Emphasis Added!

Restaurant rankings vs. ratings»

Interesting piece about how the shift in influence from the Michelin Guide to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list has changed the approach of elite restaurants.

Just look at Eleven Madison Park, a restaurant that has over the past few years steadily risen the ranks of the World’s 50 Best list (it’s currently ranked No. 5). As recently as four years ago, it was just an expertly run restaurant, specializing in luxe ingredients, disarmingly warm service, and lovely meals. It got as many stars as it could from every venue that gave them out, but as a New Yorker story last September made clear, to get a high ranking on the World’s 50 Best list, the restaurant had to do something different, so they moved from a standard menu to a “grid” menu in 2010 that was designed to offer diners a greater sense of control over their meals. It ranked 50th on the 2010 list, 24th on the 2011 list, and 10th when the 2012 list was announced in April of that year. In July 2012, the restaurant announced they’d be switching formats yet again, this time to a single tasting menu focused on New York terroir. (Some theatrical service elements that accompanied the meal — long explanations of dish inspiration, for example — got a negative reaction and have been more or less excised.) Did any of these changes make the restaurant “better”? Having eaten there a number of times over the years, this author would say that it’s not really any better or worse — it was and still is operating at the highest possible level a restaurant can. But it doesn’t matter if the changes made the restaurant better: Every time the restaurant switched up its format, it got plenty of accompanying media coverage that let judges know they needed to return to see what was going on.

(via @Gachatz)

#Microstory

Yesterday, Hazel was eating yogurt.

She got quiet, put down her spoon, drew her hands into a sun salute pose and raised them above her head. Then said:

I’m doing Yogurt!

This might be one of my favorite Joys yet!

Also…it is worth mentioning that every day I look forward to seeing what pic/quote my mama posts on her blog. And, as ridiculous as sounds, I always get excited when my girls get a shout-out (which, admittedly, is fairly often)

Also, Also….I am proud of my mama’s blog. 2 years ago she didn’t know how to “get the photos off the camera,” much less attach a photo to an email. Just look at her now! #growth

joyofthedayphoto:

Z+Fee Wednesday

Patience is not the ability to wait,
it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.
- Joyce Meyer

Oh it’s on….

Happy Kate Spade Surprise Sale day! 75% off (not to mention free shipping if you sign-up for their emails + 3.5% cashback from Ebates - referral link, if needed).

The teal earrings have already been added to my cart…
If I make it to 5:00 without ordering every accessory above, it will be a minor miracle.

And would someone PLEASE buy this dress - I think it is positively adorable but they are out of my size. #WinSomeLoseSome

Mad love + Arm Candy!

for the love of microstuds | upper metal class

[found via erin, one of my favorites!]

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Hey Simon - Look! Periodic Elements of Star Wars (larger)

[via: nevver]

book vase. i approve.

[via: brit]

A picture of Hazel & Papa in the rain | 4.20.13

In South Beach
After a dinner on Lincoln Road, we popped into Dylan’s Candy Bar and the skies opened up. It rained harder than I have ever felt it rain. But it was warm out…and we were at the tail end of our evening (dinner is early when you have 2 little munchkins)…so it didn’t really matter if we got wet.

As far as being-stuck-in-rainstorm situations go, this one was pretty great.

And a very tangentially related story:

Last night, one of Hazel’s bedtime stories was I’ll Love You Forever. It haven’t read that book in years…and now that I have babies of my own who I cuddle every night - this book has taken on a whole new meaning. As I recited the story to Hazel, big tears rolled steadily down my cheeks and onto my hoodie. I was crying hard.

Hazel took my face in her hands and said: I’ll wipe the rainbows off your face mama. And once more I’ll wipe the rainbows off your face.

I think she meant to say raindrops…which she had confused for teardrops…but whatever the case in was one of the more tender moments of my life.

(photo credit: my mama)

For the Mamas

The girls slept in (7:30 or so) on Sunday morning…meaning I too got a little extra sleep. To be honest, that alone made the day feel special.

The girls brought me presents in bed (which , for the record is WAY better than breakfast in bed). Simon and Hazel spent much of Saturday shopping for treats for me …. so I was excited to see what they had picked out (and even more excited when I saw a SCOOP bag come in the door). Simon is the best gift-giver. The present theme this year: Summer Fun. Rainbow flip-flops, a SUPER cute pair of Hudson shorty shorts & a tank. Great job husband! (I am always blown away when Simon picks out fashion-forward pieces for me. He is great like that).

Simon made us a pancake breakfast. Hazel set the table. We sat a little too long perhaps because there was a mad scramble to get everyone ready in time for church

(side note: Getting all of us dressed and out of the house with shoes/bows/outfits in place and a well-packed diaper bag is one of my biggest life pain points I need to get more efficient at this before Hazel starts school…otherwise every morning will be a colossal fight.)

It was a Mother’s Day miracle that we made it to church on time. We slid in the pew next to my p’s just as a procession of fluffly white “princess dresses” marched down the center aisle. First Communion! Hazel was captivated.

Halfway through mass, Hazel asked to use the bathroom…and after a successful trip to the potty she asked excitedly: Jesus give Hazel a treat?

Yes Hazel - it’s called everlasting life. :)

(oh, I don’t think I told you - about a week before her 2nd bday, Hazel decided she was done with diapers and that was that. Um, easiest potty training ever?)

After church, we headed over to Gibsons for family brunch.

A round table + Bloody Marys + simply being together made for a pretty wonderful afternoon. It was such a pleasure getting to spend time just celebrating each other. This is not something I take for granted. We have so much to be thankful for….my moms and being a mom fall at the top of that list.

I hope you had a wonderful day connecting with the ones you love.

And for anyone out there without their mama (for whatever reason), you were in my thoughts and prayers. I can’t imagine many things harder.

And a sort of sweet little side story:

My bro has been in England for work the past couple of weeks. He was hoping to make it home for mother’s day, but the project was extended. He was missed.

But when my mom walked into Gibsons, there was a gorgeous arrangement of Hydrangeas waiting for her on the table. The card was sweet. She cried - then proudly snapped pics.

Way to go little bro. Thanks for making mama smile from an ocean away. You are a good dude.