Surprise Photos

In a world where every phone is a camera, its easy to forgot the pictures you might actually take on a real point and shoot camera. (I know they still exist!) If I haven’t mentioned it before, I bought my mom a really nice camera for Christmas...last year. When I moved up to New York for the summer I asked if I could take it and use it for my blog. 

After much haggling about how she is going to need it, I finally convinced her to send it to me. When my friend Gab brought it up when she visited (already mentioned Gab here), I was shocked to find the camera was still in the box...still in the wrappers....and the receipt still taped to the box. That little liar! All that talk about going to use the camera...pshh. 

I’ll let you all know now the camera is in good hands and getting some use. I feel a little clumsy with a big SLR camera, but I think with more practice that hesitation to snap a picture will fade away. 

Anyway enough rambling, the other day I was looking through the pictures on the camera and found a bunch of photos I took while my friend Megan (Mug) visited me in the city a couple weeks ago. I had completely forgotten about them, hence why this post is called “Surprise Photos” since they were such a pleasant surprise. 

Her visit consisted of a relaxing day in the park on such a beautiful New York day (before it got swelteringly hot), and catching up over some vino. There isn’t much more to say of these pictures except they are just some friends hanging out playing with a camera. Enjoy and until next time!  

Arrivederci New York!!

The odds were definitely in my favor for my last full day of work. As the fates would have it the publisher decided to give the office a day off since we had the national sales meeting Thursday. I could not have been more excited to spend my last day in New York not cooped up inside an office building. 

My day started with left over Levain cookies for breakfast. I mean what better way to end your time in New York with New York's best chocolate chip cookies for breakfast. If you're ever in the city you have to go to Levain's Bakery. You might walk out in a sugar coma since their cookies are about 1/2 pound, but you won't be disappointed. 

After my extremely well rounded breakfast (Hey I had milk with those cookies!) I decided that I would take the subway uptown and check out the MET for a couple of hours. It was hot as hell out so spending some time inside was a must. It was my first time at the MET and needless to say I was extremely overwhelmed. 

I walked around and enjoyed the beautiful artwork as well as the air conditioning. I spent most of my time looking at Monet, Degas, Picasso, and Van Gogh since they are my favorites.

The MET also had an awesome exhibit called "PUNK" which focused on the punk era in the United States and London during the 1980s. It was so amazing. The exhibit had designer clothes that were all inspired by the punk era. The clothes and designs were absolutely stunning and extremely punk. Of course it said no pictures, but since it was a punk themed exhibit, I had to break the rules.

After I had my fill of punk, I moved onto the more modern pieces and soaked in some more culture.

After about 2 hours of culture in the MET I decided I would walk around Central Park for a little. That's when I had my second extremely healthy meal of the day; gelato, which I enjoyed while walking around the park. Feeling very healthy, I walked down to 62nd street where the Central Park Zoo is located. I have to be honest because I felt a little weird being by myself and surrounded by little kids and families. But I didn't let it stop me from enjoying the zoo. It was extremely hot out so most of the animals were hiding in shade, but I did see some furry friends.

I couldn't really get a good picture of the penguins. They were being extremely frustrating models.

After the zoo I decided to walk down 5th Avenue and do some shopping. I have to say I gave into the material temptation and bought some new sunglasses that might have been out of my price range. I ended up walking through Time Square (something I detest doing) but I enjoyed the feeling like a semi-local in a sea of tourists.

I am extremely disappointed to be leaving the city after seven amazing weeks. I can't believe how fast it went and how much I enjoyed living in a city I really knew nothing about. When I moved out on Saturday I didn't cry (I did get a little misty eyed though) but I knew I wasn't saying goodbye forever. I know that I will be back in New York after I graduate so now I just have to wait 12 months before I am back. I'll miss this city so much. I'll miss being able to walk around for hours and finding something new on every block. Only a year until I can be back in the city (hopefully with a job). Until next time! xxx

Food food and more food

As you probably know by now, I’m a girl who loves to eat. So when my mom came to the city to visit me for a couple of days the opportunity arose to try some awesome New York restaurants. I could finally fulfill my wish of actually visiting the amazing restaurants I have been reading about all summer. 

First on our list was Costata, a new steakhouse by Michael White in Soho. It was of course delicious a filled with more food than my stomach should handle. However, I forgot to take any pictures of my epic meal. 

On Tuesday we had 9:00 o’clock reservations at Restaurant Marc Forgione in TriBeCa. Since our reservations weren’t until later, we needed something to occupy our time. I perused the internet for a little and found a champagne lounge called The Bubble Lounge near our dinner spot. The Bubble Lounge had a 1920s speakeasy vibe about it, with big comfy couches and black and white photographs of New York on the walls. 

The drink list was extremely extensive but my mom finally decided on the Champs-Élysées, which mixed prosecco, hibiscus and had a real hibiscus flower at the bottom. I settled on the Paris Blossom, which was prosecco and elderflower. It was a truly delightful and refreshing drink. We also ordered some appetizers of crab cakes and mini burger sliders. Both apps were extremely delicious. 

After about an hour of drinks and food we decided that we should walk around TriBeCa for a little. We headed down the street when I saw a sign for a new restaurant, The Butterfly, I had been reading about on Eater that Michael White was opening. Of course I had to check it out. 

My mom and I headed inside the packed restaurant and luckily found two seats at the bar. We soon realized (after asking one of the bartenders) that it was the opening night for the restaurant. Having never been to an opening night before I was beyond excited. The Butterfly had an old fashioned 1950s upscale diner type feel to it. The drink menu reflected that spot on with drinks like a classic martini, tom collins, boiler makers, and whiskey sours. I decided on the Paloma which was a tequila drink with watermelon, and my mom got a glass of prosecco. 

Since we had been drinking a bit we decided to get a round of appetizers here as well. My mom got the shrimp cocktail and I got the spinach artichoke dip with fresh pita. I have to say mine was insanely delicious and the best spinach artichoke dip I had ever had. It wasn’t heavy like most dips are, but was fresh and lighter. The spinach wasn’t mushy but had a nice crisp feel to it. The artichokes were fresh which added a whole new tangy sweet flavor to the dip. My mom said her shrimp was delicious, but I didn’t get the opportunity to try any. (You could say she was shellfish! Sorry I had to make that awful pun.) 

Since it was the opening night of the restaurant, chef Michael White, was making his rounds and we got the opportunity to talk to him for a bit. He seems so excited about The Butterfly opening, and we told him that we thoroughly enjoyed his food and drinks. I was even lucky enough to get a picture with him!

Chef Michael White!!

After we finished our drinks we made our way to Restaurant Marc Forgione for dinner...FINALLY! You would think that after two rounds of appetizers and drinks we wouldn’t be hungry....but of course I could eat. Like my friends at college and I say, “I’m not hungry...but I could eat.” 

We were seated and ordered some drinks (like we hadn’t had enough already). I ordered a pineapple sangria that tasted like summer in a glass it was so fresh. I was extremely excited about this restaurant since Marc Forgione is an Iron Chef and I had been working at the Food Network all summer. Our meal started off with a mini everything bagel and a “fancy” tuna salad type dip. Hands down best tuna salad I’ve ever had and I don’t even like tuna salad. The mini bagel was also delicious. 

For dinner I decided to have two appetizers instead of a meal. My first choice was a chili lobster with texas toast. It was the perfect proportion of spicy but with the sweet lobster to mellow it out. It also came with two huge slices of fresh grilled bread to sop up all that delicious broth. My other dish was a foie gras in a jar with red pepper gellee, bacon, and black pepper brioche. It looked a bit weird since it was served in a mini jar and to be honest it kind of looked like dirt. But since foie gras (especially in pâté form is my favorite) I eagerly dug in. It came with a fresh strawberry jam that really brightened up the whole dish. The foie gras spread on some fresh bread with the jam on top tasted exactly what I imagine heaven to taste like. Insanely delicious. 

With out tummies too full, my mother and I rolled ourselves home and fell into a deep deep food coma for the rest of the night. It amazes me that these three completely different restaurants are blocks away from each other. I guess that is what makes New York so amazing. After writing this I have the feeling I should join a gym ASAP. Until next time! xxx

Friday Thoughts 6/28

Sorry for the delay of posts. With it being my last week in the city I haven't really found time to sit down and blog. But trust me some awesome posts are coming soon!!

For this edition of Friday Thoughts I wanted to start off by saying thank you to my friend Alex. She sent me a text that said "I can't wait for your Friday Thoughts today!" and it made me realize that maybe people are actually reading what I have to say. Something simple like a friendly text can really turn your day around. Here are my thoughts for the week:

1. Thank you Vicki for giving the office off today and letting me enjoy my last day in New York.
2. Even though I am extremely sad to be leaving the city tomorrow, I have a feeling that I'll be back after college. I still have a slight twinge of disappointed though. And not leaving the city forever. It's more like a 12 month sabbatical away while I finish school. 
3. NEVER I repeat NEVER walk for 6 hours (roughly 4 miles) in Sam Edelman sandals. My poor..poor feet. 
4. Levains cookies make for a perfectly well balanced and healthy breakfast. (click here to see)
5. I am going to miss being able to aimlessly walk around the city and never feel lost even though I don't know where I'm going. 

New York has really stolen my heart away. This city is amazing and always has something new to offer. I'm sad about leaving but excited to see what the next few weeks traveling and the next school year have in store for me. Until next time New York! xxx

Giving into my sweet tooth

Today I woke up with an insatiable lust for something sweet. All day visions of sugar plums swirled in my head. It was torture. I decided at the end of the day this sugar craving couldn't be thwarted and I would have to give in. Sugar was calling my name and I had to answer.

After work I hopped on the B train and headed down to Soho to get some Georgetown Cupcakes. I have to confess I had been looking at their menu online since lunch time and had to control myself from salivating while I perused online. I practically skipped off the train on my way to cupcake heaven.

When I walked in the trays of cupcakes greeted me like old friends. My god I couldn't have been happier.

I decided on a carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese frosting. With my sugary confection packed away I headed home. I controlled myself and didn't devour my treat on the spot but saved it for my dessert.

hello there friend

a little banged up from our venture home but still delicious

nommmmm

When I finally did eat my beauty of a cupcake, I felt like I was on cloud nine. The frosting was creamy and sweet but not sickeningly sweet. The cake was perfectly cooked and spiced with cinnamon making it extremely tasty. This was definitely the perfect ending to a Wednesday. xxx