Here's What You're Doing This Weekend

If you're anything like me, the prospect of planning the perfect weekend can sometimes be a bit daunting. That sparkling sunshine, the colorful flowers in bloom, that one friend's Instagram feed -- they all seem to be daring you to make the most of your weekend. And if you don't, you're basically a failure. That's how it works, right?

Well, don't worry, you pretty little thing. I've got you covered. Here are some ideas for how to spend your time over the next few days.

1. Drink something bubbly

Via

Whether you refer to it as fizzy, sparkling, or carbonated, drink something that will make you giggle. If Diet Dr. Pepper is your go-to, go for it, but this weekend I'm recommending this watermelon cocktail from A Fabulous Fete.

2. Go to Anthropologie, try on expensive dresses that you can't afford, and then just buy a candle instead

Via

Or just beeline for the sale section. That's fine too.

3. Pet at least three different puppies*

Via

I mean, you should really be doing this every single day, but you're going to be pretty busy this weekend, so I'll go easy on you. Even better than simply petting, you can adopt a new friend at an adoption event near you! By the way, great names for a dog include (but are not limited to) -- Octavia Spencer, Little Man, Gravedigger, Bicentennial, and The Governess.

4. Reconnect with that one friend of yours that has a rooftop garden

Via

Rooftop gardens and backstage passes to Backstreet Boys concerts are the only times it is acceptable to pretend to be better friends with someone than you actually are. Bring that bubbly drink on up with you, if you can.

5. Find the place that serves the best donuts in your city and tell the cashier that you will be taking ALL OF THEM to-go...please

As far as I'm concerned, New York City's hands-down winner is Dough. Anyone care to challenge me on this?


Anyway, those are my suggestions for pretty much anyone, anywhere looking to have a killer weekend. Heed my advice, and tell me how it goes.

For my NYC dwellers, I've got just one more recommendation:

Our Saviour New York (OSNY), is launching its brand new parish in Midtown (417 West 57th St) this Sunday at 6 PM (evening church! That means you can spend your morning eating all of those donuts on a rooftop garden!).

The evening will feature fantastic local musicians, coffee provided by Rex, and there will be a few surprises in store as well (#cupcakes). OSNY seeks to be "New York's neighborhood church", and I can attest to the wonderful community I've experienced as a member. If it sounds interesting to you, come hang out! You can check out the website for more details, and RSVP on the Facebook event page. I'll be there, and for the record, I'd love to meet you, so don't you dare not introduce yourself. I'll be the one in the glasses.

But if you're not local, or that's not really your thing, then you should still enjoy your weekend of bubbly drinks, candles, puppies, rooftop gardens, and donuts.

No, but, seriously though, you're a grown ass woman (or man, maybe?). You can do whatever you want. Soooo what are you really up to this weekend?

*I wanted puppies to have their day in the sun on this post because I feel like Avoiding Atrophy is quite feline-heavy, but I feel it would be remiss of me not to mention that this weekend there is a CAT CAFE popping up in NYC! I will definitely be there.

Some Updates on MY Life Which Might Affect YOUR Life

Hey team, I won't keep you for long. I know I already convicted you with my last post on laziness, so you're trying to have a productive day, and here I come along providing yet another distraction. Sorry about that. I just wanted to alert you to some cool things that are happening over in my world -- things that you'll probably want to be a part of -- and then you can get right back to crunching the numbers or whatever it is you do at work.

1. Dwell - An Advent Guide

Artwork created by Tim Bauer

Over the last month, I have been collaborating with Matt Popovits, lead pastor of Our Saviour New York, on this devotional guide for Advent -- the season in which we look forward to the arrival of Jesus on Christmas and reflect on what his birth (as well as his death) means for our lives. Matt has written a great foreword at the beginning of the guide that should definitely get you pumped for all of the messages ahead. Advent begins on December 1st, and I've written four long-form devotions for each Sunday as well as small daily reflections to read throughout the rest of the season. 

To take a gander at the guide, you can download it from this blog post from OSNY's website. It's totally free, and it's totally worth it for you and your family. 

2. Winter is On My Head

Artwork created by Tim Bauer

Winter is On My Head is a collaborative album which features music on the theme of winter (perfect for those of us who seriously cannot wait for Christmas to arrive). It's a completely volunteer-based program from some talented people who really just want to help make the world a better place. The proceeds from this year's album go straight to City Harvest, an organization that helps feed the hungry here in New York City. It's a wonderful project which includes some really fantastic music. You can download previous volumes on the website until Vol. 5 is released on December 2nd.

On December 6th, there is going to be an album release event at Our Saviour New York in Queens (92-14 63rd Drive, Rego Park). It will feature talented local musicians as well as some winter-themed storytelling from various comedians. I will be doing some singing (sometimes I make music with my mouth, guys! I wasn't sure if you knew that.) and some storytelling, so come check it out. The event starts at 7:00 PM and tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, and each ticket comes with a free beer.

For more information, head to winterisonmyhead.com


3. Sponsor Avoiding Atrophy

Thanks to the good folks at Passionfruit, I now have an online store where you can easily purchase a variety of ad spots on Avoiding Atrophy! Just head to my Advertise page, and check out your options. If you're a fellow blogger looking to grow your audience, or really anyone who could benefit from some exposure, OR you just love the site and want to make a contribution, you'll want to check this out. 

Click here to learn more! 

Alright, you've heard enough from me, guys. Now, come on, get back to work. 

8 Autumn Things and A Happy Weekend

This was one of those weekends where I decided to just set myself up for happiness*. You go, self!

I wanted to embrace the fact that it really is starting to feel like Fall, and boy, did I commit. In the past two days, I consumed/created/surrounded myself with all of the following Fall things:

1. Apple Cider
   
   

   

   Martinelli's...what, did you think I was going to make my own cider?

   
   
2. Hard Apple Cider
   
   

   

   ...because the Martinelli's ran out. (Via)

   
   
3. Pumpkin Ale 
   
   

   

   Judging yet? (Via)

4. Pumpkin Scones

   

   
   I made these from this Starbucks imitation recipe by Sweet Pea's Kitchen. SO. GOOD. WOW. EAT THESE.

   
   
5. A DELICIOUS Fall Candle 
   
   

   

   I didn't eat this candle from Bath and Body Works, but I wanted to.

   
   
6. A Pumpkin Spice Latte
   
   

   

   Because Starbucks literally controls what season it is.

   
   
7. New boots
   
   

   

   Frasier likes them.

   
   
8. A sweater with elbow patches
   
   

   

   Hello, Professor.

I also made sure to enjoy the weather while at the Flatbush Frolic, an annual street fair held in my neighborhood. Man, I love Brooklyn.

It was here that I ate an arepa and made this face about it:

A mix of fear and joy. I couldn't even handle how good that arepa was.

You're reading this now wondering, good lord...certainly she capped it there. The arepa has got to be where she put her weekend to rest.

But you would be mistaken, friend.

I also bought these whimsical wall hooks for $8 at Marshall's!

And I actually set them up (or, possibly, my husband did) instead of keeping them in a bag behind my door!

I finished it all off with a warm and joyful worship service at Our Saviour New York, the first of its kind in Manhattan. Looking forward to so many more of these.

Folks filing in to OSNY-Manhattan's first ever worship service.

Oh, also, this happened:

Anyway, enough bragging about my weekend, but needless to say, I already miss it. 

*By the way, guys, please take posts like these with a grain of salt. I know that when I look at someone's Facebook posts or Instagrams where they're smiling and laughing with a glass of apple cider in hand, I am inclined to start making comparisons between my crappy non-cider-filled day and theirs. Do you do that too? It's a dangerous game. 

So let's not play that here. Yes, I had a good weekend, but I also have a pile of unfolded laundry that has been sitting there since Wednesday and all of my usual insecurities, neuroses, an ongoing mucus buildup in my nasal passages, and a general sense of uncertainty about my future. I'm just choosing not to focus on that stuff now.

SOOOOOO how was your weekend? What did you eat? Did you do anything Fall-ish?