City to Sea: A Day at Fort Tilden

Hello Lovelies!

I am currently sitting on my couch, letting aloe gel soak into my crispy skin. I know... I'm really terrible about applying sunscreen. Considering the day I had yesterday, however, my lobster limbs are more than worth it.

10:30am Saturday morning found me rushing around Union square picking up snacks and supplies from Trader Joe's and the farmer's market. One such item was a bottle of Red Jacket Strawberry Apple Juice, which believe me, is as good as it sounds.

Like I said, it was Saturday, and seeing as how the MTA is the supreme kill-joy of all weekend plans, we had to transfer and take a bus to get to the beach. Below is our route (the 4 to Franklin, the 2 to Flatbush, then the Q35 the rest of the way). It took approximately 1.5 hours, so we arrived shortly after noon and pitched camp.  

I've never really been to a non-Florida beach, so I was unaccustomed to the idea of a beach without trees or shade of some sort. That's really my only complaint... well that, and the fact that we didn't realize this was a topless beach. Quite the initial shocker, let me tell you. Moving right along...

The weather was lovely, and this beach affords wonderful waves for boogie boarding. We (my coworkers and I) enjoyed a nice picnic lunch before packing up and walking west in search of the more interesting portion of the beach (and the whole reason I came). The majority of this peninsula is home to an assortment of abandoned houses and military bunkers see HERE for historical background. Oh and before I forget, here is your weekly music recommendation, as I listened to it on repeat on the way to and from the beach. 

For most of these, the sand was piled up high enough to where we had to crouch to climb in to the front doors, but it was well worth it, as you can see. The decay of the buildings with the addition of artwork from visitors past gave the place an eerie feel. It was beautiful, all the same, and I'm disappointed that this is the only abandoned site I've been able to (legally) access since I've moved to the city. Amid the broken glass and rusty nails were cans of food, a book, shreds of blankets. I don't know who lives here, but they've got a pretty sweet get-up living by the beach... 

A Night of Culture: The New York Philharmonic

Hello Lovelies,

So what is the logical response when your coworker invites you to a night of free live classical music in the world's most famous park? To grab your wine, strawberries, nutella, and a picnic blanket, of course!

Observe: One of several that I had pre-concert in the middle of the Great Lawn.

The meadow, as you can imagine, was packed. But we managed to squeeze our blanket in close to the stage, right next to one of the barriers or "cattle pen" as one of my sassier coworkers called it. We spread out our blankets, unpacked our dinner, uncorked the wine, and enjoyed the sounds of tuning instruments.

China Through the Looking Glass: A Met Expedition

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope your day, wherever you are, isn't as dreary and depressing as it is here in New York. You would hardly believe it was June, what with the ominous gray clouds.

Summer in the city has provided me with abundant time to pursue every whim with which I wake up on the weekends. Yesterday I had one such ambition so I found myself on the 4/5 at noon, headed to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, armed with my camera, and sketch book.

I had completely forgotten that the Met had their China Through the Looking Glass exhibit up. I had made  mental note to go sometime during the school year, but between finals and transitioning into my new job, it got put on the back burner. If you didn't already know, this is the exhibit that was introduced at this year's Met Gala, where Rihanna wore her show-stopping gown. I am VERY glad I got to go yesterday, because--let me tell you-- this exhibit is beyond description. I'm not one to frequent museums. Frankly, I rather spend my time outside and exploring on my own, but this.... Well you just need to see it for yourself. 

A striking first look had me instantly captivated. 

So it's raining and you're stuck in Midtown...

MIDTOWN of all places! No, it's not charming, pretty, or pleasant. There's trash floating where the pavement dips at the corner, and poncho-wearing tourists still plague the sidewalk. This was precisely my dilemma today. And I had planned to give you all a sparkling, classic New-York-style blog tour of my old neighborhood. Bummer. Thankfully, I have had my fill of rainy days in midtown and have developed a list of things to do despite the weather. 

The New York Public Library 
This is where I was headed today to do some research for a paper, and I guess I was glad the weather gave me a reason to stay indoors, otherwise I would have had no motivation whatsoever, to study. While this is not the branch to visit if you are looking for a "fluff" novel, it's the perfect scene for photographers, as well as a fascinating site for historians. Note to the gutsy: do refrain from sliding down the banisters, no matter how tempting it looks... the security guards are not interested in allowing you to fulfill any childhood dreams.

The Rockefeller Center

30 Rock has been my favorite place to steal away for an hour or two to study or just people watch. It is essentially an underground labyrinth filled with shops and restaurants. I have come here dozens of times and still cannot claim to have explored it all. If any of you manage to get farther than I, i.e. into any "Staff Only" areas... I'd love to hear about it! You can also pull up a chair and watch the ice-skaters go around on the rink while staying warm and dry behind the floor-to-ceiling windows. If you're looking for a good meal, Tri-Tip has salads and Philly cheese steaks that are to die for.

The Plaza Hotel
Can someone please draw the definitive line where midtown technically ends? I'm not quite sure if the early 60's counts as midtown... but it's not the park yet and not Hell's Kitchen so... who's to say? The plaza holds a special place in my heart... I hope one day to spend a week or two there when I have a couple thousand or ten to burn. Mostly, I just lived (and still do) vicariously through Kevin in Home Alone 2. Also, did you know there is a completely pink, tutu-festooned room in the basement completely devoted to Eloise everything? It would be my dream-come-true if only I was about 14 years younger... That's totally not me in the pic btw...I don't even know that person...

So next time it rains, it's not the end of the world... Go somewhere random and push the envelope. Don't let the weather stop you from exploring anywhere and everywhere! 

Stay classy, my friends.

-H