New York City: Inspiration

via

Hello there my friends! Today is exactly one week from when I will be heading to New York City with my guy! Seems a bit surreal that it is actually happening, as I have a couple essays to write, a project to complete, and a book to read and finish before I go, but IT IS HAPPENING. I am a lucky girl that got the morning off from responsibilities at the last minute, so here I am, typing away to all you lovelies.

(By the way, this top image and a couple others throughout the post comes from this awesome blog I found the other night, Living Out Loud. I really like Emily and her style!)

So, in the interest of day dreaming and excitement, I thought I would share a few of the things that are on our list of must-sees while we are in NYC. I have a giant list going in my sketchbook and this weekend we will hopefully make a tentative itinerary for our trip!

via // via

Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. I see this all the time over on Hey Natalie Jean (formerly Nat the Fat Rat), and I just drool. With all the buzz this place gets, it seems to be a more hip equivalent to CA's favorite In-n-Out. Plus there's a string-lit patio, so obviously I'm in.

via // via

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I hear this is a must! It would be kind of sweet if it snowed while we did like in the photo above :)

via // via

Chelsea Market. This is another one Natalie talks about quite often and I can't wait to check it out.

via

9/11 Memorial. I think that this will be very humbling and amazing. I still remember exactly where and what I was doing when I heard about what happened, and how the rest of the day followed in school.

via

Central Park. Duh. I even hear there's a carousel, and since I am a kid at heart, I just may beg Dai to take me on it.

via

Grand Central Terminal. I hear that standing in this historic place is simply breathtaking. I also recall a black and white framed photo of this place on the wall of my high school English class that I would stare at and daydream about how beautiful it was. So it is on the list.

via

High Line Park. This seems to be a super popular place lately, and I can see why from all of the photos I have looked at. Looks pretty awesome!

via

Sit on the steps of the New York Public Library, because that seems to be the thing to do. Plus, just look at it. Puts any other library I've ever seen to shame.

via // via

Visit the Empire State Building. Maybe it seems cliché, but I'm in New York and it's the Empire State Building, so...

via // via

Visit the NYC MoMA and The Plaza Hotel. I love the SF MoMA (my awesome posts about it here and here), but it is closed for THREE years for renovations, so I thought I would check out NY's since I have heard awesome things about it. Plus, I wanted to take in a museum or two while we are there and this one seems the most interesting to me. I just want to go to The Plaza Hotel because it is so iconic and, well, because of Eloise. Plus it should be decorated for the holidays!

via

Wander around West Village to look at pretty ivy-covered brick homes. Things like that are good for the soul.

And another thing... Can I basically just be Natalie for the week? I always just swoon over her blog and day to day adventures with her little Huck. I even want a little Huck one day. Or at the very least, can I just, like, you know, hang out with her?

Also, I have been jamming out so hard in the car to the beginning of this song. Old news, but you're welcome.

Happy Friday! I love you all!

P.S. Happy Birthday to my lovely Aunt Kathy who I know reads and cherishes this blog! Love you!

I'm off to...

(note: image via, I added text)

Yep, you read that correctly! In exactly two weeks, Dai and I will be boarding a plane to New York City! Some of you may already know this if you follow me on Twitter, but I am unbelievably excited and am still in awe that we are actually doing this. I have never been to the East Coast, and somewhere along the way, this idea of visiting (especially at this time of year) is irresistible to me. I have been just waiting and waiting and waiting to finally tell you all this, but wanted to find the right time to do so! When we booked the tickets back in early October, after going back and forth about the matter for a couple months, it seemed like such a long ways off. But here we are, only two weeks away from the big day! I honestly have never been so excited for an adventure before in my life. These are the experiences that I think make the best memories in life. These are the things we are supposed to do as humans, see this huge world.

Before I leave, I will be sharing with you all some of the things that are on our list for this trip, and maybe even some fashion inspiration. I mean, I am just craving that East Coast fallish/winterish weather and all the cute clothes that come with it! Most of all, I am so excited about the photos I will be taking. Do I take digital or film? I don't know! This seems to be the biggest decision, as of course, I want BOTH because I would be crazy not to. But realistically, can I really lug both cameras around the city? I am not sure. The sacrifices we photo-obsessed people make...

Any suggestions for things we must do or see? Come on people, help a girl out!