Merci

I stumbled upon this blog last night, and I love the concept.

THXTHXTHX

The writer comes up with "a thank you note a day." She addresses them to everything from Vicodin to Restaurant Tap Water that's served in a glass bottle. Plus, they're all written by hand and then scanned on to the computer.
I'm not one of those people who is constantly nostalgic and thinks things were so much better back in the day. I was thinking the other day about what it must have been like to have to write papers on typewriters - with no spellcheck, no opportunity to go back and change something, and no saved copy. No, thank you.
However, writing letters is one think I allow a little wistfulness for. I love gmail as much as the next person, but there's something so personal and dignified about a letter or a thank you-note. Don't even get me started on stationary and wax seals (I got sealing wax for my 8th birthday and I thought it was the coolest thing ever...a thought that has stood the test of time).
I wrote Christmas cards this year, and, I won't lie, felt pretty pleased with myself - both for the fact that I wrote them in general and that I managed to mail them before December 23. The fact that I wrote them while listening to the Nutcracker Suite while sitting next to the lit Christmas tree? Just trying to milk the month of December for all it's worth, especially since it has now decided to become apocalyptically cold all of a sudden.
There's more to report, but that's all for today. I think today's thank-you note from me would be:

Dear tiny-yet-effective revolving space heater,

Thank you for all that you do. When I go outside for 5 minutes and feel as if I'll never be warm again, you comfort me and heat my cubicle quickly and effectively. Plus, I'm amazed I haven't scalded my leg on you yet.

All best,
Francesca

Holiday Dispatches from the Interweb

So, for the past couple of nights, I've been trying to get back on the horse that is writing fiction on a regular basis. Despite the fact that I work best while writing on paper in silence, free from the computer and its myriad of distractions, I did break my concentration a few times for the warm glow of the internet. While listening to, alternately, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and the Pink Martini Christmas album (I know, it makes no sense), I spent some time checking in on some of my favorite blogs, which, I will warn you in advance, are mostly girly and concerned with either clothes or cooking. There are also a few wine-related ones in there, too. So, if that's your sort of thing, explore below.

The Sartorialist (Mom, if you're reading this, you'd like this one)
Cupcakes and Cashmere
Smitten Kitchen
Walking Around
Orangette
East Village Wine Geek
Insatiable Critic
Hyperbole and a Half (The black sheep of this list, but hilarious)
Love As A Found Object (Blog of a writer I love, Leah Hager Cohen)
A Cup of Jo


Then, of course, I started happening upon the Christmas sales. My Christmas gifts have, for the most part, already been bought, so these are more Christmas longings than anything else. Also, they're completely extravagant, as you'll see below.

I yearn for a Le Creuset set, and this green color is pretty much the best. I thought I loved the orange beyond all else, but I was wrong. Yes, it's on sale, but still - $965? I'll keep dreaming.

Then, out of curiosity, I googled the Wall Street Journal wine club. I'd heard my parents mention it in passing, so I wanted to see what the deal was. What the deal is, in fact, is essentially the perfect system for me, someone who wants to learn more about wine from people who will make the somewhat daunting prospect manageable and fun. It's almost inexpensive enough for me to justify, but I can see myself 3 months down the road - eating canned soup for every meal just to finance my Wine Club membership. This is really something I would do.
I'm thinking I'll squirrel the money away in advance of my Paris trip - I'll be drinking delicious wine with friends in either scenario, so everybody wins.

More soon! x

5E is ready for Christmas!

So, we had our annual Christmas party on Saturday night, and it was a smashing success. The place looked great, and lots of friends came and shared holiday cheer with us. Below are a few snapshots:

Red Velvet Christmas cupcakes.

These amazing Christmas-y Prosecco bottles I found. They went into the punch.


And the hostesses!