Recent beauty loves

Body Scrub ::: Toothbrush ::: Eyeliner ::: Lip Gloss ::: Moisturizer

The weather is finally warming up in NYC, and the slightly climbing temps have me thinking about my summer beauty routine. I've also been experimenting with a new way to style my hair, which deserves a post all on its own. For me, spring and summer are about sun kissed skin and a pink pout. This body scrub comes in my favorite scent of all time - I've been wearing it since high school! Ideal for buffing pre-airbrush tan. I've been so curious about this spray moisturizer and while I don't adore the shrieky sound the bottle makes while you're spraying it, I like how quick the application process is. Few things annoy me as much as rubbing in white body lotion. This pink gloss isn't too sticky and is the perfect compliment to bronzed cheeks. My gal pal at the Estee Lauder counter turned me onto this Blackened Sapphire eyeliner pencil and I love it rimmed right around my lash line. And of course, I'm a sucker for a fancy, pretty toothbrush!

What beauty products have you loved recently?

Scenes from Miami

Mother's Day Brunch, one week early

I grew up celebrating every little holiday. Valentines Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day have always been a big deal. We're game for any day surrounding love and fun. We even get little treats on Easter!

So when I realized I'd booked a weekend trip to Miami - sans family - on Mother's Day weekend, I couldn't believe my oversight. And then I realized that my planner doesn't have any holidays printed on its pages. Thanks a lot, Moleskine! I will most certainly not be consulting you for my next vacation.

I felt awful that my mom and I would be separated on her special day. My family always has brunch together on both Mother's and Father's Day, so I decided to host one a week early so that I wouldn't (completely) miss out.

This photo just pointed out a major miss - no printed menu! I need a miniature chalkboard to write out menus on. Darn.

Anyway, the menu...

Strawberry, cherry tomato, and goat cheese salad

Prosciutto, mushroom, and parmesan scramble

Ham and brie on pumpernickel 

Smoked salmon and cream cheese on pumpernickel

Sliced cantaloupe

Chocolate ruggalach

Raspberry lemonade crumb muffins

Confession: I actually didn't decide on the menu until Saturday morning! I knew I wanted to incorporate eggs, smoked salmon, and ham (though not in the same dish). I knew I wanted a strawberry and goat cheese salad. And I knew I was going to bake those muffins. (They're amazing, by the way. I'm eating the last one for breakfast today.) 

But I was worried about how it would all come together. I'm not a skilled hostess, to say the least. I'm new to this whole cooking and baking thing. And I always forget to offer people something to drink when they visit my home. I'm so awkward!

Every time I tried to sit down and solidify a menu, I would get really stressed, push it back, and turn my attention to something else. Which just made it feel even bigger and more stressful.

I work well under pressure, however. I woke up bright and early on Saturday morning and pulled it all out in the 11th hour and was putting the finishing touches on everything when my parents walked through the door. Everything turned out well and everyone enjoyed.

So now I can spend the weekend in Miami guilt-free! Well, not completely. I am a Jew, after all.

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! I love you. 

Celebrating today

I have a new fitness love. Her name is Olivia, and she is the Season 11 winner of The Biggest Loser!

Best of all, she's also a SoulCycle instructor!

She teaches a tough class, and I relish every minute of it. This past Saturday, we had just finished our arm series, put down our weights, and settled into a quick jog. She dimmed the lights and gave us a little inspirational spiel, as she often does.

Olivia talked about how she woke up the day before feeling completely overwhelmed and decided that instead of letting it get the best of her, she would instead celebrate exactly where she was in life that particular day.

I pedaled, closed my eyes, and thought about this.

I thought about how lucky I was to be in a spin class at a 2PM on a Saturday. How fortunate I felt that I didn't have any other responsibilities or obligations in that block of time - that I was free to spend the day as I wanted to and that I was able to be in that bike at that moment.

I thought about how I had just come from my apartment, where I had my mom, dad, and sister over for brunch that morning. I cooked and baked and hosted. My family raved. We had the best time just sitting and chatting and eating. I thought about how lucky I am to have them so close and to live in my beautiful home and how happy I am to combine the two.

I thought about my best friend, who just so happened to be on the bike next to me. I thought about how lucky I am to have had this amazing friendship for the past ten years of my life, and how fortunate we are to still be so close and to live a mere cab ride apart, when so many other college best friends lose touch or stop speaking or don't have the opportunity to see each other very often.

I thought about how when the ride ended and I got off the bike, I would go home and call my boyfriend to see what he was up to. How much I love and adore him, and how grateful I am for the ease and comfort of our relationship. I admittedly loved the sexiness and the unpredictability of being single, but being with him is truly unparalleled.

And then I thought about this reoccurring theme: lucky. Lucky, lucky, lucky.

In this day and age of wellness and enlightenment and green juice and spin class, I think we all tend to talk a big talk about living in the moment and being aware and conscious and grateful. And I really do try to. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I think back to that Kate Voegele song, "Baby, It's Only Life". It sounds so obvious to appreciate what you have and where you are. But sometimes I need the reminder to take a minute and thank my lucky stars for the people I hold in my arms, the bed under my body, and the bike under my butt. Because small annoyances aside, life is pretty amazing. And every time I truly stop and think about it, I realize it's only getting better.

Two years ago...

I had just gotten laid off from a job I absolutely loved due to budget cuts.

I was going through a bad breakup while watching many of my closest friends fall in love and get engaged.

I was living in an apartment I'd come to loathe.

I was very quietly planning my escape from New York City.

I was discovering what it was like to feel comfortable in my own skin for the first time in my life.

I didn't know what SoulCycle was.

I was immersing myself back in the dating world to distract from my recent heartbreak, and making the most of my free profile on JDate.

I went on two dates with two different guys in the span of four days, and realized midway through the second date that they were BROTHERS. Neither of which had any idea that they were courting the same girl. #teddiproblems

I was starting to realize that He, if in fact there was a He, was definitely someone I hadn't met yet. And that scared the crap out of me.

I decided to promise myself that no matter what, I would from then on out wake up every single morning with determination to conquer the day.

I learned how to redefine my comfort levels, that I actually have more fun when I'm a little less comfortable, and that stepping out of my comfort zone - no matter how small the steps - is truly what makes life worth living.

Why you should never ever give up

I recently stumbled upon something that reminded just how funny life is. How much it will surprise you, and how, above all, you should always be patient and have faith. And never ever give up.

I hate napping because it completely messes up my sleep schedule. I have trouble falling asleep and I have trouble staying asleep. My body only allows a certain amount before I'm up and at 'em, like the little Energizer Bunny I am. I have been a bad sleeper my entire life. I know no other way.

I didn't fall asleep until nearly 2AM on Sunday night/Monday morning because my midday nap had depleted a good chunk of my nighttime slumber. I rolled around in bed, restless. I know the number one thing that you're supposed to do while you're trying to fall asleep is put away your phone, but for some reason I chose to read through my old tweets that have been retweeted. I went backwards, laughing out loud at some of the asinine things I've written. I noted all of the time stamps, trying to remember where I was and what I was doing when I'd written that particular tweet.

And then I found this. I was racking my brain to remember who I was at dinner with, but then I saw the date and the biggest smile spread across my face.

I met my boyfriend on May 10.

:)

Amazeballs

I have fallen into a bad pattern on Sundays.

I go into the weekend bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, with grand plans to end the week - or start it, depending on how you read the calendar - with a home-cooked dinner.

This particular weekend, I did a 7 mile run on Saturday morning and we had a few parties that night. It's the first time in a long time that I've had more than one drink in an evening. Needless to say, I woke up yesterday feeling peachy keen.

Sunday rolls around. This is usually my day off from exercise. We go out for a few hours - brunch, lunch, shopping, errands - before heading back home to be lazy.

My lack of sleep from the rest of the week catches up with me and, not wanting to mess up the bed, I curl up into a ball at the edge of it. I wake up scrunchy and uncomfortable, feeling like an accordion.

Takeout starts to sound really good.

And so we succumb to Seamless.com. We turn the TV toward the dining table, watching Mad Men on Netflix while we transfer food from cartons and plasticware onto dishes and silverware.

It's not a bad pattern, per se - but I really would like to start spending more time in the kitchen over the weekend.

One thing I did accomplish, however, was making the peanut butter chocolate chip balls (I'm working on a new name) that I linked to last week. And let me tell you, they are GOOD.

I did the math and if you make 16 balls, they're about 200 calories each. But they're also chock-full of good stuff. They make a great breakfast on the go, or a sweet afternoon snack. I am trying to think of a way to get the calories down a bit, but I'm not willing to forego the chocolate chips. No way! I love the texture they add. Not to mention the sweetness. I'll keep you posted.

Do yourself a favor and make these. I gave half of mine to Perri, and I'm going to make another batch this week.

What easy, healthy recipe have you tried recently? What do you eat for dinner on Sunday night?