tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737431768133014852024-03-13T15:55:39.801-04:00bit[e] of lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-8983499422030253192011-11-25T11:41:00.001-05:002011-11-25T12:08:14.629-05:00gobble, gobble...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! We were missing a few members of our family--my sisters were both with their significant others and their families and one family of my cousins was home in New Jersey because Hurricane Irene did a number on their CT house--but we were thankful nonetheless. </div>
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My Dad was particularly thankful for a successful first fried turkey. After hearing all the horror stories, our turkey fry was pretty uneventful! The end result? "Perfect." Or, at least, that's what everyone else thought. I might be the only person on earth to feel this way, but I hated the fried bird. It was moist and flavorful, and it was perfectly seasoned, marinated, and cooked, but it just didn't do it for me. Call me traditional or unadventurous, but I prefer the roasted version. Thankfully, we had both! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how many turkeys does it take to fry a turkey?</td></tr>
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We're off to the paddle courts for the day and have another huge dinner with 20 family members tonight. We've transformed the livingroom/dining room and prepared the meal. On the menu? Lasagna and left over Thanksgiving sides. Yum. </div>
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I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Gobble, gobble!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-16837129910766820522011-11-21T10:00:00.001-05:002011-11-21T10:35:41.255-05:00a weekend in jupiter...And I don't feel any stupider. In fact, I feel very smart, well-rested, and refreshed! <br />
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My boyfriend's family bought a house in Jupiter, FL last April, and it is the best place to escape for the weekend. First of all, traveling from Boston (at least if you live in the city) is the best experience ever, and I realize all of us Beantowners are very spoiled. I leave my apartment one hour before take-off. Walk 15 minutes to South Station. Take the 10 minute Silver Line bus/train ($2) to Logan Airport. Breeze through security. Buy a water, snack, and magazine for the trip. And board the plane. That JetBlue flies directly to West Palm Beach, which is a 15 minute drive from said house in Jupiter, is the icing on the cake in this ideal weekend getaway. <br />
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Making for the perfect weekend, the weather Gods gave us this nice little nod....<br />
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And it also helped that we had nothing planned. We drove the golf cart to the beach, had jumping contests in the pool, ate meals outside, napped on the couch, and spent some great quality time with the fam.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They say beauty is only skin deep. Here's to hoping it works for ugliness, too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are also very, very tan on the inside. The skin is just a facade.</td></tr>
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A huge thank you goes out to my boyfriend's family for hosting us for such a spectacular weekend. We had so much fun and enjoyed relaxing and recharging so much. If the Farmer's Almanac is even half-way correct for Winter 2012, we will be back for some relief very soon! <br />
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If you're thinking to yourself, "Geez, Jawsie has really traveled a lot recently!" I can assure you, so is Jawsie. October and November were quite busy: BOS-->LEB (x2)-->BOS-->SFO-->BOS-->PBI-->BOS-->NYC-->HOME SWEET HOME (CT).</div>
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This week I am so thankful to be home with my family in Connecticut. Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday, and this week is just what the doctor ordered. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-88012841680166291972011-11-18T11:15:00.001-05:002011-11-18T11:52:55.253-05:00biking across the bridgeDUH! An east coast tourist doesn't just cross the bridge by car on her <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/party-trolley.html" target="_blank">first day in SF</a> and then forget about it! I had to go back! The Golden Gate Bridge is <i>the</i> iconic San Francisco attraction. There isn't the city by the bay without the bridge that gets you there. And what a bridge it is-- so vibrant, so magnificent, and so mind-bogglingly-suspended above the entrance to San Francisco Bay. The Golden Gate Bridge was my final conquest on my SF trip last week, and I took it by bike. (Tip #8 [ride]: They say you have to ride a trolley if you're going to San Francisco. I say you have to ride a bike. I borrowed a friends, which was uber cheap (free!), but they also rent them all over the city!).<br />
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There you have it. There are no words to describe it.</div>
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But the sandwich I brought with me to enjoy on the other side? HA! I'll give you some words to describe that: good luck every finding one better. Sweet ACME Rosemary bread, roast turkey, sun dried tomatoes, avocado, pesto, and goat cheese. Fresh. Huge. Amazing.</div>
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It came from <a href="http://luccadeli.com/" target="_blank">Lucca Deli</a> (2120 Chestnut Street), which looks like heaven on earth. And it tasted so good, too. I couldn't even put down the sandwich to take a picture of it.... woops!</div>
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Before my red-eye flight back east, my friends and I went to <a href="http://www.pizzeriadelfina.com/" target="_blank">Pizzeria Delfina</a> in Pacific Heights. (Tip #9 [eat]: go to Pizzeria Delfina for an amazing slice after a long day). If you love gourmet pizza and amazing meatballs, meet your favorite new restaurant in San Francisco. And they let us have a glass of wine while we waited outside for a table to open up... Um, hi. I'm Jawsie. Have we met? Yum, yum, yum.</div>
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It was the perfect end to a perfect trip. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-14344223903728124082011-11-18T09:19:00.001-05:002011-11-18T11:08:30.968-05:00from the hills to the piersAfter a long <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/sf-on-foot.html" target="_blank">day on foot</a>, my adventure in San Francisco continued with a visit to Alcatraz, The Ferry Building, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street, and China Town. As far as <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/im-baaaack.html" target="_blank">Jawsie's guide to seeing SF</a> goes, these <i>sights</i> are a must. (Tip #7 [see]: all these things. The only thing you'll pay for on this full day of sight seeing is a boat ticket and your lunch...)<br />
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The boat to Alcatraz left at 11am, and I ran to make my reservation with breakfast in hand. </div>
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You could say that Alcatraz was <i>cool</i> and that the views were OK... Too bad the weather was so bleh....</div>
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Holy crap. You guys, that was a joke!!! It was absurdly pretty and so interesting. I pretty much relayed the entire audio tour to my boyfriend back in Boston through 109834 text messages because I thought every fact was SOOOO cool. I mean, this is was jail? A maximum security penitentiary? What do I have to do for real estate like this?</div>
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Next was the Ferry Building for lunch at il Cane Rosso. One word: yum! </div>
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That was fresh broccoli root soup with a hot chili relish and half a slow-cooked pork shoulder sandwich with mustard greens, caramelized onions, and aioli. Do you need me to repeat that sentence?</div>
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Then I headed back down to Pier 39, where I met my new best friends...</div>
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I watched them for at least 25 minutes.... not kidding.</div>
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And then my iPhone 4 took this photo of the Fisherman's Wharf sign:</div>
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And I walked up the hill to the curvy block of Lombard Street. <br />
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Did I mention that you get these views for free in San Francisco? Everywhere you turn there is something beautiful.<br />
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Next, I circled back to China town to check it out. Strolling the streets lined with Asian markets was amazing. Though the hanging chickens in the window and drying fish in buckets don't lend to the greatest olfactory experience, this part of town is not to be missed. <br />
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That night, I met up with some college friends at <a href="http://mamacitasf.com/" target="_blank">Mamacitas</a> in the Marina. If you like Mexican food, and you're in San Francisco, you must try this place. It was so <u>fresh</u> and delish! If you go here, the Chilaquiles Casi Listos is to DIE for (as is the ceviche, enchiladas, and everything else on the menu).</div>
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I'll be back later today to detail my last adventure in San Francisco. I'll give you a hint.... I didn't get any less touristy. </div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-90396405007041127462011-11-16T10:11:00.001-05:002011-11-16T14:06:14.546-05:00sf on foot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hills. People have said it, people have said it like they mean it, I have heard it many times before, but the hills truly are something you have to see to believe. San Francisco has <u style="font-weight: bold;">hills</u>! A walking tour of SF, therefore, is a great butt workout. I had no idea until this morning, when I used <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/" target="_blank">mapmyrun</a>, that the walk I took last Monday was nearly 10 miles (ok, 9.45... close enough). I am so relieved to learn this because Tuesday morning I woke up with a soooooooore tush, and I was worried that I was really, really out of shape. (After two days at The Bar Method, I am quick to add that the jury is still out on this fact.)</div>
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Here's a glimpse of what I did. I had heard these words from friends and family-- their <i>must-sees</i> of SF if you will: "Lyon Street Steps," "Presidio," "Golden Gate Park," "Museums," "Haight and Ashbury," "Buena Vista Park," but I had no idea how well those things lined up for a day on foot. I added "Full House House" to the list and bada-bing. I did it. </div>
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Check out the map below to see what I mean re: perfect walking route! (I started on the top right, where the green dot is).</div>
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And here it is zoomed in a bit. We had seen a bunch of the Presidio, Sea Cliff, and Golden Gate Park from the <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/party-trolley.html" target="_blank">trolley</a>, so I felt okay staying on the periphery. </div>
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Lyon Street Steps. A street so steep they had to put in stairs....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First set of "steps"... I would categorize this as a full fledged staircase.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top. To the left is the GGB to the right of this beautiful house is Alcatraz.</td></tr>
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And at the top of Lyon Street Steps is an entrance to the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/prsf/index.htm" target="_blank">Presidio</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H53RQk3azRo/TsPUcmH5wOI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/4Rz1y5JlSIg/s1600/presidio12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H53RQk3azRo/TsPUcmH5wOI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/4Rz1y5JlSIg/s640/presidio12.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the edge of the Presidio. Tanker in the distance in the Bay</td></tr>
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And, into Golden Gate Park I walked. Past the <a href="http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/" target="_blank">Conservatory of Flowers</a>, into the <a href="http://www.calacademy.org/" target="_blank">California Academy of Sciences</a>, and through the <a href="http://japaneseteagardensf.com/index.php" target="_blank">Japanese Tea Garden</a> (Tip #5 [plan]: the Conservatory of Flowers is closed on Mondays. the Science museum has happy hours for 21+ Thursdays at 6pm, where you can see all the same exhibits with a glass of wine while listening to music!, and the Tea Garden has free admission between 9-10am Monday, Wednesday, Friday).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OY8ba-tPuk/TsPTfdb8WCI/AAAAAAAAAUo/G9wJAeis7wY/s1600/teagarden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OY8ba-tPuk/TsPTfdb8WCI/AAAAAAAAAUo/G9wJAeis7wY/s640/teagarden.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vj-qJHLyXmI/TsPUkFSceNI/AAAAAAAAAVY/fjGknycTGkY/s1600/science.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vj-qJHLyXmI/TsPUkFSceNI/AAAAAAAAAVY/fjGknycTGkY/s640/science.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roof of the CA Academy of Sciences is ALIVE!</td></tr>
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Then I walked down Haight Street, where I had been told to look out on the left hand side for the Ben and Jerry's store, above which, around which, and down the street from which (before it was B&Js) lived the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, etc, etc, etc. Kinda cool. Interesting history. Kinda full of drugs. Kinda terrifying.<br />
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Down the street was the entrance to Buena Vista Park, where I <strike>climbed</strike> scaled the trails to reach this lookout, which had a veryyyyyy buena vista complete with a full city vantage, Golden Gate Bridge, and amazing angle of the national park surrounding the bay.<br />
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I couldn't visit SF without giving-in to the child inside of me, <i>i.e.</i>,I had to see where Michelle, Stephanie, and DJ grew up. Though I felt a twinge of nostalgia, if I were being completely honest it was a sight for sore eyes. I'm pretty sure Danny Tanner would not approve of the state of his home's paint job... chippy, pealy, and tired looking.</div>
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And then it was downnnnnnn the hill for some much-deserved rest and recuperation. <br />
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For dinner, we ordered Vietnamese take-out from <a href="http://www.sweetaromarestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Aroma</a>. We shared the Imperial Roll (yum!), and I ordered the Pho Ga for my entree (Chicken noodle soup that is out of this world). The addition of fresh basil was absolutely perfect. And the best part? It was so affordable and HUGE. (Tip #6 [eat]: order out or go to Sweet Aroma. Two could share the soup and appetizer and spend under $10).<br />
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This was the day I went to sleep knowing I was in love with San Francisco. I felt the first twinges of the "I have to move" sickness I am currently battling back here in Boston. I loved walking around and seeing the city on my own. It was amazing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-54688675062613509692011-11-16T09:41:00.001-05:002011-11-16T10:05:13.895-05:00what i wore & l.l.bean signature = challenge<br />
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<a href="http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/post/11864525750/llbean-signature-giveaway#disqus_thread" target="_blank">What I Wore </a> and <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/8?subrnd=1" target="_blank">L.L.Bean Signature</a> are having a giveaway this week. The contest is to create a virtual outfit with pieces from L.L.Bean Signature, and the winner gets a $250 gift certificate! Below is the look I have created. My inspiration was a girl whose boyfriend invited her to the horse race this weekend to meet his family. She wants to look good, dress the part, and stay comfortable. I think she'll rock it! Does the scenario sound <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-weekends.html" target="_blank">familiar</a>? </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y13UVwV9Eb4/TqrCqLr7ZEI/AAAAAAAAAO0/B8fLOrHdibA/s1600/what+i+wore.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y13UVwV9Eb4/TqrCqLr7ZEI/AAAAAAAAAO0/B8fLOrHdibA/s640/what+i+wore.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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She chose:<br />
<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/68456?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505958&feat=505958-sigtn&cat4=505957" target="_blank">Spring Point Shirt in Blush Tint</a><br />
<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/71254?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505952&feat=505952-sigtn&cat4=505951" target="_blank">Stretch Cord Skinny Pant in Bright Navy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/69417?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505948&feat=505948-sigtn&cat4=505947" target="_blank">Cotton/Linen Field Coat in Saddle</a><br />
<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/71142?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505968&feat=505968-sigtn&cat4=505967" target="_blank">Cap Toe Boot in Light Saddle</a><br />
<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/69437?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505942&feat=505942-sigtn&cat4=505907" target="_blank">Saltwash Canvas Clutch with a Tan Oak/Dark Brown Print</a><br />
<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/68310?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505942&feat=505942-sigtn&cat4=505907" target="_blank">Nappa Leather Skinny Belt in Sea Glass</a><br />
<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/67772?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505942&feat=505942-sigtn&cat4=505907" target="_blank">Vintage Metal Field Watch</a><br />
and her Mom's hand-me-down, never-go-without <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/23913?feat=502977-GN2" target="_blank">L.L.Bean Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves</a><br />
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Thanks for hosting, Jessica! I look forward to seeing the winning look.<br />
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xox, jawsie<br />
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UPDATE (11/5/11): I won a $20 gift card from L.L.Bean Signature!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-22917645017926404822011-11-16T08:47:00.001-05:002011-11-16T09:52:35.077-05:00sf sundayIf there is any question about what my Sunday was like after 4 hours on a <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/party-trolley.html" target="_blank">party trolley</a>, I'll spell it out for you here: f-o-o-t-b-a-l-l. on a couch. food from delivery boys. no moving. We were pooped after our full Saturday and were happy to rest. The great thing about California is that football starts at 10am. This fact, combined with the time change (for me it was 3hrs. different than east coast time plus another hour change due to DST) made for a very relaxing Sunday. We emerged for an early dinner at a delicious French restaurant on Union St. called <a href="http://gaminesf.com/" target="_blank">Gamine</a>. I ordered the Warm Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad and the Moules Mariniere (mussels with white wine, parsley, and garlic) and was in H-E-A-V-E-N. So good. The restaurant (plus a few bottles of Malbec for the table) was a little bit of a splurge as far as SF on a budget goes, but because it was the only real <i>meal</i> of the day, I was totally cool with it!<br />
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After dinner I was lured across the street by<a href="http://www.pastperfectsf.com/" target="_blank"> this store</a>, where I wish I could have purchased furniture for an entire house. I'm obsessed with eclectic antiques mixed with newer pieces. And this store was exactly that. Of all the things I saw, there was one piece in particular that caught my eye, and now I think I have all the inspiration I need for my <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/10/project-old-dresser.html" target="_blank">dresser project</a>. <br />
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It had this rustic, distressed look with a modern punch, but it was still so beautiful and classic. Gold and orange look great together, and it would go so well with some natural accents and my favorite color: navy blue. What do you think?<br />
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Photo dump and a SF walking tour (guided by moi, who had never been to San Francisco before last week) coming later today! I saw so much in a day, and I really surprised myself. And now, you can do it too.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-72873052903461994392011-11-15T11:31:00.000-05:002011-11-15T11:31:27.875-05:00party trolley!San Francisco day two.<br />
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1. Coffee<br />
1a. Breakfast?<br />
2. Hike<br />
3. Rest<br />
4. Take a deep breath<br />
5. PARTY TROLLEY<br />
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1. One of the things I love about California is Peet's Coffee. Heck, I love <a href="http://www.peets.com/shop/coffee.asp?rdir=1&cm_mmc=Google-_-S-Brand_General_S-Peet%27s_Coffee_Exact-_-Exact_6519056306-_-peet%27s+coffee&cm_guid=1-_-100000000000000182224-_-6519056306" target="_blank">Peet's Coffee</a> back east, but brewing it for myself just isn't the same. Re: the feeling I woke up with on Saturday morning that was akin to 1,000,000 <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/im-baaaack.html" target="_blank">staples in my head</a>, it is safe to say I really, really needed some coffee. I walked to Peet's on Chestnut St., where I waited in line among 35 of the most beautiful, well-toned women I've ever seen wearing spandex. (Tip #4 [wear]: when in The Marina, where spandex. It's a uniform. All day, everyday. Trust me.) I too was wearing spandex (because I had worn them to bed), but I'm pretty sure my blood shot eyes and dopey gaze didn't help me blend into the crowd. Needless to say, I was a little self conscious. With my coffee in hand, I walked butt-first to the sidewalk, where I found a bench to sit down and relax.<br />
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1a. A few of my friends and I met up at Polker's Gourmet Burgers in Russian Hill (2226 Polk Street) for brunch. Sounds like a lunch/dinner joint, but I'm pretty sure the gourmet part of their name is because of their breakfast/brunch menu. Had I been feeling better, this would have been an excellent place to eat. I ordered the Fresh Herb Scrambler (fresh basil, zucchini, tomatoes, and parmesan cheese), which I would recommend to anyone, but I couldn't even make a dent... Then we were told to "Quick, get ready." And, just like that, were going on a hike...<br />
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2. Across the Golden Gate Bridge is Muir Woods National Monument. Remember, this was the first time I had seen/crossed the GGB, and it is safe to say I was COMPLETELY obsessed/a Japanese tourist (not to generalize, but you know the ones who visit NYC for the first time and take pictures of side walk grates/Starbucks/generic grey building A,B,C,&D/etc....This is me admitting that <i>I get it. I was that way in SF</i>). Anyway, if you've seen the new prequel to <i>Planet of the Apes</i>, <i>Rise of the Planet of the Apes</i>, this is the forest where Caesar climbs high in the trees and feels like a real ape, and you understand how beautiful it is. Actually, you have no idea because a picture doesn't do it justice, but to give you an idea, the pictures below aren't even edited to increase the color intensity. Muir Woods is the real deal.<br />
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3./4. Rest/ Deep breath. Need I say more?<br />
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5. Party Trolley. Almost just as self explanatory as #3/#4, but so much more fun. This was my friend Daniel's Surprise 25th Birthday Party, of which the only thing that had actually remained a surprise was the fact that the party trolley had not been canceled due to bad weather. Picture this: 40 people, one trolley (on wheels, not tracks), an open bar, a moving tour of San Francisco, four hours, pouring rain. And if you don't already get it, all of that = FUN!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A happy birthday, a full day, a fun night, good friends, great cheer, and a successful first full day in San Francisco! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-73654554815547916002011-11-14T10:22:00.001-05:002011-11-14T10:24:17.096-05:00i'm baaaack!I'm moving! I mean, I must move. I mean, I just can't not move. I mean, I should save money so that I can move. I mean, ahhhhhhhhh I have a problem, and I'm obsessed.....Oh, San Francisco. It's all I can think of these days. If you've never been, GO! If you're there, DO YOU HAVE AN EXTRA BEDROOM?<br />
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My week in SF was spectacular. Going there was the best gift I've ever given myself. The pictures you see of the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, The Bay, Alcatraz, and the rest of the city <u>do not lie</u>. San Francisco is the most breathtaking city I've ever seen. The water is <i>that</i> blue and the bridge is <i>that </i>red. The hills are <i>much</i> steeper and longer than a picture can do justice, and the people are <i>really, truly </i>kind and relaxed and beautiful and fun. Let me see if I can say one negative about my whole experience there.... hmmmmm. The cab from the airport was expensive? That's all I've got...<br />
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I'm going to break my trip down for you. This week is officially <u><b>Jawsie's Guide to Seeing San Francisco: <i>5 days of fun on a budget!!</i></b></u> I ate well, saw many sights, walked A LOT, and had a blast. Are you with me? <br />
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East coaster heads west. San Francisco night one. Ready? GO!<br />
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Lion Pub in Pacific Heights. (Jawsie's guide to SF tip #1 [imbibe]: go to this bar. 2062 Divisadero St.) Bring cash for the bar (no plastic accepted here) and order the Greyhound (they squeeze the grapefruit juice right there in front of you), and you'll love it! This cozy bar was the perfect meetup place for our group consisting of SF locals and east coasters coming in all night from a long (!!!!!! long! long! long! 6hr 40min) flight. If you drink enough and smile enough because you're seeing old friends and loving life, your mouth might get this big....remember, my name <i>is</i> Jaws, and I did admit I've <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">grown into the name</a>....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High school reunion: Colin, Reisa, half of Matt, the birthday boy Daniel, and me! </td></tr>
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And then it was time to go home, er, down the hill to my friend's apartment in the Marina. He was nice enough to let me crash in his bed while he was in Alabama at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama%E2%80%93LSU_football_rivalry" target="_blank">the big game</a>. (Jawsie's guide to SF tip numero dos [budget]: STAY AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE). Ohhhh the hills on a stomach full of <a href="http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink8180.html" target="_blank">greyhounds</a>. (Tip #3 [wisdom]: the hills are like a roller coaster (long, steep downhills intersect with flat cross roads and cabs take these transitions FAST), so be prepared for your stomach to drop). No matter your BAC, be prepared to feel a tad queasy. <br />
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Be warned. The next morning my head felt like this:<br />
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But, we fought through the pain and headed out of town on an adventure. People in San Francisco actually do things on the weekends, even when they have hangovers; this is an amazing trait, and it is a huge contributor to my desire/need to move to San Francisco. The lifestyle is active, fun, outdoors-centric, and non-intimidating. People have always said these things about California, and now I get it. I have had a sip of the Kool-Aid.<br />
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Day 2 coming tomorrow...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-77208490568171432872011-11-04T11:17:00.000-04:002011-11-16T10:05:53.697-05:00flowers in my hair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm off to San Francisco! I've never been, and I only hear the best things about the city, the lifestyle, the people, and the FOOD!!! I'm so excited to spend the next week there. Check back for updates on my trip. There will be lots of fun and only a little bit of work. <br />
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Does anyone have any not-to-be-missed San Fran advice for me?! First timer here!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.designworklife.com/2011/10/03/marisa-seguin-maps/" target="_blank">pinterest</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lombard Street via <a href="http://elliebuzz.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">pinterest</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seals at Pier 39 via <a href="http://www.visitingdc.com/san-francisco/fishermans-wharf-picture.asp" target="_blank">pinterest</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate Bridge via <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=san+francisco&um=1&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&biw=1920&bih=937&tbm=isch&tbnid=rL0wbEKYGmjFIM:&imgrefurl=http://unionstreetinn.com/visitsanfrancisco.html&docid=Ep6QlCTla_bMGM&w=519&h=390&ei=wLGMTr7kGvKGsAK95aS4BA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=51&page=1&tbnh=167&tbnw=233&start=0&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=171&ty=115" target="_blank">pinterest</a><br />
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Happy Friday! The next time you hear from me, I'll be on west coast time. Does anyone else have any big plans this weekend? Any trips coming up? </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OdvCqUguIh8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-62718485312095910542011-11-03T17:08:00.002-04:002011-11-16T10:06:09.286-05:00never never landThis week I've been MIA because of an impromptu business trip. Womp, womp, womp. But now I'm back! (This is where I take a few deep breaths and remind myself that work isn't my real life, it's just where all the dollar bills come from...)<br />
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Anyway, all the work and no play really made me feel like an adult, which in turn made me think about how much I don't want to grow up. Call me Peter Pan, but old people are boring. They talk about paying bills, and they monitor their fiber intake. They forget how to be spontaneous, and they lose sleep worrying about things they cannot control. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to shirk responsibility. I know I'll have to work for the rest of my life to support my family (I wasn't born into the lucky gene pool), and I will have to do things that aren't always fun, too. But I hope in my life, though my age will continue to get higher and higher each year, I will remember to have a sense of humor and a wild imagination. There are so many parts of being a kid that are so great-- the energy, the creativity, the never-letting-it-cross-your-mind-that-you're-not-big-enough-smart-enough-good-enough-to-do-something mentality. I feel like this is one of those situations where you can have your cake and eat it, too. And why shouldn't I?<br />
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Last Thursday, my boyfriend and I went to see Peter Pan 360 on Boston's City Hall. For those who don't know, its a traveling play of Peter Pan with a crew from London that is set up in downtown Boston until December 1st. And if you haven't guessed already, I was OBSESSED! Literally, my mouth was wide open the entire time. My family knows this glazed over, nobody's home look well, and they often recommend I don't "do that face" in public. But <a href="http://peterpantheshow.com/" target="_blank">this show</a> is so worth it. Spoiler alert: they fly. And it's awesome. You should GO. That's all.<br />
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Going to Never Never Land doesn't appeal to me. Lost boys are dirty, Captain Hook and his crew probably smell so bad, and there are no mothers and fathers! I want to live a full life but I never want to grow old. Keeping my childhood close to my heart sounds about right. <br />
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I'm going on an adventure tomorrow, and I can't wait to share. Stop by to check it out!<br />
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"Never give up, never slow down, never grow old, never ever die young." - James Taylor</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-84096966849251778672011-10-31T10:02:00.002-04:002011-11-16T10:06:19.004-05:00happy halloween!Wow! What a weekend. Boston got a few inches of wet snow Saturday night, and it made for an interesting commute to and from the bars for some Halloween revelers (especially all the girls who seem to think the holiday is about wearing as little clothing as possible!). I dressed as a snow bunny and donned Uggs, leggings, leg warmers, a fur vest, turtleneck, headband and ski goggles. I'm pretty sure I was the warmest person in town!<br />
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There are other towns in Massachusetts that didn't fair well in the storm. Halloween is postponed and schools are closed this morning in western Massachusetts due to 30 inches of snow!! If this is any indication of the kind of weather we can expect, we are in for a longggg winter...<br />
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I hope everyone has a terrific Halloween. I am so excited to walk down Mt. Vernon Street and see all the spooktacular decorations and trick-or-treaters!!</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-13605927481798784562011-10-28T09:53:00.000-04:002011-11-16T10:06:27.739-05:00have a yummy weekend!I saw snowflakes last night in Boston, and there is more on the way! brrrrrrrrrrrrrr.<br />
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I hope you planned on being something warm this Halloween.... But, if you didn't, here's a great recipe to make you feel cozy. </div>
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I was sick and lazy and felt a little bit like Sandra Lee this week (you know from <i>Semi-Homemade</i> on the Food Network!?), and I used things I had on hand to make a delicious penne dish with sweet and hearty tomato sauce. The secret, which was a complete mistake/afterthought, was a little bit of fig preserves I added to the sauce along with a pinch of cayenne pepper to add depth of flavor. You see, the other ingredients were bland (the store-bought vodka sauce was hidden beneath the no-salt-added-crushed tomatoes that I added for extra heartiness). The figs brought a subtle sweetness (if I had a pinch of sugar on hand, maybe that would have done the trick) and the cayenne helped the sweet, acidic sauce to linger just a second longer on the tongue. The end result was a hearty, flavorful sauce that I could have eaten by the spoonful! I know you can make this EASY recipe on your own. You won't regret it!</div>
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<b>Jawsie's Penne a la Vodka, Kicked up a Notch </b></div>
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(oops, just went a little Chef Emeril on you...)</div>
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Ingredients: </div>
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<li>vodka sauce (I used <i>Cucina Antica homemade flavor</i> <i>la vodka cooking sauce</i>: no sugar added)</li>
<li>crushed tomatoes (I used <i>San Marzano Italian Crushed Tomatoes</i>: no salt added<i>)</i></li>
<li>two cloves of garlic, minced</li>
<li>1.5 TBS Fig Preserves (I used <i>Bonne Maman Fig Preserves</i>)</li>
<li>pinch of cayenne pepper</li>
<li>1 tsp dried oregano</li>
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Unpictured:</div>
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<li>penne! (or other pasta; I used <i>De Cecco penne</i>)</li>
<li>tablespoon of olive oil</li>
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In a medium sized sauce pan, saute garlic in olive oil. Pour in vodka sauce and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in fig preserves, cayenne pepper, and dried oregano. Simmer for 10-30 minutes. </div>
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Meanwhile, prepare pasta <i>al dente</i> as indicated on the box (usually a pot of boiling water with a pinch of salt and a dash of olive oil for 10 minutes, or so. You want your pasta <i>just </i>done (cut a piece in half and there should be no white line of uncooked gluten in the center-- which would be a white color) because we're going to cook it a little longer in the sauce). Drain. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce and turn the heat wayyyy low for 3-5 minutes. Serve and be happy!</div>
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Have a great weekend. If you're celebrating Halloween, stay safe and have fun! </div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-50871758550504403782011-10-27T10:22:00.004-04:002011-11-16T10:06:39.996-05:00tour of our padAs promised, I've completed an apartment tour. <br />
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Some disclaimers are probably necessary. We love our apartment. It serves the two of us so perfectly, and we finally feel a little bit like grown-ups. That being said, it's not the newly remodeled house of our dreams, nor is it perfect by any stretch of the imagination. It has radiators that clang and hiss (the heat just started to turn on around here, and this was a nice little surprise in the middle of the night). The building is OLD and the floors creak, which also means that our neighbors above us have creaky floors, which we hear constantly. And the bathrooms and kitchen leave much to be desired. As in, when my boyfriend saw my bathroom for the first time he said, "It reminds me of college." Which, at least in our cases, is not exactly what we are nostalgic for when we remember those times in our lives. The floorboards are uneven, the walls are cracked, some tiles are missing from our bisque-tiled (barf) bathrooms, etc. etc. It's a mess. But it's our mess.<br />
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And, again, let me make it sooo so so so clear. We love it. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I am so lucky to have gotten to this place in my life that I can afford to live on my own and support myself. I am healthy and happy, and my cup is full with abundant gifts. I look around everyday and remember all the hard work it took (and still takes) to keep all of this a reality. And I am happy. This is great. I breath a little deeper. Then I remember to stop day-dreaming and get back to work. Like my dad always said, "The bills won't pay themselves." (Did anyone's dad not say that?).<br />
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And, with that said... Please, come in. Enter our cute, little home.... It's a work in progress, and you're coming along for the ride, right? RIGHT!? Ok, phew. Thanks.<br />
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View to right from front door:<br />
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Entryway</div>
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View straight ahead of entryway: </div>
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My roommate's bathroom</div>
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View to right from front door:<br />
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Living room</div>
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Enter the door next to the bookshelf in the living room: </div>
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My roommate's bedroom</div>
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Other side of the house: </div>
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Down the entryway hall to the left: </div>
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Our tiny kitchen </div>
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(we say we have two bathrooms but only half a kitchen...priorities!)</div>
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And straight through the doors at the end of the entryway hall: </div>
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The large anti-room I haphazardly described <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-bit-on-my-mind.html">here</a></div>
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The door in the far side of the "office-throw-all-dressing-room": </div>
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My bathroom </div>
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(which is so tiny that getting a picture of it is impossible, so please bear with me!)</div>
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And, the door on the far left of that same room, which lines up with the entryway hall, etc: </div>
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My bedroom</div>
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And there you have it! That's all she wrote. Thanks for stopping by!</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-28490557614449275552011-10-26T08:49:00.003-04:002011-11-16T10:06:59.654-05:00project: old dresser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've always been interested in interior design. When I was young, I would insist that my babysitter help me rearrange my bedroom furniture before my mom got home. I had this weird thing about not getting my mom involved, but I'm pretty sure she was unphased. You see, I'm the third child out of four in my family (which you can read more about <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/10/cheers.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and my mom might be the most laid back woman there is.... For instance, I used to wear every single layer of long underwear that we owned (three girls in different sizes= lots of long underwear) at the same time all winter long with a tutu on top.... ANYWAY, my nanny, unlike my mother, was an OCD cleaner, who insisted on making each of our bedrooms immaculate. She would vacuum under the beds and other furniture, dust, and do an overall disinfecting deep clean while we were rearranging, so it was actually music to my mothers ears to hear that we had done some decorating while she was out.<br />
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Later, in boarding school, I would budget my (very small) allowance/savings to buy linens and towels and odds and ends for my dorm room. At 14, this was not "normal" behavior as far as my roommates were concerned, but it always made me so happy! <br />
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And that trend continues today. I subscribe to a wide variety of home goods and home improvement magazines, and I receive oodles of catalogs each season. I save my money for side tables while all my other friends shop for clothes and read about the Kardashian marriage headed to splitsville (ok, clearly I'm not slacking in the rumor-reading department, but you get the picture).<br />
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I said in my post <a href="http://jawsiesbitoflife.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-bit-on-my-mind.html" target="_blank">yesterday</a> that I was excited to share some bits about me improving old pieces I already own. Remember, I'm in my mid-twenties and I'm on a budget, and this is all in the name of creating beautiful things for functional spaces, so bear with me. I'm about to get creative! This is jawsie taking a bite out of life:<br />
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Project #1: The Dresser<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that blue sticker is from the van lines that moved my parents furniture to a new house six years ago... <br />
Mom=laid back </td></tr>
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I am well aware of the following:</div>
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cons: </div>
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<ul>
<li>missing 2 knobs (hope to find some great replacements for the whole piece at anthropologie!)</li>
<li>some old tape/sticker damage to the middle two drawers (a sander will do the trick)</li>
<li>uneven tones throughout (I'm going to paint, seal, and embellish this puppy!)</li>
<li>holy moly, what a disgusting top you have. (the better to urge you to fix me with, my dear.)</li>
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pros:<br />
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<li>solid wood!</li>
<li>beautiful lines </li>
<li>mucho potential!!!!!</li>
<li>free! (this is a Mom and Dad's basement special.)</li>
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They sure don't make them like they used to...<br />
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It's going to be a big job... I'm off to find a sander! </div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-7458205438078909272011-10-25T11:32:00.006-04:002011-11-16T10:07:21.821-05:00one bit on my mindOne <i>bit</i> of my life I want to include on this blog is my home. Specifically, I would like to document my journey to improving parts of my home step-by-step. As a renter, this <i>journey</i> can't involve a kitchen or bath reno (phew!) or even a paint color change for that matter (boo, lease agreement), but I hope to improve, recreate, and up-cycle some terrific new and old pieces I own. I love beautiful pieces and functional spaces, and I believe these two ideas are not mutually exclusive. I have been collecting inspiration for eons. <strike> Now, if only pinterest would send me an invitation like I requested, so that I could keep track of all of those ideas... </strike> (edited 10/27/11 : They did! I'm on pinterest! Check me out!)<br />
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<i><b>Here is the place I should be adding a huge disclaimer in bold lettering: I've never DIY'ed anything in my entire life. I can't draw a straight line to save my life, and I've never painted anything except for an over-sized piece of paper on an easel when I was 4-- and yes I was wearing a "smock" that had had a previous life as my Dad's work shirt when I did that. </b></i><br />
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Ok, that feels better...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKQ1Vfklm-g/TqbRY6axZOI/AAAAAAAAAG4/haNgfTTeYZ8/s1600/beacon+hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKQ1Vfklm-g/TqbRY6axZOI/AAAAAAAAAG4/haNgfTTeYZ8/s640/beacon+hill.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beacon Hill photograph courtesy of FayFoto/GBCVB<br />
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I live in a 2 1/2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in a beautiful, historic neighborhood with one of my oldest, best-est girlfriends. There is nothing "new" about our apartment (I said historic), but it has solid construction and there is charm out the wazoo! (My mom always says that... I understand it, but this may be one of those times when I lose my audience... stick with me!) We have solid hard wood floors, terrific molding around the windows and doors, spaaacccceeeee, and a great floor plan. In short, we love it. <br />
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Some of our favorite parts of our apartment. (These are the little things you enjoy as a renter, because you know you can't add them yourself!):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1KusjDjTDE/TqbKcurUHKI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Glhd5TmRW7s/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1KusjDjTDE/TqbKcurUHKI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Glhd5TmRW7s/s640/IMG_0295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swoon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KbWUYYCVf4/TqbKSqArwNI/AAAAAAAAAGg/KgSjCM8Mnjk/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KbWUYYCVf4/TqbKSqArwNI/AAAAAAAAAGg/KgSjCM8Mnjk/s640/IMG_0294.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the paint splat from the previous tenants, which adds to the character...</td></tr>
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Did I mention 2 bathrooms? Can I tell you that this is the first time in my life I've had my own bathroom? Yea. It's amazing. And, to explain the "1/2" business in the bedroom description, honestly we are still trying to figure it out ourselves. There are 2 small bedrooms-- actually, one I would categorize as teensy-- and one extra space/anti-room (in addition to our living room) in which there is a humongously large closet. We are currently using the room as an office (I work from home occasionally)/ dressing room/ dining room on the occasions we find ourselves "entertaining"/ throw-all-kitchen-drawer-type-room. It helps to separate the two bedrooms and make the apartment feel open, airy, and private. <br />
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Here's another "original" we are blessed with in. every. room. of. our. apartment...<br />
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Floor plan and house tour and the first exciting project coming soon! And if you're like me, and you've learned to become a great site <strike>stalker</strike> researcher over the years, you might be trying to get a sneak-peak from old photos I've posted like <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XnI9wrAHk-0/TqFrakCzmcI/AAAAAAAAAD0/LuWkLR9q2xo/s1600/flowers3.JPG" target="_blank">this one</a>. You're welcome.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-76409482507614844852011-10-24T12:05:00.007-04:002011-11-16T10:07:39.139-05:00fall weekendsFall is my favorite time of year in New England, hands down. There's something about the start of a new school year, changing leaves, and the crisp smell of a fall evening that really gets to me. I love to don heartier clothes and cozy layers while continuing to spend a lot of time outside in the still-strong Indian Summer sun. It is the best! Needless to say, I enjoy most of these favorite fall experiences on the weekends (thanks a lot, work!), and I love that fall weekends are full of great activities. Pumpkin patches, apple orchards, lazy Saturday strolls, football games, etc. etc. However, sometimes there are too many of my favorite things scheduled for the same weekend, and I have to (gasp!!!) choose what to do! This weekend was one of those scenarios, and I had the hardest time deciding on a plan. Each option promised to be full of rich tradition, quintessentially fall wardrobe choices, great friends, and fun memories. <br />
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First, it was homecoming at my alma mater. The weekend is an annual favorite for obvious reasons: the bonfire, the pigroast, old friends, fall New England weather, and school spirit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJCAQDqpons/TqVpdq8HPyI/AAAAAAAAAGA/nvJDBpbbOfs/s1600/bonfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJCAQDqpons/TqVpdq8HPyI/AAAAAAAAAGA/nvJDBpbbOfs/s640/bonfire.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of the Dartmouth College Fund</td></tr>
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Though homecoming is typically a great football-centered celebration at other schools, at my alma mater homecoming is more of a celebration for the sake of celebrating. For starters, the Ivy League is not known for their stellar football, and it is safe to say that the team I root for is no where near the top of that list... Homecoming at my school is about seeing the freshman class run around <i>their </i>bonfire, meeting new sisters in your sorority, seeing old friends, eating good food, beer, and trying to stay warm! Sadly, this year my friends and I decided we wouldn't go to homecoming because we are getting "too old to be the young alums and too young to be the old alums." Maybe we'll reconsider next year. <br />
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Next, this weekend was the annual Head of the Charles regatta, which takes place in my new hometown, Boston, MA. Having gone to a small New England college, I had heard of the event before and knew it was it was supposed to be a ton of fun. What could be better than a weekend filled with watching tall, young, handsome, well-educated men competing in a grueling, athletic competition? I think the answer is simple: not much...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of mediabistro.com</td></tr>
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I thought it would be perfect to go to the Head of the Charles this year because I am new to the city of Boston. I moved to the historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill in September, and I love everything about my new home (er, small apartment). Unfortunately, this tradition will also have to wait another year. Other plans were finalized before I was completely up to speed on the fall schedule in Boston. However, I think next year it won't take so much convincing for me to stay home-- mainly because I just took a look at my bank account and noticed this weekend's damage (ouch!).<br />
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Finally, this weekend was the annual <i>Far Hills Race Meeting</i>, or The Hunt, in Far Hills, NJ. For those who do not know, <i>The Races</i> are a 100+ year old tradition of steeplechase horse races located about an hour outside of New York City. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_zYArR1imzw/TqWHEFazolI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/JtKR42qjWYc/s1600/FHRLogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_zYArR1imzw/TqWHEFazolI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/JtKR42qjWYc/s400/FHRLogo.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of farhillsrace.org</td></tr>
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Attending The Hunt allowed me to a) see my boyfriend's extended family (hello, brownie points!), b) see old friends from high school and friends from New York who I don't see all the time, and c) be close enough to Manhattan to attend an engagement party Saturday night for good friends who live in San Francisco. It was my first time to <i>The Races</i>, and it didn't disappoint. Though it was a long day of imbibing, I saw great friends, spent an entire day outside, and even made a point to see the horses race on more than one occasion from both the infield and the hill! Unfortunately, I only have one photo to share from the event. And it's not even a good photo... It is safe to say I was too busy holding onto my boots while trudging through the mud and hugging good friends. Not a bad excuse in my book!<br />
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Did you have a great weekend? Were there any seasonal traditions involved? <br />
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ps. I have a big project that I will be sharing over the next couple of weeks. Visit later this week for a peak at step 1!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-85148497246160151892011-10-21T09:06:00.004-04:002011-11-16T10:07:54.096-05:00fresh flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Growing up, bouquets of fresh flowers were for special occasions. My dad would bring them home for my mom on particular days when he wanted to tell her how much he loved her; he would send them to my sisters and me at boarding school on Valentine's Day and our birthdays; and each year we would wait anxiously for the tulips and daffodils to come up in the garden so that we could trim them and make bouquets to celebrate spring. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Now that I've graduated college and am living on my own, I've grown to like flowers in my apartment more and more frequently. It all started on my birthday when my boyfriend sent these beautiful multi-colored tulips to my office. As embarrassing as it was to hear all my male co-workers jesting about, "who are they from?" and watching my cheeks grow pinker, I was so proud of him and they made me feel so loved. E</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">ach time I looked at them I felt warm and happy. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I trimmed the stems every other day and changed the water diligently, and I kept those suckers alive for almost 3 weeks... which got my mind reeling.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If I could buy in-season flowers (thus cheap) from the market (cheaper) every couple of weeks, treating myself to something so special wouldn't be such a bad investment. Sure it's $5-10 more in groceries every two-three weeks, but I think it's worth it because the gift keeps giving! What begins as an oversized mixed bouquet on the console table in our entryway one week becomes a few cut flowers in a bud vase 2 weeks later on my bedside table. I've realized that having fresh flowers around lightens the mood and makes our apartment look so crisp. And they make me so happy! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then how about some mums on the fire escape? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pDmlFcX1aE/TqFs32uezgI/AAAAAAAAAD8/iREn_kCR1tE/s1600/flowers4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pDmlFcX1aE/TqFs32uezgI/AAAAAAAAAD8/iREn_kCR1tE/s640/flowers4.JPG" width="476" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, so I've really gotten into this new flower kick, but I swear I'm not the lonely woman sending herself bouquets from "secret admirers."....yet. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Happy weekend. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">p.s. Please disregard the quality of these photos! My camera is at my parents house and will be back on Monday!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173743176813301485.post-62554339948577917532011-10-20T14:27:00.008-04:002011-11-16T10:08:01.702-05:00cheers!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hi! I'm Jawsie (like the shark). Or, at least that's what my family calls me.... How does a relatively "normal" mid-twenties girl from the north east get the nickname to match that of a man-eating shark? Good question. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I am the third girl in my family and it's fair to say my parents fully expected me to be a boy... Doctors word and everything. (I guess sonograms were fuzzy in the 80's?!). No matter! A few reassuring comments later (a la "she won't remember her nursery was built for a boy or the fact that her receiving blanket is blue"), they were happy to have me! As I became more mobile in my toddler years, I was a bit different than my two older pink-and-princess-loving sisters-- I liked to tackle, destroy, and wreak havoc on everything and anything in my path. The <i>Jaws</i> theme song, play it in your head, became something like <i>my</i> theme song-- a warning sign for destruction. My mom would sing the tune (dun nun, dun nun...) as I left the kitchen on my hell-raising path for my sisters wooden block castle in the playroom, or as I escaped the bathtub and was now "loose" running down the hall in my sopping wet birthday suit. I was Jaws, but the name got "cuter" by making it "Jawsie." Sound strange? You'll get used to it. My sisters would scream, assume knight-like positions, and box me out, protecting their precious world. I learned to be quick, sneaky, and a little bit naughty just to get around their defense. And here I am today.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I like to think that I've grown into the name. I'm a fighter, though not of the physical variety, and my determination has gotten me to a great "place" in my mid-twenties. I work hard, play hard, fail hard, and always, always dream big. My experiences pushing my way through barriers and past so-called limits have allowed me to find myself. This blog is a showcase of that person; a bite out of my life shared in bits and pieces. Hence the title. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, and my parents finally got a boy. It just took another try!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for visiting!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">p.s. Edited by demand, I have included this video, which is completely gratuitous...</span></div>
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