Let's Go To the Movies

One thing I love about Christmas time is all the awesome movies. These two were awesome:





Reese Witherspoon can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. Her character in this movie was so endearing sincere. Owen Wilson was hilarious too.

You're not really a New Yorker if . . .

People have mistaken me for a long life New Yorker since the day my dad dropped me off at NYU 10 years ago. There are people in the city we refer to as b&t because they have to cross a bridge or tunnel to get into Manhattan. There are other people who move here for a year or two for a specific reason but leave because they just don't belong here. I call them tourists. All of these people are easily identifiable:

You're not really a New Yorker if . . .

10. You pronounce Houston Street like "Hew"ston rather than "How"ston
9. You hang out in Times Square for any reason other than to go see a Broadway show.
8. You amble rather than walk with speed and purpose.
7. You don't understand the difference between streets and avenues.
6. You still believe that Steve Madden, Aldo, and/or Nine West make decent shoes.
5. You drive
4. You eat at Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday's, or Red Lobster. Gross.
3. Crowd around street/subway performers who are 90% hype
2. You go to any nightclub in Chelsea or Times Square on a Friday or Saturday night.
1. You can't make proper distinctions between the East Village, the Lower East Side, Soho, and Nolita etc.

Love and Other Drugs Trailer 2010 HD

Anne Hathaway has come a long way since The Princess Diaries. I thought this movie was funny and touching. It must have been good since I wasn't checking my phone the entire time like I was during Eat Pray Love, which I think is the last movie I sat through in the theater.

7 out of 12

When I made my 2010 resolutions, I truly believed that 2010 couldn't possibly be worse than 2009. Four apartments and one car crash later I realize that you can't always change your situation, hard work doesn't necessarily get you anywhere, and things can always get worse.

Well I didn't go anywhere new or even go to see the statue of liberty. I did however manage to stay in shape for the longest period of my life that I ever have, I found an inexpensive apartment that I love, and I exceeded my expectations by paying off over 10% of my students loans. Overall, I think this year is wrapping up nicely. I definitely have more friends than last year. But I mostly feel numb.

Another Pair

My trip to Woodbury Commons last week was quite the success. I have now added a fifth pair of Kate Spade Karolinas, in plaid tartan, to my collection

Great Quote

"Wouldn't you rather live someplace else than die in New York?" . . . "Meryl?" . . . "I'm thinking." -- SJP in Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Alex P. Keaton

Aren't sweater vests adorable? The best thing about Republicans is the way they dress. I have been watching old episodes of Family Ties lately and Alex P. Keaton is so cute. Michael J. Fox was on an episode of The Good Wife a couple weeks ago and it got me in the mood for one of my favorite shows from the 80s. I watched Spin City, Life with Mikey, and Back to the Future, but Family Ties is the absolute greatest.

Words of Wisdom

If you cry over a guy, then your friends can't date him. It can't even be considered. -- Taylor Swift

Black Friday

So I was all psyched to go to Woodbury Commons the day after Thanksgiving. I had even picked out all the things I wanted to buy in my mind: Burberry trench, DVF wrap dress, Tory flats, J Crew t-shirts. etc. Unfortunately, life through me a curve ball and it looks like maybe I will just get the flats and some t-shirts. It seems as though any time I think I'm starting to get into a financially comfortable situation, something happens to set me back. I can never seem to really get ahead. Why?

For someone who like me, someone who loves outlet shopping more than anything, Woodbury sounds like the holy grail. I mean Bottega Veneta, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Chanel, Diane von Furstenburg, J Crew, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Tory Burch, Vineyard Vines. I just hope I can contain myself.

First Time for Everything

I am really not a makeup person, but my friend Y took me to Sephora last week to give me some tips. Out of everything we tried, I went home with this. Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes Mascara is truly eyelash changing. It makes my lashes go on forever. I never thought I would post makeup anything but I suppose there really is a first time for everything.

It's A Lilly

My friend J is a music teacher at Diller-Quaile and she invited me to come shopping at the Madison Avenue Lilly store and help support her school in the process.

It was so much fun trying on dresses and such a great excuse to buy this:

Blayney Ruffle Dress in Multi Curves

I Just Don't Get It

I love short shorts and long pants but I just don't get capris.

I love Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs but I just don't get Coach.

I love Chanel and Burberry but I just don't get Louis Vuitton.

I love pink and I love blue but I just don't get purple.

I love high heels and flats but I just don't get kitten heels.

Anthropologie

I can't take it any more. I have tried so long to avoid this place because there are never any good sales. The only thing I've gotten from Anthropologie at this point is a headband. But. After watching Emma Pillsbury rock this skirt from Anthropologie (that I'd been wanting) on last week's episode of Glee I know have a new place to bleed me dry of all my hard earned money.


I must have it. It would go perfectly with this sweater that Emma were on Glee a few weeks ago and as did one of Blair minions on Gossip Girl last week.

Don't Want to Be An American Idiot

I heart Green Day. I heart Broadway. This show was tons of fun.

Petite Abeille

My friend J and I went here for brunch and it was so yummy. I mostly ask for a cheddar cheese omelette everywhere I go and in the city you mostly get white cheddar. Well Petite Abeille has orange cheddar and I was so happy. It may be all in my head but I just think orange cheddar tastes better.

Friend Divorce

Last night I went to a superhero/villain party dressed as Wonder Woman. I had never been to American Apparel before Friday evening, but I must say it was a great experience. I walked in and told them I wanted to be Wonder Woman. They found me a gold headband, red knee socks, blue shorts, and a red tank top in a couple minutes. I don't think I will be going back until maybe next year around this time, but I was certainly impressed.

My childhood best friend M called this morning and told me how she has to divorce yet another friend. Her friend L came for the weekend and spent the majority of the time making catty remarks. At one point L kicked her puppy. M thinks I should divorce my other friend M. My other friend M has several men in her life that treat me like garbage and she does not care. I don't want a divorce, but it's starting to seem inevitable.

Halloween is coming and I am so excited for my costume. I cannot wait.

La Cage Aux Folles

Such a great musical. It won the Tony for Best Musical Revival this year and I can see why. It was hilarious. Only downside: Kelsey Grammer cannot sing.

Shoegasm

Kate Spade Karolina Twirl

Kate Spade Silver Lizard Karolina

Kate Spade Camel Karolina

Tory Burch Gold Metallic Flats

Tory Burch Black Patent Flats

Full Circle

After moving four times this summer I have finally found some peace. I am now situated comfortably in the safest part of the safest neighborhood in New York City. I have no plans to move again unless it's to get married or leave the city or both. I went from the Upper East Side to Harlem to the Upper West Side down to the Lower East Side and am now back to the Upper East Side. The Lower East Side was my favorite though I do not miss the fifth floor walk-up. Yikes! I am now just a hop skip and a jump away from Dylan's Candy Bar. I have also been able to walk to work for the past two weeks. I have not fallen in love with New York all over again. But maybe one day I will.

TV-aholic

Here's what I'm watching right now in order of importance.

Gossip Girl
Glee
Modern Family
Desperate Housewives
Brothers and Sisters
The Good Wife
90210
Covert Affairs
Grey's Anatomy
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The Office
Amazing Race 17
One Tree Hill
Nikita
Cougar Town
Hellcats
Melissa & Joey
Real Housewives of D.C.
Community
The Apprentice
Rachel Zoe Project

I have no shame when it comes to television. It's so hard to keep up with them all. I am already way behind.

Took Long Enough

I cannot wait until November 2nd when Mariah's second Christmas album finally drops. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting. I can't believe it's time for the holidays already. My summer kind of flew by, what with moving four times and all. I think that this holiday season will be much better than the last. Here's hoping . . .

I Heart Shoes

When I like something I buy it in every color. Today I bought Kate Spade Karolinas in gold lizard and black patent leather. So now I am up to 4 of the same pair of shoes. They are the only comfortable heels I've ever had so they are well worth the price. I am 3 pairs of shoes and one bag away from completing my wardrobe! (one of my resolutions for 2010)

So Live Your Life

I have been so bad about blogging this summer but fortunately I have been living my life. Last week I went to my first Green Day concert in 10 years and it was so fun. I am in LOVE with Billie Joe Armstrong. It happened when he so earnestly sang 21 guns towards the end of the show. This past weekend my friend S visited from Atlanta and it was so much fun. She is one of my most fun friends ever!

We went to Alice's Tea Cup. The decorations are all Alice in Wonderland and the tea cups are so cute. I had an omelet and it was yummmy but next time I will get the french toast that S got. Look at it. mmmm
We also went to see the 2010 Tony winner for Best Musical.
Finally we ended up listening to and awesome cover band at Cafe Wha?.

I hadn't been there since college but Sunday nights are still so much fun.

My friend J from Savannah was also in town with her husband. It was great to catch up with her since we hadn't seen each other since her wedding 3 years ago. We had frozen custard from Shake Shack and sat near the Natural History Museum. I miss my friends from Georgia so much. It was so nice to reconnect but now I am so exhausted. Living life makes me sleepy.

Food Coma and the City

I love trying out new places in the city. And I love to eat. So this weekend was a good one. My friend B introduced me and some of our friends to a new (to me) Italian restaurant and a new nook in the city. Situated behind a bridge in West Harlem at 135th street and 12th avenue is a delicious authentic Italian place called Covo.
The pasta is homemade and the crowd seems to be from all parts of the city. I had the spinach gnocchi with mozzarella and marinara sauce. It was amazing. I was full half way through but I just kept plugging away because it was absolutely delectable. There is a lounge upstairs and a couple big clubs down the street. I don't know how this area evaded me for 10 years. Actually I do. I never go as high as 135th street, nor as far as 12th avenue. Now that I have relocated to the Upper West Side I am realizing that there is an entire half of Manhattan that I know nothing about. This makes me anxious because I simultaneously want to vacate New York yet yearn to explore and revive my love affair with this city. Just on the other side.

Today I met up with my friend J and her fellow dentist friend L and went here for brunch. It's across from my favorite crepe place but I've never gone. I need to branch out more because it was yummy.
Then J took us to the Black Hound for cakes.
Sorry J. The cake was good but at 7.50 for a small cake. That don't impress me much. Still so happy to have tried something new out. And all cakes are a good thing for me.

Something to which I Aspire

Funny and Sad

A friend of mine sent me this today . . .

The Art of Apathy

Apathy is an important attribute in the city. You can't take people and situations too seriously or too personally. If you care too much you won't make it here. You can't waste your time being upset when people break their promises and leave you in a bind. Otherwise you'll be upset everyday. You can't get worked up about poverty or injustice because it's constantly in your face. All you can do is choose not to care. All you can control is yourself. When you see the guy you were out with last night holding hands with a gorgeous leggy model in the meatpacking district, you have to let it just roll right off you. When your ex boyfriend/love of your life is with a prostitute on the very same night you must just shrug and brush that dirt off your shoulder. (True story. Tonight in fact. Did I just stop being polite and start getting real?) I am anything but apathetic. But I am learning . . . because in New York, only the strong survive.

In order to be apathetic, you must recognize that you are expendable to most people in your life. Just mentally prepare yourself before you become friends. Thus, most people in your life must be expendable to you. You have to remind yourself that your time doesn't matter to certain friends and so certain friends' time cannot matter to you. It's important to accept that most people will ditch plans with you if they get a better offer. So it follows that when you get a better offer, you must ditch plans these friends. You can't feel guilty. You cannot allow yourself to care. It's not easy for a super reliable, trustworthy person who grew up with strong Protestant values. Unfortunately, it is necessary.

When dealing with men in the city . . . my new mantra: "I am a robot. I will not cry."

Or . . . I could just move.

A Woman's Right to Shoes

They are so much sparklier and beautiful in person. My camera phone sucks.

Someday

You were so blind to let me go
You had it all but did not know
No one you'll find will ever be
Closer to all your dreams than me
Believing the grass would be greener
You told yourself "I just don't need her now"
But I know you'll soon discover
You're never satisfied with any other
Someday Oo Someday
One you gave away will be the only one you're wishing for
Someday hey hey
Boy you're gonna pay 'cause baby I'm the one who's keeping score
You'll change your mind and call my name
Soon as you find they're all the same
And when you find yourself alone
Don't come back crying
You should have known
Believe me I'm not pretending
It's not hard to predict
This ending now
'Cause I know you'll soon discover
You're needing me in spite of all the others
Maybe now you just can't conceive
That there'll ever come a time when you're cold and lonely
Baby, how could you ever believe
That another could replace me
The one and only
But when your down
In your time of need
And you're thinking that you
Might be coming back to own me
Just think again 'cause
I won't need your love anymore!
Someday

Shedding Some Weight

All my stuff is in storage. It's somewhat freeing. All my material possessions were quite a burden to me. They are now the burden of Manhattan Mini Storage. Next mission . . . find a way to mend my broken heart.

Who Can I Run To

I don't really trust anyone but myself. But, I'm trying to learn what areas I can trust each of my friends and family members in to minimize my dissatisfaction. It's much easier to learn who to trust for my clothes. I know I can always count on . . .

Anthropologie for headbands
Lane Bryant for sunglasses
Burberry for outerwear
Brooks Brothers for dress shirts
Lacoste for polos
Marc Jacobs for looking cooler than I actually am
Lilly for church dresses
Sugar for party dresses
Seven for all Mankind for jeans
American Eagle for plaid & argyle skirts left over from high school
Kate Spade for comfortable dress shoes
Sketchers for sneakers
and J Crew for tank tops, t-shirts, sweaters, bikinis, shorts, coats, and everything else

That's why I always just keep going back for more and more and more. If only the people in my life were as consistent . . .

A New Dress

I needed another dress like I need a whole in my head, but who I am to turn down Vineyard Vines. Yay!

Midnight Train to GA

I'm in GA again. But I don't want to talk about it. I got this survey off JGIWC.

Favorite color: Green! Not only is it part of my last name, but it's also the color that can take me from gloomy to happy.
Favorite Brands/Designers: Kate Spade for clothes, Chanel for accessories, and Burberry for outerwear
Favorite Restaurant: Olive Garden. Don't laugh. The salad is just so good. I'm a regular at The Crooked Tree in the East Village and Sala Thai on the Upper East Side.
Hobbies: I don't have any. After finishing with the bar I realizes that school is all I know how to do. I do love to swim and dance but I really need to get a hobby.
Favorite thing about yourself: My ability to stick to my principles.
What does your room look like (color scheme, theme, etc.): I don't have a room right now. If I did, I would want it to have all my collages that friends have made for me throughout my life decorating the walls to remind me of various times when my life was full of lots of friends and fun. It really means a lot to me when people make these for me.
If you could have dinner with 2 people (dead or alive) who would they be: Mariah Carey and Hillary Clinton
What is your next “big splurge”: A Chanel Bag. But who knows when that will be!
What is your favorite joke, quote, or saying: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Anything else you would like us to know about you (random fact)!? I was awarded the title of "most dramatic" in the second grade.

I love it here. Correction. I loved it here.

I have reached rock bottom. I recently moved from the Upper East Side to Harlem and oh what a difference 25 streets make. I can't sleep. It's 3:47 am and I am creeping around my apartment completely afraid for my life. I called my dad because all the shooting outside was scaring me. I told him that I need to move out of my apartment and possibly all the way home to Georgia. That wasn't as scary as when they started shooting into my apartment building. According to the police that just left my apartment a few minutes ago, the apartment below me got shot up and they just barely missed me. I didn't even want to open the door for the police. I was half asleep, half naked, and my peep hole is completely inadequate. I only opened the door on faith that they were truly the police. There is a helicopter circling my building.

This morning three people were stabbed at random. Two people in my subway station and one in a nearby park. There was blood everywhere all day long. I have never seen so much blood.

Saturday night I heard loud yelling and I looked out through the balcony sliding doors. Hundreds of guys were running down the street. They were chasing someone down the block. Then there were gunshots. When I told my sister how scared I was and that I hid in the hallway of my apt because the bedroom is against the street she thought I was paranoid. She said that I am on the 5th floor and that I should be fine. Well I am not fine. I am again crouching in the hallway. I am thinking of what I can do to best avoid having my body penetrated by bullets tonight. Saturday night I became a Republican. Tonight I became a Giuliani supporter. Too far? Sorry.

I had no idea it was this bad up here. I never thought I would willingly let police into my apartment without a warrant. That is who I am now. Someone told me this week that it's time to get out of New York. I think she was right. Praise God that I have survived here for nearly a month, but I didn't suffer through three years of law school just to be randomly stabbed or shot dead in my apt at night. I don't believe my life is any more valuable than any of the poor children who have to suffer through this nightmare with no escape route. I have and escape route and I would be a fool not to take it. So I couldn't even survive one month in a black neighborhood. I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry. I got myself into a dangerous situation and I will get myself out. By any means necessary. I need a lot of prayer.

I do not want to leave the city. I love it here. Correction. I loved it here.

She Wears Short Shorts

Shorts look terrible on me. I recently got my first pair of shorts in about 14 years. It wasn't easy. I hate how they ride up when I sit down and how I get this huge weird hump thing. I love these Lilly ones though:

Callahan Short Printed Poplin

Callahan Short Seersucker

Vineyard Vines has some cute ones too:

Little Palm Patchwork Shorts

Alligators Lazy Shorts

Starfish Shorts

And while I'm on this VV kick, I sure wouldn't mind this super cute dress.

Out to Sea Sundress

Just Added

So I just added some pink and green from Vineyard Vines to my wardrobe.

Turtleback Tank Striped

Compass Rose Cami (in green)

I wish I had arms like the model in that pic!

I've Got Mail

You can tell a lot about me by the address updates I've made since moving: Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, Brooks Brothers, J Crew, J. McLaughlin, Vera Bradley, Town & Country, Cosmo, Seventeen (they still send it to me for free and I don't know why), New York State Bar Association, New York County Lawyer's Association, American Bar Association, University of Minnesota Law School, University of Minnesota, NYU Stern, New York University, and the Official Mariah Carey Fan Club. I hope that's everyone cause I'm beat. Everyone else will just have to find me on their own!

Mother's Day

Moving

I have been without cable and internet for a couple weeks now. It hasn't mattered much because I've been too busy to deal with either. Moving out of my old apartment was emotional for me. It was supposed to be freeing, but instead it's just sad. It was supposed to help me move on. I've now been single for almost 9 months. I'm just as in love with him as I was a year ago and in as much pain as I was the day we broke up. Time has healed nothing.

After being in Georgia for the past week I have realized that you have to give up something crucial no matter where you live. In New York people are intelligent and cosmopolitan, but they don't have strong morals and values. Here people are stupid and ignorant, but they have great morals and values. This is a huge generalization but for the most part it's true.

Count to 1000

You would think that in the past year, with all the drama I've suffered through, that I would have learned not to react so quickly to bad situations. It's not a typical bad temper. I don't go into a crazy rage. I just start reacting emotionally without rationally thinking about the long term consequences. It would be unfair to say that any of my outbursts in the past 8 months or so were unjustified. Yet, I could have made so many situations less painful by being sweet to the people who have hurt and betrayed me. Instead I've confronted them indignantly and emphatically. My reactions don't make anything better. I haven't been doing myself any favors. It's time for a change. The next time someone betrays me, I hope I will just count to 1000.

Glee Loves Kate Spade

Last week it was Rachel and this week it was wearing this fantastic Kate Spade number:



While scouring the internet for this pick I found this super awesome blog. It's called What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear? Rachel's not the only one on glee with good taste. I haven't been writing a lot lately because I am busy looking for the ever elusive Manhattan apartment. I have faith that something will work out. Soon.

Bye Bye Betty

I will miss you dearly.

But not as much as I will miss Amanda. Sniff.

Fashion Inspiration: Rachel Berry

I heart glee. A lot. On this week's episode Rachel Berry, played by Lea Michele, was wearing this Kate Spade top:
While that's the likely the last thing I would purchase from Kate Spade, I love Rachel's style overall.



Ahh it makes me nostalgic for all those plaid pleated skirts I wore in high school.

Fun times . . .

I've been over the big club scene for a long long time. But I still love to dance. The best places to go in the city are places filled with Southern, Midwestern, and New England transplants to the city. This is like the Holy Grail in Manhattan. I have found a couple lately and here they are:

Apotheke

Located in Chinatown, the outside of this place looks like a restaurant and has an attractive doorman to keep the wrong kind of crowd at bay. It has this whole Apothecary theme and the bartenders are the hottest I've seen.

La Zarza


This place is in the East Village and is lots of fun. Good music, though not the best dj. I have never seen so many girls take their Chanel 2.55 reissues to go dancing. Love it!