January 8, 2014

Baby it’s cold outside

I’m trying to find some beauty in this polar vortex we’re currently experiencing in New York City: Central Park is quiet and peaceful, I’ve seen 3 movies (Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle and Inside Llewyn Davis), learned some new code and enjoyed a large amount of delicious wine.

That said, I prefer to wear my beanie as fashion statement on 72 degree days in LA. The icy wind felt like daggers stabbing me as I walked to the subway this morning on my way to work. 3 degrees that feels like -13 with the wind chill! My next beach vacation is over 2 long months away so I’m taking a web development class to provide distraction and learn some new tricks at the same time.

Speaking of distraction, the mommasgonecity Instagram feed is the most precious thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Theo (the rescued pup) curls up with Beau (the baby) every day when he naps. It melts my heart.

NYC

January 5, 2014

Welcome 2014

2013 was a beautiful year for me. I accomplished a lot of personal goals that I had set for myself and had a lot of proud defining moments. My resolutions for 2014 are quite different. I simply want to spend more time on myself. 2013 was heavily focused on goals, hard work and accomplishments. This new year I plan to spend more time focusing on my creativity, traveling and just allowing myself to indulge more—whether it be more yoga classes, spa visits or just getting more sleep. 2014 is the year of the Horse according to the Chinese Zodiac, and I’m a horse! (Find your Chinese Zodiac Sign Here) The Chinese New Year is January 31st and I plan to go down to Chinatown that evening to join the celebration. I also plan to blog regularly again. I’ve really missed recording my thoughts, projects and ideas, and that took a backseat the past two years. I took the original vodkasoup.com down mainly because it had so much copyrighted content and images (that’s what Pinterest is now for).

Other resolutions for 2014: cook at home more often, eat organic as much as possible, maintain a sunny disposition at all times and learn to sew.

Here’s to a thrilling, creative and relaxing 2014!

NYC

December 29, 2013

A walk on the Manhattan Bridge

I walked across the Manhattan Bridge for the first time yesterday. It starts in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn and drops you right into Chinatown. It’s a lot less crowded and more urban than the Brooklyn Bridge, and actually shakes a bit every time a train goes by, which is quite often (and kind of scary).

There’s the busy Brooklyn Bridge and in the background is lady liberty:

The rooftops of Chinatown are hella covered in graffiti art:

Even in the cold weather I couldn’t resist bubble tea:

Exploring this city is so much fun for me. I still find new hidden treasures all the time. I stumbled into a vintage shop near the corner of Lafayette and Bond St on my way to the subway that has the best selection of hats, furs and jeweled head pieces that I’ve ever seen. The clerk was a well-dressed drag queen and there was 70’s music blasting, gotta love that.

NYC

December 26, 2013

Chrismas was Beautiful

Christmas 2013 was beautiful, sparkly and wonderful.

The Empire State building has been green and red for days:

I started my week off with an early dinner at Aria Wine Bar. This place is magical—it’s like a hidden grotto in the middle of the West Village, so cozy and romantic with candles and white lights everywhere. The food is delicious and the wine is served in shot glasses.

I finished all my shopping just in time. Macarons are so lovely to look at, but I personally don’t think they taste that great.

Some tunes to deal with the crowds:

So stoked to get out of the city for a few days. It was so relaxing just to sit around the fire and drink wine (and watch some Homeland episodes, I’m still half a season behind):

Even in the winter I love our view of Candlewood Lake:

We have a tiny tree in the kitchen for vintage ornaments, they’re my favorite. My love of all things vintage clearly comes from my mom.

The Christmas 2013 card that my parents sent out. All my favorite elves:

(Don’t be fooled: getting 2 dogs and a 2 year old, (all dressed like elves) to look out the window at the same time and keep still long enough for a photo was no easy task.)

NYC Holiday, Vintage

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

My nephew Hunter is the cutest elf on the planet. I love him so much.

(Note to self and anyone else who may be interested: the Elf on the Shelf inspired pj’s Hunter is wearing are made by Hanna Andersson.)

NYC Kids Style

December 22, 2013

The past 48 hours in photos

Some photos from the past 48 hours of my life:

The beautiful Rockefeller Tree that was so sparkly my iPhone couldn’t focus enough for a clear shot:

Street art in Nolita that caught my eye:

A brunch date with a dear friend at Mercer Kitchen:

Amazing treats being made in my own kitchen:

Hello humid 70 degrees in NYC on December 22nd, I love you:

Art, NYC

December 19, 2013

Snow in New York City

They say we’re going to have a real winter this year. We’ve been spoiled (or not) the past two years with barely any snow and mild temperatures. I’m looking forward to seeing the city blanketed in snow, it’s quite a peaceful view. On a winter wonderland walk last weekend I stumbled upon a lone Christmas tree sitting in a row boat in the pond at the Central Park Boathouse. How adorable is that?

NYC Winter

December 15, 2013

Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

My vintage aluminum tree is still in storage but I found this photo today and it made me smile. It also made me more than a little nostalgic for my former apartment in Boston. So bright, spacious, beautiful and spacious. Sigh.