hooked.

Just as Gossip Girl came to a close (I am still too shocked to discuss the final episode. It's return is the legit only reason I am looking forward to Labor Day...) and my Monday nights were guilty pleasure free- The Bachelorette premieres! ABC's marketing team is GENIUS. I fell in love with Ali last season, a season I only watched because I fell in love with Jake when he was on Jillian's season which I only watched because I saw her during the whole Molly/Melissa/Jason triangle (if you don't know what I am talking about, good- you're a better person than I). Anywhoo- the point is, I can't escape it. They keep picking the new Bachelor/Bachelorette from the previous season and draw you in. I need to see Ali find love. So far all I have seen in the coming attractions is her running after a guy screaming "you're going to be sorry!". The thing is, however, watching The Bachelorette is a big commitment. It is a two-hour weekly show. Yup, 9-11 pm Monday nights. It is ironic that you have to be willing to make that kind of commitment in order to watch a show about commitment. hmm...


While I, of course, act like the girliest of all girls while watching the show, laughing, crying, cursing, envying... a lot of people have criticized it. Trista and Ryan aside, (the shows most successful and happy couple to date) a lot of the couples do not actually make it in the long run. It is a six week filming. Can you know that this is the person you want to marry in six weeks? Some people argue no, others say when you know you just know-- 6 weeks, 6 months, 6 years. Maybe you can argue if you're supposed to meet your soul mate, you will no matter what even if it means having ABC doing a nationwide search for you and picking the 25 most ripped guys they can convince to take  six weeks off of work. Whether it works out for the couple involved or not, it is a highly successful show and saps like myself will be tuned in weekly to make sure Ali picks the right guy then cursing her and all women when she inevitably picks the bad boy. Which so far I am betting will be Justin, Roberto or Craig from Canada... who's your vote?

lucky.

There are moments in my life where I feel as though I am outside of my body, floating above myself and soaking in the scene. Today I had a several of those moments. I recently graduated from an accelerated masters program but chose to not celebrate in a big way. My best friends, however, were not satisfied with that decision and threw me a surprise graduation brunch at Sixty Thompson in Soho.


It was so grand to look around the table and see the faces of such successful, beautiful and intelligent woman- all who I met when they were simply girls- dressed to the nines and celebrating (and/or chugging mimosas...) together. I have been extremely lucky in my friendships to have that. I feel as though women can sometimes get a bad "rap" as far as cattiness, competitiveness and backstabbing. I have certainly observed this through peripheral friendships but the women is my life are solid and true and always honest (often brutally.). There is a genuineness to what we have and today I genuinely felt honored, blessed and very, very lucky.


Thank you, ladies. <3


(and yes, I just made a less-than-three heart. deal with it.)

my neighborhood.

Ever since I posted about it a few weeks ago, I have been thinking a lot about what makes me so feel at home in the city lately. I think what especially makes my present neighborhood feel familiar is the fact that certain places I frequent a lot know me by name or by my order. Leo's bagels knows I sometimes stroll in wearing glasses during the weekend, my doorman tells me to have fun when I head to Brooklyn on Wednesday mornings to babysit... this a big big place and the Financial District can sometimes feel very anonymous as so many people commute in and head back out home to their respective suburb or borough by 6 pm. However, it can after all be quite easy to carve yourself out as a familiar face and create a neighborhood out of such a place with a smile, some witty banter... and consistent orders (apparently).

sick in bed.

I have had a bad cold for the past two days and have resigned myself to bed to push through my growing DVR list with boxes of tissues (for the cold not the sad content of my DVR. Although...) The only time I left was to venture out  for an Odwalla OJ trip. I have come to believe this particular OJ holds cold-healing powers. Considering its hefty pricey tag, it had better have something to it. Anyway, that combined with a brief visit from my brother and the fact that I get to spend tomorrow with two of the cutest Brooklyn toddlers I know- I am feeling quite better. Although a bouquet like this 

may give me the extra push I need toward recovery. 

(are you reading this, T?)

lazy sundays.

I think Sundays are underrated-especially coming off of a fun Saturday night. I love having a raspy voice from singing "Living on a Prayer" and "Don't Stop Believing" (bridge and tunnel anyone?) at the top of my lungs and sore legs from dancing in heels for hours the night before. 

I live alone so I cherish the mornings I get to wake up to guests. This sunday morning I had the pleasure of ordering in bagels (Leo's Bagels in Fidi- yum) with my cousin and her new roommate, who had found their way to my sofa bed the night before, and sitting on my terrace to sip our iced coffees while laughing at the pictures we took the night before and making up Facebook album captions. The rest of my day was spent napping, cleaning, sending out resumes and  walking around my neighborhood on a quest for a diet coke fountain soda (I insist soda tastes better from a fountain!) then working out in my buildings gym with my boyfriend- which, in itself, is a whole 'nother post.

I like to avoid making to-do lists for Sundays. I think they should just unfold before you and you accomplish however much or little you'd like to, find your own rhythm- recharge yourself for the week to come. So many of our days are filled with so many obligations-- it is my suggestion, if you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to,  that you simply feel obligated to yourself on Sundays and just be...

restaurants.

I think restaurants are fascinating. I was a hostess at a well known steak house in the city for a few years back in college and still dream about being a waitress today. I think not sitting in an office all day is an extremely freeing experience. And being a part of making someones special night out is enjoyable. Except... in NYC going out to eat is not always a special night out, it is just a part of someones week. 


I am inclined to say I eat most of my meals out. Aside from a bowl of cereal or some microwaved popcorn, I cannot remember the last time I made prepared a full dish in my kitchen- and I have been blessed with a marble counter top, stainless steel appliance kitchen (complete with a specialized wok burner on the stove. I don't own a wok.). My Italian relatives would say wasting all of that is a sin. However, eating meals out or ordering in has become a way of life for me. 


I always say I am going to cook, especially when I have my boyfriend over, because a) it is cheaper b) it is healthier and c) it is supposed to be romantic but then the practicality of washing pots and pans and going to the grocery store to get olive oil or some random seasoning I don't own sets in and we're walking to a restaurant. I also really love to order. I have been told I am good at it. I have a knack for putting together an appetizer with two sides to make a great meal. I think the sides are usually the best part anyway...over all it is just fun and also lends itself to great people watching.


I would love some feedback from other New Yorkers, have you fell into the trap of ordering in constantly, or eating out at the myriad of restaurant choices we have at our finger tips? Please comment and share! For now, I have to go because the delivery guy is here with my dinner...

a cheap, fun day.

I recently completed my master's degree and am on the job hunt, so in the meantime I am pinching [some] pennies while loving all this new found free time to explore and enjoy my city! I wanted to share with you one of my favorite low cost New York City days...


First stop:
425 6th Avenue
(between 10th St. and 9th St.)
A favorite New York treasure of mine is the Jefferson Market Library, it is a part of the New York Public Library system. It is a beautiful old building with a winding staircase and stained glass windows. Formerly a courthouse, police station, and served as a look out for firefighters-- it has a strong history and place in the West Village. I am an avid reader and usually digest a book in a matter of days. I love the freedom of  trying  different types of books or genres, and exploring new authors without the financial commitment of a $25 hardcover. (although from time to time, I've been known to run late and owe a dollar or two...I chuck it up as a donation to their dwindling budget.)


Next...
113 Lexington Avenue (between 27th St. and 28th St.)
A walk over and up for lunch at Haandi on Lex (nothing like a mile walk cross town to burn your lunch off before you even have it.) It is a legitimate hole in the wall Indian restaurant recommended to me by a friend a few years back. For only $8 you get a meat and two veggies with naan and a delicious salad- plus free pitchers of water at the tables. I have always walked away belly-rubbing-stuffed. It was the first place I really ventured into Indian food... and I am a super picky eater. 


Third stop:
East 26th Street  (between 3rd Ave. and 2nd Ave.)
I love Niu Nails. 5 dollar manicures and 10 dollar pedicures. It is located on the south side of 26th street  and in order to access it you have to walk under a long green awning and through an ivy lined walk way. It feels like you are entering a secret garden.  For 5 dollars don't expect a lot of frills or above and beyond service, (the entry way is the prettiest part of it) just basic  color and some pushed back (or cut!) cuticles- although they do use Essie polish (wicked= fall. ballet slippers = summer, or whenever you're tan). Their manicures last a solid week, always, and the pedicures sometimes even three weeks. The massaging pedicure chairs also serve as the perfect place to start reading your library finds...


Lastly...
Between Madison and Broadway/23rd and 26th.
Madison Square Park is so much more than Shake Shack. When it isn't overcrowded by burger lovers, it is such a peaceful place to let your nails dry and enjoy your new books! Overall the day costs less than 30 dollars- and you were able to indulge and get pampered a little bit--on both the inside and outside.

rut row.

 ...it is always good to chuckle before bed (an actual LOL). 

Maybe I will have funny dreams now!

'night.

sale!

While I adore handmade jewelry (I love to frequent the Young Designers Market in Little Italy- I loathe the 'Noho' movement, it's Little Italy people- on weekends) and enjoy Etsy's unique items as much as the next blogger- I am currently obsessed with these earrings from Old Navy that I picked up last week, now on sale for $6! I have worn them twice since and have gotten tons of compliments... I keep saying I got them at a little store in Soho, who needs to know? Old Navy is more than performance fleeces- these days anyway.

pick 'em up here or your local ON. happy [sale] shopping, friends.

tv time.

To my horror/delight- monday night TV is the highlight of my week these days. I could point out all the non-PC messages it sends and discuss the controversy over these two utterly ridiculous shows, but at the end of the day (aka 11 pm) they are just fun- and who doesn't need more fun?

First up- Gossip Girl. As a two-time NYU grad, I have found myself offended once or twice by Blair's recent judgey commentary-- however all she has to do is throw on a ball gown or a bow head band and I find myself forgiving her, much like S does. I love her strong friendship with Serena. I think there is a lot of girl backstabbing on TV as of late (point and case- J and S) but B is B and her BFF-er accepts her.

What I can't accept, however, is how/why Lily took off her evening dress only to change into a one-shouldered cocktail dress to board a plane- really? At least she wasn't wrapped in gold lame for a library fundraiser like her daughter... what does Serena do these days besides wear inappropriate dresses, yell at Nate, and beg her father to love her anyway?

Real Housewives of New Jersey perfectly blends my love of all things Bergen County (it's where I grew up- some people have the old country, I have the old county) with my "reality" television fixation. Danielle is from Wayne and needs to drop this whole "in my neighborhood" thing, her town is 45 minutes away from any of the other housewives. Find your own hair salon that doesn't coat a tank of gas to get to, Danielle! Did anyone else catch that the photographer who did Christine's photo shoot was the ex-husband of Kelly, Real Housewife of New York? Bravo loves to stay in the RH family, eh? I am also currently fixated on the fact that Theresa ordered a gorgonzola

cheese salad. I have never been pregnant, am not sure I ever even want to be pregnant, but I do know that soft cheeses when preggers is a very big no-no.

Pay ATTention, Theresa!

Apparently, I was...

home.

"The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding."

-John Updike

I live a double life. I am a born and bred Jersey girl, I date a Jersey boy, I spend my summers "down the shore"- where I sometimes even fist pump. However, as my sixth year of living in NYC approaches I find myself feeling more and more at home in its streets and am slowly shedding the layer of that other state.

A few days ago I was laying in my bed in my cozy (the NYC word for small) studio on the phone with a friend from Jersey and when they asked me where I was I said "home"- in the past I would've answered "my apartment" but now, it is simply home.

As I discussed in my first post, I love movies-- I love feeling connected to a characters thoughts and words. It makes me feel less alone when someone else adequately, more adequately than I usually can, describes a feeling or experience I relate to. In the movie Garden State Zach Braff's character, Andrew Largeman, says "You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore?" That was a point in my life I was dreading, actually. However- now that I am there it brings a sense of accomplishment and pride. I have created a life for myself, a home, a place where I belong and love and want to stay. I will always have that New Jersey connection, I will always say "159" when people ask what exit I live off of the Parkway (and they do...), but to move back would not be returning home but rather leaving home.

"hello, stranger."

Why disarming? I have always loved movies and often find myself inspired by many of the characters that I have had the opportunity to meet through them. One of my favorite movies is Closer with Natalie Portman, Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, and Jude Law. Jude Laws character (Dan) tells Natalie Portmans character (Alice) that the euphemism he would use to describe her is "disarming". I have loved that word, that description, and the feeling it brings forth ever since.

My favorite definition of disarming is: "removing, or capable of removing, hostility, suspicion, etc., as by being charming: a disarming smile." and I would like to think that I do just that (or can at least strive to, daily).

I hope you enjoy my blog, my thoughts, this peek into my little world- and that soon we will not be strangers, but friends. Welcome.