You've Got to Accentuate the Positive

Subway Crafting

Super jealous of this kid's cross-stitch project:

Crafting is cool. And calming. Why did I ever stop?

I'm totally finding paint-by-numbers, shrinkydinks, and a wood burning kit, STAT. Michaels, here I come!

Smiley Sunday

Another Sunday worth smiling about.

The sun was shining away this weekend, which reminded me of a need for new sunglasses (or, one of my favorite Spanish words, gafas del sol). I'll never buy expensive sunglasses, umbrellas, or socks, since I tend to end up losing them, but the downside to the above plan is that the cheap ones break often. Hence, new sunglasses.

Urban Outfitters always has a good, affordable collection ranging between classy glam:

to the utmost silly:

I picked somewhere in between.

We had a grand brunch at Community Food & Juice. It was quite the debate narrowing down our order, but Richard came out on top with his choice of Blueberry Pancakes with warm Maple Butter. 

Community Food & Juice

Luckily, he shared. These were unbelievably good. I'm having trouble even posting this picture without my stomach grumbling. Seems that the famed Clinton St Bakery is a sister restaurant, so I'm hoping whipping up a homemade batch from THIS recipe will produce the same mouth-watering results.

For the first time since B was a pup, I caught the cherry blossoms along the reservoir. Truly one of my favorite places in New York City. 

Caught them just in time!

I also purchased (and filled) my very first growler. This service is popping up all over NYC now. I found my brew at Whole Foods, but I'm especially curious about local Duane Reades being craft beer enablers.

Grrrr.

Good Boy

For dogs that deserve to be rewarded:

Petmate Treat Jars

And often.

The Young Man Awakens

If this doesn't melt your heart, then you don't have one.

He Who Must Not Be Named

Many of you know who that is.

Lord Voldemort, of course.

Then there are those of you who know who that is to me.

So that is why I cracked up when a friend pointed out that a Lifebooker ad stole my nickname:

Hilarious. And not. After all, he KILLED HARRY'S PARENTS!

Baked in a Pie

Do not watch The Best Thing I Ever Ate if you are hungry.

Do not watch The Best Thing I Ever Ate if you are slightly peckish.

Do not watch The Best Thing I Ever Ate if you just stuffed yourself with second breakfast.

I guarantee you will be famished again and craving whatever feature some celeb-a-chef is lauding.

Case in point: the Salted Caramel Apple Pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds in Brooklyn, NY.

Field trip on the G train!

Songs on a Sunday

There is something about a Sunday song that makes me all happy-like.

Sunday Morning Sunshine - Harry Chapin

Put on Your Sunday Clothes - Hello, Dolly!

Sunday Morning - Maroon 5

Sunday - Sunday in the Park with George

Sunday Kind of Love - Etta James

I Met Him on a Sunday - The Bells w/ Laura Nyro

What's your favorite song day of the week?

Oh, and since a Sunday isn't complete without a song AND brunch...

Last Sunday we enjoyed a slight twist on your classic mimosa. We used Prosecco (less of a headache if you drink too much-which I tend to do...) and squeezed half oranges, half tangerines. 

 +

 

Plus, tangerine is the official Pantone Color of the Year.

So, it's trendy, yo.

Also indulged in some Boozy Baked French Toast from Smitten Kitchen (I was smitten!) which was simple to prep the night before and took no effort to bake the next morning (more time for drinking and singing). It would be a perfect menu item if you are having a brunch party. We opted for 3 Tbsp Bailey's and 3 Tbsp Sweet Lucy, but you can get creative with your favorite liquors or keep it sober with some vanilla or orange zest in place of the booze!

Highly recommended.