Good morning, Friday. It's a beautiful day in the best city in the world and though I am still pretty knackered from this sickness (coughing fit on a conference call, not cute), I sense I'm on the mend and need one or two more solid nights of zzz's to kick this thing. But as I sit here closing in on the end of a major project and the light is appearing at the end of the very long tunnel, I can't help but want to write about something I could talk about forever, and with a great deal of ease. It's my passion point, my life force, my geographic soul mate. It's New York City, baby, and if you have been a reader of this blog (merci beaucoup) you know how much I love my new/old hometown. So since everything has been a bit of a bear this week, I give you Five for Friday: The New York City edition, because everything else this week has been too damn hard. So without further prose, here's Five For Friday in the 212:
The buzziness of Balthazar Bakery in the morning- One of the best things about this current project has been working in Soho, my old neighborhood and still one of my favorite places in New York despite the tourists and domination of chain stores. I love the architecture here, the stylishness, the feel of being in a fashionable little womb. But another thing that makes Soho so incredible is its landmark meet up spot, Balthazar. A gem in the Keith McNally crown, Balthazar is a classic you simply can't fuck with- they make the best dirty martini around (ice cold and amazing) and their food is always reliably delicious. But the little bakery next store is the true gem for me- in the morning, white hatted and coated counter staff whips up Stumptown lattes and serves up some of the best pastries around. Packed with people in that little space, it makes waking up in New York worth it, as if waking up in New York was not worth it enough...
The Brooklyn Bridge- OK, I know this is cheesy because who doesn't love the BB? But when I'm feeling particularly indulgent, I will often take a car service into the city and forego the subway just to ride over the Bridge and watch the city and downtown Manhattan unfold before my eyes. It's so damn beautiful it makes my soul hurt, and though many of you may feel that way about being out in the woods or climbing mountains, I'll take a bridge view any day- there's nothing better than seeing the island of Manhattan in all her glory. Full stop.
The fashion- I feel that from living in Miami for 7 loooong years, I've been a bit fashion deprived, or shall I say, depraved. Many consider Miami to be a very chic town, but I beg to differ. It's simply not my kind of style, at all. Now New York on the other hand, NEW YORK. Every day I walk down the street and feel inspired by the beautiful people, their innate and incredible style, and the joy they take in bringin' it each and every day. And it's not about fussy fashion or complicated silhouettes- it's all about urban gear that goes from day to night and is cooler than cool (though I do appreciate the social media girl's endless array of Marni and Alaia in the office I am sitting in- no idea how she does that, but hats off). For me, to be inspired by what I see on the street is more important to me than most, and New York is the greatest city in the world for people and style watching, of this I am certain. I am well kept on my toes in this town when it comes to seeing all there is to see in terms of fashion's best and brightest, and my toes and the rest of me is thankful to live in such a stylish place (though my bank account would say otherwise). Living in New York City is like living in the coolest Tumblr around- constant stuff to look at that's cool and amazing and on another level when it comes to inspiration.
The sarcasm- This goes without saying- my edgy brassiness sometimes does not read well in other places. In New York, I can be as caustic as I want to be and nobody cares. It's a constant riff and banter and zinger in this town and I love every minute of that, thus rendering me ill suited to live in more PC places like the west coast- a good one liner is good for my soul, this much is true. Sarcasm is New York's indigenous language, and it's the verbal currency in which we all trade. G-d bless.
The feeling that anything can happen - For a minute there in Miami, I reveled in the fact that most days were pretty similar in tone- get up, go to the gym, work, eat dinner, watch TV, sleep. Sure anything is possible anywhere at any time, but there's something about NYC and its bubbling cauldron of things to do and opportunities to meet people that could very well change your life is different than other places. New York's constant ticking energy rocks and shakes all of us who live here and you simply have to go with it- you may be walking home from work and find a gallery showing the work of your favorite artist, or you may find someplace that has the best dried mango you've ever had in your life. Because the set of New York is anything but finite, anything is possible, and who wouldn't want that?
I could go on forever, but as I rallied to get ready for work these past few intense weeks, I figuratively pinched myself every day, because I am back and I am happy and I am full on in love with New York, even though some days it totally gets on my nerves. But all love is like that, and I'm willing to put up with the madness because there's simply no place like home, and I look forward to weekend road trips, lobster rolls, and many adventures this summer- hope you are enjoying your favorite places this weekend- lively up yourself and enjoy. Cause that's what's up this I can't believe I'm back in this cuckoo crazy beautiful mess of a city. I love you New York and always will- and all the love to you all for a wonderful weekend. I'm looking forward to chilling out in my little piece of paradise in Brooklyn and hanging in the yard with my lovely little pup and the man of my dreams, in the city of my dreams. There is no other place that makes me thank my lucky stars they way New York does. XO