All I Want For Christmas Is....

Happy Holidays, Y'all!

I hope you had a lovely time celebrating with your loved ones over the last couple of days and weeks!

During the past month, one of my favorite vendors (hint, hint: their jewelry is mentioned in this post) has featured an employee per day on their facebook page. The select employees shared their Christmas wishes via posts. I loved/loathed that they did this, as I really didn't need to like or want anything else. But alas, I'm going to do you the same disservice. This was my Christmas list:

1. Lana Large Flat Magic Hoops in 14K Yellow Gold, $395. Available at Bloomingdale's or the designer's website.

A perennial celebrity favorite, Lana hoops are my absolute fave. Designer Lana Bramlette, "Queen of Hoops", is big on Geometric shapes and dances the line between rock and roll chic and ultra femme. This year I opted for the Flat Magic Hoops in yellow gold (blondes represent) because they're size makes them an amazing dramatic spin on the classic hoop.

2. Diane Von Furstenberg Satchel - Top Handle Color Block, $545. Available at (If I could find it, I would own it.)

SEXY, SEXY SEVENTIES SATCHEL. If you can't tell by my the alliteration, this bag makes my mouth water. I've found it at Bergdorf and Bloomingale's but only in the lime green/black and brown/burgundy colors. The beautiful pink color block is nowhere to be found!

3. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne, $110. Available at Bloomingdale's and all Jo Malone Boutiques.

The first time a sales associate at Bloomingdale's asked me to smell this scent, she told me it was for "bad girls." Sign me up - I've been a loyal pom. noir girl since that very day.

4. kate spade new york Spring Street Spotted Floral Bedding and Spring Street Peony Sheets, $49 - $160 (Shams to Sheets to Quilts). Available at Bed, Bath and Beyond and katespade.com

Super girly, but so am I. Pretty beds are more comfortable to sleep in.

Check out the adorable pillow, too:

5. White Tea Cup French Bull Dog Puppy (#dreamgift)

One of my roommates is staunchly against me getting this little thang, but I feel as though she'd come around. Look at that face! I think I'd have to get a girl though. If I were to buy a boy dog, he'd suffer from the not-at-all rare MBS (Mama's Boy Syndrome) where I'd love him so much that no woman dog would ever be good enough. I think we can all agree that there are too many of these in NYC already. We could always use one more pretty little bitch.

What did you ask for this holiday?

On cute boys

I know what you're thinking - you are 25 years old. (Ouch) You have no business talking about cute boys. You're correct, but I don't mean it in the write my name with his last name on my notebook and secretly cheat at MASH so that I end up with him and I don't even care that I ended up a toll-booth collector who lives in Idaho because he was the only thing I really wanted kind of way.

In college, my room mate and I would scope "cute boys" all the time. This of course referred to the male 80+ community of Fairfield, Connecticut.

Cute boys were always walking around Penfield Beach in coordinated track suits and white, white sneakers to get in their light, doctor-recommended cardio. You'd spot them reading the paper at the cafes in Westport while their canes rested on the backs of their chairs and their perfectly coiffed soul mates -pearl-drenched and pale haired -ordered decaffeinated coffee and egg white omelettes. Cute was the boy who used to call up my lit professor in the middle of our Thursday afternoon Spring Turbo to ask her if she wanted to go walking him. Cute boys were always at Hardware stores or side of the road farm stands. They always smelled like cigars and paint and autumn (which together smell burnt and fresh and experienced) and masculinity. They always yammered on about the projects their wives were going to have to do. They did it to draw laughs and because they liked the good-old-boy shop talk with the other patrons. They seemed happy to have these projects though, which was evident by the flash of whatever was left of their pearly white grins and the following wink that came when they saw us girls inhaling their conversation. The wink that reminded us that they were once young, too. It's funny how a man's eyes never change from the time they're young to when their old. (Perhaps women's don't either, but I've never really looked.)

I've seen glimpses of CB behavior in my dating experience, but they're few and far between. Every once and again a date will stand when you excuse yourself from the table, make sure he's walking on the outside of the street and make sure you got home okay/walk you to the door. These young CBs are the type of guys who you may wonder what kind of cell phone they have after dinner because you don't see it - not once. They're focused. They get personal. They remember the details. They don't "neg you" to get you to prove your value to them - they know it and not because you're a "hot girl" but because people are valuable. They are the remnants of gentleman.

I was fortunate enough to have a few run-ins with the ultimate CB during my time in New England - Paul Newman himself. He lived in Westport where he was very involved in the local not-for-profit theater and co-owned a restaurant called The Dressing Room, located directly across from it. The first time I saw him was Fall of my freshman year. It was raining so hard I didn't even notice him until my friend Brian pointed him out. His hand motioned towards the frantic windshield wipers. "That's Paul Newman." He was wearing a yellow raincoat.

Aside from being the most heartbreakingly handsome man in the history of the world, Newman (not to wane poetic) was a class act. He married Joanne Woodard (his second marriage)in 1958 and was married to her until his death in 2008. The two lived a relatively private life in CT away from Hollywood. They had the love of a Bogey/Bacall or a Taylor/Burton, but they kept the sweetness intact until the end. With classic good looks, brains and talent, Paul Newman could have had any woman on earth, but was once quoted as saying "Why go out for a hamburger when you have steak at home?" That may be the sexiest thing I have ever heard. Check out these pics of Paul and Joanne dancing and romancing.

Honorable mention "cute boys" are as follows:

Gene Wilder

Christopher Walken

Paul McCartney

Vince Lombardi

Steve Martin Your banjo playing got you on this list, Steve. (Editor's Note: Steve Martin is most likely not reading my blog and probably out being a WILD AND CRAZY GUY!)

Christopher Reeves

Mick Maye (My grandfather)

I know this is out of the blue...

Hey Blogosphere,

I know this is out of the blue…

But I still hate how things ended.

Can we meet for coffee?

It’s been a while, but after a long absence I am back to my old blogging ways. If you’re still reading this, I’m assuming that you’ve forgiven me for my disappearing act and agreed to a (virtual) coffee date. I’ll have tea because although I love the smell of coffee – I hate the taste. You might have remembered that. I know we don’t really know each other any more and that two years is a long time, so I’m going to recap all of the major changes since my last entry, so we can get back to that really, really good place.

Everyone on earth seemingly has an iPhone.

The general public seems to be less into vampires - I'm particularly pleased with this development, as it was a sad day when I realized that they was a “Teen Paranormal Romance” section at Barnes and Noble.

I changed jobs.

I moved, although I don't think its Internet safe to give details on where I've moved.

NBC made a show called The Playboy Club.

I broke up with my best friend and it broke my heart.

I turned 24.

NBC canceled The Playboy Club after three episodes.

I reconnected with a lot of childhood friends and realized what amazing people they’ve all grown to be.

I met Derek Jeter. I forgot I was going to be meeting Derek Jeter and I didn't look beautiful and we didn't fall in love - but I did get a picture.

I’ve buried loved ones.

I had a two-day crush on Rob Kardashian after watching him on one episode of Dancing with the Stars – the only one I’ve ever watched. I'm only slightly embarrassed.

My sister married one of the greatest men on earth.

I’ve avoided watching and forming an addiction to any shows involving real housewives or Honey Boo Boo Child.

I've showered roughly 730 times.

I fell in love with about a million people, places and things.

I tried to incorporate “ya’ll” into my vocabulary but it didn’t really work out.

I still spill all my secrets after drinking whiskey – but I’ll take all of yours to my grave.

My hair is long again.

I tried escargot.

I flew a plane.

I turned 25.

I've had my fair share of bad days, but most of the time I'm wise enough to be thankful for the privilege of getting to live each moment in this god damn beautiful world.

I watched this Google Chrome commercial tonight and it made me cry, but also gave me the perfect line to get you reading again –

Basically, I’m back – how about that (virtual) coffee?

- Cait Gallagher, fingers crossed.

Post-grad.

I usually consider myself an optimist, however, sometimes you have to call it like it is. No sugar coating - life can be tough. Someone once explained to me that life if full of peaks and valleys. I currently find myself in a valley. A deep, dark valley. This valley is known as the post-collegiate life.

After four years of living off your parents dime, you're on your own. Any semblance of idealism that you developed during college quickly disappears when you realize that you'll never see a large portion of your paycheck (if you're one of the lucky ones who has found employment in the worst recession in our country's' history). The apartments are shoeboxes, New York public transportation is frightening and you can't afford the designer duds that only a few months ago made The Devil Wears Prada/young professional struggle seem worth it. Fighting the good fight while wearing Loubitans and the perfect Catherine Malandrino dress didn't seem that bad when I day-dreamed about it during my three hour commencemenet ceremony a year ago.

Finding employment wasn't easy for me and is still a challenge for many of my peers. Considering the economic state of the country, we are forced to compete with our friends and older professionals who are seeking employment due lay-offs.

When I first returned home after graduation, my mother encouraged me to get creative and said that I should always be looking for a job. A few days later, I went out for the night with a few of my close friends. At our first stop of the night, as we ordered a few beers, I was approached by three older gentlemen who inquired about the color of my dress (a conservative Lilly Pullitzer number - don't hate, I went to college in Connecticut). I told them it was cerulean. I have always played close attention to detail. I guess they enjoyed my answer and introduced themselves. All three worked in advertising, so as a Comm. major and a former advertising intern, I asked for their advice about how to find a job in advertising. All three gave me their cards and I took my mother's advice and followed up with them the next day.

Maybe it was my own naivete, or the fact that I had blatently mentioned my boyfriend at the time, but I was surprised (shocked, even) to receive the following response to my email inquiry...



This e-mail was followed up with many emails from this individual saying that he was "willing to help" I did not reply to any of them. This was my first glimpse at the reality of post-grad life and taught me that I'd have to expect this sort of thing going forward (a sense of humor is imperative).

If I had responded, it would have sounded like this:

Dear Steve,

You are old enough to be my father. You should be more careful when you try to pick up girls in Murray Hill under the guise of helping them out with their careers, as most of them are 17.

Regards,
Cait

So I found a job and got an apartment in a great location where I could park my car outside. Too good to be true? Yes. I awoke last Saturday morning to find that someone had stolen "Big Red", my crappy 1997 Honda CRV, leaving me car-less. I decided to craft the following poster to be the good neighbor and warn everyone who might also park in front of the building.



I hope this at helps out my neighbors. I also hope they enjoy the cartoon. I feel as though the cartoon accurately reflects my emotions: my gypsy tears and the pain of realizing that I no longer have a car and now that I need save for a new car, I will never be able to afford the larger Louis Vuitton bag that I currently refer to as the "Mama" of my current bag. Baby is an orphan.

The shining beacon of hope among this bleak period in your life is that you're not in it alone. All of your friends are here with me and we can commiserate with each other.

Here's an email that one of my friends recently had to send to her landlord:



Here's to being 23 and broke. Life's an adventure.

Sainz is No Saint

There's no question in my mind that Ines Sainz was not treated as a professional journalist upon entering the NY Jets' locker room earlier this season. Of course she wasn't - professionals journalists do not wear skin tight jeans, heels and mid-drift halter tops with plunging neck lines to work. Sainz is no victim. Sainz is a woman with a closet full of skimpy clothing.

Let's rewind back a few years: Erin Andrews is a young reporter, who is breaking barriers for women in her field. While getting dressed in her private hotel room, a man photographed her without her consent. This man illegally took pictures of the young journalist and displayed them for the world to see. She was a victim.

If you are ever to watch Erin Andrews on the sidelines of a football game, take note of her outfit and makeup choices. Andrews, who is undoubtedly attractive, dresses like a professional and conducts herself as such. She wears conservative clothing, as she is there to do a job. She has an enormous amount of respect for both herself and her career. She is aware that she is a role model for hundreds of young girls and continues to further her career through hard work and dedication.

No woman deserves to be sexually harassed, but Ines Sainz does not deserve sympathy for being the subject of locker room cat calls when she dresses like a pussycat doll. A great journalist should be selling the fact that they possess strong communication skills, an eye for a great story and the ability to deliver excellent coverage in their area of expertise, not the way they can fit in jeans that are two sizes too small.

You will never see a male journalist enter a woman's locker room to conduct a post-game interview with his shirt unbuttoned to his mid-chest. He would be fired immediately.

It saddens me that this woman, who has so little respect for herself and her career, has garnered the amount of media attention that she has. If this woman did not expect the reaction she got from her outfits, she is dumber than the person who sued McDonalds because they were burned by their hot coffee. But, this is America. The coffee-burned genius won their case and Ines continues to press coverage and a pity party. I maintain that this isn't a case of ignorance. So, thank you, Ines, for the crack in a road that woman like Erin Andrews and Andrea Kremer so gracefully paved in an industry dominated by men.

Bemba Beauty

September 17th is a special day. Since 2005, this day has been spent celebrating the birth of one of my closest friends, Elizabeth. By now, you can tell that I am BIG on birthdays. This year and last, however, we have not been able to celebrate this momentous occasion in our usual way (which typically involves shopping and primping for the theme bash of Eliz's choice) as she is currently serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia, Africa. I can't tell you how proud I am of her.

Elizabeth is one of the most stylish people I know. Throughout college, she managed to make even her gym outfits chic and perfectly accessorized. She taught me how to layer and even introduced me to Benefit's Benetint. I recently wrote her to ask her about how her experience has changed her views of beauty and style.


CG: What is your daily beauty regimen in Zambia?

EO: I start my day by writing in my journal, getting fire and water boiling. Once these things are completed, I do about 15-30min of yoga as i wait for my coffee/tea water. After that, I wash my face with tea tree oil on a cotten swab and moisturize. Then I put on an SPF 50 sunscreen (or higher), brush my teeth and floss.


Eliz, doing yoga with a pint-sized admirer at her side.


CG: Has your time in the Peace Corps changed your self image/the way you
feel about needing to apply makeup/to do your hair/dress?

EO: Yes! I feel like so much more of a girlie girl now. It has abled me to embrase my feminine side a lot more. I wear more nail polish and when in a city, I wear makeup because it's fun and something that I don't/ can't often do. Also I live in an enviornment were curves are considered beautiful and being fat is sought after! Here, a compliment you'd pay to someone after not seeing them for a while is telling them "Bamaayo! You have grown VERY fat!" I don't like this very much but I'm starting to get used to it.

I only have a very small mirror that is nailed to my wall at a height were I have to really try to see myself when I want to. This has caused me to have more confidence in just being me and to care less about what I look like. It's interesting because when I am around mirrors again, the self-consciousness returns bit more than I would like. As for my hair...it is very short and head bands are my best friend.

CG: What surprises the people from Zambia most about you, being an American girl?

EO: That I want my skin to be darker, that I'm not fat (nor do i want to become fat) and that I chose/wanted to come to a place where I had to give up modern day conveniences.

CG: What is a typical days outfit?

EO: I do a lot of biking and walking,so I find it best to wear things that I can easily move around it. It's also really easy to get filthy fast, so sometimes I wear the same thing for a few days straight. I have night clothes to wear when I get home and after I clean up, then day clothes that put on again in the morning. This also helps me to fit in - a Zambian can go a week without changing their clothes once (which is understandable when you only have a few sets).

I wear either dresses or skirts that have been made for me out of chitenge, the traditional cloth that is worn by all women, or lose fitting pants. In the village it is very inappropriate to wear tight clothes or show off more than a bit of your calf.

CG: What do people who are native to Zambia do to get ready/primp that may
be different from Americans?

EO: People primp themselves here in ways that we may think is over the top or gaudy. To them, this is beautiful. They only know fashion from the over the top ads or in movies.

They try to express status through the way they dress when going out. At a special event, they will wear everything nice thing they have all at once, even if it does not match.

CG: How much do you miss your BFF, Cait?

EO: More than she can imagine. I miss drinking diet coke, going shopping, talking about boys, and having her support. [Editor's note: I agree on all counts and you always have my support.]


Elizabeth continues to be stylish and maintains her ability to accessorize while entering her final year with the Peace Corps with red wayfarers and a key necklace that Tiffany & Co. made ever so popular this year. Perfection. You go girl.

Movin' on out.

I am finally flying the coop after a year of post-college home living! Here are some ways that we're thinking of decorating our new home...

C'est la living room:



The bedroom:



And the bathroom:



Neither of us are big cooks, but I suppose we could use a recommendation on how to make our kitchen cute - and them some cooking lessons.

What do you think of our choices?