Leaving Manhattan Oddities

Every December, I swap the blaring sirens of NYC for the sleepy charm of suburban Massachusetts. It's a homecoming ritual – days melt into cozy naps, festive PJs become the new uniform, and baking extravaganzas fill the air with sugary sweetness.

This year, amidst flour-dusted chaos, my sister and I hit a snag. Her epic health bar recipe demanded pitted dates. Mom, bless her soul, had a bounty of staples, but pitted dates? Not a chance. Enter the suburban grocery store – a revelation compared to the curated chaos of our local bodegas.

Sure, New York boasts 24/7 convenience and delivery apps galore. But as I wandered aisles overflowing with possibilities, I realized something profound. This wasn't just a grocery store; it was a wonderland! Forget ramen – here, entire shelves were dedicated to every conceivable sauce, each whispering promises of culinary adventures.

Back in the city, a bottle of marinara is a reliable friend, not a gateway to a global pantry. The sheer variety in this suburban haven was enough to make a city dweller weep with joy (tears of both awe and a slight touch of FOMO).

So next time someone brags about the convenience of NYC, I'll counter with a tale of endless sauce options and the unexpected joy of a well-stocked grocery aisle. Because let's face it, some things – like the perfect pesto or a truly life-changing hot sauce – are worth the escape from the concrete jungle.

...and then there were 2

From corporate elevators to Thanksgiving gatherings and even the bustling aisles of the Union Square Farmers Market, I've been surrounded by a language that's always felt foreign to me. That all changed just 16 weeks ago, in the cozy confines of my friend Gail's living room. Picture this: ten of us girls huddled around laptops, fueled by countless bottles of wine, embarking on a journey to learn a language spoken by millions around the globe. In case the smudged black under our eyes didn't give it away, we decided to tackle football.

Step 1: Launch a Fantasy Football league. Check!

No, I'm not orchestrating some Dexter-style serial killing spree among my girlfriends. But week after week, I've been dominating "Chicken Dinner," "Tortious Tacklers," "Little Giants," and the like in our fantasy football matchups. Thanks to binge-watching "The League" on FX (more of a testosterone-fueled soap opera than a tutorial on raunchy fantasy football smack talk) and scouting player projections online, I've secured a spot in my league's finals! Sure, it's not a jackpot like $1,500 – we're fantasy rookies, so it's just $15 bucks each, with the winner claiming a modest $150 and eternal bragging rights until next season.

This wasn't exactly the direction I envisioned for my blog when I started it. I had dreams of captivating readers with inspiring photographs that screamed, 'wow, this chick has style!' Well, let's be real, this post probably won't have anyone raving about my impeccable taste. But hey, if you stumbled upon it, stay tuned. Who knows where this journey might lead next...

UPDATE: Second place is just a fancy term for the #1 LOSER.

"Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change." Someone fed me that line years ago, but as I've grown older, I've realized it's a load of crap. I still despise losing, and I refuse to pretend otherwise. So, Fantasy Football league 2011, watch out.

Here's to hoping I stumble upon $20 bucks on the sidewalk. Cheers!

muse: a source of inspiration

Every day is a hustle, a constant hustle to find that sweet spot of balance in life. I'm all about that hustle—believing that balance isn't just a wishful thought but something we actively craft through our desires and actions. But hey, let's be real, even the most passionate pursuit can hit a roadblock sometimes. And that's where this blog comes in.

Think of it as my little corner of the internet where I spill the tea on all things inspiring. Whenever those light bulb moments hit, whenever the muses decide to show themselves, I'll be right here, sharing it all with you. Because let's face it, we're all in this together, navigating the twists and turns of life.

So buckle up, because I'll be taking you on a ride through my favorite coffee joints, showing off the freshest finds from Union Square's farmers market, diving into the eclectic vibes of NYC, drooling over the latest fashion must-haves, whipping up recipes from scratch, and who knows, maybe stumbling upon some unexpected muses that simply make my heart sing.

Stick around, because this journey to balance? It's going to be one heck of a ride, filled with surprises, laughter, and a whole lot of coffee.