Apple Basil Mojito from Cheeky Kitchen

Peach Mojito from Cookie + Kate

Sake Champagne Mojito from Marcus Samuelsson

Watermelon Mojito from Greer Loves

Huckleberry Mojito from MarxFoods

Rainier Cherry Mojito from Cookie + Kate

Blueberry Mojito from Sugar and Charm

Gucci Cat Eye Sunglasses with Web Temples | Tory Burch Polarized Round Hinge Logo Sunglasses

Ain’t that the truth? Happy (belated) Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. You’re fabulous and fantastic and you make the world go round. But the biggest and heartiest Happy Mother’s Day is reserved for my own mom because she’s the kindest oman I know and a constant reminder of what strength and love look like. We celebrated how we always do, with pizza and a game. It was great to be here live and in person, to celebrate her as the awesome mom that she is. She’s the best. Truly. Hope you had lovely celebrations of your own.

I have plenty of friends who have been off the market for quite awhile. Friends who have been married and/or in committed relationships for years. And they always ask me “what’s it like out there?” And I think truthfully it’s probably pretty much the same. There are some goods ones and some bad ones. Some who want to get to know you and some who just want to get in your pants. But I think one thing that’s changed is, and I kid you not, 95% of all communication is done via text. And I get it, I’m a pretty voracious texter too. Texting is easy and quick and perfect for lots of things like a simple question or a funny aside or an “on the way.” But, texting definitely isn’t romantic. And so much of the romance is already absent from the whole online dating process that it’s a shame when the few remaining opportunities for romance are cast aside. Any form of communication where you have to include a smiley or a wink to make sure the other person gets what you’re saying is definitely imperfect. And I think the reliance of texts, specifically in dating, is kind of a downer.

I’ve gotten nice texts, sweet texts, dirty texts, awkwardly long texts, hilarious texts, photo texts and sad/pathetic/pleading texts. But the one thing I haven’t gotten a lot of is phone calls. And let me be clear, I’m not staunchly anti-text or anything. I don’t have a rule about not going out with a guy if he texts or anything like that. But, if he calls, I take notice and it makes me smile. It’s such a small thing but it says “hey, I like you enough to call you.” And it means something. In this weird world of online dating there’s something personal about calling that reminds you you’re still just a girl and he’s still just a boy and you’re trying to see if you like each other like people have done for years. I’m a sucker for the phone call. I love hearing what guys sound like on the phone. And I think the quasi-awkwardness of the first few phone calls is totally sweet and endearing. I guess I’m still a little bit old fashioned. And I almost took a second date with a guy who I had decided not to go out with again SIMPLY BECAUSE he called. True story.

So to all the boys out there (who aren’t reading this), pick up the phone and call us girls. We really like it. Alright, that’s my two cents. Where do you fall on texting vs. calling?  And seriously, have a fabulous weekend. It’s the smart thing to do.

xo

Amy

Okay so it’s not exactly food. But when you start focusing on getting a wholesome diet you must also pay attention to all the things you aren’t getting. That’s where vitamins and supplements come in. And I’ll admit to taking a lot of them like I’m a crazy old person with one of those giant plastic pill organizers. But why not take measures to try and get some of the good things that your body needs to stay healthy? Of course, it’s better to get it the natural way. But I’m not always getting the variety and the volume that I need. Sometimes I eat popcorn for dinner.

So here’s what I (try to) take everyday. So tell me, am I alone in my crazy-vitamin-lady-ness or do I have some fellow fans out there? What do y’all take?

I can’t be the only one who loves Urban Outfitters cheapish duvets, right? Yes, that store makes me feel a little bit like an old lady. But it’s hard to argue with their immense collection of festive duvets. Bold and bright, which is exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for.

Here’s four that I’m eyeing, the only problem is which one? (all four are from Urban Outfitters)

(image credit: Karen Mordechai via Cup of Jo)

The meal, provided by Sunday Suppers and guest chefs Jewels of New York, was quite delicious. I mean, there was homemade nutella with sea salt for the love of all that is holy!

(image credit: Karen Mordechai) via Cup of Jo)

And the company, an assortment of creative women, was lovely and inspiring. (There’s me again in the stinkin’ pink sweater! And that’s Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook)

(image credit: Jamie Beck)

Thanks so much to Joanna for including me, to Sunday Suppers for the beautiful meal and location, and to Pinhole Press (who I already loved for allowing me to make my silly Christmas cards) for making the whole thing happen.

It’s bound to happen. When you go on as many dates as I do, there’s gotta be a couple duds in there, right? And I feel like I’ve been incredibly lucky so far. Most of my dates have been at the very least completely pleasant. Of course, I do tend to see nothing but the best in people so that could be part of it as well. But a few weeks ago. It happened. I had a terrible date. A date that couldn’t end fast enough. The minute I saw him I knew. Even if he had been the most interesting, hilarious and charming man in the entire world it wouldn’t matter because there would never be an attraction there. Never ever. (He was approximately 5’3″* and was wearing what I can only describe to you as a women’s khaki trench coat). His face had a troll-ish quality. To make matters worse, he was a terrible conversationalist. Now, I can talk to a brick wall and conversation is one of my greatest skills but I just couldn’t do it this time. I really wasn’t up for carrying this date. So there were silences. Long, painful, nightmarish silences during which I could feel him starring at me and it was making my skin crawl. All I kept thinking was “Alright self, how long do we have to stay here?”

So what is one to do? What is the protocol here? Can you just cut and run or do you have to stay and be polite? I’m still trying to figure that out. In this particular case I stayed for two drinks. One just felt awkward mostly because I downed the first one like a champ. But once that second drink was finished I got the hell out of there. Of course, he insisted on walking me to the bus stop (even though I essentially begged him not to). And mid-walk he tried to put his arm around me and because he was so much shorter it was the most awkward maneuver that has ever been attempted. Then he stood at the bus stop starring at me for a painfully long time. I have never been happier to see the M8 pull up. I nearly embraced the bus driver for saving me.

The thing about a bad date is it can really (really) get you down. It’s a quick way to feel pretty hopeless about the whole dating scene (I’m done. I’m never going to meet anyone. Blah blah blah). But, like anything else you let yourself feel bummed for a minute and then keep going and you try again. And wouldn’t you know it, since then I’ve had a couple pretty redeeming dates with a few promising ones on the horizon. Come on guys, you know one terrible date isn’t going to slow this gal down.

p.s. what was your worst date?

happy weekend times! xo

Amy

* sliiiight exaggeration

Sea Creatures at The American Museum of Natural History by Jason Polan

The Sledding Hill (Dusk) by Jospeh O. Holmes

Ideal Bookshelf 364: NYC by Jane Mount

prettymaps (nyc) by Aaron Straup Cope