Squirrel Heavy

Happy holidays, people! Did you have a good one? I had a good one. Though I am technically Jewish, I love all of the trappings of Christmas--the lights, the colors, the multitude of presents on one day (don't even get me started on that pesky eight-day rule us Jews abide by)--and part of my family is Christ-oriented, so I jump on that bandwagon. Since BF and I have been together an eternity (five years plus a little), he knows of my jewelry fixation and thus asks me to narrow down what I would like to an easy list. This year I was more than happy to oblige because I had my heart set on a single thing:

It's an ornate (some might say gaudy, but those people are inevitably boring) garnet Victorian ring. As always, the present came attached with several trials and tribulations and I didn't get until the day after Christmas but my god, I love it. It's shiny and huge and perfect. 

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Now, a couple of weeks ago, I had dinner with the gorgeous (is it me or does she keep getting younger?) WendyB and we discussed many things, but also squirrels which I think are bound to come up in any interesting conversation, right? I told her that to avoid crying at movies, I think of squirrels. You know, frolicking and whatnot. It's fail proof. Wendy reminded me of her awesome squirrel necklace...: 

Wendy Brandes Squirrel Necklace, $125 (free shipping 'til Dec. 31st!)

...And then that very weekend, the BF and I were taking a morning walk through Astoria when I was bombarded with the city's version of nature. First, we came across a squirrel eating a slice of pizza:

I whispered to BF "Make sure it doesn't move!" and hauled ass back to the apartment for the camera. Then we came across one of the famed black squirrels native to Astoria Park (like a fat cat, right?):

Of course we then met this little diva, who was inches away from me (expecting pizza methinks), and he/ she pulled out all the cute poses in the squirrel handbook:

Lastly, moving away from ze squirrels--this house was in a row of similar houses, and the only one covered in birds. Looked very Hitchcock-esque:

There was also a falcon, but he'll be in another post.

Off now to squish a kitty and further admire my ring. Happy New Year!

Christmas Present!

I'm waiting for a co-worker to leave so I can crank the volume on my computer and immerse myself in disc four of House. Yesterday, in one of the episodes, some girl had a 25 foot long tapeworm in her intestine.

It was so cool.

Anyhow, I wanted to give an update on my Christmas present drama, thoroughly detailed on throughout this here blog. After finally receiving the return money from the Sabrina Dalhoff necklace, I decided on an antique ring from Gem: A Jewelry Boutique. Of course, I took three hours too long to decide, and when I went to go make the purchase, the one-of-a-kind ring had been sold. I moved onto the Phoenix Roze ring I had been lusting after. Of course, it wasn't in the store. Double of course: the jeweler/ owner was away and wouldn't be back for ten days. After all the suspense, I finally picked it up on Tuesday and am a very happy girl.

I'm going to pick up two sterling silver stacking rings to put on the top and bottom. Also, I feel the need to apologize for the (gross) cuts on my hand. My psycho cat struck again.

Me, calling my BF on the phone: "I just indoctrinated the ring!"
BF: "WHAT?"
Me, sensing incorrect word usage: "I, uh, what's the word? With the fraternities? Rush! I rushed the ring!"
BF: "What the hell are you talking about?"
Me: "It's really mine now, because I just got chocolate frosting all over it! Part of the family, etc. Actually, I think there's chocolate frosting stuck inside it..."
(Trailing off as I try to lick the chocolate frosting fr0m inside the emerald.)


P.S. The ring was fairly affordable at $185, so, Queen Jeweler Wendy, please don't burst my bubble re what the quality of the emeralds must be!

Selected Works from "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.



On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.






1. Partridge Love Necklace by Leviticus Jewelry, $40
2. Kissing Dove Sterling Earrings, $44.99
3. Seeka Dove Necklace, $64


Lyrics from Carols.Org

The song is actually a Christian parable, and each verse speaks of something a tad more religious than what is sung. I had no idea, for instance, that the first three days actually meant:
1. True Love refers to God
2. Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3. French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

Huh. Anyhow, I'll be counting down the 12 days through jewelry this week as Christmas approaches.
Oh, and pics of my tree tomorrow, which we bought in the bitter cold on Saturday night, and decorated in the cozy warmth of a Sunday afternoon whilst watching every episode, special feature and documentary on The Office DVD's, season 1, 2, and the holiday special. I am speaking of the UK office, which is perhaps my favorite show of all time. I can't get down with the US office; I just don't see the funny.

For you UK office fans: how much do you love the scene where Gareth opens his office drawer to find his stapler inside of molded jell-o? Sigh. Oh, Tim.