Friday, September 28, 2012

So long September!


Let's hug it out.
Can you believe it!? It's like we blinked and the whole month is gone. Funny how time passes like that. In honor of this gloomy, grey Friday (NYC looks like a scene from Ghostbusters right now) I thought I'd send some cozy ideas your way. For example, how incredible does this Tomato-Caprese Soup look:
Pinterest HERE, recipe HERE

And this recipe is called "skinny lasagna" so obviously I'm all "call Garfield, we're having lasagna for dinner tonight!" 
Pinterest HERE, recipe HERE

Or maybe cozy isn't what you're looking for on this gloomy day. Maybe you need something that will warm your heart... THIS will warm your heart (it takes a minute to load and start playing, but I swear it's worth the wait). And for good measure, a rainy day joke:
Word.

Whatever your weekend has in store, I hope it's fabulous.
Peace out Septembre

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Going Bananas (b-a-n-a-n-a-s).

Hooooray! Bananas for everyone (even me!)
I'd like to tell you the story of the time I forced myself to like bananas. Forced myself as in, I ate the first full banana of my life in August (2012) and now I eat one almost every day. Banana party ova here!

You see, not too long ago, I decided that twenty-eight years of a banana free existence was no longer acceptable because though my tummy needs a constant intake of food to be happy, my bountiful booty requires that I monitor this intake closely. "Have a banana!" everyone says. "They're filling, sweet and so good for you" (ZERO weight watchers points!) So I decided, despite my dislike of the flavor and hesitation about their awkward consistency (so mushy!) to force bananas into my diet. Slowly but surely I managed to eat them without cringing and eventually (almost) enjoy them. When my tummy rumbles at 4pm, I'm thrilled to have a guilt-free solution that avoids a trip to the office snack machine! 

Now I admit, there were hurdles along the way - like the time I tried a greenish banana (I'm more of a brown spots gal apparently) or the time I unknowingly purchased a plantain and spent all morning remarking how "difficult to peel and funky tasting this ginormous banana is!" (live and learn:) But the moral of the story is that food may be more mind over matter than I first thought. I wanted to like bananas because they are a truly filling, healthy snack (move over grapes, there's a new fruit in town!) and though it may take me anywhere from 5-10 minutes to do it, I now eat them on a regular basis. So I challenge you to bring something new into your diet this fall - who knows, maybe you'll go bananas for it ;)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hump Day Distractions

That is no joke right there.
To make up for the fact that I have been a bit uninspired and unmotivated these past few days (hey, it happens:) I thought I would give you a CRAZY big list of distractions for your hump day reading pleasure. Crazy big, hump, pleasure - sounds good to me (hehe.)

* Videogame lovers and Pixar fans rejoice, THIS movie looks adorable.
* Closed Captions apparently make storylines far more interesting for the hearing impaired.
* The perfect gift for the dog lover in your life.
* Give you hair a little blast from the past with one of THESE fun styles.
* Dr. H remains closed minded about getting a dog. Perhaps he'd prefer we get one of THESE!?
* Something called "The Running of the Wieners" exists and it is amazing.
* Last Friday I joined the iPhone revolution (ooohyeah!) Here are some top Apps for my  fellow homies in the cool club.
* Tasty, healthy, easy to make and Dr. H approved (a recipe doesn't get better than that!)
* Ron Swanson is back and he wants to talk about your meat.
* Football on Sundays may never look the same.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Back (and better than ever) tomorrow...

don't come knockin'

And a special thanks to the lovely Joanna Goddard, for this:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! 
—Rudyard Kipling

Monday, September 24, 2012

On inspiration (and motivation).

The say fresh flowers can improve your mood.
My merry friends. I must confess (and perhaps you've already noticed) that lately I have been a bit lacking in inspiration, or perhaps more importantly, motivation. For the past 9+ months I have been the most enthusiastic blogger - constantly jotting down ideas, looking forward to my daily alone time in front of the keyboard, no limitations on my creativity. But all of the sudden I'm suffering from mental radio silence; I'm dreading having to "come up with a post" and I'm unsatisfied with every attempt at a whimsical rant. "WTF?!" I've asked myself... "WTF is going on!?" 

Maybe I have blogger fatigue (5 brilliant posts every week can be daunting). Maybe the weight of real life is mucking up my merry online persona (all things work, home and health have been challenging recently). Maybe it's the shorter days and departure of flip flops (I love my boots, but nothing beats freshly pedicured toes in cute sandals!) I just don't know. What I do know, however, is that I'm going to muscle through it (whatever "it" is). I find routine calming and writing for all of you has been part of my routine for almost an entire year now, so I'm sticking with it. So get ready for my thoughts on the beautiful Kate Middleton, the taste of bananas, the important differences between candy corn and candy pumpkins and all the other ridiculous things floating around my head. I'll just keep talking, you all keep reading (pretty please) and we'll see where it gets us:)

Friday, September 21, 2012

Autumnal Equinox


My beautiful city.
This week was not normal. This week was "a doozy" as they say. I am so grateful for this crisp, beautiful, fall, Friday (emphasis on the Friday). Perfectly timed with the end of our fall themed week on the blog, tomorrow is the autumnal equinox, meaning the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun. Our planet's center is going to line up perfectly with the sun's center and the day and night will be almost identical in length. It all sounds very "balanced". Balance is exactly what I need right about now. Also, THESE:
Pumpkin Spice Kisses. BOOM!
Because after the week I've had, I just want to walk around using the hell out of THIS:
!? obviously

So let's just wrap up the week with something that will make you laugh:
Like THIS.

or THIS.

And remember...
great gatsby quote
If the Gatsby guy said it, it must be true

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fall into a few new things...

SO much to love about this ensemble.
One of my favorite things about the start of a new season is that it's the perfect excuse for a little wardrobe update. BUT, if you're a frugal fashionista like myself, you know it's crucial to find a perfect balance between trendy pieces that scream this fall and timeless classics which you can bring back every fall. Here are a few ideas which fit into both categories and make for an awesome autumn closet update.

From J. Crew to my closet please!
Cute collars are a feminine and fun style that I'm spotting all over the place this fall. Unlike the 90s version which piled sweaters on top of traditional button downs, this trend has been simplified (and de-bulked) by building cute collars into all sorts of looks. Get your girly on with a contrasting collar this fall.

When I wear these colors do my legs magically look like theirs?
Black and blue and burgundy... so hot right now. Though I love me some bright jewel tones and neon, the sophistication of these darker color combinations is hard to resist. Embrace the fashion world's acceptance of black and blue together (it's about time!) or throw on a sexy burgundy to blend in with all the fall foliage.

Leather and Paris. I'll take one of each!
There are few things more timeless than a chic leather jacket and the price point can be whatever your heart desires depending on whether you go faux or high-end real deal. Dark brown, burgundy, hunter green or classic black can give any t-shirt/jeans combo a little rocker edge, or take a colorful print sundress from summer into fall by throwing a cute jacket on top (and boots on bottom!) I love THIS affordable faux option from Urban Outfitters and THIS bomber jacket beauty (with zip-in shearling!) if your budget allows for a more serious investment.

Go bold or go home (well maybe not that bold:)
Thanks to one of my most glam girlies, I recently discovered the fabulousness that is lipstick. Though Dr. H is not the biggest fan (what does he know!?) I feel like a bolder, brighter me when sporting colored lips. Plus, there's no easier way to transition from day at the desk to night on the town than puckering up with a vibrant hue. Russian Red was my go to this summer, but for fall I think MAC's Diva is it. Way cheaper than any article of clothing, consider lipstick when going for a fresh look this season!

Want more info on the season's hottest trends (from people who actually know what they're talking about!? hehe) Click HERE and HERE and HERE!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Hump Day Distractions

Are you lookin at me?
Well hump-ty dumpty do, we've made it to Wednesday. My head has been abuzz this week with all sorts of non-blog related items (holidays, apt hunting, work shenanigans to name a few...) so please "bear" with me (hehe) as we hump our way towards the weekend!

* Guaranteed to make you smile.
* Click HERE to discover just how many hours you should be dedicating to the boob tube this fall.
* Break out the beers, turn on the game and make THESE a part of your next football Sunday (so easy, so tasty)
* I intend to see Happy. [via CupofJo]
* I've always loved the simplicity of black and white, but color gives new life to these photos... which do you prefer?
* I love free concerts (who doesn't!?)
* THESE are almost too terrifying to be funny. Drive safely my friends!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Apples, Pumpkins & Leaf Peeping (hehe)

All the colors of fall...
One of my favorite things about fall is that the season provides for some of the best field trips! Whether you're looking to hike in crisp air, photograph brilliantly colored leaves, pick apples for the freshest pies you've ever made or stock up on pumpkins for Halloween - there are endless options to choose from. So pack a picnic lunch and get adventuring!!

* Hike / Leaf Loving
If you live in the NY/NJ region, there are tons of trails to get your red/orange/yellow leaf loving on. Click HERE for the "
Top 10 Fall Hikes to View Spectacular Autumn Foliage in New York-New Jersey Region" and if you aren't from this neck of the woods, click HERE for the HuffPost's nationwide recommendations!

* Get your Apple on
Kids and grownups alike can enjoy a day at the apple orchard. Dr. H and I have been known to collect far greater quantities than we know how to consume, but it's led to delicious apple crumbles (this recipe looks mighty fine) and maybe this year I'll be brave enough to attempt my first pie (brave enough for THIS!?) Pick your apple orchard HERE and HERE.

* Pumpkins Galore!
This is only the beginning of my all-things-black and orange, who should I carve a jack o' lantern of this year, Halloween obsession, but like so many other wonderful things in life, it all starts at the farm!! Click HERE for the best pumpkin patches NY/NJ have to offer or HERE if you're from somewhere else (because I love all my readers!) Don't forget to leave time for the corn maze and some cider!

* Arts, Crafts & other Fall Goodness
As with the start of any new season, NYC is buzzing with activities, free events, cool concerts and festivals of all kinds (the Feast of San Gennaro is happening in Little Italy right NOW through Sunday... did someone say fried oreo!?) HERE is a Fall Arts Preview courtesy of AM New York and THIS Fall Dance Festival looks fantastic as well. Good luck squeezing it all into your calendar!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Feed your face in fall.

Fall Feast.
Happy Monday my merry friends (and L'shana Tova to those celebrating the new year!) It seems that autumn in New York is here to stay, so let's put on our hoodies and get back to celebrating the season's arrival. In true meri merry fashion, I say we start with some tasty fall eats and pumpkin flavored treats (because you can't think about shopping or field trips on an empty stomach.) Enjoy!!

Mmmm.
Goodbye summer fruit salad, hellllo fall bagel brunch! Though many rave about Trader Joe's pumpkin cream cheese (and you KNOW how I feel about Joe:) I think I'm going to have to take this simple cream cheese recipe for a spin. It calls for cream cheese, canned pumpkin, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla. Who's coming over this Sunday?

If it has apple it's healthy right?!
This recipe boasts "3 ingredients, 3 minutes"... we HAVE to give it a try!!! Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip sounds like the perfect way to turn fall's apple crop into a delicious dessert.

Break out the crockpot!
Remember back in spring when I was all "shed the bulky clothing, no more rich, creamy goodness..?" Well F that shizz, it's getting cold and I want something piping hot and full o' flava. Here are 12 Fall Crockpot Recipes which include everything from mac cheese and meatloaf to jambalaya and pulled pork. Get cookin peeps!!

2 ingredients!? Just TWO!?!
I'm not much of a baker, but this recipe claims that if I combine those 2 ingredients above, I'll get a Weight Watchers approved, tasty pumpkin muffin. I'm off to preheat the oven!

Friday, September 14, 2012

This, that and another thing...

perfect.
Well would you look at us! We've made it to another Friday and there's nothing but crisp sunshine and straight up chillaxin' ahead. To send you off into the sunset (errr, weekend?) I thought I'd do a little "hear it, read it, make it, LOVE it"! You know... some new tunes, a great book, a smile-worthy craft and something I reeeaaaallly wanna buy. Happy Friday friends!

Hear it.
Michael Kiwanuka is a British soul musician whose wiki page compares him to Bill WithersRandy NewmanOtis Redding, Van Morrison and the Temptations. I was thinking sultry, soft, soulful and sweet... same thing right!? Kiwanuka is playing Webster Hall here in NYC this Tuesday (more tour dates HERE) and I just might have to find a way to be there... his sound is simply divine.

Read it.
This month my book club hostess naiiiiilllled it. She selected The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain and it's the first book I've read in a while that I could.not.put.down. I'm talking "sneak out of the office during lunch to read the ending" levels of suspense. A step above chick lit, but not as ambitious as Jane Austen, I think it's the perfect selection for your fall reading pleasure!

Make it.
Prepare yourself Dr. H, I'm gonna go on a rock monster making FRENZY!!! How a-dor-a-ble are these little guys!? And they couldn't be easier to create: grab some pebbles, paint those pebbles, add mouths with marker (simple tutorial HERE) then glue googly eyes to the front, a magnet to the back and Ta Da!!, your fridge is now a total monster mash-ing good time:)

LOVE it.
There is a 100% chance one of these darling (that's right I said darling!heart pillows will find a home in my new apartment. See more of Wendy Polish's sweet designs in her little online shop HERE.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sweet dreams (eventually).

How about we start at EAT & skip to SLEEP TIME?
ps- "pyjamas"?
How long does it take you to get ready for bed at night? If I want my head to hit the pillow at the same time as Dr. H, I need at least a ten minute head start... There's teeth brushing and face washing, contact removing, moisturizer applying and medicine taking, also one final pee, apartment door locking and last but not least, night time hair styling (usually a high bun or pony to ensure maximum morning hair glamour). It's my routine and I can't see how to remove a single step. Even on my most exhausted (or lazy or boozy) nights, I never ever climb into bed without at least a clean face and minty mouth. Dr. H on the other hand can make it from couch to comatose in about 3-minutes flat. I envy his no fuss existence.

And the worst part of it is that sometimes I stay up too late, lingering on the couch in front of the television, out of sheer apathy for my own routine! I think "ooooh it's so annoying to get ready for bed, I'll just put it off for a few minutes longer..." (because contact lens removal is that difficult?) Is it insanity that I'm so routinized that I can't even go to sleep without checking things off a to-do list or are my steps truly essential!? Maybe someday we'll have a magical way to be cleaned and primped and bed-ready in seconds, but until then, I'll see you in my dreams (eventually:)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Hump Day Distractions

Everyone get your hump on!
Well this whole fall-ing for the new season week is not exactly panning out the way I'd planned. I say we just enjoy the sudden crisp weather (and the ability to finally have frizz-free straight hair!) and pick up our fall lovin again next Monday... In the meantime, we'll hump today and I'll no doubt find something else to keep us busy until Friday (Mmmm, Friday...) Happy humping my merry friends!

* THIS dude makes Katniss seem unimpressive. 
* I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my biiiiike. (THESE are so witty!) [via Black Eiffel] 
* When a healthy recipe looks delicious I get excited (also, a little nervous) 
* Oh what's that you said? You want to buy me a TOTALLY AWESOME gift!?  (Petite Cherie or Stardust please)
* This company must be readers of the blog  
* Morgan Freeman makes eevvvvvvverything sound better (Penguins? Batman weaponry? Escaping prison!?!) but this might just take the cake

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Pause.


Beauty out of sadness. Greenwich Village, NYC
I was planning to share delicious fall recipes with you today, but today is today so it didn't seem right. Today is my Aunt's birthday (happy happy!). Today is someone's anniversary. Today a life will change for the better. And today is also when we remember, even though we'd rather forget. But beyond our sadness, we find

This....
and this...
and this.
... You may shoot me with your words, 
You may cut me with your eyes, 
You may kill me with your hatefulness, 

Monday, September 10, 2012

Autumn in New York...

I'm fall-ing for you NYC.
And just like that, seemingly overnight, it feels like fall. As much as I begrudge mother nature for steeling away my beloved summer, as I sat last night with a cool breeze pouring into my apartment, window-shopped a season of new beautiful leather boots over the weekend and strolled sweat-free through the subway station this morning, I realized, as I do every year, that fall and I are going to get along just fine. There's something hopelessly romantic about Manhattan in autumn (they write songs of its fabulousness), the smell of pumpkin spice is just divine (Starbucks sucked you in yet!?), and my FAVORITE holiday of them all is JUST around the corner (you just wait until I get to talking about Halloween) so this week on Seektobemerry we'll fall head first into the new season (hehe). Recipes, fashion, fun things to do, and stunning fall foliage adventures are all coming your way so join me as we say 'so long to summer and hello fabulous fall.

Note: Lots 'o links in that paragraph - click the purple text to enjoy!

Friday, September 7, 2012

We the people...

Voting. So hot right now.
I've spent a lot of time debating whether or not to get political on SeektobeMerry. As you might imagine, this girl (a Washington DC university attending (go GDubs!) poli sci major, who digs a good constitutional conversation and crushes on George Washington) is acutely focused on the current Presidential election and has some well researched and highly opinionated thoughts on all things Obama v. Romney. However, I have made the executive decision (a "Blogger Executive Order"!?) to make this a non-partisan space. Politics can be very divisive and with a mission to make you merry, I don't think my political opinion should be part of our conversation. 

But the fact is, I care. I care deeply and I think that you should too. Are the Democrats or Republicans a perfect embodiment of all your political beliefs? Probably not, but at the moment they're what we've got. Are either of these candidates going to make dramatic changes to your everyday life? Again, unlikely, but their actions will impact you and the actions they each intend to take are VERY different. I think you should be informed and you should exercise your right to have an opinion and cast a vote (a right which people fight to the death for in other nations). Your vote isn't going to fix the economy, end discrimination or stop terrorism, but it is a tiny piece of the puzzle that you get to be as an American citizen (and we all know that puzzles with missing pieces are the WORST). So this fall, take a moment to educate yourself on where these two candidates stand on issues that you feel passionately about. Few of us will have time to know every detail (lord knows I'm trying!) but we can think about things that have meaning to us (education? financial reform? gay rights? the environment? student loans?) and cast a vote for the candidate who comes closest to representing our beliefs on those issues. We the People must always believe in the possibility of a more perfect union, and we must do what we can to achieve it. VOTE!

* To check your voter registration status, find your local polling place or request an absentee ballot, click HERE.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Sit the F down.

Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable!
Ladies! It is time for a change. After decades (centuries!?) of helicopter hovering above the toilet seats of the world, here and now I am declaring an end to the potty-squat. It's about time that we all sit the F down!! While giving my quads a workout at a gas station commode somewhere in the heart of Alabama this past weekend (so much wrong with that sentence), I realized the absolute absurdity of the fact that we women feel the need to avoid putting our precious tushies on foreign toilets. You know WHY public toilets are so nasty? Because we're all squatting and missing and spraying all over the damn place!!! It's gross, but you KNOW it's true. Even girls with the best aim and upper leg strength are guilty of missing the mark and leaving a bigger mess than what she came into at least once or twice. If we all agreed to sit down, there would be way less mess and those still feeling a bit icky could build a nice TP foundation (or use those handy seat covers) as an added layer of protection. Everybody wins.

I concede one obstacle in my war on squatting, the tornado toilet (whose flush has such velocity that it sends a grotesque spray of the toilet's contents all over the freaking place), but other than that, this is a completely attainable restroom revolution. It is time to take a seat ladies... who's with me?!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Hump Day Distractions

Dancing Polar Bear = I am officially distracted. Work it bear!!
Oh hey there Wednesday! Look at you sneakin up on me thanks to a lovely 3-day weekend shortening the week! It's rainy and grey here in NYC so I've been snuggling up with tea and willing Friday to arrive. Soon enough... In the meantime, allow the distractions to commence:

* Photobombs seriously crack me up!
* I'm skeptical about the ability to preserve freshness, but maybe it's worth a try?
* Dannnnnce to the music.
* I find Google Street view to be highly entertaining (also, ridiculously helpful). Apparently, so does THIS guy.
* Hey baby-makin friends... I am going to spoil your babies with adorableness from HERE.
* THIS is a pretty great story about how a moment of honest praise turned into something much much bigger.
* Now if that isn't the most darling thing!! 100% chance you see this as decor at the next shower/kiddie/girly party I'm involved in hosting.
* My wifi network name is not nearly creative enough

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Holiday weekend hangover (of sorts)

Feeling a bit upside down today...
After a fan-freakin-tastic weekend with my kickass brother/sister-in-law and niece, Dr. H and I spent about 15 hours traveling back to NYC yesterday (not the original plan) and I brought home some toddler germ-ies with me as a souvenir. I need 5 hot minutes (or ya know, today) to get myself sorted out, so I will be back tomorrow with more of the merry musings you know and love. In the meantime, marvel at the wit of this child, who is clearly my new hero:
Child genius or ghost written by a parent with an agenda!?