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.