Hump Day Distractions

I think that's fair.

Can I get a HUMP DAYYYY!!?? Man oh man am I excited to be hitting the halfway mark on this week. I'm like a freakin bulldozer right now - get outta my way Thursday and Friday, I'm comin for ya weekend! Here to make the middle a little more enjoyable are some delightful distractions for your buying, reading, eating, laughing pleasure. Enjoy!!

* What a fabulous idea for a lil kiddo's birthday gift or just a delightful surprise in the mail! (plus a coupon code!)

* I find these images hysterical (man I love creative people) (via CupofJo)

* "I want the strongest, happiest, smartest women in my corner, pushing me to negotiate for more money, telling me to drop men who make me feel bad about myself, and responding to my outfit selfies from a place of love and stylishness, not competition and body-snarking."

* (Buttered Spaghetti) x (Awesome) = YUM.

* Because everyone should know how to draw an adorable turtle.

* Did you mean:

* Pa-"jah"-mas or Pa-"jam"-as? Do you say merry/marry/mary differently? Depends on where you live.

* I cannot think of a more thoughtful, adorable, personalized, lovely gift for a lady in your life.

* The pen is mightier than the pigs. Fact.

* Pie charts that will make you smile. (via CupofJo)

Josie Gross-y

Milk cartons were MADE for drinking!

Recently, I had a serious debate with a friend about what could appropriately be considered "gross". The conversation arose after she noticed a co-worker quietly attempting to clip his toenails at work. Gross. But while we universally decreed desk toenail clipping to be (WAY) over the line, we were willing to permit the occasional cuticle snip or nail filing without hesitation. The conversation spiraled from there. In the interest of full disclosure, I confessed to:

- using my finger to get that last bit of hummus out of the tupperware (every time)

- dumping the crumbled contents from the corner of a chip bag into my hand (or, who am I kidding here, tilting the bag and dumping them directly into my mouth)

- drinking directly from the container in my fridge that I make and store crystal light in (note: you cannot drink directly from a Brita pitcher... I've tried)

- rolling down the car window and projectile spitting old gum out (learned that gem from my Dad:)

My friend was only marginally convinced that the last 2 weren't "gross". But the way I see it, we all have our secret gross/not really so gross habits that we sneak in here and there. I know you've all done the "I'm just rubbing the side of my face on my shoulder" (but really I'm smelling my armpit) move and is drinking out of the container in my own home really that bad!? The issue, I suppose, is knowing what's just over the line and making sure never to be that gross guy, caught clipping his toenails at work. Good luck!

Blegh.

Mind's afloat...

And so it was the Monday after a long weekend spent playing and celebrating in Boston/Cape Cod and Merry Meri who should be feeling fresh and fierce is feeling frazzled and funky.  Maybe just because it's Monday or perhaps because me and the mister have spent the past 5 consecutive weekends away from home, I'm just in no mood. I even tried one of my own favorite tricks and put on a killa outfit this morning, but alas I am funkified and so funkified I shall be (at least I'll look good doing it?!) Someone pour me a glass of sour lemons.

That sounds about right.

We'll try the whole super cheery blogger thing again tomorrow. Until then, just look at THIS (awww).

F.I.T.S. of merriment

Merry Meri is on vacation so she's left you with something Funny, something Interesting, something Tasty and a Site she loves (F.I.T.S.!!) to hold you over until her triumphant return. Enjoy! (Read past F.I.T.S. posts HERE.)

Funny: This has got to be the most simultaneously hysterical and cruel prank ever.

Interesting: A few moments after a moment of NYC history that we've all come to recognize.

Tasty: Who's ready for our next adventure with quinoa!?

SiteILove: Do you love watching HGTV as much as I do?! (Property Brothers?! Income Property!?!) Even if I'm not  a house flipping DIY genius, soaking up creative and crafty ideas is inspiring. And thankfully there's YoungHouseLove, a blog just as fabulously all-things-home saavy. From massive renovations to truly do-able decor DIYs, I'm grateful that a favorite fellow blogger sent Sherry and John (self-described DIY dorks) my way!

Hump Day Distractions

You guys, have I got some goodies for you!! It's like the internet's cup runneth over with delightful distractions this past week and each day my collection of links just grew and grew. And some of them are pretty damn awesome, starting with that Geico commercial courtesy of Sis. I mean that camel!? (whoot whoot!) So without further adieu... hump away.

* Millard Fillmore or Alec Baldwin? Harder to tell than you'd think! (via CupofJo)

* Super late to the game on this one, but in you also are in the dark: Alanis thought there was quite a bit that Uncle Joey oughta know.

* Some people are so creative it blows ma mind (su-shi what I mean HERE, full recipe HERE).

* Fact: I will never be brave (stupid?) enough to do THIS job.

* For my fellow anchor lovers... I think we need.
* Oh Boys, quit playing games with my (cuddly panda loving) heart.

* Discovering a 1,200 year old city buried 30 feet under the Mediterranean Sea.

* Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps by Skinny Mom. Yes please.

* DON'T LET ME DOWWWWWN!

* 3 easy, polished updos (and 1 more HERE).

* I want to go to there (plus, how great is the word "yurt"!?)

* Who knew that cutting things in half would be so beautiful (more here).

* I'm a Jawbone Up girl, but the Fitbit is pretty popular too.

* Tiny tattoos that will make you think "mmmaaaybe I could pull that off" (does #16 look familiar!?)

* That's a lot of food Ron.

* I miss my inflatable furniture (said no one, ever).

* And lastly, THESE teachers are my heroes. 

Who loves you?! I'm off to Boston and Cape Cod for some college friend fabulousness, Fenway fun and a wedding by the sea, so get ready for some. F.I.T.S.. to take you into the weekend. See on next week friends!

Summer Trends: Do or Don't

Happy Summer Indeed!

Since summer weather is just getting into full swing, we haven't done much talking about the latest "looks" for my favorite season. Luckily, many retail stores are nearly done with their "summer lines" which means now is the perfect time to start browsing sale racks for discounted prices on the season's top trends. Plus, warmer temps mean a chance to test out different hair styles, nail colors and accessories.  Here to help you navigate the  fashion jungle is a list of some goodies I've spotted on the streets of NYC and a few I've tried out myself. I'll weigh in with a "do or don't", but the ultimate verdict is up to you!

* Thick Stripes

Striped stunna

Always a fan of simple clean lines, bright colors and the occasional nautical theme, I'm thrilled that thick stripes are popular this summer. Be careful with placement (personally, my bum doesn't need anything "thick" running across it), but generally thick stripes like THIS and THIS are one size fits all!
Merry Meri Verdict: Do

* Mixing Bold Prints

Dots and Flowers and a big bauble!

This seems like a super tricky trend; I think successful execution really relies on finding the perfect pieces. From what I've read and seen, the best print mixes create a contrast (large/bold with small/simple) so that the mis-match looks intentional and somewhat (somehow!) complimentary. I think a bold floral combined with dots or stripes is a safe bet.
Merry Meri Verdict: Do (carefully!)

* Overalls 

Cute and all, but...

I am kinda in disbelief that overalls are "back". The perfect look for toddlers (or teens in the 1990s) I'm having trouble getting back on the overall bandwagon. Perhaps in the shorts style (for a romper-like look) I can get behind overalls, but something long and denim like THIS looks absolutely ridiculous on anyone not making a living as a farmer. 

Merry Meri Verdict: Don't

* Crop Tops

Bare a little belly!

I cannot tell you how many different crop tops I've tried on attempting to execute this trend. Perfect for small-waisted, but large hip'ed ladies like myself, the key is to find a top that doesn't hug too tight (this!?) and which falls in the perfect place against a higher waisted pant (this) or something low waisted if your hips are enviously love-handle free. Loose fitting bottoms might also make for a perfect pairing.

Merry Meri Verdict: Do (but choose wisely, baring belly isn't perfect for all environments!)

* A "Pale Nail" (all the way to white)

white is the new hot pink

Neons and bold reds will always be summer staples, but my wandering eye at the nail salon seems to indicate that "pale nails" are pretty popular right now. Shades of barely there pink, purple, mint and blue are everywhere or be bold with bright white (I've been using THIS). Even if Dr. H keeps asking if I "did my nails with white out" I think pale nails are the perfect compliment to your summery, tan skin!

Merry Meri Verdict: Do

* BIG, bold baubles

Bright bling

Gone are the days of "less is more" - jewelry seems to be going through a more, bigger and brighter phase. Never one to shy away from a stunning statement piece (yup, yup) I do think that the "bubble necklace" is a bit too popular so maybe you're better off going your own unique way. I LOVE the affordable options available at Baublebar.com and if you're feeling extra bold, layer it on!

Merry Meri Verdict: Do (but be sure to pair with simpler outfits that allow the pieces to really pop!)

Story Time

Today I thought I would tell you a funny story, because it's a summer Monday and funny stories are especially useful for curing the back-to-work blues.

Once upon a time, many years ago, a little girl was in a Florida airport with her Mom and Dad. Towards the end of a successful family vacation and before the era of cell phones and internet, the young girl's parents had gone to the airline ticket counter hoping to address an issue with the next day's flight. Relatively unsupervised and possessing a vibrant imagination, the little girl wandered over to a group of pay phones and began making pretend phone calls. No coins meant no real calls and no harm done, that is until one intricately imagined scenario, in which an emergency at the airport required the little girl to be a hero and call for help. She picked up the pay phone and dialed three numbers... "Hello this is 911, what is your emergency?" said a voice on the other end of the line. Click.

Now back at the airline counter standing angelically next to her Mom and Dad, a police officer approached.

"Excuse ma'am, sir, is everything all right?"

"Yes officer, why do you ask?"

"Well I believe your daughter just dialed 911 on that pay phone."

Incredulous stares came down on the little girl... "Did you just dial 911?" her parents asked. And at that moment, the little girl answered the only way a child prone to wild imaginings and healthy fear of punishment could: "NO!!"

After several apologies to the confused officer, the little girl was hauled off, possibly in tears, by her embarrassed parents. Once in the car she was scolded for calling 911 in an airport, but more than what she did, she was in trouble for lying about it. Back at the hotel, the little girl was punished, forced on the last night of vacation to sit and write an essay about why it's bad to tell lies. This essay, location presently unknown, is rumored to have been a stroke of literary genius and perhaps an early indication of the young girl's talent for the written word.

Many years have past since that fateful night, but two life lessons will remain with the little girl forever: (1) Calls to 911 always go through on pay phones, even if you don't put any money in; and (2) It doesn't matter what you did, you will always get in more trouble it you lie about it. Nice work Mom and Dad.