Category Archives: Holiday

New York To-Do Listicle 2

Posted on by under Art, Family, Holiday, Restaurants, Travel

Leaving later this morning to spend Labor Day weekend in New York City with my family. Haven’t been to NYC in almost four months, the longest it’s been since I moved back to DC last winter. Obviously couldn’t sleep until I’d made a list of things to do:

  1. Order a Black Tap milkshake. If you haven’t seen these on social media yet, you must not be on any social media. Beth just moved next to the SoHo location, which means she’s also near Dominique Ansel Bakery…
  2. Visit the Statue of Liberty. I’ve been to New York at least a dozen times now, but have yet to see this iconic symbol of the American dream. We’re planning on taking a ferry and possibly climbing up to the crown. When I was in the fourth grade, I read the entire Dear America series, including the diary of Zipporah, a Russian Jewish immigrant who found hope in viewing Lady Liberty from her ship… Before her family was subjected to humiliating physical exams on Ellis Island and, later, her friend burned to death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. (The epistolary form truly can convince kids to read anything.) I’ve wanted to see the Statue ever since.
  3. See the Roof Garden Commission at the Met. Of all the items on my previous NYC to-do list that I didn’t get to accomplish, this is the most important, in my mind.
  4. Participate in Sleep No More. This immersive theater experience features scenes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which take place over four floors of a Manhattan warehouse transformed into a 1920’s hotel. Audience members wear masks and can “choose their own adventure,” exploring the different rooms and possibly even interacting with the characters. Every detail of the 1920’s-themed sets is immaculately designed. I’m especially looking forward to finding the room that is supposedly dressed up as a candy shop–complete with actual candy! Also, I had to stop at the library today to brush up on Macbeth, since I haven’t come across the play since high school!
  5. Visit the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. This new WTC subway station looks like an architectural wonder in photos. There’s a good chance we’ll also visit One World Observatory, since my parents really enjoy seeing cities from obscene heights.
  6. Order bubble tea at Meet U. This new bubble tea place in Chinatown has those Insta-worthy cups shaped like light bulbs, as well as knotted bendy straws. Presentation is everything.
  7. Shop. With my family, not to mention Labor Day sales, I imagine we’ll do a fair amount of shopping. Fairly certain I won’t need anything to wear this fall other than this cape, but half of the shopping in New York is for the experience. I at least want to stop in the Club Monaco on 5th, which has a Strand bookstore attached.
  8. Attend The Upright Citizens Brigade‘s ASSSSCAT 3000. I’ve seen shows by this improv troupe (featuring tons of famous comedians, including Amy Poehler) on tour twice and would love to see the full cast on their home turf. The show is free on Sunday nights (and really cheap every other night)!
  9. Find tickets for the Museum of Ice Cream. This pop-up museum dedicated to what I love most in life sold out immediately and ends next weekend. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. (Currently combing through Craigslist for reasonably priced tickets.)
  10. Win the Hamilton lottery. “I am not throwing away my shot.”
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View of Manhattan skyline from Smorgasburg in Brooklyn

October 2015 Playlist

Posted on by under Holiday, Music, Playlist

Fall is officially here, and preparations for a favorite holiday are already in motion. These supremely creepy gems are ideal for picking out a Halloween costume, browsing horror movies, or stuffing your face with candy corn. Listen below or on my Spotify page. For more spooky tunes, check out previous October playlists here or here.

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Friday Fancies

Posted on by under Friday Fancies, Holiday

IMG_1066Featuring candles on a blog feels a little silly, but some are undoubtedly worthier than others. Anthropologie’s often underrated candle selection makes the cut, in my book, and this cinnamon bark soy candle tin doesn’t disappoint. I haven’t even lit it yet, despite buying it last month, because the heavenly scent is already strong enough unlit to fill my desk area with fir, cinnamon, and coconut goodness. It’s now sold out online, but may still be available in stores.IMG_1118

I’m hardly an expert on nail polish, but one particular brand has impressed me for years. Even before I started painting my nails, whenever I noticed a friend’s nail color enough to ask her where it was from, it was always Essie. The company clearly puts a ton of effort into creating extraordinary colors that are complex, not stagnant. My beloved After School Boy Blazer perfectly demonstrates this quality in the way its navy blue color is on the verge of being black, but never quite crosses that line. Essie Cocktail Bling, pictured above, is technically grey, but 60% of the time, in the right light, it’s closer to the palest shade of blue. Incredible! I’m starting to wish that my nails were back to their short, colorless ways… How much longer can I stave off the temptation to order every single color available at Essie?

IMG_1172I actually picked up this Peter Pauper Press journal a few years ago at one of the many charming shops in Columbus’s Short North district (possibly On Paper, but I can’t remember). I was mostly drawn to the cute little cupcake on the cover, but I also wanted to get in the habit of carrying around something in which I could write down whatever inspired thoughts crossed my mind. Sadly, it still remains an empty decoration. If you have any ideas for what I should write in here, let me know. It’s too adorable to be left unused!

IMG_1175Love is precious, but let’s be honest: The only reason Valentine’s Day still exists is the CANDY! Chocolate is OK, but the surest way to my heart is straight sugar with some artificial cherry flavor. This year, after checking four different stores, I was unable to find my absolute favorite Valentine’s candy, Gobstopper Heartbreakers. (I was especially crushed because this will be my third consecutive year without them.) Fortunately, I was able to get a hold of my second favorite, SweeTarts Hearts. And the best part about Valentine’s Day? Tomorrow’s candy sales, obviously!

1926284_670850246271078_1358297508_oHope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day, which, for a good majority of my friends, means binge-watching House of Cards! The entire second season released on Netflix today, and if you’re into smart, thrilling, satirical, dark, political dramas, then this Emmy-winning show is a must-see.

Holiday Reading

Posted on by under Books, Christmas, Holiday

Less than a week until Christmas, I hope everyone’s feeling the joy of the most wonderful time of the year! If decorations or movies haven’t done the trick, how about a book? These short, easy reads, paired with hot chocolate and enjoyed by the light of a Christmas tree, are sure to lift your holiday spirit.

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Christmas at Eagle Pond by Donald Hall

Beautifully written by a former U.S. Poet Laureate, this novella depicts Christmas in rural New England in 1940. The images are practically magical.
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A Rumpole Christmas by John Mortimer

These delightful stories feature a smart and sarcastic barrister, who always ends up playing detective at Christmas time and proves he’s not the Scrooge that others believe him to be.

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A timeless story with a classic character, this book is both exciting and uplifting. Most editions include “other Christmas writings” by Dickens.

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Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

While not completely centered on Christmas, with its themes of family, growth, and moral lessons, this novel will warm the heart at any age.

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Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

This collection of hilarious, yet surprisingly thoughtful, stories is perfect for any real-life Scrooge. “SantaLand Diaries,” the essay describing Sedaris’s experience as an elf at Macy’s, is considered a classic in some circles.