Oscar Roundup (aka, taking the easy way out today)

Like a sucker, I tuned in for all 3 hours...

Did you all watch the Oscars!? They're going to be my excuse for 1) not preparing a post last night; 2) not having time to bust something out this morning (someone has to provide web traffic to every "what they wore" list on the internet today!) Far from a fashion, tv production or cinema expert, I'll just leave you with these thoughts:

* Watching the Oscars is pretty damn boring. I get that sound mixing, digital effects and costume design are vital to making a good film, but I don't watch awards shows to see those people give acceptance speeches. Give me more starlets in gorgeous gowns please.

* Apparently if you want to successfully work behind the scenes in Hollywood, you must be a man with flowing locks. I'm not the only one who noticed this trend.

* The objectification of women in film is funny (I'm allowed to think this because I'm a woman)

* A great roundup of outfits HERE and HERE.

* Some of my personal favorites from the night:

* Kristen Stewart - get out of my eyesight, get out of Hollywood. You are the worst. (Also, style your damn hair)

* Melissa McCarthy - have your people talk to Octavia Spencer's people. Glamour is possible at any size.

* My beloved Brit Brit has gone brunette. Sure, why not?

* Somebody get this woman a cheeseburger, stat.

* Falling with grace. Girl, you are a star. 

* The Oscar victory I agreed with most.

* Excellent commentary on the fashion and overall production HERE.

* After the show it's the after party...

Healthy Habit of the Month II.

Yup, that sounds about right.

This post is the second installment of SeektobeMerry's "Healthy Habit of the Month" series. Sourced from my bff's at Weight Watchers, online articles and my own efforts to keep fit and trim, throughout 2013, I will attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into my life each month. Join me!

So we meet again impending spring... With March just 1 week away, I'm trying to overlook the lion and focus on the lamb. Before we know it, warmer weather will allow us to shed our bulky sweaters and full-coverage outfits for spring apparel, meaning it's time to get serious about our healthy habits people!!! How are we doing with last month's pledge to eat a fruit or veggie at every meal? Full disclosure, I've achieved only moderate success. I'm definitely eating WAY more of the good stuff, but for me every meal is a major change and requires a lot of advance planning. I'm getting there. Baby steps right? This month we're going to shift gears from food to activity.
Healthy Habit of the Month #2: Schedule a workout. Just one. EVERY week.

We all have the best intentions, but fitting in exercise can be a real challenge. You have to physically get to the place you're going to workout, you have to have energy to do your workout and then you have to clean yourself up (with the sweating and the hair and the re-dressing...) For me a 1 hour workout can take nearly 2 hours if I include travel and cleanup times. And we're all busy (and lazy and thirsty for a cocktail) so some weeks I get in 3 or 4 workouts, other weeks, nada. For this month's challenge, I'm going to look at my calendar every Sunday night and schedule in 1 workout for the week. I'm going to treat it like an important meeting - it cannot be cancelled or rescheduled for anything short of a true emergency. No more excuses, just a better ability to make time for working up a good sweat. Game on exercise!

No need for Little Italy...

Another West Village Gem (located off Abingdon Square)

To dine at Piccolo Angolo is to be invited to dinner at the home of the Italian grandparents you never had. From the moment you speak to Renato, the (adorably charming) patriarch of this family run spot to make a reservation, until you stumble out the door, totally stuffed and carrying leftovers, Piccolo is going to have you smiling.

Cozy.

When you step into Piccolo Angolo, prepare for sensory overload. The brick lined interior is small, packed and operating with the volume turned all the way up. The single room with open kitchen in back greets you with delicious smells as you survey the surrounding tables for visual assistance selecting your order. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance to avoid a long wait if you're planning to dine during peak hours.

Order the meatballs. Seriously. Do it.

The (very reasonably priced!) menu at Piccolo is impossibly awesome and even better is that the kitchen is happy to get creative. You want to share one of their ENORMOUS meatballs as an appetizer? No problem! Sub the side order of pasta for linguine with clam sauce? For a small additional cost, Dr. H's wish was their command. The meats and cheeses on their antipasto were legit some of the tastiest I've ever had and I'm pretty sure you could drench anything in their red sauce and it would be mind-blowing (it's that good!) Homemade pastas, fresh seafood, decadent alfredo... I recommend heading to Piccolo with a group if for no other reason than to have more plates on the table to share.

Complimentary garlic bread. YUP!

And perhaps even more than the food (perhaps!) the thing I loved most about Piccolo was the family run charm. When your waitress is yelling "Dad!" to the waiter at the table next to you and she sends her brother over to talk to you about your wine selection, you remember that delicious meals need not come with a side of pretentiousness. 

I can't remember the last time I went out to eat with a group of people, all of whom left the table absolutely RAVING about every single bite. Next time you're looking for an Italian feast, Piccolo Angolo is the spot for you!

Hump Day Distractions

hehe.

I'm feeling a bit "off" today... not sick enough to stay at home, not healthy enough to be cheery at work. Blegh. Let's get right to the distractions!

* Just a few white lies we can all get behind.

* Holy CRAP this dog is freakin amazing.

* Melted cheese is the key to my heart (balsamic soaked tomatoes don't hurt either:)

* You know how I feel about concerts alone, but what about travelling?

* Was I the only person on the planet who didn't know about the Harlem Shake phenom until last week!? Well in an effort to improve my cool factor, I went on a shake binge. Check out my favorites HERE and HERE and HERE.

* Got loads of compliments on my mani when I brought this Pin to life (note: I used dark purple for the base coat).

* Did you know that this happened to Venice in the fall!? How cool/crazy/scary/nuts!

* Makes you say "whhhhhhhhat!?!"

Flying solo

How do you feel about doing things by yourself? Though I have enjoyed the occasional quiet brunch, museum stroll or movie on my own, last week my solo expeditions reached new heights when I attended a concert by myself. That's right, I, Merry Meri, went to see Mumford and Sons, at the Barclays Center all alone. With several music-loving friends having seen Mumford at the same venue the week before and my bud Dr. H out of town on business, I found myself, 2 days pre-concert preparing to miss out. But Dr. H gave me a pep talk and planted the seed - "you don't really talk much to your friends at a concert anyway. I bet you'll still have a blast... you should go." So after briefly mulling it over, I decided to go for it. I purchased a cheap ticket off StubHub and excitedly ventured to what turned out to be one of my favorite live musical performances ever. Being alone was a total non-issue and though I'd definitely have preferred a buddy, I can't say flying solo made the night any less enjoyable. Mumford was incredible live and being alone made it very easy to sneak into a lower section for an amazing view (shhh! don't tell the ushers). Though some concerts are definitely meant to be a shared experience, Mumford's music can just be heard and enjoyed, no matter the circumstance.

When I told my family about my solo mission over brunch, my Dad whispered "is that something to brag about? Isn't going to a concert alone a little pathetic?" which made me wonder if maybe I was proud of something that I should find a little embarrassing (wouldn't be the first time!) But the thing is, (thankfully) I didn't go alone to a concert because I'm living an isolated life without loved ones to share experiences with. In reality, I just really really wanted to do something that my network of peeps didn't have time for and thanks to my wonderful husband's encouragement, I felt brave enough not to miss out. Because that's really all that was required - a bit of courage to get through the occasional "is she by herself?" glance as I wiggled into a vacant seat or pulled out my phone to share the song I knew Dr. H would love to hear. So next time you're choosing between flying solo or missing out, I say be brave enough to go it alone... because adventures can still be pretty awesome, even if no one is sitting beside you.  

Peace out Homies.

Woop woooooop!

Hooray for Friday! Hooray for long weekends! Hooray for the Presidents!! Is there anything better than the anticipation of a 3-day weekend (followed by a shortened work week!?) I mean look at this, I'm EXPLODING with exclamation points over here!!! To kick off the holiday weekend, I thought I'd share some ideas for passing the time and celebrating the great Abe and George. Also, I've had a particularly inspiration-filled few days, so be sure to come back next week (starting Tuesday of course, bloggers need time off too!) for some awesome Merry Meri musings. Happy Friday my friends!

You guys remember how much I love me some American President right!? Well in the spirit  of patriotism and acknowledging February's most underrated holiday, HERE are some crafty ways to celebrate President's Day. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner, but perhaps a Presidential Theme Party should be planned next year!?

Looking for some great movies to entertain you while you lounge around on your couch this weekend? I recently watched both of these flicks for the first time and loved them. I somehow missed Everything Must Go starring Will Ferrell when it came out, but the funnyman pretty much nails it in this dark comedy. And if you're looking for something totally different, consider the 1950s classic Sabrina which captures the charm and beauty of Hepburn and Bogart along with the simplicity of early Hollywood film.

Rich in experiences (& spare change)

What a brilliant and simple project to transform all of that spare change you brought back from overseas into a piece of decor and conversation for your home! All you need is glue, an inexpensive frame and your piggy bank (you know those foreign coins are sitting at the bottom!) to make this craft your own.

Music, drinks and tacos. NICE.

Once, way back when, a (super cool) friend took Dr. H and I to Union Pool in Brooklyn for a concert. It had totally fallen off my radar screen until last night when another (super cool) couple asked if we wanted to join them for a night of dancing at the Pool. Superb DJs, excellent concerts, and the tasty El Diablo taco truck make Union Pool one hip place to hangout. Check it.

Hey Dr. H..!

The best thing about having a blog, is that you can use it as one big love letter to your husband if you want to, and I want to... because my husband is the best. On Valentine's Day and everyday, love you Dr. H.

And this one is for the ladies...

To all my readers, my family and my incredible friends - may your day be filled with reminders that you are wonderful and you are loved. Happy Valentine's Day. xox, m