Summer is (finally) here (to stay!?)

Hellz yes.

It is with much excitement and, I confess, a bit of trepidation (this winter really beat me down!) that I am going to declare summer as having officially arrived!! HOORAY! We are in the middle of a solid stretch of warm and mostly sunny weather so this weekend I ate my first lobster/corn on the cob dinner of the season, made the summer's first (of many!) trips to my beloved Ice Cream Cottage and caught a few rays of sunshine for the rosy-cheeked summer glow that I adore. Summer, I sure do love you!! Here to help us all usher in the sweetest season are some summer-licious goodies from around the web. Enjoy!

Homemade Cookies and Cream Popsicles - So much easier than you might think and 100% "you made these!?" wow-worthy. Click HERE to pin it or HERE for the original post from Lark and Linen. 

How adorable and summery is this Watermelon tote bag DIY? I love the bright colors and think this would be the perfect way to transport your towel and sunglasses to the beach :) Click HERE to pin it or HERE for the simple how-to from madame citron (note the post is in French but if you open it in google chrome a little "translate to English" button pops up at the top!)

Healthy, tasty, light and easy, aka the perfect summer supper dish! This One Pan Mexican Quinoa is on the menu for Dr. H and I tonight and I can't wait to dig in. Pin it HERE or check out the full recipe from Damn Delicious HERE.

Fancy some refreshing mint tea!? This simple recipe from exPress-o is sure to get you smiling and seems perfect for packing up and serving at your next picnic in the park. For the easy peasy instructions, click HERE.

Hump Day Distractions

HAHAHA

Knock Knock.        ~        Who's There?        ~        Snow.         ~        Snow Who?

Snowbody cares that it's snowing again Meri!!!

But it is. And this time there's a sh*t ton (official amount) of ice as well. Bananas. (b-a-n-a-n-a-s). Flooded streets, slick sidewalks, it's freakin paradise I tell  ya!!

Anyways, for those of you snuggled at home, stuck at work, or basking in the glory of living anywhere other than the northeast, here are a ton of delightful distractions. Enjoy!

* THIS Etsy shop has the most adorable little items (so many Valentine's Day ideas) and if you click HERE, you can enter to win a custom "Love Ring". Awwww.
* Quinoa as breading. I am intrigued.
* This video will absolutely melt your heart.
* THIS app is the most glamorous way to get your hair did (also would make an awesome gift for a new mommy or friend on the mend from surgery!) Can't wait for an excuse to try  it out.
* Absolutely obsessed with this loft space (the all white, ehhh not so much)
* The Super Bowl had a just teaser, but the entire video is absolutely worth watching.
* Get me the hell out of here (on a budget!) 
* Old people are awesome.

Hump Day Distractions

Peel it girl!

Hello and Happy Hump Day from feels like freakin February NYC!!! It is bleepin chilly round these parts today, but despite the cold, I knew it was gonna be a good one when my Soul instructor Charlee (beast in the best possible way!) started our ride with a ridonky remix of the opening song from the Lion King. "Naaaaa-simbey-ahhh!!!" I mean, how do you not smile when that happens!? Just in case you didn't kick off your day with the Lion King, here are some delightful distractions to get your through.

* Do I need this iPhone case? I think I need this iPhone case. (85% chance I order it after I post this...)

* Well THAT is a brilliant idea!

* Remember my obsession with the PenguinCam at the San Diego Sea World?! Well move over pengies, there's a new polar star in town! (via exPress-o)

* Because everyone loves a new way to prepare quinoa. Yum.

* Finally a reason to move to Russia - I would have been riding free during my 30 day squat challenge!!

* How to make sure your purchases are always worth purchasing.

* HEY DR. H ARE YOU LISTENING!?!?! 20 more reasons why I'm right and it's gonna happen (soon:) 

* Future jedi?

* Who out there knits and when are you making THESE for Stella and Ferdinand? (thanks (parent)thetically speaking!)

And then it was September...

Back to life, back to reality....

Hello my merry friends! I hope that you had a wonderful long weekend and that getting up and out this morning wasn't too brutal. To kick off the shortened week and the month of September, I thought I'd share some goodies from around the web of the food-loving variety... because nothing lifts my spirits like some tasty grub. Happy munching:)

THESE 27 "food hacks" are going to blow your mind!!!

Holy COW!

Get in my belly!

THIS recipe for "Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese" from Cooking ala Mel looks absolutely incredible 

(and is absolutely on my dinner "to do" list!)

Another simple, tasty way to get some quinoa into your diet: with spinach and goat cheese (YUM!) 

Full recipe via Pass the Yum HERE).

This is gonna get juicy!

Can't get away from the BBQ just yet? (I don't blame you!) 

Here are 5 alternatives to the standard burger bun which I think all deserve a try.

Hump Day Distractions

My milkshake brings all the...

Here we are, just chugging along somewhere between Monday and Friday, am I right? I've got a most-favorite ladies trip to Atlantic City comin' in hot this weekend, so I'm pretty much just staring at the clock waiting to hit the road. Here to help us all pass the time are some delightful distractions of the internet variety. Happy clicking!

* THIS seems to confirm that the dudes in Mumford and Sons are pretty awesome...

* When uber-geek meets uber-rich, this wedding is what happens (be sure to click the link to see the photo slideshow!)

* A simple and adorable way to cheer up your votive candles for a party.

* A devoted four legged friend will go with you anywhere, even the bathroom?

* Dr. H... the war of the beard wages on (am I winning!?)

* Mother's occupation? Princess of the United Kingdom of course.

* SF to NY in under 1 hour. Do you think THIS really could happen? (via CapitalHillStyle)

* Creamy Caprese Quinoa Bake, since you folks can't get enough of these quinoa recipes (on Pinterest HERE)

* Some pretty fantastic advice on turning 30 from Olivia Wilde.

* THESE photos will blow ya mind.

* A totally awesome panhandler prank (for anyone who has ever rode public transportation).

Hump Day Distractions

Yes you ARE!

You know what's blowing my mind this morning?! Today is the LAST day of July... as in the day before August, also known as "Summer's Sunday" (get it, if the summer was a weekend, August would be Sunday because no matter how much you try to enjoy it, you know the end is near!!!) Ick. Let's forget about the beginning of the end for a while by distracting ourselves with some internet goodness. Enjoy :)

* I think I need to throw a party just so I can make a bunch of THESE.
* Why Americans and Brits don't have the same accent (learn something new everyday!) 
* Wait. $10,000!? Why isn't EVERYONE buying one of these?
* I might need this on my neck...
* Sesame Street never shies away from tackling tough issues.
* Made THIS quinoa deliciousness the other night and it earned a Merry Meri/Dr. H 2 thumbs up!!
* I love these images. (via ExPress-o)
* Who knew that bears were so itchy (SO adorable)!?
* My waistline is in serious trouble if this idea ever becomes real.
* And because I was scarred for life several years ago by a little something known as the bar exam... congrats to those who survived the past 2 days and fingers crossed you do not have to pull a stunt like THIS.

F.I.T.S. of merriment

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: This has got to be the most simultaneously hysterical and cruel prank ever.

Interesting: A few moments after a moment of NYC history that we've all come to recognize.

Tasty: Who's ready for our next adventure with quinoa!?

SiteILove: Do you love watching HGTV as much as I do?! (Property Brothers?! Income Property!?!) Even if I'm not  a house flipping DIY genius, soaking up creative and crafty ideas is inspiring. And thankfully there's YoungHouseLove, a blog just as fabulously all-things-home saavy. From massive renovations to truly do-able decor DIYs, I'm grateful that a favorite fellow blogger sent Sherry and John (self-described DIY dorks) my way!

Eat, Drink and be Merry!

Ice cream season is coming!!!

Well if this wasn't the longest 3-day week EVER! Between the cold and then the construction  debacle and getting absolutely beasted by a post-vacation deluge of work, I'm ready for the weekend big time. Maybe it will even be warm and sunny enough to warrant my first visit with Mr. Softee!? I could use some Mr. Softee... Here to ensure a fun few days ahead are some eats, a drink and a little something to make you smile. See you next week!!

Superfood Quinoa Salad. YUM.

I always struggle to find ways to kick quinoa up a notch (it's like pasta's healthier, bland cousin) but this shrimp quinoa salad looks like it just might do the trick.  Click HERE for the full recipe, including homemade lemon vinaigarette dressing (which is so easy, I can't wait to try it!) 

Tuxedo Greyhound

Could there be a cocktail more spring-y looking cocktail than these "Tuxedo Greyhounds"!? Comprised of grapefruit juice, simple syrup (granulated sugar and water), vodka and champagne (precise mixology instructions HERE) I might have to channel my inner Megan Draper and sip one of these lovelies while watching Sunday night's Mad Men season premiere (anyone else SO excited!? Full recap of last season to get you ready courtesy of Rolling Stone mag HERE). So very Zou Bisou Bisou.

Be merry!!

Good Eats.

As the weather warms up and we start shedding our layers of bulky winter clothing, I find myself craving a totally different type of cuisine. Though I love me some rich, creamy goodness, come spring I gravitate towards more fresh and colorful foods. Though I may be eating Cadbury Eggs for breakfast, here are a few recipes which include "good eats" for your weekend enjoyment. Happy cooking! ("eat me" via Pinterest)

Holy YUM and other possible deliciousness
(butternut squash mac cheese!?) over at PinchofYum

Hailed by many as the superior tater, I recently decided to give cooking sweet potatoes a try and I'm lurve. For a super easy side dish, I like to slice the potato into thin "discs", rub on a little olive oil and kosher salt, and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes (depending on thickness and desired crispness). Stuffed potato skins coming soon!

The healthiest Paula Deen recipe EVER.

Dr. H is obsessed with avocado. OBSESSED. I am definitely a fan, but unlike hubs, I don't sit around eating it with a spoon - I need a little flava. I know how to guac or serve it up with Mexican, but this might be my next dinner party dish.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Mac & Cheese.
Kitchen to do list fo sho

I like quinoa, but I haven't figured out how to take the grain "to the next level". I usually eat it as a side dish, prepared in chicken stock instead of water with seasoning  to taste, but with the help of Iowa Girl Eats, I think I'm ready to get fancy!

Pizza. Fruit. Sugar. YUM.

Leave it to Betty Crocker to help us make fruit less healthy right?! To lighten up this recipe a bit, I'm thinking of substituting the cream cheese frosting for Light Cool Whip, or maybe Greek Yogurt with some Splenda mixed in? (suggestions welcome!)