I Think I Need This

I was browsing through The Urban Collection today when I stumbled upon this ruby red beauty. What do you think? Should it become mine?

I've recently begun buying vintage clothes, mostly because it saves me some money and I can look much more unique. I mean, who stumbles upon a beautiful red Yves Saint Laurent jacket like this?

Tell me that I need this, please please please!

dabagirls.com

I came across this website when reading an article in the New York Times titled "It's the Economy, Girlfriend". "DABA" stands for "Dating A Banker Anonymous", and focuses on...the economy. Or rather, the economy according to their rich banker boyfriends. Essentially, this blog (and accompanying support group)is for a group of 20 and 30-something women who no longer can afford their $600 facials and now have to go to the gym with the "normal" people. The New York Times calls DABA "a support group founded in November to help women cope with the inevitable relationship fallout from, say, the collapse of Lehman Brothers or the Dow’s shedding 777 points in a single day, as it did on Sept. 29."

SERIOUSLY? Isn't this a little bit backwards? These women seem to be promoting an ancient stereotype that we've been trying to erase for SO LONG. The website is even billed as “free from the scrutiny of feminists,” but I think anybody with a brain and self-respect would read this as meaning "We're so extremely vapid and spoiled that we cannot handle having to paint our fingernails on our own." Yes, I consider myself a feminist, but I love getting my nails done and spending too much money on clothes. However, I don't have to rely on my boyfriend for any of these things. Yes, it's nice to have your boyfriend pay for things. I get that. I LIKE that, but I have a job, in which I earn money for myself. I also have my self-respect, not to mention good saving habits.

I know, I know, I shouldn't be critiquing these women so harshly. The fact of the matter is, it's difficult to be in a relationship with someone who is a victim of the financial fallout. It certainly puts a strain on the relationship. However, when I start reading about how these young women can no longer dine out in Manhattan's most exclusive restaurants 7 days a week, I get frustrated. Since when was it considered tacky to stay in one night with your significant other?

Girls, give it a rest. You've got a lot more going for you, and if you only value yourself based on what these "finance guy boyfriends" think of you, then I'm sorry, because you have a lot more to learn.

dabagirls.com

It's really happening!

As you all {all 8(!) of you} know, John gave me a trip to Paris for Christmas this year {Not too shabby, eh?}. Anyway, the trip {or THE TRIP}is right around the corner, and we FINALLY settled on a hotel. We're staying at the Hotel de Banville a quiet little hotel in the 17th arrondissement, just a few streets away from where I used to live.

I can't wait. We got a SUPER deal over the internet at My Boutique Hotel , a wonderful website that specializes in very cute, affordable "boutique hotels". I highly recommend that you check it out if you're thinking of traveling, especially in Europe, where the word "hotel" doesn't necessarily guarantee a nice place to stay.

So excited {also for the extremely efficient subway system that puts the T to shame.}!

Our trip to Chicago

John and I had never been to Chicago before, so I decided to drag him {on the coldest weekend of the year} with me since I had a law school interview out there.

I love Chicago, despite the cold. Enjoy all of the pictures from the Museum of Contemporary Art {the only place where I took pictures on the entire trip}.

This made me laugh, and then nearly made me cry.

Highlight of my day:
"Yo ma, can I holler at'chu?"- 16 year old boy on the T.

Those are my boy problems.
Literally, boy problems.

I love my life. John, you better watch out ;)

The Fear

I actually really like this song. Very catchy, and I think Lily Allen is a cheeky little tart.

Happy Friday!

Beirut-Nantes

I LOVE this song. Makes me think of Paris. John, I can't wait!

Fifty People, One Question- London

Fifty People, One Question: London from Crush + Lovely on Vimeo.

This video made me laugh, cry, and now I want to spin around in dizzy circles. I hope you enjoy.

I love you more than sour peaches.

I had seen this website a little while ago, but my friend Ingrid brought it back to my attention today. I Love You More Than Blank is a website that allows you to design your own Valentine{s} to the one you love (or have a secret crush on). What a fantastic idea. John will be receiving about 30 of them.

My first one will probably say something about candy.

A New Day.

Photo from the New York Times.

“ More than any president since he was an infant, Mr. Obama has taken a place in society that extends beyond political leadership. He is as much symbol as substance, an icon for the young and a sign of deliverance for an older generation that never believed a man with his skin color would ascend those steps to vow to preserve, protect and defend a Constitution that originally counted a black man as three-fifths of a person."

NYTimes

Inauguration Day

This is the most important day in the universe. Yes, I said universe. As the nation awaits its 44th president, the excitement is palpable. President Obama, the first black president to lead our country. President Obama who got people to believe in change.

I can't believe that this day has finally come.

I am so overwhelmed.

I love you, President Obama.

And the thoughts, they just keep coming.

Today John and I fly out to Chicago where tomorrow, I try to impress the person who interviews at Northwestern University. It would be an understatement to say that I am nervous, but at the same time I'm excited.

Several people have told me that it is going to be a waste to go and interview there. You see, I am their ideal candidate...except in regards to test scores. I hate numbers. I hate that there are rankings to try and "see" what kind of student you are. What about the students like me, who are extremely bright and motivated, yet they do poorly on certain kinds of tests?

I am going to have to create my own path. I am also going to have to convince my interviewer that despite a slight setback in my whole academic package, I have the vivacity and the intelligence to flourish in Northwestern's law community.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but I have to shoot for my dream. If I don't, I'm only going to wonder what if, suspended in a permanent state of anxiety. That's not what I want to do.

Anyway, wish me good luck! I will be in Chicago for the weekend, and I promise there will be lots of pictures when I get back. That is, if it's warm enough to leave my hotel room.

<3 d

Ballet Practice

{One day I too will look like this.}

Last night, I had my very first ballet class. And I mean very first. I've done some dance, mostly in college and in front of my mirror, but I've never done a form of dance that adheres so strictly to positions! Basically, for an anal-retentive freak like me, ballet is EXACTLY the kind of dance that I should be doing.

I totally thought that I was going to be amazing. And I wasn't. Maybe I was the best of the worst, but that's not saying much. I had so much fun, but I had NO IDEA that ballet was so difficult! I mean, even my neck muscles hurt! I'm so excited because it's a completely different kind of workout that I'm used to. I usually do the "gym routine", 30-45 minutes of cardio, 20 of weight-lifting, etc., or yoga which is supposed to be mutually beneficial to ballet, but after an hour and a half of pointing my poor toes and painfully twisting my legs to resemble something like what my teacher was showing me, I realize that I was totally, totally mistaken.

I had the best hour and a half of my life. I can't wait to go back.

A Happy Night!

Last night I made John watch the entirety of the Golden Globes. The highlights of my night?

The beautiful, indomitable Kate Winslet won Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress last night at the Golden Globes! I love this English rose; her speeches were cute, her gown was lovely, and she looked beautiful.


Slumdog Millionaire was indisputably (in my humble opinion)the darling of the Golden Globes, and with good reason! This movie and Milk were my absolute favorite movies of 2008, and when Slumdog won Picture of the Year, you should have heard me shriek. If you haven't seen Slumdog, I highly, highly recommend that you go and see it.

I haven't seen The Reader or Revolutionary Road yet, but you'd best bet that this week, I will be sure to see one or the other.

Who do you think deserved a Golden Globe last night?

Eeee!

My dear friend Meghan from Newbie New Yorker just sent me my very first blog award! I feel so so special.

Thanks Megs!

{This is what she posted}

You are truly beautiful. Beautiful means more than a pretty face! It also means that you are unique, and oh so full of grace! The things in you that go on much deeper than the softness of your skin are the things that make you beautiful, both inside and within! Rules: Find and give the beautiful ladies that you follow. Don't be shy and don't forget to notify! I am passing this along to... (listed in no particular order)

EDIT: Ingrid of The Scenic Route deserves this award!

Happy Friday!

When I grow up, I want to have a kitchen like this.

And a hobnail pitcher like this.

And style (and strange beauty) like this.

Or like the ladies in the middle here.

And the confidence to wear my hair like this.

Oh, and I want happiness and contentment too :)

Happy Friday!

<3 d

A little sunshine for your day.

Awwwwww.

xkcd

Oh dear.

I feel COMPLETELY overwhelmed. I don't know what this is about, and I feel like this is going to turn into an overly emotional post {actually, I know this is going to turn into one}, but I need to put it down in completely incoherent, messy words.

Maybe it's Seasonal Affective Disorder. I love winter for a month, but the darkness, the cold, the unwillingness to go anywhere takes a very large toll on me. Does this happen to anybody else too? It's all I can do from hiding my head under the covers and staying there until it's warm and sunny and flowers are poking up from the ground. In fact, it's been really hard for me to get out of my warm bed and go to work for the past few weeks, which is strange because I'm an early riser and generally don't mind the hours between 5 and 8 a.m.

I've also got to stop buying and reading fashion magazines. I've realized that I can't do it anymore. By it, I mean I can't read them because it completely {excuse the language} fucks me up. I can't afford the clothes, I see no people that look like me {really, do models look like anybody except aliens?}, and all of a sudden, I'm attacked by insecurity that I really can't shake. I'm really upset about it too. There are so many beautiful people in the world; I see them every day, but why do I still feel like I must subscribe to the skinny, well-dressed model {hah} that I can't seem to replicate, ever? I'm 24. Isn't that too old to worry about how I look?

While worrying about how I look, I then worry about whether or not people see me as intelligent. I went to an excellent school, did very well, and have opinions, but sometimes, when faced with small talk with people, I can't articulate myself. I was always the girl who was unintentionally "funny". Some people see that as a good thing. I think it's terrible. How am I going to be taken seriously if everything out of my mouth makes some person laugh?

Why do I have these hangups? I've been trying to figure this out for such a goddamn long time, and I still don't have the answers. Do you? Help!

EDIT: I feel better now. Just needed to vent. Sorry for the massive dose of public insecurity!

Danielle's Saving Style

So for all six (hooray!) of you who read this blog regularly, you know that I'm going to Paris with my boyfriend in the middle of March. Sure, maybe not the ideal time, but after having lived in Paris for a year, and 9 (okay, maybe eight) of those months were gray and dreary, I am fully prepared for whatever weather Paris decides to throw at me.

However, because we're going to Paris, I need to be on a SERIOUS budget. I will be the first to admit that I spend way too much money. Especially on silly frivolous things that I don't need at all (clothes, Starbucks, makeup that I don't wear, etc.). I have good saving habits, but horrible spending ones. Therefore, I've decided that I need to make a concerted effort to make sure that I actually have some money in the bank at the end of this year.

I joined Mint, a site that helps you manage all of your finances. It's only been a few days, so I can't really say much about the site now, but Mint will send you weekly emails and will keep track of your finances so that you can see just how much you spend a day. It also allows you to keep a budget for the month, with allocations for shopping, entertainment, food, gas, etc. Best of all, it's free! We'll see how well it works.

As for now, I have put myself on a veeery skinny budget. I recently went grocery shopping for food so that I don't have to buy myself daily $10 lunches. I have put myself on a "shopping diet" until I go to France. I will do my own manicures. I also received some very lovely Christmas presents including clothes, books, and a KITCHENAID MIXER {I'd been wanting one for years}, and I'm pretty sure I have some arts and crafts stuff around the apartment. I also have law school applications so really, I don't need to spend any more money.

Also, though this is not a fashion blog (really, this is not a subject-related blog at all), I will be setting up an Ebay shop within the next week or so. I can promise lots of goodies, so stay tuned!

If you like batteries nice and warm...

...Check out this Toasting Charger for your batteries. I am in love with it. It's just the kind of kitschy, silly thing that I would like to clutter my apartment with. Not only does it charge batteries, it charges all kinds of batteries. That means if you need to charge your new Panasonic Lumix camera {wink}, you can just throw it in the toaster. When the battery is charged, it pops up, just like a freshly toasted piece of bread.

The design is by the Korean designer Hyun-A Ko, and it's featured on Fubiz.

Farida Patool

“Nai Reesan Shehr Lahore Diyan (There Is No Match of the City Lahore)” by the Pakistani artist Farida Batool

Farida Patool, Adeela Suleman and Tazeen Qayyum

Aicon Gallery

35 Great Jones Street, near Bowery, NoLIta

Through Jan. 11

I'm going to miss this show and I'm thoroughly disappointed. Great picture, no?

{via NYTimes}

New Style

I decided that my style this year is going to be completely French.

Red lipstick, awesome, but simple clothes,

and messy, messy hair.

Often thrown up in a bun

and eyeliner when it's called for.

I will drink red wine, and eat all sorts of epicurious curiosities and be awesome.
{photo from the selby}

One more belated resolution

I will stop using so many commas.

New Year's Resolutions

...Aaaand here are my New Year's resolutions. Five days late. But who's counting, eh? As I said in an earlier post, 2008, especially the end of 2008, was a particularly difficult year. It has made me completely re-evaluate the things that make me happy, and has prepared me for the possibility of making yet one more career shift before going back to school. Though 2008 has good memories as well, 2009 is a fresh start, and DAMN RIGHT I will do everything in my power to make sure it's a good year.

Resolutions

1. To take life as it comes

I tend to project into the future when it comes to figuring out my life. Last year, I had my entire life planned out, and was completely confident that it would turn out exactly the way I wanted it to. However, like most things, I was completely knocked on my ass. Well, no more, damn it!

2. Not to worry

Sure, it sounds simple, and by all means, it should be simple, but for some people (ME), it's very difficult to turn off the worry button. Anything sends me into a panic, literally, from feeling guilty about not working my hardest one day at my job, to wondering whether or not I got enough green vegetables in at lunch. Ridiculous, right? This one's got to go.

3. Not to care about what other people think

This is my biggest flaw. I've spent my entire life trying to please people, people who don't even matter in the long run. When I fail, I feel as if my world has ended. For a long time I let others define me, but I have spent a lot of time and energy on this, and I'm exhausted. The people I love, my true friends, will accept me for who I am. Everybody else? Not worth worrying about.

4. Take care of myself

I continuously run myself ragged and don't even realize. I think that because I exercise, eat healthily, and drink no caffeine and very little alcohol, this means that I can keep going at an extremely furious pace. Being healthy is not just about eating healthy and exercising, it's about taking time for yourself. I'm going to say NO to things. I promise not to overextend myself. Last year there was too much unnecessary running around.

5. To love, love, love

This one's easy, but that doesn't mean that it's not important. My loved ones mean the world to me, and I will take any opportunity I have to let them know it.

6. To eat less junk food

Because I don't have dental insurance and I think I have a cavity.

I have many, many more resolutions, but I promised myself that this blog post wouldn't be an epic. However, the resolutions I've posted are the most important to me, and the most difficult to put into practice. However, you know me, I like to get the hard stuff out of the way first.

P.S. I forgot another IMPORTANT resolution! To spend less! I'm going to try and make it on $10 or <$10 a day!

Happy New Year!

2009 is upon us! Today was a new start to a new year, and it has started off by my having the laziest day ever. However, it was for good reason! Check out pics from last night.

Tomorrow, I'll post all of my New Year's resolutions {beware, there are a lot!}.