Brooklyn & Overalls

I have found another city I'm in love with: Brooklyn. 

Saturday morning I was off to check another event off of my New York City bucket list and that was to go to Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. Frances, Lizzy, Susanna and I hopped on the L and headed across the river to Brooklyn around lunch time. I finally got to wear my overalls that I had been saving for this day; trying to be hip, ya know?

The food at Smorgasburg is a dream. There is every food there you could ever want, plus more. You can get ramen burgers, ice cream cookie sandwiches, home made french fries, lobster rolls, mac-n-cheese, pigs in a blanket, spring rolls, macarons and more. We took a lap around the grounds before deciding what we wanted. I chose the french fries, Lizzy & Fran got the lobster roll and Susanna got piggies in a blanket. We sat at a picnic table by the river and looked at the Manhattan skyline.

After hanging out and soaking up some sun, aka my favorite past time, I then got a "Goodwich" which was incredible. It was two cookies with ice cream in between with drizzled chocolate over it. I didn't even get to take a photo because it was so hot outside so it was melting. I chose eating it over taking a photo, which I know was the best choice. 

Every where I looked in Brooklyn there was cool street art. There were also people selling clothes on the streets. The clothes were hung in fences. Some places were a little creepy; like naked Barbie dolls and baby dolls without heads. Others were cool though, the clothes were just not my style and who knows where they actually came from.

After our time was done at Smorgasburg, Susanna and I went to the Artists & Flea market. This was a dream too. The only thing bad about this flea market is that every shirt I picked up was $150; like the sad vintage Rolling Stones concert tee that I found. Betsy Kate if you're out there reading this, you would have loved the shirt.

The jewelry was awesome at the flea market too. There were rings that said "New York" across them, necklaces that said "Flawless" (@Beyonce) and best friend bracelets that said "Best Bitches." The people who were selling there were really talented. My favorite was a girl who does 3D printing and then shrinks them, then putting them on necklaces. There were jellyfish, stingrays, baby rhinos and more. I wanted them all. To look at her stuff, you can see it on sterndesignworks.com.

The one thing I did buy was art prints, shocker. I bought three prints on dictionary pages with an animal printed on them too. It was an octopus, a butterfly and a lion. I searched high and low for great records too, but is it my own problem or their problem that there were no Celine Dion ones?

Brooklyn was too cool for school and that was not my first and last trip there. The little cafes on the streets, the people walking around and the atmosphere there was perfect & right up my alley. Good job, Brooklyn.

Frozen Hot Chocolate & Photobooths

Another week for the books in New York! It's hard to believe that it's almost July. I feel like I start each blog post being surprised at how quickly time goes, but it is crazy! At school I'm looking at time from event to event, sometimes counting down days, but here I just want time to slow down.

Monday was a typical Monday; humid and slow. Nothing really eventful to report back to you on for that day. Tuesday was great though! It was my first day off in two weeks and I was happy to have the chance to sleep in a bit. I woke up earlier than Susanna that morning so I took it upon myself to venture to one of my favorite places that no one else really likes. My main man Mr. TJ Maxx. He really did let me down though. This TJ Maxx is insanely big so I thought for sure I would score some good deals, since the brands there are not the average TJ brands. Afterwards I went to H&M though where I did find some new clothes -- like a jersey t-shirt which I realized I basically already have two shirts that look like it alright. Ring any bells, Ann Marie or Mama? Y'all always tell me I buy the same thing over and over again.

Susanna and I reunited to go to lunch at the Grey Dog right by Union Square. We'd already eaten there once before but we didn't have the best experience, even though we knew the place was supposed to be so good. I'm glad we gave it another try because it was delicious and I had the greatest nachos. Finally a real filling meal! Afterwards we went to the grocery store because we're real adults, right? Next on our bucket list was to get a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3, so we headed uptown. We had to wait 45 minutes for our table but luckily Dylan's Candy Bar is only a few short steps away from Serendipity 3.

Inside Dylan's I lose my mind. CANDY EVERYWHERE. Thank goodness no one ever brought me there when I was a child because I would have become Veruca so quickly and my parents would have given me away. Susanna and I found the fudge section and had one too many testers. Cookies and cream fudge? Put a fork in me, I'm done. The next best thing to the free fudge was the photo booth. We ran around the store finding the best props: a cupcake beanie, a candy fuzzy robe and doughnut pillows. The photos turned out perfectly and we named ourselves the cupcake ganstas.

Finally we made it to Serendipity 3 where we ate even more sweets. At this point I felt like I could run laps around the entire restaurant. The frozen hot chocolate was better than any milkshake I've ever had. It was so perfectly frozen. Serendipity 3 was totally not how I imagined it to look though. The butterflies on the ceiling reminded me of Silence of the Lambs so that was a little concerning. A cute father daughter date was happening beside our table though so I was happy to creep on their cuteness and not focus on the butterflies (Hello, Clarisse).

Wednesday, another day at work. Followed by Seamless delivery for dinner and the arrival of Fran's friend from home, Lizzy! Work on Thursday was fun as usual, but to make it better we got Pinkberry! Nothing like a little mid-afternoon chocolate pick-me-up. Thursday for dinner all of us went to Serafina's in Meatpacking. Our dinner was great until the lady beside us threw up IN HER PASTA. Yes, that's correct, you read it right. The only good thing about that disgusting thing happening is that we got our meal for 50% off & you know I love a good deal.

Friday was a half day at work and a lot of things changed that day. It's some people's last day, some are traveling, and next week a lot of people have off or are taking a few days off here & there because of traveling for the 4th of July. So this upcoming work week will be like no other I've had yet. After work I got my usual Starbucks and walked around for a bit before heading home.

Also, Elizabeth's dog, Bow, came to work on Friday and I was happy as a clam.

Friday night the four roomies + Lizzy went to dinner at Dos Caminos in Meatpacking. We celebrated Fran's birthday early since Lizzy won't be here in July with Prohibition cupcakes & margaritas. We were sitting outside in meatpacking and I love that area at night. I work only a block over from this restaurant so to see this area at night is always cool. Plus, who doesn't love Mexican food?! After dinner we went to Troy, a bar underneath Dos Caminos. Love on Top played as we entered so I was like, okay, we can stay here for a while.

Grafitti, Sweden & Bowling

Once again I've had a great week in New York that absolutely flew by. Time here moves so fast and the weeks and especially weekends are over before I know it! Every day after work this week I had plans so the week was tiring, but incredibly fun. We can start with Monday. At work on Monday we were preparing for our sample sale that was held on Tuesday. Between press pulls and running a few errands & helping prep for the sample sale, the day was over quickly. That night for dinner, Jamie's parents were in town, so we met them at Almond by the Flatiron. I got the best mac-n-cheese ever, because I'm 5 years old apparently.

Tuesday was sample sale day. I know I've said it 100x and well, I'll just say it again. I absolutely love work and the people I work with. Everyone is so sweet and fun to be around. The sample sale began at 3 pm, open to VIP, then all doors officially opened at 5 pm until 8 pm. Many people came and went, including all three roomies who snagged some fab Dannijo jewels. It was fun seeing people with the jewelry and watching them chose their pieces, sometimes asking for my own opinion.

At the end of the day we packed up and I have never fallen asleep so fast. Standing on my feet from 3 - 8 pm was tiring, but thankfully being around so many people at the sample sale kept me alive and alert. Wednesday was a day I had been looking forward to for a long time -- it was Dannijo team bonding day at the bowling alley on Union Square. At 4:30 pm we all walked from the office to Bowlmor Lanes.

 Some of #TeamDannijo + the interns

We had drinks, bowled and competed to win Pinkberry or Starbucks the next day at work. Sadly, both games my team didn't win. It was funny to see everyone outside of an office setting, but we really did get to "bond" and learn more about each other. If you know me you know I love to know people more, so this day was right up my alley (my bowling alley, to be specific). Also, PS I am not too shabby at bowling. After team bowling a few of the interns went to get drinks and dinner in the Lower East Side. This is definitely one of my new favorite places to explore! I love meeting new people here in the city and everyone is fascinated by my southern life.. Hilarious, right? It's like a whole new world to the northerners and especially the international interns. Never did I think a sorority house was that strange or that I actually had an accent.

Thursday at work was great too! Getting to know the people I work with more plus learning the ropes of the internship make for happier and less stressful days, even though it still is non-stop work. I really do love sending jewelry to magazines and photo shoots and being in contact with the PR company. Hopefully in the fall in the magazines I will see jewelry used from Dannijo that I pulled and sent to them for the spreads. Thursday night our friend Madison from school was in town for less than 24 hours and we all went to the LES to go eat and watch the Rebs play baseball. I got the best grilled cheese (still eating like a 5 year old).

Friday is a great day in the office always. We play the 90's pop Pandora station and get off at 3 pm for summer Fridays. So many times I am reassured that things don't happen randomly and I am so thankful that I have this opportunity. From Spice Girls to N*SYNC the office is fun and sometimes, if the song is right, there is a small sing-a-long of the most known lyrics. After work I had lunch at Serafina's in meatpacking and it was delicious. Eating my way through the day, as usual. Then some of us headed to Sugar Factory where we had a drink that had two suckers and a candy bracelet in it. Candy is my weakness, so I was in heaven. If only somehow you could put a macaron in there...

After lunch some of the interns headed to the Swedish Midsummer Festival in Battery Park at the end of the island -- can I call Manhattan an island? I love being by the water and watching the sunset was beautiful. I had never been to the end before and I was also able to see our main girl, The Statue of Liberty. We made flower crowns, had Brooklyn Brewery beer and watched people dance to Swedish music. The weather was perfect!

Saturday rolled around and I always love Saturdays in the city. It's a day full of exploring. Frances, Jamie, Susanna and I ate brunch at The Smile, I love that place, then walked around Bowery (finally saw the mural) and SoHo. I had the chocolate scone at The Smile which is my favorite and you know I am always searching for famous bloggers there. I've yet to find one, of course. After brunch we walked around Elizabeth Street and the unknown streets of SoHo that we never been on before. We found so many unique shops and new places to eat; like the Mexican place we had our afternoon snack at. Fran found an alpaca that she wants for her birthday and she made it ride a toy double decker NYC tour bus. Is anyone surprised?

In the late afternoon after wandering around SoHo we found a lady who was making candy with her hands.. It was a strange experience but I got a candy seahorse for free so of course I was a happy camper. After our candy and a few more stores we headed to TriBeCa, which I had never been to before. The streets were kind of dead because it was the weekend, but the area was nice and I loved every building we passed.

That night we ate at Mira sushi and it was perfect since I eat like a mermaid, or as some say, a squirrel. I had the crunchy shrimp roll and the spicy California roll. I would almost venture to say that it was better than Jinsei. I'll keep that on the down-low though. Once we finished dinner we headed to Ph-D at The Dream Hotel. I'm not much for clubs instead of bars, but I do love the rooftop bars here because how could you not want to see New York from above?! The view was unreal. Thankfully some young 18 year old who snuck into the club threw up and got kicked out, so we took their reserved table and acted like we owned it. Classic.

Today Jamie and I took the city. Frances' parents are in town and Susanna had to make a quick trip home to go to the doctor. Somehow I think Jamie and I walked about 9 miles. We walked from one side of the city to the other, up, and down. PTL for tennis shoes even though we probably looked like legit tourists. We got coffee from The Bean, walked down E Houston, ventured into SoHo, walked by the Hudson River and Pier 44, walked up the High Line to FIT, walked by the Flatiron and into Eataly, then ended up back at good ole Union Square. As for tonight, we are just hanging out and getting ready for this upcoming week.

New York, you're too good to me. July is bringing lots of visitors and friends & I cannot wait to share my little spots with my people.

Mississippi & the Genie

Another week has come and gone in the city. It's unreal that I've been here for three weeks now and at the end of this work week, I will have lived here for one month! Time really is flying and I feel like my summer is slipping away even though it is only mid-June because there is still so much I want to do and see.

late night cookie dough because being an adult is hard

 

This past week at work was great again. I promised myself when I began this summer blogging experience that I would be transparent and if I had a day where I hated work, hated the city or had a bad day, I would tell about it. I think sometimes social media can twist reality because why would anyone ever Instagram a boring day or when they're upset? Thankfully and many answered prayers later though, I can say that I really do love my job at Dannijo. The days are packed and busy & I run around sometimes like a chicken with my head cut off, but I wouldn't trade a day there for anything.

Susanna's parents were in town this weekend for Mississippi in the Park and just to visit, and it was so nice seeing familiar faces in the city. The fab four roomies plus her parents went to dinner Wednesday night where we had way too many courses (nom), went shopping in SoHo, and then Saturday we all went to Mississippi in the Park in Central Park. It was a section of Central Park sectioned off and there were tents for Ole Miss, State, Southern Miss and the W. Also a lot of Mississippi cities had tents like Jackson, Tupelo and Brookhaven. It was a little slice of home (halfway home for me I guess) and I loved seeing such sweet southerners. I never thought there was a real difference between the North and the South, but there 100% is.

During Mississippi in the Park Susanna's sweet parents let us take their tickets to Aladdin with Susanna instead of them going. IT WAS SO GOOD!! The magic carpet ride literally was magic. Whatever they used to make that fly, it tricked us all. The genie was hilarious too. He sang a Disney medley which was so great, and everything that he said was so funny. He was definitely my favorite person in the play! Plus I just love a good musical. Also the colors in the set and costumes were unreal. I absolutely loved the play!

Saturday night we went out in meatpacking to The Brass Monkey and the Beer Garden at The Standard. Night life in New York is like no other night life, and let me tell you, it's hard to keep up. I guess I am just used to the Oxford scene where on a Saturday night the bar closes at 12. In New York, midnight is like the beginning of the night. I'm like, grandma over here is normally in bed.

Today we slept late, wandered around where we live and to Washington Square Park, got popsicles and planned out our week. The Dannijo sample sale is this week and we have team bonding, which I could not be more excited about. To sum up my NYC feelings so far, I really am in love with this city. I find myself never walking and looking down at my phone, instead I am constantly looking up because everything here is beautiful. I love my walks home from work every day and I love wandering alone sometimes too because it's a moment to myself.