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.

feel good.

What I'm listening to right now:

I'm going to take pictures of the city all lit up with lights. Then, I will eat a big meal. After, I plan on falling into a deep food coma. I will wake up tomorrow well rested and well nourished. What I do after that is TBD.... or shall I say, where I go!!

december.

Well, I am back to blogging after what has been a long absence. The truth is... I didn't think I had anything interesting for anyone to read. Then, I realized that it's not others I write for, it's for myself. I love looking back at old posts and seeing where I was and what I was feeling. Writing for me is therapeutic and maybe it's just what I need right now.

December. It's the holiday season and full of cheer. Although the lights in my new city are absolutely stunning and even mesmerizing, I'm far from home and somewhat lost. I know where I am but not where I am going. It's hard for me to be away from family and friends but even more so during this time. Everyone is busy with planning their gatherings and trimming their trees, and I am here with no holiday cheer. I could be starting traditions of my own... but how?

My birthday came and went and maybe now... newly 26... I'm acting childish to be upset (and selfish because people have it much, much worse than me). So, really, I'm embarrassed to say this (because I should be (and am, I promise!!) thankful for all I do have) but it was the first birthday where I didn't talk to my family and I didn't get to open a present. I called my family but no one answered. So far away and so easily forgotten?? Luckily, my best friend had sent me a card - and it was her one card that made me feel loved. It sat alone on the entertainment center. I know this sounds so pitiful but when I'm so far, it's when I even more so want to feel loved. 

So I'm back to the start. I'm back to having this itch to do something more. I want to paint and to add color to these dismal white walls in my apartment. These white walls... it's so boring. How can people actually enjoy white walls? I see the logic - clean, simple... blah. I desperately want to add color and life to this apartment, but it's not mine, it's not even ours, it's a rented apartment with rented furniture so the walls will remain white and the furniture will remain black. Clean and simple it is. I want to add pictures and emotion. Instead, I add throw blankets and bath mats. How exhilarating!!! I'm gasping for a breath of fresh air.

Maybe I'm the kind of person that doesn't like to stand still. I think it's true. I don't even like to walk - I prefer to run. If I have to go somewhere, I'm just going to run there... and perhaps it causes unusual stares when I'm in heels or dressed up, but walking is such a waste of time. And my apartment, I've been here for only seven months - and not even really because I spent six weeks on vacation, but already, I need change. This place has no character. The outdoor terrace was the selling point for me but that's not doing me much good. 3 straight weeks of rain. Then, snow. Sometimes hail. And, more cold rain. 

My vacation starts tomorrow evening. I have one week. Time to live.

Here's what I'm listening to now: 

Her voice is amazing.