Friday, July 29, 2011

a ferry and a film

As our time at GH starts to wind down, Kylie told me she has a bucket list of things to do before leaving New York. Yesterday we checked off the Staten Island Ferry.

It takes 30 minutes to get to Staten Island and 30 minutes to get back, and… it’s free! Who knew you could take an hour-long boat ride past the Statue of Liberty (twice) and not pay a dime?

Afterwards we went to see Beginners , and I loved it.

I have a deep weakness for romantic comedies, so it’s not hard to pull at my heartstrings, but this one really left me smiling and swooning (mainly over the girl’s hair). It dealt with some weighty themes, but balanced them with just the right amount of endearingly quirky moments.

It’s been out all summer, so hurry and see it before it leaves!

Full disclosure though: Watching this movie will make you run home, pull on a cuffed blazer and try to imitate the heroine’s tousled up-dos for longer than you care to admit

(at least I hope so, because that’s what happened to me)

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

boots boots

See these lovely boots...


they are vintage
and they are Frye
and I felt like Alison Krauss or Emi Lou when I pulled them on


unfortunately, I also felt like knives were stabbing into my feet
and I had to leave the store with nothing but this picture

I hope someone else (with smaller feet) enjoys them as much as I did for a few painful moments!

Monday, July 25, 2011

don't sweat it, it's $9

My weekend with Em was too short, but wonderful. We didn’t do a lot of touristy things, because we were more interested in catching up and staying cool (it was a whopping 104° here). Instead, I took her to my favorite spots and showed her a little of what it’s like to be a New Yorker.

We went to a lot of places I’ve mentioned before - Alice’s Tea Cup , 10-ft Single , the Union Square Market , Magnolia Bakery , Five Leaves – and a few you’ve probably heard of but I haven’t gushed over enough yet.

First, Anthropologie – Okay I have gushed over Anthropologie enough, if not on this blog than in my daily life, but I’ll never stop singing its praise because…. I found a $9 dress there this weekend!! No, I didn’t forget a zero. I really found a dress on sale for $9, and it used to be $130.

Second, Shake Shack – On Friday night, Em and I met our friend Jeff at Shake Shack . It’s a burger shack in Washington Square Park that you must, MUST visit next time you’re in New York. The burgers, Shack sauce, cheese fries and shakes are amazing. And Michelle Obama was just spotted at the new one in D.C., so you’ll be in good company.

Third, Momofuku Milk Bar – I’ve heard about the Milk Bar all summer, and I've been very intrigued (mainly because I like saying the name), but I hadn't tried it until this weekend. They serve only milk products – milk and cookies, milkshakes, yogurt and granola, etc. It was a little over priced for moderate portions, but completely worth it in this weather. I ordered lemon raspberry soft-serve ice cream and - with some speedy ice cream scarfing skills - managed to down it before the heat could.

I love Emie more than words can say. She knows me so well, and I can tell her anything. She likes to dream about things with me - like opening up a children's bookstore/bakery when we grow up or writing a book together. We've spent nights crying over boys in stairwells, hours in the car singing Beyonce and eaten countless meals at Mama's Boy and the Grit. In Athens we give sleepy hugs every morning when we first wake up and at night right before bed.

As wonderfully fun and colorful as those pictures look, my favorite part of the weekend was just snuggling up on the couch and talking to Em.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

when time stands still

Guess what's happening after work....

Emie’s coming to town!!!!

Emily’s one of my best and dearest friends in the whole world. I can’t wait to give her the hugest hug and talk for hours and hours like we always do.

The minutes til I get off work could not be moving any slower.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

nineties nostalgia

It may seem like I go out and do fun things non-stop in NYC, but not enough gets said about the delightful activities that don’t require me to leave my couch. Namely, Dawson’s Creek .

Whatever my posts may have led you to believe, I am actually very tired and exhausted when I get home from work. Until now I hadn’t realized quite how draining 9-hour days can be. I still love my job and eagerly wake up each day, but I save most of my New York excursions for well-rested weekends.

Tatum and I devote many-a-weeknight to 3-buck-chuck Chardonnay and an episode or 2 of Dawson’s Creek. We called nearly 10 movie rental stores when we first got our Dawson’s urge, and no one carried it… maybe because it aired in 1998? But a grungy, little shop in Chelsea agreed to order it for us. By the looks of the box we think they downloaded it or ordered from China.

Regardless of the legality of their methods, Tatum and I regularly walk the High Line (2 miles of over grown rooftop gardens that deserve their own post), grab a snack and pick up our next installment of the endearingly cheesy 90’s flashback.

And I love those nights just as much as city outings.



Monday, July 18, 2011

the men in my life

Okay, I know I haven't blogged in almost a week, but that's because I've been busy... being an editorial assistant for the day on Friday, eating brunch at Heath Ledger's restaurant , eating more brunch at Cookshop , shopping with my best cousin, sitting near Alec Baldwin in a cafe, going to the Brooklyn farmer's market, seeing Harry Potter, and best of all seeing my brother Matt!

And that's saying a lot, because Harry's tough competition.


I will say that HP made me cry, and Matt didn't have quite the same affect.

I felt like I lost a little bit of my childhood Thursday when I missed the midnight showing so I could wake up for work in the morning. Thankfully though, it was just as good Sunday night - - at least that's what I'm telling myself.

Aside from Matt and Harry, two delicious brunches were right up there with my weekend highs. Breakfast is far and away my favorite meal to eat out. I love the coziness of breakfast restaurants. I love getting up early, and I love meeting people before the day really starts. No brunch can beat Mama's Boy or Big City's, but my smoked salmon omelette on a biscuit at Cookshop was pretty unforgettable.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

ice cream is better than a.c.

This is where I went running/phone talking, just a block away from my street...


...and this is what I ate as my reward.


They cancel each other out right?

It was $7 at Westside Market (thank you new york cost of living), but completely worth it. Tatum and I agonized over cheaper 1/2 gallons, but we couldn't resist flavors like Mint Cacao Chip, Cinnamon Coffee and Brunch (maple syrup with waffle pieces) in way over-priced quarter gallons.

A mug full of ice cream, a Woody Allen musical and a giant fan make the perfect ending to a long hot day.

p.s. I'm only half way watching this movie, because I'm figuring out how to tweet! follow me @gracevmo if you have twitter

Monday, July 11, 2011

just a phone call away

This weekend included but was not limited to...

jay-z – flying solo, unfortunately
vintage shopping in Brooklyn
unbelievable Mexican food at San Loco
The Jane – an old hotel just a block away with a bar that looks like a 20’s suare! ...sorry, that was cheesy, but I couldn’t resist
overpriced, but completely worth it, chocolate mint chocolate chip ice cream
Redeemer’s nighttime jazz service
Manhattan Murder Mystery with Brian and Jodey
sleep, but not very much of it


There’s not enough space to tell stories about all of my weekend adventures, but here are a few things I learned…

My favorite shop in Brooklyn is 10ft Single . It’s full of vintage scarves, shirts, boots and so much more, and it’s incredibly organized and easy to browse. Tatum and I might even go back next weekend.

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are the perfect cure for a little homesickness, or a little of anything for that matter. You can’t watch them without loving New York.

Williamsburg reminds me so much of Athens, but bigger, and by the water, with a wider selection of old finds and street vendors.

Nothing in New York was better than talking to my brother Misha. His call made my day, and “we miss you around here Gracie-girl” are some of my words of all time.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

cupcakes on a cloudy day

Today our intern coordinators went on a cupcake run and brought back some for us too!


I love my job every day, but some days I leave exhausted and drained from 8 hours of enthusiasm and an I’ll-do-anything-you-ask-me-to attitude. Then a small something like a surprise cupcake, or laughing with co-workers or a text from my little sister can turn everything around.

It sounds cheesy, but little things like that really do brighten my day. All of the sudden my eagerness and excitement rush back, and I fall in love with New York all over again.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

christmas in july

Yesterday I went to work and played with toys - - well, sort of ...

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute upstairs recruited interns to help set up toys for tons of kids who will pile into their office for the next two weeks.

GHRI tests products that are featured in Good Housekeeping and gives worthwhile products a seal of approval. Every Christmas, they put out a study on new toys – how kids react to them, how easy they are to set up, etc. – and in the magazine world we're already gearing up for the December issue.

I made lots of friendship bracelets, set up a recycled paper circus and most impressively… built the Lego rocket launcher above! Okay, I didn’t build it all by myself, but I did lend lots of Lego skills I didn’t know I had.


I was exhausted after work and had a brief tired meltdown on the phone with my mom (…I guess all those toys took it out of me?), but after dinner and a nap, Tatum and I hosted a lovely little birthday party for her friend Hannah.


We had 3-Buck-Chuck, donuts from The Donut Pub down the street and lots of little tea candles to make our apartment feel homey.