Hump Day Distractions

Winter Weather Humor.

Hello Wednesday, aka 3rd work day of 2015... how are y'all fairing? I am hanging in, trying to maintain my vacation zen while attacking work and coping with jet lag. I stayed in bed, in and out (mostly out) of light sleep from about 4:45 to 7am today before finally giving in, getting up and getting to work (the love/hate relationship with working from home continues). I probably should have exercised, but it's 20 degrees outside right now so let's take this 1 undesirable task at a time shall we!? No matter what timezone you're functioning in, here are some goodies from around the web to help us get one day closer to the weekend. Enjoy!

* An adorable, free printable 2015 calendar!

* That time a young man thought he could out-muscle Gaston...

* And while we're talking Disney, did you know that President Grant from Scandal was the voice of Tarzan!? Find out what all the princes look like HERE.

* Turns out the queen size bed just might be what's making Dr. H and I happy!

* Coming soon to my slow cooker.

* Assuming we trust the internet and this is real, this Grandfather is a hero.

* Say hello to your new 3-ingredient chocolate lover:)

* Working hard on THIS.

* Adorable-overload = a baby panda enjoying the season's first snowfall.

Hump Day on Delay

I didn't realize others also employed this strategy.

I'm here, I'm here!! This week is flyin by, but not so fast that we couldn't use a few distractions... Here are some eats, treats and excellent reads from around the web. Enjoy!

* There is such thing as a latke chicken finger and I must have it ASAP (thank goodness Sticky's is down the street!)

* It is no longer true that the US divorce rate is rising or that 50% of marriages end in divorce. This interesting NY Times article breaks down the stats and explains the positive shift.

* Adorable puns never stop making me smile.

* I've got some little humans in my life who just might need this book for the holidays!

* Congrats to the Gross-Pantti families (and other truly unfortunately name combinations)

* Currently accepting invitations to any party which necessitates my purchasing THESE.

* 'tis the season for slow cookin.

* Disney princes like you've absolutely positively never seen them before (100% NSFW and possibly offensive, or if you're me, gross but mostly hysterical. You've been warned!)

Hump Day Distractions

hehe.

Hello and welcome to the hump my merry friends! I'm ready to hustle right through to the other side of this week so check out these goodies from around the web and then let's get to it! 

* One of my favorite week night desserts is some Fat Free Cool Whip and fresh strawberries with sprinkles (for a little crunch!). THIS recipe is like the grown up, not healthy version of that!

* Or ya know maybe it's ok to occasionally miss a call or text?! THIS just seems a bit much to me.

* Jim Carrey nails it.

* Once upon a time, they were babes...

* Ready to tear up watching a commercial aimed at Dads?

* And while we're talking about Dads, this one is the man!

* These pots crack me up, think I just might have to make em.

* Get ready to have your Disney Princess loving mind BLOWN.

* This guy is Dr. H's idol. I think he's mine too. Way to go guy.

F.I.T.S. of Merriment

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Merry Meri is on vacation 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! (Read past F.I.T.S. posts HERE.)

Funny: These doodles will make your day.

Interesting: This is an incredibly fascinating article about how a family reached their autistic son through the magic of Disney (long but a very worthwhile read!)

Tasty: Chocolate dipped marshmallows pretty and perfect for Easter. Need I say more!?

Site I Love: Turns out LC has a whole lot more to offer than The Hills and a line at Kohls! I really love Lauren Conrad's blog, covering fashion, travel, professional development, music, books, recipes and everything in between. It's a lifestyle blog intended for fierce young females and I highly recommend you check it out.

Conquered.

Dream it.

Catching up after an amazing Princess-tastic weekend with Sis (with a ridiculously sweet surprise-appearance from chEAR squad superstars Dr. H and J... because we've apparently got our very own Prince Charmings!) so I'll be back in full swing tomorrow. Until then:

* be grateful you don't work with THESE people

* too freakin adorable

* definitely going to try making THESE

* I'll never forget you Egon.

So this is love...

Dearest Dr. H-

Thank you for loving me, for letting me love you and for making every moment of my life feel like something out of a Disney movie. Here's to a million more kisses, shared dreams and big wishes... and of course, our very own happily ever after.

Much love,

Your Merry Meri

(image sources 1,2,3,4)

Simply Charming.

The Paperman (an Oscar nominated short from Disney)

I've had this Disney short bookmarked for months... today seems like a perfect day to share. 

Click HERE to watch. 6 minutes spent and a smile guaranteed. Enjoy :)

It's Game Time Princess!

We will win the argument Sis!!

This morning I began a 12 week half marathon training program. For the next 3 months I will haul my body out of bed early and drag my end-of-day tired ass to the gym late, in order to prepare for the Disney Princess Half Marathon which I am running with my sister at the end of February. Body, mind... it's game time.

I'm sharing this with all of you for a few reasons. First, I am absolutely out of my mind excited to run this race. A diehard Disney fan, Magic Kingdom enthusiast and happiest place on earth believer, I cannot think of a better idea than dressing up like THIS and participating in THIS. (Getting goosebumps right now just watching that... seriously.) Most importantly, I'm pumped to embark on this challenge and adventure with my sister, who has never run this far before, but who I'm 100% certain has the strength, energy and persistence to do it. We are going to have so much fun pushing ourselves to this very rewarding weekend together (we've already made princess dinner reservations for that Friday night, we are NOT messing around!) And last but definitely not least, I'm sharing my Princess dreams with all of you as a form of accountability. It took a solid 5 minutes of mental motivational speech to get out of bed this morning and the weather is only getting colder... My hope is that by putting this goal out into the blogosphere, I'll have to stick with my training and get my booty into decent shape. Because if I see any of you in real life, you just might ask how the running is going and "I thought about it from the warmth and comfort of my couch" isn't an answer I'm prepared to give. So here's to my next big endeavor, to sharing it with my sister because she's my lifelong partner in crime (and crazy!) and with all of you because nothing motivates like telling hundreds of people that you're wishing upon a star for one of THESE.

Hump Day Distractions

Perfect costume for your favorite ginger?

You guys.... YOU GUYS. I'm pleased to report after yesterday's post that you absolutely must read The Book Thief (if you haven't already) and then see it in theaters when it comes out November 15. The story is touching, the cast, cinematography and score stirring and the lead actress 13 year old Sophie Nélisse? Flawless (loved Geoffrey Rush as well). It's gonna be an awards season contender, I promise. And other than that... guesss whhhhattt dayyy it is!?? Guess what day it is!? Here to help you hump the day is a heaping pile of internet distractions. Enjoy!

* THIS is Disney-tastic, Chicago-lovin, absolutely freakin BRILLIANT. 

* Made it, ate it, loved it. Merry Meri and Dr. H tested and approved.

* Do you live in the state that matches your mood. Apparently I'm best suited for... gasp... Georgia!!!

* You've heard of Elf on a Shelf, but how about Mensch on a Bench!?

* So THIS looks completely terrifying...

* Dressing to impress really matters don't you think? (via CapHillStyle)

* Sad, true, eyeopening. A powerful ad campaign brought to you by Google and UN Women

* I'm really into these bags (via CupofJo)

* The celebs are Halloween-ing in full force. Who do you think dressed to impress?

* THIS guy. OMG this guy.

And with the big day being TOMORROW, here are a few last minute ideas to get yourself Halloween ready.

A Bloody good manicure!
Pin it HERE; full site HERE

a "handy" craft for the kiddos
Pin it HERE; full site HERE

Monster Apples, Creepy Chili, Spider Web Soup, Spooky
Smoothies and other Easy and Fun Halloween Recipes
Pin it HERE; full site HERE

Hump Day Distractions

Yeeeaahhh buddy!

Is it strange that I find today's forecast of 90 degrees and sunny to be absolutely THRILLING!? Summer weather appears to be back in full force so this cubicle-bound girl has just crossed all her fingers and toes that the heat lasts until the weekend. Also, am I super lame for talking about the weather so often? Who cares, I lurve me some summer sun! Here to get us all over the hump are some delight distractions from around the web. Happy clicking!!

* John Steinbeck's 1958 letter on love transcends time.

* A fascinating slideshow documenting the impact Mayor Bloomberg has had on New York City.

* This braided crown looks adorable and easy to execute - that's my kinda hairdo! (via ExPress-o)
* MUST.WIN.THIS.NECKLACE!!!!!!!

* Some of THESE photos are in fact pretty damn awesome.

* Too much time on his hands or Vine video genius?

* Dinner tonight.

* THIS article has been making the rounds on my Facebook feed. It applies to everyone (not just parents!)

* A simple, sweet way to make your party balloons look pretty.

* If Disney Princesses had Instagram. Freakin brilliant!

* Some awesome prank inspiration.

Kate the Great

Smile and wave.

Let's all take a moment to discuss the utter perfection that is Kate Middleton. Ever since the morning I woke up early to watch a commoner become a princess (a feat which she executed with such stunning poise and grace that the whole world was in awe) I've been one of the many American admirers of Kate the great. Kate who shops at Top Shop and does her own cooking. Kate who accepted a highly scrutinized life in the public eye with little ability to build her image as she sees fit the way most celebrities are afforded.

Kate exudes elegance...

Lovely in lilac

And warmth...

Hug it out girl.

And so much love for her prince.

The look of love..

This week Kate managed to wow the world again, appearing less than 24 hours after GIVING BIRTH, looking ever the vision of beauty and emotional new motherhood. She even did women the world over a favor by showing off her post-baby bump, something many celebrities hide (eghm Kardashians) until they've dieted it away.

Beautiful Family.

So thank you Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, for living out the Disney dream with such perfection. Many congratulations on the birth of your son!!

And on a completely unrelated note, before you head out for the weekend, click HERE for images of true love that will tug at your heart strings. 

I couldn't even stand to look at you...

Something "popped up"!!!

Well not you exactly, but my computer screen. Allow me to explain. You see yesterday I suffered what I believe was Meri's First Migraine (awwww). It started with a weird blur in my vision in the morning right around when I normally finish and publish my posts. A fuzzy, achy head and bizarre intolerance for bright light followed... I managed to eek out a full work day (important deadlines loomed) by doing this:

Attorney Chic.

Good thing I had such totally work appropriate sunglasses with me right? Anyway, I barely made it through work, didn't once browse on Pinterest (now you know my head was achin') and I apologize for leaving you Meri-less for the day (hopefully not merry-less!?!) One gem that did come from my inability to hear loud noises or endure bright light though, was that I relaxed by listening to Disney's Sleeping Beauty soundtrack (isn't that what all adult women do when they want to feel better!?) and thankfully felt well enough to look up THIS:

Princess Aurora

That's Mary Costa, also known as Sleeping Beauty. How gorgeous right!? Turns out many of the voices behind my favorite princesses come from ladies with strikingly princess-like features (Cinderella played by Ilene Woods and Snow White played by Adriana Caselotti below... Check out more HERE!)

So now that I've provided a very long-winded and Disnified excuse for my absence yesterday...

HAPPY FRIDAY & HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!! 

Here's hoping your weekend is filled with "sweetness and light"!!!

Sweetness & Light... so damn clever (& adorable!)

Hump Day Distractions

So true.

The hump is here!! Are you ready to distract yourself with a whole buttload of interesting, adorable, funny, tasty and pointless-yet-awesome links? Enjoy!!

* Brings new meaning to "rise and shine"!!!

* THIS is pretty much a checklist for my junior high school existence.

* Always wanted to take a crack at homemade tzatziki.

* Not so humble brag - Did you watch the Grammy's? Well remember this post about this Lumineers from May and this post about Mumford's new album Babel from November? Merry Meri, musical taste maker at your service :)

* No real purpose, but definitely adorable.

* As a chronic "run late-er" THIS was an interesting read.

* Taking "princess for a day" to the extreme (I love Disney and all, but THIS is... wow).

* As usual, turtles say it best.

10 things that freak me out.

I think issues make one interesting.

1) When I check my mailbox and there's nothing in there. Like not even a catalogue. Did the mail(wo)man forget to come today?

2) Waking up one minute before my alarm clock is set to go off. How did you do that body? HOW?!

3) Paper cuts. So tiny, SO painful. 

4) When I go to a favorite restaurant & decide to branch out & not order my "usual" item. What if I'm disappointed? 

5) The smell of asparagus pee. What happened in there?

6) Cats.

7) When I get stuck with the "Do Not Walk" hand at several consecutive crosswalks. Am I walking too fast or too slow? How do I fix this!?

8) The word (and idea that anyone would eat something called) "leeks"

9) The recurring daydream (nightmare!?) of a serious trip-and-fall wipeout in the work place. I would have to quit. 

10) People who don't like Disney World (what is wrong with you?)

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Lisbon is for Lovers.

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: What if the Disney villians had won? (thanks sis!)

Interesting: As the weather gets colder, I self-diagnose my "seasonal effective disorder". Beat the winter blues with these creative tips.

Tasty: 'tis the season for all things pumpkin. Bring fall into your kitchen with one of these tasty recipes (and thanks to loyal reader Laur for the link!!)

SiteILove: My love and admiration for all things Justina Blakeney started by following her on Pinterest and blossomed into daily reading of her blog (oh social media you're so savvy!) Focused on interior decorating, fashion and a bit about her "boomba" (adorable Ida was born just over a month ago) Justina's blogis a colorful, cheerful, thoughtful expression of all that makes her unique and interesting. I can only hope to curate my knicknacks as thoughtfully as she has in her "Jungalow".