Ahoy Stripes

I'm loving this dress from Maje. Perfect for late spring and summer. And I'm loving the price of $170 (refreshingly inexpensive compared to it's Net-a-Porter neighbors). It's also shown with Sigerson Morrison sandals that are to die for.

I've come around to (some) plaid shirts

I can hear the grunge jokes already, but there is something about it that I like. I especially like the Shopbop/Madewell price of $68 bucks.

Although, as I write this I'm watching the snowboarding half-pipe and am noticing some similarities...

Tea or Coffee?

I don't have too many vices, just the regulars - Bravo, Diet Coke, bulk candy, sales at Barney's, sales on cashmere, Salon shoes at sale prices, you get my drift...

And what's been getting my attention lately? Tea. Like a true addict, it's always within arms' reach and if I don't have it with me, I feel slightly unnerved. In late summer, I virtually abandoned coffee in favor of black tea, full-time. In the fall, the conditioned worsened and by what it now late winter, I'm a full-blown user.

What I have grown to also appreciate is the complex universe that accompanies tea. The varieties, the different cups and mugs, the different brewing techniques... Here are a few of the things that I'm either using, or have caught my addict eye.

Intelligentsia's 333: Introduced to me by some very special people in the know, this is amazingness. Herbal teas usually fall flat for me, but the flavors in this are amazing. The mix of tart rosehips and fresh peppermint is a really nice compliment to the chamomille.

Teavana's Thousand Mountain Jasmine: My Christmas present from my boyfriend (it's a long story), I underestimated how good it would be. With just a little agave, it quickly becomes a sweet treat, otherwise it's a solid black tea.

Hario's 15-oz. teapot, perfect for brewing loose tea for two or one. I love it's design and the glass makes judging strength so much easier. This is on the wishlist.

Breville's Variable-Temperature Kettle: While it's still a little bulky for my taste, I love that it has temperature settings for different varieties of tea. I have loved electric kettles since I used to spend weeks at a time with my cousins in Denmark. Europeans know how to do it with tea, always present and always quickly brewed in an electric kettle. It makes so much sense and it's so quick. While this one is the Rolls-Royce, any electric kettle makes me happy.

And to enjoy, two options for the home:


Crate and Barrel's Latte Mug makes for the most perfect "big cup." I had been on the hunt for the best big white mug for some time, and again, the best, most hip friends in NY opened my eyes to the bargain that was right in front of my eyes.

And for the more urbane, Bodum's tumbler. It looks so amazing when it's filled, and the technology lives up to it's reputation, you really can't feel the heat.

And for on the go:

From Summit Tea Company, a glass and stainless steel tumbler that lets you brew loose tea while not being limited to the pot. Ah, the convenience.

Just what the doctor ordered

I know my last post was depressing, but what can I say, sometimes it just has to come out. Thankfully, sometimes the stars align and a window of opportunity opens. And this time, it's in the form of a cheaper than dirt vacation. And trust me, I really do mean cheap, nearly free, because otherwise it would NOT be happening.

But thankfully it is and I now have something to look forward to, helllooo Playa del Carmen.




Have you ever been there? I went to neighboring Akumal in college and it was heaven. We ventured in to Playa for one day and while it was more crowded and developed, I certainly won't turn it way since, to abuse the saying, it quite literally came knocking at my door.

Here's to sunny vacations and streetcart tacos.

"Present" (I think)

Blogger roll call: I'm here, just barely hanging on.

While I'd like to get back to more interesting things like celebrity weight and prettiness, I'm in the midst of what has been the hardest week in what continues to be a really difficult time. When I left advertising in search of a more creative career, I knew it would be a long, hard road towards realizing my potential. I re-enrolled in school (something I never expected when I left undergrad) and now I find myself in a world that feels, well... uncomfortable.

I say uncomfortable because while I continually have to test my ability and talent (which in the end feels good) I also have wound up in a place where the next buck is a question mark and the next break is unknown. My emotion stems from a week of no sleep and constant homework (in a string of many), so yes, I'm exhausted and irrational, but in these moments it's possible to take a good hard look. I went from a "career" with direct deposit, a comfy desk, tech support and co-workers who made me laugh even when the job made me cry. Now I'm using my tax return to pay for school, buying art supplies on credit and turning down social functions because the money is just not there. On Sunday, my Superbowl contribution was Craisins (odd, I know), because I could spare them.

Get a job? I wish I even knew how to fit it in. The statistic for my program (if you believe it) is that 10% who start manage to finish within three years. I want to be one of the 10%. I want co-workers again, I want a life again, I want all these things. I know people do much more with much less time, but I'm struggling. And it's made me bitter. Hearing about a family friend of my boyfriend who will be arriving to the Olympic games on their jet this weekend makes me sick. While I've always thought private planes were extravagant, they never actually angered me. Now, the extravagance of it only serves as a real life example of how disproportionate wealth is - how clear the line is between the haves and the have nots. And while I have no right to say it's unfair, the fact that wealth like that is not put towards programs like scholarships and assistance -- it just seems misplaced. It's the fruit of their labor and one day, I should only hope to be so lucky. In the meantime, it serves as the tipping point for my frustration.

So tomorrow I wake up to more drawings and more assignments. And hopefully, having given my mind an outlet, I'll be able to sleep and the tightness in my throat that preludes tears will subside. Thanks for listening.