FITBF: tony, the scots, and why you're not likely to see me blush

play along at the little things we do

 

 1.   Something that makes me a great friend is, I'm always down for alcoholic beverages, junk food, incessant amounts of trash talk, and the encouragement of all your bad habits. Everyone needs a friend like me, haha.

2.  I am a wannabe female Anthony Bourdain. I spend strange amounts of time trying to conceive a gimmick that will land me my own Travel Channel show. I toy around with travel writing - also a la the fabulous Mr. Bourdain. (By the way, have you read A Cook's Tour? You need to.)

3.  I am not dainty. And I don't mean I look like an NFL linebacker or anything. I mean that it's hard to shock me. As some of you know, I have a foul mouth and indelicate sensibilities. So if I'm acting truly offended by a joke you just told, chances are I'm pulling your chain. 

4.  If I had to describe myself in 3 words, they would be brainy, capricious, tough.

5.  Something I'm really cheap about is purses. Really. I don't think I've ever spent more than 50 bucks on a purse. I have several inexpensive purses in neutral colors that have lasted me forever and go with everything I own. I suspect I've saved a lot of money over the years.

6.  Something I'm willing to splurge on is  food and booze. I fancy myself a gourmand and I only drink top-shelf stuff. Also, I am a sucker for perfume and sunglasses. 

7.  I would trade my entire summer vacation for just one or two more weeks in the Scottish highlands in a heartbeat. One summer I traveled to Edinburgh and Inverness. I was on cloud nine. The history, the greenery, the rain, the cold, the people, the food, the pubs...They all suit my temperament and interests perfectly. I have a lot of other places on my list, but I have to get back to Scotland no matter what.

Inverness - via Cathy Rodgers on Pinterest

FITBF: or, why I shall be a 28-year-old bibliophile forever

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via alisburda on etsy

My most prized possession is my book collection. I literally have an entire library in my house - many of which I haven't even read yet, so anytime I want to read something new I can just peruse my own shelves instead of going to the book store. (I still do, though, constantly - It's a compulsion; hence my massive collection. I like to think that it's healthier than a shoe or purse obsession.)

If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I would want to be...I haven't gotten there yet, but my guess would be 27 or 28. I like to think I'll be a lot more savvy, independent, and seasoned at that age than I am now, but still have plenty of youthful optimism and freedom. (There is no way in hell I would ever want to be younger than 21 ever again...for obvious reasons.)


The best way to spend a weekend is having one crazy night out, one peaceful night in, and lots and lots of sleep.

My outlook on life is ever-evolving, but right now it can be best summed up as:

via ThisCleverGirl on Pinterest

If you want to annoy me, just wear apathy and willful ignorance like a badge of honor. Like proudly tell me that you don't care about the news or politics (this become unacceptable once you get past the age of 17), or that you "hate reading." (Not enjoying reading is one thing - Saying that you hate it just really irritates me and kinda grosses me out.) Yep, that'll definitely do the trick.

I am completely defenseless when it comes to ASPCA ads. I'm pretty stoic about most things, but for whatever reason I can't watch these ads without wanting to cry. They shamelessly prey upon the viewer's emotions and - guess what - it works. It's a great cause, and I gladly donate money to the ASPCA monthly, but I just can't watch them. View at your own risk.

(And I fully realize how strange it is that I, and a lot of other people, get more tearful over this kind of stuff than they do over, say, the situation in the DRC. The good news is that most of us know how ridiculous that is. In my own defense, I will also throw out there that I've dealt with personal loss and intense physical pain in the past without shedding a tear, either. I cannot explain this incongruity. I'll leave that to the shrinks.)

FITBF: March 17

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1. The best deal I've ever gotten is my clearance puppy. Seriously. I feel like I talk about my dog way too much on here. Never fear, I don't have some weird obsession and don't plan on stuffing him when he dies (*tear*). But he's the legitimate answer to this question: When I went to get my dog, I originally wanted his sister (who was all white), but the little old man selling them told me that he wanted to keep her for breeding purposes. He then sweetened the deal on Sammy by knocking off $50 from the original price. Couldn't say no to a deal like that, could I?


2. If I were hosting a dinner party and could invite people from my fantasy guest list it would include (I'm going to take this literally and only include people who are living today, although my inner history nerd is salivating at the idea of dinner with Winston Churchill): Ricky Gervais, Steve Carrell, Ellen DeGeneres, and Tina Fey (for obvious reasons); Angelina Jolie (because I want to be her - I'd probably make her really uncomfortable),  Prince Harry (because he'd obviously just fall immediately & madly in love with me), and George W. Bush (just cause). 

jolie, unhcr goodwill ambassador

michael scott + david brent = heaven

and what!

 

3. Something that inspires me is reading the biographies of tough broads: Eleanor of Aquitaine,  Josephine Bonaparte, and Joan Root are those I've read about most recently.

4. If I could only choose to eat one flavor of food for the rest of eternity (sweet, salty, spicy, bitter....) I would have to go with SALTY. I am a salt fiend - I dump it on everything I eat! (I will also die of heart disease.)

5. I dream about being late and/or running behind. It's very weird; I will wake up in a panic because I've been dreaming that I'm running late, only to discover that it's 2:45 am. It happens at least once a week.

6. My weekend will be spent writing a unit plan on Victorian literature. Hello, Dickens.

7. If I could only watch one movie or TV show for the rest of my life it would be The Office. I'm not as in love with it as I used to be, but it is still one of my very favorite television shows of all time. It always puts me in a good mood, and there are some parts that make me laugh out loud no matter how many times I see them. Case in point: Pretty much everything Dwight does.

 

FITBF: March 11

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My biggest accomplishment in life thus far is getting BA's in both English and History while managing to stay on the Dean's List, have a job, and maintain some semblance of a social life the whole time. It was hard work. Only to be topped when I finish my Master's...If I don't drop dead from exhaustion first!

My favorite place to sit in my house is on my front porch or in my bed. If I'm not there, I'm usually on a big comfy chair that's sitting in the corner of my bedroom. My house is full of big plush furniture. It's a lounger's paradise.

My fashion philosophy is classic and comfortable. I wear a lot of blue jeans. I have a pretty massive cardigan collection - It's my staple wardrobe item, and I wear them year-round. I don't really wear jewelry and I'm not too interested in shoes. I do have a few pairs of really beautiful heels, but other than that I stick to tennis shoes, flip flops, topsiders, and cowboys boots (which I'm wearing right now - Yeehaw!)


Something every girl should have is at least one bottle of high-quality, knock-em-dead perfume. I have quite a few of them - That's really my main splurge item when it comes to beauty products. Right now I'm loving Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf and Lola by Marc Jacobs. (And yes, I am one of those women who wears way too much perfume.)

If you looked in my purse right now you'd find car keys, gum, about three variations of chapstick/lip gloss, a few receipts, a pocket knife in the shape of a pink grenade (cute, right?), a coin purse, a bottle of Twilight Woods hand lotion from B&B Works, a few pens, and my iPod. I never seem to have my phone with me, but I never leave home without my iPod.

My favorite music right now is the soundtrack from Glee. I really love how they've freshened up a lot of older show-tunes in order to reach a new audience: "Don't Rain on My Parade," "Funny Girl," and "Maybe This Time" are a few of my faves. Although my favorite Glee song of all time is Lea Michele and Idina Menzel's rendition of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face."



My favorite part of my body is probably my eyes. They can look either blue, green, or gray on any given day. Eyes are the perfect built-in accessory for any girl.

FITBF: or, why i seriously love my dog, hulu, and stinky cheese

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The phrase or punctuation I overuse the most is "seriously." I am seriously hungry. You seriously need to stop. Seriously, you are way too good for him. Seriously? Seriously? Are you serious right now? (When someone's being a smart-ass and I can't come up with something witty to say.)
You get the idea.

Today I am thankful for Hulu Plus. I've been vegging on the couch with the NBC Thursday night lineup, and it's Friday. Yay!

My best friend is my dog. I love all my people friends dearly, but my dog Sammy has been my most loyal and lovable little companion through five stressful years of school, several moves, and a heartbreak or two. They don't call them man's best friend for nothing.

A quirky thing about me is that I'm not really a fan of chocolate.  I'd rather get blocks of cheese than a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day...no, seriously. I love gourmet aged cheese, the stinkier the better.

This weekend I will finish reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, just in time for a book club meeting next weekend.

Something that worries me is finding a real job. I'll be officially on the hunt as soon as I complete my certification, and I know it's going to be an uphill climb.

On my night stand you would find a bedside lamp, my Kindle, another little stack of books for good measure (right now it's Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Mummy by Anne Rice, and Barrel Fever by David Sedaris), a jewelry dish, and a glass of water.

FITBF :))

Woohoo! I am having so much fun with Fill in the Blank Friday, which I find on Amy Rene's's blog. Here I gooooo....

I am currently obsessed with Parks and Recreation and Community. They're two of my very favorite shows on television right now - They've actually probably replaced my two former TV obsessions, 30 Rock and The Office, which I still love but not as profoundly as I once did. Hey, it happens.

Today I am relieved because it's Friday! My weeks feel soooo long these days, and Friday and Saturday nights after 8:00 are literally the ONLY times that I can do whatever I want. On Fridays I generally don't go out because I'm too exhausted and want to spend my time vegging, reading what I want, and catching up on my sleep. Can't wait!

The age I am is 23 and the age I feel is 43. I'm a cardigan-wearing, gin-drinking, Elton John-listening, book-club-attending kinda gal. I also think I feel a bit world-wearier and jaded than is strictly healthy for someone my age. (But, wait, isn't that the default psychological state for most twenty-somethings? Maybe I'm not as unique as I thought.)

My favorite place is my front porch. I have a huge, beautiful front porch overlooking green fields, wildflowers, and trees. There's a blue haint ceiling, insanely comfortable chairs, and ceiling fans. I spend a lot of time just sitting, thinking, and reading out there. I especially love watching storms roll in. It's the location of all my Zen moments. The only place that could possibly compare is my parents' front porch, which I love for all the same reasons.

Something I have been procrastinating is cutting my dog's hair. He is a Pomeranian mix that is constantly shedding and whose hair grows at about an inch per minute. It's super expensive to keep him trimmed all the time (I have to take him to a professional groomer because it's just traumatizing for both of us when I attempt to do it), but it's also incredibly gross to constantly be covered in dog hair. So I've gotta do it. I'll call Classy Canines tomorrow...no, Monday. Definitely by Wednesday.

my doggie

The last thing I purchased was a bottle of Cruzan 9 spiced rum on my way home today. (See previous statements about Friday night relaxation and my front porch detox time.)

The thing I love most about my home is how clearly it bears traces of my fabulous grandmother, Billie. (It was her home; she had it built several years before she passed away.) It's full of cool light fixtures, interesting artwork, pieces of stained glass, quirky little knickknacks, and just a lot of very beautiful things. The main feature of the living room is a whole wall of book shelves and a fireplace - Heaven! It's also very open and airy: large windows, high ceilings, neutral walls, tiled floors, tons of light. I absolutely adore it. When I first moved in, I was worried that living there might make me lonely for my grandmother...But it's not like that. It's a lovely and happy place, full of "good energy" just like it was when she was alive. She and I were kindred spirits, and I know she's happy to look down and see that someone is keeping the home fires burning. <3

fill in the blank...saturday

So I was reading Amy Rene's"Fill in the Blank Friday" post and figured I'd give it a try (even though I'm a day late). Cause it's fun to write about yourself.

(not me, but you get the idea)

I am curious about the world. A reader, animal lover, and traveler. A worrywart. A lover of good food and good drink (borderline glutton & wino, perhaps.) Maybe a bit pretentious. Definitely a little crazy.

The bravest thing I've ever done was wander around on foot in a foreign city, completely and utterly alone. (Language barriers nothing - I made a few new friends that day.) I also repelled down a cliff side in North Carolina although I am deathly afraid of heights (I can't look over a 3rd story balcony without getting queasy). The first time I ever went out to dinner by myself also required a bit of bravery, I think. Hooray me!

I feel prettiest when I'm smiling/happy. Being with people I love makes me glow, no matter how frumpy I'm looking that day.

Something that keeps me awake at night is remembering all the snafus of my day: that homework assignment I was supposed to complete, that witty comeback I couldn't come up with, that text I probably shouldn't have sent...These things always comes rushing back to torment me right as I'm about to doze off.


My favorite meal in the entire world is any of the southern cooking that the women in my family do so well and I have not yet been able to master, alas. Also Mexican street tacos (and not the Taco Cabana kind, either): corn tortillas, queso fresco, lime, cilantro, onion, and crumbly beef fajita. Ahhh.

The way to my heart is making me laugh...real, hearty, from-the-bottom-of-my-gut laugh, not the polite silence-filling kind. I'm also a sucker for anyone who will sit and have a meaningful conversation with me about religion or politics over coffee/cocktails and smokes.

I would like to learn a little more self-control, get a real job, and visit Russia, South Korea, and Argentina within the next five years.