Showing posts with label NYC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NYC. Show all posts

Monday, February 18, 2013

Struck Gold

Ever feel like you've found gold and it takes two to three weeks for everyone else to find it too?  That is how I feel about this song.  I heard it back in December for the first time, fell in love with it in early January, and now it is showing up everywhere.  Oh, and it's also my mantra for 2013. Here's a couple of covers I really appreciate:



Back to my original thought for this post--NYC.  There were many cool and hip places in NYC.  Here are a couple I'd check out if plan on checking out the city anytime soon.  

Wilfie & Nell - I had drinks at this lovely and quite cozy bar in the West Village.  I am also certain that I saw Al Pacino's twin there.  It was absolutely perfect and intimate. A perfect date spot.  Highly recommend it for late night talks and drinks.

Hudson Clearwater - is a swanky West Village restaurant with an intimate NYC feel.  We had a large group for a dinner party when I went here and I was thoroughly impressed by the fact that even though we were in a secluded and romantic nook, we were never abandoned.  They had some amazing cocktails on the menu and the food was fantastic.  The restaurant is a bit hidden, but a true gem and the ambiance was my favorite. 

The Standard Biergarten - When I first knew we were going to a biergarten in Chelsea I never thought it would be a traditional German-style one.  The glass enclosed hangout has Oktoberfest-style picnic tables with few cocktail tables and ping pong tables on the sides.  A full bar is available as well as three German beers to choose from: a pils, a wheat, and a black lager.  I had the black lager and will be reviewing it in the near future.  Didn't have any of the apps, but the pretzels and dogs looked delicious.  This is one of those places that definitely seemed worthy of hitting up before dinner with friends or a casual date night. 

Sarita's Macarconi & Cheese - I first heard about this place on television awhile back, probably on one of those food network shows.  It definitely takes a modern twist on the ideal comfort food.  I recommend the sampler which includes my favorites: the Parisienne, the La Mancha, and the Napolitana. Yum! 

Big Gay Ice-Cream - I went to this hip ice-cream shop in the East Village when my good friend from college, Erica took me on a food tour of her favorite spots.  It was perfect and delicious and, well, totally gay :) I had The Salty Pimp, and you will just have to click on the link to find out for yourself what that consists of. 

The Westway - Such a fun experience!! I was definitely creeped out at the beginning because I thought it was a strip club, that's because it used to be one.  It definitely feels like you are time traveling back to 1979, or into a Quentin Tarantino film.  The DJ was absolutely awesome playing some great hits from today and some amazing oldies that didn't make you feel like you were dancing at your cousin's wedding.  It's perfect for dancing, especially if you've always wanted to dance on a light up dance floor...check.

Have you been to any of these places? 

I plan on taking it easy this Monday evening, it's raining and I'm tired.  I plan on catching up on Girls, finishing Perks of Being a Wallflower, and maybe getting some grades on the computer.  
Happy Monday, wish me luck on my phone interview for WashU Scholarships tomorrow! 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

"La joie de vivre"

My heart is SO full.  Full of humility, love, gratefulness, and happiness.  I am so thankful for how blessed I have been this year.  I feel as though I have been living up to my goals and resolutions so far.  The most important "la joie de vivre" - the joy of living.  

Let's take a look at some personal goals here from this post.


Personal Goals
  • Go on a blind date
  • Ask someone out on a date, because who says I can't go after what I want?
  • Find a more unified theme for my blog, and increase my viewing audience
  • Go on at least four brewery tours by the end of the year
  • Ride a hot air balloon
  • Send birthday packages/care packages/cards to show I love my family and friends 
  • Buy all Christmas gifts by the end of November
  • Send out Christmas cards by the first week of December
  • Make a habit out of reading CNN, just like I read blogs/social media sites
    • Every time I open social media I have to open CNN or another news source
  • Minimizing all meat intake to once a week
  • Go ALL OUT for holidays (Valentine's, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Mardi Gras)
  • Travel abroad at least once this year 
  • Travel to NYC, New Orleans, Dallas (for you, Sarah), Boston, Seattle, and Santa Fe
  • Take another road trip across the country
  • See more of my best friends (in person)
  • Go to at least one concert

That's pretty darn successful for February 2013, especially considering I had not purchased plane tickets or concert ticket to either.  I feel good about this list, and I think it's definitely possible to complete everything by December.

I just returned from my trip to New York City and it was incredible.  I had the most wonderful time with my roommate visiting friends, being young, and simply living.  I'd love to give a brief update in pictures and a short list of places I highly enjoyed.  I have never felt so alive in the city, and even though I have no desire of living there, it was a blast to visit as a twenty-something.

Of course we arrived in the middle of Blizzard Nemo
Made a new friend on the left, reunited with a new friend on the right, and had a great time with my roomie 
NYC streets were dead in the middle of the night during Nemo
But the snow made Central Park look magical the next morning

Magical 

Met up with my college friend,  Erica! 
She took me to the Big Gay Ice-Cream Shop!  
The baby was soft serve with caramel topped with sea salt and covered in chocolate! 
There was a romance about Washington Square Park
Serendipity has legit hot dogs! 
But they are even more serious about their Frozen Hot Chocolate!  
Beauty in the Upper West Side
NYC night life
Craziness in Grand Central Station
Ended the trip with a PHENOMENAL performance by Mumford & Sons
Huge venue, but I was honored to be SO, SO, close to the stage
Are you experiencing "La joie de vivre" this year?