the best sister in the world

p.s.... It's my little sister's 18th birthday today!!!

Kate is not only my sister, but also my best friend in the whole world. We bring out the silliest most ridiculous sides of each other, often so silly that we don't expose other people to it. We do think Kristin Wiig would be friends with us if we let her in on it though.

Kate is so wise and empathetic and asks all the right questions when I'm upset or something more serious comes up. She's also blunt, in the best way, and that's one of my favorite things about her. She'll tell me when I need to stop being so emotional, but she'll also cuddle up and watch Pride and Prejudice with me ten minutes later.

She's one of the best things about my life, and I wish I could squeeze her and hug her and be with her tonight!

very sick valentine's week

Well, when you get a puppy, the stomach bug and an 850 page book assignment things get a little hectic. I'm not complaining, that's just my excuse for abandoning this little blog for so long. But after a refreshing weekend in Atlanta, I'm happy and able to eat real food and in love with our little puppy no matter how much she pees and bites ;)

The stomach bug on Valentine's Day was sort of a bummer since Jonathan and I planned to make sushi, but we have an extra special romantic celebration coming up in June so I think I can settle for white bread from Panera and an early bed time on V-day. I hope your Valentine's Day was far more exciting, and that you're staying healthy in this cold rainy month!

let them eat cake

Yesterday was Charles Dickens' birthday, and to celebrate my teacher brought...

....a Charles Dickens cake!

How wonderful is that? That an esteemed, well-published professor cares so much about his class of undergrads.

I just have to take a moment and say how much I love being an English major and how much I will miss it next year. I know I can always be a reader, but it just won't be the same. Right now we're reading Bleak House, and while it's enthralling on my own, it's even better in a class full of Dickens students.

I hope you're having a cozy morning on this gray day! If you have a few spare days (weeks?) you should pick up Bleak House. I'm only 250 pages in, but I'm sure all 850 pages will be worth the while.

look who we picked out today...

Jonathan (we after June) is getting a puppy!

We drove to Habersham, Ga, to pick one out today, and this is who we chose.

She's tiny, and sweet and perfect and we named her Ella.

She won't move to Athens for good til next Saturday, so for now we just look at this picture every few minutes.

Happy weekend!

skirting the issue

So, what are your thoughts on long skirts?

I bought a maxi dress a few years ago and never wore it, because I always found something more flattering in my closet. Since that shopping mishap I've steered clear of long shapeless items. But a few weeks ago I started thinking that long skirts might be different.

They have a waist. You can rock them in heels or flats. And they look rather chic in both of these pictures.While I was still mulling over my decision to make the long leap, Dynamite lured me inside with a 50 percent off sign. I found a full length skirt for $9! Now I can test it out without over-spending at Anthro , and if I hate it I can just cut off the bottom ;)

What about you? Would you go long?

love a little

Happy February!

In years past February has been my least favorite month. It's usually bleak and chilly, and Valentine's Day is just one small beacon of light in 28 cold days.

But this year, since it's 52 degrees on February 1st! I'm determined to love the month ahead. Perhaps the fact that I'm rather smiley and smitten lately has added to the warm weather affect ;)

Here are a few things to love about February...

My mom's annual heart-shapped meat loaf

My little sister's birthday

Cozying up with hot coffee and a good book (I'm about to start Bleak House)

Settling into a semester routine

Finding out if Jonathan and I get the little house we want

An excuse for a date and eating lots of sweets

What are you looking forward to in February?