the imperfectionists

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So I was able to read one book over spring break- The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

The cover of this book caught my eye. Story of my life: I like a good cover. The contents of the book did not disappoint either.

The Imperfectionists follows the private lives of 11 reporters, editors, and contributors to an English-language newspaper, based it Rome. Each story is very different from the others, but Rachman ties them all together beautifully. As the characters attempt to sort through their messy personal lives, they struggle save to keep the paper afloat. A tale of modern life that everyone can relate to in some way or another, The Imperfectionists explores relationships through the decline of an unnamed, yet oddly familiar newspaper.

It's good and a fairly quick read, I recommend it! Go now, read this book.

grad school prom

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This past Saturday night was grad school "prom." More commonly known as grad students and an open bar. Well really, it was about an hour of open bar, but whatever, I'm not complaining. I had a very good time.

It was weird though because I didn't recognize most of the people there. Am I really that anti-social? I don't really stick around school after class. The only time I'm there not for class is for work, and I work in a windowless office tucked in the corner of a suite of offices where no one in their right mind would venture.

Nonetheless, it was a good time. Alonit and I really tore it up on the dance floor. We have great moves. I'm not really a great dancer, I fully recognize that, but I really love dancing- it's good fun. Sometimes grad students just need to let loose and have fun. Non-stop reading and writing is unhealthy for you (or so I believe).


Alonit - the best prom date ever

Scarlett and Jason's prom picture
Scarlett looks lovely, Jason does too...

Grad school prom was very similar to high school prom. Just add alcohol and stir.

newport here i come!

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This July I will be going to the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. I am beyond excited- it is going to be an amazing time, I just know it. I will be roadtripping from DC to Newport with my kindred spirit, the lovely Naomi (aka Nowmi Joon).


This year's lineup is fantastic. I bought my ticket without seeing the lineup, but based on years past (I've never been, just dreamt of it), I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. And who could be with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Gogol Bordello, need I go on?


If only I had been around in 1963 to see Bob Dylan perform...


However, I'm so excited to see all of the great musicians included in this year's lineup! Some I have seen before, others I have not, but I am looking forward to them all. Will I see you there this July?

missing buda and pest

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I miss Budapest so much I'm watching/listening to this:


Yes, this is what it has come to. I must be crazy, but it's somewhat comforting to hear the metro/bus announcements for all of the places I love so much. Is that weird? I don't care.

There is also this one which is a bit odd because it's an animation of riding the M1. Someone has a bit too much free time. Although, that might be me because I'm actually watching these...

Anyway, the best part is at 2:35 when the announcer says "A bajcsi zsilinsky utca!" Why? Because for some inexplicable reason that street name always made me an Beata very happy.

lemon bars

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This is my mom's famous lemon bar recipe (thanks, Diane!). They're deliciously tart and make your lips pucker! If you're not a fan of strong lemon flavors, beware! Also, always use fresh lemon juice. If you use bottled lemon juice I will look down my nose at you. Yes, I'm a lemon snob. I can deal with that.

Now I still don't make them as well as good, old Diane does, but each batch improves a little bit. My biggest problem is with the edges sticking to the pan and making a difficult mess of removing the edges from the pan. I lined the 9x13 pan with parchment paper and that worked fairly well. My mother never has this problem. Maybe she's magical. Or she's not telling me something so I don't show her up in the kitchen. It's probably the former, but I'll never know for sure.



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wardrobe refresh

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If you recall, one of my New Year's resolutions was "Dress less like a homeless person, and more like a person who is looking for gainful employment."

Well I'm failing miserably at that one. I'm a hot mess today. And not hot in a good way. Hot in a homeless, bag lady kind of way. My sweater has some sort of yellowy spot on it- who knows what that could be. As if that isn't bad enough my pants have a whole in the. In the crotchal region (I don't care that crotchal isn't a real word, it should be).

Real classy.

Well spring is here and I need (read as really, really want) some new clothes. Ones that don't have holes in them. And maybe I should invest in a bib. Or a tide-to-go pen. I suppose the tide pen would be the classier option and since I'm such a classy broad, I'll go pick up one up.

But back to the point. I need some new clothes. Here's what I'm in the market for/dreaming about one day owning:


(Clockwise from top left: Tied Down Dress, Anthropologie, $98; Kingston Road Dress, Anthropologie, $228; Kimichi Blue Button Front Paper Bag Skirt, Urban Outfitters $54; Cooperative A-Line Skirt, Urban Outfitters, $38; Vero Moda Pansy Print Blouse, Asos $39.45; AWear Blouson Sleeve Print Top, Asos, $44.83; Pali Sandals, DV by Dolce Vita $83; Natural Burlap Classics, Toms, $54)

Okay, so these clothes aren't exactly "professional," and probably won't help me get a job, but at least I won't look homeless. It's a step in the right direction, right?

peanut butter cookies

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A classic. Who doesn't love peanut butter in all forms? I feel horrible for people with peanut allergies. They're missing out on so much. Although I'm pretty sure if I stopped eating peanut butter I would drop a dress size...

But how can you resist these?



Peanut Butter Cookies (adapted from Gourmet Today)
makes about 2 doz. cookies

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (natural-style!)
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup granulated sugar

Place a rack in the middle of oven and preheat to 375°F.

Whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.

Mix together peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar in medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla.

Add flour mixture and stir until blended.

Put granulated sugar in a small bowl.

Roll pieces of dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar, and arrange 2 inches apart on a large, ungreased baking sheet. Use a fork to create a criss-cross pattern on the cookies/flatten them out.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Best if eaten the same day.

be back soon...

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Sorry that I've been MIA lately. Finals kicked my butt (as usual). Then my friend Sarah came to visit. Sarah left Thursday morning, but her cold stayed behind. I've been spending some quality time on my couch feeling pretty terrible.


But, I will overcome! And hopefully I'll be back in full force after this weekend. I better be since the new quarter starts on Monday...

What do you have to look forward to?
  • some new recipes
  • spring cleaning
  • wardrobe refresh
  • my slow transformation into a Coloradan
  • crazy plant lady antics
Stay tuned!

fuck yeah! ryan gosling

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So I was reading Jezebel the other day and came across this article on Jezebel about Ryan Gosling going to the zoo and looking perfect with all the animals and making ladies' hearts melt into gooey messes.

Well, I just couldn't keep the cute overload to myself, so I shared it on the almighty Facebook. Oh, the miraculous social network. It never lets me down- within 10 minutes my friend Ally commented and shared the glorious site Fuck Yeah! Ryan Gosling. I'm probably a bit behind on the curve, but I just found it and think it is fantastic, so I wanted to share it with you!

Here are two of my favorites:




(both pictures via)

I couldn't stop laughing. So good. I hope you enjoy it too!

never let me go

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Look at me, just plowing through novels!

Never Let Me Goby Kazuo Ishiguro is one of those stories where you're not quite sure what is going on until at least halfway through the book, and even then it's a bit fuzzy around the edges. It's also the kind of book that is difficult to describe when you're recommending it to people because you don't want to give anything away.

Well, here is my attempt. The book is narrated by Kathy, a 31 year old woman living in England in the late 1990s. She is looking back on two different phases of her life as she prepares to move into the next. The majority of the novel revolves around her relationship with her schoolmates Ruth and Tommy.

The way I see it is as a dystopian, existential exploration of destiny and discovery of a predetermined fate. Does that help at all? Maybe not. Just read it. Then we can have an actual discussion about it.

Once again, a book I think you should read. I must just like everything or only pick quality reads. I'll go with the latter.

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