On this day...

Inauguration Day 2009 - Before sunrise

... we, as Americans, have a lot to be proud of, and much to hope for.

Last time, I was there:)

"With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations." - Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

"As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead."

Here's to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the hope that our past trials will lead to a brighter future for all those who dare to dream.

Crafty Little Things

It's Friday! Do your happy dance

Hooray for Friday!! Here to send you off into the long weekend are a few fantastically fun crafts I've recently discovered on Pinterest. Nothing too complicated, but a whole lot of "awwwww" and "cool!" and "why didn't I think of that!?" Enjoy!

Think spring!

A decorative way to grow and display fresh flowers!? Sign me up. To get the look: Fill a glass container about 1/3 of the way with marbles or decorative rocks. (Clear glass will enable you to watch the roots develop). Set the tulip bulb on top of the marbles/stones, pointed end UP. Add a few more marbles/rocks so that the bulb is surrounded but not covered (for support). Pour fresh water into the container. The water shouldn't touch the bulb, but it should be very close, so that the roots will grow in. Wait 4-6 weeks and then voila! 

DIY dishware

This one seems almost too good to be true it's so easy. Buy cheap glass dishware. Decorate with gold sharpie marker (think simple like dots or stripes or maybe for the more artistically brave, get silly with your sketches?). Bake at 350 for 30 min, then let cool in oven. The perfect way to create a whimsical custom look for your next dinner party!

So easy and obvious. Binder rings... DUH!

I am a massive collector of cards. I've saved sentimental notes from dozens of special people and moments in my life and they are truly treasures. What they aren't, however, is well organized or displayed. This binder rings idea is truly genius and definitely on my to do list. And a merry meri tip - if the card doesn't say it, be sure to write the date (with year!) on the back so you can always remember which special moment the card was commemorating.

I do not like green eggs and ham, but I LOVE these!

Ummm... it didn't occur to me to have an adult Dr. Seuss theme party until right now, but maybe a 1 fish, 2 fish, Lorax filled celebration needs to be on the horizon!? Whatever the age group, these lil guys were too cute not to share. 

Now all I need is some snow!!!

Taking it down an inch.

*le sigh*

I knew this day would come. Any time I'd show up to a dressy family party, my mother or grandmother would glance longingly at my feet and say "I used to be able to wear shoes like that" and I'd smile to myself, thinking smugly, "I will always wear shoes like this!!" But alas, my time has come... I need a lower high heel.

Now before you envision me barreling towards a lifetime of footwear discontent, know that I don't plan to abandon my 4" heels completely. Hellz no. I have FAR too many amazing shoes at that height to leave high-high heels forever. The problem is really my "everyday" heels. The 4" brown and black pumps that elongate my legs and tighten my booty to nearly mythical proportions when I wear a pencil skirt, structured suit pants or a wrap dress. Lately, I just can't motivate to get them on and when I do, I long for something just a tad lower; it's like my legs one day decided, "we're too old for this sh*t." Sigh... So now I'm off to find the perfect high, but not too high, heel, fully aware that there's a 50% chance I "accidentally" walk out of the store with another pair of 4" beauties. Wish me luck.

Hump Day Distractions

What a grand reception!

Could this Wednesday be any more ick!? As if being only half way to Friday wasn't bad enough, here in NYC we're getting slammed with "it's too warm to snow, but too cold to be even remotely pleasant" precipitation. Where are sweatpants and Netflix when ya need em!? Here to get you over the hump is a hearty serving of awesome distractions... enjoy!

* What if your favorite celeb looked "just like us"?!

* In his defense, that pot could be a sexy turtle friend! (Brings new meaning to "Hump Day)

* I submitted to Strangers Project the other night when I stumbled upon its creator in Washington Square Park. Would you share your story?

* Pack your bags, we've go places to go!

* This is one of the greatest pranks EVER. Holy cow.

* I've discussed the impact of technology on love before. Do you think that courtship is dead?

* Now that I have a chalkboard wall in my living room, I need to beef up my drawing skills!

* Bubbles, a baby and her four legged friend. Smiles galore.

"Only in New York..."

I think I shall call it Tartine-y (emphasis on the "tiny")

After reading about the Parisian cafe inspired, reasonably priced, BYOB West Village spot Tartine, it immediately went on my dining to do list. Enter Friday night when Dr. H and I walked 10 soggy minutes to find a line at Tartine's door (no reservations allowed). The hostess indicated that there was no room for us to come inside (hmmm) so we waited for another 10 minutes, hiding from the rain under their awning. Once summoned in, I pulled back the entry curtain to see that the place was PACKED. I mean tables composed like a Tetris game packed. 

What's missing in this pic is 10 more tables and like 100 people

We were then shown to a table so wedged into the corner that we literally had ass-to-face encounters with the neighboring tables as we climbed to our seats (I hope they liked my pleather jeggings!), shouted our order to the waiter (who was physically blocked from getting closer) and cracked open our wine. I looked around and realized why I hadn't noticed the crowd situation from outside - completely steamed up windows. Oh boy. As we finished our (delicious) appetizers (wild arugula salad for me, french onion soup for him) Dr. H was sent over the edge. His forehead glistened as he moaned "it's a sauna in here! Am I sweating? I'm so hot. Ohmygod". I struggled to keep a straight face as I said "it's not so bad, the food is really good!!" knowing in my heart that this was clearly a merry Meri miss. Even the simply prepared and extremely tasty main courses (full menu HERE) could not improve our disastrous accommodations. Wedged into a corner, sweating profusely and unavoidably eavesdropping on the table next to us, thank goodness Tartine is byob because booze is a necessity.

The sauces melt together and fries soak it up and YUM.

Bless my husband's heart for smiling through this meal (I ordered him ice cream for dessert specifically to cool him off, buying myself enough time to enjoy a berry tart and polish off our bottle). As we paid in cash (because you know they can't be bothered with credit card) and shimmied out the door towards fresh air, at least we were laughing. Because only in NYC will a couple wait in the rain to be squished into a bajillion degree restaurant (with 100% humidity) for a delicious (but was it really worth it?) meal.  

Naked Lena Dunham

Lena knows her nudity is overdone. She does not care!

Did you catch the Season 2 premiere of Girls last night or is it still on your DVR because of the Golden Globes? Thankfully, I'm a seasoned television junkie who managed a mixture of live and recorded shows to get a full night of television accomplished. Which brings me back to Girls, and naked Lena Dunham. Lena, the brilliant, hysterical and uniquely beautiful woman that she is, seems to have a thing for getting naked on her show (even Amy and Tina made fun of it during their monologue). Within the first 5 minutes of the new episode, Lena boob was front and center and it ended with a full Lena moon.

"She's just so NOT attractive" Dr. H (and so many others) said. "It's like... uncomfortable to watch. I hate it," and this for some reason makes me realllllll feisty. I'm not all "She's a real woman! Hollywood should just embrace it!" because honestly, Lena's body is not something most aspire to and I like (sadistically and with admiration) stunning celebrity women. But people of all shapes and sizes get naked in real life, so why not on tv? Flawed funny men have been baring all for ages (Jason Segal in Forgetting Sarah Marshall? Will Ferrell in, like, everything!?) and that is somehow funny, not gross. So I say, Lena, take it all off! Keep making people squirm until maybe they realize that there's nothing to squirm about. TV creates imaginary worlds, beautiful worlds and depictions of the real world, so if you and your cast mates feel the need to constantly strip down, why the hell not?

PS- Amy... Tina... you rock. Honestly.

Healthy Habit of the Month

Learning to love my fruits and veggies

Recently my bffs over at Weight Watchers shared a new way of thinking about eating right. When their researchers discovered that we are straight up hard-wired to crave junky foods (read about the brain scan research HERE) they deduced that we cannot rely on willpower alone because our brains are programmed to be like "gimme the pizza dammit" and no amount of willpower can control that sort of Jedi mind control. Apparently, in addition to a strong resolve to eat better, we've got to build habits and environments which help us defeat these chemical reactions. Sounds exhausting right?

Well, since everyone I know is looking for ways to be healthier and look skinnier (<-- let's call it what it is people) I thought perhaps together we could attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into our lives each month.* One small change we'll test out together and see how it feels. Ready?! Here goes:

Healthy Habit of the Month #1: Add a fruit or veggie to every meal.
Maybe this isn't a change for you. Maybe you're all "ohmygod how unhealthy is this girl that she isn't eating a fruit/veg at every meal?" Well, I'm not, so I'm gonna try it, the theory being that 1) fruits and veggies are super healthy 2) if you round out every meal with fruit/veg, you'll get and stay satisfied for longer. So if you usually have yogurt for breakfast, add a banana. If lunch is soup and a half sandwich, add some baby carrots or an apple... you get the idea. I'm really curious to see how I do with this challenge since I'm definitely NOT a huge fan of fruits and veggies... I am, however, a fan of feeling full, so maybe, just maybe, it can work. Good luck!

*Note: Sometimes the healthy habit will be Weight Watchers suggested, other times I'm gonna think it up myself. It's like I'm paying your WW membership for you. You're welcome:)