the feeling of home + the end of an era

My room, my corner.

This is going to be my last post on this blog. It feels scary to say that, but I think it's important that the last post I do is before I leave New York, and that I move on to other blogs, other websites - a new start.

july, july

Having now moved out of my apartment, I am a couch-surfing nomad for the next week and a bit. Until I can wrap my head around leaving for long enough to formulate some thoughts, here are some snapshots of July, just a few moments from my last summer, and last full month living in New York.

A lovely day in McCaren Park: Lucky Peach magazine and a very juicy peach

on change

I've tried to keep this blog pretty emotion-free for the past two years. I've talked about being busy, working hard, and occasionally stressing out, but I haven't really delved into my feelings too much. Family members have joked that this blog basically existed so I could post mouth-watering pictures of cupcakes. But now, for the first time since I moved here, I felt like this blog might be a good avenue to work some of my feelings out.

Michelle's super-awesome NYC guide!

So here it is: my NYC guide, and let me tell you - it was fun! Going through all my favourite places in the city has felt like a really fantastic summation of the last two years, and all the places that filled my heart with joy.

What you won't find on this list: tourist traps,  Subway sandwiches franchise locations, or reputable bus tours.

What you will find on this list: great cafes, bars, restaurants and favourite hang outs, organized loosely by neighborhood, followed by a short list of my preferred non-annoying NYC tourist sites.

I will update this list if something I forgot about (which is inevitable) pops back into my head, but please leave a comment if you want a specific recommendation. I will not pretend to be an expert on NYC dining, especially not when it comes to the upper east and upper west sides, but if you follow some of these recommendations I can promise you'll get a great taste of the city, its all its weird, amazing dimensions.

So click ahead for the guide!

coney island...is the world + wd~50

Yesterday was a pretty major day: yesterday Joe got on a plane and said goodbye after his last NY visit ever. That's not to say we won't be back together many (many) times in the years to come, but this past weekend was his last visit while I am living here. It was the last time we'd share the bed in my Alphabet City apartment, and while there is something really wonderful about not having to do this hello-goodbye dance, there is also something a bit sad. Each visit has been an adventure, for him and for me. This last one was no exception.

the faces and places of june

The menu at Mission Chinese

Its finally hit. Summer, that unforgiveable season in New York where the heat often gets unbearable and you are forced to take shelter in whatever air conditioned space you can. But before true New York summer hits, you get  a wonderful taste of late spring, a time of 20 degree days and cooler nights that actually make frolicking in the city something that's easy to do. Here are some pictures from early June, a time when the weather was (mostly) forgiving and fun times were had.

spring beauty + end of a chapter

The coveted ramps at the Union Square Greenmarket. Spring is here!

I can't believe I'm standing here, on the other side of it all. Yep, I graduated. After 2 years of hard work, thousands of pages of reading, what must amount to hundreds of pages of writing, I now proudly hold a Masters degree. So how does it feel?

oh, hi there

Oh, hello there! Yes, I am still alive, still living in New York, still eating. Life has given me a ton of wonderful things recently, and I am so excited about what I have on the horizon. But I thought it might be a nice time to pause, and assemble a bizarre collection of some of my happenings from the last little while.

I've been doing a lot of home cooking recently. Including pickling onions!
Here they are on a salad.

stay-cation continued: nothing better than chocolate and sandwiches

Joe's amazing sandwich at the Meatball Shop: balls, pesto and provolone

Here is the last installment of photos from Joe and my weekend. Saturday we spent in the Lower East Side, wandering in and out of all the incredibly hip clothing stores, and stopping in the amazing Economy Candy. We had dinner at the Meatball Shop with my cousin Jeremy and his roommate Jon, which as usual, was delicious.

duck, coffee, happiness

This past weekend I had a long weekend for Presidents Day and Joe came to visit. Even though I still had work to do (that thesis still seems to be hanging around...how strange...), it felt like a bit of a stay-cation for me. Here is a rundown of the first half of our weekend. Pictures are taken by both Joe and I on his lovely Canon Rebel.

new york in moderation

When I moved to New York, I soon discovered one of the most amazing, and simultaneously difficult things about this city: there is always a million things to do. I sometimes imagine what it must be like to visit this city as a tourist, to just do everything you could possibly want to do, eat every meal out, go to a million shows, plays, concerts, art galleries, shop in SoHo and buy everything you want. But thats not what its like when you live here, especially not as a student on a somewhat tight budget. You have to pick and choose what you go to, you have to learn to say no to things. If I lived like a tourist every day I would be broke very quickly.

Homemade French toast with  bread from Amy's Bread

2012: the year of the little things

I'm the kind of person who sometimes needs to be reminded about the little things. I can get so caught up in life stresses, the long term future etc, that I sometimes forget to take joy in the small and the every day.

christmastime in new york + thoughts for 2012

So I know it has been a while. December was a hectic month with school, but also with goodbyes. I spent lots of time trying to do things with two friends in particular who were leaving NYC for good, and who I will truly miss. 

Christmas window at Macy's

friends, food, yurts

This past weekend two of my favourite people came to visit, my friends Mark and Laura. Both of them are big foodies, especially Laura, who has a fantastic vegetarian cooking blog, you should all check out, The First Mess (In addition to my own photos, I've included some photos by Laura, who is a very talented photographer. You can see more of Laura's NYC photos over here). 

Most of my time with them was spent eating at some of my favourite, and new favourite spots. We had lunch at Torrisi's casual sandwich joint, Parm, which was unreal. I had a chicken parmesan hero, and we all split mozza sticks made from the in-house made mozzarella. We washed down this feast with Dr Browns Cream Sodas and all was well with the world! For dinner, we did Momofuku Noodle Bar, and drinks at a cocktail bar around the corner from me me, called The Summit, which is cozy and lovely. If you have any interest in the art of the cocktail, I seriously recommend you check this place out; really interesting drinks made with true care and artistry.

Omonom! Eggplant Parm (c/o Laura)

Some November snapshots

Somehow I let November get away. Between what felt like the constant visitors, the piling up work, the everyday, I managed to avoid this blog entirely. When I moved here, I promised myself frequent updates, constant reminders that I am indeed doing New York. But somehow I managed to forget my camera whenever real excitement was going on. So here are a few pieces from here and there, camera photos, phone photos.

Earlier in the month, Amber, Lili, Lili's fiance Nathan and I had a very delicious brunch at a very hipster Williamsburg joint called Enid's.

I had the huevos rancheros which were fantastic

one hilarious halloween

Ah. Halloween in NYC. Many people will tell you to hit up the legendary Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, but do not be deceived! While the parade may sound fun in theory, it is actually incredibly frustrating, and involves thousands of drunk people shoving you, pushy police, and getting stranded on the West side of the city, having to subway home when it would be super fast for you to just walk, but the cops won't let you through. Yah, I didn't do that again this year.

Instead I had a two-part comedy-centric Halloween. Saturday night, C and I went to Hot Tub Halloween at Littlefield in Brooklyn, which was am amazing comedy/music/film extravaganza, hosted by Kristen Schaal (The Daily Show, Flight of the Concords) and Kurt Braunohler, featuring hilarious salvaged VHS videos from the Found Footage festival, comedy by tons of great stand up comedians, including Wyatt Cenac (also from The Daily Show) and finally, a musical performance by John Darnielle (the Mountain Goats). Caroline and I enjoyed amazing cocktails (I had a "Stormy Weather", appropriate since we had travelled through the insane October snowstorm) and lots and lots of laughs.

Bat girl and Rosie the Riveter

Kurt + Kristen

a day in the country: foodstock

Last weekend Joe and I had the pleasure of joining between 20,000-30,000 Canadians at Foodstock, a gathering of some of Canada's best chefs (over 70!) and donating our money, and our ears to an important cause: the movement to Stop the Mega Quarry which is planned for construction on some of Ontario's best farm land. This is the land that feeds us, and I don't think I need to tell you about how important farmland conservation is in Canada. If you want more information on the cause, you can read up on it here.

Joe and I arrived kind of late, which was problematic as some of the chefs had sold out of food, and the lineups were loooong! But we did get to enjoy some delicious treats. Favourites were the delicious soup served by by Michael Standtlander, topped with roast brussel sprouts and pumpkin, some delicious polenta and braised pork, and a sweet pizza made with apples and whipped cream.

Walking in...

some quick phone snapshots

From the top: Blueberry Pancakes from Clinton St Baking Co. with Maple Butter, Protestors gather in Washington Square Park to march down to Occupy Wall Street, and Shake Shack in Madison Square Park

autumn loveliness

It's official. Fall is here! My favourite season in New York has arrived. I knew it a week or so ago when I pulled out my cable knit sweater, and two nights ago when I had to take out my flannel PJs (it wasn't that cold, the heat has not yet been turned on in our building). I love going to bed when its chilly though, and I love scarves and warm drinks and autumn air. I've been taking lots of nice walks and drinking lots of chai lattes. Life is good.

Last weekend, after feeling like we had forgotten about doing fun New York things, Caroline and I had another one of our awesome adventures. It began with a visit to the Met, a walk through the European Art collection, and then a visit to the Met's rooftop sculpture garden for (very strong) cocktails. I never thought I'd wander through the Met's Greek + Roman sculpture collection tipsy, but there's a first for everything. We had some seriously good laughs.

Roof of the Met

j + m weekend part 2: williamsburg indulgences

After our fantastic Friday and Saturday, Sunday was really all about edible indulgences. But I'd say we earned it. Since the L train was closed, Drew, Joe and I decided to walk across the Williamsburg bridge to the Brooklyn Flea, located on the Williamsburg waterfront. The entire walk took us about an hour or so, but it was definitely worth it, for the view, the funny graffiti, and the rewards at the end! We munched on fresh tuna tacos, wood-fire pizza, and gourmet doughnuts.

Drew and I, representing our corner. Hi-larious street art in our hood.

Alphabet City Graffiti

Walking across the Williamsburg Bridge