My word.
I have so many things to tell you!
First: how does one accept a generous anonymous gift? Graciously, dear friends. Gratefully and politely. I'm planning on documenting my shopping excursion as I've realized that while the website is intriguing, it is nothing compared to the photos (watch the video) I've seen of the store. How is it that I have not been aware of this store? It appears to be a steam-punked Anthropologie full of deconstructed garments in a full color palette ranging from gray to black. Is it not perfect for me?
Yes.
It is - as my kind benefactor knew.
So, I am deliberating on several dates for an excursion.
I only wish my patron could join me while I shop.
Then: I have further news regarding Red Scooter Guy! I ran for the 6:09 train this evening and got the very last seat in the first car only to discover that I was sitting directly across from Red Scooter Guy! He is good-looking, I'll tell you that, and, I am pleased to report, HE knows how to use his iPad. I cannot say the same for the nimrod (wearing shorts, god help me) who sat next to me last night. Yes, RSG, handsome in his suit, spent a long time reading emails and sending emails and emoting, subtly, over his emails. The train was delayed several times and he was fascinating to observe. Nice wedding band, no cuff links, pink shirt, good crinkles around the eyes. When the train finally arrived at the station, I hopped on our scooter, behind K, and Red Scooter Guy noticed us. I smiled at him. Contact has been made. I'll keep you posted.
Next: did you know there is a new Old Spice commercial?
Oh, ladies (and Scot), we love the Old Spice guy, don't we?
He built the kitchen WITH HIS OWN HANDS.
That's not all, but that's all I have the energy for.
Anon.
bb
a mystery
I was workingworkingworking away...my boss doesn't want to take the train at seven in the morning - he wants the six a.m. train. I re-work the ticket/itinerary, make the arrangements and suddenly an IM pops up from K.
You have a package.
A package?
I do?
I have no recollection of ordering anything.
It's not unusual for the boys to order something.
They toss cash at me and ask me to put an item on my credit card.
But I haven't done this for a while.
Where from, I ask.
All Saints And Spitalfields says he.
My mind goes blank.
I know this name, but I have not ordered anything.
I have discussed this place with Alice and Loretta, in emails.
I have admired countless items from their site.
But who...
who might send a gift?
A generous gift.
And, while both Loretta and Alice are very dear,
I do not imagine either of them finding themselves so compelled. (Not that I would NOT feel compelled if I were to come across some windfall. I'd order all manner of lovely things for lovely people. Just sayin.)
But, truly.
Who would be so compelled?
And who would know my taste well enough to make such a gift?
And how would you spend it?
I have my suspicions.
You have a package.
A package?
I do?
I have no recollection of ordering anything.
It's not unusual for the boys to order something.
They toss cash at me and ask me to put an item on my credit card.
But I haven't done this for a while.
Where from, I ask.
All Saints And Spitalfields says he.
My mind goes blank.
I know this name, but I have not ordered anything.
I have discussed this place with Alice and Loretta, in emails.
I have admired countless items from their site.
But who...
who might send a gift?
A generous gift.
And, while both Loretta and Alice are very dear,
I do not imagine either of them finding themselves so compelled. (Not that I would NOT feel compelled if I were to come across some windfall. I'd order all manner of lovely things for lovely people. Just sayin.)
But, truly.
Who would be so compelled?
And who would know my taste well enough to make such a gift?
And how would you spend it?
I have my suspicions.
some information about Monday
As previously mentioned, my black flats have fallen apart. In an attempt to reintegrate a pair of some old black shoes into my daily wardrobe I am faced with two pairs of uncomfortable black sandals of unknown provenance and a pair of black Camper Mary Janes.
One of the pairs of sandals is dated looking and badly scuffed the other is not terribly comfortable, the Mary Janes scream lamb dressed as...(is that the way that goes?).
I wore the not terribly comfortable pair today. I now have blisters.
My watch (one of several black watches of varying value and sentimental attachment) self destructed at 12:33pm. The leather band absorbed the very last drops of glue, apparently, and it fell off my wrist. Another of my watches let its pin fall out a few weeks ago.
Working in town every day is wearing hard on my shoes and watches it seems.
I've had a sore throat for at least four days. I keep taking over the counter medicine and, subsequently, falling asleep, to no avail. My ears are a little clogged too. Aren't you glad you came by?
It’s unbearably hot here. And, really, I would be more complacent about it but it's 92. Ninety two. That's really kind of hot. Of course one still needs a cardi on the train.
This just in, from Youngest:
One of the pairs of sandals is dated looking and badly scuffed the other is not terribly comfortable, the Mary Janes scream lamb dressed as...(is that the way that goes?).
I wore the not terribly comfortable pair today. I now have blisters.
My watch (one of several black watches of varying value and sentimental attachment) self destructed at 12:33pm. The leather band absorbed the very last drops of glue, apparently, and it fell off my wrist. Another of my watches let its pin fall out a few weeks ago.
Working in town every day is wearing hard on my shoes and watches it seems.
I've had a sore throat for at least four days. I keep taking over the counter medicine and, subsequently, falling asleep, to no avail. My ears are a little clogged too. Aren't you glad you came by?
It’s unbearably hot here. And, really, I would be more complacent about it but it's 92. Ninety two. That's really kind of hot. Of course one still needs a cardi on the train.
This just in, from Youngest:
four things I'd like to try
Sometimes, when I'm bouncing around the internet, I like to look at only one kind of site - all shoes, all art, all video or all food, for example.
Here are five recipes, from here and there, that I'd like to try:
Why not start the day with Eggs Rothko? You needn't make the brioche yourself, there's plenty out there. What could be better than gooey egg and brioche and cheeeeeeeeese?
It's hot. I'll have a Watermelon Mojito, please.
I used to make Orzo Salad a couple of times each summer - it's fallen out of rotation and we need it again.
It's cherry season, how's about a Clafoutis?
I'd make anything Mr. Bittman suggests, but I love frisee salad with bacon and a poached egg best.
Here are five recipes, from here and there, that I'd like to try:
Why not start the day with Eggs Rothko? You needn't make the brioche yourself, there's plenty out there. What could be better than gooey egg and brioche and cheeeeeeeeese?
It's hot. I'll have a Watermelon Mojito, please.
I used to make Orzo Salad a couple of times each summer - it's fallen out of rotation and we need it again.
It's cherry season, how's about a Clafoutis?
I'd make anything Mr. Bittman suggests, but I love frisee salad with bacon and a poached egg best.
this and that
Middle and I engaged in some thumb wrestling. We probably haven't thumb wrestled since he was small and we were waiting for a meal in a restaurant.
(post wrestle) Exhausted hands.
He claims I won. I think he may have thrown the match.
Then, I made mustard. It's so easy (if you have mustard powder). Kinda hot! I like it with steak.
K made warm potato salad with watercress from the same food blog as the blueberry buckle. I could have eaten the entire bowl.
The upstairs loo has no door! It DID have a terrible door that did not match the rest of the house - hollow feeling and cheap. Our neighbors are renovating and replacing some of their doors and K snagged a nice, old, heavy door. He's refinishing it and, while he does, we are doorless. He re-installs it at night, thank heavens.
We have the AC in there. Too complicated to explain. No place else to put it. BUT...
the honeysuckle vine from outside the kitchen door is creeping around it and I like the way it looks...BUT...
IT IS ENCROACHING! I know K will immediately react by clipping it so I'm not telling him right away. I like it.
(I've just realized he reads this.)
DON'T SNIP IT K!
We trudged off to the Giant Store this morning. Not our favorite thing but we needed napkins and zip bags and...erm...something else that is well purchased at the Giant Store (can't remember).
We saw:
the umbrellas which were all the rage at the beach last week. Ten dollars cheaper than we had seen them online ($39). VERY heavy to carry though they seemed wonderfully effective at shading and shielding.
the most wonderful cooler.
this fabulous camping oven/stove!
I ALMOST think I could go camping with it!
(I WOULD NEVER.)
I could build the sweetest tiny kitchen with that stove and cooler.
Perhaps in my secret cabin by the sea.
I'll keep you posted.
Friday
Lots to say. Nothing to say.
I'm irritated.
It's very very warm over here and last night there was a brief but mighty storm which uprooted trees and causeD (effing typo) my rail line to be knocked out of service for the evening rush.
It wasn't too bad, in the end, I took a different line to a nearby town and K actually had a harder time driving to retrieve me (downed trees, traffic, power outages).
I have my hair in a minuscule pony-tail. That's some news isn't it? Alas, it will not be for long as I am in need of a trim. It's refreshing, though, when the temps are over 90.
Don't you hate it when you find a blog you've never seen before and are delighted by it only to discover that the writer doesn't update EVERY DAY. I need people to write every DAY.
Or what about this? You find a blog you like and then you realize that the writer is de-crappifying (IS SO A WORD) her entire home?! I mean, yes, the title should have tipped me off, and, no, she is not holier-than-thou about it, but STILL. How can I enjoy reading her with all the crappe I have in MY house? Fear not. I'll work it out.
Why do all the interesting bloggers live so far from me?
I told you. Irritated.
Speaking of bloggers from far away: I had lunch with the always lovely Eleanor. She really is a shining light and I had forgotten that she laughs easily and often. She was a lovely spark in the middle of my week and I greatly look forward to seeing her again soon.
Youngest must sit in the heat and play trumpet at graduation today.
I thought I'd just throw that in. Because it annoys me as well.
I'm irritated.
It's very very warm over here and last night there was a brief but mighty storm which uprooted trees and causeD (effing typo) my rail line to be knocked out of service for the evening rush.
It wasn't too bad, in the end, I took a different line to a nearby town and K actually had a harder time driving to retrieve me (downed trees, traffic, power outages).
I have my hair in a minuscule pony-tail. That's some news isn't it? Alas, it will not be for long as I am in need of a trim. It's refreshing, though, when the temps are over 90.
Don't you hate it when you find a blog you've never seen before and are delighted by it only to discover that the writer doesn't update EVERY DAY. I need people to write every DAY.
Or what about this? You find a blog you like and then you realize that the writer is de-crappifying (IS SO A WORD) her entire home?! I mean, yes, the title should have tipped me off, and, no, she is not holier-than-thou about it, but STILL. How can I enjoy reading her with all the crappe I have in MY house? Fear not. I'll work it out.
Why do all the interesting bloggers live so far from me?
I told you. Irritated.
Speaking of bloggers from far away: I had lunch with the always lovely Eleanor. She really is a shining light and I had forgotten that she laughs easily and often. She was a lovely spark in the middle of my week and I greatly look forward to seeing her again soon.
Youngest must sit in the heat and play trumpet at graduation today.
I thought I'd just throw that in. Because it annoys me as well.
Blackbird's Two Minute Movie Reviews
Last weekend we watched 8 Women.
What did I think?
Je ne l'ai pas aimé. C'était stupide.
Was that two minutes?
What did I think?
Je ne l'ai pas aimé. C'était stupide.
Was that two minutes?
in the kitchen
K and I had a great beach day on Saturday. The weather was perfect and I fell asleep a couple of times. I got into the ocean up to my ankles (still too cold) and am now a little sunburned.
We stopped at K's mom's, on the way home, and she fed us an old family favorite which involves minced Muenster cheese, onion, mayo and Worcestershire sauce (I KNOW!) and K put an air conditioner in her window. For weeks we've been worried about how he'd lift it alone and, after we saw it, he hefted it with only mild difficulty. Silly us.
Anyway, having filled up on Cheese Muck On Toast (as it is fondly called) and a couple of cool beers, we headed home.
Our plan for dinner (for the boys) was burritos of leftover beans and rice and pork. K makes excellent burritos, fyi. But, when we walked into the kitchen, it became obvious that the boys had already thought of burritos for lunch!
I had to take Middle and Youngest out to pick up their Father's Day presents (yes, Father's Day, no, I don't think he cares about it, especially) so we went in search of dinner as well.
Long story short (though I have gone ON): screwdrivers are easier/harder to find than I thought and two stores had no milk. We ended up at the Japanese grocer where I bought a variety of dumplings/potstickers (which actually DO stick to pots) and some bok choy.
So, THEN I decided I'd like to make a Blueberry Lemon Buckle* for K for Sunday's breakfast just as K realized we only had a tablespoon of dumpling sauce to go with dinner.
Did I mention that he had also decided to make ice cream?
Coffee Heath Bar Crunch was in production on one side of the kitchen.
Blueberry Buckle was being prepped on the other side of the room.
Dumpling sauce was being whisked up in the middle.
There was a moment when K was in danger of adding Mirin to his cream.
We steamed and fried all the goodies and boiled up some Edemame and had a feast.
The Buckle? Supreme.
*A recipe from the blog of a former co-worker - and a wonderful, beautifully written blog even if you don't cook.
We stopped at K's mom's, on the way home, and she fed us an old family favorite which involves minced Muenster cheese, onion, mayo and Worcestershire sauce (I KNOW!) and K put an air conditioner in her window. For weeks we've been worried about how he'd lift it alone and, after we saw it, he hefted it with only mild difficulty. Silly us.
Anyway, having filled up on Cheese Muck On Toast (as it is fondly called) and a couple of cool beers, we headed home.
Our plan for dinner (for the boys) was burritos of leftover beans and rice and pork. K makes excellent burritos, fyi. But, when we walked into the kitchen, it became obvious that the boys had already thought of burritos for lunch!
I had to take Middle and Youngest out to pick up their Father's Day presents (yes, Father's Day, no, I don't think he cares about it, especially) so we went in search of dinner as well.
Long story short (though I have gone ON): screwdrivers are easier/harder to find than I thought and two stores had no milk. We ended up at the Japanese grocer where I bought a variety of dumplings/potstickers (which actually DO stick to pots) and some bok choy.
So, THEN I decided I'd like to make a Blueberry Lemon Buckle* for K for Sunday's breakfast just as K realized we only had a tablespoon of dumpling sauce to go with dinner.
Did I mention that he had also decided to make ice cream?
Coffee Heath Bar Crunch was in production on one side of the kitchen.
Blueberry Buckle was being prepped on the other side of the room.
Dumpling sauce was being whisked up in the middle.
There was a moment when K was in danger of adding Mirin to his cream.
We steamed and fried all the goodies and boiled up some Edemame and had a feast.
The Buckle? Supreme.
*A recipe from the blog of a former co-worker - and a wonderful, beautifully written blog even if you don't cook.
random
The finest collection of First World Problems. I had no idea. Not sure whether I am amused or irritated. I'll shut up now.
Spent Sunday watching Anthony Bourdain. To be fair, I cleaned, did laundry and totally re-organized the fridge, but I also watched Anthony Bourdain.
The fridge is almost as good-looking as Mr. Bourdain - look! I made a movie of it!
We have a dedicated shelves for hot sauce, white condiments and jellies.
They really MEAN bunk beds for the whole family. As in: mom and dad sleep in one bed with Junior just a ladder away. I'm not even a fan of single-level co-sleeping.
We pretty much love the Dos Equis commercials.
K has just sent me an email. He wants one of these. We'd leave it near our Positano home.
A get well wish. From Picasso.
K makes a very fine coffee Heath Bar crunch ice cream.
Today is my brother B's birthday. There were very few photos of him, as a baby, wherein I wasn't mauling him...I couldn't keep my hands off him! He's visiting next month and I'm very excited about seeing him. Happy day, B!
Finally, this from Youngest:
Spent Sunday watching Anthony Bourdain. To be fair, I cleaned, did laundry and totally re-organized the fridge, but I also watched Anthony Bourdain.
The fridge is almost as good-looking as Mr. Bourdain - look! I made a movie of it!
We have a dedicated shelves for hot sauce, white condiments and jellies.
They really MEAN bunk beds for the whole family. As in: mom and dad sleep in one bed with Junior just a ladder away. I'm not even a fan of single-level co-sleeping.
We pretty much love the Dos Equis commercials.
K has just sent me an email. He wants one of these. We'd leave it near our Positano home.
A get well wish. From Picasso.
K makes a very fine coffee Heath Bar crunch ice cream.
Today is my brother B's birthday. There were very few photos of him, as a baby, wherein I wasn't mauling him...I couldn't keep my hands off him! He's visiting next month and I'm very excited about seeing him. Happy day, B!
Finally, this from Youngest:
Blackbird's Two Minute Movie Reviews
I can't stop! Reviewing movies!
We saw Sherlock Holmes the other night and I have some thoughts.
I find Guy Ritchie somewhat attractive. Look at his earnest face. One just knows that he married Madonna with the best of intentions.
I quite like Mr. Downey too. Admire him, even.
Mr. Law was as good a Dr. Watson as any I've seen.
There was much anguished slow-motion action.
I was not fond of the heroine but I liked the movie very much.
And now I know how to dress my bustle.
I do think, however, that Mr. Downey played Mr. Holmes like Dr. HOUSE.
We saw Sherlock Holmes the other night and I have some thoughts.
I find Guy Ritchie somewhat attractive. Look at his earnest face. One just knows that he married Madonna with the best of intentions.
I quite like Mr. Downey too. Admire him, even.
Mr. Law was as good a Dr. Watson as any I've seen.
There was much anguished slow-motion action.
I was not fond of the heroine but I liked the movie very much.
And now I know how to dress my bustle.
I do think, however, that Mr. Downey played Mr. Holmes like Dr. HOUSE.
top posts
Don't you want to know what my most popular posts were last weekend?
I do.
I kept the shoes.
This gets dozens of hits per week - and the video was taken down.
And this! This four-year-old post gets scores of hits. There are Pop Tart fanatics among us.
I'm assuming people search the word "dicks" and get this. An apostrophe may have been called for.
No one is ever happy with their hair. 43 people used my post for inspiration.
The skinny jean is not dead.
If all the animals on the equator were capable of flattery, then Thanksgiving and Halloween would fall on the same date.
This one has me remembering my second Volvo - my poor, electronically confused SUV.
The biggest fall fashion post ever!
I do.
I kept the shoes.
This gets dozens of hits per week - and the video was taken down.
And this! This four-year-old post gets scores of hits. There are Pop Tart fanatics among us.
I'm assuming people search the word "dicks" and get this. An apostrophe may have been called for.
No one is ever happy with their hair. 43 people used my post for inspiration.
The skinny jean is not dead.
If all the animals on the equator were capable of flattery, then Thanksgiving and Halloween would fall on the same date.
This one has me remembering my second Volvo - my poor, electronically confused SUV.
The biggest fall fashion post ever!
Blackbird's Two Minute Movie Reviews
I'm here to talk about Nine!
Such promise!
Such a cast!
Penelope!
(I luff her.)
Daniel Day Lewis!
(Terrible fake accent.)
Marion.
(Breathtaking.)
And the dance numbers!
The spectacle!
The choreography...
(Somewhat familiar.)
The exhilarating, um, SPECTACLE.
What did I think?
Do you see Penelope's expression here?
I didn't stay for the end.
I went to bed.
Such promise!
Such a cast!
Penelope!
(I luff her.)
Daniel Day Lewis!
(Terrible fake accent.)
Marion.
(Breathtaking.)
And the dance numbers!
The spectacle!
The choreography...
(Somewhat familiar.)
The exhilarating, um, SPECTACLE.
What did I think?
Do you see Penelope's expression here?
I didn't stay for the end.
I went to bed.
"Mid-Summer Style Cravings" from JCrew: my thoughts
Well, yes, I think to myself upon seeing this email from JCrew, yes, I can well imagine having some mid-summer style cravings. Though "cravings" is an interesting word. If I begin dissecting the JCrew copy we're all sunk.
So, I mosey on over to the site to have a look at what's new.
What's new? Cardigans. Oodles of them. But there are a smattering of other items too...
Oh. Denim.
If only I could figure you out, denim.
Bootcut, straight-leg, matchstick, lived in, juke box wash...wait: JUKE BOX WASH? Holy hell.
I'm hoping these two fall under the Lounge category as I cannot see us pulling a silk jumpsuit over a damp bathing costume. I feel certain you can imagine my opinion of a strapless silk jumpsuit, yes?
This is a wonderful scarf. I can safely say that I crave it. It has the nautical stripe I am presently addicted to and is jersey. Need I say more?
Fabulousness.
It's nice that JCrew stays true to their swimsuit vision isn't it?
And then we come to this:
need a closer look?
I luff this skirt.
But I have a lot of things to say....
What is she wearing with this skirt?
Which: FINE.
What would *I* wear with this skirt?
and a scarf!
What's my problem with this skirt?
Please tell me I'm not the only person who sees this.
So, I mosey on over to the site to have a look at what's new.
What's new? Cardigans. Oodles of them. But there are a smattering of other items too...
Oh. Denim.
If only I could figure you out, denim.
Bootcut, straight-leg, matchstick, lived in, juke box wash...wait: JUKE BOX WASH? Holy hell.
I'm hoping these two fall under the Lounge category as I cannot see us pulling a silk jumpsuit over a damp bathing costume. I feel certain you can imagine my opinion of a strapless silk jumpsuit, yes?
This is a wonderful scarf. I can safely say that I crave it. It has the nautical stripe I am presently addicted to and is jersey. Need I say more?
Fabulousness.
It's nice that JCrew stays true to their swimsuit vision isn't it?
And then we come to this:
need a closer look?
I luff this skirt.
But I have a lot of things to say....
What is she wearing with this skirt?
Which: FINE.
What would *I* wear with this skirt?
and a scarf!
What's my problem with this skirt?
Please tell me I'm not the only person who sees this.
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