Belated but not forgotten...

On December 9th there was a milestone around here that came and went unacknowledged. I can't believe it, but I totally missed celebrating Seek to be Merry's 3rd birthday (whhhat!?!) That's right, it's been three whole years since this little hobby took off and that's quite an accomplishment if I don't say so myself! 2014 as a blogger was a bit all over the place, much like 2014 was for me as a human. There was a lot of snow and travel and big huge life decisions. I ate well and drank often. I let go of being a 5-day-per-week-without-fail blog post-er and I adopted the hashtag as a form of communication (#EmbraceIt). 2014 was so many things, that I forgot to stop and celebrate my own blog's birthday. Whoa. 

Maybe, like all things as they get older, each passing year becomes less of a "THING" and more of "just another thing". Maybe I'm totally distracted by work and juggling wonderful things going on with family and friends. Maybe I don't need my blog as much as I did in 2011 when I escaped to this corner of the internet with all of you. Who knows. Who cares!? HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG!!

To celebrate, here are some of my most favorite posts and a roundup of all the goodness we shared: 

Food Glorious Food!

* cozy winter eats (and again) * cocktails * strange snacks * for cheese lovers * pasta and potatoes MmHmm * damn good recipes * Sangria & dessert * football food * cozy fall-ish recipes * pull-apart breads

My beloved New York City

* deli and dessert * Adult show, Kid museum * The Smith * Potatopia * custom shirts and a charming italian spot * Street Meat * the Met Ball * horseback riding in Brooklyn and 3 amazing restaurants * cuban and fancy italian recs * Broadway

Career & Life

* Grown up stuff * taking the slow route (+ food) * sharing kind thoughts * A mom memory * juggling * enjoying joy * ways to chill out * life and death * inspiration * the uneasies * living in extremes * changing jobs * goodbye 20s * friendship * last names * Sis's engagement(!) * On change * working from home * Lack of peppermint bark at the "office"

Merry Meri Recommendations

* a charming short * Disney Princess 1/2 marathon * Waterlogue App * ask for what you want! * Costa Rica * combatting wrinkles * Chicago * Blue Apron * Big Kid birthday parties * A good movie * For the Kiddos (1, 2, 3) * road trips * Charleston and Maine * a show and a book * what's on my tv * Marcel is back * For lovers of ballet * Serial (seriously) * Swift and Poehler

Feeling Fashionable

* my favorite hair tool (ever) * paper dresses * VPL * Spring 2014 fashion * Zara hotness * jewels I love * Fall 2014 trends * Sweaters and Shoes * For Holiday Parties

General Ridiculousness

* loving pictures * lunch baggies * going purse-less * #OscartheFriendlyPup * hickey burn * the lightweight quilt * a poem for Dr. H * photobombing * stealing cilantro and other crazy things * Swimmin in the creek * Queen B * stop saying sorry! * getting hit on by a 10 year old * puns * dancing in the living room * the Doritos Locos Taco * Owning a bajillion iPhone cases * Nude photo scandals * For love of Dr. H * Using a bajillion bags * Burning myself on things I know are hot

The elephant in the room...

I see you mister!!

Friends. As many of my more regular readers have likely noticed, recently I've been a bit less regular than usual with my Seek to Be Merry postings. Once priding myself on "5 days per week, never missing a day!" for the past few weeks (since starting my new job) missing a day has become more the norm than not.

When I started this blog nearly 3 years ago (whhhhat!?) it was because I was desperate for a creative outlet, because I have a passion for writing and talking (#truth) and because I had quite a bit of spare mental energy at the end of each day (#energyismymiddlename). For better or worse (but almost entirely for better) I'm not nearly as creatively desperate or overflowing with spare energy anymore. "Real life" has picked up in ways I could never have imagined when I started this blog and sometimes that gets in the way of being the blogger that I love to be. But do not despair! This space is so much a part of me now and continuing to post is a job I take as seriously as the "full time/real life" gig that pays me. With each day that goes by, I become more comfortable with the routines and demands of my new job and that will allow me to find the right balance for all things merry...

So if you don't mind, stick with me. I promise I'm not going anywhere and I promise I still have plenty to write and share. And finally, a big thanks for reading and making this blog something so special and worth holding on to!

Our growing (blog) family!

A celebration is in order!

If you are super observant and really into this blog (cricket cricket..?!) you might have noticed a recent addition to the BlogRoll I keep on the right side of the page (and if you've never even noticed the BlogRoll before, scroll down past that pesky ad and you'll find a list of my most favorite blogs). Annnyways, today it is with tremendous excitement that I share the newest addition to my daily blog reading list, three girls three cities, written in part (one-third to be exact!) by our very own (parent)thetically speaking!

The joyful and fun tone of  3G3C (may I call it that!?) so far, makes me think it's going to be a lot like this merry space, except shared among three friends. Plus, today's post is by Ms (P). Speaking herself and includes a free springtime decor printable!! So before you abandon your computer for the sunny weekend ahead, pop on over to three girls three cities and welcome these fabulous ladies to the blogosphere! xox

Cricket, Cricket (the sound of silence).

I'd love to...

I don't know what I feel like blogging about today. It's one of those rare moments when surely I have something to say, but actually, I don't really have anything to say at all. My brain is all mushed up with inconsequential things like...

- I have a banana, but what I really want is an everything bagel with a mountain of cream cheese and lox on it.

- I wonder if the trendy one-piece bathing suit I ordered is going to look cute or terrible 

- I should go home, put on sweatpants and watch a marathon of "House of Cards" followed by "Roman Holiday" (which just became available on Netflix!) staring my icon crush Ms. Audrey Hepburn

- Maybe I should go get an iced coffee?

- Thanks Mom for providing this EXCELLENT distraction/writing assignment (because clearly I'm that geek reader who actually typed up and emailed a full response to his inquiry)

Like I said, it's a real mush in there today... THIS pretty much sums it up. Also, does anyone want to come over and make these with me sometime soon?

Sumo Wrestler Bowling Pins

I'm off to find something to satisfy the beast in my belly. We'll try this whole creative blog post thing again tomorrow.

nomnomnom.

Hump Day Distractions

I am here to support you too.

Welcome to your weekly installment of Hump Day Distractions where I've got a little bit of Olympic goodness, a unique salad (followed by dessert of course) and more than a few laughs all queued up for you. Happy humping!

* Who knew that the First Lady was so into hugs?

* Despite Bob Costas' best efforts, nothing captures emotion better than a beautiful still image 

* Great idea buddy. Great idea.

* Will we float through the air with the greatest of ease? Finally scheduling my birthday gift to Dr. H for August.

* If you're one of those people who avoids salads with bacon and mayonnaise, I'm not sure we can be friends anymore.

* Why stop at bacon? Bring on the dessert! (easy enough for even the dessert challenged such as myself)

* If you like the show GIRLS, you're going to love BOYS

* How does that saying go? If at first you don't succeed, try try again?

* I want to work with whoever did THIS

* P to the S - Bloggity blog had some RECORD breaking traffic yesterday! Many many thanks for reading and sharing

* Be even more merry - follow me on "the Twitter" @seektobemerry (pretty please;)

My Grandpa said to write a book

During my wedding reception (right in the middle, somewhere between a toast and the raging dance party) my 85 year old Grandfather said to me “you should write a book!” I’m not entirely sure where this thought came from at that particular moment, but it stuck with me. I’ve always loved writing, I have a ridiculous amount to say on any given topic (dating back to the “talks too much in class” box being checked on every elementary school report card) and I am addicted to projects (scrapbooks, decorating, party-planning, the list goes on and on...) Since I’m also an instant gratification kinda gal and word on the street is that publishers require more than “Grandpa said this would be a good idea,” I’ve decided that writing a blog will be my new hobby... welcome to the world Seek to be Merry!

Question: “What is your blog going to be about?” Answer: Stuff. Lots of it. As a seeker of happiness in even the most dull situations, I hope to get you thinking and smiling daily.

Question: “Why do you think people will want to read what you have to say?” Answer: Because it’s interesting! In debating whether to start a blog I asked myself if it was narcissistic to think people would care about what I write. In truth, it might be, but I’m going for it. I think all bloggers believe they have something to say that’s worth sharing and as my elementary school teachers properly ascertained, I fit into that category quite nicely:)

Ironically, Grandpa does not own a computer and I’m fairly certain he thinks email addresses are evil. Perhaps for my muse, a weekly “print-edition” may be in order. Thank you Grandpa for inspiring Seek to be Merry and welcome merry readers to my newest project!

Image via Pinterest