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!!!

Chill out

Pause and be peaceful

As we all endure the daily grind of this in-betweeny season that is "no longer winter, but not quite totally spring (and when the heck is my next day off from work again!?)" I think it's particularly important to remember to chill out. It's so easy to get swept up in not just work, but errands and social obligations, that "me time" (not even "we" time for those of you coupled up) often falls by the wayside. Today I'm going to share some of my favorite "me time" activities, perfect for when you just need to pause and chill out all by yourself.

* Go for a Walk
Sure it's not a hard core workout, but walking is still exercise and taking a stroll to soak up some fresh air and clear your mind can be wonderfully refreshing. I love walking home from work with some happy music playing or getting home, doing a quick change and strolling through the park during "magic hour". Allowing myself to feel slightly inefficient (it's ok not to be running!) helps clear my mind and either appreciate the wonderful things or contemplate and mentally sort through challenges.

* Indulge in a Spa Treatment
This doesn't have to be a pricey massage to be effective - treating yourself to a manicure or chair massage at your nail place works just fine too! There's something magically soothing about zoning out while someone pretties up your fingernails and a massage of any length or type!? Heaven. If you're in NYC, there are lots of CHEAP massage options, my favorite being Renew Body Wellness (8th between 5th and 6th) where an hour long foot massage is $24 and a full body runs just $39 (or how about $20 for 20 min)!!! Though not a day at Red Door, Renew is my favorite way to unwind and indulge on the cheap.

* Take a Bath

I absolutely love taking baths. Soaking in the tub is the best way to relax, sooth an achy body and just escape from the hustle of real life. I love a dimly lit bathroom (I have a nightlight, but a candle is great too) and lavender scented epsom salt (perfect for the aches!) but turns our there are lots of great "put it in your tub" options like green tea, honey, ginger and even jell-o!! (Found via exPress-O) 

* Curl up and Read

I usually only read while commuting or in bed before I fall asleep, so there's something incredibly peaceful about curling up on the couch in my quiet apartment (maybe some soft music and a lit candle too!?) or on a park bench and reading a favorite book or magazine. In our tech-inundated world, it's easy to pick up a phone or iPad or default to mindlessly watching television, but next time you want to take a 20-minute time out, consider the old fashioned pleasure of a good book!

* Meditate
Last week I learned that 2 of my girlfriends are "into" meditation. Then I discovered this App (which I already love) via CupofJo. Turns out daily meditation may be a bit of a trend and given that savasana is often a favorite part of my yoga classes, I'm thinking it's time to jump on board. Pausing to clear your mind, focus inward and accept the outward doesn't take long and sounds incredibly refreshing. Click HERE for lots of great info and then get meditating!

Have you Heard About..?

What's the buzz about!?

I thought it was high time that we predicted the future of cool again so here for your "always ahead of the curve" pleasure is a quick installment of "Have You Heard About?" (For evidence of my past predictive powers, click HERE).

* Humans of New York

Have you heard about the sensation that is "Humans of New York"?! It earned a brief mention (in a Hump Day Distractions post) over the summer when I first ordered the hardcover book, but since the book has arrived - and jumped to the top of the NY Times Bestsellers List - my enthusiasm for the project has gone through the roof. Originally a blog and then a Facebook page, Humans of New York started as a "photo census" of NYC and quickly evolved into a beautiful collection of photos and quotations (captured by the insanely creative and talented Brandon Stanton) from residents of my most favorite city. Captivating, interesting, addictive and now trendy, Stanton captures the essence of people in his images and I promise you won't be able to look away. Click HERE to follow the daily posts on Facebook or HERE to order your own copy of the book (and get the hardcover! These images were meant to come alive on real paper I promise!) PS- new life goal: get photographed for HONY

*Elbow Patches

patch it.

Move over grandpa, there's a new elbow patch wear'er in town and it's everyone!!! Whether it's DIY, heart shaped, or on your man elbow patches are the trendy, easy and fun look to wear this fall and winter. Have a little fun with sequin or leather options like these, or keep it classic paired with tweed.  

* The Book Thief

Another book suggestion, but also a movie... and you know how I feel about books that get made into movies (thanks Mom!). One of my favorite ladies who works in the publishing industry is taking me to a screening of The Book Thief tonight and based on everything I've read online 1) if you haven't read this book yet, read it now; 2) the movie is going to be awesome. Originally slated for a January 2014 release, the movie is now coming out in November so as to be eligible for the 2013-14 awards season. I'll let you know what I think so you can say "you knew it" first!

The 'ol walk and read

The original walk & reader?

Have you ever done the "walk and read"!? This could be a uniquely urban, perhaps even only New York City, phenomenon, but the walk and read is when you become so engrossed in the book or magazine you're reading during your commute, that when you get off the subway you simply cannot stop reading. You must walk, but you must read. I once traveled 20 minutes on foot through Bay Ridge Brooklyn, glued to my second (and more contemplative) reading of Pride and Prejudice. (Is my inner dork showing?) Anyway, this morning I nearly dropped my iced coffee and eggs (a little Friday fancy breakfast treat) while walk and reading Z - A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. 

Though certainly not a literary masterpiece, Z is a completely captivating, fiction-based-on-fact, novel about the famous wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The couple, who traveled the world in a flurry of excess and barely affordable glamour with a who's who of 1920s icons like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Cole Porter, have a maddening love for one another which ultimately may have been their undoing. Released no doubt in time to benefit from some of Baz and Leo's Gatsby fever, I've been completely enamored with Zelda's struggle to define herself next to a man obsessed with establishing his own greatness. For a "lovely, sad and compulsively readable book" (Kirkus Reviews) check out Z this summer!

A Wonder-ful Book

Sometimes you read a book that you know within the first 10 pages is going to move you. Maybe even more than move you; impact you in a strong and strangely beautiful way. Wonder by R.J. Palacio is one of those books.

Wonder is the story of August Pullman, a fifth grade boy born with a severe facial deformity. Auggie has never attended school until now and the story is based around his middle school journey, through the eyes of Auggie as well as several of his friends and family members. Each story within the story shows the different faces of adversity, strength, compassion and love. Amid cruelty and fear, human goodness oozes from the pages. I alternated between smiles and tears for all 300 some odd pages. 

I am almost taken aback by how beautiful I found this story to be. R.J. Palacio has created a wonder. Read it. For reals:)

I'm here to distract you (a hump delay).

Chill babe.

Since we were all busy gettin our independence on this past Wednesday, I thought I'd give you a dose of distraction today, just in time to carry you into the weekend. Here for your clicking, reading, laughing, eating, humping pleasure... Happy Friday!!

* Are you really that busy? (This one is a worthwhile read)

* Sometimes you just need to sing some Seal to your cat...

* Might I suggest a book for your beach bag!?

* Whole pie or just a slice? The debate continues...

* Taking personalized cakes to a very special place...

* Just a little more ice cream for your fantasies. 

* Click HERE if you LOVE baby pandas on a slide (and if you didn't just click, I just don't know what's wrong with you).

* I've been thinking that I need to improve my rubber stamp collection

* "Did you mean to cut off that much [of your sister's] hair?" (be sure to turn up your volume for this one!)

based on the novel.

I heart a good book.

Growing up, my mom had a rule that I could not see a movie that was based on a book unless I read the book first. I don't know where she got this rule, or what made her decide to stick to it so staunchly, but I'll never forget seeing The Little Princess movie (based on a favorite childhood book) and being FURIOUS at what a terrible adaptation it was. Things were changed, important details were overlooked and it just generally did not do the author's fine work justice. 

I mention this because right now I am reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and I freaking LOVE it (if you are like me and somehow overlooked this book as a 90s teenager, get it now).  I suppose I could be embarassed that the reason I am finally reading this book is that it's been made into a movie which Hermoine Granger (aka, Emma Watson:) is starring in (so obviously I plan to see it), but I'm not. Whatever it takes to make the time to read a good book is fine with me. Whether it's because the books are almost always better, or because reading is wonderful... Mom was totally right (doesn't it always work out that way!?)

Hump Day Distractions

Hump Day indeed.

Another week, another Wednesday... at least there's predicatibility!? Got some funny, yummy, crafty goodies to get you to the other side of the week. Enjoy!

* These have made the facebook rounds already, but they're so awfully hysterical that I had to re-share.
* I think this simple recipe could be a wok'in good time!
* The DIY trend of buying something meh and crafting it into something awesome, curtains edition.
* The most beautiful places to get lost with a good book.
* Nothing better than an awesome cover of an awesome song.
* Remember those adorable sisters? They're back and their Dad is a freakin genius.
* Workin on your fitness doesn't have to be like THIS (unless you're like the lady on the treadmill; she is amazeballs!)

TGIF!

Tina Fey I freakin' love ya!

How awesome is that dress? And those legs? And the idea that Tina would hold back your hair while you "react" to overindulgence? Love. Annnnyway... it's finally Friday and I've only got eyes for the weekend ahead. Tonight I leave for a ski trip with my lady loves and though I won't be doing any snowboarding (doh!) I plan to take the "après " half of  après-ski very seriously. Après-ski is defined as going out, having drinks, dancing, and generally socializing after skiing. Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do :) 

Even if you aren't heading out of town, that doesn't mean you can't treat yourself to something wonderful. Here are a few ideas for weekend merriment... TGIF!

* Read something awesome. My book club gives many thumbs up to The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh; The Midnight Circus by Erin Morgenstern; and The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (have you read this series yet!? Do it. Do it now.)

* Treat yourself to some new music and then create a fresh playlist. Whether it's for working out, rocking out or chilling in the bathtub, there's something incredibly refreshing about listening to new music that you love.
* Arts and Crafts. You know you want to :)

* Eat a delicious meal! Cook THIS or dine HERE. Few things are more satisfying than a tummy full of tasty food (says the girl who just did a juice cleanse:)

* Find something fun that's going on in your city and go on with it! If you're in NYC you've got lots to choose from: the Muppets, Leprecons and Picasso are all in town for a limited run.

Hey Winter... where are you!?

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I am actually craving a snowy, cozy, winter's day. We've been unseasonably warm (and often rainy) in the northeast for most of December and January and I've had enough. If I can't be wearing flip flops, the least mother nature could do is give me some snow.

Wrapping up a long week (because the weeks before long weekends are always the longest!) I've got some brief and random thoughts for you: First, I must confess that I've had  a relapse. I am currently reading my second consecutive bona fide paper book. I abandoned my Nook to re-read something I already owned for my Book Club and it just felt so GOOD to have PAGES in my hands again. When I was done with the first book, I picked up the second. Oh dear. Second, the Golden Globes are on Sunday night. If you ask me, this is the one awards show worth watching because a) it's tv AND movies; b) it's funny to watch the celebs sit at tables and get drunk; and c) Ricky Gervais is hosting. Again. Next up - how superstitious are you!? Today is Friday the 13th! Ohhhhhh!!! Finally, this YouTube compilation is bound to get you smiling. Happy Weekend!

Why I love and hate my Nook.

The summer that I read The Help changed my reading habits forever. Available only in hardcover, I lugged around the 300+ page novel daily so I could read during my commute, lunch break and those random moments which pop up throughout the day (this is how I do most of my reading). My best-seller-list cargo also severely limited my purse options and no doubt contributed significantly to my chronic back pain. After weeks of reading and self-shoulder massaging I said to myself, “I can’t handle it anymore, I must join my fellow commuters on the eReader bandwagon!!” Up to that point I had resisted eReaders hard core. I love the FEEL of a book. I like to dog-ear pages of importance and underline memorable quotations. Those eReaders looked so sterile and unromantic. Nevertheless on to my Channuka list it went (thank you mom and dad!) and now I’m the proud owner of a Nook.

Over a year later I still can’t decide how I feel about the device. There are lots of pros to reading on an eReader, but something about it just doesn’t feel right. My Loves: portable; easy to get new books; great for reading in bright sun; built in dictionary. My Hates: can’t flip back to pages easily; can’t write notes; needs to be charged (my books never ran out of battery!); lending/borrowing is limited to certain books and only with fellow Nook-ers. And my chief complaint: it’s NOT COZY or BOOK-Y! I liken the feeling to telling someone that loves movies to never go to the theater because everything is streaming on their iPad. It’s the experience that we cherish, not just the story. How do you feel about eReading? Do you have any suggestions for making the experience more book-like? (<---see how I’m baiting you to leave a comment here? Do it, you know you have something to say... :)