Staycationing

May 27, 2015Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 4 Comments

My friends had a picnic on Monday for Memorial Day, gathering around lunchtime with food, blankets and softballs. I came wandering over to the lawn about 5 hours late, dressed in full business attire, and had this conversation with a friend who ran over to greet me:

“Yeah, I had to work today, but it’s all right because I got comp time and I’m taking a staycation at the end of the week.”

“Didn’t you JUST take a staycation?!”

Photo by Samy Ruby

Why yes, yes I did. Back in April, I took a week off for my birthday and spend it frolicking around New York City and volunteering at She is Free. I’m taking one in August, too, when my sister flies out for her nineteenth birthday.

So why do I love a staycation so much?

The long and short of it is: I get a ridiculous amount of paid time off (SO GRATEFUL, by the way) and I just can’t afford to travel for ALL of it. Seriously, after working every holiday, I ended up with 22 days to take off this year, which is just nuts for an entry-level position. But with an entry-level job comes an entry-level salary, making it hard to escape as much as I’d like. By the time the year is over (at the end of September, per my company’s calendar) I’ll have been to Phoenix, Cleveland, Boston and Los Angeles, plus these three staycations. Even though I keep my trips cheap-ish by taking the bus or staying with friends and family, it’s just not feasible to add even more to that schedule.

Money aside, I live in one of the top tourist destinations in the world. There’s just a ridiculous amount to do here, and it doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive (although NYC’s reputation as pricey is well-deserved). With a staycation, I can act like I’m on vacation by taking advantage of this wonderful place, but still sleep in my own bed at night.

Visiting Grand Army Plaza on my last staycation – walking distance from my house!

So with all of that said: I’m on staycation until Monday! I scored discount tickets to Mamma Mia! tonight, my roommate and I are going to the World Trade Center Observatory and an event at Anthropologie tomorrow, Friday is the Awaken event, Saturday is a college friend’s birthday, and Sunday will bring a full day of church. It’s amazing how easy it is to fill the days!

So tell me: Are you a fan of the staycation? What else should I do in NYC?

My week in Instagrams: 5/24/15

May 24, 2015Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 2 Comments

This was one of those weeks that was SO fun and SO busy that I just didn’t document much of it at all. There was brunch with an old friend and her mom, a workshop with Restore NYC, a roommate date with pretzels at Sigmund’s and ice cream at Van Leeuwen, a gallery for 100 cameras, dinners and shopping, birthday drinks for one friend and a surprise picnic for another. Plus it’s Fleet Week (hellooooo sailors!), and there were errands to run and – of course – 40 hours of work to do. I almost can’t even believe I squeezed it all into 7 days!

Here are the few pictures I did take!

Friday FryDay! After a long work week Emmie and I headed to New York Burger Co. for fries and a side of burgers, because that’s how we roll.

We decided to walk from Chelsea to the West Village for Jenn’s party, and I’m SO glad we did! The sky was spectacular and the World Trade Center sparkles during golden hour.

astoria sunset

Last night’s festivities were in Astoria, a neighborhood I rarely venture to (it’s not far from me in Crown Heights but it takes an hour and a half on the trains). We picnicked in Astoria Park and then I insisted on a stroll to the waterfront to watch the sun set over the East River.

This upcoming week looks to be just as busy, with Memorial Day providing an excuse to spend alllllllllllll day every day outside basking in the glorious sunshine! I’m working the holiday but taking some time off at the end of the week for a little staycation. On the agenda so far: the opening ofOne World Observatory on Thursday and Awaken NYC on Friday. What else should I do to feel like a tourist in NYC?!

Catching up via Instagram

May 3, 2015Leigh Anne Zinsmeister Leave a comment

Prepare yourselves! It’s been a while since I’ve done an Instagram post, so this is going to be quite the photo dump. Here’s what I’ve been up to the past few weeks.

During the last week of community groups, our Monday night dinner was held in Tribeca. I spent the afternoon exploring the neighborhood, and then was delighted to discover our hosts have a rooftop with quite a view!

Meet my favorite pair of shoes! I bought these babies at Target on Black Friday years ago, and recently went an entire year without them as they sat in storage after my move. I’m so excited to have them back in my life!

For my birthday, I gathered my closest friends at Berg’n, a fabulous beer hall just down the street from my apartment.

My ever-generous parents bought me a Kindle, the only gift I asked for this year, and my sister sprang for the case. I’m already obsessed with my newest toy, and I can tell it’s going to make my goal of reading 30 books this year a lot more attainable.

My roomie and I have a birthday brunch tradition! This time we went to Egg in Williamsburg, and the duck hash and mimosas were to die for.

More blooms! I know, I know. I can’t help it though. The first is from a birthday-evening stroll to Park Slope, and the second is from our recent visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

It wouldn’t be an Instagram catch-up without some food! In the early part of this week I found myself in the Financial District twice: first for a friend’s birthday at Clinton Hall, and then for a girls’ night at Shorty’s. Sorry not sorry for my love of beer and bar food.

Finally, this week wrapped up yesterday with an afternoon at Prospect Park. I always say I may not have a yard, but when this is within walking distance – who cares?!

What have you been up to?

Follow me on Instagram here.

Washington Square Park through the seasons

April 30, 2015Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 5 Comments

Contrary to popular belief, New York City is home to hundreds (literally) of wonderful parks. Everyone knows about Central Park, but there are so many other great places to spend time outdoors!

The park where I most often seem to find myself is Washington Square Park. Located between the two offices I’ve worked in since moving here (one in SoHo and one in the East Village), it’s been my default lunch spot for over a year. Not only that, I often pass through walking to and from work, and it’s my favorite spot to kill some time before meeting up with friends.

My favorite things about Washington Square Park: The fountain and arch are iconic, the people watching is strong thanks to NYU and it’s freaking gorgeous. To prove this last point, here is a collection of my favorite photos since I moved to NYC thirteen months ago. They’re chronological, and encompass all seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter and spring again! (Because spring is the best).

Spring (2014)

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring (2015)

What’s your favorite season?

A trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

April 28, 2015Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 3 Comments

It’s no secret at this point that I love birthdays (mine, yours, anyone’s!). It should therefore not come as a shock that I took all of last week off from work to celebrate my twenty-fifth. I spent the week hanging out with friends, eating incredible food and continuing to explore this city.

On Wednesday, Becca and I ventured to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. We’ve lived in Crown Heights for a year and somehow had never been before even though it’s practically in our backyard! Here’s a peek into my favorite parts:

Cherry Esplanade

This is the reason we went. Cherry blossoms are one of my favorite parts of living on the East Coast (I’m seriously dying to get to DC for the festival one year), and they don’t bloom for long at all. While most of the trees in the esplanade hadn’t bloomed yet when we visited, a lot of trees on the outskirts were in peak bloom and seriously gorgeous! Also, yes, it was warm enough to wear just a tank top. God is good.

Fragrance Garden

This isn’t the most beautiful garden here (in fact, it was designed for the sight impaired!) but it is definitely the best-smelling! If only I could bottle up scents to share with you all.

Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden

This might have been my favorite area. I’ve never been to Japan, but this is exactly how I picture it!

Osborne Garden

This is the first garden you come to when you enter off Eastern Parkway – I can’t wait to go back and see it in bloom.

Shakespeare Garden

I don’t have any pictures from the Shakespeare Garden, but I just had to mention it because it is perfect for literature nerds like myself! The garden is home to plants mentioned in Shakespeares’ works – and the signs include the passages. SO COOL.

Conservatory: Desert Pavilion

I was obsessed with the entire conservatory – the rooms are climate controlled to mimic various environments. But of course the best part was the desert pavilion! Becca and I, forever Arizona girls at heart, felt right at home in this room lacking in humidity and full of cacti.