Rock on.

I loved this article in the Times today about this sought-after shot of El Capitan, the world’s largest single chunk of granite...

For about one week each February, the setting sun hits the water of Horsetail Fall at such an angle that it glows, looking like a stream of lava against the darkened rock. Mother Nature, you so crazy!

To be known

It's like Facebook really knows me...

Go Shake It.

Friday night I went to yoga before dinner with the girls. The class is called "Wild Vinyasa" and its with one of (you know I still love me some Yoga Mike) favorite teachers, Sasha. Her practices are always fun, athletic and interesting. However, she started this particular class with this poem that she saw performed at the Bowery and I just can't quit thinking
about it.

The fact that someone came up with this out of nothing. Well, its just too beautiful.
And it seems to just get better every time I listen to it.

Unsolicated Red Carpet Commentary

Watching the red carpet has always been my favorite element of the Oscars (that was until I saw Chrissy loose this year. Now that's my favorite). And not that I know anything about fashion, especially "forward-thinking" fashion, but here's my five second opinion (as I type in an outfit brought to you by the GAP and Urban Outfitters):

JHud, love you in the dress, that color is bellissima. Not sure about the shoes, though. Halle, we know you are crazy. You have to be. But, gah, you know what to do with that bod. I love the pattern play. Kerry Washington, you can do no wrong in my eyes. None. Ever. Ditto for you, Jess. Always simply gorgeous. Sally, so romantic and I love that red. Mary Todd would be so jealous. But she would likely ordered that dress in five shades of black and steal your earrings. Because she was crazy, you know. I don't even know how you are, last girl on the right, but I love the color of your dress and that sweet little belt.

Worst?! Well, I can't believe Anne Hathaway stole a prom dress from the set of She's All That. To have that sort of foresight in 1999. Well, its impressive.  And that's quite possibly the nicest thing you'll hear me (or anyone else) say about Anne Hathaway.

I look forward to hearing how I'm wrong. Erin...

Weekend Schmoozefest

Well, the ballot is in. Literally. I just submitted my Oscar ballot at work. It's a mix of knowledgeable projections from experts (Life of Pi) and bad decisions made with my heart (a lot o' Lincoln). So, in fact, my 2013 Oscar ballot is much like my life.

One thing I'm 100% on is our sixth annual Oscar party. Complete with smacktalk, likely too much wine, and this year, a Best Picture Themed Potluck. I'm super excited to see what we end up with since the fare could potentially be Southern/Indian/French/Philly fusion?

And speaking of events with gowns, I also have my MRI tomorrow. So please, please throw out some prayers, positive thoughts, pennies into fountains, whatever that is needed, to bring some clarity to this situation. I'm kinnnnndddaa ready to move on already.

Hope you and yours have a lovely weekend. Lincoln por vida. xo

Liz&Louise

This is my uncle's dog, Louise. Yes, she is named after my grandmother and me. This means (adopting my legacy, not Grandma Smith's of course) she is severely spoiled in her current young years and has mind of her own. Though, she is prettttttyyy adorable. Hopefully, this makes your day as much as it makes mine.

Let's Go Already

I hope at one point in my life,
I live a short period in one of these.

Bohemian Bliss

100-year-old barge on the Seine River. Oh, bliss, bohemian bliss, at its best.
Take me to there.

Things I Never Thought I Would See

Oh, that Prince Charles, what a nut!

Oh, that Picasso.

Out of Focus

Around town, Pan-O-RAMA

Monday (er, Tuesday) Motivation

Go to there.

This makes me want to purchase a red lamp, drag my mattress downstairs and set up a tent in my living room. Just sayin'.

As we walk

 

We weren't then who we are now, nor then,
did we know who we would come to be.

Imagining, once, we almost dreamed, and then forgot,
the possibility of becoming who tomorrow we must discover in our bathroom mirrors,

and then, pretending, seeing no longer visions of unfolding design,
nor dust now remolded into plastic imitation,
but forging anew, like steel from iron,
like earthy coal from unaffordable diamonds,
like a ride on the subway from a pillow-tossed morning dream,
the stain on our hands, the dirt under our fingernails,
all proving gloriously our miraculous aliveness, 

and the inevitable perfection of Her world,
and the spiral that appears before our feet,
 

 like a precipice, yes,
but like a memory too,

and so we dance together, now, us,
in this place, here, who we are,

feeling each other's warm moving blood through thin membranes of palm and seeing all as it should be,
perfect and infinite.

No, not yesterday, today, now,
the way to tomorrow unfolding as we walk.

 ---------

thank you for sharing, Ian.

Mr. Darcy vs Romeo

Little Love

 

I have never felt more loved on Valentine's Day than this year.

I can't really tell you why. There hasn't been any grand gestures. (Not like there's a fire escape for Fredo crawl up anyhow… And he would never put flowers in his mouth. Total Germaphobe.) But the truth is, more than any other year, I am aware of the love that constantly surrounds me. I see the hand-made valentine from my grandmother, the homemade chocolate covered strawberries, the txts from friends, greetings from co-workers, the tradition of Erin's I Hate Valentine's Day mix, a catch-up with an old friend (Lizzie!), a good dinner with people I love and even sharing some quality time with a turtle all as small acts of love that I'm constantly blessed with... I'm amazed with how people show love to others.

There are, of course, many kinds of love. Romance is the one the movies go for. But by far the most pervasive love, and to me, amazing love is the one we live every day. Simple gestures. Being true to ourselves. Loving who we are. Appreciating what we have. Is. The. Bestest. Love in the movies is the captivating (hello, I will never diss a good rom-com), and maybe the only place where big gestures carry the day, but I think I've found that the small gestures is where love truly resides.

Much, much love to you this Vday (in the smallest of ways… or diamonds),

Xo

M

About Face

  

I love the illustrations by Rosie Roberts

Riders of the Storm

I am ready for the storm. Obviously, when I say this I mean in the figurative sense. Of course I don't have the proper boots or enough food in my house, but I do have a palpable excitement and very long list of things I want to accomplish this weekend. (Finish painting that step stool! Finally order a dining room table!)

As the snow falls like it has been for the past of hours though, in this like crazy whirlwind motion, it makes me a bit anxious. I prefer the leisurely, languid flakes. This movement, the gushing and the twirling, makes want to do SOMETHING. But the problem is I'm too tired to do anything. And I feel too anxious to relax.

Instead I find myself thinking how I should really stop by Barnes n Noble on the way home or pop in quickly to Zabars before I'm "trapped inside"… Knowing full and well neither are going to happen. And likely I won't be solitary confinement for the weekend either.

The feeling of anxiousness/exhaustion is a paradox to me. Probably because it is all in the mind. Its not really real.

I just read this about the word "anxious": Anxious has a long history of use roughly as a synonym for eager, but many prefer that anxious be used solely when its subject is worried or uneasy about the anticipated event.

So let's break it down. Let's be real. I'm not worried. Or uneasy. Therefore, let's just say it. I'm eager to relax.

Happy, Happy Weekend Everyone. xo

Oh Hey, Crawley Sisters...

Look at Edith! Sir Anthony eat your heart out... more pics

Film Nuit

Last night I prepared for hunkering down for the storm with a little at-home movie night. And the reviews are in. Celeste and Jesse Forever... Loved it. It's funny. It's depressing. It's just like a real break-up. Rent it. If you've ever had a break-up with someone you love, but just couldn't be with... you'll wish your outfits were as cute as Rashida Jones'. And I loved, loved, loved the soundtrack.

Then I also watched the Oscar nominated animated shorts. My faves were Man (my inner hippie hearted this take on consumerism), and Paperman (my inner schoolgirl with attention deficit disorder hearted this  short little rom-com).

Now, here's looking to a productive weekend at home, or more realistically, catching up on Downton Abbey and Real Housewives…

Hello, Monday (said like Newman)

Well, that weekend flew by. And here we are, Monday Morning. No more leisurely cups of tea or coffee. No more bad Denzel Washington movies, or cards with friends. Instead its hauling it out the door with one glove and no cell phone. Unfortunately, this is accurate and not for dramatic effect.

This is when I dream from working from home. Speaking of, I'm thinking/dreaming about how I want to decorate "my office". So for the next few weeks, I'm going to post a lot of wish-this-was-my-home-office photos. Be prepared.

Happy Monday, yos.

Girl, You Look Good!

Happy Birthday, Grand Central!! 100 years to this day, the keys to Grand Central were first given to the stationmaster. Lots of people are celebrating but I think the Daily Beast's 100 Facts have some the most interesting details. Here are a few:

• The terminal has 44 platforms. And 67 tracks.

• 150,000 people walked through the doors for its inauguration. Now, 750,000 visitors pass through daily.

• Perhaps the terminal’s best-known feature, the celestial ceiling of the main concourse depicts the zodiac. The view is of the Mediterranean winter sky. The stars number 2,500. Unfortunately, the view is backwards. Some say that’s because it’s from God’s vantage point.

• That clock has four faces made of opal, estimated at a value of $10-20 million.

• Proud that it was the first all-electric station, architects filled it with light bulbs (a novelty at the time).

• 93% of GCT commuters are college graduates. Their mean household income is $95,800.

• About 19,000 items wind up in the lost and found each year. Of those, more than half are reunited with their owners.

Burrito of Saddness

I found this picture and it made me smile. Luckily, not laugh. Right now, I can not laugh.

Unfortunately, since Sunday I've had severe abdominal pain. Yesterday, I went to the doctor and after three different office visits, and one horribly painful sonogram, I've realized I'm not dying. Apparently, my female system is a little jacked at the moment, but its treatable. And I will live. With help of modern medicine, an awesome heating wrap, my blanket, and endless check-ins from my friends and family. I will live. (I appreciate all these things more than ever right now.)

So, I'm looking forward to dopin' up and restin' up this weekend. Curling up in a blanket burrito. I'm also looking at better ways to take care of myself. Because as cheesy and cliché as it is to say, life is such a lucky, lucky gift we receive. I want to enjoy it the mostest. And, helloooo, I have to be healthy for the Puppy Bowl on Sunday.

Much love and hope you have a lovely weekend. xo