mad carving skills

"Man, this is bad! And I've had my share of bad reviews. I still remember my first good one, though. 'Everything else in this production of Our Town was simply terrible. Joey Tribbiani was abysmal.'" Joey, Friends

During the course of the last year, there have been multiple occasions on which I probably should have gone to the hospital due to serious knife injuries to my hands. One of which resulted in me having my left hand wrapped and immobilized for an entire week.

My knife skills are abysmal.

To the point that every time I'm home and cutting things in front of my parents, they're guaranteed to say under their breaths, simultaneously, "didn't I teach you to use a knife?" as I cut toward myself and miss my skin by a hair.

Yet somehow, last night at family dinner with my friends, I ended up helping carve the turkey. We had a Thanksgiving feast, complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and apple crisp.

Regardless of the questionable carving, it was a lovely night.

And although it goes against my normal practice, we put on Christmas music during dinner. While I may have spent the first half of the meal trying to think of any Thanksgiving song known to man in order to postpone Jingle Bell Rock just a little longer, the combination of good friends + gobble feasting + Christmas music got me primed for the holiday season. I cannot wait to go home and see my family next week. Di! Do you think my they'll want me to carve the turkey there, too?

Here's to one full week of work before the holiday season begins! Happy Monday!

table for two?

For as long as I can remember, I've had this idea that I will someday be the type of person that throws amazing dinner parties. However, I'm halfway through my 24th year and have yet to begin planning one.

Anthropologie's new Tabletop Design Tool makes me think it's probably best I haven't hosted on yet, since my creations were not nearly as lovely as those they made. However, it is an excellent way to practice my table setting skills.

yummy

I'm wearing my J.Crew Chiffon Tiered Ruffle Skirt from last spring today, and it's always the insta-happy because the ruffles make me feel extra pretty. I love prancing around in it.

For some reason, when I wear it, it reminds me of a cupcake. Which reminds me of parties, specifically birthday parties. And this only enhances the happiness the skirt brings.

I'm pretty sure this Monique Lhuiller dress would have the same effect. One part cupcake, one part fairy tale...