FOOODIES...

Hello luvs,

How are yous? Hope all is well! NY is fine and dandy and hella cold, but ya know. What can ya do? I hear there are only a few more months of winter so that’s nice... (Yes. Few more MONTHS. You did not misread… I’m told come April, it should start warming up… WTF?? Exactly.) It sucks and you know it and I know it and no amount of tornadoes in Cali can make it better. JOKING. Obviously. That being said, I do feel for you guys. Tornados in CA?!?! Ummm… Please stay safe my luvs and make use of your basements... I mean… your cellars? Or… Hmm. Yeah, ok. I guess yall are kinda screwed… but hopefully it’s a one time thing! (Seriously though… hail, tornados, and snow in one year?? LA, which Gods did you anger?!) Anywhoo. So, winter is forever long this year in NY and CA, and we will just have to deal with it. The rats have started appearing in the subways though, so I am taking that as a good sign. (I’m told they come out when it heats up so...!) Forget groundhog’s day. Rats are telling me brighter and warmer things are up ahead! Bring on the humidity!

Now that I’ve bored you with weather gossip, let’s talk about a more pertinent issue... FOOD.

New York, New York… ALL I want to do is eat! Everywhere I go, all I see are restaurants, coffee shops, patisseries etc… that are SO overpriced but so good!! In all honesty, food has probably been my greatest expense since I’ve been here. Cheese shop?? Yes, please. A bread store?? Sign me up. Different types of Ukranian baked goods?? Why not. I love spending time with good people over good food, so it’s my preferred method of splurging. Some people shop... I eat :) What can I say? I’ve tried everything from Kati rolls (Indian burritos) to “exotic” dishes in china town with questionable “meat.” (They were very good, don’t get me wrong, I just prefer not to question as to what the “meat” was exactly.) I have a feeling there’s a good reason the menu is only in Chinese, and it’s not to create a more AUTHENTIC feel. BUT, not gonna lie… “meat” was delish. So… all in all, I have realized NY has something for everybody. You like eating questionable “halal” food from food carts in times square? NY has you covered. (I have done this, just to clarify and not mislead you into thinking I’m above cart food, BUT I do question the “halal” aspect of their hot dogs. All I’m saying.) If you want to spend ten dollars on a bowl of rice and beans at a “MEXICAN” restaurant?? I have a list of places I can give you. ALL fulfilling the ten dollar requirement while lacking on the MEXICAN aspect. But what are you gonna do? NY just doesn’t do Mexican food quite like TX or CA. (Poor, poor souls. They will never know what they’re missing out on.) Oh well. My POINT is… there is an array of choices for foodies and hungries alike, and this city is never short on options for your everyday stroll through Brooklyn or your late night excursion through the city. So, out of respect for NY’s thriving, overpriced, yet deliciously delectable food industry, here is a look into some places that I highly recommend… or don’t.

Enjoy!

 K. So let's start with a No Go. Taim.. Your local falafel and smoothie bar. Ya know. The norm. EXCUSE ME? Who thought this would be a good idea?? I just want to meet the fellow who was like, "YES. You know what I'd love with my chick pea and fava bean concoction?? A mango banana smoothie. THAT would just hit the spot." NO Taim. Just NO.

TEA... ALWAYS and FOREVER. Can't go wrong. Haven't actually been here, but I can only imagine the hours I could spend tea shopping. Yeah. Actually entering would be a bad idea.  

Alice's Tea Cup. SOOOO. THIS place is kinda amazing. They do little princess parties for girls' birthdays! CAYUUUTEE! (Don't mind the upper east-siders frolicking in the foreground.. they know no better. And OF COURSE this place is in the upper east.. where else would you expect a tea shop for little girls to froo froo around in? HARLEM? Nope.)

CHEEESEE. Again, they can do NO wrong except maybe have TOO many cheese options. It's kinda ridic. And they kinda do have too much cheese... But that's like saying you have too many presents on Christmas, so... Irrelevant. 

 OK. So this place is on my way to school and I feel the need to stop by. A LOT. Not gonna lie. TOO much. OK, they might know my name. BUT, it's absolutely amazing. SUCH good sweets and cakes and breads etc.. But yeah, I've mostly tried the sweets. This cookie was A) HUGE and B) COVERED IN POWDERED SUGAR. Nuf said.

So, unfortunately, I ate my Kati Roll too quickly and thus don't have a picture of it.. But here's the bag. DELISH. Think slightly spicy Indian burrito that is steaming hot and perfect for a cold day. YUMMMM.

So my neighborhood cafe, THE COLADOR, is just short of perfect. The "just short" being the fact that they only take cash. (UGH, NY. COME ON. This is America. LAND of the credit card. AND you don't have enough BANK of Americas for me to actually get cash from so... boo.) But otherwise this place is perfect... Coffee is amazing, and red velvet muffins...? Worth every penny I have to dig out of my purse to complete my "cash" transaction. LOVE.

 

Radegast Hall and Beer Garden in Williamsburg. You have hipsters galore and a WHOLE bunch of really happy/slightly drunk people playing board games! (Though that being said, the atmosphere is actually quite family friendly, believe it or not.) It is a very laid back place where you literally bring your cards/games etc.. order a DELICIOUS pretzel that comes with various mustards, and enjoy you chill Sunday afternoon. Oh and the beer is good too... so I've heard.

 SO. My friend here has a ridiculous sweet tooth and decided that at 9:30 pm we should head to Junior's to get dessert. WELL PLAYED, MY FRIEND. His cookie/ice cream concoction and my chocolate milkshake were JUST the right amount of sweet to hit the spot. (And you have a ride home on the G Train for your dessert coma to wear off, so no worries.) BUT, just a heads up, DON'T ask your waiter what the difference between a "shake" and a "malt" is. He doesn't know and will only get more confused as he tries to explain his theory of malt/shakes to you. Just don't. Enjoy your malt/shake while googling the answer yourself.

 LAST but NOT LEAST... 

There is nothing quite like eating what you make! Baking and cooking to your heart's desire and then gathering with the gang is ALWAYS great. Whether the food actually turns out edible... WELL, that's another story entirely. 

But not gonna lie... We're not too shabby :)

 

 Desserts baked by Dorian... She is making me fat, one day at a time. BUT, look a 'em. TELL me you don't want an apricot tart or pear pie?!! LIES!!

 

 

SOO good

 

Good food, good friends...

 

 Good times!

AND more to come!!

Food and friends... the essentials of life, no? Well, I hope yall are all now really hungry and heading to your nearest Ukranian baked goods store to stock up... I know I am. And on that note, it is LUNCH time, and I must go my dears. Have a lovely weekend, and enjoy!

Till next time,

<3

A southern, west-coaster, in the northeast

P.S- When you find yourself late at night, walking into your kitchen, hungry, but not hungry, thirsty, but not thirsty... This is what you're craving... 

Just do it. Get it over with. Make some tea, eat your 6 tablespoons of Nutella, and be done.

Never fails.

(For those of you whom the Jameson caught your eye, NO. That is NOT what you are in the kitchen looking for late at night. ALWAYS a BAD idea. Stick with your tea.)

Videos of the week:

Stereo Love: Molella remix

My need for summer has been driving my taste in music... Sigh. Take me to the beach... In April.

     

The G Spot… (Oh, I’ve heard worse)

Hello luvs,

I’m back! Screech, cry, yell, shout… all exclamations of your OVERJOYED-NESS that I have returned. OBVIOUSLY. Why, thank you. You are too kind :)

So… Straight to the point. (In my typical zigzag-like fashion) This week’s adventure has revolved around the subway system. Oh, NY… You get sooo many things right: food (in general), parks, activities, entertainment, music, EVEN manners, and yet sooo many things wrong: weather, which I am SO not over yet, Mexican food, numbered streets, numbered avenues, housing, OH, ANNNDDDD… the subway system.

????? 

NOW, to preface, I am a huge fan of walking and public transportation, so by default, this city is right up my alley. SO, transportation of my own person hasn’t been THAT big of an adjustment for me. HOWEVER, the transportation of goods has proven to be a WHOLE other obstacle in itself. Yes. I have hauled chairs through the subway and been THAT girl, with bags out to wazoo, whacking away at people and getting stuck in train doorways. I believe Frenchie, in the beret might I add, (yeah, I’m gonna judge your sense of style since you judged me. I don’t care if you’re French and can “pull it off”), ACTUALLY took a photo of me. That’s right. I heard your camera phone click, my friend. No worries, someday you will be stuck in train doors, hauling everything you own in YOUR hands, and I will be there… YOUTUBING it. That’s how life works, my dears. Don’t put bad juju out there… what goes around comes around. And on THAT note… onto my train story.

Word to the wise: They WILL close on you and are NOT, I repeat NOT, motion sensitive

Evidently EVERYTHING that goes around does come around...   EXCEPT the trains. Oh, they run 24/7 you say? AND you read a statistic that NYC has one of the best public transit systems in the US?? UMMMMMMMMMMMM….. MOST of the US doesn’t HAVE a public transit system. So by DEFAULT, YES. Yes it does. Just FYI, for those of you who agree with this ridiculousness that I overheard on the train and believe that people in Nebraska/Wyoming/Texas /insert pretty much ANY US state here, are jetting around on their “inadequate”  subway systems (poor, poor souls), they’re NOT. They are perusing their streets in their AC and heat infused luxury vehicles, driving along to the vocal renditions of Phil Collins. (Ok. Give or take Phil Collins... that could be just me.) WHO ARE YOU, and where are you getting your info?? Wikipedia?? (I strongly reference Wikipedia for every day info, no judgment there, but THIS is a bit much.)

OVERALL, the trains do a decent job of getting people and their shiz to and fro. “Decent” being the operative word here, used in its loosest form. BECAUSE… The trains can vary from running every 5 minutes, on the dot, to running what seems like every 5 days, depending on “train traffic.” WHAT?? FIRST of all, aren’t the trains on a schedule? And don’t they HAVE to run at certain times? (Seems like a legit question. But NOPE. NOPE. The trains run this town… kinda like Rihanna.) SECOND, and more IMPORTANTLY, WTF is “train traffic?” I’m sorry, are they encountering a lot of 4-way busy intersections? Did a train accidentally drive down the track the wrong way and cause a pileup? Is it the end of the month and the popo are out and about stopping trains left and right for speeding? NO. So WHAT is going on? Oh, you know… Just your usual weekend/weeknight/blue moon schedule mixed with a dash of construction and a hint of express/local train switches. (Face palm. I can’t see it, but I’m assuming you’re doing the same... IF you TRULY understand the magnitude of the issue.) Ugh. And they WONDER why people are late to everywhere. (Yes, I’m speaking from experience… I was late to my first day of work on Monday, but fret not… my boss is kinda cool. So, I smiled and said I’m coming from Texas... literally. That’s why I was late. It went over surprisingly well. She understands my sarcasm.) With that being said, hopefully you car enthusiasts understand the extent of the issue I’m dealing with. Just to clarify… Again, OVERALL, the system functions adequately, except for when you actually need to get somewhere… at a certain time. THAT, my friends, is why it is important to live NEAR a train stop. (What was that? But not TOO near, you say? Oh, I’ve taught you well!) Trekking to a train in the cold is hard enough if it’s downstairs, let alone ten blocks away. Leading me to the next topic of today’s lesson… The G Train. (I don’t think “Train” needs to be capitalized in this context, but I shall do so out of respect for the G. Remember, juju.)

 

G Train, blog. Blog, G Train

YES. My local neighborhood train is in fact the G Train. For those of you familiar with NYC, you most definitely have an opinion about this. Those of you who aren’t, well, I shall enlighten you.

The G Train

During my apt hunt I managed to use the shiz out of the G Train and NEVER had an issue. Now that I have moved in next door, it has decided to become a bit testy. (But G TRAIN, if you’re listening, I love you and will continue to fight for your honor. I got yo back.) Continuing... Upon meeting different people in different neighborhoods etc…, I have discovered that people have a love/hate relationship with the Train. Some love it, and some hate it. I have heard it referred to as the G Train, the G Spot (yes, I know… pretty sure we’re making the same face), the Good Train, the Ghost Train, and last but not least, the Rape Train. (You can thank Mindy Kaling for that one.) As you can see, the G Train ignites a wide array of emotions in people and NO ONE hesitates to explain to you how they feel about it. I’ve had people berate the G Train as though it was an ugly step cousin, twice removed, and I’ve had people vehemently deny that they have EVER had any trouble with it. G Train gets around, let me tell you.

So. How do I feel about the G Train? Well, seeing as it is literally the CLOSEST/ONLY train in my vicinity, I pray for it every night and will contribute to a save the G Train fund, if someone would like to initiate it. BUT like everyone else, I do have my questions… Like, G Train… Why you no long enough? The G Train is literally TOO short for the stations… WHY? You have to board at the center of the platform, and in order to do so you must run to catch the train. I guess that could be alluring… You know, like in the movies when the girl runs yet misses her train only to meet a handsome stranger…? I’ll keep you posted as to when this happens to me. I’m POSTIVE it’s gonna be soon. ALSO, why is the G Train the ONLY train that runs from Queens to Brooklyn, and only PARTIALLY at that?? I have friends up there, dontcha know? Yet I have to go into the city and OUT OF MY WAY to travel the 8 miles or so between here and there, and it ends up taking FOREVER. Not to mention the blue moon/weekend schedule that makes it take even longer. Ugh. AND, G TRAIN, why do you insist on changing routes as you please? Oh, we’re only going to get to the Hoyt-Schemm….whatever the hell the name is… erhorn stop today? Then we have to transfer to an F train that has to go back the direction we came before it re-routes and takes us to our intended destination? WHY? WHY I ask you? (Remember, G Train, I’m here for you through all of this… just asking a few innocent questions.) G Train, I love you, and I realize this relationship is going to take a lot of work, but it feels kinda one sided right now. Hey, I’m nothing if not honest. The other night when I was humming “took the midnight train… going aanyyywheerreeeee,” I didn’t really mean it. It just came up on my playlist… It wasn’t a challenge! Point taken though. It was insensitive and I will no longer “Journey” it up at night. Especially when I have no idea where I’m at. (God forbid I end up in Bushwick.) I apologize, and it will never happen again. We good?

 See where the track disappears? That's where the Train stops. If it's already there when you enter the subway, fuggeddaboutit. You're boarding the NEXT Train. But, who knows? Mr. Laptop Bag might just be the ONE.

As you can see, the G Train and I have some issues to work through, but I am positive we can do it. I dedicate this to you, G Train:

  

In all honesty, it’s not THAT bad. YES, it has gotten various nicknames due to people’s experiences, but I believe every situation is what you make of it. So, for me… I shall dub it the GREAT TRAIN, because that is what I expect from it. Nothing less. You hear me, G Train? We GOT this. (And, frankly your other options slightly terrify me.) You can’t say you go around riding the “Rape Train” … God forbid. This isn’t a Mindy Kaling bio where the kind people at your place of employment provide you with a car service, upon hearing your references to riding the Rape Train to and fro. (AHEM, to a certain someone… Your constant reminders for me to “let you know” if what I hear about the G Train is true? INAPPROPRIATE. You twisted, twisted person.) So… Ghost Train, Good Train, GREAT TRAIN… Enchanté, and I look forward to our adventures together… Preferably planned by me, not you. But once in a while, I won’t mind.

Thus is the public transportation system of NYC, folks… MTA workers, you have been nothing but uselessly helpful in circumstances when my Google Maps fails me, and I appreciate you lads wandering around the platforms assisting me and answering all my silly questions… Like, where does this train go? Hmm. Ok. So…where does that train go? You know, the basics. Glad to know yous guys are there for me. And, likewise, I am here for you! G Train… here’s looking at you kid!

 G Train in motion, doin its thang.

Till next time my dears,

<3

A southern, west-coaster, in the northeast

 Hmm… Personally, I feel like if I was “struck” by a train, I would most definitely be “killed” by it. But who knows… To anyone who has experienced a train “striking,” I’d love to hear your story.

P.S- WHY the need for musical interludes at every terminal? YES. Union Square, I’m looking at you. NO. Just no. I do not want to be serenaded every time I pass through. Please don’t. I appreciate you, but late at night I kind of just want to take your tambourine and hide it. Sorry.

AND

Is the L train RIDICULOUSLY fast, or is it just me? I feel like it’s a ROCKET compared to other trains. (G Train, I’m not comparing you… OBVIOUSLY.)

IN ADDITION

I really miss driving :( 

LASTLY

I made a kick a$$ playlist for Train rides! Some old, some new, some Latin and some JLO. Because that is my jam right now. If that’s not your thing… tough luck. Go ride the C train and don’t click the link.
Latin G(uapo) Train Mix

BTW, to anyone who can tell me what the first song samples from… You get a prize :) NO GOOGLING. 

Enjoy!

Videos of the week:

Additional mixes that will make your daily commute THAT much better. WARNING: Potential move busting.

 DJ Pogo- WHAT WHAT?! Possibly the best thing ever. DJ Disney?! Yes, please! Seriously, this shiz should be played at lounges.

 Pop Danthology 2012

Daniel Kim, you're kind of amazing.

The Hunger, I mean, HOUSING Games...

Hello luvs,

Well… I’m back. One week blog commitment success! (I feel like this is an AA meeting… one week chip attained! Thanks for sticking with me THIS long!) BUT, again, don’t get too attached… Seriously, this blog could derail at any moment… First sign that I may actually have a social life, and I will ditch this like no tomorrow! But TILL then….. grab your cup of tea, my dears, and pull up a chair!

So…First week of school… success. AND, I just moved into my new place... SUCCESS. You don’t even know… But you will :) Overall, this has been a VERY productive week, if I may say so myself. Therefore, on that note, I will begin today’s spiel…

Today’s lesson, ladies and gents, is on housing. NYC housing, to be specific. Dante once defined the 9 circles of hell but SOMEHOW, silly fellow, forgot to mention the 10^th circle: the NY apartment hunt /fandango/debacle. Odd, isn’t it? MY theory is that he simply didn’t venture far enough into hell to discover the wonderfully dysfunctional web of a mess that is NYC apartment hunting, OR maybe Virgil and that river guide chap were just like, “NO. No, good sir. To HERE and that is IT.” Dante: “But, but… why?? I’m supposed to journey through ALL levels of hell. Remember... I’m on a divine mission!!” “NO. Just. NO.” (Way to be firm Virgil, way to be firm.) HOWEVER, by doing so, and as an unintended consequence of your good intentions, you deprived the REST of us of prior knowledge of the 10^th circle of hell… which, logically, combines the 9 preceding circles into one. Ding ding ding! You have hit the jackpot at the 10^th circle, and may all of your wildest nightmares come true! Limbo. Check. Greed? Check. Violence, fraud, TREACHERY?? Check, check, check! Any and/or ALL of the above are fair game in the NYC housing games. If you’re lucky, you will only encounter a few. If not, well, again… buckle up and enjoy the ride! In attempts to clarify the issue at hand, I have taken it upon myself to update Dante’s Inferno… So, here we go... Dante’s Inferno-UNabridged… Tips and updates for the in the dark commoner.

To begin, there are TWO types of apt searches… 1: Through a “broker”- aka the “devil’s advocate,” or 2: The individual route- you might sign away your first born, but hey, at least you didn’t pay a brokers fee.

Elaboration

Option 1

NYC takes what I call the “American” stance on the housing issue by INISTING on being different (a la the metric system and “soccer”), and instead of just allowing people to rent apts like they do EVERYWHERE else, NYC realty has managed to create a maze of events that comprise the apt application and attainment process. If you have a money tree (which is ironic in itself, since WHERE in NYC does anyone have a backyard to grow a money tree??, but more on that later), AND make 40X the rent, AND can produce 26 paystubs showing you’ve been employed since the age of 12, AND have a credit score that makes even MINE look gnarly, (VERY hard to do, btw), oh AND can pay your “broker” an arm and a leg for their “services,” (essentially doing a job YOU could do if they allowed you to, like in ANY other city??),  then by ALL means, you have found your route!

Involves: Limbo, greed, fraud, treachery

IF that ISN’T you…

Option 2

Most likely… you will find yourself on craigslist. Looking for a sublet. Where you will still sign away your soul, but in a less legit, yet civilized manner. Now, before you judge and head for your nearest neighborhood broker, let me tell you that I have ALWAYS apt/roomie hunted on craigslist and have NEVER had any issues. ACTUALLY, I have made really great friends that way and therefore did not blink twice before craigslisting for a NYC roomie.

Involves: Limbo, greed, fraud, possible violence (depending on the neighborhood). Oh, and certain craigslisters are getting above themselves and developing broker-like tendencies, demanding paystubs, fist/last and all months in between’s rent… shiz of that sort. I am no hobo, by any means, but as a STUDENT, NO I am not making 40 bajjilion X the rent and you frown upon my out of state employment, so by DEFAULT, I am with the masses on this one.

As you have now learned, conquering the apt hunt, just in its most BASIC element of LOCATING an apt, can be a task of epic proportions. Well, you might say, that was one hell of a ride. Glad it’s over, and now you can move into your lovely NYC apt and live happily ever after! LIES. Lies I tell you. Now that you have found your broker, or gotten people to actually respond to your craigslist emails, the ultimate task awaits… Would you like to live in a closet or a bomb shelter? 

  Deception.. SJP how dare you... NO one ACTUALLY lives like this.

New York Apt Selling Points (Advertised)

·         -Near trains- Logically, you THINK, this would be a plus. The question is HOW near? When people tell you that you “can’t really” hear the above ground train outside your room… WAIT 5 minutes. A train will pass, and you can watch them eat their words.

·         -Rooftop access- WHY? It’s so efffing cold! There isn’t anything up there anyway but a roof. Oh, let’s all gather and stare at the OTHER rooftops in the neighborhood. Maybe have a “roof-off?” My roof’s better than yours? Idk

·         -Backyard access- Now THIS is the “loosest” term of “backyard” you will ever encounter. Backyard COULD mean a patch of grass with little weeds/shrubs and discarded furniture in the 4x4 space (if you’re lucky), but most likely it is just a door from the basement that leads to a patch of concrete. AKA a blacktop that you will pay for but never use. There is NEVER a tree.

·         -Exposed Brick – REALLY? Isn’t that DANGEROUS?? I feel like that should be looked at... but I KID you not, I had people tell me an apt was WORTH more because of the “exposed” brick. Maybe so. In that case… can we cover it up with a sheet and you charge me $100 less??

·         -Pre-war building- Oooh sounds fancy, right? NO. Run. Pre- war is a nice way of saying it’s old and you’ll be walking up ten flights of stairs. Unless it’s renovated. Then you MIGHT have stumbled upon a hidden gem.

·         -“Up and Coming"- LOLLL… THIS one has proven to be a lot of fun. Tell me more about how boondock BUSHWICK is really E WILLIAMSBURG!? Oh, you can’t? Because it’s NOT! “Up and coming” my BEHIND, and in fact, that is usually code for crappy with a slight possibility of being shot. Evidently EVERY neighborhood is “up and coming” in NYC… Just wait 10 years for it to arrive.

·         -OWN room- ???!?!?!?!?! As opposed tooooooo???!

The people above CHASE... Yeah, I'm sure they don't hear the train.

New York Apt Selling Points (Actual)

·         -Near trains-  BUT, not too near that you can hear them.

·         -Laundry in building!!

·         -ELEVATORS- Oh dear God, WHY isn’t this a necessity? Really? A 5 floor walkup??

·         -WINDOWS- I don’t know. I just can’t explain this one. I didn’t know they made apartments without windows till I came to NY. 
          -ACTUAL “Up and Coming”- FO REALS. If you find this, grab it! Just say YES! Don’t fall back into the limbo/audition spectrum of apt hunting. They want you, you want them…? Just take it!

·         -Separate Kitchen/Living areas- I have dubbed this kitchen/living room combo the “kitching room” because it is clearly NYC’s preferred method of interior design. (And apparently Bloomberg is making WHOLE apt complexes without kitchens period?!? WHAT? Ugh.) On the upside, if you have an inclination for sautéing onions whilst sitting on your living room couch… NYC is the place for you.

·         -Anything under $1000

·         -Hallways- I know. I’m weird. No one else gets it either. But there’s just something sexy about a nice hallway. What can I say.

·         AND
-Finding roomies that aren’t HOARDERS- Evidently everyone in NYC likes to collect tons of shiz and keep it ALL in their apts. Their VERY TINY apts. Don’t worry, I prepared myself mentally... Ok. Ikea makes living in 100 sq feet look cool, I can do this. NOPE. NOPE. NYC has proven me wrong again. People here like their shiz and would like you to move in with them and add to it. Wallow in their old newspaper clippings and pile onto their pile of dishes in their kitching room. Welcome one and all.

IKEA- VERY nice... Living room/bedroom/kitchen/office?? Nicely played

WTFFFFF... Kitching room/library/WTF. I'm sorry. You're doing it wrong.

Exhale. End of spiel.

                                                      

For those of you who stayed for the whole debacle, hopefully you are looking around your wide/spacious kitchen AND living room-ed humble abode, and are relishing in a moment of silence, appreciating all that you have. I envy you. (Especially if you have a hallway.) But what can I say… Dante and Virgil are somewhere suffering in the 10^th circle of hell, and justice has been served. That being said... I did end up finding an amazing space with a MAJORITY of the things I wanted. Hey, you can’t have everything, right? BUT, best of all, on the down-low… between you and I… rumor has it that the neighborhood is “up and coming” ;) 

Now THAT'S one SEXY hallway

 

Till next time my dears!

<3

A southern, west-coaster, in the northeast

 

P.S- Shout out to my soul mate whose birthday it is today! Happy bday luv and may you forever only experience luxury style living, with all of the amenities your heart desires :) MWUAH xx

 AND
Thank you Dor for helping me “move”… couldn’t have done it without you! Four flights of stairs later and we’re still friends… true friendship! PIVOT.

Videos of the week:

What I felt like apt hunting... aside from the sexual references… Yeah, ok, mostly just the thrift shop theme:

(but HOW catchy is this song?!)

 And something of actual relevance:

 

New Amsterdam... Here we go