Hiking Breakneck Ridge, in photos

May 31, 2016Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 1 Comment

Obviously I took a million (OK, 85) photos when we went hiking at Breakneck Ridge a couple weeks ago. While I spent most of the climb with both hands firmly planted on the rocks, my phone safely tucked away in my backpack, the views were just too spectacular to go undocumented. Whenever I reached a point flat enough to stand on safely, I was snapping photos and taking video.

View from Breakneck Ridge, New York Hiking Breakneck Ridge, New York

(After my friend Jordan took this one I climbed right back down and took the easier ascent.)

Breakneck Ridge, New York View from Breakneck Ridge, New York

Like I said last week, I felt (and still feel) SO accomplished! I never thought I’d be able to say I climbed a mountain and conquered one of the most difficult hikes in the Northeast.

On the descent, there were still plenty of adventures to be had. The woods were filled with streams to splash in and old buildings to climb and explore.

Breakneck Ridge, New York

After the hike (it took us about four hours), we headed into Cold Spring and ate ALL. THE. FOOD. I’ll be sharing more of that with you soon!

If you want to go: You can take MetroNorth from Grand Central to Cold Spring and walk about a mile to the trail. There’s also a stop at the trail, appropriately called Breakneck Ridge, with trains making stops three times a day on the weekends only. The hike is challenging but not impossible, even if you’re completely out of shape, as I am. It took us about four hours.

Screen-free evenings

May 27, 2016Leigh Anne Zinsmeister Leave a comment

I had a really crazy couple of weeks lately, but not in the sense that you’d expect. Instead of my evenings being packed with dinners and parties and events (the good kind of busy!), I was rushing home every night, cooking up a quick dinner, and settling in front of my laptop. I had freelance and project deadlines piling up – don’t they always seem to all hit at once?! – and spent a solid three hours each night on the computer, before switching over to Hulu and falling asleep to one of my favorite shows. Every. Night.

As much as I love writing and editing photos, I soon realized that I was becoming burnt out. Combined with my time in my actual office doing my actual full-time job, I was spending upwards of twelve hours a day in front of a screen – more than 50 percent of my time, and basically all of my waking hours except for my commute. YIKES.

Instead of whining and moaning about how busy I was and how much work I had (a favorite hobby among many New Yorkers), I decided to do something about it. One night last week, I came home and didn’t turn on my laptop at all. I turned off my phone for about three hours. And I committed to having a screen-free, work-free evening, for better or worse.

Screen-free evening in Brooklyn, New York

I cooked up an elaborate dinner (JK, it was frozen pizza), poured a glass of wine, and promptly decided that my Kindle didn’t count as a “screen” for these purposes (hey, it’s a Paperwhite, so easy on the eyes). I read more than 40 percent of the entrepreneurship book I was working on, and fell asleep at 8:30 p.m. Clearly sitting in front of a computer all the time wears a person down!

Once I had woken up from my little nap (and posted about my screen-free evening on Instagram, OBVIOUSLY), I was able to assess my day – and realized it was a smashing success. I felt rejuvenated and, weirdly, more accomplished than I had in weeks. And so, I’ve decided – at least once a week, I am going to institute screen-free time (not always in the evenings, thanks to my wacky work schedule) for two hours. No computer, no phone. I’m really looking forward to it!

Have you ever done something like this? Any other suggestions for forced relaxation?

Hiking Breakneck Ridge: A video

May 25, 2016Leigh Anne Zinsmeister Leave a comment

Yeah, you read that right. I went hiking. On a mountain called BREAKNECK Ridge. My neck is not broken, for the record. I could have broken my friend’s neck, though, when I discovered that this “hike” I had been lured on was in fact more of a vertical rock climb. The phrase “blood, sweat and tears” has never been more real.

Breakneck Ridge from Leigh Anne Zinsmeister on Vimeo.

But you know what? I’m ridiculously proud of myself. I didn’t turn around and get on the next train back to the city. I didn’t give up and require a rescue team (apparently a common occurrence at Breakneck). I powered through, I wasn’t afraid to have my friends literally pull me up at some parts, and by the end of the day I had climbed a damn mountain. I had a very delightful day, and though there are photos and details to share later on, I just want to share that and bask in it for now.

So, enjoy!

5 delightful TV shows I’m watching

May 19, 2016Leigh Anne Zinsmeister Leave a comment

Can you guys believe it’s been nearly two years since I’ve talked about television on here?! For something that, for better or worse, is a huge part of my life, that seems so absurd. You may know from my monthly currently posts that this season was a weird one for me, with more binging old shows than keeping up with new ones. But now I have some new favorites, and it seemed like a good time to share those with you!

I know, I know – May is a weird time to get into TV shows. Network seasons are ending, Upfronts are in full swing, and filler shows are about to hit the air for summer. But most of my current favorites are on cable now. I love that streaming services are keeping up with the times and giving viewers more access! I still don’t have cable, and rely on subscriptions (mostly Hulu and HBONow, but I also have Netflix and Amazon Prime) to keep up. My favorites right now are ALL comedies (what a difference from last time around!) so I spend a lot of time laughing!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The only current show I have consistently loved for years and years – even after three seasons, every episode leaves me laughing out loud and looking forward to the next week. I also think part of the reason I love it so much (along with a stellar cast and, hello, Brooklyn) is that I relate to all three of the main female characters. I’m type A like Amy, I’m anti-social like Rosa and I do whatever I want like Gina. Anytime one of them is onscreen I’m hooked – and if all three have a storyline together, forget about it. I’m all in. (Airs on Fox, is available on Hulu the next day)

The Mindy Project

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I’ll admit this one has been more of a struggle for me this season. The first half was mostly excellent with the exception of Danny acting like a child, but the absurdly long break was obnoxious and I feel like it’s lost its groove upon return. I’m not ready to give up yet – I’ve invested wayyy too much emotion into this show – but I can’t even look at the screen when Jody’s around, so there’s that. (Airs on Hulu Plus)

Broad City

I thought this show was relatable when it was a YouTube series, and then I moved to New York around the time the show launched on Comedy Central, and I realized it’s more or less my life. Every episode leaves me howling with laughter and then immediately cringing over something Abbi or Ilana has done – but only because I’ve undoubtedly done it myself. I frequently forget about this show and then remember it about once a month and binge all of the episodes I missed, and frankly, I think that’s the best way to watch. (Airs on Comedy Central, is available on Hulu 21 days later)

Veep

I got hooked on Veep and binged the first four seasons about six months ago, then eagerly awaited season five, which is airing now. This show nails my sense of humor better than any other – it is drier than dry. Every character just says whatever comes to mind, and sometimes those things are VULGAR (it’s HBO, after all!) I’m obsessed with the characters, the subtlety of the storylines and hating Jonah. (Airs on HBO; is available to stream at the same time on HBONow)

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

It’s hard to believe that this show was barely a blip on the pop-culture radar when I last posted about TV! It is now a PHENOMENON and I am hooked along with everyone else, complete with viewing parties, constant references to Peeno Noir, and a best friend who looks like Kimmy. Commitment. Anyway, this is the perfect binge show and is filled with incredible ’90s references to boot. (Is available on Netflix)

So, what are you watching lately? Anything I might enjoy?

Catching up via Instagram: 5/15/2016

May 15, 2016Leigh Anne Zinsmeister Leave a comment

This past month has been a roller-coaster. I’ve realized that my moods largely depend on the weather (duh, I know), and we had spring weather with blossoms, followed by eight straight days of rain (and yes, I was counting), followed by the sun’s triumphant return and greens replacing the pinks. Personally, I celebrated my birthday (how was that less than a month ago?!), fell into a depressive funk, and then got happier but stayed super lazy as it started to warm up outside (again…). Here’s a little glimpse of the drama.

New York City Freedom Tower from Tribeca Tulips in Washington Square, New York City

I spent a morning frolicking around Tribeca with friends (how good is the view?!) and an afternoon frolicking around Washington Square (my fave) during the early days of spring.

Bareburger, Greenwich Village, New York City

My friend Dani came to visit from San Diego, and we decided to celebrate with the first al fresco meal of the season: healthy burgers at Bareburger! Unfortunately, it got chilly as soon as the sun went down. We may have been overly optimistic…

Cherry blossoms in Washington Square, New York City Birthday strawberry shortcake Birthday girl

It was miraculously 70 degrees on my birthday and I wore a dress for the first time this season! My roommate made me that beautiful strawberry shortcake (because I don’t like frosting – so thoughtful!) and Emmie came over after work (and dinner!) to sit with me while I opened presents from my family. It was a most excellent day!

Sun shining through the trees in Union Square, New York City National Pretzel Day

National Pretzel Day was a highlight, of course. I don’t need an excuse to indulge – I frequently stop at street carts for pretzels, and the new Wetzel’s in the Fulton Center is a hazard to my health – but I spoiled myself by picking up some spicy mustard for the occasion.

Cherry Blossoms in Greenwich Village, New York City Empire State Building, New York City Colorful tulips at Brooklyn Heights Promenade New York City skyline from Brooklyn Heights Promenade

I’m glad I took advantage of the weather and got so many photos before it got dreary out!

Rainy day in Union Square, New York City Rainy Day on Avenue of the Americas, New York City

It’s very, very hard to capture good imagery in the rain. The only highlight (metaphorical, unfortunately) in that week was an afternoon with my friend Molly. For our birthdays every year (they’re six months apart!) we splurge on Thai food (Republic, above, is a favorite) and then browse our favorite bookstores.

Chika Mexicana, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City

When the sun finally did emerge, I already had plans to be super lazy with takeout and Netflix (and Emmie, lest you think I’m super anti-social). Still, it was nice to see the rays streaming into Chika while I waited for my burrito bowl.

Sun shining through the trees at Union Square, New York City Sun shining, open lawn at Bryant Park

Naturally I spent the last week outside as much as humanly possible! I popped by Bryant Park on a day off and it happened to be the first day the lawn was open for the season – the joy was palpable!

Havilah Cunnington speaking at Liberty Sisterhood

On Friday night, my church had a Sisterhood event – always a highlight for me! Havilah Cunnington was able to join us and preach an amazing message, and I was super lucky to have a front-row seat. So excited to hear her speak again at She Is Free in the fall!

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A Life of Genuine Delight

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Author: Leigh Anne Zinsmeister