Gellin'

After weeks of deliberating, I finally decided to try out a gel manicure. I didn't want to part with the 30 dollars the gels cost, but I heard so many great things about how long they last and my nails looked so rough, I pulled the trigger. I am not at all a fan of manicures because mine normally chip the same day I get them. I usually think they are a huge waste of money and prefer painting them myself so I can at least touch up the color when it chips. I just got gels today, so I can't say for sure if they are going to last the three weeks they are supposed to, but they came out great, and I highly recommend them to everyone.  

Pros of gels:

-They last longer than normal manicures

-You don't have to be as careful not to chip them as you do with normal nail polish

-They look just as good as fake nails, but they are the real thanggg.

Cons of gels:

-They are slightly more expensive.

-You don't have as many color options.

I went with a light pink because it's summer-y and natural looking...

That was Clutch

Phones are getting so super sized these days that I think it's necessary to replace the classic Coach wristlet many girls have with something a little more roomy...without spending a fortune. 

Ever since I got a new phone, (replaced my BlackBerry with a BIG ol' Droid) I have been browsing stores for a medium sized clutch/wristlet. Sidenote: My new phone is so large that my friend Ali calls it a computer. It also doesn't help that I have hands the size of a small child, so it makes it look even bigger.

Anyways...For a while, I have had a small black wristlet that I always bring out with me instead of a purse. I think it's easier to just hang something on my wrist than to have to worry about an annoying purse when I'm trying to dance and throw back shots. (Just kidding, Mom.) 

My big old computer phone won't fit in my trusty 4 year old wristlet, and it is getting quite inconvenient. I can't be bothered with always holding both my phone and my wristlet. #whitegirlproblems.

 I tried to haggle with a guy who was selling "Genuine Tory Burch" clutches right near my work, but apparently I'm not very good at it because he rejected my offer of 15 dollars. 

I'm still on the prowl but was in Express the other day and saw that they had quite a large selection for affordable prices. I didn't pull the trigger on any clutches yet because I'm hoping that my lovely sister purchases me one I had my eye on for my birthday (hopefully she still reads this thing.)

If you're looking for a medium sized clutch to take out on the town with you, Express is the place to go. All options below are from Express. Click Here to see them. Prices range from $15.90 to $118 for the animal print option.

Food Dreaming

The other day, I made a list of all of the clothing stores that New York has to offer. Now, I want to move onto something that might be even more important to me....the food options. There are so many restaurants to choose from that I don't think I could come close to eating at them all, even if I lived in New York for the rest of my life. I have really only grazed upon all of the endless restaurants, cafes and dessert shops, but so far, they have all been much better than the chains I so often eat at when I'm home. They all have pretty enticing happy hour specials and offer options restaurants in smaller towns don't, like homemade tortilla shells and baked octopus (ew). I'll skip the last choice. 

I try really hard to find restaurants that are affordable, which is no easy feat in NY. Sorry, but I think people who charge more than 12 dollars for a salad should be committed, and I get pretty depressed when my half-off happy hour burger is still 8 dollars. WTF NY? Your burgers and salads are not that much better than the ones we get in other states. 

Anyway,

Here are some places to check out if you're in the area... 

1. Cascabel Taqueria-- This Manhattan restaurant has some pretty bangin' homemade tacos and guac...and amazing watermelon margaritas with real watermelon chunks in it. Plus, they serve it in a mason jar, which makes it seem much cooler.

2. Ron Blacks--This one is in White Plains. It has the best happy hour deals around--4 bucks for a drink--not too shabby. Oh ya, the food isn't so bad either. They pretty much have anything you could want on the menu.

3. Pinkberry-- So, even though this isn't an option that's exclusive to New York, I had never been to one until I got here, so it makes the cut. Their new salted caramel frozen yogurt is tasty tasty, and the fresh fruit toppings they give you make you feel like it's ok that you're eating dessert.

4. Grom-This is the place to go for gelato. My aunt and uncle took me there the other day, and I love it because they use all natural ingredients and they change their flavors every month. Plus, they're straight from Italy. 

5. Dean and Delucca--This is a great place to go if you want to grab a quick salad or wrap for lunch or a  scrumptious baked good.

6. Landmarc-- I went there the other night, and even though it wasn't my favorite place so far, there calamari was delish, and it is in a beautiful building with a great view. 

7. McFadden's-- You Cannot beat the Wednesday night special... as long as you're a girl, that is. FREE drinks from 6-8 for the ladies. Yup, completely free. 

Places I want to try/promise I will try...

1. Shake Shack-- It's in the park right near where I work, and I still haven't made it there. Plus, it was featured in the movie "Something Borrowed." I must go.

2. Blockheads--I hear it's great Mexican food, a fun time and it's pretty affordable.

3. Sixteen Handles-- Perhaps even better fro-yo than Pinkberry's?

4. Beard Papa's Cafe-- I did a write-up about this cafe for my internship, and it really made me want to try it. They apparently have the best cream puffs you can get your hands on. 

Have you all been to any of these places? Do you have any recommendations? 

Dreaming

Since I started working in New York, I have seen and/or heard about so many stores I never even knew existed. They are the kind of shops that are so much cooler than any store lameo Connecticut has to offer. It seriously puts that small state to shame. It also makes me want to toss away all of my clothes and start a whole new wardrobe. If only I had any money....maybe one day! 

Until then, I've settled for browsing these new-to-me stores and looking at their options for inspiration.

Here are some of my new favorites...each of which I own absolutely nothing from...

1. Steps on 7th Avenue---awesome women's clothing

2. Fresh--- check out their website...all natural beauty products

3. Bon Point ---ok, so this is a kid's clothing store...but how cute is this? (below)

4. French Sole--- biggest variety of ballet flats possible

5. Big Drop --- This boutique has amazing dresses and rompers...

Home of the Free

I have never met someone who doesn't love the Fourth of July. This is probably because most people I talk to are Americans, but nevertheless, it has been established that it's a great holiday. What better way to celebrate our independence than by getting a long weekend in the heart of summer? It is almost always a beautiful in regards to weather, and it never fails to bring about plenty of hamburgers, picnics and memories. 

Even though I am supportive of being patriotic, I am not one to dress in American flags or overdose on red, white and blue for the holiday. However, I do like to be a little celebratory. So, here are some affordable and minimalistic pieces for the holiday...

Zara belt: $19.90

Zara top: $49.50

LuLu's Shoes: $30.00

Forever 21 dress: $9.00

OPI nail polish: $10.00

Banana Republic Scarf:

Victoria's Secret Wedges: $59.00

A Wrap Up

I've been so busy in the last couple of weeks that I have barely had time to breathe, let alone blog. Between my internship, my summer class and meeting up with friends, I've been constantly on the go. Recently, I've  gone to a Red Sox/Yankees game (even though I live in New York now, I'm still a Sox fan and was more than happy to watch them sweep the Yankees,) visited friends from school on the Jersey Shore, went out in White Plains, met up with friends for dinner... and much more. Here are some pictures that I managed to take despite my busy livin'.

Yummy drink and chips and guac!

I miss her too.

My lovely friends and me.

Me and a bunch of Yankee fans. 

P.S...I'm SO depressed to discover that there was a Tory Burch sample sale today, and I just found out about it. Do any New Yorkers know how to find out about these in advanced??!!?

Big Move

I officially moved in to my apartment in New York a little over a week ago, and so far I love my internship and am having a fun and exhausting time. Even though I think the city is great overall, after less than a week, I already knew I could never permanently live in a city.

Here are a list of things I love about the city…and some things I’m not so fond of…

Love              

All of the amazing opportunities

The variety of shopping

All of the restaurants and outside seating that is perfect for the summer

The hustle and bustle (I’m a go, go, go kind of girl)

The entertaining characters you often run into

I can’t lie…I do like the feeling of being dressed up and roaming around the city pretending I know what I’m doing

There is always something to do and everything is open late

 Not so much..

All of the rude and sometimes unsanitary people

Having to pay for parking everywhere…even at Wal Mart and the gym that already costs 7 times what I pay for the gym at home

The confusing and too diverse transportation options. I like to drive places. Taking subways/trains/cabs aren’t really my thang.

I must say, the heat here is pretty unbearable, especially when wearing black business clothes. And it’s only June. Oh Boy. I’m used to a shoreline breeze, and there certainly is not one in Manhattan.

Here are some pictures of downtown White Plains...

I love sitting on the bench in this little park. Normally the fountain is flowing and splashing me. It wasn't on today, but it would have been particularly nice on the hottest day ever. 

harsh.

How rude. Why cant we bathe in the fountain??

Bucket List

Every summer, with the help of my boyfriend, I make a bucket list of things I want to do/accomplish. I usually get to almost all of them, and if I don't, I cross them off of the list and pretend it wasn't that important. Usually, the list contains items like "trip to 6 Flags," "play tennis" and do other outdoors activities. Since I'm spending the summer in New York, my list is pretty different than normal, but I still have to accomplish everything because it is currently posted up on the wall in my living room, so it's pretty much set it stone.

1. Have a picnic in Central Park (so touristy, I know)

2. Make day trips to the beach on weekends (it kills me that I have to drive more than the 10 minutes I'm used to in order to get to a beach this summer)

3. Go to at least one Red Sox game (which will be crossed off the list after I attend a Sox/Yankees game this week!)

4. Start applying to Law Schools and study for my LSATS (wooo!)

5. Have each and every one of my friends visit me at my apartment in New York at least once!

6. Attend an outdoor concert

7. Go to Block Island (I always go to Block Island at least once every summer, and I really hope I'll still get to this year)

8. Spot a celebrity in NYC

9. Buy something from a store that I can only go to in NYC

10. Eat at outdoor restaurants often

11. Be less stressed/concerned about the fact that I'm not making money this summer (I have to remind myself that I'm only 20, and I have all of my life to make money)

pictures from some of last year's bucket list events 

6 Flags!

Skydiving!

Rascal Flatts concert!

Prime seats at Fenway!

Too Good to be True?

I am, without a shadow of doubt, a creature of habit. Whether it’s with a morning routine or an entire lifestyle, I am not a fan of change. This is why, once I pick a food I like to have for breakfast or lunch, I eat it every.single.day until I finally decide to try something new. I ate a turkey sandwich for lunch every day from 6^th grade until my senior year (I’m not kidding. The only time I had something else was on the rare occasion that we ran out of deli meat at my house.)  My latest food kick stemmed from something my mom encouraged me to try a few weeks back. With a few simple additions to spice it up, I now enjoy what I like to call a "healthy trifle" for lunch each day.  Everyone loves a delicious summer trifle, but the whipped cream, pudding and wafers are not exactly the healthiest option. I am not, by any means, trying to turn this into a food blog, but I love this simple creation enough to pass it on... (my lactose intolerant boyfriend even tried it and said it was good)

Ingredients:

Fat Free Cottage Cheese (which adds tasty texture)

Your favorite flavor of Greek Yogurt (I use blueberry or peach)

Fresh berries (I normally use strawberries and rasberries,) some granola (I use blueberry apple)

Your choice of dried fruit (I use dried blueberries to add a little flavor and crunch)

Mix together the cottage cheese and yogurt and top it off with the granola, dried fruit and fresh fruit.

How pretty is that? And it tastes good! And it’s healthy! Almost too good to be true…