Cheers to the weekend!

New York in the springtime

I don't know if it's because I'm working at a publisher that values health and wellness above all else, but I'm living a healthier life these past few weeks. I've discarded my morning cappuccino habit for green juice and my alarm clock has gone off at 6am every morning this week. And I'm actually getting out of bed (without grumbling) to greet the sun over the east river with some yoga. Oh, and I haven't eaten meat in almost two weeks.

Also, cheers for making it to the weekend! It's a holiday one here in the US, and I'm spending it in Pennsylvania. Here are some links for you to peruse, hopefully with a cool beverage (or a green juice!) in hand.

fashion

So apparently summer's biggest trend is the tea length skirt. Identifying something as that season's "biggest trend" usually drives me in the opposite direction. Except that these skirts are so lovely and flow-y and when thinking about the sticky summer days that lie ahead, I could definitely use some of the skirts that the writers at Clementine Daily suggest.

Check out this homemade pore reducing mask from Allison at Petit Elefant.

interior design

Not only is Erin Boyle of Reading my Tea Leaves on the verge of welcoming her first baby, but she still found the time to create the cutest leather drawer pulls I've ever seen. Plus they look super easy.

Heather from Habitually Chic is making a move to Paris and her depiction of Parisian skies on grey days make me think of grey Irish days. (That doesn't really count as an interior design post - but Heather's mostly an interiors blogger, so that's where I'm shelving this post.)

food

If you're looking for a way to plan your meals check out Rachel's ideas for a weekly meal plan on Heart of Light.

Molly Yeh shares her recipe for homemade bubble tea on Food52.

It's no secret that I'll eat almost anything with a fried egg on it. Toast, pizza, pasta, whatever. So, these goat cheese and egg toasts with peas and dill from Kate at Cookie + Kate are going on my saturday night easy dinner list.

Ok I don't want to turn on my oven in the summertime any more than you do, but you should make an exception for this Vietnamese caramelized shrimp pizza from Stephanie at I am a Food Blog.

The dog watches me do yoga in the mornings now.

Cherry blossoms in Central Park

Have a wonderful weekend - holiday or not. I hope to be here a lot more in coming weeks - I miss this space.

My mothers day treat

I had an exceptionally relaxing mothers day this year. Mostly because it was spent by myself with two friends. We had the brilliant idea a few months ago to get a hotel room for one night of the holiday weekend. Once that was decided upon, we added in extra treats like a massage and dinner reservations at Cherry - an Asian-fusion restaurant in Chelsea that was on our must-try list.

Now this would have never happened had I not been seriously motivated for some time away. The relief when we entered our rather decadent hotel room was palpable, and the time away was well spent with prosecco, trashy tv watching, and all-around general girl talk. We woke up at the luxurious hour of 9:30am and dawdled over a room service breakfast.

And then we walked home through the heady blossoms in Central Park to meet our husbands and children for the rest of mothers day. I somehow think the cherry blossoms are prettier when they come to the end of their lifespan, don't you? When they flutter down to blanket the earth in a thick pink petal carpet I can do nothing but stand still in awe when I see them (and instagram immediately, also).

So all I'm saying is that I hope all you mothers, mothers-to-be, and those who wish and hope to be mothers (now or in the future) took care of yourselves this weekend. We all deserve a little time to ourselves, in whatever capacity we can make it happen. I know that may seem counter-intuitive to the whole point of mothers day, but I say mothers day is whatever you want it to be. I know I returned home a more relaxed person for my night away. And a happier me = a happier atmosphere at home :)

That weekend we went to DC

That weekend we went to DC the trees were just beginning their gradual ascent to Spring. They were laced in a feathery green, a few weeks ahead of the New York City tree timeline. We were there for less than 48 hours, but enough time to see some of the sights, hang out in a few parks, have an easter egg hunt, and even enjoy a leisurely brunch at Founding Farmers - a place we had been told by at least 3 people not to miss.

And since I'm loving on DC today, I thought it would be appropriate to gather some of my favorite recent DC blogger posts, too:

DC mom of two, Alicia Sokol at Weekly Greens has a few rules about weeknight dinners: they have to be on the table in 30 minutes from prep to finish, and everyone has to sit down together and eat the same meal. If only I could be this disciplined! Perhaps with Alicia's thoughtful shopping list and advance preparation ideas I could be.

E of District of Chic has outfit posts that are chic with a little edge. Like flowery dresses with leather motorcycle jackets. 

One of the most well-known DC bloggers, Sydney at The Daybook is a sweet, thoughtful writer with a rather magical life. She brings a bit of rocker flair to her outfits that I always appreciate. She's currently pregnant with her second child and her maternity posts are lovely.

Emily a folklorist and writer of the DC pie blog, Nothing in the House has decamped to the wilds of New Hampshire for a two-month-long immersive writing program, and while there she won't be using a computer, cell phone, digital camera, or the internet! She's going to be writing posts longhand or with a typewriter and taking only film photos, follow her journey here.

I've mentioned Lauren Liess here before, but this DC interior designer and blogger at Pure Style Home always impresses with her airy designs. She's just about to start a house renovation, so you guys can jump in at just the right time!