MEMO TO MEN: My Disability Top 10

MEMORANDUM
TO: Men all over the planet
FROM: Melissa
RE: Disability 101
DATE: June 18, 2013

So, boys, you know how David Letterman has a Top Ten list every night? Well, a few years ago, I came up with one of my own. It was dozy of a list, a veritable smorgasbord of my medical life -- all neatly explained in just ten points. What could be better than that? I thought it would be fun to share them with you because, as you know, knowledge is most definitely power -- and power is sexy... Oh wait, where was I? Oh, yes, that handy little list...

1. It's not contagious; and it won't give you Cooties, either.

2. It's given me a punchy sense of humor.

3. I was once hospitalized for 31 days for an infection I contracted after surgery for a spinal fusion (hence, my constant perfect posture).

4. I was oh-so-very hot during said stay - literally. My temperature rose to 106. I was probably a bit delirious, too - not that I remember too much, though.

5. I find hospitals oddly comforting; in fact, some of my happiest family memories from my childhood, especially with my father, took place there.

6. I'm a girl who loves to eat. I dehydrated easily as a girl, so I was frequently hospitalized for IV fluids. The routine was always the same: They hooked me up to that IV, let me rest and recover for a couple days and then once I was feeling better, I'd order a cheeseburger and the doctors knew it was time to give me my discharge papers. They called it "The Melissa Blake Diet." I refused to eat that giggly Jell-O. Even in the hospital, I set the rules.

7. To date, I've had 27 surgeries, but haven't had one since I was 15.

8. In high school, my disability sometimes made me feel like a class freak; though I think I hid it pretty well. I tried to project an air of self-esteem at least.

9. I'm just less than 4 feet. How tall were the Seven Dwarfs? I could probably qualify as the eighth.

10. My motto: "Why walk when you can roll?"

What do you think, boys? I hope this shows that even though it may seem like it's pretty easy to get to know me -- which it is to some degree -- there is still so much below the surface. What would you love for me to know about you...? xoxo

[Bottom photo via Le Love]

Summer Week: 7 road trip essentials

Although we haven't traveled much in the last few years, my family used to be the masters of road trips. Remember my play-by-play of our classic adventures? Or that time we got stuck on the famed Blue Ridge Parkway? Well, the times spent in our tiny car -- a car filled to the brim with suitcases and bags and my wheelchair -- are some of my favorite childhood memories. My philosophy? All children should experience the joys of a good road trip at least once in their life. It builds character. It strengthens bonds. And at the very least, it makes for good writing material (and maybe therapy topics?) as an adult. So, to that end, I give you my top 6 picks for the classic road trip...

What do you think of this list, friends? Anything you'd add? Do you take many road trips? What's been your favorite adventure? Any advice for summer travelers? Do share!! xoxo

NYC Diaries: 4 reasons to love summer in the city

New York is a great city with wonderful things to do and see throughout the year, but let’s face it: There’s nothing like a warm and beautiful city summer. This is my third summer officially working here, so I’ve had plenty of time to get used to and relish in the wonderful sights and activities this place has to offer. And over the past few years, I’ve grown to love some of the places and events that make these summers unique to the Big Apple...

A park with a view!
The High Line is perhaps the most serene area in the whole City. If there’s one place to escape the hustle and bustle of the streets but not travel TOO far, it’s here. A public park built on a historic railroad above the streets of NYC, the High Line is my favorite place to go to catch a break. There are flowers and grassy patches and vendors of all different kinds of things, from street art to gelato. I used to visit the park every morning during my first internship at the Oxygen Network, reading and trying to get a tan out in the lounge area.

Pet paradise!
It seems that everyone who lives in New York City has a dog, and summer is the season when you can’t step outside without passing by someone walking his or her pet. I’m an animal lover, so it’s always fun to see all the different dogs interact and play with each other. It serves as a reminder of the simpler pleasures in life.

Street style!
One of the best parts of summer is that we can shed our heavy and often less-than-cute winter coats and galoshes in favor of sundresses and strappy sandals. Summer always has the nicest fashions, and it’s great to see the variety of pretty outfits people wear to work as well as on their days off. And New York is never short on style!

Celebrity spotting at the gym!
Along with warmer weather comes more outdoor activities, which means that everyone’s rushing to the local gyms to sculpt that last-minute beach body. (I’ll admit that I’m one of those people.) And the best part is that celebrities frequent many of the NYC gyms. Hugh Jackman works out down the block from my office, for instance. And singer Sara Bareilles was in my gym just a few days ago! But not everyone depends on the gym to lose the extra winter weight. Summer’s the season where you’ll see a lot of joggers passing by. And it’s always nice to see the cute guys of New York shed their shirts and show off their near-perfect abs after a long day at work, isn’t it?

Have a happy summer!

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--By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

[Photos via We Heart It]

My new smartphone: What are your favorite apps? (And, yes! I'm on Instagram!)

Well, friends, it's quite the big day for me! One word: New smartphone! My faithful Blackberry served me well for some three years, but it was time to move on up in the technological world. Getting a new phone is big for me; I mean, you all know about my tenuous relationship with change.

But! I'm jumping in -- or, I'm trying to, at least. I'm finally catching up with the rest of the universe and joining Instagram. You can follow all my adventures here (my IG is melissablake81), and I'm so excited to probably get addicted to it.

My new Samsung Galaxy smartphone is all shiny and pretty, but other than Instagram, I still have it programmed to all the factory settings. I feel a bit lost and overwhelmed (is that how people felt when the Internet first came along?). There's just so much you can do on these phones; it's pretty wild. I'd love to add some fun apps, and would love to hear your recommendations. Which ones are your favorite? Which ones do you use most often? Thanks, and I'll see you on Instagram, friends! xoxo

P.S. OH! And don't forget to let me know your IG so I can follow you!! :)

Summer Week: 8 fun ideas for a family picnic

Have I ever told you just how much I absolutely love summer, friends? Oh, I'm pretty sure I've told you 5138751 times, but I have to say it again: I am head-over-heels, crazy-in-love with this time of year. It doesn't get any better than the warm, sun-kissed days and cool, breezy nights. Everything comes alive in one giant pop to all the senses, and you find yourself wanting to live your life as if it were a Carly Rae Jepsen song. Case in point: I just happen to be listening to Miss Jepsen as I'm typing this post, and her pop confections are summer wrapped up in a song.

On that note (get it...note...music...see, summer makes me a giddy little school girl...), I'm so excited to kick off Summer Week 2013. I've got tons of amazing this planned, including an in-depth look at some of our guilty pleasures, but first, I'd love to know: What are your favorite things about summer? Beach days? Juicy watermelon? Road trips? S'mores? One of my favorite memories growing up is packing a sack lunch and heading to the woods for a picnic. We also spent countless hours on soaking up the sun on beautiful beaches. Here are 8 must-haves for the perfect family picnic...

1. Lots of fun games, like dominoes ($10.57), for relaxing in the afternoon.
2. Polaroid instant camera for capturing those special bonding moments, $179.99.
3. Watermelon serving bowl for serving, well, watermelon, $60.
4. A comfy picnic blanket for some quality cloud gazing, $40.99.
5. Weber grill for those barbecued-just-right hot dogs and gooey s'mores, $34.99.
6. A picnic basket to keep all the good stuff around from those curious creatures, $119.95.
7. A pair of binoculars for some classic bird watching (my father loved doing this...), $13.19.
8. Brightly colored flip flops to feel the grass between your toes, $22.95.

Wherever the summer winds take you this year, friends, whether it's to the best, to the woods or to the open road, let's enjoy the season together, shall we? xoxo

P.S. Some EXCITING news is coming your way this afternoon! :)

[Top photo via We Heart It, edited by me]

Sponsor Spotlight: Happily Ever Borrowed

I'm so excited to introduce So About What I Said's newest sponsor Happily Ever Borrowed, a unique wedding boutique. Brittany, the creative force behind the shop, has partnered with different designs to curate all sorts of bridal accessories. But, instead of buying the pretty pieces, brides are able to rent them for their special day -- at a fraction of the cost. Read on to learn about the role Brittany's older sisters played in the launch of Happily Ever Borrowed, upcoming summer wedding trends and tips for planning your big day! xoxo

Keep in touch...
Official Web site: Happily Ever Borrowed
Become a fan on Facebook
Follow on Twitter

Tell me about Happily Ever Borrowed. What's the inspiration behind its launch?
I have three older sisters, and from the age of 12, I was helping to plan their weddings. When I was in college and designing bridal gowns, my one sister asked me to make hers. That was far too much pressure for me, but I offered to help shop with her. When I saw the poor quality and construction of the cheaper gowns, I was horrified. All women deserve to wear quality products on their wedding day. We were also astonished at the high prices of veils, headpieces and jewelry. After spending their entire budget on their dress, most women forget that they need to accessorize as well! This is one of the most common instances where brides exceed their budget. My sisters begged me to find a solution. I let the idea sit for quite a while, but after my third sister got married, the idea started to materialize.

What has the response been like? What's your most-rented item?
The response has been wonderful! We've serviced over 200 weddings to date, and we just keep getting busier! Our most popular item has to be the Isabella Cuff by Enchanted Atelier. It's totally gorgeous and adds a vintage touch to your wedding accessories.

What are some wedding trends we're seeing as we move into the summer? What are some of your favorite wedding trends overall?
We're definitely seeing a huge trend with statement pieces. Where brides were being quite subtle with their accessories for a few years, we're now seeing a movement towards large statement necklaces and cuffs. We also LOVE the feather trend for weddings overall. They can add a really soft but trendy touch to an ensemble.

What are some things people should keep in mind when planning for their big day?
Just remember the reason you're there: To enjoy the day and marry your best friend. Let others sweat the small stuff for you!

What is your favorite item in Happily Ever Borrowed and why?
That's like choosing my favorite child! I just can't! But, I really do love our new Sophie Petite by Enchanted Atelier. It can be worn as a necklace, headpiece and belt. I LOVE the versatility of being able to change your look with just once piece throughout your wedding day.

Man Candy Monday.

Good morning, friends! How are you feeling today? It's a beautiful morning summer morning here in the Midwest. Speaking of summer, I'm so excited to kick off Summer Week in a bit (and if you follow So About What I Said... on Facebook, then you know I've got another little surprise gem to share as well), but first: This lad is soaring to new heights (literally!) on the silver screen in Man of Steel, which I'm dying to see. He's talented. He's got a pretty big cape to fill. And I'm pretty sure he's my Kryptonite...

HENRY CAVILL!!!!!!!!!!

"I'm a giant softy, for sure, but I honestly think these days it's probably considered more masculine to be emotionally connected."

Have a lovely Father's Day weekend

Happy Friday, friends, and happy Father's Day to all the great, wonderful, awesome dads out there! What are your plans for the weekend? We're getting together with some friends tomorrow and laying low for Father's Day on Sunday. It will probably be a pretty emotional day since it's the first Father's Day without my grandfather. I hope you all enjoy the day, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...

YES!! Hillary Clinton has finally joined Twitter.

Word on the street is that there's going to be a NEW Friday Night Lights movie!

I'm loving the Oxford look for summer, aren't you?

Humans could look like this in the future.

10 plus-size models who are changing the industry.

Ha, Hollywood's Older Dads Club.

A great hostess gifts round-up.

15 toys you can create with a cardboard box...who knew?

This whole wedding was photographed via Instagram.

The Target Lady on SNL always makes me laugh.

Aww, emotional fathers "give away" their daughters.

One woman's thoughts on being raised by her single dad.

The fanny pack? Oh, yes!

Down with immature dudes!

Mr. McFeely was my favorite character on Mister Rogers.

What one dad knows about fatherhood now that he has a son with a disability.

Albert Einstein's advice to his son.

Blogging advice: 4 traits of highly effective bloggers.

Yikes! The world's population may reach 11 billion by 2100.

Never say these three little words on a first date, according to a HuffPo blogger.

And, in honor of Father's Day, here are 5 posts about my own father (I miss you EVERY DAY, dad!)...
*Surviving the suicide of a loved one.
*Happy birthday, Father! And here.
*An Open Letter To My Father. Another letter here. And here.
*On a teddy bear and a quilt.
*My father's suicide...ten years later.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook! See you there, friends! xoxo

Fashion Friday: 6 pretty iPhone cases

Breaking news: I'm moving on up, friends! Well, at least when it comes to the world of smartphones. Yes, tomorrow, I'll be rocking a new piece of bling!! Granted, it won't be as sleek or as fancy as an iPhone, but it will most certainly be a step up from my old Blackberry (read: Instagram, anyone?), and I can finally start using those cool things called Apps that all the young people are talking about these days. And, because a phone can also be the perfect fashion accessory, here are 6 pretty cases I've got my eyes on...

1. Kate Spade New York Chit Chat, $40
2. Kate Spade gold polka dots, $40
3. Pink lined polka dots, $35
4. Forest flowers by Rifle Paper Co., $36
5. Hello Hello by Rifle Paper Co., $36
6. UP, $35

So, friends, which one is your favorite? These do come in regular smartphone sizes, right? xoxo

8 hilarious animal photobombs

Adorable animals and hilarious photobombs? I don't know about you, but my Friday is made! xoxo

P.S. Fashion Friday is coming up this afternoon! :)

[Via Buzzfeed]