Everything

New York is a beautiful and tragic and magical and awful place.

There are a few things everyone should know about New York that I think no one ever really talks about. It’s really cold here in January. By that, I mean it’s so utterly bitter outside that you find yourself contemplating if it is actually physically possible for bones to freeze. Also, every few blocks you need to avoid animal feces on the sidewalk, as so many people have dogs and yet do not carry doggy bags. (?) And the 6^th Ave subway often smells like pee. No grocery stores. Everything’s expensive. There’s always the uncertain risk of bed bugs. Death by moving fixed gear is a real possibility on Bedford Ave. I think the cyclists can’t see over their beards.

In spite of all that, it’s also a dreamland. As I write this, I’m contemplating the idea of ordering in for chocolate chip cookies. Only in New York can you order from 50 different restaurants, bakeries, and bodegas, whatever you want at any time of night. You can stand in a subway stop in Brooklyn and find yourself only moments later in Times Square on the most densely populated city block in the world. Or take the train a couple stops over to Washington Square Park and throw a penny into the fountain. My office in Greenwich Village, outright THE most charming neighborhood in America, is dangerously close to Bleeker Street Pizza and the view of the Hudson river is positively stunning.

I took a new route home from Williamsburg today and found a walk up vintage closet and maybe the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen, hidden away in the bustle of Driggs street.  Reclaimed hangers from Junk? Yes, please. I had a life changing hot dog that cost me 4 bucks. Yesterday, it was a Polish potato dumpling at the same price and honestly, riding the subway isn’t that bad at all. Add to that, you look across the East River and see this. You have to catch your breath.

Then there’s this amazing opportunity I keep referring to as my job. Truly, I could not stand to be more blessed. I think sometimes we ask God for something and when it finally arrives, we’re unprepared to receive it.  I have more work to do in the next month than I know what to do with. It’s going to take weekends and nights and skipped lunches. It will be far and away the most challenging task I’ve ever set out to accomplish and I wouldn’t give up a single second of it because next week I have a Skype meeting with a colleague in India. The week after that, I’ll be launching a nation wide campaign with the largest public relations firm in the country. The following week, I’ll be heading off in a tour van for 4 months to see this amazing nation we all call our home.

So I guess what I ask the world is this….If you’re not putting everything all in, what are you really doing?

New York takes everything from you and gives nothing back and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

Bryant Park

NYE threads

Punch Brothers at The Bowery

Rock Center

 

Keys to the Office 

Heart Elbow Pads :)

Sunshine in Greenpoint

Modern Anthology

Crif Dogs

This is not a Buffalo Exchange. 

The Big Ticket

I went to The Big Ticket concert here in Jacksonville with my sisters last weekend and it was seriously gorgeous weather. Sometimes, Florida can really show out. There was just enough sunshine and warmth for it to be cozy and lovely and perfect for an outdoor concert.

Grouplove was AH-mazing. Blew my mind. Of Monsters and Men was of course, too lovely. And Fun was just that. I'm not a really huge fan of Fun's music, but they put on a good show.

Grouplove rocks my socks. 

Of Monsters and Men

Park Strolling...

Since my best friend doesn't live in Jacksonville anymore, I try to soak up as much time with him as I can when he is in town for a visit. We don't usually try to fill our time with huge experiential moments, but mere pedestrian everyday trips. That's just the kind of friends we are. It's a lot of walking in parks and strolling down neighborhood streets. We went to the park after breakfast one day this week to shoot these photos.

cardigan/thrifted  dress+kneehighs/UO  boots/Aldo  

Finish Up.

I got so caught up in work and getting things organized again in my life that I never had the chance to post the rest of my photos from New york. So, whatever is left....I'm sort of just going to dump on the blog at this point. :) Enjoy.

There was this one cafe we went to on Mott St. that I am now smitten with. Cafe Gitane has the most delightful breakfast just about anywhere I think. I need to figure out how they make their watermelon juice, as it is perhaps the tastiest and most refreshing juice drink I've ever had.

shorts/vintageLevis  bag/vintage  combatboots/Bass  cardigan/UO

Perfect.

I suppose it's possible for Jacksonville to host its own little moments of perfection every now and again. Being enveloped in the sunshine in the park on my day off is yeah....perfect. Also, Einstein's Bagel Co. has a PERFECT pumpkin bagel with pumpkin cream cheese. It kind of makes my month and is really everything October should ever be... There is a cafe across the street from the park I was reading in so I ordered the bagel and a fresh hot coffee to take with me.

dress/alternativeapparel  jacket/membersonly  minimacbag/rebeccaminkoff  boots/dolcevita

I picked up this Rebecca Minkoff beauty when I was in New York and am thoroughly obsessed. I also want to do a proper post with this leather moto jacket at some point as it has basically become an everyday essential as the weather gets chillier where I am. 

My phone case exhibiting a fingerprint or two in direct sunlight. 

I was laying in the grass and this guy approached me and asked if he could draw a picture of me. He seemed nice (and not a bit crazy) so I said yes. He told me he went to The Art Institute, and then he gave me the picture at the end. I thought he was a nice fellow. I'm not really sure if this is actually my likeness, but it was nice all the same.