a home of my own

So I've been traipsing all over the DC Metro Area {through rain, biting winds, and a bad sense of direction} in order to find a suitable living space. After much effort, I have found the {almost} perfect place:

How charming is this kitchen? I love the pale green tiles and white cabinetry...

...and the little dining nook {and the scrollwork on the balcony}...

...and the rafters, the splash of red on the walls,
and the curtain that separates the bedroom area from the living room area.

The only problem? It's in France. {That would be a long and expensive commute, but what a gorgeous view.}

{Images via here.}

I'm looking at a few more apartments this weekend. Let's hope one of them works out!

***

have a great weekend!

someone talk me out of this

I want this:

Custom Acrylic Nameplate Necklace via here.

I want mine to say "j'adore" or "je t'aime" or something equally French and cliched. I want it in silver mirror acrylic, typeset in Helvetica Bold, and maybe with skull or heart or cupcake cutouts... Tacky? Or AWESOME? {Please say awesome.}

{I think I've been jonesin' for acrylic jewelry ever since I saw this necklace and these rings {by the same fab designer} in one of those daily Etsy Finds emails. I should probably give in and buy it... all. Or ask my friends to do an intervention.}

traveling light

{Image via here; edited using Picnik.com}

I've spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out how to pack two suits and a week's worth of clothes, shoes, and other everyday essentials {flat iron, accessories, make up, etc.} into a carry-on for my trip to D.C. next week. {I have two interviews scheduled, which is the most I've had all summer. Long distance job hunting is hard!} I generally do not travel light, but I am flying Delta, which like most airlines, charges $15 for the first checked bag {one way} + $5 if you don't check your bags online. Frustration!

{I know... I might have to bite the bullet and fork over the $30.}

Sometimes I opt for comfort when I'm traveling, but often, especially when my suitcase is overflowing, I'll layer on items -- jackets and sweatshirts and bulky shoes -- that take up the most space. {It's not very chic.} the glamourai has some useful advice on packing jewelry and such, which I will keep in mind as I reorganize my suitcase yet again. If any of my fellow travelers out there have advice on packing or traveling in general--

do you roll your clothes to keep them from wrinkling?
or do you just fold them?

what can you not leave the house without?

-- please share!

top of the world

the world is a book,
and those who do not travel read only one page.

-- st. augustine

Last winter, my parents and I took a three-day excursion to Nepal while we were visiting relatives in Bangladesh. These are some of my favorite photos from that trip:

Prayer Flags, Nagarkot, Nepal. 12/25/07.

Goat, Bhaktapur, Nepal. 12/25/07.

Prayer Wheels at Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal. 12/26/07.

Sunset at Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. 12/26/07.

Himalayas, Nepal. 12/27/07.