Lust List: 1

We all do it. The online wishing, the bored at work dreaming. The online window shopping. If I had random extra money I would buy myself lots of random, beautiful, interesting, fashionable things. Instead of just dreaming about these items and then silently crying that I can't buy them for myself, I'm going to share them here. And then maybe you can buy them for me. ha! kidding! you can buy them for yourself and then I will envy you and stare at your new items, found here, with such longing that it will become awkward and we will no longer be friends... ahem... On to the list.

How amazing would this be after a crabby day at work? Or when you're sick? Screw the kids, I want one. Thanks Crywolf!

Because everyone needs more creepy in the kitchen and KRASZNAI Ceramics knows exactly how to do it. And as Maris pointed out: "if only it made little cakey arms and legs too!" We'll just have to settle on ceramic ones.

Oh man. I love my hair things, and how sweet would one or two of these by Sleepictures be pinning back my unruly mane? I like to keep adorableness (ness?) both hip and chic - these clips are just the thing.

Go check out these great designers! Buy gifts for people or for yourself! Everyone loves presents - including me. 

An Affliction

I have an affliction. The symptoms are distraction and irritability and the sensation I have ants in my pants (that could be the restless leg syndrome, who knows). I am in dire need of an adventure, of travel, of sights unseen, of a vacation. The kind where you go somewhere and do the thing that you want to be doing, maybe it involves some quiet reading time on a balcony somewhere, or perhaps hiking to magnificent vistas - vistas not available at home, maybe some museums, some monuments, sunshine, good wine, that sort of thing.

Vacations are expensive. But what if I can be paid to travel? Paid to explore new places and see new things? All while doing something relevant to my career goals? That would most definitely be... the boss. Last week Kamel and I were tossing around the idea of living elsewhere, having adventures, seeing new things. His 9th year in San Francisco is fast approaching and neither one of us really want to be here for his 10th. I say this now, but in two weeks i'll get an amazing job and want to stay here forever, but at this moment I'm antsy and frustrated and longing for something new.

We did just sign a year lease on a great apartment - an apartment that is currently empty but sometimes we go there anyway to just stand around, take pictures of the same empty rooms we've taken pictures of for two weeks now, and look out the window towards the ocean. We've already decided to keep fresh flowers on the dining room table from the farmer's market and get a fish. These new adventures won't happen for at least a year, after the wedding, etc. But in order to soothe my affliction Kamel and I have generated a list of Must-Dos before 2010 is over.

1.) Charter a boat
2.) Take Kamel somewhere he has never been (he's always doing this for me, it's time for me to show off a little)
3.) Go to Mexico
4.) Go to at least 1 concert
5.) Host a party in our new place

I guess now that I've written them down we'll have to do them for sure. I'm already formulating several plans in order to distract myself from the constant itch to go somewhere new. So many lists and so many goals this year. It's a wonder I have any time to be bored at all.

Room With A View

Yes, that's right, I made a literary reference to a book written in 1908. BEHOLD MY LITERARY GENIUS. But really, let's talk about me more, and not oppressed women in Edwardian England. Boor-ing.

Guess what I did this weekend? In a whirlwind of apartment viewing, decision making, and money spending, kamel and I have signed a lease for our very own apartment! I feel like one of those people who need to take photos of herself holding her keys. But I won't. Instead let me show you the amazing view from EVERY WINDOW IN THE PLACE.


Oh yes. I live right by the beach, on a hill, overlooking the beachy parts of San Francisco. You want to come over, and drink wine, and watch the sunset in my happy apartment now, don't you? I will make you nachos and we'll have a grand time.


That funny little kitchen window thingy will be where I serve you food. And where I eat my cereal and gaze out onto the ocean as the fog lifts and the sun peeks out, starting its day too. It's so cute, you could spit right? Just not on the hardwoods.


This is the dining zone, where my childhood dinner table will reside. It's round and seats four. My grandmother has been storing it for me since I was 19 and now it will finally have a resting place. Huzzah! Behind where I am taking this photo is the living zone where kamel will store his TV and his couch (which I think has an ugly cover on it - hopefully soon to be rectified) and his DVD collection and his original star wars, epsidoe idon'tcare movie poster that's signed by the artist. Somewhere in the apartment will be a lightsaber, and a clone trooper helmet, side by side with my art purchased in france. Isn't combining lives fun?

More pictures will come in a few weeks once we are packed and then unpacked and set up.

So many highfives were exchanged about this apartment. We totally win.

Father's Day!

Thanks for being my dad. I get a full 50% of my awesomeness from you. (Shh, don't tell mom)

Lawyers Are High Acheivers

My best friend, Maris, graduated last saturday from the University of Chicago, School of Law. She received her doctorate and as a reward got to wear a funny hat:


and because she likes Kathleen and I, considers us fun and worthy people, we too got to dress up for the occasion.


During graduation I spent my time making fun of the lady reading butchering the graduate's names and by playing games on my phone. But when it got close to Maris's name, I readied myself to record history.

Kathleen was adament that we Woo-Hoo. I was less certain, but when the feeling strikes, it's best to just go with it.

Later that evening we went to a meet and greet at Maris's law school friend's apartment, right on the lake near Navy Pier. I played rock band, drank free wine, ate free italian food and then watched the law students smash open a pinata. Wait. Let me rephrase: Watched as maris came running back into the party room, carrying smirnoff bottles that she blasted out of a pinata. Well done, my friend.

Later we went out to the FUNNEST bar I have ever been to. The dance floor was PACKED, everyone was singing along, and beer was cheap.

The day, the night - all were a great success.

Congratulations Maris!! I am honored I was able to experience it all. And now I'll have backup when I threaten to sue people. Score!

Thanks, You.

Today I am thankful for...

- Hard candy that looks like little fruit
- Large sunglasses
- Pink pants
- Boyfriends who call
- Nerdy, excitable friends
- Carpool buddies
- Peanut butter
- Wine juice boxes in the fridge
- Tennis shoes
- My currently managable hair
- Finding the perfect Father's Day card
- Having a Dad to buy a Father's Day card for
- Good teeth
- Remembering the key
And
- Pens that work

It's almost Friday. What's on your good list?

Lauren Life List: Baseball

A few weeks ago my co-worker and fellow writer/blogger Margaret had her friend Vanessa in town from Minnesota. They had plans for a baseball game in Oakland and a tour of the AT&T Park in SF - by far one of the most beautiful stadiums in the country. Vanessa is an avid... AVID... Twins fan - she brought THREE Twins shirts with her for a long weekend, just in case Margaret needed one or she needed a spare. Thankfully she is far from obnoxious about her fanhood. This made her lovable. During our chatting on the car ride to happy hour, she mentioned their are only 30 major league stadiums in the country... and here i had high hopes of visiting 50 in my lifetime. Oops. 50 just seemed like a nice number. I have, in fact, been to several minor league stadiums, but I'm not interested in making this goal any harder than it is. So 30 it shall become.

Last wednesday I landed in chicago on day 2 of the flu. Not the best of scenarios. My college friend, Lauren Mig, and her husband to be met me at the gate. At home a Whitesox tshirt was waiting for me, along with tickets to that evening's game against Detroit.


Looking pretty good for a 330am wake up call, a fever, and two flights. Although I have been to Chicago countless times I have sadly never been to a baseball game - until now. I'm going to have to admit I'm more of a sox fan than a cubs fan. I've been influenced. But I am really pretty lukewarm about the whole thing, not being from the city orginially. I just love baseball. I'm counting on Maris to get me into Wrigley one of these days. Or Amy or Katie or any of my college friends now living in the city.


It was the perfect evening for baseball. Mid 70s, a little breeze, the stadium could have had more butts in the seats, but it was a wednesday night. And then the Sox ended up beating Detroit 15-3. Beautiful.

After the game they showed the last minute of the Blackhawks game that sent them into overtime. On the drive home they won the Stanley Cup. People started honking and cheering on the streets. It was such a great night. There's nothing like Chicago sports.

Add one to the life list.