I Left My Heart in New York

So we're counting down the final hours now.  I will be leaving fabulous NYC Sunday morning and I'm completely overwhelmed with emotions.  For one, I am incredibly excited to move to a new city, San Francisco.  I've always dreamed of living there since my first visit back in college.  I love that there are so many exciting things nearby to experience, the wine country, beaches to south, and mountains to the east.  The architecture, the food, the views, San Francisco has so much to offer me.  Not to mention, a handsome boyfriend that will be picking me up from the airport June 6th to experience all of it with.  We haven't seen each other in over a month.  It will be such a great feeling knowing that he won't be dropping me back off at the airport a few days later.  I get to stay!  And we will no longer be long distance, how fun but also how scary, it's a big step for us!  And one we haven't taken lightly.  Lots and lots of long talks have finally led up to this and I know now, this is absolutely the best decision for me and "us."

Even though I'm sure of my decision, that doesn't make leaving New York easy.  I've come to discover after almost 5 years of living here, that New Yorkers actually develop a relationship with the city.  I'm not sure that exists in other places, I hope so.  In a way, I expect this move to feel similar to a break up. I'll certainly miss all of our favorite places and of course all of the friends I've made through this relationship.  Last night I met my friend Kate down at Shake Shack for drinks and burgers, followed by gelato and gourmet "shopping" at Eataly.  I feel so lucky to have met Kate.  She and I get along like we've known each other for years and we met, of all places, right here!  Through blogging and commenting on each others blogs, we developed a friendship that I know will last the distance.  We can both agree that we met for a reason, and it is somewhat sad that we only just cultivated this friendship in January.  I hope you'll check out her post here, she has a better way with words than me :)  She also has a much better camera, see!

Shroom burgers and fries, whoa!

 The charming lights as the city enters dusk.

 The hazelnut gelato is that good!

 I came straight from work, please don't judge my "corporate wear." 

(Which I hopefully won't be seeing much of in SF!) 

So this will be my last post written from New York.  Of course I'll keep up the blog in SF, and I hope you'll keep following me as I know I'll be able to share some fun adventures! I've hesitated to write this post because there's so much I want to say that I really didn't know how to type out.  My heart is so full and heavy and happy.  I am proud of myself for moving here in September 2006, not knowing anyone, no job, and moving into an apartment I had never seen.  It was a leap of faith I guess and I know that's exactly what I'm about to do again.  To summarize, buying a one-way ticket to San Francisco was nerve-wracking and scary, but I have the comfort of knowing that if I can do it once, I can do it again.

Signing off New York, let's not think of this as a break-up, but a "break."  I'll visit you hella soon.

Sunday Sweets

My treat for surviving The Rapture.

Soy Latte and a humongous cinnamon bun from TLRH. 

And yes, I bought this knowing I'd be squeezing into both a swimsuit and a bridesmaids dress next week (although not at the same time), and no, I don't care :)  If there's one thing the silly non-rapture taught me, enjoy your life!  We never know when it's our last day.  I have been stopping at bodegas all over NYC to lean down and literally "smell the roses."  It's a wonderful way to live and I'm making a concerted effort to remind myself daily.

(Apologies for the cheese-ball post, I'm giddy today because of the sunshine, finally!)

Lucky

I am a lucky girl.  I have had TWO, not one, but two! going away get togethers thrown by lovely friends.  Fun soirees like this make leaving NYC harder but also make me so thankful for the experience of living here.  I moved to this city almost five years ago without knowing a soul.  And now, seeing all of my beautiful friends' faces toasting ME gives me an incredible warm, proud feeling. 

The first was given by a few of KTW's friends' wives and girlfriends who I can now call my sweet friends as well.  We met at our new West Village favorite, Bar'Rique.  Which, if you haven't yet tried, is a must!  Their food, service, ambiance, and wine does not disappoint.  It was one of the warmest days we had this month so we sat by the open window, it was perfect.  I was even given a book on the California Wine Country which I cannot wait to put to use!

The second was given by a sweet highschool friend that also lives in the City.  She invited around ten girls to meet for drinks and dinner at Peasant in Nolita, and then we moved on to another favorite, Freeman's for more celebratory drinks.  Peasant is a really neat space.  We were seated downstairs in what felt like our own private den.  After a yummy meal, complete with complementary desserts, we had one more round at Freeman's, pictured above.  I loved this little mantle decoration with potted succulents and moss.  I was given another sweet gift at this party, a "I left my heart in New York" tshirt.  I'll be wearing it on the plane ride to CA :)  Lovely Kate also gave me this book, which I'll for sure be putting to use!

I know I'll make friends in San Francisco too, but these girls will be tough to beat.  I need to wrap this up without getting teary so I'll keep it short.  Each of you has made my experience in New York better and more fulfilling than I could have ever hoped for.  I am lucky and proud to call you friends and know that the distance will not keep us from staying in touch.  Please come visit me, I promise wine :)

Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Idyllic...

 Peonies as large as my head.

 Peonies that look like they were painted with watercolor.

 In so many beautiful colors.

 The azaleas were so vibrant, almost neon!

 This is now the background on my iPhone :)

Over 40,000 Blue Bonnets.

 Such an impact these give when planted 40,000 deep!

Brooklyn Botanical Garden

1000 Washington Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11225
(718) 623-7200

*Tip: Free admissionTuesdays and on Saturdays from 10-12pm!

City vs. City #3

Celebratory drinks at Bar'Rique in NYC.

Wine tasting in Sonoma.

Hope you're enjoying my little mini-series "City vs. City." 

Now it's the weekend, go have a drink!

City vs. City #2

Sheeps Meadow, Central Park, NY, NY

Mission Dolores Park, San Francisco, CA

City vs. City #1

A favorite NYC apartment, 86th and York.

A favorite SF apartment, California St bw Franklin and Gough.

I have 18 days left in NYC,

going to try out this new series of city comparisons 

in order to bid adieu to my old city

and nice to meet you to my new city.

Aren't these apartments gorgeous?  I love seeing an urban space taken over by mother nature.

Both images taken with iphone and manipulated with Instagram (the faux-tographers best friend.)

"A Table for Two Please, And Seat Us Near the Clouds"

Could You?

 Would You?

Okay, but more importantly...

Where would you?

Bird's eye view of your favorite team?

 Beaches of Portugal?

Fireworks are a must.

Just don't look down!

Dinner in the Sky is officially going on my bucket list!

Living Colorfully

Friday is definitely a top contender for my favorite day of the week.  There are many obvious reasons why, but one in particular is that every Friday New York Social Diary does an article on a New York designer/tastemaker's home.  The images by Jeffrey Hirsch provide a window into some of the most beautiful, creative apartments in the city.

Today I was not disappointed.  Interior Designer Amanda Nisbet's home is featured.  Do yourselves a favor and go take a look.  This is one lady that is not afraid of color! A few of my favorites below:

Manuel Canovas wallpaper in the bathroom.  I love a super feminine bathroom. 

And a pink room makes everyone look and feel better.  Trust me.

Her study has lacquered walls in Benjamin Moore's "Jalapeno Pepper." 

I would buy a can of this paint just for the name.  It so perfectly describes the color!

Here are some other Amanda Nisbet designed rooms that I'm digging this morning...

What do you love about Fridays?

A Change of Scenery

Well, nothing like a little move across country to stifle my blog writing.  That's right folks, at the end of May, I'll be relocating from NYC to San Francisco!  Please forgive me for not writing, I've been nonstop packing, resume editing, and squeezing in as much of NYC as possible. 

It's been in the works for a few weeks now but I've put off writing this post.  Mainly because I don't know where to begin.  My New York experience has been so much better and more fulfilling than I ever thought it could be.  And even though lovely SF awaits, I can't imagine leaving my home of the past five years.  I guess you could say, it hasn't quite sunk in yet.

It's my goal to enjoy NYC as much as possible before my move (without blowing my savings!)  So I'll likely be posting less, as you've probably already noticed.  But I hope you'll stick with me through the move.  I know there will be tons I want to share with you once I'm in my new digs.

Here's a picture of my very first apartment on the Upper West Side.  Seems like yesterday!