So y’all know the game Apples to Apples right? I love that game. But now I have a game I love even more. Meet Cards Against Humanity. It’s the exact same concept as Apples to Apples but the cards are way more hilarious and offensive. I mean everything you need to know is right in the tagline, “a party game for horrible people.” Um. Yes please, where do I sign up? This seemed like the perfect thing to bring along to my sister’s bachelorette weekend because these kinds of games are always much more fun with the addition of booze. The thing is Cards Against Humanity is wildly popular and it’s always sold out. But never fear! The games creators have made a (free) downloadable pdf available. So all you have to do is download it, print it on a thick card stock at home (or at Staples which is what I did) and use a paper cutter to cut out all the cards. And once you’re done the cards fit perfectly into one of those plastic boxes from The Container Store (this one). And it looks pretty cute, too.

So if you like offensive humor (and I’m a fan) Cards Against Humanity might be the game for you. And it makes a perfect (and cheap) gift for the offensive humor lover in your life. Just add wine and you have a night of hilarious hijinks.

Here’s my Happy Picture. It’s my nephew, Nicky. My mom snapped it with her iPhone at a Braves game last season and sent it to me. I think it’s during the seventh inning stretch and he’s singing Take Me Out To The Ball Game. I love this picture because he looks so happy. And if he’s happy then I’m happy. Oh and because he’s adorable and perfect. So there’s that.

About a month ago, when I was in Arizona with one of my besties, I received some tough love from in the form of a stern talk regarding some of my dating choices. She knows me better than most so everything she said was not only completely valid but the kind of stuff that sort of knocks you on your ass and makes you think “ohhhhhhhhhhhh.” She said I’m too preoccupied with finding someone funny and that I should stop focusing on that so much. I do admit to a weakness for funny men. I spent four years with a man who wasn’t very funny and I swore to myself I’d never do that again. It is of the utmost importance to me that I spend my life laughing. But my friend brought up several good points in regards to my infatuation with hilarious dudes. According to her, I’m quite funny and I love plenty of people who aren’t super hilarious but we still laugh together often. And while someone who makes funny jokes is great, for the long haul I don’t need a comedian or a joke writer or someone who is going to be performing bits for me all the time. What I need is someone who is HAPPY. And if I find someone who is happy, the laughter will come right along with him.

And I think she was dead on. Happiness is so very important. Not that the person has to be in a good mood 24/7 (although I’m probably one of the few people who wouldn’t mind that) but that they are positive, comfortable in their skin, settled and like life. I’ve spent too much time with men who were basically a few mere steps from miserable and I’ve decided life is too short. I’m happy and I’d really like to have a happy life so I’ve decided to try and look for that in the men that I date. It seems obvious now, but it took me awhile to get here. And by the way, I recently went on a date with a happy man and it was incredibly refreshing, not to mention a hell of a lot of fun. I thought to myself “ohhhhhhh, this is what happy looks like.”

So here’s to happy men and happy weekends. I hope to find both. xo, Amy

{images from LIFE photo archive}

The Peach State by The Wheatfield

I have a wee addiction to art from home state. And I just might have to add this print (sent to me by a good pal) to my ever-growing collection. I’m heading back to NYC this morning so for now, I’ll just bask in my post-Georgia-visit glow. There’s just something about being home. It’s good for the soul. It must be because you get to see all of your favorite people and fill up on all the love and goodness that only they give you. Or maybe it’s the Chick-fil-a.

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?