Confession #3

I tried an online dating site.


Yup. Chemistry.com.

Why did I do it? Well...why not? I'm going to be very honest with you; I don't really have trouble meeting men. I'm no beauty queen, but I'm not completely unfortunate looking. And I'm friendly, I like meeting new people. But when I signed up for the site (about two months ago), I felt like I was in big fat rut. I hadn't been on a date in a few months. I hadn't met someone that I had a real connection with or that genuinely interested me in a very long time. It just so happened that one night my roommates saw a commercial for Chemistry.com advertising a "free communication weekend" they were having. All four of us signed up to see what it was all about. Unfortunately, we didn't pay very good attention and failed to realize that the free weekend ended at midnight on Sunday. We signed up Sunday at 10 pm. Geniuses.

The following week, I started getting emails and updates from Chemistry.com telling me about new matches and guys who were "interested" or had "noticed" me. Because I hadn't paid my dues yet, I wasn't able to view any of these profiles, but my curiosity was peaked. For about a week I debated whether or not I wanted to spend the money to fully activate my account. Was it worth it? I decided to throw caution to the wind and give it a try for one month. Just one month. After all, what did I have to lose?

I paid for one month and started receiving new matches right away. It was really fun at first, seeing the matches they'd send me and who was interested in me. There are a lot of fun little "get to know you" games that you can play with potential matches to learn more about them. Very early on I was matched up with a guy named Steve. We started emailing through the site and the more we emailed the more I realized he was someone I'd really like to meet. I was really relieved when he suggested it first though! We met one Saturday afternoon at the New England Aquarium and the entire T ride there I wanted to throw up. I was so nervous! But once I got there and saw him, all the nervousness faded away and I just had fun. What was supposed to be just an afternoon at the aquarium turned into dinner and drinks and a movie and long walks around Boston. It was far and away the best first date I've ever had. We went on many more dates over the next two months, and Steve and I would joke occasionally about how we couldn't believe that Chemistry.com actually worked. But did it?

I never felt it. That thing. The butterflies in the stomach thing. The giddy, slightly terrifying, but oh so excited feeling that you should feel when you start seeing someone you're really crazy about. Don't get me wrong, Steve is an incredible person. Handsome and smart and funny. Honestly one of the nicest guys I have ever met. On paper, everything was there. But in real life something just did not add up. There was a disconnect. It was, ironically enough, a lack of chemistry. I thought that maybe it would come. The whole "growing to love someone" thing. But it didn't, and the last two weeks of our little relationship I kind of agonized over what to say and how to tell him. When I called him one night a couple weeks ago to talk about it, he admitted that he had been feeling the exact same thing. That was a huge relief to hear, believe me. We talked for a while and decided to move forward as friends. While I'm not sure a romantic relationship is in the cards for us, we get along too well to just disappear from each others' lives and I hope we do stay friends.

So...what's the moral of the story here? I'm really glad I took a chance and tried online dating. It's not something I ever thought I would do and, I admit, I was a little outside of my comfort zone, but in the end it was worth it. Completing your dating profile means answering dozens and dozens of questions that force you to evaluate not only yourself but also what you're looking for in a partner, and I think that was something that was really good for me. While I didn't end up with a love connection, I certainly ended up with a good friend. I think one of the hardest things in dating is putting yourself out there. It can be scary. But that's kind of what I was doing in signing up for Chemistry.com. Just another way to put myself out there and let the universe know I'm ready for a relationship. Interestingly enough, almost immediately after Steve and I decided to officially end our romantic relationship, I met someone. Nothing has happened, no dates or anything. I've only seen him a couple of times since then out with friends and I honestly don't know if anything will ever happen between us.

But the giddy/terrifying excitement? The butterflies? They're definitely there.

And that's what I'm holding out for.

T-Shirt Day 2010!

I love cute t-shirts. Always have, always will. So imagine my happiness when I discovered not only a day celebrating said shirts but a way to design and create a totally kick-ass tee of my very own!

International T-Shirt Day falls on June 21st, the first day of summer, every year. A few weeks ago, my friend Ashley told me about an event that Alibi was having to celebrate. Moments later she and I were talking via Facebook chat and creating matching t-shirts of our very own. I went yesterday to pick up our shirts and I've gotta say - the event was pretty awesome. They were displaying all kinds of t-shirts, had great music, and food and drinks. I didn't stay very long, only one drink's worth, but still, I was impressed. And I was even more impressed with the finished product! Check it out:

Front of the shirt - a little Bowie inspired?
(If you need clarification on the meaning of Wallbanger, click here)

Sleeves - had to represent the 607!

Back of shirt (with my favorite number)

Pretty bad ass, right? I can't wait to get a picture of me and Ash in our matching Wallbanger tees!

Summer Song

The Boy Who Murdered Love by Diana Vickers.
I love this song. I have been listening to it on repeat for the last week. Enjoy!



You can watch the actual video here. Besides this song, I love her style! I want a dress just like the one she's wearing in the video!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best dad I know.


Thank you for for the laughs, the rides, the lunch money, for always being there for me, for everything. I love you very much!

Scrivi a Giulietta

I just finished watching the movie Letters to Juliet.

It was a little uneven. Amanda Seyfried is not a very good actress, but Vanessa Regrave was just stunning. And I found myself caring far more about her character's love story than I did for the supposed female lead's. I'd give the movie itself... I don't know... a B? But I LOVE the idea behind the movie. The idea of throwing caution to the wind and taking a second chance, no matter what. The idea that true love does not fade. And I love, of course, that it was set in Italy. I loved hearing the bits of dialogue in Italian and the beautiful Italian countryside. For me, it made the movie seem a little like a fairytale (which it kind of was).

I've actually been to Verona. This was years ago, before I had a digital camera, when I did an exchange program in high school. My host family took me to Verona for the afternoon, and while we didn't do much sight-seeing they did take me to La Casa di Giulietta. It was pretty crowded when I was there, and I wasn't able to get up to the balcony myself, but it really is just as amazing in real life. A narrow, damp archway opens into a sunny brick courtyard. The walls are lined with graffiti and love notes in every langauge. And in the far corner stands a bronze statue of Juliet. You'll notice that while most of the statue is bright and shiny, both of her breasts are dull and matte. For good luck in love, you must grab her breasts and you'll see many people taking pictures doing just that.

After watching Letters to Juliet, I did a little research. I was only in Verona at Juliet's house for a few hours, and I was in awe of the amount of letters and tokens left there. I never thought about what would happen to them when the day was over. It turns out there actually is something called The Juliet Club. They answer all of the letters and notes left in Juliet's courtyard, giving advice and support, and maintaining the legend of Romeo & Juliet. How amazing is that?! One of the coolest parts is that you don't even have to visit Verona to have Juliet respond. You can simply write her at this address:

Club di Giulietta
via Galilei 3
37100 Verona, Italy

While I've never fully understood why you'd want to seek advice from a girl who ended up committing suicide (next to the body of her dead boyfriend), that's not going to stop me from writing. The English major nerd in me thinks this is one of the coolest ideas ever, and the unyielding romantic in me cannot resist it. In bocca al lupo. I'll let you know what she says!

Hannah the Baker

Ever since our beloved Kaci left us for her native plains of Oklahoma and, eventually, pastry school on the west coast, I have become resident baker here at 772. On Tuesday morning, however, I woke up to one of my favorite things in the whole wide world. CHOCOLATE CAKE.

My roommate (and one of my best friends) Hannah - who also happens to have mono - stayed up and made me a birthday cake after I went to bed on Monday night so it would be waiting for me when I woke up on my birthday. How awesome is she?! And how adorable, not to mention delicious is this cake!

She also got me the best birthday card ever.


A great start to a great birthday. Thanks, Han!

Birthday Girl

Today is my birthday! Here's a picture of me at the end of my birthday night last year (to give you an idea of what we're in for today):


Woke up to balloons, chocolate cake, a Disney Princess birthday card, and gorgeous sunshine... It's only 10 am, and I'm already having a great day. Thank you ahead of time to my friends and family for being so awesome. Pictures to follow!

Trigga

No, this is not a mobster. This is my dad. And today is his birthday.


Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!

Hire Me! Please.

Whoever said that searching for a full-time job was a full-time job in and of itself hit the nail right on the head. Side note: is anything ever, really "in and of itself"? Anyways, now that I'm an official college grad with a my huge, shiny diploma (that's stashed away under my bed...) the time has come to find a big girl job. I actually have pretty great experience and the resume to prove it, but the job market is still very tough. By this point I've lost count of the number of cover letters and resumes I've sent out. The past few days I've found myself getting increasingly frustrated by the entire process. And yet the search must go on.

I was just sitting here, writing yet another cover letter to yet another position when I remembered something... I have a platform with which I do nothing but promote myself. This blog. And while I don't delude myself into thinking that many people actually read this (I mean, I'm hoping for like a dozen a day), I figure what the hell? It can't hurt right? So I've enclosed my resume below. Here goes nothing...

I am looking for something in the greater Boston area. While I believe my resume and work experience speaks for itself, I will say that I am looking for a position in the editorial department of a magazine or publishing company. I am passionate about social media and have used it both professionally and personally. I am open to any copywriting positions, and am also interested in PR/communications as well. As indicated by this blog, I'm interested many areas, including fashion, food, and arts & entertainment. I am very comfortable working in a busy professional environment, and carry myself with poise and professionalism at all times while still letting my fun-loving and enthusiastic personality shine through. I'm extremely organized and detail oriented, possess an excellent work ethic, and am able to multi-task and complete projects in a timely manner. I will gladly provide writing samples and recommendations upon request and I am available to start immediately. Please contact me via email (domenicarose AT gmail DOT com) if you or someone you know is interested in meeting me with to discuss an available position!

Blog Resume

Confession #2

I am obsessed with reality TV.

I think it started with the very first season of Big Brother. That was the only season I ever watched. Is it still on anymore? Of course I watched Survivor for a while, and the first season of American Idol. A couple years ago I was flipping through the channels when I stumbled upon the first season of Rock of Love with Bret Michaels. And I was done. That show was absurd in the best and worst ways. The fake hair, the bandannas, the rhinestones...Bret Michaels is still one of my favorite celebrities, and it's because of that show.

I'm loving Real Housewives of New York and New Jersey. On New York, I find Jill amusing, but I'll admit that I'm Team Bethenny all the way. On New Jersey, I don't care what anyone says - I love the Manzos, and I fall a little more in love with Albie every time I watch. I also think that Danielle and Kelley need to go live on an island somewhere and let their craziness run rampant. I literally cannot wait to watch the ROHNY reunion tonight. And this is just part one of three...just imagine all of the shit that's going to go down!

Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kendra, 16 and Pregnant, The OCD Project, Tough Love, True Life, Hoarders, The Amazing Race, Extreme Home Makeover...

The Bachelor(ette) is a Monday night staple in my apartment. My favorite season so far has been Jillian's. The guys (except for Wes) were amazing, but I seriously fell in love with the bachelorette herself. Why can't Jillian I just be best friends? She's so great and wears the cutest clothes and seems like so much fun! I remember when they brought out the five extra guys the first night and the camera panned to Ed. I literally yelled, "YES!" and my roommates looked at me like I was crazy. Well, they're getting married, so looks like I was right! I'll be honest, this season's show is leaving me a little cold. I think it's because I can't stand Ali. For some reason she just comes across as very fake and slightly immature to me. BUT! I love, love, love Chris L. from Cape Cod. Here's hoping she sends him home so I can mend his broken heart!

And not all reality TV is mindless! I love medical mystery shows - Mermaid Girl, The Pregnant Man, Woman with Giant Legs?! - and true crime TV documentaries. I also love reality competitions where the contestants are actually talented. Project Runway immediately comes to mind, as does one of my all time favorites, So You Think You Can Dance. I am beyond excited that season 7 is starting up. The raw talent on that show is incredible, and more than a few times I've been moved to tears by the performances the produce. For your enjoyment:



I know I'm not alone here. What are your favorite reality TV shows?

Movin' on Up

I held off on posting this for a little while because there was a lot of uncertainty and stress surrounding it. But now that the ink is dry I am excited to tell you that come September I will be living in Coolidge Corner!

Even better, I'm living with my best friend Melanie from Domestic! Can you even imagine all of the cooking and baking deliciousness that's going to take place in that kitchen?! Melanie and I have been friends since we were five years old. I feel like when you're little you kind of day dream about growing up and being fabulous and having an apartment with your best friend... and for me that's actually going to happen! We'll also be living with Fina, one of Melanie's good friends from college. I've lived here for five years and I've always lived right in Boston, so I'm a little sad to be changing my address to Brookline, but we're just a couple T stops away from Boston proper and our place is the cutest little dream of an apartment three young ladies could ask for. I'm super excited!