September 2010
2 posts
1 tag
A Dark Night
It turns out that, even though I’m all grown-up now and have my own place, I’m still afraid of the dark.
Last night I was without power from about 6 p.m., when I got home from the market with local ingredients and the best of intentions to blog a recipe, until after I’d given up on trying to accomplish things by candlelight, after 9 p.m. The weather outside was perfect but the...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: All-American
The denim-on-denim look was one I was tentative to embrace, but I plucked this chambray shirt and these ultra dark wash jeans off sales racks at the beginning of summer and I just love them together. I felt unfussy and all-American (though my brother told me a denim shirt and jeans is called a “Canadian tuxedo,” which sounds silly I think).
Chambray shirt and belt, Gap; jeans,...
August 2010
1 post
2 tags
Update
I always start this sort of post feeling rather ashamed. I’m trying to push away my regret for not having posted in, oh, ages and doing a rather terrible job of it.
(Hopefully many of you have been reading my recipes at The Little Gourmande to tide you over?)
I HAVE A NEW JOB! A few readers have asked me what I’m up to since I left my job as a nanny. Besides missing Kai and Amélie...
July 2010
1 post
1 tag
Real Grown-Ups Don't Have Time To Blog
Remember when I told you about my new blogging project, The Little Gourmande? Well, it’s my latest and greatest excuse for the lack of updates here. I’m still posting recipes there, and I really, really think you should have a look. With the rest of my free time (now abundant since I’m only partially employed), I’m working on boosting my CV and pounding the pavement both...
June 2010
1 post
1 tag
Happy Easter?
Here’s an outfit I wore to work last week:
It’s not my favorite outfit in the world, but on a really, really hot and really, really sunny day, I needed lightweight cotton and a sunhat. I like the idea of mixing patterns that seem like they would normally clash, though I’m not as daring with pattern mixology as many of my fashion blogging idols. Anyway, consider my pairing...
May 2010
8 posts
1 tag
Amélie
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: A Pretty Blue Dress
I’m gaga for dresses ever since the temperature has assumed its position above the 80 degree mark. Not only do I absolutely refuse to wear constraining clothes when it’s this hot, but dresses are one-piece outfits that require little thought or consideration for coordination (and who has energy to think about such things when it’s this hot outside?). I decided to walk to the...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Reubens and Ice Cream
Last night I went out to dinner with with my very first and longest standing best friend, Anna. We met on the playground when we were two years old, and even though we haven’t seen or heard from each other much since high school, it’s still remarkable to me that we’ve been friends for two decades… Eek! (Frequent topic of conversation? We’re getting old.) She...
1 tag
Big Room
Okay. I moved into my current apartment in March and had numerous requests for pictures. I procrastinated, promising myself I would take some tomorrow, no, tomorrow, no, TOMORROW. Well, I finally decided to just take some here and there and post them as I feel inspired. This afternoon, like most days, the light was streaming through the tall windows in my big room and it looked so pretty and...
1 tag
The Little Gourmande
Okay, my happy blogging news is ready to share! I’ve started a new blog called The Little Gourmande. There I’ll be sharing recipes I create and adapt from other sources, along with the stories that accompany them. I’m a firm believer that everyone - even poor college students (or struggling recent college graduates like me! Woo!) can eat well with the dedication of a little bit...
1 tag
First Birthday
Today marks one year since I started this little blog. Wow! It has served me well over the last year as many changes have taken place in my life. I’m not sure yet exactly what the second year will hold for Grown-Up Lessons since I’m nearly ready to launch a new blogging project, which I cannot wait to share with you, my lovely readers! I really think you’ll love it (I know I...
1 tag
Now You See It, Now You Don't
I’m going to do something that some of you are bound not to like. Fortunately, I’m the webmistress here so you’ll just have to deal!
I’m going to be doing a bit of blog cleanup over the next few days as I prepare for the biggest and best redesign yet. Soon, thanks to some valuable personal advice from Jessica of What I Wore, a web designer, and my lovely boyfriend,...
2 tags
Playing Dress-Up: Ready, Set, Go!
Okay, so today’s post has absolutely nothing to do with style of any kind, as clearly demonstrated by today’s bland (but practical for being on the go) outfit. What this post is really about is a wonderful new addition to Grown-Up Lessons that will make it easier than ever for me to stay on top of outfit posts. “Psh, Elizabeth! We’ve heard that before!” I know, I...
April 2010
9 posts
1 tag
Indecisive
If you know me personally and you’ve ever asked me what I’m in the mood to eat/play/do, you may know I’m fond of telling people that I’m not indecisive - I just like everything! (Well, not everything. That’s a downright lie.) I like other people to decide for me sometimes because I end up trying new things that I wouldn’t have necessarily chosen for myself.
...
2 tags
Grown-Up Lessons in the Kitchen: Tarragon Almond...
It’s been drizzly and gray for the past two days, and last night my desire for comfort food got the better of me and I roasted a chicken and some redskin potatoes for my friend Rence and me. We had to wait an hour for it to cook but a bit of red wine, a baguette and some Camembert made it bearable as spitting and crackling noises from inside the oven alluded to the treat to come. Even though my...
Running Away
I started running five years ago, when I found myself in the middle of the French countryside and charged with the care of three children whose ability to belittle and shame me was admirable considering their age. That they despised me was understandable since their parents converted their cherished playroom into my bedroom and deemed it “interdit aux enfants.” These children, whose efforts to...
2 tags
Grown-Up Lessons in the Kitchen: Spring Beans For...
Cooking for one, I had nearly forgotten, is a real challenge. After nearly a year of living with my parents, I’ve managed to escape the tiresome task of preparng meals from scratch in single-person quantities. As I try to relearn the art of making dinner for me and only me, I’m going to try to share more recipes designed to feed one person for a single meal, or things that I cook in advance in...
1 tag
Finger Moustaches
1 tag
Every Real Grown-Up Should Have...
… a bit of empathy.
Yesterday I was in my first real car accident and it was totally my fault. Three-quarters of a block from a traffic light, in the middle of a crush of rush hour drivers on the busy city avenue where I live, and stupidly fiddling with my car radio instead of noticing that the cars in front of me had stopped as the light changed, I couldn’t stop in time to avoid slamming into...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Going Sailing
Yes, I’m still nautically obsessed.
Shirt, thrifted; skirt, NAFNAF Bordeaux; sneakers, DSW; sunglasses, Fred Flare; earrings and satchel bag, Anthropologie.
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Brigitte
I’m back from my blogging dry spell, and I’m dreaming of Brigitte Bardot, Saint Tropez, and absolutely everything sailor-inspired.
Marinière, American Apparel; jeans, Levi; espadrilles, André; leather and gold ring, little shop near my new flat whose name has totally escaped me; earrings, Forever 21; watch, Skagen.
1 tag
Dilemma du Jour
I am having more inspired ideas for this blog than ever, yet have less time than I’ve ever had. Can you other bloggers relate? Help!
Outfit posts, apartment photos, job updates and more grown-uppy things to come as soon as I can manage! In the meantime, check out these blogs I’ve been particularly enjoying: The Glamourai and Naturally Nina for seasonal inspiration.
March 2010
3 posts
3 tags
Every Real Grown-Up Should Have...
… an enormous sense of responsibility. And believe me, where this blog is concerned I do try to push myself to update regularly and to act all responsible-ish, as everyone knows real grown-up girls do. The problem is that extraordinarily grown-up-like things keep happening to me and distracting me.
As of this past week, for example, I am the proud bearer of a set of keys to my very own...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Walking On Sunshine
Today was the second day in a row with spring-like temperatures and sunshine, and rain this morning washed away all but a few lonely remnants of snow. I finally feel like I can say that spring has sprung, without having to knock on wood.
After work today I slipped out of my heavy flannel shirt, black jeans and rain boots and put on boyfriend jeans and this little silk camisole, grabbed the dog...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Hippie Sensibility
These are old photos, from one of the last big snows (so many this year!), but I thought I’d post them anyway since there’s been a dearth of outfit posts lately.
Jeans and camisole, Gap; sweater, Anthropologie; headband, Urban Outfitters; fringed booties, Éram.
February 2010
9 posts
1 tag
Grown-Up Lessons in the Kitchen: Croissants
My first attempt at baking croissants from scratch is behind me. I’m not sure how I ended up with a yeast-free recipe (croissants without yeast are traditionally called croissants de patîssier, as opposed to the croissants de boulanger to which I am more accusomed), but they still tasted okay and I was definitely pleased with the flakiness.
I am very excited to try a new recipe for batch...
2 tags
Playing Dress-Up: Altering a Secondhand Dress
Last weekend Mama and I went thrifting on a whim. We hadn’t been in ages, and luckily we both made some really phenomenal finds!
We bickered over who would have the honor of being the new owner of this hideous vintage dress (I say “hideous” now that I look at the photo I took after winning the battle and bringing it home in my goody bag, but obviously we both saw something more...
1 tag
Grown-Up Lessons in the Kitchen: Chocolate...
This may be the richest, most decadent cake I’ve ever eaten.
I don’t like cheesecake, but my little brother loves it, and since his birthday’s on Valentine’s Day and he came home from college to celebrate with us, I decided to indulge him. (Plus, when I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, he told me to “do [my] worst,” and a real grown-up can’t...
1 tag
Do It Yourself: Cover Up An Ugly Painting
Ever since I rescued it from a yard sale last September, I’ve had what I’ve fondly referred to as “the ugliest painting in the world” hanging in my bedroom. Fear of breaking my camera lens kept me from photographing it, but trust me: It was bad. Greens, browns and pinks swirled together in an impressionistic interpretation of, well, something ugly, probably, and some sort...
2 tags
Playing Dress-Up: Like Sister, Like Sister
Hannah and I are having a “romantic” night tonight. We made homemade calzones with homemade marinara to dip them in, dressed up in startling similar outfits, and are going to see a movie.
Our outfits weren’t exactly coincidentally alike. We both decided to rock a hippie headband (though it’s more her look than mine) and our fringe booties with leggings and button downs...
Snow Play
I got my snow day wish today! My sister Hannah and I walked downtown for chai lattés and art supplies. You’ll see the fruits of my labor soon! In the meantime, snow antics were aplenty.
2 tags
Grown-Up Lessons in the Kitchen: Date Night Gift
I was pretty proud of the way this meal turned out. I cooked for the parents of my charges as a Christmas gift, delivered the meal to their door, and whisked the kids off for a night of pizza and movies at my house.
I served rosemary roast chicken on a bed of barley bean risotto with roasted, spiced carrots. I also made martinis as an apératif and added a French bâtard and a bottle of wine. For...
1 tag
Do It Yourself: Embellish A Sweater
In my giant closet clean-up, which is taking me ages, I uncovered this beautiful cashmere sweater, which is one of the most luxurious hand-me-downs I own. Unfortunately I have an abundance of simple sweaters, and since this one has a bit of a looser fit on me, I decided to make it more feminine by doing a bit of embellishing around the neckline.
I bought some glass pearls and beads and strung...
2 tags
My January stats just came in and I’m happy to say that more of you are reading Grown-Up Lessons than ever! Thank you. It’s truly my pleasure to have you visit my humble little blog.
January 2010
11 posts
1 tag
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Two Ways To Wear Neutrals Galore
TWO WAYS: NEUTRALS GALORE
When I was living in France I couldn’t help but notice the amazing ability of French girls to wear tons of neutral shades in one outfit without a single splash of color. Admirable though this feat may have been, it always inspired in me a certain gloom. I occasionally find myself falling prey to this bland outfit recipe. Today is a perfect example. This sweater,...
1 tag
Hang In There
Oh my goodness, I feel I absolutely cannot go on without apologizing for having absented myself for such a long time!
I recently started my final semester of college. This semester consists of only one class, in one of my poorer subjects, so studying is absolutely necessary. Work has also kept me busy as now we are skiing every Tuesday, which not only lengthens my hours and forces me to drive...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Braving Cold and Depressing...
I recently bought my very first trench coat, and I already adore all of the fun outfits I can make with it! This morning all of the roads were covered in a thin sheet of ice. I had to take my car to be serviced and didn’t have time to wash my hair, so I resorted to an old high school standby - the ponytail. I always wrap several strands of hair around the ponytail holder to hide it, making...
2 tags
Do It Yourself: Let Others Pitch In
Don’t be fooled by the title of this post, because it’s not actually going to be about something I did all by myself. Nope, not even close.
You see, tonight my family was invited to dine at the home of some of our best family friends. We were asked to supply an appetizer, which I quickly volunteered to make. It wasn’t that no one else was willing to make it, but I leaped at the...
1 tag
Grown-Up Lessons in the Kitchen: Cooking With...
It was just Papa, Hannah and I for dinner last night, and the cupboards were a bit bare. I found some beautiful organic carrots with their greens in the fridge, though, which is perfect since I’m trying to eat as vegan a diet as possible. I remember seeing a Kevin Gillespie make a carrot green purée on Top Chef and decided to try my own hand at cooking with them. Plus, they’re supposed to be super...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Winter Wonderland
Even nannies get a snow day every now and then!
Normally snow days would mean extra hours at work, but today I scored a bonus afternoon off when the snow caused plumbing to freeze at one of my employers’ offices. Having left the kids in the care of their parents, I’m looking forward to a productive afternoon of the very grown-up sort: paying bills, re-organizing various spaces in my...
1 tag
Do It Yourself: Make A Statement Necklace
I was perusing online shops last month in search of something new and pretty to buy myself for my birthday. Depressed by my expensive taste, I decided instead to take a necklace I bought from a yard sale over the summer but didn’t adore, and rework it until it was something I
Inspired by the basic idea of this necklace, which looks like a beautiful chandelier except for your neck, I...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Cozy Day At Work
This post is way overdue, especially considering how many adorable outfits I put together over the holidays but failed to photograph. One of my favorites, worn to a family holiday party, was a remix of today’s outfit, with the same black jumper and tights, but paired with a wool blazer and brown suede booties.
This little black cotton jumper, which I thrifted with Jessica last fall,...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Paring Down
One of my less advertised New Year’s resolutions is to pare down my wardrobe to the nicest pieces that I love and wear the most. As a result, I’ve been doing some really critical closet cleaning and have quite a collection of clothes, shoes and accessories I’d like to be rid of. Most of them are still lovely and in really good condition (those that aren’t will find their...
1 tag
Every Real Grown-Up Should Have...
… enough humility to realize that there are always at least a few ways they could improve themselves, and that New Year’s is a convenient excuse to write them down.
Happy New Year, my lovely readers (though I’m sure my neglect has decreased your numbers)! It’s 2010 and I’m back with a new motivation to pick up the ball I’ve recently dropped (all New...
December 2009
8 posts
2 tags
Every Real Grown-Up Should Have...
… the good sense to know when they need to slow down, which is the excuse I’m using for my lack of posts recently.
I’ve been sick ever since I finished my final exams this weekend, but my illness really hit me today, like a club to the head. I usually like to let my body fight illness on its own, but with Christmas and my birthday only days away, I made the trip to urgent care...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: A New Haircut For Finals Week
The end of finals week is always a good incentive for me to pull myself together by putting a little bit of thought into my outfit. It seems silly, but it really is amazing what good clothes and a bit of lipstick can do for my motivation and confidence level, which are usually rock-bottom by this time each semester. Also, somehow I’m finding time to write this post between studying....
1 tag
Every Real Grown-Up Should Have...
… the right to hole up in a candlelit bathroom for an hour, with a bit of music and privacy to boot.
I’ve been in a bit (okay, more than a bit) of a funk lately due to end-of-the-semester stress, exams, etc., and at the end of my work day today I felt truly awful and sick to my stomach and like I was at the edge of a nervous breakdown. After eating a mediocre spinach salad and sitting...
1 tag
All I want for Christmas is...
Because I spent last year in France, where I heard nary a carol leading up to the big day, I’ve recently had my radio station set not to the normal NPR, but to a station that plays Christmas music twenty-four hours a day. I keep waiting to tire of it, but the child in me secretly loves it, so it remains. As I result, I’m pretty sure I’ve finally succeeded in hearing most every Christmas song...
1 tag
Playing Dress-Up: Flannel and a Mink Collar
I’m wearing leggings as pants again because I can’t be bothered, and also because I figure that if I’m going to take my exams from the comfort of my bedroom, I may as well take full advantage and dress as much like I’m in my pajamas as possible.
Yet today’s outfit should serve as a lesson that even though I’m all grown-up now, wearing something...