The Good Girl Gone Blog: Love it or leave it

Sunday Confessional: my life in boxes

Aug 22, 2010

I save stuff...like, a lot of stuff. I'm not a packrat or a hoarder, but I do like to keep the important things, like papers I was proud of from high school, photographs of times I want to remember and special birthday cards. I even have a sash created by my best friend that says "sweet sixteen"- I still remember wearing it around school on my birthday and feeling special.

In addition to my regular boxes (the two above with the pearl accents were made by mom- aren't they pretty?), I also have my boy box. Ah...the boy box. The boy box has "artifacts" that date back to high school- the one photo I have with my first boyfriend, driving directions to my first date, angry letters I wrote but never delivered to boys that hurt me in the past. Most recently, I've accumulated notes that went with flowers, goodbye letters, ticket stubs and a cork from a bottle of wine I shared with someone. These memories wouldn't mean much to anyone else, but they mean a lot ot me.

You see, I think you can learn a lot from past relationships- about yourself, about your significant other and about how you want and need to act in the future. You learn about the mistakes you made and how you want to be treated in the future. You also get to remember the good times, something that is often difficult when you look back on a failed relationship. Saving things helps you remember.

I'm not writing this post because I'm sad or because I need to mope about the past. On the contrary, I just wanted to share my boxes with you.

Does anyone else keep a "boy box," or even just a box of memories?

Update: I just went ot look through one of my boxes and found little bugs crawling in it. EWWWW. Maybe I shouldn't have saved that chocolate rose. Throwing the box out now and looking for a new home for its contents. Eww, eww, eww!!

Je t'aime

Jul 2, 2010

I saw this shirt today at Forever 21 and my heart skipped a beat. I stood there, frozen and sighed. Je t'aime. What a lovely expression. I remember asking Thibault how to say "I love you" in French, and after he said it once, I had to hear it more. So I made him say it over and over again. He'd whisper it in my ear and I'd just smile.

It's safe to say I'm struggling with this breakup, even though I was the one who cut the relationship short. Matters of the heart are always confusing, and I hate not understanding my own feelings. I think that for a while, I'll continue to see things that remind me of Thibault and make me sad. Still, I know that this is temporary- that I'm in a tough transition period and that I will be back to my normal perky self soon.

But right now, all I hear is "Je t'aime, je t'aime, je t'aime..."

Final exam in fashion

Jun 29, 2010

Before Thibault left Baltimore, I asked him to put together a G3B worthy outfit. Determined to use all of the fashion knowledge he'd acquired over the past 5 months, Thibault set out to do what would have been impossible just weeks before (totally kidding).

Here's what he came up with- I will say, he picked most of the pieces himself!I'm sorry for all the awful faces made in these photos- Sophie took them while we were sitting in the back seat of my mom's convertible that was top-down and in motion. It was windy. I made faces. End of story.
Ughhhh sorry about the face- we took limited photos because I'm awkward about having my picture taken in public places.
I'm Wearing:
Shirt: Loft
Belt: Primark
Skirt: Uniqlo
Shoes: DSW
Bow: won via Daily Candy contest

***

Student Report Card

Student Name: Thibault
Age: 21
Major: Physics
Course title: Fashion 101

Use of color:
Grade: A-
Teacher's comments: Great choice of red! It adds a pop of color to the outfit without being too overwhelming.

Attention to detail:
Grade: A-
Teacher's comments: The student chose both the bow embellished shoes and the bow hair clip, which I think go very nicely together. It's details like these that help pull together an outfit.

Use of accessories:
Grade: B+
Teacher's comments: Although the student correctly chose both the shoes and hair piece, he neglected to add a belt to this outfit. The belt shown was the model's own addition.

Ability to match:
Grade: B-
Teacher's comments: The model had to choose the skirt for this outfit...

Overall Grade: A-

On behalf of everyone at G3B Style Academy, please accept this diploma:Congratulations Thibault, you've passed with flying colors! The people of Switzerland thank you and look forward to your style advice in the army.

Sunday Confessional: I think I need some single time

Jun 27, 2010

First of all, thank you all for your kind words and encouragement on my recent post about Thibault. It means a lot to me that you took the time to not only read my post, but also to leave your feedback. Seriously ladies, you're amazing.

Building off of that, I've done a lot of thinking about relationships and what I need right now. As much as it pains me to say it, I think I need a break from boys for a little while. I know, that's big for me, and it's going to be hard! I need to focus on finding a job, getting settled in my new life and my own creative growth. I want to start cooking again, get out of my comfort zone, make new friends and explore my city.

I truly believe that you meet the best people when you're not looking- I mean come on, it is how Thibault and I met.

So, I guess we'll see how long this lasts. I'm definitely not giving myself a specific "no dating" period. I actually hate that idea. I think the point is that I have other things on my mind right now and they take precedence.

Did anyone else go through this kind of thing after a big break up or even just after graduation?

Dear Thibault

Jun 22, 2010

Dear Thibault Shmibo Shmibs,

I dropped you off at the airport and kissed you before saying goodbye and running back in my car. I truly. hate. goodbyes.

We knew it was going to happen sooner or later, in fact we didn't even know if we should continue this relationship- whether you should come visit me here or if we should just cut off contact all together. When you told me you wanted to come visit anyway, I was hesitant- how was I going to feel in 6 weeks; would I be working full time; did I want to have to deal with saying goodbye again?

So I immersed myself in my new life here- my apartment, my family, my job...

But the thing is, even though we're both headed in two very different directions (you back to Switzerland to join the army, become a pilot, get your PHD, maybe become an astronaut and me being totally confused about what I want in life) I'm so glad you came.

You've reminded me how it feels to let someone who isn't your parent take care of you. You reminded me how fun it is to follow a routine with someone- I get in the car, unlock your door, you hold my purse and hand me my sunglasses...

I loved how seamlessly you became a part of the family- you helped Donna build the Gazebo for my graduation party, you spied in DC with my mom, you won over my 4-year-old cousin's heart.

I guess I just wanted to say that you will forever be my first love. I still remember the first time I said I love you. I remember I felt the words swelling up inside of my chest. I felt like if I didn't say them, I was going to explode. As soon as those three words left my mouth, I was amazed by your response just seconds later- a simple "I love you too." It was perfect.

Thibault, you are the sweetest, kindest, most sincere and wonderful boy I know. I truly hope we stay close. I already miss you and you haven't even left the airport yet.

I can't wait to come visit you in Switzerland, I don't know when, but it will happen. You better keep the promise you made in the car today, that if you ever go into space I'll be invited to the launch. Hey, even if it's years from now, you'll still be able to recognize me- I'll be the girl in the 4-inch heels cheering your name and telling everyone around me how great you are.

Thank you for everything.

Love always,

Alana

Double stripe

Jun 9, 2010

Yay, Thibault is here! In addition to just being excited about the fact that he's in Baltimore, I'm also excited about not having to take self portraits on the balcony. Score!

In other news, Comcast FINALLY installed my cable and Internet today. The guy was super nice and I even ended up giving him an ice cream sandwich.

So you all know I'm getting into "mixing genres," right? Does mixing stripes count?

I'm wearing:

Cardigan and skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Top and shoes: TKMaxx, London
Tank top: Target
Necklace: Stolen from Sophie :)

Milestones

May 14, 2010

It's been all sorts of crazy over at the G3B residence. Lot of exciting stuff going on over here, folks. Because it's 12:00 and I have to leave my house in approximately six hours to catch a flight to Boston, I'm going to be especially brief.

Here's the deal:

At 4 pm this Sunday, my family and I will be attending my college graduation. Just two and a half hours later, I will be the proud owner of a diploma boasting my BS in Communication.
My apartment is on its way to becoming an amazing home. Though it's still missing most of my furniture, it is housing a majority of my shoes and clothing, as well as a two cute couches and a bunch of Cuisinart steals from Rue La La.
I got a job, at least for the summer. I start work on Wednesday and I'm going to get to do some really awesome stuff. Stay tuned.
My little sister comes home from Israel on June 3rd for the rest of the summer.
Thibault is coming to visit me for two weeks in June!

...and that's all for now. Hopefully all this excitement won't get in the way of me falling asleep tonight!

Her little yellow dress

May 10, 2010

There's a bit of a story behind this yellow dress. Yes, it is a dress, not a skirt. You see, I bought this dress on Marathon Monday last year with the hopes of wearing it to Blogher09. I was so excited about my recent purchase, I immediately called my best guy friend (who I happened to be somewhat involved with at the time) to tell him about it.

I remember thinking I was going to wear the dress for him and how much he would love it. Unfortunately, that never happened. You see, I have worn this dress just one time before. It was last summer, he and I were still involved in that complicated no title sort of way (at least to my knowledge) but he was busy that night. I wore the dress to a dinner party with some friends, but didn't end up seeing him.

I'm pretty sure it was the next day that I found out he'd met someone else.

Needless to say, this dress stayed in the back of Rachel L's closet for a very long time. It's not uncommon for me to associate a piece of clothing with a particularly memorable experience, especially if that experience is emotionally scarring. All of my past roommates know what I'm talking about, as they've held clothing for me in their drawers or closets.

The point is, although I've come to accept that I'll never really understand that boy's actions and will always be a little hurt, I'm in a much, much better place now. I have an amazing boy in my life who loves me, a family who cares about me and wants me to succeed and an exciting future to look forward to. The time for me to finally take this dress out of hiding was long overdue.

"Becky" is my mom! She got this necklace from her parents, and I picked it out from her jewelry box the other day. It's part of my graduation present. How cute and retro.

I'm wearing:

Dress, top and broach: H&M
Shoes: Target
Belt: Random store in Jerusalem
Necklace: Gift from my mom- it used to be hers!

Time stands still

Apr 26, 2010

Someone in Thibault's family pointed out that because of my watch-free wrist, I could never pass for a Swiss lady. Of course, ever since then I wanted my very own Swiss watch, but never actually bought one.

Fortunately for me, Thibault surprised me with this purple Swatch that he picked up on his brief trip back to Switzerland.

He told me he spent half an hour deciding between this and a red watch that was just too bright.

I love my watch- the color is perfect and it doesn't feel too big or heavy on my wrist. Truth be told, it's currently in the drawer of my nightstand in a sort of "time out" (ah bad pun!) because it's so loud.

It's the perfect accessory because it's from someone I love. You'll definitely be seeing more of this watch!

Mind the Gap, Please!

Apr 14, 2010

A few days ago, I asked Thibault if he wanted to write a guest post. Now, I've been asking my other friends to guest post for the past three months, so I was pleasantly surprised to see an email with a post this morning. So anyway, just in from Switzerland...Thibault's post!

If you're a reader of Alana's blog, you should be familiar with me. I am referred to as the Swiss boy or Thibault. I am in exchange in London for a year. That's not the first time that she asks me to write something, but now I finally feel ready to post.

The title refers to the constant announcements in the Tube (London Underground) that you hear at every station.

The first day of my second semester in London, I reluctantly agreed to meet some friends at the students union to celebrate a birthday. We were struck by the number of Americans in this pub usually empty on a Monday night. Suddenly, I was speaking to a girl I had never seen before, Alana. We went out a few days later. And again. And again.

It was not love at first sight. We had some trouble understanding each other. I am far from being fluent in English, we have quite different background and our interests are apparently not really the same. The more I learned about Alana, the more surprised I was that we have so many things in common (to the same color of eye!). We clicked. Why is still an unanswered question to me. As the time flew by, our relationship blossomed and we managed to take down every snag that popped along the way. I have a lot of friends ; I have known several of them for quite a while now. However, I rarely felt the same closeness with them.

Now that the time to get off that amazing ride has come, I feel torn. We have to walk down on separate paths to different lives. I feel torn between being thankful for the happiness Alana brought on me and sadness to let her go without being able to do anything about it. Guys, take care of this wonderful lady. “Mind the gap, please!”