I drove out of the city and back home to Connecticut late Saturday morning. My mother had fallen the Tuesday before Christmas, broke her leg, and continues to rest her ankle on our couch at home. It's nice being able to come home so easily to take care of her while my Dad is away on a business trip. I always have a great time with her. Lately I have been cooking and baking an assortment of desserts and dinners for our family to eat when they arrive. The last dessert I tackled around Christmas was raspberry creme brulee and this last visit had me making pineapple upside down cake, to serve one of my mother's recent cravings. Both came out very well.
Year after year, I notice how much I really am my mother's daughter. From the things I say to the things I think, we are so much alike which is why we have a great time together! Today is my first day back from being home and I'm beyond tired at work. It's nice to have a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city and to relax in a quiet town instead. Most of all, it was really nice to spend some one on one time with my mother before she heads back to Florida for the next 6 months.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Lazy Boston Afternoon
I can't tell you the number of times I wish I brought my camera out with me. I had a quiet weekend and decided to head to one of the piers along the Charles River. It was perfect! In the city it can get so hot and muggy which is why it makes such a difference to sit along any body of water that captures a breeze. I set up a yoga mat and towel with my book club book in tow. It was a good end to the sunny afternoon in Boston.
Pictures next time!
Pictures next time!
So Close You Can Taste...The Champagne
One of the reasons why I got into blogging was because I was appointed "blogger" at work last year. After filling in for the editor of one of our company sponsored blogs a few times, my manager wanted me to take over the blog with my own ideas on a daily basis. It was fun and I put a lot of time and effort into it over the next few months. You can read it at www.moderndesignblog.com
Unfortunately, our work schedule changed and the blog was no longer a priority in our search engine marketing campaign. Despite the fact that I had no new content being posted in a couple of months, a PR agency found my blog and invited me to a fantastic event in Boston. I covered the Christofle opening event on Modern Design Blog. Since the store opening was only a 10 minute walk away from work I arrived there early of course feeling incredibly awkward and shy. After finding the courage to enter the event, I was greeted with some friendly faces and a glass of champagne. The champagne drink was actually the reason that put me over the fence when it came down to my decision to attend and I came away with a whole lot more than what I was expecting.
I found myself in a room filled with all of the people that I wanted to be. Magazine editors, PR agents, boutique and high-end store managers, and designers graced the new interior of the Christofle's store on Boylston Street. While sipping lightly on my glass of champagne I scanned the room and felt like I entered into a room that held my dream. It was such an odd feeling, one that I haven't experienced before. I knew that I had to take advantage of this moment before I lost it. My excitment was slightly masked by feelings of self-doubt. Who was I compared to these successful people? What could I possibly offer to them? I was standing in a room of accomplished people while picking apart my own features: 24 year old asked to attend this event because of a blog that I used to write for and can't find the time to update every now and then. I've published posts, not magazines and designed my own "trying to be dressy/trendy for a high end event" outfit in about 10 minutes that morning, not wearing sterling silver accessories compliments of the boutique.
After meeting a few people and grabbing a collection of business cards, I felt great. One way I described the event was that I felt like I was Ugly Betty being invited to a classy magazine event. Since then I have lost touch with most of the people that I met that night and spent more time with at a spa opening event a week later. It was important for me to at least experience a night like that and meet some people in an industry that I'm very interested in learning more about. Hopefully in the coming months I will get in contact with a few of the newest members in my network and get the ball rolling...onto something I really enjoy doing!
Unfortunately, our work schedule changed and the blog was no longer a priority in our search engine marketing campaign. Despite the fact that I had no new content being posted in a couple of months, a PR agency found my blog and invited me to a fantastic event in Boston. I covered the Christofle opening event on Modern Design Blog. Since the store opening was only a 10 minute walk away from work I arrived there early of course feeling incredibly awkward and shy. After finding the courage to enter the event, I was greeted with some friendly faces and a glass of champagne. The champagne drink was actually the reason that put me over the fence when it came down to my decision to attend and I came away with a whole lot more than what I was expecting.
I found myself in a room filled with all of the people that I wanted to be. Magazine editors, PR agents, boutique and high-end store managers, and designers graced the new interior of the Christofle's store on Boylston Street. While sipping lightly on my glass of champagne I scanned the room and felt like I entered into a room that held my dream. It was such an odd feeling, one that I haven't experienced before. I knew that I had to take advantage of this moment before I lost it. My excitment was slightly masked by feelings of self-doubt. Who was I compared to these successful people? What could I possibly offer to them? I was standing in a room of accomplished people while picking apart my own features: 24 year old asked to attend this event because of a blog that I used to write for and can't find the time to update every now and then. I've published posts, not magazines and designed my own "trying to be dressy/trendy for a high end event" outfit in about 10 minutes that morning, not wearing sterling silver accessories compliments of the boutique.
After meeting a few people and grabbing a collection of business cards, I felt great. One way I described the event was that I felt like I was Ugly Betty being invited to a classy magazine event. Since then I have lost touch with most of the people that I met that night and spent more time with at a spa opening event a week later. It was important for me to at least experience a night like that and meet some people in an industry that I'm very interested in learning more about. Hopefully in the coming months I will get in contact with a few of the newest members in my network and get the ball rolling...onto something I really enjoy doing!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Home Sweet Home
It's taken me some time but I think that I've just about settled into my adorable Bostonian apartment. Despite the fact that I'm smack dab in the middle of rush hour street traffic, I can't help but smile a little more each day as I stroll back and forth to work. Yes, my commute is by foot and I couldn't be happier or feel more appreciative. T signs don't send chills down my back anymore and the 57 bus and I only meet when I'm passing by the Kenmore stop while I'm on my way out to Comm Ave. I've ended my awful relationship with the MBTA work commute for the time being and there isn't an ounce of remorse left in my body.
Since I walk to work one would think that I would actually be prone to arriving on time. One would think if you didn't know me. I'm one of those girls that's going to be late for my own wedding. Or, a co-worker of mine said about herself: "I'm going to be late for my own funeral", a statement that I just found to be creepy. Anyway, I'm working out the timing of my walk.
To me, comfort is sacred. That's what this move was all about. Comfort is a precious commodity that can be tampered with by a number of different people and forces. A home is special and can be challenging to create, especially for me. I've gone through apartments I never want to see again as well as landlords and roommates that I don't care to speak to for the rest of my life. I feel so passionate about that because it's the roof over my head that we're talking about. It's the place you're supposed to want to escape to at the end of a tiring work day. No one wants to go from a crummy office job to an even crappier living situation where you are left wondering which location you dread the most. It makes you feel like you don't belong anywhere and no one wants or deserves to feel that way.
My two disaster apartments led me to this beautiful brownstone. Sure, the monthly rent isn't even covered in my first pay period check but I'm willing to make it work. A home is sacred and if you recognize a good thing in front of you, you better believe you will make the sacrifice necessary to keep that precious feeling alive. We all know where we have come from and why we've left so why give up on something because of the money? The comfort of a home is priceless.
Since I walk to work one would think that I would actually be prone to arriving on time. One would think if you didn't know me. I'm one of those girls that's going to be late for my own wedding. Or, a co-worker of mine said about herself: "I'm going to be late for my own funeral", a statement that I just found to be creepy. Anyway, I'm working out the timing of my walk.
To me, comfort is sacred. That's what this move was all about. Comfort is a precious commodity that can be tampered with by a number of different people and forces. A home is special and can be challenging to create, especially for me. I've gone through apartments I never want to see again as well as landlords and roommates that I don't care to speak to for the rest of my life. I feel so passionate about that because it's the roof over my head that we're talking about. It's the place you're supposed to want to escape to at the end of a tiring work day. No one wants to go from a crummy office job to an even crappier living situation where you are left wondering which location you dread the most. It makes you feel like you don't belong anywhere and no one wants or deserves to feel that way.
My two disaster apartments led me to this beautiful brownstone. Sure, the monthly rent isn't even covered in my first pay period check but I'm willing to make it work. A home is sacred and if you recognize a good thing in front of you, you better believe you will make the sacrifice necessary to keep that precious feeling alive. We all know where we have come from and why we've left so why give up on something because of the money? The comfort of a home is priceless.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Don't Seek Inspiration Through a Calendar
At the start of 2009 I decided to spruce up my office space with a little day-to-day inspirational quote calendar. You know, something to greet me in the morning other than my yellowish green bamboo plant that's struggling to survive. Out of the 104 days that I've experienced with 365 Meditations and Reflections for Women Who Do Too Much, I can count the number of times on one hand where I have been moved.
For instance today's thought is:
To deal with "shopoholic" tendencies or to curb excessive shopping, author April Bensen recommends that we set a budget for shopping trips.
Well if that wasn't the dullest "A-HA!" moment ever, please enlighten me and share what is. Nothing against author April Bensen - I'm sure this idea was pulled from a book of hers perhaps focusing on budgeting and that it was taken out of context for this pocket calendar. Needless to say this tidbit actually made me feel worse considering my budget for shopping is now $0.
For instance today's thought is:
To deal with "shopoholic" tendencies or to curb excessive shopping, author April Bensen recommends that we set a budget for shopping trips.
Well if that wasn't the dullest "A-HA!" moment ever, please enlighten me and share what is. Nothing against author April Bensen - I'm sure this idea was pulled from a book of hers perhaps focusing on budgeting and that it was taken out of context for this pocket calendar. Needless to say this tidbit actually made me feel worse considering my budget for shopping is now $0.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sign Here
While sitting at the round maple wood table in the realtor's office, I was practicing a breathing technique I learned in my first few yoga classes. The deep breathing is supposed to help put your mind at ease and focus on the task at hand yet it was failing to do so during this very moment. Marisa slapped down the lease in front of me and all I could focus on besides my breathing were the flourescent stickers dispersed throughout the packet of paper which read "Sign Here".
This may sound like Marisa is the devil and I'm about to sign my life away to her and that interpretation isn't very far from the truth. I signed a 15 month lease for a beautiful apartment on Boston's charming Newbury Street whose monthly rent is worth far more than I can afford with the salary I'm bringing in these days. Why did I do it? Perhaps it was the view of the Fenway lights from our doorstep, the sun-filled street I follow for my five minute commute to work, or the warmth the brick walls of my Bostonian apartment bring to my bedroom. Without further ado, I begin my journey on living my life on Newbury in the thriftiest way I know how. Is living a frugal lifestyle in Boston's Back Bay impossible? I'm here to find out at my new residence on Newbury Street.
This may sound like Marisa is the devil and I'm about to sign my life away to her and that interpretation isn't very far from the truth. I signed a 15 month lease for a beautiful apartment on Boston's charming Newbury Street whose monthly rent is worth far more than I can afford with the salary I'm bringing in these days. Why did I do it? Perhaps it was the view of the Fenway lights from our doorstep, the sun-filled street I follow for my five minute commute to work, or the warmth the brick walls of my Bostonian apartment bring to my bedroom. Without further ado, I begin my journey on living my life on Newbury in the thriftiest way I know how. Is living a frugal lifestyle in Boston's Back Bay impossible? I'm here to find out at my new residence on Newbury Street.
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