5 Things I love about City Life (so far)

In no particular order:

1.  The WALKING.  Okay, so I might come to regret this once we get freezing temperatures, but I average 2 miles per day of walking every workday.  I still wake up in the morning with significant stiffness and pain, and the first couple of weeks were really tough (also because it was 90 degrees), but getting that much exercise in before even stepping foot in a gym is great.  And now that the temperature has finally gone down, it's actually tolerable. Once Kenny leaves, I'll join a gym, but I don't feel too bad about waiting so long because I'm in pretty decent shape (now if I could just stop eating ...).

2.  The FRUIT STANDS.  Fresh food is tougher to come by on the East Coast and spoils more quickly, but almost every day now I pick up a huge bowl of fresh fruit and a banana from a stand for $3.50, comparable to what it would cost at a grocery store (I probably come out a little ahead actually).  It's fantastic, I wish I had a fruit stand follow me everywhere.  Unfortunately, the fruit stands will disappear during the winter, but I have a few alternatives that are close to my house and the courthouse.

3. It's easier for KENNY.  In many ways, it's tough on Kenny and on me dealing with his barking and trying to keep him out of the street, but when it comes to his need to "mark his territory," it's fantastic, and he gets so much stimulation when he goes on walks that he's easier to deal with when we're in the house.

4. The RESTAURANTS and HAPPY HOURS.  Oh. my. goodness.  It is so much fun to be in your late 20s here, there's plenty to do and plenty of people to hang out with. I've found that I'm much busier here meeting up with friends and going out with my co-clerks during the week and I will definitely miss this when it's over.

5. The CONVENIENCE.  Want to go to the grocery store?  Several stores are a 10 minute walk away, or less.  Want to go shopping?  You're a 20-minute walk away from Banana Republic, etc.  The density makes everything easy to access, and the public transit is nice when you're crunched for time.  It's easy to catch Amtrak to New York or DC, and taxis are in abundance.  After living in Alabama and the only Gap in the region being 40 minutes away (to say nothing of the lack of a Macys or Nordstrom), the fact that there are several Gap stores that are about a 20 minute walk away, even if I hardly ever go, is nice.  Not having to buy gas or leave a carbon footprint ever is also not a bad thing.

My Toms Addiction

After receiving pair #8 and ordering myself #9, I finally accepted that I had a problem ...

  

When it comes to shoes, I'm totally into comfort, but I need the height for life, since I'm too short to get away with flats most of the time.  I am a huge fan of the classics for comfort and casual events, but the wedges have changed my life.

 Let me introduce you to my first 7: 

Top Left: my first pair, #1 the navy basics, purchased Aug. 2011 and well-loved.  The deterioration of these and the next pair gave me the justification I needed to buy #9. 

Top Center: My red "Stanford" #2 Toms, as in, the pair that I used to wear to games.  Purchased Fall 2011. As with #1, they are getting pretty ratty and are now good for walking the dog and other causal outings. 

Top Right:  #3 My work flats; purchased spring 2012, super comfortable and relatively stylish basic flats. They're in pretty good shape because I really don't wear them much. 

[Note: I think they changed the textile for these flats, but they look the same]

Middle Left: #4, my first pair of wedges. These changed my life, but they haven't held up well.  Grey turned out to be a color that I wore a lot.   I should really stop wearing them to work, but I probably won't.

Middle Reds: I think these are actually #6, I purchased the brown sparkly before the red.  These were purchased specifically for the Stanford Rose Bowl Game in Nov/Dec 2012 but have come in handy since. 

Middle Brown: Aww yes, #5, these are the ones that I constantly get compliments for. I think I bought these in the fall of 2012.  They were great for the holiday season.

Middle Right:  #7, my formerly newest pair, purchased March 2013. I needed a basic sandal, and these work. These are a less comfortable style than the other wedge, but I'm getting better at walking in them. 

Now, for my two newest: 

My precious

These lucky #8s were actually a surprise - I purchased them for my mom for Mother's Day because I couldn't justify buying them for myself, because aren't they so cute?! I just love these, very fun.  They're actually a design derivation of my #2s.  Anyway, after an old cute pair of sandals died, of which my mom had the same pair, she had these delivered so that we could continue to be twinsies.  And I'm really looking forward to wearing them with jeans in the fall in Philadelphia. 

Curtis thinks these are "hipster." This makes me sad.

Finally, #9, my first pair of the classic version with a print.  I really wanted a cute pair that I could wear that don't look like they're falling apart.  What's great about these is the fact that they conceivably match everything. 

I have a lunch outing with the female lawyers tomorrow in Fairhope and choosing between #8 & #9 is going to be agony.
UPDATE: Since we're in for some rain today I went with the #7s and brought my Rainbows to change into if necessary.

And here's what I want next! (because it doesn't end here of course) 

http://www.toms.com/womens/shoes/wedges/amery-burlap-women-s-wedges/s or

http://www.toms.com/womens/shoes/wedges/sierra-women-s-strappy-wedges/s or

http://www.toms.com/womens/collections/plus-shoes/toms-plus-nude-mint-strappy-wedge/s

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/toms-classic-dot-woolen-slip-on-women/3420581?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=4400&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_11_A

http://www.toms.com/womens/features/crochets/mint-crochet-women-s-classics/s

A few purchasing notes: 

Since my first pair, I've purchased all of my Toms online.  They are NEVER on sale. Nordstrom and Toms generally have the same prices, and you should be able to get shipping free.  Don't be surprised if you see a pair that you like and they're sold out a week later. 

Pay attention to reviews regarding fit, comfort, etc., they will not lead you astray. 

St Patrick's Day

I wanted to dye him green but that would have ended my marriage:


We hung out at McSharry's in Fairhope, drank green beverages and listened to Irish music :-). Kenny was pretty well-behaved!


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Pinterest

This isn't my Board. I do have Boards devoted to Pink, Seafoam Green (my current obsession thanks to a pair of Oscar de la Renta Sunglasses I saw, which are pinned on my board), and Blue. I might have to add a Yellow board. 

I joined Pinterest this week.  It's just as good as I expected.

(note - I was on the waiting list and had to wait 2 days to get my account)

The best way to describe it is a bulletin board where you steal people's pictures (and put up some of your own, but it's mostly stealing) and compile them for your own inspiration/commentary/whatever.

One thing I like is it's less personal, so it's not as awkward to follow people who put up neat things but whom you don't know, or only know through other people.  It's similar to Twitter in that way.

I didn't think it was guy-friendly, and to a certain extent I still don't, but I have seen some very cool boards put up by men on topics like design, architecture, etc.  But, lets face it, 85% of the content is women-driven.

 I took the advantage of putting up a few of my own pictures that do not show faces (except for Kenny's), such as details from our wedding (the cake, bouquets, etc.), since I know that Pinterest is a popular destination for brides (I would have loved it using it during my planning process!). I have already had a handful of people "repin" those pictures, which is fun.

I heard (read) a comment (;-)) about it, that it promotes an idealistic woman - one who is constantly making complex recipes, crafts, and utilizing amazing taste in decor and clothing, all while having dozens of children. That is true.  Is it worse than most of the mom/homemaker/perfect woman blogs I stumble upon? I'm not sure yet. But I like looking at the pretty rooms and wreaths, knowing that while my own skills and taste will never measure up, I can incorporate aspects of the ideas I see into my own aesthetic.

Overall I think it's the most creative outlet for those of us who love social networking, and I predict that many hours will be wasted over the next several months/years on it.

Have you used Pinterest? What do you think? Would love to hear your comments.

Need advice on a shallow topic...

Later this month I will be eligible for an iPhone upgrade (finally) and will be buying the white iPhone 4S, because it matches my white iPad.  I have a really cute Kate Spade iPad case,

And a pink iPad cover/stand (that I keep one when it goes in the iPad case) - which is now very dirty so I will likely replace it eventually

So for my iPhone, do I match?

Or

or even...

or go completely different but a really cute color and arguably my favorite case:

And yes I will likely stick with Kate Spade, because I love the brand.

UPDATE: I just ordered the green case. I decided that because I had a blue case before I wanted to go in a different direction. My iPhone might get here this week - so excited!!!

I'd appreciate your input :-)

"tattoo"

From the OC fair airbrushing booth.




I also got a Turtle on my shoulder. Other fair highlights included: drinking pinot grigio on a lovely patio, roasted corn on the cob, cotton candy, funnel cake, pig races, and a dog jumping show. Also got to pet an ox and coo at baby chicks!

Funny update: I was in the courtyard where I take Kenny near my apartment, and another dog owner complimented me on this tattoo. I laughed, said thank you, and informed her that the tattoo was fake, and that if I ever got a tattoo, it wouldn't be located there. She said that you totally couldn't tell, but that she thought it was cool, and that, like me, was contemplating a tattoo, but couldn't decide what to get, but that it probably wouldn't go on a foot. I will say however, that I do like the location, and if it were not for those pesky professional dress codes, I'd be tempted ;-).


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Random Bar Notes

***** One night I missed having facebook and twitter to rant at (although I realized that being cut off like that made the stress level go up, so I took it back a few days before) so I started a draft blog to post after the bar to giggle at - here it is ******

 Here are my random thoughts during my time away from social networking and in Bar Land.

1. this is torture.
2. Law and Order: Criminal Intent has won the contest for my drug of choice.
3. Robert Goren is pretty awesome. Kinda sexy in that nerdy way.
4. I can't wait for football season in Alabama.
5. This new Blogger interface confuses the heck out of me.
6. This has become a sort of, how close to the edge of sanity are you willing to go in order to pass?
7. I don't really need to pass this exam, I won't be in CA for a least 3 years anyway (I tried to keep this one suppressed as much as possible)
8. How do people pass this?!
9. They should really use closed book exams more in law school.
10. Our womens world cup team is awesome!
11. Everything is starting to run together.
12. I love the ESPYs - and Serena Williams has an impressive booty.
13. Kenny has been so cute today.
14. These law and orders about killers with disabilities or mental illnesses are depressing.

Engagements

Two very close and longtime friends, Juls & Elisa, just got engaged within the past two weeks and will be Mrs. Lund and Mrs. Spencer respectively by next summer. Very, very fun :-)

Elisa, me and Adelyn at my Bachelorette (I wish I had one where she was looking more at the camera, but she looks great here so I hope she doesn't mind, nice headband, Adelyn ;-) )

Courtney, Tracy, Juls, and me at the Orange Bowl

It's strange, when I got engaged back in the Stone Age at the age of 22, I thought I was unusually young to be getting married at 23. Time sure does fly, as both friends will be 27 when they marry next year, and we will have been married for 3 years as of then. A bunch of us are becoming old married ladies!

As for old married mommies... I think we still have a few years before that...hopefully, since I want my traveling buddies available as long as possible!!

JibJab Strikes Again

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I love Angry Birds

The Day Cal Football Died

The Day Cal Football Died
(Shamelessly Stolen from a member on thebootleg.com)

A long, long time ago...
They can still remember
How Cal Football made them smile.
The Bears won games and not by chance.
Oh, how they made Cal fans dance.
And won away games once in a while.

But Big Game Week made them shiver.
With every recruit test score delivered.
Bad news ‘bout the Weenies;
Who knew Bear ‘nads were that teeny.

I can't remember if they cried.
When they saw their team was not bonefide.
But it deeply hurt their pride.
The day Cal football died.

Chorus
Oh, My, my, Poor Old Oski has died.
Drove my chevy to Big Game,
But the Bears were so lame.
The poor old Weenies left embarrassed and shamed.
Singin', "Let’s give a new stadium a try,”
" cut some sports, then have a good cry.”

Why did they think they were a cut above?
And have faith in Tedford, even love?
Even if Barbour told them so,
How could they think Cal would make a bowl?
Will a new field save Cal’s football soul?
While the Cardinal score goal after goal.

Well we know that they’re tired of Jeff.
‘cause they can’t blame each loss on the refs.
And with each loss they can’t excuse.
Man, we’ll hear those bitches and boos.

Poor Bear fans have gotten stuck.
With a s**tty stadium and a team that sucks.
And they knew they were out of luck
The day Cal Football died.

Chorus

They were told a new stadium would be long fought,
Then in 10 months saw what Stanford got.
But that’s not how it used to be.
When Sandy hatched up her grand plan,
To build a field she said, yes Cal can.
Paid for with money from you and me.

And while the plan was in the air.
Sitters made some trees their homey lair.
The project was in danger.
Could you make a story stranger?
Cal had to raise some student fees.
And coax the sitters down with their fleas.
And they sang sad songs in the dark.
The day Cal Football died.

Chorus

Helter-skelter, Mansion ran for shelter.
His passes flew off with the strangest vector.
Ten yards short and falling fast.
They bounced high off of the grass.
They got no yards with the forward pass.
And their run game hit a big impass.

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume.
The Stanford Tree in perfect bloom!
Cal fans got up to dance.
But they never got the chance!
`cause the Bears tried to run down field;
But the Stanford D refused to yield
We stood and yelled, “Hey, that’s our deal!!”
The day Cal Football died.

Chorus

And on play after play we watched them fail.
As Skov’s big hits made Tedford wail.
Who came up with that weak *ss spread?
So come on: Jeff be nimble, Jeff be quick!
Hope that new pistol does the trick.
‘Cause without change Cal Football’s dead.

And as they watched the Bears lose the axe,
They wished their team had bigger sacs.
With each pass Luck completed,
The Bears felt even more defeated.
As All Right Now played into the night,
The Bears lost their will to fight.
We saw Harbaugh laughing with delight.
The day Cal Football died.

Chorus

This year the Card might just see Roses.
Which Cal hasn’t seen since the days of Moses.
But the Bears will always have The Play.
Though we know they cheated on that day.
His knee was down, there was no flag.
The Pac-10 refs were in the bag.

But this year they lay “cramping” on the grass,
After Stanford soundly kicked their *ss.
For now their joy would be past glory,
To retell this tale would be too gory.
Still Cal fans could proudly exhort,
“Our best team is a club sport!”
The day Cal Football died.

Chorus

I met a girl who wore gold and blue.
And I asked her for some happy news,
She said Stanford turned her app away.
But for Bear fans there’s no worse fate,
Attending the second best public school in state.
But there’s always grad school if you wait.

On Berkeley streets: the frat boys screamed,
Code Pink cried, and the hippies dreamed.
But not a word was spoken;
The Campanile bells were broken.
The game they lost they wanted most.
And Cal’s last fans caught BART to the coast.
The day Cal Football died.

Oh, My, my, Poor Old Oski has died.
Drove my chevy to Big Game,
But the Bears were so lame.
The poor old Weenies left embarrassed and shamed.
Singin', "Let’s give a new stadium a try,”
" cut some sports, then have a good cry.”

Fun Link

Click on This - this post is so relevant. I hope you have "alot" of fun with it. ;-)