Confession Time

I'm a hoarder.  I'm terrified of throwing away old receipts or perfectly good clothes even though they're way to big for me.  I have two bins of clothes stashed away in case I ever return to my normal weight.  In the past I've tried the one in, one out rule and it really doesn't work for me.  I don't know what came over me last week but I just decided I have to stop.  I started throwing out old receipts and documents that I know I'll never need, recycled some magazines, and donated 4 vases my ex gave me.

Two summers ago I moved four times over the course of four months.  It took such a toll on my body that I would absolutely love to be one of those minimalists who has it paired down to just the necessities.  In Manhattan, it's essential to a calm apartment.  So my goal for the summer is to pair down and make my next move an easy one.

Splurge



Stuart Weitzman Espadrilles - Alex Swamp Crochet

All I wanted to do was try on the wedges I put on my wish list yesterday.  I saw a picture of Kate Middleton wearing the Stuart Weitman Minx wedges and thought the corkscrew heel was brilliant for walking through grass.  I tried them on but I liked the crochet style better on me.  Fortunately, they were on sale and I had a couple gift cards so I really didn't spend too much.  I used to hate wedges but I am coming around quickly.

Summer Wish List



Stuart Weitzman Minx in camel



Kate Spade Sailor's Knot Hinge bangle



Goyard St. Louis GM



J Crew Schoolboy Blazer in navy



Halfway

It's only half way through 2012 and I've already been to so many new places this year.  This past weekend was spent in Atlanta & Augusta seeing family.  On my flight home I realized that since February I've taken five rountrip flights.  My resolutions for 2012 definitely included more traveling.  Although I've thoroughly enjoyed all of my trips, I feel like I've barely spent a night in my apartement just relaxing.  I miss seeing my friends regularly and having an easy work week, which doesn't happen if I'm going to be heading out of town.  I think I need a few weeks of staying put in the city to get back on track.

As the midpoint for this year approaches, I decided I should probably check in with my resolutions and I realize that I've done half and I may just be halfway through the best year of my life. 

1. Make at least 25% of my clothing purchases vintage and/or "made in America"
Hasn't been too hard since I've barely made any clothing purchases. 

2. Visit a new American city
Check. (Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami)

3. Visit a new foreign country
(Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland)

4. See Book of Mormon on Broadway
5. Pay off 20% of the principal balance of my student loans.

6. Get item #4 from my fashion bucket list
Check.  I got the Burberry London Double Breasted Short Trench Coat and I'm lovin it.

7. Do one of the following: sky diving, heli-skiing, white water rafting, hang gliding, or ziplining

8. Maintain my weight. I've done it for two years now so I'm feeling pretty confident.
Check.

9. Do NOT buy more than two pair of Kate Spade Karolinas.
I haven't purchased any but I really want the multi glitter.

10. Attend a professional football game
11. Go skinny dipping
12. Get great seats for a concert of one of my favorite artists
13. Read this book I bought months ago about Esther that's supposed to be a really good Bible study

14. Attend a show at the Metropolitan Opera House
Thanks to my friend A I was able to see Macbeth!

15. Help at least two kids improve their reading
only one so far

16. Try Peruvian food just cause I never have
Check.
17. Learn how to hem my own pants
Check.

18. Explore a secret part of New York City
19. Go see the Frick Collection
20. Stop doing things I don't really want to do just to make other people happy.

Back to Work

I've been back from Europe for exactly one week and the thing I am missing the most is the whole pot of hot chocolate I had almost every day at breakfast.  It only took a week but I am finally over the jetlag.  Now it's back to the grind for me.  Since my return I've been trying to catch up on all the shows filling my dvr.  I can't help but notice the Kate Spade and Burberry everyone is wearing.  It's not just Glee anymore.  The stylists on Days of Our Lives, Fairly Legal, and Melissa and Joey seems to shop the same stores that I do.  They're not even being subtle about it.  Oh well.  Here are a few pics from my trip.  We started out in the state of Rheinland Pfalz, Germany where my mom's side of the family lived over 300 years ago.

Bad Kreuznach

Worms

Mouse Tower in Bingen

playing chess in Bingen