Just because

I’ve been noticing the phrase “Just because” a lot lately. It reminded me that I used to post a lot using that label, and it’s actually a great way to live. I’ve barely come up for air this month, working a ton and hibernating from the cold. But it’s a good reminder to just do things, say things, even notice things just for the hell of it. To just hit pause and breathe and marvel and be alive. Bon vendredi, mes amis.

Live, from Brooklyn

So this is what much of 2014 has looked like.

Sweets. Milo. Cold. Sweets. Milo. Snow.

It’s just been a nasty winter. Lots of great reasons to stay put and keep warm.

That said, there has been a wee bit of culcha. A maiden visit to the very incredible Morgan Library. 

Seeing The Commons of Pensacola, which was a great play (go, Amanda Peet!). Plus visits with friends from Paris and San Francisco and great meals at Locande Verde, 606 R&D, Sunshine & Co and The London.

All in all, I could do with some kinder weather. Should probably pull back a little on the sweets. But I’m hoping for just as many visits with friends, moments with Milo, planned and spontaneous culture and maybe even a little progress on the wedding planning and book proposal fronts.

Great beauty

I was going to blog about my Vegan Monday today. But instead of itemizing my oatmeal, almonds and kale salad (and adding a disclaimer that the salad had some shredded parmesan in it, which it did, and which I felt moderately guilty about, but then started rationalizing that it was leftovers and which is the greater wrong: having a little cheese, or letting food go to waste?), which is hardly riveting to begin with, I thought you'd rather be charmed. By this little beauty.

Paris, tu me manques!!

My Vegan Monday

The first Monday of the year. The first day back to work for the entire city. And to add insult to injury, the weather was heinous: vacillating temperatures, sometimes snow, sometimes rain, always unpredictable and uncomfortable and just sucky.

Which is why Desire to Inspire's Monday Pets on Furniture posts are so genius. They never fail to make me laugh out loud.

Morning
Coffee with soy milk
Green juice (Back at it! Mixing up kale, parsley, frozen banana, celery, cucumber and lemon juice. Don't believe that it's delicious? Try it for yourself.)
Oatmeal

Afternoon
Arugula salad with butternut squash and roasted cauliflower
Half a Clif Bar

Evening
Cauliflower soup

Hello, 2014

Day 2 of the New Year. Already a snowstorm. A stalled subway. A lovely rendezvous with an old friend. A baking success. A hangover. Hope for a new article.

And wherever you are, I hope 2014 is filled with the same challenge, beauty and promise that is in the air of Brooklyn tonight!

(Photo from the New York Times)