Happy Halloween Week!

boo!

Yesterday I rode the elevator in my apartment building with a tiny dragon. While walking through the park I passed a baby bumble bee. On Saturday my Instagram feed was filled with costumed pups on parade. Ladies and gentleman... Halloween is almost here! Somehow the black and orange love of my calendar year snuck up on me and now we're just 4 days away from All Hallow's Eve and I've barely said a peep (errr candy corn?) about it!! Do not despair, I've got your inspiration a'plenty from last minute costumes to recipes and decor. So gather your pumpkins and call in the ghosts, it's Halloween Week on Seek to be Merry starting with all the dress up inspiration a last minute reveler could need. Now get ghoul-ing!

Pop Sugar has a list of 20 last-minute costumes for those of you that still don't have a clue what to be. Click HERE for inspiration that will be sure to get the laughs (my personal favorites are the spider, candy wrapper and tourists, though "Nickelback" is pretty damn witty)

Because who doesn't love a good pun, HERE are some pun-tastic costumes courtesy of BuzzFeed. I personally almost went for the "Shooting Star" (kick it up a notch like this) and the "Pig in a Blanket".

So Jordan of OhHappyDay is pretty much the Queen of adorable kids costumes of the DIY variety. And while these are no doubt perfect for the wee one in your life, most would also be perfect in the full-grown version. Check out great unique costumes like UFO, Urkel, Sound of Music, all things Hipster (these are pretty great!), sailor, butterfly, iconic musicians (x2) and more over at OhHappyDay. (For the full collection of "homemade halloween" posts from Jordan, click HERE).

And finally, Ms. Conrad's blog has an awesome little collection of feminine and chic last minute costume ideas, including, quite coincidentally my very own Wednesday Addams inspiration! (Though I love that pineapple idea and do have a bright yellow dress!!)

So this is it.

That quote is currently my cellphone wallpaper and I repeat it to myself every time I see it. The reason, as some of you may have deduced (from subtle hints like THIS and THIS), is that over the past several months I've been in hot pursuit of something both terrifying and amazing and this week I decided to leap. This week I resigned from my current lawyer job to focus fully on my own business which will center around "giving back" and helping others to do the same. Making the world a better place has been my long term goal for as long as I've been long term goal-ing (up until college I actually aspired to be President (of the United States!) because I wanted to help people) so this transition feels like a whole lot of planning and dreaming coming to life.

But even good change is scary and I have to confess, I'm definitely scared. I have worked at the same company for 5 years and as an intern for a year and a half before that. My job has been a place to grow, learn and form relationships that have shaped every inch of the professional I've become. The people I work with, people I spend far more waking hours with each week than even my own husband(!!) are wonderful humans who I will miss sitting beside each day. And on top of all that, I've recently realized that it's quite easy to dream, but having the courage to make your dream real is a whole different beast.

So this is it. This is the beginning of a new beginning. I'm going to study all my inspirational quote Pins and be brave and remember that "doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will" because I think that's all we can do right? We can't live life wondering if we could have accomplished something, we've got to actually try to accomplish it and take reality from there. It's like (the amazing) Tina Fey once said...

Hump Day Distractions

Shut up with this ridiculously random adorableness.

And then the never ending week reached Hump Day and Merry Meri declared, "hark! I can see the weekend in the distance! onward ho!!" For reals. Let's get on with it shall we!?

* A bit of inspiration for us all from one man's near death experience on an airplane.

* I cannot tell you how much self control it has taken not to buy THIS. (I'd be all "yel-low!? Banana Phone here!")

* This mom tackles the tough topic of explaining sex for pleasure (as opposed to just procreation) to her young son. It's an interesting read.

* Get your Gatsby hair on.

* A veggie/mexican skillet for dinner tonight anyone!?

* I want to go to there.

* Everything you need to know about for this summer in NYC.

* It's your journey. Own it.

* Never knew how so many of these foods grew (via exPress-o)

* Sure to make you smile, meet Biddy the Hedgehog (he's obvi my new fav Insta friend)

Finally, I made a super awesome sandwich for lunch yesterday and I was so pumped about its tastiness that I'm going to a) eat it again today and b) share it with you:

- 1 Toufayan Low Carb Pita (only 3 WW points and it's BIG!)

- Boar's Head Low Sodium Turkey Breast

- Thinly Sliced Granny Smith Apple

- Robert Rothschild Wasabi Ginger Sauce (gives it a nice little kick, awesome compliment to the apple!)

I whipped this bad boy up in 2 minutes in my office kitchen and was so happy with the result that I was literally announcing to my cubicle mates that my homemade sandwich was "f*cking awesome" (ya gotta take the cheap thrills when you can get em, AmIRight!?)

Inspired Thoughts...

Grow your grass.

Sometimes, the perfect way to start your week is with a little inspired thinking...

Make it.

it's never too late.

Fact.

Pinterest-ing Lately.

I needed to pin this. Obviously.

I am a Pinterest addict. I absolutely LOVE the site as a source of inspiration, information and mindless entertainment (not to mention crucial to my blog content!) and I actually get stressed if more than a day or 2 goes by without time to scroll through my feed (how will I catch up on all those pins!? What if I miss something epic-ly awesome that I NEEDED to re-pin!?) Some of my pins have a clear purpose (recipe, craft idea, decor or fashion inspiration) while others are just because they make me smile (I have an entire board dedicated to "Disney Dreams" and another simply for things that are "Beautiful to Look At"!) So here for your Thursday clicking pleasure are some of my favorite Pins from lately:

How simple/sexy/chic is this look!? I have all the pieces in my closet (black blazer, ripped boyfriend jeans, grey t and black clutch).Add some strappy heels for additional polish... Friday night are you here yet!? Pin it HERE.

OMG this is brilliant. Perfect for road trips, tailgating or general ready-for-anythingness! Pin it HERE, buy it HERE.

So true.

I keep my sunnies collection balanced on the top of my bedroom mirror, but this storage/display solution is pretty cool (plus I always find that keeping all my options visible is key to remembering all my options!) $50 to buy for those of you that aren't craft-inclined, but I think you could easily DIY this with some ingenuity and assistance from Home Depot. Pin it HERE, buy it HERE.

This dessert... this Nutella, berry bruschetta dessert, must get in my BELLY! Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

This is the beginning...

anything.

This has turned into one of those weeks when I feel like some inspirational words are in order...

take time.

Have Courage.

there is no never.

be wonderful.

And then, of course, we have our 31 Days of Halloween to attend to!!

How awesome are these creepy, crawly spider chocolate chip cookies!? The brain child of Hungry Happenings (full recipe HERE), these spider treats are super easy to create and totally awesome to see. 

31 Days of Halloween

Indeed.

October has arrived, my first batch of beloved candy corn has been purchased (and consumed) and my Pinterest feed is bursting with seasonal inspiration... Halloween, my friends, is nearly here!! Which got me to thinking - you peeps seem to LOVE all things autumn and Halloweeny just as much as I do, so why should Christmas be the only holiday with a whole month-long calendar's worth of fun!? Today Seek to be Merry is officially kicking off the 31 days of Halloween, a month-long orange, black, costumed and pumpkin spiced celebration of my most favorite holiday (July 4th is a close second:) Each day, in addition to my regular posting, I will share a seasonal goody with you, everything from decor ideas to recipes and costume inspiration. It will be boo-tiful:) And since today is technically the 3rd day of 31, no tricks, just 3 treats to kick off our month!!! 

Trick or Treat!!

Since your front door plays such an important part in all the Halloween festivities, why not get it dolled up for the occasion!? Last year I suggested THIS mummified version, but if something a bit more monstrous is your preference, here's how to get the look courtesy of Parents.com.

Snap, crackle, boo!!!

A seasonal sweet treat that's beyond easy to make in bulk? Yes please! These pumpkin rice krispie treats (with tootsie roll stems!) via Food, Family and Friends are perfect for Halloween parties of all ages and will be sure to score smiles.

Everything's coming up roses!

How awesomely adorable is this costume?! Ladies, 1 quick trip to your local craft store (and possibly also home depot for the plastic planter) and you're ready to go. All you have to do is cut out the bottom of a large plastic pot, affix two thick straps (I'd use a staple gun and something rubbery and durable like a theraband) and go crazy with the fake flowers and glue gun. Add a floral hairband for an extra ounce of awesome!

Healthy Habit of the Month VIII.

One day in the belly of Merry Meri. What can I say? I eat!

This post is the eighth installment of SeektobeMerry's "Healthy Habit of the Month" series. Sourced from my bff's at Weight Watchers, online articles and my own efforts to keep fit and trim, throughout 2013, I will attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into my life each month. Join me!

Month number eight!! Can you believe it!? Eight months into our "be a healthier me" journey, I hope you're feeling some benefits. Though I am far from a model of health and wellness (not addressing that mac cheese addiction just yet... or ever:) setting these monthly mini goals has made me much more aware of my health-related decisions and I definitely feel a modest level of results. I make better choices and have more control over the "badness" of my bad ones... for us non-celebrity/athlete mere mortals, I think that's a realistic goal to shoot for. So what are we up to this month you ask???

Healthy Habit of the Month #8: Pack a snack

Did you know that snacking can actually be good for your health!? According to the USDA, the average American eats 2.2 snacks per day and gets 1/4 of her total calories from snacks! The key is to snack smart, because if you do, you can get some amazing benefits like increased overall energy (no blood sugar dips and crashes!), better appetite control (no desperate trips to the vending machine) and better concentration (people who eat healthy snacks tend to have increased focus and performance!!). So for this month's healthy habit, we are all going commit to packing a snack every.single.day. Whether it's throwing a bar in your purse, stocking your desk with a bunch of great options (I've got popcorn, almonds, turkey jerky and protein shakes stashed in my cube like a may-jah fatty!) or taking the time to prepare fresh snacks when you're packing your lunch, this month don't forget to pack a snack!!

For some awesome simple snack inspiration, click HERE; For quick/easy store bought options, click HERE; and for some kinda fancy but still totally doable ideas, click HERE.

And be sure to check out past "Healthy Habit of the Month" posts here: 

- Month 1: Adding a fruit or vegetable to every meal

- Month 2: Schedule a workout
- Month 3: Find an accountability buddy

- Month 4: Keep track (of your movement)

- Month 5: Challenge yourself

- Month 6: 1 Perfect Week
- Month 7: Sleep on it

Daily Dose...

In just one second, everything can change.

Lately I've been in need of a bit of daily inspiration. Just a little reminder that life really is good, that thinking positive is definitely the way to go and that things can always change for the better...

Earl on the inevitable

Drabble the optimist.

Conan the wise...

And when all else fails, there are always puppies. GOD do I love puppies:)  

Cavapoo for me & you.

Spring has (finally) sprung!

Bleecker Street Blossoms

Well would you look at that... All we needed was a few, consecutive, warm sunny days and voila! my city is in bloom. I couldn't help but smile seeing just how lush and colorful everything was this morning. Washington Square Park is exploding at the canopy with green leaves and vibrant pink and white blossoms. And don't even get me started on the tulips 'round here lately. These tulips mean biz-nazz.

West Village reaching for the sun

And something about spring is particularly inspiring. I find it's easier to see the bright side, think optimistically about what lies ahead and feel good about things in general when the sun is shining warmly...

Feeling joyful

In celebration of spring (and because I need something to distract me from the fact that my seasonal allergies are now also in full bloom) here are:

* 10 Things to do During Spring in NYC

* A colorful craft for displaying your spring blossoms

* The most delicious salad recipe (avocado lovers inquire within:)

* A fruity spring dessert whose presentation will wow the masses

and remember...

Over-Inspired

Stop the yelling in my brain!!

Last night I could not get my brain to fall asleep. Though I felt physically tired (from an awesome weekend in Vermont!) my mind would not stop churning... when am I going to finish decorating the bedroom?, I need to cook with that fresh garlic I bought, is that exhibit at the museum closing soon?, when will I read my backlog of Vanity Fairs if I keep listening to Podcasts!? The (ridiculous) list went on and on in my head and sent me into an unusual, completely overwhelmed state. In a desperate attempt to restore order to my brain (and finally fall asleep!) I diagnosed myself with the newly discovered and wildly spreading condition of being "Over-Inspired". 

Over-inspired (adj.): the state of being overwhelmed by a plethora of good ideas, beautiful images, creative opportunities and content for consumption.

Thanks to social media, blogs, smart phones and crowd-sourcing sites like Pinterest, our days are filled with more inspiration than ever. We see beautiful homes filled with creative DIYs, our meals should be delicious and Instagram-worthy and every possible cool activity is advertised to us as something that shouldn't be missed. We see constant examples of how to be styled, organized, creative and active and though it's wonderful to have so much inspiration,  it's easy to feel overwhelmed by ideas and opportunities to go, do, see, eat, play and create.

To successfully treat a case of "over-inspiration" (as I did, around 2 a.m.) remember these important truths: (1) we are not all professional chefs, decorators, craft-ers or travelers; (2) half-finished projects are not failures, "eventually" is just fine!; and (3) ya can't do it all. The planet is filled with more coolness than 1 person can possibly absorb so sometimes you just have to pass. And if all else fails, there's THIS.

On inspiration (and motivation).

The say fresh flowers can improve your mood.

My merry friends. I must confess (and perhaps you've already noticed) that lately I have been a bit lacking in inspiration, or perhaps more importantly, motivation. For the past 9+ months I have been the most enthusiastic blogger - constantly jotting down ideas, looking forward to my daily alone time in front of the keyboard, no limitations on my creativity. But all of the sudden I'm suffering from mental radio silence; I'm dreading having to "come up with a post" and I'm unsatisfied with every attempt at a whimsical rant. "WTF?!" I've asked myself... "WTF is going on!?" 

Maybe I have blogger fatigue (5 brilliant posts every week can be daunting). Maybe the weight of real life is mucking up my merry online persona (all things work, home and health have been challenging recently). Maybe it's the shorter days and departure of flip flops (I love my boots, but nothing beats freshly pedicured toes in cute sandals!) I just don't know. What I do know, however, is that I'm going to muscle through it (whatever "it" is). I find routine calming and writing for all of you has been part of my routine for almost an entire year now, so I'm sticking with it. So get ready for my thoughts on the beautiful Kate Middleton, the taste of bananas, the important differences between candy corn and candy pumpkins and all the other ridiculous things floating around my head. I'll just keep talking, you all keep reading (pretty please) and we'll see where it gets us:)

Brainstorm.

When do your lightbulbs strike?

Do you have a weird time of day when you do your best thinking or come up with your most awesome ideas? For some people it's in the shower, for others it's while they're working out (I wish!) and for me, it's laying in bed, moments before I pass out. The room is dark, my head is clear and I'm about to drift off when suddenly the lightening bolt strikes. It's a blog post topic, a craft project, a forgotten deadline or some other random passing thought that at the moment seems completely brilliant. I lay there, and I’m all “get up and write this down Meri... your phone is RIGHT next to you and you know you aren't going to remember in the morning, just type a quick email to yourself..." but the energy of rolling over and opening my eyes is apparently too much so I lay there repeating the thought over and over, willing myself to remember when I wake up. Fast forward a few hours to sunrise... no idea, no vague recollection of the idea, nadda. It makes me freaking bananas!!!

Why is it so difficult to recall thoughts we have when our brains are completely at ease? It seems unfair that the lightbulbs tend to go off when we're half asleep, soaking wet or otherwise no where near (or motivated enough to reach!) a writing instrument. Do you have any tricks for remembering your random brainstorms? Are they usually worth the trouble?

P to the S: It's May 1st. Holy hell, when did that happen!?

Sometimes...

Cookie with a side of Confucius

...on Mondays, you need a little inspiration to get through the day. So be inspired:

By this,

and this.

Have you found your Great Hill yet?

Just do it.

Just another manic Monday.

Seriously.

Well this was bound to happen sooner or later. It's Sunday night and I'm staring at my computer screen all "uuuuuuhhh, what should I write about!?" Four months and eighty posts into my merry adventure, I am feeling a touch of writer's block (or maybe it's just my burning desire to watch SO MUCH tv? Frozen Planet, Mad Men, Family Guy, Shameless... my DVR is calling!)

I could remind you how much I love turtles and show you funny pictures I've found of them:

Like this.

And this.

Or I could tell you about this great new trick I play on myself to realize I'm not that busy and I do have time to get "undesirable" things done. (Instead of saying "I don't have time to _____." I say "It's not a priority to _____." and if that doesn't sit well, snap to action. I swear it works! I finally got my teeth cleaned!!) Read my full inspiration HERE.

Speaking of inspiration:

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

Is this cheating? 

Something about this lunch is bugging me (hehe)

Probably, but thankfully the internet is here to distract and amuse you while I go watch tv :) Until tomorrow!