January 4, 2010

Please help.

I just donated - won’t you do the same?

lcarf:

Temperatures across the nation are at an all time low and some are already predicting this winter to be the worst in 25 years.

For a dog located in a kill shelter this can mean an immediate death sentence, sadly many of these facilities have no heat and as a result animals are perishing in the freezing cold.

We reach out to you with an urgent plea for donations to help us to move more animals out of the shelter into a quarantine facility where they are safe and warm and can get ready for transport and adoption.

Please help us so that we can save these precious souls, we are grateful for any contribution you can make.  Time is of the essence, please act now and make a difference.

PLEASE DONATE!!!!

Snippity Snap Remember a couple weeks ago when a professional photographer was randomly following Joel, Lady and me playing around Central Park?  Well, keeping my fingers crossed worked and he sent us a handful of fantastic pictures, including this one.

Snippity Snap

Remember a couple weeks ago when a professional photographer was randomly following Joel, Lady and me playing around Central Park?  Well, keeping my fingers crossed worked and he sent us a handful of fantastic pictures, including this one.

Joel is trying to keep me on track for my 30 Day Challenge. Actually, maybe he’s trying to one-up me?

Joel is trying to keep me on track for my 30 Day Challenge.

Actually, maybe he’s trying to one-up me?

Is technology ruining your relationship?

Amazing.

The below is so.so.so. true!  Joel and I actually just had a tete-a-tete about our technology obsessions.  I think he spends too much time reading sports sites and playing online poker and he thinks I prefer blogging to snuggling.  We came up with some ideas similar to Emily’s and plan on enforcing them in 2010.

Em - thanks for the additional ideas.  They’re absolute perfection and I plan on giving them a whirl.

emphasisadded:

Ok…”ruining” might be a touch dramatic, but do you ever feel as if blogging/facebooking/twittering/iphone solitaire/cruising shopbop/general interweb merriment is cutting into into your offline life?

I do.

About a month ago, Simon and I sat down and had a talk….he said he was tired of looking at the back of my laptop screen, of falling asleep to the clicking of my keyboard and of feeling like I knew more about my followers’ days than his.

He wasn’t wrong.

We decided 2010 was our year to reboot.  Literally.

Now, it wasn’t as easy as just shutting down the computer because let’s be honest- that is never going to happen.  I am passionate about blogging and as anyone who writes their own can attest, blogging takes up so much time…but we decided to agree on some usage guidelines.

Husb/Wife Plan to Unplug:

  1. No blogging in bed: Yes, I am embarrassed to admit that I often bring my laptop into bed to finish just one more post.  I type as I doze and it is not uncommon to wake up with my laptop resting on my tummy, but I don’t want my bedroom warmth to come form a computer.  I want it to be from…you know, my husband’s arms around me.  We decided to banish all technology from the bedroom (iphones included) and take advantge of those moments before sleep for pillow talk, quiet time or…well…you know.
  2. Happy Half-Hour: I know it sounds lame to set aside specific time to unplug, but I prefer to think of it as a mini-date.  Every day after work, Simon and I set aside at least 30 minutes to just sit and talk…or play a game…or cook dinner…or drink wine…no technology allowed.  We need time to reconnect and share stories from our days without battery powered distractions.  Some nights our happy half-hour lasts much longer….others are a little quieter, but it is good for our relationship just knowing we put in us-time.
  3. Blogable Dates: Last year we came up with the idea of Husb/Wife adventures….activities outside of our normal routine that we do explicitly to be blogged.  I figure, why not leverage the natural tendency I have as a blogger to write about new things to benefit my relationship?  In 2010, I will plan more adventures to be blogged…and I will be looking to my husband/friend/readers for activity suggestions.  It is a total a win/win…it gives us the opportunity to go on out-of-the-ordinary dates while providing fresh material to share with my readers!
  4. Share your Screen: This might sound absurd, but it has made a huge difference….I used to blog from a corner of the couch where Simon was forced to stare at the back of my laptop.  I changed my orientation so now we both can see the screen, and I have been amazed by the number of awesome conversations have been sparked by something I was typing or searching.  By simply repositioning myself, the web has become the source of conversation…rather than the reason for not talking.
  5. Flirt virtually: I am so thankful for email, gchat and texting- they have brought me closer to so many of my readers…so why not use these tools to reconnect with your man/woman throughout the day?  I find getting little “thinking of you” reminders (regardless of the medium) to be totally romantic, and I look forward to the mid-morning texts Simon sends on his walk to court or his quirky lunchtime emails where he invariably fills me in on any ND recruiting news, asks about our dinner plans and compliments my daily outfit.  Single people do it all the time…so why not engage in a little virtual flirting with your partner.


We kicked-off this resolution at the beginning of December (a few weeks early, I know…but I figured why not get a head start on happiness), and it has made all the difference in the world.  In four short weeks, Simon and I have noticed a huge difference in husb/wife engagement.  We are happier.

I certainly don’t mean to make our technology use sound dire (or our relationship disconnected), but I will admit- we developed some bad habits that were not serving to strengthen our relationship.

Maybe we are the only twosome out there who’s internet connection has had an effect on our couple connection…but based on my full dashboard and constantly updated FB wall, I think not.

I would love to hear from you…do you have any tips for maintaining an online/offline balance?

The holidays just keep on coming. Look what greeted me at my office today - more prezzies! And yes, that is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel calendar.  What of it?

The holidays just keep on coming.

Look what greeted me at my office today - more prezzies!

And yes, that is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel calendar.  What of it?

It’s Just Another Freezing Monday It’s ungodly cold today in New York, but what’s worse is that it’s ungodly freezing in my office.  I’ve become desperate and just threw on my outdoor attire.  Let’s break it down, shall we? Coat: Chloe and Reese Cashmere Scarf: Gifted from ex-boyfriend, so not sure what brand and the tag doesn’t say. Fingerless Cashmere Gloves: Club Monaco Are you staying warm today?

It’s Just Another Freezing Monday

It’s ungodly cold today in New York, but what’s worse is that it’s ungodly freezing in my office.  I’ve become desperate and just threw on my outdoor attire.  Let’s break it down, shall we?

Coat: Chloe and Reese

Cashmere Scarf: Gifted from ex-boyfriend, so not sure what brand and the tag doesn’t say.

Fingerless Cashmere Gloves: Club Monaco

Are you staying warm today?

January 3, 2010
She has the whole sofa to spread out, but 13-pound Lady prefers my lap. Silly dog.

She has the whole sofa to spread out, but 13-pound Lady prefers my lap.

Silly dog.

Feel the Burn SweatIt’s only day three of 2010 and I’ve already completed two Bikram Yoga classes at the Flatiron location.  Woo hoo!Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute class where you go through 26 postures in an extremely heated room - 105 degrees and 40% humidity to be exact.  Every muscle, tendon, ligament, joint and internal organ in the entire body is stretched, bent and pulled.  The extreme body causes the body to sweat profusely.  The results?  Your body is detoxified through sweat, flexibility is enhanced and muscles are supposed to become extremely toned.As I mentioned in my initial challenge post, I used to take Bikram Yoga classes regularly during the Spring of my Senior year in high school but stopped once I graduated.  My friends and I were by far the youngest in the class, but it toned our body like nothing we’d ever tried before.  I played Varsity sports and danced ballet and never had the flexibility and muscle tone as I did after a couple weeks of Bikram Yoga.Seven years later, and I’m giving it another try.  I’m not going to sugar coat it - IT’S OUT OF CONTROL HARD. You will sweat more than you ever have in your entire life. In the beginning, you will feel nauseous. In the beginning, you will feel dizzy. You will drink an unprecedented amount of water. You will want to give up.  You will want to walk out of the room. So what’s my verdict after the first two days?  It’s working.  The first class was surprisingly not so bad.  I dragged a friend with me and we got through every single pose with only a few hints of dizziness and nausea. The second class?  I wanted to die.  I found out after the class that this particular session was “the hardest and hottest one”, which made me feel better about sitting during a couple of poses.  However, my instructor, Chris, was extremely motivating and kept reminding us all that this is the New Year, the time to make a change! I’m now eating a banana to restore my electrolytes and just downed a liter of water to continue hydrating.  I’m also walking all sorts of funny because my legs feel like tight jello. If you have any questions about Bikram Yoga, please send them to CaseyCulture@gmail.com, as I’m conducting a Q&A with Chris this week. 2010 - good start!  So far…

Feel the Burn Sweat

It’s only day three of 2010 and I’ve already completed two Bikram Yoga classes at the Flatiron location.  Woo hoo!

Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute class where you go through 26 postures in an extremely heated room - 105 degrees and 40% humidity to be exact.  Every muscle, tendon, ligament, joint and internal organ in the entire body is stretched, bent and pulled.  The extreme body causes the body to sweat profusely.  The results?  Your body is detoxified through sweat, flexibility is enhanced and muscles are supposed to become extremely toned.

As I mentioned in my initial challenge post, I used to take Bikram Yoga classes regularly during the Spring of my Senior year in high school but stopped once I graduated.  My friends and I were by far the youngest in the class, but it toned our body like nothing we’d ever tried before.  I played Varsity sports and danced ballet and never had the flexibility and muscle tone as I did after a couple weeks of Bikram Yoga.

Seven years later, and I’m giving it another try.  I’m not going to sugar coat it - IT’S OUT OF CONTROL HARD.

  • You will sweat more than you ever have in your entire life.
  • In the beginning, you will feel nauseous.
  • In the beginning, you will feel dizzy.
  • You will drink an unprecedented amount of water.
  • You will want to give up.  You will want to walk out of the room.

So what’s my verdict after the first two days?  It’s working.  The first class was surprisingly not so bad.  I dragged a friend with me and we got through every single pose with only a few hints of dizziness and nausea.

The second class?  I wanted to die.  I found out after the class that this particular session was “the hardest and hottest one”, which made me feel better about sitting during a couple of poses.  However, my instructor, Chris, was extremely motivating and kept reminding us all that this is the New Year, the time to make a change!

I’m now eating a banana to restore my electrolytes and just downed a liter of water to continue hydrating.  I’m also walking all sorts of funny because my legs feel like tight jello.

If you have any questions about Bikram Yoga, please send them to CaseyCulture@gmail.com, as I’m conducting a Q&A with Chris this week.

2010 - good start!  So far…

30 Day Challenge I know it’s tres cliche, but I’m starting off 2010 with a 30 Day “Live Healthier” Challenge.  As you’re probably aware, I’m a big foodie and get more excited about a six-course lavish meal than a 5 mile run.  I consider this to be quite normal, especially in New York where I, along with thousands of others, suffer from “too many amazing restaurants to try and I want to return to all the amazing ones I’ve already tried” syndrome.  While I refuse to say au revoir to mouthwatering meals, it’s time to balance my life with healthy activities and a handful of healthy meals.  This is absolutely not a “work out all the time and diet 24/7” plan.  It’s more of a “take better care of yourself” strategy that can be maintained and incorporated into life, not turn it upside down.  It’s not about changing my life, it’s about enhancing it.  So what’s included in this strategy?  Food When eating at home, make healthy meals (i.e veggies, low-fat chicken, no heavy carbs late at night) When eating out, try to pick something relatively healthy on the menu (i.e. grilled chicken sandwich with dijon instead of mayo) When eating out at a truly amazing restaurant, go all out (i.e. cheeses, desserts, flowing wine, etc.) When a coworker brings delicious baked goods to work, enjoy a small bite. Limit alcohol intake to the weekends, unless there’s a celebratory occasion Eat quality in quantity.  When living in France, I grew used to decadent meals, but in much smaller portions. Activities Bikram Yoga (a.k.a. sweat yoga) twice a week.  This invigorating and rejuvenating 90 minute yoga is in an extremely heated room.  I used to do Bikram Yoga regularly several years ago and although very challenging, it shapes the body like no other exercise I’ve tried. Light cardio - run 2 miles twice a week.  There’s no way I’m going to start running 5 miles a day and stick to it.  As I mentioned, this plan is not about completely changing my life, but doing things that I can and will maintain. Weight Training - Lift light weights twice a week. Rest Get 8 hours every night!  Sometimes, especially on Sunday nights, I suffer from insomnia and stare at the computer instead of getting my beauty Zzz’s. In order to stay on track and be held accountable, I will blog about the 30 Day Challenge throughout the month.  Although this is not about weight loss, I did weigh myself (for the first time in almost two years!) as a way to see what the benefits are and will post them throughout the challenge as necessary. It’s only day three and I’ve already enjoyed several healthy meals and completed two Bikram Yoga classes (the first week is unlimited so I’m trying to get my money’s worth.) I welcome any questions or queries you might have, particularly about Bikram Yoga as I plan on conducting a Q&A with my instructor this week. Wish me luck!

30 Day Challenge

I know it’s tres cliche, but I’m starting off 2010 with a 30 Day “Live Healthier” Challenge.  As you’re probably aware, I’m a big foodie and get more excited about a six-course lavish meal than a 5 mile run.  I consider this to be quite normal, especially in New York where I, along with thousands of others, suffer from “too many amazing restaurants to try and I want to return to all the amazing ones I’ve already tried” syndrome. 

While I refuse to say au revoir to mouthwatering meals, it’s time to balance my life with healthy activities and a handful of healthy meals.  This is absolutely not a “work out all the time and diet 24/7” plan.  It’s more of a “take better care of yourself” strategy that can be maintained and incorporated into life, not turn it upside down.  It’s not about changing my life, it’s about enhancing it.  So what’s included in this strategy? 

Food

  • When eating at home, make healthy meals (i.e veggies, low-fat chicken, no heavy carbs late at night)
  • When eating out, try to pick something relatively healthy on the menu (i.e. grilled chicken sandwich with dijon instead of mayo)
  • When eating out at a truly amazing restaurant, go all out (i.e. cheeses, desserts, flowing wine, etc.)
  • When a coworker brings delicious baked goods to work, enjoy a small bite.
  • Limit alcohol intake to the weekends, unless there’s a celebratory occasion
  • Eat quality in quantity.  When living in France, I grew used to decadent meals, but in much smaller portions.

Activities

  • Bikram Yoga (a.k.a. sweat yoga) twice a week.  This invigorating and rejuvenating 90 minute yoga is in an extremely heated room.  I used to do Bikram Yoga regularly several years ago and although very challenging, it shapes the body like no other exercise I’ve tried.
  • Light cardio - run 2 miles twice a week.  There’s no way I’m going to start running 5 miles a day and stick to it.  As I mentioned, this plan is not about completely changing my life, but doing things that I can and will maintain.
  • Weight Training - Lift light weights twice a week.

Rest

  • Get 8 hours every night!  Sometimes, especially on Sunday nights, I suffer from insomnia and stare at the computer instead of getting my beauty Zzz’s.

In order to stay on track and be held accountable, I will blog about the 30 Day Challenge throughout the month.  Although this is not about weight loss, I did weigh myself (for the first time in almost two years!) as a way to see what the benefits are and will post them throughout the challenge as necessary.

It’s only day three and I’ve already enjoyed several healthy meals and completed two Bikram Yoga classes (the first week is unlimited so I’m trying to get my money’s worth.)

I welcome any questions or queries you might have, particularly about Bikram Yoga as I plan on conducting a Q&A with my instructor this week.

Wish me luck!

January 1, 2010

New Years Masquerade

New Years Eve 2009 was quite simply, fantastic.  It was the exact same party we went to last year, only this year has a masquerade twist.  The deets?

A masquerade cocktail party in Union Square with 360 degree views of the entire city.

Our masks turned out pretty well, no?

New Years Masquerade We didn’t mess around with our masks.  Sequins, feathers, jewels, glitter and ribbons all made an appearance.

New Years Masquerade

We didn’t mess around with our masks.  Sequins, feathers, jewels, glitter and ribbons all made an appearance.

New Years Masquerade Me and my masked man smooching it up for 2010.

New Years Masquerade

Me and my masked man smooching it up for 2010.

New Years Masquerade The coolest part of the masquerade?  This social media map on the wall.  It was updated to the second throughout the evening as guests’ posted their Facebook Status (we all RSVP’d to a Facebook Event in order to do this). In addition, each guests’ names appeared on thumbnails of where you lived (from addresses we used to buy tickets) on a map that zoomed in and out of cities across the world.  For example, in Manhattan it zoomed across the Upper East Side, down through Murray Hill, over through the West Village and down to Tribeca, showing names of guests who lives in those areas as it passed. Although the majority of guests were New Yorkers, there were several from all over the country and even across the globe, including Lauren and Neil from London! Considering my job revolves around social media, I found this to be incredible.  With a side of creepy.

New Years Masquerade

The coolest part of the masquerade?  This social media map on the wall.  It was updated to the second throughout the evening as guests’ posted their Facebook Status (we all RSVP’d to a Facebook Event in order to do this).

In addition, each guests’ names appeared on thumbnails of where you lived (from addresses we used to buy tickets) on a map that zoomed in and out of cities across the world.  For example, in Manhattan it zoomed across the Upper East Side, down through Murray Hill, over through the West Village and down to Tribeca, showing names of guests who lives in those areas as it passed.

Although the majority of guests were New Yorkers, there were several from all over the country and even across the globe, including Lauren and Neil from London!

Considering my job revolves around social media, I found this to be incredible.  With a side of creepy.

New Years Masquerade There was dancing, and lots of it, until 2 AM.

New Years Masquerade

There was dancing, and lots of it, until 2 AM.

New Years Masquerade Friendships can be difficult when you’re separated by an ocean, but true friends not only maintain a relationship, but improve it.

New Years Masquerade

Friendships can be difficult when you’re separated by an ocean, but true friends not only maintain a relationship, but improve it.