a little bit of "me" time

With all the rushing I do Monday through Friday, I have made a promise to myself to find a little more time just for "me". My schedule is always crazy and I am always rushing from one place to another. Nick has lots on his plate trying to navigate his way through the insanity that comes with being a 3rd year medical student. I have decided to become way more invested in reading than I have been these past few years - even if it's before I get dressed in the morning, on the subway, or while I'm laying in bed. After college, I took a breather from any heavy reading and definitely fell of the wagon. Here are a few that are at the top of my list:


1. The Onmivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan 
2. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. Going Rogue by Sarah Palin
5. Roses by Leila Meacham
6. Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella 
7. Manners by Kate Spade (Ok, not quite a book-but something every lady should read!)


I can't wait to relax with a cup of hot chamomile tea and get started...

sNOw..

For the past few days, the weather here in NYC has been beautiful..almost spring-like! In fact, I found myself fantasizing about pink floral dresses and fancy espadrilles. My heart fluttered wildly at these lovely thoughts! Until however, I woke up this morning and was slapped in the face with the unthinkable: a snowstorm. No!! Ugh and blah!! Tonight, the wind was so strong that it practically knocked me over as I walked home from the gym. I feel like winter has been here for so long with no end in sight! I'm so over it. All I ask for is a little sunshine and a nice warm breeze. Is that too much to ask?! 

Cupcake love!

Everyday, I take the 6 subway train from 86th Street to 59th Street to get to work. It is always the same and never too exciting (which certainly isn't a bad thing!). But today, imagine my surprise when I walked up the steps at the corner of 60th Street and Lexington Avenue and saw this amazing thing in front of me (No, not Bloomingdales)!! The elusive and ever-so-hard-to-track-down CUPCAKE STOP truck! This adorable truck filled with cupcakes (mini cupcakes too) chooses new daily locations all around Manhattan and the only way to know where it will be on any given day is by following them on Twitter.  I couldn't help but gasp with excitement...which was short-lived considering it was 8:30 am! If I were a billionaire, I would place one truck in every city across America and spread my love through cupcakes. It's such an simple way to brighten up someone's day! It certainly brightened mine :)

If you would like to get a jump on where the CUPCAKE STOP truck will be tomorrow, just follow them :)

A touch of spring :)

After I got home from the gym tonight, I decided to indulge myself in a little retail therapy...while sitting on my couch of course! I heard from a friend that Vera Bradley recently released their new Spring 2010 line. I have been a huge fan of Vera since I was young and I am so excited about these new patters. It's so fun to collect certain patterns through the years because not only due they never go out of style, they seem to get better with age!  I have heard mixed thoughts about these newest patterns, but I personally think that they are the most unique designs that Vera Bradley has come up with in a while. 

My personal favorites are:  

"Loves Me"..a pretty combination of navy, pink and yellow hues

(daisies just happen to be my favorite flower. And, c'mon..how cute is that name!)

"Sittin' in a tree"

...a pretty blend of light and dark greens with a cute little bird hidden throughout the pattern

"Paprika"

..an adorable mixture of orange and cranberry with a splash of turquoise sprinkled in

I don't see too many ladies walking around NYC with their Vera Bradley's (especially not in the winter). But the suburban gal in me just gets giddy at the thought of picking up one or more of these patterns. I can't wait for spring already!

Rainy days...

This morning, myself and 8.3 million of my fellow New Yorkers woke up to a miserable, dreary day. The only thing worse than a rainy day...is being in New York City on a rainy day! Getting around the city can be challenging on a good day, but any sort of inclement weather seems to make everything just a wee bit more difficult. I found myself running out of my apartment feeling very rushed, attempting to open my broken umbrella that I unknowingly grabbed by mistake, and rushing into my local 91st street Starbucks for some much-needed liquid energy. After realizing that carrying my soy vanilla latte was going to be near impossible while trying to balance all the baggage I have with me on daily basis-my Longchamp, my gym bag, and now my piece-of-junk umbrella-I decided to sit down for a few minutes to take a breather and take a few sips of my latte. There was no rush really since I always leave for work earlier than I need to (that's what happens when you have to rely on unreliable mass transportation). Luckily, I live very close to the 86th Street subway station which I use to hop on either the 4, 5, or 6 train to 59th Street. I don't know how I managed to make it down the dirty, crowded and wet subway steps and into the 6 train as fast as I did! I dragged myself into work looking worse than if a cab ran me over while I crossed Park Avenue. I really do wish people would learn to use some umbrella etiquette!

Thankfully, my day was completely uphill from there. I caught up with my work friends about their weekends, enjoyed a delicious salad for lunch that I had made the night before and got lots of tedious work done. Enough complaining, right? Here are a few little things that made me survive this rainy day: 

My Hunter boots in classic black. I don't know how anyone in the city can live without these! Best purchase I have made in a while :)

My Essie nail polish in "Ballet Slippers"-can't argue with a classic!

 

My classic Banana Republic trench that I recently scored..on sale! Thankfully it was about 60 degrees out today!

Because well, there's nothing like giving in to your sweet tooth after a long and stressful day... 

i wish...

nick & i could take a vacation to the beach...somewhere, anywhere...

A little bit about me!

Are you currently in a serious relationship: Yes! I met the man of my dreams, Nickolas, 2 years ago. He is the most patient, loving and caring person I have ever met. I am blessed beyond words

What was your dream growing up: To be happy and healthy. I dreamed of finding the perfect man and building our careers and lives together. Still can't believe that dream is unfolding :)

What talent do you wish you had: The ability to sing. I'm quite terrible.

If someone bought you a drink what would it be: Diet coke. It's my daily vice..

Favorite vegetable: I am a veggie addict! If I HAD to pick, I'd say its a tie: string beans or kale.

What was the last book you read: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Great book, but didn't live up to the hype.

What zodiac sign are you: Aries

Any Tattoos and/or Piercings: Pierced ears. No tattoos! Tacky, tacky..

Worst Habit: I have a tendency to rest/dangle my laptop of the arm of my couch. Drives Nick crazy!!

If you saw someone walking down the street would you offer them a ride: I would have to say no. I do my best to be a good person everyday, but I would not want to compromise my safety. Sorry!

What is one thing you don't leave home without: My Longchamp Le Pliage bag. These are the perfect bags for the city. They are incredibly versatile and are practically indestructible. I have been caught in countless rainstorms and this bag holds up perfectly! I have it in a few colors. They are great go-to bag. My current one is black (see below):

What is your favorite sport: I am athletically challenged! But I enjoy watching tennis and baseball.

Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude: I am all about positivity! I am working on surrounding myself with people who build you up and don't bring you down.

Most embarassing thing to ever happen to you: I fell down the steps in front of 200 shoppers at Macy's on 34th Street. My fall was so loud that it sounded like a car hitting a brick wall.

Tell me one weird fact about you: I eat a sweet potato every day. If I don't for whatever reason, my day feels off..

Do you have any pets: I have a Yorkie named Buttons at my parent's home in Westchester. She is perfect and I miss her everyday! Nick & I are planning on getting a Boston Terrier this spring. This is Buttons:

If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be: I would make my feet smaller. I hate being a size 9. All the cute sale shoes are in tiny sizes.

What color eyes do you have: Green

If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it: I would pay some bills and then go shopping here: 

What's your favorite place to hang out: Barnes and Noble on 86th Street (pictured below). I love relaxing with a grande latte and read magazines for hours.

Favorite thing to do in your spare time: I love to work out, cook and bake.

Do you swear a lot: Almost never. Very unlady-like.

Biggest pet peeve: When people on the elliptical machine next to me watch my tv. It's so annoying!

Favorite season: Summer and fall...but I do love Christmas time!

In one word, how would you describe yourself: Caring 

Favorite and least favorite food: My favorite food is grilled veggies and my least favorite food is steak. 

Do you believe in God: Yes, very much so. 

(Walking along the FDR Drive)

(My mom and sister Danielle in Westchester)

(In Times Square)

                                                                                             

(Our apartment is coming along) 

Gym bunny :)

shirt: basic black v-neck cotton shirt {h&m}
skirt: black pencil skirt {h&m}
accessories: metallic gold skinny belt {j.crew}
shoes: gold ballet flats {target} 


I hate the expression "gym rat". Living in NYC has made me extremely sensitive to the word "rat". But I won't go there... I consider myself a "gym bunny": a girl who works out hard (not as hard as she could) but enough to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. I will not lie to you, I do NOT enjoy working out. I do it because I have to. We all know we should and I am lucky that I have the time and means to do so. Everyday when I get off the subway on my commute home, my first instinct is to zoom right past the 91st & 3rd New York Sports Club like I was being chased by a pack of rabid dogs. Sometimes I give in to this "laziness" and make a bee line to my apartment. But 9 times out of 10, I suck it up and attempt to de-stress by way of the treadmill. Thankfully for me, it does relieve my stress. I find that if I bring my workout gear all the way to work in the morning I'll be more inclined to go to the gym..because after all, I lugged it all this way! Blah. OK, enough complaining. It's taken me a long time to accept the fact that nothing helps your body the way exercise does. Nothing. But of course, you get out of it what you put into it. It's an big effort, but it's worth it. 

To a new beginning...chin chin!

shirt: navy blue/white striped ruffle button-up {gap}

bottoms: charcoal gray dress-up pants {j.crew}

shoes: navy blue and silver velvet flats {guess} 

bag: black {longchamp}

I have always dreamed of moving to New York City! But then again, who doesn't!!?? Growing up only 40 miles north of NYC in Westchester County, the city has always been an exciting place to visit occasionally but never for an extended stay...only a fancy dinner here and a day-trip there. As much as NYC seems to encapsulate itself in this "melting pot" image where all people from all walks of life are welcome...it certainly didn't feel very welcoming in the beginning. It felt exclusive and the Manhattanites seemed to be a little too rough-around-the-edges for my liking. Perky, polite, pink-loving, preppy me seemed to stand out as a little too sweet..too much of a "nice girl-next-door". But that's me and I love it!  

Like everything in life, it's always what you make of the situation that you're in. After all, I am a born-and-raised New Yorker! I have to remember that sometimes... Moving away from my family was very difficult. Even while in college, my parents were always within my reach. That's why I chose Fordham University, a lovely college only a few short miles from my hometown. But now I am officially grown up and on my own! Wow, it's scary to even type out that sentence: grown up and on my own. Wait, when did this happen?! Truthfully, I lead a blessed life here in Manhattan...but I am still searching for my own identity, my own niche. I can't wait to see what happens :)