Camellia Sinensis Addiction

On a serious note, I have a serious Camellia sinensis addiction. To save you the trip to wikipedia: I am addicted to tea. I drink it like it’s my day job. If I could find a job where I drink it for a living, I’d quit my current job in a second and take it. To venture a guess, I probably have over two dozen types of tea sitting in my kitchen at this second (not counting the ten-or-so other teas purchased by roommates). I have them all: black, green, white, red, and herbal. Teas from countless countries and companies, leaves of  several shapes and sizes. And one with blue flowers! I drink strong malty tea in the morning, tasty tea as an afternoon pick-me-up, after lunch tea, after work tea, after dinner tea, and tea to put me to sleep. Oh, it’s a good life!

Today, I had one of those days at work that where I lost all faith in any goodness of humanity. So I cam home and immediately self-medicated with two of my favorite addictions: tea, and of course shopping. I decided to take a little internet-trip to Ten Thousand Villages, becuase where better to restore faith in humanity than a company committed to fair trade? And lots of pretty things too!

This is a handmade cream & sugar set with a woven  bamboo basket.  Sold for $28. With this, I could feel happy for three reasons: 1) it’s pretty, 2) it’s fair trade, and 3) I’d be drinking tea!

Drama

I have always been a bit melodramatic.  When I was younger, I used school plays and such as an outlet for some of this personality flair. These days, I use my roommate and friends (sorry). Of course, some of it MAY show up here on occasion as well!

Recently, I’ve had a bit of drama with a popular delivery services. Actually, two of them. Last week I spent HOURS (20 minutes) on the phone trying to figure out how to pick up a yummy chocolate delight I won in a giveaway by the fabulous theambershow. After the HOURS (minutes) on the phone, I spent DAYS (1/2 hour) waiting at the pick-up site for them to find the box and carry it to the other end of the building. All this occurring on an afternoon that I had actually taken 2 hours off work, with the intention of going home and drinking tea and staring at the wall. Woe is me!

THEN… This week I spent HOURS (minutes) on the phone with the OTHER delivery service, trying to figure out how I could get another delivery held for pickup. [Sidebar: Roommate kindly pointed out that I should just have things delivered to the office and save myself this headache. What's the fun in that?! Dramatic AND stubborn... It's like a trifecta of qualities!] So, I come to find out that the package (containing a (RED) iPod shuffle) is somewhere in a pick-up center located at the end of the universe (Brooklyn).  I happened to be going to the end of the world for work today, so I decided to “swing” by on my way back to the office. “Swing” here means going HOURS (minutes) out of my way, and TENS of subway transfers (two).  All this after a dramatic morning (in this case, ACTUALLY dramatic), that I’ll spare you the details of for the moment. So I get off the train, somewhere in Brooklyn that  I can only imagine is near the border of Indiana. I walk through what appears to be an abandoned factory town (hence, Indiana), and finally find a poorly marked door that leads to Narnia. Well, maybe just a pick-up center with my iPod shuffle, but equally exciting!

 

So, in honor of the arrival of my newest (RED) product, and all the drama leading up to the blessed event, I bring you a very appropriate (and fantastic) find:  the Antoinette Fainting Sofa – Ruby Red. Available online through Urban Outfitters for $575. This couch would be the perfect prop for my little dramatic flair. I’d buy it today, but then I’d have to have it delivered… and that might be a bit too much drama this week. Even for me.

Things that I love but will never stop eating no matter…

Roommate and I decided to roast a chicken for dinner. I LOVE roast chicken. I love stuffing it full of herbs and onions and garlic.  I shamefully admit that my favorite part of roast chicken is eating the crusty skin. It’s in the same category of coffee, chocolate ice cream, and red wine: Things I love and will never stop eating no matter what the experts tell me . I’d make this my next blog, but the title seems a bit over the edge…

So. Back to the chicken. For all my love of roast chicken, I HATE how long it takes to make. We have an oven that was most likely manufactured when Polk was president, whenever that was. So I rushed home from work to throw it in the oven as soon as possible, with only a short side-trip to the store to shop for some very necessary sake cups. The bird was cleaned and stuffed by 6pm. Only one problem: HUNGRY! Normally at this point, I’d snack on my third love: cheese. But not a crumb of cheese to be found, so we decided to make hummus. If you’ve never had fresh hummus, you should. It is AMAZING. Great idea, but we only have a blender. You know, the make-me-a-power-smoothie or a margarita kind. Not great for hummus. Garbanzo beans don’t take well to these blenders. Not easy to get out. A pain to clean. Grrr. All this frustration, thanks to my Polk-oven’s inability to produce heat, and my refrigerator’s inability to spontaneously produce cheddar. Perhaps a more realistic solution would be a food processor. I want this one!

It is the Cuisinart Pro Classic™ Food Processor, model DLC – 10S. Cuisinart sells it for $99.95. It is a 7 cup. Small for many shoppers, but it if you happened to be space-challenged as I am it’s a good size. Besides, I wouldn’t want the half-sized refrigerator, tiny oven, and mini-microwave to be intimidated by a full sized appliance!

Caged Bird Sings

Admittedly, I’ve been a bit delinquent in posting. Again. Life has gotten busy, and I MIGHT have been real shopping again. I know. But I felt bad, wanted to “boost the economy,’ and the Amex people need jobs too!

I don’t talk about my job here, since it is somewhat depressing. Quite literally. I spend my days dealing with the dark and ugly things that happen in the world. This may be why I love shopping for things that are bright and beautiful.

Today was an especially difficult day, and I came home wanting to indulge in something that would restore my faith in the goodness of life.  So I baked some fresh pizza, popped open a bottle of Chardonnay, and jumped on the internet to indulge in one of my favorite guilty pleasures: shopping. A few searches later, and somehow I ended up finding this:

The Fleur Wedge, sold by Unveiled Bridal Designs. This one is $189.90, and is customizable.  Gorgeous.

Now, anyone whose ever met me is probably flat on the floor in shock. I have never been a girl to do any kind of planning for my hypothetical, future wedding. At all. Ever. But have unofficially decided (at the amazing and insightful suggestion of theambershow) that I think I may consider a birdcage veil some time in the future. I’ve started casually, unofficially, occasionally looking for these when antique shopping. Clearly, commitment is not my strong point.

So, for the sake of maintaining my image (bitter & single), I’m posting this for my roommate. She is one of those fabulously fashionable Manhattan gals, who can pull off wearing feathers without looking like half-plucked turkey or drag-queen dressed for Mardi Gras. I’m not quite as bold, and a bit scared off by feathers worn on chicks of either variety.

For the time being, I’ll keep looking for a birdcage veil that is the one. Hopefully by then I’ll have found The One, and have a good excuse to wear a fabulous birdcage on my head!

Spend to save?

According to my most recent bank statement, it is time to do more dreaming and less shopping. Part of my plan to save a little dough it to make my own dough. Well, make whatever food I can at home to avoid take-out and the astronomically overpriced eateries that surround my office ($10 is too much for a cheap salad!).

So, in my dream life and my dream apartment, I would definitely go about making this dough (and other yummy things) with a shiny white KitchenAid mixer. Admittedly, this is not as shiny and pretty as some of the bags, boots, and bangles I’ve written about in the past. But in the end, my lust for shiny kitchen appliances is about equal to my lust for shoes.

As soon as I manage to find the counter space (and the credit), I’d love to run out and pick up a KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer.  My roommate equally shares my love for this mixer, so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. She may have even suggested that I post about the mixer. I really want the 6 quart! Perhaps a bit unnecessary for a single gal who usually bakes for one, but sometimes you just NEED to make a double batch of chocolate cookies to eat in one sitting… err… I mean share with friends and neighbors.

cooking.com sells this mixer for $399.95 ($100 off the suggested retail proce!). Definitely a good excuse to spend. I’d be doing it to save, right? Right…

In search of art

I am a fan of art. I’ll spare you the quotes about art and life and love and all that (although I did consider adding a few to the post).  But I love art because it is all the pain and all the beauty of life, put on paper for us to see for us to experience through both our eyes and the eyes of the artist.  I refuse to buy mass produced, as I am a closet artist myself and I know that you put a piece of yourself into your work. This is why and for this reason I love supporting artists, and refuse to buy mass produced art from places like Pottery Barn. Now I’m done with the exisitential art-snob soapbox. On to the art!

I am looking for art for the very bare, very white walls in my bedroom. Now I know art is very personal, and what I love you probably wont. However, I ran across she hit pause studios on etsy, and wanted to let everyone else know about this guy. I actually saw the artist in December at his booth at the Union Square Holiday Market and I LOVED his prints. I think the process of his prints is almost as facinating as the prints themselves. They are vintage and sexy, yet whimsical and sweet at the same time. Apparently some of his prints have been made available through Anthropologie in the past. This is my favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can get an 8 X 10 for $65. It reminds me of being a little girl with big dreams. 

I also really love this one! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The artist told me about setting this one up, which involved putting a woman in a bathtub with $225 worth of gumballs. I love the colors! Childhood candy, all grown up.

In which I decide to purchase a new handbag.

About a month ago, I bought a pretty camel-colored bag from Aldo. I loved it. We had some great times togather. And after about a week, one of the snaps broke and the honeymoon was over. I plan to fix it, and in the mean time have been keeping the bag closed and “secure” with an office-style binder clip. Ghetto? Perhaps. But I’m not one to care. My roommate LOVES to harass me about the binder clip. Last night this led to an unfortunate series of events, ending in my deciding it’s time to take the financial hit and buy a better bag.  Also, a trip to a local police station. 

 Yesterday, we boarded a rush-hour, sardine packed subway togather. After we got on, I attempted in my 2 inches of personal space to put my metro-card back into my purse and re-clip said ghetto bag. Roommate decided to watch and laugh and mock. Two stops later: enter stage left bizarre woman with REALLY scary make-up.  We proceded to snicker and try not to stare. Then, roommate she realized she didn’t have her phone. She has a nice phone, so she was understandably pissed. She assumed it was at home, but somehow this turned into a minor, civil but very public “scene” between roommate and I. Thirty blocks later we made up, and went back to mocking bad fashion on the subway. Two hours later her phone calls me. Weird, since it’s sitting at home and no one is there. I answer, half expecting a ghost. It is Police Sgt. Subwayman, informing us that Mr. John Doe Stickyfingers had snatched the phone. Apparently, the whole thing happened while I was binder-clipping my bag.

Moral of the story?  It is time to buy a more secure hobo bag, so that I don’t lose my wallet and become a hobo. After last night, I’m convinced that it is worth the investment. Also, it is a fabulous excuse to go shopping!

 

To help celebrate Purse Shopping Day, let’s look at some pretty (albeit impractical) bags. Like this one! Michael Kors Gansevoort Shoulder Satchel. $428 on the Michael Kohrs website. The green one is my favorite!!

Domestic Diva: Mauvelous Soup.

I am sick. Not horribly sick, but sick enough to want to stay in all day in comfy clothes and eat chicken soup. Since I am living nowhere near my mother (and having no money), I decided to make my own soup. This was an endevor for me, as I’ve never actually made normal, grandma-style chicken soup before. Also, I only have a very small soup pot. But despite no recipe and no and a teeny tiny pot, I decided to strap on my apron (from Anthropologie, of course) and go domestic. Two trips to the store and two hours later, I am enjoying the fruits (well, veggies) of my labor. I’m tempted to say better than my mother’s chicken soup, but she might someday figure out how to turn on her computer and then I’ll be in trouble. But I’ll say it anyways… this soup is pretty damn good. June Clever’s got nothing on me!

In the spirit of today’s domesticism, I decided to shop for a bigger and better soup pot. Of course, I decided to shop for one that fulfills more than purely a functional purpose. This one is rather fantastic to look at too!

 

I won’t pretend to know what makes one soup pot better than another, but I know that the Mauviel Copper Soup Station is certainly pretty! Available from William-Sonoma for $479.99.

Did I mention that I like pretty, shiny things? This soup pot makes me want to spend more time in my Anthro apron in the kitchen!

Bedframe day!

Like most Manhattanites, I live in a breadbox. Or shoebox. Or matchbox. Some kind of small box. When I moved into this box a few months ago, I decided to invest into underbed storage from the fabuolus Container Store (whichI love, even though they ate my entire first paycheck).  I bought and lugged home some fabulous containers, only to find that they did not fit under my bed.

Now this is the part of the story that a normal person would return the containers and get shorter ones. I, however, decided that it would apparently be a better idea to buy a new bedframe to fit my fabulous new plastic containers. I know. I ended up buying the cheapest one I could find. Nothing special – actually rather dull. Just about 6 inches higher than the frame that came for free. After months of searching, and weeks of fighting UPS to get it delivered, the frame is finally here and set up!

In celebration of bedframe day, I decided to shop for the bedframe that I really wanted. I have looked at a lot of frames in the past few months, but my all time favorite were on etsy. I found handmade steel frames by deliafurnature. I love them all, but this was my favorite: Spiral Bed with Canopy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE the canopy. I’ve always wanted one! Unfortunatly, this frame has no underbed storage. That of course is the main reason I didn’t get this one. That, or the $1000 price tag…

Late Night Bloomer

Believe it or not, I have not always had this shopping addiction. In fact, when it came to fashion (and maybe a few other things…) I was a bit of a late bloomer. I was one of those wonderfully naieve and somewhat awkward adolescents whose idea of “fashion” was my gray Goodwill mailman pants with navy clogs and an Old Navy blue striped collared shirt with the cuff sleeves cut off. Oh, and I carried a wallet in my back pocket. No joke: that was my favoriet outfit when I was 17. That, or jeans with a navy tee with (my favorite shirt) a shiny brown button-down (70’s style) collared shirt over it. 

I’ll give you a minute to digest those images and let the nausea pass.

Then, somewhere between the ages og 18 and 24, my eyes were opened to the amazing world of makeup, matching, feminine sweaters, shoes, bags, bangles, appropriate use of layering, lace, camis, cardigans, and the general concept of color. An addiction was born.

 

Speaking of blooming: check out this bag! Anthropologie’s Night Blooming Shoulder Bag, $98. I love the color and the contrast!

 

Can a girl ever have enough bags? Clearly, the answer is no.