THE Update

Yes, it has been…. half a year since I last posted? So if anyone of you are still listening, or occasionally check here to see how I’m doing, I want to confirm that no, no I’m not dead.

BUT I have a reason why I haven’t been posting, and why I’m unlikely to be posting in the near future. And it’s actually a happy reason! I finally quit a job that had been making me miserable, and I got accepted to grad school! As a matter of fact, NYU! And so, I’ve been working several odd jobs, freelancing, traveling, making pottery, doing craft shows and getting ready to move to New York City in the very not too distant future. In fact, I’m probably busier now than I ever was when I had a “real job.”

I will be keeping my Etsy shop open through the next holiday season, or until I run out of stock. But I will not be able to take custom orders, as I probably won’t be able to afford studio space in New York for the next two years on my grad student budget.

Anyways, that’s the update. I’ve had a lot of fun keeping this blog, and maybe I’ll return to it sometime. In the meantime, love you all and looking forward to the future!

Road Trippin’

Last weekend D. and I hopped in a car and took a two night trip covering at least three states, four boroughs of New York and visiting large numbers of family and friends along the way.

The ride culminated in a picturesque evening at a mansion in Princeton, N.J., where one of D.’s painter friends was having an art event. There was huge paintings along every wall, fancy catered tidbits, snow around the courtyard pool and plenty of wine and friends. It’s hard to think of any good description for it, besides lovely.

When the opening wound down, the party began. Those of us who were hardy and young stayed up late, raiding the fridge, talking and generally making mischief and having a wonderful time. But the nicest part of my night was when D. slipped away into the other room and snuck back with a beautiful flower for me, pilfered from one of the huge arrangements (“They won’t notice,” he said).

Not only has it stayed open and beautiful for several days now, but it is filling my apartment with the most amazing strong fragrance.  Every time I walk in the door and get a whiff of it, it’s a reminder of sweetness, friends and happy times….

Thanks, Mom

Yeah, I might have rolled my eyes when you got me another pair of silk long underwear. I mean, compared to growing up in frigid Rochester, N.Y., Philly is a more of an equatorial rainforest climate.  And honestly, how many pairs of wool socks does a gal need?

But I take it all back. I’m going to be standing still out in near-freezing temps on Tuesday for probably upwards of ten to twelve hours, and I’m seriously thankful for it all. Those high-tech super-warm ski gloves from L.L. Bean that I shoved in a drawer? Totally gonna need them. That fleece lined hat that I never liked to wear cus it messed up my hair? I’m breakin’ it out. That little windbreaker you insisted I bring back to Philly “just in case”? Perfectly fits under my winter jacket.

Combined, of course, with the 100% silk drawers you sent me, the expensive SmartWool socks and the nice scarf you got me last Hanukkah…I plan on being snug as a bug. I did a test-run of my cold-proof outfit today and was instantly sweltering in my warm apartment. A good sign. This is one of those times that I’m so glad I came from the land of ice and snow…I not only have the gear, but I know how to dress for the weather. I hope that it’ll make the next few days an enjoyable, exciting experience, instead of a chilly, grueling one.

Girl from the North Country

Whenever I return to the cold, cold North, I realize that I’ve forgotten how much effort I need to spend staying warm here. I almost always fail to bring a hat, since I never seem to need one in Philadelphia (I wrap a scarf around most my head) and my mom clucks over the fact that I wear sneakers instead of snow boots.

I always tell my friends and coworkers in Philly that I can’t complain about the weather in Rochester, NY, or my mom will call me a “Southern Belle.” They laugh. They don’t believe me.

I told her that when she called me a Southern Belle this weekend, about 20 minutes after I got off the plane. She thought it was pretty funny too.

But seriously… My family decided today was such a “warm” 37 degrees, they would go out for ice cream. And they think I’m the one with a problem? (To be fair, I had the ice cream, too. But I kept my coat on.)

Anyways, that may be why I was immediately taken with Rawfish’s cozy handspun yarns when I spotted one on the front page of Etsy this evening. Don’t you want to wrap it up around you and curl into a ball? I know I do.

Well, it’s about time for bed. Three wool blankets and a heater, here I come….

Happy Turkey Day!

Well, things went more or less according to schedule, minus a little late breaking news and about 40 minutes spent on the tarmac at PHL. But I’m home now in chilly Upstate New York, and there’s some fresh pie on the counter (yum! I should start making pottery pie pans!).

I’m going to take the day off tomorrow (today?), so hope you all have a wonderful holiday. I know I personally have lots to be thankful for this year. And some of it starts with “p” ends with “e” and has an “i” in the middle!

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Silk and the City

Fuzzy and high fashion meet again, this time with a distinctly New York feel.

I love this cozy cashmere collar from Joyella Designs; it looks so warm and sophisticated. The silk ribbon is the perfect chic addition – I can just imagine the girls wearing this down on 5th Avenue.

Thoughts of home

Annnd as long as we’re talking about winter, and snow, and Upstate New York, how about a little glimpse of my home?

This shot, by the lovely Shannon, of Square Effects, captures an iconic scene at Watkins Glen, not too far from where I grew up in Rochester. I really miss all the lovely parks, hikes and lakes we have up there… I know we don’t get a lot of attention out in the Western half of the state, but believe me, New York is a lot more than just the Big Apple!

P.S. Critique tomorrow! I promise! No excuses!