Happy Birthday, Mama Meyer!

Dear, Mother. Happy Birthday!

You are truly the anchor of our family; we're so very blessed to have you in our lives. You have this magical strength to make things better with your listening ear and kind heart. Truth be told, I would have never ever made it to where I am without you. And I know others feel the same. I look up to you, more than you know - more than I tell you. I love you, Mom.

xoxo

Dork Yearbook

(photo via dorkyearbook.com)

Please visit dorkyearbook.com. I found a link for it on swiss-miss.com while perusing earlier today. So funny! It's a collection of photos taken during the "awkward phase" of childhood. They appear to be slacking on their postings, but those that are available are so hilarious. Surely I could add a few from the Lauren & Melanie album for this collection.

A lot of the photos posted are from the 80's. Can you imagine 20-25 years from now what will be considered dorky from our generation??

The New York City Polaroid Project

(photo via nycpp.com)

Who loves Polaroid photos? It's a lost art, wouldn't you say? Polaroid stopped making the instant film for their beloved cameras in 2008, so it's awfully difficult for vintage photographers to outfit their Polaroids with the necessities. I've been dying for a Polaroid camera, so this website... The New York City Polaroid Project, which I stumbled across this afternoon, reallyyyy curbs my appetite. The site was developed in the Spring of 2003 by a gentleman named Andrew who wanted to feed his curiosity of the city with his parent's Polaroid camera. Clever, eh?

Secret New York

(photo via swiss-miss.com)

I recently joined a group on Facebook called "Secret New York."

So amazing.

If you're not a Facebook user, but enjoy some fine faire and fun that's recommended by locals, I would certainly suggest you get on board. They have other sites as well - Secret Philadelphia, Secret Phoenix, Secret Miami, Secret San Francisco. Each site has a fan-based following of people who share secrets about the city - good food, wine, galleries, activities. It's worth a gander...

On another note - check out "The Secret New York," a global public art project of local experiences. The idea is to point out the uniqueness of our everyday experiences, since much of what happens in a large city goes unnoticed. It's a very interesting project.

Graduation Dress

I do believe I've decided on a few possible graduation get-ups. (9 weeks, my friends!!) Of course, it's from Francesca's. I was recently furnished with a lovely little Francesca's gift card from a wonderful lady friend named Andrea, so I was all too happy to peruse through the Spring lineup and select a dress that would scream personality - but maintain my mature and professional image. ;)

We have...

The Housewife Dress

(I have a special crush on this dress. I'm thinking I'd pair it with a bright red cropped cardigan and some cute red shoes!)

Enchanting Dulcet

Feedback is certainly welcomed. It will be May in New York - cool during the day and night. 

POP Burger!

Tonight, AmyJane, Hayley, and I visited POP Burger, a wonderful little burger joint in midtown. It was AWESOME. Take a look at my sliders! The walls are covered in Andy Warhol portraits and the website actually refers to the restaurant as a "sexy hideout!" Haha! (Really.)

I forced Hayley and AmyJane to get in the photo... But I wanted my sliders down in front, too. Turns out, thumbs up was more do-able.

Happy Thing

While walking home from school last night, AmyJane pointed out this amazingggg poster. She said, "Oh my gosh! Look! You say 'done and done!' It should be a happy thing!!" Ahhh! Indeed it should, AmyJane!

I hope people enjoy seeing my happy things as much as I enjoy finding them and sharing them. It's truly so much fun, and they really make me feel good. Happy things are all around us - just simple reminders that life is good and worth embracing.

Knicks Game

Awesome Tuesday night! My pal Matt had an extra ticket to the Knicks/Nuggets game on Tuesday night and was nice enough to include me. Umm - yeah.. A Knicks game at Madison Square Garden = amazing! The beer is expensive and the crowd is crazy, but the vibe was oh-so sweet. Matt and his pal Tim were lovely company. I enjoyed the experience so much! Thanks, Matt! :) (The Knicks won!)

Dance Floor

(photo via ffffound.com) 

I've been dying to bust a move recently. New York is known for sooo many wonderful things. Unfortunately, the presence of decent dance clubs is not one of them. More often than not, you're forced to pay an arm and a leg for cover, then - spend a fortune for a drink, all while fighting your way to the center of the floor. I'm certainly not a frequent club-goer, but I miss the dance floor. A lot.

*Wink!

(photo via glasshousepresents.com) 

I'm bringing back the wink. I decided it long ago. The wink is fun, sexy and oh-so sweet, and absolutely, no doubt about it, guaranteed to bring a smile to your target's face (ish)... 

Today, walking home from campus, I made eye contact with a total doll on 48th street and 9th Ave. As we both waited for the light to change, he asked me what I was listening to. I replied, "just a little bit of mellow jazz," as I smiled. He said: "Good call. Have you heard of Jules?" (It's a jazz bar in the village.) "I have, actually - on St. Mark's?" He said: "Yes! It's the best." The light changed to green and the "WALK" sign lit up. It may have been one of the more depressing moments in our conversation... Because it ended it. He *winked at me and said: "Good night." I sputtered a bit and was able to manage, "Thanks, you as well!" Pssshhhhhh. Laammeee. The wink sent me overboard. It was 60 degrees outside and I was sweating bullets over the casual conversation with a total stranger, which was topped off with the simple and sincere wink of an eye... 

Too dramatic? Ha!

Hand Holding

(photo via thehubbydiaries.wordpress.com)

I have the opinion that hand holding is a very intimate, yet very public, way to show your affection. I always feel intimidated to jump right into a "hand-holding situation," as I like to call it. If a fella goes for my hand, I'm always a little weary... And I think the hand-holding style says something, too. Do you weave your fingers or clasp your hands with your beau or gal? Is one less intimate than the other? Is there another way to show your love without being so intimate? How long should you be dating before hand-holding is considered appropriate? Gosh! So many questions! As I was walking around downtown today, I noticed so many lovely couples holding hands. There was so much variety to their hand-holding. Several couples were clasping a few fingers, as if they were slightly more comfortable with each other. Whatever the case, I think hand-holding is a milestone in a relationship. It's a sweet and innocent way to show somebody you care while exchanging mini-messages back and forth. (A squeeze of the fingers paired with a small smirk or wink of an eye speaks volumes.) Today, witnessing the diversity of hand-holding has given me a bit more insight. 

30 Before I'm 50

(photo via photobucket.com) 

Some of my gal pals are into list-making... I love lists, too! So, I decided to jump on the wagon and make my own 30 Before I'm 50 list (Why 50, you ask? It gives me some time to take my time. This list is gonna be dramatic and intense. I don't know if I can squeeze all of into the next five years)... I've made similar lists before (here, here, and here), but life-lists are always fun, so here we go again! (Also, I got a little inspiration from A Sneak Peak, I Heart Kiwi, and Keeping Record...)

30 Before I'm 50

1. Obtain my Ph.D. 

2. Swim with Sharks. Big ones. 

3. Take a wine tour. On a bike. With my gal pals. 

4. Eat cajun food in New Orleans. 

5. Adopt a dog. 

6. Visit every continent. 

7. Learn how to drive a stick shift. 

8. Learn how to knit. 

9. Be an extra in a movie.  

10. Become fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language. 

11. Go skydiving (again). But this time - not tandem. 

12. Spend a summer working at a horse ranch. 

13. Try base-jumping. 

14. Take an Alaskan cruise. 

15. Take a Mediterranean cruise. 

16. Go on Safari. 

17. Run in the New York Marathon. 

18. Write a fun and frisky feature article for the New York Times. 

19. Learn how to surf from a Hawaiian beach bum. 

20. Couch surf across the country. 

21. Camp out in the desert. 

22. Take a hot air balloon ride. 

23. Make Thanksgiving dinner for my family. All. By. Myself. 

24. Own a home on Martha's Vineyard. 

25. Go on a huge family vacation to Disneyland. 

26. Drive a zamboni. During half-time. Of an awesome hockey game.  

27. Ride an elephant. 

28. Hold a snake. A big one. 

29. Spend six months living on a houseboat. 

30. Work for a non-profit in another country. 

What do you want to do before you're 50? 

Carlsbad Flower Fields

(photo via flowerfields.com) 

So, it turns out I'll be in San Diego in August for the American Psychological Association Conference (Hooray!!) and I'm thinking I'll take a swing by the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. How bomb-diggity does this look?? I plan to stay for a week and soak up some rays, visit DisneyLand with my volunteer voucher, and take a swing through the Belmont. However, I must say... The weather here in New York over the past few days has been downright phenom, which makes leaving in June so much harder!

A RAT, I say!!

(photo via visit.theflowerfields.com)

As I was walking home from school tonight, chatting away with my dear sister (discussing the arrival of her and my mother next month), I was startled by a LARGE rat running along side me on the sidewalk. I was in complete shock as I hung up the phone with my sister. I looked down to see the rat scurry in front of me and through a side gate of a restaurant. Gross.

Mmm

(photo via ffffound.com)

"Did someone say steak?" Haaahaaa.

Buttons

(photo via ffffound.com) 

I need some help. Over the last several years, I've developed a really crazy button collection. This collection was not created on purpose, however. I have simply hung onto all the extra buttons I've gained from my clothing purchases. I want to do something creative and spicy. I've been pondering for quite some time and can't come up with something that's not corny. All the buttons are different - sizes/colors/shapes. Suggestions? I know bloggers are seething with creativity! It certainly does not have to relate to clothing at all, maybe home decor, or a DIY project? I'll take e-mail suggestions as well - LaurenNMeyer@gmail.com.

Cardboard Love

While perusing through ffffound.com earlier, I stumbled across Cardboard Love, a website dedicated to the manifestation of sweet nothings on cardboard. It's creative and different!

From the website...

I never really intended for these little bits of cardboard to be a big deal, but the response has been both surprising and uplifting.

In general, I am a pretty negative person. This project has been a chance for me to focus on the positive for a change.

Some people like these, some think they are lame, to each his or her own.

Sweet, huh? Take a walk through the website; it's pretty special. 

Rainy Weekend

(photo via ffffound.com)

I'm a little tuckered out. City living is kind of hard on the bod. This constant exposure to the elements is intense. I love it, obviously, but it's intense, nonetheless. It's been raining all weekend, and since I'm trying to save some pennies on subway fare - I've been walking through this mad weather. I normally bark about how horrible the rain is, but yesterday - I reallyyyy enjoyed my walk home. I piddle paddled through some of the puddles and giggled a bit when the passing taxi's splashed me. Weird? Indeed.

Happy Sunday!

Ordering-In

(photo via nyc.com) 

We order in our groceries. Shocking news? It's cheaper. I'm serious. Alix heard about freshdirect.com awhile back, and as it turns out - it's really easy, it's a lot cheaper, and they deliver directly to your apartment. For a long time, we would head up the street to Food Emporium. The staff wasn't always so nice and the groceries are ridiculously expensive. I'm not sure where exactly freshdirect delivers, but they deliver to NYC and it's pretty baller.

You're Never *Too* Old for Magic

(This is moi, loving life when I was 19!) 

I have exciting news to share (thanks to Hayley!!)! DisneyLand is trying to encourage 1 million people to start volunteering in their campaign "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day." Basically, if you volunteer a day of your time at a Disney recommended program, you'll get a free day at DisneyLand.

Two words.

Totes - and - Amazing.

Do you see a phenomenal parallel emerging here? DisneyLand wants volunteers to donate their time to make people happy. In turn, DisneyLand is going to make people happy because they volunteered. I love it! I'm signing up ASAP! Thanks, Hayley, for sharing such pleasant news!

My Singing Neighbor

(photo via postsecret.blogspot.com) 

Alix and I have some fun neighbors. Adjacent to us are *Sophia and *Jaclyn. They're Broadway performers and we can always hear them belting out the high notes. I won't lie, I didn't realize what was happening at first. (The expression on my face was surely priceless.) I was lying in bed - eyes half closed, when I began to hear near-opera singing mingle through the wall. I thought perhaps it was a blaring television, or the radio playing at 7 o'clock in the morning on a Sunday (I know, right?) But as it turns out, Sophia and Jaclyn enjoy a little early morning voice lesson. I've come to appreciate this, really. It's a unique situation, isn't it, community living?

Washington D.C.

(photo via wordpress.com) 

Amen for vacations. Amen for vacations that you get to spend with fun people in fun cities. 

I'm going to Washington D.C. over Easter weekend to hob-knob with my dear friend Brooke. Naturally, I'm super psyched to see her. She's ASU alum and now working for a software company in the city. Basically, she's a grown-up, doing exactly what she loves. And, it's pretty cool. 

We have some fun things on the agenda. The FDR Memorial is probably one of my favorites. Plus, it's Cherry Blossom time in D.C. :) 

Feeling French

(photo via mademoisellerobot.com)

For whatever reason, I've been feeling very French the past few weeks. My friend Sarah just spent a week over there, returned spouting out all of this lovely French banter! And I suppose it doesn't help that Alix showed me a couple of videos highlighting the work of JR, a French artist, or even the recent postings of a lovely newly-wedder who spent some time in Paris for her honeymoon... I've been thinking to myself, I really wouldn't mind a little black beret paired with skinny jeans and red lipstick! Anyhoo, maybe this book will help placate me until I can afford to make another trip across the Atlantic...

(photo via borders.com) 

Pepsi or Coke?

With an advertisement like this, the answer is Pepsi. And, did you notice the snippet of blue sky in the background? Ahh, the weather has been downright lovely the last few days. It makes me weep to think it won't last very long. Nonetheless, I will most certainly enjoy it while it's here!

Alix and I decided to make a trip to Chipotle (we're west coasters at heart!) and then a walk through Rockefeller Center. Naturally, we had Magnolia Bakery's cupcakes and banana pudding in tow. I may have a million and one things to deal with today, but I must-must-must enjoy a little spring. Happy 2010!

Caroline's

(photo via CarolinesComedySchool.com) 

Last Tuesday, my good pal Matt introduced me to Caroline's School of Comedy. SO AMAZING! They're hosting an event called March Madness - 64 comedians, 4 weeks, 1 winner. As it turns out, Matt's friend performed in the first round, so that was how he heard about it. A lot of the comedians had some good jokes, causing major uproars. Some of them, however, kind of sucked. But! Next Tuesday, those who fought to stick around last Tuesday will give it another try. Ahh! I'm psyched! 

Ahh, love.

(photo via ffffound.com)

My dearest friend Kristin recently started a blog... And let me tell you, she has some baller things to share. Her latest blog kind of kills me, I love it so much!

Please take a gander at "Mi Amour."

Remember Charlie?

Yeah, he's gonna be PO-ed at me. Check out what I've done to my black boots! I have been putting off repairing them because I just had several other pairs of shoes fixed. Now, I'm in desperate need of a repair. Yes, that is snow wedged into the heel of my boot.

Note to self: snow = lame

The DeKornes

(photo via FB)

Congratulations Betsy and Micah DeKorne! 

Betsy and Micah got married this weekend, officially entering marital bliss on Saturday afternoon. The wedding was held in Breckenridge, CO, a cozy ski town two hours North of Denver. The ceremony was beautiful while the reception was classy and intimate. I was so upset I dropped my camera last week and broke the battery gate, but I'm already stalking them on Facebook, stealing other people's photos! ;) 

I was so thrilled to be part of the ceremony. All the ladies and gents looked absolutely wonderful, and the bride, of course, radiated with beauty.