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.

On my mind (and in my ears)...

YAY indeed!

It's Fri-yay!! This morning, after Wednesday weather that was reminiscent of a mid-winter monsoon and a Thursday that couldn't seem to make up it's mind, I basked in the glory of a perfect spring stroll to the subway and the fact that a glorious weekend is mere hours away. Here to take you into the weekend is a bit of what's been on my mind (and in my ears!) lately. Have a good one!

Purple reign!?

Been thinking about my hair again and maybe, just maybe, going back to the wild side. Since as I've shared before (here, here) it takes months for me to commit and dye-ve in (hehe), what are your thoughts on the purple/lavender trend? Not for my whole head of course, but maybe a few underside streaks for summer!?

Nutrition Fact.

j'adore

I'm thinking there will need to be gold polka dots in my next apartment. Yes definitely... gold polka dots... (Check out the dots and other amazing wall decals and removable wallpaper patterns from WallsNeedLove)

It sometimes is all Black & White.

What's that you say Dr. H? You want to throw me a "Black and White Ball" a la Truman Capote for my 30th Birthday!? (Someone tell him, he doesn't read the blog!!)

If you love lady rap, then you must check out the debut album from Iggy Azalea, The New Classic. Funky fresh hip hop and ridiculous beats (without the rage of Minaj or Lil Kim), Iggy will no doubt be in my ears all weekend.

Hump Day Distractions

Are you dying looking at this picture? Because I'm dying
looking at this picture. (More (very) random greatness, HERE)

Guess what you guys!? I'm going to talk about the weather!!! The it-snowed-last-night-are-you-serious-with-this-frost-on-the-ground, mother f'ing weather! If you don't believe in global warming and the man-made impact on our weather patterns, it is time to get on the freakin bandwagon my friend. Seriously. [Rant. Over.] While I thaw out and will it to get warmer ASAP, here are some delightful distractions from around the web. Enjoy!

* Hey there hockey fans, are you ready!? #BecauseItsTheCup

* It's like someone went into my brain and created my heaven on earth.

* You know you're getting old when you swoon over a good deal on chic flatware.

* Pursue your passions.

* If you purchase THIS awesome necklace in gold or silver (not rose!) and use the code "run4brad" at checkout, 75% of proceeds will go to Burke Rehabilitation Hospital on behalf of an amazing co-worker of mine and her husband.

* Do you have any of these kitchen gadgets?

* Irene and Alice, you are my heroes (seriously watch this for a smile, it's adorable).

Hump Day Distractions

Haha!

A winter weather hello and happy hump day to you my friends! NYC is a snowy wonderland again and though it makes getting around a bit tougher and slower, I have to say... I love it. If it's going to be cold, might as well have snow (says the girl with no driveway to shovel or car to skid around!) I'm trying my best to enjoy the sparkling white before it all turns muddy grey. For those of you relaxing at home as well as the tortured ones who had to schlep to work, here are some distractions to get you over the hump!

* What a brilliant idea for all those broken Forever 21 purchases that I can't seem to throw away!

* Ever wonder what the best (aka, most popular) movie to be filmed in your state is?

* I've always loved American Eagle undies (and jeans, and accessories!) but THIS gives me another reason to be a fan.

* This baby has excellent musical taste (worth waiting through the pre-roll!)

* Some tips for staying fit when you work 10+ hours days.

* I am a HUGE sucker for J Crew's color palate (jane green! bright blue! popping pink!) so  I found THIS video about their color creation process super fascinating.

* Dear shoes. I need you.

* If you love Disney World even half as much as I do, you've gotta check out these secret factoids!

* Oh men.

Hump Day Distractions

Yeeeaahhh buddy!

Is it strange that I find today's forecast of 90 degrees and sunny to be absolutely THRILLING!? Summer weather appears to be back in full force so this cubicle-bound girl has just crossed all her fingers and toes that the heat lasts until the weekend. Also, am I super lame for talking about the weather so often? Who cares, I lurve me some summer sun! Here to get us all over the hump are some delight distractions from around the web. Happy clicking!!

* John Steinbeck's 1958 letter on love transcends time.

* A fascinating slideshow documenting the impact Mayor Bloomberg has had on New York City.

* This braided crown looks adorable and easy to execute - that's my kinda hairdo! (via ExPress-o)
* MUST.WIN.THIS.NECKLACE!!!!!!!

* Some of THESE photos are in fact pretty damn awesome.

* Too much time on his hands or Vine video genius?

* Dinner tonight.

* THIS article has been making the rounds on my Facebook feed. It applies to everyone (not just parents!)

* A simple, sweet way to make your party balloons look pretty.

* If Disney Princesses had Instagram. Freakin brilliant!

* Some awesome prank inspiration.

Have a wonderful weekend!

In my mind, this is precisely what the weekend has in store

I am in complete denial. That little biotch Mother Nature appears to have a mostly grey and chilly few days in store for the New York area, but forecast be damned, I packed for 3 days of glorious 80 and sunny weather. My wedges and parrot print romper brilliance waits for no one (<-- actual outfit I plan to wear this weekend). Annnnyways... it's Memorial Day Weekend which means the (un)official start of summer (first fireworks of the season WOO!) So no matter the weather, I say bust out your white pants, throw another shrimp on the bar-be (hehe) and enjoy these bits and biddies from around the web on your way out the door. Happy Friday!!

* Cooked THIS recipe for dinner last night and it legit rocked my world (note: I sauteed some shrimp with salt, pepper and olive oil, then added them for a bit of protein)

* Friend of the blog Laur thinks we should ALL be making THESE for dessert this weekend. (Thanks Laur!)

Red White & Blue

Doesn't get much easier than sand in a pretty jar with some party-store purchases propped out the top.

Raspberry Ice Cubes

Add to a glass of white wine, put your pedicured toesies up and Ommm...

Honey Bear Flower Vase!

Learn how to make these adorable honey bear flower vases from your old honey bottles along with 51 other "Insanely Easy Ways to Transform Everyday Things" (Cue the "why didn't I think of thats" now!)

Have a wonderful weekend!

On predicting the weather.

Brick Tamland. Trustworthy and lamp loving.

Does anyone else out there regret not becoming a weather(wo)man? I mean, I totally get that weather is unpredictable and asking someone to determine with certainty what mother nature has in store is completely unreasonable, but still... Yesterday I came across the headline "Winter Storm May or May Not Blast City". For reals. Can you imagine a teacher saying "2 + 2 may or may not equal 5" or how about hearing "this food may or may not taste terrible" from your waiter!? Being a weather(wo)man means living in a world of best guesses and never having to worry about accuracy. Sounds awesome. 

And the worst part is that we all get super worked up when they forecast a possibility of snow (in winter... when it often snows) and every damn time I buy into the hype, like this morning when I hit snooze an extra two times, willing there to be a work-canceling mountain of snow behind my unopened bedroom curtains (no dice). When will I learn (or finally leave my job in pursuit of a lifetime of accountability-less colorful map pointing)? 

The weather man it saying...

Snowy night ahead!!

In honor of winter storm Nemo (we name winter storms now apparently?) here's a fabulous montage of winter weather insanity. So fire up the Netflix, stock up on booze and frozen pizzas and enjoy the beauty of a fresh blanket of sparkling snow. Stay warm my friends!