I <3 NY (Weekend Edition)

I love NY, but some days I REALLY <3 NY! Saturday I spent an incredibly rainy day trying to accomplish some Christmas shopping with a friend. Of course we started with brunch...as is customary for all New Yorkers. We were talking about how brunch exists in other parts of the country but in New York it's an institution.

I tried to remember to snap some pics in between the rain drops...

One of my favorite things about New York is the art that you encounter when you take a minute and look. The entire city is like a gigantic canvas. This was from the sidewalk in front of Clinton Street Baking Co. I was craving their pancakes like crazy (maybe the best, ever) but they had a 2hr wait so we were standing in the rain googling brunch locations. Luckily in New York you're rarely more than a couple blocks max from a great brunch. 

I had this amazing Texas Toast French toast in orange blossom honey, covered in fresh fruit and whipped cream. I of course, also added a little pure maple syrup...when in Rome...

(Above) Outside the Duane Reade where I broke down and bought a new umbrella because I felt like a drowned rat. 

Finally we hit our breaking point and went to a movie, which conveniently was next to a Mexican restaurant where we indulged in Margaritas and a zillion calories. They look Christmassy though!

Then I headed over to Grand Central where a protest was taking place. Even with the mob of people, the police all hanging out, the holiday spirit was still in full force (below). 

I hit the magazine stand for some train reading

And then when I got home I took Humphrey for a walk, turned my new umbrella inside out, got soaking wet (again), then unsuccessfully tried to stay awake until J got home. 

Even though I spent most of the day in between drenched and just pruned, it was definitely an "I <3 NY" kind of day.

Sunday I headed out to brave the city shoppers, busy shoppers, dressed in holiday style...in the air there's a feeling of Christmas...but really there was, everyone was in a great mood. The only problem was there were lines everywhere. I think we were all just glad it stopped raining! It was gorgeous but oh so cold. 

After shopping I grabbed a quick bite in Chelsea then headed over to hang out with the Chelsea boys. 

We played on the roof for a while until one of the littles accidentally kicked a pipe and caused water to spurt out everywhere.  Once the panicked crying stopped (surprisingly not from me) we went in side to warm up and make gingerbread houses. I was really impressed by how long and hard they worked on them. They aren't known to have the longest attention spans in the world. 

After gingerbread mania, J picked me up from the train and I did a quick change in the car while he drove to some friends house so that I wouldn't be covered in icing when we got there.
("Don't get pulled over, I don't have pants on.") We had a nice quiet evening with some pizza, a Seahawks win, and I got to snuggle with their adorable little baby.  I may not have wanted to give him back when it was time to leave.

All and all a pretty great weekend. 

I'm linking up here, here for some more weekending!

Saturday confessional

• I really want a faux fur throw for the couch. I always thought I hated them but now I can't stop dreaming about one. Anyone know where someone can procure one that doesn't look cheap but is monetarily cheap?

What about one of these west elm ones?   

• Today I wandered around the city almost buying things then putting them down because the lines were too long. Sorry about all of that felt near the picture frames, Michael's. Sorry about the picture frame and decorative tray near the socks, Marshall's. Sorry about the socks and cheese grater in the home goods T.J. Maxx. Lest you're wondering if I ever committed to a line and a purchase, yes...Bed, Bath & Beyond had almost no line. I purchased a can opener, 2 baking sheets, and a candy bar. 

• This is probably my favorite candy bar on the planet and it's a wonder I only ate half of it. I also really love the copywriting on the packaging (sorry I ravaged it before I took the picture). 

• Also, this...I want them all but settled for "Christmas gone plaid" and "in a Holidaze"

• I'm developing a cab habit. Not always, but the Chelsea to Grand Central trip is only $7-9, and I was so cold. 

• I'm losing my job on Wednesday and I'm barely sad. Maybe Wednesday it'll feel more real but I haven't loved my job for awhile (ever) and so this is maybe a good push to figure out my next move. I am a little worried about moving in with J and becoming unemployed at the same time. Kind of two simultaneous big life changes crashing in at once. 

• I bought a can opener today because last night I found out J doesn't have the one tool I figured was safe to assume he owned. So he opened a can with a jagged knife. Lol

• I had a dream last night and in it J and I were sitting at a patio table (whose, I don't know) and we weren't even talking. We were just reading the paper, and dream me was thinking, 'I'm so happy' and I felt so content. I think maybe dream me, was reminding real me that things are really great and not to stress the job situation. I get the benefit of having the holidays off to spend with my friends and family. When was the last time that happened?

Target (is the) Problem

 

Please excuse the mess in the background (I'm moving), and forget that just yesterday I promised that I would stop buying things from Target, Forever 21, H&M and save my money for nice pieces, but look at this jacket I just got from Target!