California Dreaming

So I’ve been a bit absent from the blogosphere recently.  I’ve missed blogging but I was a bit preoccupied by my first work trip with my new job, which took me to Palm Desert.  It was beautiful and warm!  It’s not been too cold here in NYC, but a balmy 75 degrees was definitely an improvement!!

I took some plane pictures on the way in.  The pilot said we were flying over the Grand Canyon…I think this is it. There was a lot going on down there!

In the midst of all my job duties, I found some time to enjoy the sun and the sights.

Isn’t that a beautiful church?

Pool time!

My favorite part about Palm Desert is the mountains in the distance behind palm trees.  It reminds me of Italy.

While I enjoyed my time there, I was excited to get home and prepare for the next adventure.  More on that later!

The sunset from the plane trip home.

Be on the look out for Scott to make a guest appearance next week!

Happy Friday

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Aka: our first NYC Restaurant Week!  New York’s Restaurant Week ended last Friday.  It actually lasted for 20 days over four weeks, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Restaurant Week.  Which is good, because it gave me time to get my act together and get a reservation or two.  On the recommendation of one of my new co-workers, I made a reservation for Scott and myself at The Hurricane Club.  After making it I realized that our reservation was close (enough) to Valentine’s Day that we might as well make it our V-Day celebration.

The Hurrican club is an Asian/Hawaiian/Fusion type place.  It opened relatively recently and is by far the largest restaurant I’ve been in since we got to the city.  Space is hard to come by here.  There were tropical plants, high ceilings, mood lighting, a full lounge area and the most amazingly delicious aromas wafting around.  It was loud, trendy, full of beautiful people and did I mention loud?

While we had to scream at each other to have a conversation…

Me: “Happy first Valentine’s Day, honey”

Scott: “HUH!?”

…the food was unbelievable.  And my drink came with an orchid in it!

We started with the tuna tartare  (my fav!) and the spicy pork dumplings.  (The picture was too blurry to share.)  Oh and they messed up our order, so we got to try a third appetizer – some sort of spicy shrimp (similar to Bang Bang Shrimp).  I think we definitely benefited from that mistake.

For dinner, Scott had honey glazed baby back ribs.

I believe the honeycomb-looking things are lotus root.

I had lobster noodles fra diavolo.

Everything was divine.  And uncharacteristically, Scott was willing to share all of the dishes, so we really got to enjoy everything.  He usually prefers to eat only what he ordered, because “he’s already decided on it .”   And apparently he can’t open himself up to new flavors??  Haha.  So it was my lucky night!  Every dish was perfectly flavored and savory.   I would go again but probably not for a romantic dinner.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

The Unparalleled Whitney Houston

I was planning to write about my first experiences with New York City’s Restaurant Week today.  But I didn’t feel right not honoring Whitney.  I grew up listening to – and loving – Whitney Houston.

I know it’s been said a million times in the past two days, but she sang the soundtrack to our lives.  I remember so incredibly well being driven to dance class in our burgundy van, singing along with mom and my sister to I Will Always Love You.  It always made us collapse into giggle fits at Mom hitting her version of the high notes.

My bestie, Lauren, and I danced to her through our awkward phase(s) and choreographed dances to her fabulous-ness.  And then we carried that into car-dancing from the moment one of us had access to a car.  And we continue our love-affair to this day…cause we’re the queen of the night…oh yeah.

I think Whitney was beautiful, talented and tragic in her own way.  I’m so sad and would have loved to see a true come back and some new songs.  I know I’ll be listening to her a bit more than usual this week.  Here’s to you, Whitney.

A Different Side of New York

So this miraculous thing has happened.  I’m going running a few times a week!  I get up pretty early, like before the sun comes up.  I can’t believe it every time my alarm goes off.  But luckily I have a good running buddy, which really makes all of the difference.  You know I would just turn off my alarm if I wasn’t accountable to somebody!

We go running in Central Park, around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.  I’ve actually really been enjoying the running and how it makes me feel.  And I get to have a bit of nature in my day and see the sunrise on those mornings.

Speaking of the sunrise…

Isn’t that beautiful?  I had to stop, get in the way of the real runners and take a picture.  I like seeing this different, sleepy side of New York.

Super Bowl Sunday!

How bout them Giants?  I hope everyone enjoyed the big game this Sunday.  We hosted our friends and had a great time.  And let me tell you, everyone went all out, whether they were contributing food, dessert or simply Giant spirit.

Scott made sure anyone walking by our apartment would know who we were rooting for.

As promised I wore my special Giants shirt and showed my spirit and support by cooking and cleaning all day.  I made gumbo, cheese dip and guacamole.

It was so fun to see what people were wearing as everyone started arriving.  I think Liz and Ryan took the cake (and brought some great cupcakes)- they could have passed for Giants Barbie and Ken!  Check out those glasses!

As always, Prince was happy to see Ryan.  Thank goodness Ryan is such a good sport about it.

Stu and Leslie contributed a…board.  I’m sure there was a name for it, but I don’t know what the official term was.  All I know is that we put our names on it and were assigned numbers.  The real news was the board decor!  They had put priceless pictures around the border  and made an entire collage on the back.

Scott and his friends have known each other for a very long time.  And these are some of the funniest, most creative guys I have ever met, so there was a plethora of pictures to choose from.

Lets have a close up, shall we?  Yes, that is a Budweiser in a Giants hat and Eli Manning with a stunning stache.  I love the creativity.

Even the little guy got in on the action.

Here’s the board in its place of honor.

And oh, the food!  I couldn’t move by the end of the night, because I ate so much.  We had gumbo, homemade wings, baked ziti and even Giants cupcakes.  And of course, every chip imaginable.

Yes, that is a second TV set up in the kitchen.

Thanks to Liz for the delicious, fun cupcakes.

Everyone was choosing their cupcake based on their favorite player – I couldn’t tell you anyone’s number so I went for the “G” of “G Men.”

No one was allowed to eat Eli Manning’s number 10 until the end.  Didn’t want to jinx anything

This is the most people we have had in the apartment to date, but I think it actually worked out pretty well.

Although some people did get creative with their seat choices.

Prince loved all of the people and even found a new friend!  Although he was not a fan of the yelling so would pretty consistently run and hide in the pile of coats on our bed.

The game was a nail biter at the end.  I was taking this picture of Scott but I think Leslie’s face in the background really expresses how we were all feeling.

It was pretty tense in the apartment for that last minute until…

…VICTORY!

Oh happy day.  Here’s the happy crew.

And we could finally eat the Eli Manning cupcake.  Cheers to you, MR. MVP, number 10.

Champions!

Aka I had a lot of happy Giants fans in my apartment last night!

Once I wake up from my food coma, I’ll be back with more Super Bowl Par-tay pics!  Happy Monday!

Go Giants!

I think we all know that the Super Bowl is this Sunday…and my husband could not be happier.  His beloved New York Giants are playing the New England Patriots. This is a rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl, which, by the way, the Giants won.  I think Scott would be happy regardless that the Giants made the Super Bowl, however, I think he’s on cloud nine being here in the city for all of the excitement and hype.  He’s been able to watch games throughout the season with his fellow fans and really take in all of the Giant mania of New York.

Speaking of which…here are a few iPhone photos showcasing the love begin shown around the city.

This has been in the little Subway newspaper I get every day this week.

Buildings have replaced their flags with Giants flags.

Even the construction on the Second Avenue subway is showing some love!

And here’s the best representation of New York’s level of love and commitment to the Giants.

Yes, that is a bar named “Brady’s” renaming itself “Manning’s” in honor of the Giant’s quarterback, Eli Manning.  For those that don’t know…Tom Brady is the last name of some guy that plays on the Patriots.  So that simply couldn’t stand, especially this weekend.  I love the boldness and cheekiness of it all.  Photo credit goes to our friend Billy.  Thanks!

We are hosting a little Super Bowl soiree on Sunday.   We also hosted two weeks ago when the Giants played San Francisco.  That went well (both for the Giants and us) so we figured we’d offer to host again.  I think it will be a slightly fuller house but I’m excited.  I’ll be in my personalized Giant T-Shirt (it has my last name and favorite number, 11, on it) since that is how I know how to show support.  I can’t talk stats or anything, but I will sure deck myself out in your colors!  We will have food, drink and friends.  And hopefully a win.  What more could you ask for?  Hope everyone has fun plans for the game.  Enjoy and GO GIANTS!

Forty 1 North

While I was thinking about what to name this post, I was considering naming it “Wedding Night”… which might sound more…enticing…than I’m intending. Any who!  This morning on the Today show there was a “Valentine Getaway” segment.  It was recommending places to go for a romantic getaway.  And the hotel where Scott took me for our wedding night was featured!!  Forty 1 North in Newport!  I completely agree with the recommendation.  The rooms are beautiful. They were actually decorated in this decade, as opposed to most other hotels, which are permanently stuck in 1993 (in my humble opinion).

The wall paper is beautiful, there is a bit of sparkle, a fireplace and they have iPods preloaded with various playlists for different moods!  And that is just the standard room.  The tub was to die for and the shower had like, 3 or 4 different heads from all directions.  It was perfect.  Absolute perfection.  The only complaint I had was that I didn’t get to live there for a week and eat at their restaurant!  Oh, and that Scott totally hit my elbow on the door jamb as he was carrying me over the threshold.  I had a bruise the next day!

Anyways, I think we all know that I love Newport and would recommend it to anyone.  And this is probably the hotel I would recommend to most people as well.  And if you have a yacht, they have a marina so feel free to just sail on up!

And I feel like I have to mention that today must be my “Hey I’ve been there” day!  I’ve been to three of the hotels I’ve seen on TV today.  I had been to one of the other hotels mentioned in the Today Show segment as well.  The Wyndham Rio Mar in Puerto Rico for work.  And just now, Kelly (of Live with Kelly!) gave away a week at the Westin Diplomat in Florida and I’ve been there twice for work!  I think this is a sign that I traveled too much in the past.  But I’ve been fortunate enough to have been to some beautiful places.

Any one else have a hotel that they fell in love with?  Or have you ever seen a place you have been to on TV?  It’s kinda cool!

Lady and the Tramp

So rumor has it that William and Kate have gotten a puppy.  I don’t think its a secret that I admire Kate (or Catherine, as she prefers now).  I mean, we basically have the same birthday.  So imagine my happiness when (rumor has it) they got a cocker spaniel…the very same type of dog I had growing up!  I think we are destined to be friends.  (I’m actually not a stalker).

I don’t have any photos of my beloved Winston on my new computer (working on it).  But here’s a pretty good approximation:

Yes, Lady of Lady and the Tramp is a girl and a very pretty one at that.  Even though Winston was a boy, he’s probably best represented by Lady. Bless his heart.  He was a very good, sweet dog.  Scott and I often talk about the type of dog we want to get one day and Cocker Spaniels are always one breed we agree on.  So we will see!

Washington Square Park

This weekend we had a special visitor from Virginia – Hawaiian Ryan!  He was in town with friends but took time out of his busy schedule to spend some time with us.  I have known Ryan since I was six or seven years old.  He and Scott hit it off right away and started playing flag football together when we were in Virginia.  It’s actually a toss up now as to who he is better friends with.  Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it to the wedding…but maybe its lucky in a way.  Scott and I kept fighting over whose side of the aisle he should sit on.  Fighting in a friendly, loving way, of course!

So Ryan came over for pancakes on Saturday morning.  I think that’s the sign of a true friend…someone that I invite over for pancakes pre-shower, pre-makeup and still in my pajamas.  When he arrived, he had the world’s largest roast beef sandwich in tow.  His grandpa told him he had to get a sandwich from Roxy’s (in Times Square).  So he made a pit stop there on his way to our house.

Let’s get a close up shot, shall we?

I think that’s enough protein to last a week!

Since it was Ryan’s first time in the city, we figured we should show him some sights – but nothing that involved a line or paying, of course.  So later in the day we made our way down to Washington Square Park.  Scott and I hadn’t been yet, so we slowly worked our way down to Greenwich Village area – stopping along the way at some local watering holes.  Washington Square Park is right in the middle of NYU’s campus and it definitely has that energy of a college campus.  It’s seems like a fun area, with crepe shops, outdoor markets at nearby Union Square and big, brand name stores!  Oh, DSW, WholeFoods and Trader Joe’s, how I miss you!

Washington’s Arch was beautiful.

Here we are.  It’s rare that we have pictures of the two of us on the blog.

Here are some shots of me trying to be a photographer.

We saw this person creating what we thought was chalk art.  I got closer and it’s actually SAND!  He took handfuls of sand and dropped, threw and sprinkled it onto the sidewalk to make this art.  It was very impressive.

Or at least I thought so.  I looked around to find my two gentlemen absorbed in their cell phones.  I had fun at least!

And then it was off to their activity of choice – a bar.  At least I got my culture in.  It was great seeing you, Ryan.  Can’t wait for your second NYC adventure.