Netflix to the Rescue!

This time of year is always a bit of a struggle for TV Land addicts like Dr. H and I because we're hanging in that awkward limbo of "summer shows are over" (I miss you Game of Thrones!) and "fall shows aren't back" (we're waiting This is Us!) meaning we sit on the couch at night like zombies flipping between reruns of Family Guy and gems like American Ninja Warrior (don't judge, it's intense!!) Thankfully, there is now a plethora of Netflix original programming to get on board with and we're riding that binge-watching train all the way to "Are you still watching?" (yes of course we are stop asking!) station. Setting aside the most talked about series like House of Cards (still addicted) and Orange is the New Black (gave it up last season) here are the top 3 Merry Meri Netflix selections of the moment. What are you watching!?

Glow - Trailer HERE

This series came recommended by a fellow 80s baby who I assume grew up with a penchant for pro wrestling like Dr. H (or he's just an Alison Brie fan, could be either!) and after just 1 episode I was completely hooked. The witty writing, awesome cast and of course lady wrestling makes for an extremely watchable series which mixes comedy with life's more serious issues in a poignant and highly entertaining way. Props to Alison Brie for absolutely crushing it in her lead role as Ruth (no more standing in Pete Campbell's shadow!) but also to the full ensemble of women who all have relatable, hysterical and emotional moments of their own.

Master of None - Trailer HERE

This show is so damn well written!!!!! I've loved Aziz Ansari since he first rose to prominence on Parks and Rec, but this show brings my admiration to a whole new level. Aziz's character clearly strikes some personal resemblance and his ability to touch on everything from modern romance to racism and fame are fantastic. Props to Eric Werheim (as Arnold, Dev's hysterical, huge and heartbroken buddy) and Lena Waithe (as Denise, Dev's blunt, black, lesbian, childhood bestie) for playing complex yet relatable characters as well. The show, also a New York City foodie's paradise (seriously, I want to eat at alllll the places) has two seasons available for viewing so get to work.

The Crown - Trailer HERE

If you are a sucker for the royal family like I am, this is the show for you. In this story of the modern British Crown, beginning with Queen Elizabeth's childhood, expect a beautifully shot, complex narrative about the weight of duty and the complications of politics and the royal family. Brilliantly acted by Claire Foy and Matt Smith, expect to learn a ton of history and spend a lot of time googling for more info during end credits! Hurry and catch up on this series before Season 2 comes out (December 8) and you start to feel too far behind.

Click HERE for Thrillist's list of the best Netflix original series', then throw on some sweatpants and CHILL (literally, not in the "Netflix and Chill" sense. TV binging is serious business and thanks to this list, I've got work to do too!)

My current favorite tv show

August can be a tough month for tv lovers... most shows are on hiatus and there aren't even many live sports options (don't you dare suggest golf. Don't. You. DARE.) Thankfully when cruising my OnDemand menu recently, I discovered the GREATEST SHOW ever invented. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Drunk History (#IfYouDontKnowNowYouKnow).

Based on a hit web series, the Comedy Central show has a simple premise: someone gets absolutely wasted and tells a famous historical story. The stories are 100% accurate, but told with all the "color" that a completely sh*tfaced narrator brings to the table.

And to make everything even more hysterical, the stories are acted out, completely via lip synching (of the drunk person's narration), by famous actors and comedians (and the casting is seriously impressive). 

This show is a history lover such as myself's dream and probably the way all history should be taught... it's that engaging and entertaining. Each episode is 30 minutes and tells 2-3 stories. With all of  season 2 on Comedy Central onDemand (for free!) right now, I think you know what I'll be doing all weekend :) 

Hump Day on delay

child genius, obviously.

Since today is Throwback Thursday (#TBT), I thought we could throw it alllll the way back to yesterday, hump day, and share some delightful distractions from around the web. Enjoy!!

* Some girlie, lovely cellphone wallpapers for all my girlie, lovely ladies.

* How to do LA with little kiddos (and make sure everyone has a good time!)

* Holy cow, these images (based on models) of animals in the womb are AMAZING!

* From Blair Waldorf and Carrie Bradshaw to Chandler Bing and Jerry Seinfeld, ever wonder how much your favorite Manhattan apartment from tv would really cost to live inf?

* This is 30 (via exPress-o)

* I think it's gonna be this blunt cut with this "tortoise/ecaille" color for summer. Thoughts? 

* Viva la smart ass!

Have you heard about..?

Last night, somewhere between avoiding unpacking suitcases and pretending I was "totally fine" after 18 hours of flying and a 15 hour time change followed by a full work day, I went on a jet lag-fueled Netflix binge of the new show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. I watched 6 consecutive episodes which I think definitely qualifies me to say "have you heard about the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt because you really should be watching!!"

Kimmy is Tina Fey's first post-30 Rock endeavor and it is the comedy I've been needing since Alec, Tina and Tracy said goodbye. The show, starring Ellie Kemper (of The Office and Bridesmaids fame), is about a woman who is rescued from a doomsday cult bunker after years of imprisonment who then starts life over as a nanny for a socialite (Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock) in NYC. Though the premise seems dark, the show is jam packed with laugh out loud humor, almost offensively offensive zingers and generally outstanding comedic writing. 

As for casting, I'm thorough impressed with Ellie... never my favorite character on The Office and kind of a lightweight amongst the Bridesmaids, Ellie has tremendous comedic timing and her "only through 8-grade" lack of education comes across as cheerful naivety rather than eye-roll inducing stupidity. Jane's character, an oblivious snob, is a bit of a reprise from her 30 Rock days, but there may be a little more depth this time around and I already like her more than Jenna Maroney. The rest of the characters, a black-gay-failed-actor from Mississippi roommate, a zaney old landlady, an immigrant GPD classmate and 2 spoiled rich kid nanny-ies, all have a lot to offer and will hopefully settle into a generally excellent ensemble cast.

If you loved 30 Rock, if you like offbeat comedy, if ya just freakin want to laugh, clear your calendar and schedule an Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt binge for this weekend (besides, you probably need to lighten up from all that House of Cards anyway!)

Globe Me.

Yes Ladies. (Wish we saw more of you last night!)

Yaaaaay for awards show season and for last night's Golden Globes to 1) ease my case of the Sundays 2) give me some guidance on movies I must see/shows I should be watching and 3) judge celebrities based on their fashion sense. Overall I thought the Golden Globes were standard awards show fare, though Amy and Tiny seemed seriously underutilized. Maybe because the show ran long some of their bits got cut? I thought George Clooney's sappy tribute to his new/true love Amal was adorable,  Gina Rodriguez (from Jane the Virgin) gave the most shocked/sincere speech of the evening (or maybe it was a tie with the amazing Joanne Froggatt from Downton Abbey?) and Jeremy Renner's reference to co-presenter J. Lo's "globes" scored the best candid laugh. Now on to the important stuff...

* The Movies

Because I am an award's show season movies junkie, I have already seen and loved Boyhood, Grand Budapest Hotel, Wild, Selma and The Imitation Game. All of them were excellent (and the 1st 3 extremely unique) and I highly recommend them. Previously on my list and now confirmed as must see are Birdman, Theory of Everything and Inherent Vice. And thanks to the Globes, I've added Big Eyes, (Amy Adams for the win!) Foxcatcher (Steve Carrell is that you!?) and Cake (who knew Jennifer Aniston had range!?). Also, if you haven't seen the HBO movie The Normal Heart (staring Golden Globe winner (and eternally sexy) Matthew Bomer) grab a box of tissues and hit up your HBOGo. It's Powerful and Wonderful.

* The Shows

Last night introduced a few shows I'm (somehow) not watching and maybe should be. The first is The Affair on Showtime. I have been intrigued by the commercials for this show, but it looked heavy and emotional so I passed. May have to rethink that and get my OnDemand on!! Jane the Virgin was cute when I watched the series premiere, but then I kinda forgot about it. Hello Netflix!? And finally, I suppose we need to say Hello Amazon because their original show Transparent was all over the place last night, including wins for Best Comedy (whoa) and Best Actor for the amazingly talented Jeffrey Tambor who apparently plays a trans character on the show. I am intrigued!

* The Fashion

There's always WAY more fashion than I can cover in a reasonable length post, but here are some of the big hits and misses from last night according to yours truly:

Hits:

This look, for me, is flawless. It's unique and risky while remaining classy and chic. Julianne Moore has a body a woman of any age can be jealous of and she knows how to dress it. Kuddos for combining metallic, ombre and feathers and making it look good!!

I love this dress. It is simple and high class, but the shade of teal and fabric detailing make it just interesting enough to stand out. Plus, Felicity Jones (Theory of Everything) picked the perfect hairstyle and jewelry to complete the look.

Another less is more look for the win! Ava DuVernay (Director, Selma) chose a perfectly curve hugging navy gown which had a cape/train along the back from the shoulders. It looks so classy, the color pops against boring black and her accessories and hair are perfection.

It ain't easy for a man to make the best dressed list because the gents don't exactly have a ton of options, but Matthew Bomer managed to make his tuxedo look unique and stylish without seeming garish or showy. Tailored to perfection and the perfect shade of navy, Matt crushed it last night! (Runner up = Eddie Redmayne who also dared to be different and did it well!)

Misses:

I want to cut Rosemund Pike (Gone Girl) some slack because the woman had a baby just 5 weeks ago and looks AMAZING, but why this dress? Why something that almost creates love handles and is giving you no boob support!?

Keira Knightley's Chanel birds and butterflies gown could have been weird and beautiful, but that neckline/hemline combo is just killing me. It's a doily explosion from another era. I also hate when a starlet's outfit make me wonder if she's pregnant but with tiny Kira and that poufy waistline, I'm wondering... 

Jane Fonda, we know you have an incredible body, especially for a woman your age, but what on earth were you thinking? The tacky cutout, the strange blood spatter on your sleeve..? Darlin, no thank you.

I love the show, but as has become the norm, I hate their fashion. I thought the entire cast of Girls wasn't looking their best last night from Lena's ill-fitting bizarre hemline, to Zozia' beige/pink color clash and Allison's overly busy Christmas outfit. No thanks.

Misc fashion commentary:

- I though Melissa McCarthy nailed dressing her figure in black tie for the first time (ever?)

- No no no. Yes yes yes.
- Jennifer Aniston's hair did nothing for her not-all-that-interesting look.

- Kate Hudson you are so hot, but you should consider a classier, more fabric-inclusive look! 

- Katherine Heigl looked hungry

- It's not easy to stand next to George, but Amal did a great job except those white gloves which could have been amazingly old Hollywood, but instead looked baggy and cheap party store.

- I can't decide if I love or hate this look on Sienna.

For a full list of the 2015 Golden Globes winners, click HERE.

Tuning back in.

Time to tune in!

I am proud (probably too proud) to share that while on vacation, Dr. H and I watched television a grand total of 1 time. That's right, the television addicts who brought you posts like THIS and THIS went 7 of 8 days without their beloved boob tube. Now there are a few explanations beyond our lack of interest that I should disclose: 

#1- for the first 3 nights of our trip, we stayed somewhere without a single tv on the premises. Not in the room or the lobby or anywhere. It was kinda awesome.

#2- We don't speak Finnish or Danish (which limits your tv options in Finland and Denmark). 

#3- Dr. H and I are "tv show watchers" not "tv watchers" meaning we rarely turn on the tv as background noise or to mindlessly flip through the channels. We're either watching a program we love (see #2) or not turning the thing on.

Given all that, we certainly should have watched less tv, but I'm really pleased with just how little we actually did. We turned on a tv just once, when we were back in the room after a night out and fell asleep to Tom Hanks being adorable in The Terminal (#Random).

But ENOUGH of THAT!! Now we're back in NYC where the evenings are long and cold and the winter hiatus of shows is nearly over. Thank goodness. I mean, Sunday night's premiere of Downton Abbey was pretty much the only thing that kept me from spiraling into a deep end-of-vacation depression. Click HERE for a full list, by day, of all the winter premiers, from Mindy, to Modern Family, Parenthood, Girls, Shameless, Parks and Rec and The Americans... By the end of January, my DVR will be overflowing with options and our vacation induced tv-hiatus will be a distant memory. 

What I'm watching...

The end of September is here which means we can all stop watching re-runs and Netflix and the bottom of the barrel shows left on our DVR and focus on the new and returning shows about to re-stake their claim on primetime. HOORAY! Being the tv junkie that I am, I thought I'd give you a little Fall 2014 TV lineup. What are you watching!?

New shows that have caught my eye:

As we all know, August and September means seeing an influx of marketing for all the network's new shows. Some will be awesome, most will be cancelled. Here's a list of the shows that have caught my eye

* How to Get Away with Murder - ABC Thursday @ 10pm

Another drama from hit-maker Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy and Scandal), this show about a criminal law professor and her students has definitely grabbed my attention. The first episode (last Thurs. was good, but I'm not totally sold yet).

* A to Z - NBC Thursday @ 9:30pm

I'm always on the lookout for a decent 30 minute comedy (I miss you Office and 30 Rock!) so this uniquely structured romantic comedy about an entire relationship is definitely going to get a chance. 

* Manhattan Love Story - ABC Tuesday @ 8:30pm

This show gets a look purely because they've been filming it all over my neighborhood. The premise seems cute enough though, a budding romance in NYC with voiceovers sharing what's actually going on inside each characters mind. Let's see...

* Marry Me - ABC Tuesday @ 9pm

I love Ken Marion (since his Wet Hot American Summer Days) so this comedy featuring him and the show's writer's real life wife (Casey Wilson of Happy Endings, a show that never did much for me) is worth a shot. A couple in love but vexed with silly complications!? Maybe.

And coming back for another season...

* Parks and Recreation - Left us with a big jump forward in time at the end of last season. Excited to see what this season has in store.

* Parenthood - This is one of the better shows on tv that not nearly enough people are watching. Coming in for it's final season, this complex family drama is totally worth getting caught up on.

* Scandal - Though I worry that this show's schtick may be getting a bit tired, I'm not nearly ready to give up on Olivia and her band of gladiators.

* Nashville - A prime time soap opera with live country music, the mom from Friday Night Lights (love you Connie Britton) and a surprisingly impressive Hayden Panettiere... highly entertaining and a good filler for my otherwise available Wednesday night!

* New Girl - This show wavers for me, but when it's funny, it's really funny. The show is at its best when the ensemble feeds off one another, but especially scene stealing Nick and Schmidt. Watch for a laugh.

* Homeland - Enough said.

Watch & Read.

Reading and Watching, my favorites!

As many of you know, I like to read and I like to watch tv (#LoverofLeisureActivities). And sometimes the universe delights and sends me a funny new television show or an "I can't put it down and go to sleep (even though it's 1am)" book and I'm over the moon about it. This summer, the universe sent me both (WOOOO!!!) so I thought "I gots to share with my merry friends!" Happy watching and reading (and happy Friday!) (#Iuseparenthasistoomuch)

* TV Show - You're The Worst

This show employed a brilliant strategy from the get-go: debut in late Aug-early Sept when there is absolutely no interesting scripted television to compete with. Found on FX Thursdays at 10:30, You're the Worst is an honest, raunchy, laugh-out-loud-while-cringing, comedy about 30 somethings falling in and out of love and finding themselves in the complicated "adult" world. And I promise it's not corny or contrived, it's good!! Filled with breakout stars from the leads to the supporting characters (my personal favorite is sassy best friend Lindsay played by Kether Donahue!) this new series is definitely the best thing I'm watching on tv right now (and the New Yorker likes it too which makes me feel very justified in this rave review!) Next week is the season finale (fingers crossed it gets picked up for a second!) so head over to your OnDemand screen and get caught up soon!!

* Book - Big Little Lies

Nothing beats finishing a thoroughly enjoyed book and Big Little Lies was just that. It was juicy while having a little depth, it was long but not terribly heavy and the pages flew by. Big Little Lies by Laura Moriarty is a good read!! Focused on the varied lives of three women living in Australia, BLL begins with a murder and then backtracks, all while delving into the psyches, pettiness, gossip and real-life struggles of being the parent of a kindergartener in a small wealthy town. The characters have more depth the more you read and what I assumed would be all fluff turned into a much more substantive plot with lessons to be learned and surprises from several characters. Not only would I highly recommend Big Little Lies as your next book, but I'm off to download Moriarty's previous tome, The Husband's Secret to keep the "I don't sleep I lay in bed and read" train going. Who needs sleep where there's a good book to be read!?

An All-Things-Emmys Roundup

Well done buddy!

Did you watch the Emmys last night? Dr. H and I tuned in for the whole 3 hours and were fairly entertained the entire time which for an awards show is a pretty big feat! I thought Seth Meyers did a great job hosting and while I didn't agree with (several) of the winners, I thought the Emmy's were, overall, an excellent evening for my beloved boob tube (we watched EVERY show nominated in more than a few categories. #shamelesscouchpotatoes) Here is a roundup of my thoughts, the fashion and some highlights from last night's show.

* For me, THIS was the funniest bit of the night (and not just because I walked past Billy filming it last week!)

* I thought a LOT of stars brought their A-Game to the red carpet but some personal favorites were:

Lizzy Caplan looking somehow even hotter
than she does (naked!) on Masters of Sex. 

SYTYCD host- robbed of an Emmy, but not
red carpet glory. Cat Deeley for the win!

Sarah Hyland with an age-appropriate
but still classy crop-top look. NICE.

Hayden making pregnancy on the
red carpet look SO good (not easy!)

Honorable mentions to Amy Poehler, Michelle Dockery and January Jones (As for Sarah Paulson... at least you didn't get any mosquito bites!?) For more Emmy fashion favorites (from the experts) click HERE, HERE and HERE

* Look out for Netflix network/cable tv! Last night's bevy of nominees from the streaming service's hit shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards were a pretty clear indication of where tv taste is headed. I thought this commercial summed the whole thing up pretty nicely.

* Weird Al is not aging. Also, he's still pretty funny.

* I do not understand the obsession with Amazing Race and Big Bang Theory. Honestly. What am I missing!?!
* THIS is the guy who directed True Detective. He and Willie Nelson obviously share a hair stylist.
* I love Modern Family and have seen just about every episode, but come on. This past season especially, I have a hard time ranking them as better than the actors and shows they were up against.

* I think I need to start watching Sherlock.

Hump Day Distractions

Awwww yeah.

Is it Friday yet? No seriously... IS IT FRIDAY YET!?! Man oh man... at least the temperatures warmed up? Here for your humping pleasure is a big 'ol list of goodies from around the web. Enjoy!

* Lose 10 lbs like Beyonce. 

* An interesting study on the impact of tv on littlest kiddos. I see where they're coming from, but I dunno... Sesame Street and Dora don't really seem to be hurting anybody...

* Yes please.

* If only I had a dresser drawer to spare, this organizational DIY looks fabulous!

* I want to go to there... all of theres.

* Since I suffer from self-diagnosed seasonal affective disorder, I will definitely be trying some of THESE tips.

* These cracked me up big time.

* Six foods that will help keep you healthy this flu season.

* The secret of the mystery flavor revealed!!

* A beautiful video that every mom should see.

* These are absolutely more important than work right now (prepare to smile!)

Naked & Afraid.

Naked & Afraid on the "island from hell"

Please tell me that you guys are watching this show. This absolutely insane, ridiculously titled, completely addicting show. Summer's television lineup leaves Dr. H and I with a bit more free time on our hands (past posts on our tv addiction HERE, HERE and HERE) so last week when our DVR of Deadliest Catch (yup) ran into the first 10 minutes of Discovery Channel's new series "Naked and Afraid" we were willing to watch and see if it could hook us. 7 days and 3 episodes later (yup) we are beyond hooked - we are talking about the show incessantly (#nakedandafraid), debating the impact of life-saving producer interventions and wondering just how many days we could survive naked in the wilderness. 

The concept of the show is simple: 1 man and 1 woman, complete strangers, are left in an extreme environment (Panamanian jungle, the Tanzanian Serengeti, etc) for 21 days, totally naked. They get to bring 1 item with them (e.g., a stainless steel cup, a machete) but beyond that, they must find food, water and shelter completely from the earth. There are no prizes for surviving all 21 days, only a chance to boost your PSR (each contestant is given an initial and final "primitive survival rating" based on mental, physical and prior experience assessments) and to win bragging rights in the "survivalist" community. The elements are EXTREME (scorching sun, days-long storms, deadly animals) and the resourcefulness of each episode's contestants consistently blows my mind (twigs weaved into a lobster pot that actually catches 2 lobsters? who does that!?) The show is so captivating you almost forget about the nudity (almost). 

So this week after you've gotten your dose of Showtime and HBO, So You Think You Can Dance and whatever you're viewing on Netflix, check out Naked and Afraid. Seriously, because to quote The Daily Beast: Naked and Afraid is, in every sense of the word, an insane show. It’s also quite possibly the most riveting reality series on television. Ever." 

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!

Order has been restored.

I do love potatoes...

Up until yesterday afternoon, Dr. H and I had been living in our new apartment sans cable or internet. With so many areas impacted by recent storms* the earliest appointment FiOs could give us was 5 days after our move-in. Given our affinity for vegging out in front of the tv (serious love for our "programs") this was a pretty gaping hole in our ability to "settle" into the new place. We'd been meandering through our evenings, lost souls with nothing to do but unpack boxes, assemble furniture and bicker out of exhaustion about the placement of stuffed animals (Dr. H is not pleased that his Joe Montana Wrestling Buddy has been relegated to a closet). 

But with the television back in our lives, it's like we've re-located our center. Last night I cooked dinner, we watched some shows, Dr. H did the dishes and we snuggled, little productivity-less zombies on the couch. I sighed and thought to myself "here is our routine, order has been restored." Those night stands that got delivered and require assembly? Tomorrow. The fact that our hall closet is mostly a heap of shizz with a giant stuffed penguin on top? I'll get to it. Maybe it's ridiculous to allow the tv to play such a vital role in our home, but honestly, I don't care. Life requires so much doing and organizing and thinking, that sometimes the anecdote has to be mindless entertainment. So thank you Carrie Matheson, Ron Swanson, Dwight Schrute and Jon Stewart for bringing normalcy back to our home. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a week's worth of television to catch up on.

*Ed. Note: Dr. H and I feel truly lucky to be in living in a heated home, with electricity and no storm damage. I recognize that quibbling over cable is a blessing relative to so many other NY'ers in truly dire circumstances. Make a difference by clicking HERE.

Hump Day Distractions

Are you lookin at me?

Well hump-ty dumpty do, we've made it to Wednesday. My head has been abuzz this week with all sorts of non-blog related items (holidays, apt hunting, work shenanigans to name a few...) so please "bear" with me (hehe) as we hump our way towards the weekend!

* Guaranteed to make you smile.
* Click HERE to discover just how many hours you should be dedicating to the boob tube this fall.

* Break out the beers, turn on the game and make THESE a part of your next football Sunday (so easy, so tasty)
* I intend to see Happy. [via CupofJo]

* I've always loved the simplicity of black and white, but color gives new life to these photos... which do you prefer?

* I love free concerts (who doesn't!?)

* THESE are almost too terrifying to be funny. Drive safely my friends!

Sweet dreams (eventually).

How about we start at EAT & skip to SLEEP TIME?
ps- "pyjamas"?

How long does it take you to get ready for bed at night? If I want my head to hit the pillow at the same time as Dr. H, I need at least a ten minute head start... There's teeth brushing and face washing, contact removing, moisturizer applying and medicine taking, also one final pee, apartment door locking and last but not least, night time hair styling (usually a high bun or pony to ensure maximum morning hair glamour). It's my routine and I can't see how to remove a single step. Even on my most exhausted (or lazy or boozy) nights, I never ever climb into bed without at least a clean face and minty mouth. Dr. H on the other hand can make it from couch to comatose in about 3-minutes flat. I envy his no fuss existence.

And the worst part of it is that sometimes I stay up too late, lingering on the couch in front of the television, out of sheer apathy for my own routine! I think "ooooh it's so annoying to get ready for bed, I'll just put it off for a few minutes longer..." (because contact lens removal is that difficult?) Is it insanity that I'm so routinized that I can't even go to sleep without checking things off a to-do list or are my steps truly essential!? Maybe someday we'll have a magical way to be cleaned and primped and bed-ready in seconds, but until then, I'll see you in my dreams (eventually:)

Farewell Bob.

Dr. H will miss your nightly chats

The time has come. After a two week love affair with all things Olympic, on Sunday night we will say goodbye to the XXX Olympiad in the best possible fashion (with The Who and the Spice Girls). It's been an awesome marathon of television viewing, transforming me into a certified couch potato/online streaming addict (I actually watched several events twice yesterday, once live and again during the primetime broadcast. I know, I'm out of control.) but all good things must come to an end...

Thanks for this Sis.

Dr. H and I will go back to streaming Netflix (we've missed you Coach Taylor) until Dwight Schrute and Ron Swanson return. I also plan to finally make some homemade soft serve. But for now, enjoy this witty joke:

And consider the sheer greatness of THIS picnic table modification:

Someone get me this table (and a yard.)

Most importantly...

See ya Monday!