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While I was finishing up my thesis in New York, Bobst Library of New York University was my home away from home. Actually, the library was better than my little 500 sq. ft. dingy little apartment. I would usually sit at a huge table, greedily possessing it like I was a squatter. I had at least 7-10 books opened, spread out, with sticky notes in different colors splayed over the tabletop and on various pages. If I ran out of those, heck, pencils or extra napkins from the local coffee house worked in a pinch as bookmarks. I, usually with bags as big as flotation devices under my eyes, hopped-up on caffeine, chocolate and cigarettes (I’ve quit since then. Yay for me.), would clomp and bang away on my laptop keys. It was inevitable that I would end up with nostalgic fondness for “the stacks”. Now, gone are those days when I had complete knowledge of the correct way to reference citations, and going by muscle memory to which section where my subject matter inhabited. More than anything, I miss that time when time was mine. While I love my life as it is now, I miss being alone with thousands of books that opened up to thousands of different worlds, viewpoints, and ultimately, destinations. Cocooned among those books, reading and absorbing details, which only prodded further exploration, it was as good as traveling the world, if only metaphorically. I wonder if this is what librarians must feel…

Starting from left:

• Charmed Mary Janes in Aqua, snake embossed kidskin, leather insole and sole, 3.5″ covered heel, $298, available @ Anthropologie.
• Belted Front-tied Trench Cape, cotton/polyester/nylon, lined, 29″ down the back, $148, available @ Banana Republic.
• Hoss Intropia, Buttons & Braids Bag in Taupe, leather, canvas lining, kisslock closure, 11 x 16 x 5″d, 7.5″ handle drop, $398, available @ Anthropologie.
• Theory, Cade Sleeveless Tunic Top in Charcoal, cotton/spandex, pullover, $85, available @ Saks Fifth Avenue.
• Lightweight Wool Double Vent Skirt in Black, wool, lined, fishtail effect slit, $88, available @ Banana Republic.

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