Saturday, September 11th, 2010

I didn't live in New York in 2001. Living here now, I can't imagine what it was like. I can't fathom what it was to have your life torn apart in those moments. To be going about your daily business, your daily life and in a matter of minutes the life you woke up and lived every day seems like the distant past. Nine years later, and transplanted New Yorkers come and go. Some come to make good on their dreams, some leave to return to their homes. I'm here now. Life in the city goes on but we do not forget.

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Fashion's Night Out. A one-night extravaganza dedicated to shopping and partying. Star-studded celebrity appearances dot the city and little fashionistas dash from one event to the next desperate to party with the cool kids. The full extent of my experience that night culminated with walking down into the subway while a flood of tweens headed up all dressed to the nines. I get it. I understand that the idea was to get reluctant consumers to spend in the midst of the great recession. But this? It feels so fake.

Verdict: Kind of Annoyed with New York Today

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Ah the day before Fashion's Night Out. The city tingles in anticipation. We can discuss tomorrow. As for today, we will turn to a scene that took place outside of Bergdorf Goodman. A petite brunette with a baby stroller is standing outside the 58th street entrance with several photographers snapping away while tourists look on and grab their camera phones. Across the street more tourists stop and pause to ask "Who is that?" because clearly this is someone that while not instantly recognizable to most, is nonetheless famous. Who is it? Kourtney Kardashian. I will say this: she is petite, has great hair, and was impeccably dressed.

Verdict: Well, it was a celebrity sighting of some kind, so I'll say Love New York Today.

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

One of the first challenges on moving to New York is becoming familiar with the subway system. The numbers, the colors, uptown, downtown, all said it is very confusing. Fortunately you quickly learn the ropes and become the hometown pro glaring at the talking tourists in the morning. That said, the subway always has its quirks, one of which is local trains occasionally running on the express line during rush hour. This is one of the main reasons I do not like wearing headphones on the subway - you won't have a shot at hearing the announcements in these cases and all of a sudden you're five stops south of where you intended. But since I'm on a positive roll, this post isn't heading where you think! Every once in a while you get on a train that goes express for part of the trip and then makes local stops - and when the first local stop is yours, well that my friends is a great thing.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, September 6th, 2010

The three-day weekend is a tricky beast in New York, particularly Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. On these holidays one is expected to leave town. Many venture forth to the Hamptons, others to Fire Island and still others to family homes in Connecticut or even further afield to somewhere like Maine. Tell people that you are staying in town over one of these long weekends and they will likely look at you like you've grown a second head, and say something like "Why on earth...". But the truth is that staying in New York on these weekends is maybe one of the best decisions a local can make. First, you save yourself the hassle of physically getting out of town, a challenge even in the best of times. No Hampton jitney, no car service to the airport, no rushing to make a train. Just the simple commute home. And then, the glory of a semi-deserted city filled mostly by tourists who don't venture anywhere you want to be at anyway. You can get into restaurants that you'd never have a shot at otherwise on these weekends! Run the errands you want to run, like actually venturing into Trader Joe's and not coming out a lunatic ranting about lines that go all the way to the produce section! These weekends are glorious.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

A Walk with A View

 In New York, occasionally you walk down a different street and you stumble onto an amazing view. I did just that tonight and found myself with the spectacular view at left (the blackberry is a handy tool in moments like these!).

The Empire State Building is impressive from many vantage points but perhaps none more so than this one. Any guesses on the block?

And it is a lesson that bears repeating when living in New York. Make a small change off the regular route, and take in the city that is around you; you'll probably be surprised by what you stumble upon.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Shipping Part 1

There are many facets to shipping in New York. Today, since I'm in a half-way decent mood, we'll cover a positive: things get here faster. Take Gilt Group for example. If you live in New York and you place an order, it will arrive within one day of receiving the notice that your package has shipped. No need to pay extra for overnight! Poof, it's here immediately! So much inventory comes through New York or is based somewhere near by that it is a safe bet things will get here quickly.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Sometimes in New York, fate smiles on you. It happens like this: you wake up on Sunday morning and think that breakfast would be nice. You head to the Clinton Street Baking Company and to your dismay, despite it being 9:45am, you find out that the wait is an hour. You are determined and so you put your name down and settle in to wait. And then, lo and behold, no one wants the bar seats by the door! And so it happens that in fifteen minutes you are seated and ten minutes later enjoying a delicious brunch.

Verdict: Despite the weather, love New York today.

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Making your way home after work can be tedious in New York. What a breath of fresh air to hear the Opera Collective performers joyfully singing. Beautiful.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

It is remarkable the things we take for granted in New York. The fact that we can walk anywhere we want to go, whether it is for dinner, groceries, the movies, Bed Bath & Beyond, whatever - we can hoof it there. Although sometimes we end up nasty when we get there (hello summer humidity) the fact is that we can always get there, and that is a great thing.

Verdict: Love New York Today