Things I've learned since last August

I enjoy staying in Brooklyn on the weekends. Manhattan is great, but sometimes you just don't want to get on the train or deal with big crowds or the higher prices.

Subway service within Brooklyn is a pain. It takes 45 minutes by train to visit my friends in Park Slope. By car it would take about 15 minutes, but if you take a taxi (or more likely, a car service, since finding a taxi over here is spotty sometimes), it costs about $20 with tip. [However, I can get from my apartment to the middle of Manhattan in 10 minutes. A cab from the Lower East Side would cost maybe $11.]

Pastrami is really amazing. (God bless Katz's.)

Halloween is a grown-up holiday here.

No city embraces Christmas like NYC. I felt like I was in the middle of a miracle on 34th St. from late November through early January, no matter where I was in the city. Wreaths, lights, trees, giant ornament public art displays, Santas, ice skating rinks, holiday craft fairs, literally everywhere. It is actually really fun!

I find myself meeting other people from the Cincinnati area or Kentucky all the time here, randomly. The world being the small place that it is, we usually find we know someone in common back home. I'm working on founding a neighborhood somewhere in the city we'll call Little Kentucky. Sounds nice, right? We'll have bourbon tastings, a farmers market, express buses to the racetracks, and probably a gourmet tobacco shop (not that I personally support that).

Chores are even harder to cross off your list here, especially grocery shopping. It's the whole no car thing, I think.

I felt like I took a big step toward being a real New Yorker when I took my first NYC bus. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but a lot of people here don't use them, but they are amazing because they can take you to much more specific spots in the city than the subway will.

Bed bugs are scary and have made me reconsider my love for all things vintage/secondhand. (Luckily I haven't had to deal with bed bugs myself, but there are just so many horror stories out there.)

As long as I live in this neighborhood, I will avoid flying out of JFK as much as possible. $50 cab ride!!! Insane.

It takes a while to get used to riding on crowded subway cars and to be standing so close to someone yet to pretend they're not there. Once you get skilled at that, then you can learn how to also squeeze in some quality reading time while sharing your close personal space. It's all about multitasking, people!

Getting tickets to any show/concert is a sport here. I am happy to say I've figured it out. But if you ever miss your window and something is sold out, you'll definitely be able to find tickets on Craigslist (though they will be way marked up).

There is such a thing as bad pizza. However, I haven't had any bad garlic knots.

You have to use your office desk for more than just work. If you go out after work, it's just not practical to go home first. Thus, your desk must be stocked with all the essentials: toothbrush, makeup, deodorant, a mini version of your fave perfume, hairspray, curling iron (well that's essential for me, at least), maybe some extra shoes.

Heels are now for special occasions - not for daily wear.

Shoes that seem comfortable/practical back home rarely make the cut here. I'm still figuring out the art of shoe-buying here, actually. (It's gotta be cute, affordable, well-made so it holds up with all that walking, and comfortable. Whew.)

Working in Times Square is sort of obnoxious.

Olive Garden is amazing, even in NYC. (One of the highlights of Times Square.)

If you're visiting and need to use a random ATM, go to Duane Reade, where they'll only charge you $1 for using a card from another bank. (Most banks or other ATMs will charge you $1.75-$2.50.)

Always have cash if you're at a restaurant or bar. Never expect separate checks.

More to come as life lessons unfold!

When will I see Zac Efron?

Most recent celebrity spottings:

Helena Christensen, window shopping outside a jewelry store in the West Village (tan, tall, beautiful, of course)

Kristen Schaal aka Mel from Flight of the Conchords, standing on a corner during Sunday brunch hours in Park Slope

Julia Stiles, eating brunch in Park Slope

I knew I moved here for a reason...

...and that reason is: pizza.

This article from Time Out New York lists many other reasons it's great (and expensive) to live in New York. But Richie here sums it up best.

Maybe not entirely true, but Patsy's is amazing. It's my new favorite NYC pizza.

View from my office on an overcast day

My first issue!

It's been a while!

Hello, readers!

As you've probably guessed by now, life has gotten a little busier for me in the past few weeks (I have a job, yay!), leaving less time for blogging.

Besides work (which is great, by the way), here's a brief recap of some of the things I've been doing in New York:
* Spotting more celebrities (Gossip Girls cast, Mario Cantone of Sex and the City)
* Finding new favorite neighborhoods (Chelsea, Lower East Side, Park Slope) and restaurants (Schiller's)
* Becoming obsessed with super cheap breakfast at the street carts that cover midtown every morning (bagel sandwich with egg and cheese and a coffee for $3 - amazing!)
* Working out at my fab new gym, Equinox
* Searching for the best vintage shops
* Meeting new friends and catching up with old college friends

There's plenty more, of course, but I won't bore you with all the details. Instead, here are some photos!

Over Labor Day weekend, I went to Jones Beach in Long Island with my friend Kristin. It was perfect.



One recent Sunday, I walked down to the waterfront in Williamsburg to see East River State Park. The park was built on the site of a 19th century shipping dock and while it retains an industrial feel, that's mixed with patches of green grass for lounging, and beautiful views of the water and Manhattan.

The storm (from my office)

OK, so you can probably see me better than you can see the storm action, but just trust me on this. The view of the storm from the 44th floor is ... different (read: scary).