Only In New York

I seem to find the expression "Only in New York" surfaces in conversation a lot. Like "only in NY" do you pay $18 for a cocktail and think it's normal... or "only in NY" do you see transvestites daily and not judge the fact that they're cross-dressing, but judge how pretty they look and if you like their outfit. I died of laughter when I saw this cross walk sign in the East Village defaced to flip the bird when the hand is held. It made me think... "only in New York"! I walk past this sign every day and it never ceases to put a smile on my face. I'm going to miss the quirkiness of NYC for sure!

50 Reasons

This morning, my friend forwarded me a link to an article on the Village Voice Blog titled

"50 Reasons to Be Pretty Damn Euphoric You Live in New York City"

I find it to be hilarious and so true to the New York way of life, and I'm pretty sure any New Yorker would agree. I've pulled my favorites of the top 50 that I relate to most or find the most funny. Enjoy:

50. Sending your laundry out for someone else to wash and dry it is not only convenient, it's just good business. Especially since you will probably never own a washer and dryer. Which means you never have to feel guilty about not doing your own laundry. Next.

49. Drinking coffee four times a day, every day, isn't the exception, it's the rule.

44. The epic feeling you get running to catch a train and succeeding...just before the doors close.

38. Drinking is like breathing. Or slightly more acceptable.

36. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, there is someone who will bring it to you for a price, which may or may not be negotiable. (Or legal.)

33. There's no shortage of stupid rich people to make fun of.

30. The fact that one-bedroom apartments cost an average minimum of a half-million dollars means we think nothing of spending $12 on lunch.

29. Restaurants are as common as single men and women. And equally diverse. And you never have to see either of them again after the initial awkward encounter.

28. The omnipresent opportunity to Gaga-ify yourself. And the chance that it will seem, just, normal.

26. Smart people are the norm, not the exception. (Which doesn't mean they're sane, but at least no one's boring.)

24. When you fly back into the city after a vacation or business trip, no matter how long you've lived here, you get that butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling.

22. How easy it is to find doughnuts, pizza, Chinese food, or any other snack your drunken self desires at 4 a.m. Or to continue to drink. Responsibly!

21. Broadway. Museums. CULTCH-AH. Even if you never actually go to see anything (though you should, at least once).

20. Yelling "fuck" is just a mild obscenity.

15. The splendor of the Union Square Greenmarket.

10. Subway rage. Bike-lane rage. Walking rage. Random rage. These are our therapy. Although we all go to therapy, too. No judgments! We bitch, therefore we are.

9. Jaywalking is an art form.

2. There is absolutely no reason to ever drink and drive. Added bonus: Spontaneous, fascinating conversations with cab drivers.

1. If you can make it here, you really can make it anywhere. But why would you bother to go anywhere else?

OK so I almost listed all of them but I couldn't resist. They were all so great! Definitely check out the article to see all 50 reasons why us crazy city folk love NYC!

Ride With a View

One thing that I will miss about NYC is my bike rides that allowed me to escape the hustle of the city. My favorite route to ride is along the east river path, where there are seldom many people below Houston St. With incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo across the river in Brooklyn, and boats cruising by... what's not to enjoy?!

Central Park in the Fall

Fall may be one of the most beautiful times of year to visit Central park, with the leaves illuminated with rich colors. It's such a peaceful time to take a stroll on a brisk day and enjoy the crisp fall air. The one day that of course brings chaos to Central Park during this season is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I went two years ago and had a wonderful experience viewing the phenomenon I had watched on t.v. for years in person. I must admit, however, that I prefer the serenity of watching it from a safe distance on the tube rather than being packed like a sardine and attempting to move in a mob street scene. Personal preference of course, but it is worth experiencing once in a lifetime!

Afternoon Tea in NYC

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon

Ever since I was a kid, I've had an infatuation with tea parties, and amassed an enormous tea set collection early on. As an adult, I still enjoy a good afternoon tea, especially if they spice it up a little bit with some champagne at the end! My favorite tea house in NYC happens to be on Irving Place (once again that tiny street houses another of my city favorites!) Lady Mendl's Tea Salon takes the cake for having the sweetest afternoon tea going in the city! As soon as you walk up the brownstone's steps and enter the romantic Inn at Irving Place, you know you are in for a treat! The ornate decor leads you to believe that you are stepping immediately back in time to England where tea time was a necessity, not a special occasion. All of the sandwiches, freshly home-made scones, and petifores are to die for, and the tea of course, is fantastic! If you find yourself at Central Park or shopping on 5th Ave, you have another posh option for tea at BG, the restaurant on the top floor of Bergdorf Goodman. The gorgeous chairs and clear view of the park make this a swanky option for tea. Unfortunately, my service wasn't impressive, but I would definitely give it another shot just to sit in their fabulously decorated restaurant.

Lady Mendl's with my sister

Tea at BG with my mom

Love the chairs!!

Dylan's Candy Bar

There's no place closer to heaven for a sweet tooth like myself than Dylan's Candy Bar. This whimsical candy shop is more of a Charlie and the Chocolate fantasy than a store. Colorful candy installations climb from the floor to ceiling in this vibrant candy mecca. With every type of candy imaginable available for purchase, this is the perfect place to scout out your favorite candy from the past that you just can't find anywhere, or to salivate over cases of unique sugar confections. The upstairs has transformed into a dream-like ice cream parlor that whips up the most incredible milkshakes I have ever had! A trip to Dylan's ignites the nostalgia of being a kid in a candy store, eager to get your hands on everything in sight!

Irving Place

For years I have been obsessed with a tiny little street in Gramercy called Irving Place. This tree-lined charmer is covered with incredible brick brownstone apartments leading to the private gated Gramercy Park. I've been dying to get my hands on one of the coveted keys to enter, but no such luck! Another gem on this quaint street that is more accessible than the park is my favorite cafe 71 Irving Place. Its exposed brick walls and fireplace make this cozy and inviting cafe the perfect haven to escape a brisk fall day. With a vast array of fresh baked goods, quiches, and home brewed coffee from the Irving Farm, there is something delicious to please everyone. My personal favorites are the mushroom and gruyere cheese quiche and the almond croissant paired with a soothing latte. I just can't get enough of this charming cafe and could spend hours just relaxing and enjoying the laid back ambiance of 71 Irving Place.