Everyone Loves a Boston Girl

New York Fashion Week. I’ll probably never go and that’s probably a good thing. I think I’d totally freak out over a) what to wear and b) how to act. I’d likely have a nervous breakdown due to all the excitement. And make a complete fool of myself. And not pay attention to anything actually happening on the runway. However, I do LOVE sitting at home and looking at the photos from some of my favorite designers. I go back and forth from “Yes, I could actually wear that!” to “Gah! When will I be famous enough to attend a dress-worth event?!?!”

Keep in mind, I’m not a fashion writer. Unless I’m making fun of celebrity fashion, of course. I just like pretty clothes.

Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan has been a favorite of mine since last year. I loved the bright accent colors in some of the pieces and especially loved the funky jewelry.

I’d probably go on a cruise again just to wear this. On second thought, maybe a private yacht would be better.

The dress is beautiful, but I’m pretty sure the necklace makes this look. And her pretty hair, obvi.

Marchesa

Marchesa is what I always say I’d wear every single time I hit the red carpet. If I was the kind of person who hit red carpets. This collection wasn’t my all-time favorite, but I’m obsessed with this one-shoulder nude rosette dress. And I don’t think I’d have to wait for any red carpet invitation to wear it.

Birthday present? Please?

I might wait for the red carpet for this one. But I have a feeling someone else will beat me to it. I can’t wait to see who.

Tadashi Shoji

This is one of my top 3 favorites. My two fave dresses are clearly not the most wearable dresses, but that’s not what all of this is about. I just love how feminine and ruffly they all are. Swoon.

Seriously? Smile girl! You’re in the prettiest dress ever. Gosh.

You too.

Monique Lhuillier

I’ve never loved Monique Lhuillier so much as I do right now. Can you tell I have a bit of a thing for the rosette/ruffly look this season? It’s a problem because it’s a bit too fancy for my lifestyle, but I’m dying to get my hands on something like this.

The color, the fit, everything about this dress makes me feel all tingly. Monique said the inspiration for this collection was the “Garden of Eden.” Yes, yes, yes. I can’t even find the words.

Now this is a dress I could wear to a wedding, no problem.

Elie Tahari

All I have to say about Elie Tahari is that I WANT THIS JACKET. Right. Now. I would wear this every day of my life. Love. And I’m pretty sure no imitation would do.

Nanette Lepore

What can I say– I love metallics and sequins.

Matthew Williamson

I have a thing for the feminine simplicity of Matthew Williamson. There’s just nothing not to like about these dresses and I’d be quite happy to try them on and take them for a test run.

Erin Fetherston

I love this style dress and the colors (which, in general, are so not me). I tend to drown in silk, so I love the belt holding everything together.

I can’t get over this belted v-neck dress. Cocktail hour, anyone?

It’s not like I don’t have enough similar coats, but this belted trench just screams luxury safari to me (is that possible?). Could be the hat. But the trench is beautiful.

Christian Siriano

Another dress that begs a red carpet event invite. Or a ball. Just something fancy. Please?

Jenny Packham

Jenny Packham just found her newest fan. All I can say about this dress is that it’s stunning. Out of control stunning. And that skirt is so me.

Peter Sorn

Oh hey Peter Sorn, it’s barely even fall here, and you’re already getting me super excited for spring. I’d wear this dancing around my neighborhood. That works, right?

There were many, many, many more. But I need to stop somewhere. Now I’m going to sit back and cry over the beauty of everything. And my inability to purchase any of them. But, if that Elie Tahari jacket somehow made its way over to me, all would be forgiven.

See? I do Fashion Week SO much better from my couch. (P.S. I’m wearing sweat pants and a hot pink cardigan).

OR buying the wrapping paper before the present.

Some girls want to fall in love. And some just want to get married. Like really, really, really badly. So what do you do if you want to get married but don’t have a man? Oh, just plan your wedding and hope and pray with all your might that said guy comes along before the wedding date.

And if he doesn’t? Well, you’re probably going to have a freaking lot of bills. Because weddings ain’t cheap these days.

I heard about this woman a couple months ago and I just read another update on her. Her name is Lisa and she doesn’t have a boyfriend. But she’s planning out her whole wedding in hopes that she’ll find a man before then. She needs to get a move on because the wedding is scheduled for February 15 (like, OBVIOUSLY it would be at Valentine’s Day time, right??) What was that they always say about finding someone when you’re not looking for him? Girl totally does not believe in that theory. Clearly.

I’m totally confused. I mean, cool if you want to find a man to spend your life with. But the whole wedding thing? Well, weddings aren’t necessary to love. However, love is necessary to weddings (in my own humble opinion I guess).

Furthermore, I believe a wedding should be a collaborative effort between a couple. The details of it should be “them” and should relate to their love. If Lisa finds this special man, the wedding is going to be all what she wants. It will have nothing to do with “them.” Which, isn’t that the point of a wedding? I get lots of men don’t want to actually plan the wedding, but the wedding should still relate to the love between the couple.

And of course, What kind of guy is going to want to date a girl who has “their” wedding planned already? Like, please. If you’re a guy who wouldn’t mind at all, please fill me in here. Because I don’t get it. And if I ever met a man who said, “Hey, let’s go on a date! By the way, I have my wedding planned for February… And you could be my lucky wife!” I’d get the heck out of there as fast as I could.

I mean, I don’t know. Who the heck am I to say, right? I’m not 35 and single and I have no idea what I would do if I was. I suppose this is an interesting social experiment. And Lisa says she’s been dating more now than every before. Likely because everyone is talking about her and setting her up. And she’s on the news and all over the Internet and all that.

This is even weirder than ABC’s Bachelor. Probably even weirder than the Bachelor Pad, which you might not have thought possible. I say this chick just wants her own reality show. And she should get one… Because if she’s crazy enough to plan a wedding by herself, she would be perfect for reality television.

I love that someone commented on Lisa’s blog with a quote from their mother: “Even if you don’t have money for the present, buy the wrapping paper. That way, when it comes, you’re ready.” UM. Wrapping paper=wedding? Present=husband? Pshhh. People have more issues than I thought.

But seriously, I hope she finds her groom. This could get interesting.

I’m afraid of change. And clearly not afraid to admit it. And yes, I blame it on my parents. After all, they still live in the same house they’ve lived in before I was born. That means I grew up never experiencing a move, until college. And while I blame it on my parents, I don’t blame it on them. After all, any time a potential move was even discussed, I threw my silverware on the floor, pushed my dinner table chair aside, and stormed up to my bedroom, tears flowing like crazy. You should have seen me when they decided to remodel the kitchen. Normally, I’d be all for a larger kitchen, but destroy the space I grew up watching my parents cook in? God, no! So, yeah, moving was not an option in my world.

I still joke I want to buy the house from them some day. Only it’s not really a joke. I would. For sure. And it’s possible I’d never remodel a thing. Ugh, I have issues.

Which is probably why ever since I moved to Boston 5 long years ago, I haven’t moved once. It’s a rare thing to live in one apartment for so long in your 20s. But I guess I just have an “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. I love my apartment, the location, the space, the fact I can throw my trash outside my front door and it gets mysteriously carried away in the middle of the night, the fact that I’m never cold in the winter, and more. So why am I going to pack everything in boxes, hire movers, and transplant myself to another apartment? Sounds pretty miserable.

Only now I’m moving. Literally across the street. But still, it’s moving. And I’m currently in the very middle of packing my 5 years worth of stuff. Yesterday I was packing up my bedroom when Rachael Yamagata’s “Over and Over” came on my iTunes. And as I stood there surveying my room with my hands on my hips, I felt like I was in a scene from The Hills. And like I had just had enough with my life and had to get away from it all (and yes, go to Europe in general or something).

Except that’s not it at all. It’s kind of the opposite. Everything is going so wonderfully in my life, so beautifully, and so (dare I jinx it) perfectly. And that’s what I have to keep telling myself. This is a new beginning; the next step in life. I’m moving into a nicer apartment (with a kitchen with more counter space) with someone I love with my entire being. It’s going to be an amazing experience and is so exactly right.

And let’s be real. Can I live in an old apartment with a random roommate for the rest of my life? No, probably not. But still. So many memories are held in that apartment. So many nights with friends dancing to Shakira. So many cupcakes. So many tears and lessons learned. Some things I thought I’d want to forget, but find myself clinging to because they’re the things that made me. And so many things I just never want to fade.

I threw away about 15 pairs of shoes yesterday. It was tough. I almost dug them out of the trash bag after throwing them in. But I resisted. I resisted the urge to stop when I packed 7 huge bags of clothing for Good Will. And I resisted the urge to stop when I threw away various items I’ve just had my whole life. I didn’t need them; I just had them.

Life is about change. It’s about moving on. And taking the next steps that you know will make your life even fuller than it already is. And all those places you spent so much time making memories in? They’ll always be there in your heart. They’ll never fully disappear. That’s what life is all about.

And for now… I posted this pic on Twitter while I was in the depths of packing yesterday:

And someone asked me if the robbers took much. Sigh. Maybe that’s why I’m not generally open to moving.

T is for… Ticket?

It makes sense that I was a bit confused when my boyfriend ran in the door the other day saying, “I got a ticket!!!” (with some other expletives mixed in). I could see his car outside from where he parked it earlier that day. How do you get a ticket if you’re not driving? Oh, let me just tell you how. Pull up a seat.

What do I like even less than apartment hunting in Boston? Thanks for asking. That would be the MBTA. But then, who likes the MBTA? Don’t get me wrong, I try really, really hard not to complain that much because I feel incredibly lucky to live in a city that actually has a public transportation system. And one that generally works. Really, it could be so much worse. I’m totally aware of this. But. But. But. But. I’m going to complain now. Or something like that.

Yesterday, my boyfriend got a ticket on the T. Yes, a ticket. Did you know? That was possible? Because I did not. Now I do. And I feel it’s my duty to educate all of you.

So, you know when it’s really crowded on the C-line and you walk on in the middle car? Well, he did this while he was on the phone with his mom. And because he was chatting away with his mom, he didn’t go right up to the front of the T to pay his fare. Of course, it was wrong of him. And of course, he would have paid the second he realized it or if they said, “please come to the front of the T to pay your fare” like they often do. But instead, an MBTA officer issued him a ticket. A $15 ticket. For a $2 T ride.

I mean, remember when you didn’t even have to pay to ride outbound on the C-line?! I do.

I understand the MBTA is hurting big time. And they need money really badly. But, can we talk about how many times I’ve gotten on the T and NOT had to pay because the machine is broken? Or because the T driver hasn’t turned it on yet and just waves you on? The drivers often act like they don’t really care collecting your fare and I can’t blame them since the money system is awful and if you don’t have a card, you’ll likely take 10 years to pay your fare angering everyone behind you. Plus, they probably hate their jobs. So, the MBTA is hurting for money. And their solution, instead of MAKING people pay their fare, is giving $15 tickets.

The ticket says “FARE EVASION” on it. He had no less than $40 currently on his T pass. And if the gentleman had said, “sir, go pay your fare,” I guarantee he would have said, “omg I’m sorry!” And gone to pay it. Because he is not a fare evader (He also doesn’t normally say O.M.G. though, just so you know).

I understand ticketing people jumping over turnstiles or refusing to pay or whatever. But the MBTA is clearly hurting so bad for money, they’ve hired an “officer” to ticket everyone who makes an error. Tickets on the T! Who the heck would have thought?

Let this be a warning, good people of Boston. On the street stops, get on the T through the front door. And pay your fare or you’ll be slammed with a ticket. And if you don’t pay the ticket? They will issue a warrant for your arrest!

OK, I’m kind of laughing because, really? This is kind of funny. I’ve never heard of a soul getting a ticket on the T and it would only happen to Chris. Only him. But not, because it could happen to you, too. It’s just so ridiculous.

SEE?!?! He’s really writing Chris a ticket!!!!! On the T!!! (kind of embarrassing, right??)

This happens. It’s real. Thank you, Boston.

Alternatively titled: apartment hunting on Craigslist makes me want to kill myself.

If you happen to follow me on Twitter, you’ve likely noticed I’m in the process of apartment hunting. I started the process all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. And then Craigslist killed it for me.

I’m no real estate agent, and I’m absolutely not claiming I could rent any of these apartments. Because I absolutely couldn’t. But what I do know is that I could save everyone a whole lot of time and energy… and that must count for something, right?

My advice to real estate agents listing homes on Craigslist:

• The words “Elevator building!” are irrelevant if the unit is on ground level or in the basement.
• Please don’t use the word “Wowsers” in the headline. Especially if the apartment looks like a bomb went off in it.
• We can tell if you’re stretching your photos. No coffee table is that wide. And the toilet seat looks like it was built for a giant. A for effort. Actually no, F.
  
• If you don’t put photos with your ad, there’s probably a reason. If you only include photos of the lobby, there’s probably a reason for that, too. Pretty lobbies are nice, but I shouldn’t want to sleep in it over my actual unit.

• The term “modern” changes through the years. What was “modern” in 1989, is not still considered “modern” today. A “modern” kitchen should not have a brown and yellow refrigerator.
  
• Brighton is not a “Coolidge Corner alternative.” I mean, technically everything’s an alternative to something else, but no. Just no.
  
• Who the heck would pay $250 for a parking spot in Brookline?
  
• “Clean carpet” is an oxymoron in the Boston-area.
  
• If you have to say “Lead-free!!” in the headline, you’re really struggling to say something nice, aren’t you?
  
• Cute means small. Cozy means small. Nice means meh. Unique means horribly ugly.
  
• Posting the same ad over and over, all in a row, is NOT going to make me want to call you to set up an appointment.
  
• If there’s a piece of trash in the middle of an otherwise empty room, pick it up before you take a photo. Heck, what do I care, kick it to the side if you want. Photoshop it later on if you really can’t build up the energy to remove it. just, I don’t want to see it.
  
• Please refrain from using hearts, stars, music notes, arrows, etc. in listing headlines.
  
• Just don’t say this: “living room is large, sunny and has great fridge in it, since the kitchen doesn’t have enough space to fit it.”

I’ll stop here for fear that I could go on forever and ever. Let’s just hope this apartment hunt doesn’t last that long. I’ve suddenly realized why I haven’t moved from my apartment in 5 years.

I thought this would be painless, but apparently it’s quite possible I’ll be living in a living room with a refrigerator in it. But at least I won’t have lead poisoning, right?