Category: NYC

Life Lessons, Livin' and Lovin', Nostalgia, NYC

Being a grown-up…

by AllieLeave a Comment on Being a grown-up…

Lately I’ve really started to feel like a “grown-up”…I guess at 29, it’s about time!

Things that make me feel mature (note I said “mature” and NOT old!):
  • Being okay with spending a Friday night in (or actually preferring to do so!)
  • Thinking about a financial plan for the future, ie. saving to buy a house, get married (gasp!), putting money away for retirement (whoa…)
  • Actually being able to picture myself settled down in a real house with a kitchen table and welcome mat and ideally even a backyard (all those things you don’t get as a renter/nomad! Since college I think I’ve lived in approximately 9 different apartments..I may be ready for a permanant address…)
  • Being in a book club (personally, I don’t think this makes me old but some of my co-workers disagree!)
I’m sure there are a lot more to add to this list because recently I’ve really started feeling like I’m finally “acting my age.” This is definitely not a bad thing and I keep reminding myself that 29 is still totally young and I have a long and fun life ahead. I think because up until recently, I was a few years behind maturity-wise, and now I suddenly feel like I aged about 10 years in a few months (Those that knew me from about 18-26ish can attest to my slightly sub-par maturity level)! When I look back at the carefree life I used to lead, I often feel a tinge of nostalgia, but then I look at how far I’ve come and the life I’ve made for myself and realize that I’ve really “come into my own” and “found myself” and all those other cliche things. Of course, somedays I wouldn’t mind going back to my Newport days where my only concern was making sure I had clean black pants for my waitressing shift that night, and what bar I’d be sipping cocktails at after my shift…BUT…I can say with about 98% certainty that taking a leap of faith and coming back to NY was the right choice…AND…that I will be successful (ahem, rich) and happy (cough, rich) and healthy (and rich) if I continue to take chances, work hard and stay true to myself. And, if things don’t work out, I have a backup plan–three words, EAT, PRAY, LOVE 🙂
Livin' and Lovin', NYC

"These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New"

by AllieLeave a Comment on "These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New"

Tonight I went to see Sex and the City 2. Me and about a million other fabulous ladies of NYC! I went to the Ziegfeld Theater, which is this amazing old-fashioned theater that still has ushers and a “stage” where the movie screen is–AND the theater was actually IN the movie…which was pretty cool! In prime SATC fashion there was even a faux red carpet where decked out ladies (and I mean DECKED OUT like gold sequined pants DECKED OUT…) posed for pictures and sipped on cosmos.

I think every modern-day single gal these days has thought of themselves as a “Carrie” at one time or another–especially if they ever wanted to be a writer, live in NYC or find true love. I myself have always thought that I truly *am* like Carrie, having been perpetually single for most of my twenties and writing my own column for a while for the local paper. Plus, I actually AM sitting in my bed right now with a view of the Empire State Building out my window furiously typing on my Macbook Pro (for the record, Carrie never had the view, but still!).
Sadly though, this is where the similarities end. The older I get, and the more I actually live and work in “real life NYC” the more I realize that SATC is just an amazing fantasy that most women are easily sucked into due the crafty writing and universal themes of love, friendship and happiness (oh and the clothes and shoes).
Before I actually lived in NYC, I definitely had a *slightly* skewed view of what life would really be like. NYC is without a doubt the most amazing city in the world, the place where anything seems possible and the energy is palpable, but trust me it’s not all cosmos and Manolos (especially without a trust fund or what I like to call a “corner office” job). And dating? While I’m not single right now, I have never seen a man that even resembles Mr. Big-or Aidan for that matter! I like to think of them as mythical men made up of a compilation of every woman in the world’s “dream man.” Every woman wants either an Aidan or a Big. The thing is, most of the great men I know (including my boyfriend!) have a little of both in them…
That being said, I give the new movie two enthusiastic thumbs up as a great way to spend a couple hours with your girlfriends laughing, crying and remembering that anything is possible…
…queue “Empire State of Mind”…and yes, this song IS in the movie! 🙂
Livin' and Lovin', NYC

Back to Happy Allie…

by AllieLeave a Comment on Back to Happy Allie…

So, seeing as my last post was kinda a downer (and also labeled “melodramatic” by certain family members) I will now (attempt) to return to previously scheduled programming, AKA funny, witty, snarky Allie posts about pop culture, ditsy PR girls and bizarre “only in NYC” observations…

For today, I will observe that NYers “jump the gun” a little when it comes to summer. Yes, today was gorgeous out (hallelujah!) but was it really short shorts weather? I mean was it really teeny-tiny flowered dress weather ladies? Especially when pasty shoulders and unpainted toenails are involved, you may want to at least wait until May to make your summer outfit debut!
I also get a good chuckle out of all the restaurants that suddenly offer “outdoor” seating when the weather turns warm. Sidewalks have never been in such high demand! I have to laugh when there are like 3 tables crammed on the sidewalk and everyone is fighting for the “patio seating.”
Also related–I can’t do my gosh darn laundry tonight in my building because everyone apparently had the same idea–there is still a line for a washer at nearly 10pm. Oh NY, why must you love me, hate me, and then love me again…
NYC

Does anyone really like January and February??

by Allie3 Comments on Does anyone really like January and February??

Post holiday blues. Seasonal Depression. Dark by 5pm. COLD! Welcome to January folks! Happy 2010 🙂

This January finds me searching for an apartment (again). What’s that Sex and The City quote, “Every woman in NYC is always searching for a job, an aparment or a boyfriend–you never have all three.” Yeah, that’s my life.
I’m feeling some good vibes for 2010 so I’m going to try and remain positive. On that note, I wanted to TRY and list some GOOD things about January and February. I am sure I’m not alone in my general hatred for these months. Add your “happy thoughts” about Jan/Feb in the comments!
1) MLK Day–oh wait–do I still get this day off? If not, then scratch that…
2) American Idol starts
3) Superbowl! (Only for the food and commercials though…)
4) Groundhog’s Day–this is uhhh…a fun holiday? Ohh and it’s my mom’s bday too!
5) I won’t say Valentine’s Day because I have really never been a fan–even with a boyfriend–but SOME might enjoy this hallmark holiday…
6) Pretty snow/skiing/snowboarding
7) NYC Winter Restaurant Week (I will be taking advantage this year!)
Ok really can’t think of any other good things about January and February, at least not here in the frigid Northeast…help me beat the blues people! 🙂
NYC

Need a little Christmas…

by Allie2 Comments on Need a little Christmas…

Brace yourself NYers, a BIG storm is coming, cue the “Winter Storm” logo on all major new stations and interviews with different salt truckers/plowers on their “preparations.” Sorry if I seem a little Debbie Downer tonight but for some reason I’m just not feeling very jolly this season. Can’t quite put my finger on it–it could be a few different reasons that I won’t fully go into here–but I think it’s a combination of everything. Missing some old friends, adjusting to my new apt, focusing on some life goals for next year, etc. I haven’t done any traditional Christmas things this year whereas last year I was in full NYC cheesy tourist mode. Maybe tomorrow’s pending storm is just what I need to catapult my holiday cheer.

I even tried to do some festive holiday shopping tonight but was immediately irritated–not by the crowds for once, but by the overeager sales clerks from The Body Shop. I was asked by no less than 6 employees if I was “finding everything OK” and their awkward hovering while I smelled different products reminded me of having someone read over my shoulder when I’m typing (a pet peeve of mine). One lady even said (in an obnoxious sing songy voice mind you), “what-cha DOin – trying to decide on scent–I know I know they all smell great!” Ugh–shut up lady I’m just trying to sniff some holiday cheer in the form of your “Merry Cranberry” lotion, and yes, I somehow wound up purchasing some Merry Cranberry lip gloss. Then I quickly made my way across the street to Bath & Body Works for a cheaper and better selection of random stocking stuffer products, and oh yeah, I bought some aromatherapy sheet spray which I am enjoying right now–I think it’s working I feel slightly less stressed than usual…
Hopefully tomorrows snow will be the pretty fluffy peaceful kind that blankets the city and makes me feel alive and giddy. If so, I’ll post some pics!