retail therapy.

I don't know why I've been blogging/posting so much lately. Probably because I need to procrastinate. We're all a little manic right now, as evidenced by tonight's writing workshop and subsequent dinner/drinks with the professor. (In which I had two margaritas....I hate tequila, so my solution is just to gulp. Brilliant, right?). Workshop was filled with tangential conversations and uncontrollable fits of giggling, along with over-caffeinated, overtired, under-rested stressing over papers and work. I think once everything of mine is turned in, and all my conferences are over, I just want to curl up with my UNC fleece blanket and sleep for a week. And then go to Nellie's party that she's throwing for our class. And then I have to figure out my summer. Did you know ONE in TWO current or recent graduates is unemployed or underemployed? This little nugget of information came across my Twitter feed this morning.....makes me feel VERY reassured that I am getting that oh-so-important MFA, right? I comfort myself with the thought that at least I will be doing something I love, and combining all my experiences together to make something good. Surely that must count for something, right?.....right? I'm not sure Sallie Mae, Citibank and Nelnet would agree, though. They kind of like their monthly payments. In cash, not smiles and happiness.

ANYWAY. My point to posting? I love monograms. When I lived in NC, I was in heaven, because if there's anything Southern preppies love, it's monograms. (And Top-Siders. And unironic popped collars. And Jack Rogers.). Hell, people monogrammed their cars. Which is a little much for me. I'll stick with my LL Bean totes and the occasional oxford, thanks. But I have a weakness for monogrammed jewelry, and apparently it's become popular. (Which I didn't know when I ordered my necklace at the end of December, but now they're popping up on blogs everywhere). In my procrastination, I often stumble across fun websites. Moon and Lola make really cute monogrammed necklaces, and they're from North Carolina, which makes me want to like them, but my pink necklace broke. I have to say, they replaced it for free, although now the chain isn't right - but they want me to send it back and are very considerate and want to make things right. I also found BaubleBar, and they have necklaces that are a little bit less expensive than M&L. And, they have metal monogram pendants that are cheaper....and in rose gold. I am a sucker for rose gold. I am eyeing this piece for my birthday.....even though my birthday is in December. And if you sign up for emails, you get $10 off your order. I think this could be a great "you had a great first year of art school" present, too, don't you think? ;)

Also, in honor of my first year of art school almost being over, I'd like to return to something I posted at the beginning of the year. Sadly, life at Dodge Hall is not like this, but even now, sitting outside at a table, writing, I wonder what would happen if students spontaneously started singing and dancing on the steps. I would die. OF HAPPINESS. 

I'd also like to mention the passing of Adrienne Rich, the poet. She died late last month, and it truly was the end of an era. I remember she came to Muhlenberg one year, and I went to see her. Her poetry is beautiful, as is her prose, especially "Of Woman Born," a book about womanhood and motherhood. My favorite poem of hers is "Diving into the Wreck," and it may be one of her best known poems. Here are some lines from it:
I came to explore the wreck.
The words are purposes. 
The words are maps. 
I came to see the damage that was done
and the treasures that prevail. 


the thing I came for:
the wreck and not the story of the wreck
the thing itself and not the myth
the drowned face always staring 
toward the sun
the evidence of damage
worn by salt and sway into this threadbare beauty

falling out of love letter

Dear J.Crew,

I went to the mailbox today and was overjoyed at the sight of the new, thick September catalog. When I perused through it, though, I was sorely disappointed. I've noticed this growing trend toward poorer quality clothes but more expensive prices, as well as increased trendiness, deviating from your classic, preppy roots. Nearly all my sweaters are from J.Crew, most of which are from undergrad. I consider this to be a hallmark of well-made, classic clothes. I have been wearing these same sweaters since 1999, 2000, 2001, etc. They never go out of style and retain their fit and shape, so I found them to be a good investment and well worth the money. After all, if you have sweaters for 10+ years, that's pretty good. I don't see myself getting rid of the sweaters anytime soon, and I know that they will never go out of style because they are classically cut and fit me well. Your new sweaters are full of sequins and bling and asymmetrical zippers, and are just so garish....and you charge two and three times what you used to. Who is buying this? Certainly not me. Not to mention, your autumn palette for the Jackie twinset - a staple for casual and office wear for me - is muted and gross. What happened to pumpkins and cinnamons and rich marigolds? Or pine greens, chocolate browns and candy apple reds?

Oh, J.Crew. I will hold out hope that you will come to your senses and go back to your quality, classic clothes. The clothes that we could buy now and wear for the rest of our lives. Your new catalog is full of trendy, in-style-for-the-minute clothes that many people can't pull off in the office, or even real life.

Get it together J.Crew, or else I'm going to have to find someone new.

Love,

Jaime

so preppy it hurts.

On a lighter note...since lots of what I write about on here is so serious and about cancer and deep thoughts (...or something...) and life decisions, I wanted to write about a great company that I recently discovered. In today's world, good customer service is hard to find, and when you DO find it, it stands out. Kiel James Patrick is a prep-tastic company that makes handmade bracelets, earrings, keyfobs and headbands. As someone who's worn headbands since before Blair Waldorf made them cool, I'm always on the lookout for new ones. All the materials are local and the items are locally (Rhode Island) made, and you can choose the color button you want on the bracelet. They are really preppy, with whales and anchors and boats and horses aplenty, along with handmade Nantucket rope bracelets with a twist. My friend Carolyn once said that I was "the preppiest person she'd ever met." I chose to take that as a compliment.

But the coolest thing is, I had tweeted KJP after I ordered them to let him know I had ordered one for me and one for my mom, as a thank you for taking care of me for my upcoming surgery, and in the package, he sent a complimentary pair of KJP earrings with a note wishing me well on my foot surgery! I thought that was extremely nice, thoughtful, and not to mention, shows very good business sense. Plus, the boy is seriously hot. He used to be a model. No lie. A good looking guy with brains, business sense, AND manners -- hard to come by, let me tell you. But apparently they do exist. Just in Rhode Island.