Just a Little Bit.

Another wonderful fall weekend, another fun filled weekend. Here is a just a little bit of what I was up to:

Saturday

Belated brunch at Red Rooster (damn to the sneaky beets, yay for spotting Marcus Samuelsson himself).
Hellooooo 30 Rock!
The requisite stop when on 5th Avenue..St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Woorijip!!

 Sunday

Fall foliage makes it's appearance en route to more leaf peeping.
High Point Monument. (I'm lucky the wind didn't knock me over while trying to take this!)
More fall foliage.
Up high in the sky.

PS - The title of this post makes me think of Gina G's Ooh Ahh...Just a Little Bit. (Are you singing it now?!)
PPS - If read this blog regularly, you'll know I get to scratch another thing off my list. Can't wait to blog about it!

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.

Things I Love.

I'm pretty sure I already have a entry with this name but too bad, so sad. Here are three things I love from today.

1. NYC institutions - Serendipity 3

2. Catching up with a good friend over dinner and dessert.

3. The library - yay for new music!

Picture Potpourri.

Jager loves NY. So do I.
Let me be clear, I love NY, not Jager.

Mani pic of the week - Essie's Trophy Wife.
(Though I would think 'trophy wife' would be some type of gold or bronze color.)

Summer fashion meets fall fashion.

A perfect way to end a not so fun day at work - with the funniest little man (and cutest family) I know.
(I have no clear pictures of you child!! You move too much.)

A Day of Remembrance.

Eleven years ago, our world changed. I personally didn't know anyone who lost their life that day but, I, like other knew of people - my neighbors' nephew, a friend of a friend's girlfriend. And everyone has their story. My story, though different from everyone, is also the same. September 11, 2001 was a day that affected everyone.

Eleven years ago, almost out the door to start another year of college, I was stopped by the news on the television. Though not very far from the actual scene, I watched the news unfold before me. I watched one horrible scene after another. I watched my college turned into a triad center.  I watched to see if my friends and family were okay. I watched my whole future change.

And every year since then, I have commemorated in my own way - by watching the remembrance ceremony on tv. I watched and lived the moment from afar back then, and I will do so every year. Even when shortly after 9/11, I worked with the FDNY in the Special Events (as a result of the out-pour of gratitude they received), I watched the first ceremony in the press office of headquarters. Year after year, I watch a part of it at home and then stream the rest at work. Even if I'm not fully paying attention, it's on. It's my way of remembering.

I watched 11 years ago. I watched 5 years ago. I watched last year. But today, I only watched the first 30 minutes. This year is different.The media has said so. And perusing today's blogs, less than 50% mention today's significance. Is it because we've passed the 10 year mark? Maybe. Have we moved on? I don't think so. Are we moving through? Most likely. But just because I didn't do my normal routine, doesn't mean I have forgotten. In fact this year, I made it a point to walk down to the waterfront and reflect. Though I see the skyline almost every day and work in that same exact area where tragedy took place, today was different. I wanted to remember the past, but see the future.

(It was hard trying to take the picture at the same exact spot.)

Tribute in Lights.

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...)

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!

Weekend in Review: Love is All Around.

I'm a sucker for hearts. And I'm a hopeless romantic. So imagine my delight when I found love everywhere this weekend! Okay, so not the love in the form of a relationship, but love in the form of street art. (If I tried really hard, I could find a heart in anything abstract.)

left: art on a 'fridge (Creative Grove Friday's in Jersey City)
top: lady swimmer @ Spring & Lafayette
bottom: From the Highline, I spy the VanLeeuwen ice cream truck.

top left: Saturday Brunch! Stuffed french toast @ The Cupping Room Cafe
top right: L.O.V.E on Broome Street
bottom left: I spy a heart on 14th Street & 7th Avenue
bottom right: Sunday relaxation with a bowl of cherries

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.

Still Weekend Recapping.

Where did I leave off? Oh yes, I was in Brooklyn. Besides Brooklyn Flea, my other goal was to take a ride on Jane's Carousel at Brooklyn Bridge Park. So we hopped on the ferry again for a quick ride, and took a spin and then did some jumping around [not pictured] and concluded our little adventure with much deserved drinks.

from left to right starting at top:Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, tickets to Jane's Carousel (only $2 a ride!),

horsies up close and personal, the prettiest view from a carousel,
schedule for movies in the park, a NYC wedding (I love stumbling across those),
Love Lane in Brooklyn Heights, the BK Bridge (after taking action shots in front of it)

Monday was all about the catching some sunshine with Sister and those pictures are have already been posted here. All in all, I'd say my much needed long weekend was kick ass :)

Weekend Review.

Working two weekends in a row was/is painful. But at least this one was a long weekend so I finally got my fun and relaxation in and didn't feel too jipped.

As soon as I was able to, I hightailed it out of the office to meet up some friends to sangria and tapas.
top: evidence it was Memorial Day Weekend - an empty subway car @ 8pm on a Saturday night
bottom: sunset along the High Line @ 10th Ave & 23rd Street

Sunday was all about Brooklyn. These pictures were all taken while riding the East River Ferry.
top left: Pier 11 || top right: Brooklyn Bridge
bottom left: Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg || bottom right: modern apartments in South Williamsburg

First destination in Brooklyn - the Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg.
top left: nom nom nom || top right: Williamsburg Bridge
middle left: Brooklyn Flea || middle right: Dough's donuts
 bottom row: a Cemita sandwich (omg to die for!)

After stuffing ourselves, it was off to explore Williamsburg for a just a bit.
Gone is is the gritty that I remember from 10 years ago. Gentrification is what it's all about.
Yet, there was a lot of street art to be found.

Post to be continued...

Only in New York.

Apparently there are a number of art installations in progress at City Hall Park. That's fine with me but I think this one isn't in progress any more. I mean, really,  what else can be added to it?

The Return of Me!! (The Final Installation)

The end of last week was KILLER! My patience, my sanity, my patience...oh wait I mentioned that...were all tested immensely. And I get to go through it again this week. Yay for me (please note the sarcasm). But, there was this...

A thank you treat from the client.
I've never had cupcakes from Baked by Melissa before (shocking since I love cupcakes) but my, my, they were tiny bites of delight!
They were given to me on Friday but I didn't have a moment to breathe so I ate them at work on Saturday. Wonderful!!

Though I missed the fabulous weather, I did get out of work while the sun was still up.
Heading to the subway I snapped pics of the Municipal Building (top) and the Frank Gehry apartment building (bottom).

Finally my one-day weekend came and, lord, did I need it.
The day was glorious - beautiful blue skies and perfect warm weather.
After dilly-dallying, I grabbed my phone, a magazine, and headed to my favorite spot to catch some sun and relaxation.
This was the perfect antidote to my crazy stressful week.

The Return of Me!!

Why hello there!! Long time no blog.  Real life has gotten in the way of my blogging duties but I have been taking photos as much as I can remember and now it's time to do a dump to free up space on my phone and update this sucker.

Work has kicked my ass in the last week. And the weekend before last was fun, yet super busy. So apologies for neglecting my poor baby blog and here we go...

Friday the whenever - oh the 18th:

Yes, I may have gone to the Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale again. And I may have gone during lunch.
And yes, I may have bought another bag :)

Only in New York...
top photo: baby & dog cart (seriously. dog had his/her section)
bottom left: Friday lunch hour @ Madison Square Park || bottom right: Eat at Mad. Sq. Pk.

left: Creative Grove
right: Jersey City fly girl (she has a twin and they're usually spotted together wearing some awesome outfit.)

Saturday the 12th:

en route to Staten Island via the x1 - part 1
(No family pictures to post but there was lots of meat, heat and babies.)

Then back to the City to see Death of a Salesman starring Philip Seymour Hoffman.
(Overall, it was okay. I wasn't quite in love with the character chemistry which I felt took away from the play.)

Then there was drinks and more drinks and a ride into Jersey City only to head back to the Island again the next morning. Stay tuned for part II of this post...