Christmas In New York City!

This weekend we went into New York City to see all the Christmas things! I feel like SO. MANY. MOVIES. take place in New York at Christmastime. This was our first time back there since the summer and it felt GOOD to be able to walk around without dripping sweat lol. I probably wouldn't go back to New York in the summer again to be honest!

(Oh, and a little tip, if you use the app Spot Hero, you can find parking in Manhattan for like $12 a day. We always thought parking was like $60 and that we had to take the train which is like $30 round trip per person, but noooo! Our whole day in New York was done for around $50! Idk about you guys but we are pretty frugal (#studentlife) so this is like, the best discovery we have ever made. Bring on the New York weekend trips!!

I miss these pretty streets! I seriously think it's prettier than anything in the world.

It was so fun to see everyone's Christmas cuteness. I am happy that there is no grinch going around like, ruining it for everyone else. You would think that in a city that big there would be some jerk who would cut the Christmas lights or something lol.

I have been experimenting with different shutter speeds and I really love the blurry look. 

The window displays were seriously amazing. The windows at Bergdorf Goodman were our fave. I lol at these little green apes. I want one!

Blair Waldorf? You in there?!

How cute is that candy door frame?! 

We walked into Saks and it was SO PRETTY. Can you imagine working here every day? I mean I'm sure you would get annoyed of customers, but how freaking pretty is that ceiling?!

The Rockefeller Center was crazy crowded! But look how pretty and tall that Christmas tree is omg. Does anyone know how they get it there? Like I am so confused.

We stopped in for some hot chocolate at Gregory's Coffee. (Side note: We found a Dean and Deluca on Google Maps, but it has since been shut down and they are turning it into a By Chloe!! Like it sucks that it wasn't there, but I am excited that all the people in that area are getting a By Chloe! It's seriously the yummiest place.)

Jake didn't like the hot chocolate here lol. He seriously like only likes Swiss Mix and I'm like ????? But it was so good and creamy! It kind of tasted like it had coconut in it or something too which was delish.

We went to the Union Square holiday market! It was so cute! There were some pretty cool booth too. Right after we took this picture we heard dogs barking and were like, "THERE ARE DOGS NEAR." There was a dog park like right above this, so we went and watched the dogs for easily 10 minutes lol. There was this super cute black dog that looked exactly like my friend Jovanna's dog except in black! Any ideas what it could be?!

We went and found my school! It was cool to see what's around it. I don't know why we never did this when we lived there this summer? But whatever lol. The door was locked so I just peeked in. It made me so excited to start school! I don't know how many semesters I'll take in the NYC campus (I have 5) but I am excited to do my first semester there. It will be fun to get to go into New York once a week and get some food and just explore.

Washington Square was like super empty and it was so weird lol. Especially after being in huge crowds at Union Square and on 5th Avenue.

I was hoping to get a good photo for our Christmas photo this year, but I feel like we look too casual haha. But also the sun sets at 4:30pm and we leave for Tokyo on Friday... So this is probably the best I am going to get before Christmas this year!

For dinner we went to San Marzano in East Village. The portions are small, but also only $9. I got the pear and gorgonzola ravioli and it was SO GOOD. Jake said if we went back he would get my dish lol. 

We went home after that! It's fun to be able to experience New York but also live in the suburbs and have a car! Gosh especially now knowing that parking isn't like $60 I feel like we will be doing it more! 

XOXO

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E

A Happy List: 146

One of Jake's video games wouldn't let him play it until it installed an update. The update put sweaters on the chickens.

Finding a way to keep our Christmas tree watered while we are in Tokyo next week.
Baking our gingerbread houses this year! It's been fun to start our own traditions.

Steffy's Pros and Cons' baby. (Look at her Instagram story to see his hair lol.)
Hard work prevailing and getting a refund from a school I applied to.
Filling out my field placement forms for school.

The holiday energy in New York City right now.

Seeing two Bernese Mountain dogs in person.

Finally catching up on my Bloglovin' feed.

Little kids with Irish accents.

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We were at the dog part in New York City looking at people's dogs. (The funnest thing to do to kill some time, btw.) There was a Great Pyrenees and a Bernese Mountain dog standing right next to each other. (Click here to see what they look like before reading on.) 

Jake had never seen a Great Pyrenees before. He said, "What kind of dog is that?!" 

I said, "It's a Great Pyrenees."

He said, "What if they're the same and one just came out white?"

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Ok also while we were in New York everyone was dressed up as Santa. It was the WEIRDEST thing. We were trying to figure out what could be going on and Jake said, "What if it's a social movement?"

I said, "No way!"

Jake said, "No, you know how there are all these social movements? Planking, dressing up as clowns, now Santa Clausing. Kids are like, 'Let's go out and do Santas' probably."

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New shows and movies we found:

The Fall: It's a lot different than I thought it would be, but it's a really good t.v. show! Dana Scully from The X-Files is in it and has a British accent... it sort of throws me off lol, but she does so well in it.

American Crime: We finished the whole first season in a week and now are on to season 2! They bring up some really good social issues and make you think. There are also so many characters to hate and love lol.

A Christmas Horror Story: I thought this was going to be like a Krampus type thing, but it was actually just horrible and we turned it off.

Stranger Things: J had seen this before, but I hadn't. I watched the whole thing in one day (that work from home life tho) and thought it was super cool! I am really confused about the ending though, so if you know what it means plz text/email me.

A Happy List: 145

I got a new bralette from Target and it's a SMALL. I never would have thought I would be able to fit into a small before. Breast reduction surgery was SUCH a good choice.

Discovering there is a new season of Criminal Minds I haven't watched.

Previewing my Zoya nail polishes that Jake is giving me for Christmas.

Figuring out how to water our Christmas tree while we are in Tokyo.

Finding rainbow bagels at a grocery store by our house.

The samples Nordstrom sends you with your order.

The baby amount of snow this morning.

When babies wear socks on their hands.

Getting a new MacBook, finally!

Having short nails again.

XOXO

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E

The Time I Stopped Showering

I have had my fair share of days without showering (camping trips when I was a teenager, ok?!) but after my breast reduction it reach a WHOLE new level. It probably doesn't help that I have to wear the same surgical bra every day UGH! I don't think I can go back to a regular bra until it's been 6 weeks. This means that in Tokyo I will be wearing it, but it's chill cause it's mostly sweater weather there in December, right?!

Here's the thing: After a breast reduction, your incisions like, leak fluid. Nothing super gross, but just a lil' bit. ALSO, you have to be careful because you can get an infection while your incisions are still healing. 

So, from the time I got my reduction I had 6 weeks until we were leaving for Tokyo. I REALLY didn't want to get an infection because it could maybe mean we couldn't go to Tokyo, or it wouldn't be as enjoyable. I don't know how infections work, but I was just scared, ok?!?!?!

So I didn't shower... for like 3 days at one point. (Zomg.) In my defense, it felt SO WEIRD to have my boobs like, exposed to the world. Like they heal pretty boxy and they're not like, blubbery for a while. So it was just a weird experience and one I avoided. It got to a point where I lifted my arm and was like "NOPE." So then I showered and realized my incisions weren't as bad as they had been before, and from there on out it was smooth sailing in the smell department.

Anyway, while I was in my non-showering phase I got these little bb perfumes by Commodity Goods in the mail. They are so beautiful and cute. Now that I am showering again and I have been using mimosa and it smells sooooo good. I always forget to put on perfume, but srsly have you ever stood near someone who smells good? It's like, the biggest... I don't know the word I'm looking for. Not turn on, cuz gross, but just like it makes that person more attractive? Do you know what I mean?

Anyway, I hope you all are keeping better hygiene practices than me! Judge me if you want but it was a traumatic thing and I care not about the judgment! 

XOXO

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SaveSave

Boob-date: Weeks 2 and 3 (Breast Reduction Journey)

Friday (one week post op):

I drove for the first time today! It wasn't too bad, although underneath my armpit got achey? Strange.

I went to my follow up appointment and my plastic surgeon said that everything looks great! I'll go back in 2 weeks.

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Saturday:

I busted open a scab and bled through my surgical bra and onto my sheets! Yikes! This freaking stain remover works just as well as everyone says it does, though.

Monday:

I put on one of my spandex-y crop tops and almost cried at how good it looked! I wasn't wearing a bra and it looked fine. It wasn't boob-city or anything. #smallvictories #punintended #isthatapun

Tuesday:

I did full makeup for the first time since the surgery! It felt good to get ready again.

Wednesday:

I burst another scab and bled a little. UGH I NEED TO CHILL.

Thursday (about 2 weeks post op):

I wore a form fitting dress to our Thanksgiving dinner and it was a BIG mistake. So uncomfortable :(. I need to stay in really comfortable, loose fitting clothing for a while I guess!

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Tuesday:
Most of my incisions are just scars now! A few are still scabby.

Thursday:
I am gross and have picked off most of my scabs lol.

Friday (about 3 weeks post op):

UGH YOU GUYS. This day has been sooooo freaking weird.

So I was going to be late to my check up appointment. I called. A guy answered (I have only heard women answer the phone). I told him I would be 10 minutes late. He said he would let them know. I get there. The door is locked. I call again and tell them I am here for my appointment but the door is locked. He says he will call the surgeon and tell them to unlock the door for me. The surgeon comes and tries to unlock the door but it takes them like 45 seconds because it's jammed. They let me in and apologize. They go to check me in and are like, "I don't see you scheduled for today?" I'm like, "Oh really?" Then I check my phone and see it's on Monday ughhhh. But I was in too deep so I was just like, "I have it down for today? Maybe I wrote it down wrong?" And then they were like, "Oh well! You're already here so let's just go back." *The actual check up takes literally less than a minute so it wasn't too much trouble, but I felt dumb lol.*

OK THEN THE NEXT TWILIGHT ZONE THING HAPPENS.

So, I posted this on my snapchat (@emmycoletti) so go watch it because it's the full story there. But basically, I applied to this graduate school and I am convinced it's a cover and actually a government conspiracy. They closed my program, kept my application fee, and I can't get a hold of anyone there. I actually went in there one time and there wasn't anyone on the entire social work floor. I had to walk around and peek in offices before I found 1 woman to ask a question to. So I guess I am just going to lose my application fee because 0 people work there.


Anyway! Aside from the weird Twilight Zone things...


My incisions are healing well. I got the ok to stop wearing this surgical bra, which is good because it smells bad and I somehow managed to get chocolate all over it lol.


I think this is my last boob-date! They probably won't change much! I should be able to start wearing underwire again in January and I'm guessing they will be at the size they'll be at forever around February? Idk. But I don't feel like any of that deserves it's own post! So goodbye, boob-dates!

And thank you to everyone who has cared. I have to tell you, I LOL (literally) on a weekly basis to the older generations reaction to my opacity about this hahahah. It is SO FUNNY. So, thank you to the older generation for having the greatest reactions.

XOXO
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DIY Speckled Christmas Present Packaging (Kraft Paper and Tweed!)

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, THE BEST MONTH OF THE YEAR!!!! Literally I can not tell you how excited I am for this Christmas as it's our first living outside of Utah! So far the cuteness and quaintness of New England hasn't failed us, so I'm hoping it keeps on keeping on through Christmastime! (Although I am mega jealous of all the snow all you Utah friends are getting!)

Anyway, like a crazy person I completed all my Christmas shopping in October (aside from Jake) and lemme tell ya, it feels good! I am really proud of how cute they turned out this year.

For these I used (my exact supplies are linked):

A Kraft roll

White paint mixed with water

A paintbrush

Tweed

Gift tags

A label maker

The actual doing is really pretty self-explanatory. I speckled mine inside but just be careful it doesn't go everywhere haha. I ALWAYS make a huge mess when I do DIYs, but I can proudly say NONE of my paint strayed from that paper! *cheers*

If you guys try this let me know how it worked for you! Also if you have any cute go to Kraft roll ideas let me know that as well. I am always on the hunt for new cutie ways to dress up Kraft paper.

XOXO

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