Showing posts with label rain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rain. Show all posts

Monday, November 17, 2014

Blegh.

That's about right.
Today, I am sick. I felt it coming on Friday evening and by yesterday I had a full blown cold with a painful sore throat, cough and swollen glands. It's one of those "not bad enough to be totally down for the count, but totally bad enough to feel miserable" situations and the grey skies and rain here in NYC ain't makin me feel any better. Blegh indeed. 

I wish so badly that I had one of these.

Can't hurt to try.

So. True.

Lunch. (aka, Jewish Penicillin) 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Doom and Gloom - Day 2

Autumn Rain
We're enduring a second straight day of grey skies, downpours and serious wind here in NYC and even though there's something a little romantic about puddles of colorful leaves everywhere, the romance kinda dissipates when the sideways rain soaks you and your umbrella becomes a parachute. Blegh. Since I'm feeling all doomy and gloomy today (the sun will come out tomorrow? I hope??) here are some smile worthy items from my beloved, -always there to distract me - world wide web. Stay dry my friends!!

How amazing and creepy but mostly amazing is this sculpture in Budapest!?




I freaking love a good pun!!! More HERE (thanks Sis!)


Animals dressed as other animals. YES.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Sip on spring

Drinking & Shopping... 2 personal favorites.
Today is a gloomy and grey April day here in NYC so I thought "hmmm... what is the opposite of that?" and quickly decided it is a bright and sweet cocktail. Yes indeed a cocktail is just what we need to survive these April showers until our May flowers arrive (and if that doesn't work, go shopping... but not after you've had a spring cocktail... that could get expensive).

A Raspberry Beer Cocktail sounds like heaven in a mason jar to me. With only a few ingredients required, you don't have to be a master mixologist to serve up this delicious (and potent!) drink during happy hour at you house! Click HERE for the full recipe from cup of Mai.

For those of you with a bit more patience and muddling experience, this Grapefruit Mojito looks divine and oh-so-springy! Click HERE for the full recipe from Iowa Girl Eats along with a complimentary recipe for Grapefruit Chicken Satay (Yum!!)

Skinny Sparkling Raspberry Margarita... was there ever a more delightful combination of words!? Since sweet drinks can often be loaded with sugar (i.e., calories) I was excited to stumble upon this recipe for a slightly less naughty margarita, including a brand suggestion for sugar free syrup (Torani). Click HERE for the recipe from the Comfort of Cooking, and get a practice cocktail in before Cinco de Mayo!!

Perfect for your next bridal shower or bachelorette, this pretty pink "Blushing Bride" cocktail is easy to make (just 3 ingredients, no mixing or stirring required) and darling to look at. Click HERE for the full recipe from Capitol Hill Style.

And because your Sunday brunch host/hostess duties are not complete without a champagne cocktail, here's a handy little chart of bubbly recipes for your sipping pleasure! (Enlarge and Pin it HERE).

Thursday, December 5, 2013

The World Isn't Such a Bad Place.

Straight ahead!
So here's the thing. I started writing a funny lil somethin for today's post, but then I woke up tired and it was grey and foggy and my motivation to be peppy and funny just sorta fizzled. I was all like "rise and shine it's a brand new day!" but the universe was like "are you crazy woman it's gross out, you should really stay in bed." So obviously I resolved this conflict by procrastinating on Facebook (how did people procrastinate before social media was invented!?) and thankfully a favorite Californian lady friend had shared a link titled "35 Pictures that Prove the World isn't Such a Bad Place". I was like "YES, more procrastination!!!" and clicked away...



By the time I got to this one, I wasn't just smiling, I'd actually become a little teary eyed:

So on this very grey and gloomy (and strangely warm and humid) Thursday, I strongly suggest you click HERE and get inspired by the insane amount of goodness that's out there in the world. Today we can be mushy and warm fuzzy, tomorrow I'll try to crack you up while explaining the debacle of my missing owl t-shirt.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Hair, there and everywhere

Rain rain go away.
Today is (another) one of those days when having hair, like, at all, is a pain in the patooty. I have literally gone through 3 different styles (bun was too flat, pony was too poufy, messy and down is just right?!) desperate to make something presentable out of the pouring rain, humid, misty mess on my head. Though I generally love my hair (It never puts on weight! It can always be changed!) my naturally curly(ish) coif ends up frizzy and lifeless when the weather does not cooperate. Since I know I'm not alone in my quest to keep my mane looking good, I thought I would share some favorite products and styles with my merry friends.
Bumble and bumble - Surf Spray
Beach in a bottle
This product is the best addition to my hair regime that I've had in a long time. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray is applied to your hair right out of the shower (you don't even need to brush it, just towel dry) and the instructions are literally like "apply, crunch around, stand in wind". I'm amazed at the genuinely beachy look this product gives my hair and it is perfect to use when you're in a rush, or on a day like today when wet weather renders styling useless. 
Pros: Gives hair great body, creates a convincingly post-day-at-the-beach style perfect for summer (also rainy days) and requires less than 5 minutes styling time
Cons: The spray is salt-water based, so your hair does feel a bit dry after use. I wouldn't recommend daily application

Tons of products to choose from
Growing up, I used Biosilk to tame fly-aways and give my hair extra shine, but I've recently become a Moroccan Oil convert. Moroccan Oil smells amazing, and the tiniest amount (literally, less than dime sized for my mid-back length hair) reduces frizz and creates gorgeous shine. I apply the basic oil treatment after straightening for a glossy finish or after making barrel or kinky-curls to reduced the fuzz/flyaway halo that humidity or wind can create.
Pros: Gives hair gorgeous shine, an amazing smell (that lasts ALL day) and reduces frizz without creating oily hair (also, lasts FOREVER because you need so little per use)
Cons: VERY easy to overdo it. The little glass bottles don't have a dispenser meaning the oil sometimes flows out in amounts far larger than what's needed. DO NOT use too much or you'll look greasy

Knot Hairstyle (with photo instructions!)
Style-a-knot
Having a few go-to updo's for your hair is an awesome way to avoid ponytail fatigue. I've found that the key to these "everyday" styles is that they must be genuinely easy to execute otherwise you'll get frustrated/run late for work/never even attempt them. I LOVE the "knots" style featured above as well as the messy buns looks pictured below (just divide your hair into 2-3 sections and secure 2-3 messy buns with bobby pins in the back). Tricks to remember - when styling your hair, brushes are the enemy. If your hair is too smooth or clean, it won't hold a style as well (making easy updos a great option for non-wash days). I also sometimes cheat and use damp hair because it's so NOT smooth that it's easier to secure. Check out a few other fun/easy styles HERE, HERE and HERE
Pros: Unique (compliments abound on updo days), easy and fast
Cons: Practice makes perfect. Definitely take a new updo for a test drive BEFORE the morning you want to pull it off.

You accessorize your neck, ears, fingers and wrists, why not your hair!? I'm amazed at how a boring high bun or ponytail takes on new life by simply applying a colorful flower, hairband, scarf or pretty clip. Small accessories can add so much to your outfit and low-price point options abound at places like H&M and Forever 21. Next time you're desperate to get your hair from blah to beautiful, clip in a little something fun!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Hump Day Distractions

Rubber Ducky, you're the (big) one!
This morning the skies opened up in NYC and dumped enough rain on me to soak nearly every ounce of clothing I was wearing (despite my raincoat and umbrella!) ...and did I mention it was before 8am and I was going to WORK OUT!?! Universe, you're a real b*tch sometimes, ya know that!!? Anyway, here to help us hump the hell outta this day are a ton of delightful distractions. Enjoy!

* What an awesome way to preserve your kid's artwork without having to save every single piece (though I strongly recommend keeping more than a few originals anyway:)
* More information than you ever needed (but kind of wanted) to know about the Doritos Locos Taco.
* Anyone have a spare $695 to buy me these quirky beauties? (via Honestly WTF)
* And while we're on the topic of expensive beyond belief... Looks like a sort of unintentional sequel to "The September Issue" (which I adored).
* Spice up your dinner party table decor for just $9.99 (via Justina Blakeney)
* Warren Buffet wants us to remember the ladies..!
* Pasta salad deliciousness.
* Whole lotta awesome hair tutorials.
* Amazing people in amazing combinations.
* Craft those cheapy votive candle holders into a little something special.
* THIS dog just blew my mind.
* A Dad with an excellent sense of humor (I hope his wife has one too!)
* I think her joke is hysterical and his animation is perfection.

Friday, April 12, 2013

It's raining, it's pouring...

Who knew!?
After an almost summer-like few days, I'd forgotten about the whole "April Showers" thing... I suppose I'll let this one slide mother nature :) I'm hiding from the rain in my cube today, then it's off to Atlantic City for a sequin and animal print tribute to a favorite bride-to-be. Wish me luck at the penny slots (quarters if I'm really feeling daring).

Here's to hoping your weekend is "sprinkled" with fun! Happy Friday!!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Rain Rain Go Away!


Oh goodness gracious, this again!? There are few things more rotten than waking up to a rainy Manhattan morning. Doesn’t matter if it’s misting or pouring, walking around in the rain is the WORST! Taxis are a rare oasis when the skies are grey, so being a New Yorker means learning how to keep dry.* Thankfully, THAT’s something to love - rainy days require special accessories (and accessories are awesome).

The first essential rainy day accessory = rain boots. No shoes other than rain boots will keep you dry on your schlep from the apartment to the subway (I have ruined many a shoe this way...) so cute boots are a must. These pretty ladies and I met on Gilt Group. These will find me some day in my dreams. And of course, Hunter boots are extremely popular and classic. If you’re a dude, Dr. H has serious man-love for his “Shboots” (shoe-boots; he made that up himself!). They’re extra awesome because you can get away with leaving them on at work whereas women usually have to switch out of their “wellies” upon arrival. 

Next, a small umbrella. Why small? Two reasons: first you should ALWAYS have your umbrella in your bag (the day you leave it behind is the day it starts raining while you’re out and then you have to buy an ugly, over-priced umbrella from the dude on the corner). Second, NYC sidewalks are a war-zone in the rain. You have to guard your eyes from a million poking umbrellas while maneuvering your own up and down to avoid collision. While a huge golf umbrella would probably be more effective, be a good Samaritan and only take up the essential airspace directly overheard. I love Target.com’s collection as well as those cheapies near the register at H&M. 

Lastly, you need a good raincoat. I spent several years improvising on this front and it was a mistake. You want water resistant, a hood and long enough to cover at least ⅓ of your legs (umbrellas leave you defenseless against sideways rain). Luckily there are plenty of reasonably priced cute options worth investing in (Target rules; Modcloth is awesome for finding the “adorable version” of any item). Stay dry my merry friends!!

*Note: “Keeping dry” is an illusion. Inevitably your adorable umbrella will be inverted by the wind, your pants will be soaked in that 2” sliver between your raincoat and boots and your purse will be soggy, but at least you’re going to look awesome while you wait for the sun to come back out!