November 8, 2011

American Heiress review and my time in Newport

It’s rare that I come across a book that really holds my attention cover to cover. I have been recommended so many by friends over the years and I hate to tell them when I don’t like the characters or don’t find the story as riveting as they did. Sometimes I start to plan my dinner in the middle of a chapter. I’m also guilty of daydreaming my way to the bottom of a page and then I have to read the same section over again (sometimes multiple times. Anyone else?).

That was not the case with The American Heiress.

This breakthrough novel by Daisy Goodwin focuses on Cora Cash, the daughter of aristocratic parents in twentieth century Newport, Rhode Island. Her merciless mother will do all it takes for her daughter to climb the social ladder but realizes quickly that a life in the States is limited and she wants the one thing that would set her daughter apart from the rest: a title. And so it is that she ships her proper, beautiful, and trained daughter to England in hopes that she will find the right suitor.

It is there that she meets Ivo, England’s most eligible bachelor, and becomes Duchess of Wareham. But as we all know: all that glitters is not gold. Cora finds her husband to be secretive and she begins to miss the life she left behind. In addition, she finds it is much harder to assimilate in English society than she had originally anticipated.

“Anyone suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms (who isn’t?) will find an instant tonic in Daisy Goodwin’s The American Heiress. The story of Cora Cash, an American heiress in the 1890s who bags an English duke, this is a deliciously evocative first novel that lingers in the mind.”–Allison Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of I Don’t Know How She Does It and I Think I Love You

I started writing this review over the summer when my copy was covered in sun block and sand but this will make a perfect book to curl under the covers with this winter. I don’t known why it’s taken me so long to finish this review (certainly not a reflection of the book itself), but since I visited Newport with a friend this past weekend, I thought the timing was perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself discussing it with quite a few people over the weekend (it was on sale in all the mansion shops). It’s most definitely a page-turner, filled with romance, scandal, and betrayal. I really enjoyed the author’s story-telling and found myself rooting for Cora throughout. I wanted her to lash out against her tyrant of a mother, to ditch her hubby, and to stick it to high society a bit.

Here are some pics from the weekend. Highlights included a stay at a haunted jailhouse (now a hotel), a haunted walking tour, and a tour of the Breakers.

Posted at: 8:04 am by |Filed Under: travel | 9 Comments
October 26, 2011

bennington getaway

It may come as a surprise that I have never stepped foot in Vermont. It’s kind of silly, really, since it’s so close to the New York state border, and I went to college in Albany, NY, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. And then there’s obviously the whole crunchy granola girl who lives within me and aches to be among her people.

This past Saturday, my friend picked me up and we made our way to Bennington to get away from the bright lights and big city. It was the perfect fall day for a drive and we watched the sunset orange, crisp apple red, and gold leaves sway in the breeze. We got a bit lost on our way to the bed and breakfast and pulled in to a small dirt road. “You here for the puppies?” someone asked. We weren’t but there was no way we could say no. Though I still hurt from losing my faithful companion Linus just a few weeks ago, I found great comfort in holding a sweet, week-old warm puppy to the heart. Sadly we had to leave them all behind and continued our journey.

We stayed at Meadowood Farm, a very affordable and adorable bed and breakfast, and one I would highly recommend to anyone traveling to this particular part of Vermont. Clifford and Donna are gracious hosts and made our stay as enjoyable as possible. They have three dogs of their own and were extremely helpful with restaurant suggestions and things to do around town. Also, that breakfast spread was one of the best I’ve ever had: scones, poached pears, eggs cooked any which way we liked (I had a mushroom and spinach omelette and even got to pick the eggs that morning!), coffee, and fresh orange juice.

In a brief 24-hour stay, Karen and I accomplished quite a bit. We went for a nice walk around a lake, stopped in many local antique stores, and took in the sweet Vermont air, a treat for two girls just out of New York. My favorite part of the trip was when we went horseback riding (a first for us both). I was assigned to Sunshine, a sweet horse with a terrible case of ADD, but I couldn’t help but laugh because it seemed perfect we were paired together. I don’t like to always do as I’m told either. We ended our trip by nearly getting lost in a corn maze (the largest on the east coast and in the shape of the Wizard of Oz!).

And I even found some time to do a bit of this:

All in all, it was a fantastic getaway and one that did wonders for the mind, body, and soul. I can’t wait to return.

I was not compensated for this post and all opinions herein are entirely my own. I just think you should all check out this adorable B&B next time you are in the area!

Posted at: 10:09 am by |Filed Under: travel | 21 Comments
October 20, 2011

la vie en rose

Thoughts of Paris still swirl around my head though it’s been almost three weeks since I’ve returned and launched myself full force into the chaotic rhythm of life back home. It was hard to say goodbye so soon to such a magical city but I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to see it all again.

I was able to reconnect with old friends while there one evening and enjoyed a delicious dinner my former foreign exchange student prepared with her husband. Despite the fact that it had been 12 years since we had all last seen each other, we picked up right where we had left off… and aren’t those just the best kinds of friendships in life? We listened to French music, smoked cigarettes out of her balcony window, and laughed at old memories and pictures of life back when. Another friend introduced me to her boyfriend who said that if I were to move there, he would set me up with his friend and then proceeded to pull up his Facebook profile so I could see pics (ADORABLE!). So Paris comes complete with a built-in boyfriend. I can live with that.

It was delicious. Everything. I’m already contemplating my next trip.

But for now, I leave you with some of my favorite memories of a trip that left quite an impression. No matter how brief my time there, Paris dazzled and impressed and moved me.

my future home

how i spent my afternoons

Opera by night

with some of my French friends (and yes, I'm in need of a haircut)

the postcard I sent to myself... to remember always.

Posted at: 9:40 am by |Filed Under: Eat Pray Love journey | travel | 19 Comments
October 3, 2011

an american in paris

Walking through the streets of Paris is like dancing through a dream. You want to touch everything but are afraid that if you do, you risk staining a mirage. Streetlights serenade. Cobblestone streets charm. Sidewalk artists seduce. And the cafés exude a romantic quality all their own.

It had been more than 10 years since my last visit, and yet none of that magic was lost on me. If anything, I had gained an even greater appreciation for all that Paris has to offer, and I wanted to experience it the way I had finally learned how. By reveling in the opportunity to get lost, breathing in new sights and familiar neighborhoods, and allowing myself hours to drink coffee, people watch, and listen to the sounds of local street musicians.

My joie de vivre returned in those three days.

The first night I arrived I was happy to wander around aimlessly in the streets of the 18th arrondissement and managed somehow to stumble upon a beautiful vantage point of Sacre Coeur basilica, my happy place. There have been countless times in my life when I would close my eyes and find myself here–usually while frustrated or sad or angry–and here it was sprawled out before me.

I hate to say this, because it sounds so trite, but I actually became emotional. I didn’t care that I had arrived without a suitcase and was wearing a slip I had purchased in a lingerie shop because it was the only store I could find open (true story), or that work and life stress had been eating away at me for the past few weeks. I was in Paris and life was sweet again.

I wrote postcards to friends back home and even one to myself. I wanted to remember what it felt like to feel so alive again.

As much as I love life in New York, it is a city that often takes a toll on me. I needed Paris to comfort and soothe me.

This is the city, after all, where my parents met and fell in love. And it was easy to understand why.

Posted at: 8:54 pm by |Filed Under: travel | 29 Comments
September 26, 2011

Vlog: Easy Canvas Prints Giveaway Winner!

Let’s just pretend for a moment that I don’t look like a complete lunatic. And that my hair isn’t fighting a losing battle on my skull or that I sound like I have a giant frog lodged in my throat. Yes? If we can do all of those things, then here is the video in which I announce the winner of the Easy Canvas Prints Giveaway!

Congrats to Blond Duck of A Duck in her Pond on the win and I’ll see you all when I return from Paris (and if I could just ask for one tiny favor, do a little dance that this tickle in my throat leaves so I can really swap spit with the Parisians. I KIDDDD! Kinda’). *HUGS*

See you all, my sweet ones, when I return.

Posted at: 9:37 am by |Filed Under: giveaway | the bachelorette lifestyle | travel | 20 Comments
September 23, 2011

autumn in paris

You may have noticed some changes over at My Pixie Blog and I feel I owe it to you all to give a proper explanation as to why I have been MIA from my own blog lately.

Truth be told: my head’s not in a great space these days. As much as I rely on blogging as a way to escape the every day, the past few weeks have taken a huge toll on my well-being and I fear that having such an open forum has opened a Pandora’s Box of emotions I wasn’t anticipating when I first started this project. At present, I’m burned out by the prospect of dating and, as you may have noticed, I have been turning my blog over to some other wonderful ladies who were able to find their prince charmings after years of kissing frogs and collecting their own disaster dating card stories. I needed to take the attention off of myself for a while because it was slowly eating away at me that not only was I putting my personal life online for all to see, but each time things didn’t pan out the way I was hoping, I felt I was reliving a breakup over and over again.

I hope you can understand.

But I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.

Blogging has been the greatest gift I ever could have given to myself and I vow to document all the highs and lows of my dating journey in due time. This is not goodbye (don’t go anywhere–I have some more posts up my sleeve!). I still plan to feature other bloggers here on Fridays, I’ll host giveaways, do book reviews, and indulge you in the occasional dating disaster stories, but right now, I want to take some time to regroup and refocus.

Also I have some rather exciting news to share….

On Tuesday, I will board a flight and head to Paris. This has not been in the works for ages, but is the result of one girl, too much stress, a head full of daydreams, and a desire to get back to the way things were. Along for the ride? My dear sweet old man. He actually met my mom many moons ago in France and so I’m kind of excited he can take me to some of the places he remembers from his youth (I wish she could come, but her schedule won’t allow it at the moment).

my parents in Paris circa 1978

Bless his heart, he told me to “go. be single. have fun.” and then concluded with “I’m playing Billiards.” Seems this trip is necessary for us both.

I hope to have some fun stories to share with you upon my return. On the agenda? Photo taking. People watching. Smiling and laughing. Reading. Writing. Sitting in cafés and scribbling furiously in my journal. Practicing my French while flirting with the Parisians. Stuffing my face with crepes and croissants (I have denied myself sweets for far too long and plan to fully enjoy every delectable bite). Meeting old friends and perhaps making some new ones. Standing under the Eiffel Tower.

And admiring Sacre Coeur basilica, my favorite place in the world.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, please enter my canvas giveaway here. Winner will be announced on Monday!

Posted at: 9:55 am by |Filed Under: Eat Pray Love journey | on writing/blogging | travel | , 28 Comments
April 8, 2011

what happened in vegas…

I don’t even know where to begin or how to recap my Vegas vacation. I started to write this post above the clouds on Tuesday night, but didn’t get much accomplished as I was either hungover from the night before or buzzed from the last cocktail I had with Emily at the hotel bar just minutes before the airport shuttle came to pick us up kicking and screaming. I am just starting to feel like myself again. (You can read Emily’s most excellent recap here.)

We took Vegas by storm, crossing off items on our must-see list and frequenting the sexiest dance clubs in Sin City (the ones that require names on guest lists but entitle women to free entry and drinks). We soaked up some sun, ate at some amazing restaurants, danced and shimmied (on the night of my birthday, we boogied at a Galactic show at the Hard Rock Café and at a club for a record-breaking 7.5 hours!), sat in wide-eyed wonder at Cirque du Soleil’s Love, and nearly crawled the strip back to the hotel after a night out on the town in heels. So basically, we didn’t sleep for four days.

Before I left, I described this vacation to a friend as my midlife crisis trip. Obviously that’s a bit of an exaggeration as I only just turned 32, but I was looking forward to embracing my inner 21-year-old on spring break with a good friend. I made out with a cute boy on the dance floor and had a heck of a time flirting with some foreigners. I don’t remember the last time I took a vacation quite like this one, but it was a welcome relief and a reminder that I need to get out and do this kind of thing more often (provided my finances are intact and I’m still living the single life).

Some observations from our trip:

  • While extremely well put together and dolled up, the women in Vegas are actually quite sweet and friendly. At least the ones we encountered were. Waiting on line at the bathroom, several smiled and chatted me up which is something I’ve yet to experience in the clubs at New York.
  • I was mistaken for a Brazilian on the dance floor one evening. Clearly this man had more to drink than I did.
  • If you are wandering the strip before dark, you will collect about 20 cards advertising the hottest clubs in Vegas. If you are a female, you won’t have any problems getting in anywhere (you will have to be on a list though).
  • There is a song called “Barbara Streisand” and it plays everywhere in Vegas. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since we left.
  • The men are a bit more aggresive than I’m accustomed to. I can see where the whole “what happens in Vegas…” expression comes from. There may have been some baby-making going on on the dance floor.

I think this picture pretty much sums up the weekend:

Our Vegas vacation was epic and I wish I could do it all over again. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a kidney to sell and some sleep to catch up on.

Posted at: 8:07 am by |Filed Under: dancin' fool | the bachelorette lifestyle | travel | , 24 Comments
November 9, 2010

Atlantic City Halloween recap (finally)

I want to extend a very special thank you to all my regular readers for all your words of support over the past year and to those of you who stopped by for the first time last week to share some love on my SITS day. I intend to make good on my promise and am still making my rounds to all of your blogs. This could take some time, so please bear with me.

Also, the apron I won from Fumbling Towards Normalcy arrived and it’s so stinkin’ cute! I finally got around to taking some photos, but please excuse the grainy resolution and my horrible “come hither” stance. It was that or my trademark “deer-in-headlights” look. Sadly there is no in-between with me when I pose for photographs.

I am still recovering from Atlantic City, a city that definitely had its way with me Halloween weekend. Talk about sensory overload. Not only were the casinos bustling with hippies, but the boardwalk was a runway for some of the most eccentric and unusual costumes I have ever seen in my life. In other words, I was in heaven.

My girlfriend and I arrived Friday night. Remember when I said that we’d only go to the Saturday and Sunday Phish shows? As luck would have it, fate had other plans. That morning, my friend was miracled an extra, so on our way down to AC, a few phone calls were made and I had a ticket waiting for me in the hotel lobby in a matter of minutes. Score! As soon as we found parking at the hotel, we ran to the venue and made it in time for the second set (damn Friday night city traffic). It was not the best show I’d ever been to, but as far as we were both concerned, everything that happened that night was a bonus. We weren’t even supposed to be there, right?

It was a wonderful weekend. We met up with buddies from college, flirted with some cute boys, hit up the casinos for slots and Blackjack, decided that 2pm was a fine time for a happy hour, and smoked a ton of cigarettes. On Halloween, rumors swirled in the hotel and at the blackjack tables among Phish-heads as to which album they would play that evening. My obscure pick was Warren Zevon’s “Excitable Boy” (I knew they would never play it in a million years, but I happen to think it’s a perfect Halloween album). Their Saturday night show put an end to all the Zeppelin rumors when they played a very high-energy medley that included “Whole Lotta’ Love,” “Ramble On,” “Stairway to Heaven,” etc. It was epic. They ended up going with Little Feat’s “Waiting for Columbus,” an album I had not yet heard but it was a very fun set and I definitely danced my ass off.

The Rainbow Brite costume was incredibly easy to pull off and turned out to be a success. Here I am with two of my girlfriends: Strawberry Shortcake and Jem (and yes, I realize that Rainbow Brite did not have blue hair but I couldn’t turn down the wig).

I was carrying around Care Bear stickers so you can imagine my excitement when I saw this:

Right before this photograph was taken, one of the bears yelled “CARE BEAR STARE” (had to be the guy next to me). Also, HOW CUTE IS THE ORANGE CARE BEAR?!

Sorry this isn’t a stellar post, but I’m feeling kind of stretched thin these days. I was hoping to make it up with colorful pictures. Did it work?

Posted at: 10:26 pm by |Filed Under: dancin' fool | travel | , 21 Comments
August 24, 2010

hit me with music

My ears received a very special treat the last two weeks. I went to six concerts in seven days and let me tell you: it is fabulous to live the life of a rock star. Not so fabulous is having to come in to work for three days at the end of last week because I’ve completely depleted all of my vacation time but I have to pay this all off somehow.

It was worth every moment of sleep deprivation. [Read more...]

Posted at: 10:04 pm by |Filed Under: travel | , , , 19 Comments