It's like recess for my brain

As you might have guessed about a blogger (who's married to an online business man) the internet plays a big part in my daily life. It’s hard to imagine how people did anything from staying in touch (email, Skype, Facebook) to travel (Mapquest, Tripadvisor, GOOGLE!) without the convenience of the world a click away. As someone who spends over 10 hours a day, 5 days per week sitting at a computer, the internet is like a playground for my mind and imagination. I go wherever I please to learn, play and absorb content that I’d likely never otherwise find (EXAMPLE 1; EXAMPLE 2; EXAMPLE 3)

My latest internet obsessions are Pinterest and Stumbleupon. Both are awesome because they aggregate the best of what’s out there, everything from information to inspiration, and keep it all neatly filed and organized for future reference. It’s great having a permanent (and paperless) archive of recipes, beauty tips and my 1,000,000 “someday” craft projects! 

Yesterday the internet community was in an uproar over SOPA and PIPA, two acronyms I had never even heard of before, let alone understand. Wikipedia and several other popular websites went “black” to raise awareness about the legislation which is perceived by many to hinder a free and open internet. I can't say I know enough to take a position, but I can say that I researched it online and learned a ton. I also sent a note to my grandmother, learned how to clean my microwave using vinegar and checked out the menu for tomorrow night's dinner plans. Anything that allows me to do all that, is amazing.

Learn more about SOPA and PIPA here 

Follow me on Pinterest here

Image via Pinterest (because the internet can take you from your desk to amazing places like Fiji!)

Hump Day Distractions

Get your weekly dose of cooky (not much mysterious or spooky) here:

* Well THIS shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s ever eaten one of her fried, with a side of fried, topped with a little fried (completely delicious) meals. * The last segment of my love affair with Marcel (for now!) Check out his interview with Brian Williams. * If you could go back in time and re-create a moment captured by a photo, which one would you pick? 

* I want to own THESE (and THESE, and obviously THESE).

* Here’s a list of 25 clever ideas which will make you say “why didn’t I think of that!?” (thanks Sis!) 

* I think the “Sh*t ____ Says” video craze is getting a bit overdone, but this is hysterical and possibly the best one I’ve seen.

Image via Pinterest

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!

Images via Pinterest

Big solutions start with small actions.

I am in love with New York City. I love this place so deeply, I’m like a horrible Carrie Bradshaw cliche. NYC is fast, exciting, diverse, colorful and so very chic... all things I aspire to be. That’s why I’m troubled when people are critical of my urban love affair and insist that there must be something I don’t like about living here. Well, there is one HUGE thing I hate about living here - the almost daily exposure to homelessness. Seeing a fellow human without food and shelter or a loving family member to assist in a time of great need makes my heart ache. Though homelessness exists everywhere, it’s particularly present in urban settings and it’s in stark juxtaposition to the shiny skyscrapers and fancy restaurants we have here. And regardless of how you feel about a person who spends their day begging for charity, the idea that they are so alone in this world that you’re their best hope is sad.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, who believed in ones own ability to make the world a better place, here’s a list of WAYS TO HELP which I think are worth considering:

* Volunteer at a soup kitchen - There are lots of places looking for people to spend a few hours cooking and serving. Look HERE if you’re in NYC. It’s an eye opening experience and I believe it means as much to the volunteers as it does to those you’re serving.

* Give away food - If you’ve got food in the fridge that you know is going to go bad before you have a chance to eat it, pack it up in a plastic bag and hand it off to a person in need on the street. You can do the same with restaurant leftovers that you’re unlikely to actually reheat. Sure you get the occasional individual that doesn’t want anything but cash, but most often the men and women I’ve done this with are incredibly appreciative.

* SMILE!!! - In college I volunteered every week at an amazing soup kitchen called Charlie’s Place and I became “friends” with several of the regular patrons. One man told me that what he loved best about me was that I smiled at him. He told me that being homeless means people are afraid to look at you, that they avert their eyes and rush past. He said eye contact and a smile made him feel human and that’s something I’ll never forget. Next time you’re passing a homeless person on the street, share a smile even if you don’t want to drop anything in his/her cup. It’s free and it just might be the nicest thing anyone has “given” them all day.

Image via Pinterest

Are you ready for some football!?

Will the"new messiah" defeat one of football's reigning QB gods? 

Do the Saints go marching in?

Is New York really ready to crush the cheese(heads)?

Does my college roommate's undying love for all things Raven finally get rewarded?

Only time will tell.

Here's to tasty wings, ice cold beers and THIS amazing treat courtesy of Jimmy Fallon.

Image via Pinterest

Hey Winter... where are you!?

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I am actually craving a snowy, cozy, winter's day. We've been unseasonably warm (and often rainy) in the northeast for most of December and January and I've had enough. If I can't be wearing flip flops, the least mother nature could do is give me some snow.

Wrapping up a long week (because the weeks before long weekends are always the longest!) I've got some brief and random thoughts for you: First, I must confess that I've had  a relapse. I am currently reading my second consecutive bona fide paper book. I abandoned my Nook to re-read something I already owned for my Book Club and it just felt so GOOD to have PAGES in my hands again. When I was done with the first book, I picked up the second. Oh dear. Second, the Golden Globes are on Sunday night. If you ask me, this is the one awards show worth watching because a) it's tv AND movies; b) it's funny to watch the celebs sit at tables and get drunk; and c) Ricky Gervais is hosting. Again. Next up - how superstitious are you!? Today is Friday the 13th! Ohhhhhh!!! Finally, this YouTube compilation is bound to get you smiling. Happy Weekend!

An older/younger theory.

I have a theory... my theory is that generally speaking, people gravitate toward others that are in the same place in their family’s “birth order”. For example, my very best girl friends are all oldest children just like myself. Expanding the circle wider, I’d estimate that over 50% of my closest friends are also the oldest (with some very beloved exceptions:). In a brief and highly unscientific study, I found that I was not the only person experiencing this phenomenon - many I asked found themselves similarly matched related to birth order and close friends. This raises the followup question: WHY!? Are there personality traits which are so linked to where you fall in your family that you naturally gravitate towards others who were raised the same way?

Interestingly, Dr. H, who has an uncanny number of similar personality traits to my younger sister, is a youngest child. Both Sis and Hubs are often the enthusiastic sidekick, the one who is perfectly capable of leading, but prefers to go along for the ride, the one who knows that if he/she waits long enough, someone (ME) will likely take care of “it” (anything) for him/her. It feels like more than a coincidence that my two most cherished relationships are so similar!

Do you think there are “traits” which can be associated with birth order? Do you form different types of relationships which mirror relationships in your family? Am I so over-analyzing that you think I’m completely crazy!? Food for thought:)

Image via Pinterest