NYC

Catching Up on Instagram: 10/4/15

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Life has continued to be insane lately and shows no signs of slowing down until at least November. Between hosting visitors (most recently my person Jordan!) and rapidly transitioning from summer to fall (think a 30-degree temperature drop in less than a week), life in Brooklyn feels like a whirlwind and I’m just caught in the riptide. It’s been fun, though, especially with community groups kicking off this past week! Here’s a little peek…

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My cousin Kelly has friends in Brooklyn, which means I get the honor of seeing her face a couple times a year! Her most recent visit overlapped with my parents’ so we all enjoyed a dinner and night at the theatre.

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I had a pretty bad day a couple weeks ago, and after mentioning it to a couple girlfriends, five of them appeared at my door and magically turned my kitchen into a nacho bar (and then did my dishes!) because they are 100% the best.

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My friends are much more athletic than I am (not difficult to achieve, but they’re insanely fit and talented!) I recently ventured into Manhattan early on a Sunday to cheer on Kelli and Maria in a 10K, and I got to glimpse the sunrise on my walk to the train.

Last week I went on my first major shopping spree in a long time. I usually stick to a list of basics I’m looking for in any given season, but in addition to the unplanned splurges above, I picked up a sweater (my first clothing item from Anthropologie!) when out with my friend Abby.

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Finally, I spent Friday hiding from the pre-hurricane by ducking out of the crazy wind and rain and into Union Square Theatre to see 39 Steps, a comedic interpretation of the Hitchcock film. The perfect way to kick off a weekend that otherwise consisted of lying in bed for two days straight. Gotta rest up for the craziness to come!

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A visit from my person

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“You are my person.”

This is what my spirit animal, the fictional Dr. Cristina Yang of Grey’s Anatomy, says to Meredith early on in the show’s run – and repeatedly throughout the series until she moves to Switzerland. What’s a person? The person who would bury the body if you murdered someone. Everybody should have a person.

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I met my person six years ago. Jordan and I had overlapping shifts at the local newspaper, and on our off days we sat next to each other in Intermediate Reporting (the course generally regarded as being so difficult it weeds out the students who aren’t serious about journalism). We bonded immediately and over the years have shared absolutely everything – helped each other through break ups, provided a couch when roommates were insane, stood side-by-side at graduation (we finished a semester early and were the top two students in our class, if that gives you any indication of our personalities).

Since I left Phoenix – see, I’m always Cristina – Jordan and I have caught each other on the phone every few weeks and talked for hours. During my trip to Phoenix in December, I spent three days on her couch watching Will & Grace, cuddling her dog and generally being in her boyfriend’s way (she loves me more). This week, Jordan came to NYC for a work event, and spent several days with me in Brooklyn! It was her first trip to the Big Apple and we had an absolute blast.

Fall foliage in Brooklyn

Fall foliage in Brooklyn

African Innovations exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum

African Innovations exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum

Seasonal donuts at ABC Kitchen

Seasonal donuts at ABC Kitchen

The view from the 230 Fifth rooftop bar

The view from the 230 Fifth rooftop bar

Sunset at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Sunset at Brooklyn Bridge Park

There was a stroll by the water at sunset, and barbecue with some of my dearest friends. There were two days of working in the home-design industry, which I tagged along for because everything is fun if you’re with a friend. There was dinner at my favorite restaurant, ABC Kitchen, and at some spots in Brooklyn I had never tried before. There was a full day of walking around Manhattan until our feet were screaming. There was a trek to the Brooklyn Museum, my first visit there even though it’s practically in my backyard.

But most importantly, there were late-night conversations about the things in life that really matter. There was a ridiculously powerful service at my home church. There were four days of just being together in a way we haven’t been able to be together in a very long time.

Also we met Jane Seymour, but Jordan is better

Also we met Jane Seymour, but Jordan is better

It was a really wonderful weekend.

Another visit to One World Observatory

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Remember that time I went to the opening of One World Observatory, and it was foggy? Well, I finally made it back, this time with my parents in tow! They came to NYC for a quick visit and were more than happy to accompany me on this little adventure – even my mom, who is usually hesitant about heights, had her nose pressed up against the glass in awe of these views.

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The little museum area you pass through is fascinating, featuring videos of crews who worked on the tower, which is built on a foundation of bedrock.

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You can see the bridges leading to Brooklyn…

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… and the skyscrapers of Midtown (there’s my office!, said my roomie when I sent her this pic)…

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… and even as far as Queens and the Bronx.

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The views stretch far up the Hudson on the west side…

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… and the shadows looming over the Financial District below offer perspective of just HOW high up you are.

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Even New Jersey looks good.

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This is my city, and I adore it, even when I can see the haze looming.

If you want to go: Tickets are available here for $32. They do, of course, try to nickel and dime you with extras, but I’m proud to say we got through without spending an extra cent (except in the gift shop, thanks Dad!) You can get tickets at the door, but I recommend booking online in advance: Plan for a clear, sunny day! Be prepared to elbow your way through the crowds to the best views. And enjoy!

See also: One World Observatory on a foggy day; My favorite place for views in NYC: Top of the Rock (you can see the World Trade Center from there!)

A delightful guide to NYC

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I’m so excited to finally launch my comprehensive guide to my NYC! I’ve been working on this for weeks, pruning my suggestions of the best-of-the-best to do, see and EAT in this wonderful city. (Yes, this is a PRUNED list!) I can personally attest to each and every place on this list – and seeing it all spelled out is answering a lot of questions I’ve had about my bank account. Happy to take one for the team!

Places are divided by category, and neighborhoods are indicated so you can do a search that way if you prefer. I’ll keep this list updated as I find new places. Enjoy!

Coffee

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A latte at R&R Coffee, one of the few non-chain coffee shops in the Financial District

Breakfast

Note to self: Take more photos of breakfast

Brunch

Rum French Toast at Black Swan: Do I even need to elaborate?!

Rum French Toast at Black Swan: Do I even need to elaborate?!

Lunch

S'mac in the East Village is a lunchtime staple for me.

S’mac in the East Village is a lunchtime staple for me.

Dinner

Ramen at Momofuku Noodle Bar in the East Village: Necessary to get through winter!

Ramen at Momofuku Noodle Bar in the East Village: Necessary to get through winter!

Dessert

Vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles at Big Gay Ice Cream, a West Village staple

Vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles at Big Gay Ice Cream, a West Village staple

Drinks

People's Pops in prosecco at Loopy Doopy in the Financial District

People’s Pops in prosecco at Loopy Doopy, a rooftop bar in the Financial District

Parks

(read about my very favorite parks here)

One of many iconic views at Central Park

One of many iconic views at Central Park

  • Washington Square, Greenwich Village (pretty pictures here!)
  • Union Square
  • High Line, West Side
  • Prospect Park, Brooklyn (fall photos here)
  • Central Park
  • Brooklyn Heights Promenade
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights
  • Madison Square Park, NoMad
  • Elevated Acre, Financial District
  • City Hall Park, Financial District
  • McCarren Park, Williamsburg
  • East River State Park, Williamsburg
  • Riverside Park, Upper West Side (featured here)
  • Bryant Park, Midtown
  • Hudson River Park, West Village
  • Astoria Park, Astoria

Do/See

Even if you don't travel through, just seeing Grand Central is a must.

Even if you don’t travel through, just seeing Grand Central is a must.

Now you tell me: What’s missing from this list? I’m always looking for new places to try!

First day of Fall

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Just like that, another season change: The days are considerably shorter, the weather is cooler, everything is pumpkin-flavored. Everyone loves fall, or so it seems. Living in Phoenix, I would listen to midwest transplants wax poetic about changing leaves and pumpkin patches, while I nodded along and cherished the ongoing  pool days. I’m a summer girl, and the entire concept of autumn was lost on me.

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Last year was the first “real” fall of my adulthood, and I can’t shake the feeling that I did it all wrong. Each day was cooler than the one before, and I would psych myself out thinking about how much colder it would get as winter approached. I built an entire fall bucket list, and completed exactly zero items, preferring to spend my weekends lying in the sunshine in a jacket, pretending it was still summer even though it undeniably was not. (I did see leaves change, but that was more inevitable than intentional). I own maybe five sweaters, and I put off wearing boots as long as possible. And although I thought I’d be happy living as though it was warm, I was actually pretty miserable.

This year, I’m determined to make the most of fall and find out what the hype is all about. I want to treat it like an actual season, rather than an interlude between iced lattes and peppermint mochas, and to hold off the dread of winter chill.

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With that in mind, here’s a peek at what I’m hoping to accomplish in the next three months:

  • Apple picking: This was on my list last year and it never happened. I’m now aware of a farm in Queens, so it’s a lot more attainable than I expected!
  • Go to an NBA game: Maybe not a fall-specific activity, but the season does start next month, and basketball is the only professional sport I’ve never seen in person.
  • Cook lots and lots of soups and chilis: I LOVE this little food group, and even though I left my dutch oven in Arizona, I’m determined to re-create my favorite recipes on a smaller scale.
  • Spend some time in the spring by popping down to the Southern hemisphere: because even though I’m determined to love fall, I’ll always love spring more 😉

What are your tips for making myself enjoy fall?!

P.S. This is my favorite fall bucket list: Activities for people who really hate fall but pretend to love fall. I only wish I’d thought of it first!