And here are a few of the things on my current list o’ favorites.

I’ve never paid that much attention to the differences between mascaras because I’ve never really noticed many differences. My eyelashes are OK and I like using mascara to lengthen, separate, and accentuate them, but I couldn’t notice a big difference between mascaras. Until now. And wouldn’t ya know it, the mascara I’m loving is $25. Obviously. It’s L’Oreal 24-Hour Lash-Boosting Power System (huzzah, that’s a mouthful!) and BzzAgent.com sent it to me to play around with. You put the clear stuff (lash boosting serum) on before bed and then use the 2-step mascara (with lash boosting primer during the day). Honest to goodness, my eyelashes look longer. Sometimes if I put my glasses on after the mascara, my eyelashes freaking touch my glasses!! I would never believe something like this would work, but I was pleasantly surprised. Annnd now I’m going to have to buy this every 2 months. Oops.

I used to be a John Frieda and only John Frieda kinda girl. You know, for my fake blonde highlighted hair. Highlights are expensive and I’ll do anything I can do preserve them and brighten up my hair a bit. And I love John Frieda’s Sheer Blonde like none other. But when I saw Pantene Blonde Highlighting Expressions on sale for $3.99 at Target, I had to try it out. And? I like it A LOT. It seriously makes my hair shine and sparkle and all that fun stuff. And it makes my hair nice and softy smooth too. I think I may be converting. I still have a soft spot in my heart for good old Johnny, but unless the throws some sales my way, I can’t resist Pantene.

On the same shopping trip to Target, I grabbed a bottle of Nivea’s Touch of Sparkle body wash? Why? Because IT CONTAINS DIAMOND POWDER. And why wouldn’t I want to slather my body in diamond powder? If you can think of a reason, please let me know. I was a bit skeptical because it’s called “cream oil body wash” and using oil to clean myself never sounds like a great idea. But it actually moisturizes sooo well and that is important, so I guess I do like cleaning myself in oil. Plus, IT CONTAINS DIAMOND POWDER.

OK, clearly I want to be a vampire or something, all sparkly in the sun.

So, if you know of any other beauty products that can help further my goal of becoming a sparkly vampire, please let me know ASAP.

I’m probably better off this way though because i get nauseous every time I watch an Olympic competition. For sheer nerves. I mostly close my eyes too. And if I was actually competing? This probably wouldn’t bode well for my chance at a medal. But sports scare me and the Olympics always remind me how spectacularly horrible I’ve always been at athletics. And that I closed my eyes a lot while involved in sporting activities back in the day too.

But maybe, just maybe if I had tried a little bit harder, it could be me at the Olympics. I mean, I was given all the opportunities as a kid. But the problem is, I don’t think I really knew what the Olympics were when I was young. Or else I may have tried to make it to them. Maybe, just maybe I would have opened up my freaking eyes and actually tried at sports.

I ice skated for about 5 years and I had a love/hate relationship with it. Ew gross cold. Ouch help falling. Ooh pretty ice skates. yay I can go fast. The problem is, one day they wanted to teach me all about jumps. Ummm no. You want me to actually pick my entire body up off the ice and just pray for the off-chance that I’ll land back on my ice on my feet? Not gonna happen. I tried a few little jumps with my eyes closed, but I was informed this wasn’t OK. So, bye.

Skiing? Been there, done that too. I never skied when I was little, so my mom enrolled me in lessons when I was in middle school. Pretty much a disaster. I mean, I made it down the mountain, but the chairlift scared me half to death. And closing your eyes getting off the lift? Not the best idea in the world. I also wore my white gloves going up the rope-tow and they turned black and everyone laughed at me. Then my jacket, snowpants, and school clothes were stolen from the lodge and I decided I hated skiing.

Don’t even get me started on the spring Olympics. You don’t want to hear my swimming story (but it does involve the Girl Scouts of America). And gymnastics? I already told you how I feel about picking my entire body up off the ground. I can’t even do a cartwheel.

The thing is, I don’t think I’m necessarily bad at sports and athletics, I’m just scared to death of them. If I fall of the chairlift, I’ll break my neck and DIE. If I fall on the ice, I’ll crack my head open and DIE. Sports might be fun, but dying is not.

So, that is why the Olympics scare me and why I’ll never have the pleasure of winning a medal. But really, go USA; just don’t die please.

(After I wrote this post, I remembered that Nodar Kumaritashvili really did die during the Olympics, so I hope you don’t think I’m being offensive. But now, this just compounds my fears of sporting events).

Sometimes I have a non-stop giddyness about being a freelance writer/community manager. There are so many things I absolutely love about it. But the second someone says, “You’re so lucky! I’m so jealous!” I get pissed. Don’t get me wrong, I do feel lucky. I know I’m lucky. I feel like the world is at my fingertips. I’m not stuck in an office and I can work from bed and wear pajamas all day. Life is good. But not exactly grand.

I guess I work for myself. But I also work for no fewer than 5 bosses. I don’t have to see them every day (or ever), but I do get constant e-mails, many of them thinking I work for them and only them and asking me to do things NOW. I work from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. most days, with some breaks here and there.

My schedule is flexible. I can go on walks, take lunch breaks, run errands whenever I please. I can go on vacation. But I can’t go on vacation and still get paid. I don’t get vacation time. I still have to ask for time off. And then I fear I’ll lose my job because of it.

Health insurance isn’t cheap. And I pay for it on my own. And I don’t take sick days because I don’t get them. I’m always looking for new work for fear I’ll be out a job and won’t be able to pay the bills.

Nothing is secure with my work. I realize no job is secure right now, but working for startups make everything even less so. When a simple e-mail can be sent saying, “thanks for your work, but we can no longer pay you anymore,” getting laid off is easy. Companies can shut down quickly. I know this from first-hand experience. Sometimes even my bosses have no notice. No severance, no unemployment, just a sorry and goodbye. Nothing is secure. And that’s scary.

But then, I’ve always craved security. It’s how I was brought up. It’s what I have in so many areas of my life. I’ve always done what’s comfortable; what’s safe. Ask anyone who knows me if I’m a risk-taker and they’ll laugh in your face. I don’t even go on roller coasters at amusement parks. Many of my friends have been in my life since I was 7. I keep my feet on the ground and my head is always level. Risks scare me. And the secure thing has always made me the happiest. Except when it comes to my career.

Maybe you’d argue a career isn’t exactly the thing to be taking risks on in the current economic climate. And you might be right. But it’s the only way I know to get where I want to be in life. I cannot wake up every day for the rest of my life knowing I could have done more; feeling trapped. No matter what happens I know I’ll be OK, I’ll make it out somehow. And some day I’ll look back and say thank God I took some risks. Isn’t that what life is all about?

I’ve been doing a lot of Fashion Week writing and thus paying a lot of attention to it this year. And now, since this is my blog and I am not a model (or a fashionista), I just want to point out a few things I especially love so far from the designers at Fashion Week. Which means the pieces I would actually consider wearing. In real life. I have a huge appreciation for lots of the stuff shown at Fashion Week, but let’s face it, I’m not about to wear fur booties (yet, anyway) or dresses that completely drape over my already non-curvy body. But there’s still lots that I would wear and totally want to own.

One trend you’ll see in my favorite pieces are color! I love color and while my outfits sometimes seem mostly black/white/gray, I’m always immediately attracted to pieces with color.

This Zac Posen dress is a piece I would die to own. I love this dress for fall because it looks fabulous with tights, but also adds some fun color to a somewhat less colorful season in fashion. I love the busyness of it, while still managing to keep an elegant (but fun!) simplicity.

Though I’m not really a turtleneck girl, I love the way the skirt works with the top, again by Zac Posen. The colors are exactly what I think of when I think of autumn. One thing I’m having an easier time with in my Fashion Week studies is that I don’t have to love every part of the outfit. I think this skirt is awesome, but might just pair it with another top.

I’ve always been a fan of Diane von Furstenberg’s designs and this collection is no different for me. This dress doesn’t exactly scream fall to me, but the style looks like it would be quite flattering on a variety of bodies and the sequined cardigan helps it fit with the season. Everything about this look is just SO appealing to me. I want to swim in it! Plus, I think this model is beautiful.

I’m not totally sure I would wear this DVF, but I love it. It’s a little bit out there without being totally ridiculous and given the right occasion, it could totally work.

I’ve never paid a whole lot of attention to Badgley Mischka but they really impressed me with their collection. When I first saw this dress I thought it might look a bit too much like something I could buy at Express. But this dress is so much prettier and actually shimmers (it’s a bit easier to see in the video of the model, over this photo). The neckline is exquisite and the tights and shoes are the perfect simple pairing.

I absolutely love this Badgley Mischka skirt. And this model is inspiring me to try wearing one of the many blazers I have hiding in my closet that I always think look too business-like. But paired with a skirt like this, the blazer looks perfect.

Marc by Marc Jacobs is always a favorite of mine (plus, I love that he doesn’t invite celebrities to his show). I’m obsessed with SO much from their fall collection, especially the fact that he pairs a thin belt with so many of the outfits. Cropped jackets always make me happy and this outfit is the perfect autumn Gossip Girl look. OK, so I would look hideous in those shorts paired with a cropped jacket, so I’d have to opt out of wearing them together, but I think it looks awesome on her.

This is one of my very favorite casual looks of Fashion Week so far, again from Marc by Marc Jacobs. Clearly, I’m not overly-adventurous in my fashion sense, but everything about this outfit is appealing to me. I’ve recently become more of a hat person and think fall is the perfect time to sport a fashion hat. I’m not too into the shoes for myself, but I think the look is fabulous and would be willing to try them. This jacket is a dream come true to me (I told you I like gray and black).

My favorite NEW designer discovery in Fashion Week so far is Sachin and Babi for Ankasa. This husband and wife design team is making me swoon. This fuschia dress with black ribbon belt? Yesss. And I love the way the necklace works with it, too.

Another ribbon belt on a high-waisted skirt; it’s simple, but would work with so much.

And lastly, this Sachin and Babi design actually makes me want fall to come. I’m not sure if I could get this particular skirt to work with my waist, but I’d certainly be willing to try (and do whatever it takes to make it work!). And I think I need a pair of these shoes since they seem to work with absolutely everything!

So, those are my initial Fashion Week thoughts. Clearly, I’m an amateur, but I’m having lots of fun paying attention and getting inspired. Oh, and wishing my bank account was a little bit larger, so I could actually indulge in some of these designs come fall. But for now, just looking is perfectly OK with me.

(all photos taken from Fabsugar.com.au, except for Sachin and Babi for Ankasa photos taken from Elle.com)

These days, I get giddy from walking into CVS and seeing the shelves filled with red and pink boxes of chocolates, heart-shaped trinkets, and pretty sparkly things. Nope, it does not take a whole lot to make me happy. And I guess it’s safe to say that sparkly objects do distract me. I don’t need to be in a relationship on Valentine’s Day to just think February 14 is a totally pretty, fun day.

Seriously though, the color pink has always, and likely always will, make me happy (can you not tell from the theme of my blog??). It’s just a happy color, much like bright yellow. But, of course, it would make me even happier in the form of pink Christian Louboutins. Or a pink-ish DVF dress. A pink Kate Spade bag. Or a pink Burberry trench. While playing around on Polyvore for a work project, I started compiling a few of my Valentine’s Day favorites. It’s kind of addicting and also kind of makes you feel all sorts of greedy.

But really, I’m just happy it’s almost Valentine’s Day and I have a whole lot of love in my life right now. In the form of the most loving and caring family, fabulous friends who are always here for me, and the most amazing boyfriend in the world. So while I wouldn’t mind Sephora’s set of 10 lip glosses (in pink!), I’m pretty much all set with everything I’ve got.

Happy upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend… I hope you have a love-filled holiday. Or at least get that pink Essie nail polish.

“For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin- real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one…. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. -Souza”

Honestly, I had never thought about life like that before, even though I was 22 years old. And I realized this is exactly what I had been doing. College seemed like just a brief period in my life. There’s so much pressure surrounding what you’re going to do after college, that college always felt like a simple thing I was meant to get through so I could get on with the rest of my life. Would I go to grad school? Where would I work? Would I get married and have kids? What would my life be like? Wait, what would it be like? It was happening right in front of my face. RIGHT NOW. What was I waiting for?

I still catch myself doing this from time to time and I often go back and re-read the quote to bring myself back to the moment. This quote popped into my mind this morning because I realized I was doing it again. I’ve been so busy with work lately that I often find myself saying things like, “As soon as I get through all this work…” But the problem is, I don’t ever get through all the work. And I probably won’t ever get through it all. This is my life. And I need to balance the work with the play, instead of just waiting to relax until after the work is done. Because the work is part of my life. Part of the present.

But I’m much better than I used to be. Maybe it’s because I’m through all the school and am working in a field I truly love. I’m pretty sure life will change; hopefully my career will grow into something even more and maybe some day I’ll even have a house instead an apartment. Maybe I’ll have a family. And maybe I won’t have debts in the form of grad school loans (please! please!). But you know what? It doesn’t really matter. Because I’m living life NOW. And instead of waiting to find my happiness, I’m happy now. And it feels so good.

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OK, let me be clear on a few things. I am not really a fan of the MBTA. Mainly because it’s dirty, I get nauseous every time I’m on it, and it stops too much with no explanation. However, I appreciate the MBTA because it generally gets me where I need to go, which is more than people in many other cities can say. Plus, it’s a pretty complex system that can even get me to my parents’ house with not too much effort. Oh and plus, it’s cheaper than a cab.

So, you can bet I hung this little bugger up (I actually hung it in my boyfriend’s bathroom since my roommate looks at my funny whenever I want to make a personal change to the apartment, but that’s whole other story) right when I got it. Because why wouldn’t I want the entire MBTA system map hanging in the bathroom?

Check. it. out.

My only disappointment is that you can’t view the map from the inside of the shower. Because I was actually really excited to figure out my daily plan of attack while IN the shower. But instead I have to stand outside of the shower to view all the MBTA routes. BUT, I can always look at it while I’m brushing my teeth so NBD. Also, if I reallyyy want to, I can just get another shower curtain and hang it on the inside of the shower too. Bam, problem solved.

And trust me, ALL the routes are there. Even for the commuter rail! Absolutely anything you want to know about any MBTA route is here. In the bathroom.

Izola has lots of other shower curtain maps too, like a Chicago transit map for all my Chicago buddies and an NYC MTA for all you NYCers. But they also have other fun shower curtains too for you know, if you don’t care to stare at your daily commute every time you’re in the bathroom.

But I do enjoy staring at my daily commute in the bathroom. Probably mostly because I don’t have a daily commute. Seriously though, I love my new MBTA shower curtain and think it’s definitely a necessity for every Boston girl. Now. Where should we go next?!?! I’ll map it out.

Come to think of it, I also have a recurring flashback of that time in 4th grade I got a rollerblading Barbie for my birthday. Her rollerblades were awesome and little sparks shot out of them for real. She was also wearing a white leather outfit. I made the mistake of bringing her on the school bus and the 5th graders (all sitting in the very back seats, obvi) made fun of me relentlessly. “Oooh white leather is SO cool” they laughed sarcastically. No, leather has never been my friend.

Thanks, Barb:

But anyway. I think, at age 27, I’m finally getting over my fear of leather. Why? Because of gray leather. I can’t say I’ve quite become a fan of black leather jackets (and will probably stay away from white leather for life), but gray leather? Now that’s a whole different ball game.

Exhibit A)

This is seriously cute. From the off-center zipper to the over-sized collar to the super cute ribbed cuffs, I could totally rock this. From Nordstrom.

Exhibit B)

If I stumble upon $852, I might have to splurge on this Mike & Chris Isys Gray jacket from Shopbop.com. After all, we all know what a sucker for a hoodie I am.

Exhibit C)

At a much easier to swallow price of $152.97, this ASOS gray hooded leather jacket is super reasonable. And super cute. I love the ribbed cuffs. But I don’t love that the shop appears to be in the UK. OK wait, shipping is only $5.85 to the Americas? This might have to be a jacket I consider. Now, what the heck is my UK size? No wonder, they referred to it as “grey,” which is also my personal preference.

Are you a fan of leather jackets? If you can’t handle the black, isn’t gray a little easier to handle?

I liked the cake a whole lot:

And the swag bags:

The food from Chef Brian Poe at the Rattlesnake was to die for (GO there now and order 15 orders of the cornbread. You’ll eat them all):

The people were my favorite part, so go check out We are not Martha for about a billion photos (NOT an exaggeration):

And 2010 has officially kicked off to be the best year ever. I MEAN it. It’s also the year of the re-birth of Everyone Loves a Boston Girl, so get ready for lots of bloggy goodness. Whoop!

I’m a long-time lover of Uggs, no matter what the haters say. And I still love them mainly because I believe they’re the most comfortable things you could ever put on your feet that aren’t slippers (Ugg slippers?! The world implodes). However, I took WAY too many spills last winter (flat out had bruises from falling on the ice). Not to mention, Uggs are all warm and cozy until you step in a traditional Boston slush puddle and your feet get soaking and freezing. So I’m on the search for something a little bit more waterproof.

Yes, my friends, I want to be able to trudge through a blizzard, come up to my ankles in puddles, and jump in a snow bank and come away with completely dry and warm feet. And I also want to be semi-cute. Sound like too much to ask? I don’t care. I want it.

But the big dilemma is that I just don’t know which ones I like the best and which ones will do the job best. So I created a collage because a lot of times when I want to buy something, I sit and obsess over it until I don’t even want it anymore. By the time I make this decision, I will either a) hate all boots in existence or b) be sitting on a beach because it’s now summer.

But I’m cold. And I still want some boots. And here are my top picks for winter boots this year.

Winter Boots by susieand featuring Sorel boots