Weekend Shenanigans

A bit belated... but the other weekend, I enjoyed a GNO aka girls' night out. 

The four of us decided to embrace a "Carpe Diem" attitude and went out for a night of dancing on Halloween. We all agreed that a pit-stop at Crif Dogs was the highlight of the evening (their "Spicy Redneck" hot dog totally hit the spot at the end of the night.) 

The following morning, we got up early to seize the day and drove to Brooklyn. Though we had planned on going to the Smorgasburg, due to the inclement weather, there were very unfortunately very few vendors.

Plan B? Brunch at a local joint, Egg.

There was quite a wait but we filled that time hopping around the local shops in the area. And the hearty, warm grits, biscuit and gravy, eggs, kale were well-worth the wait in the end. 

We ended our day in New York City with a trip to Two Little Red Hens. It was my first time there and I beat myself in the head when I realized this gem of a bakery was right in the neighborhood I used to live in. I indulged myself in the mini cupcakes in coconut cream, key lime, red velvet, and Brooklyn Blackout (they were consumed too quickly so I apologize for no photos...) and washed it down with a hot apple cider. It was the perfect ending to an eventful weekend. 

Another possible food tour with these girls to come. 

7 years

7 years ago today, Y asked me out on our first "official" date. And he did it in "grand" fashion. 

       Good Morning Grace!

       How goes it? How are you feeling?  

       So here is a mission briefing for you today:

       I’ll take you out to dinner @ 19:00 (7PM) November 8,2007 Thursday – 42nd Grand Central

1. Accept
2. Decline
3. Postpone

        Once you respond… I’ll give you further information/direction.

        Have a good day!

I obviously responded with 1. Accept and he replied with a detailed run-down of what my "mission" was. I was to meet him in Grand Central Station in the Main Concourse (he attached the following photo) and I had 5 yes/no questions to locate him in this bustling hub. 

Recently, during my weekend shenanigans in NYC, I was on the subway. As we were briefly stalling at the Grand Central Station stop, I was brought back to that exact day. I remember vividly getting off the subway and walking up the stairs to Grand Central Station, butterflies in stomach. I made my way up to the Main Concourse slowly and called Y. If my memory serves me correctly, it only took me 3 questions to find him. [If you're curious, he was standing below the flag on the right shown in the above photo.] I remember he then told me about the architecture of the magnificent Main Concourse and how around a million people visit and travel through Grand Central Station (officially called Grand Central Terminal). To read more interesting facts about Grand Central Terminal, go here and here.  

We then walked downstairs to the Oyster Bar & Restaurant. But before we walked in to enjoy dinner, he showed me the "Whispering Gallery" located at the entrance of the restaurant. Y explained to me that the architecture of this unmarked archway allowed for a strange acoustic phenomenon: when two people stand at diagonal arches and whisper, they can hear each other's voices from across the arch. My interest in architecture was piqued and my nerves had subsided as we walked into the Oyster Bar. I remember the red-and-white checkered table cloths and the twinkling lights above. We sat and feasted on New England Clam Chowder, raw oysters, crab cakes, and told each other corny jokes and challenged one another with riddles. Afterwards, we walked off some of that hearty dinner and made a quick stop into Starbucks. I remember the Starbucks red Christmas cups had already made their comeback. Being the gentleman Y is, he took the subway with me and walked me all the way to the door of my apartment. On the way there, we talked about qualities we admired in the opposite sex. And I remember secretly wondering, "Does he like me?" 

Turns out he did. And I am grateful for it. 

Thanks for the best first date a girl could ever ask for. 

Happy 7 years of "dating"! And to many more years of "dating". 

Friday Favorites

As I have slowly come to realize that my time here is limited, I am purposefully getting out of my "comfort zone" (Being the homebody I am, my "comfort zone" is mainly the comforts of my own home, being nestled under my blankets with a book/iPhone in hand) and intentionally relishing every moment - a girls' night out that began at 1 am (Talk about out of my comfort zone! I'm in bed by 10 pm usually!), a trip to Brooklyn in the rain, a NFL MNF game. 

This weekend calls for lots of celebration: celebrating the anticipated arrival of my best girl friend's baby girl, celebrating the union of two friends at their wedding. 

TGIF! 

Some of my amazingly awesome coworkers in their TMNT costumes for Halloween! Hand-painted turtle-shell backpacks, and all! 

Rosie the Riveter says, "We can do it!" #womanpower (Daria & Superwoman agree.) 

A beautiful nook in my friend A's New York City apartment. 

Truth found in the unexpected. 

The brother and I at our first Giants game thanks to our friend S. 

Happy Halloween

Happy (belated) Halloween! 

Love, 

Rosie the Riveter

Fall Faux Fur

The two weeks before Y's departure to Korea was a hectic scramble to meet as many people as possible. One week, I ended up heading in New York City three times during the week. Three work nights! Let me just say, I was fatigued to say the least.  But it was worth it.

One of those nights, we had a lovely double date with one of our favorite couples.  They have seen us through from the very beginning stages of our relationship to now. 

We enjoyed some wonderful Italian fare and finished off the meal with a cup of coffee. 

It was a perfect evening to pull out my faux fur vest and paired it with burgundy skinnies. 

Vest: Zara, Shirt: Theory, Pants: H&M, Bag: Zara, Shoes: Steve Madden 

Necklace: Celestine Jewelry, Nails: OPI Do you have this color in Stockholm?