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Sometimes you need a little Dillingham.

Beachy Keen

Someone's gotta do something about that groundhog. I don't know much about rodent forecasting, but I do know that enough is enough and winter needs to make an exit.

Last week, after one sunny day of respite, NYC received a slushy snow storm. Instantly, we were back to murk and gloom. I came home to a grouping of pastel balloons, caught high in the branches of a tree, being snowed upon, and unable to escape.

I knew how those balloons felt.

Supposedly, spring will come. It always seems to.

In the meanwhile, my thoughts go to the tropics.

Anguilla

I try to remember being "too hot" and remedying that by jumping in some form of water. 

Here are some small tricks to bringing the tropics to you.

You know that feeling after a day's swim in the ocean? It kind of feels and smells like this:

LUSH Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub

It's all about the mimosa blossoms.

Follow it up with this fragrance, which captures both the floral air and the warm sand of the beach. Plus, no sticky sunblock skin!

Bobbi Brown Beach Body Oil

Fun reads. Put the latest New Yorker away. I'm talking US Weekly, people.

His/Her Selections (not trying to stereotype, this just happened to be the case on a personal level)

I love looking up and seeing this:

There is something so...classic beachside holiday...about a striped umbrella. Nautical stripes are all the rage in apparel, so don a shirt, shoe, or dress that screams I'm on vacation.

J.Crew Factory Lightweight Stripe Tunic

DV Archer Sandal

Madewell Stucco Stripe Dress

Whether you can finagle a grill set up on your fire escape or have a great hot dog joint down the block, treat yourself to something summery.

Luke's Lobster

Just remember to wait 30 minutes before going back into the imaginary water.

I don't know why I never thought of this:

Real Simple - New uses for old things

Of course, I'm not sure how to incorporate a sand castle midwinter, but at least you can use the tool to scoop yourself some ice cream and lick your woes away?

When you are as pale as me, you are going to slather on the sunblock and stick with the fake tan. I've never been very talented at applying self-tanner, but these wipes make it a kinder result. As long as you don't have to visit Lisa Vanderpump later on that day.

Tan Towel Towelettes

Then, there is the matter of drink. To feel beachy and tropical, I recommend pulling out the blender, fruit and little umbrellas. Something along the lines of this:

Planter's Punch

The more umbrellitas and unnecessary garnishes, the better.

Of course, there is always the old standby:

You put the lime in the coconut...

Until I feel actual sand beneath my feet, I'm going to take my big white puffy winter coat to the dry cleaners. See if Mother Nature takes a hint.

It's the Little Things

There are days, or maybe only hours, when my life is that of a rock star. Traveling, people on TV, parties, champagne, comps...and then there are the other, more realistic hours. Not so glam.

That's when the little luxuries matter. Bitty treats to sneak into an otherwise ordinary day.

Fresh flowers. Just for you. No reason needed.

Open that treasured bottle of wine. Maybe there is a reason this time, but it doesn't have to be a good one.

Mourvedre 2009 - Curtis Winery

Take a walk when you should be doing something more important. Go someplace peaceful.

 The Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park, NYC

And then take a nap when you get home.

Buy that ridiculously expensive candle and don't be shy to use it. It will last.

Linnea's Lights Wildflower Candle - Shop Terrain

After a long day, stop for a treat. Bring an extra one back for someone you like.

Jacques Torres Chocolate

Read the fun book instead of the one translated from 18th century Russian.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) - Mindy Kaling

Use this:

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil - Sephora

Say I love you to those who need to hear it more than you think you should. Wear your heart on your sleeve.

We're Young At Heart Sweater - ModCloth

Sorry, should have given a sap warning on that one.

Little luxuries make a big impact. Treat yourself.

Can't Take the Heat?

Oh, sriracha, you are so full of flavor, yet so hard to spell.

Gourmet Sriracha Salt - Srirachaholic, Etsy

Already obsessed with the rooster heat in condiment form, I was happy to discover that it can now be sprinkled, rubbed, and shaken onto various dishes.

Thank you, Randy Clemens and thank you, Etsy.

Cause and Effect

Usually the Mister is the pizza chef of the household, but tonight he had outside priorities and I was left to knead and conquer the dough all by myself.

There are many bits and pieces from this post that we will need to cover in the near future: wooden cutting boards, pesto, mozzarella, Arthur Avenue, New York living..., but I'm building my return to blogging ala the tortoise, not the hare, so tonight let's just cut to the chase and recap:

Results:

By way of:

Bryndal's reaction to the hullabaloo:

"Meh."

Typical Saturday for LuRuSo.

Despite the noise and smoke (and probably disdain from my neighbors), the pizza was DELICIOUS.

On a side note, does anyone know how to rewire a smoke detector...?

You Know You Live in NYC When...

Your dog's daycare tag ends up being this:

Ah, yes...I come from a long line of hardy, stoic, Scandinavian Sorensteins.

Apparently, so does Bryndal.

I'm Melting...Almost

This winter I had to pull out the marshmallow coat, folks. Pretty much Exactly every day. What can I say, it can't always be Winter 2011-12. But, even with freshly fallen snow and arctic temps which caused a tear to freeze midway down my cheek, I know the winds will be turning very soon.

Just a little proof:

This Minnesota melting snowman kind of looks like he is doing some sort of back layout/isolation dance move, no?

How Beyonce.