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There aren't too many material goods that I am gaga for; however, there are a few things that I couldn't live without.

THESE SHOES: camel colored leather. enzo angiolini.

I found them years ago at a crazy, crazy designer discount store in Miami. They were a lot of money for my 16 year old self, but I went for it. And boy am I glad that I did. I have worn these shoes more times than I can count, and although they're getting a little rough around the edges, I refuse to give them up. I wear them in the winter with warm socks (the grandma in me is peeking out) and in the summer with cut offs. They are my go to shoes. Cute, comfortable, a hint of pilgrim. PERFECT.

A gift. For myself.

Today was a good day for a bowl of garden veggie soup and some girl time. We ventured out in the monsoon like weather to do a bit of shopping. I ended up with a pair of gorgeous (and reasonably priced) earrings and a chocolate chip panettone. Interesting purchases, I know. But I needed both of them (actually I could have done without the panettone. note to self: dessert from a discount warehouse is a BAD idea).

Tonight is devoted to One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl and maybe my third cup of tea.

Picture: my new earrings and my moleskine planner, two things i couldn't live without.

Puddles

There is nothing better than the occasional day of rain. That day is today. It has been pouring for hours. I'm laying in bed, with the windows open, a cup of tea by my side, and a delightful morning talk show on. It's the perfect day for running errands, doing some spring cleaning, and having lunch with a friend: all in rainboots.

Enjoy some time soaking in the...rain. It's good for you.

Hello OHIO

I'm back in Marietta for the summer, and while it's a little bit of a culture shock, I am ready to enjoy every moment of it!

I've been back for a week and have already participated in some of my home favorites:

Tea with my mother at the Betsey Mills
Making tons of desserts
Random, unnecessary afternoon naps with my boyfriend
Game night with my gal pals
Chatting with my gramma about "the old country"

Friday was wisdom tooth removal day, so I've been laying low for the past few days. But I'm feeling brand new and ready to devour another fabulous Marietta summer!

Drops of Love

As yoga class was ending today my instructor reminded us to remember that love isn't about feeling perfect all the time or grand gestures, it's about the little things that make us happy to wake up in the morning.

My drops of Love...

• A cranberry muffin


• An endearing "goodnight" text message from someone I love


• A letter from my mother


• Purchasing a new book


• Mastering a new conjugation in French


• Trader Joe's Tea Lemonde


• Late nights that don't invlove a lot of work, but plenty of chatting


• The sun shining


• A perfect apple


• Hearing from someone I miss terribly


• An afternoon of pretending to be 7 years old again

These are the things that make me love my life, not a new car or an extravagant vacation (although those are always welcome). For me, being happy is about enjoying the little things.

Picture: "Everything is Illuminated" my newest book purchase by Johnathan Safran Foer.

Dinner.

If I could have dinner with anyone, the following would be included

1. Jackie O. She was polite, intelligent, generous, and an impeccable dresser. I want to be her when I grow up.
2. Bob Dylan. My dad is his number one fan so I had no choice but to appreciate him. His voice is fascinating and his songs tell stories.
3. Toni Morrison. Many say that she's a one trick pony in the literary world, but her stories are so intense you can't help but to be enthralled.
4. Clarence Greenwood aka Citizen Cope. He's hands down my favorite musician. He is one of a kind and fabulous.
5. My Great Uncle Steve. He is the kindest, most energetic, most cultured 76 year old I know. Being in his company is always enjoyable.
6. My old Sociology professor, Dr. Harper. He knew so much about the world around him, I could hardly keep up. He challenged us to always question what's happening.
7. My old ballet teacher, Jill. She shaped me into the person I am today. The impact that she's had on my life is huge.

Unfortunately we were unable to go to the zoo today. It was free for kids so every child in Allegheny County was present. They stopped letting people in. However, we went somewhere just as fun...THE BUFFALO PRESERVE.

In South Park there is a giant field that is fenced off and filled with nothing but buffalo. It's been there forever, but I was a new visitor. It was pretty darn awesome, let me tell you. The buffalo were congregated at the top of the hill so we had some hiking to do. It was well worth it though (although I'm not one to talk as Donnie carried me most of the way so my new shoes wouldn't get dirty). It was fun to watch them meander around aimlessly.

For dinner we went to a rather fun restaurant in the Southside called The Library. The weather was gorgeous so we ate on the second floor patio. The menu came inside of a huge book and all of the dishes were named after famous stories. We had The Wings of Icarus (buffalo bleu flavored), The Billy Goats Gruff Stuffed Peppers (to die for), and 2 Animal Farm Sandwiches. It was so adorable, I could hardly handle it. I love when restaurants do things out of the box.

At precisely 8:12 we stopped to have a look at the Space Station that was visible at that time and that time only. It was pretty impressive, Donnie was thrilled. All in all, it was a marvelous FIRST DAY OF SPRING.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY!

When I was a kid my parents LOVED taking my little sister and I to zoos. I am fairly certain that I've been to every one within a 4 hour radius of my home. And let me tell you, that's a lots of zoos. We've seen the really good ones AND the really bad ones, and all of those inbetween.

Today I am keeping the zoo spirit alive and heading to the Pittsburgh Zoo in about ten minutes. I haven't been to a zoo in quite some time and I keep getting more and more excited. Zoos are one of those things that you never outgrow. Regardless of your age there is something magical about seeing a mother tiger play with her cub or a flock of hundreds of flamingos. That never gets old, ever.

The sun is shining unusually brightly for a March afternoon so we are taking full advantage of it. Animals here we come!!!!!!!!

An Old Friend

Meet Abner, one of my closest friends. Yes, I realize that he is a stuffed pig, but that's not what matters...

Abner came into my life in the 5th grade. My friends and I were in Coulumbus after a big basketball tournament and we persauded our parents to take us into Build-A-Bear. I was no stranger to Build-A-Bear so I knew the ropes. I already had a rabbit, Caroline, a bear, Peanut, a lamb, Mac Daddy, and a koala bear, Mr. Snicklefritz. I saw a pig sitting there and I knew I had to stuff it and make it my own. And so Abner was born!

Over the years the other stuffed friends fell by the wayside, but I have never spent a night without Abner. He's been to 23 states and 5 countries. I must admit that I'm attached to him. It seems childish and somewhat pathetic, but I can't help it. Abner is one of those things that's remained stable in my life for years. I know that even if my day is absolute insanity, he'll be there waiting when I get home.

The two of us have been together for years: gradutions, deaths, vacations, new schools, new boyfriends. Almost everything in my life has changed since I got him, but he reminds me that that's okay.