Oh, right...

... and did I mention that my hair is TWO FREAKING COLORS???!!! It would appear that I refuse to learn that home hair experiments are a horrible idea. The box said medium ash blond, which is my natural hair color, so I thought: "Hey, great! Do this and maybe I'll never have to dye/highlight my hair again!" WRONG. OH SO WRONG!!! Somehow the color took differently to the top half of my head then it did to the bottom half... which has left me with a strawberry blonde top fading very ungraciously into what can only be described as gray-blonde tips. First of all... how the heck did my hair come up with a light strawberry blonde from a dye that was supposed to make it a dark ashy-blonde? It's as if it patently refused to acknowledge the laws of chemical processing!!! Secondly... WTF??? GRAY???!!! I know that ashes are gray... but this was not supposed to be literal!!! HEAVENS TO BETSEY!!! (Johnson... all hail!!!)

So... in my attempt to save myself the cost of regular trips to the hair salon, I've created a hair DEBACLE. I have to leave the office at lunch today to meet with someone and sort this sh*t out. I'm about 50/50 as to my faith that whoever they are will be able to help me. For all I know, I'll have to become a brunette first before anything can be fixed. Or... goodness forbid... I'll have to wear HATS for the next year. (*Shudder*... I don't look good in hats.)

WHY???!!! WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF???!!!

Love,
Katie

Quickly now!

I decided to blog this morning before my call, since my 9:30 debriefing marks the start of my next project, and thusly will end my short but sweet free time. I've been snapping photos like a crazy person, and thought I'd share a couple!!!

Firstly... This guy hopped on the T and just made me smile. After snuggies and creepy old dudes in Morpheus sunglasses, he was such a breath of fresh air.

Showing some redhead love.

How freakin' cute is that bow tie?! The blue paired wonderfully with his hair and eyes, and the khakis were a nice fit with dress shoes that matched his belt. HOORAY!!!

Secondly, I keep having these moments that make me realize that choosing Boston as my new home was a wonderful idea. (I mean... besides the fact that there's a shopping district 3 blocks away from the mall and 5 blocks away from another shopping district.) Here's one:

Wind Scootering!!!

I chanced upon this guy as I was leaving the gym. My gym happens to be located in one of the most ridiculous wind tunnels, and my man here was fully taking advantage of it. Coolness factor?? 8.5

Speaking of gyms... who's gym just won "Best Women-Only Gym in America" by Fitness magazine??

Read the Article

That's right... MINE!!!!! Thanks to yoga, pilates, zumba, african cardio dance, and a free training session with Ian, I've shed 3 lbs in my 2 weeks of membership!!!

To add even more to the awesomeness of Boston:

I F*ING LOVE PANSIES!!!!!!!!!

If you haven't seen my tattoos, you might not know this, but pansies are my absolute favorite flower. (Yes, I recognize and appreciate the irony of getting a pansy painfully carved into my body. It's like 1/8 of the reason why I love my tattoo.) Boston is COVERED in pansies!!! This is a lovely window box near where I live, and you can see them in street gardens, lining the outdoor seating of cafes, in the public park, in pots, really anywhere you can put something that requires dirt, sun, and water, they're there!!!

Also, what's 4 blocks away from me?

BPL playas!!

This is the beautiful Boston Public Library. The librarians here are baller, the rooms are beautiful, and it's a place that lets me read books when I've spent all my money on shoes. (Although recently, all my money has been going towards making my apartment livable. Surprisingly, it still gives me shopper's buzz!) 

And speaking of my apartment... when the day is done and the sun is about to set, I get to sit on my ROOF TOP and drink in the view while I eat my dinner.

Looking south... which is not where the sun sets...

compliments of my roommates.

I'll take another picture from the roof, as I think my roommates unfortunately decided to show the less appealing direction... but you get the idea. 

Let's not forget that when I went out on Saturday I danced with a med student, a radiologist, a guy who works for pfizer, a grad student, and several other guys where I didn't take the time to get to know their exciting careers. Whaat??!! (Radiologist suckered me into giving him my number, and I have yet to decide if I'll accept his dinner offer... I mean, I'm on a detox people!!!) 

And goodness knows how, but the 5 different fashion styles that I sport any given day all seem to fit in. Want to pretend I'm hipster? Fine. Feeling preppy? Totally okay. Sporting business chic? Wonderful. Bringing back the bohemian feel of the West Coast? Nicely done. Rocking the piercings? Practically bland! (Today's look: gray brogues with cuffed skinny leg jeans and a ralph lauren plaid ruffle top. I'm feeling adorbs!)

Anyhoodle, you can get the gist of why Boston seems like it just might be a perfect fit! A post will come soon where I tell you about all of the things I've discovered I don't love about the city... but they're more comical than anything else. 

Now... don't you want to come visit???!!!

Love,

Katie

On the T...

I finally gave in and decided to be a creepy person who takes stealth photos of other people on the T... and it totally paid off!!! First, there was snuggie lady, which I hope you all enjoyed. Now, I'd like to introduce you to two more fine specimen... both apparently freaked out by the idea of leaving the back of their heads unadorned.

Yes, that is an itty bitty pink sequin top hat complete with bow. She was also wearing a pseudo-ballet outfit, complete with fake ballet shoes. 

Now, this man was about 65-70 years old. This means that on top of having a rat tail (a sin above all other hair sins), in order for it to be that color... he has to dye it!!! To top the look off?? Morpheus sunglasses and motorcycle duds... despite his obvious lack of motorcycle (hence public transit on a beautiful, sunny day).

Love,

Katie

If you're wondering...

Why it's be a bit since I posted, it's because I've been crazy busy since last Wednesday. I've edited 130 slides down to 90, written an article, researched and written a case study, become a regular pilates and yoga attendee, gotten myself lost in a zipcar, personally walked over 500lbs worth of stuff up to my 4th floor apartment, set up my entire room (including organizing 128 hangers worth of clothing...), gone to target for appliances, cleaned my restroom to the closest to spotless perfection it will ever get, celebrated Easter with Antonina's family, and have been forced to show my cards as a marketing consultant. How'd the last part go? Well... I guess as well as can be expected for someone who has no experience. In other words... I feel like a boob 90% of the time I'm in the office.

While this slight overload has been exhausting, I've learned a few valuable things:

- Intuition is more important than google maps when driving in Boston.
- Taking a direct bus line will take you longer than an indirect subway line.
- Mamma Karen (who's only about 8 years my senior) knows just what to say when I'm stressed out about being a total boob.
- Movers are worth every penny, and I will always use them in the future.
- It is important to double check whether the water is coming out of the faucet or shower head before you turn it on, especially if you are standing in the tub.
- Always check who's cc'd on emails.
- Certain items should never be purchased without all roommates present, as it will result in you trekking heavy things back to Marshalls.
- Jelly Belly Citrus Medleys are delicious.
- Don't add hot sauce to mac&cheese.
- DVD players that cost $34 work exceptionally well.
- Check to see if the carpets are being replaced the week you're trying to move in.
- Always have packing tape. It comes in handy.

Love,
Katie

I just... I just...

I just don't know what to say, except:

IS THAT A SNUGGIE???!!!

Fashion on the T

Love,

Katie

So true... and perhaps a little sad...

Today, I typed this message to Kelley:

"When Katie tells you it's not worth the splurge, you know you need to listen."

Her response: "Hahahahahaha omg that is the truth."

Although this was 100% sound advice, it reminds me of the fact that I am a fairly expensive impulse buyer. Seeing as I'm 23 and am lacking in the cushy salary department, this might not be the best bad habit to have. Luckily, I've set up safety nets in the finances department. Like what? Well, let me tell you!! I've got a savings account that never gets touched, a credit card that I am only allowing myself to use for 1 purchase a month (so as to build up my credit score), 10% of my salary already deducted for my 401k, taxes somewhat generously removed from each paycheck, and a flexible tax-free spending account for my medical expenses.

So, what this means is that my shopping "habit" will not affect my health, my taxes, or my retirement, although I'm certain it will relegate me to only eating eggy-cheese-rice (ask Kel and Rach about that one) and ramen at least a few times a year. I figure when you're a bit of a shopaholic, the only way live with the addiction is to limit the dollar amount that shows up in your checking account, otherwise it's just way too tempting.

Anyone got any better ideas? Anyone want me to look at something you want to buy and give you the permission you've been looking for?? It's 95% likely I'll tell you to go for it!!!

Love,
Katie

A room of one's own...

Look! I've got a bed! I bought it! I own it! AH! I'm an adult!

How super cute, right?? I'd show you photos of other things in my room... but there currently aren't any... yeah...

To come: a chiffonier (complete with self-installed custom mirrors) and framed photography of all my favorite things - Cupcakes!!! California!!! Flowers!!! Marilyn Monroe!!! SHOES!!!

Love,

Katie