Books I read in April

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I’ve been putting off writing this post because I feel like I flopped again… it’s been very back-and-forth this year, with 6-book months alternating with months when I read about half that. But! In addition to the three books I did read, I also read half of two other books! One will go in May’s roundup, and the other is Eat, Pray, Love. Again. I think it’s time to admit I’m the only person on this earth who’s not a fan of Elizabeth Gilbert.

Here’s what I managed to read in April.

Reading My Paris Dream by Kate Betts

My Paris Dream, Kate Betts

If a book has the words “memoir,” “France,” and “journalist” on the back cover, it’s safe to bet I’m going to read it. My Paris Dream was a fun peek into the life of an American in Paris in the 1980s, as well as a glimpse into the fashion industry, which is a complete mystery to me. It was a quick, easy read. Three stars

Spellshocked, Michelle Monroe

My friend wrote this book! I have a friend who wrote a book! It’s a sci-fi/fantasy novel about a 20-something waitress in LA who wakes up one day in a hospital to discover she has super powers. If you’re thinking this is way outside my usual genre, you’d be correct. I started it to be a supportive friend, and I finished it because it was REALLY REALLY GOOD. Seriously. Download it! It’s free! Four stars

Looking for Lovely, Annie F. Downs

I read this one on the recommendations of my mom and sister, and because I read Downs’ Let’s All Be Brave for a community group once and enjoyed it. It’s mostly anecdotal, the story of Downs’ journey to discover loveliness in the every day – quite similar to my own mission – with applicable tips at the end of each chapter. It’s another quick read, mostly fluffy but with some substance to be found. Three stars

Although it was a slow month, I’m only one book behind being on track to meet my goal of reading 52 books this year! (Goodreads says I’m two books behind, but Spellshocked isn’t on there yet). I went on a book-buying spree last week, so hopefully I get more read in May! Stay tuned!

A visit to the New York Botanical Garden

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I keep a running list of things I want to do and see here in New York, and the New York Botanical Garden has been on that list for approximately forever. Located in the Bronx, the Garden actually has 28 gardens, including a conservatory, and I can now confirm that you could stay there for days and not see everything. But boy did we try! Emmie, her roommate Rachael, and I all had last Friday off and we took that opportunity to venture to the Bronx (let’s just say it took an hour and a half on one express train). Thanks to the day of the week, the clouds, and the chill in the air, we felt like we had the place to ourselves!

Tulips at the New York Botanical Garden

Tulips are my absolute favorite, and as such I was thrilled to find them blooming all around the visitor center.

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical GardenInside the conservatory at the New York Botanical GardenFlower at the New York Botanical Garden

We splurged on tickets that included entrance to the conservatory, and boy are we glad we did! The rainforest rooms were a great place to warm up (seriously it was so cold outside), and you know how much I love a desert environment (remember when we went to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden?!)

House at the New York Botanical GardenWaterfall on the Bronx RiverBridge over the Bronx RiverWaterfall on the Bronx RiverThe Bronx River

After a while, we hopped on a tram and rode it halfway around the garden. We hopped off to look at some lilacs, but I was soon distracted by a sign indicating a nearby waterfall. We ventured off to explore and to our surprise, the Bronx River runs right through! We admired the waterfall from up close, then climbed to the bridge that stretches over the river. I think if we had been properly prepared, this would be a great spot for some light hiking!

Flower at the New York Botanical GardenFlower at the New York Botanical GardenFlower at the New York Botanical GardenCherry blossoms at the New York Botanical Garden

Of course, it wouldn’t be a garden visit this time of year without some colorful blooms!

If you want to go: Take the 4, B or D subway trains (thankfully all express!) to Bedford Park, then it’s about a 20 minute walk OR you can take the Bx26 bus the rest of the way. You can also take Metro North from Grand Central, which will drop you right near the entrance. See here for hours and pricing, which vary by day. And plan to spend the whole day there! We were there about four hours and it wasn’t nearly enough.

Currently: May 2016

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View of the Empire State Building from Fifth Avenue

It’s been a very New York month

Reading: I’m partway through Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson (my first of his books, believe it or not!) I also went on a bit of an ebook-buying spree this week so I have lots of options for the month ahead!

Wearing: Pink sweatpants, pink sweatshirt, polkadot fuzzy socks. Cute, I know. It’s Saturday and I’m in full-on lazy mode.

Buying: I made it through April without any major purchases – sometimes I just need to remind myself that it IS possible to live in this city and save money at the same time. In May I’m looking to buy prescription sunglasses (Warby Parker here I come!) and plane tickets to Texas for the end of summer!

Listening to: Nothing at the moment! Just the hum of my fan.

Eating: I cooked a big breakfast this morning of spicy jalapeno chicken sausage, fried eggs and cinnamon toast. Usually I’m up super early and don’t have the energy for anything fancier than cereal, so I like to take advantage of the weekends!

Watching: Look out for a post later in the month about my current favorite shows because the list is finally growing! Most recently, I watched the season finale of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and my current binges of choice are Happy Endings and Gilmore Girls (which I’ve seen in full multiple times, but I can’t resist the media frenzy surrounding the revival!) 

Planning: I’m hoping to make a solo trip to Philadelphia happen this month, or early June at the latest. I can’t believe I’ve never been! I also have an exciting day trip in the works for a couple weekends from now, but I’m leaving my friends in charge of the actual planning for that one.

Excited for: There is SO MUCH happening this month! Team bonding sessions and engagement parties and more friends moving to Crown Heights. Still just loving spring in New York City!

Hoping: for continued good weather – last week felt a little too much like winter for my liking, but today seems to be sunny and warm! (I’ll fully admit to not having been outside yet).

Books read: 16/52, just one behind! I’m so excited this is going well

Trips taken: 5/12 – I didn’t leave NYC in April, but that was intentional, and I’m still ahead on this goal!

How last month’s challenge went: I ate a vegetable every day in April except one, but I had a migraine and didn’t eat anything at all, so I’m calling it a win! I even crave vegetables now sometimes, and have expanded my horizons to include things like broccoli. Yay!

This month’s challenge: Reading my Bible every day. I KNOW I KNOW. I should be doing this automatically. But I’m not, so let’s try to fix it.

And how is YOUR May going?

Celebrating my birthday at the Bacon and Beer Classic

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When you ask me to name my favorite things, it’s no surprise that food and alcohol immediately spring to mind. I’ve been a big fan of bacon since I was a kid, and a big fan of beer since I was… 21. And not a day sooner!

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So I knew it wasn’t a coincidence that the absolutely genius Bacon and Beer Classic was swinging through New York City the weekend of my 26th birthday. Even better, it was being held at Citi Field, the only one of the two MLB stadiums in New York I had yet to visit. Best of all? My friend Jason won VIP tickets, and since we share a birthday (I’m two hours older, and don’t let him tell you otherwise), we decided to trek out to Queens to celebrate in the very best possible way.

Citi Field

All night long we sampled different beers in our very own souvenir glasses, and stuffed ourselves with not only different kinds of bacon (huge fan of jalapeno bacon here, by the way), but also bacon-related treats. My favorite? The bacon marshmallow from 240 Sweet! Happy Hour on a stick indeed.

Bacon marshmallows from 240 Sweet at the Bacon and Beer Classic

The best part of the evening, though, had to be that our VIP tickets granted us field access. When we felt like we needed a break from all the drinking (or the crowds on the concourse), we’d head down, chill in the dugout, and do a lap around the bases. I’m not a Mets fan, but I am a baseball fan, and this experience was worth it in and of itself.

Citi FieldHanging out in the dougout at Citi Field

Also, isn’t my outfit amazing?! Mom and Dad sent the Viva La Brunch tank for my birthday, and the vest is from Grandma and Grandpa – without even trying, they managed to send perfectly coordinated gifts! It’s already my go-to outfit; the tank made an encore appearance at my neighborhood party the next night.

Mashed potatoes with bacon at Citi Field for the Bacon and Beer Classic

Cheers to more adventures like this at 26!

The Bacon and Beer Classic travels to different cities and sets up in major sports venues, with just Seattle still to come this year. If you want to go in Seattle or in the future, I’d really really recommend splurging for the VIP tickets. We got in an hour early and there were NO lines – by the time we left two and a half hours later, people were waiting 20 minutes just for samples. Plus, come on – field access!

25 delightful things I did while I was 25

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Today, friends, is my twenty-sixth birthday. And for some reason, that fact has me completely freaked out. Twenty-six just feels so much older than twenty-five. I don’t know why. It makes no sense. But instead of dwelling on this, I decided to compile a list of delightful things I accomplished whilst 25 – big and small – and to think about all of the delightful things ahead! Here are some things that have happened in the life of Leigh Anne over the past 366 days…

Brunch at Egg, Williamsburg

Brunching on my 25th birthday

  1. I launched my delightful city guides, a huge project that I put – and continue to put – a lot of heart and soul into
  2. I took my first completely solo trip to Boston, and loved every minute
  3. I visited three new countries (South Africa, Swaziland, the Bahamas) and a new continent (Africa!)
  4. I read 44 books (thanks for the stats, goodreads!)
  5. I had my photos featured by Strand Bookstore, The New York Post, and more cool brands
  6. I drove a car for the first time in two years (this was less than delightful itself, but the ease of getting around was amazing!)
  7. I explored more of my own neighborhood, Crown Heights – after a year of not venturing much beyond my block, I now have a favorite independent coffee shop, burger joint and cocktail bar
  8. I went to and volunteered at the first-ever She is Free gathering
  9. I saw three Broadway shows (Mamma Mia!, An American in Paris, and The Lion King)
  10. I went to Sleep No More, which is officially my favorite thing I’ve done in New York
  11. I discovered a bus that’ll take me from Trader Joe’s to my apartment (you’ll only understand how delightful this one is if you’ve lugged groceries around NYC)
  12. I spent a week watching MLB spring training in Arizona
  13. I was asked to be a bridesmaid for the first time
  14. I went to the top of the World Trade Center (twice!) and Top of the Rock
  15. I spent a weekend helping designer Jennifer Adams with events in Manhattan, which lead to a regular (paid!) freelancing gig for her blog
  16. I met my brother’s cat and my best friend’s second pug
  17. I upgraded to the iPhone 6S and it completely changed my photography game
  18. I went behind the scenes at the New York Public Library
  19. I started running my church’s Twitter account
  20. I spent an entire day inside during a crazy blizzard
  21. I surprised my mom on HER birthday
  22. I launched my mission to Make Mondays Magical
  23. I went to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
  24. I saw a ton of Christmas trees in the city
  25. I started sponsoring a little girl in Swaziland and got to go visit her

… and I could go on and on! Truly, I know that 26 is going to be just as delightful as 25 – and I’m excited to face it, head on. Here’s to another year of adventure!