Shoegazing.

I've been on a bit of a shoe binge lately. Let me take you on a tour -

My LAMB sneakers I'm stoked to wear out and about this summer! They're pretty singular.

Some minz wedge work shoes - gotta get the summer work shoes in. In winter it's boots, in summer it's flats or minz wedges. Never heels...I can't do all the walking I do everyday in heels!

Red flats for le summer!

And my red-striped TOMS! Yeah! Remember when I got those TOMS bandage boots last year? Well, I came back for more. Especially because these are so adorable and perfect little sockless shoes to galavant through the heat in. Seriously, they're so comfortable. More importantly: every time you buy a TOMS shoe, they donate a pair to a child in need. Read all about their One for One movement!! GOOD STUFF!

And that's not the end. Oh no. I've decided I need a great pair of wedges/espadrilles for the summer. I work on Madison Avenue and I passed a storefront with THE perfect pair, but when I went in they were quite over my budget! Anybody seen any good ones? Feel free to link away in the comments or e-mail me!

And streets that only turn to boulevards.

Let's start with last Friday. I came home from work to feed the kitties when I noticed a giant "Grand Opening" sign on the corner to my street. New wine shop! Went in, drank a few samples, mingled with the vendors - decidedly good, and will return for any wine needs in the future -

I had to hurry along, though, to meet up with Kells and Erica to see 17 Again. We loved it. Of course.

He's got it, yeah baby he's got it. It was a giant giggle and swoonfest and a perfect Friday night. The next day was glorious - 80 degrees, sunny, and a lovely time on our rooftop:

Then we vegged out on the couch, watched the Red Sox kill the Yankees, played some Rock Band (I'm getting better at the bass pedal!! Kells & Gabs are singers extrordinaire) and made a sleepover of it.

On Sunday we did brunch, went back to the roof, watched some High School Musical 3 (yes, yes we did), watched some more Red Sox kicking Yankees butt, and some Daisy of Love with Colleen and Katie Brown. I relish in girl weekends!!

Last night after a very busy day at work, old friends Steve and Ryan from Monty Are I came over after doing some studio stuff to hang for a bit. They hadn't seen the place in a couple of years, and of course, hadn't met the new residents Keanu and Eko.

EDIT! Jonah astutely observed that Leslie's book party is next Tuesday, not this Tuesday. You can still buy her book though :)

*Next week!*, Leslie Simon is having a book party for her latest creation, Wish You Were Here! It's at Angels & Kings from 8-10 right before Trainwreck, which I'll be sticking around for until it gets out of hand - good parties always do. Tonight's Trainwreck is having an Alkaline Trio afterparty! Woot!

All in all, I had a fabulous weekend, and this work week is already quite busy! How was yours?!

Come and I'll take you under.

It's time for another giddy Friday post! Yes, Jesse has left again for some shows about the country, but it's Friday - and nothing can deter my happiness on a Friday.

And this Friday, it's particularly beautiful. I want to scamper about the city all weekend and "frolick" and other such happy words whose actions I can't quite picture. I want to wear little white gloves and dainty dresses and nuzzle with pink flowers...

No, but really, what I have planned is quite a weekend with my ladyfriends Kelly and Erica. It may or may not involve a viewing of 17, Again - I'd say it's because Motion City's song "This is For Real" is in the movie, but let's be honest. We all know why we're dying to see it.

You can't deny it. There will also be shopping, missions, sunning, rooftop reading, laying about, brunches, sleepovers and Rock Band involved. YEAH! GIRL OUT! My friends, they rule. In case you didn't know how happy they make me.

And so, in tune with this theme of Rock Band, and the fact that I've wanted to learn to play drums since I first heard the Foo Fighters in the 90s (yet, never could due to $$, moving all the time, and no space!) - here is my Friday Playlist of the Top Ten Songs I Would Want to Learn to Play Drums To!

01 Hands Down - Dashboard Confessional (I kind of know this one...)
02 Hey, Johnny Park! - Foo Fighters
03 Sunday Morning - No Doubt
04 Time Turned Fragile - Motion City Soundtrack
05 Jaked On Green Beers - Alkaline Trio
06 Easy Target - Blink182
07 One Beat - Sleater Kinney
08 Become What You Hate - Midtown
09 Beat Your Heart Out - The Distillers
10 I Want Blood - Empires

Otherwise known as my "Oooooh, Fruitless Ambition!" list. But, whatever. A girl can dream. And Rock Band is helping me learn! Kind of. I refuse to play the Rock Band included "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters on drums just yet because I want to be REALLY good for my first attempt. So...who's going to teach me them drums? And get me a drum set? Word?

Finally.

Let's do this!

My normal hesitation is gone.

It's been a busy weekend and week...though I got a little sidetracked by Rock Band last night! In all my busy-ness, I haven't had too much time or drive to write about it, so instead I bring you a little survey that I was tagged with! I usually don't do these things at all, but this one was super random and let's you know what's up on my brain right now - thanks, Tiffany!

Eight things I look forward to:

01 No Doubt on the Today Show
02 No Doubt at Bamboozle
03 Trip to LA
04 Jesse's Birthday
05 No Doubt Show #1
06 Erica's Birthday @ a Brooklyn Cyclones game
07 No Doubt Show #2
08 Wedding/Honeymoon

Eight things I did yesterday:

01 Worked
02 Consciously chose healthy foods while grocery shopping
03 Bought cat food
04 Took a shower
05 Did my laundry
06 Played Rock Band
07 Played Rock Band
08 Played Rock Band until my throat was scratchy from singing and my wrists were hurting from drumming (I CANNOT play guitar)

Eight things I wish I could do:

01 Play the drums
02 Teleport
03 Not care about my financial status
04 Eat ice cream cake for all my meals every day
05 Go swimming every day
06 Take a weeklong vacation every month
07 Wash my hair without having to blowdry/style it
08 Find an amazing and affordable hair stylist - ANYWHERE

I'm not gonna tagaroo anyone, but go ahead and fill it out and I will read :D

And I had a lot of fun singing "Everlong" !

- via my just look at my hands and me swinging my hair iphone

We have Rock Band.

- via my night is shot iphone

Brought both of my dudes home tonight!

Dudes are soundchecking while I read.

Our weekend starts on Wednesday.

It's Friday! Yay! After work today I'll be heading to Worcester with Keanu in tow to meet up with my family, who are picking up Jesse at the Boston airport. Yeah! Reunion! It's only been five days, and we talk everyday all the time, but...you know...it's like your best friend is gone after months of looking to your side and seeing him stand right there next to you.

Last night, Erica and Eko started their adventure to Connecticut for the weekend, and Keanu and I hung out eating dinner, packing, and snuggling on the couch. Also, we watched this amazing movie, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, which I had wanted to see when it first came out, but never did. I absolutely loved it. It's a true story about a man with Locked-In Syndrome - where a person is totally cognizant of everything going on, but he's paralyzed head-to-toe. He learned to communicate via the only thing he could move - his left eyelid. And he wrote a book. That's all you need to know; go watch it. Has anybody else seen it?

And now, I give you my Friday Playlist. Apparently Damone came out with an album last December, and I did not know. Probably because it was self-released...but I bought it last night and I've been listening. It's okay so far - there are a couple of awesome songs, though different. The first song, which I think is the "single," is quite boresville and should not have been chosen to open an album. Those are just my two cents, though.

This City - The Matches
Distorting a Code - Spinnerette
For You To Notice - Dashboard Confessional (MTV2 Unplugged version)
One Fine Day - The Chiffons
Conquer Me - Damone (kind of Cure-like, current fave song on the album)
Lovefool - The Cardigans (YUP, I listened to this today)
Chinese - Lily Allen
Perfect & True - Ryan Adams
Head On - Pixies
El Scorcho - Weezer

Have a great weekend!

Subconsciously motivated natural instinct.

This is my friend, Rick, who blogs HERE and whom I've known since freshman year of college when he lived across the floor from me. He currently lives in the snoozefest that is Reno, Nevada - of course, I only assume this, as I've never been there. But! It is far away, I know this much. The picture above was taken the night we graduated from Boston University in May 2005, and we celebrated by going to what would end up being the last show Midtown ever played. Yeah, we're totally rad. Also, TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY!

A conversation we had last week, demonstrating the essence of our friendship:

Rick: So I am totally loving Ed as you clearly said I would.
Me: How did you get it?!
Rick: Found it online.
Me: Ahhh! Bowling alley lawyer! Justin Long and Ginnifer Goodwin so young! Miss Vessey!! I'm jealous.
Rick: The $10 bets crack me up
Me: The bets were so awesome. It's why I sometimes say "letoose" instead of lettuce! Did you see that one yet?
Rick: That's the one I'm watching now.
Me: WOW!
Rick: That's just how we roll.
Me: It's how we do.

YEAH! We may be across the country, but these parallel situations happen a lot between us. It's positively cosmic.

And this day shares another birthday of one of my closest friends - GABY!!!

Gaby and I met in New York, but we ran in similar but somewhat separated internet circles in the early 2000s via Yahoo! groups. I'm serious. She was heavily involved with a Midtown (there it is again!) group, and I was heavily involved with a Dashboard Confessional group (for which I got interviewed for the Boston Globe about??). ANYWAY, it was hilarious when we discovered our mutual obsessive time on yahoo in our earlier years - we are kindred spirits. Also, her opinion is highly regarded by me, so I ask her about everything in music and pop culture. Which, I happen to do with Rick, too. Weird. Maybe April 16th is reserved for those people born with awesome taste? I'd believe it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BOTH!!!

But the past it tangles into everything I know.

She says you're gonna eat popcorn in the dark.

YOU GUYS. The Matches were awesome last night, per usual. Erica and I also sat across from Michael C. Hall, the guy who plays Dexter on Dexter on the L train on the way there. He was all scruffy and wearing his wedding ring and looked good, but maybe wanted to kill you. Whatever. Creepy hot? You know what I mean. But we were definitely a little starstruck. You would also already know all that if you followed my Twitter.

In other news, tonight Shawn Harris, the lead singer of The Matches is guest DJing at Trainwreck along with Erica, Rob, and Baya - and it's also in celebration of GABY'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!! See you for the fun!

Always so good.

This papercut skin that makes me wince.

Ah, Monday again.

Jesse's last weekend in New York was quite fun - on Friday there was a lot of friends over to play bag toss, indoor bocce, and Apples 2 Apples in a little going away shindig. It definitely was a game night of epic proportions.

On Saturday, Jesse and I had brunch with Jonah Bayer and James, and then proceeded to enlist Jonah as our personal "help Jesse ship stuff" slave. We had to get a bunch of things shipped to LA for his trip, so on the most dreary of rainy days, we trudged around Brooklyn holding a boxed-up bicycle (Jesse), a trainer and skateboard (Jonah) and a moog keyboard (me). We finally found a shipping store that was open and were so exhausted from the hours of manual labor amidst broken umbrellas and soaked jeans, we needed a drink. And Jonah informed us of Rosemary's Greenpoint Tavern around the corner, which serves huge beers in (very environmentally unfriendly) styrofoam cups for $3.50. Sold.

Then Jesse and I ate some dinner and cuddled at home with the last episode of The Wire Season 2. He's under direction to finish Season 3 immediately and send it back to me.

Yesterday we got to the airport a bit late due to a crap cab driver, so Jesse got bumped until the next flight. But, it ended up being okay because Jesse and I got to spend a few more hours together and sometimes that turns into really cute posts I read when I get home. I seem to have taught him well in the arts of internet barftime.

It was hard to see him go past security and wave and turn away, but the good news is that I am seeing him again on Friday because Motion City is playing a show in Worcester! I know, so anticlimactic, I know!! Technically, he's living in LA until July, but we are always sure to see each other as much as we possibly can. And if it's next weekend, I'm STOKED on next weekend already, of course.

Last night on the couch, Keanu and I were a little blue to not have Jesse sitting next to us. Keanu quickly fell asleep so as not to endure too much of the pain unsettling him in his consciousness - he's quite sensitive.

So for now, it's regular ol' long distance, but I have a new advocate in Fianz updates - Mark Hoppus. He twittered about working with Motion City today and posted a pic -

'Cause that's Jesse's life - today he woke up in LA, worked out, went swimming, and then went into the studio with his band and Blink-182's Mark Hoppus. Whatever. I mean, I'm here in my cubicle being just as cool. Pfft.

Sigh.

BUT TONIGHT!!!! Erica and I are going to see one of our favourite live bands, The Matches, at Mercury Lounge! YES!! I know! We'll be in the front, dancing around, like we do. And tomorrow, their lead singer, Shawn will be guest-DJing with Rob, Erica, and Baya at Trainwreck where I'll be there celebrating GABY'S BIRTHDAY! YEAH!!!

See, I have a lot of fun stuff to look forward to while the Fianz is away - not that it will detract from how much I'll miss him! But with friends like mine, I know I'm always in a good way.

And like that...he's gone.

Playing bag toss in the apartment.

And the ships off shore hold stories that we'd make.

It's Friday! FRIDAY!! My most favourite of days!

So this week, Jesse, Kelly, Erica Z., and myself went back to Sweet Emily's in Hell's Kitchen. The last time I went there with my mother and her friends was absolutely amazing and delicious, and it wasn't a fluke. Everything was absolutely delectable! So, I'm spreading the word for this new little baby restaurant on 51st Street between 8th & 9th Avenue, because it's only two months old and I'd really like it to thrive so that I have somewhere awesome and affordable to go to in the future. If you're in Manhattan, hit it up! I even signed up with Yelp and Zagat in order to give it a good rating.

Yesterday after work I met up with Zan at Whiskey Park to discuss Anna Karenina, among other topics. Some great things about this - 1. Nobody else I know that works in the city gets off at 5pm like I do, so I'm usually waiting around the office for someone to get off or crashing their offices awkwardly. 2. Zan and I live in the same city and met through our mutual friend Kristy, who lives in LA. We've never hung out unless Kristy is in town. Last night, we rectified that. 3. Whiskey Park is between our offices and we had such a lovely time that we're going planning on doing this at least once a month! We talked about books, Goodreads.com, the Internets, and New York. Also, hair and bang-cutting tips and tricks. 4. Peartinis. That is all.

Tonight is games night at our apartment! And Jesse leaves this weekend for LA...for four months... so we're doing it up! YES!

Kitteh update: they're still hams.

All of my thoughts run right back to you.

So, it's been very busy at work. And it's Jesse's last week in town. Thus, I've been a bit busy. To sum up:

We went to the Red Sox/Mets exhibition game on Friday in which there was a rain delay, and it was freezing, but the new Citi Field is awesome. And then the Red Sox lost. BUT BASEBALL IS BACK! On Saturday the Red Sox won, but we weren't there, and instead I got a little brunch with Jesse and we went to the local diner for late night hangs with our friends. On Sunday, Jesse, Katie Brown, and I saw Sunshine Cleaning which made me cry like a little baby for most of it, and I liked it a lot. Emily Blunt & Amy Adams are quite talented. Then, because it was such a glorious day out, we trekked to a local park and played bocce ball and bag toss!

Last night, Jesse and I continued watching The Wire Season 2 - we saw the actor who plays Ziggy on the L train on Sunday, and I couldn't bring myself to say anything to him because I really want to punch out his character on the show. Whatever. Seriously, though, the show is SO GOOD.

In other news, I've booked my flight to LA in May! I'm stoked. Other events that are fast approaching: The Matches show next week, MCS in Worcester, Bamboozle, parties, No Doubt shows, Brooklyn Cyclone games...hotly anticipating it all. Oh, and that whole wedding thing, too!

Today was a gorgeous day in New York.

He said I like it with a big wide grin.

I've decided to do another Friday Playlist! It's been an extremely busy week at work (it's the end of our fiscal calendar year), so I haven't had much time to devote to ye olde writing. What I've been enjoying -

Ryan Adams - These Girls
No Doubt - Sunday Morning
Rancid - Dope Sick Girl
The Donnas - Outta My Mind
Kings of Leon - Knocked Up
Damone - Out Here All Night
Regina Spektor - Consequence of Sounds
Metric - Poster of a Girl
Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm
Butch Walker - Going Back/Going Home

It's short but SWEET.

Tonight, though it's pouring rain outside, Erica, Jesse, Perry, Katie, Adam, Jim, Sean and I are heading to the first game at the Mets' new Citi Field - because they're playing THE RED SOX. I bought a red poncho during lunch for the festivities!

BASEBALL RETURNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But your little wings are intertwined.

I have been neglecting - I know! It's been a pretty busy week thus far, and it's only halfway over.

Here's some fun:

I don't know if you all have heard yet, but Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 is indeed producing the next Motion City Soundtrack album!! Yay! This also means that Jesse will be recording in LA, and the preproduction actually starts pretty soon - though I will be dragging him back to this coast every once in a while. At the same time, I love visiting friends on the west coast, so I hope to get in a trip out there in my busy schedule. Plus, the demos are freakin' rad and I can't wait to hear what happens! They've definitely got a lot of good stuff brewing for this album and all it entails - stay tuned, and keep an eye on their tumblr, too! Even though he'll be away, I'm still looking forward to the upcoming months!

Yesterday after work we celebrated the impending summer by playing some bocce ball at a nearby park. It definitely got a little too cold near the end, but we're just sharpening up our skills. I can't wait until we're playing in a backyard with Bud Light Limes in hand. Also, for the winter months, Jesse got us an indoor bocce set. They're felt balls, and it's amazing. As in, all furniture and cats are in play. Eko and Keanu may or may not have moved the balls around or chased them while we threw them. It was hilarious.

Also, I just scored some awesome LAMB sneakers on a sale, and they are REVVING me up for the No Doubt shows this summer! First one being Bamboozle, of course. FACT: it's only one month away!!

Since they're called the "Music" sneakers, I'll most likely be wearing them to the shows, too. Aren't they sweet??

PS There were no April Fool's jokes in this post - promise!