friday favorites :: how to smile in the dead of winter

Sometimes I just need a solid list of things that make me happy on days when I have to battle rain and ice too early in the morning. Right?! 

My friend's Victorian Bulldog puppy! Her husband surprised her for Christmas... Maggie is a feisty little thing but just look at that face. I can't even... my puppy fever is so bad right now, you guys.

Nick Miller is making my LIFE this week. If I feel even the least stressed out, I just Google him and all is well in the world again. (Don't watch New Girl? Shame on you.)

One of my favorite images that I posted on Instagram this week. No, not Instagram... POMSTAGRAM! (@sarahfisch)

via weheartit

I want to do this... except I'm scared of finding glitter in every nook and cranny of my body, house, and purse for all eternity. As they say, glitter is the herpes of the arts & crafts world; you can never get rid of it. Maybe outside, 1,000 feet away from any buildings with gloves and a hazmat suit?

via weheartit

My roommate and I have been talking about creating a fun reading/window sitting space in our third bedroom. I totally envision this... with records playing and stacks of books and twinkle lights!

And finally: my About Me section has been updated with some fun facts. Also, I love clementines, in case you couldn't tell. Have a good weekend!

sick day :: tea & literature

image via google

I woke up this morning with a terrible headache and not feeling well. I couldn't drag myself out of bed to go to work, so I proceeded to sleep for 10 hours and make Harrod's strawberry tea that my friend brought me from England. I also attempted to poach an egg for the first time and it went horribly and made me get an "I can't do anything right" attitude. 

MUST MOVE ON TO HAPPIER THINGS.

I've been reading through a couple of Meg Wolitzer's books before starting The Interestings. A Beautiful Mess is beginning their book club, and I definitely want to join in. I miss reading. The electronic world has taken over my life at times, and I would like to start avoiding that. It's even taken over the literary world, seeing as everyone is all about Kindles and Nooks and tablets. No thank you, I say. Give me a good old fashioned book with creased pages and margin notes and highlighter and a trip to the library. I will be very sad if libraries one day cease to exist.

So while we're on the subject, here are a few of my all-time favorite books:

1. Anything by Adriana Trigiani. I love the way this woman writes... her Italian flair shines through in all of her novels. She likes to include recipes as some part of the story, which is fun. Her characters all sort of reflect each other in a way, even if they are totally different books. Start with her Big Stone Gap series... it made me fall in love with her. I don't often buy books anymore, but I own all the ones she's written.

2. Where the Red Fern Grows. The book of my childhood. I had to read this in sixth grade English, I think... and never stopped. I will forever read this book. I've been meaning to replace my lost copy for a while now. 

3. The Shack. It makes you question things and consider different angles of God and His plans. A good read whether you're a Christian or not.

4. C.S. Lewis. What a man of insight. It can be hard for me to work through his writings sometimes, but I always come out on the other side having learned something. There aren't many authors who I can say that about.

What are some of your favorite reads, current or past? 

what they wore :: burgers and fancy dresses

First things first. One, the Polar Vortex did not conquer me again this morning! Except for my square inch of face that was exposed and frozen. My friend texted me last night to say their pipes froze, burst, and flooded their basement. We left the faucet dripping overnight to avoid something like that... Polar Vortex, you are getting way too intense for me. I can't even handle you. (This article does a good job of explaining how pipes freeze and the necessary prevention methods. Don't take a chance, people!)

Two, remember how I said I was going to The Burger Joint? I did, and it was delicious. Expensive, but worth the money if you're craving a burger! I don't eat a lot of red meat, so I got the turkey burger. Reasons why I loooooove this burger: it has gorgonzola and mushrooms stuffed into the meat. No need to add cheese! I like my burgers fairly plain anyway. And the fries! We got the garlic parmesan fries, and they were amazing. Here's proof:

Now that I've made you sufficiently hungry, on to WTW! Since I just dressed up for New Year's and I have a fancy dinner coming up soon (a post on that later), I have been looking at nice dresses all over the place. 

image via thelimited.com

This is my black and gold sparkled NYE dress, which was originally $98, but I paid $37 in the store. I can't resist an amazing sale! The Limited has a whole bunch of their fancy dresses on sale right now. H&M has a fun mix of everyday and nicer dresses to choose from, and their prices are always right. And then, of course, there's Modcloth. They have the sweetest dresses for so many special occasions. My friend even had us all buy our bridesmaid's dresses from there! They were only $50, too. Some of Modcloth's styles can be on the expensive side, but their sales are usually great. And when they sell out of something, you can sign up to get an email alert when it returns to the site. That's actually how we got all our dresses for the wedding on time! Love it.

I think I'll be re-wearing my NYE dress to my upcoming dinner, but I always love browsing for sales. Check out those sites if you need a new dress for a night out soon! And even if you don't... 

* this is not a sponsored post. all opinions expressed are my own.

POLAR VORTEX!

Oh, hey, Polar Vortex. You know what I think of you? I think you HATE ME. Because I got up at 6 AM to go to work like a good girl, only to be greeted with 3 degree weather. No problem, I say, because I can just layer up like this:

First step conquered. Then I start my car. She sounds a little resistant because she's frozen solid, but old Sangria never fails. I get to my parking lot where I usually pay $6 to park and then walk about five minutes to my building (cheapskate). Today, however, I see my coworker. He tells me the machine is not printing out any slips. Never one to take anyone's word for it, I try it myself. True. The machine will not give me that little piece of paper so  I don't get towed, and now I've charged an unnecessary $6 on my card. I check the other three cars in the parking lot. They have the paper. (How did they do it?!)

Second step failed. On to the third. I decide that because it's freezing (understatement) I will park my car directly in front of my building on the street and pay the machine an extreme amount of money to stay there all day. A splurge is sometimes necessary and fun. Then I realize the machine says "3 hour parking only." FACE PALM.

Step FOUR! Go to the trusty old parking garage adjacent to my building and park there. At least it's super early so I can park right as I pull in. Why didn't I do that in the first place, you ask? They usually don't have an early bird special. However, as I pull up, I see they have a new sign! $10 in before 9 AM and out after 4 PM! Guess what. I leave at 3 PM. UGH. I just know they are going to try to charge me a full amount... but I can be pretty convincing.

And it's only 7:30 AM. Happy Polar Vortex to me! :) Stay warm, my friends.

music monday :: twin forks

If you know me, then you know I'm a Chris Carabba fan. He's a great writer, extremely talented musician, and an all-around nice guy. The last time I saw him was at a Further Seems Forever reunion show, where he told me he was starting a new project and to keep an eye out for it.

Gone are his Dashboard Confessional days! Chris is now immersed in his newest band called Twin Forks. He also has new people with him: mandolin player Suzie Zeldin, bassist Jonathan Clark and drummer Ben Homola. And once again, he's moved on to a new sound. Read the bio to see how he got from Further/Dashboard to here. This dude is one of the most versatile musicians I've ever come across. He's such a visionary. Even when he's already got a successful band and following, he is willing to give in to his creative spirit and follow it where it may take him without knowing the outcome. It can be a bit of a risk when you go from a rock band to an emotional, solo acoustic act, to this... folk with some good old country roots. (Who saw that one coming?)

images via google

They're a good looking band, huh? I love that they have a girl in their group. Always makes me happy! And now for your listening pleasure:

friday favorites :: snow day round 3

It snowed again last night! That makes three this winter season... a refreshing comeback after a couple years of nothing! What is winter if it has no snow, I ask you?! So today I am blogging from my warm bed, covered in blankets after emailing work to tell them, "No, I will absolutely not go outside in windy 18 degree weather to scrape frozen snow off my car at 6 AM. Thanks, NO THANKS."

I digress.

So, Friday Favorites! Well, one of them is snow, duh. Here are the others!

Planning on checking out this place for lunch today. I can't believe I still haven't been since my roommate told me about it months ago.

Enjoying The Awkward Blog this week. I love reading about her adventures in London and time spent with her girlfriends!

This Buzzfeed. My roommate texted it to me yesterday and I was dying... some of these are actually true :)

Looking forward to Downton Abbey and The Bachelor soon! JUAN-UARY!

This shirt and these boots. I have a Christmas gift card to spend!

Finally, some of my favorite songs to listen to in 2013:

- The 1975, Chocolate

- The Gaslight Anthem, 45

- Birdy, Skinny Love (for when my dog passed away)

- Panic at the Disco, Miss Jackson (car driving song!)

- Sara Bareilles, Chasing the Sun

- Matt Wertz,  Get To You

happy 2014!

Guys, I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a good one. I had an excellent time at our New Year's party, and the next morning was full of wafflemakers and record players. Nothing better than eating waffles and bacon while Jackson 5 and The Beatles are playing, I tell ya!

Also, I am convinced that New Year's day is the best day in the whole year to veg out on the couch and eat nothing good for you. My roommate and I watched an all-day/night marathon of Happy Endings (it's cancelled, but have you seen that show? Hilarious!), ate guacamole and mac & cheese, and did nothing. I even went to bed at 8 pm! Unheard of for me, but necessary since I was falling asleep on the couch at 6. Sheesh. 2014 turned me into a grandma.

I hope your New Year's was safe, fun and lovely! I'll be back tomorrow with some of my favorite songs of 2013 :)