the 8 ball

I have this theory that the 8-ball never lies. I have put this to the test many, many times and I would say that 99.5% of the time, it's been right.

Well, I asked it the inevitable question: will I get married this year?

The answer: "You may rely on it."

That is some great news. Last year it said, "Outlook not good."

year in review - 2009

Yes, ladies and gents (but probably mostly ladies that are my readers ;-): 2009 has come to a close. It seriously blows my mind. There is no other way to say it.

I did this last year and just found it, so I thought I would make it a habit. Reviewing my year - as best as my memory will allow! So here we go...NOTE: all is this is based off the pictures I have on my laptop for each month. I'm certain it's not all-inclusive.


January - bowling at Chelsea Piers, Ice Skating at Bryant Park, PBR at MSG (that's the Pro Bull Rider's at Madison Square Gardens!), getting my New York Driver's License

February - trip to Huntington Beach and Disneyland for my 31st birthday (thank you Sara!!), David Archuleta in New Jersey, met Kristen and Jessica

March - got promoted to Assistant Manager! purchased my iPhone (which has changed my life....)

April - trip home to SLC, became obsessed with Twilight and plowed through the books in 13 days

May - Mandy and Christian visited, closed the Bed & Bath store, bought an amazing Tahari dress, went to Duck Beach (amazing.), played with Kristen and Jessica

June - trip to Rhode Island, PB Chelsea renovation and grand opening, Shake Shack all the time, dancing at Cain, cupcakes at Billy's, discovered the Highline Park

July - Mom and Parker came for 4th of July, fireworks on the West Side Highway, Kristi visited, Jaws on the Intrepid, saw Rock of Ages, discovered the Creperie, said goodbye to the Dollhouse :-(

August - learned how much I love private room karaoke, fell in love with Long Beach (New York), learned how to spend more time alone and enjoy it, went to the US Open

September - Meg and Julie visited, hung outside of the VMA's, began apartment hunting and preparing to move, had a complete and utter meltdown

October - moved to the Upper East Side for a month (thanks Danielle!), escaped to Rhode Island, sent out my laundry for the 1st time, learned to love the UES, Meagan and Scott visited, ran into 500+ elves in Union Square

November - moved to the Upper West Side, Kristen visited, discovered bike rides in Central Park, went to Train in concert (thanks Mark!), got my 1st blowout (thanks Jairus!), Ruthie moved to New York!, slowly realized just how much crap I have accumulated in my almost 3 years in New York, re-discovered my love for this city, began losing weight (hooray! must be the walk-up!)

December - began the painful process of unpacking and purging some of my crap, trip home to SLC (so wonderful and much needed!), shopping and more shopping for my shrinking waistline, fell in love with leggings and boots, hosted Christmas Eve and Day for a few friends still in town, enjoyed a major snow storm in New York City, explored Central Park on a beautiful day, went on a cheesecake date (thanks D!)


What a year! It had some serious highs and serious lows - but I survived it, learned a lot and am ready to embrace 2010!

Happy New Year!

my faves - dec 09

It's been another few weeks since I have blogged. December was a good month - I went home for a visit, worked, had Christmas in New York, had New Year's in New York and just tried to enjoy the Holidays. I ate significantly less crap than I usually do, which is good news for my waistline ;-)

There are a few things that I have fallen in love with over the last few months. Here's a little glimpse....

fabulous boots (Madden Girl Zarah boot - next year I'm getting the Frye version)
blingy jewelry
black / gray leggings (to go with boots.)

I have been spotted living in my leggings and boots lately. It's a East Coast winter trend, and I haven't jumped on it until this year --- but I love it. Comfy, cozy and stylish.

you will laugh

The LDS wards in Manhattan have the Lingo's every year - a Mormon short-film festival of original productions. The results are some seriously funny {and talented} clips.

Here is a fabulous clip that premiered this year. It couldn't have hit closer to home for me {1 - because I love Twilight and 2} - because I am now in the family ward. Enjoy!

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.

wish list.

On my wishlist for the coming months {Christmas, birthday, or any time gifts!} is this parson's desk in wheatgrass green from West Elm.

It matches my new duvet and will be a great pop of color for my room!

wonderful.

Days like today are days that I love life, love to be in New York and love to be alive. From start to finish, it's been great.

My friend, Jairus, needed a hair model - so who would pass up a free blow-out and style? Not me!





Next stop: Shake Shack. And pumpkin pie custard. Divine.




And then it was off to close out my Manhattan Mini Storage, schlep and ship a rug ... check and check!

Ikea was next on the docket so that I could get my dresser and so that Ruthie could ride the ferry and see the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty. At Ikea, of course we indulged in the $1 cinnamon roll and $.50 Diet Pepsi (DC wasn't an option...)



While at Ikea, I got a text about a spare ticket to New Moon. Did I go? You bet I did. I loved it {for the second time!} and enjoyed a catch-up cab ride to the West side with Sara S.



Great ending to a great day. Thanks to Ruth and Sara for participating!

{ apples & pumpkins }

Fall in New York is simply fabulous. We have had a warmer fall, for which I have been grateful.

You can live autumn in New York vicariously via these photos. I have spent several days in Central Park, walking and bike riding, which is where these photos came from.

{ new moon }

Let it be known - I love the Twilight Saga. I do. I'm pretty sure I have a 14-year-old trapped inside of me.

I saw the 12:01 showing on the Upper East Side. Which didn't start until 12:05 and then have 27 minutes of previews. WTF?! I will never go to the AMC on 3rd Ave. again. They need to get it together.

Congrats, however, to Chris Weitz and the team of writers, producers and editors for the movie. Well done. Loved the comedic twist and timing. I re-read the book over the last week to prepare myself, and I am glad I did, because it really made me see what they kept, what they tossed, what could have been....

Over the past weeks I have been watching trailers and teasers online. They are all pretty much the same. However, I found a few *gems* that made me laugh. And then, at the movie last night, made me laugh again because I was picturing the spoofs rather than the real movie. Classic.

Enjoy. And don't be surprised if I get arrested for Taylor Lautner. He's smokin' hot in this flick and I would do jail time for him. No doubt about it.

back to basics {and blogging}

Wow. I have taken a serious hiatus from blogging. I think it's largely due to the fact that I have an iPhone and I update my Facebook page regularly. I want to find a way to chronicle that activity, since it's more like a live journal, but haven't figured it out {yet.}

Do I still have any readers out there? Who knows! Regardless, I am coming back to my roots of blogging. Posting pictures, stories and tales of my adventures. It's been far too long since I have done this, and I: 1} miss the creative outlet it provides me and 2} realized that I have very little recollection of what has gone on over the past months.

And a lot has gone on! I have moved {twice}, I have had good friends come and go from the city, I have gone on a trip or two, I have shopped my little heart out, I have had *minor heartbreak, I have been to a concert, I have worked and worked and worked, I have lost some weight {hooray!} and I have discovered a few gems about New York.

So, if you are still out there, my friends, I am back. If I lost you along the way, your loss ;-)

<3, C

out and about

I had the day off work. I need to find an apartment. So I made the rounds of Manhattan.

You can see the route here. 5.29 miles. And there was more walking that didn't make it onto the map :-)

A good day. Covered a lot of ground.

Did I find an apartment? Stay tuned....

whew

I just asked my 8-ball (you know, the one on my sidebar!) if I would stay in New York. It said "you may rely on it."

Then, I asked if I would find an apartment. "It is certain."

There you have it. The 8-ball never lies!

let's celebrate!

It's mathematically inevitable. I have been in New York for 2.5 years.

My blog was born shortly after my arrival. Therefore, my blog is now 2.5 years old!

Happy Birthday. I ate a cupcake in your honor. I also ate a cupcake in honor of being in the city for 2.5 years and for being at my job for 5.

Basically, I like to find excuses to eat cupcakes.