just chillllll (and the winds of change).

Hey guys!! How ya doing!? Is anyone still reading out there!? I hope so. I've missed yous!

Last week I took a vacation to Maine (again, (and again) I am in love with that state) and instead of trying to get all my work done and schedule posts before I left, I decided to just chilllllll and left Seek to Be Merry silent. That's kinda been the theme of my summer actually, just chillllll - it's something new for me and it's been wonderful.

That said, I woke up this morning feeling a touch anxious and it was more than just a case of the post-vacation-Mondays (though that certainly did not help!) I feel like I'm living in the movie Mary Poppins... things are really good, but the winds of change are stirring. In the very near future work will pick up again, Dr. H and I will move (where Brooklyn at?... or rather "where the hell in Brooklyn will we be at?!!!?") and I might even be lucky enough to welcome a 4-legged friend into our family (game over, I win). Feel those winds a-blow'in AmIRight!?!! Thankfully I still have this little corner of the internet and plenty of merry musings and random internet goodness to keep me centered. Starting with THIS (#goals) xox!!

Travels and Headline News

Wanderlust 4 Eva

Hello hello and welcome back to the merriest corner of the internet! After a little hiatus from blogging for some friend-filled travel and celebrations last week, I'm back to tell you where I've been lately and why you need to go there too.

First, Charleston, SC. Have you been? I visited Charleston over Labor Day weekend, staying at a rented house on Isle of Palms (one of the beach communities just outside downtown Charleston) and had an absolute blast. Charleston has beautiful homes, lovely beaches and a down south chill vibe that made it an excellent vacation destination (including for our family's little kiddos). I highly recommend renting a house near the beach (with a pool, it gets HOT!) and letting your days be a relaxing mix of beach, golf, swimming and the occasional trip into town for shopping (Charleston has awesome shopping of the boutique and designer variety) and eating (we went to Hominy Grill one night and loved everything from the shrimp and grits to the pie for dessert). There was a ton of history and exploring we didn't get to do this trip, but I guess that just means I need to go back!! A short flight from NYC, consider Charleston for your next family vacation, romantic getaway or even a bachelorette or girls trip destination!

View from Munjoy Hill, where our rental house was.

Second, Maine... Like the whole state, but this time around, specifically Portland. I have now vacationed in Maine twice (Bar Harbor last time) and I think it might be my exact-opposite-of-NYC-can-I-have-a-home-here-too favorite destination. Portland is another short trip from NYC (just a 50 minute flight) and the crisp air, gorgeous ocean/bay views and out of this world seafood make it the most refreshing place on the planet to visit. Again we rented a house (sensing a theme here!?) and I fell in love with everything from our multi-story old house, to paddleboarding on the bay, outrageously good lobster mac HERE and the general adorableness of a small city meant for exploring and enjoying on foot. I've already got plans to be back in Maine next summer and  I think this is a tradition I could get used to!!

And finally, HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS!? Thanks to an "I-just-opened-my-eyes-and-saw-your-email" from my beloved (parent)thetically speaking, I learned this morning that the royals are expecting another bundle of joy. While I wish first and foremost for Kate and Will a healthy bitty baby, I wish secondly for myself and the world for a little princess because after closely following George's adorable clothing swagger, I'd love to see what a royal lady baby would do. Congrats to the parents-to-be!!

Refresh, recharge, reboot(ing).

The wonton soup Gods are so in tune with who I am.

Well hello hello. It's been a while, but I'm back from vacation-land and I hope you enjoyed your F.I.T.S. of merriment while I was gone. I spent my days smelling the fresh Maine air, biking, kayaking, hiking, lovin on my family (to whom I am, as the fortune cookie says, "deeply attached") and as promised, eating copious amounts of lobster (whole, rolls, omelets, mac cheese, salads). It was out of control awesome. Now however, it's back to work, and instead of my usual iced coffee tomorrow morning, I think I need a to go cup like THIS:

Brilliant. Totally, F'ing BRILLIANT.

It's gonna be a rough one, (may-jah ho hums!) but I'm confident that by tomorrow I will find my footing back here in this strange place called "reality" (eww). In the mean time, you admire this adorable little girl and her hedgehog friend:

Hedgehogs. So hot right now.

And I'll focus on Peter Pan's key to flight:

Get me some pixie dust

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Hooray it's Friday
(unless you're me on vacation, in that case, BOOOOOO!)

Merry Meri is on vacation this week 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: So GIFs are like "the new big thing" (says me). Mom, in case you're reading this, a GIF is a short clip file (somewhere between a video and a picture) and peeps loooove to match these clips with funny captions. Check some pretty awesome ones out HERE and HERE 

Interesting: Less makeup, more natural beauty 

Tasty: Anything involving Whoppers is worth a try right!?  

SiteILove: You Are My Fave - I first came to know "YAMF" when another blogger linked to one of her "Spotted and Hearted" posts (example HERE) and it was lurve at first read. Melanie Blodgett is an expert at sourcing the coolest and craftiest things from around the web  (like this brilliant birthday in a box idea) and she dreams up some pretty great stuff all on her own as well!  

Bonus site lovin: My funny as hell sis-in-law just started a blog where she creates Us Weekly-esque covers bearing the headlines we were all thinking, but didn't have the cajones to say out loud. May-jah laughs... check it out:)

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Babe'in it up

Merry Meri is on vacation this week 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 life gives you lemons..?

Interesting: I think I've mentioned my love-affair with the still image before. For me, there's nothing more incredible than capturing a solitary moment which evokes a feeling or tells a story far greater than the confines of that single frame. Here is a collection of some of the most powerful images ever taken (do you agree?)  

Tasty: It's called "Revolutionary Mac & Cheese" so obviously it's time to stop reading and start cooking!! (Link on Pinterest HERE) 

SiteILove: The Daily Muse - This blog is a great daily read about the life and interests of Rebecca Baust, a Manhattan-dwelling nutritionist/writer/photographer. All about clean lines, simple decor and healthy living, Rebecca's aesthetic is like the yin to my zig zag, organized chaos, mac cheese loving yang. We both however adore photography and sarcasm. Also, her dog Sam Wiggins is absolutely the coolest.

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Love me a good adventure!

Merry Meri is on vacation this week 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: "The hospital was Butler and you were in the criminally insane unit! I remember you clearly!" and other incredibly heartfelt (and totally bizarre) Craigs List Missed Connections 
Interesting: Ever wonder where the most spoiled children in the country are living? Wonder no more (warning, bad news for us NYC'ers ahead) 
Tasty: It's like a whole bunch of my favorite ingredients making love between two slices of bread.  
SiteILove: NYC Taught Me -  You know that Sharon Beesley is awesome because her blog is primarily about parenting and living in NYC with three young kids, which isn't exactly my demo, but it's nevertheless one of my favorite daily reads. Sharon is a rock star at field trips, crafts and finding humor in everyday moments; I'm constantly bookmarking her site for "someday". In my next life, I'd like to come back as one of her kids so she can dress me super cool and take me adventuring.

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Vacationing is just faaabulous dah-ling

Merry Meri is on vacation this week 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: These product displays are sure to make you a repeat customer.

Interesting: I was a BIG Twitter skeptic, but Dr. H convinced me to give it a try. Though I'm still not sure I love pausing real life to talk to my online "followers" (of which I have embarrassingly few) following interesting things and people (@empirelights tells me the meaning of the Empire State Building's colors each night, @nycgo keeps me up to date on the latest and greatest in my city and @lenadunham is freakin hysterical) is definitely, as Gretchen Rubin says HERE (@gretchenrubin), a happiness booster. 

Tasty: Supposedly these are the best meatballs you'll ever have. There are a lot of ingredients (which typically I'm against due to time constraints) but for your next italian feast, it might be worth a shot! 

SiteILove: Peppermint Bliss - If I could meet 1 person whose blog I read daily, it would be Bailey from Peppermint Bliss. An interior designer/young mom/fellow Britney Spears worshipper, Bailey blogs about everything from her kickass home decor ideas to her adorable 1 year old daughter. She's hysterical, creative and inspiringly unique and I want to live in pretty much every room she designs.

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Reflecting on Maine's beauty!

Merry Meri is on vacation this week 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: Masters of disguise (steal-ers of our hearts!)

Interesting: Want to buy basic clothing items (think t-shirts, weekend bags, belts) of designer quality, but at discount prices!? A new company called Everlane (click HERE  to check them out and sign up) is cutting out the middle man and bringing you the goods for cheap. Don't those t-shirts look cozy!?

Tasty: In shark week withdrawal!? THIS should do the trick (via Momappetit)

SiteILove: Cup of Jo  - If you visit this blog with any sort of frequency, you know I have the blogger crush to end all blogger crushes on Joanna Goddard's Cup of Jo. Named by Forbes as one of the 100 best websites for women, this blog i) inspired me to become a blogger; and ii) is a constant source of share-worthy items from recipes and fashion (Everlane!) to parenting and NYC activities.

Vacation for me, F.I.T.S. of merriment for you.

Bar Harbor, Maine HERE I COME!

HEY-O my merry friends!! It's Friday and I'm going on VACATION!!! WOOOO!!! And this isn't a long-weekend/mini-adventure/business-mixed-with-pleasure trip either... this is 7 consecutive days of cubicle free, lobster chowing, family time in Bar Harbor, Maine. I'll be with my whole extended family, enjoying the great outdoors and eating copious amounts of fresh seafood. Life is good.

In an effort to truly get away, I'm going to put not just work, but some of my more time consuming hobbies (ehgm) on hold while I'm gone. 'Tis necessary for a true "recharge". Buuuuut, you lovely folks are finally turning up in decent numbers (growing everyday!) and I didn't have it in my heart to leave you all alone. SO, for the first time ever, Seektobemerry presents F.I.T.S.! Every day next week I will give you something Funny, something Interesting, something Tasty and a Site I love - hence, F.I.T.S.!! It's like a week of meatier Hump Day Distractions (which I know yous love) that I can get all queue'd up before I peace out. So come back next week just like you always do (bring your friends!) and try not to miss me too much:) 

[Full disclosure - I have not cooked most of the food I will be designating as "Tasty" (who do you think I am, freaking Julia Childs!?) but the pictures look delicious and the recipes are fairly uncomplicated so they're on my "to do" list and hopefully will earn a spot on yours as well.]