There you are, minding your business, having some turkey and mashed potatoes, when – ho, ho, ho, what do you know? It's Black Friday. The streets are peppered with shoppers and it's official. Enter: the Holidaze. But whatever you celebrate and whoever's on your list, this Weekly Yelp's got you covered. So try to enjoy those last, lingering bites of bird, make sure to chew, and nap if that tryptophan is killing ya... then digest this, our Yelpiest Gift Guide Ever!

Only got pennies for presents? Selene P suggests shopping for intriguing vintage pieces at Old Hollywood, because “the jewelry is gorgeous, different, and CHEAP. The fashion they purvey is classic, interesting, unironic and pretty!” All great adjectives. Meanwhile, Whitney A worships the wonderful wares at Fuego 718: “This is probably the best place to get quirky housewarming gifts or to buy some things to give a place a little character. The prices range from pretty expensive to student affordable, so there's something for everyone.” Looking local? Ashley R attests that Brooklynski’s excellent and eclectic selection is all the more attractive as “they make a big effort to carry products from Brooklyn designers.”

3R Living appeals to Asprey J’s “fanatically self-righteous, bleeding-heart liberal, tree-hugging hippie ways.” Dedicated to eco-friendly living, this dream-come-true carries everything “from pencils and coasters made from old newspapers, to the extraordinarily pricey solar-powered backpack, to the toys made from recycled fabrics to the killer bath and body products.” At RePop, Monica M marvels over "all the cool vintage and antique thingamabobs, costume jewelry, furniture, photographs, and anatomy-themed art.” But even so, the gorgeous handmade masterpieces at Mine could also be yours for the giving; Benjamin C cozies up to the warm rustic aesthetic, and spies plenty of "small accents and large custom pieces" to finish off a room.

Matthew S cites Cinders as the spot to snag "very interesting, irreverent art" for the curious curators in your queue. But for the art of carnal contentment, your best bet is Babeland; “whether you're buying your first vibrator or you're looking to diversify your sexual menu with a partner,” Kristin M promises you will leave feeling both naughty and nice; “this is a place where sexuality is open, celebrated, and most of all, fun." For that sweet summation, Sarah W swears that at Slodycze Wedel, "the truffles are already individually wrapped in shiny, pretty wrappers, so only thing you need to do is eat some and give." Well Brooklyn, that's a wrap!

My Man Is So Silly! (See Below):

me: did my shoes come?
or was it my clothes?
or both?!?
i bet it was just my shoes


*Peter: It was a bag and a box
Probably both

me: OMG
that would be AWESOME
AGGGGGGGGGGGGGH NEW CLOTHING!!! AGGGGGH
*Peter: Well the bag does say Old Navy on it.
me: does it feel like tights and a dress?

Peter: I'm so excited for my new tights. They're just my size.
My new shoes don't really fit though.

Sometimes I check through my facebook profile pictures just to make sure they are all still like I remember...

Dear Beloved Bergen Street,

How I adore stepping out of the subway and up onto your metered block each day. Here it never thunders when it can sprinkle and it never sprinkles when it can shine! It's mid november and it feels like spring. There are always you children and puppies out playing and you are by just the very perfect places in brooklyn.

Oh Bergen, you are one of my three happy things!

Sincerely,
Whitney Kate

It's strange that Connor Oberst sings about different lovers today. My experience of listening is like looking at paper marked with erasable ink. I still listen loud and sing along, I'm still thrilled that the lyrics match my life, but my life today is very different than I would have thought.

It's love.

Me: <3 you

Hey All, Sorry I've been so far far away.  But I started a second job (just about a month ago) and today my position became permanent! I am now the web editorial assistant at RT, it's a part time job that will become full time if our launch (which is gonna be the most most most awesome thing ever) goes as well as we expect.  I'm sooooo psyched.

Also, I moved from the place with CRAZY landlords. Now I live at Linden Lodge with Kat. A+ Us. Although we moved in on the 1st, I am sitting on a chair in the living room surrounded by 1/2 unpacked boxes and there is NOTHING to drink in this house. It's very unfortunate. But the new house is awesome.

i don't have a job, I don't have a job, I don't have a job...

They fired me because of "different customer service styles" but i maintain my belief that they let me go because they didn't have anywhere to place me and didn't want to take the time training me. Despite saying that they would, they didn't train me and then were upset that even though they never put me through their company-specific training, i was not maintaining their standards.

I don't know, the whole thing is pretty shitty. i rearranged my life and was really excited about working with them but the way that they let me go, and the reasons that they gave, leave a sour taste in my mouth. At least I know that I did my very best with all the tools I had and rapidly assimilated into my arsenal every tool which I was given.

So, because I don't have a job now I must also resume my worries about not having an apartment and not being able to keep my kitten. excellent.

I got a job I got a job I got a job I got a joooob! a full time salaried position with benefits!!! I'm the assistant manager at a prestigious kids after school/play and learn program. Ages 2- 12, excellent!

I also work part time at the bookstore - closing hours four days a week and I open on Sundays.

I am also a freelance worker for
- a company that takes new born baby photos
- a major publishing house
- one of the only two romance novel magazines in the country (and the only one on the east coast)

ALSO

GEORGE IS HERE! <3
Drinks with mikaela
meeting becks

HAPPY ALMOST MARRIED DAY EMINATE!

also also, anniversary in two days ::shiver shiver::


FB STATUS:

Fighting with P over dictionary definitions. I am blessed in many ways.

he disagreed with me about the definition of downfall.

Happenings of the Last Month:
- I got a part time job as the "marketing coordinator" for a soon-to-launch newborns site
- I continued to fight with my landlords about what money went where when
- I spent much time bonding with Peter's mother
- Katerina and I finalized our decision to live together
- I had to face my reality that I simply do not have the funds and:
                 - send my regrets to the Eminate wedding
                 - decide to give up my adorable kitten - any takers? She's a beauty!
- I had to juggle everyone else's schedule for this last ten days of August
- I found out that I have to get my wisdom teeth out - even though they don't hurt they are apparently f-ing everything else up.
- I lost my court case against my first roommates. But anyone who lies under oath is going to get what is coming to them

The Moments That Make The Unbearable/Awful All Worth Moving Through:

Sliding into the pool at midnight with Peter, laughing and watching the underwater lights change color and the above water  lights flicker off and on. In those moments we have no bills, no questions as to our future or medical/social issues pressing in on us. We are just together, beings sliding around in the summer heat, stealing cool wherever we can find it.

The grace with which he moves aroudn the restaurant, so smooth that it breaks my heart that his heart does not beat for the place. He looks like a different person than one I met almost twleve months ago. He moves with more langour has a changed profile and frequently looks more like the man I thought I'd fall in love with. I may be shallow but I know myself and he appeals to every part of me.

Watching families wander around the arctic library room where I use a free laptop with free wifi to "conduct my business." I miss my own with an ache that is bitter sweet. I am "doing something great" everyone says when they hear about what I've accomplished. And in some ways, I am feeling great.

Walking through the outlets with Mrs.Boyfriend, chatting and trying to balance my natural, let's call it pushiness, with my desire to have her in my life (and on good terms) with me forever. Together we tried out couches and even went shopping at some real stores while P was off being all "manly."She is such a lovable lady and I am lucky that she is part of my extended New York family. 

A few days ago, after K and I had finished our discussion about finding Cali a new home, my perfect kitten came and snuggled beside me to watch True Blood and purr like it was going out of style. I do not know how I am going to be able to give her up, but the moments that I have with her are precious. She is everything I could have (unknowingly) wished for and more.

Georgeous is returning to the city and I am excited to see him because he too is part of my new york family. I wish that he would hurry up and move out here all ready, having him across the pond is ten kinds of exhausting. Someday I dream that I will have all the people I love best in the same (or nearby) cities. Also, I like to think that G will visit in September several years from now to bear witness to something that takes place in a big white dress...although that is still a long way off.

P is planning our one year and I am wondering what I should get him. I was thinking I would surprise him with a camera but I wouldn't want him to be disapointed that I couldn't get him anything amazing. Maybe instead I will go for a picture and a mix cd. This whole aniversary thing is sort of difficult...

Okay, Im off back into the heat I have returns to make, things to print out, and boba to get for myself and Rebecca! Cherio!