The Thanks I Get (and Give)

I'm heading home this afternoon for a much needed four day break from school. I look forward to spending quality time with my parents and several of my good friends who will luckily be in town. As much as I complain about my life, I realize I'm incredibly lucky. A few of the things I'm thankful for this year include:

- My parents who have always wanting (and giving) the best for their only daughter. It's better to have parents that care too much than not enough. They are the best and it's time I let them know that.
- My friends who have helped me stand on my two feet when I was at my worst several times this year. They have taken many late night phone calls and provided wonderful advice. You know who you are. To say this year would have been worse without all of you in my life would be an understatement.
- Learning more about myself. I've come to realize you learn most about yourself in the most trying of times.

Wishes for a wonderful holiday break!

I Want You, I Need You, Oh Baby, Oh Baby

At first glance, the designs of Manoush would make any Calvin Klein-minimalist devotee's head spin with all of the frills, lace, and embroidery. Upon closer inspection, the many of the designs are very wearable without making one look like a bohemian cupcake factory exploded on her. Frédérique Trou-Roy started Manoush (French slang for 'gypsy') after being inspired by fabrics, colors, and designs from Marrakesh, Morocco and soon took newly commissioned pieces back to Paris. Manoush can be found in its many stand alone boutiques throughout Europe as well as stateside in Neiman Marcus, Revolve Clothing, and Anthropologie.

Even more commendable than being a brilliant designer and businesswoman is that Trou-Roy donates a percentage of profits of one particular item towards charity that helps abandoned animals in the the country that inspired her brand initially. Equally wonderful is that Trou-Roy uses the Moroccan Jalil workshops, a fair trade arrangement which enables women to work from home surrounded by their children while at the same time earning an income to support their families.

When I first saw this picture snapped by the Sartorialist, I was instantly smitten with the royal and quirky coat by Manoush, dubbed the Souris River Overcoat. The gorgeous icy, grey color is a refreshing neutral among the sea of black, ivory, and camel that usually rules the winter season. The eupaulettes add a masculine military element that counters the feminine, crisp ruffles and the bejewelled buttons. This is my idea of perfection. It's frilly without being kitchsky. It's fashionable without being trendy. It's unique without being odd. To my luck, I was unable to locate this treasure last winter at anywhere.

However, persistence (and eBay stalking) pays off. When this popped up a few weeks ago in a size 4, I couldn't resist making it mine. As you can imagine, it's even more stunning in person. What's not apparent is that the sleeves are bracelet length (which calls for elbow length gloves!) and there is an inverted pleat allowing for extra room to accomodate thick, cozy layers underneath.

Here's to keeping warm more stylishly than ever.

Dead Sexy

It's no secret that Twilight mania has swept all aspects of pop culture and the newstand covers as evidenced by a trip to B&N. The usual suspects such as Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone featured different cast members as cover models, but even atypical magazines such as Harper's Bazaar succummed to the popular book series by featuring the always brooding Rob Pattison and Kristin Stewart.

The editorial spread is nothing short of spectacular, primarily because Stewart is outfitted in vampy, gothic romantic clothing featuring designers such as Alexander McQueen, Prada, Yves St. Laurent among others. Pattison is unquestionably handsome clothed in Dior Homme. My favorite picture among the outtakes I have posted is her dressed in a stunning McQueen while Pattinson is down on one knee.

I haven't read any of the Twilight books, but look forward to seeing "New Moon." Perhaps I'll wait until all the throngs of thirteen year old girls have watched it first before I brave a trip to the theater.

Crossroads

While this symposium is a wonderful place for me to vent, these matters regarding my career choice are too personal for me to divulge. Forgive me.

Here's to approaching life with the attitude that

if you always do your best, the worst will never happen.

I'm Getting Over You

I was sent an invitation to that particular guy's wedding. Although I will be not be attending that event (frankly, because I can't see myself NOT decompensating), but decided to send a wedding present. While navigating towards their registry, I read the story of how they met. Oddly enough, they don't remember the exact circumstances, which is the opposite of our first meeting. Their first date was on Valentine's Day, which doesn't bother me the least. What does bother me is that my birthday is five days before February 14. Originally I had no plans for celebrating my twenty third, but he convinced me to at least get ice cream. Earlier he had given me one of the best presents I've been lucky enough to receive, a first edition set of Casanova's memoirs.

Their rest of their story portrayed how quickly they moved from simply dating to discussing marriage within two months. I took me nearly two months to agree to go out with him on account of how nervous he made me. I always kept him at arm's length and would freeze up when he would discuss the future and the possibility of couples match.

No matter what did and didn't transpire between us, I will always think of him fondly. He changed my mind about a lot of things regarding guys. It is possible for a guy to be selfless, charming, evolved, affectionate, confident, and genuine (and not to mention, incredibly handsome).

I've decided to make a conscious effort not to think what I could have and should have done. All of this happened in the past and I've got the rest of my life to live. Throughout the waxing and waning of feelings I've gone through these past seven months, one thing I'm certain of is that I'm worth it. And one of these days, I'll get exactly what I want and deserve.

Here's to getting over you (most of the time).