I am currently in transit from Brooklyn back to Manhattan, stuck in traffic, and I promised my mom a birthday blog. Apologies for the brevity of this post; I promise I will add as soon as I can. It’s been a hectic, crazy weekend.
To my beautiful mother, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
It was surprisingly HUMID today! Serves me right for complaining that I MISSED the humidity. In fact, I was hit with a double whammy today–it was humid most of the day and then it started POURING. I’m talking LOUD thunder and lightning! At least in NYC, you know your chances of getting struck by lightning are slim to none.. unless, of course, you live or work in a skyscraper.
Rainy weather always makes me feel nostalgic. Or maybe it’s just the fall season in general. It’s only August and it’s already starting to REALLY cool down. It’s supposed to rain through the weekend, too! There goes the trip to Coney Island again.. great!
I really am looking forward to the fall, though. I know I mentioned this in my previous post but I’m REALLY excited!! THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS. Come on, who WOULDN’T be excited? I’m also curious to see what New Yorkers do during the fall. Is it still the same ol’ stuff they do over the summer (save trips to the beach and stuff, of course)? Man.. and then the winter. What do New Yorkers do over the winter??! When Irene and I came to visit back in February, New York was like.. deserted. I mean that’s a given because it was snowing and no one likes to be caught in the snow, but, seriously! What goes on during the winter??? I know I’ll find out soon enough!
Anyway, that’s all for now. Quick update and no photos, sorry again! When I do some more adventuring, I’ll be sure to share the pictures.
OMG, I just saw a flash of lightning! Ahh, looks like Peanut will have to wait a little longer for his walk!
<3
E
Where does the time go??? We’re nearing the end of summer (boo!) but soon enough, I will be able to wear cute clothes for fall. Ooo, I think it’ll be interesting seeing the seasons change. I’m excited for that! Oh, but it’ll be a bit tiresome changing my wardrobe around. My closet’s stock full of spring/summer-time clothes because in California, we don’t really have a true winter.. true as in snow, 3 layers of sweaters, thermal leggings worn under jeans, galoshes, etc. Well, looks like we all know what I’ll be spending my money on in the next couple of months! Scarves! Boots! Cute sweaters and cardigans! Pea coats!
I recently had my very first New York City clubbing experience.. and it was amazing. It was amazing because I was not dressed for a night of clubbing AT ALL and I still got in. I thought we were going out to dive bars so I dressed for that–my regular uniform of jeans, sandals and a wife-beater tank top (funny fact–I wear the same exact outfit to work!). Anyway, Andi felt she was overdressed for the night to come but you know, whatever, it’s New York! So we started the night at this karaoke bar near Gramercy Park and, because we wanted to keep the fun going, decided to head over to Chelsea where all the nightclubs are located. I was like, “Andi, there’s no way we’re going to get in because I’m not dressed.. dude I’m not even wearing any makeup! And I’m wearing my GLASSES!” Andi was convinced we could get in. We tried Pink Elephant first. Denied, of course, because we stepped over the velvet rope WHEN THERE WAS NO LINE AND THERE WERE NO PEOPLE WAITING!, and then the bouncers yelled at us. Whatever. Bungalow 8? Haha, fat chance. Marquee? Got right in!
My first thought was, “Seriously? Did they even see me? How am I getting into this club..” HAHAHA. Anyway, we walked in and I swear I had a “Sex and the City” moment. The crowd that night was beautiful of course and the DJ was playing good music. The first floor is the lounge area and the second floor is the dancing area and there are bars on both floors. Anyway, that was a pretty legendary night. Andi and I had a lot of fun! We actually went back to Marquee recently for an after-work mixer. The club looks a lot smaller when you’re completely sober..
Anyway, we also went to the famous Bungalow 8. It’s totally cute and intimate. We went on a Wednesday night @ 11 pm and we were the ONLY guests there. Perhaps the next time we go (if we get in?), it’ll be more lively. They told us that people usually show up around 2 am. How the heck does that happen? Don’t people WORK? I don’t get it! The other clubs in Chelsea (Pink Elephant, Home, Cain) were PACKED.. all on a Wednesday night. Seriously???
Enough about clubs. I had a good time, you guys get it. Moving on.. I recently went to my one of my FAVORITE restaurants in the city, Cafe Habana. It’s this tiny Cuban place in Nolita that Tim introduced me to. Whenever people are visiting, I take them to Cafe Habana. This place almost always has a 20+ minute wait (they’ll tell you 10 minutes but you’ll end up waiting half an hour) but it is well worth the wait. Their grilled corn and their frozen margaritas and mojitos are AMAAAZING. They have a take-out place next door so if you’re in a hurry but craving some delicious grilled corn, you won’t have to wait too long. Plus the bartender, Mike, is a cutie pie so yea.. just go!
Another place that’s worth the wait (but not if you’re FAMISHED) is this small crepes place called Crooked Tree in East Village. It’s off of St. Mark’s Place and that street alone is worth the trip, but anyway, just a quick warning–service is very, very slow. The kitchen is open so you can see that there is only ONE man cooking all the crepes, one bus boy, and one server. They’re really friendly and they’re obviously doing the best they can but service can be very slow if it’s especially busy. With that said, their ingredients are very fresh, the crepes are well made and cheap (!), and they have delicious sangrias.
If you can’t be hassled with waiting, you can always lie and say you’re diabetic or pregnant and they’ll serve you immediately. That reminds me of how my mom is SO particular at restaurants. I remember when we’d go somewhere and she’d order a drink with no ice and she’d explain, “Because I’m allergic.” HAHAHAHAHAH Mommy!!!! Who in this world is allergic to ICE? Not even to that cold weather ice, we’re talking ice cubes in your drink! SO FUNNY. My mom, ever the comedian.
The weather has been cooling down as of late and by cooling down, I mean it’s no longer humid. It’s about 80 degrees so you still feel that heat but it’s not suffocating. Call me crazy but I think I miss the humidity! Great, now that I say this, I bet a huge heatwave will hit us before the end of this month. Anyway, it hasn’t been warm enough to go to Coney Island and I miss it so much! Hopefully it’ll be warmer next weekend.
Ah, speaking of what’s to come this month, besides my mom’s birthday!, I’m going to the Barclay’s golf tournament AND the US Open!!! Jealous? Yea, I know you are. I’m excited!
What else.. work is going really well. I love the work I do and the company I work for. Peanut is doing well. We walked to and from Central Park yesterday and he’s pretty exhausted (still). He’s currently napping in his bed.
Oh, another recommendation–watch “Mad Men”!!! I love that show! I’m completely obsessed with that period and I think it’s going to be very influential on my fall wardrobe.
Unfortunately this is not going to be a photo post.. maybe next time?
<3
E
