WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

 

Today is the official start of summer and this weekend will be one for the books.

 

I'm headed back into New Jersey (shocker) and spending the first part of the weekend at home with my family. We plan on spending time at the Lake where we would spend most summers when I was a child. I plan on squeezing every minute of quality time in with them, family is where it is at!

 

The latter part of the weekend I will be celebrating one of my best friends Jen’s wedding shower and handling bridesmaid duties to the best of my ability. Jen & Michael will be tying the knot in October and what is so special about this shower and wedding, is that she has each of the bridesmaids parents apart of the celebrations – it will truly be a beautiful memory with friends and family.

Click here for their engagement party video. The engagement party is just a taste of how fun this couple is.  (You can catch me getting my drank & dance on)

 

I'm beyond excited for Jen, the love between  Jen & Michael is beyond what most loves have. I remember when they 1^st started as a couple many moons ago and blossomed into the strong couple they are now. They are two beautiful people inside and out and define what love really is. Just being around them makes me smile. Two genuine good hearted people - I cant wait for their family to begin!  This wedding will be one for the books!

 

Jen, you are going to be a stuning bride, my Kim K!  I love you Jen!!!

 

 

Posing with the bride to be!

 

10 years ago..... summer house with the girls. Gotta love the style back then!

 

 

 

 

 

Jen (3rd in from left) around some of her bridesmaids

 

1st DAY OF SUMMER!

Summertime and the livings easy.... Summer has officially arrived along with my summer bucket list!

Since I'm quite OCD with list making, I've created a bucket list per season of things I want to do and try. Yes, its weird odd and nerdy - whatever! 

I wanted to share with you some of my summer bucket list items. I hope this list  inspires you to create an OCD list all your own!

1. Learn how to make a a signature drink , a drink that is all me! Something fresh, minty and a tad bitter.

2. Staycation at the La Piscine Pool at the top of the Hotel Americano here in NYC. Surrounded by cozy cabanas and sunny daybeds , La Piscine rooftop lido makes a splash day and night. Cocktail and para picar service!

3.  Head back to Brooklyn for a brunch with a few of my favs! Aurora in Williamsburg, hands down makes the best Bloody Mary's around. A sunny romantic brunch spot. 

4. Relax when I can. Relax, Relax , Relax. Relax.....  maybe the more I say it the more likely it will happen!

5. Beach Time! Its hard to leave NYC when everything around me is as awesome as it is. But with friends located in the Jersey Shore and Long Beach, you betcha bottom dolla Ill be soaking up the rays (spf 70 of course) for a few weekends to come.

Click here for my summer playlist!

 

What will you be doing this summer?

STYLE INSPIRATION SERIES: PART 6

 

What is the ideal layer over shirt for any season? The Chambray of course!!!! The chambray adds a bit of magic to every outfit, it can dress up a pair of skinnies or dress down a glittery mini. This piece is amazingly versatile and can be worn surprisingly through every season.
 

 

Invest in timeless pieces, and you’ll never be at a loss for what to wear for whatever occasion and season.

Check out some fun ways to incorporate the Chambray into your style....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click for the previous style series....

Style Inspiration Series: Part 1 (Classic White Shirt)

Style Inspiration Series: Part 2 (Maxi Skirt/Dress)

Style Inspiration Series: Part 3 (The Trench Coat)

Style Inspiration Series: Part 4 (The Pencil Skirt)

Style Inspiration Series: Part 5 (The Blazer)

BRUNETTE CRUSH

For a quick summer read, check out Jessica Alba's lifestyle book: The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You.  Or watch the book trailor here.  This book combines everything I love & believe in for healthier happier life . Oh & the images below...

 

  

Jessica Alba in "Clean Cut" for the Sunday Times -  just another reason why I love her. wow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMER TREAT

Minty Watermelon Lime Popsicle Recipe

yield: approx four 2 oz. Popsicles

2 cups 1-inch cubed watermelon

2 tbsp fresh-squeezed lime juice
6 mint leaves, chopped
*Optional: sweetener added to taste

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients together in a blender.

2. Pour mixture into mold and insert stick.

3. Freeze until solid.

4. Run warm water over mold to release Popsicle.

Easy Breezy & Good for you! {via The Inspired Room}

OVERLOADED

 

 

 

 

 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, LinkedIn, Pinterest,  Four square, WordPress, Google+ & Tumblr

I literally was experiencing a social media overload! I would sit on a train and tweet, watch tv and surf instagram looking at people’s meals. While I would shop for a tshirt I would check in with four square & facebook my moods via a quote. It was exhausting. I lost me. I lost quality time with the people I love and I lost sense of reality.

My rhythm was out of wack.


The Break Up

I tore it off like a bandaid. Fast and painless.

I didn’t miss it. Certain people thought something was wrong with me?! Lol. I have to laugh at that.

I finally felt relaxed once I stopped. (although linked in & pinterest remain active for work and my blog)

Although social media has plenty of parts I don’t necessarily prefer, like self-promotion, bragging about one’s material items and negative comments -  there are some good points that I found. I was able to launch my blog and without those social media parts it would have been hard to have access to it. I interacted with friends and family and people I haven seen in years….. but there was the downside that kept returning.

During those times I was hooked, parties became less fun, drinks with friends became an uploading frenzy and funny comments were being thrown out to the world. Nothing remained private & to me privacy is a big deal.

I felt disconnected. 

 
 

My Social Media Vice
 My blog. Its my place for me. Its my personal corner of the Internet where I don’t have to be choked with others political views, traffic rants, weather updates and play by plays of others lives I don't necessarily care about. This may sound harsh, but it's my reality.

There is no negativity here or people being called out and put on blast. Its my positive space. My blog is here to view  - but by your choice. I'm not inundating you with my life.

 

From Meems to you...
If you ever contemplated unplugging from social media, I highly suggest you do so. Call that friend you are looking at on facebook and take a break from all the updates. Place a limit on when you check your media and enjoy more face to face interaction.

Create memories not storage on your machine.

Try it & let me know what you think!

 

~Meems

NYC SUMMER SNAPSHOTS via iphone diaries

 

Luke's Lobster Truck - Upper east side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Love Taza

 

 

FEEL GOODS......

 

 

 

 

Chees'n after an early morning run......

IM SORRY NEMO!

I  made these burgers for a quick dinner the other night and I wanted to share...... The Mr. said they smelled good, & yet he opted for a plain old chicken and brown rice meal. Go figure. I've come to terms with the fact that I shall never sway his dietary choices. 

Being honest, I had no idea how these  Burgers would turn out. & in the end - I’m happy to say I did it! I was worried there would be a dryness to them, but the opposite was true. The burger texture was soft yet meaty. They held up very well through multiple flips on the griddle.

Meems suggestions - Try swapping the oats with  quinoa for added protein and for those on a budget use Tuna soaked in Water (just make sure to drain the tuna well).

Here’s what I did:

• 1 5-7 oz organic salmon (you can buy it already baked or throw it in the oven wrapped up in foil and dressed up with EOO and Lemon wedges - bake until cooked to your liking)
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats ( ground up in a blender OR quick oats if easier for you)
• About 1/3 cup of finely chopped scallions
• A hhhhhheaping handful of organic spinach (stress the H)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Sprinkle of fresh ground pepper 
• a pinch of low sodium sea salt

Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands. Heat a non stick skillet over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray. Form a palm sized pattie and place on skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes a side until golden.

Top it off with dressing: Mix 2-3 tablespoons of Greek Yogurt mixed with sriracha sauce to act as a spicy mayo substitute. Its awesome!

Enjoy these patties solo for a healthy meal or add a whole grain bun for those not watching their lb's. Top with organic sprouts, red onion and a side of sliced carrots.

& Voila - a healthy, clean and summer friendly meal. 

One more tip - Open the windows and Keep Febreeze handy,  I personally cant stand the smell of cooked eggs and fish. Its really not bad at all, but I'm a drama queen and prefer my home to smell like Voluspa's Macron. 

Showed with tuna