In the mood for...

1. LUNCH! I'm starvin'
2. a tall glass of green tea with lemon
3. sunshine on my face
4. a big hug from Oakley, then being knocked down
5. doing a cannon ball into the lake
6. feeling the warmth of being home <3

The sun is up; the sky is blue!

After 7 days straight of rain, its a beautiful day in New York City. I was able to pull myself out of bed this morning at 6am to run 3 miles before work and still had time for a nice hearty breakfast. I have so much energy today, mostly because I can't wait to get on the plane to IN! I'm leaving work at 2 today because of the Holiday weekend, and after a long week I plan on treating myself to lunch in Madison Square park, followed by a manicure and pedicure at my favorite spa, Bellagio (since my toes will be exposed all weekend)! This evening I'll have a nice dinner with girlfriends at The Mermaid Inn in the East Village, a restaurant that we all occationally walk by and peek into with interest and curiosity that we finally get to try. That is usually how my favorite restaurants in the city are found.. if the atmosphere strikes me and people just seem to be having a good time.

Excited!

Like a small child on the night before Christmas, I am SO excited to go home this weekend! I haven't been home since the Holidays and now that its boating season, I couldn't be more ready! I can't wait to see my amazing family and adorable friends. I am also going to be part of a wedding for a lovely couple I have watched grow over the past few years.

It's a really good time to get out of the city. It has rained a lot lately, casting a melancholoy cloud over my head for the past few days. It is just one of those times where I could use a vacation from everything. No better place to do that then back home in Indiana.

The Big Dog

This weekend I saw so many cute dogs walking around the city, and it made me miss Oakley the Boxer. He always makes me laugh. He used to have a bright orange life jacket for the lake, before he knew how to swim. It was ripped to shreads once he figured out how to swim, so now the other lake dogs can't make fun of him for wearing it! My mom caught him swimming across the cove with a buddy of his to frolick on the muddy island a few times. I can't wait to see him and be welcomed home with his "wiggle dance!"

Love to eat!

One of my neighborhood favorites is the Stanton Social (above). I am convinced I've tried everything on the menu. The tapas will satisfy any palate and the Chocolate Tasting dessert is to die for! The place is always packed with cute people and its a great place to go for cocktails.

Our go-to spot on the LES is Schiller's Liquor Bar (above). My room mate and I probably do brunch or dinner there every other week. It has a rustic atmosphere and is always hoppin, even late into the night. The poached eggs with smoked salmon and a peach bellini are the perfect cure for even the most intense hangover!

One of the most impressive desserts I have ever eaten was at TAO (above), which also had amazing decor. Its a lively, up-beat place to take visitors and the food is tasty. This giant fortune cookie not only had a fortune for all six of us at the table, but the best thing about it was the white and dark chocolate mousse inside!

One of the most romantic dinner dates I have had in the city was at BOOM in Soho (above). We sat at the perfect table by the huge open window and enjoyed the delicious food, candel-lit setting and live jazz music. It was one of those warm, breezy perfect evenings followed by nice walk through the cobblestone streets. Definitely a night to remember.

Views from my roof

I love the LES.. the views of both downtown bridges and uptown buildings still take my breath away.

Laundry day

It appears that Lower East Siders have the right idea: hanging their laundry out to dry, just like in the old days. Great way to conserve energy, save money, and get some fresh air! I took this picture from the top of my building. I never really noticed there's stuff happening on roof tops all over Manhattan. Then again, I'm not surprised.

I adore...

A few things I also love are sunsets, dark chocolate, my big boxer dog, getting lost, familiar voices, ice cream, stomach butterflies, summer nights, movie nights, childhood memories, music, sweet dreams, any inspiration, funny animals, the arts, keeping secrets, home on holidays, making plans, creative minds, dinner parties, kissing, the sound of rain, a good book, the smell of spring, happy hour, central park, little surprises, sleeping in, giving gifts, randomness, starting over, laughter, sending letters, taking pictures, jumping in waves, making up words, deep conversations, road trips, lake days, drinking tea, loving life and feeling carefree..

Good day sunshine

Today it is finally nice outside! I spent my lunch hour in Bryant Park, listening to David Gray and people watching while I ate my fabulous spinach and beet salad. It was so good to feel the sun on my face and the breeze blow the blades of grass under my toes. My relaxing day continues with Yoga after work, which has become a therapeutic necessity of mine to relieve tension and keep me grounded. Its lovely to finally see winter fade into spring and orange tulips blooming under the only tree standing on my block. There is a fresh optimism in the air that has been hiding under the stylish winter coats of New Yorkers for so many months. Spring is here!

Initial thoughts...

In an effort to document various aspects of my life, I will purge my thoughts as they come onto my blog. Journals have always worked for me, when I'm in the right setting (cozy cafe with a cup of tea).. but this way seems much more pratical. The title of my blog is inspired by the song, "Across the Universe" by the Beatles. This song, and a few variations of it, gets me every time I hear it. I have experienced many changes in my life this past year, and I plan on gradually dispensing those changes so that they are never forgotten.