Springtime in the city.

Whelp, so much for that whole "effort to stay in touch" thing. It's been nearly 5 months and I've started to feel the guilty, lack-of-blogging shakes. Whoops! Sure, it's good to be busy. But heck, this is just downright SILLY!

No, I won't make any absurd attempt to actually catch myself up. But I will do this - I'll say one thing: New York is beautiful in the spring. Yep, I've fallen back in love - with each season actually. I think it was wise to move here early summer with an incredibly invalid expectation that summer in the city was a GOOD thing. Heat box is more like it. That said, fall was crisp & refreshing, winter was magical & bone-chilling, and spring? Spring is blossoming and cool, it's like the city has come back to life in the BEST way possible.

So December, January, February, March and now April - yikes! It's been too long. But it's been a fantastic few months. Moved onto a new team at work when I realized I was secretly (now, not so secretly) a closet social media GEEK. Yep, I learned to speak #hashtag and I've never loved anything more. Feels good to find your groove. So lucky to have had the right people supporting me to help me do so.

March meant turning 25 - quarter life celebration (no CRISIS yet)...AND a HEAP of travel! I was fortunate enough to head to Napa for the Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives conference at the Culinary Institute of America. Went with some fab colleagues and was joined by Margie and Leela for birthday celebrations, delicious food (and WINE!) and a beautiful hot air balloon ride over the valley. Bucket list - CHECK!

I also ventured to London & Paris for my first real vacation in over a year! It was an incredible experience (worthy of many blog posts) and made me realize how much I would enjoy a year abroad. Fell in love with the people in London, the food in Paris -- all in all, a life-changing week that flew by FAR too quickly.

Many things have happened since December but I've yet to grow tired of the city. I'm refreshed each and every time I cab home over the Williamsburg bridge, seeing the sky line after being away. Feeling lucky to be here. A few family trips (VT/VA/MN) planned over the next few months. Nothing I look forward to more than visiting family.

Tis the season...

Fast forward and somehow it's almost Christmas! How did that even happen? Last I wrote I was headed home to VT. We went twenty days without heat/hot water in our apartment, quite a nightmare. So needless to say, home was especially warm and cozy. I worked remotely at my dads for the week. I became waaaay to comfortable sitting by the fire, working from our couch.

Time at home was spent working, eating, relaxing with friends and family and spending a lot of time with dad (which was fantastic, and much needed). I ate at many of my favorite Burlington restaurants (penny cluse, farmhouse, duino duende), drank plenty of VT beer (finally brought Chris to Magic Hat brewery)  went wine tasting with dad, saw the new 007 movie and spent a lot of quality time with friends I hadn't seen in what felt like FOREVER. Thanksgiving was very relaxing, followed by a party devoted to desserts. Lets just say I was in stretch pants for many days to follow.

While a week at home was amazing, coming home to the city wasn't so shabby either. Last weekend consisted of my friend Nola's bday party at the canal room - 90s theme anyone? Waaaay too much fun dressing up. 

Saturday was spent Xmas shopping, checking out the holiday windows (lord & Taylor was amazing) and Leela and I checked out the holiday pop ups at the union square green market. Saturday night we ventured over to Le Poisson Rouge for a holiday themed burlesque show - "Cherries on snow." So much fun! We stopped in at Sons of Essex for a drink and called it a night. Sunday was somewhat uneventful but I finally saw the Rockefeller tree. No ice skating the time around but soon enough!

Holiday baking at my friend Caitlin's place tomorrow, followed by a weekend in Bostn to see Ms. Bricker! So excited. :)

Camping in the city continues...

So it's been over two weeks since Sandy hit and we are still cold. Why? Our boiler broke. We went about 5 days with no power or cell service and after 5 long days, power was returned. We turned the lights on and a fuse blew, but we were not discouraged, only relieved to have a hot oven, a warm shower and warmth! Well after about a day and a half of these luxuries, our boiler broke in the building and we have been without heat and hot water for about a week now. I am fortunate enough to have some really special people at work who were willing to help put me up in a hotel. I have been staying at a beautiful hotel in SoHo, but back home tonight. Why? Because about 95% of NYC hotels are booked. The remaining 5%? Super 8's or $800 a night (reasonable fair in this city!)

So what am I doing with no heat or hot water? Showering at the gym (yes, you'd think this would force me to work out, rather than just use my gym for hot water...you'd think...) And I've purchased a massive space heater. Cross your fingers this bad boys keeps me warm. I changed my ticket home to VT to leave on Friday evening, so I'll be home working remotely and spending Turkey day with the fam, as planned.

Outside of that, the post-Sandy days were quite interesting. Plenty of couch-hopping and no shortage of bonding with my co-workers (thank you ladies to putting me up!) Work has been quite busy. Last weekend I finally made it to Jewel Bako, a fantastic sushi restaurant in the East Village! Had a delicious brunch at Hundred Acres and spent most of Sunday exploring the beautiful Met museum with my friend Beth! There's a fantastic Andy Warhol exhibit right now, so we were excited to check it out.

Looking forward to spending some time at home with my family and seeing friends. A little bummed to leave the city early, but looking forward to (cross your fingers, again) coming home to a warm apartment and my own bed!

Ciao for now. xo

Aunties know best...

September 10th, really!? That's the last time I've been here? Thanks to my amazing Aunt Patti, I've been reminded that this blog is truly not worth leaving in the dust. While I haven't quite given it the TLC it deserves, I'd say that Hurricane Sandy (ie. Frankenstorm) is a great excuse to get back up and running (or at least show it a little love). Hurricane Sandy hit NYC on Monday and we are still without power Thursday night. I've never seen anything quite as jarring as a blacked out Manhattan. A city that never sleeps, where stores never close, sirens and horns constantly fill the air....to see it, like this, it is absolutely unlike anything I've ever seen.

This NY Daily News article shows some of the most catastrophic East Coast damage from Sandy.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/hurricane-sandy-strikes-east-coast-gallery-1.1194577


Anyway, the storm has absolutely brought the city together and at the same time, has shown me how lucky I am to have a few really great friends here. My friend and co-worker, Lindsay, has been so amazing to put me up at her apartment uptown. It took me two hours, 2 cabs, $50 and 50 blocks on foot to get here and I've never been so appreciative of a warm meal, a hot shower and the company of good friends. Getting to know the UES on a whole new level! Losing power really shows you just how much you rely on your electricity to live. Leela and I joked, while attempting a game of candy land over candle light, that we should pretend to be Amish once the power went out. It was funny at the time....not so much anymore. We have been recharging uptown, meeting new friends at Irish pubs and reading by candlelight. It's been a very interesting few days, to say the least. I think Tuesday was actually the first day I haven't worked in ....well, far more months than I'd like to admit. We have power uptown, so I'm camped out here until tomorrow or Saturday. Hoping to have power soon, but just feeling so thankful that we have no damage and all my friends and family on the East Coast are safe and sound. Many great stories to come out of this...including dinner by candlelight with a group of new friends at Barbounia, a fabulous restaurant downtown. I've never seen anything like it. Total peace and quiet, dozens and dozens of candles and a menu of only cheese and wine. No shortage of red wine. Outside of these Frankenstorm adventures, I've been introduced to many new restaurants, pubs and friends. We even got the opportunity to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters at an apartment complex on the UES. The city actually postponed Halloween, both the infamous Greenwich Village parade and trick-or-treating. The NYC marathon is still on for Sunday as well. New York is truly taken down by nothing.

ANYWAY, outside of the spooky Halloween hurricane, a lot has happened since September 10th. Post-SF, I have been busy with work (which is an understatement) and many fun activities in the city. My amazing family visited from WA, as my cousin Tess was looking at schools here. It was great to see family and even more exciting to imagine Tess living here someday! It seems nearly impossible to recount all that has happened in the past month and a half, but between adventuring to new & delicious restaurants, getting to know Manhattan AND Brooklyn, afternoons in Central Park, working, traveling, concerts and everything in between, it has been a great few weeks. Some of the highlights?

A trip to VERMONT!!! After a quick trip to Charlotte, NC for work last month, I came home for a night, packed another bag and flew home for a weekend with family and friends. I had NO idea just how much I missed my family and home until I arrived, but it was truly a spectacular weekend and just what the doctor ordered. I arrived on Friday night to the most beautiful foliage I've seen in VT in years. Friday night began with dinner & beers at Flatbread, followed by a night out dancing with my brother and some friends. Saturday morning started with a trip to the Burlington Farmer's Market with Dad and ended with my friend Nick's beautiful wedding in the mountains of Sugarbush. Sunday was a day for family. Dad and I drove all around VT, leaf peeping, lunching in Middlebury and catching up on life. Patti prepared an incredible dinner, homemade apple pie and the whole fam stayed in the for the night. I took off Sunday afternoon, after lunching with a few of my closest girlfriends at Stone Soup. Nearly cried as I flew over Lake Champlain. While I was very sad to leave, more than anything else, I felt so happy and fortunate to call Vermont home. Cliche as it is, home is truly where the heart is (yes, I said it).

A quick trip to Chicago (for work) immediately followed my weekend in VT. While it was short and busy, we ate some great food (The Publican, don't miss it!) and I had the chance to see a gal pal from college for breakfast. This was only my second trip to Chicago, but it really is a great city. There's something to be said for a beautiful city filled with midwest people. :)

Outside of these three quick trips, I've spent the past month and a half here in New York and I'm truly starting to feel more at home here. While i'm not sure i'll ever be able to call this city "home," at least in the same way that I do, Vermont, it's reaaaally grown on me. I've always loved it, but time has only made my heart grow fonder. I've now done Halloween in the city, experienced one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast here, killed a roach and found a small mouse living in my 9 x 8 foot bedroom. Looks like I'm officially a New Yorker? Oh and I bump people. That's right. Move fast or watch out...

...ok, not always...but sometimes. Just steer clear of Broadway. It's really just not worth the stress. :)


More later. And I promise later comes before Christmas. And perhaps they'll be photos....some day.

xo

On the road again

Hello again! Writing this from a plane to Charlotte from San Francisco. Last I wrote I was in VA Beach, visiting Mom & Ron, relaxing and loving every second of it. Being in VA Beach made me realize JUST how much I missed living down the road from my family and the importance of being close by. Hopefully we’ll all be able to gather in one state at some point in the next few years.

I was home for about a day and a half between trips, so I had about enough time to unpack, repack and hit the road again. Headed to San Francisco from Wednesday to Sunday for a work trip. The work portion was just during the week, so I happily extended my stay through the weekend so I could enjoy my favorite city and see Margie. I arrived late Wednesday night, checked into the BEAUTIFUL (but rather club-like) W Hotel in Soma and went out for drinks at the “Thirsty Bear” pub across the street. I really got to know the few co-workers who came along on this trip and they were great. One gal in particular made me realize just how lucky I was to have developed girlfriends at work. Was SO happy that she came along, and we got to spend a lot of time touring the city together.

Anyway, we were in SF for focus groups. It was a very unique research study and I was psyched to be a part of it. Such a cool experience. We did some in-home ethnographies along with traditional facilitated focus groups.

Thursday night after the groups were over, I met up with Margie and we went to a great bar/restaurant called Jasper’s.  We were then brave enough to venture over to the Tenderloin to check out the world-famous “Speak Easy” bar called “Bourbon & Branch.” It was the first speak-easy bar in SF and well-known for it’s whiskey, library room and secret bookshelf doorways. We researched the password to enter and took a risk trying to get in, as it’s usually reservation-only. Somehow we made it in and it was well worth the risk! Such a cool place. Almost felt like the setting of a Sherlock Holmes book. Look it up!

Friday was more work, a second brunch at The Grove (adorable place near The W), lunch at Café de la Presse in Union Square, some adventuring with my co-worker and new favorite gal, and then an awesome night out in Berkeley. Margie was wonderful enough to buy us tickets to see Edward Sharpe & The Magnet Zeros (one of my favorite bands) and they played at The Greek Theater in Berkeley. We took the train over with a bunch of her friends, had dinner at a great pizza place called Junipers and made it just in time for the first song. We had a ball. I met a lot of great people and loved seeing Berkeley. Reminded me a lot of Burlington, which made me miss home.

Saturday Margie and I ventured down to the Ferry Boat building for the farmers market. I’ve done this before but it was Margie’s first time. We ate lots of food, sampled, explored and had our first Blue Bottle coffee experience. Worth waiting in line – yum!

We rode cable cars (my first time!) back to Margie’s apartment, picked up her vespa and drove to the Coit tower to continue our touristy adventures. We then drove to the Golden Gate Bridge, snapped some photos, had lunch on Chestnut Street and headed home to relax before dinner. We went to an adorable wine bar for wine and cheese and then headed to Little Italy area for drinks.

Heading to the SFO airport was very sad for me, as I had nearly forgotten how much I had fallen in love with the city. It has been nearly a year since my last visit, and far too short of a trip! I’ll be in Charlotte for a sales meeting and then headed home for a week or so. Next week I’ll headed to Baltimore for Expo East and then I should be back for a month before my next trip.

Missing family and counting down the days until my trip to VT for Thanksgiving. J

Can't sleep, gotta write.

I now have a greater respect for all my blogger friends out there (okay, so perhaps it's a one-sided friendship, I love them and they don't even know it..) BUT that being said, sheesh it sure does take a lot to keep up with one of these things!

A loooooottt has happened since I last wrote in mid-July. It's so hard to believe that I have only lived in NYC for a little over three months. It feels like a year. Last I wrote, Dad & Patti were about to visit. That seems like ages ago! We had a great visit - walked the Brooklyn Bridge, ate some good food, explored my neighborhood, saw Mama Mia! and thanks to Dad, took an authentic pedicab through Central Park. How amazingly cliche! We definitely enjoyed it. :) We ate some late night pizza, did a great deal of catching up and exploring, and had an all-around lovely weekend.

The week that followed, we opened up the SoHo store for work! It was a great launch party and a beautiful storefront. Happy to see it being so successful. A lot has happened on the work front, since posting last. We have since opened up a magnificent office in the heart of SoHo, overlooking the city. It has felt like an entirely new experience getting to work from an office with co-workers each day. While it's only been open for two weeks, I am so grateful that it came when it did. :) Late nights at the office are truly that much better when you're working alongside your co-workers (and they are some awesome gals) and the fantastic view of the city doesn't hurt either! And did I mention we have a view of Kelly Ripa's rooftop? Obviously we are all waiting on pins and needles to find Mark Consuelos tanning...i'll keep you updated.

I wish I could re-cap everything, including all of the delicious food, weird experiences and other authentic New York experiences I've had in the past month and a half, but truly I would just be doing it so that someday I could look back and remember that it actually happened (and wasn't just a dream). I'm starting to feel like life in NY is moving so quickly, and I want to make sure I remember all of it. It has been such a life-changing experience so far and while there have been pros and cons (as there are to all things in life) it really has been unbelievable. I do sometimes miss the monotonous things that were built into my 9-5 life in VT... cooking, working out, sitting on the TV and vegging out like a zombie for an entire Sunday afternoon...snuggling Finnley on the couch and never, ever feeling that "Oh god, I'm missing out on something all the time" feeling. BUT that being said, I feel so lucky to live in a place where there IS so much going on, so much to see, so much to learn, that I do feel like I'm missing out if I'm not getting out there to experience it....Am I right? :)

OKAY...so - quick recap of a few other things that have happened post-July 19th:

SoHo store launched

Weekend trip to Nantucket (First trip ever, LOVED it!) Between driving on the beach, excessive amounts of lobster and some peace & quiet outside the city, it was perfect. I was constantly on the hunt for my perfect house that I'll never be able to afford. A pitiful pursuit, but easily done in Nantucket.

Two Coldplay concerts, which I was absolutely spoiled to experience in one week (Boston & NJ) - amazing!

Mumford & Sons concert on the waterfront in Hoboken (life-changing!)

A visit from the beautiful, Caitlin Bricker, which included our first Korean BBQ in Korea town (only appropriate).


A weekend visit from my brother, Eric and his gf, Brooke. We were A+ tourists and even tackled a Harbor Boat tour, in addition to tons of great food (our first authentic ramen noodle house), bars, and family bonding time. :)

Orlando Sales meeting for work. While we didn't get to experience anything authentically Florida (outside of avoiding Disney World), we had a great Sales meeting! Boot camp was run each morning before breakfast. We had a Food Network recipe throw down with CHO (judged by a Food Network chef, himself!) They took us to a final dinner party at the Kennedy Space Center, where we ate dinner under Apollo 18 and saw the official landing platforms of NASA. The best part? The Ritz Carleton. :)

Upstate NY plant tour! This was a long time comin' and what an awesome experience! So great to drive upstate with my team to the yogurt plant to see where the magic happens. We got to experience the authentic tour of the plant, eat yogurt out of the vat, hang with our incredible CEO and of course, experience some Frank's pizzeria on the drive home to the city. All in all - total success.

Smorgasburg - finally made it to the famous foodie market on the waterfront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Lets just say this - I'm going back!

MoMa PS1- I went to my first "art party" and I never knew that was even a thing. Well, a thing, it is, and a cool thing, indeed! MoMa puts on a new exhibit every summer in Long Island City, NY and a huge party is thrown each Saturday that includes a bunch of great DJs, good beer, more hipsters from Brooklyn than you can count and the art exhibit. All you need to do is picture some of the most well-dressed, thick-rimmed glasses wearing hipsters, dancing in a small courtyard in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by kegs, art, music, and fellow-hipsters, and you're almost there. No, but really..it was very cool. One of the exhibits was just an empty room with an exposed ceiling that had been cut out. Sounds incredibly boring - but totally cool. Thank you to Nola for making me go to this. :)

Now if I could just get my iPhone pictures to upload on here, you could visualize it all with me! Unfortunately I have been very bad about using my camera. I think I need to invest in a beautiful camera so I can really capture the city...My little "point and shoot" just doesn't cut it. And my iPhone sure doesn't do it justice either (just waayyy too easy to use!)

Between all of the above, I've been eating tons of yummy food, exploring new areas and running around like a chicken with my head cut off. :) I am in Virginia Beach now, enjoying time with my Mom and Ron, doing a ton of relaxing. Yesterday was a beach today and a lot of cooking/movie time.  Today we may explore the boardwalk and BBQ with my step-sisters. Absolutely love being here with my Mom. :) My lack of ability to sleep in anymore has caused me to write this post. Thankful for some free time to recap.

I return home late night tomorrow, and i'll hop on another plane to San Francisco for work on Wednesday. Happy to head out there for work, but even happier to see my favorite city, my girlfriend Margie and eat some SF food! I'll fly from SF to Charlotte, NC for a meeting at our sales office and then back to NYC I'll go!

Looking forward to Fall in the city. :)

Until next time...which hopefully won't be too far away.

Losing track

I thought I was organized enough to keep up with this blog...but clearly I was wrong!


Rewwiiinndddd...

Traverse City was actually a very cute little town on Lake Michigan. I was pleasantly surprised!  As for the Cherry Fest itself, it was a fun experience to be a part of. We worked for much of the day, handing out yogurt (FOR FREE!!) to consumers who were visiting this festival. People LOVED it. Fun to see the smiles on their faces and expose them to Chobani. Met some great people who work for Chobani on the activation side of things, traveling around the country giving out yogurt from the CHOmobile year round. Actually a tough gig!

Anyway, I was in Michigan from Wednesday-Saturday and then returned home for a nice, relaxing weekend. Was able to change my flight so I could get in early, but flew into a town outside of the city called, White Plains, NY. White Plains is only 25min or so outside the city and it is absolutely beautiful! Gorgeous houses and right near the water. I spent the day at my friend's golf club (fanciest place I've ever been!), took a nap by the pool and had dinner with some very cool, new friends.

Sunday meant errands, relaxing, sleeping in, and a delicious pizza dinner! It is possible that 85% of my New York meals have been pizza. And I think I'm ok with it (my waistline may disagree...)

It was so good to sleep in my own bed after being gone traveling for 3 back-to-back weekends. Funny how it really is those little things...even if my room is 9 x 8...its still home, right?

This week has been busy with work but good to be home, regardless. I went to a Yankees game on Tuesday! Very exciting to see the new stadium. They lost to the Blue Jays, but I was secretly fine with it, as I am a Red Sox fan through and through. The I am excited to say that my Dad and Patti are coming to visit for the weekend!!!

I am sooo excited to have them here for a nice relaxing weekend of exploring and catching up. They know the city better than I do so we'll likely take it easy, catch a show, eat some good food and just spend some quality time together. Could not be more excited!

Next week we are doing a grand-opening of our Chobani Yogurt Cafe in Soho, just a short walk from my apartment! I am so excited about this launch. It's going to mimic a Mediterranean Yogurt bar, with fruit and nut toppings to add to your yogurt. A tiny space, but should be very cute.

The first two weeks in August I have my friends Caitilin & Emily coming and then Eric & Brooke to follow. Then I'm off to our sales meeting in Florida, followed by another work trip to Chicago and a third to Baltimore. Busy, busy! Labor day weekend I'll visit my Mom & Ron in VA Beach - another weekend I could not be more excited for! Lots in the works and the summer is already flyin by!

Sorry for the abbreviated re-cap. In the midst of all of this craziness, I need to make sure to keep updating.

'till next time...