blog record recently.

The great thing about this bench is that it extends! See.....

Here it is pushed together

And here it is extended. very cool in my book.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Halloween

Wow- I can't believe I'm so behind in my blogging. I have so many post ideas backed up I don't even know where to start.

How about Halloween? Do you like my pumpkin? It's hard to tell but its a white pumpkin- so he has a ghost face.


Aaron and I decided to spend the day driving around the North Shore of Massachusetts (Oh I love you Zip Car). It's so great that you can drive 45 mins out of the city and you are in some cute small fishing town. Here is our trip in pictures:

We didn't get very far before we started noticing all the kitschy old signs on the highway. Its like nothing changed in the state since the 50s. Not that I really mind considering my mid- century dispositions. We were driving though so I missed a lot of good ones.


First we hit up Glouschester
not even the churches escape the fisherman's influence
when your name is Bob Whynott- you better just run for office
Our next stop was Rockport- such a beautiful town

Roy Moore's Lobster. Enough said.

our meal came from these crates- well, probably not, but you get the idea

And now we arrive in Essex
next to one of the many antique stores we came across an ancient graveyard. fitting for the day I think.

Then we went to Ipswich, but no pictures were warranted there. Sorry Ipswich. I did like you.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are: a good listen.


I went to see Where the Wild Things Are over the weekend and had mixed feelings. I think I was expecting something else. I expected to feel nostalgic maybe, or even happy. I felt the opposite. Not because the movie wasn't good- it was very good- but it was disturbing to me and very sad. I wanted a cathartic scene between Max and Carol. I wanted Max to change somehow. I think he was glad to be home- but I also think he's going to flip out again the next chance he gets.

What I really found interesting was that the wild things were not scary because they were monsters. They were scary because they were so child, no, human-like. Their relationships were broken. They were selfish, moody, and prideful. They could love, but at any moment they could snap and eat you, or worse, disappoint you.

Anyways, I really love the feel Spike Jonze was able to portray. It was very dreamy, but not unrealistic. I think the movie was greatly helped by the soundtrack, something I can't stop listening to at work. I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy Karen O And The Kids.


Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

vegetarianism and jonathan safran foer


In the past few months my vegetarianism has been in limbo. After meat eating in Europe I've certainly fallen off the wagon, and I haven't really felt too bad about it. When I do eat meat, its usually in small quantities and infrequently spaced. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. I still feel the same way about eating meat- the implications for the environment, the treatment of factory farmed animals, and health benefits- are still important to me. But at the same time, I don't think some sampling every now and then really negates those things. And yet, if I can't stick to this, can I really stick to anything I believe in?

I came across an article by Jonathan Safran Foer in The New York Times Magazine Food Issue. He is one of my favorite authors, writing the beautiful works, Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. He's coming out with a new book called Eating Animals, and this article is adapted from it. Yes its about not eating meat, but really its about his family, perspective on life, and the importance of living by what you believe. I've never been one to push eating habits on to others, and my recommendation to read this article is no exception. I just really loved it, and wanted to share.

"Against Meat: The Fruits of Family Trees," by Jonatha Safran Foer.

"When I was young, I would often spend the weekend at my grandmother’s house. On my way in, Friday night, she would lift me from the ground in one of her fire-smothering hugs. And on the way out, Sunday afternoon, I was again taken into the air. It wasn’t until years later that I realized she was weighing me..." read more

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

winning friends

The weekend before last Aaron and I hosted our first party. Originally it was intended to simply return the favor to a co-worker who hosted us young people at my job for dinner at his place. So Aaron and I decided we would tempt them down to Dorchester with wine and cheese. We thought a dinner party would be too expensive and complicated for a larger group, and a nibbling party would be a bit more social.

Well a trip to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods later, we learned that wine and cheese is in fact very expensive indeed. But the party was definitely coming together. I invited all my co-workers and Aaron invited a few of his. We had about 10 guests and I think they had a great time. I forgot to take pictures (eek) but we had quite the spread of nuts, meats, 5 cheeses (so good!) fruit and four wines. We had way too much and are still eating cheese over a week later.

We realized that just about everyone we know in Boston, save two, were in our apartment. Kinda sad. I was happy that we were being social, and could have a party two and a half months after relocating. But our circle is still pretty small. I have been making friends at work, but I miss real friends who you can actually relax with. 

I went to Chicago over the weekend to attend Caitlin's bridal shower. It was so great to see her and it reminded be how much I'm missing. Most of my friends have left Chicago and the few who remain have plans to leave. I suppose nothing can prevent this post-college shift away from that network. I just feel like I need a friend action plan. How does one meet people and make friends? I usually don't warm up quickly with people anyways, so starting from scratch is a challenge. Any helpful hints?

maybe more parties...

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Apartment Update: Record player


When Aaron was in high school he had a nice little collection of records. Many of them he acquired from my mother who got them from her brother Bill. There's a lot of weird disco, but also a lot of other great albums. When we moved to Boston Aaron's parents drove our things from Illinois to our new place. This provided Aaron's mom the opportunity to bring EVERYTHING Aaron had left in their house from growing up with them. This ranged from a few toys, to old school notes, to some of his brother's yearbooks. Small price to pay for all their help. She also brought the records.

I really like the idea of records. Sure they sound suboptimal, but I think the cracking and popping adds charm. So we began our craigslist hunt for  record player. It took us a while to find the right thing, but when we did- wow the price was right. $35! It seems to work well, we just need a needle before we can test it out. We were going to put it in the dining room, but it looked so nice in the living room, thats where it resides.

I have been loving door sixteen. Obviously I'm not redoing a house, but she has such great taste I'm always inspired. And she has an enviable eames chair collection. Ho Hum.  

I'm in the search for some cool art for the dining and guest room. Any ideas?

Hosting our first party this weekend. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

later

I'm sorry. I'm lame. I really do feel like I have good stuff to blog about- but am tired of the computer when I get home from work.

Ideas to explore later:

-awesome new apartment stuff
-we might have a social life?
-upcoming New York trip
-thoughts on Boston
-Chicago trip
-children? ha! not for a long time.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

to sew


Today I learned how to thread a sewing machine (thanks to youtube) and stitched a few stitches. Sometimes the result was a glob of thread coming from the bottom (any idea why?), but for the most part I think I can handle it.  I think I need a few more practice rounds before I can hem a curtain. I feel like such a housewife... but you know I do have a job and sewing seems so useful, and possibly even fun. So we'll see. I also have a scheme planned of joining a sewing class and meeting some much needed friends.  At least the machine is no longer sitting around, and now when I look at it, it won't feel like another failed project.


Sunday, August 30, 2009

new chairs

Well I thought it was time for me to start blogging about apartment updates. Things have been coming along so well, and now with the major necessitates covered and me working, progress will be slower. I can now blog along with progress and back track a little as well.

About a week and half ago we came across these two chairs on craigslist (our primary resource for anything from a toaster to furniture). I don't know who made them- but I love them and they look great in the place! $40 a piece- not bad considering our less cool ikea version was $50. They lounge in our living room until further notice. 

Friday, August 28, 2009

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

what a spectacle



I have admittedly been absent from this blog -- and for good reason! Matt and Jessica have come to visit and we've been seeing all that Boston has to offer. This includes great restaurants and bakeries, historic sites, and candlepin bowing (more on that some other time). It also means taking a trip to Spectacle Island. This island in Boston Harbor was once shaped like a pair of eye glasses, but after a long history as Boston's trash dump, glue maker, and dirt repository, it has since retained a round shape, no longer resembling spectacles. It has also since been turned into a natural environment with paths and picnic tables. Also, as you can see, there is a great deal of black berries for the picking- or so we presumed. Only a short, cheap, ferry ride away, and we were smelling the sea air and taking in a view of the city from across the bay. I'm excited to explore more islands, and possibly even camp on one. We only have two nights left with our friends, and we are back to being alone and boring, but also rested. 



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

oh seafood


yes. I suppose I'm an east coaster now. I buy fresh fish and roast it and eat the whole thing and I love it. 

Welcome!

Welcome!