Reasons I Heart NY

There are too many reasons to write about why I have a love/hate relationship with this city but for now I will just note the big one. Last night I was walking around the UES, despite the cold - I turn the corner and see neon blue signs. I had to take a picture. Not sure what it's for and I think it was at Hunter College but still random things that I get to stumble upon here are why I love this city and really not sure when I will decide to leave. I might just start to call it home...

A couple favorite NYC quotes:

"One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years"

- Thomas Wolfe

"They say life's what happens when you're busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you're waiting for a table."

- Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw

Many Things to do in the City

This week and next there are 20 Off-Broadway shows that are $20, 20 min before the show. To my knowledge they do this every year but I wasn't able to make it to any last year. Last night after my dance class, my friend and I tried to make it to see The Marvelous Wonderettes and we did make it. There was a small line but nothing more than waiting for seats for a more popular Broadway show would've been. It is set at a 1950's senior prom and opened a little slow and thought it would only be the 4 girls singing at first but then about 3 songs in - the humor of the show kicked in and it turned out to be a very feel-good, pick me up kind of a show. I am very happy that I went to see it and it was definitely worth the $20.

New Scents

One of my favorite things is discovering a new scent. I always wanted to be that girl that walked into a room where whatever she was wearing lingered in people's thoughts - not the overwhelming, overpowering scent but something that was just a pleasant thought. You should know the difference and I think people that know me understand what I mean. I never thought I was that girl until recently a friend told me I was and then as I began to think about it - I do usually get compliments on my scents. I wear many and always change up for something new and fun - just to reflect my mood. This weekend in Boston, I went to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Musuem and found the line of L'Aromatheque. Wearing it this morning made my Monday that much happier. It's always the little things that matter.

Finally McQ for Target

It's official: Alexander McQueen's Target line is set to release March 1. The pics are published and I cannot wait to buy some pieces. We all want some.

Go. buy. now.

Well, not until March 1 but you know what I mean.

Just a few pieces that I will buy! Enjoy and be inspired.

Dinner in the City

What better excuse alone is there to try out a new restaurant than, Restaurant Week? Miami has Miami Spice and NY has Restaurant Week. You get a 3 course prix fixe menu for $35 where at most of the participating restaurants that is the price for one plate. I know you're thinking, I'll get bad service or treated as though I'm cheap... not the case. You are dining in a nice restaurant for less and to make up the cost go ahead and order that bottle of wine that you usually wouldn't - trust me, it's worth it.

So last night I went to Beacon on 56th St between 5th and 6th and it was the perfect cozy atmosphere that I was in the mood for. We were seated in a caddie-corner booth. The restaurant did have more of a business lunch feel but there was a table of people there celebrating a simple Birthday and others seemed to be just catching up. The lighting was amber and the staff was pleasant. My only complaint would be that the servers weren't very attentive as to when we were done with each course. The app plates were still in front of us (yet we had been done for awhile) when they brought the entree plate out and the same to say when desserts came. However, they were prompt on never letting our wine or water run out which is always nice to never have to ask or lean over and pour the wine yourself. I had the Pumpkin Apple Soup which I enjoyed but I'm not a big soup eater so not sure if maybe it should've had a little more flavor. I also had the Winter Vegetable Risotto which was a great mix of diced veggies without one flavor overpowering another. For dessert I had the Devil's Food Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream. My friend ordered the Chocolate Chip Souffle with Dark Chocolate sauce and that was a little more satisfying. Desserts are my favorite course yet I was a little let down. Not sure if they made the ice cream in house or not but that was the highlight of the plate to me. All in all it was a good meal and it was a nice surprise to have every member of the staff be warm and friendly. I would definitely return and recommend to almost all.

A Day of Blue

NYC late 2008

The weather this year is making me a little blue which is probably bringing up this need for change and new inspiration so in the words of Jimmy Buffet...

Turks 2008

"I gotta go where there ain't any snow - Where there ain't any blow - 'Cause my fin sinks so low - I gotta go where it's warm!"

Warm Thoughts to all until this weather is over and I cannot wait!

Changing it up for the New Year

So I was trying to stick with the blog on food around the city but I've decided to change it up and just be creative in whatever I find inspiring and actually start posting every week. I can never usually stick to one thing for that long and I recently found this blog that reminded me of all the fun pages I would make in college and my many and ever changing wall collages in high school. If you need any inspiration, I'm sharing... look here. I love how she finally put the obsession of Mary-Kate and Ashley into words - they are just great and seem to always get it right and now I know I'm not alone in wanting to know what they are going to do next! She is great and I now heart KC's creativity (the blogger if you clicked above) and all her real thoughts along with all her other followers, it seems. Here's to more inspiration in the start of a new year and sharing all my cheesiness and laughter.

Home Cookin

I haven't been keeping up with my blog lately although I have eaten some great food. I started to do my January detox again where I only eat all natural vegan food so I've been making myself check out restaurants that have been on my list for awhile but never really had anyone to join me before. But before I get to that I want to note all the yummy home cookin that I got this year; we didn't even do a big Christmas lunch but my favorite part is waking up to my Granddadddy making a big pot of Grits and Cheese! This year my aunt also made some great breakfast options! The food was great to enjoy during the family fun!!