dusting off the keyboard...

Gotta (re)start somewhere.

Hello? 

Anyone want to chat!?

It's been 551 days since my last post here. 551 days of Brooklyn living, Dr. H loving, mommy-becoming, adventures. That's a lot of days and a lot of stuff huh? For a little while I didn't have time to write or maybe it was that I didn't have the energy... or the interest. I'm not really sure. The ideas flowed as often as ever, but even the effort of jotting them down felt like too much. Then over the weekend I thought "Hmmm, maybe I'll write a blog post this week" and just like that, here I am.

I've missed blogging. I've missed having a place to share my random daydreams and late night musings, to crack some jokes, share some tips and just write. I really do love to write. Additionally, someone needs to know how passionately I feel about Google Photos, what I loved about Ireland and that there is such a thing as a Vanilla Churro Milkshake (it exists and it is even more glorious than you can imagine!) I want to talk to you about the overwhelming joy of motherhood, my latest career adventures, how I know I care more than I should about my weight and that I'm fairly certain I'm too attached to my dog.

I don't know how often I'll be able to post or how many of you will even tune in, but I am excited to turn the lights back on around here and see what it feels like to put the words on paper ("paper" ha!) I still seek to be merry and I hope you do too.

Let's see how this goes...

Hump Day Distractions

Hey there buddy!

Hello my merry friends and happiest of hump days to you! This week NYC is experiencing endless cloudiness (seriously) which though generally gloomy is quite preferable to a gloomy weekend. So here's hoping that as we get over the hump, so does the sun and we'll all be basking in the glory of 5pm Friday together soon!

* Some essential summer party supplies (like flamingo candles. of course).

* In case there was any remaining doubt about how wrinkly too much sun makes you.

* I may not be into the gold polka dots, but I love pretty much everything else about THIS quirky Brooklyn abode.

* Go mama bear go!

* Once upon a time you could say "banana oil!" and mean "that's doubtful". This and other slang from the 1920s that we really ought to consider bringing back!

* I want to go to there.

* A brilliant ponytail trick that I absolutely plan to try out.

* I love THIS.

Hump Day Distractions

JAM packed!! Get it!?! HA!

No time for messing around... let's get to the distractions!

* "If a woman needs it, should she be spanked?" (circa 1950 men, you cray cray!)

* Guess who turned 3 overripe bananas into her first loaf of banana bread last week!? This gal! Check out the delicious recipe I used HERE.

* Never thought I'd be a charm bracelet gal, but THIS one is absolutely... charming :)

* Do not try to photograph the octopus sir!!

* Spaghetti 19 different ways... I'll take one of each please!!

* More incredible images from the NYC 2nd Avenue subway line construction project (check out previous pictures HERE... the progress is amazing!)

* So uhhh, when can I move in? #DreamHouse

* Maybe this is a beautiful start to the end of the Mommy Wars?

* If you're gonna close school due to snow, THIS is absolutely how you should do it.

Hump Day Distractions

Good for you man.

So it's gonna be one of thooooose days is it? One of those subway isn't running, forgot my sunglasses, run in my tights kind of Wednesdays!? Well la-di-freakin-da! With barely more than 48 hours standing between me and a long weekend getaway to Miami (bienvenido a Miami!!) it's gonna take more than an office fire drill right after arriving to throw me off my game!! Let's hump it, shall we?

* When it comes to travel, I think it's important to always have a wish list on hand.

* The French sure do know how to make things sound naughty don't they!?

* So what you're saying is I'm plus'er than plus size now eh?

* Spotting one of THESE in public would absolutely make my day.

* If only more companies were willing to go to such lengths to make work/life balance more manageable for employees.

* Do you drink wine? If so, this is EXTREMELY VITAL INFORMATION.

* "I am running away because you think I farted when I didn't. PS you are mean." and other kid brilliance.

* So what you're saying is that Brooklyn has always been an awesome place to live?

* We all need more 30-minute meals in our life.

* A few hide-and-seek fails to bring a smile to your face.

The forgotten part...

"Music" Television (also teen pregnancy & catfish)

Last night the MTV Video Music Awards were held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NYC (Brooklyn is so hot right now). The awards show was generally painful to watch (expected) with crowd shots focusing primarily on the Smith family having the appropriate reaction to overtly and classlessly sexual Miley Cyrus, the (real/for show?) Gomez/Swift friendship and Gaga in a thong. Yes there was the awesome Justin Timberlake concert and the much anticipated NSYNC appearance (I think "reunion" is a bit strong for 60ish seconds on stage), but overall I couldn't help but focus on the central fact that renders the MTV VMAs nearly pointless - no one sees music videos anymore! Without TRL or a music television station that actually plays music, these videos are simply floating around the internet for the occasional blog reading, twitter skimming music lover like myself to discover (and even I had only seen Macklemore's 2 winning videos before this morning!)

So here for your viewing pleasure are the music videos from some of last night's MTV Video Music Award winners (full list here)... because even if I am so old that I was more worried about the disturbance to the neighborhood than the coolness of the pre-show location (old balls) some of these videos are pretty damn awesome!

Video of the Year - Justin Timberlake, "Mirrors"

Best Male Video & Best Choreography - Bruno Mars “Locked Out of Heaven”

Best Female Video - Taylor Swift, “I Knew Your Were Trouble”

Best Pop Video - Selena Gomez, “Come and Get It”

Best Hip-Hop Video & Best Cinematography - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “Can’t Hold Us”

Best Video With a Social Message - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “Same Love”

Best Collaboration - Pink ft. Nate Reuss, “Just Give Me a Reason”

Dinner & a Movie (at the same time)

Relax and enjoy more than just the show!

Dr. H and I are what I like to call "seasonal movie goers". Prone to avoiding movie theaters through most of summer (superheros and action-packed blockbusters aren't usually our thing) we binge on movies throughout fall and winter as film festival/awards season favorites hit the screens. This year, seeing lots of movies in close succession left me a little bored of megaplex popcorn and fountain soda (and I love fountain soda)... I wanted something more fun and interesting for movie date night and perhaps maybe a beer!? Enter Nitehawk Cinema, 

The bar/waiting area before entering your theater.

Nighthawk Cinema, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn just a few blocks off the Bedford Ave. L train stop is a total treat. Their three small theaters include triangular tables situated between every two chairs and the menu, designed by the owner of (the exceptionally well reviewed) Saul, includes a selection of funkified classic snacks, as well as full entrees and dessert. There are also specials inspired by the films. You don't have to eat dinner, though I highly recommend it - the eats were TASTY. Additionally, Nitehawk's unique popcorn is an absolute MUST. Topped with a delicious mix of lime juice, mild cotija cheese and cilantro, the plentiful $5 snack (served in a stainless-steel bowl, infinitely better for flavor and warmth preservation than a paper bag) was unlike anything I've ever tasted.

Yum

And since I'm sure you're are wondering, YES, you can order food throughout the film and NO, it does not hinder your movie-going experience. Servers are seasoned in the art of the "crouched-down walk" and orders are taken by placing a piece of paper with your food/drink items written down, in a little slot on your tray table. No need for whispering. Nitehawk has everything pretty much down to a science, even strategically timing presentation of your bill so that you can  be fully paid and can leave right at the end of the movie.  If you're looking for a way to spice up movie night (and enjoy a tasty meal at the same time!) I highly recommend a trip to Nitehawk Cinema!

Visitor's Notes: Arrive early (at least 30 minutes, but I'd say more like 45) to ensure a good place in line for entry into the theater. Pretty much the whole capacity queues up in advance and then files in all together * There's a bar where you wait so beer and small talk pass the time! * There's a bar downstairs which Dr. H and I did not check out, but it had live music and looked awesome * Shows sell out for Fri and Sat nights. Buy your tickets well in advance.