Hear it, Read it, Make it, Love it.

Looking out.

Welcome my friends to one of the most wonderfully weird weeks of the year where Monday feels like a Monday, but Tuesday feels like a Thursday and Wednesday feels like a Friday, but a summer Friday because you know you're cuttin out of work early Wednesday aren't you!? So even though it's Monday, we're all "I can conquer the planet if the planet only requires conquering for 2.5 days!" AmIRight!? To kick off the weirdo holiday week, I thought I'd deliver a long overdue Hear it, Read it, Make it, Love it for your enjoyment. Because you didn't really want to get any work done today anyway:)

* Hear It

Country girl legit takin hold of NYC.

I think it is time for us all to admit it out loud- Taylor Swift is awesome. There. I said it. I like Taylor Swift because her music is insanely catchy, she has mastered the power of reinvention and unlike so many other young musicians of her generation, T. Swift's talent is next level. The writing and instrument playing and now even sassy performing? On point Swifty. So stop being in denial and download a copy of her latest album 1989 today.

* Read It

Love this cover art.

I picked up a copy of Amy Poehler's Yes Please in hard copy last week and I've been enjoying every minute of my time with it. Well worth the investment over an eReader copy (there are cool pictures and graphics that just won't translate) this book is filled with stories of Amy discovering her comedic power, surviving a divorce and juggling a wild life (which she deeply appreciates while finding exhausting). The book has more advice and anecdotes than I expected and though  not outstanding or insanely laugh out loud funny (a la her buddy Tina's Bossypants), reading it makes me smile and I picked it over turning on the tv several times this weekend (and that's definitely saying something:) Go for it. (ps, OMGeeee I just learned while googling Amy for this post that her middle name is Meredith. How awesome!?!)

* Make It

May-jah Day after the Feast Nomnoms.

Because the only thing better than your Thanksgiving feast is the feast you get to have again the next day (and the next) with all those leftovers. I've got some serious leftovers inspiration for ya here, 50 recipes to be exact, sorted by item (e.g., cranberry sauce, turkey etc). A few of these recipes look so good you might be stowing away food for Friday on purpose!!

* Love It

Yes. Just so much YES!!!

Hear it, Read it, Make it, Love it.

babe'in it up beach style... coming soon.

Hellllo Friday! This week Dr. H and I booked a little trip to Florida for the end of the month so my spirits are flying high with thoughts of sunshine, family and dipping my toes in the sea. (This is scientifically proven by the way... "vacation anticipation" says that people are happiest in the pre-vacation, planning phase, more so than even during or after their trip!! Thanks to the NY Times via CupofJo for that tidbit). Anywayssss... it's been a while so to send you off into the weekend, here's another installment of "Hear it, read it, make it, LOVE it" for your listening/reading/crafting/buying pleasure (previous posts HERE and HERE). Have a good one!

Hear it

Months ago, Sis's (awesome) boyfriend J introduced me to "Thrift Shop", the Macklemore/Ryan Lewis track that everyone is digging right now. Ever since then, I've been preaching that their entire album, The Heist, is the freakin bombdiggitysmack (<-- official term) because it really is. Back in November, Rolling Stone called The Heist, "one of the year's big sleeper hits", but I think we're all finally waking up to the awesomeness that is Macklemore. Plus, he stands for goodness like THIS. 

Thanks to the always hip Nana (Dr. H's beloved grandmother) I am now subscribed to Architectural Digest. Shortly after we moved, Nana thought I would enjoy reading the home decor magazine and she was totally right! Though Pinterest and online shopping dominate most young people's decorating decisions, there's something really refreshing about the shiny pages and brief articles which accompany what is essentially a picture book for the home decor obsessed. If you like thinking about design and creating "special spaces" pick up a copy! 

One of my favorite go-to gifts for any occasion is to assemble several relatively inexpensive items and wrap them together cutely. Most people appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness and get to enjoy the practical items that you bundled together for them. Click HERE and HERE for some adorable "wrap it up pretty" inspiration.

I have finally found "my kind of camping". Perfect for bringing your bed and a full size dinner table along with you (also, for watching the rain in style or star gazing all night long) I think owning one of these Transparent Camping Tents would be completely impractical, but totally awesome.

Hear it, read it, make it, LOVE it

It's Friday! High fives for EVERYONE!!

The sun is shining, the air is crisp and wintery and it's Friday. Life is not too shabby:) To send you off into the weekend, here's the second installation of "Hear it, read it, make it, LOVE it" for your listening/reading/crafting/buying pleasure (first edition HERE). Have a good one!

Hear it

Proof that I was absolutely not kidding about the whole "Jew who loves Christmas" thing? I actually have a favorite Christmas album - Christmas Songs by Sinatra. Though there's no denying the fan-freakin-tabulousness of Mariah's "All I want for Christmas is You" or the Peanut's gang Christmas collection, there's something quintessentially Christmas about Frank's smooth voice belting out the classics. The perfect soundtrack for your holiday hosting.

Read it

Turns out Kelly Kapoor is just the tip of the iceberg folks! Reading "Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me (and other Concerns)" by the insanely talented Mindy Kaling is basically a laugh out loud 150 page conversation with Mindy, packed with stories from her real life and her thoughts on everything from best friends to boyfriendsand being an average bodied woman in Hollywood! If you're looking for some light, fun reading during the otherwise hectic holiday season, "hang out" (hehe) with Mindy.

Make it

Perfect for the little girl in your life (or in your heart:) these simple snowflake ballerinas are the perfect craft to work on while listening to the Nutcracker and sipping on hot chocolate. (Simple step by step tutorial including free printable template HERE).

LOVE it (/make it?)

When Dr. H said "wouldn't it be cool if you could like make a chalkboard out of this wall?" and I responded with "You can! Let's do it!" there were two very excited people in my apartment. He gets to doodle (sweet nothings!?) on the walls and I get to take on a sa-weet home DIY project. Chalkboard paint is available just about everywhere and perhaps a trip to Brooklyn Flea next weekend for a funky empty frame!?

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 Withers, Randy Newman, Otis 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.