And now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Indeed.

Whoa. Monday. Monday January 5th, two thousands and FIFTEEN!! We're back!! Happy New Year my friends! I hope that you all had joyful, restful and wonderful holidays and that you aren't crashing too hard against today's return to the grind. I don't even know where to start today, as I'm an overwhelming mix of refreshed, energized, wanderlusty and nervously excited to tackle the massive workload that lies ahead. Also, I'm jetlagged, definitely, seriously jetlagged.

But first thing's first, my vacation was crazy amazeballs. Winter adventures in northern Finland combined with urban adventures in Copenhagen made for a trip so perfect I cannot WAIT to share pictures and stories... to hold you over until I can upload, edit and organize, here are some snaps from my (amazing, beloved) iPhone:

Taken about 48 hours ago from atop the Round Tour in Copenhagen. Now I'm blogging in bed in NYC. Whoa.

I feel so blessed to have been able to take this trip and I'm not a person who uses the word "blessed" very often. I think there's a post on that topic in your future. There's also a post on confidence (as much on the inside as outside), exercise (never enough), starting a family (where's the baby crazy?), resolutions (still makin (and breakin) em!) and lighter topics such as sharing a bathroom with your spouse, being super over winter and old ass mattresses. 2015 is gonna be big people. Here's to tackling the light, heavy and everything in between together!

Merry & Bright, Happy & Healthy

Here here!

Friends! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season, a Happy Channuka, a Merry Meri(!) Christmas and the start of your most joyful year yet. For this bookend'ed holiday week, Dr. H and I are taking our overdue Anniversary Adventure and this year a winter wonderland excursion of epic proportions is on tap.

Our adventure will include this:

exploring the Finnish Laplands by Husky

and this:

we will be riding in a Sven sleigh and visiting a Sven farm!

and hopefully a little of this:

Fingers & toes crossed for an Aurora Borealis siting!

We'll wrap things up by ringing in the New Year surrounded by this:

A very Copenhagen New Year!

shine bright!

So until next year, here's wishing each and every one of you a Merry & Bright, Happy & Healthy. If you're looking to do some blog reading, check out my Seek to Be Merry Year 3 Recap HERE and just in time for Christmas, there's an amazing reading of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas HERE. See you in 2015!! Xox - Meri

Annus Mirabilis

Tis the time of year for New Year's resolutions and perhaps you may have noticed that unlike last January, this year I've been a bit silent on the issue... You see, the reason I haven't mentioned any resolutions yet is because I was not the most successful resolver in 2013... I am still trying to raise the last $2,000 for my build-a-school in Africa project, I only maintained a weight under my "problem number" for a few weeks, my career growth fell short of personal expectations and that Rosetta Stone Spanish box remains sealed. Yikes! And while I should be focused on my primary 2013 resolution to "Be Happy(er)", (a unique challenge which I think I accomplished with great success!), I can't seem to let the fact that I didn't achieve my tangible goals go. How do you look forward when you didn't accomplish what you'd intended in the past?

In thinking about the year ahead and wanting to embrace my successful "Happy(er)" state of mind, I can't decide whether I'll feel best by adopting the same resolutions in 2014 (if at first you don't succeed...) or by moving on to new goals (upwards and onwards!!) The idea of abandoning a goal simply because I didn't achieve it feels super lame, but facing a new year with the same expectations as the year prior seems even lamer. I mean, I am not stuck!!! 

In the end, I think the reality is that my 2013 resolutions, like many goals, are targets I need to keep in front of me, even when they seem difficult, unrealistic or even impossible. In 2014 I resolve simply to keep moving forward towards the things I hope to accomplish... because if we don't want for things, we'll never put ourselves on the path to having them (amIright!?). I remain hopeful that this will be my annus mirabilis, that this time next year I'll finally be a spanish-speaking, fit and trim, school building, professional rock star... at the very least I must resolve to try.

The end (of the year) is near!

Cold and grey, but we're ok!

Hello and happy Monday my merry friends! Welcome to another weirdly wonderful holiday week where Monday feels like a Thursday, we get "two Fridays" and there's a bonus free day in the middle!! I've spent a lot of time this week trying to figure out how we get the work-week to permanently include Wednesdays off... tis truly a glorious thing:)

Here to make Monday more manageable (and as a perfect compliment to your Pinterest searching for all things glitter, black and gold) are some New Years themed goodies from around the web (and of course more lists!!)

A star shaped sparkler!!! Are you serious right now!? 

Check out all the awesome sparkler options from TOPS Malibu HERE.

Who can I buy THIS absolutely ridiculous and completely hysterical calendar for!? (SO funny!)

Effortless glam - grey top and sequin bottoms

Would you, could you, wear sequin pants!? 3 options HERE, HERE and HERE for the glamorously brave.

* 2013 was definitely the year of the Selfie. Thanks to smartphones and their ingenious "flip feature" that points the camera at you and let's you see what you look like, evvvveryone selfies everywhere now. In honor of our new self-photobsession, here are some of the most important selfies of 2013

* Some of the funniest moments from 2013

* The perfect playlist for your NYE party, here are the top songs of 2013 according to Rolling Stone. Do you agree!?

* The best and worst celebrity moments of 2013

* The 22 biggest sports controversies of 2013

* And finally, to make you smile, here are some totally awesome people who definitely "nailed it" in 2013.

Let the "Best of's" begin!!!

Smile, it's Friday!

One of my favorite things about the week before New Years Eve is sifting through the "Best Of" lists from the previous year. You know the ones... "Best songs of 2013", "Best celebrity moments of 2013", the list of lists goes on and on. To take you into the weekend (and courtesy of my awesome co-worker) here is the ever important "Best News Bloopers of 2013" highlight reel... It's a long one, but I'm fairly certain it will be the best 15 minutes of your day. Have a great weekend!!!

Uhhh... Hump Day?

Well would you look at that..!

So yesterday, I now realize, was Hump Day... A fact which kinda, sorta slipped my mind in this post-Labor Day/Jewish New Year/what day is it? week. Wow, I'm losin it. Not wanting to deny you the distractions you absolutely deserve and possibly need, check out this week's goodies from around the web below. And for those of you celebrating today, L'shana tova!! May today be the start of a happy and sweet new year:)

* Komorebi, the Japanese word for when sunlight filters through trees (& other "untranslatable" delights via CupofJo)

* Dearest sassy shoe, where can I buy you?

* I especially love all the 47/50th street stop images... I visit that station every day when I go to work!

* That wallpaper. Kid room perfection!

* 7 nifty tricks for shedding a few pounds.

* Learn to make tiny, adorable birds.

* Some helpful tips for mining Craig's List gold .

* The story of one man's brilliant bike thief revenge.

* Bookmark this one for a crappy day... 60 tiny love stories that will warm your heart.

Resolve. Be happy(er).

I'm counting on it!

Do you make New Years resolutions? I do and as I've grown older, I've come to really welcome them. I love the idea of re-focusing on self-improvement and becoming a happier version of who I was the year before. For me, 2012 was... well it just was. There were moments of incredible joy, but there were also challenges. Upon reflection, there were too many moments when I allowed myself to lose my merry mojo.

What's awesome about this admission, is all the potential it carries. While we cannot control what life throws at us, I think we can be determined to handle it a certain way. My resolutions are not just a tangible list, but also a desire to improve my 'tude. I want to dwell less on things I can't control and be more satisfied with what I have instead of always worrying about what I'll need next. I want to "get over it" (whatever "it" may be) with more grace and less anger/tears/sulking. In 2013, I'm going to do a better job of keeping myself happy... because being happy is a pretty awesome way to be.

And just in case that was way too existential and preachy for your taste... here are my other 2013 goals (put in writing and shared with all of you for extra accountability!)

1) Finish last year's goal. Also, learn Spanish.

Last year my goals were to start a blog and fundraise enough money to build a school in Africa. Check and no check (if we're keeping score:) This year I'd like to finish last year's project (learn more about my school in Mwangaza HERE) and begin learning Spanish. I look forward to being a bilingual, school building, blogger in 2014.

2) Wellness (aka, eat less woman!)

This year instead of picking a weight I want to be, I'm going to focus on the weight I don't want to be. I've spent the past several months above my magic number of self-loathing so for 2013, I vow to get below the number and STAY below the number, all. year. long. 

3) Climb another rung on my personal career ladder

I like to keep lawyer-meri off the blog, but she's got some 2013 goals as well. I resolve to make growth of my career a priority this year.

p.s. - This a GREAT documentary on being Happy which I'd highly recommend.

Sparkle.

Put on your sparkle (wear it all year long).

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy 2013. 

May your year be a sparkling, merry good time!

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 merry day...

Hopping Hedgehogs Having a Happy (Birthday) Hootinanny

There are lots of reasons why I think that birthdays are wonderful: Birthdays are a chance to bring together people you love (no better way to get loved ones to clear their calendar than playin the birthday card!); Birthdays are a chance to indulge (I firmly believe in a little birthday treat!); and Birthdays are a chance to start a new year (and vow to make it your best one yet).

Cake and hearts, 2 of my favorite things!

Though many people dread their birthday, or the idea of a date which reminds us that we're getting older, I advocate for embracing the day!! On your next birthday, celebrate your you-ness and remember that older can also mean happier. 

Buds for life (like me & Dr. H!)

Pursue something new that you love or just celebrate with someone who makes you smile (also, eat some ice cream?!). 

throw a mad tea party?!

Wishing you all a very merry un-birthday (unless today is your special day too!? :)