toothpaste

All this past week, when brushing my teeth, I noticed that my toothpaste was very low and made a mental note to stop and get some on my way home from work. Despite there being a CVS both next to my office and next to the metro stop I get on/off at, each night, I forgot, of course. Yesterday I went grocery shopping and remembered that I needed it (I don't make grocery lists) and saw that a two-pack of Crest was on sale.

Sidenote- when did deciding on toothpaste become so complicated? Seriously, there are WAY too many choices out there!

I was putting groceries away and then brought the toothpaste into the bathroom to put away in the bottom drawer where supplies live and realized that there were already five tubes of toothpaste living there.

Apparently I bought it on sale last time too.

Note to self: you have enough toothpaste to last through 2013.

Note to you: if I happen to mention that I need toothpaste, remind me to look in my bottom drawer first.

monogram this

How do you feel about monograms? I used to have a lot of monogrammed things when I was younger, but got a bit out of it, though have been really liking them a lot more lately. My aunt was always really into it, often giving us mongrammed bags, things like that.

As you know, I went to a bridal shower last weekend and for the first time ever, I bought a gift off of the registry! I am so anti-registry, but that is an entirely different story for another day :) On theirs, they had a set of monogrammed coasters that were made of sandstone and really lovely, so I bought them. Turns out, even though I had the store (Bed, Bath and Beyond) mark them as purchased, she still opened another set. Oh well, having eight monogrammed coasters isn't bad, is it? Are't they pretty?


A few years ago, I was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding. For our bridesmaid gift, she gave us each a little silver jewelry box and a silver bracelet with a charm that was the first letter of our name. The box was engraved with our initials. I looked at mine, confused, because she hadn't engraved mine correctly. She had my initials as LGD, whereas, my initials are AGD. Lexi is a nickname that most of the world uses, and I am fine with, but it isn't my initial! When I asked her about it, she said she did that on purpose, because she always calls me Lexi, not my actual name. She also said that her mother questioned the same thing and said that despite what she calls me, Lexi still isn't my given name!


I use the box to keep earrings in (it's an oblong shape, not too much would fit inside), but haven't worn the L charm bracelet since. Is that awful of me? It's lovely and all, but I mainly don't wear it because I am not much of a bracelet person in general.


Do you have a lot of monogrammed items? What is your favorite?

hair, there, everywhere

I have a confession.

I don't like getting my hair cut. In fact, it makes me very, very nervous. I'm never happy with the results and my hair grows so slowly that I feel like it looks awful for weeks after I cut it. I get really frustrated because I feel like the stylist never listens to me at all and my hair never looks the way I want it to. This is not an exaggeration, but the last time I cut my hair was January of 2008. As in, more than a year and a half ago. There is a place around the corner from where I used to work that was running a special where you could get your hair cut and highlighted for a certain price, so I decided to try that. I liked the highlights, but didn't like the cut. I ended up looking like a soccer mom, which wasn't the look I was going for.

The absolute best haircut I've ever had was in Krakow. Seriously. The girl spoke little English, so I basically said "trochę tutaj," meaning "a little here," and she picked up a handful of my hair and said "curly!" I agreed and she said "okay, today, it goes straight." So, she cut and highlighted it, blewdry and flat ironed it. It was awesome and hasn't looked that good since.

(not sure if you can tell, but my highlights were magenta! it was very stylish in Poland at the time)

(see how cute my kitchen was!)

(best part? hair cut, style and tip was only $25. I love Poland and I miss Beata)

After that, I straightened it every day for the next five or so years, until one day last summer when I decided not to, and haven't since. However, it's not looking too good these days and I need to do something with it! It's longer, it's nearly at my shoulders and curly. You know this, you've seen other photos. I know I should cut it, but I am afraid that too much will be taken off, and I am finally getting it to grow a bit longer!

Where do you get your haircut and how do you feel about your stylist? If you have crazy curly hair, what do you use in it?

conversations from the weekend

While in the great New England this weekend, I stayed with my sister Saturday night. She's in Quincy, just outside of Boston. It made sense, since I had to be in Fall River, MA Sunday morning at 10am for the bridal shower. I was late for the shower because I got lost, but that is another story.

I arrived in Providence Saturday morning around 11am and immediately drove to get my sister and we then headed north to NH for my mother's birthday. It was supposed to be a surprise, but my sister is a jerk and gave it away. I had wanted to leave home again by 7pm, to be in Quincy by 9am, since I had to get up early, but that didn't happen...it wasn't until close to 9:30 that we left. Ooops. It was around midnight when we finally got to her apartment and we got ready for bed right away. I went to the bathroom to brush teeth and such, and then we had the following conversation-

Lexi (returning to B's room)- "I forgot my toothbrush, so I used yours, okay?"

B- "WHAT!??! EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! Why?!?!"

Lexi (confused)- "What's the big deal?! It was only a tiny bit!"

B- "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

Lexi (still confused)- "There is plenty left!"

B- "Wait, what? How is there plenty left?"

Lexi- "Well, I just squeezed a tiny bit..."

B- "Wait, what did you use?"

Lexi- "Some of your toothpaste. I forgot to pack mine."

B- "Phew! Oh! Okay! You said you used my toothbrush!"

Lexi- "Eww! Gross! No!"

B- "hahahaha"

Lexi- "I meant toothpaste!!!"




Hahaha, we cracked ourselves up!

bridal shower fun

Over the weekend, I was in three states (four, to be technical, since I left from BWI in MD!). I flew into Providence, RI, rented a car, drove to MA to pick up my sister in Quincy, drove to NH for my mother's birthday and then back to MA, where I stayed at my sister's Saturday night. Sunday morning, I had a bridal shower to attend.

It was a short and whirl-winded (hyphen? or not needed there?) weekend, but lots of fun. I couldn't believe the amount of gifts the bride received. She has another shower coming up next month in CT and both her registries are nearly complete from this one. Since I am not a fan of registries in general, I didn't buy from it! Despite that, everyone raved about the gifts I brought her, which was nice. It was so nice to see her, since it had been a while, and it was good to be home too, even though it was just for a few hours.

She also gave me my bridesmaid gown, as it had mistakenly shipped to her parents house in MA. Now I had never been measured for the gown. She picked out a dress by Bill Levkoff and she and the other girls (who are all in CT and MA) went to a shop in Providence for fittings. I found a few shops around here that carried this designer, so one day, several months ago, a friend and I went to Old Town to try on the dress. We went into several shops, none of which had the gown. So the bride just ordered me a dress, even though I hadn't tried it on or been measured. Last night when I got home, I wanted to try on the dress. I pulled it out of the box and unwrapped it and noticed it seemed rather large. I looked at the label and saw that it was a size 22! Apparently there was a typo and a 22 rather than a 12 was ordered. Oooops.

So, alterations are in order. Anyone in the DC area have a suggestion of a place I could take it? I'm thinking it would be best to have it taken in a bit so that I don't end up flashing the church!

wedding dates, here and there

Okay, so I have a wedding dilemma. I may have mentioned it before, I can't remember. In October, I have two weddings in the same weekend, once of which I am a bridesmaid in. The weekend in question is Columbus Day weekend, so it is the long holiday weekend. Wedding #1, on Saturday, is in NH. Wedding #2, on Sunday, is in CT. There are roughly 3 1/2 hours between the two locations and this is a drive that I know very well, since I went to school in CT nearby, so I can totally cut it down to less than three hours, I think ;)

Wedding #1 is my sister's best friend. They've been best friends since they were in 6th grade (I was in 10th), so I've known her a long, long time. She's very close to my family and her family is as well. My sister is the MoH in her wedding, my parents and my brother and his girlfriend will be there. I really want to be there as well.

Wedding #2 is one of my best friend's from college, we met freshman year and have been close ever since. She lives in CT, so I don't see her as often as we'd like, but we talk all the time. She'll be one of my bridesmaids as well.

On Saturday, wedding # 1 is at 2pm with the reception at 6pm. The ceremony is at a church in my hometown and reception is two towns over, just about a 20 minute drive. The ceremony on Sunday for wedding #2 is not until 4:30 and there is not a rehearsal of any kind the night before. We are getting our hair done that morning, 11am-noon, and then photos before the ceremony.

If I went to wedding #1 in NH, Steve and I could get up super early Sunday morning and drive to CT. I can't imagine there being too much traffic at 5 or 6am, so we could still be there early. Or, we could always leave after the reception Saturday night when we are both wide awake. Again, there shouldn't be too much traffic that late!

If you were the bride, and I told you that I was driving down that morning, would you be upset and more stressed? Am I crazy to consider doing both? Am I asking for an ulcer?

pizza fail

Last night Steve and I decided to order pizza, as it was getting late and too hot to cook. As usual, we looked at dominos.com and each picked something (a cheeseburger pizza for him, and a thin-crust with chicken, black olives and feta for me). We kept an eye on the online pizza tracker while we watched House Hunters and soon enough, dinner was at the door.

Steve paid the delivery guy and handed me the boxes. I opened his box and put a few slices on a plate and handed it to him, and then went back to my pizza. I opened the box and what did I find?

A missing slice of pizza!

THE DELIVERY GUY ATE A PIECE OF MY PIZZA!!!!

I couldn't believe it. He tried to push the others over a bit, so it wasn't so obvious, but it still totally was. So this means that a. the pizza guy opened my box of pizza and b. likely touched the piece next to it, and c. probably wasn't wearing gloves. Ewwww.

I was going to call and compain, but didn't because a. this store is SO grossly incompetant and slow as it is, b. it was late and I was starving and c. I was so mad that I wouldn't have made any sense. I didn't eat the pieces that touched the missing piece though. I may write to dominos HQ and complain to them. We've had problems with this particular store before and have called to complain, but nothing happens. We use them because they are the closest and we are in their delivery area, rather than another store.

So, Dominos on Hawaii Ave NE, you are not my friend. Find some delivery drivers who can keep their grubby paws to themselves. Wankers.

Has anything like this happened to you? What would you have done?

legacies

Have a look at this site-

http://www.holocaustcenterbn.org/

It's an organization called The Holocaust Center in Peabody, MA that, according to their site, aims to document and to preserve history; to reduce hatred, prejudice, ignorance and indifference through education; to prevent future tragedies through the study of the universal lessons of this period. The Center has worked closely with area schools, K-12 and colleges, to raise the public awareness of the Holocaust and to educate students and teachers about the importance of defending human rights and combating racism, prejudice and intolerance within our own society and the world. The Center offers educators, administrators, students, clergy, and organizations a number of educational services.

They have a new project where they are teaming people up with a Holocaust survivor. They ask you to meet with your survivor and learn their story, so that you can present it to classrooms. They are doing this because they realize that most survivors are in their 70's and 80's and won't be able to share their stories much longer, but want them preserved.

This is a subject that is very close to me, and has been for many years. I've met with and corresponded with survivors through school projects I've done in the past. When I lived in Poland, I took a class that was specifically on Auschwitz, which is located about two hours from Krakow, where I lived. We visited the site a number of times and I've probably been there about a dozen times. The very first time I went to Poland, when I was studying in Luxembourg, I only had three days in Krakow. One of those days was spent at Auschwitz, because I thought it was such an important place to see. Now that I am in DC, I visit the Holocaust Museum a few times a year and attend special events there when I can.

This project sounds so interesting and something I'd really like to involve myself in. I am thinking of applying to do this, I think it would be a really good thing to do. I wonder though, if I could...meaning if I could actually present someone's story like that, because I can barely read about it without tears welling up, much less telling the story to children. I often read books on the subject, mostly survivor's memoirs and they never get easier to read. I am never any less horrified by the things in the books, but I think that this is such an important subject for future generations to know about and be aware of. I just wonder if I really could stand up in front of people and tell someone's story, giving them the proper respect that they deserve.

birthdays and such

Steve's birthday is coming up in a few weeks and I have no idea what to get him.

I feel like this happens every birthday/holiday, probably because it does! I am so bad at presents, I never know what to get anyone! It isn't as though it's just him...I am the same way with friends and family! I have tons of ideas, but can never narrow it down.

He's not picky, and I feel like I need to be creative, but at the same time, it's hard. I don't really get him gadgets, because he has several, and I never know which ones, (ha!) and don't want to repeat something. He's not a huge sports person, so tickets to a game or event wouldn't really work for him. Usually I try to do something fun- last Christmas, I bought him several things, and enrolled him in the beer of the month club, which he is still enjoying! I can't remember what I got him for his last birthday! His birthday is three days after our anniversary, and this year, we will be in upstate NY the week prior for a wedding (Labor Day weekend) and will probably spend a few days there. We are thinking of going to Niagara Falls while up there, and a few wineries in the area, so it will be a mini vacation.

Am I an awful girlfriend for having no idea what to get him? What did you get your S.O. for his last birthday/Christmas?

lunch date!

Remember how sad I was last year when my three favorite boys moved to Charleston?

Well, they (along with their parents, of course!) are in DC this weekend and we are having lunch today! They'll be at the Air and Space Museum, so I can meet them there, since my office is in the area! I may also go to the Zoo with them tomorrow :)

I can't wait to see them, it's been nearly a year! Alex is SIX, Andrew will be FOUR in two weeks and Henry is 2 1/2! Insane! I first began baysitting for them not too long after I moved here and Alex was only about a year and a half! They are just the sweetest boys and I was so, so sad when they left.

I have an open invitation to visit Charleston anytime, which I SO need to do. I've only been there once, several years ago for a wedding, but it poured the entire weekend, so I didn't see much other than the wedding itself. Everyone seems to say such amazing things about the city, so I need to go. Maybe in October, when wedding season ends?

a less dreamy dress

It isn't as amazing as the dress I am lusting over, but I think I will be wearing this dress to my friend's bridal shower next weekend---




It's blue, so black sandals are out. I have a pair of brown sandals that might work, I'll have to try them on with it to see.

What sort of shoes would you wear it with? I'm not wild about the ones she is wearing....

hello, oh dreamy dress

I just fell in love with this dress-

It's from Anthropologie. I love their things, though don't love their prices. This dress is so, so pretty. I could wear it to my friend's bridal shower next weekend, along with several upcoming weekends.

Should I buy, despite the $128 pricetag?

weekend fail

I really get frustrated with myself sometimes. I had a lot of work to do this weekend and I got little of it done. My final two classes end next week, as in August 14. For one of them, I need to design a program bringing a group of professionals here to the U.S. for a short-term exchange. For the other class, I have to dissect a research article. This was a good weekend to get a lot of that work done, as Steve was out of town, as were several friends. I turned down plans with a few other friends because I said I had so much work to do, which was true.

I found the article to dissect and read it, though didn't really pull out the info that I need. I did about half of the other project, though certainly could have finished.

What else did I do this weekend instead?

• baked peach muffins
• made two potholders, three coasters and began two more baby quilts (until I ran out of thread)
• organized my fabric collection
• threw out about four zillion magazines that have lived under my bed for who knows how long
• became facebook friends with an ex
• made a salmon steak and asparagus for dinner
• returned overdue library books (oooops)
• spoke to my grandmother
• spoke to my mother about eight times
• spoke to Steve about eighteen times
• read two cookbooks
• finished a book called Girls in Trucks
• and other varied activities, few of which involved school

I really didn't even leave the apartment either! I had plans to run a few errands, but I talked myself out of it, saying that I needed to stay home and do my schoolwork.

It just annoys me that I seem to have no attention span. All day today, my notes for one class were sitting on my bed, right next to my laptop, as a glaring reminder of what I needed, yet failed, to do.

Does this happen to anyone else? Or am I the only one who seems to slack at life?

winners!

My giveaway ended Friday and there are two winners!

Jill is the big winner of giveaway no. 1 and the birthday girl, Miss Polka Dots is the lucky winner of part two of the giveaway! Hooray for spicy fun!

Would you both please email me your addresses so that I can get these mailed out to you?

Then of course, I hope you'll post pictures of what you make for dinner :)

blackberries, the yummy kind

Last weekend, we went blackberry picking! We went out to Great Country Farm in Bluemont, VA, which just might be one of my favorite spots around. It is the same place where we went strawberry picking a few weeks ago and we also got our Christmas tree there last winter! It is such a neat place. There are barnyard animals, like goats and turkeys and geese. There are also peacocks! It is such a fun place for children. They often have festivals, where there are games and activities. They do CSA's too, which I want to join next year. There is apple picking in the fall, Christmas trees in the winter and berries all summer long! While there, we discovered that the peaches were ripe for picking, so we grabbed a few of those too!

I told Steve that I think I may have been a farmer's wife in a past life, but he didn't believe me, hehe. I love farms though! This town of Bluemont is seriously adorable. They have a general store! Love it.

I had plans to make something wonderful with the blackberries, but I pretty much ate them all...ooops. They were SO good though, so sweet and juicy and perfect! I still have the peaches though...does anyone have a good peach recipe? Maybe peach muffins? I don't want to make a pie, because we won't be able to eat all of it....

Across the street from the farm is a winery- so convenient! Bluemont Vineyard is one of my favorites in Virginia. The view from the deck is gorgeous- you can see for miles and miles. They claim that on a clear day, you can see the Washington Monument. I am not disputing this claim, though I haven't seen it yet! Oh, and this is a good hour from DC- you take I-66 past Dulles, and then get on route 7, and it is a bit passed Leesburg.

They have several different wines, including a strawberry, a blackberry and a peach wine! All of their wines are named for the farm animals-

2008 Viognier "the goat"

2008 Vidal Blanc "the cow"

2008 Rose "the donkey"

2007 Merlot "the ram"

Norton "the pig"

My favorite, aside from the fruit wines, is the Vidal Blanc. As you can see, we, along with some friends, enjoyed some refreshments after our afternoon of berry picking!

If you are in the DC area, definitely check out both places for a fun afternoon!

(I don't know why this is now underlined...and I can't get it to go away!)