Thankful

November 27, 2014Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 8 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Before you ask, no, I did not go “home” to my parents’ place in Dallas this week, or back to Phoenix. Home to me now is NYC, and that is where I am celebrating by working at my awesome job, eating an entire pie and Skyping with family members across the country. It’s awesome.

I love Thanksgiving because I love food, but also because I love when everyone is just so happy and thankful for what they have. This year, I’m feeling particularly thankful for…

The chance to live in my favorite city in the world even if it is snowy, cold and gross. That’s right, it finally snowed. But when this city isn’t slushy and grey, it’s really gorgeous and full of things to do! I spent my entire life dreaming of life in NYC, and I’m ridiculously grateful that I got the chance to move here in 2014. Here’s to many more years of an empire state of mind.

A life of travel that saw me visit seven new countries this year, seeing sights I’d only dreamed of and meeting some of the best people I’ve ever known.

Stellar friends near and far who are always here for me no matter the circumstance. When I moved to NYC, making new friends was one of my biggest concerns. It was a process that took many months in college, and that kind of fell effortlessly together in the years that immediately followed. I’m so blessed to have a wide network of friends in the Big Apple. I’m ALSO blessed that my friends back in Phoenix have been willing to put in the effort to continue those friendships despite the distance. See you all in seventeen days!

An understanding family that has come to terms with the fact that I basically never visit for holidays or special occasions. They have even encouraged me to stay where I am and embrace the life that I have. Y’all are the greatest and I can’t wait to see you next month.

The best roommate ever in a fabulous Brooklyn apartment that is bigger and cheaper than I ever could have imagined when I left my glorious one-bedroom in Phoenix. I’ve had some pretty lousy roommates over the years and Becca is everything they were not! Our home is an oasis away from the chaos and insanity of the city, and I cherish every moment we live here.

Liberty Church and everything about it that has truly changed my life in the best way possible.

The little things, including peppermint mochas, morning walks in the park when it’s not too cold, the ability to buy a bagel literally anywhere in this city for a dollar and have it be the best bagel ever, adorable local coffee shops, books that suck me in and refuse to let go, Gilmore Girls on Netflix, a public transit system that takes me wherever I want to go, quiet nights in and crazy nights out, a network of super supportive bloggers I’ve never even met, a bedroom window that faces east and lets the sun in in the morning, life and love and the very ability to recognize what I have and appreciate it.

Currently: Nov. 23

November 23, 2014Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 1 Comment

NYC is stuck in a purgatory where it’s freezing outside but it’s not snowing and the Christmas decorations aren’t complete.

Reading: End of Secrets by Ryan Quinn. This technically doesn’t come out until December 1, but I got an advance copy through the Kindle First program and it is seriously SO GOOD.

Wearing: New skinny jeans, tee-shirt, boots. When I go outside later I’ll add about 6,000 layers.

Buying: I’m newly stocked up on winter accessories, but I keep thinking of more I need to get! Hoping to hold off on shopping for myself until after the holidays. (You’ll notice the answer here is not “Christmas gifts,” which I definitely have not started thinking about yet.)

Listening to: Um, Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off. On repeat.

That was super embarrassing to admit.

Eating: I had a bagel and a banana for breakfast, and lunch will be whatever they’re serving volunteers at church later. Sundays are great.

Drinking: Black coffee at the moment but it’s peppermint mocha season and those are absolutely my weakness.

Watching: Tomorrow is my annual “Thanksgiving episodes of Friends” marathon. Yippee!

Excited for: So much, as always! I’ll be eating all of the pie on Thursday (Thanksgiving here in the USA!), my roommate and I scored tickets to SNL on Dec. 6 (James Franco is hosting, yum), our friend Misha is visiting soon and I’m spending a week in Phoenix next month!

What have you been up to lately?

Preparing for winter

November 19, 2014Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 5 Comments

Y’all, it is cold outside. Cold enough that people who grew up here in the Northeast think it’s cold, too. Cold enough that three separate people reached out yesterday to ask how I was handling it (I’m fine, thanks, because I don’t go outside). Cold enough to break out all of the winter accessories I’ve been hoarding over the past two months or so.

What exactly are those accessories? I’m so glad you asked! I’m hardly an expert on this winter thing, but these are the items I’ve accumulated. Check back in the spring to find out what was necessary, what was not, and just how much more I will have added.

Gloves

Those gray gloves are leftover from my days in the desert, likely purchased from the dollar section of Target. They were worn for maybe one month a year, when I was walking home from work or the bar and the temperatures were in the 40’s. Needless to say, I needed to step up my game in NYC. The black gloves are genuine leather (my dad sold me on leather gloves by telling me his are older than I am – those babies last forever apparently). I got them at H&M.

Hats

My mom made this hat for me a few years ago and I scoffed. I lived in Arizona, what did I need a winter hat for? I threw it in the back of my coat closet and forgot about it, until last winter when I was packing up to leave and came across it again. Finally it had a purpose!

This braided headband was an H&M impulse buy (like most of my closet). It’s perfect for keeping my ears warm! (I do not have earmuffs. That could still change).

Scarves

Well, scarf.

This is from – you guessed it – H&M. To be honest, I can’t figure out how to put on scarves. How many times to you wrap it around? Does it go over or under the coat? I have a lot of questions, you guys, and people just laugh at me when I ask. Help!

Coats

I bought this faux-leather jacket about a year ago in Phoenix, expecting it to be my winter coat for years to come. HA! It’s basically a light jacket in NYC. I love it, but it no longer keeps me warm. (The above photo is from the top of a mountain in Switzerland, but it’s about how I picture New York in the winter).

This coat is from Charlotte Russe circa five years ago, and served as my “heavy coat” during my time in Arizona. It does a decent job of keeping me warm here – and until last month was my heaviest coat – but it’s too small and the pocket lining is coming apart. I’m a mess.

FINALLY: The mother of all winter accessories. You may remember my desperate search for a winter coat. I finally bought this one from Lands’ End using a discount code from my roommate, who is slightly more prepared than I am (thanks Becca!) It’s designed for temperatures up to -35 Fahrenheit. I wore it yesterday when the high was 33 and it definitely kept me warm!

I may survive winter yet.

How are you preparing for winter? What else do you think I still need? Any and all advice welcome!

My week in Instagrams: 11/16/14

November 16, 2014Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 3 Comments

Hello, friends! What a week this has been. It was about 100% more relaxing than last week, yet eventful enough for a ridiculous amount of Instagramming. It was a mix of nights in and birthday celebrations for friends and trying to adjust to the very chilly fall weather! No snow yet, though – let’s keep it that way as long as we can, yes? Here’s a glimpse at my life this week:

Fall colors continue to be stunning and, at least for now, it’s still warm enough in the afternoons that I can wander through parks on my lunch breaks.

My sister continues to be the best and sends random cards in the mail every couple weeks. This one put a huge smile on my face – I love Christmas enough that I’m already listening to Christmas music 24/7.

One day this week I got out of the house earlier than normal and decided to go for a walk on the way to the office. I stumbled across this gem in Washington Square Park and it put a huge smile on my face. I’ve only been here 8 months but I’d say this is accurate!

The incredible mail week continued with this tote bag from my friend Kathleen – isn’t it adorable?! And such a lovely reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things.

Yesterday was sunny enough that I wondered at one point if I should have worn sunscreen – yet the temperatures were hovering in the 40’s, even midday. Back in Phoenix, that’s about as cold as it ever gets, so I’m pretty anxious about the soon-to-plummet temperatures here in NYC! Check back later this week to find out how I’ve been preparing for winter.

Follow me on Instagram here.

My week in Instagrams: 11/9/14

November 9, 2014Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 4 Comments

Hello friends! What a week it’s been. Between friend dates and church events, I’ve barely had a spare moment to post to Instagram, let alone this blog. Whoops! As fun as it’s been, I’m looking forward to a shortened work week and some nights in coming up. Meanwhile, here’s a tiny glimpse at the insanity, post-election:

On Wednesday, I had approximately two hours free in between work and community group. Convenient, since I hadn’t finished the reading for group! I headed to a Starbucks in midtown for my seasonal favorite – the delicious but expensive peppermint mocha – and some reading time.

Friday was the last Liberty Sisterhood gathering of 2014. Our fearless leader Andi Andrew stood onstage alongside some truly amazing women – including my dear friend Trish, pictured above – to talk about sisterhood and cast vision over our future. It has been such a joy getting to know the amazing women of Liberty and there are such great things to come in 2015!

Yesterday capped off the week with a night I had been looking forward to for many weeks! My roommate Becca and I bought tickets to Nick Offerman’s standup set at the New York Comedy Festival. Before the show, we headed to a diner in Hell’s Kitchen for breakfast (and beer) for dinner. We try to make Ron Swanson proud whenever we can.

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful and restful weekend!

Follow me on Instagram here.

A Life of Genuine Delight

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