Spa Day

On Monday, I am getting my first massage ever, at the Caudalie Spa, in the Plaza Hotel, for free. That sentence just kept getting better and better.

I know that this territory has kind of already been covered, but I can't wait.

I went to Tryon Park today

Pioneers of Gentrification

I am loving living in Manhattan. Living in New York is a way of life, one that's not for everyone. But I've been drinking it in. I feel like my brain just opened up to possibilities when I moved here. I'm reading more, learning more, going out more, exploring more. I feel like life has a stronger hold on you here. That can be exciting and that can be exhausting.  There are so many opportunities. I've seen a couple plays, a few great films, been to a benefit, and a lecture by one of my favorite photographers (Rodney Smith, work featured above). I also live with a couple of great girls whom I love, and who know how to have adventures.

I am really looking forward to all of the fun and experience I'm going to get here.

I love Central Park. I love farmer's markets.

Life is good. Even when you believe pee is dripping out of your roommate's ceiling. (It was actually really dirty water, but given a couple of other experiences in our apartment, we really thought it was the former.) Being a pioneer has its challenges.

my plans tonight

good news: I love my apartment.

bad news: I see rats on a regular basis.

good news: we have one of those things to plug in the wall to keep rats out of our apartment. magical.

bad news: lots of cockroaches in the open apartment next door.

good news: that wall thing also keeps away cockroaches. I've not yet seen one in our place... knock on wood...

bad news: it takes me 45 minutes to get to work.

good news: Soho is, of course, charming, and the shopping is amazing.

bad news: I cannot afford to buy anything in Soho.

good news: my first day of work I accidentally got in the way of Sandra Bullock as she was trying to leave my store.

bad news: I still get very starstruck and I'm sure she thought I was staring at her just to stare at celebrity. I really was just surprised.

good news: people in my store are generally friendly.

bad news: skincare in my store is unbelievably boring because no one wants my help ever. They all KNOW what they want, or are JUST LOOKING PLEASE DON'T SAY HELLO TO ME IN THAT FRIENDLY MANNER.

good news: great roommates.

bad news: I waited for an hour for my train to come last night.

good news: I'm going to see Dave Eggers tomorrow night.

bad news: there is so much to spend your money on in this city that does not even include the shopping or the eating.

good news: one of the brand reps in my store is insanely gorgeous. He is a man, which is why I care.

bad news: he wanted somebody else's number.

good news: great rooftop.

best part of the Emmys

I love Ricky and Steve.

snack time

That's right, folks, I am flying the coop. Finally. Heading out. On my own. And the big winner: The Big Apple! About a week ago I finally got the official affirmative on my transfer to the Soho Sephora, the first American store. I am in the middle of applying for a gorgeous apartment in Washington Heights, found by my incredible future roommates, Sara and Sarah. And no, I did not do any of the apartment hunting-- I am so so so lucky. Plenty of craigslist browsing, but no actual leg work or any real contribution at all. But look!

Trees! Close by!

More trees!


Exposed brick!
Shiny!
Beautiful hardwood floors!
No, I do not know that lady.

I am THRILLED. And, frankly, cannot believe my luck. I am moving in two weeks. Things kind of just suddenly fell into place. I have zero pieces of furniture. No bed, nor a bedspread for that matter. But I don't care, because I will be living in the city, and it feels good. GREAT.

I am sad to leave behind some lovely lovely people that I met here. I wish I could bring just about everyone in my Sephora to the store in Soho. But I will be joining several friends in the Big Apple, and hopefully meeting many more. I am a little surprised to end up in NYC. My life plan hadn't included it quite so soon. But that's ok, I'll take it. It's a huge life change, a good one.

Wish me luck moving into my fourth floor walkup. And commuting from just about the top of the island to just about the bottom every day.

This. makes. me. sick.

Subaru: R.I.P. 1997-2008

I loved this car. It makes me positively ill that my idiocy was the means of its demise. You know, not as ill as the accident itself makes me, and the possibility of harm to actual human persons, but ill nonetheless.

I have been driving this car since high school. I took my driving test in it. I listened to my first mix tape in it. I gave many a ride home in it. I sang a lot in it. This car saw a lot of change in me. My friend Katie (who died almost three years ago) rode in it. She scootered through the pouring rain once to pick up keys from my brother because I had locked my keys in this car while it was still running. I have in fact locked my keys in it a few times. I drove from coast to coast of this country in this car. I have spent the night in it because I couldn't afford a hotel room. I have packed my life and all my worldly possessions into it. I have survived a couple of truly scary moments in this car. This car has been my home when I had none. It was also how I got away. I escaped so many times in this car. Into the mountains, out west, to the lake, merely for a drive, to the movies, conversations with friends. The ability to go wherever I wanted when I wanted. It was my own space. Even when I shared it. I have been through so much. in. this. car. I loved it. Seeing what is pictured above just breaks my heart. I think it is, in fact, worse than what the picture looks like. I know, this is just a material possession, and it wasn't even mine, it was my parents', but it meant a lot to me. And I'm going to miss it a lot.

I made my first really adult purchase today: an iPhone and 2 year contract with AT&T. And I was literally shaking a little bit as I hit accept on the charge authorization. I also now feel slightly nauseous. I hope that will fade as I get used to the idea of my very own phone bill every month. The family plan was nice, but it was just time.

I have a love for my mac and old school iPod that is slightly embarrassing considering they're material objects. So I think this phone will be worth it.

the best part of the finale

Wade, why have you not been in my life this season?

LOVE this dance.

I really think Katee and Joshua should have co-won. I think she's the most flawless, though don't get me wrong, Joshua is obviously amazing. But Katee is pretty much spot-on 100% of the time.

you guys

This is where Sephora is putting me up for Encore. No offense to my sisters and their lovely apartment, but it's the swankiest place I've stayed at in NYC. It's a $350 a night hotel! Last year, I stayed in a semi-sketchy hostel room with 9 other girls and one bathroom per floor. That's all I'm saying.

P.S. why did no dances on SYTYCD really excite me tonight? No posting youtube videos here.

Watchmen

I know, all my blog is now is youtube videos. But this trailer is pretty awesome. I just hope it's not as boring as 300 was.

ridiculous

in the good way. Though I hate the costumes. And I think it highlighted Will, when I'd prefer it to be about them dancing TOGETHER. But maybe Will is just a little bit self-centered... I guess it would be hard not to be if you were such a good dancer in a competition. And maybe the choreographer just liked Will more.

favorite

despite stupid camera angles

delayed reaction

This was one of my favorites from last week. I think Joshua had an awesome week, and didn't get as much attention as he deserved. I loved his solo, and we also saw a new, more confident side of Joshua.

Business Trip!

Today, as I was working, the store director called me, and I thought: "Very unusual. I think this is going to be good news." She told me that they had selected me to be one of three castmembers to be sent to Skin Encore! That means extra training on skincare in New York City. I have been dying to go to an Encore since S.O.S., my original Sephora training. And yes,  I would prefer Color Encore, since that's my world at Sephora, but I also love skincare. And skin training is way better than no training! I was super ecstatic. The reason I'm not going to Color Encore is that there's quite a list going for people who want to go, and I'm one of the newest people in the store. But I'm thinking that they must really like me if they chose me to go to this Encore, even though Skin isn't my world. I've been working really hard, and I think it's paying off! I'm going next week. I could not be more excited.

Different.

I thought this showed off Will so well. Jessica I found a little halting, she wasn't nearly as fluid as Will. After their second dance, Mia said that Will looked so tired of carrying his partner, and it was so aaaaaaawkward. Will did not know how to react correctly.

p.s. Comfort and Thayne have to go.
p.p.s. I love Tyce.

Sexy Chelsie

I like Chelsie. I like Mark too, but this really showed off Chelsie more. And I like watching her face. She also smoothed over her dress catching on Mark's suspender really well.