proof.

You see that picture. That is proof that I am home, in the United States, in New Jersey, with my family. I'm drinking some American coffee and have already polished off two whole wheat everything bagels (I'm not proud of that!).

Of course, I am here for circumstances that are making my heart very heavy. Our hearts are aching but I am comforted by being with my family.

There's no place like home.

What I'm listening to right now:

hugs.

all I really want to say today is this...

when you hug someone, always let them be the first to let go.

what I'm listening to right now:

10 enemies of the couple.

So last night we were looking at the news on yahoo.fr when we saw a feature article:

Les 10 ennemis du couple

When I saw the first one, La télévision, I started laughing so much and grabbing the computer from my guy. It is definitely one of our enemies! We spend so much of our time together watching movies or catching up on American TV via the Internet (our replacement for a TV). We often always eat dinner in front of our computer(s). Our computer(s) act as our connection to the world (the news, means of communication with friends and family, our TV, our radio, uumm everything). From MacBooks to iPhones to iPads to iPods, we are always connected. I think our situation is a little bit different because he works in digital advertising and I don't have the opportunity to go catch a bite with friends and family so instead it's e-mailing, Facebooking, Skyping, Tweeting, blogging, G-chatting... but it is no excuse for the fact that we rarely ever disconnect. Maybe once a week I suggest we eat dinner at our table, and it's always the same scenario. 1) He acts like this is such a bizarre concept 2) I throw a mini temper tantrum 3) We sit at the dinner table.

So last night, after I pried the computer from him, I read the next 9... chuckling the whole time. Consider your own relationship. Are any of these your enemies?

2. slippers (meaning being in the house too much and not getting out)

3. working overtime!!

4. the bathroom door (and other things that come with being comfortable around each other like walking around the house looking like a hot mess and leaving your things lying around)

5. inattention

6. excessive jealousy

7. abstinence

8. the in-laws (or in our case, just the family of your guy or gal)

9. lack of planning for the future (but come on, really... what's wrong with living for the day!?)

10. silence (lack of conversation) - for anyone that knows me, this will never be an issue!!!

 I won't dissect our relationship but I will say that I don't really think of number 9 as an enemy to anyone because I believe in living for the day. I think the opposite - planning for the future - could be an enemy. It would drive me crazy being with someone who was too much of a planner. I have to go grocery shopping like everyday because I can't even plan in advance what I will make for tomorrow's dinner (or tonight's... 3pm... I better get on that). It irritates me when someone says, "What are you doing next Friday?" Next Friday!!!! I'm going to decide next Friday what I'm doing next Friday. 

 My only other comment is that if anyone knows me, number 10 will never be an issue. Lack of silence... quite possibly. 

What I'm listening to right now:

 

does it get any better than this?

wonderful things make wonderful days.

Today was some kind of holy day here. After 4 straight weeks of rain (sprinkled with snow and hail), the sun came out! It was miraculous and beautiful and refreshing and oh, so pleasant. Needless to say, it has been a wonderful few days.

Although this was not a traditional Christmas and it was my first Christmas away from the family, it was wonderful in its own way. We made a bunch of hors d'oeuvres and filled the table with these wonderful treats. We had traditional French things such as toast points with smoked salmon and foie gras (I obviously did not do any eating of that). We had shrimp cocktail, miniature sauce covered crackers with different cheeses and olives on top (and served hot out of the oven), pasta, and cheese (my favorite from the Basque region).

We skyped with my family and watched them open the presents we gave them. We danced in the apartment together. Then, we exchanged gifts.

Christmas day was unusual but equally as wonderful. We started with homemade pancakes, watched five movies, and munched on leftovers throughout the day.

Perhaps it wasn't a traditional Christmas but it was a wonderful weekend spent with a guy who sometimes needs to sit back, relax, and disconnect from his work.

My vacation started today! I spent it doing some returns, catching up on e-mails, driving 45 minutes (and back) to get us Subway foot-longs and just relaxing!

The sky is incredible tonight. There is a crescent moon and the North Star is incredibly bright. Seeing that beautiful sunset on my way home from my extremely unnecessary trip to Subway was a wonderful ending to my relaxing day.

I'm juicing up the iPod now and then I'm off to hit the gym! Any recommendations for workout music?

Well, here's what I'm listening to now:

Merry Christmas.

What I'm listening to right now:

this is such a feel good song.

Listening to this song has been a nice reprieve from my guy playing Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" on repeat. However, although annoying, I do recognize that this gesture is very sweet. 

P.S. Santa thinks I was a very good girl this year!! Santa also saw my post about my favorite things!!! That Santa - he sure is smart!! It's been a very merry day here in France!  :) 

 Missing everyone at home as always - gros bisous!! 

things i love right now

It's the day before Christmas, and I am admittedly a bit somber. So, to brighten up my day, I've compiled this materialistic list of things I love! :) If I can't have family and friends to cheer me up, then by golly, I'm going to have things!

 1. cappuccinos from my Nespresso machine (thank you, Mom!!!) - best gift ever.

2. homemade pancakes (every morning) - with chocolate chips, banana, and coconut inside and topped with hot, fresh fruit

3. shorts with tights (my colleague recently asked me, "Are you feeling hot lately? You've been wearing a lot of shorts.")

photo via people.com

4. my rain boots (as they've become somewhat of a uniform due to the weather)

Steve Madden (purchased last year)

 5. my hooded, puffer jacket (winter essential)

similar to this one from Zara

 6. Christmas lights lining the city (my camera died while in the process of documenting this)

7. layering multi-color headbands

8. black jeans with a shiny (resin) coating on them

H&M

9. high heeled mary janes

Fendi (the dream version)

10. candles (recently went to a Partylite party - overpriced but smell so good!)

11. European bras (they actually make them small enough to fit me! thank you European women for being as flat as me!!)

Topshop

12. stripes and polka dots

Topshop

13. all things gold zippered - pants with zippers, shirts with zippers, boots with zippers

Zara

14. sheer blouses

Elizabeth and James

 15. shiny sweaters - trendy and festive, too

so many affordable (and beautiful) ones at Zara and H&M

 Hmm.. that's all for now. And, I'm not listening to music because it's too early in the morning!! I'm listening to the garbage men - everyone's sexier when they have a French accent! I've been told lately that my French is "endearing".... not exactly what I was going for but it works for now.