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