Have you Heard About..?

Sharing secrets.

It has been a WHILE since I last gave you tips for being "in with the in crowd", but I think I've finally got the scoop on enough goodies to deliver the next installment of "have you heard about?" So without further adieu (and at the risk, as always, of waving an "I'm totally behind the times and completely clueless about it" flag!) here are some tid bits on what's hot with the cool kids. (See previous personal prediction home runs HERE, HERE and HERE).

*Cronuts

Introducing, the Cronut!

Move over cupcakes, there's a new pastry sensation in town! It's called a "cronut" and NYC'ers have been lining up as early as 5:30am to score 1 (maximum 2) of Chef Dominique Ansel's half donut, half croissant pastry hybrids. The final masterpiece of a reported 2 months and 10 plus different recipes, the cronut debuted on May 10, 2013 and has been the king of sweet treats ever since. Online "scalping" and delivery services have reportedly resold the $5 pastries for as much as $100 while mere mortals must wait in line hours before Ansel's Bakery opens (8am Mon-Sat, 9am Sun) to score a cronut which took 3 days to prepare and should be eaten immediately "as they have a short shelf life". Imitations and DIY attempts abound, but in order to really taste the sensation, get in line!

*Biking Around Town

Hello Citibike!

Remember when riding your bike around the neighborhood was the most awesome way to get around? Well bikes are back baby and they're taking American cities by storm. Recent bike share programs like CitiBike in NYC, Hubway in Boston, Capital BikeShare in DC and countless others are popping up across the country, seemingly determined to get more American cities on THIS list, which highlights that North America could learn a thing or two from the rest of the world about getting around on 2 wheels! Dr. H and I are newly minted CitiBike members and we couldn't be more thrilled with the program. For $98 a year we have access to any bike, at any rack in the city, any time of day or night. The handy app tells us where the nearest bike rack is (and how many bikes are available at that moment) and we have 45 minutes to ride and return the bike to any other rack in NYC. Want longer than 45 minutes? No problem, just "check-in" at a rack by parking your bike and then re-rent and continue on your way! Though the program hasn't figured out how to handle helmet safety (Dr. H and I always wear our own) biking is an awesome way to enjoy fresh air, workout a bit and get from A to B.

* Sassy Nails

Show your sparkle

As one of those women who is rarely spotted without nail polish, I'm thrilled to observe that sassy nails are so hot right now. While a classic single color mani/pedi will never go out of style, intricate designs, multiple colors, glitter and "party nails" (aka making just one finger pop with a different color or funky design than the rest of your mani) are everywhere and on every type of lady. No longer reserved for those crazy checkout line ladies sporting acrylics and rhinestones, tasteful, but fun nail art appears to have gone mainstream (inspiration on Pinterest HERE, HERE and HERE) so girlies, I say have a little fun with your fingernails this summer!

*Cards Against Humanity

Game on!

This isn't the newest news, but if you haven't played Cards Against Humanity yet, move it to the very top of the "to do" list at your next get together with friends. The self-proclaimed "party game for horrible people" is like the twisted, raunchy, offensive drunk uncle of Apples to Apples. When 1 player flips over a black card with an unfinished phrase or question (e.g., "what are my parents hiding from me?") the other players must create a word association  which they think will be the 1 player's favorite (e.g., "Grandma"; "Harry Potter Erotica"; "72 virgins" <-- some of the only examples I could find appropriate for this blog's family friendly environment!!) Guaranteed to offend everyone in the room and create a rowdy good time in the process, bring Cards Against Humanity (available for purchase HERE) to your next big kid play date. 

(good)will hunting.

perty, ain't it?

This post brought to you by the fabulous (parent)thetically speaking. 

About a week and a half ago, I totally scored at Goodwill. The kids and I had stopped in to do a quick lap (I say quick because I've learned approximately how much time I have once I enter a store before the kids' "timers" start to go off and I turn into a pumpkin...and it ain't much). As I walked past the furniture section (where I don't usually stop) I saw this couch. It was coral colored and velvet, and for some reason, I was drawn to it. I took some pictures and texted them to some of my "design consultants" and then left. I found myself obsessing over this couch (and when I think about something constantly it's usually a sign that I'll end up buying it, who's with me?). So after nap time, I schlepped lovingly took my children back (and timers are...on) and did some quick measurements and gave it a good once-or-twice-over for stains/musty smells. Having passed those tests, I grabbed the purchase ticket and bam! we had a new couch. And it gets better - its Ethan Allen (!) and it was $50. We had just begun to look for a new couch and prices seemed to be starting at $600 - so yeah, score.

This caps off a bit of a streak I've been on, starting with a classic Brooks Brothers tie for $5 and a cross-body leather Coach purse for $20. And pardon me while I just drop this - an authentic 1980's HERMES scarf. HERMES, as in the wardrobe-piece-of-a-lifetime for...$1.97 (I saved the tag). Its selling for $400 on eBay. I'm telling anyone who will listen (or read) about my scarf.

My strategy for good Goodwill hunting comes from a childhood spent finely honing my thrifting skillz with my mommy. Here's what you need to know in order to emerge from a thrift shop victorious (and not with a bunch of stuff that you keep in a box for 5 years and end up donating to...a thrift shop - it happens).

* you have to decide where to draw the line. (personal preference here) Goodwill is not the place I look for towels, sheets, dinnerware, intimates, bathing suits, toys or stuffed animals (I'm probably forgetting some, it's just habit to avoid certain sections)

* think about the departments in the store where you want to go first, and then come back to others. It can feel like a casino - time slips away and you get that feeling like if you walk away too soon, you'll miss the jackpot - but stay focused on one area at a time. I always head for home goods, then purses, then dresses.

* don't go in thinking you will find a specific item. you may end up disappointed

* don't buy something just because its inexpensive, it will be tempting, but try not to cave

* do look for shapes or silhouettes that you like, at least in home goods, because a can of spray paint can work wonders on lamps, candlesticks, picture frames, etc. be realistic, though, with the scope of a re-purposing project you're willing to undertake (see above about items that sit in boxes for 5 years...)

* as you scan the clothing racks (if you decide that you're comfortable purchasing second-hand) scan for patterns and colors, even fabrics, that catch your eye. the ability to spot name-brand clothing simply by the fabric, or pattern, or dye is my greatest thrifting achievement, and is the key to integrating thrift shop scores into a cultivated wardrobe (this is serious bidness, folks)

Arm yourself with some of my strategies, or someone else's, or your own and go ahead and pop some tags from that thrift shop down the road...

For previous posts from (parent)thetically speaking, click HERE.

The 'ol walk and read

The original walk & reader?

Have you ever done the "walk and read"!? This could be a uniquely urban, perhaps even only New York City, phenomenon, but the walk and read is when you become so engrossed in the book or magazine you're reading during your commute, that when you get off the subway you simply cannot stop reading. You must walk, but you must read. I once traveled 20 minutes on foot through Bay Ridge Brooklyn, glued to my second (and more contemplative) reading of Pride and Prejudice. (Is my inner dork showing?) Anyway, this morning I nearly dropped my iced coffee and eggs (a little Friday fancy breakfast treat) while walk and reading Z - A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. 

Though certainly not a literary masterpiece, Z is a completely captivating, fiction-based-on-fact, novel about the famous wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The couple, who traveled the world in a flurry of excess and barely affordable glamour with a who's who of 1920s icons like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Cole Porter, have a maddening love for one another which ultimately may have been their undoing. Released no doubt in time to benefit from some of Baz and Leo's Gatsby fever, I've been completely enamored with Zelda's struggle to define herself next to a man obsessed with establishing his own greatness. For a "lovely, sad and compulsively readable book" (Kirkus Reviews) check out Z this summer!

Father's Day is Sunday!?

John & Caroline, 1958

So if the weather where you live has been anything like the weather where I live, it's nearly impossible to believe that we are solidly in the middle of June. Standing outside, I'd guess mid-April, maybe May on the occasional warm and sunny day that's teased us. As a result of the bizarro weather, I've totally lost track of time and almost forgot that Father's Day is 72 hours away! Yikes.

BUT, if you're right there with me, do not despair - 3 days is plenty of time to nail it... Maybe just whip up something like THIS (who knew ice cream cakes were so easy to make!), or buy one of THESE (or THESE... I mean that scratch map? the stadium blueprint? a whiskey and rum making kit!?), or just give THIS (my dad loves his!) Whatever the gesture you pick, if you fill it with a little love and TLC, I'm sure your Dad will be thrilled.

Jack & Jennifer, 1969

Sammy David Jr. & Mark, 1964

Dustin & Karina, 1969

And for more of these completely charming, iconic Daddy photos, click HERE (if your ovaries can handle it!)

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).