Listening

To cicadas! Here's the view from my new apt. The East Village is filled with wonderful community gardens and we happen to have one right next door. Don't mind a weeping willow as a neighbor.

Inspiration

In a moment of design inspiration I found a clever way to display some of my favorite images, photos, cards from my lovelies etc! Very pleased with the results.

Thinking

A good book is one you take the local train for instead of the express.

The Weather

Just wanted to make a quick note to the weather the past few weeks because it has been PERFECT. And, it is such a treat to feel just a hint of fall in the air! Already the nights are just a tad bit cooler and there is just a hint of what's to come (although what's to come I don't know, never having experienced this thing called winter!). The winter-wear is sure fun to look at though, an entire new waredrobe awaits!

Canal Street Purses

I think I need to add a new list to the blog of things I would like to do in NYC. I could have crossed one off today, as I am now the proud owner of a knock off chanel quilted purse. Top quality knock off mind you. I have always heard about these back room deals on Canal Street where the really good knock offs reside but my experience before today was with the stores only (and the so-so bags). As you walk down Canal Street you probably are approached by 20 different people offering to sell you designer purses, tiffany's jewelery and rolexes. If you show interest, as I did today, you are immediately escorted down one of the side streets where you are handed off to another person who shows you pictures of their goods. Once you have selected the purse you are interested in as well as the color the person you were talking to disappears and you realize another person has appeared by your side. You are asked to move across the street and then your purse materializes. You can check it out, but only inside a black garbage bag. It was then that I realized this purse trade is totally illegal and that pretty much everyone on the street was engaged in the operation. In fact, there were little clusters of people checking out some type of knock off good up and down the street. After you agree to the purchase and money exchanges hands you are again hustled back to Canal Street and back on your way. It was a truly enjoyable experience!

Central Park II

The highest concentration of Calistogan's outside of the Calistoga city limits could be found in Central Park yesterday afternoon!

Ever wonder where Santa summers?

I found him today in Central Park!

Thinking

And dreaming of Southern California. I was talking to a guy from LA last night and I started to blabber on about all of the things I love about that city--the santa anas, the jacaranda trees, january at the beach, the PCH, even the way you plan your day according to traffic and he stopped me to say how refreshing it was to hear someone talk about his hometown with so much enthusiasm. I had never really thought about how much I love Southern California but I do. I never thought I'd see the day when I missed the 405 but in my dreams I'm driving up the road with the windows down!

Moving

You always seem to forget how much of a pain moving is. Even without furniture or more than three months worth of accumulation it was still amazing how MUCH stuff I have. Throw in public transportation and going from a six floor walkup to a fourth floor and, well, it's quite an experience and I'm lucky I still have friends! I am not quite settled but I at least have all of the important things in place -- a bed and places for all of my shoes.

NYC Festivals

Look as though I wasn't the only one to notice the abundance on tomatoes!!

Happy Birthday Laura!

May there be little of this on your day (a pretty safe bet in SD right?).

Ways to Charm Me

Violent thunderstorms late this afternoon. A torrential downpour caught many people by surprise (myself included). Ran to the nearest subway station for shelter and found it packed with others. Most of us were completely soaking wet, ringing out our shirts and skirts but the mood was light and jovial. It was fun to be stuck and forced to stop in the middle of this city where everything is in constant motion.

Summer

Gazpacho is suddenly appearing on menus everywhere. I love this city and this time of year, nothing is sweeter than a fresh summer sun kissed tomato!

Bar Bouloud

I had the opportunity to dine at Bar Boulud last night, wow. I knew that there was some hype surrounding this restaurant/Daniel Boulud etc and I understand why. Amazing food, and all we did was sample the charcuterie and a few appetizers. MMMH. Head cheese, pate, terrines, oysters and a sparkling cremant--it was heaven. The standout was the terrine of lamb and sweet potatoes but everything was done perfectly. Check out the menu and feel jealous, this is what NYC is all about!

3 Things on my 3 Month Anniversary

In honor of Christine here are 3 things that have happened recently:

I am moving, East Village here I come! Side note: I am about to live in a room that is seriously the size of a postage stamp.

I saw a bicyclist get hit by a girl (on her phone) opening a cab door without looking. You can only imagine the scene that followed.

Three words: Leather Bar, Chelsea. An eye-opening experience.

Good times, good city. Come visit dear reader(s).

Grandma's House

All's well that ends well. Here are a few shots of upstate, right after an early morning downpour.

Reading

TC Doyle's Drop City. The references to Sonoma County bring me home.