Pell Street

There are a lot of things that I will miss about living in NYC, but I think that this particular one-lane side street might take the cake. Home of the legendary Joe's Shanghai, my favorite dim sum parlor, and the best haircut you'll ever get (for under $15)... Pell Street in Chinatown. 

While walking down the tourist-shop-laden Mott Street, one might miss this unassuming looking alley. From either end, the only thing you might see is a steady queue of people waiting for their chance to indulge in soup dumplings at Joe's. I've cured many a hangover with an overloading of "brunch" at Delight 28 dim sum. The first time I stumbled across this dining hall, it took me a few months to find it again; it used to be impossible to find on Google maps, a sort of Narnia of all things delicious. 

Only blocks from my favorite watering hole, I once took a bet (from the bartender) and went to a hair salon on this street to have all of my hair cut off. All of it. Pixie on a whim. And it was amazing. 

I'm going to miss everything about this little place, this little neighborhood that made me feel as if I had a place in this anonymous labyrinth of a city. And I need to go back one more time before we leave.

Restaurant Week Date

I love Restaurant Week here in New York. The ability to go to restaurants that, on a normal budget, would be out of reach for a regular date night for us. Although, it sort of defeats the purpose when we try to cram 3 dinners out in one week, but I can't resist!

 This time, I booked our first Restaurant Week date night at a restaurant that seemed perfect for my steak-loving other half: Fogo de Chao. I've always heard great things about the all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse, but I didn't expect the service and atmosphere to be so nice (one doesn't usually expect anything classy out of any all-you-can-eat situation). We had an amazing meal, a great evening, and eventually rolled home and succumbed to respective red meat-induced comas.

Rock You Like A Hurricane

It's become a sort of tradition/joke/challenge amongst my close friends here in NYC: The "Hurricane Games," as we call them, basically refer to our attempts to predict what the name of the biggest hurricane to hit us this year will be, and the hurricane parties hosted at my fortress of an apartment during the storms (which has survived Irene AND Sandy without so much as losing wifi).

This morning, I woke up to an update from the Weather Channel: tropical depression #1 is now tropical storm Arthur, and is predicted to reach hurricane strength by Thursday when it hits the Carolinas.
Now, being myself, I have to go all out for a dinner party theme. After all, this is probably our last in-home get together with our friends before we hop the pond.
Thanks to the Oh Joy! line for Target, as well as lots of help from my trusty friend Pinterest, I've compiled a wish list for my hurricane party menu.
Let the games begin!

These colorful cups are perfect for Hurricane cocktails!

Possibly the cutest hurricane party shopping list ever

Duct tape the "X"s on the windows in style

Plenty of yummy fondue recipes - it's festive to cook with sterno, as if the power

had really gone out! (Or in case it actually DOES)

This appropriately named candle.

Summer Lovin'

There is one, and in my opinion ONLY one, benefit to the trials and tribulations that one must endure when living in NYC: summer beaches. My apartment is 20-30 minutes from three beaches, one of which I just discovered a new express bus route for, so that's pretty freakin' awesome. 

I guess it's one of the benefits to living on what is essentially an island, but it makes the weekdays fly by when you're counting down to your next day under a colorful umbrella in the sun. Last year, I basically spent every single weekend at a beach. Rainy or less-than-beachworthy weather? No problemo, because Brighton is a short ride away on the Q train, and I'm always happy to sit under the awning of a Russian eatery on the boardwalk, watching the rain make patterns in the sand while eating delicious head-on shrimp and meaty little dumplings. 

This weekend was the first kick-off to the beachy summer I have to look forward to... and I can't wait.

Magic Hour Moments

   

There are some days, and more often then not the difficult ones, that make that age-old saying really come to mind: it's the simple things. 

A few good friends and family around you, some good cheap food in front of you, a warm breeze, a good conversation, a beer in your hand. 

Nothing with a high price tag even comes close. 

Warm and Wonderful

We've finally seen the official change in climate, as the seemingly endless harsh winter we've had has given way to springtime warmth. In true northeast style, we've already had a few obnoxiously hot days. I'm looking forward to eating my lunches outside in Bryant Park or Madison Square Park, and escaping this concrete jungle for the beach or a weekend camping trip. Even the rain doesn't bother me when the weather is in this middle temperature rain. Being outside is just my favorite place to be.

    

On Being Inspired

Spring is influential in so many ways. The to-do-list mentality takes a backseat to the desire to just sit and watch the world go by. You can hear laughing outdoors again. Toes that were encased in boots for months crave a good pedicure and a new pair of open toed shoes so that they can soak up the sun, too. The floral sundresses come out of closets, and their gauzy skirts float in a warm breeze.

They say that fall in New York is romantic, but I've found that nothing says romance more than budding green life, colorful flowers, sunshine, and the return of outdoor happy hour.
Here's to the first truly warm day this year, and hopes for many more colorful lunchtime walks in Madison Square Park.

Landscapes

Before moving to NYC nearly three years ago, I had never associated the term "landscape" with a city view. 

But, perspectives change as much as the skyline itself, and with it my opinion on what a beautiful landscape can be. 

These were just a couple of my favorites from a weekend full of long walks and wandering. Where are your favorite landscapes? 

When You're Not Looking

He's going to hate me for posting these photos. Steve claims that he was having a bad hair day, or something. But since it's the face I have to look at for like, eternity, I'm going to inflict these photos on everyone else, too. Not to mention, I kind of love them. We went for a walk on the Highline on Friday after work, then found a rooftop beer garden to watch the sunset over the river. It was one of those afternoon/evenings that one doesn't easily forget. 

Juxtaposition

These are some of my favorites of the photos I took on Friday, while wandering along the Highline and enjoying the late afternoon light as it blended into a sunset. The beauty of this city, for me, lies in the contrasting textures, stories, sounds, smells, and emotions that are constantly elbow to elbow in this busy place. Sometimes expected, sometimes a surprise, they are stunning to the senses if you take a moment to stop and notice them. 

Just Another Fall Friday

Ahhhhh what a lovely fall weekend it has been. Sitting here this morning with some pumpkin spice coffee, my senses being assaulted by the amount of fall scented candles in the apartment today (thank you, Homegoods!). Here are a few snaps from my Friday after work. We did a bit of wandering, just enjoying the weather and watching the afternoon turn to evening. 

Oh, and this amazing 70s dress is now in my shop so check it out.

Snake must have just eaten... look at that bulge! haha

Nothing smells quite like farm fresh apples in autumn.

Winding down the evening in a little dive somewhere downtown.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!! 

Seasons Change

I love the changing leaves. Every year, I wait like a kid on Christmas Eve to see the first shades of orange peeking through the foliage. Even here in NYC, though the trees aren't as plentiful as the hills of my hometown, it feels like autumn. The crisp air this past weekend, the clear sky, the way the sunlight makes everything seem gilded in the late afternoon... I could sit on a park bench taking it in, all day. All day. 

Lunchventure

It's not uncommon in NYC to stumble upon the production set of a movie, tv show, or commercial. Frequently I will walk down a street with movie trailers or equipment parked along the curb, and don't give it two thoughts. I've even accidentally strolled onto the set of a commercial and was loudly (lol) told to move... so yesterday's events didn't come as a surprise. Headed to a lunch in Bryant Park with Kate yesterday, we had to relocate from our favorite lunch spot under the trees because an episode of The Face was being filmed. It's always so interesting to watch how much effort and time just goes into framing one shot, or some B-roll. The entire time that we were sitting nearby, it seemed like nothing was happening, but dozens of people ran all over making minuscule adjustments in the sweltering sun. Part of me wished Naomi Campbell would have shown up while we were there, but I didn't have the luxury to wait around.  

Couldn't Naomi have shown up for like, 5 seconds so I could snap a photo??

The hustle & bustle of 6th ave at lunch...

I was LOVING Kate's vintage dress. 

Colors of the Weekend

I barely got any sleep this past weekend, but for a pretty good reason. My neighborhood is predominantly West Indian in heritage, many residents being first- and second-generation immigrants, and Labor Day weekend coincides with the West Indian Parade (and neighborhood-wide festivities). So many brilliant flags, wonderful people, music at all hours of the day & night, and delicious food - this basically sums up an exciting and colorful weekend that I have always looked forward to since I moved to Brooklyn 3 summers ago. 

                             

Botanical Bliss

Saturday morning dawned crisp, bright, and quiet. Spending the first half of the day on my own, I decided to go on a little adventure. A cup of coffee, a loaded camera bag, and a short 10-minute train ride from my apartment later, and I was standing at the gates of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. For other New Yorkers or Brooklynites who were unaware (as I was myself): the Gardens are open to the public for free on Saturday mornings until noon. So, you should probably go too. You might even see me there, because I plan to return quite frequently. Even after spending 3 hours wandering its winding path until my feet begged me to stop, I don't think I even explored half as much as I would like to. 

The rose gardens were beautiful. Under that white gazebo, far back on the right, someone was either getting married, or taking wedding photos. Either way, I was completely captivated by this place, and it is now the front runner for my wedding or engagement photo location.

Buzzzzzzzzz buzz buzz buzzzzzzzzz mister bee.

This guy serenaded me as I walked through the gigantic sunflowers in the produce garden. It was just me and the birds, and the bees, and the butterflies. I almost felt home again, temporarily removed from the reminders of city life. This little bit of alone time, this little release from my hectic everyday, was magical and much needed. And I can't wait to return.