5 things i love right now

1. this song by muskets, "violent paradise"



grunge + bratty british punk is one guaranteed way to my heart (other methods include chicken piccata, t-shirts that say dumb things, and whiskey cocktails). the nirvana influence comes through loud and clear, and when the chorus hits, i'm reminded of a quote in a newspaper article from the typically meek owner of a now-defunct record store in nashua, NH that my friend and i saved because it was so funny/perfect:

"when i buy a record, i like to rock it. i want to smoke it, YEAH. i want to play it loud and stage dive onto my bed."

this song DEFINITELY makes me want to smoke it and play it loud and stage dive onto my bed. and then maybe skateboard off of my roof for good measure, YEAH.

2. the jazzercise studio in stranger things

as a former jazzerciser, i screamed with glee when i saw it. also, the starcourt mall in general is a dreeeeam and i was so stoked that this season revolved around it. if only scoops ahoy were a real place...

3. mall pretzels

speaking of malls—yesterday, i went to one because it was 1000 degrees and it was on my way to a get-together i was going to at 3, so i didn't want to eat a big lunch before i got there. like a mirage, this place called pretzel twister appeared in front of me, and the idea of a big, warm mall pretzel just felt so right.

i got the plain one and it was super buttery and a little sweet and exactly what i wanted. let's hear it for mall pretzels, guys.

4. this top i got on clearance at anthropologie that's actually a pajama top but i didn't realize it and i'm wearing it as a regular top 

it was on the rack without the bottoms, along with all of the other regular tops, so how was i supposed to know? i'm wearing it today tucked into these cute linen pants and it looks great and not at all like PJs, so whatever. pajamas are a social construct.


5. rediscovering this awesomely bad nickelodeon teen drama, fifteen



oh. my. god. i was reading something that referenced this show the other day, and the memories of it came flooding back to me. i was 5–7 years old when it aired from '91–'93, so i vaguely remember it being on nick and seeing commercials for it, but was probably never old enough to really grasp what was happening. the acting is SO ATROCIOUS that i seriously can't look away, i'm obsessed with the outfits, one of the characters named ashley sounds like she's whispering all the time, and a young ryan reynolds is in it. it's like if degrassi were terrible and had no sense of humor. i can't get over it. also, brooke is such a bitch!

a spring fashion wishlist

i'm currently on a shopping hiatus to conserve funds, so i've been spending much of my time drooling over cute spring apparel on various sites, adding 20 items to my cart, and closing the window. please indulge me and enjoy some of the best pieces i've found in my recent internet travels.

this adorably springy dress and also maybe that pup (modcloth)

a retro bomber jacket (anthropologie)

a sassy romper that i'd have absolutely nowhere to wear (urban outfitters)

this cheeky graphic tee (human)

"cropped linen overalls" even though i typically hate overalls, because you can't deny these (urban outfitters)

some casual espadrille tennis shoes for $158 (anthropologie)

this unique and sweet '90s top (it says "just take these flowers")(etsy)

5 things i love right now

1. this pullover sweater from anthropologie 

y'all know that i never buy anything from anthropologie (besides candles and mugs) unless it's DEEPLY discounted, so imagine my delight last week when i saw that they were having a tag sale where errything was 25% off. even the stuff on the clearance rack, which is where i found this beauty. cozy, comfy, and perfect for these winter months when your soul just dies.

2. this hip-hop song, "in my room"



i'm still into this song a month later and wondering why it's not a hit yet. perfect for a dance party!

3. victoria's secret shea body butter

vicky's is amazing because they basically just keep discontinuing and reintroducing the same fragrances under different names, and ladies eat it up. it took me a full week to realize that i was also obsessed with this stuff like 6 years ago when it was the secret garden collection. now it's the "supersoft cotton moisture complex" or some bull. all i know is that it makes you smell like a yummy cookie and i'm into it.

4. tarot cards 

i've been gettin' mad mystical as of late, and have been brushing up on the ancient art of the tarot, which is supposed to help illuminate any issues in your life and provide guidance/food for thought. sure, it's probably total bullshit, but it's way cheaper than therapy .... and the cards are wicked pretty.

5. chris d'elia's stand-up



it's weird -- i don't care for chris' TV work at aaaaall, but his stand-up makes me wanna pee my pants. just about every set i watch has my stomach hurting and tears rolling down my cheeks. love how he laughs at himself and just keeps riffing and riffing on each joke. i just bought tickets for my friends and i to see him in may, and i can't wait. this bit in particular kills me.

virtual housewarming party!

after just about 2 months and lots of comcast and couch drama, i'm FINALLY all settled into my new home, and i had some friends over this past weekend to celebrate! i'm pretty proud of my new abode, since it's the first place that i've completely been able to decorate exactly as i'd like. i thought i'd give y'all a peek. so queue up this spotify playlist, pour yourself a glass of wine, and have a look around!

living room! 

yes, i bought a bird lamp ... because i could.

bought this beacon street print at the sowa open market a few months before i moved to FL. still love it!

antique "kitchen" table & chairs!

(it says "delighted you're here")

the tree was entirely a project (lots of decals), but i think it came out pretty nicely, right?

lovers tarot print that i got at an art fair in orlando

the kitchen is always so sunny & i love it!

with the garland lit, at night

i also bought a bunch of stupid shit i didn't need, like this fake spice thing.

and this old mailbox, where i keep coupons.

the bathroom's a little dated, but i like it just fine.

and finally ... what 20-something girl DOESN'T have a decoupaged print of kurt cobain on her wall, amiright?!

delusions of anthropologie

I pull the fluffy, multicolored patchwork duvet cover off of the moss green pillows, and imagine how much sweeter my dreams would be if I were snuggled comfortably in that that antique brass display bed, clad in a whimsical cream-and-pink striped nightgown. Before I drift off to sleep, I page through Barbara Ireland’s 36 Hours: 125 Weekends in Europe, and plan an overseas getaway with my adoring, slightly scruffy boyfriend.

I wake in the morning and sip my French pressed coffee from a monogrammed ceramic mug, as I gaze out of my brownstone window at the bustling city block below. After a shower, where I try out my new cedar wood-scented goat’s milk soap, I slide open the bedroom closet to reveal a collection of dresses, sweaters, a-line skirts, and flowing blouses -- all in jewel tones and organized by color. It’s pretty brisk today, so I select a plum shift dress and goldenrod cardigan, accessorizing with a gray scarf, silver charm bracelet, and feather drop earrings. I lace up my ankle boots and take one last glance in the mirror, slathering some rosebud salve on my lips and throwing a soft chestnut leather satchel over one shoulder. 

The farmers market is abuzz this morning, and the delicious smells of fresh fruit and flowers mingle in the air with just-popped kettle corn and hazelnut lattes. I pull a piece of stationery -- replete with printed pastel birds -- out of my bag, and survey the list for tonight’s dinner party. A baguette to slice and spread thick with truffle butter, organic mushrooms for the ragout that will accompany the beef tenderloin, and five Granny Smiths for apple crisp a la mode. Once all of the ingredients are purchased, they go straight into the basket of my vintage bike, and along for the ride to a nearby park. I nestle under a shady oak, and spend the next few hours journaling in my Moleskine.

Upon my return home, I discover that my boyfriend has already started preparing dinner, and he gets up from the tufted teal settee to greet me. I inhale deeply, trying to identify each savory spice. While the beef is roasting, I uncork a bottle of pinot noir and pour two glasses. We slice apples into a copper pot as I pore over the crisp recipe, dog-eared in my gluten-free dessert cookbook. We share a brief, impromptu slow dance in the kitchen when Paolo Nutini’s “Loving You” begins playing from my laptop, before we’re interrupted by the familiar beep of the timer. 

The crisp is in the oven, the candles are lit, and our farmhouse table is set with hand-painted dishes, antique flatware, and paisley cloth napkins. It’s just about time to change into my lace cocktail dress, break in my slingback heels, and apply some lipstick. I’m in a muted mauve mood tonight. 

I slide off the sweater and dress, pull on my t-shirt, and button up my jeans. “Thanks,” I say, handing the garments back to the fitting room attendant, “but I need a little more time to think about this.”