where in the world i will be in 2012

So i pretty much make it the object of my life to be as happy as possible wherever i am. Currently, if you haven't heard, that is bed with a sinus infection for a week. While currently outside it is really freaking blustery. And I feel like I'm the only person who acts like it's freezing when I'm outside?!
I'm getting out of the house all day tomorrow for a much needed doctor's appointment, meeting with my Professor, and a little Christmas gathering of girls at Indra's on the North side. But the past 6 days have left me restless, all the more since I was holed up writing my papers the whole 2 weeks before i fell ill :(
Needless to say, I'm not feeling the winter wonderland at the moment...SO I'm allowing myself a little escapist activity! These are the five places I'm looking for jobs next fall! First of all, don't panic OR get excited. It might not be a long-term stay because I sort of want my first archaeological job to be on site, and it is of course, me. And, FYI, I haven't lived in one space for more than a year since 318 Tranquil Ave. (the house i grew up in for all of you who are not fortunate enough to be Charlotteans) Second of all, lobbying wont help your cause. I'm going where the jobs are.

So these were my criteria in choosing:
1) Must contain at least 5 people I love (that's EASY)
2) Must have ample opportunities for either A) fieldwork or B) Cultural Heritage Management
3) Must not have a LONG and/or COLD winter (sorry, Boston)
4) Must be able to drive around (Not that I was even considering you, New York)
5) Must not be somewhere I've already lived (Oh, you were so close, Carrboro)

Essentially I've learned: Cold + Lonely = SUCK. So with no further ado, and in no particular order...
Where in the world would YOU go?


5. San Antonio, Texas

The River Walk at night.

I am in love with this city. And NO, it has nothing do with the fact that it is my ex-boyfriend's hometown (though his family is divine). Although, it does have a lot to do with the fact that it is The BINKLEY Family's hometown. San Antonio is very warm, very outdoors oriented, it contains a best friend and a church built in, and SO MANY great cultural heritage opportunities! Lots of parks and museums and lovely, lovely DRY heat. I've always had some mysterious draw to the southwest. Maybe it's Cormac McCarthy, maybe it's being a cactus, I don't know, all I know is I love this place. Have you BEEN to  The Alamo? But I would be lying if I didn't admit it's the dark horse.

4. Asheville, North Carolina

What's up most favorite city ever!? The only drawback to Asheville is that I'd never leave. The mountains! The fresh air! Downtown! The Music--the life! If you've never been to Asheville, you're missing one of the most beautiful jewels of the Blue Ridge. Imagine warm days, cool nights, fog rolling in over the mountains, distant thunder. Perfection. Everyone knows I would live there in a second, with a big wrap around porch, and a barefoot, bearded, granola eating boyfriend. Asheville has some great Heritage Management sites as well. I worked with the Folk Art Center and Scottish Heritage when I was researching a Celtic cross there in Undergrad.
Definitely the contender.

3. Washington, D.C.

 The favorite of many. I think in 10 years there's supposed to be a high-speed train between DC and Raleigh, which is quite appealing for family purposes! Plus, SO MANY people I love live in the greater DC area, and I would be instantly welcomed with their warmness and generosity: two Liz's, an Anny, Gary, 3 handfuls of sorority sisters. It's certainly the reasonable choice--home to the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, a slew of museums and heritage sites, and a great need for commercial archaeologists. It's just weird I've never lived here because i have spent so.much.time. in this city. Applying will be well worth it, but...is my heart in it? AND WILL THE WINTER BE COLD? cuz in case you didn't get the memo, I'm done with that!

2. Los Angeles, I can't believe I'm typing this, California

The unexpected. I didn't mean to love L.A. I just do. Reminds me of someone else in my life (whose grandparents happen to live in Laguna Beach). There are A LOT of digs in Southern California, and though most would argue that frozen yogurt is the only culture in L.A., I looked into it and...there are heritage sites and they are hiring in Santa Ana and other towns outside of L.A. So this is CRAZY. I know. But it's making the list. Some things you just can't explain :D All I know is palm trees and deserts make me feel alive in the best way. Sort of like being in love?


1. Durham, North Carolina

Old Faithful. Well, there it is. The safety. That's not meant to be ironic. I know Durham is not the safest. But it sure is beautiful and big and CLOSE to my wonderful family of little ones, and FULL of people I LOVE and have loved for a long time. Yes, there are more jobs to be had in the other four places I listed above...but Durham is full of opportunity and familiarity. What a blessing when those twain meet :D




FYI- I was listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album on Spotify when I started this blog. HOW AWFUL? WHO continues to give him a microphone? Switching it up to Florence and the Machine's
new album, Ceremonials, was an excellent decision. If you don't have it- GET IT NOW. seriously.

The little things.

And students protesting the Irish government's education grant revocation with a papier mache Phoenix over the Liffey

This is Narnia.

twelve looks of christmas.

Last thing to get on my wishlist!

OK, so being a poor college student [again] has done some amazing things for my personal STYLE...

First, i have absolutely ZERO disposable income, so I'm constantly daydreaming about things i would buy if i could. plus, EUROPE is much more fashion-FORWARD than even the most Metropolitan parts of the USA and Dublin is NO exception. The colors here have been vibrant this winter: MUSTARD is everywhere, as well as CERULEAN BLUE and [of course] EMERALD green. I'm all about making a statement with my clothing and accessories, and being a student again has FORCED me to be more CREATIVE with how i manage to do that. i like to think of it as.. "THRIFTY CHIC."

FURTHERMORE, i think the more you get to know yourself, the more YOU permeate through your fashion choices, and the better you look. So of course, my abundant alone time gives me AMPLE ELISABETH knowledge, which makes it easier to pick out what IS ME and RULE OUT what is not [like I did last weekend with the winter coats]. My friends can attest to the fact that i have often picked up something...whats the word? ECCENTRIC. They turn up their noses initially, and then BOOM--i put it on and it instantly becomes a another FACET of me, that is not only ACCEPTED, but dare i say...COVETED?

THUS, i have come up with my TWELVE looks of CHRISTMAS [or the HOLIDAY SEASON]. i did [or am in the process of doing] everything on the cheap, and in some cases just recycled things i already had laying around, but that made a brand new holiday pop when paired with something else. i hope you enjoy. i'm looking forward to taking TONS of pictures in NORTH CAROLINA over the next THREE weeks and even more photos in LONDON & ST. ALBANS, UK over NEW YEARS + EPIPHANY as well. Can't wait to post pictures from the my holidays :) try as many as you want for yourself....though i will admit leather leggings and false eyelashes are not for everyone :)

Sissy picked up one for me from H&M in Chicago

12th] RED nails and LIPS
11th] subtle GOLD eyeshadow
10th] PLEATHER skinny pants
9th] SPARKLE skirt
8th] NUDE gloves
7th] false EYELASHES- ala Adele
6th] Signature COLOUR [mine is EMERALD, duh. but my SISTER's are blush&bashful] do YOU.
5th] The WAVE. See how to do it here!
4th] Cable-knit SWEATER [preferably hand-sewn in Donegal] jk. but look how well the king does it!
3rd] SEQUINED accent of your choice
2nd] RIDING boots
FIRST] FUR VEST. faux, of course ;)

inspired by Carrie in the last SATC in Paris

                         

Love this color and up to the knee height

Perfect fabric. Perfect color. Tis the Season!

It took me a REALLY long time to fit these pictures together on my MAC format, I'm sorry if it's not coming through on your screen, I'm still getting the hang of the graphics (the writing is more my forte)

OWL love you forever.

 OWL CITY

Hello All,

I know it's been a while, but I'm bed-ridden now with a sore throat and swollen tonsils and icy weather outside, so I'll be able to MORE THAN make up for my absence while I was writing my paper on Shamanism for the past 2 weeks!

This year, Candace and I have both asked for Owls for Christmas from loved ones. Owls are not only cute and cuddly, but they represent wisdom and potency. I've compiled below a list of TEN WAYS to give an Owl for Christmas.  Enjoy!

10. LOVE this Owl-y clock

9. A sweet piece of artwork is underrated. This would be perfect by the kitchen or bathroom window <3

8. For the chef's soul in all of us.

7. Owl Necklaces have been huge, This is a fave though

6. This Beautiful Lantern works indoors and out!

5. I love animal hats & this one is quite girly

4. Send Snail Mail to the ONE you love. OWL style.  It NEVER gets old.

3. OBSESSED with these & Rocking the studs lately.

2. "Owl be there for you"

And of course, the #1 way to give an Owl to me or Candace this year is OBVIOUSLY a real life baby owl like this one!

<3, e
happy advent.