Crafting = Cool?

Click HERE and to read the brilliant copy in this advertisement.
(Here for Pinterest)

I've always been a craft-er. From scrapbooks to beer bottle cap tabletops, I get a super-dorky thrill out of a good creative project. Sometimes ridiculed for my LOVE of Michaels (I mean who doesn't love Michaels!?) or box of colored paper, decorative edge scissors and stickers (don't you have craft supplies?), lately I've noticed a shift... You guys, I think loving arts and crafts is finally cool!

With the emergence of sites like Pinterest and thousands of awesome blogs filled with DIYs, home decor and party inspiration, it seems like everyone out there is re-purposing, and decoupaging and chevron-painting. Is this a fad? Will I eventually feel overwhelmed by crafty to-do's and stop enjoying all my DIY projects!? I hope not, because nothing soothes me like awesomely arranged picture frames or a brightly colored wall that I painted myself!

P to the S: THIS great NY Times article wonders if maybe all our digital photo sharing (hello twitter, facebook and instagram) is to blame for our newfound compulsion to craft. It's a good read!

Hump Day Distractions

I've always suspected that unicorns poop rainbows...

Oh how I love you shortened weeks! Perhaps every Monday should be a not-work Monday..? Though the long weekend is barely behind us, the hump is here and I'm ready to distract you.

* Slinky + treadmill = AMAZING (via CupofJo)

* It's a pizza-veggie-wonder.

* Gather all those little pieces of wrapping paper scrap you've been saving... I found the solution!!!

* I'd never watched THIS show until last week. It is my new addiction.

* That wall of little colored bottles can feel so overwhelming. Thank goodness for the virtual "try it on" feature (right side of screen, click the middle tab. So ridiculous. So great.)

* "MOM: ::–)) that’s a drunk smiley face…" (and other parental text brilliance)

Something beautiful.

Something beautiful and lonely.

Something beautiful and classic.

Sometimes, it's helpful to look at something beautiful.

Something beautiful and magic.

Beautiful things keep us merry, even when times are tough.

Something beautiful and merry.

Also, something adorable.

On loss.

Forget me not.

One year ago I lost one of my oldest and closest friends in a car accident. Today, like so many other days this past year, I miss her. I think my heart may hurt forever. She was the most intelligent, compassionate and loving woman in my life. She inspired me and now she’s gone. Permanent is so hard to perceive. Pictures of her still hang at my desk and in my home because I’m not ready to let a new memory replace the only ones I’ll ever have with her. Nothing prepares you for the feeling of loss.

My friend firmly believed in the importance being merry so I’m going to allow myself this moment, but I promise to start smiling again tomorrow.

Fire up the grill!!

Throw another shrimp on the bar-bay!!!

Summer eating rocks. Plain and simple. Not only are "summer foods" awesome (bring on the hot dogs!) but you get to enjoy warm sunsets and nights under the stars while chowing with family and friends. Here are a few ideas for bringing summer eats into your home (and how to look fabulous while doing it!)

Grilled shrimp are an awesome BBQ app
Nice and easy = a little olive oil and Old Bay Seasoning
Feelin fancy = This simple recipe

Serve up your hamburgers & hotdogs in style with this
simple crafty DIY from OhHappyDay (plus bun recipe!)

Take this classic summer side dish to the next level with a
simple recipe that gives Diablo Royale a run for it's money!

Since you can't all get invited to Staten Island for my Uncle's
SICK lobster roll, check out this recipe, or road trip to one of these:)

You don't need a grill to cook up this BBQ classic...
City dwellers rejoice, your crock pot pulled pork is here!

Can't ruin that adorable sundress...
Be a Grill Masteress in style

Hump Day Distractions (Beach Bum Ed.)

Use SPF. No doubt.

Well it's a good thing I'm blogging about sunshine this week because the real world is giving me nothing but rain! It's been a rather grey May here in NYC so my fingers are crossed for a bright and sunny June. In case your week-before-the-long-weekend is going as slowly as mine is, here are some distractions to get you over the hump!

* I am shore you are going to sea the humor in THIS.

* Send some seasonal wit and sarcasm to your best buddy's inbox.

* Hooray! A way to get your bod bikini ready without giving up brownies (Weight Watchers points plus value included!)

* Show off some awesome tats at the beach.

* Want to throw the chicest BBQ on the block? Chill the water with THIS (or THIS) and wow your guests pre-burgers and dogs with THIS and THIS.

* Because a pint just isn't big enough to share (and some roommates cannot be trusted!)

* A genius trick for your at-home experimentation with neon nail polish? 

* I don't go to the movies very often in the summer, but for a new Wes Anderson flick, I might have to make an exception (love me some Bill Murray!)

* BONUS Distraction: This one's for you Sis.

Lookin just beachy...

quintessential beach beauty

One of the best things about summer is how much less effort is required to face the day. There's no other season where I can get dressed in literally 2 minutes (sundress, sandals, done!) let my hair air dry (see you next fall straightener) and pack for a weekend getaway in an oversized purse (goodbye bulky sweaters and boots!) Though I'm far from a fashion expert, I am a pro at scouring blogs and magazines for hot styles and great deals, so here are a few ideas which will have you giving Marilyn a run for her money.

Neon. Neon. Neon.

Pink, orange, yellow, green... Much to Dr. H's dismay, for this summer neon is in and the brighter the better. Since fluorescent colors can be so, well, fluorescent, start with an accent like nail polish (I love Short Shorts by Esse), jewelry or a pair of sunnies, and work your way up.

she wore an itsy bitsy, teeny weenie...

Polka dots are the perfect print for summer. Classic on a bikini, crafty on your nails or flirty as a dress, put some polka in your closet and wear the timeless piece for years to come!

Anchor yourself with seaside accessories.

Anchors symbolize strength and stability which is the perfect yin to their summery fun yang. Shop etsy for awesome handcrafted options or J Crew to perfect your prep.

"brimming" with beach sexiness!

Beach hats are the best. It's a chance to bust out your glam side with a big brim, your indie side with a fedora or keep it simple with a hat supporting your favorite team. Adventure outside your headwear comfort zone shopping HERE or HERE or consider an NYC street vendor for awesome options at ridiculously good prices!

Ooooh that smell... can you smell that smell!?

There is nothing sexy about a sunburn, so start your day with something strong and waterproof and reapply like crazy! For those lucky enough to brown over burn, throw in a reapply or two with my favorite sunscreen and you'll be a bronze beauty in no time!

See ya later shower!!

Is there a product out there that "styles" your hair as beautifully as ocean salt and a beachy breeze!? Summer hair is messy, carefree and fun so abandon your attempts to secure every flyaway and enjoy the hairdryer hiatus!

I said I was gonna get a pair... and I did.
(Cheap via a Prince St. vendor or HERE for only a few $ more)

The quintessential summer accessory, leave your standard pair of sunnies at home and go crazy with neon wayfarers, oversize frames or just have a little heart:)

Summa summa summa tiiiime...

Beachy beauty

... time to sit back and unwind! Even though the summer solstice is still a few weeks away (I know these things, I took latin) anyone with a love of sand between their toes and white pants considers Memorial Day the official start of summer, and as I've mentioned before, I think summer is just the bees knees! You've got warmth, sunshine, beaches, sun dresses, flip flops, the smell of sunscreen... I could go on forever. To celebrate the pending arrival of my favorite season, this week on SeektobeMerry we're going to talk about all things summer - what the cool kids are wearing, what to pack for a day in the sun, where to escape to and of course, the tastiest things to eat. So queue up the Beach Boys on your iPod (or any of THESE quintessential summer jams) and get ready for a week of sunshine-y goodness!

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

Feeling happy (hour).

Summa summa summa tiiime...

Well would you look at that..! The sun is shining, the temperature is climbing and it's FRIDAY! Woop woop!! As spring fades into summer (is Memorial Day really just 1 weekend away!?) I find myself longing to be outside at every possible moment, motivated by blue skies (and a potential suntan) to take all activities outdoors. While it's nice to escape the gym or picnic in the park, my absolute favorite migration involves cocktails, beer and the happiest of hours. Gone are the winter months in dark dive bars and window-less wine cellars, bring on the rooftops, gardens and sidewalk seating. Here for your enjoyment are a few of my favorite NYC outdoor spots or click HERE and HERE for suggestions from the "experts"!

The Standard Beer Garden is my go to for the perfect combination of outdoor casual and swanky cool. Situated under the High Line, you can find me at this meatpacking district hot spot clutching a giant beer stein (or two!) while Dr. H hits up the ping pong tables. 

Not many flowers in this garden, but plenty of beer.

There's something so quintessentially summer about waterfront boozing. NYC, comprised of several islands and a few rivers has a ton of great waterfront options including the truly unique Frying Pan. Located on the Hudson at 26th street, the Frying Pan is an actual boat (which was restored after sinking in the Chesapeake!) serving up buckets of beer and a solid "bar food" menu. 

Take me to the river.

Want to eat a ridiculously amazing burger while sippin' drinks and gazing at the Empire State Building? If yes, Rare View,  the Rare restaurant group's rooftop locations in Chelsea and "at Lexington" are for you. Start on the roof with cocktails and the DJ, and head downstairs for one of my favorite burgers  in all of Manhattan when your post-happy hour, "I serrrriously need to eat something" hunger kicks in!     

NYC from the top

What would you be willing to do...

...for a totally FABULOUS pair of shoes? I recently found myself waiting in line at 7am... in the rain... for three and a half hours(!) on a quest for Christian Louboutin shoes at sample sale prices. Sample sales range from “hot mess in vacant storefront” to “invitation-only female feeding frenzy”, boasting designer brands at dramatically discounted prices. I frequent sample sales as a way to satisfy my high fashion obsession on a slightly more modest budget. For louboutins, I stood with hundreds of women, unfazed by the weather, the wait time or the snooty chicks with clipboards, hoping for a chance to find red bottomed beauties in my price range.

Maybe your head over heels (hehe) love isn’t shoes, but everyone has their thing... fans who pitch tents to get tickets to that concert or game or the latest Apple gadget... When you find a way to get the object of your lust, I think the effort can make the reward even more fabulous.

Sadly, I never made it into the Louboutin sample sale. As VIP after VIP was escorted to the front of the line, the work day crept up on me and I surrendered in defeat (damn you maturity and a sense of obligation to my career!) Perhaps I will be lucky enough to be on “the Louboutin list” again someday and you better believe that next time, I’ll be there at 6am:) Image here.

Hump Day Distractions

What an adorable wiener!

Forgive me for I have sinned. I missed yesterday's post and didn't even attempt to distract you with a link or silly picture. Oopsies... I was off California dreamin and I left you hanging. My bad. Good news is that I'm BACK and I've got some extra distractions, funny stories and links coming at you for the rest of the week. So hump it out and come visit again tomorrow for your regularly scheduled merriment! 

* Get ready to say "why didn't I think of that?" about 10,000 times 

* I moustache when these will be back in stock so I can buy a complete set 

* Your grandma is surfing the web and she just discovered Kim Kardashian's x-rated claim to fame 

* So high in the sky... ladies and gentleman we are floating in space 

* watch out sky, I'm comin for ya... 

* Holy (malted milk) balls. 

* Example of questionable parenting decisions (I'm not lion hehe) 

* Texting is not the highest form of communication, but it is definitely the funniest. 

And in case you were wondering... Pedro the penguin made it to his new home in NYC without incident. He found the overhead compartment to be a bit snug, but generally pleasant:)

articles did not shift during flight.

Bigger is Better?

I'm feeling sleepy...

What size bed do you have? Dr. H and I are queen sleepers, but we've spent the past 5 nights in a hotel sleeping like kings (literally) and I must admit... it's been pretty great. Gone are the battles over tucked (me) vs. sloppy (him) covers and random bent elbows (his) and knees (mine) have not inflicted any pain. On the flip side however, the king bed has allowed me so much space every night that it's almost like I'm sleeping alone! There's no snuggling, no spooning, no contact of any kind!

Dr. H contends that king beds, though glamorous and very comfortable are bad for business because you're just too far apart from one another (note: he's not the one taking elbows to the eye) but I'm not convinced... bed-mate bliss might be well rested spouses snoozing in peace on their own side of the mattress! Do you think it's better to be cozy in a queen or living large in a king?

Stow aways from San Diego 

PS: Today at Sea World Dr. H won Pedro, a sa-weet penguin by tossing a softball into a milk pot (it was amazing). Wish us luck getting home!

I got it from my mama.

So true.

I love my mom. And though I think Mother's Day has evolved into a mostly commercial holiday, I love the idea of a day where we all pause to acknowledge the women in our lives who have taken on the awesome responsibility of motherhood. Whether it's a grandma (love you Nanny!), a mommy-in-law (I've got two!) a friend who is a mother or a woman who has always been like a mom to you, this Sunday, be sure to remind her just how much better your life is thanks to her. 

Consider the classic gesture of permanent ink to declare your love (faux tributes also accepted).

Click HERE for awesome free tattoo
 printables (and where to by the tattoo paper!)

Be sure to take a moment to tell your mom all the reasons why you think she is the best.

You're never too old for a thoughtful craft!

Skip the long waits and lousy pre fixe menus. Invite mom over for a delicious homemade brunch or go to her and serve it up in bed (Bonus: you can stay in your sweatpants!)

Click HERE for some amazing brunch recipes
Click HERE for the awesome toothpick flag printables

Plus...

* Grab your tissues and watch this AMAZING mom-loving commercial.

* Prepare to laugh. Hard. 50 shades of hard...

Thank you moms for being you.

Oops!

Now that's an oops!

Merry readers... please forgive me. Yesterday I was all Work --> Airport--> San Diego --> Dinner with the hubs to kick off his birthday celebration (which is glamorously being combined with my business trip to California - happy birthday lovah!) and the blog fell off my radar screen. Come back tomorrow when I will wow you and re-win your devotion with a fantastic Mother's Day post:) Until then... Stay Classy.

Hump Day Distractions

Peep Show. Quite the distraction...

What's going on around here!? April flowers bring May showers!? We gots some seriously wacky (wacky = annoyingly cold and rainy) weather here in NYC which reminds me... in my next life I'm going to be a weathergirl so I never have to worry about actually doing my job well. Anywaysssss, Wednesday has arrived and I've got some fantastic finds from around the web to help you over the hump. Enjoy!

* Young, beautiful and delicious. 

* "Don't make the world worse" and other awesomely honest advice.  

* There's something so lovely about this necklace. I want.

* One way to keep my man happy? With a belly full of avocado (it's cream sauce gone green!)

* For lovers of the art and former dancers alike, a movie to get excited about!

* Orphan baby owls. Get your "awwww" ready. (viaCupofJo)

* Just a pup, workin on his fitness

We're close (on the internet...)

A handwritten note on beautiful stationary is one of my
FAVORITE ways to keep in touch.

I don’t think there’s ever been a better time for keeping in touch. Thanks to cell phones, video chatting, social networks and email, it’s possible to stay connected with anyone and everyone I’ve ever met. On the one hand, this is awesome - I have maintained amazing relationships with roommates, relatives and childhood friends which never would have lasted without our digital connection. The downside however, is that it’s getting harder and harder to make time in the real world for face to face interaction with all the (awesome) peeps in my digital posse. Is technology enhancing our relationships and expanding our circles or doing one at the expense of the other?

Recently Dr. H and I looked at our calendars and realized that it’s been months since we had a weekend that didn’t include catching up, eating out or traveling to see family/friends. Our weeknights are often similarly stacked and while I’d like to think we’re “just that cool,” the reality is we keep in touch with TONS of people digitally and struggle to keep so many relationships alive beyond facebook stalking. I LOVE being able to keep in touch, but it’s tricky to make sure quality keeps up with quantity. Do you have friends you never “see” anywhere other than online? Is that a bad thing? (PS- THIS is a hysterical way to drop a line... more HERE).

Have you heard about...

Oh darling, you must tell me more..!

Hello there my merry friends! I hope your weekend was fabulous and that your case of the Mondays is not too severe. To kick the new week off right, I think it's time to deliver a second installment of "Have you heard about". So here are a few things that seem to be getting quite a bit of buzz lately. Check em out and be in the know:)

Who's that girl..?

Are you watching New Girl Tuesday nights on Fox? You really should be. New Girl was initially plugged as a show about an "adorkable" young girl (eye roll) moving in with three random male roommates, but 20+ episodes later, it's left cheesy stereotypes behind for  legit hysterical episodes every week. Zooey Deschanel is great, but what really makes the show work is the ensemble. Every character (especially Schmidt, played by Max Greefield) is pause the dvr, rewind and watch that again funny. The season finale is this week, but I think this show is well worth your Netflix/On Demand/re-runs time!

Showering just got SO much easier

Have you heard about dry shampoo? Far from a new product, dry shampoo has left the confines of hospitals and nursing homes to become a staple every woman should have in her hair care arsenal. Dry shampoo allows me to skip washing and styling for 2 or 3 days at a time which not only is a huge time saver, but my hair is healthier and shinier thanks to less hot water and time under the blow drier. My personal favorite is Oscar Blandi but there are tons of products out there to try... so stop over-washing and get yourself a shower in a can!

Words With Friends is soooo 5 minutes ago...

As if we needed ANOTHER reason to be addicted to our cell phones, Scramble with Friends is the new game all the cool kids seem to be playing. Over three timed rounds you challenge a buddy (or a stranger, no I am not embarrassed to confess my appetite for this game is so intense I've played against strangers!) to see who can find more words within the scramble of letters arranged on the screen. Far less drawn out than scrabble's Words With Friends, Scramble is the perfect App for keeping your face in your phone even more than you already do. Go download it!

They take Instagram-y pictures, obvi they're cool

Have you heard about The Lumineers? Brought to my attention by the music loving Rachel of Black Eiffel (her Music Mondays are a personal favorite!) I'm digging their Mumford-esque easy listening sound. This group is no doubt on the rise and I'm already looking forward to picnicking on the grass outside their Central Park show on a gorgeous summer evening. (PS- just discoved they're going to be on Conan TONIGHT!? How ahead of the curve are WE!?) 

My absolutely ridiculous b*tch list

Absolutely dahhling.

Wow. TGI(hell to the freakin yes)F!! This week has been bananas (b-a-n-a-n-a-s) and I couldn’t be more excited for the weekend ahead. Somehow it seems like an eternity since last Sunday. In an effort to send you off with a smile, and because complaining about real life problems is a bore, here are some complaints I made this week which are absolutely ridiculous, but I know you know what I’m talkin about:

* I hate that hair that I know is down the back of my shirt but is somehow impossibly out of my reach no matter how many times I go up my shirt to try and remove it. Where is the hair!!? Why can I feel it, but never reach it!?

* I hate when I imagine a totally awesome outfit and then I put it on and realize that it is not actually a totally awesome outfit. At all.

* I hate when the soap pump tube stops before the bottom of the bottle making it IMPOSSIBLE to get the last 10 days worth of soap out through the pump. WHY!? WHY doesn't the tube go further down!? (I'm looking at you Clean & Clear Morning Burst!)

* I hate when you look at the clock at work and think "wow today is going really fast!" and then you look at the clock again "waaay later" and learn that only 15 minutes have passed.

* I hate when you reach into the bag of chips to enjoy that last chip only to discover that you've already eaten the last chip. DOH!

Got any other absolutely ridiculous complaints you'd like to add to the list? F it dude, let's go bowling:)

Fiesta Fiesta.

My cinco de mayo has never looked this classy.

Just like St. Patrick's Day before it, Cinco de Mayo is a culturally specific holiday which has been adopted by the masses as an excuse to get together with friends, eat delicious food, and enjoy a few cervezas. How great is that!? Here are a few ideas to make your celebration  of Mexican heritage and pride muy bueno!

Tidy, tasty, brilliant!

Did you know that Cinco de Mayo (not to be confused with Mexico's Independence Day) has a different meaning in the United States than in Mexico!? (Wiki, you're so smart:)

Get your eat on somewhere delicious like Diablo Royale.
(the grilled corn will blow your mind)

A margarita recipe for those who want to be a touch
classier than the pre-made bucket (if that's your thing!)

These are WAY out of my league, but maybe
you want to make them for me!?

Adios amigos!

PS- In case you're wondering why I gave you this post today instead of tomorrow, it's because I thought you might need time to prepare. I mean... those margarita supplies aren't going to buy themselves!