currently coveting: hello

I really, really, really, really want this.

to my valentine

I'm so lucky to have you around.

in which there is bread in my belly

I love this sweater.  I can't believe my friend Elizabeth gave it away, but I'm glad she gave it to me! :)  I also can't believe I wanted to cut it up and turn it into a vest at one point.  That would have been a travesty!

(sweater: llbean; scarf/shirt: thrifted; jeans: pacsun; boots: tjmaxx; earmuffs: urban outfitters)

I'm having sort of a mind-body WTF situation going on right now.  On one hand, I feel good.  I've been getting up at 7 AM this week, which is EARLY for me.  This gives me just enough time to have a cup of coffee, eat breakfast, write my morning pages, and read a few chapters of a book.  I've also been exercising.  I went to the gym on Monday night, I did my workout video last night, and I'll be going to the gym again tonight.  On the other hand, I've been eating a lot of bread.  Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE BREAD.  As a relatively lazy, carb-craving vegetarian, I eat a lot of it--pasta, hunks of sourdough, bagels, sandwiches--but lately whenever I eat bread I feel kind of uggggghhhh.  It's almost like all of the good things I'm doing lately (working out, avoiding alcohol) are just making the knot of bread in my stomach that much more unpleasant.

The thing is, I've been thinking a lot about what I eat lately, and it's not just because I watched that documentary or because I can't just slip into my skinny jeans like I used to or because I want to appear virtuous or anything like that.  It's because a lot of the "comfort" foods that have always been staples of my diet now make me feel ugggggghhh.  And I don't like that feeling.  I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older and my metabolism is dragging, or just because it's winter and I don't get enough fresh air and everything feels like uggggghhh (a distinct possibility), or because I really should just embrace being healthy,  once and for all.  I've always loved my bread and wine and cheese, and I have never wanted to deny myself the pleasure of those things for this or that reason.  I've always clung to them with a sort of "I will indulge!  It is my right! You can't take that away!" mentality, but what if avoiding those things could make my life more pleasant?  I dunno, it's on my mind.

in which this is my mortal coil

I am so TIRED, and blogging has been rather sporadic lately, I know.  I'm always running late these days.  But I also feel like I have been pretty productive lately... maybe only by my own standards.  

(coat: sears; jeans: pacsun; scarf: tjmaxx; tunic: zara; boots: seychelles; sunglasses: urban outfitters)

I had a surprise day off from work last week because I needed to get my car fixed, and I ended up really using my time wisely.  I drafted a query letter so that I could start sending the novel out to agents (although in the process I basically decided that it's not ready/isn't good enough, and I'm kind of okay with that... it's only the first pancake), and then I started the second novel that has been brewing in my mind for a while now.  This one has a much more concentrated focus and, well, plot, so I'm pretty excited about it.  

I'm toying with the idea of using my blog as a way to "write" certain sections of the book that I think could really benefit from outsider input.  I think it could be really fun!  So I'll get back to you on that.  I've been kind of struggling with where I want this blog to go, mostly because my life is about to change dramatically in a few months (if all goes as planned) and I want to find a way to transition into a blog that encompasses more than just what I am wearing.  After all, "clothes are but our outmost cuticle and mortal coil."

Yesterday I went snowboarding with my mom and brother and it was a beautiful, perfect day, and so much fun.  I really love spending a day on the mountain, and am so grateful to my mom for taking me along!  There is something so refreshing about winter sports, that I always forget until I am doing them.  I look forward to the day when I have land and can casually go outside and move around.  Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding... all so much fun!  And Vermont is just so beautiful.  I have such pride in my little home state, for so many reasons, but its beauty is certainly one of them.

Oh, and K got in to the first two graduate programs he applied to!  Two for two :)  We're just waiting to hear on six more.  So proud of that guy!

happy hot air balloons

Oh, weekend.  I miss you already.  I do feel like my weekend was satisfying/productive, though, which is saying something.  I zipped through The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith (loved), watched some great movies (The Giant Mechanical Man, Your Sister's Sister, and Vegucated, which seriously made me consider veganism until I realized I can't live without cheese... but I'm going to cut back on dairy products as much as possible [not loving the almond milk in my coffee and soy isn't a great substitute, either, healthwise--any suggestions]?  Also it made me feel good that I've at least been a vegetarian all my life.), went to the gym and did my workout video... all good things.

(dress: h&m; shoes: seychelles; belt: urban outfitters; hot air balloon earrings!)

On Sunday night, K and I watched the Superbowl and drank beer and ate nachos.  I must admit, I'm a bit of a closet football fan.  I used to love playing it (my family is very competitive, and sports were never an exception), and I do enjoy watching it once a year (even if the 49ers did lose...).  And Beyonce was awesome.  Now it's back down to business--getting my car fixed (hopefully?), working working working, finishing my tax returns, all that boring grown-up blahblahblah.