Un-Scrooging.

So, I think I've realized why I'm not a fan of Christmas carols. All those years working at JCrew and listening to carols upon carols all through December essentially killed me....But yesterday I was volunteering at the food bank and my favorite Christmas song came on!!!!

It goes a little something like this...

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy

I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?

He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue

Just bring him through the front door,

that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning,

creeping down the stairs

Oh what joy and what surprise

when I open up my eyes

to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses

I only like hippopotamuses

And hippopotamuses like me too

(Short Music Interlude)

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then

Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian

(Short Music Interlude)

There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage

I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning,

creeping down the stairs

Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes

to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses

I only like hippopotamuseses

And hippopotamuses like me too!

What's your favorite carol?

Ironic, I would say.

Ironic that I just got back from my first (but not last) trip to South Africa and there is now a film coming out this December called Invictus about Nelson Mandela and rugby uniting the country post apartheid. I am intrigued...especially with Matt Damon playing rugby and Morgan Freeman playing Mandela.

I'm sure I'll be missing S Africa while watching this...sniff sniff.

Playing the Sartorialist

While I was in Africa, Julie and I stopped DEAD IN OUR TRACKS when we saw this guy. She convinced me to go up to him and request a photo. I did have to tip him, since he was performing an act of some sort. How else do you explain Michael Jackson-like attire?

shot by me in Capetown, SA

How to get back to work.

So I've been on vacation for nearly 2 weeks. Must.Adjust.Back.To.Real.Life.
(Camps Bay, in Capetown, South Africa. This is what I woke up to...)


Here are the steps I'm going to take...but PLEASE post some advice asap if you have any!!!

1. Come home with clean clothes (I did!)
2. Put yourself to bed (I went to sleep at 9:30!!!)
3. Wake up with a good attitude, shower, and get ready for work
4. Get coffee
5. Play good tunes (I chose Phoenix to lift my spirits...I left the 80 degree temps in Camps Bay and came home to 45...)
6. Get through work emails in a calm and collective fashion (started with 90, now am at 42.)
7. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
8. Plan on leaving work at a decent hour.
9. Get to bed early AGAIN.

Any advice???? I know this isn't the BEST how to, but I have a good one for next week :)

Kill me.

How CUTE is this!?



But back on the planet of BUDGETS and REALITY, I'll probably end up with something a little more DIY---how about this?

How are you decorating for the holidays? I need some tips for when I get back since it won't be too long until Christmas!!

How to Go on Vacation

Step 1: Plan

Step 2: Pack

Step 3: Leave

Hahaha. Ok, not the most thorough post. BUT I AM ON VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am currently away from my desk, hanging out with all these guys:

Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

OK! I saw this line in an email from Clare and thought it was hilarious.

So I guess I better dress like this NOW, not just when I'm a senior citizen :)