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Last post ever: I’ll never let go, Jack!
Published on 2012-02-15 19:00:41
Well, we all know how that movie ends. I was talking to my friend earlier this week about how I wanted my final semester in graduate school to resemble a romantic comedy. I want someone to fast forward through these next few months like a movie montage (background music: “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall or maybe “Girl on the Verge” by Sarah Hudson) that ends with me putting on a suit and hailing a taxi to my thesis defense. Unfortunately, there is no fast forwarding throug [..]
Job Market
Published on 2012-02-01 13:59:09
Look, I understand that the job market is tough right now, but I did not expect to see this in my school email: I am not that desperate for a job. Leave A Comment
If I Weren’t Moving…
Published on 2012-01-27 15:02:53
I was at TJ Maxx the other day looking for one or two specific things, but a bunch of other pieces caught my eye. If I weren’t moving soon, I’d totally snap these up. Dutch ovens and ceramic bakeware. The pots were about $30-$59 each, which is an excellent deal. These shower caddies and organizers ($11-20)… …for the express purpose of recreating this storage idea (as seen on Pinterest) inside my closet: And these napkins and under the bed boxes. Just because they ar [..]
Pillow excitement
Published on 2012-01-22 13:41:44
So…I basically did almost everything I said I wasn’t going to do in my nesting post. I slipcovered my boxspring with a fitted sheet (easy), I bought a new duvet (majorly on sale, of course), I bought new fabric for curtains, and I made new pillows to match the new curtains and duvet. I also had two job interviews, wrote the methods section of one of my papers, and did some CS coding from scratch. I’m like Jessie Spano on caffeine pills. As I mentioned earlier, there was (and ma [..]
For other nesters: Bed, Bath, and Beyond sale
Published on 2012-01-12 22:37:40
As I mentioned earlier this week, I’ll be birthing something (a secret baby or a dissertation) in 4 months and I’m totally in nesting mode. I innocently swung by Bed Bath and Beyond today and guess what? They’re having a sale! This isn’t surprising, as January is the best time of year to buy linens. (Check out other ideal purchasing timelines here.) But I was shocked that things were crazy cheap. Amy Butler organic full sized sheets. $39.99 + an extra 33% off + a 20% Bed [..]
Giveaway: Stephanie’s Choice
Published on 2012-01-12 09:30:05
Last month, I did a giveaway with Lands’ End  and DonorsChoose.org. The talented Stephanie Sabbe helped me out with this. I’m way behind on posting this, but check out her post to find out what classroom she supported and find out how you can win a Thomas Paul-print pillow sham! Deets on how to win at SabbeSpot. Thanks, Stephanie! Leave A Comment
Nesting
Published on 2012-01-11 11:26:18
I am deep in dissertation writing mode, firmly on the job market, and almost certainly not going to be living in Boston after this summer. But lately, I have found that I am nesting. Nesting [ˈnÉ›stɪŋ] noun: (1) The tendency to arrange one’s immediate surroundings to create a place where one feels secure, comfortable, or in control, (2) A primal instinct and uncontrollable urge to clean one’s house brought on by a desire to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends o [..]
iSave: 20% off iTunes gift cards
Published on 2012-01-07 09:15:45
As seen on Maven of Savin. The title says it all! Best Buy is selling iTunes digital gift cards at 20% off. If you’re going to spend money on iTunes anyway, you might as well save a few bucks, right? iSave! Leave A Comment
Keeping Resolutions
Published on 2012-01-03 22:26:07
Happy New Year! There are many exciting things on the horizon in 2012 for me– finishing my PhD, a new job, a new city, and once I graduate I’ll allow myself to start making new friends again! (I imposed a a “no new friends rule” in the fall of 2010 so I could be more productive at work. Amazingly, I stuck to it.) In the next few months, I’ll also be ending this blog. Leaving grad school and Boston will be sad, but I’m excited about new beginnings too! I have s [..]
Student becomes teacher becomes student
Published on 2012-01-03 09:25:47
Did you guys see that Jet Blue is having a sale today and tomorrow? Me too, which was pretty distressing given that I booked a ticket on Sunday for an interview next month. The fare is $45 lower today than it was on Sunday. I was on the phone with my mom when I realized this. Our conversation went something like this: Mom: “Didn’t you check the Bing Travel Predictor before you booked your flight?” Me: “No. I was worried the flight would sell out, so I wanted to book it AS [..]
Just to clarify, I was not in Alcoholics Anonymous
Published on 2011-07-05 08:05:27
Ann Arbor is a lot to type, so I always abbreviated it as AA in the emails I sent to my friends during the month I recently spent there. Apparently, I should have said A2 or A^2 or the ridiculous-sounding Ace Deuce, because everyone thought I was in
Free Car Wash from Weforia!
Published on 2011-06-27 08:39:21
image from jalopnik.com There are a ton of things on my list of things to do during my month in Michigan, and last week I managed to check a major one off my my list. I drove into Detroit to visit the Michigan Theater, once a magnificent theater, no
50% off at Turtle in Boston’s South End
Published on 2011-06-23 08:14:32
If you haven’t signed up for Scoutmob yet, something is seriously wrong with you. There’s no risk. If you get the coupon and don’t use it, you haven’t wasted any time. And if you get the coupon and do use it, you get 50
Curtains
Published on 2011-06-13 02:00:36
I was catching up on blogs and ran across this picture: via fabulous k I find it so pretty for so many reasons. I’m obsessed with stripes right now, so the bedding is appealing to me. And those curtains are fantastic too. Also, the grey an
Look at your life, look at your choices
Published on 2011-06-07 01:00:38
A friend showed this to me last night and I was absolutely dying. This is totally true. Think twice before going to graduate school! And with that I am off to write some things my advisors will never actually read. Leave A Comment
Work in progress
Published on 2011-06-05 09:48:08
Hey kids, Moving this blog over to another host today. Then I am going to drink an entire bottle of wine. Excuse the mess! -A
Making the old new again
Published on 2011-06-02 17:57:49
Did I mentioned that I moved to Ann Arbor? No? Well I moved to Ann Arbor. Just for the month though. I’ll be back in July, although I have to say I like it here very much. On Day 1 in the Ace Deuce, I headed out to get a few things for my suble
Making the old new again
Published on 2011-06-02 17:57:49
Did I mentioned that I moved to Ann Arbor? No? Well I moved to Ann Arbor. Just for the month though. I’ll be back in July, although I have to say I like it here very much. On Day 1 in the Ace Deuce, I headed out to get a few things for my suble
Admin note
Published on 2011-06-02 17:56:20
Hi kids, Some quick admin notes about the site: First, I just discovered an error in my RSS feed link. If you have been subscribing to this blog through a reader and only see post summaries as opposed to the full text, please use this link to subscri
Admin note
Published on 2011-06-02 17:56:20
Hi kids, Some quick admin notes about the site: First, I just discovered an error in my RSS feed link. If you have been subscribing to this blog through a reader and only see post summaries as opposed to the full text, please use this link to subscri
Second Time Around
Published on 2011-05-27 09:23:03
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Second Time Around
Published on 2011-05-27 09:23:03
I got word that Second Time Around is having a huge Memorial Day Sale! Everything– clothing, jewelry, handbags– is 30-50% off. Now that my radiator has finally turned off, it might be time to stock up on some new summer digs. If you’
Mid-week roundup
Published on 2011-05-24 08:56:37
It’s almost hump day…slow week! Pretty: Small changes make a big difference in Red Jet Whistle’s bedroom makeover. Anthropologie starts a tumblr, Etymologie. I also enjoy the Rue La La and BurdaStyle tumblrs. In case you can&
Mid-week roundup
Published on 2011-05-24 08:56:37
It’s almost hump day…slow week! Pretty: Small changes make a big difference in Red Jet Whistle’s bedroom makeover. Anthropologie starts a tumblr, Etymologie. I also enjoy the Rue La La and BurdaStyle tumblrs. In case you can&
Scavenger hunt race bibs
Published on 2011-05-23 09:18:55
Earlier this month, my fellow bridesmaids and I threw a bachelorette party for our competitive, Amazing Race-loving, marathon-running, bride-to-be friend Amie. We wanted to do something fun, but low key (no sashes or veils or lifesavers on shirts), s
Scavenger hunt race bibs
Published on 2011-05-23 09:18:55
Earlier this month, my fellow bridesmaids and I threw a bachelorette party for our competitive, Amazing Race-loving, marathon-running, bride-to-be friend Amie. We wanted to do something fun, but low key (no sashes or veils or lifesavers on shirts), s
Free glasses
Published on 2011-05-18 08:40:51
Coastal Contacts is doing another free glasses promotion today, 5/18/11. Here’s how it works: Go to CoastalContacts.com and pick out your favorite frames. Only frames that say “”Coupons not applicable” are excluded from the pr
Free glasses
Published on 2011-05-18 08:40:51
Coastal Contacts is doing another free glasses promotion today, 5/18/11. Here’s how it works: Go to CoastalContacts.com and pick out your favorite frames. Only frames that say “”Coupons not applicable” are excluded from the pr
Ridiculous fashion trends
Published on 2011-05-17 15:09:09
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Ridiculous fashion trends
Published on 2011-05-17 15:09:09
I ran across two fashion trends yesterday that had me shaking my head. Would you wear either of these? (1) J. Crew Lay-low pant Please take the name of these pants to heart. Lay low, don’t wear these $60 pants out in public. If you insist on ro
Saying Farewell to The Savant Project
Published on 2011-05-15 17:27:52
Bad news, Beantown. The Savant Project is closing this week. The bar/restaurant’s last night will be Saturday, May 21st. Savant Project, at least one of your kegs was always tapped out and your lunch menu was inexplicably better than your dinn
Saying Farewell to The Savant Project
Published on 2011-05-15 17:27:52
Bad news, Beantown. The Savant Project is closing this week. The bar/restaurant’s last night will be Saturday, May 21st. Savant Project, at least one of your kegs was always tapped out and your lunch menu was inexplicably better than your dinn
Maxximum Savings
Published on 2011-05-13 08:42:58
I’m a reluctant pillow purchaser since I know I can make my own pretty easily. But I saw these gems at TJ Maxx this week and loved them. They’re huge, cute, and would cost almost as much to make as to buy ($9.99). This was at the Assembly
Maxximum Savings
Published on 2011-05-13 08:42:58
I’m a reluctant pillow purchaser since I know I can make my own pretty easily. But I saw these gems at TJ Maxx this week and loved them. They’re huge, cute, and would cost almost as much to make as to buy ($9.99). This was at the Assembly
You’re not wearing pants
Published on 2011-05-12 04:57:08
Now that we’re in Winter II (oh, you call this Spring?), I’m noticing that a lot of ladies out there aren’t wearing pants. I don’t mean they’re wearing skirts, I mean they’re wearing leggings with short shirts in p
Pick one
Published on 2011-05-10 08:05:46
A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to have been invited to an event at Tiffany & Company’s Natick Collection store. So exciting and very worth dragging myself out of the computer lab for! My night basically went down like this: Witho
Dissertating
Published on 2011-04-26 05:48:20
I wish writing a dissertation looked like this. I see you there, shirtless man in the background. Instead it looks like this. Crazy guy giving you the side eye in the computer lab and all. Another paper down, 3 more to go.
Paris finds
Published on 2011-04-21 16:00:55
I did end up going fabric shopping in Paris (feels like months ago, but it was only 4 weeks!). It was a perfect day, sunny and warm. Rue d’Orsel had everything I needed. You can pair your shopping trip with a visit to Montmarte. I got: a chiffo
Communal dining in Paris
Published on 2011-04-19 06:00:52
Since I was traveling alone in Paris last month, I thought it would be a good idea to insert myself into situations where I would be forced to meet other people. There are a lot of ways to do this in Paris, on tours, in classes, at hostels, and the l
Marathon Monday
Published on 2011-04-15 06:33:53
I’m a big believer in charms and talismans. When I think I’m going to have a particularly bad day, I wear my sorority lavalier. If I need direction, I wear my Pebble Collection Willa necklace, which a shaman once told me reminded him of a
Brunch party
Published on 2011-04-14 08:21:00
photo from One Lovely Day photo from Tablespoon photo from Saucy Sprinkles photo by flickr user fieldswithoutfences photo by cooking with my kid 1. French toast kebabs featured on One Lovely Day 2. Rainbow fruit kebabs fro
Scoutmob: No more Groupon regrets
Published on 2011-04-13 15:20:14
I’ve been hearing from a lot of people lately about “Groupon regrets.” They buy group deal coupons and then scramble to use them right before the expiration date if they can use them at all. Fortunately, there’s a new solution
Reading like a local
Published on 2011-04-05 21:26:08
I am a nerd who sewed a fabric cover for her Lonely Planet guidebook. I figured if I did this, strangers would not mark me as a tourist and try to take advantage of me. Also, I thought it would make the book cuter. As I was stitching this up, my frie
Spring dresses from Oasis
Published on 2011-04-03 09:20:02
Have you guys heard of Oasis Clothing? Maybe I’m the only one behind on the times. I discovered the store through InStyle and fell in love with a lot of their stuff. Fortuitously, they are currently having a sale! Up to 50% off merchandise. In
How to book a cheap (and nice) hotel room
Published on 2011-03-31 20:29:55
I was chatting with Stephanie from Graduated Learning about how to minimize costs for wedding travel the other day and figured I’d make a post about it. Above, you see the view from my hotel room in Paris. I stayed in a small boutique hotel in
Ghetto but functional ipod DIY
Published on 2011-03-30 04:35:15
A quick post. I’m still recovering from Paris, but I had to share this. A few weeks ago, my ipod stopped working in the right ear. I thought it was my headphones, but I tested them in another device and it is definitely an ipod issue. I googled
Inspiration: Wrap dress
Published on 2011-03-25 06:00:39
On the left, Garnet Hill Essential Voile Dress (no longer available) In the middle, New Look 6674 Essential Wrap Dress On the right, Anna Maria Horner Voile (Coloring Garden) and Alexander Henry Lawn (Martine)
The Paris Dress
Published on 2011-03-24 06:00:30
On the left, Butter By Nadia dress. (P.S. Check out this entire gallery.) On the right, Cynthia Rowley 2250, a Simplicity pattern you can probably get for $1. The Cynthia Rowley dress is actually a really difficult pattern, but if you are not faint o
Inspiration: Michelle again
Published on 2011-03-23 06:00:54
On the left, a Michael Kors skirt worn by Mrs. Obama for the NEA’s Read Across America Kickoff (via Mrs. O). On the right, Cynthia Rowley 2512. This is a Simplicity pattern, which means you can get it for $1 at Jo-Anns when you shop the sales.
Gotta Love Boston
Published on 2011-03-22 06:00:18
A break from the crafting posts this week… Above, Boston in an Etch-a-Sketch. Amazing! Via Universal Hub. The penultimate Boston Movie Trailer. Hilarious. Everything fits in except for the Jimmy Fallon movie…
Inspiration: Mrs. O
Published on 2011-03-21 06:00:09
On the left, Mrs. Obama in a Michael Kors Suit. (Photo by Charles Dharapak / AP Images, originally seen at Mrs-O.org) On the right, Vogue 1233. On sale, this pattern is $3.99. As Laura would say, “I’m just saying.”
Inspiration: J Crew
Published on 2011-03-20 06:00:41
I took my macbook to the computer hospital the other day and snapped the picture on the left at J Crew. The skirt is the Lunette mini, $85 but on sale right now for $69.50. The picture on the left is the BurdaStyle Marie Skirt (image credit BurdaStyl
Inspiration: Modcloth Eyelet
Published on 2011-03-18 10:01:31
On the left, Modcloth’s Eyelet My Heart in San Francisco, $104 Middle, Jessica Peck of Sweetie Pie Bakery’s BurdaStyle Anda Dress in Anna Maria Horner Drawing Room fabric. Right, Fancy Eyelet from Fabric.com, $7.98/yard (before coupons)
Sewing through my stash: Schoolhouse Tunic
Published on 2011-03-16 17:00:39
Sarah recommended the Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic to me on my first trip to her shop. It’s seriously one of my favorite dresses and I want to make another! The first version was made using an Alexander Henry quilting cotton: Alexander Henry
Almost wedding season
Published on 2011-03-15 06:00:58
I am still poking around Nordstrom Rack’s online store. There are so many great dresses that would be perfect for weddings. From L to R: (1) Donna Morgan Belted Chiffon Dress, on sale for $55 (2) Suzi Chin Maggie Boutique Silk Dupioni Sheath Dr
Fabric shopping in Paris
Published on 2011-03-13 07:00:05
By Boston standards, my bedroom is enormous, about 300 square feet. A good chunk of that space is dominated by sewing and fabric. The picture above represents maybe 1/4 of my stash. I know how many yards are there, but am too embarrassed to say. It&#
Travel made easy and cheap by the library
Published on 2011-03-12 08:00:08
I’m headed to Paris in less than two weeks! I’m mostly prepared for the trip, but the only problem is that I know no French at all.* Thankfully, the library has come to the rescue! Cardholders at the Cambridge Public Library get free acce
Pi Day
Published on 2011-03-10 07:31:57
March 14th is the best holiday of the year: Pi Day! At 1:59 on 3/14 (p.m. if you are normal, a.m. if you are dedicated), nerds across the world will be celebrating Pi Day. If you work in a field that is technical, this is your chance to celebrate you
Shop Nordstrom Rack Online
Published on 2011-03-08 06:39:15
How did I miss this? You can now shop Nordstrom Rack online! This is especially fantastic news for Bostonians, as the closest Nordstrom Racks are in Dedham or Framingham. Why is Nordstrom Rack important? They sell really nice clothes and beauty p
Weekend Reading
Published on 2011-03-03 22:05:48
aka “It’s Friday and you want to procrastinate at work.” It doesn’t matter if you’re single and searching, dating, married, or a spinster with a cat named Mr. Darcy, you need to read the How About We blog for your own am
Oh the things you can make (for free)
Published on 2011-02-24 18:39:21
In a month or so, you’ll be packing away your sweaters and pulling out your skirts again! Here are a few free fun tutorials for your spring wardrobe (links after the gallery): Skirt to top refashion by km-17: The original directions are in Fren
Stripes
Published on 2011-02-21 20:42:17
I saw this dress (Butter by Nadia) online and instantly added it to my sewing inspirations file. Butter by Nadia Have you heard of Butter by Nadia? They make amazing wrap dresses you can style in a million ways. I’ve been itching to do somethin
Getting free stuff on your birthday
Published on 2011-02-16 06:24:47
It’s my birthday! I’m taking the day off from dissertating today to do a whole lot of nothing. I’m going to have lunch with friends, eat clearance Valentine’s Day candy, and play with the new serger my mom and sister bought me
JessLC Jewelry Promo Code + Valentine’s Freebies
Published on 2011-02-14 08:10:47
Jess Constable is an amazing independent jewelry designer. Her studio was recently featured in Rue Magazine and she’s been featured in Daily Candy, Real Simple, and Decor8. Fortunately for us, JessLC is one of the featured saves on Eversave Atl
Roundup: Because it’s the weekend
Published on 2011-01-28 06:00:58
It’s Friday. You’re at work but don’t want to be. You’re thinking about how to dig your car out of that 3 foot pile of snow so you can go skiing. Here are some distractions: Yesterday, there was a coupon online for a Brazillia
Where to buy fabric in Boston
Published on 2011-01-28 05:45:21
This post is for Lisa. Happy Birthday! I am frugal, poor, and not that great of a sewist, so I don’t want to spend tons of cash on fabric. But I love fabric. Sometimes I splurge, mostly I just shop sales or go to discount retailers. Here’
Work in progress
Published on 2011-01-26 07:00:37
I stopped by Jo-Ann’s on my way back from Maine this weekend. Surprise! Simplicity patterns were on sale for 99 cents. I got Simplicity 2430. It is a Project Runway dress for babies, which is pretty weird, but I guess moms want to get in on the
How to deal with ugly bathroom tile
Published on 2011-01-24 06:30:42
I went to Maine last week and got to stay at the Senator Inn. Not only did I get to take advantage of the day spa (D-A-I-Y-E), but the hotel staff also clean the snow off of your car for you, which is a really nice gesture! Anyway, this post is about
Quarterlife survival skills
Published on 2011-01-19 15:52:03
I have many a cell phone issue. In the last few months, two cell phones died randomly. I could either text but not speak or speak but not text. I am currently using a phone from 2003 that has duct tape around it. Crappy phones aside, my most frequent
Bread baking success
Published on 2011-01-14 07:00:21
I know I’m 5 years behind, but I successfully made the New York Times No-Knead Bread! My mistake was using active dry yeast (which is what we use in our breadmaker) instead of instant yeast. I wasn’t about to go out in the storm to get in
Free Workout Music
Published on 2011-01-13 08:42:41
For the runners out there or those who have resolved to exercise more or anyone who still has to shovel out from the storm… WorkoutMusic.com is offering free downloads of The Biggest Loser workout mixes. You also get a coupon for 25% off all do
Happy New Year
Published on 2011-01-05 06:22:56
As the great President Josiah Bartlet might say, “Break’s over.” I’ve been thinking awhile about what my resolutions should be this year. I did pretty well last year. I resolved to Study Like a Mofo, to edit my wardrobe, and t
Holiday Cupcakes
Published on 2010-12-23 05:43:29
I got a fun package in the mail yesterday– a new beater blade for a KitchenAid mixer from Ryan’s Baking Blog! I can’t wait to try this out. Thanks, Ryan!! Ryan’s blog is pretty awesome. He bakes up a storm and his pictures mak
Crazy Paris Airfare Sale
Published on 2010-12-21 21:11:31
I was procrastinating tonight and ran across this tweet from Airfare Watchdog. And I thought, “Why not?” So it appears that I am going to Paris at the end of March. Book your ticket here. Travel must include a Saturday night stay and must