Crazy/Lazy Day

HA!!!!

Sometimes I don't get to do all the things I was intending to do so I abandon the plan and just find something that will make you laugh. Laughing is the best. xox.

Hump Day Distractions

'staches for everyone!

Today is not Friday, but at least it's not Monday right?! Am I right?! Here to help you navigate the boredom of the day is a whole butt load (that's the technical term of course) of delightful distractions. Happy humping.

* A most unusual classroom. Better or worse than the norm?

* I've already ordered THESE awesome lil guys (Sis I hope you're excited!)

* The fabulous HBO series Girls is returning Sunday (woo hoo!) Click HERE and HERE for cast and costume goodness
* T Swift remixed with Jackson 5... you know you want to (on repeat:)

* Malted Milkball Krispie Treats. 100% happening. Soon.
* Al, this is what we call "TMI".
* What a brilliant gift idea for the cute kiddies in your life.

* These are so wrong... and SO funny.

A Wonder-ful Book

Sometimes you read a book that you know within the first 10 pages is going to move you. Maybe even more than move you; impact you in a strong and strangely beautiful way. Wonder by R.J. Palacio is one of those books.

Wonder is the story of August Pullman, a fifth grade boy born with a severe facial deformity. Auggie has never attended school until now and the story is based around his middle school journey, through the eyes of Auggie as well as several of his friends and family members. Each story within the story shows the different faces of adversity, strength, compassion and love. Amid cruelty and fear, human goodness oozes from the pages. I alternated between smiles and tears for all 300 some odd pages. 

I am almost taken aback by how beautiful I found this story to be. R.J. Palacio has created a wonder. Read it. For reals:)

At least we have the food.

Brrrrr.

We have officially reached that moment when I say "F you winter, we're through!" Even though the temps here in NYC are forecast to be unseasonably warm these next few days, as I piled into my jacket, scarf, hat and gloves for an outing over the weekend, I remembered that once the Christmas lights come down, I don't have much use for winter anymore. Except, of course, when it comes to the food. Cozy, creamy, yummy winter food. So to celebrate the one awesome thing about the 2 months left before I can reasonably consider open toed shoes again, here are a few recipes I intend to try out soon. Happy eating!

Alfredo, Mac Cheese's BFF.

I found this recipe on Pinterest with the caption "Laughing Cow Alfredo Sauce (Weight Watchers friendly)". You had me at "Laughing Cow" (LOVE those little triangles!) Comprised of basic ingredients and insanely easy to whip up, this "imitation alfredo" will no doubt be on the menu in my house asap. (Direct link to recipe HERE). 

Yummy.

Spinach and artichoke linguine. Sounds fancy, looks tasty and the recipe (which I discovered courtesy of CupofJo) seems achievable even for an amateur chef such as myself. Though I will certainly need assistance from the cheese counter dude at Whole Foods to locate the mascarpone cheese, THIS recipe has "dinner for two" written all over it!

Bake it baby!

Because nothing is more fun than taking a healthy snack and making it less healthy, these baked avocados are lookin good to me! Still a genuinely "good" snack (adding ¼ cup bread crumbs and 1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese is hardly "bad"), I look forward to surprising my avocado-loving husband with these tasty treats! (Direct link to recipe HERE)

And for added deliciousness, check out my FAVORITE recipe from last winter HERE.

Laugh with me.

This image has been cracking me up for over a week now. I saved it to my cell phone and have text messaged it to at least a half dozen people. When I look at it, I cannot stop laughing... "THROW ANOTHER SHRIMP ON THE BARRRRRRBIE!!!!" HA!!!

hehe

Happy Friday Friends!

Resolve. Be happy(er).

I'm counting on it!

Do you make New Years resolutions? I do and as I've grown older, I've come to really welcome them. I love the idea of re-focusing on self-improvement and becoming a happier version of who I was the year before. For me, 2012 was... well it just was. There were moments of incredible joy, but there were also challenges. Upon reflection, there were too many moments when I allowed myself to lose my merry mojo.

What's awesome about this admission, is all the potential it carries. While we cannot control what life throws at us, I think we can be determined to handle it a certain way. My resolutions are not just a tangible list, but also a desire to improve my 'tude. I want to dwell less on things I can't control and be more satisfied with what I have instead of always worrying about what I'll need next. I want to "get over it" (whatever "it" may be) with more grace and less anger/tears/sulking. In 2013, I'm going to do a better job of keeping myself happy... because being happy is a pretty awesome way to be.

And just in case that was way too existential and preachy for your taste... here are my other 2013 goals (put in writing and shared with all of you for extra accountability!)

1) Finish last year's goal. Also, learn Spanish.

Last year my goals were to start a blog and fundraise enough money to build a school in Africa. Check and no check (if we're keeping score:) This year I'd like to finish last year's project (learn more about my school in Mwangaza HERE) and begin learning Spanish. I look forward to being a bilingual, school building, blogger in 2014.

2) Wellness (aka, eat less woman!)

This year instead of picking a weight I want to be, I'm going to focus on the weight I don't want to be. I've spent the past several months above my magic number of self-loathing so for 2013, I vow to get below the number and STAY below the number, all. year. long. 

3) Climb another rung on my personal career ladder

I like to keep lawyer-meri off the blog, but she's got some 2013 goals as well. I resolve to make growth of my career a priority this year.

p.s. - This a GREAT documentary on being Happy which I'd highly recommend.

Hump Day Distractions

Smile! It's already almost Friday!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And maybe more importantly, happy "you only have to survive 3 days this week!" Isn't that fabulous? All I can say is, thank goodness we get to ease back into reality because though I'm feeling fresh and energized after nearly two weeks of vacation/staycation-ing (last week's 2-day work week barely disrupted my flow) coming back to a routine is going to take some effort. Here are a few delightful distractions to help you get back to it.

* This news is still boggling my mind. Boggling.

* Always looking for ways to make life easier (the pizza idea is brilliant and oh so very "duh" inducing)

* A way to turn all your Instagrams into a tangible collection of photos from your life.

* I admit I am intrigued...

* Because 90% of us will attempt to eat healthier for at least another 48 hours.

* "Co-workers were complaining about your flatulence"