Hump Day Distractions

Awww hehe.

This morning, halfway down the stairs to exit my apartment building for my scheduled weekly workout, a little voice in my head said "Meri, you forgot to pack a bra..." And I said "really little voice? How do you know that?" But with no time to waste, just to be sure, I ran back up and straight to my dresser. Sure enough, my black bra was in there, not in my gym bag. I thought to myself "Thanks little voice! Today is going to be a good day". Here to ensure that good day are some delightful distractions from around the web.

* Some super tasty looking 2 ingredient sandwiches. Yum. (via CupofJo)
* Tina on women's body image. God I love her! 

* It always strikes me as funny that actors campaign for awards, but they do. And these Emmy campaign posters from the cast of Mad Men are pretty freakin good.

* Do you work from home? Dr. H used to and based on his experience, all these tips sound like a great idea.

* Good for you Natalie! All beautiful bodies are created equal!!

* "I think if we met I would find you insufferable" and other missed connections of the hysterical variety. 

* If you love Billy Crystal or Mindy Kaling, or both, read this (super cool behind the scenes When Harry Met Sally info enclosed!!) 

* Have you heard of oil pulling? I am kinda skeptical, gonna have to consult Sis (20 minutes!?)

* Behind the scenes of the Photoshop treatment for all those food pics that make us salivate!

* I think I've shared pics of this duo before... but who cares? Here's more!! (thanks Sis!)

What we're watching.

Avid tv watcher

Last night as I was surveying the options on my DVR, I realized that it's been a while since my television junkie side made an appearance on the blog. As you know, Dr. H and I manage to squeeze a pretty insane amount of television into our weekly schedule, almost all of which is original, scripted programming. In my opinion, we watch some solid, quality, tv! Here for your read-than-view pleasure, is a bit of what we've been watching and loving lately:

Wednesday nights on FX

Who'd have thunk that curly haired Felicity could also be a bad-ass Russian spy?!  Set during the Cold War of the 1980s, The Americans is the story of two KGB officers who are "hiding in plain site" by posing as a normal American family (kids and all!) while working to support the Soviet cause. Already renewed for a second 13-episode season, Kerri Russell, Matthew Rhys and really the entire cast, turn in brilliant performances every week and the show's plot is a twisty, exciting mess of drama. Probably our favorite new show of the year, it's time to find FX on your cable box and start watching The Americans!

Sunday nights on HBO

Even though we were 2 seasons late to the Game of Thrones party, it somehow feels like we arrived just in time. Currently in it's 3rd season, Dr. H and I managed to get caught up on GoT in just 2 weeks of dedicated DVR viewing (it's that addictive and at only 10-episodes per season, easy to get up to date). An adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of novels by George R. R. Martin,  I never would have expected to love this fantasy-but-somehow-feels-so-real series, but I do. Hard core. Webs of characters, beautiful cinematography and story lines that never cease to surprise will have you counting down until the next new episode. With several more books to cover (the last two of which haven't even been finished yet!) there's plenty of time to jump on the GoT bandwagon. I promise you'll be glad you did.

A long time comedy favorite and a new show I'm still trying to decide about... Parks and Recreation (Thursdays, NBC) is without question one of the funniest shows we watch. Local government enthusiast Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is surrounded by comic genius on all sides (the meat-loving, always deadpan Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) might be Dr. H's favorite character, ever) and the simple story line allows you to jump in and start laughing at any time (though if you have Netflix or OnDemand, catch up!) The Mindy Project (Tuesdays, FOX) is led by Mindy Kaling, who has proven her comic chops as a writer/actor (The Office, her book) but seems to still be searching for how to make this show a hit. I laugh during every episode about Mindy's single life and gynecology practice, but can get aggravated by the meandering plot and weirdly developed characters (though I love Morgan, a mid-season male nurse addition to the cast). I'm guessing that Mindy is only going to get better over time, so get on the boat now!

Hear it, read it, make it, LOVE it

It's Friday! High fives for EVERYONE!!

The sun is shining, the air is crisp and wintery and it's Friday. Life is not too shabby:) To send you off into the weekend, here's the second installation of "Hear it, read it, make it, LOVE it" for your listening/reading/crafting/buying pleasure (first edition HERE). Have a good one!

Hear it

Proof that I was absolutely not kidding about the whole "Jew who loves Christmas" thing? I actually have a favorite Christmas album - Christmas Songs by Sinatra. Though there's no denying the fan-freakin-tabulousness of Mariah's "All I want for Christmas is You" or the Peanut's gang Christmas collection, there's something quintessentially Christmas about Frank's smooth voice belting out the classics. The perfect soundtrack for your holiday hosting.

Read it

Turns out Kelly Kapoor is just the tip of the iceberg folks! Reading "Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me (and other Concerns)" by the insanely talented Mindy Kaling is basically a laugh out loud 150 page conversation with Mindy, packed with stories from her real life and her thoughts on everything from best friends to boyfriendsand being an average bodied woman in Hollywood! If you're looking for some light, fun reading during the otherwise hectic holiday season, "hang out" (hehe) with Mindy.

Make it

Perfect for the little girl in your life (or in your heart:) these simple snowflake ballerinas are the perfect craft to work on while listening to the Nutcracker and sipping on hot chocolate. (Simple step by step tutorial including free printable template HERE).

LOVE it (/make it?)

When Dr. H said "wouldn't it be cool if you could like make a chalkboard out of this wall?" and I responded with "You can! Let's do it!" there were two very excited people in my apartment. He gets to doodle (sweet nothings!?) on the walls and I get to take on a sa-weet home DIY project. Chalkboard paint is available just about everywhere and perhaps a trip to Brooklyn Flea next weekend for a funky empty frame!?