happy long weekend and fourth of july

Be safe and careful over the holiday weekend and remember to celebrate America. I plan on doing so in these:

contrasting the distorted view imposed on us by media

Waffle bum.

I recently discovered "Reality Project". Click here to learn more (and make sure you read all the disclaimers). Here's a little blurb about it, directly from the website:

Nowadays, we are surrounded by images of bodies seemingly perfect.
But is that real beauty?
The images that we experience every day impose a standard of beauty that is very far from reality.
You have to be tall, thin, with smooth skin, big breasted or show a perfect six pack.
When these features are not natural, it's "normal" to abuse photoshop to achieve this "ideal".
The intent of "Reality Project", as the name suggests, is to photograph normal people, real and nude, letting their body show their natural beauty, with no tricks or retouch, in all its shapes and sizes.

plenty of sunshine heading my way...

Disney World was a very big part of my childhood and I clearly remember the sheer excitement that rushed over me the night before we left Massachusetts to travel south to Florida. There used to be a commercial on television that captured parents breaking the news to their children that they were in fact "going to Disney World", and the kid's reactions were spot on with what I felt. (A lot of shrieking and yelling and smiling and laughing and happy tears.) I would actually sleep better the night before Christmas vs. the night before leaving for Disney - that's how excited I got. Those were the good old days - when I would lose sleep over happiness and cheer, instead of stress and anxiety. Maybe I should plan a trip to Disney World...

I mention this, because I have something similar happen to me before a trip/vacation in my adult years, though it normally comes with a few moans and groans as a result of needing to research, figure out a schedule, make plans, and pack - I HATE packing. Although not quite as innocent, I am still thrilled it happens at all and continue to be grateful to get the opportunity to visit beautiful places in this country and beyond. Well it happened last night, because I am lucky enough to be going to Maine this weekend (as I mentioned yesterday). Gone are the days when Mickey and Minnie Mouse got me all riled up and instead, enter the time when eating a Maine lobster roll and visiting the official L.L. Bean store keeps me up at night. People say some things never change and while I agree, I think it is okay if sometimes they bend and flex. Here's to taking a photo (or two) with the gigantic L.L. Bean boot! 

clawed marine crustaceans with muscular tails

Even though it was two days ago, I feel like I still have to comment about National Lobster Day because let's be honest, I love lobster more than life itself. While I didn't have the chance to scarf down a one and a half pounder drenched in butter, I did order a shrimp dish that evening, which contained a tomato lobster broth. I am actually headed to Maine this weekend, where I will be able to make up for my poor lobster consumption performance on the best national holiday in America. Bring on the hot lobster rolls...and chowder, and shrimp cocktail, and steamers, and slaw! 

Lobster fun facts:
* Native Americans used lobster to fertilize their crops and bait their fish hooks.
* Lobsters used to be so plentiful they would reportedly wash up ashore in piles up to two feet high.
* Lobsters were routinely fed to prisoners, apprentices, slaves, and children during the colonial era and beyond.
* The first lobster pound was established in Vinalhaven, Maine in 1876.
* American lobsters - or Maine lobsters - can weigh up to forty pounds and grow up to three feet long.
* The largest lobster on record was caught off of Nova Scotia in 1988 and weighed forty four pounds.
* Lobster anatomy - brain in throat, nervous system in abdomen, teeth in stomach, and kidneys in head.
* When crowded in tight quarters, lobsters become cannibalistic - hence the rubber bands on their claws.
* Lobster meat contains fewer calories than an equal portion of skinless chicken breast.
* Lobster meat contains healthy omega-3 fatty acid, potassium, and vitamins E, B-12, and B-6.

you like potato...I like potahto

I am a Polish girl that really loves her potatoes. Normally, my love for potatoes keeps me out of trouble, but this past weekend that was not the case. I woke up a little "tired" after celebrating at a rehearsal dinner with "a number" of glasses of wine. With a full day of wedding festivities in front of us, my sister, husband, and I decided to try out a nearby breakfast cafe. We knew we needed to bulk up on a serious meal and heard great things about an establishment about a mile down the street from where we were staying. The place had a Celtic theme - even the waitstaff had Irish accents - but it was the menu I was most impressed with. They had potato everything! So, we did what any normal person would do and ordered some sweet potato donuts, potato pancakes, and an actual breakfast dish that contained eggs with you guessed it...a side of hash browns. We were so full after the donut course that we were unable to finish to most of our other delights. We didn't want to waste any of the leftovers, so we had it wrapped to go and went on our merry way....and I was so excited about said leftovers that I forgot my wallet on our table. I never lose anything (knock on wood), so I was very disturbed and shocked when I realized my wallet was not in its little home within my bag. Unfortunately, the cafe was also closed by the time I realized it, so I couldn't do anything until the following morning. Next time I eat potatoes out, I am going to take a deep breath and make sure I leave with my wallet. Make sure you know where your wallet is this weekend.

a throwback to the eighties, plastic jewelry style

I was browsing on Pinterest last night when I should have been sleeping (must leave laptop downstairs at night - noted) and came across something from my childhood - the 80's plastic charm necklace - my heart be still. 

I've read a few comments online about people remembering how they used to go to the store and buy charms for their necklaces and for the life of me I can't remember how I acquired my necklace or the charms. I just remember having one and LOVING it. There are a few on sale through Etsy, but one necklace with twelve charms is selling for $35.00. $35.00?!?!? While I normally pride myself on being clean, organized, and a true minimalist, I am kicking myself for getting rid of my awesome 80's plastic charm necklace. I want it back! 

never lose sight of what you cannot see

So, my husband recently got glasses and even though I have vision insurance through my job, glasses are damn expensive. He was lucky enough to find some very fashionable rims that were on the affordable rack, but quickly realized after he went outside on a bright sunny day he needed prescription sunglasses, in addition to his regular glasses. Luckily I work directly across the street from one of the many Warby Parker stores in the world. Although this particular one is located in a fancy-ish neighborhood of Manhattan, their glasses - both reading and sun - are really affordable. That combined with the discount I get from work made them his best option for protecting his eyes against those solar rays. It is a great company, doing great things, who provide an alternative to those expensive designer glasses. He stopped by two weeks ago and they are ready to be picked up tomorrow. Click here to learn more about the company and see how cool their shades are. Shop away!