Toby's eyebrows

Toby has always had Jack Nicholson eyebrows, but recently he's been taking them to a new level. These photos crack me up. Who needs words? He has a whole repertoire, including give-me-back-my-car eyebrows...
Taxi-spotting eyebrows...
Strawberry-eating eyebrows...
And get-me-out-of-this-ball-pit eyebrows.
It's a lot of work for one little guy! Toby, I love you:)

Toby's eyebrows

Toby has always had Jack Nicholson eyebrows, but recently he's been taking them to a new level. These photos crack me up. Who needs words? He has a whole repertoire, including give-me-back-my-car eyebrows...
Taxi-spotting eyebrows...
Strawberry-eating eyebrows...
And get-me-out-of-this-ball-pit eyebrows.
It's a lot of work for one little guy! Toby, I love you:)

The Little Things In Life

Here is a little thing I started to do lately: when I feel like my week is too busy or I haven't had much time to relax, I simply wake up a bit earlier in the morning and take a walk to my favourite flower shop. Yesterday was one of those mornings. I got up and took a breezy stroll around the sleepy city and came back home with a bunch of coral colour peonies that were just about to bloom. They are my favourite! Le sigh - the little things in life...

Lovelies, what are your favourite flowers? Btw: What peonies colour do you fancy the most: pink, rose, purple, scarlet, white, yellow, coral, cream or crimson?

P.S. Here is a fun fact: according to feng shui, putting fresh peonies in your home will help bring love to your life. (Great gift idea to all the single friends). Sweet isn’t it?

P.P.S: Oh la la Parisian flower market.

(Photos by Sarah Tucker and via Amanda Jane Jones)

Vacation photos: Amsterdam

As I mentioned before, Alex and I recently took a (very) spontaneous four-day trip to Amsterdam to visit my college friend and explore the city, while Toby stayed home and guarded the fort. It was a whirlwind adventure! Thank you again for all your tips! Here are some photos, if you'd like to see....
Read more »

Vacation photos: Amsterdam

As I mentioned before, Alex and I recently took a (very) spontaneous four-day trip to Amsterdam to visit my college friend and explore the city, while Toby stayed home and guarded the fort. It was a whirlwind adventure! Thank you again for all your tips! Here are some photos, if you'd like to see....
Read more »

A sweet lesson on patience

I spotted a little story this morning and it moved me to tears. So, I thought I'd share it with you, my darlings. If you have five minutes to spare, just grab a few tissues and let yourself be inspired by a wonderful NYC taxi driver who shared one of the most important experiences of his life, as he defines it. xo

 

A NYC taxi driver wrote:

 

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked... 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her...'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

 I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life..

 I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

(Thanks, Megan)

Have you ever lived alone? Thumbs up or down?

We've talked about seeing movies alone and cooking dinner alone, but now let's talk about living alone...

Have you ever lived alone? Do you now? Almost half of households in major American cities are occupied by a single person--that's a lot!

Funnily enough, I've actually never lived by myself: I grew up with my family in Michigan, went to college with roommates, lived with many different roommates (and cats) in New York, and then Alex and I moved in together.

But TONS of my friends--both guys and girls--adore living alone. They say it's both liberating and peaceful; they're free to decorate however they want (no wagon-wheel coffee tables), talk or not talk, cook whatever they want, and do whatever they feel like. And you definitely don't have to pee with the door closed:)

When you live alone, you can also be as goofy as you want (think: drinking Champagne in the shower and jogging in place during TV commercials); there was even a New York Times article called "One is the Quirkiest Number." Writer Kate Bolick, who lives by herself, even has a home-alone outfit. "I have this pair of white flax bloomers that go down to my knee. They're like pantaloons. They're so weird," she said. "If someone comes over, I change out of them."
And what if you're married? The fascinating Elle article "Divide and Conquer" profiled couples who live separately and swear it's the best thing for their mariage. And remember this New York Times article about a Vermont couple who lived in two different houses, joined by a bridge? They say it's bliss.

So, I'm really curious: Do you live alone? Do you like it? Do you ever get lonely? Do you ever get freaked out sleeping in a place by yourself at night? Could you live apart from your spouse? I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts! xoxo

P.S. A funny video about what it's like to live alone:

(Bridge photo by Trevor Tondro for the New York Times. Video via Michelle)

Have you ever lived alone? Thumbs up or down?

We've talked about seeing movies alone and cooking dinner alone, but now let's talk about living alone...

Have you ever lived alone? Do you now? Almost half of households in major American cities are occupied by a single person--that's a lot!

Funnily enough, I've actually never lived by myself: I grew up with my family in Michigan, went to college with roommates, lived with many different roommates (and cats) in New York, and then Alex and I moved in together.

But TONS of my friends--both guys and girls--adore living alone. They say it's both liberating and peaceful; they're free to decorate however they want (no wagon-wheel coffee tables), talk or not talk, cook whatever they want, and do whatever they feel like. And you definitely don't have to pee with the door closed:)

When you live alone, you can also be as goofy as you want (think: drinking Champagne in the shower and jogging in place during TV commercials); there was even a New York Times article called "One is the Quirkiest Number." Writer Kate Bolick, who lives by herself, even has a home-alone outfit. "I have this pair of white flax bloomers that go down to my knee. They're like pantaloons. They're so weird," she said. "If someone comes over, I change out of them."
And what if you're married? The fascinating Elle article "Divide and Conquer" profiled couples who live separately and swear it's the best thing for their mariage. And remember this New York Times article about a Vermont couple who lived in two different houses, joined by a bridge? They say it's bliss.

So, I'm really curious: Do you live alone? Do you like it? Do you ever get lonely? Do you ever get freaked out sleeping in a place by yourself at night? Could you live apart from your spouse? I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts! xoxo

P.S. A funny video about what it's like to live alone:

(Bridge photo by Trevor Tondro for the New York Times. Video via Michelle)

Mother's Day Brunch (with recipes)

This past weekend, my friends at Pinhole Press asked me to help throw a brunch to celebrate our friends who are mothers and daughters. My answer (obviously!) was yes!!! It was an early Mother's Day brunch to see the new Pinhole Press collection and just hang out with likeminded women. The food was so delicious, and the company so lovely, I'm excited to share recipes--and photos--in case you might like to throw a similar party or make brunch for your mom on Mother's Day. (P.S. Pinhole Press is one of my beloved sponsors, but this isn't a sponsored post)
The event was held at the new Sunday Suppers studio in Brooklyn. How beautiful are those flowers?!
We started off with a "welcome bite," of homemade Nutella with French bread and sea salt.
Mimosas were made with orange juice and Prosecco (the poor man's Champagne, which is just as delicious:)
The first course was mixed greens with mangos and Panko-fried goat cheese!!!
The main course was Croque Monsieur French Toast!!!! What the what?! Everything was mouthwatering, which wasn't surprising because the meal was hosted by Sunday Suppers with guest chefs Jewels of New York. They're all culinary geniuses.
But the dessert secretly may have stolen the show. Everyone was swooning over these berries with citrus and vanilla mascarpone.
How pretty is this yellow dress with butterfly hair clips?
We had such an amazing time and felt so lucky to be there. My friend Leigh brought her new baby, Hazel, who immediately gave everyone baby fever.
Finally, a HUGE thanks to Pinhole Press for letting us enjoy such a beautiful morning! I made wine labels with our personal baby photos, and we set up a table to show off Mother's Day gifts and their brand new wedding collection.

Thank you to all involved! What a magical morning! Find all the recipes here. xoxoxo

(Photos by Karen Mordechai of Sunday Suppers. Event production by Sunday Suppers with Sunday Suppers guest chefs, the Jewels of New York. Flowers by Saipua. Pinhole Press is a Cup of Jo sponsor, but this is not a sponsored post.)