Happy Halloween!

(Best Halloween Movie EVER)

May your day be filled with tricks and treats and your night a BOOzy costumed feat!

Hump Day Delay - Halloween Edition!

Candy Corn makes me DANCE (or is that just the sugar!?)

Friends, lovers, ghost, ghouls and goblins... Today is National Candy Corn Day! HEEELLLZ YES! My most favorite seasonal treat (seriously. No, SERIOUSLY) is celebrating its greatness on the eve of my favorite holiday so it's pretty much orange-colored sugar-fest over here today. (#GoodthingIhaveDentistsinmyfamily) Since I didn't manage to make a Merry Meri appearance yesterday, I thought I would combine my hump day collection with my carefully curated food and drink inspiration for Halloween. 

* Because you've always wanted THIRTY different candy corn related recipes. 

* Do you know who BatDad is? BatDad is the man. Check him out in action HERE.

* 13 incredibly cool recipes for Halloween HERE... and in case that endorsement doesn't get you clickin, check out visuals of a few of my favorite edible creations:

 

* How about 31 last-minute Halloween hacks from the always reliable Buzzfeed? (some of them are really good!)

* 25 Halloween inspired cocktails to make sure your night is plenty BOOzy.

* Pretty sure my favorite thing about having a little kid is going to be dressing them up for Halloween (also, THIS). 

* Because humans aren't the only ones who can get into the Halloween spirit:

Click HERE for more DIY animal costume amazingness.

I cannot even handle this little dude's cuteness (and I'm so glad he's ok!):

Halloween Week Day 2 - Make your home BOOtiful!

Just in case your home isn't already this Halloween'ed out!

I love decorating for Halloween and I love that there are so many options, from store bought and scary to corny and homemade. There's a Halloween decor type and style for everyone!! Here to help you create your very own Halloweeny home are some inspirations, DIYs, tricks and treats from around the web!

I could pretty much just send you over to OhHappyDay for everything Halloween related, but since I gots my own blog to run over here, I thought I'd share some of my personal favorites:

10 HALLOWEEN DIY IDEAS HERE

GHOST ON A STICK HERE

I love these toilet paper roll bats and think they'd make a perfect craft activity for your kiddos before "flying" up to your ceiling and light fixtures!

FULL INSTRUCTIONS HERE

I'm a fan of a classic carved jack o lantern (Dr. H and I really need to get to work on that!) but HERE are some other ideas for decorating your haul from the pumpkin patch!

Babble has 25 ideas for decorating your house this Halloween, many err'ing on the more frightfully elegant, unique and classic haunted house side, so be sure to check out their full list (including the "monster in my toilet bowl" below!) HERE.

And finally, back from last year, the mummy door is still a big personal favorite of mine. I think I just might have to spend some time tonight mummifying apt 4F!

Happy Halloween Week!

boo!

Yesterday I rode the elevator in my apartment building with a tiny dragon. While walking through the park I passed a baby bumble bee. On Saturday my Instagram feed was filled with costumed pups on parade. Ladies and gentleman... Halloween is almost here! Somehow the black and orange love of my calendar year snuck up on me and now we're just 4 days away from All Hallow's Eve and I've barely said a peep (errr candy corn?) about it!! Do not despair, I've got your inspiration a'plenty from last minute costumes to recipes and decor. So gather your pumpkins and call in the ghosts, it's Halloween Week on Seek to be Merry starting with all the dress up inspiration a last minute reveler could need. Now get ghoul-ing!

Pop Sugar has a list of 20 last-minute costumes for those of you that still don't have a clue what to be. Click HERE for inspiration that will be sure to get the laughs (my personal favorites are the spider, candy wrapper and tourists, though "Nickelback" is pretty damn witty)

Because who doesn't love a good pun, HERE are some pun-tastic costumes courtesy of BuzzFeed. I personally almost went for the "Shooting Star" (kick it up a notch like this) and the "Pig in a Blanket".

So Jordan of OhHappyDay is pretty much the Queen of adorable kids costumes of the DIY variety. And while these are no doubt perfect for the wee one in your life, most would also be perfect in the full-grown version. Check out great unique costumes like UFO, Urkel, Sound of Music, all things Hipster (these are pretty great!), sailor, butterfly, iconic musicians (x2) and more over at OhHappyDay. (For the full collection of "homemade halloween" posts from Jordan, click HERE).

And finally, Ms. Conrad's blog has an awesome little collection of feminine and chic last minute costume ideas, including, quite coincidentally my very own Wednesday Addams inspiration! (Though I love that pineapple idea and do have a bright yellow dress!!)

Doom and Gloom - Day 2

Autumn Rain

We're enduring a second straight day of grey skies, downpours and serious wind here in NYC and even though there's something a little romantic about puddles of colorful leaves everywhere, the romance kinda dissipates when the sideways rain soaks you and your umbrella becomes a parachute. Blegh. Since I'm feeling all doomy and gloomy today (the sun will come out tomorrow? I hope??) here are some smile worthy items from my beloved, -always there to distract me - world wide web. Stay dry my friends!!

How amazing and creepy but mostly amazing is this sculpture in Budapest!?

I freaking love a good pun!!! More HERE (thanks Sis!)

Animals dressed as other animals. YES.

Hump Day Distractions

You don't have to be Sleeping Beauty to love bed, right Cindy?

Today is the kind of grey, rainy day that makes you want to hide in bed forever. If only that were actually possible, we'd be all set (AmIRight!?) Here to get us through the gloom and 1 day closer to the weekend are some delightful distractions from around the web. Enjoy!

* Just when you thought you knew everything about the Office (man I miss that show!)

* I just need to make a trip to the Lego store and my new home office will be complete.

* Who knew chicken and spinach could look this delicious?

* For my other NYC dwellers, how to outsmart the MTA (because won't that feel good!?)

* A kind of amazing pet parrot reunion story.

* This little girl and I are definitely kindred spirits.

* Go ahead, pee in the shower!

Your favorite shell is BACK!

"Life's a party, rock your body" - Marcel the Shell, 2014

And just in case you don't already know Marcel (or want to revisit his previous greatness):

Marcel the Shell with Shoes on Part One HERE and Part Two HERE 

Homemade Halloween?

This post brought to you by the fabulous (parent)thetically speaking.

I write this as I take a break from one of 3 “sewing” projects that I’ve got going. I say “sewing” because while what I am doing involves taking two pieces of fabric and joining them with needle and thread, I am doing so in an incredibly crude and amateur way (7^th grade home ec for the win). My mom did give me her sewing machine, and boy is that a fear I need to conquer. So by hand is how I do.

star wand in progress.

My little girl has opted to be a pink sparkle flower star fairy (inspiration image here, she enjoys the PBK catalog, just like her momma). Homemade tutu and star wand are under way. She is so so excited about it, and that makes me so happy. Little Mister is still an age where he actually has no clue what Halloween or costumes are. So I figure this is the time to have fun with it. We were thisclose to having him be The Dude, but Harry Potter prevailed. I’m working on a fleece Gryffindor scarf (thank goodness it doesn’t have to be very long).

scarf-spiration

How do you do Halloween? Do you use what you’ve already got? Do you find an inspiration image and get supplies to bring it to life? Do you go to Party City and get the whole kit and caboodle taken care of in one shot? I see benefits to all paths. There are times when you want to be what you want to be, and store-bought is the easiest, and surest, way to get the complete vision. There are times when a mix is in order. Like Potter for instance. I’m making the scarf and wand. I bought a little black cape and a gray and scarlet sweater vest from a local kids consignment place. There’s just no way to DIY that stuff (with my skill level at least). 

I think the same can applied to most anything – homemade vs. store-bought…food especially. It comes down to what you have the time, skill, energy and enthusiasm for. (do you like how I ended that with a preposition? I’m 30 and I still don’t know how to avoid that…7^th grade language arts, not for the win) Do you have certain things where homemade is an absolute priority? Other things that are just as good off the rack?

For all things fabulously (parent)thetically speaking, click HERE.

Hey there four eyes!

 

I'm not sure I've ever mentioned this before, but I am a glasses-wearer and I have been for almost my entire life! I got my first pair of specs in pre-school and I rocked those safety plastic glasses with Mickey Mouse on the sides harder than any kid on the planet:

#CrushingIt circa 1989

Since I've worn specs or contact lenses (lenses since the week I got my learners permit!) for so long, I was absolutely tickled when Warby Parker contacted me to ask for help spreading the word about the launch of their newest special edition Corner Collection which includes 5 funky new shapes in two new colors!

Lookin fresh you guys.

I love Warby Parker for a lot of reasons (their easy mail order process, amazing 1-for-1 charitable program and unbeatable prices to name a few!) and I own 1 pair of prescription glasses and 2 pairs of prescription sunnies from their brand. I am digging the new Corner Collection because it is sophisticated yet quirky, crisp and traditional while somehow also edgy and unique. Whether you're in the market for new glasses or someone who likes to have multiple frames on hand like myself, I have to point you to my two favorite styles from the collection, the Goodney and the Quentin:

The Corner Collection comes in eyeglasses styles and sunglasses styles and since for every pair you purchase, a pair is donated to someone in need, I don't know what you're waiting for to scoop up some of these limited edition specs!! 

Thank You.

October 15, 2011

Today is my 3rd wedding anniversary. Three years as Mrs. Dr. H in the books. It's remarkable how time can fly like that... I thought a lot about what I wanted to say in this post, how I could outdo the cheese-tastic outpouring of love that I displayed for years one and two (or do I just write a sentence and give you some Hump Day Distractions!?) but after reflecting on everything that happened during our third year as husband and wife, I think what I really want to say is: 

Thank you. 

Thank you my beloved Dr. H for a year of unprecedented support and encouragement. For a year of pep talks and planning, assistance and patience. Thank you for helping me face my fears, chase my dreams and chill the F out (because alone I clearly would have lost my mind). Thank you for enduring my melt downs and sleepless nights, my manic energy and breathless (endless) conversations. Thank you for teaching me how to use Excel (again) and for doing all my math for me. Thank you for dancing with me. Thank you for so much love.

In marriage, you are told there will be give and take and that the goal is to achieve balance between the husband and wife. Husband, I do not know how I will ever repay you for the year that you've given me, but I'm happy to spend the next however many years it takes trying:) I love you.

let's hear it for New York!

Want to know reason number 1,345,769 why NYC is the bestest? Because that picture above is my view right now while I'm typing this post!! I'm currently sitting at a picnic table in Bryant Park (located smack in the middle of Manhattan) connected to free wifi and a power outlet, working in the gorgeous fall sunshine. Isn't that just divine!? I sure do love you New York City :)

If you buy one new thing this fall...

Get it girl!!!

... buy THIS sweater! Seriously. Buy it. After 2 weeks of aggressive browsing and window shopping (literally, I went in and out of stores, perused online sales and noted what I saw during my strolls through NYC) this weekend I went on a much anticipated fall/winter shopping adventure (God I love to shop! #IgotitfrommyMama). I have 3 outstanding purchases to tell you about, but the most important one is definitely the sweater:

In the 3 days that I have owned this magical piece of clothing from Anthropologie, I have already worn it twice and I can tell that I'm going to have to resist the urge to wear it every.single.day... or maybe I won't even bother... it's that comfy, cozy, warm, pretty, chic and faaabbbulous. On Saturday night I dressed the cape-esque sweater up with leather pants and wedges while on Sunday it was accompanied by army green khakis and my Toms. This sweater can do it all, so based on my "the more you use it the more worth the investment it is" philosophy, this sweater is a five star purchase!

Want a pair of adorable flats at an oh so adorably affordable price!? Want them in black or tan or pink or turquoise (or red or grey or fuchsia!?) I got you girl!! Check out the Steve Madden Heaven Patent Ballet Flat from DSW, currently priced at a wallet friendly $39.95. I am on my second pair of these flats, the first of which lasted 2 years (which I consider a home run for flats!). They are comfortable and dress up any outfit with their patent leather shine! 

Lastly, I must confess that I finally took the plunge yesterday and this Converse loving gal has finally purchased a seasonally chic pair of cute Vans. Much like my beloved Chucks, Vans run about $40-60 and are a stylish way to look cool but still be actually wearing sneakers! I went for THIS awesome pair currently being sold at J. Crew which were on sale over the weekend for $45 (so don't pay full price!). These will be a great alternative to my white Chucks and hopefully just as versatile and comfortable.

So now you know my fall must have(s). One chunky, cozy sweater and flats galore. What are you wearing that you couldn't live without these days!?

Noble Nobel

Malala Yousafzai

Today I would like to honor the incredible Malala Yousafzai who just this morning became the youngest person and first Pakistani, to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In case you've somehow missed her story, Malala, age 17, is a human rights advocate who, when she was 15, was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning on behalf of girls’ education in the Swat Valley of Pakistan (where the local Taliban banned girls from attending school). I love Malala for her courage, her eloquence and her message of peace. I love Malala because she reminds me of a wonderful friend who would have been over the moon to see women's education have such a heroic advocate. I love Malala because she gives me hope that goodness can prevail. Learn more about Malala and how you can help support and empower girls through education, click HERE. 

On the hunt...

Nothing says romance like a... luggage tag?

You guys want to know a secret?! Since I know he doesn't come around here very often... errr, ever (unless I shove my phone in his face or read a post aloud!) I am gonna just spill the beans that I have NO CLUE what to get Dr. H for our anniversary. Our 3rd anniversary is comin' in hot (next week!) and I'm totally stumped. Each year we try to take a trip together as our official anniversary gift to ourselves (HERE and HERE), but we nevertheless also exchange small "surprise" gifts, often of the sentimental variety. Since small, thoughtful gifts are kinda my specialty, being completely inspiration-less this late in the game really has me panicked!!

For the past 2 years, I've used the traditional anniversary gifts list, giving a custom designed notebook filled with "365 reasons why I love you" for our first "paper" anniversary (oh the time I had back when we were still newlyweds!) and for our second "cotton" anniversary, Dr. H got a t-shirt personalized with our #babeitup slogan on the sleeve (obviously we have our own hashtag #becauseImaddictedtohashtagging). For a third anniversary, the gift is supposed to be leather, and since Dr. H doesn't need a wallet or watch, I don't want to buy him a belt (what am I, his grandmother!?) and leather in the bedroom ain't our thang (#zeroshadesofgrey), I'm completely stumped. I've been literally wandering in and out of stores - clothing, gadgets, leather goods, everything - hoping the right item will find me. It hasn't. So I need your help my creative, merry friends!! Tell me what I should get Dr. H for our third anniversary that incorporates leather (faux is fine!) and I will forever be indebted to you... Because we've got to get through leather before we can get to next year's so-easy-it's-a-joke "Fruit/Flowers" (I've already got SO many ideas!)

Hump Day Distractions

Hump Day Photobomb.

Another week, another Wednesday my friends. Here's new batch of distractions from around the web to get you through to the other side. Enjoy!

* Because you definitely need more rainbow-colored sheep in your life.

* Ziplock bags always make me feel super wasteful and un-eco-friendly. Perhaps THESE are a solution!?

* Some more fall fashion tips (including one awesome fall trend I definitely overlooked on Monday, hooray for hats!!!)

* This recipe is tailgate food perfection (or any time really... when isn't a good time for a mini hotdog!?).

* This story of a terminally ill 29-year old woman who is electing to end her own life is sad, touching and thought provoking. I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about Brittany.

* Part of her wonderful "Motherhood Around the World" series, CupofJo asks Moms from other countries to comment on motherhood in America. The feedback is fascinating!

* I do love flamingos... 

* This is like joy overdrive.

The Naked Truth.

In the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair, the always candid and seemingly awesome Jennifer Lawrence sounds off on the hacked nude photos scandal that recently swept pop culture. She says: 

"Just because I’m a public figure, just because I’m an actress, does not mean that I asked for this... It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting. I can’t believe that we even live in that kind of world. It is a sexual violation. It’s disgusting. The law needs to be changed, and we need to change. That’s why these Web sites are responsible. Just the fact that somebody can be sexually exploited and violated, and the first thought that crosses somebody’s mind is to make a profit from it. It’s so beyond me. I just can’t imagine being that detached from humanity. I can’t imagine being that thoughtless and careless and so empty inside.” - Vanity Fair

I agree with a lot of what J. Law is saying, but not all of it. What I don't agree with is that she didn't "ask for this". She did, but not because of her celebrity... Jennifer Lawrence "asked for this" the moment she decided to take a nude photo with a mobile device. A mobile device, linked to a mysterious cloud, notorious for security breaches for as long as humans have been suckered into using it. I don't care if you're a school teacher or a housewife or an Oscar winning actress, the moment you decide to take a photo of yourself with a device that's connected to the internet, you are accepting the completely plausible risk that the photo will be viewed beyond your control. To revise the above quote, "It comes with the territory. It’s your body, and it's your choice." 

We humans are a voyeuristic folk, but we live in a culture where people expect privacy in a place where it's never successfully existed. Do you actually understand "the cloud"!? Do you really believe that Facebook and Apple, Amazon and Google aren't exposing us all to privacy breaches, all the time? And the worst part is that there's a generation of teenage girls growing up in this world who really, truly don't seem to understand the permanence of these privacy breaches and how incredibly probable they are to occur. How could they when even Jennifer Lawrence doesn't?

I agree that taking nude photos is a private decision we're all entitled to make and that having others look at or commercialize what they know was intended to be private is slimey... but maybe instead of pointing the finger outward, we should think twice about using a system we cannot to control to share information we never want to lose control of.

Fall Fashion

Absolutely autumn chic.

This weekend's weather left no room for doubt that autumn has in fact arrived. Crisp air and chilly temps had everyone reaching for their closed toe shoes, leather jackets and pumpkin spice lattes which means it's about time that I chimed in on the latest fall trends! Here for your reading pleasure is a bit of what I'm seeing out there and how I feel about it.

* Ankle Boots

A bootie for all ankles....

Booties, booties, booties... if you have not already caved in to this trend, it's time to get on board because the ankle height boot which arrived last fall doesn't appear to be going anywhere! Whether you're considering a wedge or a heel, I think the key to rocking this trend is actually the height and shape of the top ankle side of the shoe. If you are not as leggy-inclined like myself, consider silhouettes that slope down or are lower in the front (HERE, HERE, HERE) to elongate your legs instead of something that cuts your legs off more squarely (HERE, HERE, HERE). And for a few helpful tips on how to handle cuffing your jeans with ankle boots, click HERE.

Merry Meri Verdict - There's a bootie out there for you. Find it and embrace the trend!

* Leather Accents

Add some edge with leather

One undeniable trend this fall is leather/pleather accents on all matter of clothing. I've seen it everywhere from Banana to Loft, from leggings to work dresses. A little leather is clearly the "it" fabric for this fall. I love this trend as a way to add some edge to an otherwise professional or casual look, but it's important not to go overboard. Stick to accents that pop your outfit up a notch (like this shirt or this shirt, this dress, or these leggings!) or go all the way with one leather piece (this skirt, these pants) and keep the rest of the outfit more understated.

Merry Meri Verdict - Get your leather on ladies!!

* Wrap Coats

Wrap it up!

This fall trend may have limited utility (once the chillier temps hit, having an open neck/belt-only coat may not be warm enough) but how cozy do those coats look?! For wrap coats, finding the right style at the right price point is probably key, and adding volume in a warm fall shade looks gorgeously chic. Some options at various price points HERE, HERE, HERE and of course my (unaffordable) favorite of the bunch HERE.

Merry Meri Verdict - Shop saavy, consider a bolder color, get it girl.

Other looks I love that seem to be sticking around from last year - layers and leggings, chambray shirts, utility jackets and big plaid scarves.