I pray it never fades in white

Hat: Banana Republic, Mittens: Isotoner, Scarf:  Echo

I recently bought a new winter coat in a beautiful chocolate brown, during all the great after Christmas sales. Naturally some winter accessories are needed to stay warm and look fashionable. I love cream colors, particularly when paired with with the rich dark brown color of my coat. I've had the hat for several years now, I love the bucket hat and ever since my college days in Vermont, I don't avoid hats or fear hat head any more. I hate being cold and the hat does wonders for that. I did also pick up an infinity scarf, which is absolutely amazing at keeping me warm - big fan of the double loop. I also found some adorable cable knit mittens with leather palms, meaning that when traveling on the subway I don't have to worry about getting the mittens dirty. Hopefully winter isn't too long this year, but at least I am prepared to stay toasty warm for now.

you say it's your birthday - we're going to have a good time



That's me- the cute little swaddled baby in my cousin's arms, while my sister looks on like the adoring mother. I love this photo taken a few days after I was born because it looks like the perfectly little family photo with kids playing adult roles. 30 years ago I graced this world with my presence, during a snow storm none the less.  I was born on my parents' wedding anniversary, and the story is that in the morning my father asked my mother to make him breakfast, where she told him that they were going to go to the hospital instead. I am certainly glad my arrival allowed for the eggs benedict to be skipped.  A lot has happened in the first 30 years of my life, I can only hope to 30 more eventful years filled with joy and laughter, fun and friends, and memories to last a lifetime.

strange spaghetti in this solemn city...

When I was really little my absolute favorite food was pasta - my mother spent many a lunch time reheating leftovers for me because I didn't really like sandwiches. I am pretty sure she feared that she was going to have to bring me lunch everyday when I did go off to school. Luckily, my tastes did evolve a bit overtime and I was able to go the normal lunch route when I finally went off to first grade. I still enjoy a good pasta dish, and finally decided it was time to tackle making my own Bolognese sauce from scratch. I used this recipe from Real Simple, to make a delicious homemade tomato sauce in my slow cooker (which definitely needs more use). It was quite tasty and I put the extra portions in the freezer for another meal.

Tonight's another chance to start again

Bikes in Munich from a European adventure in 2009

Every year I try to come up with a list of obtainable resolutions - none of that will go to the gym every day. I just don't see the point of setting one's self up to fail - there can always be some lofty resolutions, but there has to be a path to get there. I decided to have five clear objectives in 2012.

1) Cook more - I was doing so well at different points of the past year trying to bake or create something in the kitchen, to varying degrees of success.  2012 is the year I will make time to spend in the kitchen learning how to make new things, and perfecting some old reliables.

2) Make a strong run at elite status on my airline miles this year.  This pretty much sums up to travel often this year, and so far I've got two trips planned for February alone, and few trips pending for late March and mid April. If I get some work trips in as well - back to London, this may be within reach.

3) Do more DIY projects. It's so easy just to buy new accessories for home or for fashion, that sometimes I forget how fun it is to make things by hand. I also forget how frustrating some DIY projects can be, but it definitely is fun to try new things.

4) Explore more of New York City. I spend almost every day in the city, yet I don't know many areas, nor have I spent nearly enough time exploring so many places.

5) Vacuum once a week. I hate cleaning the floors, it's time to embrace that they will not clean themselves and I am not likely to score a roomba anytime soon.