New Year, New You (or Me).

Happy 2013! So I guess I've decided to continue to blog but not in the same exact fashion. I originally created this blog with the intention of making it a plog/p-log and I kept up with it for the most part. What I found difficult was posting an entry a day AND making sure it included a photo of the day. Way too much work for me ;) But like I said in my previous entry, I have discovered in the last 12 months that I enjoy taking [everyday] pictures. Photography alone was a nice creative outlet and I thought that this year I could put a slight spin on it + blogging. I've been seeing these photo-a-day challenges everywhere the last few months and have decided that I will try my best to take part in it.

And so, for 2013, this little blog will no longer be updated daily (because honestly I suck at that part of it; too much work) but I can certainly try a photo-a-day and Instagram that shit :) I'm addicted to Instagram so that should fulfill my 'daily-randomness' requirement, haha. If you don't have an Instagram account (what's wrong with you?!), I plan on keeping this blog alive at least weekly, and posting my snapshots in one shot. We'll see how that works. Until then, check out my inspiration for the month of January...Fat Mum Slim.

Jesus Christ, Superstar!

Another chalked heart in front of Starbucks this morning. Given I live in Jersey City, I assumed that's what the JC stood for. But upon posting this to Instagram and seeing what strangers liked my photo, I realized maybe this is a sign that Jesus Christ is here to show his love. Things that make you go hmmmm, lol.

Bad, Bad Girl.

Yes, I realize it's been almost a whole month since I have last blogged. I'm a bad, bad girl. I kind of feel guilty about it and I kind of don't. The cold weather and early sunsets make me all blah. I'm always tired and lazy - that's my justification of non-guilt. The guilt part...it is so typical of me to start a "project" such as this blog and complete it half-assed. Naturally, I choose the last few months of the year to slack. So me. But that ends now. I want to end with a bang! My photo-taking hasn't actually stopped as evidenced on Instagram, but I will admit that too has slowed down. And so regular blog posting will resume. Stay tuned!

Love is Everywhere.

I'm a sucker for all thing hearts. I can spot leaves shaped like a heart. Clouds. Bubbles. Whatever, you get the picture. One may find it endearing, others may find it annoying. To those of you who find it annoying, I say you need more love in your life :)

Imagine my delight this morning when I saw this chalk art of hearts (rhymes!) in front of the entrance to Starbucks!

That put a smile on my face. And then walking back to the train, I saw that someone wrote out "love" on top of the stairs but because I was extremely late, I didn't stop to take a picture. I was glad it was still there when I came home. Clearly, someone was trying to spread the love.

And while we're on the subject of love, and this is the blog of randomness, let me tell you some of the things I've been in love with lately.

1 - I love the camera on my iPhone. I love that it has helped me keep some discipline in maintaining this blog. I also love the quality of pictures it allows me to take.

2 - I love Instagram. I profess myself in Insta-whore. I will stop and snap pictures anywhere it seems. I love that my iPhone and Instagram have brought out the creative in me.

3 - Not iPhone related...though it's getting chillier sooner than I would want, I do love putting on sweatpants and a fleece top. It's my fall and winter uniform when I'm not in work. I love the feeling of coziness against my skin. (That sounded weird.)

4 - Back to iPhone related love...I love that I don't have to carry my Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks gift cards. EVER. Why? Because it's loaded onto my phone!! It so fascinates me how I can pay my iced coffee addiction over my phone. Lost the card? No problem. Left it at home? No big deal. I never leave the apartment without my phone therefore my handy dandy apps are always with me.

5 - You know what else I don't have to worry about forgetting or losing? My library card!! Today, when I stepped out for lunch, I left my keys at my desk. I didn't fret too much. I know they can just look it up with my ID. But turns out better yet, that as long as you take your handy dandy (yes, I like saying that) phone with you, you can use the NYPL app to take out the books. Your library card is saved in the app so you just have to show them the barcode. Genius!! God, how I love the library.

6 - And speaking of my love for the library, I love the loot I was able to check out today.

I love taking out magazines from the library.
Since I only subscribe to one magazine now, there is less clutter of old and current copies of other magazines.

Just Like Us!

I may be 31, but I definitely eat like a 5 year old. Hence, today's breakfast.

But better yet, in case you don't already follow my Instagram, guess who's just like us!! This chick...

Well, she would be more like us if I snapped a picture of her checking out and paying for her goods (I don't know what they were 'cuz I was busy furiously texting my friend and acting nonchalant) at Whole Foods. Haha, but I didn't because that would have seriously been awkward for both of us. In any case, my best celeb siting to date. I saw and was really close to Judah Frielander too on Saturday but my phone was on the verge of dying so I let that opportunity pass. It's not often I'm close enough to a celeb for a good amount of time and she's just as pretty in-person that I had to it. So, sorry Jessica for seeming stalker-ish. I just wanted to get a picture of you...at least I waited until we got back outside and took it from a distance while you mugged with another [more bold] fan.

Empire State of Mind.

What did I do this weekend?  Play in Queens and Brooklyn. Gotta love all that the city has to offer!

Maker Faire NY. So much too see, so little time.

Damn you 7 train for making my Saturday travel a pain in the ass.

The house that HOV built ;)

Speaks for itself.

A is for Apologies.

Apologies for not posting yesterday. I was busy eating at Jollibee (yum chickenjoy!) and then packing for my work trip. Because "A" is also for Aspen, which is where I shall reside for the next few days. So advanced apologies for not posting regularly because of Aspen.

But I am able to post today. Here are a few pics I was able to snap in the few "free" hours I had.

How appropriate!

Apparently the USA Pro Challenge was taking place here. That was a fun scene to stumble upon.

Ahhhh, a bear! This thing is quite big and cool! It's made of pine needles.

As always, if I'm lacking a blog post, you can still see my daily pictures on Instagram (@heart_of_luv).

This City Is My City - Part 2.

Yup, still singing the song. Although, I don't think it would have jived with yesterday's atmosphere.

Something I've been wanting to go to, and somehow always miss, is the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. It's not on my list of NYC things to do, but I'm glad I made it yesterday! What a sight to be seen and I mean that in a good way. Some ladies and gents totally got in the spirit and got all decked out for the event. Which, of course, made for excellent picture taking, and fed my Instagram obsession. (So much so, that I am still editing photos and posting them on my account.) Despite it being overcast, the day spent on Governors Island was great! It wasn't hot or humid, and there was a nice breeze. Couple that with all the dapper and dashing people and jazz music, it was a rip roarin' great time ;)  Good way to spend a Sunday! (Except for the one ferry to shuttle the hundreds of people off the island at the end of the day. Let's not think about it anymore.)

Next year, I've really got to step up my fashion and picnic game. Check out the scene!

Naturally, there are a ton more on my Instagram account, so feel free to check out/follow me @heart_of_luv. Orrrr you can search #jazzage #jazzagelawnparty, #1920s. :)

This City Is My City.

If I could have a soundtrack to this weekend, this song would definitely be on it:

"This city is my city
And I love it, yeah I love it
I was born and raised here
I got it made here
And if I have my way, I'm gonna stay"

Yup, this Patrick Stump song is the jam. ;)  And why is this city, my city? Cuz check it:

And a few of the ones that didn't make it onto Instagram:

What's not to love about Summer Streets?!

top 3 horizontal pics: Free Masala Bhangra class @ Astor Place Rest Stop by Crunch Fitness
top left: People walked, ran, cycled, rollerbladed, skateboarded...and jumped? Those things look like fun.
top right: a human hamster wheel @ SoHo Rest Stop courtesy of Merrell
bottom left: "Cyclists to your left! Pedestrians to your right!"
bottom right: a rock climbing wall  (almost as tall as an apt building!) @ SoHo Rest Stop courtesy of REI

What started off as a rainy Saturday, turned out to be a glorious summer day in the city! I'm so glad I was able to see Summer Streets and spend literally 8 hours, walking around. Sure, I walked around SoHo and NoLita over and over again, but it was a great day of exploration, adventure, and laughs with a dear friend. There's always something new to be seen in the Big Apple! (Check out my Instragram @heart_of_luv for proof.)

And I end this post with a little more video that made me smile:

(This last one makes me laugh because the street was noisy of only bicycle bells and people's chatter...and then they came through...)

Where Am I?

If you haven't gathered by now, I'm on vacay-staycay. 13 consecutive days of not going into the office!! Notice, I didn't say 13 consecutive days of no-work, because - ugh - I've been checking in daily and doing more than I should during my time "away", but whatever. So anyway, my blog posting will be sporadic but you can always follow me on Instagram (@heart_of_luv) for my silly-to-myself shenanigans. For instance...

Day 4 of vacay-staycay (which is actually a Saturday, so it's just a weekend) meant stupid storms literally raining on our parade. But, I was able to find a sand dollar!  And Sister and I pretended we were in London at the Olympics. Don't ask. Oh and why do I have chinese take out containers at the beach? Well, doesn't everyone bring their snacks (pretzels and cheez-its) in them?! No, you don't? I feel sorry for you.

Day 6 was a better beach day. Clearly. Every Monday should be a beach day!

The Big Apple: #3

After brunch with friends on Saturday, I decided to seize the day since it was still early and cross something else off of my list. Sure it was hot and a tad humid (because once again we're converging on heatwave #4), but I figured I was already in the city so why not take advantage. So off I went to the High Line. FANTASTIC! I wish the skies weren't so overcast, but I still got some great shots. In fact, if you follow my Instagram (@heart_of_luv), you'll see just how many photos I took (and edited) on my handy dandy iPhone (god I love this thing!).

Here are just a few of my little adventure. Now we can cross #3 off my list! Only 30 more things to see and do!

The Big Apple: #21

Remember this post? Well, a few days before blogging about it, I actually had already crossed out #21 on my list: visit the main NYPL. Aka - the one with the lions out front on 5th Avenue. Aka. - the Steven A. Schwarzman Building. 

I went on a Sunday, which was nice because it wasn't so crowded, but the downside was that a lot of the rooms/exhibits were closed. All in all, a gorgeous building with great architectural detail and old New York history. Which of course makes for awesome Instagram opportunities.

I was also really excited to see the Doodle 4 Google exhibit. I took a lot of photos so I won't post them all (and also my camera ran out of memory so I didn't get to take as many I would have liked to) but here are some of my favorite. These kids are really super talented.

Holler! City of Squalor!

Can you guess where the title of this post is from? If you can, then you know why I didn't blog last night. I may have gotten a little distracted by a monkey, a bearded but bold Zach Galifinakis, and his wolf pack. Oops! (And yes, I'm only watching this movie now. I don't go to theaters all that often and I like to use the library for their resources.)

What I should have done last night, is post this. But if you follow me on Instagram (@heart_of_luv), then you didn't miss out on anything.

top row: old vintage sign on building on Church Street, the Balloon Saloon
bottom row: Peace & Love sidewalk art, Pearl Paint on Canal Street