The Best of Summer 2014

     As my stay in NYC officially came to an end two weeks ago, I have compiled my "best of" list for all the things/places/foods I ate.  I hope you enjoy!

Coffee Shop: Perk Kafe

      To be honest, I didn't visit many coffee shops this summer, but Perk was close to me and and off 3rd Avenue so it was never overly crowded.  And the coffee was delicious as well.  I was a big fan of their iced expresso.

View: Williamsburg--Preferably a rooftop, a la Northern Territory

     The drinks are pretty awesome and the view is hard to beat.  I also just opened their website and their food looks pretty bangin' as well.  I guess another trip will be in order!

Quick Bite: Little Collins

     I LOVE LITTLE COLLINS.  I cannot say enough about this cute little Australian coffee shop.  The food, the decor, the coffee, the accents... what more could you want! Not to mention it was dangerously close to my office. 

Favorite Meal: tie between Sweet Chick and North River Lobster Company

     Sweet Chick had me because their chicken and waffles combo is pretty awesome.  The waffle is light and fluffy and the chicken is perfectly fried and salty.  My only qualm is that there was no kind of topping like fruit or butter (but I guess I have a high standard from Dames).  North River Lobster is amazing fresh seafood and the restaurant is a boat! 

Favorite Workout: Aqua Studio

     Just as expensive as Soul Cycle but way more fun.  Although I wouldn't make a habit out of this place, I would definitly go again.  I love any excuse to get in a pool! 

Best Pizza: Di Fara Pizza

     Welllllll worth the long trip into Brooklyn.  And the long wait.  Just bring a bottle of wine and a great friend. 

Ice Cream: Davey's. Hands down. No competition.

     Just like Little Collins, this place has no competition.  Their Chocolate Chocolate is one of the most deep and satisfying flavors I have ever tried.  Be sure to also try and catch their special chocolate babka at some point. 

Best Place to Run: The Reservoir at Central Park

     Although I could only run for a month until my knee gave out, I love every day of it.  In the early morning there were few runners and it was unusually peaceful. 

Shopping: Artists and Fleas at Chelsea Market 

      I have visited the Williamsburg one as well, but for some reason I really like the Chelsea one better.  There were too many things to buy and I didn't have enough money!   

Drinks: the mojitos at Rare View

     Maybe I'm allowing the great view to cloud over their $15 price tag, but the mojitos are always on point. 

NYC Landmark: Grand Central

     I think that sometimes New Yorkers can take for granted just how beautiful the city is when they are constantly hustling and bustling their way through.  There are so many historic and beautifully crafted buildings in this city and this summer Grand Central Terminal stole my heart.  I walked through it almost every single morning on my way to work and noticed something beautiful and new about it every time.

Weekend/Day Getaway: Governor's Island

     Governor's Island has the old town feeling of Charleston but without the 90% humidity.  Walking around and exploring the whole place was a relaxing and fun way to spend the day.  I need to try to make it to Gov Ball one day... 

Bar: The Jeffery

     The vibe is super relaxed and its a casual and cosy environment.  Aside from the amazing list of craft beers that they serve, they also have some delicious sandwiches and chips.  Great spot for you and a couple of friends to drink brews and veg out.  It is also very uniquely designed in that there are two entrances and is in a "U" shape.   Must go back sometime soon! 

And finally, best dessert: again a tie, between Levain Cookies and Chocolate Babka French Toast from Russ & Daughters Cafe

     This place is heavenly.  If the smell seeping out the door isn't enough to entice you, the taste of their dense half-baked cookies should do it.  I would consider living on the UWS just for this place.

Hello world!

A lot has passed since my last post. Some bad things, some good things, but mostly life. The biggest news to report is that I successfully completed my first year of law school! I can now rejoin society which is pretty exciting.

Other mentionable notes:

1. I am leaving for NYC on Wednesday to intern with a law firm and a record label!

2. Today was a beautiful mother's day, spent by the pool with the best family I could ever ask for.

3. I traveled to Jamaica for by far the best family vacation ever over winter break, and then went on a Human Rights Brigade to Panama for spring break.

4. My addiction for baking has grown enormously this year

5. I have done far less shopping this year as the law student budget does not allow it

6. Went up to Baltimore this weekend to pick up my sister and move her out of school! Can't believe she is done her sophomore year!

7. I just finished baking a carrot cake to celebrate the my sister's birthday (the 9th) and Mother's day!

Fresh Peonies! 

I'm sure there are many other things I have done this year (I hope!) and many more to come, but for now, that is all I can think of. I promise to be a more avid blogger this summer as I am sure I will have many stories from my jobs, commuting, and the beautiful thing that is New York City.

In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful craigslist ad that I happened upon the other day while trying to find a place to live this summer. The things people will do for housing in NYC are downright shocking sometimes but you gotta love it.

SRY

    I apologize to my few followers for such a long lapse in time since my last post. Since I got back from Chicago I have been so busy with work, getting ready for school, and traveling on the weekends.

WWII Memorial with Krista

    As a quick re-cap, I have started moving into my new apartment, got a bus pass, have worked many hours hostessing and promoting beer, traveled to DC for the weekend, and am starting to freak out about the fact that I will be starting law school very soon.

    DC with Krista was crazy. I love cities, and for me, DC is a small, cleaner, and cheaper version of NYC. I love that almost all of the museums are free and that its close to home. We went out, met up with W&L friends, and had an overall blast. We also went to the Newseum which I hadn't seen before and was very impressed! We spent over 4 hours inside! I also was reminded that I am no longer a fresh spring chicken/freshmen in college anymore, and cannot drink in that manner any more either. The 5 hour drive home on Sunday was painful to say the least.

    After DC Wayde and I received the keys to our first apartment the following weekend! I must say it is very convenient living so close to my parent's house because I can slowly bring all of my stuff over. I will post pics of the apartment once I am totally moved in. For now, I am focusing on brining my large wardrobe over... and tackling my roach problem. I have found 3 so far! I understand that living in an apartment means dealing with bugs, but I hate bugs, and I especially hate cockroaches. If I see another I might have a breakdown.

    Aside from all that, I am getting excited for orientation. Its not a whole week like I was given every year at W&L, but I guess I have to sacrifice some things now that I'm slowing growing up. The next thing on my list is
to buy a back to school outfit!

Chicagooooo

      It has been a week since I went but I have just been so busy with work that I forgot to blog about my trip to Chicago! I planned my trip to Chicago because one of my best friends Lauren is living there for her summer internship and I had never been to the city. My only real experience with big cities is NYC so I compared much of my visit to it.

Ohio Beach

     
      Going to Chicago was one of my first trips really traveling by myself--in all other trips I either go with a friend or my family, and even though Lauren lives there, she had to work during the day on Friday so I was left to my own devices.  Surprise surprise, I liked being alone! When you go around to tourist attractions and museums, its nice not to have someone following you or nagging you about stuff. And being the planning neat-freak that I am, I made a list of all the places I wanted to visit and foods I wanted to try. And I printed it off and crossed stuff of as I did it. Obviously.

Crown Fountain

      Some of the highlights of my trip: Millennium Park, Skydeck (the top of was what perviously the Sears Tower and now the Willis Tower), The Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, and just hanging out on the "beach."  Yes these are all touristy things but they were great. For a couple of hours one afternoon I just sat in Millennium park by the Crown Fountain and watched the kids splashing in the water. I just lost myself in their happiness and lack of care about anything!  I also tried some Chicago deep dish pizza, but must admit that New York has got them beat on that front.

      Speaking about the city in general, I loved it. The people were friendly and the city was clean and easy to navigate. The only negative was that the public transportation was nowhere near as proficient or all-encompassing as NYC's. And I doubt I would enjoy their winter's. But I would definitely say that I would go back!

Hat Rack by Marcel Duchamp--I wrote about this piece in part of my Senior Thesis and got to see it in person at the Art Institute! 

Traveling Troubles

As I am about to leave for Ecuador, I am faced with my biggest challenge whenever flying: what to wear on the plane. Sure, I can pack a bag with all the clothes I need and I can remember my toothbrush and toothpaste, but the moment I always struggle with is deciding what outfit to wear while walking through security and sitting in a seat for hours. I look at it as the true test of ones ability to combine form and function, and unlike Lady Gaga, I would prefer not to wear 7 inch heels through the terminal because we all know how that ended. Well, after almost half an hour, I have decided on black leggings with a loose black top, multi-colored gladiators, a gold chain with turquoise pendant, and my watch. This lets me be comfortable while in flight and I only have to take off a necklace and watch to get through the metal detector without causing a scene. All thats left now is to put my bags in the car and adiós!

A day at the Museum

I am in New York visiting a friend of mine from school. Yesterday we went on an adventure into the city. Although I have been to the city many times, it has been over 10 years since I have returned to the American Museum of Natural History. This museum is hands down, one of the best in the world and I could spend a week there and still not see everything! Yesterday, Caroline and I spent over fiver hours just visiting the exhibits we wanted to see. My personal favorite is the Mammals of Africa exhibit. All of the stuffed tigers, elephants, zebras and monkeys seem like they could jump out at me at any minute, just like they did for Ben Stiller. And even though I have been a visitor to the great Empire State more times than I can count, I still like to act a tourist and take pictures of everything; Caroline however, refused to let me ask someone to take a picture of us standing in front of a giant tree stump...she said it was "too touristy". Anyways, we had a great time and it was so great to feel like a kid again and ignore the fact that I will no longer be a teenager in just about four months.