Picking up what's left of me to sing together.

There's a foot of snow outside...and I'm at work!

My commute to the subway this morning:

Yes, they also left a dumpster in my way to make this morning even more fun! It's better than the slush of yesterday, however. And there was a lot less people on the train, considering that most people got a snow day!

I'm looking forward to my final weekend home before Japan. Tonight I plan on near-completing my packing. Tomorrow I'm getting a mani/pedi with Amber & Erica at our fave place in order to prepare my "jet-setter" look for next week (could Mint Candy Apple make another appearance?!) and then I'm seeing Shutter Island! I love a good suspense thriller - they seem rare these days (too much shock horror) and Scorcese is a master!

On Sunday, I plan to celebrate the birth of one of my best friends, Kells, and eat a lot. Then any last-minute errands I need for the trip! I am a checklist maniac. CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!

Before I leave I will be posting my thoughts on the Academy Awards nominations - who will win/who should win and whatnot. Since I'll be out of the country! Wakuwaku suru!

Jesse's in Adelaide today (or should I say tomorrow?) and we got to video chat this morning before work (and before his sleep!). What's so weird is that Adelaide is half an hour off from each time zone - I didn't know such places existed. Right now it's 11am. In Adelaide it's 2:30am (tomorrow!). Anyway, the world is mysterious and I feel rather lucky to be able to talk to him so often when he's literally on the other side of the earth. In a few more days, we'll be reunited again. It will have been a MONTH since we saw each other last on February 3rd. A MONTH. Holy majoly.

So what's up with your weekend?

It's just such a trip how you're still my speed racer.

The day has arrived! I received my lovely LAMB ultraviolet absinthe wristlette! I am happy:

But....but what is this....?!

IS THAT A LAMB NIKOLA HOBO?!

YES THAT IS.

Here's how THAT happened. As you know, I posted a GILT invite on my blog and twitter. A few people signed up, a few people bought LAMB bags for themselves, and when those bags shipped, my account was credited $25 for each referral! On Sunday I found out that I could buy this lovely, lovely bag...which retails for $375, was being sold on GILT for $189...and I purchased for $41 after all the credit went through. And so, I did it. 

AND SO - I MUST SAY THANK YOU. 

Because if it hadn't been for you awesome fashionista friends & readers, I would not have this gorgeous LAMB bag to go with my wristlette! I was ecstatic on Sunday. I was ecstatic to have a few people be as crazy in love with LAMB purses as myself. I mean, REALLY CRAZY IN LOVE:

I am feeling quite great and quite wakuwaku suru to carry my new hobo around Japan! Domo arigato!

I'm a lot like you so please, hello, I'm here, I'm waiting.

In less than a week, I will be in JAPAN. I leave next Tuesday, March 2nd!!!!!!!!! I am excited. In Japanese, apparently, that translates to "wakuwaku suru!" I have been saying this to everyone, regardless if they understand.

Jesse is still in Australia, and it's a little tough when he's out of the country. It's harder to coordinate times to talk to each other, and he's not simply a call away, really. We've been doing well, though! The time difference is funny because as I'm getting up to go to the gym and head to work, he's usually just finished a show and heading to bed. When I'm eating dinner, he's waking up. I say "sweet dreams" as he says "have a great day."

With the help of Skype (and specifically the iPhone application!) we can talk on the phone on different halves of the world for free. We e-mail, chat, and video chat whenever he has an internet signal. Just yesterday morning as I got back from the gym, Jesse was online from a venue in Sydney where they had just finished playing (with freakin' Rx Bandits, Glassjaw, Sunny Day Real Estate and Jimmy Eat World!). I got to "hang out" backstage via webcam and catch up with him. He also brought his computer out in some area above/behind the stage and I got to see Jimmy Eat World perform "Bleed American."

As I sat in my bathrobe in New York. Oh, technology!!!

In Japanese - oh, kagaku gijutsu!!!

I'm not sure about much of anything in Japan in terms of internet connections and time available to update, but I'll try to! I'll be traveling with Motion City for their three shows from Tokyo to Nagoya to Osaka. I'll obviously be taking lots of pictures, notes, etc. for a full report upon my return. One other thing's for certain: I won't have to videochat with my husband once I'm there!

Today blue.

And if you want me I'm your country.

Ah, Friday. Fridays are always so lovely, aren't they? I almost feel like my Friday started as soon as I left work on Thursday.

I went to see the film Crazy Heart with Jaime and Erica. GREAT movie. Jeff Bridges has always been a talented actor - but nowhere has it shined more than here as aging, alcoholic country singer Bad Blake. His performance gave me chills, and I won't be surprised to see him take home the Best Actor Academy Award for it next month.

Last night I also recieved a few e-mails from Jesse, who landed safely in Australia for the Soundwave Festival. After a 14-hour flight, I was really excited to hear from him! He's on the other side of the WORLD. This morning he called me via the free Skype iPhone application and we got to talk for a few minutes. He was heading to bed as I was getting up for work! Not going to lie: it's the little things. Hearing his voice totally made my day!

And my smile continues to shine bright because I made a frugal designer purchase! I bought a LAMB ultraviolet wristlette via the invite-only shopping site Gilt. Oh, would you like to see it?

I'm in love! LOVE! I've been desiring a LAMB bag in that color since I saw them previewed last year. It was only $39. Boom - bought! I can't wait to go out dancing this spring/summer and slipping all my necessities in that neon bit of beauty.

Would you like to get in on the LAMB sale and need an invite? HERE YOU GO - CLICK HERE! The LAMB sale ends at midnight on Sunday, 02/21 - but the merch goes fast. The site has some great sales every day - though I only keep my eyes peeled for my favourite labels - like LAMB, of course! Sign up, and have fun.

And the rest of the day promises loveliness implicit in the fact that it's FRIDAY - the weekend begins! Tonight I hope for a little Jesse video chatting, some relaxing, perhaps a DVD or two. More fun on the horizon for the rest of the weekend as my friend Jim will be performing with his improv group at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and I'm excited for my super nerdy book club meeting!

What are you up to this weekend? And how awesome is my latest purchase - you cannot deny!