Sticky Candy

Dannijo Jewelry

2011-07-28T11:23:00.003-04:00

I loooooooove Dannijo's jewelry and their short film debut!

Angela Chase-isms

2011-07-27T21:42:00.008-04:00

We all love Angela Chase of My So-Called Life. She is so not a CFWG. Anyway, I stumbled upon Thought Catalog's Angela Chase-ism for the week (written by Collier Meyerson, also author of Carefree White Girl), and it happens to be on interracial relationships. It's worth a read--and brings up some interesting questions and observations about race and romantic relationships.

Why the interest on my part, you ask? My husband is white, and I identify as black and multiracial, but that's another story for a different day. Read the article below!

Angela Chasisms: Existential moments when you feel like the way you’re thinking about something is exactly the way that Angela Chase would think about the same thing, so you like, think about it, like in that way, that like, she does. This week: Attraction.

ON ATTRACTION

When someone asks you what your “type” is you know exactly what they mean and you know exactly how to answer. There is this entire coding system that we’ve adopted to answer that question without sounding, like, racist. When you hear someone say with a twinge of exoticism in their tone: “I like brunettes with dark features” you know that they’re talking about a “Jewish,” Moorish or, like, Middle Eastern looking person. They don’t need to name it. Or, someone will say: “Oh Jack? He only dates dark chicks. Isn’t that so weird? Would you have guessed?” That means that Jack only dates brown or black women and because it’s something to note, Jack is probably white. And yet, more often than not you’ll hear: “I don’t have a type, I just date whoever, I really am attracted to so many different ‘types.’” And on some level those people are probably telling the truth. But that doesn’t mean that they actually date the people they purport to be attracted to.

Most times, when you actually look around, people date people that looklike them. Intellectually, we all know that white people aren’t only attracted to other white people. I mean, secretive interracial relations during slavery prove that people of different races have always been, like, carnally into one another. But when it comes to being publicly with someone outside of your race, it’s like, a thing

I guess attraction is learned, like, algebra, or, something. So, then what about people that have been in actual interracial relationships? Are they trailblazers? Did they have to, like, unlearn the behaviors so many of us can’t seem to break from? I guess, in a way, it’s sort of heartbreaking to think about all of these people that could be together that won’t, because they can’t like, step outside of themselves

I once learned of this guy, James W. Rouse who developed one of America’s first “planned communities” in Columbia, Maryland in, like, the late ‘60s or something. His hope was to gather people from different races, ethnicities and socio-economic classes and put them together in one place so that the civil rights legislation of the 1960s could have proof that a pro-active, self-sustaining integrated society could, like, actually exist. It was pretty forward thinking I guess. I wonder how much it worked. A part of me wishes we were all forced to live in planned communities. I envision every town and city having these billboards all over the place (no longer owned by Clear Channel) where instead of a white couple drinking Corona there’d be, like, an interracial couple drinking Budweiser. And the slogan would read “The American type of Beer.”

In other news...

2011-07-20T12:36:00.004-04:00

It's husby's birthday today!

Want.

2011-07-20T10:18:00.007-04:00

{Christian Louboutin Fred Flat}

I would wear these every single day until the day I die. Sparkles! Louboutins! Flats! Everything I love in one shoe for only $595! HA. Unfortunately, I can't roll like that and because it's not my birthday, anniversary or Christmas, I probably can't convince my husby that I need these...unless I can--John? What's that you say? No?

Because it is too damn hot.

2011-07-18T09:12:00.002-04:00

“I enjoy being indoors. I enjoy laying on couches, snacking, and reading (watching TV). Summer sucks because it is the only season when, if I want to do this in the middle of a gorgeous day, people (my children) look at me like I’m a disgusting person. Well, guess what? It’s 90 degrees out there, it’s 68 degrees in here, and this episode of The Bachelorette isn’t going to watch itself.”

- Adam Scott, on why he hates summer

Truer words have never been spoken. HE IS SO WISE.

{quote found via All Things Alishan}

Eau Flirt? NO flirt.

2011-07-14T16:05:00.006-04:00

Apparently men become sexually aroused when smelling pumpkin pie and lavender, which led me to devise a really awesome equation that I am sure nobody has ever come up with. Then I made a love potion that I decided to market as a perfume using said equation:

SEX= FOOD x FLOWERS

Oh wait, I'm not that crafty. T'his morning while perusing the NY Times {cover to cover...no, psike, I was online, reading only the fashion and style section while pretending to pay attention to the front page news}, I came across a perfume called Eau Flirt, a scent that supposedly attracts men...and their penises. No, seriously. The perfume uses "ingredients like pumpkin, lavender and licorice shown to increase penile blood flow".

Cool, except I know that smelling something that reminds me of pie only makes me hungry. But then again, I'm not a guy.

I am more concerned that the general public truly believes that there is a perfume out there that has been created specifically to attract men because of pheromones and things like baked goods. WE ARE BEING DOUSED IN B.S., ladies! I understand that smells can trigger certain responses, but I'm pretty sure that NOTHING you spray on yourself will make someone fall in love with you. This person will may comment on how you smell nice, or nuzzle your neck with a little more vigor, but regular perfume would seem to do the trick, right? Or you know, soap.

I think I'm insulted...but maybe I should be proud of the fact that I attracted my husband with just my natural body odor?

Check out the article here.

How to settle disputes like a grown-up.

2011-07-06T12:37:00.003-04:00

Have a nice game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Best out of 7 wins.

Having a win after 1 round? Lame. A win out of 7? AWESOME.

Plus, you sharpen your RPS skillz something fierce.

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T12:21:00.005-04:00

Why don't you celebrate by wearing this:

While having one of these:

As you watch some of these!

{Just make sure you don't come out looking like THIS}:

HAPPY 4th!!!

On being a grown-up.

2011-07-01T14:05:00.004-04:00

Dialogue from a few nights ago:

Danielle: Ew. Come look at this! It's so gross. I think it even smells. Sick.

John: How long has this been in there?

D: I dunno...like, a few months? Maybe...six months?

J: I'm not picking that up. This is your problem.

D: Ew. EW. It's like a science experiment. I can't clean it, I'm scared.

J: I think that it's beyond cleaning.

D: Will you please throw it out? I cleaned your bathroom the other day and you owe me.

J: This is not how this stuff works, this marriage is a partnership.

D: Right...so you'll throw it out?

J: How is this my responsibility?

D: Because I cleaned your bathroom and that was your responsibility which you shirked, so you have to make it up to me. Plus, I'm only afraid of two things: smelly mold and spiders, and I have only asked you to kill a spider like, once.

J {holds up "science experiment" and proceeds to dry-heave}: I've never seen anything like this before.

D: You need to double-bag that shit. No, triple-bag it and then put it in a garbage bag. Maybe you should spray some Febreze. Oh, God, I can't even...

J: Okay...Here's the plan. We'll save the lid, but toss everything else. I'm going to need you to hold the bag open so that I can dump it in quickly. Hold your breath, okay?

D: No! Wait! I can't, I can't! {shrieks loudly...glass shatters.}

{J, looking green, dumps the offending mass into the garbage bag, takes the bag and sprints to the trash room. The chute opens and closes, and I hear J take a deep breath and gag. He comes back in.}

J: I don't want to talk to you right now.

D: Do you want some baked ziti?

On awkward exchanges.

2011-06-30T18:13:00.003-04:00

I am the Queen of Awkward.
...

....

.....

See? That was just awkward.

I'm just one of those people. I'm all like, "hi..." to someone and then cross the street in the middle of the conversation to get away from said person. RUDE. STRANGE.

I try, I do, but sometimes an exhange comes along that has just SO MUCH POTENTIAL to be awkward. And my social ineptitude does nothing except to exacerbate the situation.

Like the time I was mistaken for a white woman...

Yes.

It happened. Last Friday.

In a passport office no less, when I was being fingerprinted (no felons allowed in the USA).

BY ANOTHER PERSON OF COLOR.

What did I do?

Blinked a few times. Stared. Then I am pretty sure I made some awkward/sarcastic joke about my newfound racial/ethnic background which definitely did not seem to have the desired effect on my intended audience. So then I stood there as he took my fingerprints, feeling like a weird ~~impostor~~ criminal AND THEN I RAN. All the way until I reached the exit. And then I realized that I had left all of my stuff waiting on the chair and had to turn around.

I'm surprised I wasn't escorted out in handcuffs. Or you know, sent back to Canada. See? AWKWARD.

Turband

2011-05-11T10:05:00.003-04:00

{Classy bathroom shot from fone}

Good morning, I am wearing a turband. To work. Yes.

Directions:

(1) Take scarf and fold them together so it looks like a triangle.

(2) Continue folding until it looks like a men's tie.

(3) Tie a knot at the front of your head. Feel free to tie another one.

(4) Take ends of the scarf, bring them to the back of your head.

(5) Tie, and all done!

Or...you can just look and see how The Man Repeller does it. Ready, steady, repel!

In the practice of law...

2011-05-10T12:06:00.004-04:00

...I have learned that it is unacceptable to wear any other colors besides gray, white, black, and beige. ~~Screw~~ Sue me.

Danielle Fail Whale- 0

Legal Profession- 1

Crisp-y cravings.

2011-05-09T10:52:00.005-04:00

{sometimes walker's even has classy giveaways, like hiding a a 20 pound note inside the bag!}

My post titles are getting funnier and funnier as I go along (really, I am so clever). So as many of you know--okay, all of you because who am I kidding, I tell everyone I come across--I lived in England for a glorious 2 years of my life, spanning the amazingly awkward ages of 9-11 (my awkward stage began and lasted waaaaay after it should have, but that's a story for another time. My awkward photos are ones for the ages, I tell you).

Why is this relevant today of all days, you ask?

Because who doesn't dream every day for a bag of Walkers Prawn Cocktail Crisps? A true prawn and cocktail flavor in EVERY SINGLE BITE. I mean, I cannot even begin to explain how delicious it is, but the name helps. I mean, "Shrimp Chips" doesn't quite have the same ring to it. Plus, since I am allergic to real prawns (and real lobsters, and real crabs, and real scallops), eating prawn cocktail flavor chips is a great alternative to death.

Lots of people hate British food, but considering that my West-Indian, British-bred parents force fed me baked beans and black pudding since birth, it's only natural that I come out loving perhaps the most disgusting flavor of Walkers crisps created to this date. At least, that's what my brothers said, but they only loved the cheese and onion flavor-- not even the pickled onion Monster Munch-- just plain c&o. Boring.

Hey! I like scones as much as the next person, but I also like curry and bangers...together! And chips for tea time! Who's with me?

Too bad a 48-pack of these babies is $42, plus like $20 shipping. It's probably because they are all healthy and organic and shit. I guess that's the price you pay for wanting 70% less saturated fat.

Guess what?

2011-05-06T11:07:00.006-04:00

I am being all sorts of grown up and attempting to buy a house with husby. Naturally, I thought that everything would fall into place, and I would have a house like this in no time:

Naturally, we bought it, and we can't wait to move in and have a million babies! Psike. Fooled you, didn't I? Oh yes, and by buying a house, I mean apartment. A tiny, tiny apartment.

Seriously though, buying an apartment is incredibly daunting and a massive, massive learning experience. One of the hardest things that I have had to deal with is what I can actually live with and what will actually drive me crazy, like my willingness to entertain the fact that I'm handy enough to combat anything: Oh yeah, I'll totally repair that hole in the floor on my own. For now, we can just put a rug over it!

I've found that Apartment Therapy has some good tips regarding purchasing a house, but I would love to hear about any tips YOU have for first-time apartment buyers. Any advice?

Yes.

2011-05-05T11:47:00.002-04:00

{Vogue}

Target's newest designer collaboration? MISSONI. YES.

Calvin and Hobb(i)es.

2011-05-05T10:40:00.003-04:00

{Are you impressed?}

I am lonely. Husband took a new job which requires him to be in Virginia for the entire month of May (cue sobs in fetal position). However, I have discovered several new things to keep me happy. Like spending 3 hours playing with the Vignette phone application for my Android and pondering important meaning-of-life questions like: "Is drowning onstage still a magic trick if you weren't planning it?"

I LOVE HOBBIES.

Hay thar.

2011-05-03T12:22:00.001-04:00

Care to read along?

Oh Land

2011-05-03T10:57:00.002-04:00

This lady has been making the rounds (and playlists).

Braid inspiration

2011-05-02T11:57:00.004-04:00

{photos from Jeana Sohn}

Love these braids...maybe one day I will be able to attempt some on my own head!

Waking up from a long, deep sleep.

2011-05-02T10:54:00.003-04:00

The sun is shining, it's warm, and I finally feel like I can breathe a little bit more easily.

You see, this is because I am happy. The kind of happy that makes you uncontrollably wiggle every part of your body in delight.

Some little things that have made me a very happy girl in the past few weeks:

Babies

Quiet libraries

Looking for pretty houses

Friendship bracelets

My little family (you + me = holding your hand will forever I be)

Ranunculus in a bright, cheery red

Weddings

New shoes

Happy Monday, lovelies. Go find something that makes you happy. You deserve it.

Relief soon, I hope.

2011-02-25T21:16:00.006-05:00

{Yeah, that's a super large Starbucks coffee, two Five-Hour Energy drinks (never again), and a big ol' can o' Red Bull. It was like, 9am when I took this picture. Ish was all gone by 11.}

I spent every. single. day. this week (and all of last weekend...and maybe tomorrow, if I'm so lucky. meh.) in a 2x4 windowless law school study room for hours at a time. I had minimal contact with everybody in my life, including my family, my husband, and my dear law school friends who had their own exams and papers to prepare for. Exams are never fun. Here's to a relaxing weekend and great 3 months of co-op quarter.

Yes, they are!

2011-02-15T18:59:00.003-05:00

You love Erin. I love Erin. Erin loves James. I love James. And I especially love that my dear, darling friend is so unbelievably happy.
xx

Sweets

2011-01-19T16:24:00.005-05:00

{Why yes, I DID bake these myself...}

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and at this house, there is a particular girl who LOVES the holiday.

Yes, that would be me. However, the appeal does not lie in flowers and bold romantic gestures--it lies in THE SWEETS.

I mean, who doesn't love conversation hearts and red jelly candies? I'm the ultimate consumer (get it?). In fact, I may or may not have bought the Lofthouse cookies featured above and already eaten 3 of them (in about 6 minutes).

Is there anybody else out there who loves this holiday just for the sweets like me?

It doesn't help that Erin sent me this Flickr group to look at...

Monday as a Sunday

2011-01-17T18:32:00.005-05:00

I have the blues.

Schedule

I woke up at 6:30 to say goodbye to John who left to go on another business trip across the country for a week (I hate your world tour. I am ready for it to end).

Then I fell back asleep until 1:30. Despite the fact that I had (have) homework to do.

I woke back up with a pulled muscle in my side. I tried to stretch it out. Failed.

After 2173891237 Advil tablets, I felt better. Slightly.

Did homework. Cried. Sighed. Ate some Cheetos. Cried some more. Felt sick from eating too many Cheetos. Then felt fat.

And now it's 6:30pm and I don't feel any better than I did at 6:30 this morning.

I hate Sundays disguised as Mondays.

Tiger Mothers

2011-01-14T18:48:00.006-05:00

{Google Images}

I know, I know, I am a WHOLE WEEK LATE with this breaking news item, but um...wow. How do I even respond to an article like this? Maybe Amy Chua just missed the mark in terms of what she was trying to convey (and I really, sincerely hope this is true)...but I feel like I see a lot of sterotypes in this article, and I am not comfortable with it.

Also- the proposed parenting techniques (uhmmm, like calling your daughter "garbage" in front of guests) kind of make me want to die.

Side note: When Chua also says that she uses the words "Chinese mother" loosely, and that she knows some other (namely Jamaican/West Indian, ahem) mothers who qualify as well? My parents never used any of those emotionally abusive techniques. Yes, I couldn't watch TV or play video games, but I did get to choose my own adventures.

What do you think? She is also a Yale Law professor. Oh man. Law. Lawyers. My chosen profession, ah.

I like what Jezebel has to say on the topic.

Blue Valentine

2011-01-12T18:31:00.005-05:00

I'm trying to see every single nominated movie before the award season commences, and last night I watched Blue Valentine.

This is a difficult movie to get through, but I thought both Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling turned in such raw performances. I was really impressed with them--and the vulnerability they brought to their characters. Michelle Williams actually said that she and Ryan Gosling weren't able to see each other after the movie wrapped because it felt like they were actually going through a breakup. You can tell.

There was so much drama surrounding this movie and its original rating of NC-17 because of a particularly explicit oral sex scene. However, Harvey Weinstein appealed, and the movie ended up with an R rating. Also- all the sex in the movie? Realistic, but not graphic (well, emotionally it is). Just sayin'.

Warning: I spent an hour after the film sobbing--but I guess that's what I get for watching a movie re: the disintegration of a marriage when you have only been married for 7 months and your husband is away on a business trip.

Sunday

2011-01-09T11:50:00.004-05:00

The King's Speech

2011-01-08T16:02:00.004-05:00

{photo: google images}

Amazing. Please go see it (especially if it's on a snowy, gray day like the one here in Boston).

Belated New Years Resolutions!

2011-01-06T10:37:00.012-05:00

For ALL of 2010, I have been the most sporadic blogger ever. I would like to blame it on law school, and planning a wedding, then HAVING a wedding, but honestly, that would be a lie. I'm just crazy...and by crazy, I meant to say LAZY. Plus, I'm still trying to show my husband my commitment to this blog- he dared me way back in 2008 to start a blog and keep it up--or rather, he said he didn't believe I could keep a blog up, so naturally, challenge accepted.

Anyway, my New Year's Resolution is to post on this blog more than 29 times in a year. And to take more pictures. There's nothing like shameless promotion! Plus, my Mom really likes them.

I love reading other people's personal blogs--and stalking all of their lovely photos. Some examples? Aura Joon, Taza + Husband, Marvelous Kiddo, A Cup of Jo, and Honestly...WTF. All so different, but so wonderful and joyful!

Further New Year's Resolutions:

Live life freely
Do more yoga
Eat less candy

Try to cry only 5 times a week .

And, in the spirit of shameless self-promotion, I posted some wedding photos that I received last weekend (yes, instead of New Year pictures). Because honestly, this is what I want my life to be like every day.

Happy 2011!

J. Crizz deliciousness

2010-09-27T17:40:00.004-04:00

Want. No, sorry. NEED.
J.Crew

A sustainable city.

2010-09-26T11:55:00.015-04:00

{photo via The New York Times}

While reading the New York Times this morning, I came across this interesting article which discusses the world's first zero-carbon city.

Masdar City will be built in Abu Dhabi-- a place best-known for its ridiculous architecture and man-made, palm-shaped archipelagos. It's a pretty awesome concept, and it's a concept that is actually being realized- Masdar City combines the aesthetic of old Arab settlements with old-world techniques to cool the city down (interesting facts: most communities in this region (1) were built on hills to take advantage of stronger winds, and (2) had tall, hollow "wind tunnels" to funnel down air to street level).

So, you ask. Where's the new? 90% of power for the city will be solar, and the other 10% will be generated by incinerating waste. Masdar will be closed to combustion-engine vehicles, and the electric cars that replace them will be underground. Pretty neat, huh?

I think it's such an interesting idea, and it's one that's actually taking place. What do you think about this project? What kind of city will Masdar actually be?

Check out Masdar City's website.

Florence and the Machine

2010-09-22T07:41:00.003-04:00

I became hip to Florence and the Machine approximately 2378937489 years after everyone else. I know that everyone loves "Dog Days are Over", but I thought I'd post another one of her songs which I happen to like more.
It's full of lights and sparkle and whimsy- perfect for Sticky Candy, no?

Tacos Locales!

2010-09-19T16:19:00.009-04:00

My friend Ruben is bringing his Tacos Locales to the 2011 City of Boston Food Truck Challenge, and I couldn't be more excited! The City of Boston Food Truck Challenge is a competition to establish mobile food and/or beverage vending on Boston City Hall Plaza (see more here), and Ruben and his business partner Josh have made their way into the semifinals!

It's no secret that I love Mexican food. Like, love Mexican food so much that I eat it multiple times a week, and I'm pretty sure that I'm on a first name basis with the staff at every local Mexican establishment in the Boston/Cambridge area. What I really like about Ruben's food truck idea is that he keeps it simple--and local. Here's the food concept:

Tacos Locales is defined by its fusion of authentic cuisine made with local ingredients. Cheeses in the style of Mexican fresh cheeses will be sourced from artisanal producers such as Fiore Di Nonno in Somerville. Quality meat and seafood components will be spiced and slow cooked in accordance with regional Mexican traditions.

Primary produce such as: corn, jalapenos, habaneros, tomatoes, melons, berries, lettuce, bitter greens, radishes, cilantro, and onions will be sourced seasonally. Some of the Massachusetts farmers we plan to partner with are Verill Farm, Drumlin Farm, Kimball Farm, and Pio Angelini.

Tacos are a quick and portable food option, and will be vital to the success of the Tacos Locales truck. However, a commitment to authentic, slowly prepared foods will be more obvious in other menu items which focus on street food traditions of Western and Southern Mexico. Also, Tacos Locales will be unique in offering traditional Latin American beverages. Prepared with fresh fruit, they are a great alternative to soft drinks.

Sounds pretty neat, huh? Simple, delicious food with fresh ingredients(note their belief in the wonderful slow food movement)? Bring on the tacos!

Cast your vote here!

Yesss, wedding!

2010-09-17T16:20:00.005-04:00

{images by the amazing Carla Ten Eyck}

I'm so excited that our wedding was featured on not one, but TWO amazing wedding blogs this week. This one here, and this one here.

I cannot begin to reiterate how unbelievably amazing this day was. So full of love, joy, and spirit!

Happy weekends!

THIS is how a man should dress.

2010-09-14T19:27:00.003-04:00

{via the sartorialist}

"I like myself and I have a lot of other great qualities as well..."

2010-09-14T18:08:00.003-04:00

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

My heart burst into a million tiny pieces when I saw this video for the first time this past weekend. What a genuinely sweet and touching little video.

Reboot

2010-09-13T09:52:00.003-04:00

Yes, hi, I'm back.

I unintentionally took the whole summer off from blogging.

Well, more like the entire year. But I miss it. I don't think I realized how much I enjoy blogging as a pasttime.

So, hi, hi, I'm here. I'm alive!

I have a whole bunch of new ideas for this blog. Excitement!

Wear your nylons.

2010-06-29T21:28:00.006-04:00

I've been thinking about all the brouhaha surrounding Debrahlee Lorenzana, the Citibank employee who says she was fired for being too sexy, claiming that her bosses at Citibank axed her for her (ahem) assets which were "too distracting" to her male colleagues.

This story is interesting to me- not just because of the "sexy lady factor" and the "woman working in a man's world" slant (which, I believe is all of us)--but also because I am in the process of interviewing for my first legal co-op, which comes with some strict rules on how to dress.

I am no stranger to harassment and finger-pointing in the workplace. In my very first job out of college, I was called into my boss's office after one week to be informed that my attire was inappropriate and that "it's hard to believe that anybody does work around here with her dressing like that." It turned out that the person who reported me "mistook" me for someone else. I didn't get an apology, but I was left feeling like HR hated me and the only thing I could wear to the office was a paper bag.

I understand the importance of dressing appropriately, and always make a point to follow the dress code, wherever I work. My workplace attire has never been inappropriate, but ever since my encounter at the above company, I find that I continuously question myself whenever I have to make a choice about what to wear to work. You see, the thing is, I don't really have a choice in what to wear to work--not if I want a job!

And yes, I do want a job (even if it's unpaid)! However, apparently there are some stringent rules regarding the dress code: I've been told to wear "nothing too flashy" because I "didn't want to take away from what you're actually there for". Stockings must cover bare legs, and shoulders must be covered up. Suits may only be navy, gray, or black, and I must wear sensible heels. Hair should be up and pulled back neatly.

I will follow these rules and I won't purposefully deviate from them, but I wonder, what would happen if I ended up not interviewing in separates AND I forgot to wear nylons? This happened to me on Friday, as I rushed back to Boston at a very high speed to get to a job interview. I threw on a work dress and a blazer and scraped my hair back, but I forgot to wear nylons. I didn't get the job--even though I really wanted it, and now I am convinced it is because the interviewer saw my bare legs and said "Nope, this is not our girl. She has bare legs and that is inappropriate. She can't work here."

This is dramatic, I know, but what would happen if this were the real reason I didn't get the job? After all, I certainly have judged people who have come in for interviews based on their overall presentation. Who determines what is presentable? And why can't we show a little bit of personality in our look? Is it because of judgment? Is it because people really believe that beauty is distracting? Is it because of the knuckle-grazing Neanderthals who can't keep it together every time a woman (or a man) goes by?

Dammit, I can do my job without being distracted by bare legs--and I'm pretty sure that lots of other people can too.

How I feel at this moment.

2010-06-29T16:44:00.002-04:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

2010-06-26T13:38:00.001-04:00

I have been playing Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in my car with the windows down for several days now. It's raw rock and roll with a tiny country tinge, according to husby :). My favorite songs from the new album are "Paris", "Colors", "Tiny Light", and the last song on the album which I can't seem to remember right now.

I suggest you listen to the album turned up loud with bare feet and a popsicle.

Plus, it doesn't really hurt that she's a little hottie, does it?

Website here.

Marriage

2010-06-25T19:26:00.002-04:00

"there is no greater risk than matrimony.

but there is nothing happier than a happy marriage."

--benjamin disraeli, 1870

I got married to the love of my life on June 19, 2010. Best day of my life.

I am so bad.

2010-05-30T21:57:00.003-04:00

Uhmmm, considering my last post was about 3 months ago, it's about time I get back to this blogging thing.

Time has gone by incredibly fast. I finished my first year of law school (to start again on Tuesday- NOT looking forward to it), had my "last night out" (bachelorette party), and have spent an insane amount of time worrying/figuring out last-minute details of my wedding.

I would like to say that I'm calm, cool and collected but that would be one giant lie. I now have less than a month until the wedding, and we're still waiting for responses and trying to tie up loose ends. There is much more to do than I even suspected...though my fiance did tell me that he's got the entire groom's side accounted for--which I think makes him more on top of the ball with me, which is bad, bad, bad.

Right now we're picking out music for the reception which is proving to be a little more difficult than I expected. We're trying to figure out how we can connect everyone's musical tastes, and how to guarantee that everyone will get up and dance (I'm a huge fan of dancing at any time I deem acceptable--which is most of the time). My parents want reggae and soca, I want some Lady Gaga (it's true, don't hate) and Michael Jackson, the older generation would like some Frank Sinatra, and I am sure my family-in-law would like some traditional Irish music.

Such a mix of musical genres can be great--but I've also been to weddings where this has completely failed. I'm nervous! Maybe if I listen to our eclectic playlist I'll feel a little better. See you soon!

An interesting read.

2010-03-24T14:26:00.004-04:00

I took a hiatus from writing about race on this blog for a little bit, but because the discussion of race and ethnicity and how it plays into American culture is a discussion that is ongoing, I'm back on the subject. This is mostly because I am incensed that the word "Negro" is on the census this year, and "Latino/a" is not. It's 2010, folks.

I've been spending a lot of time on Racialicious and listening to Mixed Chicks Chat recently. Both forums have interesting discussions about the issues that impact mixed-race and minority individuals. They cover everything from racial identity, the use (or misuse) of words, to the absurdities that mixed raced people often face.

Like I've said before, I consider myself to be black and multiracial. Black, because that is the way society views me, and multiracial because my mixed roots are too prevalent to deny. I prefer to define myself as multiracial.

While playing around on Racialicious the other day, I came across the posting "The 'What are You' Game: Rules and Regulations". It's a bit snarky, but perhaps it can offer a little insight into the world of those of us who don't necessarily occupy just one box.

Here's the post:

Try to imagine, for a moment, how you might start to react to this question when asked regularly over the course of your life:

You’re a child and – over and over – people come to you (adults, children, teachers, whomever) and ask you what you are, with no context clues suggesting that you are playing “let’s pretend.” It’s not Halloween. You’re not wearing an elaborate costume. No, they are honestly questioning your identity in a way that so thoroughly strips you of pride, humanity, and belonging – and doing so as if it’s just a matter of course, and fully acceptable to do.

They are not asking about who you are – your interests, what you do, the important people in your life. They are simply asking you what you are, and in such a self-entitled manner that turning you into a thing like that comes with the expectation that you’ll give them the answer they want without any negative reactions.

Imagine what that does to a kid’s sense of identity, their self-esteem. Imagine the message it sends them about their place in the world. It’s no wonder that the majority of mixed folks I have known have – at some point – considered themselves isolated and without community.

An ethnically-ambiguous kid (or adult) will never be able to avoid this question (or similar variants). It’s going to come at them throughout their lives, often at the most unexpected times. Most ambiguous people have to figure out how to deal with this on their own through trial and error – seldom does anybody else help them navigate this particular aspect of their lives.

The “What are You?” Game (U.S. Edition) Rules and Regulations

Minimum 2 players, no maximum.

Object: You.

Goal: Retain as much dignity as possible while dealing with racial ignorance.

Materials: All you need is yourself – an ethnically-ambiguous human being – and somebody else’s lack of respect.

GAME PLAY

Be born into this world. Interact with other human beings. Game-play should ensue shortly.

When to Play/Who to Play With: The “What are You?” Game can be played at any time, anywhere. It can be played with friends and family, but is best played with casual acquaintances and outright strangers. Any time another human being asks you the question “What are You?,” the Game has begun, and your humanity can be earned or lost. Again, it is important to stress that this can happen at any time, as ignorance has no concept of appropriate boundaries and/or timing.

GETTING STARTED

Game-play is commenced once another person (“the Asker”) asks you (“the Person”) “What are You?” It is then your turn.

POSSIBLE PLAYS

- “Just Deal” – this technique entails humoring the Asker and just giving them the response they are looking for (i.e. your racial/ethnic background); least time-consuming, but will cost you 5 Humanity Points (HPs), paid to the Asker

- “Go Off” – if you give in to anger and let your Asker know exactly what you think about their questioning, you have elected to “Go Off;” “Going Off” usually involves expletives, loud volume, and possibly aggressive physical movement; “Going Off” might feel better at the time, but it costs 8 HPs, paid to the Asker, as they leave the situation believing that you are “oversensitive,” “irrational,” or “dangerous,” possibly reinforcing their own racial and/or gender stereotypes

- “Play Dumb” – choosing to act like you don’t know what the Asker is getting at means you are “Playing Dumb;” “Playing Dumb” involves asking questions like “What do you mean?” or giving answers like “Pisces,” “a lawyer,” “the Queen of Dance,” or “a carbon-based life-form;” a “self-entertaining” tactic, “Playing Dumb” can leave you with 0 to 5 HPs, depending on the Asker’s reaction: a confused look allows you to break-even at 0, while having your Askers explain themselves and possibly understand the disrespect inherent in their question can earn you 5 HPs

- “Flip the Script”* – this tactic involves turning the question back on the Asker (similar to the “Playing Dumb” technique of asking questions); “Flipping the Script” involves a response of “What do you think I am?” which subsequently changes the power-dynamic, as your Asker will now feel uncomfortable, wanting to make the right “guess” without exposing the obvious ignorance that caused them to ask in the first place; also “self-entertaining,” “Flipping the Script” earns 2 HPs.

- “Create-a-Play” – players are not limited to the above tactics; creating your own plays not only increases your problem-solving skills, but can also increase the richness of the overall game; “Create-a-Plays” are self-scoring - earning up to 5 HPs for plays that enhance self-dignity and/or cause the Asker to become aware of people outside of themselves; losing up to 5 HPs for plays that decrease self-pride and/or cause the Asker to feel “right”

*Game-Note: “Flipping the Script” can also lead to playing other Ethnically-Ambiguous-based games such as: The “What do You Think I Am?” Game (make note of all the different responses to the question you get, see if you can guess other people’s assumptions based on environment, other person’s background, etc.) and the “What Can I Convince Them I Am?” Game (try different body-language, outfits, etc. to see if you can elicit a specific, incorrect guess).* (*3)

CONTINUATION

New “Askers” or “Persons” can join in at any time. Game play continues indefinitely, “Persons” and “Askers” taking turns playing tactics or responding until physically separated or “understanding” occurs.

HOW TO WIN

Unfortunately, due to the unending nature of this game, there is no way to achieve a final, decisive “victory.” However, if you can keep your head up and realize that the other players are doing so out of ignorance, and that it has nothing to do with you personally, then you are a “winner.” Being however you feel best in the world – no matter other people’s ridiculous opinions and/or questions – also results in a “win.”

And I agree- the most important thing is that you identify however YOU want to- not just how others (especially the majority) want to define you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T14:03:00.003-05:00

Hope you get lots of sweet treats and love today.

Speaking of Colors...

2010-02-12T14:10:00.003-05:00

This is what my wedding is gonna look like. Pretty sweet, No? I LOVE having no color scheme.

Cry Me a River, John Mayer

2010-02-12T11:36:00.009-05:00

A lot of other people have written about John Mayer's Playboy interview where he spouts a bunch of racist garbage and women hate.

I don't hate John Mayer's music. I don't love it, but I'm not offended when it comes on the radio. However, after reading this interview, I can safely say that I hate John Mayer and I think he is a ignorant, misogynistic asshole.

Yes, these are strong words, but when you're in the public eye and you say the kind of crap that John Mayer did, someone needs to say something.

John Mayer, maybe you thought you were being funny, but ignorance is never okay.

Here are a few highlights from the interview:

That’s why black people love me.

PLAYBOY: Because you’re very?

MAYER: Someone asked me the other day, “What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?” And by the way, it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a ni**er pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.’”

PLAYBOY: It is true; a lot of rappers love you. You recorded with Common and Kanye West, played live with Jay-Z.

MAYER: What is being black? It’s making the most of your life, not taking a single moment for granted. Taking something that’s seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you’ll die inside. Not to say that my struggle is like the collective struggle of black America. But maybe my struggle is similar to one black dude’s.

PLAYBOY: Do black women throw themselves at you?

MAYER: I don’t think I open myself to it. My d*ck is sort of like a white supremacist. I’ve got a Benetton heart and a f*ckin’ David Duke c*ck. I’m going to start dating separately from my d*ck.

PLAYBOY: Let’s put some names out there. Let’s get specific.

MAYER: I always thought Holly Robinson Peete was gorgeous. Every white dude loved Hilary from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.And Kerry Washington. She’s superhot, and she’s also white-girl crazy. Kerry Washington would break your heart like a white girl. Just all of a sudden she’d be like, “Yeah, I sucked his d*ck. Whatever.” And you’d be like, “What? We weren’t talking about that.” That’s what “Heartbreak Warfare” is all about, when a girl uses jealousy as a tactic.

I'm sorry, WHAT? The only thing better than this is his narcissistic, RIDICULOUS apology:

Idiot.

We Love Colors!

2010-02-11T22:31:00.009-05:00

Lately, I've found myself experimenting with outfits that incorporate different textures and patterns, but they've all been in the same blah colors because for some reason, I started subscribing to the rule that in the winter, you don't wear color. The only bit of color I incorporate comes in the form of headbands/"headgear", massive necklaces, or flower pins. Or, when I'm feeling saucy, red lipstick.

That's all well and good, but I am tired of the grey and the dark, so I NEED SOME COLOR in my life. I started with redecorating my study, which is now an explosion of primary colors- red, yellow and blue. It's like a kindergarden classroom for grownups (perhaps I was inspired by hubby-to-be's place of work...).

Next up, my wardrobe. I just discovered the best company in the world that I want to share with you. We Love Colors is a company that specializes in bright, bright hoisery. I know, I know, hoisery is not exactly "clothing" per se, but their saturated rainbow colors add such a pop of color to your outfit that immediately, you feel better. Look how amazing this girl looks (in the snow, no less!):

{dreamecho}

They also have TIE-DYED tights. How can you not love this?

I mean, doesn't EVERYONE LOVE COLORS?

Scholar Ladies(Get an A on it)

2010-02-10T22:27:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Jezebel's Margaret Hartmann, I found this video. I, too would much rather hear young girls singing "You should have got an A on it" instead of "putting a ring on it" ('cause even though I'm getting married, I'm 25 and getting my law degree-in hopes of "getting an A on it").

Found via jezebel.

DRESSES!

2010-02-03T18:09:00.003-05:00

BIG NEWS. This is the dress that my bridesmaids will be wearing. In 5 different colors (one color being the one above).

Why I love this dress:

1) Doesn't look like a "bridesmaid" dress per se;

2) I can incorporate all the colors that I originally wanted into my color scheme;

3) It's flattering on everyone;

4) It's floaty, and fits perfectly with the whimsical/tea-party-ish theme I am going for;

5) It's inexpensive; and

6) Since it's J.Crew, THERE IS NO NEED FOR TAILORING and it arrived in 3 days.

Perfect.

I would highly recommend checking out J.Crew for bridal wear.

Zoe Saldana on Culture in Hollywood.

2010-01-04T14:48:00.005-05:00

Zoe Saldana: I have a hard time accepting roles that typecast a culture. I don't need to play Juana, the prostitute from Washington Heights, in every movie. If it's been done before, you don't need my help. Latinos, we're not all pimps or prostitutes, we don't all deal drugs; not everyone in Jamaica smokes weed; not every Middle Easterner is a terrorist. It's boring, offensive, and hurtful. I'm not bitter about it, I'm just saying that I would like to retain accuracy of certain cultures. Some people will do these roles, but I'm fine with being poor.

Complex Magazine

I will never get tired of this.

2010-01-03T20:56:00.000-05:00

EVER.

Pamper yourself!

2010-01-03T17:51:00.002-05:00

One of my 743878932 resolutions for 2010 was to be kind to myself- the whole beatyourselfupeverydaybecauseyouarenotintelligentattractivelikeableskinnywittyloveablelawyerly deal is getting old for me (SO 2009). At 25, I shouldn't really whine about not being perfect because that is LAME.

Because I figured that this was a good way to spend the last precious moments of my winter break, I decided to have a decadent afternoon on Newbury Street yesterday in the snow with my fiance. My mission? Well, let's be honest here: my main mission was to spend my Anthropologie gift card that I got for Christmas. This was accomplished rather quickly and left me with a lot of time to kill before dinner at Stephanie's (by the way, their meatloaf is amazing, and this is coming from a girl who rarely eats red meat, let alone meatloaf with cheese, gravy and mashed potatoes).

SO. I decided to treat myself to some lovely bath and body goodies. Enter Sabon. I'm all about sensory experience and have been known to waste water for 30 minutes because I don't want to get out of the shower. I prefer Sabon's natural glycerin soaps in delicious flavors. I ended up getting a bar of their Kiwi Mango Rose Petals soap, and my shopping partner ended up with Ocean. At $6.25/lb, these soaps are not cheap, but as a mood elevator, they do wonders. If you go to the store itself, you can get your hands washed by one of the sales associates. I know, it sounds a little weird, but you get a lovely hand massage and soft, nice smelling hands afterwards. It's like the best part of a manicure! When you're feeling blue, it's the best place to go for a quick pick me up.

Sabon Newbury

129 Newbury Street

Boston, MA 02116

Phone: (617) 236-1931

info@sabonnewbury.com

Happy New Yeah!

2010-01-01T02:54:00.004-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wishing you the very best for 2010

xx,
Sticky Candy

Winter Glide

2009-12-30T14:14:00.002-05:00

Winter Glide
Originally uploaded by [Zakkalicious / Mikael]

New Year's Resolution #1:

I need a bike. STAT.

World Aids Day

2009-12-01T19:34:00.007-05:00

Today is World Aids Day.

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.

Over a million Americans are estimated to be living with HIV. Worldwide, an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV.

Get the facts, and take action!

Here are some things you can do:

Get tested.
Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors.
Use protection (Not only for you, but for your partner too!).
TALK TALK TALK! Talk about HIV prevention with your family and friends.
Get involved!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T18:23:00.004-05:00

Hope you loves out there had wonderful Thanksgiving weekends! What did you do? Here's what I did:

1. Hang out with fam (see pic above...I look quite coy.)

2. Eat 2 Thanksgiving meals (fiance's family and my family living in the same state= full bellies)

3. Go Black Friday shopping (because I needed a dress for a Christmas party this coming Friday)

4. Study (sort of...)

5. HAVE FUN.

Now, to descend into a black hole of despair, to emerge victorious on December 16th.

Rihanna on domestic violence.

2009-11-07T12:44:00.002-05:00

This is such a heartbreaking and honest interview. I think that Rihanna deserves a lot of respect for speaking out.

I have been volunteering at the Boston Medical Center for the past few months, interviewing women in the emergency room about their ideas and experience with domestic violence. The stories that I have heard are heartbreaking.

Domestic violence is an issue that I think deserves a much bigger audience. It is something that we, as women are warned about, but once it happens to us, we are expected to keep silent.

Nobody wants to be a victim. Nobody wants to admit that they have been emotionally or physically abused.

But how can we speak out when traditionally, the course of remedy to leave your abuser isn't so easy? What happens when you love the person who is abusing you? What happens when, the person you love is so violent, that even a restraining order won't keep them back?

This is not a simple issue, but somehow, we miss this point. In Massachusetts, one in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner every year.

How do we change, because something has to give. It is NOT okay to condone or trivialize domestic violence issues.

Please take a moment visit Jane Doe Inc., for more information.

What I wish I had right now.

2009-11-04T23:26:00.002-05:00

Some macaroons from Laduree would be so very good at this moment {11:29 p.m.} in time. I have got to find some way to get these babies for my wedding. Can there be such a thing as a macaroon cake? or a macaroon tree? Ah, I miss Paris.

The Heidelberg Project

2009-11-04T07:05:00.004-05:00

The Heidelberg Project is this amazing community project in Detroit, Michigan that I happened to come across while futzing around on the internet. What a great program.

Check out some history:

The Heidelberg Project, bearing the name of the street on which it exists, was started in 1986 by Tyree Guyton. He was assisted by his grandfather, Sam (Grandpa) Mackey (deceased), and his former wife, Karen Guyton. Tyree was raised on Heidelberg Street and, at the age of 12, witnessed the tragic effect of the Detroit riots - from which he claims the City of Detroit never recovered. Though once racially integrated, many neighborhoods have become segregated urban ghettos characterized by poverty, abandonment, and despair.

Armed with a paintbrush, a broom, and neighborhood children, Guyton, Karen, and Grandpa began by cleaning up vacant lots on Heidelberg and Elba Streets. From the refuse they collected, Guyton began to transform the street into a massive art environment. Vacant lots literally became “lots of art” and abandoned houses became “gigantic art sculptures.” Guyton not only transformed vacant houses and lots, he integrated the street, sidewalks, and trees into his mammoth installation and called his work, "The Heidelberg Project", after it's location on Heidelberg Street.
Despite numerous awards, the city demolished parts of the Heidelberg Project installation in 1991 and again in 1999. Still, the Heidelberg Project continues to exist, evolve, and grow - providing hope and inspiration to the local community and the community of the world.

Today the Heidelberg Project is recognized as one of the most influential art environments in the world.

To donate, and check out more facts, go here.

And for real, here's my costume.

2009-11-02T18:04:00.002-05:00

I'm actually in between two of my bridesmaids, Korto and Sarah
{a.k.a. Roller Derby Girl and Ladybug}

Where's Waldo?

2009-11-02T17:53:00.008-05:00

I had waaaaaaay too much fun dressing up this Halloween. Can you tell?

A special wedding.

2009-11-01T13:44:00.010-05:00

Photos from top to bottom: The Branford House, Groton, CT; bride, groom, best woman, and groomsmen; handsome devil; beauties in blue; exchanging the rings; BEST PHOTO EVER; and the damn good looking siblings of the bride.
Photo Credit: Me and my trusty Panasonic Lumix...I may have found a new calling.

Hi old friends!

2009-11-01T13:29:00.002-05:00

MY apologies. I have been the worst blogger in the history of the world for the past few months! A little over a year ago, I started this blog solely because my boyfriend had one and he didn't think I would keep up with it, so...CHALLENGE, it was on. And I kept with it for such a long time! However, life got in the way, blahblahblah, and I felt as if I couldn't keep up with my old habits as much as I used to.

What's funny is that I miss writing every day on this thing. Even a little blurb here and there, it was something I actually looked forward to doing. But...I lost my spark for a bit, and didn't really feel as if this blog was really contributing anything of substance. I've seen my lovely friends' blogs blossom into really well thought out, beautifully written pieces of work. And mine, well...let's just say, I'm not so good with the words. Or staying on topic. Or writing interesting posts.

But, screw it. I started this blog for me, and yeah, I kind of do want readers, doesn't everybody? I want to be one of those popular, funny bloggers who are invited to blogging meetups and are experts on all sorts of things. I WANT TO BE THE FACE OF THE INTERNET.

Sort of. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this blog, while not important for anybody else, has been a really great way for me to express myself, and I miss that.

So I'm going to try and get back to blogging regularly. I need some expression in my life, other than making really bad law-school jokes about being a tortfeasor.

Glad to be back.

It's been a while...

2009-10-18T14:06:00.003-04:00

...and I'll be back soon because I have a LOT to talk about. For now, I'll leave you with an infamous quote which I love so much:

The only people for me are the MAD ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but BURN, BURN, BURN, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight POP and everybody goes ‘Awww!’

-Jack Kerouac, because really, it couldn't be anybody else.

But I want it!

2009-10-06T22:53:00.004-04:00

Um... can I have TWO wedding dresses?
{Saja Wedding}

Inspirational Cheese

2009-10-06T22:26:00.001-04:00

I just prepared my bedtime tea, which came with this little quote that I thought I'd share:

The universe is the stage on which you dance, guided by your heart.

{quote courtesy of my Yogi tea bag}

On the subject of friends.

2009-10-05T20:40:00.005-04:00

I happen to be one of those people who is extremely lucky in the friend department. I happen to have friends who support me, no matter how ridiculous I am (and believe me, I am quite ridiculous, like, beyond ridiculous). They love me even when I am difficult, and they're there for me when I don't even realize/acknowledge their support. You know, or when I'm a complete monster.

I had a visit with an old friend yesterday, who lifted my spirits, so much that I forgot to be stressed out (which is incredible since if my life is not stressful, I feel as if something is wrong. Sick, I know). We've known eachother since I was 12, but our friendship has grown much stronger as of late. This friend, I can say is one of the most beautiful, amazing people I've had the pleasure to know (biblically, ahahahah no, okay, just kidding, bad joke.). Yesterday reconfirmed it.

It feels good to surround yourself with positive, beautiful, witty, kind, FUN people who share your quirks, or at least, embrace/not make fun of you for them.

I happen to be an open book. This has proven to be a big problem, because it means I get hurt frequently and easily. Lesser people prey on my large, squishy life organs, and masticate them until the only thing that's left is a big, yucky lump of red flesh.

I've often been told I am "too soft, too emotional, too sweet, too nice etc." It's not a compliment. However, these characteristics that I find to be incredibly important have been completely dismissed by those who find those qualities to be obnoxious, insufficient, etc. Because being nice and fun is equivalent to being dumb. Or it means that you're being fake. Or if you cry all the time, it's for attention.

Or, when you take the empathetic viewpoint in law school, it means that obviously, you have no idea what the hell you're talking about because it's not about the people in the case, it's about the RULES.

So these friends of mine, the old ones, the older ones, and the very brand new ones, are pretty special to me because they let me keep on doing what I'm doing, being "me" in all of my sensitive glory, and giving me the gift of their company and love.

So, tchin tchin (raise your glass), to friends!

{Note: This post came out of me reading my horoscope from astrologyzone.com. Yes, it's true.}

Musings

2009-09-30T09:37:00.003-04:00

Some things I've realized in the past 5 weeks:

I am not perfect.
I am not very good at adjusting to a new routine.
I have some really great friends and family.
I am really stubborn.
I am REALLY moody.
My fiance is a saint.
I really like tea.
I need to get my anxiety under control.
I don't need a TV.
I will be okay.
I'm way too dramatic.

Gray Sunday

2009-09-27T19:04:00.007-04:00

(PC: Flickr)

I am sitting at my little desk with a big cup of tea, one little light, and gray drizzle outside.

I like gray Sundays, they make me happy (yes, very Eeyore-ish I know...that's probably why he was my favorite). I like having that one rest day where it's okay if I don't rush out to do something, or one day where I can just drink endless glasses of red wine with smelly, disgusting cheese (that's my wannabe French side coming out- though, this can be an "any day of the week" activity), while watching bride shows on TV (okay I know, I can't help it, I'm getting married dammit!).

Sundays are the only day of the week when I sit down and become very introspective, which is amazing since I constantly operate at a high-frequency level where I practically vibrate from energy and stress. I don't know what it is about a Sunday, it just seems to lend itself to calming, lazy moments. It's like I did 8 days of an intensive yoga/detox program (speaking of yoga, I need to get back into it. I used to do it 6 days out of the week. I don't know what happened. Probably life and the realization that I was spending a ridiculous amount of money going to a really expensive place and thinking it was absolutely necessary, hmmm) and now I feel great.

So, I'm going to finish up a tiny bit of work, and preparing to snuggle in bed and watch a few episodes of this show.

Happy Sunday, friends!

Awesome

2009-09-26T09:08:00.001-04:00

This video is for the Brooklyn-based R&B band, Escort. It's muppet centric, and just spectuacular. Because I love Sesame Street, I figured I'd share this gem with you. Pretty amazing.

In my dreams

2009-09-25T23:52:00.002-04:00

Only $825? Don't mind if I do...

New Home

2009-09-24T21:48:00.002-04:00

I don't know when it happened, but somewhere between 2 years ago and today I found a new home.

To make a long story short, I have two very lovely parents who moved their children around the world and back for several years until they settled in Connecticut. Because we were so transient during my formative years (meaning, before adolescence), the notion of "home" does not come easily to me. When most people think of the word "home" and what it means to them, they're able to come up with a concrete image- perhaps it's the house they grew up in, dinner on the table at 6, or kids they knew in kindergarten whom they still have ties with/to.

I've envied those who have had a physical place to come back to, and often wondered if I would ever be settled enough in a place so that I could call it home.

Well, it seems as if I have made one. Cambridge/Boston has been my home for the better part of 10 years; ever since I came to college. I've become an adult here. Most of my friends are here. I walk around the neighborhood and greet people I know. Cambridge is my constant.

How is it that this happened? How did I create my own home when for so long I felt as if I didn't have one; that my "home" was traveling with my family?

I would argue that it might be marriage, but I don't think that's it. I think the turning point came before I was even engaged.

I think the real issue is that I had had a problem with the notion of "settling". Settled means stifled. I didn't want to be stifled. Therefore, I wasn't ready to settle.

Except being settled doesn't mean being stifled at all. And I think that I'm finally ready to accept that. I have a new life. I'm starting a new family. I'm starting a new career path. I'm okay with being settled. And that, my friends, is why I can officially call Cambridge my home.

Blergh

2009-09-21T21:57:00.005-04:00

I am a HOT MESS right now! Trying to figure out this law school business is turning out to be tougher than I thought. I no longer seem to have any sort of a schedule, it's more like a long mash of work/eat/work/work/sleep/WORK WORK WORK WORK.

I'm really glad my poor boyfriend/fiance/fee-ahnce hasn't left me yet, because I'm pretty sure I've given him plenty of good reasons.

My wedding's only 9 months away, and I've kind of slacked on the details for the past few months. I need to pick up the pace! SO, with instead reading my Property casebook, I researched bridesmaid dresses instead.

This is pretty much my final choice; unless something else WOWS me (but nothing really has, as of late):

The girls are going to wear all different colors, because my wedding is rainbow-themed, a.k.a., I don't have a color scheme, because I don't like matching that much.

Ok...back to the books. Biz, my darlings.

Procrastination

2009-09-07T17:30:00.004-04:00

How is it that I'm only in the second week of school and I feel like I've been here for 6 years?

On a side note, the topknot is my new fashion love (especially since I now have BANGS!). I'll be rocking it all fall long.

And now it's off to do some more work.

{PC: Turned Out}

Life as a 1L

2009-09-05T08:09:00.002-04:00

My life has taken a very large turn in the past week. I finally started school and I can officially say that I'm a 1L at Northeastern University School of Law.

It's been an exhausting week. I feel as if I haven't had time to breathe, but in a good way (yeah, I'm all about contradictions, it's sort of my thing). I haven't been to use my brain in its capacity (or rather, it feels that way) for 3 years. It's nice to be back in a setting with incredibly intelligent, driven people who are all there for the same cause.

I can only imagine that the journey ahead is going to be a difficult one, but one that shapes me forever, and I'm so glad for that. So onward and outward!

<3

2009-08-31T21:41:00.006-04:00

My fiance deserves a post because he has been so wonderful putting up with my nervous nellie ways for the past few weeks. I started law school today, but not without some serious doubts. John held my hand, laughed at me, and told me it would be okay. And today it was.

So John, thank you for believing in me and being proud of me. It means more than you know.

{All pictures taken by my father in Tobago 3 weeks ago}

Because I like this.

2009-08-30T16:54:00.001-04:00

500 Days of Summer was cute, but not my favorite movie of all time. However, I DO like this video of cute Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He's kind of bratty, and I like it, mostly because I can be bratty too.

Frida Kahlo

2009-08-30T11:07:00.003-04:00

She will always remain one of my favorite artists. And the rich colors and flowers in her hair? Perfection.

Apartment Therapy

2009-08-28T00:28:00.006-04:00

(What I'm imagining one of my 2 bathrooms will look like)

I'm moving! After two years in my lovely studio loft apartment (which I so generously shared with my fiance), it was time for a change. I start law school on Monday (eee), and had been begging John for a place with at least one door, and maybe, possibly, a teensy office for me.

Well, we found one, and I'm at a loss for how to decorate it! You see, we're moving into a handicap accessible apartment, and we now have two MASSIVE industrial-looking bathrooms and low counters. While some people may balk at this, John and I jumped at the challenge, especially since one of us is tall and the other one is short (but the dr. said I was 5'5"!)...

...Except that now I'm starting to doubt my apartment decorating abilities. Tell me, do you have any tips or suggestions for how to make awkward spaces work??

(P.S.~ I don't know how confident I feel about chalkboard paint, but isn't this table awesome?)

PC: Design*Sponge

My favorite kind of people (for Erin)

2009-08-25T18:39:00.001-04:00

NERDS WITH SOCIAL SKILLS.

A fraction of fashion.

2009-08-25T16:51:00.003-04:00

I just came across this beautiful woman's blog, A Fraction of Fashion while browsing yet another awesome new blog, Turned Out. God, isn't she gorgeous? And Celia (A Fraction of Fashion), seems to have kept her style totally her own, which is hard to do.

Plus, those curls! Ah, she is my new style crush.

Le Mariage

2009-08-24T21:07:00.003-04:00

My darling friend Morgan got married this weekend, and oh, did it make me excited to get married. It was a beautiful ceremony, simple and sweet, at a GORGEOUS mansion in Connecticut.

I was with all of my oldest friends. I love the above picture because we're all so happy, and invested in making sure that Morgan (the bride) looked her best. I wish her all the happiness in the world, and to my dear friends, I love you.

A Return (of Sorts)

2009-08-20T09:48:00.003-04:00

Today I leave the little island that has been my home for the past two weeks. It's been quite a relaxing stay in Tobago, being with my family and John for such an extended amount of time. It's rare that all of us are in the same place at once, considering that one of us is across the country, two of us are in (or about to start) school, grad and university, and my parents are in Connecticut, tending to their lives.

It's time to come back to the real world. I'm excited about it, especially because it starts this weekend with a wedding!

Happiness

2009-08-19T11:51:00.001-04:00

smell of the ocean
ripe mangoes. and starfruit. and grapefruit.
fresh fish
salt water
cold beer
peeling nailpolish
brown skin

Relaxation

2009-08-15T12:35:00.002-04:00

Drinking a Shandy and peeling a ripe mango with my teeth.

'BAGO

2009-08-14T16:04:00.002-04:00

I decided to leave everything behind and come with my family to the island of Tobago, where my grandmother lives. It's a much needed vacation, and I haven't been with my family altogether since December.

I'm signing off (again) until I return on Aug 22 (with lots of pictures).

xx

Handwriting

2009-08-05T12:22:00.002-04:00

hand type by Jean de Tremontels

{via booooooom}

Wowza

2009-08-03T15:49:00.003-04:00

Talk about a wedding! This is what I want mine to be like, kay?

Summer Vacation

2009-08-02T13:30:00.003-04:00

There is nothing better than taking a self-imposed break during the summer months. Despite the fact that I have seen more rain in the past 2 months than I have ever seen before, I haven't been deterred from having the time of my life (right now I'm sitting at my family's house in Connecticut in my mother's little writing shed, watching a very swollen river rush past.).

I'm ready (somewhat) to come back to the world of blogging. I have spent the past few weeks doing whatever my little heart desired. I finally quit my job working as a paralegal, and I have a month-long break before I start law school. I went to California to visit my friends and my brother, sat outside in the sun and read several books. I came back to Boston and sat in my incredibly hot apartment with a fan trained on me and (several) glasses of white wine. Right now I'm at my family's house, which is deep in the woods, and such a peaceful place to be. In two weeks, I'm going to Tobago to visit my grandmother for two weeks.

I'm not so sure I'll be back very soon, but I guess you'll just have to check back and see!

Tell me what you've been doing these past few months. I would love to hear about it.

xx,

The Uniform Project

2009-07-13T15:37:00.006-04:00

I just came across The Uniform Project (well, not really, since everyone is blogging about it), and I think that it's an awesome idea.

Well done, and I hope you get many, many more readers.

Here it is:

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir.

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

~The Uniform Project

On the subject of love (and marriage)

2009-07-07T09:29:00.012-04:00

{All images culled from Le Love}

I've been thinking a lot about love and marriage recently. As I begin the planning process for my own wedding, I realize that not only am I excited to get married, I am ready.

Did I think back in March that I was ready to be married? No. To be honest, though I had found the love of my life (and yes, I know I'm incredibly lucky), the prospect of marriage scared me. What would happen if our love changed, or worse, if our love died?

But when the proposal happened, I accepted immediately with no hesitation. I had no doubt that my fiance was my soul mate. We fit together so perfectly, that I can't imagine my life without him. Not only do we love eachother but we're friends-- you know, the hangout kind.

Things will change in our relationship, but we've been through some big changes together already, and managed just fine. We're moving along the same path at the same speed. Maybe my life won't turn out exactly how I imagined it to be, but when does life ever do that?

I haven't given up my dreams. I have someone who encourages me to reach for them. We're growing up together.

Future plans

2009-07-06T14:55:00.006-04:00

Soo...remember all of those posts about taking the LSATs 8 million times and feeling totally inadequate? Now I can look forward to feeling inadequate in law school!

In March 2009, I was accepted at Northeastern University School of Law. I spent a very long and emotionally greuling time trying to decide whether or not I wanted to go back to school, to go back to school to be a lawyer, whether it was worth it to take the same test over and over again, if I was willing to put myself through 3 years of hell, and then take another exam that literally determines your fate in the legal world.

Why, do you ask, did I decide to continue through with my law school plans despite my apparent apathy? Because I knew that there had to be people out there just like me- intelligent, socially and morally responsible people who want to effect change in the world. And I knew that these people believed that the law should be practiced with passion and a deep understanding of its impact on every citizen.

No, not all lawyers think like this, not all lawyers want to change the world. But I do, and I believe that I can. Do I expect to have a deep social impact on our society? No, but a girl can dream. What I can do is provide a unique point of view and the passion to dedicate my work to what I believe in- in whatever way I can.

And I know I belong here:

At Northeastern University School of Law, our mission is to fuse theory and practice with ethical and social justice ideals so that students understand what it is lawyers do, how they should do it and the difference they can make in the lives of others. We strive to produce lawyers who see the practice of law as a way to realize their goals, to find meaning and purpose in life, and to be of service to others in ways that are intellectually satisfying and personally rewarding. We are committed to engaging with the world outside the university, to harnessing our individual and institutional energy to address societal challenges, and to expanding knowledge that advances our ideals through research and scholarship.

Weekend Recap

2009-07-05T22:54:00.015-04:00

There's nothing better than blended families and warm, sunny weekends.

I saw no fireworks and wore no patriotic colors, but it didn't rain, I made fried chicken, and managed to get a nice tan.

And I got to spend the weekend with a certain person, one who still gives me butterflies every time he looks at me.

Happy birthday beauty!

2009-07-01T09:20:00.002-04:00

This is my darling friend Erin. I've known her since I was 12 years old. It's her 25th birthday today. Join me in wishing her a happy birthday!

I luff you Erin!

Fantasy Land

2009-06-30T16:01:00.003-04:00

Doesn't this picture look like it was taken in a different world? Can you imagine the smell of these cherry blossoms?

Img: the cherry blossom girl

<3 Regina.

2009-06-30T11:07:00.001-04:00

Eet

Regina Spektor's new album is fantastic!

Friends.

2009-06-30T08:30:00.006-04:00

I ended up going to New York this weekend because I hadn't seen my college friends in quite some time. You see, when we graduated college, the majority of my friends left Boston for NYC. I used to see them quite a lot, but as always, life started getting in the way.

I absolutely love my friends. These girls are my family. And they always will be.

The Stoning of Soraya M.

2009-06-29T15:06:00.003-04:00

I really want to see The Stoning of Soraya M. , a film about a French journalist stranded in a small Iranian town and a woman who has a harrowing tale to tell about her niece, Soraya, and the bloody circumstances of her death. This movie exposes the power of mob rule, uncivil law, and the utter lack of human rights for women.

Though this movie has a lot of disturbing subject matter, I've heard nothing but good things about it. I'm going to try and see it this week. My review will come later.

Circus

2009-06-25T14:54:00.010-04:00

Oh, haiiiii. Nice to see you again.

LOOK AT THIS WEDDING!

This is the wedding of Adam and Halli in Brooklet, GA on May 9, 2009, shot by photographer and cinematographer, Josh Goleman. Go to his site for more pictures.

Have Race Relations Improved?

2009-06-25T09:24:00.007-04:00

While reading The Root today, I came across a survey conducted by CNN/Essence regarding race relations in America:

From CNN:

The poll was conducted May 16-18, in telephone interviews with 505 African-Americans and 501 whites.

Blacks and whites had differing opinions of Obama's performance:

-More than 60 percent of blacks felt that Obama met their expectations, while 46 percent of whites did.

-Thirty percent of blacks said Obama exceeded their expectations, compared with 16 percent of whites.

-Six percent of blacks said Obama did not meet expectations, compared with 35 percent of whites.

Both blacks and whites gave similar answers to a survey question about whether race relations will always be a problem in the United States.

-Forty-five percent of blacks answered yes, while 42 percent of whites said yes.

-Fifty percent of blacks said no, while 56 percent of whites said no.

The poll had a sampling error on these questions of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points

Have race relations improved? If we put forth a post-racial agenda, will these relations improve?

I don't think we will ever have a post-racial agenda in the United States. Our country is still (in my opinion) too deeply enmeshed in the historical shackles of slavery. However, this is not to say that race relations haven't improved, nor will they improve. I believe that relations HAVE changed, that acceptance is becoming more universal.

I had this belief until I read that more than 27 million people are in slavery today all over the world. No, this is not the same type of slavery that we as Americans have a working knowledge of, but changes in the world's economies and societies over the past 50 years have enabled a resurgence of slavery. The end result is the same: One person controlling another and then forcing them to work.

What are we going to do about this? I'm going to try and find an answer.