For the Kiddos.

Love those little tushies!

Confession: I have a "for my non-existant children" board on Pinterest. Allow me to explain... You see, with many of my friends now having kiddos of their own, my Pinterest homepage and Facebook news feed are bursting with baby/toddler goodness and there's just no way I'm going to remember it all when Dr. H and I are ready for bambinos of our own. So to make use of all the great ideas and information I've been collecting, I thought I'd start a little "For the Kiddos" column here on the blog. Just a few bits of kid goodness for all the Moms, Grandmas and #1 Aunties (eghm!!) out there looking for some info and inspiration. 

HaddonCo.

Want to have the most dapper little gentleman at the playground!? These adorable onesies are almost too cute for words and make an amazing baby gift which perfectly blends practical with unique. Click HERE to check out the entire HaddonCo collection on Etsy (25% off sale going on right now!)

A full set of chompers

Wondering when and where the teething is gonna happen? This chart has been approved by Sis (my brilliant personal Dentist) as accurate, so save it now and know exactly when it's time to stock up on teething rings!

Animals on parade!

How gorgeous is this puzzle? I almost want it for myself! Unisex colors, educational (it features upper case letters on one side and lower case on the other) and easy on the eyes, click HERE to purchase the animal parade from the MOMA store.

"Saturday"

I cannot get enough of Greg Abbott's collection of happy monsters and adorable animals. I think these prints would be adorable as decor in a little kiddos bedroom or playroom or for my fellow whimsical adults, Abbott's art comes on iPhone and iPad cases as well as pillows and totes. LOVE it.

Kid in a box.

People always joke that kids love the box more than the toys inside, but this bright idea takes box love to a whole new level. Stick your munchkin inside a big empty box with some crayons (and stickers!) and you get a break while they stay in one place and play happily (at least for a few minutes:)

Hump Day Celebr-istractions

That's about right...

Hey-o my merry friends! Guess who is humping her way through a birthday today!? That's right... another year older, wiser and very merry if all goes according to plan:) I'm also really hoping that THIS happens today because how kick ass would it be to share my bday with the future King or Queen of England? (I'm hoping Queen!) Anywayysss since I'm going to be distracted all day, I thought you should be too, so here's a heaping pile of birthday-licious goodies from around the internet. Enjoy!!

* This is oh so perfectly timed...

* How to make your birthday snap, crackle and POP!

* Just when I though I couldn't love Mr. Met any more, he invited me to meet his wife.

* Nothin wrong with getting a little cheesy on your birthday!

* Get high, get happy... just drink some beer (I knew it!!) (via CupofJo)

* "I am sitting right next to my air conditioner and it's on turbo. WTF do I need to put this b*tch on? Power Ranger?!"   - One sassy woman's rant about the heat wave. (warning, contains some "adult" language)

* Looking for a splurge? Maybe your iPhone wants to walk like an Egyptian!?

* Some more tips for getting yourself organized.

* Why on earth did Avon stop making these!!?

* Reeee-mix!

* I could click through this list and crack myself up all damn day (and because it's my birthday, I just might!)

Be brave. Think pink.

Fact.

Yesterday I dyed my hair pink. Well not my whole hair, but a small section of tips located in the back, under a layer and only visible from the front if I pull my hair forward. It's no doubt a wuss's version of brightly colored hair, as subtle as putting pink in your hair can be, but you cannot deny... it's pink. 

Ever since I was caught coloring my hair with washable markers in the elementary school bathroom (true story), I've dreamed of having the courage to dye my hair a bold color. Colored hair is on my bucket list I suppose. So yesterday I finally just said "why the hell not!?" and went for it. I felt nervous the entire time, knowing I would love it, but worried beyond belief about what others would think. "Am I too old? Is this unprofessional? Will it seem silly?" The list of doubts went on and on even as my stylist blew out my hair to reveal a bit of pinkalicious fabulousity that made my insides sing. Isn't it funny how much you can intimidate yourself worrying about the thoughts of others? 

My bold stand against conventional hair color will fade within the next few weeks, but just like the last time I took my hair out to play, I couldn't be happier that I finally stopped stressing about "supposed to" and allowed myself a tiny slice of "just because I want to".

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Summer scenery.

... this morning on the subway everyone had the same look on their face. After a gorgeously hot and sunny long holiday weekend (4 days away from desks for most!) there was a noticeable collective case of the Mondays going on. Sun-kissed cheeks located just below eyes that said "really? back to this again?" Because yes, ugh, back to this again. But all hope is not lost! Below is a comprehensive list of Merry Meri curated "just a little somethings" to satisfy each of your 5 senses and to keep you smiling through the week and surviving until the weekend. Enjoy!!

* Taste

An unlikely combination of awesome.

I would never have thought to put these ingredients together, but I'm thrilled that somebody did because holy delicious! A little watermelon for sweetness, mint for even more refreshment, plus feta for a savory pop (I like Athena fat free feta for a guiltless version of the already healthy(ish) cheese) and ta da! you have a tasty summer salad. Other additions like balsamic dressing, red onion and cherry tomatoes are welcome. Check out a few takes on the deliciously simple summer recipe HERE, HERE and HERE.

* Hear

Worthy of more than just a "little talk" :)

Most people recognize the hit single "Little Talks" by the indie folk rock band Of Monsters and Men, but I'm here to encourage you to buy their entire album! The group's first full studio release, My Head is an Animal is filled with light vocals and pleasant melodies perfect for lounging at the beach or floating in the pool. With a sound reminiscent of great bands like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers and Arcade Fire, pick up this no-need-to-skip-any-tracks album today!

* Smell & Touch

Lemon Zest-y

Over the weekend I picked up a big bottle of Bath & Body Works "Energy" aromatherapy body lotion in the Lemon Zest scent for my desk. I try hard to follow the drying generic office bathroom soap with lotion, but working in a cubicle demands some "scent-etiquette" for my nearby neighbors. The light lemon fragrance of this lotion is genuinely invigorating (as the bottle promises!) and it didn't infiltrate my shared air space with girlie-ness. Just as important, the lotion isn't heavy or creamy after application. For a bit of light summer  energy, pick up some BBW Lemon Zest (bonus - it's 50% off on their website right now)

* See

Babe it up like Grace Kelly used to in Newport

With summer Fridays in full effect, now is the perfect time to see what's just outside New York City.  Click HERE for 29 outstanding no-plane-required getaways including "glamping" (more thoughts on that in a future post!) in the Adirondacks and glamorous gambling in Atlantic City.

Hump Day - Independence Edition

I crush on the Founding Fathers. Hard.

Huzzah!!! A hump day that requires no humping at all! Happy Wednes-riday to all of my fellow Americans! May your next few days be filled with sunshine, barbecue, fireworks and friends. See ya Monday!

* 3 super easy and adorably patriotic desserts you can whip up in time for tomorrow HERE, HERE & HERE.

* Did you know that NYC is loaded with Revolutionary War era history?

* Adorable summer printables to make your table look picnic perfect!

* Ahoy matey!!

* Outside of Maine, where to get your lobster rolls.

* Nothing more American than a slice of warm apple pie (even if I'm more of a blueberry girl myself!)

* A "holy crap that's brilliant" ice cream sandwich making solution.

* Blurred Lines look out, Robin Thicke is adding to the soundtrack of summer!

* Nap time is always the best time. For giraffes and all other adorable animals. (giraffe via CupofJo)

* Beach babes beware!

City Mouse-Country Mouse

This post brought to you by the fabulous Cescapades

I went to high school in a town called Groton, Massachusetts. No, you haven’t heard of it. But I’ll give you a few Groton fun facts that might give you an idea of what this means… 

1) Groton has more cows than people.

2) Groton has one stoplight. It’s pretty new. 

3) Breaking News in Groton…

So I guess you could say that Groton is rural. Quaint. A “small town.”

I went for a change in college.  I now attend Boston University, one of the most urban campuses around. Things here are a little bit different-- I’m pretty sure that there is more grass in my yard in Groton than there is on the BU campus.  In Groton, people stop traffic for a turtle crossing. In Boston, you’re lucky if they stop for a red light. I can think of maybe five restaurants in Groton, and two of them are Dunkin Donuts. Here, I search “find restaurants nearby” in google maps and get some 18,000 results.

Recently, I’ve been trying to decide which is more for me. Is it the fast, urban, walkable Boston? Or the sleepy green countryside where I spent high school? Is fine dining better? Or wildlife and swimmable rivers? I’ve selfishly decided: both! I am both a city mouse and a country mouse, and I need a little bit of each to be merry. Which do you prefer?

A very merry start to your week...

Meet Ms. Cescapades!

Even though the skies are grey and rainy, it's a very sunny day here on the blog because I have ANOTHER wonderful friend to introduce to you all! In my continuing effort to keep the content here fresh (and to get the occasional reprieve from dreaming up original posts!) I'm bringing a 2nd guest blogger into the Seek to be Merry family. So... welcome to the lovely Cesca, also know as Cescapades, an aspiring writer, college student and all around awesome girly who will be stopping by once a month to share adventures, stories and merriment with all of you. Today we’ll have a “meet n greet” and tomorrow you’ll get to go on your first Cescapade! Enjoy!!

A few weeks ago, our favorite merry blogger asked me to join the team. This left me to ponder… what do I do in the pursuit of merriness? I am a Bostonian, a college student, a runner. I love children’s books, writing, and oriental ramen noodles. I’m known to quote Nikki Menaj inaccurately, talk about my goats, and brush my teeth six times a day. I come from a noisy family of six. I’m happy. On the Seek to be Merry team I hope to share a little piece of my merriment with all you beautiful people—everyone who loves Meri enough to read the ramblings of her father’s sister’s son’s girlfriend that is. Stay happy everyone :)