Aww, thanks!

The adorable Kate at Southern-Belle-Simple has tagged me for the Honest Scrap award! Thanks, Kate! If you aren't reading her blog, you should be!

So I need to list ten things about me:

1) I really, really, REALLY want to go to India. I took a class on Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism in college and how they all interact in India and I've been obsessed ever since. I'm going to make next year the year, now who's in?

2) I really, really, REALLY want an Irish Wolfhound named Sorin (after Father Sorin the founder of Notre Dame)

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An irish wolfhound. Father Sorin.

They kind of look alike, don't they?

3) I'm addicted to ebay. It is not good.

4) I time my gym cardio workouts based on what's on TV.

5) I'm obsessed with pedicures. I'll do at home manicures but I NEED my bi-weekly pedicure.

6) I'm a super slow reader but what I lack in speed I make up for in comprehension and sheer commitment. My father and sister are legit speed readers and can knock out a book in an hour, me? Not so much.

7) My drink of choice is an amaretto and sprite. It taste like fruit punch makes me about 80 years old. That said, I have a drink about once in a blue moon so not much public mockery.

8) I make truly delicious cupcakes. They are seriously good. I'll do a post with the recipe soon.

9) I've never lived in a house younger than 100 years old (including my college dorm).

10) I have better than 20/10 vision. It's my claim to fame and I'm neurotic about ruining my vision staring at a computer screen.

Somewhere to hang my (Redsox) hat: Part 2

I am proud to announce that after much wrangling, frantic googling, and hyper e-mailing, that I now have a place to live in London!

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I'm going to be living in Kensington in a Catholic community. No, I'm not thinking of taking vows (though one my friends make his first vows for the priesthood this weekend, so proud of him!). Basically, it is this gorgeous building in Kensington where students can live in community.

I was somewhat worried about striking out without knowing anyone in London but now I'll have my own room and space with the added bonus of a built in community. The house provides dinner and breakfast and launders linens once a week. In return we students volunteer at various sites in the city occasionally. I'm really excited that I'll have a good group of people to go to Mass with because, for me, there is nothing more comforting than a great spiritual support.

It isn't exactly as I pictured my living situation (I was planning on a cute apartment in Marylebone) but this just couldn't be beat. The best part? The money I'll save on housing I can use to travel, travel, travel!

Fast Flats

Have you seen Dr. Scholl's Fast Flats?

I nipped into Rite Aid yesterday to get a bottle of polish to fix a chip (I'm super clumsy and prone to chips which is why I carried a bottle with me everywhere in college) and I an end cap display caught my eye.

Apparently they are foldable, highly compressible, black ballet flats that come with a small (I'd estimate 4x4) gold wristlet. The idea was to create a convenient solution for those nights when you're out dancing or at dinner and your fabulous heels simply become to much to take.

I applaud the idea, Lord knows I carted flip flops to many dance but I can't see really relying on foldable ballet flats, I'd worry about the quality and how much room they'll really save in my bag (4x4 is still pretty big to stash in a clutch).

At the end of the day they're only $9.99 so it might be worth a try. Would you give them a try?

Visa Smeesa, Right?

I looked at the calender and realized it's late July and I leave for London in less than two months...now, how did that happen?!

Typically, I'm crazy type-A but I have been a bit willfully blind when it came to getting my act together (in my defense I'm working fifty-five hours a week as a law clerk, ten hours as a research assistant, and doing pro bono work for my journal) but really there is no excuse for not applying for my immigration visa.

But, it's not like it's a big deal, right? I'm mean I don't need to have my entire tuition in an account untouched for twenty-eight days or anything before I can even it submit my application. Because I totally have that money in my back pocket waiting to be in a back account. Sallie-Mae, ummm, we're going to need that student loan stat!

Luckily after fours of frantic maneuvering I think I have it under control. Key word being: think.

Well, if my visa does get approved I have this totally delightful travel set:

Actually, a delightful Tiffany Blue.

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Immigration couldn't deny something so adorable, right?

Frittata Fiend

I'm a little addicted to Frittatas right now. I'm not usually a big egg person but for the past few weeks, I've been cooking up a frittata every Sunday and grabbing a slice for breakfast or lunch (with a side salad? Yum!) every day.

I use this basic recipe and then throw in whatever vegetables I have on hand:

-8 eggs

-1/3 cup swiss cheese (or favorite)

-1/2 small/medium onion (sauteed in olive oil)

-1/2 lean ham

-1 cup vegetables (mushroom, zucchini, spinach, asparagus, whatever)

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A great way to get in a ton of protein and vegetables!

Out of My Mind

I must be out of my mind but I started the "Insanity" dvd workout program yesterday morning. It's similar to P90X but it is only two months long (I'm guessing that this is going to feel like a very long two months) and you only need your own body weight.

I've put on a few pounds (okay more than few...probably 20) since starting law school and planting my bum in the library so and I really want to shake it off before it becomes more of a problem. I already hit the gym for an hour on the elliptical and some weight work five days a week but I need something new to give me a kick in the pants.

As the tag line urges I'm going to "dig deep" and me back in shape by London!

American Pickers

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Does anyone watch this show on the History Channel? I have to admit, I'm fascinated by so many of the guys finds and always tune in for a few minutes if it happens across my screen.

Well, we had an at home version of the show this past weekend. My grandmother lives in a small town on the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border and last weekend was the annual church sale. She was working a booth late in the afternoon when a co-worker grumbled that "no one had bought the Waterford and it was only $250."

My grandmother knew that I collect Waterford (I announced this to my second grade teacher and could not understand why she was so surprised) so she looked it over. She didn't know what pattern it was but noticed that the box was marked $2.50 and not $250. She checked with the seller and the box price was right. She scooped it up and dropped it to me today.

Check it out:

16 stems in the Lismore pattern for $2.50 total. It's not my pattern but what a bargain! I'm so lucky that my Grandma is always thinking about me!