Introducing Rudy.

A few days ago, I fell in love with a little boy. So I adopted him, with my husband, and we named him Rudy Wooden Whitney aka "Rudy". He embodies his name. Small for his breed, timid at first, but determined. He tried hard, and I know, no matter how many years it will take, he will be the perfect partner.

Just his name makes me smile. Ya know, Rudy the movie is one of my favourites. I remember watching it with my grandfather. What Catholic doesn't love Notre Dame. My husband loves the name, and movie too.

And Wooden, well that name, that is the name of one of the greatest human I have ever met. John Wooden.

Rudy, my boxer/beagle mix, has big shoes to fill. But then again, he has big paws too ;)

Alone on Halloween...

I love Halloween. LOVE IT. Perhaps it is in large part due to the fact that my elementary/middle school had AWESOME family Halloween events (usually organized, at least partially, by my mum). I haven't celebrated though, in two whole years. This time last year I was in Maui. About to get married. This time, I am alone (well, I have Rudy), and my husband decided to take call (so he is gone overnight). I feel like crying...but I won't. I LOVE handing out candy, dressing up...and enjoying the festivities.

In lieu, here are my previous two costumes. One, was obviously Minnie Mouse (2009), and the other is Baby from Dirty Dancing (my date was Johnny Castle aka Patrick Swayze) from (2010).

Christmakkuh

“You can't ruin Chrismukkah. It's got twice the resistance of any normal holiday.”- The OC television shows greatest quote 

I remember watching The OC television show, and the Chrismukkah episode...in 2005. Yes, 2005. I was living in NYC, and had just been introduced to Judaism on a larger scale (I was, as I said before, living in NYC). I never though thought I would have a Chrismukkah. Why would I? I come from a very long line of Irish Catholic's (devout) and Russian Orthodox observers. I try to attend daily mass. At least weekly though. 

Fast forward 8 years. And I am married to a man that is Jewish by birth. Whilst he doesn't personally intend to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights, my in-laws do. I want to honor that. So I am meshing midnight mass...and Christmas trees, and incorporating a little blue, and adding additional lights in the form of a Menorah (he might not know this yet). 

As Seth Cohen (the lovely character from above said TV show) argues, it is just a double party. So I am attempting to find a way to incorporate both, and buy presents for both families, appropriately. 

My own list though, is simple. Family and friends....since I have missed them dearly. Although if I had to make a list ;)

1) Cartier D'elices Parfum since I am out. I haven't tried the lotions, so maybe those. 

2) Wool J. Crew Scarf (any type but this is ultra preppy, no?)

3) Key chain with a cool theme like this anchor or bow; I used to have a beautiful Tiffany & Co one, but as long-time readers know, that was stolen. 

4) A Catholic Bible. Don't have one. Bad, Dani. Bad.

5) A cross necklace. Still in search......

Restlessness, oh restlessness...

Right now, my beloved East Coast is preparing for a storm. Whilst in rainy Seattle, it is easy to imagine the storm is not in fact headed for NYC, but rather, right towards me. The weather, sufficient to say, is sub par in Seattle right now...

To make matters worst, my husband is undergoing immense job changes/issues in his surgical residency, and I...well...I am lost. It causes me to be restless (hence blogging at 12AM).Very restless..

Thomas Edison wrote "Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.” I hope he is right, because my husband and I, we are destined for success...it just requires this period. Unable to calm myself, I have looked elsewhere- therapy, mild medication, baths, books, bargain shopping...nothing seems to help. Not even snuggling inside my warm apartment, watching a classic film, while it drizzles outside. 

I have utilized groupon for a massage tomorrow. Here is to hoping satisfaction comes sooner, rather than later!

Investment in myself...it is expensive...but needed...

The past few days, nay months, I have made an effort to financially, at least a bit, invest in myself. I've failed to do so, for over two years (in lieu, focusing on the men in my life- not bad- but not fantastic either). I've put on 35lbs in a year. I haven't purchased new jeans in a year, despite wearing them literally every day. I haven't bought a new pair of ballet flats (which I also wear every day) since being in England (1.5 years ago). I have set out on a mission. I come first, sometimes. And my husband has been very, very supportive of this. Very.

I recently purchased (yesterday, actually) brand new J.Brands. And this morning, I got a double surprise, when Anthro had a nearly identical pair for 19.95, plus 25% off. WTH. Yes, both of them were in a large size- but I hope to fit my 27s soon. Then I will have more than just one or two pairs ;)

I also splurged on ballet flats. Despite my penchant for J.Crew, I caved. My feet are a tad wide, and flat (supported my own father-in-law, a podiatrist). I needed a tad more support, and was also tired of the "smashed" toe look in them. I paid a bit for them...sticker price :( but I already love them...and am looking for another pair (on EBay though).

For handbags, I am listing my sadly worn J.Crew collection- upgraded my old purple Longchamp tote (making it a gym bag instead) and also still looking for a Damier handbag. For more polished days.

Lastly, I started our marriage with a simple band from Tiffany. But my husband saved- and upgraded them from my favourite jeweler, Harry Winston :) I feel the investment already... :)

He thinks I make him better...

Oh my Lord. There are no words. My husband had these delivered today with this card. I am speechless and in love. What a great way to turn around my day.

The Blues...

"Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds? 

Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues? 

Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling? 

Paul Varjak: Sure. 

Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name! "- Breakfast at Tiffany's

I have two Tiffany & Co shoppes to select from, and yet I fear hopping into a cab (or in my case, driving my husband's sleek black Acura TL) to browse will not cure my feelings...I do not have the mean reds- I am not afraid, of anything. I am married to a bright, nay brilliant, beautiful man (and he fits the story book princes- as he is a doctor with a heart of gold). He makes me giddy- and his smile is officially the most radiant I have ever seen. I have the best parents on earth. Hands down. I lucked out with great in-laws as well (double- score). I have a select few best friends that mean the world, and I trust them with my life (Jenna, you lead the way, with Amber, Faith, Raima and  on a very rainy day, Ruby). When life throws curve balls, they are literally just a call away. And my brother, Scott...whom I adore  and protect with every fiber of my being has just announced his engagement to a great girl, who loves him as much as I. I get to add her to my list of close friends.  All-in-all, I am not afraid nor alone. But I am blue. Blue as can be. 

Seattle has been very good to Ryan and I, but the sky is slowly turning- yet it isn't even the slow turning of the leaves and the brisk air that is making me more sad...it is the fact that the holidays are nearing and I am soon to be without family. In fact, this is the first Christmas in my ENTIRE life that I won't spend the week before Christmas with them...I arrive in LA on the 24th. Ryan is my new immediate family, but I love browsing the stores, driving through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights with my parents...and prepping at home with my mom. Not even a large diamond at Tiffany can make up for family time. To make matters worse, Ryan is switching from research to clinical again this month...so I shall see a lot, lot, lot, less of him. 

I am determined to make the most of it though- and create new traditions. Perhaps cookie baking for the surgical residents? Or learning to shop alone? Maybe spend more time ACTUALLY learning the art of wrapping presents in lieu of throwing them in bags? I guess I should combined the above with the trips to Tiffany too. Cover my bases ;) 

Off to Tiffany...

$30 here, $40 there...

I went through my closet like I said in the previous post...and I only wish I had really thought about Gretchin Rubin, or ALL the other lifestyle books I had read prior...because then I would have a lot less of a mess on my hands.

I believe it was in the book "I love your style" by Amanda Brooks that stressed in investing in good, dare I say it, great, items (and fewer) than a ton of sale items that you only like (in lieu of love). I fail at this (and blame wholeheartedly J.Crew sales!). Over the course of the past few years, I have given away or Ebay'd so many sale items or cheaply made products that I could have had a Chanel tweed blazer that I had been lusting over. Or, if you count up the number of sale J.Crew handbags, I could have owned my beloved (and never purchased) LV Trevi. What a pity, because all that I am left with is a few items I love, and a lot I simply once "liked".

Ryan (my amazing husband) has helped me purchase a few "love" items, and I hope to continue, because I am really tired of being in a rut where I feel sloppy every time I go out. What is on my dream list? A good pair of flats. A black fitted blazer. A few well-made white shirts. A classic handbag and a new Longchamp tote. I could always use more J.Brand jeans, in dark wash, too.

Possessions

Gretchin Rubin has a chapter, for September, on Possessions. She explores (albeit briefly) various theories on the subject, and argues that possessions, in organized manner, can add to happiness. Either they trigger happy thoughts/memories, or they create them.

I love being in a clean, organized home. When the house isn't clean, I am usually NOT happy. I find this extends to my clothing, jewelry and handbags as well. When they are worn, outdated, unorganized or unwashed, I echo similarly. Today I embarked on organizing my wardrobe. Keep in mind that 99% of what I currently have does NOT fit. It doesn't matter though, I sifted through, made piles, ironed, and put away my precious clothing items in an organized fashion (after all, Weight Watchers will work, and by Christmas, I intend to fit all said items above!). I feel better already, but now I have to tackle jewelry and handbags- both of which I am unsatisfied.

I have a few VERY worn J.Crew handbags and I really do need a new one...but this time, I feel a semi-splurge is in order. I want a bag that when I (heave-forbid) through on dowdy clothes, I still feel put together. Same for the jewelry. Gone are the days of having fun with J.Crew earrings or sale Anthropologie bling. They are fun, but just not me. So, I listed it all on Ebay...and will be sticking to simple Tiffany & Co pearl studs.

My watch is another story. Poor Cartier Tank. Needs repair and it cost $450 for "standard maintenance by Cartier" but I think I will have to splurge eventually. I love that watch (it is my lucky watch, if you recall earlier posts) and it deserves to be worn.

Finally, shoes. My least favourite of my apparel. I love flats, ballet flats. And I love J.Crew. BUT J.Crew ballet flats simply look awful on my feet. So I am in search of well made ballet flats with a bit of a heel, and higher sides. I hear Chanel makes good pairs ;) but I hear the cost is a bit harsh on the wallet...

Pics to follow...

Happiness Project: Part Deux

Remember my post on The Happiness Project, by Gretchin Rubin? Well, she came to the Seattle area last week to promote her new book Happier at  Home and whilst I was unable to attend, I decided to re-look at her first work...and remember the little things to make my life, well, "happier". I started today.

My 600sf Seattle Pre-War is cramped, so cleanliness and storage was a priority (pics to follow). Therefore, a trip to Ikea and a mere $131.00 later my husband and I have a newly organized home, and enjoyed the infamous tasty Swedish meatballs! We also fell in love with a doggie, whom we considered taking home ;)

The most important purchase though was a money tree. I believe in all the luck I can get, so in addition to prayer, candles, and all other things luck-bringing to which I employ, a new living addition is now near our desk.

We finished the evening off with vigil at our beloved St. James Cathedral  and dinner at a Russian Deli near the University of Washington...perfect.

I promise photos tomorrow...for now, I am headed to bed, to follow another of her many useful suggestions.

Finding my way back...

I am sure somewhere in this blog post history, I quoted Robert Frost, one of my favourite poets. But I cannot imagine a better time, nor place to steal his words (or ideas).

The last stanza states: "I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."- Robert Frost

My life, and the road I have taken, has been twisted, and then some. It brought me to wonderful physical places where I actually lived, such as The Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, NYC (Manhattan), Philadelphia, and of course Cambridge, England. I now add a new place, Seattle (my current place of residence).

The road has brought me partners and friends of all walks...each, who contributed to who I am now, and whose experience with (regardless of outcome) is appreciated. One friend, I met at my lowest, another, during a high. My closest confidants are educators, famous movie producers, and even a Playboy Playmate of sorts. And at the start of my journey, I was given a head start, with amazing family.

The road has allowed memorable moments- walking Pebble Beach, with a new friend, Jack Nicholas' wife during his last round at the US Open...the 100th (this is for you golf lovers). Enjoying lunch with the Rockefellers...attending all my dreams colleges---UCLA, Columbia, Penn and Cambridge...and the last, I experienced what, for 800 years, the great men and women of the world had, elegant balls and champagne...punting...and I even left knowing the waltz, Viennese waltz, and foxtrot ;)

But lately, the road has been challenging ( and exciting). I got married to a surgery resident, and moved. I left my beloved PhD program at Cambridge. I left my career and am trying a hand at my fathers...and somehow, somewhere along the road, I feel as though I am lost among the "undergrowth". So today, I looked up this blog, and read it, over and over. I realized I am the same girl, on the same road, and I simply need to find myself. This is the first post back, and I promise many more to come...