Dreaming of A Multicolored Christmas

After a debacle last year in which opting to flock our Christmas tree pink (yes, my boyfriend is beyond accepting of my nonsense) resulted in a more than week long wait for the tree to be delivered and Mark finally having to go pick it up at midnight, we decided to go simple and get a natural little tree that we could immediately haul away ourselves this year. I can't say the black flocked tree topped with iridescent sparkles wasn't calling my name, though...

Trees from the lot in the Vons Supermarket parking lot on Hoover St. and Sunset Blvd.

One Semester Away!

...from getting my Master's degree. I can't say this has been the toughest semester of school, but it sure has been the most stressful and I'd be lying if I didn't say I am just so glad I only have one more course to go. I have no idea how I did grades-wise but sometimes, when you are like me and going through a bit of a quarter-life crisis, you just have to say fuck it, I don't really care (even though I really do). Hurray! Time to enjoy the remnants of what has been a stormy year and celebrate that it's almost over.

New Stone Age

My absolute favorite store in Los Angeles is New Stone Age, on that strip of 3rd St. west of the Grove and Farmer's Market that basically is heaven for both gift shopping and grubbing. The shop has got tons of little curios, unique kitchen and desk accessories, and the most fabulous jewelry section for special everyday wear. I visited it yesterday because with the holidays coming up and a trip to the Glendale Galleria shortly after Thanksgiving confirming that I refuse to enter a mall until 2012, I had some little gifts to buy. So I ended up getting some things for myself as well. After taking a peek at what they carry, can you blame me?

Top three photos from the New Stone Age website

Back "Home"

Whelp, I'm home. Coming home from a vacation is so anticlimactic, and this time was no different. I want to live in London! Sigh. Here are a few photos of the adventures and some of the items I lusted over while in the land of VAT-inflated prices.

A peacock in Holland Park, where at least half a dozen of the birds roam free. 

Harrods, I declared to Mark, is the kind of place that makes you feel bad about yourself by showing you tons of things you will lust after but never be able to afford. I literally had to leave after a quick run through. 

Carvela Kurt Geiger flats that should be on my feet. They were also available in royal blue. 

Apparently honey badgers support Occupy London. Have you seen this crazy video?

Minestrone soup at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. The Guinness brown bread was ridiculously good. I could have eaten a whole loaf.

A hot salt beef bagel from London's 24-hour Brick Lane Beigel Bake. 

My favorite outfit color combo.

My favorite stall at the Spitalfields Market.

From the same stall.

Tibetan shawls and scarves. 

Pastries left over from a decadent "festive afternoon tea" at Claridge's Hotel, which included champagne, endless tea and tea sandwiches, special Christmas cakes and more sweets than even I could consume.