Oh, my.

When big fancy bloggers talk about how much they love the internet and all the wonderful people out there, I think it sounds like a lovely concept.

When I ask for music advice and I get lists of musicians in the comments, in emails, and on Facebook, I absolutely understand what they're talking about. Thank You.

Now, this is Emily.

Emily and I have been friends since high school, and she is still one of my favorite people in the world. She's a frequent character on this little blog, and now she has a problem. On Saturday, Emily is going to a Halloween party. It has a Superheroes and Supervillains theme (I'm going in the perfect costume, because what bigger hero exists than the tooth fairy, right?), and she can't think of a good costume.

Emily loves the Old West and children's books, so I think she should be Kissin' Kate Barlow from Holes. She's not so sure.

Internet, don't you agree with me? Isn't that the perfect Halloween costume for Em?

I am really embarrassed about my taste in music.

It's not that I have bad taste, it's just that I don't really have any taste.

See, I don't listen to the radio, or even really Pandora, which means that I never learn about any new artists, or I learn about them six months too late (which is sometimes even worse).

That's fine sometimes, but right now, I am so bored of all the music on my iPod.

Internet, help me out.

Who are you listening to now?

What should I download next?

P.S. My favorites are Regina Spektor and Guster and Simon and Garfunkle and sometimes Cat Stevens and Elvis Costello and always always always the most perfect song. And everything I've ever heard by Alexi Murdoch.

It's always a little funny going back to a place that was so important in my life, and this weekend was no exception, but I had a great time seeing everyone, having sleepovers and dancing my butt off to eighties music.

Also, I went to the prettiest college in the world. I'm fairly certain of it.

Now, off to bed to cure this Dartmouth-induced cold!

Guess what guess what guess what!

Tomorrow, I'm going up to Dartmouth!

Bonfire bonfire bonfire!

Have a lovely weekend, everybody!

Lately, I have been obsessed with making Katherine Hepburn's brownies. I've made them so many times in the past couple of weeks, I know the recipe by heart. They're just so simple, and so so delicious, they are the perfect homemade treat.

When my mom told me she was having friends over to work on their various art projects, I knew it was the perfect excuse to get out the chocolate and butter again.

I wrapped the brownies in little paper plates with plastic wrap and a bow, and each lady took a little package home.

One of the ladies who comes to my mother's craft group every month is Mimi, who always brings one of the dolls she's working on. Today I got to see her start a tattooed lady!

My mom's friends make the coolest art.

I make the coolest . . . brownies?

I have found the perfect halloween costume.

I am going to be Abby Cadabby.

She is a tooth fairy in training. She is three.

I think maybe I need to spend more time with children?

Maybe it's my lack of contact with them that's inspiring this costume?

Either way, this is going to be great.

Oh, man.

After waking up early early early* this morning, I am simply too tired to blog tonight.

Will you take this cookie in exchange for a post?

I know it's half-eaten, but it's a homemade oreo from Flour. It is simply too much to expect an exhausted Abbie not to take a bite or three as soon as she buys a treat like this.

I'll see you tomorrow, friends!

*Am I the only one who feels a little bit like Eloise when she says things three times in a row?

Gemma came for a visit this afternoon!

I love it when San Francisco friends come to visit me in Boston.

I miss my San Francisco friends.

Anyway, Gemma and I braved the wintry mix of rain and snow and cold cold wind to go to Bella Vita on Charles street to have some chili. It was pretty good. Then we needed to meet up with my mom for some manicures.

After all that strenuous work, of course we needed to have some hot cider. It's the best thing about fall. (Besides foliage and caramel apples and apple picking.) (And hiking.)

Now I really must go to sleep so I can wake up in four hours to take Gemma to South Station sp she can get to the airport on time.

Thanks for coming, Gemma!

(sorry I had my computer open during hot cider time.)

Happy (almost) Weekend!

Fall is coming! Fall is coming!

It is freezing outside, and for some reason, I couldn't be happier.

Right now it's pouring outside my window, but I'm all curled up in my cozy bed and it is perfect.

(It seems that two down comforters is the way to go if you want a cozy bed.)

This weekend is looking like a good one: on Friday night, I'm going to a concert with my country-music-obsessed friend (I'm a little nervous- I've never been to a country concert before! What if I hate it?), and then on Saturday, I'm getting together with a couple of people to make pasta!

What are your exciting plans for this cold and stormy weekend?

How about tomorrow instead?

A couple of hours ago, I brought some film to the photo shop to be developed.

It was from the Holga.

I am fairly certain that I won't get any pictures out of it, that all the film will be overexposed.

(You see, I was so eager to get started with Holga Olga*, I didn't exactly research the best way to use it. Her? Either way, after a helpful video, now I know how to load film and tape up the camera properly.)

Pictures or no pictures, normal exposure or just a whole bunch of fuzzy white background, I have to wait until Monday to get the film back.

Oh, the injustice.

Can't it just be ready tomorrow?

*Did I mention that the Holga's name is Olga? It is. Or maybe Oksana. I think I like Oksana better.

Remember the List of Things I Want? From the time I first made the list, one of these little houses, or their next door neighbor (which is blue and wooden and just absolutely perfect), has been on it. I love that they're not huge, I love that they look out on a community garden, I love that they're in the South End.

What impractical things do you want?

One of the nice things about my new job is that it is in a part of the city where I don't usually spend a lot of time.

The South End has all these lovely houses, and most importantly, one of the best bakeries around. (You should try their brownies. And their lamb sandwich. Yummy in your tummy, I promise.)

On Friday after work, I went for a little walk on my way to the bus, and I took lots of pictures. It was raining, so a lot of them were kind of blurry, but I like this one.

My new work neighborhood is so pretty!

I love Boston.

Oh, my.

Apple picking yesterday was so much fun. We saw beautiful foliage, gorged ourselves on apples, and then took a little break to make some room in our bellies for huge ice cream sundaes at Kimball's.

Today, I had a mommy day. My mother and I went to Concord, where we walked around Old North Bridge, visited my favorite antique shop (I got some really cool letters for a new project), and, on the way home, got the cutest little brussels sprouts at Wilson Farms. We came home and gardened, and I cooked up a storm.

All in all, I am exhausted. It's the perfect time to curl up with a cup of tea and Inspector Lewis on PBS. I have to store up my energy for tomorrow- there's a whole extra day of weekend ahead of me!

Happy Columbus Day, everyone!

It's the weekend! I forgot how fun those can be when you have a real job.
Last night, I had a laundry slumber party, and today, Emily, Cait and I are going apple picking. I haven't been in years, and I'm so excited!
I'm also bringing the Holga along, so I hope I get some good pictures from our adventures.

How about you? What are your plans for the long weekend?

Warning: Dartmouthy post

{It really does look like this. Prettier, in fact.}

I've been thinking about Dartmouth a lot lately.

First with a new president, and now with homecoming in two weeks, I am missing my alma mater so much.

I can't wait to get on the Dartmouth Coach, I can't wait to watch the freshman run around the bonfire (and maybe to yell "worst class ever!" and lose my voice). I can't wait to go for a walk around campus, I can't wait to go to a tea party at Theta.

"You're talking about Dartmouth like someone who really loved it," my mother observed the other day. I guess maybe I did?

{07 whaat?}

{P.S. All images borrowed from Dartmouth.}

{Cupcakes and Converse!}

When Lisel found out I had never been to Magnolia Bakery for a cupcake, she took me right away.

Honestly, the cupcakes were a little disappointing. But it was okay, because the decor was absolutely adorable. I really liked all the little toy stoves and the lace curtains.

They also gave us a sample of banana pudding that was amaaazing. Next time, I'm getting that.

In the summer of 2006, I lived in New York while I participated in a intensive acting workshop at the Atlantic Theater Company. I lived way high up in the Upper West Side/Morningside Heights area, which was great because it allowed me to discover Silver Moon Bakery.

Silver Moon makes the most delicious chocolate chip brioche (if you're in the mood for a treat) and apricot brioche, and Lisel loves their orange chocolate chip baguette. (I told her about Silver Moon as soon as I heard she was going to live near Columbia, since I just knew she'd love it as much as I do. I was right.)

Really, though, the thing to do is to go there on a Saturday morning (ideally before ten) and get a bowl of granola with organic milk and a latte.

It is the most delicious Saturday morning treat.

{Man oh man, do I love granola at Silver Moon!}

{Lisel wished she had gotten the orange chocolate baguette. That's just because she doesn't appreciate the true deliciousness of the granola.}

Headed Home

What a lovely weekend!

I am on the bus home now, watching hulu and reading magazines, but I just wanted to check in to tell you that I had the most darling time. We pretty much never stopped eating (although we did have a lovely walk through Central Park, and we bought Lisel some converse to match mine), and I'll show you all the pictures we took tomorrow morning. Right now, though, I've got some Grey's Anatomy to watch.

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

{Lisel and Abbie, sporting some lovely headwear, August 2007}

The Holga and I are currently on the Megabus to New York, on my way to visit Lisel.

I cannot wait to see her.

I'm so excited for all our adventures!

What adventures do you have planned for the weekend?

Eek!

I start a new (temporary sort of) job today.

I'm so excited! (and also rather nervous.)

Wish me luck at my new job!