Will to Not Wilt

Before I start this post, may I offer you a cool, fruity drink to sip upon? You'll need it.

Cassiopea Glassware - West Elm

Because it is hot, folks. And not *just* hot - icky, sticky, relentlessly, beating down with all its might hot. Facebook's On This Day app reminded me that this is a yearly occurrence as I scanned through past posts about needing a lake to jump in, a better air conditioner, beach access, or an endless supply of popsicles. Sometime in mid-late July, this unbearable weather takes over for a few weeks and we get melted ice cream and kids finding any spraying water source they can.

Washington Heights, NYC

I will say that when the temps soar above 90 degrees with 98% humidity and not a breeze in sight, I'm finding it slightly easier to cool off in Minnesota than New York City. That's one point for MN on the Big to Minne Apple Move scoreboard.

For one thing, you don't have to deal with the subway system, which in the summer becomes the closest thing to hell that any of us will (fingers crossed) ever encounter.

The Subway Spa - Improv Everywhere

But, despite the higher occurrences of central AC and green space here in the great north, it's still steamy and muggy beyond comprehension. And so I spend many a summer day during this time period trying to figure out how to keep my Irish/Scandinavian body comfortable in the temporary tropics.

Let's turn back to that drink, why don't we? The clean and crisp flavor of a gin & tonic is my go to when it is sweltering. I upped the summer quotient in this cocktail with berries, herbs, & a hint of floral. I promise, it doesn't make it too stuffy. Just prettier.

Thyme & Tarragon Triple Berry Gin & Tonic
(makes two servings):

• 3 oz gin
• 1 oz St. Germain
• 2-3 oz Thyme & Tarragon Triple Berry Syrup*
• Combine gin, St. Germain, & syrup and shake with ice vigorously. Strain into two rocks glasses filled with ice and top with tonic. 
• Garnish with frozen berries, lemon, and thyme.

*For the syrup, I simmered 1 to 1 sugar-water, and a handful of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, added a few stems of tarragon and thyme and let the mixture steep for 30 minutes. Strain when slightly cool and keep in refrigerator.

But if you are going to be indulging in alcohol, make sure and match it with as much water consumption as possible. I find having a chic and reusable water bottle makes it all the easier to get in your needed H2O, especially on the go.

The bkr Water Bottle

Water is really the key to keeping cool. Even being near or gazing at the water chills me out. But my favorite of all favorites is waterfall swimming. I blame my time in Ithaca - it is gorges, after all.

Amnicon Falls State Park, Wisconsin

A waterfall is not always accessible, but waterparks seem to be prevalent around these parts (surprising for a state that has such a short burst of summer), and I've been meaning to check a few out. Some even offer adult hours for exercising, like lap swims and walking the lazy river.

I don't have my own backyard currently, so THESE are out.

But, thanks to Slide the City, I could be slipping and sliding my way down a Minnesota main street this August.

Slide the City

Facial mists and sprays have been my best friend lately. One spritz of this rosewater version will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and it smells divine!

Rosewater Balancing Mist - Jurlique

Pajama dressing. It is what I aim for on a daily basis - figuring out how to style pajamas so they look like actual clothes when in society. I'm just that into comfort. Or lazy. Or both? In the winter, it's all about long, all-enveloping cardigans and fuzzy leggings. In the summer? Moo-moos and oversized t-shirts. Light, loose fabric, with no particular shape and nothing that constricts. Something you could easily throw on over a swimsuit.

 Some feasible contenders from Madewell, Target, and Old Navy.

A few years ago, I took a deep breath and for the first time since childhood, chopped off my long locks. I enjoyed the edgy short-hair look for a couple of seasons, but lately I've been in the mood to grow my hair out past my shoulders again. I guess I'm no longer thoroughly modern and instead back in the bohemian romantic mood. I got giddy when I realized that my mane is finally long enough to put into a crown braid. Huzzah! I'll be utilizing this and other easy updo looks like THESE all summer long.

PureWow Presents: Let Music Festivals Inspire Your New Favorite Braids

In the winter months, there is no better comfort food than a piping hot bowl of soup. The summer equivalent for me is a big bowl of cold asian noodles. You do have to boil water for the noodles, but other than that, no time spent hovering over a hot stove.

I went with plain old spaghetti, but you can use any noodle of choice. I forgot I had some of THESE sweet potato spiral noodles in my fridge - they would have been beyond perfect - next time! You can go crazy with the add ins; I went for snow peas, cucumbers, jicama, red pepper, rainbow carrots, and scallions. But simply the noodles as is sprinkled with sesame seeds would also do!

Cold Sesame-Style Noodles:

• 1 lb noodles (see above comment)
• 1/4 c nut butter (I used natural almond, but peanut butter, sesame paste, etc. will do)
• Juice of 1 lime (2-3 tbsp)
• 2-3 tbsp honey (adjust sweetness as needed depending on what type of nut butter you used)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or grated
• 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha (plus more for garnishing)

Combine above ingredients, whisking until smooth. Prepare noodles according to package. Toss noodles with sauce. Chill noodles. When ready to eat, mix in any added veggies. Enjoy!

Now that I have my nosh ready to go, it is time to...do nothing. Because doing nothing means not moving and not moving means not perspiring. Perhaps a day of Netflix and Chill? But like, literally chill, not "chill". 

There certainly are a host of shows to marathon and keep me on the couch, not moving. Oh, and reminding me that winter is coming. So maybe I should enjoy this heat wave while we have it?

The Ultimate Binge Watcher's TV Bible - Refinery29

How are you keeping cool this summer?
Do you wilt under the harsh, fiery sun or do you thrive in the heat?

Big to Minne Apple

This past year I decided to make a big change and moved from New York City to Minneapolis.
Oy vey. Uff-da. Quite an adjustment. At times, I feel like I'm two people - the hardened and savvy NYC LuRuSo or the corn-fed and nice MN LuRuSo. Do I have to pick one or the other, or can they morph into some rad melded super version of both me's?

I used to check in on a blog that lovingly compared the two great cities of Paris and New York through artful prints (Paris versus New York), so I thought to work through my transition, I might muse on the similarities and disparities of the Big and Minne Apple brought to light by my move (minus the cool designs, since I do not have that kind of artistic talent!)

The most glaring difference of these two regions is the attitude of the people, especially long time residents. In the NYC area what people say is what they are thinking. Sometimes it can come off as harsh or aggressive, but after 14 years of living there, I can attest that New Yorkers are the first to offer genuine help or advice, even if it is more direct than Midwesterners are used to. The best example? Johnny T.

Johnny T's NYC Tourist Tips

Whereas, the Minnesota version of Johnny T is more like:

Keep Minnesota Passive Aggressive Tee by Old Tom Foolery - i like you

I've noticed that where these two opposite behaviors are most evident is an elevator ride. Minnesotans really do not want to acknowledge in any way that you are riding the elevator together. They give you a half-hearted, closed mouth, one second smile, and maybe a nod if they are in a good mood. In NYC, I would find out all about my neighbor's drama, including how his aunt has an ongoing saga with her dental crown in the time it took to get from the 6th floor to ground level.

I'm curious to see what other traits define each metropolis, and which I find myself being more drawn to.
I don't think I'll go as far as THIS (and dude, NYC pizza totally wins!)

Juno Snow

I hear a storm's a brewin'. It has a name.

Which sounds like this:

Juno

Or if you are a MT nerd like me, this:

Juno

And it looks like this:

Growing up in Minnesota (come on, you knew that was coming), arctic conditions were not unusual. We considered our ability to brush off a blizzard a badge of honor to wear proudly - over our seven layers of clothing, of course. During the months of November-April in Minne-snow-ta, you are guaranteed to find this aisle in about any store.

Yes, that consists of hand warmers, ice picks, and snowball makers.
The above items would have come in handy during one of these
Famous Minnesota Winter Storms.

We all tell a tall tale of the '91 Halloween Blizzard. I remember boarding the "activities bus" which departed around 5pm. I think I had been in rehearsals for The Hobbit: The Musical (never again had anyone seen such a gripping portrayal of Nori the Dwarf). The snowflakes were just starting to fall. By the time I stepped off the bus 40 minutes later, my feet sunk into a drift up to my ankles. Needless to say, every Minnesotan child went Trick-Or-Treating as a "bundled up child" for Halloween that year, but again, it was par for the tundra course.

These East Coasters handle the storm news a bit differently. And by different, I mean cray-cray. For instance, one hour after an official storm warning, I dare you to find a tub of hummus or a bag of chips within a 5-mile radius. So dramatic about their snack selection. I mean, this is going to be over in a day, right? I guess it doesn't help when the headlines are like this:
Worst Ever Historic Oh My God Imminent Stop Everything You Are Doing and Hide Under Your Bed With Hummus and Your Dog Storm

So we are either about to be slapped with a heavy dose of winter reality, or...not. Time will tell. I'm curious to see how it will rank in NYC Winter Storm History. Did you know the 1888 storm is the impetus for moving NYC's wire infrastructure underground? 

Check out THESE captivating NYC snowstorm shots. If only they had Instagram then!

Daily Cartoon - The New Yorker

During the February 2003 event, I was happily stuck in San Francisco with my mom and cousin, unable to get a flight back into snowblanketed-NYC. I missed a few auditions, but had a fun touristy time at the wharf eating sour dough bread and riding street cars.
The snow dump during the 2010 holidays was particularly adventurous for me being that I was working in Anguilla and had no route back to a shutdown NYC. Instead, I had to fly directly from the tropics to Minnesota, where I had a suitcase full of conch shells and flip flops.

February 2006 I had just started to recover from a severe bout of the flu. I remember trudging through those record setting 26.9 inches to my corner bodega for some medicine and soup.

W 155th Street, NYC - February 2006

Do you have any snowed-in stories from epic storms? 

If you really want to put things in perspective, I suggest hankering down to read The Children's Blizzard. It chronicles one of the most brutal and tragic Midwestern storms of all time, which gives a new appreciation for today's weather and communication technology, as well as a better understanding of the severe homesteading life that many immigrants faced during the 1800s.

The Children's Blizzard

Besides not living on the prairie in 1888, I am also thankful that I have no need to drive a car today or venture too far from home. What are your snowed-in plans?

I've got my Gap fair isle leggings on,

(sold out online, similar HERE and HERE)

oils incorporated into my beauty routine,

Almond Shower Oil - L'Occitane

 Macadamia Deep Hair Mask - Target

Maracuja Oil Rollerball - Tarte

and a few slow cooker and one pot recipes added to Pinterest.

As far as Bryndal is concerned, this is what he thinks of braving the snow with protective booties.

So...that's not going to work. Any other ideas?

The background on my gmail is falling white stuff, so I guess the countdown has begun.
Stay safe, be smart.

NYC Dos and Don'ts

I think I can call myself a New Yorker now. I've been a resident for over a decade and I've moved 5 times. Yes? Is that how the equation goes?

If it is truly official, then I also am allowed to start complaining about people not being New York-y enough. There is a sixth sense that you acquire after some time residing in Gotham. It may sound a little obnoxious, but it is absolutely true. As a bona fide "New Yorker", you are able to avoid tripping on pot holes without ever glancing down, easily maneuver through thick crowds of white-tennis-shoe-clad families, and have sonar to locate all of the hidden, cleanest public bathrooms. It's like your reward for having to pay broker's fees and smell urine 24-7. Give and take, you see.

But when you live in a city filled with 8 million people, someone is going to rub someone the wrong way (literally). Recently, Nathan W. Pyle published 136 brilliantly illustrated tips on how to navigate NYC while being on your best behavior and blending in with the natives. Por ejemplo...

"The most important thing I learned was to stay out of everyone's way," the 31-year-old told Business Insider last year. "Assume everyone's trying to get somewhere important and have spatial awareness."  -Nathan W. Pyle

Check out some of the back story HERE and buy the book in various forms here:

NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette

A newbie or a tourist does not posess the above skills. Not that I have anything against this grouping. As long as you avoid Times Square pre/post showtimes, the 5th Avenue Apple store during the day, and Madison Square Park's Shake Shack anytime, NYC tourists aren't so bad. But to any of you looking to visit the Big Bad Apple in the near future, there is help and you should be open to receiving it. More specifically for tourists, one can turn to Johnny T, our very own Miss Manners of NYC. Here he is breaking down tourist behavior and subway Ps and Qs.

See more of Johnny T and friends HERE.

Being a classy visitor to a city really is a timeless art. You can turn back the clock almost a century, and the same rules apply. Just take a page from Valentine's City of New York: A Guide Book.

I'll leave you with one last tip from that vade mecum:

"New York is like your own hometown, only bigger and the vast majority of its people are decent, likeable citizens. But there are also others."

Yep, sounds about right. Some things never change. See you soon!

Overheard in New York - A While Ago

Before Twitter and Facebook statuses, there was Overheard in New York. It was one of the only methods to share your crazy city encounters and observations over the world wide web.

I remember being soooo excited when they used one of mine. AND they spelled my name correctly.

Or His Brides, At Least

Mom: Baby, now if you don’t put your coat on, I’m gonna spank you.

Little girl: No! I will tell Daddy and he will spank you.

Mom: No, baby, he will not. Nobody spanks me but Jesus. –M101 bus Overheard by: Lucy Sorensen

I can't believe it has been over 8 years since that bus ride. Time flies when you are surrounded by wackadoodles!

Terrifying Times Square

As if Times Square wasn't annoying enough! Some of our favorite figments have been making the news these days. Elmo, Spider Man, and even Strawberry Shortcake have formed a new gang in the theatre district, laying down their cartoon criminal law with tourists.

To anyone who has ventured into the Times Square area within the last decade, this is all too familiar. Somehow, unofficial costumed characters have descended upon the streets, lurking along Broadway, hoping a child will beg for a handshake or picture and then force the parents to fork over some money in exchange. The characters all wear these small, cheap backpacks, where they keep a change of regular clothes and some essentials. I can tell you for a fact that they all congregate in Bryant Park to de-robe. My eyes will never be the same again. You do NOT want to see what is beneath the fur.

The Smurfs were one of my all-time favorites growing up. A few years ago, "Brainy" stared me down as I tried to return to my temp job after lunch. He just stood there, mouth agape, unmoving, but intensely following me with his black-rimmed eyes as I tried to pass. Not cool, Brainy!

Now don't tell me that isn't terrifying.

I'm Not Done With You Yet

Yeah, I'm talking to you, Summer '14!

Yesterday, as I was starting my day, something unusual happened. I felt a breeze come through the window. A crisp breeze! At first, a moment of relief washed over me since I haven't noticed the air moving in NYC since Easter, but at the same time I was silently screaming. The summer is over? But didn't it just start? Then as I left my apartment, my super greeted me by chirping, "Great weather - finally cool out. Hope it stays like this!" 16 days until Labor Day. There is so much I still want to do before there are leaves crunching beneath my knee-high boots and a pumpkin-themed beverage in my mittened hand.

Summer Please Don't Leave Me Tee - Delia's

I want to throw sunscreen and sunnies into this bag and GO.

Coola Suncare

Cherry Ice Sunglasses - Anthropologie

The Weekender Bag - Kate Spade Saturday

I want this towel.

Surf Bandana Towel - Pendleton

And then I want to use it at the ocean.

Robert Moses State Park

Or a good ole' swimming hole.

America's Best Swimming Holes - Travel + Leisure
(shout out to #21!)

I want to never leave the pool.

125 Swimming Pools by Jenny Odell - 20x200

Because I'm hanging out in this.

Big Mouth Toys Gigantic Donut Pool Float

I want to eat ALL the ice cream and popsicles, from People's Pops to Big Gay Ice Cream Shop to Mister Softee. Did you know the Mister Softee tune has LYRICS?

I want to make my own popsicles. In these molds.

Zoku Fish Pop Mold - Sur la Table

I want to drive my car (oops, what car?) with the windows down blasting the summer song. Or maybe all of the summer songs. Ever.

HERE is a list of the songs of summer since 1962.

I want to have my hair twisted up in braids and dress like a hippy.

You Made My Day Printed Maxi Dress - Free People

I want my digits to be painted the color palette of Tropical Skittles.

                    

(clockwise) 
On the Beach - Deborah Lippmann
Wendy - Zoya
Silly Billy - butter London
Mojito Madness - Essie


I want to have picnics and drink sangria and roll out a classic game to play.

Roll-up Games - A Summer Shop

I want to paint my face in golds and teals and sparkly peach and I want it to all to be encased in a sweet travel bag, reminiscent of Nice. It's nice in Nice!

Too Faced Pardon My French Set - Sephora

I want to eat lobster rolls - HERE, HERE, or while cruising around the Hudson.

North River Lobster Company

I want boat drinking.

The Frying Pan

I want beer gardens.

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden

I want tiki bars.

Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge

And if I can't get out, I want to drink tropical themed drinks from tropical themed glasses from home.

Tiki Smoke Stacking Glasses - cb2

I want flash tattoos. Or henna.

I want to State Fair it up. Which shouldn't be a problem considering some airlines are advertising fares based on the fair.

The State Fair Fare Sale - Sun Country Airlines

I want to have tons of leisure time to read.
100 Books To Read in a Lifetime

Most importantly, I want to read in a hammock. And I want to get in it without looking like a jerk.

How to Hammock - PureWow

So, no. NO, I say, summer. Don't leave just yet.