A merry day...

Hopping Hedgehogs Having a Happy (Birthday) Hootinanny

There are lots of reasons why I think that birthdays are wonderful: Birthdays are a chance to bring together people you love (no better way to get loved ones to clear their calendar than playin the birthday card!); Birthdays are a chance to indulge (I firmly believe in a little birthday treat!); and Birthdays are a chance to start a new year (and vow to make it your best one yet).

Cake and hearts, 2 of my favorite things!

Though many people dread their birthday, or the idea of a date which reminds us that we're getting older, I advocate for embracing the day!! On your next birthday, celebrate your you-ness and remember that older can also mean happier. 

Buds for life (like me & Dr. H!)

Pursue something new that you love or just celebrate with someone who makes you smile (also, eat some ice cream?!). 

throw a mad tea party?!

Wishing you all a very merry un-birthday (unless today is your special day too!? :)

Vacation Day

Do not be bored (or boring).

Merry Meri is takin a vacation day. She's with Dr. H and her college girlies reliving the glory days. To hold you over while she's gone, she SERIOUSLY suggests you drink THIS:

A Beergarita. The REAL DEAL
of summer tastiness. (Recipe HERE)

I'm here to distract you (a hump delay).

Chill babe.

Since we were all busy gettin our independence on this past Wednesday, I thought I'd give you a dose of distraction today, just in time to carry you into the weekend. Here for your clicking, reading, laughing, eating, humping pleasure... Happy Friday!!

* Are you really that busy? (This one is a worthwhile read)

* Sometimes you just need to sing some Seal to your cat...

* Might I suggest a book for your beach bag!?

* Whole pie or just a slice? The debate continues...

* Taking personalized cakes to a very special place...

* Just a little more ice cream for your fantasies. 

* Click HERE if you LOVE baby pandas on a slide (and if you didn't just click, I just don't know what's wrong with you).

* I've been thinking that I need to improve my rubber stamp collection

* "Did you mean to cut off that much [of your sister's] hair?" (be sure to turn up your volume for this one!)

Uhhh... back to work?

Chocolate Covered Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich

I feel like someone gave me an amazing chocolate covered brownie ice cream sandwich, let me take a big 'ol bite, and then just took it away!! After a day of sleeping in, egg sandwiches for breakfast (you KNOW how I feel about egg sandwiches) a little beach/pool/Dr. H/sunshine action and FIREWORKS(!!!) somehow, I am back at work. On the bright side however, a holiday on a Wednesday kinda makes it seem like this week has three weekends. I can live with that outlook! To welcome you back to the weirdest week ever, I thought I would dedicate this post to ice cream. Because I love ice cream (to the moon and back).

Tasty treat treasure trove right on the streets of NYC!

Soft serve is far and away my FAVORITE kind of ice cream (though there are a few homemade scoop flavors that rival it (I'm lookin at you Ice Cream Cottage Chocolate Overdose)). Mr. Softee trucks are a quintessential sign of summer here in NYC and block after block I have to ask myself "do I want a chocolate dip cone?" or "how about a swirl with sprinkles"? The answer: Yes and yes.

Never doubt the power of an amazing chocolate milkshake

This one requires an ice cream maker (which obvi I own) but
you could definitely just buy the flavor and start from there...

And finally, I saved the ice cream world's pièce de résistance for last. If you ever find yourself outside a Ghirardelli's Chocolate Shop, do not hesitate. Enter. Sit down. Order something RIDICULOUS from their ice cream menu (sample HERE).

The experience will start like this...

...and end like THIS!

Happy Birthday US of A!

Make your day sparkle.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (Taken from the full text of the Declaration of Independence.)

May your day be filled with the pursuit and enjoyment of Happiness (also hot dogs, cold beer and fireworks). xoxo, m

Top notch tapas.

How many small plates equals one really big plate!?

It's been a while since I've sent a restaurant review your way (not for lack of eating!) so I thought I would share all the reasons why Socarrat Paella Bar is my new go to spot for top notch tapas (and so much more).

Socarrat Chelsea. (2nd location in nolita)

The ambiance at Socarrat will win you over before the waiter has had a chance to say "would you like to see the wine menu?" (and btw, said wine menu is pretty fantastic). Comprised of primarily communal style tables in west-village-charm-meets-industrial-chic rooms, you get a fabulous mix of intimacy and openness as well as the perfect opportunity to make an educated "I'll have what she's having" decision.

Bring on the small plates!

The menu at Socarrat is really what, in my "lots 'o food" lovin opinion, makes it such a great spot. So often with tapas you have to order 10+ small plates to leave the meal satisfied and that can add up to one hefty bill. While Socarrat is certainly not cheap eats, the tapas selection is well priced and each plate included more than enough for all members of my party of 4 to enjoy. (The Croquettes did not disappoint and neither did the Garlic Shrimps if you're looking for suggestions!)

Paella comes in serving sizes 2 and up

And as its name suggests, Socarrat offers not just tapas, but some pretty awesome paella. Prepared in large cast-iron skillets (aka, big metal pans I'm going to call cast-iron skillets) and served family style, the fresh meats and seafood, flavorful rice and crisp-around-the-edges-from-cooking entree is the perfect compliment to a few plates of tapas. I promise you'll leave full (no small feat for tapas) and feeling like you disappeared for one night to a little spot in Spain.

My country tis of thee...

Bright lights, big city.

... mid-week holiday misssssery, of thee I sing. 4th of July on a Wednesday!?! Don't get me wrong, I'll take a day off from work any day of the week, but WEDNESDAY!? This is gonna be an interesting week folks! Here to help you prep for the holiday ahead (and distract you from the 2 days we have to get through before it arrives) are some patriotic eats and treats of the red, white and blue persuasion.

Channel Betty (Crocker) to make Betsy (Ross) proud.

Patriotic brilliance on a stick!

Thomas Jefferson wants you to put a ring on it.
(Seriously, how ridiculous / awesome is this idea!?)

Be a hit with the kids at your BBQ (or have the coolest
yard in town!) Click HERE for the free printable.

A salty, sweet and patriotic treat.

When in doubt, stick a sparkler in it!!