A Bit of Inspiration

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on the Tables

New Years Eve is just 4 days away and I will be ringing in 2012 in New York City. It is exciting to think what all the tomorrows of the new year will bring but for now I will just be happy to spend some time with close friends in the city I know and love. Here's to drinking champagne and dancing on the tables!

Running in the Rain

There is something so liberating about running in the rain. Maybe it's because everyone else on the street seems to be desperately trying to avoid the cold wet drops, struggling to keep their umbrellas upright against the wind or huddling under overhangs, and there you are out there, voluntarily subjecting yourself to it and embracing it wholeheartedly. I think people hate rainy days because they feel like it stops them from living life and traps them indoors, but when you are running in the rain, it makes you feel energized and refreshed-- like you can do anything, like you are capable of so much more than you ever thought. Needless to say, I enjoyed my run tonight in the rain.

Long Weekend Wrap-up

In the past four days, I think I managed to pack in as many Christmas celebrations in as possible.

On Thursday, I attended a Christmas party at John's Pizza in the West Village. Have you ever danced the night away in a pizza place? If not, I would highly recommend it.

On Friday night, I joined my high school friends for a "Christmas in July" party at a bar on the Upper East Side. It felt fantastic to break out my shorts in December. I think everyone's favorite outfit of the night was definitely the Inflatable Hula Girl-- GENIUS!

I spent Christmas Eve in New York City with my family. We had lunch at Max Brenner in Union Square. Max Brenner is a dessert destination and so it was no surprise that the dessert stole the show. We shared the S'Mores Concoction (marshmallow fluff, milk chocolate mousse, graham crackers, caramelized bananas) and it was delicious!

Of course we also stopped by Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. I have seen the tree a few times already this season but there's nothing like seeing it on Christmas Eve. It was just stunning!

I spent my Christmas Day in New Jersey with family. I think my pup looked particularly festive today in his red sweater. 

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas!

Dinner at 10 Downing Wine and Food

My friend L and I met during our first job out of college and we have been close friends ever since. She is one of the busiest people I know, but lately we have been making a concerted effort to meet for wonderful meals every few weeks. Tonight we went to 10 Downing Wine and Food in the West Village. The food was delicious, the restaurant was elegant but cozy, and we had such a great time catching up. Here are a few pics of the night:

A Bit of Inspiration

Sock Wishes

Socks have a reputation for being the most BORING Christmas gift ever. There is just little excitement in unwrapping a gift to find that it contains something so practical. There are some socks, however, that I would be thrilled to receive. In fact, some of these beautiful socks would be the perfect gift for me this year-- they pack easily and don't take up much room in a suitcase. Is anyone else hoping for socks this year?

New York City Lights

New York looks spectacular during the Christmas season! The city gets all dressed up in bright lights and glows and shines in Christmas spirit. Here are six snaps that I took during a stroll tonight:

Weekend Wrap-up

This weekend seemed to go by like a whirlwind! I started off my Saturday with the Ted Corbitt 15K in Central Park. It was a VERY cold morning and it reminded me that I need to stock up on some more cold-weather running gear asap! Anyway, this was an important race since it marks my 9th race with the New York Road Runners in 2011 and means that I have qualified to run the NYC Marathon in 2012 through the NYRR 9+1 Guaranteed Entry Program!!!

Then it was time for two Christmas parties followed by some late-night clubbing. My first Christmas party of the night was at M and T's beautiful new condo. I thought it was decorated beautifully and I particularly enjoyed their spread of snacks and three special cocktails (Kahlua Mocha, Cranberry Pomegranate, and Kiwi Lychee).

My second stop was my friend J's apartment. The highlight was her Greedy Santa Gift Exchange where featured gifts included a Shake Weight, a Jenga, a Popcorn Popper, and a Christmas Story Leg Lamp Ornament. We ended the night at 1OAK in Chelsea where we danced the night away.  I thought 1OAK's walls of stacked golden letters were just gorgeous!

I hope everyone else had a fun weekend too!

Tea Time!

I've never been much of a tea drinker and I'm not even a fan of coffee-- in fact, I prefer a refreshingly cold Diet Coke with my breakfast (a guilty pleasure of mine that would no doubt make some people cringe). But, perhaps I will try to embrace the British tea culture once I move. There does seem to be something so warm and comforting about tea...

Marathoning in Paris

Every day I can think of so many reasons to skip a run and stay in my warm and comfortable bed.... But, this week,  when my alarm went off, I thought about THIS:

 

                  Source: google.com via Christina on Pinterest

And it was all the motivation I needed to pop up out of my bed and put on my sneakers.  I am signed up to run the Paris Marathon which will take place on April 15th and this week I officially began my 18-week training schedule. Paris will be my fourth marathon and I know that if I put in the work and stick to my training schedule, I can improve my time significantly. Wish me luck!

I'm Dreaming of Shiny Sparkly Dresses...

New Years Eve is just a few weeks away and I can't wait to wear something with sequins and/or shine. It will be one of my last big nights out in NYC so I need to make it count!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

A Very Merry Weekend

My weekend started with Z100's annual Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden!!! One of my closest friends scored some last-minute tickets for our group of friends. The line-up was Hot Chelle Rae, Foster the People, Demi Lovato, Gym Class Heroes, Kelly Clarkson, LMFAO, David Guetta, Pitbull, The Script, and Lady Gaga was the headliner. And boy did she steal the show!

The following morning I ran the Jingle Bell Jog (see previous post). AND Saturday night, I attended my first Christmas party of the season.

I would say all in all, it was a very FUN weekend!

NYC Holiday Cards

I'm in love with all of these beautiful NYC-themed holiday cards! Now I just have to narrow it down to ONE.

 {57th and 5th Holiday Card}

 {NYC Holiday Taxi Card}

 

{Holiday Taxi Card} 

 

{Christmas Taxi Holiday Card}

 

{Statue of Liberty Holiday Card} 

 

{Empire State Building Holiday Card}

 

{NYC Subway Holiday Card} 

{Greetings from New York Holiday Card}

  

{Liberty Cab Holiday Card}

 {City Shopping Holiday Card}

{Red Row House Holiday Card}

Jingle Bell Jog

Today was a chilly but gorgeous day in Brooklyn's Prospect Park for the Jingle Bell Jog put on by the NY Road Runners. The jingle bells attached to my sneakers cheered me on for all 3.7 miles. My reward was the green and red bagels, apples, and hot chocolate at the finish line. What a fun way to celebrate the holiday season!

 {post-race photo op}

Almost There!

I am now finished with ALL of the paperwork to apply for my UK work visa. It will be submitted to the British Consulate first thing Monday morning!!!

A Bit Of Inspiration

A Christmas Tree Fit for a World Traveler

My small Manhattan studio does not exactly lend itself well to a Christmas tree any bigger than a Charlie Brown tree (Fortunately, I am not too far away from the 70 foot tree in Rockefeller Center). If I had a tree this year, I would love to decorate it with the theme of "Travel" in mind. Here are my picks for ornaments and trim:

 1. London Phone Booth Ornament, 2. Jonathan Adler Jet Set Ornaments, 3. Joy to the World Holiday Ornament New York City, 4. Paper Luggage Tag Ornaments, 5. Paper Travel Garland, 6. German Glitter Eiffel Tower Tree Topper (from left to right)

Gaga's Holiday Workshop at Barneys Madison Avenue

Today I happened to pass by Barneys Madison Avenue and had the chance to enjoy their spectacularly Gaga window displays! Who would have thought that a chaise of hair could look so elegant? Barneys is promoting its Gaga's Holiday Workshop which is selling 220 Lady Gaga-themed gifts and donating 25% of those sales to the Born This Way Foundation. Check out the pictures I snapped of the windows:

Love Actually

With the holidays fast approaching, I can't seem to watch enough Christmas movies. One of my favorite Christmas movies is "Love Actually" which just so happens to be set in London Town. Below are the frames from one of my favorite scenes. 

 

Now, how cute is that?