The Tourist Side

Something is making me feel like walking and riding the subway are more intimate ways to say goodbye to New York City. I'm also walking, wandering and popping into way more places spontaneously and it would majorly suck to have to lock-up my bike so many times.

Here's my tourist look today.


I didn't mean to eat two amazing sandwiches today, but that happened. So did a cookie and a cupcake. Shit is out of control, I know. But this is the farewell tour.

This freaking Luke's Lobster lobster roll, holy lord, y'all.


Then this Cheese steak with jalapenos and onion rings happened a few hours and many stores later.


Saying Goodbye! to the Plaza with a strawberry-lemonade cupcake. They put a food court at the bottom of The Plaza hotel and that's one of best ideas. But I also don't think the tourists have any idea because of what I was over-hearing as I sat at the fountain.


Last week I rounded out the museum bucket list, so now I'm free to shop (buying things I won't have physical or internet access to down south) and apparently eating everything awesome that gets in my way.

How to pack for NYC

We have a lot of visitors and first time visitors of New York City have lots of questions about packing and what type of bag/s to bring. Today I did a doodle of the ideal outfit for touring NYC.

Wearing a cross-body bag so you have two-hands free is monumental. You aren't riding in a car, so there's nowhere to set your stuff. You're very on-the-go. A hand free for a coffee or map or camera is imperative to your functionality.

Hands-free bag also makes your life more wonderful if you're holding something and need to hold onto a rail in the subway or on the bus.

First time visitors also need not try to wear fancy shoes. Your feet will DIE.
Wear some street sneakers like converse. Converse are big here! So are my best-friends the Keds. And TOMS.

On one of my visits before I lived in NYC I wore kitten heeled boots and my hosts pretty much shook their heads at me like "What has she done?" tsk tsk... Luckily, I was only here for 24 hours and my feet did die, but I was relieved of my distress quickly on such a short trip. This is me on that trip. 

I also say bring a rolling suitcase in case you have to walk several avenues from the subway or down those weird under-ground passages in the subway. And if you do all that walking with a shoulder-strap duffle bag, your shoulder will be in tremendous pain. And no one wants to carry that shit for you no matter how polite they are.

Most of our family lives in warmer climate places than NYC so I feel that it's important to spell out that you need head-covering. The fierce wind on  your ears is a misery. Hat, ear-muffs, ear band, whatever. Makes you life better. Gloves, scarves, layers, layers, layers!

Outside can be a cold misery but inside places is usually hot for a variety of reasons including the fact that like, 8 million people live here and places/stores/restaurants/museums are crammed full of people.

This drawing got mailed to my Aunt & Uncle who aren't on the internet so much. They are coming for a hardcore tourist-y Thanksgiving. We are going hard for the Thanksgiving Day Parade and all the sights. 

A Little Miami Scrapbook

I'm still in Miami. While I'm indoors for a bit- to protect my lily-white skin, I thought I would post some pictures to prove I'm alive and well.

 

Matt is conducting actual business. I'm just messing around. And around. And around.

Took Myself on a Bike Date

Last night was the last night ever for the sno-ball place.
Wednesday nights are hard for me to motivate in any social or adventurous way. I'm so tired. I fought the laziness and got back on my bike at the ghastly hour kidding! of 8pm and went for a night ride.

I got dressed-up like a cantaloupe.
There wasn't a cantaloupe flavor, but I felt like I was showing them a fruity festive farewell.

This is me at like 10:30pm - this is about as tomboy as it gets.


The weather was gorgeous and I was immediately pleased with my decision to act.

When I realized it was August 31st, I knew I had to go. September means summer is over.

I owed it to myself to take myself on a night ride.


1/2 Raspberry - 1/2 Buttercream (frosting) and condensed milk drizzle on top.
I'm a little too good at picking out amazing snacks.


I was not the only lady sitting in the little park savoring one last summer sno-ball.


And I'm glad I've got clear/fake glasses to protect my cryballs.

Julie the Tour Guide

I've been BUSY! I made this sign out of a shopping bag. And spray paint. 

I DRANK the past 6 evenings in a row! (Congrats to me!) 

Last night I completed my training for the Planned Parenthood of NYC Activist Training. 

I'm an official member of the PPNYC Activist Council and 4 specific councils within. 

I am super-excited that I joined a two councils that require ongoing education and extra training!

I had my first Honey Bourbon drink last night. Good stuff! 

Monday night we (Me, husband and another couple) went to see Bridesmaids and I almost died. I was choking and crying, I was laughing so hard. If you're planning a wedding or even attending a wedding this summer- which is all of us- drop what you're doing and go see it! 

My Dad and his wife were here over the weekend. They left Monday morning but I showed them an awesome NYC Tourist time. 

Thursday night we took them to Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem. We were shocked by the wait-time  and hung out in the bar. 

Matt eating a GIANT MEAL that was surely meant for a Bear. 

I think this is my favorite pic - Matt, Me, Dad. We are Henderson State University Alums!

Yes- I took my dad to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit. The exhibit is so freaking cool Matt did not hesitate to agree to go again with his sister & her husband in just 2 weeks. 

It opens with spooky music! There's a gorgeous, painted football helmet in there too. 

We rode the bus a ton. 

Friday we went on this awesome boat tour as I previously posted. We took Matt's Mom on this tour Easter Weekend. 

They loved the M&M's store in Times Square. 

I made them eat Magnolia Bakery cupcakes and sit at Rockefeller Center. 

They could not stop talking about how crazy the buses & taxis drive and how close together all the cars are. My Dad though the Guggenheim was a fancy parking garage. 

We ate a big German dinner at Heidelberg and drank huge beers on Sunday night!

Lots of beers when your family is in town is a good, good thing!

Very Busy

I'm very busy being a tour guide for my Dad and his wife this weekend. I've lived here 4 years and this is their first visit. This boat tour is the best tourist-y thing that costs money in my opinion.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge late at night so you get the amazing view of Manhattan's skyline is the best free tourist thing.

I was putting some little videos of their reactions to things on YouTube for other family members and I found this old video of my demonstration/application for Martha Stewart. This is shot in our little house we had in Durham, NC.


Yes- I had long, blonde hair and black nail polish. This was in October 2006.

When I was in the process of applying to Martha and the producers asked me to send in a video, I rushed out and bought a camera and am just now really using it again. Matt is very proud that he shot this in one take (and I got on the show!)

Dreary Morning - Bright Content

See how these trees have no leaves? There is no green in my sky? New York City is lagging behind on the springtime trend that is sweeping the rest of the nation.  

This morning was perfect for my bestest light jacket. All the best coats/jackets are at thrift shops in Florida, and that's where this one came from.


Sanrio 50th Anniversary McDonald's Chococat watch & New leopard bracelet from the little girl's section at H&M.



After work I was riding so fast-

So fast, so fast-

-To get to the bicycle shop to get my new silver basket put on. I'm dreading cleaning trash out of this every day after parking it on the street while I'm at work but I'm happy that I don't have to worry about it being rickety and clipping and unclipping like the old one. And jeez- the silver just looks better.


Bonnie, my dog, has no patience for taking photos and she was with me now, so this angle isn't the best, but trust me- this basket will be photographed to death in no time.

I am really happy about my tiny new, vintage-looking, very affordable* pedals. They were like $11. Awesome!

I love how they look small and vintage. They may be children's. I'm pretty sure they're children's.

I had the best weekend with one of my BFF's. We saw Amy Sedaris. In normal lady clothes! I couldn't get over that. I've only ever seen her in frocks, gets-ups, costumes, etc. We were too polite to take cameras - it was a film screening with Q&A and we were on the first row.

Friday we went to the Tina Fey interview and book signing at Barnes & Noble Union Square. We got there about FOUR HOURS EARLY and thank goodness we did, because we were on the back row of the main section.

Grizz from 30Rock came in first-


Then everyone killed themselves to get a blurry, grainy photo of Tina Fey like this-


When she saw me, she did look me over like she was reading me, then said this exact quote: "You have a great haircut." and all I said was "Thanks" because I had been sitting at B&N for about 6 hours now and was thrilled to see her, but kind of miserable for a real drink.

But this is my hair right now and I agree with Stamatina Fey- It is very cute right now.

And this is air-dried. Yes!

After spending our day and night at Barnes & Noble, we needed Watermelon Margaritas.


Tina Fey's book is completely awesome. I finished it already and I am in love and want to start it all over again.

Here's Kimberly at MoMa on Saturday.


Late Saturday night we did Top of the Rock which is much more pleasant and chill than going up in the Empire State Building.


I was looking down and I can't believe I ride my bike around in that. Like, my commute runs down through there. Wild.

Heart-Shaped Foods are My Fuel

This morning I got a Royal Wedding doughnut from Dunkin' Donuts. Love! Bonnie is on antibiotics and I sneaked her pill to her through a chunk of this goodness.

It isn't that delicious, but it's heart-shaped. I love heart-shaped foods.

We are amped and counting down the days for the Royal Wedding!

Day 5 of 30 Days of Biking.

I'm tired! Yesterday after that slut-dress, I thought I should wear jeans. Oh, no, I wore jeans & sneakers because it was kind-of raining today, and I've been swimming in jeans before, and I thought I might find out the misery of bicycle riding in jeans. But I made it!

This weekend, Kimbroly's coming and it's going to be intense, awesome, girly events and tourism.

Highlights include, but are not limited to: Seeing Amy Sedaris do a Q&A after a preview of the new movie The Best and the Brightest.
A fantastic NY-style Sample Sale - The Betsey Johnson sample sale!
The flower show at Macy's and we're going to see Tina Fey talk about her new book. Eeeeeee!

Stay tuned for a major photographic chronicle of these events.

Here we are last September in North Carolina- I love that our dresses match.


I am so excited for this weekend! Aaaaah!

PS- I am sitting in on the Obama Volunteers National Conference Call as I type this.
I'm going to be biking for Obama, you just wait.

Why I'm the smartest girl in the world

I am really smart and really proud of myself for being so intelligent. I rented a bicycle in Washington D.C. on Monday and it was one of the best ideas I have ever had! Biking the sites in D.C. is so chill! You can ride on the sidewalks! There are nice, wide lanes for traffic, bicycle lanes. It's amazing!

Cute person riding on sidewalk. I could not get over it. Still can't. Because riding on the sidewalk in NYC is extremely offensive and rude and I would rather ride against traffic than do it. 



This is the Trek Cruiser I rented from Bike and Roll. I had it from 9am to 4pm and my grand total was $29. I got bike, lock, helmet, and a map I put in my back pocket and lost immediately.

It was literally 100% more chill than biking against all the crazy taxis on the skinny, bumpy streets of New York City. It was also amazing, because the Cherry Blossoms were out, and I was getting around quickly on wheels, and I could just pull over whenever I wanted to check out things I didn't even know about!

Like this pretty garden!


On vacations and in general, I get really excited about plants, flowers, and green, tidy grass.


My priorities were the First Ladies Inaugural Gown exhibit and to see Michelle Obama's dress. I got that done, then I cruised around checking gorgeous gardens and the Sculpture Garden and then I got closer to the Capitol than I've ever been.

Mind you, the last 2 times I was in Wash DC it was Obama's Inaug. and the Jon Stewart Rally. So it was so awesome to be there in a not-bat-shit-crazy time. I felt like I had it all to myself.



I also wanted to visit the National Portrait Gallery to see the Martha Stewart portrait and the Michelle Obama. The portrait gallery was my favorite spot. I ate a Mexican food truck outside and rested in the sun before I went in.

I didn't have a bike basket and if I hung my handbag on the handlebars, it fell and rubbed against the wheel, so I had to wear it on my shoulder, but like I said- it was the most relaxed bicycle riding I've experienced since I was a little child in Arkansas.


Other smart ladies on rental bicycles near the Capitol.


The works by Nam June Paik were my favorites, aside from the emotional state I got into over all of the Obama + Martha art. (I wasn't allowed to photograph that stuff. I get weepy about the Obamas I love them so hard. Martha too.)

Why was I even in Washington DC? Matt had a work trip. Matt had a little business trip for his medical specialty.  He shook Charles Schumer's hand right before we met-up for this.

Matt is as stylish as ever lately. He's got on Frye boots! He also has on a vintage YSL necktie and Warby Parker frames. It makes me happy when he lets me help him dress cute.


We had a rental car that helped us transport Bonnie.

I can't stop thinking about the awesomeness of the Nam June Paik work. Megatron Matrix stole my heart.


Before I turned in my bicycle, I did some shopping and ended up with a huge Forever 21 bag that I just carried on my wrist for several blocks. It was all good!


I still can't get over the fact that the sidewalks were huge and it was OK to bike on them. It was a good time! Go to D.C. and rent a bicycle!