From our house to yours...

Are you on the countdown?

Even though it is only Thursday, you can tell people are ITCHING to get out of the office and into holiday mode. People are humming tunes, treats are everywhere you look and at 5pm, people are racing to the door.

What about in your office? Are you closed from Christmas to the New Years (lucky!)!!

Meet me in Cape Coral

 Are you guys all on the Christmas countdown? I know I am. But I am also feeling a little anxiety. On Saturday morning, my parents, my sisters, my brother-in-law, my nephew, PB and I will all board a plane to Florida for the week. The twist is that PB's dad and wife live in Cape Coral and we will be spending Christmas with them. Our parents have never met each other and while I know that everyone is a. adult (except for my nephew Jake) b. totally fun and loving, the idea of all of us together does make my palms sweat just a little. Any tips or advice?

2012 in Movies

Ok so I am not the best about seeing movies. There are still so many that I want to cross of my list and to even start that list, I suggest you refer to this mash-up of 2012 movies. I have to say that the team who put this together did it pretty seamlessly.

Here is my list of movies I still want to see in no particular order....
Flight - Pitch Perfect - Zero Dark Thirty - Celeste and Jesse - Looper - Les Mis - Skyfall

What else should I add to this list?  What movies didn't you see this year that you wanted to?

Improving your vocabulary

Stuck in a word rut? Try some of these in 2013!

Originally seen on Modern Hepburn

ps. What is your favorite word? I love effervescent. Both the word and the definition.
pps. thanks Lindsey for putting this on your Pinterest page!

Doing something

This weekend, like many of you I am sure, I spent a fair amount of time glued to the TV with reports from Newtown flooding my brain. Heartbroken seems to be the most appropriate word for the situation. It was hard this weekend not to hug my nephew extra tight when I saw him., to not think of Barbara in her school in Texas, to not be even fearful on the subway. PB could see me going down this train track of fear and slowly helped me ease on the breaks. I know that I cannot live in fear. I know that something has to be done. And so last night, PB and I decided to write a letter to our representatives in Congress and the Senate. Both sites have a search tool that allows you to plug in your zip code and it will tell you who your representative is. Let them hear your voice.

Getting glugged

Tonight PB and I are celebrating Christmas...from 2011.Last year, I gave him all sorts of bar tools and accoutrements followed by a promise of some sort of drink making class. And then the rest of year happened and we never signed up (or I never got the ball rolling-- it's been a busy year, sheesh, lay off me man). So, before it tuns into 2012'a Christmas present, tonight we are heading to Astor Wines for our Libation Calibration class. I am pretty excited since I love the idea of being able to serve fun drinks at home. I just hope they provide notes so that I don't forget* anything

*By forget, I mean drink too much.

Bar Cart Images Seen on M.Pression

Googles Year in Review

 Another amazing video from Google. Thanks Barb for sending it over! I love year end wrap ups!

New Tunes

Scott Avett Seen Here

 Getting new music is sometimes a real mystery. My friends Barbara and Amy are great at this. They area always buzzing about some new group which is why they lead the way at ACL this year while I just YOLO'ed my way to cheese fries. But one way that I have found new music has been tuning in the All Songs Considered on NPR. They have a podcast (and you know how I feel about a podcast) and this time of year is extra special, it's the Year in Music! A total cram session that will let you walk away with at least 5 new albums you want to download and enough knowledge to make people think you subscribe to Rolling Stone Magazine. Download this bad boy asap. 

We're off to see the wizard.

Did you know every year Pantone names a color of the year. They just released the Color of 2013 and it is Emerald Green! I have to admit, I am totally in love...and not just because it is my birthstone. This shade of green is the kind that I think looks great on most people and I cannot wait to start seeing more of it. 

Seen on Pantone

They have also relased the Colors of Spring (my favorite season) of 2013 and lets just say...Grayed Jade, I have my eye on you. Which do you like best?

Seen Here

new york

Seen Here

New York can be a tough as sh*t place to live. I shop at 3 different grocery stores, lugging my finds home, 4 flights up. Most days, my commute (which is still not back to normal due to Sandy) is 40 minutes of being sandwiched between 5,00 other people trying to get to where they are going. It isn't just the subway, there are literally people everywhere. We pay a ton in rent. But just when you start to feel sorry for yourself, NYMagazine puts out their annual issue Reasons to Love New York. And I begin to cry just realizing how lucky I am to live here.
In the spirit of the magazine, I have a few additions.

1. 1. We have a gas station on our corner. During Sandy, the guys who work there kept us updated with when gas was coming in, let me know on my walk home that PB was successful in getting gas and even keep tabs on Pasha.
2. 2. Speaking of Pasha, our local pet food store has babysat him while I ran errands in the across the street CVS. 
3. 3. Because this goes on in the school. Thanks Maya for sending it. 
4. 4. My subway magazine guy special ordered me the new Domino Magazine. 
5. 5. This city gives me ideas everyday about what to fill this blog up with. 

Let's stay positive, what do you love about where you live? Or about New York?

50 strands of grey

Turning 30 wasn't a big deal to me. I didn't wake up and question what I have been doing with my life.  What I did question where the hell these grey hairs where coming from?  I started to noticed a few come in around my temples and a few near my crown.  Ugh. I know that plucking is not the answer but here is my problem, my hair is really dark so even if it is only about 5 strands, they stick out like they are neon. So I bust out the Tweezterman and I pluck them. Don't you kinda wish that if you were going to go grey, one day all your hair would be grey instead of strand by stand?

Whats funny is that PB is completely salt and pepper and loves every single hair on his head, thinking that they take him one step closer to George Clooney. 

Do you have greys? Do you pluck? Dye? Let them go? Would you ever dye your hair grey a la Kelly Osborn recently?

Ornamental help

How funny is this hedgehog? Seen at Terrain

So as I may have mentioned before, this is the first year that PB and I have a Christmas tree. We are actually going to be in Florida with PB's dad for the actual day but I loved getting a nice size tree for the house to get us in the holiday spirit. But this Jew needs some help. Ornaments. What is the tradition? Do I just buy them willy nilly or does each need a story and special moment? Do you stick to one color pallet? Also, how many packs of lights do you use? Color or white? Have bloggers and Martha Stewart made me self conscious of my own tree? I can answer that one...yes.  Help!

Sorry for the radio silence

I literally lost my voice. I'll be back tomorrow!

addict-a-gram

 Its true. I am addicted to what is commonly known  twitter with pictures. That's right. Instagram. I noticed that I stopped uploading pictures to Facebook and just stick to instragram. Maybe I need to be better about that.  There are also a few really cool companies like Printstagram  and StickyGram that can do all sorts of fun things with your photos from making them magnets to printing them in a book or calendar. Are you on it? What's your handle? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Why are you not on it?

What would you wear?

In the spirit of this fashion focused Tuesday, my co-worker Sophie sent me this article about what people wore during their interview with Anna Wintour. I would go Theory and J.Crew in hopes that it's thought of as classic. Our totally keep the tags on a Saks spending spree. What would you wear?

I just hope I wouldn't get this face.

Anna bored face seen here

Here is also a link to Anna Wintour on 60 Minutes. Amazing!

on a quest

Ok, so I have to come clean. My spending freeze it over. It started with a J.Crew 30% off all sale items and I never looked back. With the holidays approaching, spending is in full effect, though I am trying to make smart buying decsions. One item on my list that is really a must have is new black boots. I have worn my last pair to the ground and am ready for a style update. So I went to my Pinterest page to look for ideas. I settled on the idea of a fold over boot. First of all, these tend to be a little wider in the calf which is a must for me. They look great with skirts and bare legs but also totally cute tucked in to jeans. And they are like nothing else I own, a recent requirement I have implemented to eliminate the predictable. The problem is that they are incredibly hard to find. So please feel free to chime in, point me in a direction, drop me a line, text me, tweet me, instargram me cause mama wants some new boots. What do you guys think....

The Inspiration

The I Won the Powerball Option. Givenchy at Saks

The I Won the Pick Six Option. Vera Wang at Shopbop (sold out anyway)

The I Won the Scratch Off Option.  Steven by Steven Madden at Bloomingdales

Mazel Tov Amy!

You are the winner of Emma's Cheap Thrill. Please contact me here to claim your prize!

on the subject of food

Awesome baked wings from Shutterbean.com

 Makes these. ASAP. I was scared of making chicken wings at home but since these bad boys are baked, they are both significantly easier and healthier than frying. With only a few weeks of football left, you will be thanking me.

let's get roasted

Let me first be clear and give my mom major props. She can cook. We were even once in the paper (slow news week) for all the different kind of food we ate growing up. But one of my less that favorite meal memories would be the veggie side dish. More often than not, they were steamed, broccoli, asparagus or my least favorite carrots. But then about 5 years ago, the tides shifted. Roasting veggies became all the rage and I for one, couldn't be happier. Honestly, I have not yet met a vegetable that didn't taste better with some olive oil, salt and pepper and placed into a high heat oven for 20-40 minutes depending on the veggie. Here are a few of  my favorites.What about you? Any other ones that I should put on the rotation?

.

Clockwise starting at the top left
1. Roasted Cauliflower via Wondering Spice. I had honestly given up on cauliflower years ago. It always seemed like the last option (besides carrots for me) at the veggie and dip station. But guys, when these puppies get roasted, they turn into something really special. Mix in some curry powder, or the suggested tahini dip and you will never look at these albino broccoli in the same light.
2. Roasted cabbage via Wellness Mama. Cabbage has so much more to offer than just coleslaw. I particulrly love when the edges get nice and brown.
2. Marniated and Roasted Onions via Kalyn's Kitchen. I first saw this recipe on Pinterest and knew that it had to be mind. Honestly, balsamic vinegar and onions are a match made in heaven.Get them ready the night before and enjoy! Seriously, they are the bomb.
4. Roasted Acorn Squash with Chili Lime Vinaigrette via The Traveler's Lunchbox. Perfectly in season and totally filling. I could make an entire meal out of this.

A few other shout outs: Chili Garlic Roasted Broccoli, Roasted Green Beans with Sage, Momofuku Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and Roasted Eggplant with smoked almonds and goat cheese.

sing it rebecca black

Seen Here

Cheap Thrill - Emma's Pick

Bagels from Zabars

Today’s Cheap Thrill comes from my oldest and dearest friend Emma. First of all, today is my homegirl’s birthday. Happy Birthday Emma! You totally rock! We love you! Seriously, Emma and I have known each other since we were 4 years old.We went to every school together including college which makes her the most perfect person for trying to figure out someone who looks familiar (Hillside? Kenyon? Nishuane?). She also is under the radar hilarious, an amazing cook and the perfect person to ask what you should read next. Emma also picked one of my most favorite cheap thrills. One that I totally get down with too. A bagel with butter.   It’s that simple and yet that amazing at the same time. So today, for the Cheap Thrill Give Away, I will be sending the winner a half dozen of Zabars FamousBagels. These babies can ship anywhere, so for all you non-New Yorkers who might not know that amazingness of bagels on the daily, don’t worry—this is your chance (New Yorkers are still encouraged to get down with this—the Upper West Side might as well be New Jersey for those in Brooklyn). In the comments, let me know what you put on your bagel. Winner will be randomly selected on Monday. Bagel me!  

Happy Birthday Emma! There is no one else I would rather wait in line with to meet Pioneer Woman!

are you feeling lucky?

Image of a much younger Nicolas Cage from Rotten Tomatoes

Tonights Powerball jackpot is a whopping $550 million buck-a-roos. I bought a few tickets for myself and also joined my office pool. When the pot get this big, it is hard not to dream about what I would do with all the winnings. Remember that movie It Could Happen To You with Nicolas Cage, Bridget Fonda and Rosie Perez? He doesn't have enough money to tip the waitress so he offers to share his money should his lottery ticket win. Spoiler alert...he wins.

I was once with a group of friends who all were given scratch off tickets. My friend Babara misread her ticket and thought (and screamed for about 3 minutes) that she won $500.00. Turned out she didn't but it was worth the laugh.

Do you guys buy lottery tickets? Do you think they are a total waste or a cheap thrill? Ever win big?

is this trend over?

These lovely locks seen here

 So dudes, I am in a bit of a hair rut. Not the shape, since I have cut my bangs, I have been all about them. It's the color that it getting me. For those of you who don't know me, I have very dark brown hair. It doesn't get lighter in the sun or have natural highlights. It is just straight up dark. A few years ago Ombre came on the scene and totally rocked my (and seemingly every woman whose hair I admired) world. Dark on top with lighter highlights at the bottom. So pretty and interesting. But I was too chicken to do it. Then last week when I was getting a trim, I asked my hairdresser--who has ombre-- what she thought of my doing it. She herself loves it and while dying your hair is damaging, it isn't all of your hair and the upkeep up minimal compared to regular highlights. So I am asking you my dear readers-- what do you think? Have you ever tried something totally new with your hair? I have gotten Keratin and loved how easy it made my hair to manage. Anyone know more about Ombre? Will I look totally 2010?

The hair that seems to have started it all. Damn. Seen here

how to speak austrailian

Say the words "Rise Up Lights" out loud. Say it again. Say it again. 

Congratulations.  You just said razorblades in an Australian accent mate!

Babies from down under seen here. Cheers!

Cyber Monday!

And maybe a fur vest too? Image from here

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break! I hope you had a great holiday. Did you do any shopping on Black Friday? What about today, Cyber Monday? I am suffering over some boots at Bloomingdales and most likely going to load up on household supplies at Soap.com What about you? Any awesome deals I need to know about?

home for the holidays

The great Daniel Craig seen here

In a few hours, I will be packing up my stuff and heading to my parents house in New Jersey for Thanksgiving. I am pretty sure that tonight has become a universal night to go out in your hometown for a few drinks with old friends. But here is the thing, the high school friends that I am still friends with I see on the regular and often times there are drinks involved. What we don't do enough is go to the movies! So guys, let's all load up on popcorn and M&M's and meet me at the Bellview. Or whatever theater you have in your hometown. I will be in line to see the new Bond movie. What about you?

Congrats!

Caroline, you are now the happy own of some pretty bad-ass ponytail holders! Email me here with where you would like me to send these and we will be good to go!. Happy Thanksgiving!

Still time to win!

Enter HERE to win these totally rad hair ties!

Seen (and will be purchased on) Anthropologie

Tis the season...for gift guides

If you are a reader of blogs (and hey-- you are on one now so I guess you are), then you will know exactly what I am talking about, it is the season of Holiday Gift Guides. Blogs are a perfect place for this with great layouts options and ways to link directly to the stores. If you are looking for a great one, Creature Comforts does an spectacular job, breaking down gifts into a bunch of specific categories and offers some really unique gift.

But as I see it, all of these great gift guides are all paying homage to the greatest gift guide of all time. And by that I mean, the granddaddy of them all, the most head exploding, mind melting, pee in your pants gifts…It's Oprah's Favorite Things.

 For years, this has been my most favorite episode. Sure, I love seeing what Oprah picks. I may have even made a purchase myself based on the great ones picks.  But really, the magic of this show is watching the audience and their reaction to each gift that they are going to bring home, or rather have shipped to their home that day.

Now that the Oprah Show is no more, Favorite Things was existing only in her magazine. But this year, they decided to bring it back on the OWN channel. With an audience of 35 military spouses as the recipients of Oprah's favorite things, it was again TV magic. I laughed, I cried, I basically smiled giddily the entire show. It's running now on the OWN channel, I highly recommend watching during any down time you may have. It's pretty great. I mean, come on, look at these reactions!

Seen on Bumps and Curves

Seen on Oh No They Didn't!

Image seen on The Bridesmaid Diaries 

 

 

its beginning to look a lot like the holidays*

* I think as a Jew, I have a hard time saying Christmas. But I should just be honest, it is looking a lot like Christmas. And I love it.

Maybe it's that commercials for Black Friday are running on loop or maybe its the large snowflake hanging outside of our window seen above. Whatever it is, let's keep it up, I like it. 

wish you (and me) were here!

Picture from a trip PB and I took to Turks and Caicos this summer

Cheap Thrill Project- Sara E Pick!

Seen (and will be purchased on) Anthropologie

This weeks Cheap Thrill comes from Sara Elsasser. Let me back up by saying that Sara and I have known each other our entires lives. My life was almost cut short when I walked into her grandparents pool before knowing how to swim but that is another story. Sara is indescribable but if i had to try, I would have to say incredibly smart, fun, the type of person you pray is on your team and can not only make the best of almost nearly every situation, but in fact makes it better. She also has really nice hair. Seriously, it is always shiny. So when she sent me her pick for these amazingly new cute ponytail holders, it seemed like a perfect fit. Plus she let me know that they don't crease your hair and looks nice on your wrist in a pinch. I am sold. 

to win your own set of these super cute hair bands (a set of 5) , leave a comment of how you would rock them. a random winner will be picked on tuesday.
Again, the Cheap Thrill Project isn't sponsored. It was just a way for me to pass on really cool information from my friends to yours of the best of the best out there. Pass it on! 

sick puppy

Feel Better Pashy! We love you!

no elbows on the table

This plate of food could be yours. Seen on Charity Buzz

The CFDA and Vogue Magazine have teamed up on an online auction benefiting the Mayors Fund to Advance New York City in response to Hurricane Sandy. For fashion forward people (with money to burn) this is the place to go. One of the items up for bid is a dinner for you and guest with Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow. For over $5,000, I am sure this would be a very lovely dinner but just in case....this is part of the terms and rules: "Polite manners and respect for the generous donor and adherence to any rules or parameters are a must." Like any Goop girl wouldn't be...

livin in the lap of luxury

At the end of my work day, as we are all packing up our bags and shutting down the computers, conversation with my coworkers can turn pretty random. A common game (like I think for a lot of people) is often what would you do if you won the lottery. But last night, it took a twist. Sophie proposed this. If you could have one luxury service on the daily, what would it be? My pick ended up being a live in hairdresser who could blow out my hair anytime. Oh man, how awesome would that be?

Image seen on Cruello

Or would you go the route of Doug and have an in home masseuse? 

 

Image seen on Doorstep Spa

What about someone who always has dinner ready?  

Chef seen Here

Some other popular office picks were maid, laundress and someone who comes in to stretch out your body! I am really curious, what would you pick? 

Cross that off the bucket list..

I didn't want people to go hungry (or thirsty)

For years, I have been desperate to be in a book club. Years ago, a close friend tried to start one. We each purchased the first book and never got any further than that.  For nearly 3 months, I peripherally joined a co-workers club, never going to the meetings (since she dropped out early) but would continue to read all of their books. My parents are both in clubs and sometimes I would try to keep up with their reads. I guess the reality was that I never wanted to start one, I just wanted to join one. And that is exactly what happened last night. Sure, I missed the first meeting but last night, we had the all important second meeting and I really enjoyed it. If anyone is interested, we read This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz. Are you in a book club? Do you want to be? What are you reading now?

oh tom....

Please pack your knives and go. Seen on TVGasm

Finally after what seemed like forever, Top Chef is back. This is one of the few shows that even after 10 seasons, I still really get into it. The chef's are no joke. When I was in Chicago a little over a year ago, I was able to go the Girl and the Goat, a Stephanie Izard (and only female Top Chef winner) restaurant and it was the bomb. For Maya and PB's birthday last year, we dined at Talde, another Top Chef alum, Dale Talde restaurant and homeboy was there running the amazingly yummy place. So I get it, these contestants are the real deal. But as much as I like the show, I like the NYMag.com recap even better.  For a show that takes itself fairly seriously, the recap is the perfect compliment making endless fun of both the contestants and judges.

It's in the stars...

Have you noticed the starry trend that is all over these days. From nails, to cake, people are into and inspired by both constellations and the overall galaxy. I have to say, I am totally drawn to it too but I am not much of a believer in astrology. What about you? Does your sign mean something to you? I am a Taurus but not sure what that says about me.  What sign are you? Maybe you can make me a believer.


From top left Cup of Jo Galaxy Nails, Rendij Studio Moon Calendar on Etsy, Constellation Cheesecake on Diamonds for Dessert, and Printable Constellation Map of Mr. Printable

enjoy it!

Seen On The Brink of Greatness

Should I?

Seen on They All Hate Us

Ever since I pinned this picture onto my Pinterest page, it stuck in my head. I love her entire approachable look but I especially love her sneakers. Since I still have my classic grey New Balance shoes that I wore in middle school (I am not kidding) and another pair that I wore in college, I am thinking that these might be what I want to break my spending freeze on. I am only slightly hesitant since the color is pretty different. Is it trendy? Could I wear them with lighter colors? Do I even wear light colors? Let me know what you guys think? Have you ever bought something you saw on Pinterest or in a random photo like this one?

Seen on Zappos

Mine are Blush and Bashfull

MP Daily Nail Picks by madelinepolton featuring essie nail polish

Congrats Sophie!

Enjoy Dating A Royal!

Please shoot me an note for your winnings!

Homeland

Based on your recommendations and the Sandy Time Warner Gift, PB and I are INTO Homeland. Within the week, we have already finished Season 1 and are now into Season 2. It's the bomb. When my sister Maya sent this to us, we died. Bloombito is totally talking about us. Enjoy!

rock it

From Sass & Bide

Cheap Thrill Project. Maya Nailed It

I think its time for something fun.

For those who don't know, Maya is my older sister. But a sister isn't enough of a word to describe her. maya is a smart, funny, amazing mom and even better friend.  And she almost always has her nails done. you know why? It's because Maya's cheap thrill is getting a manicure. Having nice nails is the cherry on top. Even in play clothes, when your nails are done, you look nice. So today, for the inaugural Cheap Thrill, I am giving away a $20.00 Gift Card to SpaFinder.com so that you can go get your nails did anywhere you want. 

Seen on Thank God I'm A Girl

To enter, leave a comment with the words CHEAP THRILL. If you want to add your favorite nail color too, that would be even better.  Winner will be selected at random on Wednesday. 

PS-- None of my Cheap Thrill Project is sponsored. It is just something fun from me to you. Pass it on to your friends!