Want Vs. Need

I think about this a lot. There are a lot of things that I totally, completely, absolutely want. But do I need them? As an adult (halfway there, I think), Christmas becomes a tug of war between want and need. Should I ask for a set of pots and pans that I need since my current set is falling apart? Or do I ask Mom and Dad for some lotions and clothes and jewelry that I really, really want? Of course, at this stage in the game, I did the latter. I didn't really need that diamond necklace, but man did I want it.

Knowing many people that are unemployed, I feel like Christmas can present a challenge. It is very hard to watch family and friends buy mountains of gifts for their loved ones and for you not to be able to purchase much, if anything. I won't name names, but a certain someone had a mighty hard time finding a gift for his girlfriend and the whole thing ended up with two pretty unhappy individuals. Be open-minded you say, well that can be hard when you want your significant other to mind read and figure out the perfect gift for you. I think having realistic expectations is a little more reasonable for this situation. Whatever.

So Christmas came and went, officially. Luckily December 26th was chock full of excitement this year, since typically it is a day where I feel crushing depression. There was a reunion of sorts and it was one of those occasions where you are excited to be there, but afraid of what may or may not happen during the event. Everything went well, but I most certainly felt it the next day.

Looking forward to 2010 and all of the things I want to buy. In no particular order:

(courtesy BananaRepublic.com "Carlita" boot)

(courtesy of BananaRepublic.com, "Amalfi" medium shoulder bag)

(courtesy of Loccitane.com, Almond Shower Oil)

(courtesy of Shopbop.com, Theory "Zuma" cardigan)

Vacation

Since I am on vacation I figured I would start back up again. Why is it that I can't commit to this blog? Being on vacation leaves me much more free time than I am used to or am comfortable with, so why not do a little work? I am currently wrapping up applications to graduate school, so again I am met with free time after work even when I am not on vacation.

I have been catching up on all of my favorite blogs and on all of my favorite TV shows. I am so inspired by so many writers and would eventually love to be considered a writer myself.

During this vacation I have set my sights on some reading, as well as spending quality time with my family and boyfriend. I think it's time that we add a pet to my apartment so my boyfriend and I will be on the hunt for some clean, silent and dazzling fish.

My poor kitten (who I would love to have in this apartment!!) is at home with my parents being tortured with a ton of love and as much food as she can fit into her tiny, non-cat like body. As much as I would like to say she misses me, the truth is my mother treats her better than she will ever understand. So, since the kitten is banned from my tiny, one room apartment, I must go out and find a fish that I can talk to on the odd nights that I am home alone.

The only fish I have ever owned is one I or a friend won at various carnivals way back when. Always, those fish died within a few weeks due to neglect or something else that I wouldn't be able to pinpoint. The goal of my search is to find a fish that WILL NOT DIE. If this fish is going to be my companion, it must have a long and prosperous life. Hopefully the pet store will take me seriously and help me with this.

I also plan to read as much as I can. After watching Oprah interview Vicki Kennedy on her show, I am beyond excited to read "True Compass" by Ted Kennedy. I have always been infinitely fascinated with the Kennedys (especially Jacqueline and JFK) and am very intrigued by this autobiography. I am waiting impatiently until Christmas when I am hoping to receive it as a gift (Thanks Mom!). The Kennedys encapsulate all that is America and truly started the interest in celebrities/people in the public eye. I think we are endlessly fascinated by people that we don't know, but feel that we do, because curiosity pushes everyone. I highly doubt Teddy put anything shocking in his book that we may not already know, but to hear about his tragic and important family from his perspective should be outstanding.

Since deciding that it is financially irresponsible for me to purchase $25.00 books constantly, I have fully embraced the library in my town. It is so novel to me that you can get books absolutely for free and therefore I take the return date very seriously. I treasure the fact that I pay nothing for each book so I would never want to mess that up by incurring a late fee. I probably will never buy a book again, but welcome them 100% as gifts.

I will update continually through vacation, until then, Merry Christmas.

Inspiration

Can I just take this time to send some love and affection to my favorite blogs? What I love most about the internet (among other things, of course) is that by the end of your time "surfing the net" you have most likely ended up at a totally different place than you started. I can hop over to High Heeled Foot in the Door and be introduced to Three Men and a Lady. I respect both of these blogs so much because the women who write them are writing passionately about something they love. As soon as I own a house of my own, I will need all the help I can get from these ladies! At High Heeled Foot in the Door, I also learned about Midwest Modern. Like me, Elizabeth is a recent college graduate trying to get acquainted in her new post-college life. Unlike me, Elizabeth has an incredible eye for design and all around chicness. Can I just say that her entries about her sister's wedding were absolutely fantastic?! Her inspiration seems to be her family and I innate style is in her blood!

How can I forget the excitement I feel as I open my MacBook and click my bookmarks to Sea of Shoes? Jane Aldridge is a master when it comes to creating and styling outfits. Her collection of shoes and designer clothing is the most fabulous I've seen from afar and I am so impressed at her creativity. I learned about Jane Aldridge while reading Teen Vogue. Also featured in the article was her mother Judy. From what I have read, she has been quite the style icon for some time now. Flipping between their two blogs is a joy and I look forward to their innovative style choices.

Two other blogs that totally deserve some kudos are Dry Clean Only and Financial Services is not Fashion. Both women have very different styles, but I would say I'd like to hang somewhere in between the two. I was informed of Dry Clean Only by a friend and I find the posts to be so much fun! I love the high/low mixes and Courtney always notes where each item was purchased or what the brand is. Over on FSINF, Cari shows us what to wear to an office and also how to break out of that mold come weekend time.

Back with a vengeance

So I'm back, took a quick little break due to yet again not having a ton to write about. Clearly summer is coming to a close and as usual it's bittersweet. This is my second summer that will be ending without school starting, but I have a feeling I will keep myself busy with some school work! ;) I have spent the last month catching up on all things stupid on television and trying to truly catch up on some reading. A few amazing books that I have managed to finish this summer The Namesake (Jhumpa Lahiri is serious business), Mystic River, It Sucked and then I Cried (could Heather Armstrong of "Dooce" be any more brilliant?!) and a few others maybe not important enough to mention. It feels fantastic to be reading again after having a job that sucked all of the life out of me from 9-5. By the time I made it home from said job, my brain only wanted crappy television and my belly wanted lots of food. Now, I still have plenty of space for the crappy television, but room for books!

Reading has always been a passion/hobby of mine much to the dismay of some outdoorsy family members/friends. How about I read outside? Does that count? Yes, yes I think it does. On the flip side, I have friends who would prefer that I get ridiculously wasted and throw up instead of sitting on the couch with a good book. It's just so impossible to please!

During a moment of terrible television watching, I caught up on the latest from Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian. Little did I know that Kim Kardashian does not drink. Shocking! She sounded just like me when her sisters recounted that she HATES the taste of alcohol and her mom said she wasn't really the life of the party. At the end of the episode, Kourtney and Khloe admitted (after Kim threw up all night) that they needed to accept Kim as is: non-drinker, still fun. I always wonder why it is hard for people when I choose not to drink. I am in no way a preacher against alcohol (on the contrary, I have volunteered many a time to be the solo non-drunk who drags the drunks out of the bar and gets them safely home), but I still get the negative vibes sent my way for not holding a double g&t. Seriously guys, does it matter? I don't judge you for being sloppy, don't judge me for being classy! (Just kidding!)

Thank you Kardashian sisters for teaching some important lessons on your show, what would we do without you?!

Uninspired

I have to be totally honest, I am stuck at a road block. Due to the end of summer blues, my creative juices are not flowing as they should be. Hoping to get inspiration from the beautiful weather we are having here in the Northeast and also from my fellow bloggers. For now, just a snapshot of my fave piece of furniture/artwork/books in my entire apartment (all 700 square feet of it). Albeit not the greatest picture, it does capture the first piece of art that has been purchased for our home and at the very bottom "art" from my favorite magazine ever published. Vogue managed to capture all that is amazing about Cartier and did it in a way that represents extreme excess. How could I not frame this ode to Cartier?

Wannabe

So originally I wanted this site to be titled "Wannabe." I was hoping to start the world's biggest Spice World fan club. No, seriously, I feel like a wannabe. Recently graduated (does a year later count?) and I am a wannabe of all trades. It feels like an impossible feat to start living the life I will live for the rest of my life. What does it mean to be graduated? Am I considered by all standards to be a grown up? And what does that entail? I am not moving onto job number two and am beyond thrilled. Enough about that, though, because that is none of the internet's business! ;)

I just don't know what or who I am as a recent graduate. I'm not even really sure that qualifies my actual characteristics, because all of the '09ers would probably be in much deeper shit than I am currently in. What does it feel like to send out 100 resumes and get a few responses? Ask my friends and I. We are accomplished, hard workers and finding a job was a pain in the ass. Happy to say that all are gainfully (but maybe not so happily?) employed. Thank God! But how to maintain that lifestyle? Tough.

I am a little grateful for the issues with the economy. Hear me out...I know that sounds completely un-American, but it is not. I just feel strongly that my generation now understands how to maintain money, because guess what, it's disappearing faster than we can spend it at the newest, best, hottest restaurants and bars. Faster than I can spend on a brand new Botkier purse on Gilt or on an unnecessary Ebay binge. This is the life of an ever-evolving young woman or man who has found themselves out of the parentals' humble abode and paying their own rent with fairly hard earned cash. Luckily I was able to move out but hey it's still pretty funky to be forking over a big CHUNK of your paycheck each month. I hate to wave goodbye to that cash that was previously spent on things I will never really need. Being responsible feels uncomfortable sometimes. I just can't help it.

Do you ever feel like a wannabe? I mean yes I can understand that this term dates back to elementary and middle school, but this term now holds much stronger meaning for me. I wanna be happy, successful, content, comfortable, working for a purpose. All easier said then done.

Take Two

This is now my second foray into the blogging world. I do feel like everyone and their mother is telling the world their inner most ramblings, but here I am to join in on all of that good fun! Seeing as my profession does not lend itself to a lot of writing, this is a space for me to let my creativity out into the world. I have always loved writing and I also LOVE a ton of other things and I want to share those things with the world, so here I am! I know it is imperative for this blog to have a function and a direction, so bear with me on that!