There is definitely no way I could have gone to NYC any sooner than I had, I just wouldn't have had the energy to get around that much. But I did just enough these few days to have a good time but not overdo it. I opted to drive up on Thursday and hit alot of traffic, but honestly didn't mind it at all. I wasn't allowed to drive at all for 4 months, and haven't driven more than 2 hrs anywhere in ages. Stocked up on new tunes courtesy of Brent, got a new book on CD from Pratt Central on Jess's rec ('World World Z' by Max Brooks - on disc 3 of 6 and its great so far), and jammed out to some random old mix CDs. Cruised on up with the windows down. Got my mandatory NJ rest stop Cinnabon. All good stuff.
Got there and met Emily and Doug at their new (well 6 mo old) apt in the UES. So cute and homey.
(These are from Emily's "work in progress photos from Febuary. Things are even cooler now!)
I could live there in a second. Sometimes I forget how crazy similar our taste's are. Not just design but food, tv, movies, clothes, books, art. If the girl ate meat and hated mayo we could be the same person sometimes. And Em's new gardening obsession has me hooked too (Another post on that to come). Anywho, we checked out The Smith for dinner and drinks as planned. You can check out my Yelp review here.
Friday in true Emily fashion we had red velvet cupcakes for breakfast from the Two Little Red Hens. Officially has replaced Butterlane as my cupcake go-to in NYC. Brought home some Red Velvet & Brooklyn Blackouts for Easter for my Mom and Evs to rave reviews. Hit up H&M where we bought essentially identical clothes, got a slice & some tasti-D-lite, then hit the train to the Bronx Zoo. A beautiful day to wander outside, and the seal feeding was a highlight. Yes, I'm a nerd.Friday night I ventured 20 blks south and traded couches from Em/Doug's to Bridget/Geoff's bc Emily's mom and step-dad came in town. It was wonderful catching up with one of my all time favorite co-workers. We pre-gamed with some homemade guac and margs, in true Bridget style. Then off to Maya where we had some great Mexican tapas. B&G had plans the next day, so our visit was short, but I'll be back soon I'm sure.
Saturday was really one of those real New York days. I had been there long enough I was comfortable getting around on my own. And it was just random and awesome. In the AM I snagged a copy of the Times, a nice chewy sesame bagel w a veggie schmear, and a big ass coffee and walked my way to Central Park. Emily was running in a 10k that morning, and I met up w Doug and her fam at the finish point. We took the train downtown and went to lunch at Stand (HOLY AMAZING - see my Yelp review here)
After we went to The Strand. Thank god I don't live in NYC, bc I would regularly drop $100 in that place. They have sooo many books its almost overwhelming. But I found an out of print copy of Evan Handler's first book for only $6. It took so much restraint not to just start buying up art books. Only the thought of having to carry them around for the rest of the day kept it from happening.
We also had 2 celeb sitings. The guy who's Pete on 30 Rock and....TOM COLICCHIO. To me that was the friggin ultimate bc I LOVE LOVE LOVE Top Chef. (New season of Top Chef Masters starts this Wednesday BTW. Hizzah!) And then...the weirdest. We kept seeing NYU kids walking past us w pillows, and finally found out that they were having a MASSIVE PILLOW FIGHT in Union Square Park.
The whole thing was mind-boggling to me. Mostly, bc it went on for like an hour. I would think it would get old after about 2 minutes. Kind of like tickling. Does anyone like to be slammed in the face with a pillow repeatedly? Or tickled obnoxiously? But on it went and it was quite the spectacle. At this point I figured I really had a good day, and while I was debating staying in town for one more night to try to meet up w some Vandy peeps and/or check out a show at Mercury Lounge I opted to head back to Bmore. Was home in less than 3 hrs and in bed by 10 (though alas not asleep til like 4am. Doh!) I'm lamely proud of myself for being so responsible.Today was a lovely lovely Easter w my Mama. I dressed Lucy in her Easter best (adorable I must say) and went over to her apartment, cupcakes and flowers in hand. She treated us to a delish lunch of the Barefoot Contessa's Engagement Chicken. If you're looking for a simple and yummy roasted chicken recipe, this is the one. I'll prob make it at least every other week from now on I swear. Then went to Grand Cru, my mom's fave hang out (I swear Norm is to Cheers as Mary Garson is to Grand Cru) for the afternoon. Came away w a Easter basket chockful of Cadberry Creme Eggs and jelly beans. Happy Mia.
Ok, that was a little babble-y and prob more info then you needed or wanted. But hey, you're choosing to read this. Or you're not. Either way I feel like I wrapped up my weekend. Off to bed, onto a productive week. OOOOOOOOpening day on Friday. Woot!
No comments:
Post a Comment