My friend Eliza is a (relatively) newly single woman. Before Christmas, she and I went out to the Roosevelt Fields mall to do some holiday shopping and we inevitably ended up in Anthropologie. Otherwise known as the MOST AMAZING STORE EVER. The sheer sight of that store window can bring tears of joy to my eyes.

We walked in with the intentions of finding Liza some pretty, but sexy date outfits with a gift card she had. But we walked out with nothing but kitchen decor. Which is what ALWAYS happens. I am obsessed with coffee mugs and teapots.

I actually managed to refrain even though I fell in love with a couple of owl mugs. But my budget was tight and I just couldn’t justify it. Liza however managed to buy a few new water glasses and an iced tea pitcher–Which I told her, she would be very popular with her date if she opened the door wearing nothing but a couple of strategically placed water glasses. She, however, did not find this funny. I forget what little sense of humor people have when they’re stressing over a first date.

I kept obsessing over my owl mugs and after 3 weeks of pining, I realized I should have bought them. I went to 3 different stores in the city–none of which had them. I wanted to cry. Eventually, I admitted defeat and promised myself next time I saw something that was only $4, I would just spring for it. Then if I change my mind, I can always return them.

I had completely given up hope that I’d ever see the mugs again. And then Liza and I exchanged Christmas gifts…and an owl mug never looked so glorious and beautiful. BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER. Who cares about the expensive espresso machine my sister gave me. That Tiffany’s necklace from Sean? Phhhh, please. But this coffee mug will go down in history as THEGREATESTGIFTEVER.

Now if only I had answered the door with only a couple of water glasses in hand, we could have come full circle.