Autumn in New York

Now that I'm home for winter break, before all the craziness of pre-study abroad sets in, I have, dare I say it, too much free time. It seems like I have all day to blog and not much to blog about!

So, I'm dipping into some of my adventures from this semester. Early in November Zac and I took a full day to explore the city, running all over the Upper East Side. Zac had been dying to take me to the Frick Collection all semester, and we couldn't help but window shop up and down 5th Avenue, popping into Barneys, Bergdorfs, Bendels, Tiffany's...you know, the usual (I wish).

Our first stop was The Frick, a museum I knew nothing about. It's housed in Henry Clay Frick's Gilded-Age-era mansion, one of the few remaining in New York, and the house itself is a museum. 

It's very different from walking through the Met or the MoMA, as the old furniture and decorations remain, with most of the art hung on the wall as casually as a family portrait. You almost feel like a guest in Mr. Frick's home, admiring his impressive collection while wandering through one of his sitting rooms. 

The front entry is the only place where you could take pictures, so we took full advantage!

After the Frick we strolled (literally) across the street to Central Park, where the Sunday crowds hadn't quite filled the park yet, making it movie-set-perfect.

Funny story: I was admiring a woman's hat while we were walking, and happened to look at her companion and realized it was Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser! I made Zac double back so we could get a better look. You never know who you're going to see in New York!

The weather started to warm up mid-morning and I was able to shed my coat. The fall weather stuck around- we were lucky and managed to avoid snow all semester!

After a little window (and a little actual) shopping we were in need of a brunch break. Serendipity was packed as usual so we opted for a little Greek place on the corner. I cannot remember the name of this place but it was adorable, and sooo delicious!

After a little more shopping, a hankering for hot apple cider drew us to Bryant Park, where the Christmas market had just been set up and the ice rink was in full swing. 

I love New York in the fall, when all the leaves are changing, everyone is layered up in sweaters, and the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center is still being strung with lights. We had a packed day in the city but it was picture-perfect (so perfect I forgot to take pictures of half of it!). Commuting to the city twice a week made it hard to appreciate the city anymore- I saw it as the place where I worked, and riding in on the train became a chore rather than something exciting. But somethings (or some people) make you fall in love with a city all over again, and New York changed seasons at just the right time.

It's crazy to think that I won't be back in New York until probably August for my (eek!) last semester of school!! But I'm looking forward to my semester abroad and one more summer of freedom!

Outfit details: Button-up, J. Crew (similar). Sweater, Gap. Skirt, Gianni Bini. Fleece tights (similar). Trench coat, H&M (similar). Bag, vintage Coach. Bracelet, KJP 'JFK' bracelet. 

On the Steps of The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of my favorite places in New York. I have always loved art and going to museums, and living in a city full of celebrated art houses is a dream! This is my second trip to the Met this year, just because I love it so much! My next goal is to make trips to other museums in the city, including the Guggenheim, the MoMA, and the Neue Gallerie.

My mom came to visit this week, and I was so excited to be able to explore with her and spend time together! Friday we headed into the city with Lauren for the museum, Central Park, and great food with great people.

So happy my mom got to visit for an entire week!

I am obsessed with Impressionist painters- it's my favorite style of painting and seeing several rooms full of nothing but my favorite artists was almost overwhelming! Just look at the colors in this Manet!

This Renoir girl and I have very similar poses.

Van Gogh is one of my favorite painters, I freaked out a little over the rooms dedicated to his works and seeing his self-portrait!

Maybe it's my history with dancing, but I have always admired Degas. His sculptures, paintings, and drawings dedicated to the art of ballet and the ballerinas of the Paris Opera are breathtaking. 

One of my other favorite galleries is the recently renovated Near Eastern gallery, full of ancient Islamic art. Everything is ornate and elaborately decorated, like this prayer niche (above). 

This guy laying down drove me crazy- you're amongst amazing works of art get up and get off your phone!

The Great Hall of the Met. I think what I really love about the museum is that it is a beautiful old building with so much history. People go to museums to see art, but the fact that the place housing the art is a work of art in itself makes me love spending a day at the Met. 

Outfit details: Hat, vintage. Vest, Ross. Sweater, Kensie. Skirt, H&M. Boots, Target. Purse, Kate Spade. 

I had to take the stereotypical Gossip Girl picture with Lauren on the steps!

We had to make a trip back to El Centro- I can't get enough! It's hard to find good Mexican food in New York, so if you're like me and are looking for something authentic and delicious, hit up this adorable little spot, previously seen here. 

April 1st

There are so many things going on this month, and I wanted to take the time to sit down and reflect on this month and what it means. I'm turning the big 2-0 this month (that's a little scary!), so in honor of my birthday here are a few things I'm grateful for, proud of, or just amazed that they are happening!

1. I am turning 20. I will officially be two decades old. Being 20 seems like a useless birthday because I still can't drink or rent a car or gamble, but it's a big deal. I will finally stop being a teenager, yet I'm still in a weird limbo of not being a kid but not being an adult. However, a new decade means new beginnings!

2. I am performing on Broadway. I am so honored to be a part of Spacefroot Dance Company, and the fact that we are dancing at a theatre on Broadway in New York City (on my birthday) is unreal. I never, ever, ever thought that this would happen to me. Sure, every girl who takes a ballet class dreams on being that beautiful ballerina in all white on the NYC stage, but I'm pretty darn close to that dream.

4. I work two jobs, and being a Pride Guide and a French tutor has made me realize how important it is to manage your time. Creating a schedule for work, class, and extra curricular activities (can you still call them that in college?), has made me even more organized than I was before.

5. I have the opportunity to study abroad. While I wait for the University of Amsterdam to let me know whether or not they have accepted me, I think about all the things I plan on doing if I go- all the travel, sightseeing, and experiences I plan on having.

5. I am literally living my dream. I spent my whole life saying that I wanted to move to New York, and I did. I packed my little car up and headed here for college, fulfilling my dream of someday living in New York. Even if I don't end up living in New York forever after I graduate, I'm here now!

6. I just took an awesome trip to California with great friends, one of whom I have been friends with since the 7th grade! I am so thankful to be able to go across the country to see her at least once a year and spend some time in such a beautiful place!

7. I will officially welcome my lovely little, 'Geneva' into Zeta Phi Eta next weekend, bringing her into the Travel Tree!

8. I am acting in a friend's film project this weekend! While acting has never been my number one talent, I miss doing it in high school and I'm excited to help out with their shoot!

9. I have had 2 amazing internships, one in person and one virtual, and I have learned so much from both of them, more than I ever could learn in a classroom, even with all the opportunities Hofstra offers.

10. Finally, I have the honor to be on the Digital Team for the Women in the World Summit this weekend! One of my former editors from The Daily Beast e-mailed me over spring break and asked me to be a part of the team, to which I quickly said yes! I am so honored to be able to watch so many amazing women speak and have the opportunity to work on this summit! I am also super excited to be reunited with Kelsey, my best friend/co-intern when I was at Newsweek/The Daily Beast!

There are a million things I could list that I am excited or grateful for, but these are just a few of the amazing things happening in my life right now! I can't wait to post about the summit and later my show, so stay tuned!

El Centro and Central Park: Part 2

I'm finally getting around to finishing up my blog posts about our trip to Central Park last week! Now there will be a little bit of New York wedged in amongst my LA posts.

I have always loved Central Park, and as touristy as it is sometimes I really love being able to escape into a beautiful green space while still seeing skyscrapers poking up over the trees. The weather that day was absolutely incredible, and we all soon shed our winter coats and shoes. You know you are getting used to Northern weather when 50 degrees seems 'warm.'

I honestly could not live without these girls and they have made this year an incredible one. 

Unfortunately, Sheep Meadow was closed, so we made our way to an open space just next to the meadow.

There were puppies everywhere!! If its one thing I love it's being run over by adorable little dogs. 

Look at these cuties!

I love these girls more than I can possibly put into words. 

I had a wonderful, perfect day in the park with my best friends. I'm so grateful for the wonderful friends I have at Hofstra.

An absolutely perfect day. 

Outfit details: Sweater, Kensie. Vest, Ross. Boots, Target. Necklace, Sam Moon. Sunglasses, H&M.