I hope you have a good Friday (& 4 glasses of wine at dinner!)

It is time...

Happy Good Friday/last few hours before Passover gets started! I kicked off my day with a tasty 'ol breakfast sandwich because lord knows going a week without my beloved carbohydrates is worthy of a bagel-tastic sendoff. Here to send us all on to the weekend are some holiday themed crafts, creations and goodies from around the web. Wishing you all happy holidays and wonderful weekends! 

Passover desserts are seriously crumby (literally and figuratively!) but this inspired idea from Mommy Shorts to set up a Matzoh Dessert Toppings Bar looks almost tasty enough to make me forget I'm eating matzoh:)

Would it be weird if I made these for my family's seder?! Are they not the prettiest Easter Eggs your ever did see!? For a full tutorial on these pressed flower eggs and also ombre glitter eggs(!!) from Lauren Conrad, click HERE.

Just in time for your Easter Sunday Brunch, here are 12 Easy Egg Recipes from SMP.

How absolutely beautiful (and wild!) is this Easter Egg Tree? 

Learn more about this annual labor of love, located in Germany HERE.

This is so bad that it's SO good.

Happy Presidalentine's Day!

This is so good.

For a lover of love and Presidential geek such as myself, I don't think it gets much better than Valentine's Day falling on President's Day Weekend. I'm in heaven. And though three day weekends aren't quite as special as they used to be since I started working from home, I still plan to snuggle with my sweetie on Saturday and pay homage to George and Abe (and all the others!) on Monday. Want to combine the two?! Well thank goodness for THIS.

Also, have you seen this commercial?! Obviously as soon as I saw it I was like "I MUST LEARN THAT SONG!" and so off to the world wide web I went to find it. 

Success.

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with love and a Monday fit for a President (whatever that means!) xox

Holiday Cheer!

Holiday Cheer & Charm.

Greetings friends!! This Monday feels particularly momentous because Channuka starts this week and Christmas (including the lovely vacation time that accompanies it) is officially NEXT WEEK! Talk about a reason for holiday cheer!! Here to help you prepare for the holidays are some seasonal eats, treats and crafts I've spotted around the web. Happy (almost) Holidays!

I love this simple and seasonal placeholder which even the less Martha Stewart inclined can definitely pull off! Pin it HERE, full instructions HERE (as well as some other unique place card holder ideas.) 

If Channuka is your holiday, fret not, I've got a simple and sweet centerpiece for you too! These white roses surrounded by golden gelt are the perfect decor idea for serving up your latkes in style. Pin it HERE, (super easy) full instructions HERE. 

What a festive and simple way to bring some snowman cheer to your Christmas tree decor!

As long as we're talking about snowmen... So easy, so cute. Now you just have to hope there aren't any serious Olaf lovers at your dessert table!! Pin it HERE, full instructions (and some other pre-school aged holiday crafts) HERE.

Pomegranate seeds are one of my favorite fall/winter seasonal treats and combining them with cheese clearly takes my love affair to the next level. Add some tasty honey and a cute serving dish and you'll have the holiday appetizer game in the bag. Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Dressing & Impressing - tis (nearly) the season!

Fact... Until February. I'll be over it by February.

Ladies... we are officially at mid-November which means in 4 short weeks "Holiday Party Season" will be upon us (possibly sooner depending on when your December social calendar commitments begin!) I always love and simultaneously hate Holiday Party Season because:

1) dressing for these parties can be tricky, especially if it's an office or work-related function;

2) dressing for these parties can be pricy, since stores know just when to mark up their holiday-perfect pieces;

3) dressing for these parties can be glamorous, because there are so many chic black, gold, red and deep green options out there; and

4) dressing for these parties can be fun because holiday cheer looks great on everyone!

Here to help you get ahead of the shopping rush are a few gorgeous dresses I've spotted recently and how I'd wear them.

I absolutely adore this dress. I think it is chic, feminine, ever so slightly sexy, but without question elegant. Perfect for a holiday season wedding or a cocktail attire seasonal party, though a bit pricey, this dress is sure to turn heads. And just think, it will be perfect for Valentine's Day too:) Buy it HERE.

Is your office holiday party at the office or does it begin immediately after work making a "costume change" impossible (or maybe just inappropriate?) All three of the dresses above could transition beautifully from desk to dancing, have a little pop of holiday cheer (love that sassy gold belt!) and won't leave any co-workers questioning your taste for the office or the party! Buy it HERE, HERE and HERE.

If you're looking for a bolder, more unique holiday party look that is still unquestionably sophisticated, I love this jumpsuit. Pair it with high heels, statement earrings and maybe even a thin gold belt to take the look straight into holiday party rock star status. Buy it HERE.

Finally, if your holiday party is all about bringing the glam, this dress is the one for you. Just as fancy, but a whole lot more sassy than the lil red number I posted first, this dress does beading and sequins without screaming dance costume or flapper. I think it's stunning and could be paired with strappy, sexy shoes or black tights and heels depending on how high you want to turn it up. Buy it HERE.

Seeing Summer.

Rainbows to the sea.

Bathing Beauties

Ocean Indulgence

and Sweet Treats

May your holiday weekend be filled with all of summer's greatest delights!

Hooray for Independence Day!

1776 inspired.

July 4th is one of my absolute favorite holidays. Maybe that seems like an odd choice, but between the delicious eats (burgers, hot dogs, seafood, corn, those ooey gooey mayo-based salads!), sunshiney locales (beach, boat, pool, lake!) and fireworks (FIREWORKS!!!!) I don't think there is a more relaxed and lovely day set aside for getting together with friends and family all year. (Plus, I heart me some founding fathers/American history. Seriously). Here to ensure your Independence Day celebrations are plenty red white and blue-y are some goodies from around the web.

15 (awesomely patriotic looking) Recipes for the 4th of July from SMP Living HERE.

Everything you need (and where to buy it!) for a patriotic picnic from Oh Happy Day HERE.

* Ever wonder where the best place in your state to watch fireworks is!? *

* Click HERE and HERE for some nifty facts about
the history of our independence day and how July 4th became a holiday! * 

How about an adorable Patriotic Mini Pie!? Learn how to make em HERE.

This simple craft is perfect for little kids who need to be entertained while you man the grill!

And don't forget to start your day with breakfast and a side of patriotic flair! (Inspiration HERE and HERE)

Thanksgiving + Hanukkah =

This post brought to you by the fabulous 

(parent)thetically speaking.

Thanksgivukkah. Are you familiar? Ok good, glad that’s taken care of (but please please please do not brine your turkey in Manischewitz, it would be much more fitting, and tasty, to deep-fry it). To me, Thanksgivukkah is like when two of your fav movies are on 2 different channels instead of back-to-back, or if the Golden Globes and Oscars were on the same night, or like a traffic jam when you’re already late (oops, nope, sorry, lost it there for a minute). Spread the joy around a little, wouldja? I know Merry Meri and I agree that, at first, we were not so merry about these holidays overlapping.

I like my Thanksgiving - time with family, in a warm house, eating warm, yummy food and feeling blessed to have all of those things, and more, in my life. And then roughly three weeks later (give or take) our houses fill with warmth once more, this time, from the light of the Menorah at sundown. We eat fried potato latkes with sour cream (so so so good) or applesauce (also delish) and fried dough (sufganiyot). We fry, ok? It’s alllll about the oil (but isn’t everything, really?). Oh, and I watch this video multiple times daily. I love these holidays. So while the overlapping is fun, and a chance to change things up, I’m a wee bit disappointed that within a week, both holidays will be over.

But it IS once-in-a-lifetime, and next year the holiday season will be back to normal (and it’s not in my nature to be a scrooge). So, let’s celebrate! Buy the Menurkey  (g-e-n-i-u-s!) Wear the shirts! Or if you’re me and my family…

* put colorful dreidels in glass vases and DIY a mini pumpkin menorah for centerpieces

* serve chocolate gelt pecan pie!

* Pop a super cute printable into an 8x10 frame for instant décor. Oh wait…I couldn’t really find one that worked…

Soooo…I made one!¹ And I’m sharing it with you! Click the image above to open it, save it to your computer and print as an 8x10. Use it to jazz up the dessert table, or add to a mantle display, or don’t, because you’re either A. not Jewish or B. don’t believe in Pilgrims or sweet potato pie. Enjoy!

¹ I ‘designed’ this in Photoshop Elements. While this is an original, with the prevalence of Pinterest, and Etsy, and general interwebs, I’m sure that the inspiration sunk into my subconscious at some point. I also used a few fairly ubiquitous phrases that have popped up along with Thanksgivukkah.

For previous posts from (parent)thetically speaking, click HERE.

Counting Down...

Perfect for the kids' table!

Hello hello and happy Monday my merry friends! I am officially in "it's almost the holidays" mode, thanks to Thanksgivukkah being just 10 days away. Even more exciting though is that I will be departing for the land of loving Grandparents and sun (aka, Florida) in one week from tomorrow. Tick tock is it time to go yet!?

Here to get us into the holiday spirit are some standout Thanksgiving suggestions - everything from tablescape to a hostess gift and dessert, it's time to get our turkey on people!!

Gold & Burlap elegance.

This table decor is so easy to execute and so elegant to look at that I'm actually disappointed to not be hosting a feast of my own to set it up at. Simply pick up some pine cones, gourds, berry branches, leaves and any other seasonal items your yard (or nearest Michaels crafts store) has to offer and head outside with a can of gold spray paint. Lay across the center of your table on a burlap (or other solid color) runner, add some votive candles and voila! The classiest Turkey Day table you ever did see!

Bite sized YUM. 

I love this idea! Since everyone loves the crispy outer edges of the stuffing casserole dish, why not make every bite an edge!? Using a muffin tin to bake your stuffing (whatever recipe you prefer) creates adorable individual portions with lots of crispy edges for everyone to enjoy.

Put a bow(tie) on it!

Looking to one-up all those guests who arrive with a bottle of wine and say "thanks for having me?" How about this idea from Real Simple? Pick up some fresh "Italian for dinner" supplies (pasta, sauce, herbs, olive oil) then box and wrap them with string and (pasta) bows. Adorable, inexpensive and perfect for the Saturday night after when the idea of more leftovers just isn't cutting it!

Candy Corn "bark"

Helllllo lover. Time to put all that leftover candy corn to use before it's out of "season"!! 

Click HERE for the full recipe or HERE to pin it. YUM.

Hump Day Distractions

Be happy!

Happy Spring my friends!! Even though today is a "level 3 winter jacket" day here in NYC (aka, the puffy, hooded one), the sun is shining and I'm willing this to be the very last day of the season that I have to wear tights. More importantly though... did you know that today is  the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS!!!?! How fan-freakin-tastic is THAT!? Here to make your day super happy is a big 'ol pile of distractions. Enjoy!!

* Apparently not all cats are agile.

* Pure romance with a side of soggy.

* A little bit more holiday deliciousness (see my full post HERE).

* I was going to see this regardless because Hermione Granger is in it, but the trailer looks pretty awesome.

* A note from the kind of best friend I think we should all aspire to be.

* What's that you said? You want more glitter in your life!?

* Kale is so hot right now. (That's right, even veggies can be trendy!) Ever wonder what's next?

* As if we all needed another reason to want to move to Hawaii...

* Pure Disney brilliance!

* Holy crap that looks delicious (and totally do-able!)

* I wonder who I can send THIS to..!? (via ExPress-o)

* And finally, in honor of today's "holiday", the happiest cows you ever did see.

Dear "National Holiday Decider"...

Work today!? That's NUTS!!!

...the day after the Super Bowl really should be a national holiday. Seriously. Statistics suggest that 50% of American households watch the big game and that today is the most abused "sick day" of the year. So to whomever gets to declare national holidays, today should be your next declaration. Because just like Presidents Day, MLK Day and Columbus Day before it, "I ate/drank too much and slept too little because of football Day" is a great American tradition which should be honored with no work and suspended alternate side parking. Anyway, here's some giggly goodness to help you get through the rest of this day. Good luck:)

So cool.

Humor... Comes in handy...

hehe.

Good day to you all!

Hump Day Distractions

Could not wait 364 days to share this

Hellllooooooo out there..! Is anyone else at their computer!? Even worse... is anyone else at WORK!? Ick. Even though most of NYC is still huddled at home, some lucky folks like myself are back at their desks today which means distractions are a necessity. Since this is our last Hump Day of the year (can you believe it!?) I thought I'd collect some 2012 lists and other New Years related goodies for you. Happy humping!

* The 100 most astonishing images of 2012 (worth scrolling through the whole list, they're AMAZING).
* 300 films from 2012, in only 7 minutes.
* At least none of your wild holiday party nights ended like THIS (or maybe, awesome if it did!?)
* For those of you getting a jump start on next year's holiday list.
* The top albums of 2012 (agree or disagree?)
* Cookies for your New Years Eve party!
* In 2012 Apple put the iPhone into more hands than ever before. It brought with it Autocorrect. Thank you Apple.

(A Jew) On Christmas.

George Washington get his tree

The decorations are up, the holiday music is playing and faster than you can say "Black Friday Insanity" Thanksgiving is in our rear view and the countdown to Christmas has begun. Christmas... beautiful, sparkly, cheery Christmas. Moment of honesty: I really wish I celebrated Christmas. Though I am proud of my Jewish heritage and I love my Chanukah traditions (Mom's latkah's are a once-per-year delicacy) nothing compares to a twinkling tree, mint hot chocolate and Mariah Carey belting out that all she wants for Christmas, is me. 

My parents tell a tale of little Meri coming home from preschool, confused about Santa. "If I'm good, he's supposed to come! Is he going to come!?" Stuck with the difficult task of explaining religious diversity to a 3-year old (and risking the reveal of some "Santa-related truths" to an entire preschool) my parents did what any parent of a blabber mouth would do: they told me to believe. And believe I did - cookies, carrots for the reindeer and a short note thanking Santa for stopping by. From that year on, the magic of Santa has been a tradition in my Jewish family (you should see my stocking) and an annual small gift from Mr. Claus reminds each of us of the holiday's joy (and a funny Meri story.) Because similar to Chanukah's 8 nights of gifts, Christmas has developed traditions quite distinct from the religious significance of the day. For me and so many others, twinkling lights, an excellent soundtrack, togetherness and giving are all non-religious Christmas magic (also the Nutcracker, It's a Wonderful Life, the smell of fresh pine and gingerbread). So while I may not get to put up a tree (tempted, so tempted)  I'm going to love on Christmas with the enthusiasm of a goy... it's like my parents said "all you have to do is believe" :)

My country tis of thee...

Bright lights, big city.

... mid-week holiday misssssery, of thee I sing. 4th of July on a Wednesday!?! Don't get me wrong, I'll take a day off from work any day of the week, but WEDNESDAY!? This is gonna be an interesting week folks! Here to help you prep for the holiday ahead (and distract you from the 2 days we have to get through before it arrives) are some patriotic eats and treats of the red, white and blue persuasion.

Channel Betty (Crocker) to make Betsy (Ross) proud.

Patriotic brilliance on a stick!

Thomas Jefferson wants you to put a ring on it.
(Seriously, how ridiculous / awesome is this idea!?)

Be a hit with the kids at your BBQ (or have the coolest
yard in town!) Click HERE for the free printable.

A salty, sweet and patriotic treat.

When in doubt, stick a sparkler in it!!