so yesterday was the big birthday and by big i mean, i turned 29 and i feel old.  if i was still living on the east coast and was still surrounded by friends who were at least two years older than me, i’m not sure i’d be feeling as old as i feel.  but as i’m living on the west coast and the majority of my friends are a few years younger – i’m feeling it.  i don’t feel bad about turning 29 – or anxious.  nope.  just old.

so, in honor of turning 29 (yesterday), 29 things that you may not know:

1. the OSCARS are like the biggest night of my whole year.  I LOVE IT.  in a perfect world i start early in the day, in my pajamas.  i drink wine-coolers and munch on appetizers from TRADER JOE’S frozen food aisle.  i watch all of the red carpet (live) and call my mom at the commercials so that we can discuss who rocked it – and who failed.  i print an oscar ballot.  i talk to my tv.  and my very favorite part is the in memorium.  growing up my mom and i would sit behind tv trays and eat ribs from TONY ROMAS.  this year i’ll be in LA with NANI.  we’ll eat dinner in bed.

2. for my birthday ABN had my engagement ring remade.  it’s a really long story that you can read more about here.  but isn’t the final result gorgeous:

3. i’m actively working to reduce my caffine intake.  it’s not going so well.

4. i’m currently reading a book about jonestown.  i know.  there is something wrong with me.

5. i’m consideirng bangs.  i’ve had bangs before and i’m considering it again.  i’m just not sure if i’m ready for this kind of commitment.

6. now that i don’t have to get dressed for work everyday (i consider it a win when i remember a bra) i’ve decided to challenge myself with an outfit post once a week.  what’s an outfit post?  funny that you ask.  basically i put together an outfit and then take a photo of it and share it with all of you.  ready for the first one?  here’s what i wore to birthday dinner last night:

blaser: old navy, blouse: BR, skirt: f21, boots: ambiance, bows: f21

7. i cook some damn good brussel sprouts

8. i love my bed – it was the bed i had when i lived in LA.  it’s a super high sleigh bed and if i had my way i’d sleep in it for ever and ever.  but in my old age, i’m starting to have trouble getting up on the bed.

9. for the first time in my adult life, my job doesn’t control every decision i make

10. tonight ABN and i are beginning a new weekly ritual.  one night each week we will not turn on the tv or computer (you can probably figure out which will be of great challenge to each of us).  instaed we’ll cook dinner together (i usually do most of that before he gets home) and then read or play a game or something.  aren’t we cute?  we’ll see.

11. in an effort to continue THE GREAT APARTMENT ORGANIZATION OF 2010 i moved my jewelry to new little trays that neatly stack on top of one another.  it’s totally great.  i want to put everything in my life into little compartments.

12. our bathroom is in the middle of a rehab.  it started this morning and it is supposed to wrap up tomorrow.  we currently have no shower and no sink.  the toilet works so i shouldn’t complain.  but most likely i’ll smell tomorrow – just a bit.

13. i get anxious when we’ve had a netflix for over a week.

14. even though i blog several times a week – i often say that i’m not actively writing because i’m not producing anything real

15. one day i want to write something real

16. losing EDDIE has been more painful than i ever could have imagined.  i find myself thinking about him many times a day.  all i want is for him to answer the phone and say, “oh, it’s the queen of the north”

17. i’m overwhelmed by the amount of food in my refridgerator, but maybe ABN can eat it all when i’m in LA this weekend

18. i still want gray boots

19. i save links from decorating websites.  like, hundreds of them.  i have no idea if i’ll ever do anything with them

20. i check PEOPLE.COM like 10 times a day.  sunday is my least favorite day of the week because usually the website isn’t updated

21. i want to be friends with JILL ZARIN

22. if i need a nail file and can’t get to one, i’m incapable of focusing on anything else (which is the current situation)

23. i’m hate confrontation – i’d rather just pout and stamp my foot.  lame.  i know.  it’s something i’m working on.  it’s going about as well as my efforts with caffine.

24. it has rained on 27 of 29 birthdays.  regardless of what city i live in – it rains

25. ABN thinks that i take showers that are too hot.  every time he takes a shower he has to turn down the temperature because i leave it up too high.  i know that it’s too hot but i can’t help myself.

26. i get an itchy back from my hot showers

27. i can’t fly without the newest issue of people magazine

28. THE PENGUIN.  do you have one yet?  A.MAZ.ING

29. i’m going to be 30 on my next birthday.  holy hell.