Emphasis Added!

Restaurant rankings vs. ratings

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:41:00 -0500

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

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:31:00 -0500

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...

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:10:54 -0500

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!...

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:18:00 -0500

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,...

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:23:12 -0500

for the love of microstuds | upper metal class

[found via erin, one of my favorites!]

Hey Simon - Look! Periodic Elements of Star Wars (larger) [via:...

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:25:36 -0500

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

[via: nevver]

book vase. i approve. [via: brit]

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:21:23 -0500

book vase. i approve.

[via: brit]

A picture of Hazel & Papa in the rain | 4.20.13 In South...

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:48:00 -0500

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

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:48:00 -0500

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.

My world. Happy Mother’s Day to me.

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:31:00 -0500

My world. Happy Mother’s Day to me.

I Love You Mom!

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:13:00 -0500

I am thankful for each of you every single solitary day. I couldn’t do it without you.

I love you both from the bottom of my heart.

Happy Mother’s Day.

chicagobusiness: It’s official: Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack is...

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:06:27 -0500

chicagobusiness:

It’s official: Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack is coming to Chicago.

I always miss my girls a little extra on Monday...

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:38:03 -0500

I always miss my girls a little extra on Monday mornings….
So it made me smile extra big when I saw this little nugget come across my dash.

joyofthedayphoto:

Hitch your wagon to a star
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Birthday Dear Brother.We love you....

Sat, 04 May 2013 22:50:22 -0500

Happy Birthday Dear Brother.

We love you.

We’ve got a problem :) Hazel just figured out that she can...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:13:00 -0500

We’ve got a problem :)

Hazel just figured out that she can actually climb out of bed and get her books.

(This was the tableaux the morning after she made the big discovery.)

We put the books back on her shelf. Told her no. And went about our day.
And that night, we reminded her of the “2 books in bed rule”… only to find a mountain twice that big, when we checked on her after she had fallen asleep!

Tonight while in the kitchen, we heard a thud. I was certain Z had tumbled out of bed in her sleep…but it was just a stack of her books - fear not, she had and additional 40 or so more tucked all around her.

Hazel!

I mean….the image of my nugget taking half a dozen covert trips from her bed to her bookshelf to collect the bounty is kind of too sweet for words, but on the flip side - I’m annoyed that she is crawling out of bed & can’t imagine she is getting great rest sleeping on this pile.

I hate to take the books out of her room (cause, you know, they’re books)…but is that what we should do? Advice welcome!

Lean In | Sheryl Sandberg I don’t enjoy writing book...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:09:00 -0500

Lean In | Sheryl Sandberg

I don’t enjoy writing book reviews, so this is not one…
But I do want to talk about this book.

I know “Lean In” is everywhere right now. I also know that it has gotten some serious pushback on various themes….well, given these two things, I feel like I am supposed to take issue with “Lean In,” like I should be turned off by Sandberg’s ambition or something, but I’ve got to be honest….I loved this book.

Loved it. Loved it.
Obviously, I couldn’t relate to everything she wrote about…but I did connect to much of what she covered.

A few nights ago, I was emailing with a friend from work, someone whose career (and wardrobe) I admire. She was giving me tips on my new role and wrote: “If you haven’t read Lean In yet read it soon. It will inspire you to tackle this new challenge with gusto and swagger with little bit of girl power.”

Spot On! I read “Lean In” about a month ago and I found Sandberg’s words to be energizing and motivating….and she helped me more clearly define the sacrifices I am and am not willing to make for my career. My friend suggested I read this book as I get ramped up in my new job, but this book actually gave me the courage to go after my new stretch role (well, this book and my brother, Andrew)

I grew up with the most incredible stay-at-home mom and sometimes it is hard to look at who I am as a mother without wondering how I stack up (god, she was/is the best!). “Lean In” resonated with me, in part, because it presented a different, but no less valid, version of a mom, of a woman. In a way, it gave me permission to love my career as much as I do.

Love it or hate it….this book is worth a read - especially for any young ladies about there with professional ambitions.

I Took My Girls to Work Day

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:35:00 -0500

Last Thursday was “Take Your Kids To Work Day”…
It’s one of my very favorite days at the office!

My company does it up - activities, classes, treat, fun food and a lot of very patient coworkers. They make the day feel special….and I don’t just mean for the kids.

I know it is cheesy, but “Take Your Kid to Work Day” means a lot to me.
The event makes me feel like my company values the fact that so many of us are working parents…but more than that even, it makes me proud that my kids get to come see this vibrant, energetic space where I go to work(-hard) five days a week. It helps them understand what happens when I walk out the door every morning.

I like to think I set an example for my girls that, if they want, they can have full lives both in and outside of the home. That they can contribute in any way that calls to them….that they can pursue their interests….that they can love their job and a family.

I know I don’t make it look easy to them….
But I hope, at least some of the time, I make it look fun. Because it is.

From time to time Hazel will ask me not to go to work (and as you can imagine, it breaks my heart)….but over the past few mornings, she has asked to come with me. I like that shift in thinking. I hope it continues.

photo credit: my mama!

Photo

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:08:48 -0500

kateoplis: Fittingness

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:39:27 -0500

kateoplis:

Fittingness

joyofthedayphoto: HIGH FIVE!!!Take your daughter to work day!

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:35:28 -0500

joyofthedayphoto:

HIGH FIVE!!!
Take your daughter to work day!