November 2011 Archives - not your average ordinary

Entries from 30 November 2011

Nov 30

When I moved, I didn’t anticipate needing a new duvet cover for some time, but this weekend I realized those tiny little tears the cats caused have grown in size. So I’ve begun a hunt for a good duvet cover. With pets, a pure white duvet cover is out of the question, but I love how fresh white feels. After I saw Rachel’s gorgeous newly renovated guest bedroom, I started looking at the duvet cover she used.

And while the simplicity of stripes or a chevron design is much more my style, I can’t help but want to go really girly and (over)indulge in ruffles.

Sigh. Decisions…

What’s your duvet/bedding style?

{first duvet cover from Urban Outfitters, second from West Elm, third from Anthropologie, fourth from Urban Outfitters}

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Daydream: The Snow

Nov 30

You close your eyes and shake the clear glass globe thrice. You imagine snow, imagine the chill of winter arrive on the wind and wrap around you.

Inside the globe, tiny white specks begin to form and flow to the bottom. A winter scene appears.

But you see none of this, your eyes still shut. You keep wishing.

Soon, the snow arrives, dusting your hair and shoulders and face. You shake it off and smile.

Who knew wishing could bring such things into existence…

{photograph by Anka Zhuravleva}

7 CommentsDaydream

Imaginary Dates

Nov 29

I have a little test I put all my closest male friends through: I date them in my head. Now, this isn’t true if a guy has a girlfriend, because then I am already able to see firsthand how he treats a woman he cares about (see this post). But for my single guy friends, I often imagine what it would be like to date them — would they treat a woman well? respect her? speak thoughtfully and kindly?

Those that pass, I keep close — not because I’ll necessarily ever date them, but because I know that in their hearts, they’re really amazing people.

I was reminded of all this over the weekend, when I saw a close male friend who I met while studying at UCSD. It was so good to catch up with him and talk about our lives. He was there when I needed someone to talk to many times, and while we no longer see each other frequently, we do chat often and I like that I can be completely honest with him. Finding someone I can connect that way to means a lot to me, especially because he always provides me with a much needed perspective. It’s really nice to have a guy who is very clearly a good friend.

It was a lovely little dose of my old home in my new city.

(I should warn you, there’s one problem with my test: occasionally you might get one guy friend stuck in your head and start wondering what dating him in real life would be like. Sometimes you can shake it off, but sometimes it haunts you.)

{image by my dear friend Jo Bozarth — check out her etsy shop for some cute holiday gifts}

12 CommentsInsights

Charmed: Become a Hugger

Nov 28

I’ve recently come to realize that there are a smattering of things I’m incredible awkward at besides flirting. Like farewells. This weekend, as I said hello and goodbye to old and new friends, I decided I just need to become a hugger.

Usually, when I meet someone new, I greet them with a handshake. It makes sense for first introductions. The key is that I’m never sure when the hugging or other friendly greetings should begin in a friendship. After the first meeting? The fifth? After knowing them for two months?

So I’ve decided I’ll keep the introductory handshake for new people and just go for hugs after that, assuming a general rapport.

Do you greet with hugs, fancy handshakes, or some other way? (Please tell me I’m not the only one out there who doesn’t know what to do sometimes.)

{image by Stephany Alves}

25 CommentsCharmed

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 24

Today, I will not just indulge in delicious food and laughter with family and friends. I will take time to make a list of all I’m thankful for. And I’ll start that list right now.

I’m thankful for your friendship and support and kindness. For all of you who leave comments and for those who read, your words and thoughts and presence (even if a quiet one) mean the world to me. I hope I have the chance someday to return your kindnesses ten-fold.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving — whether it is an official holiday today or just a moment of reminding yourself how fortunate you are.

{image by Jennifer from A Girl and A Camera Photography via The Self Portrait Project}

14 CommentsMerriment

Daydream: Daybreak

Nov 23

You arrived at night. The drive from the airport was filled with streaking lights and dark forms you didn’t understand then.

You can’t even sleep as tired as you are, so you pull open the curtains and watch the sunrise.

Slowly, as the light flows into the landscape, the trees begin to appear, the lush green grass, the buildings from some other time. And as you’re thinking the scene couldn’t be any more lush and beautiful, the hot air balloons launch and you lose yourself completely.

{image of Myanmar, Burma by Martin Sojka}

13 CommentsDaydream

A Nimbus Factory Party

Nov 22

I recently decided to swing by the website belonging to the lovely ladies of The Nimbus Factory and was met with such a pleasant surprise: a partnership with tinyprints to create a new line of party invitations and accessories.

So while many are you are planning which stores to hit on Black Friday, I’m trying to decide when to throw some parties and what the menus and themes will be.

At least one will feature hot cocoa as the drink of choice.

And of course, my birthday is coming up as well.

Have you started receiving party invitations for the season yet?

{all invitations above designed by the Nimbus Factory and available on tinyprints}

5 CommentsDiscoveries

Eastern Market Find: Market Grown

Nov 22

One of my favorite parts of Eastern Market here in D.C. is the flea market, which grows in size every Sunday. Today was my second trip, and I had the fortune to discover Market Fresh.

The artist behind these bags, Catalina Rozo, is incredibly talented. It’s easy to see that her bags will be a hit, but if you wander over to her website, you’ll discover she has a great eye for design.

I had the pleasure of chatting to her for a bit and encouraging her to move into the Capitol Hill area. She really would be a perfect regular addition to the Eastern Market flea.

{all photos by me; if you’re interesting in purchasing a bag and can’t make it to the Eastern Market Flea in Washington DC, contact Catalina through her website}

8 CommentsThe East Coast

The Neighborhood

Nov 21

I honestly couldn’t be more in love with the neighborhood I live in. I hadn’t initially considered the Capitol Hill area of Washington, D.C. when I first began hunting for apartments. But once I saw it, I knew it would be home. I only have three little scenes to share with you today of Capitol Hill and Eastern Market — but there will be many more in the future.

Just wait until you see the cafe I discovered!

14 CommentsThe East Coast

The New Apartment

Nov 21

As promised, a mini-tour of my new apartment. It’s all still very much in progress, but I wanted to show you some of my favorite views — beginning with the kitchen. I put up these hooks today for all of my lovely aprons.

I had a bunch of empty space in the kitchen that I filled with a kitchen cart and glass cabinet. Very soon, there will be shelves above the cart, to hold all of my baking supplies and additional cookbooks.

A persimmon and pomegranate from California, part of a housewarming gift from Melissa.

I will confess, I insisted upon a cart just to have the perfect place to keep my stand mixer. The bag of cocoa powder arrived in the mail on Friday — some friends might just find a jar of chocolate hazelnut spread in the mail to them soon!

And this is part of my living area — there’s also a dining table to the left, but it’s currently stacked with my baking supplies since the kitchen shelves are not yet up. The bedroom is also in quite a state, as I attempted to paint it yesterday but stopped once I discovered the paint color was turning my room into the interior of an iceberg. Once I decide on the proper shade of blue, get it painted, and hang some pieces on the walls, I promise to show you that space as well.

I’ve done good in a few short weeks, yes? What do you think?

Anyone want to come visit?

{all photos by me}

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