charlie and aida’s baby shower

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Jillian

aida and charlie

A little man is on on his way to this family in August!

cake

My brother and his beautiful lady had an adorable mustache-themed baby shower last weekend. It was an afternoon of catching up with family, lots of cupcake-consuming and gifts upon gifts for the baby (of course). With all the super cute onesies, this baby is going to be the most fashionable newborn in New York. Not an easy feat!

onesie

hugs2

aida and laureen

Some tears were shed too. Apparently, teeny tiny things are too adorable to take that they make an emotional pregnant mother sob. Which was then followed by an equally teary and lovely speech. Seriously, not a dry eye in the place. It’s not even fair.

teary

That feeling is so beautiful and warm and it makes me think dangerously fuzzy baby thoughts. I see smiling babies and sleeping babies and little toes and squishy faces and chubby knees and…

mase

Then  I snap back to reality and think, Hey girl! Come back. Nope no noooooo, not yet!

sisters

hugsfavorsWhew, that was close.

Posted in family, friends, fun, nyc, weekend | Tagged , | 5 Comments

the george castanza wallet gets a makeover

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Jillian

This was what my Dad’s wallet used to look like.
huge wallet

We called it the George Castanza. He had everything in there. Rewards cards, frequent shopper cards, expired PBA cards and goodness knows what else was in there that hadn’t been pulled out in years.

And here is what it looks like now.

comaprison

Still got some heft, but he refuses to part with his several years’ worth of expired PBA’s. He claims he’s “got reasons”.

That’s my dad. Always prepared for anything and everything. And probably the only person I know that stands a chance during the zombie apocalypse!

Happy Father’s Day weekend!

———-

Now…links!

  • Speaking of which, I’m making a genuine effort to listen to new music (I barely know anything passed 2003). Now, I have this song on repeat.
Posted in family, fun | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

and it’s not even valentine’s day

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Jillian

flowers

The other day, I came home in a rotten mood after a somewhat hellish commute. It was a terribly sticky afternoon of train delays and sleazy cat-calls on a lonely walk to the bus stop, which also had extensive delays. After finally deciding to hail a cab, the first driver that pulled up refused to take me to my destination, at which I promptly yelled in the passenger window, “You’re effing* wasting my time!”. The second was nice enough until I found out too late that the cost of the ride was horribly overpriced. I could have really used a punching bag that day.

Well, I’m pretty sure Bob noticed my grumpiness because the next evening I found these flowers on the the counter welcoming me home with all of its prettiness.

This guy of mine. He really is the best at cheering me up (though not the best at flower arranging, haha).

*I may have used a different word.

Posted in friday, nyc | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

when the south came to the north

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Jillian

big apple bbq2Last weekend, respected pitmasters from around the U.S.  gathered at Madison Square Park for a good ol’ all-American bbq.

ribs

me

Loads of people, a bit of rock ‘n roll and tons of meat!

ribs and slaw

There were lots of little events going on, like grilling lessons, giveaways and cooking demos from the Batali brothers and staff of Real Simple and Southern Living magazine. But in true fat kid fashion, Bob and I just went there to eat as much bbq as possible. And maybe jam a bit to Barence Whitfield & the Savages. It’s the kind of music you expect to hear at one of these things: super bluesy, funky and something you find yourself shaking your hips and snapping your fingers to.

band

cook

blue

The pulled pork from BlackJack BBQ from Charleston, South Carolina was downright delightful. And that bbq sauce was the bee’s knees.  Thank goodness for extra sauce to drench that sandwich. Sticky fingers and not a care in the world!

pulled porkrib eatin

Deliciousness to the nth degree!

Posted in food and drink, fun, nyc, parties, restaurants, weekend | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

today is a happy day

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Jillian

doughnutdayBecause it’s National Doughnut Day! And National Doughnut Day means free (or almost free) doughnuts. Here’s where!

And with that, a happy weekend to you.

——–

  • I spent Wednesday night laughing my ass off at these bloopers from The Office.

 

Posted in food and drink, friday | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

double stroller for sale!

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Jillian

My sister Janey is selling her gently-used Phil & Teds double stroller. Check it!
stroller side by side copy

If any New York City (or tri-state area) residents are interested, please reply to the ad via Craigslist. Here’s the link: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bab/3843898509.html

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

bpa-free drinking straws

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Jillian

coffee

Little by little, I’m introducing toxin-free items into my home. I’ve slowly phased out my nonstick pans and you might remember that I like to use this container for work lunches. It’s been a long process and there are still some things that I haven’t yet parted with (i.e. ammonia cleaners), but all in time I hope to turn our home into a healthier place to live.

After I noticed some coffee stains on my teeth, I started to research which straws were safest to drink from. Most plastic straws are not made to withstand heat, so some of that plastic melts into the hot liquid, transferring those particles straight into the drink! I then found these which are BPA-free, FDA-approved straws specifically made for hot beverages. Presently, it has all good reviews.

At the same time, how do you write a scathing review about a straw? The drink doesn’t come through the straw fast enough! 0 stars!

straws2

Initially, it’s a wee bit strange drinking hot coffee through a straw, so it takes some getting used to. Though after a short while, I’ve grown very comfortable with it.

Now…about drinking my beloved red wine through a straw? Well, I’ll have to wrap my head around that one.

Find here.

Posted in bargain hunter, home | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments