Corgi Party

These are the corgis...

that started it all.


The obsession.  The corgi obsession.

These guys are legendary in Queen Village.

This is a recent pic from Emma, proving that the O.G. Corgi party is alive and well, still hustlin' and runnin' the sidewalks of Queen Village.


As proof of just how bad we have it for corgis (and you know who you are, who I'm talking to here...), B and I were sitting out at a cafe the other day when a handsome, somewhat scraggly but still dashing dog walked by.

I exclaimed, "Look how cute he is!"

And B said, "Nah.  His legs are too long."


That, friends, is corgi fever.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

On our walk back from the Parvis de St-Gilles market last Saturday, we found a florist selling xmas trees.  And then we went to the "dollar" store (um, "euro" store?) and got some lights for it.  We found the perfect spot in our interior window, so we can enjoy it in the front room and down the hall.

I must admit, we probably should have splurged for two strings of lights, but it's fine for now.

So cute!

And me, I'm wearing a suede skirt from Anthro and a vintage leopard shirt.

It all got me thinking about how cozy our Philly apartment was, especially when it was decked out for Christmas, as it was last year...

We had a working fireplace that Cochino quite enjoyed.

And our little mini-tree, with a multitude of lights!

Wandering down 4th Street in the snow.

It's all fun until your car is buried.  Poor Mini D!  

Yup, she's in there.  That big lump was my car.

Grains of Philly

Some lomo shots I took in Philly.

Billy Penn in the middle of it all.  He is double-exposed on top of the photo of the puppy flasher!  Shame, that.  But I think it's a nice effect in the end.

Headed to the airport after a fabuloso brunch at Tinto.

A couple of Nicki and me.  Cutie-cutie dimples!  She is the best!

Post-brunch exuberance!

Last Weekend... Philly Love

Despite trouble from the Belgian consulate on a day-jaunt to NYC, I spent a lovely weekend in Philly.  I really do miss it there.  It's such a magical city, full of magical people.  It got a little stressful trying to squeeze everything in, and I missed some favies and didn't have enough time with others, but still.  It was good to be back, if only briefly.

Hey Carlos, I got your "package" right here, buddy!  (On 3rd Street in Queen Village.)

Pretty birdy outside of Southwark in my old 'hood.

Monkey family in the subway in NYC.  Shame I didn't take any pics of Leila and Drew!  I was lucky enough to coordinate a meet-up with them in the city.  So good to catch up, and so glad they were there to help me deal with the blow dealt earlier by the Belgians.  Boo.

Subway crackage.

From the cupcake shack in Old City.  My favorite.

Oh, Philly.

Oh, Philly:  part 2.

Mere's amazing taxidermied mountain goat!

Mere's amazing Mrs. Wiggums!  Even with her "stupid face" she is full of kitty love.  I was on the receiving end of some good snarfings, I tell you!

Mere and Neal in Nicki's lovely backyard.  I want to LIVE back there!

I *wish* I had a better picture to convey the hotness that was Nicki on Saturday night!  Nicki, your public cries for more updo's!

Tryout for community theater production of City of Lost Children:  Take 1.

 Tryout for community theater production of City of Lost Children:  Take 2.

The lovely Vien and the sweet Powder.  Love that we weaseled our way into someone's apartment just to meet a new feline friend, who was then offered for sale to Vien and Philippa.  So odd!

Nicki gets her point across to Neal, who is dashing in his stripes, over brunch at Tinto.

Squirrel hat!  Mere is wearing the most incredible hat ever!  That tuft of fur is the hindquarters of a squirrel!  And there is a tiny squirrel foot to secure the chain on the other side.  Droooool.

This Weekend...

I can't wait to see all of my Philly favorites...

(Been saving this last one forever.... hahaha!)

Philly Finale

(Notice how I didn't make it "Phinale"?? It's so hard, but I resisted the cheese this time.)

Some shots from the last few days in Philly. I am really going to miss it there. (Of course, today I arrived in Brussels and the weather is lovely and I was walking to the grocery and there was a giant hound tied up outside a little store and people at all of the sidewalk cafes... and I just breathed deeply and smiled and felt this exuberance that this was going to be my new city!)

But still, I will miss Philly. It's a singular place.

Incomplete thoughts.

Pretty city 1.

Pretty city 2.

Delicious burritos at El Jarocho, where they have some of the best carnitas I've ever had.

Cochino says goodbye to her foster mom, Nicki. Cochino shows all of the gratitude she and I have for the past year's friendship with our darling Nicki. Since I can't very well rub my head on Nicki's knee to express this, I'll let Cochino speak for both of us. We'll miss you, Nicki!

Randomness on 13th. A spontaneous healing and subsequent disposal? I appreciate how it's placed on top of the recycling bin. But really, those things get pretty gnarly and are probably better trashed. Sorry, environment; it's true.

Play Date

My pretty friend Leila brought her pretty pretty children round to Queen Village today. We went to the playground and made some new friends (except for that horrible dad that was roaring and pretending to be a lion--he was actually a little frightening!). Then we sat at New Wave cafe for eats, just like Leila and I did when she first came to visit almost a year ago. And now she lives here! The bad thing is, now I don't.

Leila and Lucas. He really is the cutest thing. And such a good boy!

Alina inspects the flowers.

Lovely Alina.

Meanwhile, in Philly...

Last few days in Philly.

Need to figure out what this one is. It's right across from the movie theater I went to the other day. It looks old and important, and probably is both. By the way, I saw Please Give. Totally recommended.

Pretty ladies.

This guy! His sign is very general... just meant to get you thinking about what you'd fancy for lunch, perhaps. But then I think if you approach him (which I have not, so I'm speculating here), he's got a menu for someplace specific to hand you. Still, I like his style and his lack of overt branding. And, apparently he offers a nice range of things. Something for everyone, really!

4th and Fitzwater.

At Val's "secret" rose garden park. I'd tell you where it is, but it's a secret! I met a new squirrel friend there. I actually chirped at him (because no one was around) and he came closer and closer to me... until someone came up and ruined our little game! Who knew I was a squirrel whisperer?