This picture pretty much sums up my last few days. Cold and sinus pressure, coughing like crazy, and general feeling of ickiness x a bazillion. Seriously, who gets sick in the summer?! This must be some killer virus going around as everyone seems to have experienced it or has had a sig other/coworker/child infested with this nastiness. I'm even more frustrated that I feel like this as it is a GORGEOUS week here in the City and I can't believe I'm holed up inside conserving energy and downing vitamin C, D and fruit smoothies like it's my job. Sadly, no fun blog posts this week unless it is comparing the relative effectiveness of menthol & echinecha/zinc cough drops to emergen-C and gallons of water. Send your healthy vibes my way please. I am one sick pup.
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Ah, the anticipation I had for this past weekend was so invasive into my midday thoughts last week. We have had a few of these no-travel weekends spattered throughout the spring but to look forward to the next 5 weekends of local summer fun makes me very, very happy:) Beautiful weather, great meals, even better company! Friday night...Birreria with the Amerys! I'm a sucker for a biergarden. Saturday started off with spinning at Equinox, the Union Square Farmer's Market (and a sunny bench lunch in the square)...and ended with a sushi dinner double date with Andrew & Irina at Momoya (and post-dinner drinks on the roof!) Sunday the PRIDE wknd festivities were in full force. After brunch with Erin & Andy and strolling home via the Highline, I took a bikram class during the parade (the studio I attend sits on 22nd/5th Ave right on the parade route.) SO...instead of the moving silent meditation of yoga we were treated to the Black Eyed Peas, blasted Lady Gaga and lots of crowd cheering for the 90min. It gave crazy energy to class and it was neat to send all that positive energy out to everyone down on the street celebrating. The weekend then came to a close with our last bottle of The David, our absolutely favorite cabernet from Del Dotto in Napa. Lee whipped up a mean porterhouse steak & pierogis and welp....that was the perfect end to this summer wknd :)
I absolutely 100% crave routine. Routine is wonderful but b-a-l-a-n-c-e is what I really mean and need. And for the most part, I've felt like I've done a great job at it recently and placing priority in things that make me a better Sarah, a better wife, a better friend to those of utmost importance to me. I'm not sure where that routine of normalcy stemmed from but it has become a huge part of my weekly mindset since the start of 2011. Priorities, normality, simple life sustenance. That's a motto in the making for me:)
"Normal" is a funny word (and certaily atypical) when living in NYC as so much of our day to dayness is overstimulated with all the things available at our fingertips. Admittedly, I always mentally make note of the thousands of things I hear of going on during the summer months in the city but forget to follow through. Not this summer...my 5th one to be exact. Most are nothing special but plain enjoyment guarenteed when paired with Lee or a few friends or both. Things to sneak in here and there to keep summer memories alive and inject freshness into our weekly routine. *Arthur's Tavern for live jazz (a sin that I havent been yet...) *Bill's Gay Nineties...oldest speakeasy in NYC, piano bar...etc. *MoMA's Contemporary Art Collection *The Metropolitan Opera's Summer Recital Series *BYOBrunch in Central Park (not a specific event, just one I've wanted to plan on doing forever...) *Day trip to Governors Island *Visit Cloisters *Hudson River cruise We'll see how many I can check off by summer's end...and how many more are added without even knowing it! Cheers. I found out late last night via the Chelsea neighborhood cheers that something was going on. Something big had happened. Lee and I were out with Chris & Linds last night so I didnt find out (via Facebook, you are my go-to-informer of all things society related) the exact details until close to midnight. And what NEWS it was. The New York State Senate voted to legalize gay marriage and I, one of the many millions of new yorkers and manhattanites, could not be any happier, prouder and giddy for this progressive act. I have many gay friends who have effected my life in numerous ways. From a college roommate, friends of my parents, next door neighboors, and fitness instructors, my life is more rich for knowing each of them. It always struck such a deep cord within me, one that made no sense, that their love for another individual couldnt be honored legally by marriage. Not a union. A MARRIAGE. No different, no less sanctioned, no more crazy than any of us who commit before a god to willingly pledge one's life to another. To welcome children into a home...to have a oneness in all aspects of their togetherness. Their right to marry and be blessed with all the rights Lee & I have as a family of 2 not only makes me feel more connected but things...things just seem more right in the world today than yesterday. I took a spin class at Equniox this morning with one of my favorite instructors, a gay woman whose passion for life and health radiates from her being. We rode for 10 extra minutes after class was officially done today, a PRIDE surge ride if you will, in celebration of her love for her girlfriend and partner for years who can now finally become wife & wife in the near future....in their HOME of NYC. Admittedly, I got very choked up before this last bit of class as I listened to her graciously praise the progressiveness of our state. Honestly, I dont think there was a dry eye in the room full of sweaty spinners. Three cheers to New York! (and then we ate bakedbymelissa bitesize cupcakes to celebrate....heck, we DID do an extra 10min ride, right? :) Adele Station on Pandora (Internet Radio). The happiness that the Adele station provides to me on my morning commute is priceless. Soothing lyrics and that raspy almost Mancurian english voice paired with a skinny latte and 45 min commute to Brooklyn somehow passes quickly. Intermixed with Adele's crooning ("Make You Feel My Love" (cover) is my absolutel favorite) is a good mix of Ingrid Michaelson, Alison Krauss, Marc Cohn, and laid back John Mayer (think more "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" not "3x5"). I'm considering registering for the pay-for-use service to aviod hearing the Farmers Insurance Ad one more time, but nothing the mute button cant fix while driving... Shrimp Cocktail. So basic, yet so perfectly crisp for a summers evening appetizer/meal (let's be honest, it's hard to stop at shrimp 5). Pair it with pinot grigio or even a dry, grassier flavored champagne. I think I know what I now want for dinner:) Steven Madden Heaven Flat. So I ruined my feet my first three years of work, killing myself in sky-high heels. And I literally walk around all day! Bad news. Such bad news. I now own these ditties in 3 colors---they have a great shape to the the normal ballet flat (a bit of a side dip) and my feet are thanking me;) Rent the Runway. Do you see this?!? My very first rent the runway garment bag fully loaded with the two dresses I wore to my cousin's wedding last weekend! The service? Renting designer dresses for a fraction of the retail cost! For two dresses + jewelry, I spent $140 to be completely outfitted for a wknd of TONS of pictures and family events. Three things that make me adore this company: 1) They send you two sizes of the dresses you chose. ie-no worrying about fit! 2) They send you pre-stamped padded envelopes to just ship everything back in (I'm talking put in bag dirty/deodorant stained and drop in blue mailbox). 3) NO DRYCLEANING. Do you KNOW how huge of a time & $$ saver that is? Nike Free Run Shoes. What we have here is my new favorite running shoe. Yes I said running! I am finally running again (1x/week) and testing out the success of my post-surgery new and improved hip with these puppies on my feet. Alot of the newer shoe technology (Nike Free, FiveFingers, etc) are getting back to basics and allowing you to strengthen your tiny foot muscles while still proving stability. I would be lying if I said these are shoes I would run more than 10miles in. But they are so lightweight and perfect for my transition back to pavement stomping here and there for a 3ish-mile jog. I was feeling pretty guilty about my woe-is-me post last night. Sometimes you just need to get it out there and vocalize frustrations to make a turnaround occur. And after a KICKASS Flywheel session this morning, I am feeling light as a feather and so ready to tackle the day. Thank you to Holly for making an 830am class so much fun and so ALIVE. The intesity she has for us riders is insane....and if you can even add more to the already overflowing energy of a Flywheel class....Brett Hoebol, the new Biggest Loser Trainer(!!), was on the bike next to me! I honestly felt like I was on "the ranch" (I'm such a dork)...and those 45min of climbing and 100RPM sprints were just the thing the doctor ordered. Tonight, Lee and I are heading to the first of many summer rooftop parties hosted by the original "hostess with the mostess," Miss Rachel C. Rachel is a connoisseur of all things decandant and devine of the baking and cooking persuasion. A "Summer of Veuve" party with crab cakes, shrimp ceviche, seared stake on crostinis, herbed goat cheese in lettuce cups and homemade strawberry gelato as the menu? Dont mind if we do! Happy Almost Weekend!! I've been struggling a bit this week. I'm not sleeping well, not as focused, and my feel-good horomones seem to be lacking despite my best effort to eat well and exercise accordingly. I've controlled the controllables and am still feeling lethargic and "off." My internal Sarah system is on that really annoying low drone that wont go away.
When I'm like this, I nit pick at myself: "god, I look particularly large today" "pimple? seriously?" "ugh, my hair looks disgusting" "seriously sarah, pull your self together" ...and compare myself to those passersby on the street who look seemingly happy going about their days simultaneously putting myself down internally. “One reason we struggle with insecurity: we’re comparing our behind the scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel.”- Steven Furtick (Inhale), LET. (Exhale), GO. This is my yoga mantra on days I am feeling less than pretty-normal-happy-at ease. Tomorrow is a new day and for some reason just typing this all out makes me feel that much better. Every week is a journey and opening up to the daily struggles, highs AND lows, are what paint the entire picture of oneself. A perfectly imperfect version of who I am in this exact moment and having the courage to put it out there without reservation or judgement. Weebly page, you are a good forum for my own therapy....thanks so much :) On Saturday, June 18th, in the wonderful city of St. Louis, my dear cousin Jenny Kertz became Mrs. Jenny Jacob and wife to stellar guy, Reji. To honor Reji's family, Jenny wore a sari during the cocktail hour of their reception as seen on the left....(can we say Indian Barbie???? :) Her bridal gown was amazing but seeing her in the sari and the turquoise and gold embellishments turned her into the most beautiful I have ever seen. The entire weekend held so much emotion as another one of us Kertz cousins tied the knot! The pictures speak for themselves. Family reunioning and all the hugs and laughter that ensued made for one very memorable weekend. It's back! Okay maybe it will even stick. (I neeeeed a new name for this reoccuring title. Help!) This Friday is dedicated to favorite things that add pretty to my life....and face/hair;) PEONIES. I can't get enough of these flowering beauties. I think what makes them even more perfect is their very slim window of availability at NYC bodegas which makes them a novel treat to the start of summer in this apt of ours. Fresh flowers are such a simple indulgance of mine and just make me smile! Homemade Flavored Water. Do you ever go to a resort or spa and notice how their water is never bland but always perfectly equalized with lemon, cucumber, orange or grapefruit? It is it such an indulgance and instantly calming. I drink a TON of agua everyday so this retreat from the tasteless Manhattan water is a new daily routine of mine for my morning commute. Cucumber has been my choice of the week, doesnt it look super fancy in that TJ's bottle? It is a sip that's refreshing, hydrading and I feel special drinking it ;) PS: not to get all soap-boxy on here, but drinking a gallon of water a day is the best investment in one's skin. it's true. oki'mdone. Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation SPF 25. That's quite a title for a tinted moisterizer. It's packed with anti-aging properties and based on my extensive research in Lucky Mag, Glamour, Vogue and US Weekly...one should be on a skin saving regime before wrinkles appear. SO...this does the trick. AND...makes me have the "dewey" look which I love. I use a MBadascu SPF lotion underneath and then this gives an extra layer of SPF25 protection. I glow and feel like I'm doing the best for my skin. Moroccan Hair Oil Light Treatement. It is of no surprise to those who know me that I have been highlighting my hair since I was 14yrs old, love using jumbo hot rollers and the occasional flat iron. Over-heating, stripping and dying my hair is (sadly) the norm. I was turned on to this MHOLT by the stylist who did my wedding hair and it has added so much effortless shine to my locks. I use it 1-2x/week (just a dime size dollop neccessary) and run through my hair pre-blow drying. AMAZING. And the scent? It's like a sweet almond or something and I wish they made a perfume, too. Heavenly! M.A.C Lipstick in So Chaud. I know I know...it's bold. Some may say even clown-ish upon first glance. The bright lip/neutral outfit combo is big now in the City and while I am only a 80% trend follower (okay 75%, I cant do the oxford shoe/jumpsuit/round circle sunglasses look), this is something that makes me feel really feminine and pretty. What doesnt hurt in the whole equation with this orangy-red lipstick is that is goes remarkably well with my transparent/alabaster-ish skintone adding color so easily to any look. Try it out! "What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." -Gertrude Jekyll Starting a post with a quote reminds me of my english papers in high school. And today, high school reminds me of the Wexford flats and the scent of my hometown. (Mmm, breugers bagels and coffee that we shouldnt have been drinking at 17 haha.) There is never a better time of year while growing up than the last day of school coupled with sweet anticipation of all the yet to be formed summer memories...the long nights, basement parties...and carefree converstaions turning into ones having us ponder where our lives would lead. I cannot believe how far I've come since my Wexford summers in the late 90s. Rooftop dinners, wine-happy hours galore, vacation planning, evening strolls along the Highline with the man I love and adore. The same feelings of what's to come still linger---however the dangling question marks of life are supported by togetherness and that is all I need. This summer I hope to simplify each day more than the next, spend mountains of quality time with those I love, be gentle on my mind and challenge my body. How wonderful you are, start of summer! |
AuthorSarah: one part of a family of THREE with my husband Lee and sweet girl Morgan, simply wanting to chronicle the path I'm on and the path that will come to be. For now it's NYC urban mamaville where everyday is a new adventure! (Actually, just getting to the post office is an adventure.) Ask Me Anything!Blogettes I LoveJoey & The Owl
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August 2015
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