A little makeup might do the dudes good...

Just a simple 18 step process gentlemen (note: NOT my actual makeup routine!)

Last night, as Dr. H plodded off to bed while I remained in the bathroom washing makeup off my face, I got to thinking about the fact that men don't wear makeup. Now I wasn't facewash-daydreaming about this concept in a gender norms, political/feministy way; I was literally just wondering "why don't men bother to use products that enhance their features and mask things that make them feel self-conscious!?" Because you have to admit, even though makeup can be a biotch to apply and remove, when properly utilized, the impact of makeup is pret-ty fantastic (goodbye blemish, hello gently flushed cheeks and long dark lashes!) 

As I moved on to patting dry and applying moisturizer (I told you I have a ridiculous bedtime routine) I actually started to feel a little bad for men, who, because of social norms, don't really get to enjoy the benefits of dark-circle concealers or face brightening lip glosses. Though I imagine most men don't want all (or any!) of these things complicating their  lives, as a lady, it's funny to imagine how much better dudes might look if they took some notes from those helpful folks over at Sephora. Seriously. Because as my mom once said, "make-up is such a pain in the ass, but man does it make ya look good!!"

The Mac Daddy

Time to get your (mac)cheese on.

When a macaroni and cheese aficionado such as myself tells you that she's just eaten a "top 3 mac cheese of her life", it's time to take note. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Beecher's New York, a Seattle import which rocked my (mac)cheese-loving socks off this past Friday night.

According to their website's extensive "Our Story" section, Mr. Kurt Beecher Dammeier was a cheese lover from childhood and his artisan cheese obsession eventually led to the 2003 opening of Beecher's Handmade Cheese in Pike Place market. In June 2011, an NYC outpost was opened at the corner of 21st and Broadway, a cheese shop and cafe upstairs with the warehouse-chic decor clad full bar and restaurant "The Cellar" downstairs. Cue Friday night...

Delightfully cheesey

The Celler at Beecher's is a great spot for group dining. With an extensive drink menu (I took down 2 of their spicy "Henry Ward Beechers" with delight) and meats and cheeses galore, it's easy to chat and graze for hours, but my suggestion is to go for the full meal experience. Sharing one of the cheese covered flatbreads (the "meat: charcuterie, smoked flagship" blew our minds) a veggie plate and the burrata amongst my group of 5 allowed for tasty flavors and a good sampling with enough room left to hit the pièce de résistance hard core... I present to you, the self-proclaimed "World's Best Mac & Cheese":

Be still my heart...

One of six different mac cheese variations on the menu, the World's Best is not messing around. Baked to crispy on top and at the edges, creamy, gooey and just shy of too decadent on the inside, Beecher's mac was a lifetime favorite. (Due to variety of ingredients and texture, I cannot easily rank Beechers against the breadcrumb-on-top Chat n Chew brilliance or a few other variations of the classic I've encountered, so please accept my "lifetime favorite" as a highest possible accolade). Simply put, this mac cheese rocked my world and the tastes I managed to snag of the pork belly version (ordered without fennel by 2 in my party) only served as evidence that I must come back again and again until I've had one of every mac on the menu.

A peak into The Cellar

And in case you were wondering, Beecher's has plenty of non-mac entrees (Dr. H thorough enjoyed his Littleneck Clams) but the mac cheese is definitely their finest. Lastly, it should be noted that Beecher's "cheese-osophy" is that the cheeses are all au naturale, meaning they contain no additives or preservatives and the milk-makers (cow, goat, etc) are all hormone free. Plus, according to their website, they now have a gluten free mac cheese available! Now isn't that just cheese-tastic?

Eat, Drink and be Merry!

Ice cream season is coming!!!

Well if this wasn't the longest 3-day week EVER! Between the cold and then the construction  debacle and getting absolutely beasted by a post-vacation deluge of work, I'm ready for the weekend big time. Maybe it will even be warm and sunny enough to warrant my first visit with Mr. Softee!? I could use some Mr. Softee... Here to ensure a fun few days ahead are some eats, a drink and a little something to make you smile. See you next week!!

Superfood Quinoa Salad. YUM.

I always struggle to find ways to kick quinoa up a notch (it's like pasta's healthier, bland cousin) but this shrimp quinoa salad looks like it just might do the trick.  Click HERE for the full recipe, including homemade lemon vinaigarette dressing (which is so easy, I can't wait to try it!) 

Tuxedo Greyhound

Could there be a cocktail more spring-y looking cocktail than these "Tuxedo Greyhounds"!? Comprised of grapefruit juice, simple syrup (granulated sugar and water), vodka and champagne (precise mixology instructions HERE) I might have to channel my inner Megan Draper and sip one of these lovelies while watching Sunday night's Mad Men season premiere (anyone else SO excited!? Full recap of last season to get you ready courtesy of Rolling Stone mag HERE). So very Zou Bisou Bisou.

Be merry!!

A Manhattan Moment... tales from 4:45am

Damn you hooligans!!

Last night, as Dr. H and I were peacefully attempting to sleep off our first-day-back-from-vaca exhaustion, we were startled awake around 4:45am by a thunderous crash. "What the hell!?" he says. "This can't be for real" I reply. Already accustomed to the occasional garbage truck or screaming college coed late at night, we knew this was something new... and ongoing... and f'ing loud. We clicked on the sound machine and I popped in my ear plugs. Reverse beeping, asphalt dumping. Now I'm out of bed, opening up the terrace door, observing in horror a full-fledged construction scene four stories below. I'm pissed. Hell hath no fury like a woman woken from deep slumber (and who is now stuck in bed with a tossing and turning husband). I needed to take action. I needed to complain!!

As I spelled out my street address to the lady on the other end of my 311 call (who sounded exactly the way you'd expect someone working the pre-dawn shift at 311 to sound...) I thought to myself "holy crap, I am that crazy lady!" I'm that lady calling to lodge a complaint, demanding an explanation, snapping pictures with my cell phone and mentally drafting a heated letter "to the authorities" while I attempt not to foam at the mouth. I think this makes it official folks, I'm old.

Hump Day Distractions

Royal problems.

Well hello there! Fancy seeing you here... or maybe I should say, fancying seeing me here!? Dr. H and I are back from our everything-awesome(except Disney World)-Florida adventure (grandparents, siblings, Miami oh my!) and now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. I've got some fresh ideas, delicious adventures and beautiful photos in store for you, but for now, let's hump this week all the way to Thursday!

* Would you be willing to sell yourself to investors?

* Is it weird that I have been home less than 24 hours and I'm already thinking about where to get my next drink!?

* So you're saying that paper scissors are not meant for cutting bangs?

* Dear future offspring. Cannot wait to dress you in one of THESE (too cute for words!)

* The financial district is about to give us some new soaring views.

* I want you on my toesies pronto.

* Just in case you needed a reason (or 6!) to sleep naked.

* I do not think this person has a future in real estate (and I wonder if he ever sold the house!)

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Merry Meri is on vacation so she's left you with something Funny, something Interesting, something Tasty and a Site she loves (F.I.T.S.!!) to hold you over until her triumphant return. Enjoy!

Funny: Children are our future (also an excellent source of entertainment).

Interesting: Why the way we think about charity is all wrong and what we can do to make it better. A TED talk totally worth 18 minutes of your time (if wanting to make the world a better place is your thing:)

Tasty: At this point in Passover I'm fantasizing about pasta big time. Eat it here.

SiteILove: Want a little bit of fashion, movie recs, home decor, eats, treats and everything in between!? Well then exPress-o is for you! An expert curator of internet goodness, I enjoy multiple times daily posts and smiles thanks to the goodness of Diana at exPress-o. Check'er out!! 

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Merry Meri is on vacation so she's left you with something Funny, something Interesting, something Tasty and a Site she loves (F.I.T.S.!!) to hold you over until her triumphant return. Enjoy!

Funny: When you end up in a mall fountain, your addiction to texting has gone too far.

Interesting: Ever wondering what the rich, famous and amazing were doing before they were rich, famous and amazing? Here's what some extremely successful individuals were doing when they were 25.

Tasty: All the deliciousness of creamy spinach dip squeezed into one bite sized cup!

SiteILove: Are you a young professional woman looking to be fashionable, sensible and budget saavy with your work wardrobe!? If so, you've got to start reading Capitol Hill Style, a fashion blog for professional women. Blogger Fashionista-in-Chief Belle believes that chicas shouldn't have to sacrifice their sense of style for professional success so she features styling tips, beauty product reviews, and professional guidance for fashionable ladies with serious jobs. With links to click and purchase all her fashion and beauty goodness, it's a delightful one-stop-blog'n'shop!!