Marbled

New blog alert!

Marbled

I wish there was a way to be compensated for reading blogs. All the blogs. I love them so...and even more than so when I happen to know the blogger is an A+ human being.

My friend Shazia is the mind and voice behind the new blog Marbled, which focuses on "blending backgrounds, cultures and interests into a family".

Shaz and I became dear friends our freshman year of high school. We had previously been involved in music and theatre together, but it wasn't until a fated 3+ hour laugh-filled phone call that first week of 9th grade that I knew this gal was in my life forever.

Decades (gulp!) later, our paths crossed again, this time amongst the concrete and taxi horns, when Shazia and her husband, Jeff, made the move to the big bad apple for her fellowship. Although we lived on opposite ends of Manhattan, we were able to catch up on bits and pieces of life. One of the most important bits and pieces is their daughter Yazmeen, who I was lucky enough to babysit for a summer.

The blog begins as they depart the skyscrapers of Manhattan for a move to the beaches of Florida, with an extended trip to paradise in between.

Their life is truly a swirl of cultures, careers, talents, backgrounds, and passions.

Follow Shazia, Jeff, and Yazi as they create a well-mixed journey, full of all the flavor, texture, and color that you'd expect from a marbled life.

Do the DODO

I was excited to see that one of my favorite gadget-covering companies is having a big, blowout birthday sale tomorrow.

DODOcase, handcrafted in San Francisco, are stylish, functional, and unique cases designed to protect your gadget of choice while keeping the art of bookbinding alive.

I found my beloved DODOcase at J.Crew a couple of years ago. While reading my iPad on the subway, no one suspects that I have something electronic between the binding. Sneaky, right?

Tomorrow, April 4, they celebrate their 4th birthday by offering a large amount of products at 40% off. Surf around their SITE and see if you find something to your liking - for 40% less, of course!

You should also check out their BLOG and PINTEREST for more inspiration and a behind the scenes look at how things get done at DODO.

Google Will Know

On a whim, I decided to have Google/the internet display some stereotypes about Minnesota by seeing what are the most common inquiries. All you have to do is begin typing the question in the search box and see what pops up. I got the idea after watching a similar segment on The Daily Show.

I talk funny? I hate bordering states?

Hm, how about where I've resided for over a decade.

Ooh, this is addictive. I kept going.

I started to type Oregonians, but I got distracted by the immediate output.

The game proved difficult when I couldn't figure out how to describe people from certain states. For example, what would you call someone from Ohio? What about Delaware? Illinois? Connecticut?

Why does the internet have so many questions, but not always all of the answers?

Google that.

Happy Spring!

It's here. SPRING! It happened.

Well, kind of. On the calendar.

Anyway, Happy New Season, everyone!

Did you know today was also Macaron Day in NYC? I had no knowledge of such an event until my friend Casey (of Dazzle & Delight) posted on Facebook. What a treat. As New Yorkers, we have to put up with smashing our body parts up against strangers during our commute, constant urine aroma on the sidewalk, wind tunnels that make a Minnesotan complain, and inflated prices on just about everything. Every day.

So when there is a certain Thursday where you can just pop into a bakery and someone hands you a free, colorful, and delectable dessert, one must rejoice (and partake).

Also, did you know that there is a part of Manhattan where within 6 blocks there are 3 different macaron establishments participating in the giveaway? I mean, not that I know firsthand...

Valentine's '14

Check out the Google homepage today. This might be the sweetest one yet!

Cue: Collective "Awwwww"

January Favorites

After some technical difficulties, here is a video of my January 2014 favorites (says the girl who doesn't like to see herself on camera).

I now know that I say "um" and "aaaaand" way too many times to be well-spoken.
Lesson learned.

For those not interested in all of the products, skip to 13:30 to see the bloopers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6utUjD-bNQU

Products mentioned:
Physicians Formula Happy Booster™ Bronzing Veil: http://tgt.biz/1kBMmMI
Maybelline Color Whisper™ - A Plum Prospect: http://tgt.biz/1aUMp5X
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm - Voluptuous Violet: http://bit.ly/1fDKotC
Cover Girl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm - Plum Twist: COVERGIRL Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss
Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil: http://bit.ly/1iblTEt
Weleda Products: http://www.weleda.com/
Essie Chinchilly: Essie Nail Polish - Chinchilly (696) - 0.5 oz
Essie Miss Fancy Pants: Essie MISS FANCY PANTS Nail Polish 809 Lacquer .46 oz Salon Manicure Pedicure
Fresh Sugar Lychee Rollerball: http://bit.ly/Lq4dcC
Organic Coconut Oil: Organic Coconut Oil 14 oz.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap - Sunflower: http://bit.ly/MpI3Iz
The Pioneer Woman - Chicken Tortilla Soup: http://bit.ly/1h2AMZb
Top Chef Season 11: Top Chef Season 11
Sixpoint Brewery - Global Warmer: http://bit.ly/MpFFkP
Kindle Edition of Room - Emma Donoghue: Room: A Novel

Audible Edition of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
The Mindy Project: The Mindy Project: Season One

ETA in SAT

I spend a good amount of time in airports, so I've become attune with small details that make for better travel. Or really, waiting for travel. Having just jetted to San Antonio and back, I can verify that SAT has a lot going for it.

First all, outlets. Outlets everywhere. The key to a happy traveler. SAT has outlets in every seat!

They also had cup holders, which I appreciated.

In which I snuggled in my John Wayne beverage. 

Huh?

Did you know Starbucks has a SECRET MENU (Shhhhh!)? I doubt many baristas actually are aware of these blends, but I can verify that in the San Antonio airport they know how to make a mean John Wayne. The gentleman in front of me ordered it in a whisper. Instead of questioning what it was, I went ahead and placed my order for the same thing!

The drink was delish. The interpretation of my name, not so much.

Does that say Lousy? I thought the others were bad.

But it is a step up from what I last got called in NYC.

So with my coffee in hand and a bag full of charged accessories, I was ready to fly.

Of course, the most important accessory to travel with (besides patience and a smile?):

Your cowboy hat with a spinning, colorful, Texas light.

Yes, it really did rotate and blink fantastical colors.

Remember the Alamo!

LOL

For those not on Pinterest, here are a few of those internet joke thingies that made me laugh.

Novel Receipt

A couple of weeks back, I instagrammed a photo of my disproportionate CVS receipt (I'd bought one soft drink) while enjoying an afternoon at the park.

A few minutes later on Twitter, it was favorited by a certain "CVS_Receipt". 

Obviously, I thought this was hilarious. I especially enjoyed its first tweet on June 29:

I appreciate a good personification through Twitter. After all, I was a huge fan of the Bronx Zoo's Cobra.

Turns out, CVS Receipt is getting some attention:

Huffington Post - Evidence That CVS Receipts Are Getting Way Too Long

Oh, CVS, and your unnecessarily long receipts...it's like a little inside joke a few hundred thousand of us share. 

Cozy Corner

Is it fall or winter now?

I can't tell.

Last year was so mild that I didn't have to put on the marshmallow coat once. On the first chilly day this season, I had trouble remembering where any extra layers were stored. That being said, when I did recall the location of my winter duds, I found a used tissue and a couple of wadded up dollar bills in a coat pocket - score!

Whatever weather may come our way this year, some old standbys and new finds are listed below to help transition into hibernation mode.

This Lafco apple scented candle has been burning almost daily in my household. 

Lafco Cortland Apple Candle - Candles Off Main

It's on the spendy side, but it is mega-sized and the hand-blown art glass vessel can be used long after the soy candle has done its duty.

I've had my eye on these reversible throws for a couple of years now. Maybe this will be my year?

Cozy Cable Knit Throw - Pottery Barn

When it has the word cozy in the title, it better live up to the definition.

This oversized cardigan almost is a throw.

Staring at Stars Boucle Cardigan - Urban Outfitters

Whenever I can get away with wearing pajamas and/or a blanket-like article as clothing, I will.

Along the same line, you can totally get away with wearing these slippers on your morning coffee run:

Minnetonka Cally Slipper - Nordstrom

I feel like everyone needs an outdoorsy/athletic vest. This one will do nicely:

Marmot Kitzbuhl Vest - REI

You will be especially happy with your vest when you try and get in one (or two) more hikes before heavy snows.

See? Happy.

Take a hike!

trulysanctuary - Etsy

I mean that in the nicest possible way.

I'm finally joining the cool kids with my unusual purchase of modern technology - an ipad! But I can't be too George Jetson. Instead, I chose to disguise my tech in a back to school themed cover. 

Patterned DoDoCase - J.Crew

With my newfound love of an ipad, I've been having some late nights streaming tv shows and documentaries on Netflix. So I'll need my coffee in the morning. If you don't feel like scuffing your new Cally slippers to head up to Starbucks in order to easily spend the crumpled dollars that had been hidden years in your pocket, then you are in LUCK!

I stumbled upon THIS super simple, super simple syrup recipe that will easily surpass your Starbucks pumpkin spice latte experience. And it is so cheap and quick to whip up. Thank you, Pinned Down Pinup!

You know what would be tasty with that fancy coffee you've got going? These:

Pumpkin Muffins with Eggnog Cream Cheese Swirl - theKitchn

(image from theKitchn)

I will also be making myself comfortable in a few movie theatres this month, with a slew of epic movies being released:

As you can see, I have no trouble finding ways to warm up, curl up, and hunker down during these less lit days. I hope you follow my lead.