bending the rules |

Substitute pricer item for cheaper one that’s out of stock?

January 26. Day 210.

Back to San Diego. Back to real life.

Back to… IKEA.

Since we moved on Jan 9, I haven’t time to do much around the house. We’ve unpacked 90 percent, but there are the little details that still need to come together. Duvet. Yada yada.

Last week I picked up a sheet at IKEA, only [...]

immaterial gains (knowledge or access) |

Can I try on your head?

January 25. Day 209.

And so it came to pass that our ribald trio ended up in the land of Hollywood.

They took pictures of the Hollywood sign and had a very hung over breakfast at 101 Coffee. They miraculously found parking on a side street and walked into all the glitzy/trashy souvenir shops on Hollywood Blvd, [...]

immaterial gains (knowledge or access) |

$10 discount at Budget Inn? And preview your sketchy hotel room, please?

January 24. Day 208.

On Saturday, Mr. A, La Divina and I headed up to L.A. for a weekend of… whatever.

We started in Santa Monica with a coffee to recharge after the drive, then drinks and darts at a Bri’ish pub. Then, we headed over to Hollywood to check out the clubbing scene.

It was around 11 [...]

grad school |

Do you have a favorite balcony?

January 23. Day 207.

Like anyone obsessed by her area of study, I tend to build my dissertation topic — balconies — into my everyday conversations. For example…

Friend: On the sixth night, we stayed at a gorgeous hotel that was overlooking the Taj Mahal, and our pillows were made of this gossamer thread that was actually [...]

getting my money's worth |

The cursory $5 off

January 22. Day 206.

A few months ago, I was flipping through “Home” magazine, which I found at my Mama’s house, and I fell head over heels for one of their spreads.

After a bit of digging, I found it online.

Not every element gets me. (Bleh bedroom and dark walls, for example.) But a few accents, a [...]