It's A Christmas Miracle

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday yesterday and ate our faces full of BBQ ribs, cheesy potatoes, brussel sprouts, and amazing chocolate cheesecake that one of Pete's aerobics ladies made him. It was sugar suicide and worth every bite. We had a record 4 dogs in Grandpa's house, ranging from 5 to 75lbs, and amazingly enough, no catastrophes occurred because of them.

Who, me??

On Christmas Eve, we toasted to my wonderful grandma who would have been 83 years old (I think). Truly one of the most amazing women I ever knew, and I think she would have appreciated our semi-flat, local champagne and complimentary bottle of beer toasted in her honor. 

Christmas is always a little weird at our house because we are a super low-maintenance family and rarely ever need anything. This might sound like a blessing, and it probably is, but when it comes to getting gifts for everyone it can be a challenge. We can always resort to the ole socks and underwear grab bag, but that can get old after a while. My mom always manages to find us the strangest, most awesome "treasures" from various thrift stores and estate sales throughout the year--one year we got a baby incubator, a chandelier, and a velvet rendering of the Last Supper. Classics, right??

This is what happens when Rudolph comes through The Lou...

This year's theme seemed driven by alcohol, as we had a more than 40 different beers accumulate under the tree, several bottles of wine that Pete bottled himself, and even fancy old-man whisky. This is particularly funny seeing that my parents aren't big drinkers, and I'm usually satisfied falling back on a light and airy PBR in a can. We fancy huh now, I guess. 

My little house is coming along slowly, and my tree and assortment of Christmas cards on the mantle managed to give it a pretty homey feel. Even the crickets laid low yesterday and gave me some peace...

I went to a killer pedal, kettle, bosu ball class this morning with a couple girls from work, and now I am ready to spend the rest of the day lounging, reading, and downloading music for a new mixed CD. Thank Jewus for week-long vacas! Can't wait to rage in DC with my lovers this weekend to bring in the New Year!

Countdown to VP PIC Pregame in the MPL!! Love it.

Happy early New Year!

xoxox,

Hannah

Hold on to Your Britches!

Earthquakes, shmearthquakes--Aunt Irene is coming to town and she's the house guest who always leaves the toilet seat up. The last time I braced for gale-force winds and fled the scene of potential destruction, I was a wee baby freshman at Tulane and I had the pleasure(?) of camping out at one of LSU's classiest establishments...the AGR frat house. Yes, it was an interesting time in my young life--a time that included kegs and kegs of beer, homemade beignets, barefoot soccer games, and--let's be honest--a few hurricane make outs. What? I WAS LOOKING DEATH IN THE EYE! It had to be done.

Luckily, Hurricane Ivan took a turn for the better and left New Orleans unscathed, and I was forced to return to my little world of running, rules, and rich kids. Lame to the max.

But this time's different. This time we've got Irene, and although I'm nowhere near the coast, I'm not taking any chances. I'm headed south in a blazing fury to meet up with some of the most chill, fun-loving, let-the-good-times-roll former Blacksburgians on the map.

Reunion 2011 is gonna cause some serious waves on its own, and hopefully the only hurricane we encounter comes in a glass with an umbrella. I'm sure we'll celebrate our glorious union with some variation of this:

And probably four or five orders of these:

Obviously, we'll need to soothe our worries with the beer that "has the touch":

And hopefully the weekend won't result in this:

Yes, this is a PBR coffin. You can cast your own judgement on this one.

And although our plans for floating lazily down the river may be dashed, we can always cross our fingers for rapids, right?? No matter what trouble we find, it's a guaranteed good time. We've got Rockstarr, Dlock1, Aaaamazing, Kirtley, Feets, and tons more.

Sweet baby Jesus better brace himself...B&B is back in town!

xxx, Hannah

I Survived the Charleston Arsonist

God, I love the south. I love the weather, I love the trees, I love the people, I love the ocean. Back from a fantastic (but fast!) weekend in lovely South Carolina with Julianne, Eileen, and Liz. Julianne's new place is exactly how I imagined it (better, actually)--filled with light, color, art, books, coffee, trinkets, and jewels. We wandered around town and dipped into tiny bakeries, sipped sweet tea at outdoor cafes, and splurged on $1.50 PBRs at the super-cool, low-key Fuel bar. It was great to be back together in a new city and I can't wait to visit again.

We walked along the battery, visited the kick-ass Chucktown Farmer's Market (perfecting our stalking techniques, ugghhhh), shopped along King Street, went to a "sketchy" bar down an alley, listened to the upstairs Bros rock out to Baby Got Back, watched new students flood the streets, and strolled our way through loads of Spanish moss.

Cool chairs, right Mom? :)

We hit up the College of Charleston, and I tried to take at least one photo of Eileen where she didn't look like she wanted to kill me. No luck.

Grabbed some sweet treats at Sugar.

Riley got some serious Liz lovin'.

And finally, the ever-faithful companion/watchdog, Owsley.

Sad to be back in NOVA, but so happy to have the long weekend to play. Blacksburg by Friday night and I couldn't be happier...

xxx, Hannah



I Love Noho

After checking out of of gigantic suite in the glorious, tiny state of Rhode Island, we packed up our goods and headed westward through Connecticut and into Massachusetts. One place I've always wanted to visit is Brimfield, Massachusetts, where they have thrift/flea/antique exhibits filled to the Brim with goods, treasures, and probably blue Pyrex. To my dismay, we missed the last exhibit by one weekend and had nothing to see in this sleepy section of MA. However, I was/am determined to thrift my way through New England, and we stumbled upon the super cute town of Putnam, CT. 

To my greatest pleasure and surprise, this is what we found:

Is this for real?!? I was OBSESSED with the Boxcar Children series when I was little--I hunted feverishly for every book in the library, read the series over and over, and could only dream of running away from home with some much-cooler siblings where we'd camp out and have adventures via boxcar. Sadly (?), this is as far or close as I've gotten to a boxcar since (and the museum was closed, i.e., mega bummer). 

Nonetheless, I was still v excited about this discovery.

Putnam is very cool and has a ton of antique/thrift stores. One of the first ones we found had an entire wing dedicated to weird movie memorabilia that the owner's son has collected over the years. Here is one of the creatures from Men In Black (or so they say). 

Who wouldn't want 50,000 creepy face molds of old, dead celebrities?

From here, we moved on to the mother load of antique shops. It was three stories, not including nooks + crannies, and full of cool junk. I got a pile of silk/cotton old-lady handkerchiefs for $1 and my mom almost escaped with an awesome birdcage on a stand. Unfortunately, Norberta was no match for this sucker, and it was too long to fit in the car. We tried sticking it out the window, sans cage, but it was a no-go. I guess some things aren't meant to be. 

Finally (finally!!!!) we made it to Northampton and into the arms of the one and only most fabulous Alex M, a lady I love, adore, and admire like few on this planet. Her new apartment is the most amazingly cute and well-decorated pad I've ever seen--so put together. So shabby chic fabulous. So perfectly Jane Austen-fied, with just a hint of Kilt Lifter. LOVED IT. While I was THRILLED to see Alex's new home, I was more thrilled to just be within 50 miles of one of the most brilliant people I know. Alex recommended that my mom and I eat at one of her favorite spots (Paul & Elizabeths), got us *free* tickets to a strange little movie (Beginners) at her adorable Pleasant Street Theater, and was her usual bubbly, hospitable, charming, sweet self. 

Obviously, this is where she works. Only a perfectly crafted gingerbread house will do.

I also met Everett Kensington, and he is just as handsome in person.

After our movie (and Junior Mints/seltzer), my mom and I grabbed a hotel and got ready to spend the next day in Noho. We traipsed up and down the little town's streets and especially loved the store Pinch.  My mom saw this sign and said, "Oh! This is what Alex needs in her house!" I agree. 

Well-read birds.

Thirsty wind chimes.

We met up for lunch and dodged the rain, and I loved every minute. Although Alex had to work all day, she still managed to gorge on quesadillas, drink some cheap wine, and sob her way through a showing of Harry Potter. A million thanks to Alexandra for being a wonderful hostess (as usual) and sending us on our way through the beautiful Northeast!

Next up...Catskills? Poughkeepsie? Only time will tell...

It's 'Your Majesty', Betch.

Dearly beloved--we are gathered here today, at the Mansion on O Street, to celebrate the royal debauchery that is Wills + Kate.

So. Hot babe KMid brought some serious sparkle back to the Brits this morning and was only slightly outdone by her ridiculously fab younger sister, Pippa, who rocked the vision of a perfect wedding dress...to her own sister's wedding. Balls.Of.Steel.

The Deal: set the alarm for 4AM. Yes, AM. Dragged ourselves outta bed. Slapped on some well-planned outfits, complete with hats + tiaras and booked it to the metro and down to Dupont. Found ourselves on the steps of this infamous abode.



We go in, survey the area, duly note everyone's fashion nods to HRH with hats and dresses and madness everywhere. Grab as many scones + melons + jams that we can fit on a plate. Load up on hot tea. Get ourselves situated in the Log Cabin Room (creepiest of all) and settle in for the show.

Yeah yeah yeah! Crown jewels fo-rizzle.

We visited our favorite bathroom and noticed this little addition.

So over it.

Got lost in a sea of mirrors and secret rooms.

Bought more teacups (cup o' soup!?) + books with our complimentary $25 gift certificates!

wtf. wtf. wtf.

Lusted after the lady of the hour. Get ovah yourself, Kate.

Look up the definition of 'babe' and I'll betcha see a picture of her in yo dictionary.

DRP in all her Random House glory.

Rockin' the sequined top at the least cliched venue.

Oh haiiii!

The loot on the way home + future Foxfield hat.

Delaney Parrish for the win!!

New Business:

Odds that KMid + Wills are toasting one another with a celebratory PBR as we speak: 4-1.

Odds that both girls' dress designs will be available and copied for the commoners by tomorrow: 6-1.

Odds that Pippa + Harry will hook up, after-party style in a powder room at Buckingham Palace: 1million-1.

That's fast math. And I'm betting big.

You're royally welcome,

Hannah